Chapter 15
In the end, it is Meyer who carries the battered shell of his son's robot up the stairs to the apartment where his children live. Clemont trudges silently along behind him with Bonnie in his arms, her face resting against her older brother's shoulder and her arms around his neck. Pikachu clings to his son's other shoulder, ears and tail drooping dispiritedly. The electric Pokémon's eyes are trained on Meyer's back. No, not on him, Meyer realises. On Ash, lying in his arms.
Neither Bonnie nor Clemont speak as they trail along in his wake, the silence broken only by Bonnie's sniffles and his son's laboured breathing. Meyer wonders if maybe the two of them just don't have the strength for words anymore, too exhausted by whatever events had transpired in the destruction of the Gym and Ash's current state. There is something very wrong with Ash at the moment. Clemont may be the genius at building things in their small family, but Meyer spends most of his waking hours repairing broken appliances – he didn't need to be a genius to know that somehow, Ash is broken as well. How and why Ash became this way – or even if Clemont thinks he could fix him – Meyer doesn't know. Neither Clemont nor Bonnie are able to talk about what had happened downstairs.
He is still trying to figure out how to carefully broach the topic again when he reaches the top of the stairs and discovers that the door to his son's apartment has been flung wide open. Meyer cautiously approaches the door and frowns at the pieces of fruit scattered across the entrance hallway. It's unlike Clemont to leave things untidy like that. Is there someone else in the apartment? Has there been a robbery of some kind?
"Papa?" There's an underscore of panic to Clemont's subdued question as Meyer starts to kneel down, intending to lay Ash down and then quickly make sure that the apartment is safe for Clemont and Bonnie to enter.
"The door was open, so I'm just going to check everything out first," Meyer tells him, voice calm. "To make sure things are safe." Clemont blinks at him for long moments as though he is contemplating the meaning of the words themselves – his son must be tired to be this slow at responding – before directing a bleary gaze towards the open door and discarded fruit.
"…Oh." Clemont shakes his head minutely, his grip on Bonnie tightening. "Don't worry. I think that was Bonnie's doing."
Meyer frowns. That doesn't seem like Bonnie either, nor is it like his son to be so apathetic. Whatever happened before Officer Jenny and I arrived seems to be turning into more and more of a mystery , he muses grimly. Still, despite his thoughts, Meyer nods in response to Clemont's words and straightens, carrying his son's robot inside. Clemont shuffles in after him with Bonnie and Pikachu.
"Could…" His son's voice is quiet. Clemont doesn't look at Ash. "Could you – could you put him in the workshop, please?" Bonnie sniffles against Clemont's shoulder.
"Of course," Meyer says gently. "While I do that, could you get the first aid kit for me, please?" He briefly regrets not bringing Ampharos along with him, but he had stayed behind to mind the shop while Meyer was gone.
Clemont stares at him blankly, uncomprehending in a way that worries Meyer because he's never seen his son act like this, nor seen him this wan and pale. What in the world happened?! He tries to hide his concern; the last thing his children need is to see him panicking.
So instead Meyer simply repeats his request, keeping his voice calm. It seems as though the words get through this time, although apparently not the point behind them, because Clemont frowns. "A first aid kit? But that won't…" His son finally glances at Ash, a look of pain crossing over his face before his gaze slides away. "You can't fix him with that, Papa." Clemont stares at the floor. "I… I wish we could."
Oh, Clemont. I have every confidence that whatever is wrong with Ash, you will be able to fix him. "I know, Clemont," he replies, voice still gentle. "It's not for Ash. It's for the two of you, in case either of you got injured."
"Oh," Clemont replies, realisation dawning late. "Sorry, yes, of course."
Clemont's hand makes an aborted movement towards his chest before Bonnie distracts him, saying tearfully, "I think I skinned my knee…"
Meyer watches as his son shakes his head quickly, rallying his thoughts for the sake of his younger sister before attempting a reassuring smile at Bonnie. It's fragile and watery, but Bonnie seems to take it at face value, resting her head back against Clemont's shoulder as her brother replies, "Alright, let's go get the first aid kit and take a look at it then, shall we?" The two of them shuffle slowly towards the kitchen. Once they disappear out of sight, Meyer sighs, his shoulders slumping as he turns towards the door to his son's workshop.
