Leilani blended the concealer on her face with her makeup sponge, careful to cover every mark, bruise and cut that was on her face. She didn't know how she did it, but she managed to once again allow Alejandro to treat her like a ragdoll and bash her face in. It was bad enough that he bruised two of her ribs but masking her injuries on her face was much harder to conceal with the number of times her struck her. She didn't ordinarily wear makeup so casually but with how messed up her face was, she was going to have to wear it so often so not to attract any unwanted attention or draw suspicion to how she got so badly hurt.
She had lied and told her boss she was attacked by a wild Ursaring after she separated from Murph. She was on desk duty until her rib contusions healed and she was cleared to resume missions again. Percy was already suspicious and she didn't need him hovering over her. But as much as Leilani hated to admit it, she felt helpless. All the domestic disputes she had seen, she never thought she would be in one herself. And she didn't know how to get out of it. Alejandro made it very clear what would happen if she tried to leave him. Leilani didn't understand how she could be so blind to not notice his possessiveness and controlling nature. Either he concealed it well or she was lulled by her rose-colored glasses. Either way it didn't matter right now. She had to do what she needed to keep herself alive.
Finished applying the concealer, Leilani washed her makeup sponge and walked out of her bathroom. She grabbed her phone and quickly texted Alejandro letting him know she was heading to work.
She had to keep him informed. Anything to prevent his insecurities from flaring up. She had to do what she could until she could figure out a safe way to escape the situation she so foolishly put herself in.
Freddie tentatively peered through his peephole. The ringing on his doorbell had him on edge. Being home on Family Medical Leave also had him feeling like a sitting Psyduck. He felt himself become pensive and guarded feeling like every ring and knock at his door could be from Anya. But when he looked through the peephole, he was not prepared for who was on the other side of the door.
"Darrell?"
"Hey, hey, little brother," the tall man on the other side of the door said. He had a scruffy black goatee and a buzzed haircut. He was wearing a pair of black sweatpants and a gray sweater covered by a charcoal gray peacoat. "Been a minute since we last hollaed at each other. How've you been?"
"What are you doing here?"
"Came by to see my little bro and my niece. Are you gonna invite me in?"
Without saying a word, Freddie stepped aside and allowed his brother to come inside.
He rubbed his hands together. "Place still looks the same. Where's the squirt?"
"What are you doing here?" Freddie asked again.
"Uncle Darrell!" Niema cried from the top of the banister.
A wide smile spread across Darrell's face. "Eh, rugrat! How's it shaking, pipsqueak?"
The small child ran down the stairs and ran straight for her uncle. He opened his arms and picked her up when she got close to him, swinging her in the air playfully before enveloping her a tight embrace.
"Ahh! How've you been Neems? Giving your pops a hard time or taking care of him?"
"I been a good gurl. I take care a Daddy lots!"
"Well, alright then. Glad to hear it, squirt."
He placed her gently back on the ground.
"Whaddyah bring me?" she asked impatiently.
He pretended to act hurt. "Is that all I'm good for now?"
"Yes!" She answered excitedly, earning a hearty belly laugh from Darrell.
"I guess I now know where I lie," he took a pokéball from around his waist and tossed it in the air. It snapped open and a Manectric materialized in front of him.
"Yay!" Niema bounced up and down cheerfully.
"Show the rugrat a good time, Manectric."
"Manae. Tric Manae."
The Manetric and Niema ran upstairs to play in her bedroom.
"She's gotten so big."
"Darrell, why are you here?"
"Why do you keep asking me that?"
"Because you still haven't answered me yet. Why are you here?"
Darrell scoffed. "You don't seem the least bit happy to see me, you know that? It's been what, five years? You could at least act a little cheerful, if only to appease me."
"I don't placate anyone," Freddie said sternly. "I'm still waiting for you to tell me the real reason you stopped by."
"Sheesh, you a real piece of work you know that, little bro? Anya musta have you popping blood vessels again."
"You still have not answered my question."
Darrell sighed heavily as he plopped down on Freddie's sofa.
"Alright, look. There's been a sting operation going around Kanto lately and I just needed a place to lay low for a bit and get away until I can go back home to continue my business."
"Absolutely not."
"Come on, man, Freddie. We're family."
"I don't care. I am not harboring a criminal in my house."
"Criminal? Is that what you think of me? Freddie, I didn't do nothin' at all illegal!"
"Then why are you hiding?"
"Because you know as well as I do law enforcement ain't too kind to people like us in the skin that we're in. I'm not about to be defamed and strung up by the police and be falsely accused of something I didn't do."
"Then there's no reason to hide."
Darrell chuckled dryly. "Being a ranger's got things fogged up for you."
"You're wrong. I'm all too familiar with the corruption in law enforcement. But knowing your rap sheet, I'm not doing it."
"Come on, Freddie. I haven't sold dope in years. And you know I didn't want to. But a man's got to do what he has to to keep food in his belly. We don't all have it easy like you do."
"Oh, please."
"Naw, really, man. You got yourself a nice well-paying job and a cozy little house. You got it made for yourself, even able to support yourself and your daughter financially. We aren't all blessed like that, you know?"
"I worked hard to get the career I have and the money I make. I don't make excuses when I mess up. Stop the pity party and do something to make a change if you really want it that badly."
Again, Darrell chuckled dryly. "Still the same arrogant pretentious brat you've always been."
Freddie walked back over to his front door.
"Get out."
"Just like that, huh? Your daughter is still playing with my pokémon."
"Then get it and leave."
Darrell stood up from the sofa. "Damn, man! When did you become so cold? Have you even checked in with Mom or Dad? Or are you estranged from everyone now?"
"Darrell, I don't need anymore drama and stress in my life."
"Is that what I am? Really, Freddie?" The silence that passed between them answered his question. He again chuckled dryly. "Okay then. Manectric! Let's go bud! Time to hit the road."
The electric type dog pokémon quickly sprinted down the staircase to his Trainer. Niema quickly followed behind it.
"No! Alweady?" she cried.
"Sorry, squirt. Gotta be on my way. See you around okay?"
Though she was still sad, she nodded.
Darrell recalled Manectric back into its pokéball and started for the front door. Freddie opened the door.
"Will you be coming back soon, Uncle Darrell?" Niema asked tearfully.
Darrell looked from the front door to Niema then glanced at Freddie. "I don't know. Ask your father, squirt. He calls the shots around here."
They stared evenly at each other for a long moment before Darrell stepped on the other side. "You really should give Mom a call if you're not gonna visit her. And get the girl a pokémon, damn it." He said quietly.
Freddie quickly shut the door and locked it. He turned back to look at Niema who was sadly wiping away her tears.
Signing heavily, Freddie went to go comfort his daughter.
"Hey, Lind," Lunick greeted Lind as he and Solana entered the Fall City Ranger Base.
"Hey, there, Lunick."
"Joel not here?"
"He's in a meeting so I'm manning the front desk while he's out."
"Okay. I just brought over the blueprints for Professor Hastings that he was working on a few days ago."
"Great. I'll be sure to give it to him when he stops by later today."
It was then that the base's double doors parted and a ranger with medium length chestnut brown hair entered the base.
"Lind, bro, I got some news for yah!"
"No, Keith, no." Lind cried.
"Just hear me out. Saturday night. You. Me. Amelia and Hannah. At the Ecruteak Hibachi Grille."
"No, Keith. I'm not going."
"Come on, you will have a blast, I know it! This won't be like last time, I promise!"
"I'm not going, Keith," Lind said sternly.
"Look, I know you've had trouble in the past with some girls, but you just need to come out of your shell a bit, I know. Trust me, I got a good feeling about this one. Amelia knows who you are, and she's had the biggest crush on you for two years and –"
"I'm gay!" He blurted out finally.
Silence fell upon the room for a few tense moments. Solana and Lunick's eyes widened slightly at the display taking place before them.
Keith barely blinked. "W-What?"
Lind exhaled deeply. "I'm gay, Keith."
Keith stared at him for a few more terse seconds before chuckling lightly. "Wow, bro. You are really not funny at all. I always knew you had no sense of humor but, man."
"This isn't a joke, Keith. I'm –"
"Look, I know you're not the smoothest guy out here with the ladies –"
"Keith, I –"
"But this ain't the way to go about it."
Lind stepped a little closer to his brother. "Keith, I am not attracted to women."
"I said this isn't funny, Lind."
"I'm not joking!" he shouted. "I've been terrified to come out to you for years but I can't keep this from you any longer."
Again, Keith chuckled dryly. "This…Wow, Lind…Look, bro, just because you've had a couple hiccups with the ladies on the first dates doesn't make you like dudes. I know things can be confusing for you –"
"Keith, will you just listen to me for once?! I'm not confused. I've never been confused about who I am. If anything, I've been so certain I was gay –"
"Stop it." Keith said quietly but sternly.
"…From a very young age. The first time I saw a picture of Lance –"
"Shut up!" he shouted, effectively quieting his twin. "I'm not gonna listen to this nonsense! You can't hide from your problems this way."
"I'm not hiding! I'm finally confessing and opening up to you about who I am. I'm tired of living in secret. The reason all of my dates failed with those women was because I do not want to be in a relationship with women."
"Lind! –"
"And they all knew that even before I told them I was gay. And they were understanding and accepting of it."
Keith's eyes widened, "You told them? You told them you were –"
"Gay, yes. I had to Keith. I wasn't gonna keep lying about who I was or lead them on into thinking anything would work out between us. I had to be honest and –"
"SHUT UP!" Keith bellowed at the top of his lungs. "I can't believe you're out there professing to the world that you'd rather swallow a dick than be a real man."
"Keith…" Lind whispered astonished.
"So, let me get this straight. My nerdy, shy little brother, is a fag?"
"Keith, that is very offensive –"
"I don't give a shit if you find it offensive. You're a freaking pansy! What, you want a vag between your legs and don dresses all day too?"
"My God, Keith! I'm gay, not transsexual."
"Same thing!"
"No it is not! You ignorant asshole! This is why I waited so long to tell you because I knew you would react this way."
Keith's eyes were cold as ice. "So this is what you're choosing to do, huh? To be a disgusting fag and break mom and dad's hearts? How're you gonna tell mom she's not gonna get any grandchildren from you? That one of her cherished boys is actually a girl?"
Lind walked closer to him and stretched his hand out to his brother.
"Keith, please –"
"Don't touch me! Don't you touch me with your dirty dick hands! You really did have a stick up your ass, didn't you?"
"Keith –"
"Do NOT touch me, Lind! I can't even stand to look at you right now, you make me so sick! My brother, my own brother, is…is…"
Tears started to flow down Lind's face as his eyes shimmered as he looked at his twin brother.
Keith gave a lout guttural cry. "I can't be around you right now. I gotta get out of here."
And with that, Keith stormed out of the base. The room was painfully silent. Solana Lunick exchanged worried glances before Lunick tentatively stepped up to Lind.
"Lind?" he asked.
"I'm fine." He said sadly. "You two should probably get back to Ringtown. I know there are missions lined up for you already."
Again, Solana and Lunick exchanged worried glances before Lunick looked back to Lind.
"Call me tonight if you need to talk?"
"Mhmm. Yeah, sure."
Reluctantly, Solana and Lunick exited the base. Left by himself, Lind finally gave into the tears that burst from his eyes like a floodgate. He gave a loud scream and threw his styler at the wall. It shattered from the strength of the throw.
Lind folded over on the ground and buried his face into his hands.
Lunick was typing feverishly on his laptop when Leilani entered the base carrying a parcel.
"Hey, Lunick."
"Hey, Leilani. How's it going?"
"Same old, same old. Here's the package that was delivered to Summerland by mistake."
"Thank you," Lunick got up from his seat in front of his laptop and walked over to Leilani, taking the package from her and heading into the back room to put it away. "We've really gotta figure out who's the mailperson delivering these packages to the wrong address," he said as he reentered the room.
Leilani nodded solemnly. It didn't go unnoticed by Lunick.
"Uh, you okay, Leilani?"
"Mhmm," she said quickly. "Just a little sore I guess."
"I heard about your encounter with that Ursaring."
"Yeah, well. It'll take more than a few bruised ribs to keep me down," she joked. "I'll be back up doing missions in no time. Just gotta get through desk duty for the time being."
"At least you don't have anything more serious. One swipe from an enraged Ursaring's paw is no joke."
"Absolutely."
"Oh, Leilani," Lunick said as he walked back up to her. "Looks like you got some gunk on your face."
"Do I? I was in the work room and the copier just exploded a bunch of ink on me. I thought I got it all off."
"No worries," Lunick said as he wiped the smudge off of her face with his right hand. He looked down at his hand as he felt and saw a brown powdery substance on his fingers.
"L-Lunick –" Leilani stammered.
"You're wearing makeup?" Lunick asked questioningly as he looked back up at Leilani. Then his heart dropped.
"Y-Yeah, well, you know –"
Leilani was caught off guard as Lunick quickly put his hand under her chin and stared at her face intensely.
"What are you doing?" she asked, clearly shocked.
Lunick then quickly walked into the kitchenette and came back with a wet washcloth. He then started wiping Leilani's face, which she quickly objected to and smacked his hand away from her.
"Lunick, what the hell are you doing?"
"The better question is why are you using makeup to coverup your injuries?" Lunick asked firmly. "Was this caused by the Ursaring too?"
"It –"
"Don't lie to me," he interjected.
Leilani started to tremble. It didn't go unnoticed by Lunick. "You're shaking…You're scared. This wasn't an Ursaring's doing, was it? Who are you afraid of?"
"Lunick, don't be ridiculous –"
"Seriously?" Lunick asked incredulously. "Leilani, who did this to you? Who beat you?"
"You don't know what you're talking abo –"
"It was Alejandro, wasn't it?"
Leilani's heart nearly stopped. She wanted to object, but the words wouldn't form from her mouth.
Lunick's eyes flared. "Solana was right…Leilani, why are you doing this? We've dealt with domestic disputes and victims of domestic abuse. How can you –"
"You don't understand, Lunick. It was my fault."
"What?"
"I made him angry. I pushed him too far. "
Lunick stood aghast. "Do you hear yourself right now? Your fault? What spell did this man cast for you to be blaming yourself for his damn abuse? Let me tell you something, Leilani, I don't care what you go through or how hard life gets, you value yourself and your life enough to keep pushing through. Ain't nobody got the right to take that away from you, not even you. Life is a gift and we are supposed to defend it with everything that is in us. You make up your mind that your life is worth fighting for and you're gonna live through."
Leilani hugged herself. "It's not that simple."
"No, it never is, is it?" Lunick remarked. "I'm taking you to the hospital."
"Lunick –"
"No buts. You are bleeding and your face is all kinds of jacked up. You need to be assessed and evaluated. You need to know how serious your injuries are."
"It's just a few bruised ribs, Lunick."
"Just a few…Let's go, Leilani."
"Lunick –"
"Now," he said sternly. "I will carry you there myself if I have to."
Pausing, Leilani sighed and closed her eyes before walking ahead of Lunick and exiting out the base. He quickly followed behind her.