pro·pi·tious adjective
giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorably disposed toward someone


Chapter 2


Cheren is woken up in the morning by his phone ringing. He groans, realizing he must've forgotten to turn down the volume after talking to Bianca, and fumbles for it on the nightstand.

"Yes?" he answers, not even bothering to open his eyes to see who it is. It's too early for that much effort.

"Did I wake you up?" Alder asks.

"… No."

"Liar."

"Yeah," Cheren admits. He grudgingly sits up and yawns, reaching for his glasses and putting them on. "What's up?"

"Are you busy today?"

"Not exactly," he says. "Why?"

"Do you want to help me out with a project I'm working on?"

Cheren scratches his head. That's pretty vague, but it's not like he has anything better to do. "Yeah, why not?" he agrees, hoping he's not going to regret it.

"Good," Alder says, sounding pleased. "I'll pick you up at noon?"

He turns his head to look at the clock. He's got a couple hours. "Alright."

They hang up and Cheren forces himself to get out of bed to take a shower. After he's gotten dressed, he orders a bagel at the small hotel café and takes it back up to his room.

Cheren turns on the tv to some random channel and watches half interested while he eats. There's nothing decent on at this hour. He tosses his trash in the small can in his room when he's finished and grabs his phone. He may as well get this over with. He dials his parents' number, and it only rings a couple times before his mom answers.

"Hello?"

"Hi Mom," he says.

"Cheren?!" she shouts into his ear.

He cringes and pulls the phone away from his head. "Yeah, it's me."

She yells at him for a while for not calling sooner. He stays silent and takes it, because he knows he deserves it. Finally she finishes with a sigh and changes the subject. "So how are you doing?" she asks.

"Fine," he says. He doesn't elaborate.

"Good!" Instead of pushing, she starts to fill him in on what's been going on at home (not much, apparently). She's in the middle of telling him about her gardening when there's a knock on the door.

He ignores it at first, but they're persistent. Finally he gets up to answer, half throwing the door open with irritation. He's certain he put the do not disturb sign up.

"Hey," Alder says from the hallway.

Cheren gives Alder a blank look and turns around to check the time. As he thought, it's nowhere near the agreed time. "Um, hang on Mom," he tells her, distracted.

Alder's face lights up at that. "Mom? You called her?"

Cheren ignores him. "You're early."

He shrugs and invites himself in, making himself comfortable in the chair Cheren was just sitting in. Cheren rolls his eyes at him and brings the phone back up to his ear.

"I have to go," he says.

"Alright, but you better call back soon." She sounds disappointed. He tries not to notice.

"I will. Bye, love you."

"You didn't have to hang up on my account," Alder says, grinning at him. "Sorry I'm so early though. I didn't think you'd be doing anything."

"It's fine." His mother probably would've gone on for hours anyway. He should really be thanking him. "So where are we going?"

"You'll see," he says, just as vague as he was on the phone.

Cheren gives him a suspicious look. He doesn't tend to like surprises, and considering it's Alder, he can't even guess what it could be. He grabs his things and follows him out the door anyway. He's too curious at this point not to.


It's actually almost a nice day out, Cheren realizes as they walk. It's still cold, but the sun is shining bright in the sky. He takes his gloves off and shoves them into his bag; he doesn't really need them. They pass by the bookstore he was just at the day before, and he once again wonders where they're supposed to be going.

"I'm sure your mother was happy to hear from you," Alder comments from beside him.

"I suppose."

"When was the last time you went to visit?"

He can't exactly remember. "… A while," he admits. Too long, probably.

"Don't do that to your poor parents," Alder scolds, sounding exasperated. "Oh, we're here." He suddenly stops at a large, seemingly empty building and pulls a set of keys out of his pocket.

"Wait," Cheren says, bewildered as Alder unlocks the door. "Is this yours?"

"Yep!" he confirms, holding it open for Cheren. "It's nice, right?"

Cheren looks around. The wall is half painted and there are tools everywhere, but it isn't bad. There's a set of stairs going up and another door in the back that must lead to another room or two, judging from how big the place looked from the outside.

"I suppose." He's very confused. He tells that to Alder, who laughs.