It's always a marvel, seeing the space in which his son pours his heart into all of the things he creates. Clemont's inventions are indeed amazing; none more so that the one currently lying in Meyer's arms. Looking for a clear space to set Ash down – every bench top is covered with tools and parts and half-finished projects – Meyer heads for the empty platform in the middle of the room. He lays Ash down gently on the platform, tucking limbs back into a more comfortable position the way he used to do for Clemont and Bonnie when they were younger. It occurs to him that such a thing is kind of unnecessary when it comes to Ash – after all, the boy is actually a robot; it isn't like he has blood circulation to get cut off. But his children treat Ash like he's just another human and Meyer can't bring himself to ever do anything less. He's met Ash; he knows there's a bright and lively personality inside the robot that Clemont himself admits he had nothing to do with. Ash has made himself a person; treating him like an object, even when there isn't a shred of that same life left in him feels wrong, somehow.
So Meyer makes sure that Ash is laying comfortably on the platform before he goes in search of Clemont and Bonnie. He finds them in the kitchen, where Bonnie sits on a chair as Clemont dabs antiseptic cream on her knees. Pikachu is curled up in her lap, eyes sad despite Bonnie softly rubbing between the Pokémon's ears.
Clemont places the last band-aid – decorated with tiny Magnemite – on her knee with a flourish. "There you go!" he says, managing a somewhat cheerful tone. "As good as new!"
"Thanks, Clemont," Bonnie replies, a watery smile aimed at her brother. Clemont starts to pack away the band-aids and cream, only to startle when Meyer takes them from his hand.
"You sit there, Clemont," Meyer directs, pointing at an empty chair. "I noticed you had a few scrapes of your own that could use some attention." Clemont looks about to protest something along the lines of him being fine, but obviously thinks the better of it and gives in with a sigh. He takes a seat and rolls his sleeves up, offering his arms to Meyer for inspection. Meyer takes one look at the scratches and bruises scattered across his son's forearms and his badly-scraped palms and whistles long and low. "Clemont," he says seriously, looking his son in the eyes. "Can you tell me what happened now, please?"
Clemont swallows and looks away, that same flash of pain passing over his features. Bonnie hops down from her chair, moving closer to wrap a small hand around her brother's arm in support. Pikachu jumps from Bonnie's shoulder into Clemont's lap, curling up there and looking up at Clemont encouragingly. "We should tell Papa," Bonnie urges. "Maybe he can help Ash as well."
His son's shoulders slump as Clemont sighs. "Alright." One hand hesitantly rests on Pikachu's back as Clemont starts to speak. "Ash was running the Gym this morning because I was still getting over a cold…"
As Clemont, helped by Bonnie, relates the events of the day to him – the false Gym match; Team Rocket ( Again! I thought Mega Blaziken and I ran them off before! Meyer thinks in frustration); their attempt to brainwash and then steal Ash and most of Clemont's Pokémon; his children's efforts to thwart their plan; and finally the destruction of the Gym – Meyer checks Clemont over for injuries. A cut hidden by his fringe; scraped hands from frantically trying to shift rock; singed hair along his arms from the force of a Thunderbolt (Pikachu looks guilty until Clemont reassures him that he doesn't blame him) and a myriad of other small scratches and bruises from a long and arduous battle make up the list, but Meyer suspects that the biggest wound is on his son's heart. His own heart aches for them both as Clemont's voice starts to crack as he nears the end of the story, his son very obviously holding back tears as he tries to explain about Ash collapsing but only managing a choked, "He wouldn't wake up, Papa." Bonnie isn't even trying to hold back her renewed tears.
Meyer can feel himself starting to tear up as he gathers his children in his arms. They cling to him, their fingers digging into his clothes as they tremble with the force of their sorrow. "Clemont, Bonnie, I'm so sorry," he says, voice thick as he clutches them to him just that little bit tighter. I could have lost them as well. "It must have been so scary for you." He tries not to dwell on that thought, considering that both of them are here, safe and relatively unharmed in his arms. They'd lost a precious friend. "I'm sorry that Ash got hurt as well. I know he means a lot to you both."
"Things will be okay," he whispers, holding them close. "I know it doesn't seem like they will be right now, but I have faith in you, Clemont, that you'll be able to fix your friend."
Clemont sniffles, pressing his face closer against his father's shoulder. The three of them stay wrapped up in the hug for a long while, quiet, calming murmurs from Meyer punctuated every now and then with a sniffle or a hiccup from one of his children. Eventually, Clemont pulls back from the hug and raises his hands to rub the tears from his eyes. Bonnie remains pressed against his chest, but she turns her head slightly to watch her brother.
