THAT SYLVEON
Yes! I'm back, and I've brought along with me the power to write slightly better than before! Welcome to That Sylveon, chapter 63 - the first chapter in the year 2023. It's currently freezing outside, and I'm a little low on morale. So, I'm very grateful that I'm able to unwind and write again. I really really hope you guys enjoy this chapter. It was weeks in the making.
LuanOTP owns nothing.
…
Raidon stared down the Sylveon as if an extra feeler had popped out from within her bowtie. The contest ensued in the streets of West Latias, as pedestrian Pokemon passing by pondered why the two teens gazed at each other so intensely, for so long.
He raised an eyebrow. She did the same. He burst out into laughter. Her expression remained the same.
"Haha, what? Anais, I can't just take you home with me - You aren't some prize that I won at the carnival." he explained, waving his paws about in delirium.
The fairy didn't seem to take no for an answer. She sat her butt down on the cracked pavings, forcing a passing Serperior to awkwardly sliver around her to get by.
"Didn't you have a fun time, though?" she asked, looking up hopefully at the electric type
Raidon copied his girlfriend's antics, sitting down on the sidewalk as well, saying, "Of course I did. Even if… Y'know…" as he leered at his bandaged forearm. "Well, anyways, yeah, it was great!"
"...And you're ready to call it quits? Just like that?"
The Luxray looked a little puzzled. "Calling it quits? Nah, don't think of it like that. I just don't want you to be out too long."
It was a little irritating how logical the Luxray seemed to be. Since when was he the responsible little good boy who wanted to get a good night's sleep? Anais' frustration manifested into the biting of her lips.
"It's whatever. Plus, you're going back to Uncle Cooper's, right?" Anais replied, nodding her head as she improvised her argument. "If I'm there, my parents will know where I am. They won't mind me staying with ya'll."
That was true, and a very good point now that Raidon considered it. He smiled and faintly clapped his paws together.
"Guess that's checkmate - You're coming with me."
The fairy sprung from her makeshift seat, reaching heights she thought was reserved for taller Pokemon like Barry.
"Yes! For a second there, I thought you really were gonna tell me to leave."
Raidon chuckled inwardly. "You made a very good argument." he said, looking up to the darkening skies above. "We better get going, before all the dark types start coming out." he jokingly warned, pointing to the twinkling moon.
Anais smiled, darting in one direction with expedition. Raidon was about to call out to his girlfriend, wondering if she knew the way there. He stopped himself and knocked a paw against his forehead. Of course she knew. Even if she didn't, her determination alone would find a way. The electric type made like an electron and zipped over to the being that attracted him.
She slowed down her pace so they could walk side by side, and while the dim lighting made it hard to see, Anais knew all the features that resided within the quadruped silhouette. Especially those gleaming eyes.
"Hey, I gotta question." came the silhouette, whose profile was briefly illuminated as they passed under a streetlamp. "So, you do know that Chloe's gonna be at the house too, right?"
"Yeah." replied the Sylveon. "So what?"
"...C'mon, Anais. You explained to me how much you don't like her. Going to that house will put you as close to her as possible."
Anais stuck her nose up in the air, replying, "Well, this is just one of the many things I'd do to be with you."
A smile came onto the electric type's maw. "Ahaha, that's cute. You got a real clever way with words."
The Sylveon recognised the road that led to her uncle's house. They trotted up the steps with slight excitement. Before the electric teen was able to look for his keys, the door opened ominously. Raidon shook in place, looking at a fellow electric type behind the door.
"Oh, hey there, Raidon. Is that Anais?" came the Jolteon who opened the door.
Anais lit up, recognising the Eeveelution straight away. "Hey, Uncle Cooper! Fancy meeting you here."
"I know right? Fancy meeting me on my own property, huh?" he joshed sarcastically, sidling past the two and stepping out onto the sidewalk. "Didn't know you two were friends? Weirdly it doesn't surprise me, though."
"Yeah, we go to the same school!" proudly stated Raidon, who stepped inside, but held the door open.
"Ah, makes sense." the Jolteon squinted at the Luxray, making him shrink under his gaze. "Umm… What happened to your arm? Do you need to go to the hospital?"
Raidon looked down, and remembered that he was an invalid. "Oh, um. I just fell down some stairs."
"Shoot! Did you break your arm? You'd need a cast for that, you know."
The Luxray shook his head, saying, "Nah, uncle. There was a thorny bush at the end of the staircase, and well. The rest is history."
"Darn. You know what, I remember falling into a thorn bush once when I tried to pick up my little sis from her prom. Hey, that was the same day you became a thing!" quipped the Jolteon, pointing at Anais, who looked confused.
"Umm… What?"
"Okay, I've said too much, have fun you two." said Cooper, getting his car keys out. "I'm gonna pay my baby a visit in the hospital. Make sure your parents know where you are, Anais."
The Sylveon's smile dropped a little bit, but she held strong her expression for the Jolteon. "Ah, okay. Safe trip!"
"See you later!"
Raidon and Anais entered the house, shutting the door behind them, and seeing off Cooper. The lounge was the first thing they got up to. Empty, though chock full of space and empty couches, Anais flung herself onto one of the sofas, and glared at the TV.
"Man, it's been awhile since I came here." mused Anais, performing biscuits in the air as she sat upside down. "Uncle Cooper's house is so nice."