Alder shuts the door behind them and flips a light switch. "I'm opening a school here."

Cheren blinks as the fluorescent lights flicker on above them. "What?"

"I'm opening a trainer's school," he repeats. He rubs his head, looking almost sheepish.

Cheren is… stunned, to say the least. That's why he's in Castelia? They couldn't even get him to stay at the Pokemon League half the time when he was champion and he decides to settle down and open a school? "… Why?" he finally asks.

Alder shrugs, crossing his arms. "I just wanted to do something. Maybe I'm having a midlife crisis."

"You might be," Cheren tells him. He supposes it might be understandable that Alder would get restless – he hasn't been champion for a while now after all. But still. Of all things. "… Hold on," he says, suddenly remembering something. "Didn't they ask you to teach in Aspertia before?"

Alder nods. "They did. I thought about accepting, actually."

Cheren stares at him, bewildered.

"It was bad timing I guess?" he explains. "Plus, they really wanted someone to handle both the school and the gym and I just wasn't interested in that. Too much commitment.

He can't blame him, really.

"And I just want my own place," Alder continues. "I don't like the idea of being told what I have to teach."

Cheren can sort of understand that, too. They were pretty strict with their curriculum due to the affiliation with the gym. "Alright," he accepts. He sits down on the step of a nearby ladder. "You know, they're going to be pissed when this gets back to them.

Alder laughs. "I know."

He shakes his head, amused. "So? What's the plan here?"

"Well ," Alder starts, bending down and picking up a paintbrush and tossing it at Cheren, "Today my plan is to con you into helping me finish painting this room."

"Uh huh. And long term?"

He shrugs. "Ideally I'd like to open at the beginning of the year. Things are taking longer than I expected though, so… we'll see."

"Huh," Cheren says. That's… really soon. Alder sure is an optimist.

"Of course now that you're here…" he hints, throwing him a hopeful grin.

Cheren rolls his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. I'll help you." It's probably better than sitting around in his hotel room all day. Probably.

"Thanks, Cheren."


They quickly fall into a routine. Alder picks Cheren up at his hotel in the morning, they head over to the school, and quit for the day at dinner time.

The first few days are spent painting the main entrance. Luckily, Cheren has at least painted his bedroom once before (though it was years ago), so he sort of knows what he's doing. He's finishing up the last coat when Alder gets back from picking up lunch.

"Hey," he says, turning around. "Oh." He wasn't expecting Alder to have someone with him. Especially not the Castelia gym leader.

Alder shuts the door behind them and puts the bag of food down. "You remember Burgh, I assume."

"Yeah," Cheren nods. He hasn't seen him in years, but the guy hasn't changed much from what he remembers. Cheren eyes his butterfly belt buckle with amusement. He puts the paint roller down and makes his way over to them.

"Hi!" Burgh greets, taking his hand and shaking it a little too enthusiastically. "It's been a while, huh?"

Not long enough, Cheren immediately decides. He gives Burgh a polite smile and hopes it looks halfway sincere. "It has."

"He's going to be helping me out with some stuff, so I figured he should stop by and see the place," Alder explains.

"I see…"

"Actually, I mostly wanted to come see you," Burgh corrects. "He hasn't shut up about you all week."

Cheren raises his eyebrows at that. He glances at Alder, but his expression is unreadable.

"I should measure for the sign while I'm here though," he says to Alder. "Do you have a tape measure or something? I didn't think to bring one."

"I think so." Alder goes over to a toolbox and digs through it for a minute before pulling one out and tossing it to him. "Here you go."

Burgh catches it with ease. "Alright, I'll be right back," he tells them, going outside to the front of the building.

"Really?" Cheren whispers once the man is out of earshot.

Alder laughs. "I know he's… interesting, to say the least, but he's a good guy. I think you might actually like him when you get to know him."

Cheren gives him a skeptical look.

"He's going to be a lot of help, so… try to be nice."

"Fine..." He's always nice.

Burgh comes back in a moment later and hands Alder the tape measure. "I got it," he says, pulling out a notebook and scribbling some numbers down. "It shouldn't take long. I have the design planned out already."

"Awesome. Thanks."