"Will you be alright?" Meyer asks his son. It breaks his heart to watch how Clemont hesitates for a moment at the question, the struggle to pretend to be strong and say that he'll be fine clear on his face. Honesty wins out over false reassurances though; Clemont closes his eyes and half-shakes his head, his shoulders hunching in a hopeless shrug. I don't know. Meyer sets a gentle hand on his son's shoulder. "It's alright to not be okay, Clemont," he tells the boy quietly. "Especially after everything that's happened." He looks to Bonnie when he sees her face peeking up at him as well. "The two of you should get some rest," he suggests. "Things will look a bit better after you've had a chance to sleep and recover."
Clemont's gaze shifts away, glancing over his shoulder – towards his workshop where Ash lies broken. His son hesitates for a moment, uncertainty and exhaustion warring with the frantic need to fix his friend, but finally Clemont sighs and nods. "Okay." He throws his arms around Meyer's neck, hugging him desperately tight for a moment. "Good night, Papa."
Meyer returns the embrace just as tightly, dropping a kiss onto his son's head before Clemont withdraws. Bonnie holds up her arms and proceeds to give an almost identically desperate hug, kissing his cheek as well. "Good night, Papa!"
"Good night, you two." Meyer watches as Clemont takes his sister's hand, leading her towards her room. He has a fair idea he'll find them both curled up in Clemont's bed later on, the way he used to find them on nights when thunder rumbled overhead. Pikachu jumps down from the chair and follows in their wake, catching up to his two children and climbing up to Bonnie's shoulder as the three of them round the doorway. A subdued, watery giggle echoes back into the kitchen. Meyer sighs, leaning against the kitchen bench and scrubbing his hands over his face.
My poor children… His shoulders slump now that he no longer has to put on a brave face for Clemont and Bonnie. I wish I could fix all of this for you. I wish I could have been here when you needed me. Both of you are so young to be dealing with everything that happened today. He sighs again. I thought I'd dealt with that group of thieves but it seems they just don't know when to quit. A hard glint appears in his eyes. I won't forgive them for hurting Clemont and Bonnie – and Ash! – like this. Meyer frowns at the still-open door of the apartment. If I ever see them again…!
/\/\/\
It's a very subdued breakfast the next morning.
Meyer is in the middle of scrambling eggs when the smell of cooking food lures one of his children out of bed and into the kitchen. Bonnie blinks at him for a few moments, all dishevelled hair and bleary eyes, before she wakes up enough to realise that the person cooking the food isn't her brother for once.
"Papa!" she exclaims, bounding over to wrap her arms around him tightly. Meyer takes a moment to move the pan off the stove before returning her hug just as tightly. She holds on just a bit longer than she normally would, the hug seeking comfort just as much as it is a greeting.
"Good morning," he greets Bonnie cheerfully when the hug loosens enough for him to pull back and take a look at her. The remnants of yesterday's tears still linger on her face and her smile isn't as bright or wide as it normally is when she replies, "Good morning, Papa!" but at the very least it is a genuine smile. Bonnie has always been a strong child – strong of thought and strong of heart.
Still, it breaks Meyer's heart to know that he can't help fix the cause of his childrens' sorrow.
"Breakfast will be ready in a minute," he tells her. Bonnie squeaks as Meyer's arms wrap around her, lifting her up and setting her on the kitchen counter beside him. He plants a kiss on her forehead, heart lightening at the giggle that escapes her. "Where's your brother?" Clemont usually gets up around the same time as his sister.
Bonnie's face falls and she glances away, shaking her head. He lets out a quiet breath; it's just as he thought then. He can't blame Clemont for not wanting to face the world after losing a beloved friend. Meyer nods, ruffling Bonnie's hair a bit to try and bring a smile to her face again. "That's okay. He'll come join us when he's ready," he tells her. "In the meantime, do you want to help me cook the eggs?"
She beams. "Sure!"
Meyer laughs as she scoots off the counter and hands her the spatula. "Excellent!" He surveys the kitchen. "Now, where do you keep the spices in here…?"
/\/\/\
Clemont lays awake in his bed, the quiet clatter of utensils and muffled voices from the kitchen filtering through the door that Bonnie has left open. Maybe she hopes that the smell of breakfast cooking will manage to entice her brother out of bed, but she may as well not have bothered. He doesn't feel like eating.
He doesn't feel like doing anything, really. The prospect of getting up and having to deal with everything, having to somehow function normally when he's just lost his best friend… he'd rather just lay here and stare numbly at the ceiling. Clemont can't even work up the energy to cry, all his tears spent last night. He just feels drained.
