I groaned as my eyes flickered open, there was pain in my head and I could hear voices as my eyes focused on a room I didn't recognise.
"She's waking up!" Came Bonnie's happy voice.
"Bonnie not so loud" Clemont's voice hissed. As my eyes actually focused and I instantly saw Sycamore's soft smile - Ash, Bonnie, Clemont and Serena behind him looking worried.
"How are you feeling?" Sycamore asked
"Like I got hit by a Hyperbeam... oh wait" I joked as he helped me sit up with a sweet chuckle that felt nice to my ears "What happened? Is Glaceon okay?"
"Everything's fine" he took my hand and I felt myself blush a little "Glaceon is safe in it's Pokeball" he reached out and put his other hand on my forehead to check my temperature "you seem like you're okay, just took a bit of a hit - you should rest"
"Mhh" I hummed
"You're so cool Professor" Serena grinned
"You're so sweet to Hailey!" Bonnie squealed "are you two married?"
I felt my face explode with heat "Bonnie!" Clemont hissed
"N-no, we're not, I mean, it's not.." I stuttered "no"
"Aw" she looked disappointed for a minute "well then" she got to her knees in front of me and I was taken aback "will you please take care of my brother?"
"What?" I giggled as Clemont dragged her away
"I told you to stop, that's so embarrassing in front of a League Champion!" he said and I chuckled
"I think you should get some sleep" Sycamore smiled at me, holding a hand out to help me to my feet. I took his warm hand in mine and he stood up with me. I smiled up at him as he kept my hand in his.
"It was lovely to meet you four" I said, they all grinned and returned my statement "and Ash - I look forward to our battle"
"Me too!" he grinned as I let Sycamore lead me from the room, his slender fingers curled through mine and I found myself blushing as we stepped into the close proximity of the elevator as we moved up to my room in silence.
"I think I'll be fine by myself, Sycamore" I smiled as I stepped out the elevator, dropping his hand
"Quite an eventful day we've had" he smiled, leaning on the door of the elevator so it didn't close.
"You could say that" I said, then smiled "god, that's the most fun I've had in months"
"Should I get kidnapped more often?" I grinned and I let myself laugh.
"Sorry, it's just - shut up in the league... it's nice to have an adventure again" I said
"I'm glad you had fun" he chuckled "sleep well"
"You're not going to bed?" I asked, checking how late it was getting.
"I have a little work to finish" he shrugged "I'll be asleep soon, anyway, I'll see you tomorrow"
"Might be able to actually go sight seeing tomorrow" I grinned, taking a few steps back towards my room "you promised my Lumiose by night, remember?"
"Of course I do" he smiled, stepping back into the elevator "sleep well, Mademoiselle" he added and I felt my cheeks heat up as the doors closed over his face.
x
I sat absorbed in one of Sycamore's many books, curled up in one of the window chairs in the library, my cup of tea sitting next to me. I turned the page, the noise breaking the serene silence of the room. I barely registered the door of the library opening, assuming it was Jessica coming in for another text book - I was far too indulged in the story I was reading.
"Hailey?" came Sycamore's deep voice and I jumped, clutching the book to my chest "sorry, I didn't mean to scare you"
I chuckled "it's fine, I wasn't paying attention"
"What are you reading?" he asked, sitting down in the space in front of me, I crossed my legs and smiled at him.
"No idea, I just liked the cover" I shrugged honestly
"It's getting late, are you hungry?" he asked, in response my stomach growled
"Maybe a little" I giggled "are you done your work?
"For today, yes" he nodded "how about that tour I promised you?"
"Really?" I grinned
"Yeah" he nodded "I'd put of a jacket, it's gotten pretty cold - I'll meet you downstairs in 15 minutes?"
"Okay" I nodded furiously, suddenly bubbling with excitement. I jumped up and ran towards the door, pausing slightly to put my book away. I went to my room, yanking my hair out of it's, now very messy, bun. I'd tie it back up later. It fell down my back in soft waves as I went to grab my jacket and boots, I pulled my soft black hat down over my silver hair - totally forgetting to tie it back up as I ran down to meet Sycamore. Who was wearing his normal but with a grey jacket over his shoulders.
"Ready?" I asked, he turned to me, his eyes widened slightly and I cocked my head "what?"
"You, uh, you look lovely" he said with a smile that made my knees go a little weak "I don't think I've ever seen you with your hair down"
I reached up to realise I'd forgot to tie it back up "thank you" I blushed
"You ready? I have a whole plan" he grinned
"Y-yeah" I stumbled - had he put that much thought into this?
"Come on" he nodded his head, opening the door for me. I smiled as I walked out the door, a cold gust of air hit me and I smiled. Reminded me of home.
"You call this cold?" I grinned at him "have you ever been to Snowbelle?"
"No, actually" he said, oblivious to my teasing as he took a left down one of the streets. I followed behind him.
"It's really just the Gym Leader's fault, because the ice gym blasts out such cold air - it's always snowing" I explained
"I'd love to visit" he smiled
"I'll show you around if you do" I said, blushing slightly as my hand brushed against him "this is our stop" I looked over to see he'd stopped outside a side street restaurant. I raised my eyebrows. Out of all the amazing places to eat we'd past on the way - why did he pick here? But I followed him as he held the door open for me anyway. When I stepped in I was hit with an amazing smell and atmosphere.
"Augustine!" boomed a very loud male voice and I looked up to see a very tall, waiter beaming at us "it's been a while"
"It has, Elliot, how are you?" he answered
"I'm great, who's your lovely friend here?" he grinned at me
"This is Hailey Storm" he gestured at me and I smiled at Elliot who's eyes widened.
"The Champion?" he asked
"The very same" I nodded "it's nice to meet you"
"You too, sweetheart" he grinned "you whipped my brother into shape when he tried to take the league"
"Just doing my job" I shrugged, Elliot boomed with laughter.
"As you should, table for two I assume?" he grinned
"If you would" Sycamore nodded
"Anything for an old friend" he clapped Sycamore on the shoulder, he winced as if it hurt but Elliot didn't notice. He lead us towards the back of the restaurant where it was a little quieter and sat us down right by the window with a gorgeous view of the Prism Tower.
"Woah" I breathed, watching it twinkle against the dark sky.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Sycamore said, I looked over and met his gaze a blush creeping across my face "you can actually go up it, it's a tourist spot as well as a gym"
"I didn't know that" I said as I picked up the menu in front of me "anything you'd recommend?"
"Well, the Pumpkaboo Pumpkin Spaghetti is one of my favourites" he said, looking at his own menu.
"I'll take your word for it" I grinned and closed my menu. He smiled and did the same.
"So how long do you think you'll stay?" he asked, leaning on his hands "I'm enjoying your stay"
I blushed slightly "I wish I could just stay forever" I sighed
He smiled a little in sympathy "Is it that bad?"
"I shouldn't complain" I said, back tracking quickly "it's an honour to be the champion it just gets a little tiresome..."
"You always loved to battle, it was an honour to watch you" he smiled
"I did love to battle" I smiled sadly "I haven't had a good battle in a while, I miss it"
"Well, you're welcome at the lab as long as you want" he said, I felt his warm hand enclose over mine on the table. I felt all the blood rush to my face but I still managed to smile - this time with comfort at his words.
"Thank you, Augustine" I said, calling him his first name was something I tended to avoid - not sure if I had that relationship with him yet. Our moment was interrupted by a waitress coming over and he removed his hand from mine to talk to her and I sighed, missing the warmth of his skin against mine. After she took our orders she disappeared off to the kitchen. We chatted away while our food cooked, he babbled on about his research a lot and I smiled, looking down at the sparkling, silver cuff around my wrist with the Nintalonite on it. The waitress shut him up when our food arrived and I saw the huge plate in front of me. I scooped up some of it on to my fork.
"Woah, that's amazing" I said through a mouthful of spaghetti
He chuckled as he sipped his drink "it's one of my favourite places, the view and the food together is an amazing combination"
"It is amazing" I breathed "beats the Radiant Chamber any day" Dinner was indredible, the food was the best I'd ever tasted and the conversation didn't drop the whole time. Something I was always bad at was keeping up conversation but with Sycamore..it just seemed to flow naturally.