"It's no problem at all!" He glances at his watch. "I actually have to go, though. I have a challenger at the gym coming soon. I'll bring the sign by when I'm done."

"Sounds good," Alder nods.

He directs his attention to Cheren. "It was nice seeing you!"

"You too."

He leaves and they sit down for lunch at the folding table and chairs they set up the day before. It's nice no longer having to sit on the floor.

"Burgh and I go way back," Alder tells him while they eat. "As soon as I told him what I was doing here, he volunteered to help."

"That's nice of him," Cheren admits.

"Yeah," he nods. "He might not be around that much since he has gym stuff to do, but I really do think you'll get along. Give him a chance."

"We'll see."


As it turns out, Burgh actually is... tolerable. He shows up at least every few days and ends up being surprisingly helpful. While they work, he tells Cheren embarrassing Alder stories. It's actually pretty fun.

The sign he finally brings in is horrendous though, and it's all Cheren can do to not tell him so.

"Does it have to be so bright?" he hisses to Alder, who seems unconcerned.

He just shrugs. "At least it'll attract attention?"

He sighs, knowing it's too late to do anything about it now, and grabs the ladder, dragging it outside so they can hang it up.

Burgh smiles as he sets the ladder up for him. "Thanks."

Cheren watches from the ground as Burgh climbs up and starts measuring where it should go. He hums as he works, some song Cheren vaguely recognizes his parents playing when he was a child.

"So, Cheren," he says after a while, glancing down at him. "How are you doing?"

He's caught off guard. "I'm... good," he answers, surprised by how much he means it.

"Good," Burgh replies, turning his attention back to the wall. "Alder was worried about you when you first showed up, but you seem to be doing better now."

"Was he?"

He hears Burgh laugh from the top of the ladder. "Of course. He's quite fond of you, you know."

Huh. He isn't exactly shocked - Alder has put up with him for years after all. It wasn't like he had to keep in contact all that time. They barely even saw each other when he was at the gym. Still, it's not exactly something he hears often. "I probably don't deserve it," he finally says.

Burgh laughs again and gestures for Cheren to hand him the sign. He does so as Burgh continues. "Doesn't matter. He thinks you do."

He's saved from answering as Burgh pulls the hammer out of his pocket and starts banging in nails. Cheren holds the ladder steady for him, and as he waits, it suddenly hits him how content he is here. It's surprising. He knows it can't last though. He'll help Alder as long as he can but can't stay in Castelia forever. Paying for his room has already drastically cut his savings.

Burgh finally stops hammering and climbs back down the ladder. "Done!"

Cheren catches Alder's eye through the window and waves for him to come outside, stepping back on the sidewalk to see how it looks. It's still obnoxious, but it finally feels like things are coming together.

Alder comes out and stands next to him, staring up at the sign with his hands shoved in his jacket pockets. Cheren glances at him out of the corner of his eye and can't help smiling a little at how happy he looks. This isn't his project, but he's a little happy too.

When he turns back, Burgh is staring at him, looking vaguely amused. Cheren looks away, suddenly feeling flustered and not sure why.

Alder breaks the silence a moment later. "I appreciate this, Burgh. Thanks again."

"It was no trouble," he insists, gathering the tools they bought out.

Cheren drags the ladder back in leaving Alder and Burgh to stand outside talking for awhile. Burgh peaks his head in a few minutes later.

"I've gotta get back, Cheren. See you soon." He waves goodbye.

Alder comes back in once he's gone. "What do you say we call it a day?" he asks.

Cheren raises his eyebrows and glances at his watch. "It's kinda early, but sure?"

He shrugs. "Let's get dinner on the way back."


They end up at a pizza place Cheren likes.

Alder orders for them, charming the waitress as he always does, while Cheren pulls out his phone to check his messages. He types out a quick reply to Bianca before sticking it back in his pocket. When he looks back up, Alder's staring at him from across the table.

"What?" he asks, confused.

Alder leans his elbows on the table, looking serious. "I have a question for you. Not a favor, because I don't want you to say yes if it isn't what you want. I've been thinking about it for a while, and Burgh agrees with me that it's a good idea."

Cheren swallows, suddenly nervous. "Okay?"