"Pipika?" Clemont doesn't turn his head at Pikachu's concerned call, nor does he move when Pikachu bounds up onto the bed beside him. "Pika pikachu!" the Pokémon exclaims, waving his arms towards the open door. Breakfast is ready!
Clemont makes no move to get up. He just continues to lay there, staring at the blurry ceiling. Pikachu watches him for a few moments before his ears and tail wilt, dropping the charade of enthusiasm. With a small sigh, Pikachu crawls on top of Clemont, jolting the boy out of his stupor. Clemont blinks down at Pikachu's blurred form as the Pokémon curls up on his chest, careful of the bruises Clemont had hidden from his father, ears drooping. "Chuuuuuuu…" Pikachu comments miserably.
"I miss him too," he whispers, sorrow finally rising above the numbness in his heart. Tears sting at the edge of his eyes again as he rests a hand on the small warm body curled over him. "I'm sorry, Pikachu."
He feels Pikachu nuzzle a cheek against his hand. The quiet comfort makes the sting in his eyes harder to ignore, and he pulls his hand away to sling an arm over his eyes before tears start to fall.
"I'm scared," he admits quietly. There's a weight on his chest that has nothing to do with Pikachu's presence. He'd lain awake for hours last night after Bonnie had finally fallen into a fitful sleep, staring at the ceiling as his mind chased unwanted thoughts around and around. Ash isn't human; Clemont knows there's a chance of fixing him. He promised Ash that he'd fix him, and he can, physically at least. But... he's scared. Scared that he won't be able to bring back whatever had made the robot 'Ash'. "If I can't fix him, then…"
The thought of his friend waking up with those horribly blank eyes –
Clemont shudders.
But he has to try, doesn't he? He'd promised. Besides, he can't just leave Ash lying in his workshop for eternity. Broken. Lifeless.
He shudders again. I can't… I don't want to see him like that again.
"Pipika?"
Clemont peeks out from under his arm, managing to make out the look of concern on Pikachu's blurry features. He gives a watery chuckle, trying for a reassuring smile. Pikachu doesn't look convinced. Clemont gives a start as the Pokémon burrows closer, his arms closing hesitantly around the small form as he realises that Pikachu is trying to comfort him with a hug. Clemont buries his face against the soft fur. "Thank you," he whispers. "… If Ash was here, he'd probably be scolding me for moping around."
Pikachu makes a muffled agreeing sound, drawing another watery huff of amusement from Clemont. He scrubs an arm across his eyes and takes a deep breath, sitting up slowly. Pikachu climbs onto his shoulder as he reaches for his glasses. Settling them on his nose, he catches a glimpse of his reflection in the mirror across the room and winces at the sight, turning away. Judging by the sounds still floating in through the open door, his father and Bonnie are still having breakfast. Probably eating slower than normal in the hopes that he'll come out and join them.
He still doesn't feel hungry, but if he's going to fix Ash, he needs to keep his own strength up. With a sigh, Clemont gets to his feet, Pikachu still riding on his shoulder. "Guess we should go see what's for breakfast…"
"Pika!" Pikachu says encouragingly, patting the side of his head. The support from the small Pokémon is enough to get Clemont's feet finally moving, carrying him out of the room.
/\/\/\
Meyer breathes a quiet sigh of relief when Clemont finally shuffles into the room, though his son still looks as subdued as he did the day before. It's enough that he's up and moving, at least. Pikachu, riding on Clemont's shoulder, looks much livelier as he eyes the breakfast table with interest. "Clemont, good morning!"
"'Morning," Clemont mumbles, slumping into the seat beside his sister. Pikachu jumps from his shoulder down onto the table. Meyer picks out an apple from the fruit bowl and offers it to him, who accepts it happily and starts to munch away. He wishes he could cheer his son up with such a simple act as well, but he knows it won't be that easy.
Still, Meyer takes the initiative when it looks like his son isn't about to do anything but stare at the grain on the table. Scooping some food onto a plate, he sets it down in front of Clemont, startling the boy out of his morose thoughts. Clemont blinks at the plate for a few seconds – Meyer isn't sure if his son is tired or just distracted, but suspects it's a mixture of the two – before understanding lights his eyes. "Thanks, Papa," Clemont says, the small, tired smile he offers with his words abating Meyer's worry slightly.
He keeps up a small amount of chatter as he finishes off his own plate of food; Bonnie replies readily enough, but he can tell that Clemont is only half-listening at best because of the non-committal noises in response. His son is still listlessly pushing food around his plate – a habit Clemont only has when he's severely anxious about something – despite the fact that Meyer has made sure to include all his son's favourite foods on his plate. Meyer frowns into his coffee, unsure how to reassure Clemont that things will turn out alright. He still has absolute faith in his son's ability to fix his friend, but the shock of watching a dear friend collapse in front of him would be hard to get over.
