I had to take a two week break to get myself in order. I will be finishing out this story and then I will be taking another break to get the next two planned out and start writing the next installment. That being said, we still have quite a ways to go with this story!
"Excellent work, Layla," Joy turns to her with a grin. "Your attention to detail is impeccable. However, I think you get too involved and need to rely on your teammates more."
Layla knew it was coming, but she still flinches at the criticism as though she were being punished for it. It's not that she didn't like her team, she just felt like she could do things on her own instead of bossing others around to do it. Caring for pokemon is extensive work, if there's something she can do to help, she might as well just do it.
"That's fair," she sighs, running a hand through her curls.
"It's not something anyone's going to count against you," she smiles. "Especially with the situation we had, the chaos I could say."
The chaos that lasted a month and made this Center feel like home. Layla loves knowing where the syringes live, surgery suite ins and outs, all of it. She could walk in the next morning and get right to work no issue and that fills her with so much warmth, she looks forward to working more.
The meeting ends after some pointers and her reference for the next job, leaving Layla feeling more confident than she has in weeks. It's been a few days since the Raikou fiasco, and Layla's been struggling with sleep due to nightmares about various things at this point. So when Joy called her for her exit meeting, she was ecstatic.
Now that Raikou is safe, the weather has gone back to normal at the tail end of summer. The news has died down with the name Team Rocket for now. It's still whispered here and there but it's not longer a panic word. The gym challenge has resumed as normal and that's taken the general public's attention since the announcement.
Life returns to semi-normal with sunny skies, warm temperatures and not a storm cloud in sight.
Just how Layla will prefer it for a while now.
Her heart flutters as she hikes up her bag and heads towards the gym again, she'll be leaving to head home and apply to the Olivine apprenticeship. She and Morty had a long talk about it after their initial relationship talk. If this was going to work out smoothly, she's gotta get out of Kanto and start her dream career path. He was supportive of the move, even if she'll be in Olivine rather than Ecruteak but it's way too early to even think of them living together now.
Plus, it's about time she took the first step, even if life is a bit crazy right now.
"Layla!" Edith cheers as she opens the front door. She crosses the room to grab her hands. "Are you here to take Murasuki on a date?"
She flushes at her words, the thought of being together with Morty still has her giddy. "No, I'm heading home today."
"Oh no, that's so far." Edith pouts and Layla can't help but mimic it.
"I'll be moving to Olivine hopefully in a month or so," she responds. This perks up the woman more and Layla let's her get pulled along. "Where is he?"
"He's waiting for the next challenger to make it through," she drags Layla to a side door that leads to a long hallway. "He doesn't like to be disturbed, but he won't kick you out."
The hallway becomes a bit cold, a chill slithers down her back as Edith stops before a dark gray door. She knocks gently on it before cracking it open and poking her head in. Layla can see a dim light and the smell of incense burning wafting out the door.
"It's Layla," Edith states in an excited whisper, it makes the brunette smile.
The door opens some more and Morty steps out, freshly shaved, hair brushed back and stuffed under a headband. This Morty exudes confidence and calm, he's the Gym Leader and it's clear with how he carries himself. It makes Layla's heart thump against her ribcage as Edith scoots away, giving them their peace as he smiles at her. She hears her name escape his lips and it feels like he's taking a deep breath of fresh air when he does.
When she buries herself in his hug, she is enveloped in a sweet smelling cologne with hints of sandalwood on the edges. Her blood rushes to her face and she breathes it in with little shame as he chuckles.
"I'm heading home today," she sighs into him, ignoring his laugh. "I'm applying today too."
"Oh good," he hums, laying his cheek on her head. "Are you still having trouble sleeping?"
"Just a little. Eusine will be there to stay with me for a while."
"You can always call me," he replies, running his hands up and down her back. "I can tell you about my day and you'll sleep right away."
She laughs at that, pulling away to smile at him. "I'll take you up on that. Good luck with your battles today."
"Thanks," he grins.
They stand there for a moment, staring at each other wondering if the next move should be a kiss or not. Layla has noticed Morty's affection has a limit and he doesn't seem comfortable with intimate things. So, instead of letting him fester in the awkward tension, she slides her hands down to hold his and squeezes.
"I'll text you when I get back."
He nods in return, watching as Edith guides her back to the entrance, a ball of guilt swirling in his stomach. It feels like a shortcoming when she says it isn't...
Morty shakes off that thought in favor of focusing on his battle. Nothing can get between him and his job, these trainers look up to him and he has to do his best each time.
Layla slips away from the ladies waiting to pounce to the fresh Ecruteak air. Ever since the Team Rocket-Raikou fiasco the weather has been perfect for the height of summer. Fluffy clouds, blinding sunlight and warm breezes have never felt so good.
Almost as if the world is in balance again...
Aves seems to take his time on the flight to Goldenrod City. Rising and diving without a care in the world, leaving Layla to laugh and scream with each movement.
Goldenrod is the same as ever, bustling and loud. She purchases her train ticket and takes a seat to wait for the train. Bodies roam around her, a mix of leisure and rushed as people say their goodbyes and passengers wait with her.
"Excuse me," a voice interrupts Layla's people watching.
Layla blinks up at a young woman with short pink hair and bright eyes, the combination easily. The shock of recognition combines with anxiety. "Oh. Hello, Whitney."
What's happening? Layla screams in her head as the gym leader sits beside her like an old friend.
"Hello," the girl beams. "Your name is Layla, right?"
"Yes," she responds. "What's up?"
"Well, the other day I was enjoying a post-training ice cream and came across a magazine," Whitney states, as if she were waiting to be asked that very question. "You know what was on it?"
Layla tries to answer, but she continues on. "You. And Morty. The two of you, taking a walk through Ecruteak."
For a moment, Layla forgot that Morty is a gym leader and wonders why she's in a magazine with him. It's a new feeling, she'll have to be an actual model citizen and look good for the general public and for Morty's reputation. Her parents have already saved that very magazine as it's her first appearance, though Morty hasn't commented on their relationship yet.
"Ahh, the limelight," Whitney sighs dramatically, before popping one leg over the other and placing both hands on the top knee. "I just wanted to know how Morty was doing, it looks like he's doing well."
Her heart beats harder at her words, so this is her butting in on their relationship, marking Morty as hers? Or just trying to worm her way back into his heart? Either way, Whitney found the wrong one on a good day.
"Why don't you ask him?" she starts.
Whitney smiles, innocently as if she told a joke. "You know why I can't. You seem to make him happy and I want to make sure it's true."
"If you're not part of his life, why is it your business?"
"No need to get snippy," Whitney says in a warning tone.
Layla sits up and narrows her eyes at her. "No. There's no need for you to stick your nose where it doesn't belong. I can forgive a young Whitney for not knowing better, but an older Whitney? Not really. Both of you know mistakes were made, you should be talking to each other and you should think about why Morty's new relationship matters so much to you."
She looks shocked at Layla's hostility, but it only makes Layla's blood rush more. "W-well, I-I..."
A bell rings overhead, signalling the train coming in, the crowd surges towards the platform. Layla stands up, hiking her bag up on her shoulder and clutching her ticket tight as she smiles at Whitney. There's enough venom in it to send a poison type to Pokemon Center and she sees the confidence drain from Whitney's face.
"When you're ready to say something important, you know where to find us," she walks away with a skip in her step, her heart still hammering but happiness flourishing in her chest.
Whitney doesn't call out to her, nor does she run after her to stop her and argue and Layla is grateful for that. She doesn't want to wind up in jail and toss everything down the drain between them. Though, it wouldn't be much different than bailing Eusine out of jail, so, there would be a possibility of a fight.
On the train home, Layla sends a text to Eusine about what happened and laughs at his onslaught of inappropriate words in several bubbles across her screen. He's encouraging about what happened and says it should be her to tell Morty about it but to wait until after he's done battling. She pockets her phone and continues the rest of the journey home, happy to have her laundry going and be in her own shower as she runs through the conversation over and over again.
Whitney's nerve coming to talk to her only serves to rile her up, feeding her anger as she sets about making dinner. It's one thing to help Morty through his issues regarding his past relationship, but another to deal with Whitney trying to get into his life, or worse, trying to win him back. The thought sets off a range of emotions she fights against, it's too early in their relationship to deal with this on her own.
A knock on the door startles her and she wipes her hands to answer, her mood refusing to lift as it swings open to reveal Lance. "Oh, hey. What's up? More trouble?"
He smiles easily, though he shuffles his feet a little awkwardly. "Uh, no. I'm taking up your offer to hang out?"
"Oh," she smiles, her mood shifting just a little bit. She opens the door wider, realising he's wearing jeans and a sweater. "Come on in. I'm making pot stickers and sticky rice."
He hums in approval, stepping in before her and slipping off his shoes. "Should I have brought something?"
"Do you normally bring your friends gifts when you hang out with them?" she poses with a grin.
He returns it. "Fair enough."
It feels strange to have Lance standing in her doorway, if the girls from the daycare could see him now they'd be screaming. He looks a little uncomfortable and it's kind of cute to see him trying to be polite and familiar at the same time. The image of her Lance poster in her room flashes through her mind and she prays he doesn't snoop around and find it.
