The walk back was quiet, but comfortably so, Heather's arm linked with Neil's as they left the park to head back to the center for the night. Vincent and the Pokémon were all outside waiting for them while playing frisbee under the street lights, all six of them having a good time. When Otty noticed the two trainers coming he let the others know, everyone turning to look. Heather waved and Neil laughed, the two walking over to the group.
"Hey, we thought you guys got lost in the park!" Vincent teased before throwing the disk, Neil letting Heather's arm go to catch it. He rolled his eyes amusedly and chuckled, pointing a finger at Heather.
"Well, she did almost get us lost trying to find the bathrooms."
"I did not!" She squeaked and caught the disk as Neil threw it to her, throwing it over to Nile who almost dropped it before he got a hold of it, looking victorious, as if he'd instead caught a home run baseball.
"Sure you didn't." Vincent teased which made her stomp her foot, going on about being plotted against before he brought up a better point.
"So, when are we moving on? You both have the badge from here, we've done all there is to do, we're a bit antsy to get going."
"Really?" She asked almost stunned, figuring that they would all enjoy another lazy day or two. Vincent confirmed that they were feeling restless and wanted to keep going, Heather nodding and deciding that she kind of wanted to go on too.
"Alright! We'll move out tomorrow then?"
She turned her head to Neil in a silent question of if he would be coming or not, the boy's face indecisive at first.
"I don't know if I can go tomorrow, my egg is close to hatching. I left it with Nurse Joy yesterday to be checked on, we can see how it is tonight when we go inside, alright?"
The group nodded and Heather felt a pang of regret that she hadn't taken an egg, figuring it was better that way though. With her team wanting to move on, she would've probably pushed on even with an egg, and like Neil, she didn't want it hatching somewhere where issues could arise.
Two AM rolled around while the group played, the disk being tossed between everyone with a few moves being practiced in between. Thinking about it, Heather decided she would get more disks to start perfecting her Pokémon's aim, trying to think of other fun and creative ideas before Neil mentioned the time. They all agreed to go get some sleep and Heather let Vincent take her Pokémon to the room, Neil recalling his while the two trainers walked up to the desk.
"Hello you too!" Nurse Joy chimed, her smile genuine and her voice kind. "Looks like you had a lot of fun playing catch, huh?"
"Yeah, I'm trying to get my Pokémon to take breaks sometimes and just have fun, we've been playing a lot." Heather replied happily, Neil nodding in interest.
"So that's why you've been playing?"
"Yeah, I realized that constantly battling and moving on isn't the best for my Pokémon, I'm trying to get them to just have some fun too. But, like you heard, they're wanting to move on."
"That's great! I wish every trainer knew that. I can't even count how many trainers come in here with worn out Pokémon... Oh! But I'm sure you're ready to go to bed, you wanted to get your egg back right?" Joy flushed lightly in embarrassment for keeping them waiting, laughing awkwardly.
"Yes, please."
She left them at the counter for a minute and returned with the egg which was wrapped up and snug inside a basket. Neil smiled upon seeing it and carefully took it from the nurse, holding it close.
"It's doing just fine, and it should hatch by tomorrow, I'd guess. I'd like it if you could stick around until it hatches, just so I can make sure that it's okay before you move on."
Neil turned his head to Heather and she bit her lip, realizing that it was her call. Did she move on without him, or stay until they could leave together? Would the Pokémon be upset about not going? And when would the egg hatch? She sighed and nodded, relieved by his warm smile.
"Thanks, Heather."
x—x—x—x—x—x
Heather lay on her bed with Vincent sitting beside her, the clock reading three-twelve AM. For almost an hour she had been laying there wide awake, deciding to ask Vincent to talk since her other two Pokémon were asleep.
"I've decided that we're going to stay an extra day because of Neil's egg, I don't want to move on without him again, you know?" She explained to the dark haired man, his bright two-coloured eyes watching her curiously in the dim lighting.
"Do you think that Claire and Lark will be upset about that? I know how you guys want to move on and all..."
"We're going to be fine with any decision you make, this one especially given the reason. We just feel like a change of scenery, I know you're feeling the same. As much as you want to take it slow, you want to rush forward and get it all done, we understand. Just realize that Neil is not so similar minded. Once his egg hatches, he's going to want to keep pushing unless you can convince him otherwise." The Zorua explained, blinking in surprise as Heather sat up and hugged him.
"Thanks, Vincent. You're really great, you know that? It's nice to be able to talk to someone I can unconditionally trust, sometimes I forget you're a Pokémon though. I know Neil and I will be bashing heads a lot, it's what we've always done, especially since he lost against the first gym..."
She recalled that day and how frustrating he had become, feeling a tinge of annoyance creeping up from the thought.
"He was upset because I fought better, he's still upset about it, actually."
"But he cares about you fiercely, enough to let it go."
"I'm not too sure about that after how he exploded at me the first time..."
"But you showed him how you felt at the park, right?"
She blushed darkly and nodded slowly, Vincent's question catching her off guard.
"Yes, I did I guess..."
"We'll have to see I guess then. It's late Heather, you should sleep."
"You're right, good night Vincent, thank you." She answered before turning out the light, Vincent flickering back to his Pokémon form to cuddle up against her side with her other two Pokémon.
Her dreams that night were restless though she slept through the whole night, things like the cruise ship sinking or Neil hating her for winning the badge swimming around in her head. She awoke in the morning to a particularly bad dream where Lark and Claire had run away because she told them they needed to wait another day, relieved to see her Pokémon still sprawled out around her.