He sighs quietly and glances towards his children again. It would be better if they came and stayed with me while the Gym is being rebuilt , he muses, watching Pikachu nibble at his apple as his ears slanted back at the heavy atmosphere at the table. There's worry in the Pokémon's eyes when Pikachu looks at Clemont and Bonnie, which warms Meyer's heart a little under the worry weighing it down – he remembers well how Pikachu had been wary to even approach Clemont not all that long ago. It seemed that his son has won the guarded Pokémon's trust. I'm not sure how stable the Gym is after sustaining all that damage. And I'd worry less if they were somewhere I could see them for the time being, at least until I can be sure that this 'Team Rocket' isn't going to be making yet another reappearance…
Apple eaten, Pikachu sets the core down beside him and eyes the fruit bowl again. Meyer is just about to offer him another piece of fruit – there's a rather tempting Pecha berry on the side closest to him – when Pikachu's attention switches to Clemont's plate, and then to Clemont himself, before returning to the plate. Carefully, Pikachu reaches out and snatches a grape from the edge of the plate, eyeing Clemont to see if he's been noticed. Clemont remains oblivious to the food-thief – too lost in his own thoughts – and so Pikachu continues to pilfer food off the boy's plate, much to Meyer's quiet amusement. Bonnie catches on to the small Pokémon's antics fairly quickly, giggling quietly.
It's not until Clemont's fork clinks against the empty plate instead of food that his son is drawn out of his daze, blinking down at his plate in confusion until he catches sight of Pikachu, who is happily munching away on the other berries that had previously been on his plate. "…Are those mine?" Clemont asks, voice quiet but clearly bemused.
Pikachu's ears twitch wildly for a moment before they slant back in guilt, the small Pokémon looking down at the berry in his paws. "Pipika?" Pikachu says, offering the berry up to Clemont apologetically. Clemont's mouth curves into a smile – it's small, and somewhat tired, but it is a smile – and gives Pikachu a quiet 'Thank you' when the Pokémon places it into his offered hand. His son stares at the berry in his palm for a moment before looking towards Pikachu again, who is watching him with a worried expression. Meyer watches as his son's shoulders slump slightly, some of the worry and tension plaguing him finally dissipating in the face of Pikachu's worry. Clemont tosses the berry into his mouth, chewing and swallowing before directing another soft smile – just a little bit wider this time – at Pikachu. "It's delicious, thank you," he tells Pikachu. Pikachu perks up, ears twitching happily. He offers another berry to Clemont, who huffs a small laugh and takes it.
To Meyer, that huff of laughter is the best sound that he's ever heard. He silently thanks Pikachu with all of his heart for managing to bring Clemont even the slightest bit out of the glum state he has been in. It seems the berry offerings have managed to kickstart his son's appetite as well, Clemont finally putting the food on his plate in his mouth rather than pushing it around aimlessly.
Things are finally looking up since last night, so it's a shame that Meyer will have to bring the mood down again eventually. There are some things that he and his children need to talk about that can't be put off for much longer, but he figures that putting it off for another few minutes can't hurt, not when Clemont is finally paying attention to the world around him and looking less like a walking ghost every time that Pikachu and Bonnie manage to make him smile or talk.
Sadly, all good things must come to an end and so, when Bonnie and Clemont are almost finished eating, he pushes away his own empty plate and clears his throat. It draws the attention of all three at the table, who look at him curiously.
"I need to discuss some things with you," he tells them; a discussion, because Meyer has always tried to be truthful and explain his reasoning to his children, especially after they were left without their mother, and because he always tried to give them the chance to make their own decisions about things. The only thing he has never told them about is his double life as Blaziken Mask, because neither of his children deserve the worry about their father running around Lumiose City stopping criminals. He doesn't know what he'll do if they ever figure it out themselves and ask him directly. He hopes he never comes to having to make that decision.
Clemont looks slightly wary at his words, but Meyer plows on ahead. "I know that the events of yesterday were terrible…" All of his audience flinches, Pikachu's ears drooping sadly while his children glance down at the table, misery resurfacing in their feature. Meyer feels terrible for even having to remind them of something that hurt them so much, hates hurting them now once again while the wounds are still fresh. "…I know that your memories are painful, and you probably don't want to think about any of it," he continues, his voice gentle. "But you'll need to talk to Officer Jenny today about what happened, so that she can look into finding this 'Team Rocket'. I didn't think you'd be up to it yesterday, but it's best to talk to her about it while the memories are still fresh."
