So this doesn't feature the dexholders. More on Steven. For my great friend, Riley, so...yeah. And wow...Christmas is coming and I don't feel it. All I do is work and write. ;w;
7. Homecoming
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Steven's eyes widened when he felt his Pokegear vibrating in his pocket. He took a glance at his Pokemon. His Pokemon stopped and just bobbed their heads at their trainer then continued digging for rare stones.
Steven took a deep breath and went outside the cave. The first thing he saw was a beautiful sunset. It reminded him of the time where he and father used to watch the sunset together when he was just a little boy; looking at it feels nostalgic.
Once he got slightly farther from the cave, he answered the call and placed his Pokegear close to his left ear. "Hello?"
"Steven," His father called from the other line. "Are you sure you won't make it in time for Christmas? We have a huge celebration in Devon and the new employees would love to meet you."
Steven took a deep breath and held his Pokegear tightly. "I wish I could, dad, but I feel like I won't make it. Please send them my apologies."
"Oh," His father's tone sounded quite sad, and he suddenly felt guilty at that. "Alright then, but will you still come home on the New Year's, right?"
Steven bobbed his head. "Of course."
"That's good. Anyway, I gotta go. I need to sign these papers. Tell me when you got back to your house."
"Sure thing, dad," Steven ended the call and sighed. He returned his Pokegear in his pocket and observed the beautiful sunset in front of him. He felt the crisp breeze ran past his skin. It may be Christmas in the Hoenn Region, but there wasn't any snow; it was a tropical region so all he felt was the cool wind. It would be nice to experience snow on Christmas but this felt more like home.
The thought of it was enough to make guilt grip his chest. He may be in his home region for the holidays but all he ever did was to search for rare stones. He couldn't help it; it was his passion and his father fully supported him with that. But he felt like he shouldn't be doing this, and it was a weird feeling that he wanted to take a break from doing the thing he loves.
Was he tired? Mentally, not yet. Emotionally, maybe? He didn't know, but he felt guilty for some reason.
Christmas was supposed to be a time for friends, family and loved ones, and he was missing it all. It explained why he was guilty too. But what should he do? He couldn't just leave his work; his Pokemon worked so hard.
He gulped and shook his head. Maybe he could surprise his father on the New Year's, and hopefully, that would be enough to pay for his absence. Taking a deep breath, Steven broke his gaze on the horizon and entered the cave. His Pokemon stopped working to look at him and sensed a different aura igniting from their trainer.
Steven smiled. "Is it alright if you help me make a late Christmas present for my dad?"
His Pokemon looked at each other before nodding.
Steven's smile widened. "Thank you."