"Are you done?" he asked as I put my fork down, somehow managing to eat the entire plate I'd been served.
"Yeah" I smiled, running a hand through my hair. He stood up and pulled his coat on, stuffing down a few notes of PokeDollars down on the table "you have to let me pay for the next one" I said, pulling my hat down on my head.
He chuckled "maybe" he waved at Elliot as we walked out the door.
"Don't be a stranger, Augustine!" he grinned manically as we walked outside where the biting wind swirled around us - the streets were now bustling with nightlife, a lot busier than before. A man on a bike zoomed past and I jumped away, losing my balance slightly, Sycamore grabbed my hand in order to stop me totally falling over, pulling me towards him and clutching my waist for support.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly, I blushed very hard in response.
"F-fine" I managed, taking a step away to conceal my red face.
"Come on" he smiled, seemingly unfazed as he tugged in my hand "I have something to show you" I was glad it was cold so I could blame my flushed appearance on the wind as his fingers slid between mine.
"Where are we going?" I asked, finally regulating my breathing.
"You'll see" he smiled down at me and I chuckled as he rounded the corner towards the Prism Tower. I just walked next to him, enjoying the fresh air and the bustling energy of Lumiose at night. This city didn't really appear to sleep. I grinned as he lead me inside the guest entrance of the Prism Tower.
"Are we going up?" I asked excitedly, almost jumping where I stood by the elevator.
"Mhhmm" he hummed, chuckling at how excitable I was being, the elevator doors opened and I jumped inside - feeling his hand slip from mine as he followed me inside. I was practically buzzing with excitement as we rode the elevator up that I was unaware of Sycamore smiling fondly at me. I jumped out as the Elevators opened again, another cold breeze hit me as I gasped. We were on an outside viewing platform, there were a few people milling about and taking pictures but I ran over to the fence, grabbing the bars and taking in the view. Lumiose City twinkling like a million stars blinking up from below me.
"You like it?" came his deep voice and I spun around and grinned at him.
"It's beautiful" I breathed, turning back and looking out at the view, breathing happily at the fresh air and gorgeous view. He came and stood next to me as I grinned out at the huge expanse of the city below me "where's the lab?" I asked, he looked around before leaning closer.
"Over there" he said quietly, I followed his pointing hand and saw the lab, tiny but the Pokeballs on the outside were familiar. He smiled down at me "I thought the view of the inside of the chamber might get a bit boring, a change of surroundings is always healing"
"Thank you" I breathed, smiling up at him. Very moved at the thought he'd put into this "no one's ever done so much for me"
"You've obviously never met anyone as great as me" he teased and I chuckled, turning back to the view. I suddenly felt my eyes sting with tears at how touched I was and they spilled over my cheeks, I took in a ragged breath and he looked down at me with a frown.
"Hailey? What's wrong? Are you okay?" he pressed in a worried tone and I laughed - confusing him more. I didn't particularly think as I crashed into his chest, wrapping my arms around his waist tightly.
"Thank you, Augustine" I whispered, muffled into the material of his shirt. He smiled softly, his arms going around my shoulders. He stroked my hair soothingly.
"You're welcome" he replied, I pulled away after a few amazing moments and brushed at him face, tears still falling.
"I'm sorry" I laughed awkwardly, looking at my shoes "I don't know why I'm crying"
"It's okay" he smiled, his hand came up and rested on my cheek, making my heart start thumping in my chest as he brushed the tears on my face with his thumb "even the intimidating champion can cry" I chuckled, my hand coming up and putting it over his "I'm glad you came to stay with me" he said
I brought my gaze back up to his eyes, both of us seemed to feel something. A rose dust spreading across his cheeks as if he just realised the situation we were in and he brought his hand back. I instantly missed the warmth on my face as I cleared my throat, turning back to the view, feeling very flustered and awkward. I yawned, feeling tired now.
"Are you tired?" he asked, his voice higher than normal
"Mh" I nodded
"I'll take you back" he smiled, I felt him take my hand again and I blushed as he tugged my hand towards the elevator doors.