For long moments, there's silence as both his children stare at their plates. Meyer waits patiently for a response, willing to give them all the time they need. Finally, Clemont sighs and nods, meeting his father's eyes. "We'll – talk to her after breakfast, then," he replies, reluctance in every nuance of expression. "Bonnie?" he continues, turning to his sister. "Is that alright with you?"
Bless his daughter, who nods bravely, visibly fighting her own sadness to be strong for her brother and her broken friend. "Yeah. Let's do it!"
"Pika!" Pikachu volunteers, waving a hand. The two children look at Pikachu in surprise.
"You want to come too?" Clemont asks, pushing his glasses further up his nose.
"Pika!" A vehement nod.
"Alright then, we'll all go and talk to Officer Jenny after breakfast," Clemont says. Amidst the sounds of agreement, only Meyer notices the half-glance his son shoots over his shoulder – towards his workshop, where Ash's body lies on the worktable.
"That's good to hear," Meyer says, choosing not to comment on the look. "Clemont, I had a quick look last night, but you'll need to check over the Gym's damages as well." It's only his son who flinches this time, his face bleaching an even paler tone than usual that makes Meyer straighten in alarm.
Before he can ask if Clemont is alright – which is a pointless question, really, because this entire morning is proof that Clemont is decidedly not feeling alright – Clemont lets out a breath, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment before he squares his shoulders, and nods. "Okay, I'll… I'll do that today as well."
Bless his son as well. Meyer has a very shrewd notion that Clemont doesn't want to be anywhere near his own Gym for the foreseeable future. Considering Clemont watched it be destroyed – and then destroy in turn his best friend – Meyer can't blame him, but it is something that Clemont, as the Gym Leader of this city, needs to work through sooner rather than later.
Perhaps that desire to be elsewhere will work in Meyer's favour for the next point he's about to bring up. He has a feeling it's yet another sensitive topic. "Actually, speaking of that," he begins casually, hating the way Clemont shrinks in on himself, "it brings me to the other thing I wanted to talk to you about. I want you both to come and stay with me while the Gym is being repaired."
Across the table, Clemont goes rigid, his hand tightening on his fork until his knuckles are white. Meyer sees Bonnie shoot her brother a concerned glance out of the corner of his eye, but he keeps his attention on Clemont and continues in a calm voice as he lays out his reasons. "I didn't get to have a proper look at it last night, but the Gym took a lot of damage during your fight with Team Rocket. The ceiling has collapsed in a few places, not to mention the hole in the wall. There's a lot of cracks too, so I don't know how far the damage has spread, or how much is structural and how much simply cosmetic. Oh, and don't worry about challengers coming in, I put up a notice that the Gym was closed until further notice."
"Thank you," Clemont says, voice strained. "I forgot about that."
I don't blame you for that . "In any case, there's a chance that it's not safe to stay here. The Gym is only a few levels below here. It's only until the Gym is rebuilt and guaranteed to be stable again," he stresses. "Maybe only a month or so. And I want you both to stay with me for now also, because…" He sighs, holding his hands open entreatingly. "Because I'm your father, and I worry about you both."
"Papa…"
"Not just because of the danger with the Gym," he continues. "But… both of you were hurt yesterday – not just physically but also in your heart, with what happened to Ash yesterday... I don't think that you should be left to deal with that by yourselves."
There's a sniffle and a cry of "Papa!" and then suddenly Meyer finds his arms full of his children as they cling to him, faces buried against his shirt. He hugs them back fiercely, feeling their tears soak through his shirt and wishing once again that he could shield them from all the hurt they have had to endure.
As their tears subside back into sniffles, he relaxes his grip on them to give them room to move. "So?" he asks hopefully. "Will you come stay with me for a while?"
Clemont sits back, wiping a hand across his eyes hastily to rid himself of a few remaining tears. "No," he replies, voice cracking as he shakes his head, his eyes not meeting Meyer's. "I'm sorry, Papa, but no, I can't. I have to stay here, I have to… I have to fix him, Papa." Clemont sniffles, but finally looks up at his father, squaring his shoulders. "I can't leave him here. My workshop is here, and all the things I need to fix him… If I went home, I wouldn't be able to work on him for at least a month…! And I can't… I can't…." Clemont shudders. "I have to stay here and fix him, Papa. I can't leave him like that."
