A/N: I like Harley and Solidad a lot. They are some of my favorite rivals/side characters in the Pokemon anime. I also know Harley is very flamboyant which in media usually alludes to one sexual orientation. But I feel like Harley and Solidad were made for each other so shhhhh let me have this.
The picture of Harley was drawn by ジュナ on pixiv. I do not own the drawing or Pokemon so Nintendo please don't sue.
"You're gonna compete in the next Wallace Cup?"
"Yeah! It's in Sinnoh this year. I've always wanted to go to Sinnoh, plus Ash and Brock are traveling with another Coordinator who I am eager to meet," May explained to Solidad as she took a bite of the cake she had bought.
The two coordinators had run into each other in Goldenrod City, both had been traveling for the Johto contest circuit alone up to this point so of course running into a friend and rival was a welcomed experience. Solidad brought May to a cafe she had fond memories with to catch up. She didn't expect May to talk about the Wallace Cup. To be honest, Solidad hadn't even realized it was time for another Wallace Cup. Time sure does fly by.
"Drew once told me that he traveled to compete in the last Wallace Cup in Kanto. This happened before I decided to become a coordinator so I missed it. I also heard you came to see him compete."
"That's correct. I was on a break as a coordinator at the time but decided to go support him. He seemed a bit bummed about not winning but that was one of his best performances in my opinion." Solidad said with a sip of her tea.
"Have you competed in one before?" May asked.
"Yes. I entered the one Wallace had in Hoenn a few years prior, the Wallace Cups are really fun so I think it'd be a good experience for you to go," Solidad responded with a smile.
"Did you win?"
"... I did."
"That's so cool!" May responded.
"These contests are usually held on the water so I'd advise you to get something easier to move in than your current contest outfit. It's also very common for coordinators to wear something new for such a high-profile performance," Solidad informed May after she had finished her tea and sandwich. May, who had also finished her cake, stood up and grabbed Solidad's sleeve.
"That's actually why I came to Goldenrod City… There is a well-known stylist boutique here so I thought I'd come looking for a new outfit for the Wallace cup here. I could have booked a stylist to help me but I know you helped Drew pick his outfit so will you help me? Please?" May asked with pleading eyes to the older Coordinator. Solidad couldn't say no to that, while she was eager to leave Goldenrod she had nothing better to do that day so she decided to accompany May to the boutique in question.
It wasn't hard to find the boutique. It was nestled in an already busy and famous shopping center, luckily the pair arrived at the boutique on a weekday so there was no line outside to get in, something Solidad had heard of happening often on the weekends. Even though they didn't have to wait, the store was crowded inside, making it hard to walk through. Solidad took charge and ushered May towards the junior section where there were matching clothes and accessories for the preteen demographic. The pair began to cycle through the clothing. Warm colors suited May the best in Solidads opinion, but the blue didn't look too bad either it'd match with her eyes and the water. She also wanted May to wear something a bit out of the girl's usual style. Her daily wear was pretty sporty while her contest looks were usually pretty and poofy. The pair needed to find something with a little more daring.
"What about this one? It's a pretty ocean blue!" Solidad picked up a plain, silky blue dress.
"It's a nice gala-like dress, but too simple for this contest," May said.
"How about this?" May pulled out a pretty pink dress that was made of light material.
"It's a nice color but it kind of looks like a nightgown," Solidad said, May couldn't get that image out of her head so she put the dress back on the rack. They pulled a few more dresses but they kept shooting each other down. It seems like the two girls weren't on the same page.
"Maybe we can find an accessory you like first and then go from there? We seem to be hitting a dead-end just looking at dresses," Solidad suggested.
"That sounds like a good plan!" May responded trying to sound chipper, but it was obvious in her tone she was a bit disappointed at the selection. They walked over to the accessory section and
to their surprise, they saw a familiar face sizing up the items.
"Harley?" May piped up first. The man crouching down looked up at May and a signature suspicious smile crossed his face.
"Hello hun!" Harley chimed when he saw her. He then got up to his feet and put his hands on the young girl's shoulders.
"How are ya?" He asked with a seemingly friendly tone. While strangers might assume the pair were old friends, Solidad knew that his friendly demeanor was very rarely genuine. She could see him sizing the girl up like she was another accessory. Nothing more, nothing less.
"I'm fine but I almost didn't recognize you… you look so… normal!" May stuttered out looking the man up and down.
She was right about that, Harley had ditched the Cacturne suit for a seemingly normal black shirt and what looked to be grey women's yoga pants. His hair was also a bit wet and tied up into a messy bun, probably to keep his long hair from damping his clothing.
"I know, terribly boring, right? Some car splashed me with dirty water earlier. How dare they almost ruin a custom-made Harley original!" He got irritated as he explained what had happened. "My outfit isn't ruined but I rushed to the pokemon center to get myself clean and Nurse Joy directed me to the nearest dry cleaners. I usually keep a low maintenance outfit on me for emergencies like this, but even in low maintenance clothing I'm still killing it."
Solidad let out an amused chuckle in response to the man's usual flair. May seemed less than amused.
"Anyway, I knew this boutique was nearby so I decided to hop in! However this stuff is way too cutesy for my tastes, but I can definitely see you in it gingerbread," Harley said, his tone not letting on if he was complimenting or insulting May.
"I'm actually not so sure about that. We haven't been able to find anything for me to wear to the Wallace cup-"
"YOU ARE GOING TO THE WALLACE CUP!?" Harley got up in May's face when he asked this, it was almost as if he was trying to stare into her very soul to try to make her falter.
"Yes. Don't tell me you're going too?" May asked with a bit of dread in her voice.
"Oh god no, I'm never entering one of those things again!" Harley said with a dramatic sigh.
"You have been in a Wallace Cup before?" May asked with a quirked eyebrow, not sure if she should believe him.
"Yes, and I was a runner up too!" Harley whined. May looked at him with a bit of doubt.
"You did a good job, Harley." Solidad chimed in.
"Says the one who won," Harley scoffed.
"Wait, were you two in a Wallace Cup together?" May asked in surprise.
"Yes, that's actually where we first met."
Solidad would never forget that contest, especially not her first meeting with the eccentric Harley. At the time he wasn't even a coordinator. It almost seemed like he was entering the contest out of sheer boredom. He did however wear a regal outfit to match his Cacturne, then a Cacnea, which amazed Solidad. He also proceeded to annoy and egg on his competitors in the battle section of the contest. While these mind games certainly gave him the edge over the other contestants she knew it was his skill that brought him so far. However, Solidad couldn't be shaken so easily and after a close match she came out on top winning her third ribbon that contest season. After that, she reached out to Harley hoping he'd compete in contests again. However, she didn't see him again until she re-entered the Kanto Contest circuit. She had heard of his reputation for sabotaging and talking down to other coordinators but he instead seemed to barely acknowledge her presence. It seemed their first contest together had earned his respect and in her mind at least, his friendship.
"Of course she won, she has plenty of water types suited for that kind of contest," Harley complained a bit.
"It's true that I like water types but I think your Pokemon did a good job with that type of terrain," Solidad commented.
"Well, that's in the past, anyway look at this! I bet it'd suit you!" Harley reached for some strange brown hat and handed it to May. She looked unamused.
"This isn't my style and the color is almost the same as my hair!" May protested.
"It'll look like a fun hairstyle from far away!" Harley hummed in response.
"If you really want to help me be serious!" May shot back.
"I am serious hun!"
While this little charade was going on Solidad began to pick up some accessories that she thought might suit May. She had pearl necklaces and ornate hair clips. Meanwhile, Harley kept picking the most bizarre things he could find, a bracelet that looked like candy and glasses half the size of May's head. May didn't seem enthused about either of their choices. Finally, after a bit of digging May gasped when something gold caught her eye. She picked up a gold and emerald headpiece, it was almost like a crown. May put it on her head and headed over to a mirror to look at herself.
"This is cute!" May said with a self-satisfied smile. Harley and Solidad came up behind the girl to look at the crown.
"It is cute," Solidad agreed with a smile. Harley however had a flat expression as he plucked the crown off of May's head.
"Hey!" She tried to grab the crown back from Harley. However, the petty man used his height to his advantage, holding the crown up above his head as he walked away. Solidad and May followed him over to the Junior section they were previously in. Harley shuffled through the rack before picking an outfit and shoving it into May's hands along with the crown.
"Try this on gingerbread!"
"Harley-"
"Just trust me!" Harley led May to the changing rooms and urged her inside. Reluctantly the girl walked in leaving Solidad and Harley to sit on a little bench, shoulder to shoulder, to wait for her.
Solidad understood May's hesitation to try something on that Harley had picked out. Not only were their styles different but Harley was the type of person to spill red wine on a white dress. He had turned to make his rivals look bad into an art. Solidad however didn't see any form of deception in his eyes as he looked expectantly at the dressing room, so she decided to trust that for once Harley was helping May rather than tearing her down.
May walked out of the dressing room sporting a genie-like outfit consisting of a tight fighting crop top and matching silky pants. The outfit also came with a heart choker that matched the hand-sewn heart pattern of the top.
"Wow! This is so cool!" May said admiring herself in the mirror with astonishment.
"I know right? I am a genius," Harley boosted as he joined May's side.
"I like the color," Solidad said walking up to May. "Looks lightweight too, good to move around in."
"I do feel like it's missing something though…" May said her face was falling a bit. She loved the outfit but it didn't feel complete.
"Your head is a bit empty…" Harley mentioned, Solidad nodded in agreement.
"I'm not replacing this crown with a stupid hat Harley," May retorted.
"I didn't even say that," Harley cut back, he then cooled down a bit to get the attention of a store clerk.
"Do you guys have any veils that would match this?" Harley asked.
"A veil would look good!" Solidad chimed in. May didn't seem opposed to the veil but still gave Harley a wary glance.
"We don't sorry," The store clerk apologized.
"It's fin-"
"I heard online this place had everything! Is a veil not too much?"
"Harley… don't be such an Ona…" May chimed in with some slang usually reserved for uptight consumers.
"I'm sorry sir, you'd have to take this issue up with the head stylist if she's in, not me," The clerk said before scurrying away as quickly as possible to help someone else.
"A veil might be nice, too bad they don't have one."
"Oh that's easy enough, one trip to the fabric store and I can make you one."
"Really?" May asked.
"You did say before that your Cacturn suit was a Harley Original, do you make your own clothes?" Solidad asked, her eyes wide in surprise.
"I do, did you really not know that?" Harley asked.
"I'm surprised we don't, that sounds like something you'd humble brag about," May stated plainly.
"Well, why don't we buy this outfit and go look for fabrics together?" Solidad suggested before the two started to pick a fight.
"Sure I have nothing better to do," Harley said with a yawn as May headed back to the dressing room to change back into her regular clothing. Once she was out they took the items to the front of the store. The line had gotten shorter from when they first arrived so May was quickly shuffled up to the front to pay for her new contest outfit.
"That'll be 7500 pokedollars!" The clerk said after scanning the item.
"Oh no I didn't look at the price! I don't think I have that much…" May said dejectedly.
"Sounds like a scam to me," Harley said irritably, shooting a glare at the poor cashier.
"Don't worry May, I'll pay for half," Solidad offered.
"Oh no! Don't do that! I think I barely have enough," May said looking through her coin purse.
"Let me do this, it wouldn't be good if you spent all of your money before leaving the region," Solidad pointed out.
"You're right," May conceded with a small whimper in her voice. After May paid for the outfit Solidad gave May half of the money back before pulling out a small book and writing the amount given in it.
"What's that?" May asked when she saw Solidad's book.
"It's my finance book. I keep track of all the money I spend and receive on my journeys so I never run out of money while I'm away from home," Solidad explained.
"That's so cool that you are so on top of things!" May said with a smile.
"It's not that interesting, I have just done this by habit for as long as I can remember," Solidad responded. Harley did raise an eyebrow at what Solidad had said but he didn't dwell on the frugal woman for long.
"Since the little genie isn't good at finances I'll cover the veil fabric, I have a teacher's discount after all!" Harley said, throwing a shit-eating grin May's way.
"But you aren't a teacher Harley."
"They don't have to know that," Harley said with a wave of his hand. "Wait at the poke center for me though, I don't want you two to blow my cover!"
Instead of throwing another accusatory stare his way May just let out a sigh and decided to trust that Harley wouldn't just run off and never return or pick a puke green fabric to put on her head. After all, he did pick out a surprisingly nice outfit.
Solidad decided to accompany May to the poke center, she hadn't planned to stay in Goldenrod City longer than necessary but the sun was beginning to set so she'd have to stay the night in town. At least she'd get to witness May's Wallace cup outfit come together. As the two walked into the pokemon center another familiar face was at the counter leaving his pokeballs with Nurse Joy.
"Drew!"
Drew turned around to face the voice of his beloved rival May. When he saw that Solidad was with her he gave the two a warm smile instead of his usual cocky smirk.
"Hey guys, are you here for the Goldenrod contest too?" Drew asked.
"I am leaving for the Wallace Cup tomorrow!" May said.
"So you are entering the Wallace Cup! But isn't it a week away? Why leave so soon?"
"I want to see a little bit of Sinnoh before the contest starts, reconnect with Ash, plus there is a special stone in Snowpoint City that can trigger Eevee to evolve in Glaceon, honestly a week ahead start is too short!"
"Did you get a new outfit for the contest then?" Drew said smugly, peeking over at the bag May held.
"I did but you don't get to see it until the Wallace Cup!" May said with a smirk. Drew seemed disappointed but smiled anyway.
"The Ekurteak City contest is going to be right after the Wallace Cup, I'll make sure to watch your performance on TV."
"The sun is setting," Solidad proclaimed. She had stopped paying attention to the two young teens and looked out the window. "I guess I'll have to stay in Goldenrod city a little longer…"
"You're not competing in the contest Solidad?" May asked.
"No. I decided I'd take a break until the Ekurteak City contest," Solidad told May with a little smile. Of course, Drew knew why his friend and mentor wouldn't stay in Goldenrod City and he frowned. May didn't notice.
"I'm BACKKKK!" Harley burst through the pokemon center door dramatically, a Levany Fabrics bag in one hand and his dry-cleaning in the other. Drew's frown became even more intense when he saw his least favorite person walk through the door.
May rushed over to Harley, her brows furrowed. "You didn't get something weird did you?" She asked peeking in the bag. Solidad slowly followed the girl and took a look at the fabric herself. It was a pretty pink silk.
"I don't think it's the exact same color as the pants but it shouldn't clash too bad," Harley explained as May examined the silk, making sure it had no holes or stains.
"What is this about?" Drew asked coming over to the girls.
"It might sound hard to believe but Harley helped me pick out a nice outfit for the Wallace Cup," May explained to Drew who just looked skeptical. But it was to be expected, Drew was even warier of Harley than May was.
"He helped you?" Drew said, sending a glare to Harley.
"Jeez Drew-kins your reception is ice cold, when it comes to fashion I am always serious! If I put May in something she didn't like that'd fall on me as the stylist," Harley explained. He still seemed to put his own reputation first.
"And here I thought you did this out of the goodness of your heart," May said with a flat tone. She wasn't serious of course but regardless she was thankful that Harley did pick something she liked.
"Anyway as soon as you get some food I need to do a fitting. When are you going to be leaving for the Wallace Cup?" Harley asked.
"Tomorrow Afternoon."
"Tomorrow!?" Harley balked in shock. "Than no dinner for you, let's get this veil measured now!" Harley said dragging the poor girl towards the bathroom and dressing room area of the Pokemon center.
Kalos made dressing rooms in Poke centers a bit of a trend, this one in high-rise Goldenrod being a new place Solidad had never seen. Harley had dragged May in here however because there was a big mirror for him to use. He had the girl stand up straight as he began to drape silk around May's head.
Solidad came in to watch Harley work while Drew decided to go set something for him and his pokemon to eat. Harley put the crown from before on May's head and then pulled out a travel-sized sewing kit. He began to pin down where he wanted it hemmed on the edges while explaining to May how she'd have to pin the veil and crown in place on the day of the contest. May just nodded as she looked at herself in the mirror. The veil was just what she needed. However, her admiration was stumped when she let out a little ow.
"Hey! Watch where you poke the pins!" May said a bit annoyed.
"Sorry Hun!" Harley said with a silly expression. Both girls could tell he did that on purpose. But ever amused Solidad couldn't help but stifle a giggle, so now May was pouting at both childish adults.
"All done, I'm gonna take this into my room to sew. I'll try to bring it tonight." Harley said as he got up and quickly left the room, seemingly bored of tormenting May and ready to start the task. May offered Solidad to go get dinner with her in the Poke Center cafeteria.