"How do you feel about working for me at the school when we open? Not teaching. I know you don't want to do that right now, but I'll still need help when it comes to the rest."

Cheren leans back in his chair, processing the idea. "I would…" he finally answers.

"But?" Alder prompts.

He sighs. He does want to. He wants to stay, at least until he can figure out what the hell to do next. "I can't afford to stay here much longer," Cheren admits. "Maybe I can manage until opening, but not after that."

Alder nods. "I figured. That's why I have another question."

Cheren raises his eyebrows questioningly.

"What if you stayed in my guest room for the time being?"

He can tell Alder is completely serious, as ridiculous as the idea is. "I can't do that," he argues.

"Why not?"

"Because!"

Alder shoots him an exasperated look. "If you have an actual reason, I'll hear you out. The important part is do you want to?

He sighs again, crossing his arms and mulling it over for a moment. "I would… really like to stay here and help you, but that's too much," he finally says.

"Why? You know I don't mind having you. And you'd be helping me out as well."

"Still."

"What are you planning to do next, then?"

Cheren glares at him for his blatantly obvious change in tactics. "... I don't know," he says honestly, deciding he can't avoid the question. "I kind of ruined the only thing I had going for me, so."

The waitress shows up with their pizza before Alder can reply, but he gives Cheren a smug look before turning and thanking her. Once she's walked away, he directs his attention back to Cheren. "It looks like this is your best option then."

Cheren doesn't say anything for a while, instead opting to grab a slice of pizza and blow on it to cool it off. "I'll think about it," he finally grumbles.

Alder's face lights up.

"That isn't a yes!"

"Of course," Alder says, toning it down a little but still looking obviously pleased with himself.

Cheren rolls his eyes.


True to his word, Cheren does think about it. A lot.

He lays in bed that night feeling unsure of himself. Truthfully, it's not a bad idea. He has no other future plans for the time being. He still hasn't talked to anyone from the gym, but he's almost certain they've replaced him by now.

He can't stand the idea of being even more indebted to Alder though… he's already been more than generous over the years. Despite what he claimed, there's no way Cheren would have gotten the job at the gym without his recommendation. It's unbelievable Alder even wants to keep such an unreliable person around.

Cheren sighs and rolls over, telling himself he'll make a decision later.


He wakes up in a shitty mood the next morning, probably thanks to the fact that he got no sleep the night before. It lasts throughout the day and finally Alder sends him home.

"You look like crap," he tells him bluntly. "Go rest."

Cheren does, too tired to even bother protesting. He feels slightly better when he wakes up, rolling out of bed and ordering room service.

He curls himself into a chair by the window as he waits for his food, staring out at the city. After spending most of his life in small towns, he'll never get over how beautiful Castelia looks at night.

He wants to stay.

He still hates the crowds and the noise, but unbelievably, the last couple weeks have actually been fun. Cheren can't remember the last time he's had fun. It was a long time ago, before all of Unova was in peril, and his best friend took off to chase some boy around the world.


It's not til days later that he makes a decision.

They finish the downstairs that day, and Cheren watches as Alder surveys the place, looking proud. He feels a surge of fondness for him.

There's still a lot of work to do, but it seems like a more realistic goal now. Surely he can't leave right in the middle.

When Alder asks him later if he's considered the offer, he says yes.


Alder doesn't mess around; the very next morning, Cheren is handed a set of keys.

"Seriously? It's been 12 hours."

"I may have had them made in advance," Alder admits.

Cheren gives him an incredulous look. "What if I had said no?"

He grins. "I was fairly confident. Anyway, there's no point in wasting more money on a hotel. You may as well move in right away."

Unbelievable. Cheren shakes his head. "I'll move my stuff over tomorrow."

He doesn't exactly have much to move anyway. Most of his stuff was left behind in Aspertia. He decides he should probably do something about that now that he'll have a more permanent place of residence than a hotel room.

"I should empty my apartment out soon," he tells Alder.

He nods in agreement. "Do you want me to come with you?"

Cheren hesitates. He does, though he doesn't want to admit it. "... If you don't mind."

"Then I will."

"Thank you."


Notes: I got a bit caught up with things over the summer, but I'm ready to start working on this again.