"Why not bring Ash with you?" Meyer asks, his voice gentle. He'd had a feeling Clemont would refuse for just that reason, and Meyer isn't sure Clemont can ever be convinced to change his mind about this. His son can be very stubborn about things when he set his mind to it. Meyer wasn't even sure if he had the heart to insist, after listening to the miserable desperation tinging Clemont's voice. How can he deny Clemont wanting to help his friend? "I don't mind him staying there as well."
Clemont is already shaking his head before Meyer finishes speaking. "No," he repeats, voice firmer. His shoulders are hunched as though he is waiting to be scolded, but he refuses to back down. "Most of the tools I need, we don't have at home, and I can't bring them with me because they're a part of my workshop. And Ash…" He glances away again, gathering his words. "Ash should wake up here, because… well, because it's his home ."
And really, what can Meyer say to that?
He lets out the breath he has been holding. "Okay," he says simply, reaching out and ruffling his son's hair.
Clemont blinks, looking equal parts pleased, incredulous and surprised as his shoulders start to lower. "'Okay'?" he repeats, as though the words do not make sense to him.
"Okay," Meyer confirms. "If that's the way you feel, then you can stay here – unless the reports say that the damage to the Gym is making the rest of the Tower unstable. You won't do Ash any good by getting yourself injured."
"I – thank you, Papa," Clemont says, his expression the brightest it's been all morning.
"Just do your best in fixing your friend," Meyer says, squeezing his son's shoulder. He turns his attention to his daughter. "And you, Bonnie?"
"You should go with Papa," Clemont interrupts, before Bonnie can even open her mouth. He flushes slightly when both Bonnie and Meyer look at him, but he continues on anyway, his fingers fidgeting together. "I'm… I'm going to be pretty distracted while I try to fix Ash, Bonnie. I'll probably be too busy to take care of you properly, so it's better you go with Papa rather than stay here."
Bonnie shakes her head. "That's exactly why I've gotta stay!" she retorts, much to her brother's surprise. "I know what you're like when you're inventing – you'll run yourself ragged and forget to eat and never get any sleep if there's no-one here to remind you to do it! So, if you're staying, then I've gotta stay too so that I can look after you." Her voice gets smaller, dropping in volume and vehemence. "Besides… I don't wanna leave Ash behind either. I wanna be here when he wakes up."
"Bonnie…" Clemont says, his expression soft.
Meyer nods, reaching out a hand to ruffle her hair as well. She giggles, the sound more watery than usual but still welcome. "Alright then, if both of you want to stay, then I guess I'll just have to stay here as well."
"Huh?" his children exclaim in sync. Meyer chuckles at their surprise.
"It makes the most sense," he tells them. "That way, I can look after both of you and the two of you can look after Ash." He looks at his son. "Also, I can look after getting the Gym rebuilt, so that you can spend your free time fixing your friend."
Clemont looks entirely relieved at the idea that Meyer will look after the Gym – although whether that is simply because it means more time for fixing Ash, or because it lets him put off looking at his damaged Gym, Meyer doesn't know. He wants to do anything that he can to help his children.
"But the shop…" Clemont protests weakly.
"Ampharos will be fine looking after it," Meyer replies. "Besides, Lumiose can do without me and my shop for a month or two, right?"
In response, Clemont and Bonnie simply hug him again, leaning into the comfort he offers them. "…Thanks, Papa," Clemont says quietly. "I'm going to do my best to fix Ash."
Meyer smiles, leaning down to plant a kiss on the top of his son's head. "I know you will," he tells the boy. "We all have faith in you." A kiss to the top of his daughter's head. "Both of you are so brave, I'm very proud of you."
Eventually, they pull away, their faces more composed despite the tear tracks on their cheeks. He raises his eyebrows in a silent question and the smiles he gets in reply reassure him more than any spoken words. With a sense of relief, he pushes himself to his feet. "Well then, I'm going to go and check over the Gym properly and see about getting it rebuilt. The two of you should probably go and see Officer Jenny this morning once you're done with breakfast," he suggests, noting the way Clemont's mouth turns down in reluctance at the idea. "Just leave your plates on the table, I'll clean everything up when I get back from making arrangements." He heads towards the door, pausing beside Clemont to squeeze his shoulder. His son looks up at him questioningly. "If you need any help, or anything at all, just let us know, alright?"
At Clemont's nod, he squeezes his shoulder again in reassurance and then heads out of the kitchen towards the front door. "See you both later! Take care!"