Solidad just got a simple rice dish as she ate with May. Eventually, the girl decided to go relax in her room, exhausted from having to deal with Harley and his shenanigans for most of the day. Solidad decided to wait, she thought Harley might take a break and get dinner but she didn't tell the young girl this was the reason she decided to wait. At some point, Drew came by and saw Solidad sitting alone in a booth so he decided to slip into the booth with her.
"Are you gonna leave Goldenrod in the morning?" Drew asked.
"I might stay to see May off," Solidad said.
"If you can do that… maybe can you stay for the contest too?" Drew asked.
Solidad stayed silent for a moment. She just looked at her young friend, he looked a bit like a sad young Lillipup but for the sake of his ego, Solidad didn't say anything.
"You know it was hard for me to come back to Johto… I can't compete in the contest here…"
"I don't mean to compete! Just watch me, I have something new planned for this contest so I want you to watch my performance live. But if that's too much to ask forget about it ok?" Drew said.
Solidad smiled as she reached over the table rub Drew's soft green hair. Drew let out an annoyed grunt but he was smiling right back at her.
"Let me sleep on it okay?" Solidad said. When she said this she looked over at a clock. It was getting late.
"Alright I'm heading to bed then," Drew said getting up, he was going to walk away but he had one last thing on his mind."Did you go to Azela Town?"
"No."
"Are you going to?"
"Probably not."
It was silent between them again. Solidad just lightly clutched her skirt while Drew looked away.
"Alright. Good night." Drew said as he awkwardly strode away.
"Goodnight," Solidad repeated quietly. Solidad soon got up from the table and asked the cafeteria staff for one omelet rice before they closed. Once she had it she headed towards the room she saw Harley go to before. She knocked but heard no response. She opened the door expecting Harley to be asleep but he was actually absorbed in carefully hand sewing the silk veil from before. Solidad smiled.
"I brought you dinner," Solidad announced as she walked into the room.
Harley flinched and glared back at her "Shit Solidad, you could have made me stab an artery!"
"Very unlike but I'll take that as a "you're welcome" for the food," Solidad said with an amused tone as she set the food down on a nightstand.
"Don't underestimate sewing accidents," Harley said as he put the project to the side and grabbed the plate. "An omelet. You do know me so well but it's an odd choice for dinner."
"Just eat it, silly man," Solidad said as she sat on the floor across from the bed. Harley wasn't sure why she wasn't leaving but he didn't mind having her stay as he silently ate his omelet rice.
"You're competing in the Goldenrod Contest right?" Solidad asked.
"I am but I'm not sharing any of my secrets with you hun," Harley said sticking out his tongue.
"I'm not competing in this contest," Solidad said.
"Oh? You wanna wait to get your last ribbon?" Harley said mockingly.
"No I just don't like this city," Solidad said nonchalantly. Looking out at the full moon.
"...Than why are you here?" Harley asked. There was no malice in his question. Maybe a bit of attitude but that was just the default at this point. Harley realized, looking at the woman's side profile illuminated by the moonlight… he didn't know a thing about one of his only friends.
"I took a cheap fairy here and was planning to just start heading straight to Ekurteak City. But then I ran into May and ended up staying too long. Now I might stay to watch Drew since he asked." Solidad explained, still looking blankly out the window.
"Would you stay if I asked?" Harley let those words fall out of his mouth before he got to stop himself. He wanted to make a joke and play it off but instead, he just covered his mouth in embarrassment as Solidad snapped her head back at him. A bit shocked.
"Well it's the first time you asked so I think I will," she smiled at him. She really was a beautiful woman.
"Well, I should get to bed, don't forget to finish May's veil," Solidad said standing up and walking over to the door.
"I won't," Harley sulked. Solidad just smiled again before making her exit.
Ever since they met Harley always wondered why she smiled so much, so often with no feeling behind the eyes like tonight. But when she genuinely smiled she was stunning.
Stunning?
"What the hell?" Harley mumbled in the dark. He had no idea why he was feeling this way.
A/N: I hope I do not start writing the next chapter now, forget about it for a year, then finish it and post it a year later... as I did with the first chapter of this story but I make no promises. I also considered not posting this story at all but since I am planning to post my fankid story here I thought "fuck it I wanna post for all my parent ships" (Harley/Solidad is one of my fankid ships. They have a daughter)
So I will hopefully have my fankid story out soon and maybe more pokemon stuff. Leave a review if you'd care for more of that :)