She gestures for him to sit at the bar behind her stove. "Would you like wine?"
"Red if you have any," he smiles. "Smells delicious, by the way."
"Thanks," she smiles, reaching for a glass for him and then to her alcohol cupboard. "So, what brings you over here? Stressed?"
"Well, now that I smell it, the food," he laughs, accepting the drink with thanks. "No, I just... one of those times where you feel alone and... I couldn't handle it."
Her heart sinks, the most popular man in both regions and one of the loneliest men now too. "I get it. Has there been anything new with the Raikou blood?"
"The lab is taking care to analyze it as much as they can," he states after a small sip, thankful she didn't comment more on his mood. "They want to release their statement at once, so nothing yet."
Layla checks the rice before setting the potstickers in a pan to cook, their sizzle is music to her ears as she leans against the counter. "Anything on Team Rocket?"
"Do you ask these questions to your mom and she doesn't answer?" he raises a brow back.
"I don't ask her to take that chance."
"I'm not getting in trouble with your mom, I've been yelled at by enough Mom's in my time," he holds his hands up in surrender.
Layla groans. "Lance, please. I won't tell her you said anything."
"Okay, okay. We've identified the people who attacked Raikou as Attila and Hun," he answers. "Both are notorious for their less than ethical pokemon research with Dr. Sebastian, though the scientist has yet to be confirmed as involved."
The water goes in the pan and she covers it to let it simmer while Lance speaks. "What do you think they're after?"
"Control of legendary pokemon," he states as though it were obvious. "They make money on pokemon, what's more valuable than a legendary?"
"But why?" she frowns. "The second their machinery fails, the pokemon is going to escape or do worse to the person 'owning' them."
Lance falls silent, clearly struggling with a though while she busies herself plating the food to give him the space needed. If he wants to divulge, she'll listen, but if he'd rather wait, she'll respect that.
In the meantime, she gestures for him to join her at the table with bowls filled with fluffy rice, topped with tender potstickers covered in a dark sauce. She brings the wine and a glass for herself before settling in front of him. His golden brown eyes are mesmerizing in the soft lighting of her dining room. It's no wonder everyone's head over heels for him; he's handsome and Layla can't help but feel a little self conscious with him around. Though, it's not enough to get her to leave Morty, there's no spark between her and Lance like there is with her current beau.
"Can I tell you something that's bugging me?" she blurts out after their first few bites.
"Yeah, I'm not the best with advice though," he nods, shoveling a potsticker into his mouth on a mound of rice.
"Whitney came to speak to me today," she goes forward with it.
He grimaces. "I remember those days... Poor guy, I offered to fire her."
She starts at that, a grin forming on her face. "Wow. You're such a bro."
"I try my best. He said no, though."
"Of course he did," she hums, taking another bite and chewing thoughtfully. Once she swallows she clears her throat. "Anyways, I think she's trying to get him back."
"Yeah? Do you think he'd go back?"
"No, not at all. I'm worried he'll retreat back into a shell," she admits. "He's taking a personal risk to go out with me and I don't want this scaring him away. I don't want to tell him, but if I don't, Eusine will."
Lance sits back, swirling the wine in his glass while pausing between massive bites, his eating habits much like Eusine's. "Take this with a grain of salt. I think you should tell him and if he wants a break, give it to him. I doubt he will, though, Morty is headstrong beneath his mysterious, reserved shell. He'll be shaken up for sure, but he'll come back."
This surprises her. Even though their work relationship obviously puts them in the same vicinity often, she can see Lance really cares for his gym leaders. His advice settles her nerves completely because it's true. Despite Morty's insistence to take things slow and hesitance to be affectionate, he still tries each and every day with her.
"Do you want me to fire her?" he breaks the silence.
Layla bursts out laughing. "No, the chance to be mean to her was good enough for me."
"'Atta girl," he grins.
It falls silent as they finish up their meal, Layla wishes she had started some music to help fill moments like these. Oddly, she doesn't feel as awkward as she did when he first arrived and stood in her doorway. She supposes his casual support of her troubles adds to her trustworthiness in him.
"I think it's connected to Serena," he blurts out, Layla laughs at the change in position.
"Tell me," she gestures at his confused look.
"There's not much. It's Team Rocket and what they did to her... if you knew, it would break your heart."
"Are they why she has those scars?" she poses in a small voice.
All those years ago, in the baths, Layla took a peek when Serena had said she could. It took all of her control to not react and she glanced away quickly. The raised skin stretched along either side of her spine, darker in color than the skin around it. It was horrific, yet beautiful as a sign of her continuous survival from whatever happened to her. There hasn't been a day since that Layla hasn't thought of Serena's scars.
Her hatred for Team Rocket, now knowing they're behind it, only increases tenfold.
At the mention of the scars, Lance's eyes fly up to meet Layla's, the pain clear in his eyes as his gaze holds her still. "You know?"
"Just of the scars," she breathes. "Not how she got them."
"It was her Uncle," he growls, hatred matching hers. "I think what they're doing is to get Giovanni back and go after her, if Giovanni isn't after her, or doesn't have her, already."
"But why?" Layla replies.
"I don't know," he sighs. "That's all I can think about. Whatever they did to her couldn't have been a one and done kind of thing. But I don't know what it is." He lets out a frustrated sigh, one full of pain that makes Layla yearn to comfort him. "I just... I just want her back here so I can understand it all. I can be a better teammate to her now, and I just want to prove that."
His voice grows more desperate and his eyes begin to water. "I must sound so pathetic to you. I don't care. I miss her, I miss Serena."
Layla soaks in his words with a deep breath, the emotional toll of whatever happened between them has clearly stuck with him all this time. As he wipes his face and takes a longer swig of wine, she clears her throat and sets down her utensils. "I don't think you're pathetic, I think you're heartbroken. It's fair to want to see her and fix it, she was your best friend."
"Is," he asserts with an indignant sniff. "I don't care what's happened between us, she'll always be my best friend."
"Of course," Layla smiles at him. "You love her and the possibility of her being in danger is terrifying to you. There's no use in stressing over it though. I'm sure if she felt she couldn't handle something, she'd come back to you and her family."
That much Lance has to concede is true. Serena was always the cautious one, wanting to do everything by the book when they were growing up. It only makes sense that, if she were in danger, she would come home for backup.
The logic in Layla's words manages to soothe Lance's fears for now.
They finish up their food and drink, Lance opting to do dishes, as their conversations turn towards brighter topics. Since his first entry into her apartment, he looks much more comfortable in her home and she's thankful for that.
"Thanks," Lance says at the door. His broad frame fills the doorway, leaving Layla staring up at him with a fond smile on her face. He gestures between them with a back and forth movement of his hand. "Was this a date?"
"You really want Morty to quit, huh?" she raises a brow. "And me cooking you dinner? Well, you better come up with something good for the next one."
Lance laughs, a full belly one that makes his body tremble. It feels good for him and he's glad she joined in. "I'll be sure to come up with something. Don't forget to talk with Morty, either."
"I won't," she huffs, crossing her arms. "Get home safely and let me know what the lab finds out."
"Will do," he nods, turning on his heel to walk out.
Layla resists the urge to watch him walk away, the thought of looking at his ass makes her feel too bad as she pulls up Morty's number. It's about time he's done with battling, so she hopes he won't be too long to reply.
The whole story feels strange when she types it out, like she's trying to stir up drama, but she reminds herself of the communication needed for this to work. That quickly wins her over as she presses send and waits for a reply. Normally, she'd want to do this in person, but that'd be too long and she would hate to run into Whitney again.
His response is in the form of a phone call just moments later, her pokegear playing an annoying ringing sound to get her to answer much faster.
"Hello?"
"What did she say?" Morty's voice sounds worried and thick with hurt.
"Hey, hey," she responds in a soothing tone. "Just relax before I explain."
He heaves a heavy sigh and she can see him adjusting his headband and scarf now as if he was in front of her. "Sorry. I got so nervous reading your message, I want to hear you explain it."
Layla repeats the story of meeting Whitney again to him. Relaying the awkward and infuriating encounter with as few expletives as possible. It feels much better talking with Morty about it and knowing he isn't as scared as she thought he would be. Instead, it feels more like frustration and anxiety, those are things she can deal with.
Fear would be difficult to abate.
"I'm sorry," he states after her second run through.
She frowns. "Why? That was a choice all on her own. Nothing to do with you except for the fact that she wants to talk about you."
"I know, I just feel bad that she's coming around to mess things up."
"Nothings messed up, Morty," she replies with a shake of her head. "This is one of those hurdles we'll have to get over. Besides, it's not like she harassed me. It was a simply, yet annoying, conversation in a public place. If she really wants to do something, she'll come find me, or us, again."
"And then what?"
"Well, either you guys work through what happened or I kick her ass. Easy."
She smiles as she gets a laugh out of him, a surprised sound that makes her heart flip even with the distance between them. Her mind conjures up the picture of his smile and she bites her lip, unbelieving of how hard she's fallen for him.
"Thank you," he says after a moment. "I just want this to work without being held back by something that happened at 17."
"I want it to work too and that's why it will," she smiles at the air, wishing he were closer. "You don't have to do this alone, or at least with just Eusine. You have me now too."
"I do," he chuckles.
"So anyways, how did your battles go?"
They stay on the phone for at least two more hours to talk about the day, she relays what happened with Lance's visits, her heart still drooping at how distraught the champion was. Serena must not be emailing him as she does Layla and probably Clair and her family. The issue must have been a bit one and she doesn't blame Serena for wanting her space; but, is two years really a viable answer?
Something must be going on.
"I would tread carefully," he advises at the end of her story. "This issue also involves Clair and she's not... the nicest person alive."
Layla hadn't even considered Lance's cousin, though their rivalry is the hottest topic around and it's no secret how much she despises him. It's also not a secret that she was Serena's best friend too, the two of them used to front magazines all the time when Serena was here. When she left, Clair had made some jabs at Lance but never outright said anything about it being his fault, it'd be interesting to get her side of things...
"I mean, you're right," she replies after some thought. "But still, I think he deserves a second chance."
"Are you sure it's the second one?" he poses right back.
Ah, always asking the important questions.
She braces herself against the onslaught of imaginary scenarios of Lance and Serena's friendship blowing to smithereens. It's so interesting and she just wishes people would get along and everything could be right.
But it's not and it's childish to think it ever could.
"Okay, yeah," she sighs. "Knowing how Lance was back in the day, I'm sure Serena needs this time. But still, doesn't it make you sad?"
"Of course," he replies. "I just don't want you getting too invested and disappearing in some lake because you met with Clair."
She barks a laugh. "You're not even worried about me spending time on Lance's life?"
"Nah," he snorts. "If anything, you'll be calling me to tell me all about it, so it's like we're both diving into his life."
"That's kinky, Morty," she retorts and then laughs again when he chokes. "You're so cute when you get flustered, I am going to enjoy it."
"Oh no."
"Oh yes. You're so awkward and worried about everything, I'll have to be more straightforward," she teases him.
"Layla, please," his voice sounds strained, only making her laugh more. "This is just a game to you."
"It's a fun game," she settles down. "Okay, but I'm off to bed. I'm meeting with Eusine's Mom about my lease to work out a deal with her. I'll talk to you tomorrow?"
"Of course. Good night, Layla."
"Good night, Morty."
She hangs up feeling a bit awkward saying his name like that. She wonders how he would have reacted if she had called him 'Sweetie' or something ridiculous like 'My Honeycomb'. The second name puts a smile on her face as she siddles off to her room to get ready for bed. Her mind swirls around Lance's despair earlier, clearly still affected by it and no surprise.
Her eyes trace the poster of him on her wall, standing with his arms crossed with three Dragonite behind him. It's from his time as an Elite Four member, Eusine bought it as a joke after she'd mentioned knowing someone who knew Lance to tease her for something so cliche. He looks intimidating and strong, not at all the vulnerable man in her home just hours ago.
Not that he can't be vulnerable, with her no less, it's just shocking to see him crumbling behind a well placed facade.
She wonders if Serena is faring better in a different region and finds herself sitting at her desk with her laptop loading up her email. It's been months since she's heard from Serena, with no real explanation for the long silences between, but she supposes if it has to do with Team Rocket the brunette doesn't want anyone to worry about her.
Still, it's a long time to go without talking to your best friend.
Her email loads and she composes a new one, hoping Serena doesn't mind the sudden topic of Lance, Layla begins to type...
Hey!
So, I haven't heard from you in a while and I'm getting worried. I'm sure you know about Team Rocket's returns and I hope that you're safe during this time. Why would I think you're in danger from Team Rocket aside from being related to its leader?
Well, I made a new friend, Lance and, boy, does that man have issues.
He misses you. He said it out loud and after a rant about hoping you're okay and wanting you to come back. I know it's not my business and that whatever happened runs deeper than what I know. I just want to make sure it's worth the trouble and suffering he (and probably you) are going through.
Send him an email, a cryptic text or even a letter! Something so he knows you're safe and not dead in the woods .
And I miss you too. I know we didn't hang out for very long, but I wish you were here...
Layla finishes the letter with some more detail about Team Rocket and presses send before she can convince herself not to. She shuts her laptop with a definitive click and starts her nighttime routine. The events from the day keep her mind occupied as she goes through the motions.
She decided to keep out of the Team Rocket drama only to find herself semi-involved with it because of Raikou. If they're targeting the beasts, she foresees herself traveling a lot more in the coming months. An exciting, yet, tiring thought as she crawls into bed and slips into a dreamless sleep.