The door closes on the chorus of "Bye, Papa!" that follows. Just outside the front of the apartment – and thus outside his children's sight – Meyer stops for a moment and sighs. Please, let them be alright soon.
/\/\/\
Neither of them eat much breakfast after that. Despite what his father has said, Clemont finds himself clearing the table anyway, putting everything away in its place. He also does the dishes, washing them and drying them all with meticulous care. It's not until he finds himself rearranging their spice rack by alphabetical order instead of by type that he realises he's just trying to stall, trying to put off having to go and talk to Officer Jenny about Team Rocket and what they'd done.
I don't want to talk about what happened, he thinks, frowning down at the jar of nutmeg in his hand. I don't even want to think about what happened, it just… it hurts, and I could barely tell Papa about it. But… no matter how personal it feels to me, it was an attack on the Lumiose Gym, an attack at Prism Tower. The police do need to know what happened. Maybe they'll even find this Team Rocket… but I never want to see them again. After all, it's because of them that the Gym is – that Ash is – that Ash is –
"Geez Clemont, are you still in here?" Bonnie's voice cuts through his thoughts so abruptly that he jolts in shock and drops the jar in his hands. He fumbles for it, misses; and it's only Pikachu's desperate dive that ensures the jar doesn't smash all over the ground. At least it would have given me something else to clean, he thinks wryly, bending down to take the jar from a sprawling Pikachu. "Thanks, Pikachu," he tells the Pokémon, scratching his head. Pikachu waves a paw at him.
"Pipika pi!"
He lets Pikachu climb up his arm and settle on his shoulder with a paw buried in his hair for balance. He places the jar of nutmeg carefully with the other spices – now half organised in the new system, he's going to need to fix that later – and turns to Bonnie, who has already changed out of her pyjamas while Clemont has been cleaning (delaying). "What is it, Bonnie?"
His little sister gives him a long look; Clemont knows that he must still look like a mess, standing there with his hair uncombed and still in his pyjamas. He thinks that maybe she's about to berate him for being slow – maybe she just wants to get it over with whereas he doesn't want to do it at all – but all Bonnie says is, "Can you come help me with my hair please? It's being stubborn this morning." Her mouth twists down in mild annoyance as she complains. Clemont can't help but smile as he takes the proffered brush and hair tie and sits down, motioning her to stand in front of him.
When he runs the brush through her hair, he finds that it isn't actually all that bad. He huffs a quiet laugh to himself at the realisation that she doesn't need help with her hair at all. Of course she doesn't; Bonnie takes great pride in the fact that she's been able to do her own hair now for the past few years. He thinks that maybe, she just wants to give him something other to think about, and the thought keeps the smile on his face as he quickly braids the front of her hair and ties it up. "There you go, all done."
"Thanks Clemont!" she says brightly. When Clemont holds out the brush for her to take back, she grabs his wrist instead and tugs him to his feet. "Okay, now your turn! Go and get ready!" She pushes him into the hallway with all the strength her eight-year-old body holds, helped along by his socks sliding against the polished floor.
He laughs. "Alright, alright! I'm going, I'm going!"
She watches him suspiciously as he regains his balance and heads towards his room, as though she thinks he might make a break for it the moment her back is turned. He does no such thing, however. He lets Pikachu splash around in the water at his feet as he showers (and alright, maybe he stalls a little longer by making sure Pikachu is thoroughly clean as well, but Pikachu does deserve the care after yesterday) and goes through the rest of his usual morning routine until he finally looks like he's holding himself together. You're the Gym Leader of Lumiose City, he tells his reflection sternly, trying to psyche himself up. You managed to fight off Team Rocket, you can do something as simple as this. Besides, Ash is counting on you. He can almost imagine Ash clapping him on the back, cheering him on and bolstering his courage just by being there next to him. Clemont nods to himself. He can do this.
He presents himself to Bonnie, swinging her feet impatiently as she waits for him at the kitchen table. "Finally!" she exclaims, jumping to her feet. Pikachu manages to find a perch on his shoulder just before Bonnie grabs his hand, tugging him towards the door. "Come on, let's go!"
Clemont lets himself be pulled along, amused at her enthusiasm. His feet slow down as they pass the door to his workshop, but he can't bring himself to stop and check inside just yet. His hand is squeezed; Clemont looks up to find Bonnie looking back at him. "He'll come back," she says fiercely. "You'll bring him back, Clemont, I know you will."
He squeezes her hand back in silent – agreement? Reassurance? Clemont isn't sure – and catches up to her so that he is walking alongside. "Come on, let's go find Officer Jenny."
Thanks for reading! C: