Chapter 37

'How are the boys doing?' May asked as she took a seat beside Brendan on the couch in her home. The driver had dropped them off at Verdanturf Town before returning both May and Brendan to the gym in Petalburg.

Once there, she'd made them both a cocktail of berries and alcohol, thinking that Brendan needed the pick-me-up. However, knowing the man was too stubborn to admit to his limitations, May had insisted it was for her own wellbeing.

'He's bloody lucky that you and I were both there to help him! Imagine if mum heard! Or dad, or our uncle! Groudon help him if he thinks he'll get away with this! I don't know what he and Wally were thinking! He and I really do owe you a mill, you know?' Brendan continued to snarl as May offered him the drink, ignoring his slightly pale face.

'Drink up, you know I hate drinking anything alone,' May said before sipping her drink, wishing that she could say or do anything to appease him that Orlando could look after himself.

In response, the man threw back the drink, almost swallowing it whole.

'I need more,' he sighed, causing May to giggle. The man was reacting just as she'd anticipated, something which both amused and relieved her. They both rarely drank anything, especially to seek comfort from it, though with their high stress levels, they needed a break, and battling wasn't exactly an option right now.

'You know you don't handle your liquor well,' May chastised, though she climbed up out of the sofa to make him another one. He'd done the same for her, more times than she wanted to admit in the past year, and she was going to return the favour.

Besides, he was more than welcome to sleep it off in Max's room or on the couch. The Birches were practically family, and they were both legal adults now, so both their parents would know and trust them.

With that thought, May suppressed any of the uncertainty she felt. What they were doing wasn't wrong, after all.

Giggling as Brendan eagerly grabbed the drink she gave him, May watched him continue to drink, tuning him out whilst he ranted about his brother's irresponsibility.

Deciding to keep a sober head, May poured herself a berry juice mocktail and began to play with her Xtransceiver, smiling at one or another remark that Brendan made.

'I totally whooped that Aqua Grunt's butt! You should have seen it! He was gaping like there was no tomorrow!' Brendan insisted, grabbing onto her arm to gain her attention as he smiled deliriously up at her.

'Yes, yes you did,' May grinned at the man, chuckling as he continued to tell her about his awesome battle prowess.

Seeing her Xtransceiver ring, May excused herself from her childhood friend, who grinned, 'I'll keep the party going, hey?'

With a light giggle, May waved him off before answering, 'hello?'

'May, it's Steven. I'm so sorry to call you unexpectedly, however I require your assistance in Mount Chimney. I'm tied up at the moment so cannot make my way there immediately. If I send you a car, would you be able to look into matters there for me?' Steven's smooth voice explained, an edge of urgency filling it.

'Ok,' May said as her eyes flickered to Brendan, who was grabbing another drink from her stash.

'I'll send you a car,' Steven muttered in her ear before ending the call.

Grimacing, May went to meet her childhood friend, 'Brendan, I have to go heal my pokémon and run an errand. Will you be all right?'

'Yes,' the man slurred, sending her a wink.

'I'm going to pretend you didn't just do that,' May grimaced as she moved to the door, wondering if she should message Kenny to keep an eye on him.

Hesitating at the door, she frowned, 'promise me you won't do anything stupid?'

'I won't! Like I'd ever do anything stupid!' The man assured her before taking another swig of his drink.

Shaking her head, that was all of the answer she needed. With a knowing look at the man, she moved to the shoes near the door, changing into her running shoes as Venusaur walked towards her.

'Venusaur, do me a favour and keep an eye on him. If you need to refrain him to stop him from injuring himself, do so. I'll send Kenny over in a bit,' May grimaced at her pokémon, who nodded his head once.

'I'll be back as soon as possible,' she grimaced before rushing out of the door, heading to the Pokémon Centre.

Reaching the centre with the red tiled roof, May entered the building and gave her pokémon to the awaiting nurse.

'Had another challenger, May?' The nurse smiled at May, who grimaced, 'no, I've had to go help some friends in another part of Hoenn and now another person needs my help elsewhere too. I'll need them back as soon as possible, nurse Joy. I'm so sorry for putting any pressure on you.'

'There's no need to worry, I'll get onto it right away,' the nurse responded with a cheerful smile, her disposition as optimistic as ever.

'You're the best, nurse Joy!' May beamed at the woman who whisked her pokéballs away.

She typed a hurried message to Kenny asking him to pop by her house to keep an eye on Brendan, mentioning that a hangover cure might be needed too.

Once the nurse handed her back her pokéballs, May bowed slightly before returning them to her belt.

Without any further delay, she rushed back home where she was certain Steven's organised car would await her.

A/N:

Hopefully Brendan's ok. I'm sure Kenny will look after him while May's gone... right?