Raidon sat next to his girlfriend, lying on her stomach. Anais mewled quietly, relishing the feeling.
"Yeah, I know, right? I love their TV. I've been really into those behind-the-scenes programmes for battling teams." explained the Luxray to Anais, who glared at him with deep interest. "It's a good way to get insight on being a part of a big team, y'know?"
"Huh, really? I wanna watch."
Peering at the time, Raidon pursed his lips. "Well, I guess we could watch an episode or two."
He nabbed the television remote, and pressed a few buttons here and there.
He whispered into Anais' ear, "Luckily for you, I recorded some episodes."
Even though he didn't say anything remotely arousing, something about the Luxray's deep, quiet register made Anais close her legs shut quickly.
The TV played an episode focused on the rival team to the largest battle regiment in town, the Ruby Omegas. Several Pokemon entered what seemed to be a rich, large and colourfully crimson changing room. Cushioned seats lined the circumference of the room, each reserved with names of the corresponding battlers. The first Pokemon to enter was a Toadscruel, begrudgingly slithering into the room and sitting at a section of seats labelled "#6 - Mike Selium".
"Every fixture!" screamed the Toadscruel, laying back on the seat. "Every fixture we f******* lose to these guys! How many trophies is that gonna be for the Bursyamo, huh?"
"Well what do you expect, Mike? We played shit! Shit as always." responded a Liepard, who sat down grumpily a little away from the Toadscruel.
Raidon gasped, jumping up and down in his seat. "O-Oh! I know him! That Liepard is Richard Ryder, the number eighteen! He used to have a nickname, but it got taken off air…"
Anais was dumbfounded. And she thought that she knew battling in and out because of Barry.
A Vaporeon walked in, sitting in between the Toadscruel and the Liepard. The water type angrily threw their vest off, hanging it in a locker labelled "#9 - Aquali Pura".
"Who's we, huh? You played shit, Dick!"
Richard Ryder, the Liepard with an attitude, leaned closely to the Vaporeon, retorting, "Of course I played shit! We ALL played shit! Everyone!"
A familiar Typhlosion strolled in lethargically alongside a Clefable. Both donned beautiful red kits with accents of gold on the shoulders and around the waist. The Clefable sat down on the other side without saying a word, taking off their vest defeatedly. Behind them read "#2 - Gwen Cascade".
"H-Hey! I know him!" shouted Anais, turning onto her feet, and gripping Raidon tightly. "That's Tyson Tornupto! My dad went to school with him!"
The Luxray's jaw dropped. "What? No way, your dad is like, a celebrity at this point."
"Hehe, maybe."
That felt a little good for the Sylveon to say. From time to time, she'd peer at her boyfriend's face just to make sure he still had that impressed gaze on his face.
Tyson took off an armband that read something incoherent from the camera's current angle.
"Hey, that's enough!" he bellowed, shutting everyone in the changing room up. The Typhlosion took a stand in the centre of the floor. Talented battlers entered the room and lined up the seats surrounding Tyson. "Okay, so we played dog. But, esto es El Clásico - the most anticipated event in the entire league. We're coming away having lost the battle, but does that mean we're losers? Come on! We're the Ruby Omegas! We lose battles, yes, but why are we now losing spirit!"
Clamours of uprising morale filled the room. Suddenly, the emotion of the room took a drastic shift. Almost, it was as if they hadn't even lost. As if they weren't just previously arguing with other teammates.
Tyson dashed the armband at a seat labelled "#1 - F. T. Tornupto". Now that the camera zoomed in, Raidon was able to read "CAPTAIN" on it in gold font. The very moment was enough to send goosebumps down his spine.
The Typhlosion continued his speech, saying, "Now, we're second in the URBL. Six points, though a game in hand, separate us from the Deltas. Two decades have seen the Omegas without a league trophy. Three games left in the season, then it's the international break. We have to take our revenge, Omegas!"
The room roared with chants of the closest thing to a war cry. Some teammates were back on their feet. It's true. Even though the Omegas lost, it didn't seem like they lost much. Raidon was enchanted with the morale in the room. He wanted to get up from his seat and start joining in with the chants. Anais was just as encaptured with her uncle's speech. She never really knew this side of him, but she wished that she could see it more often.
"Damn…" mumbled Anais, struggling to take her eyes off the screen. "You can really see why Tyson is the captain, huh?"
"Yeah. It really takes something special to captain any team in the Battling League. Do you think you could do it?"
Anais shook her head confidently. "Nope. I feel like I'd lose it, quick. Buuuut…" She raised a paw, pointing at the labels above the corresponding seat in the changing rooms. "I wanna see Anais Breon-Solian up there. I wanna be a battler."
Raidon smirked, and the Sylveon noticed this in the corner of her eye.
"Haha, yeah. I can tell. You want it bad."
Anais perked up, replying, "Huh? You can tell?"
"'Course I can. Because I want it too."
She felt something little, yet noticeable tinge throughout her body. The way he said that, alongside his cool demeanour - in front of her was what the captain material she ogled at on the TV. She was struck with admiration.
"Then, let's get it together." she said, inspiring a quick turn of the head from Raidon.
"Huh? Together?" he quizzed, to which Anais nodded determinedly.
"Yeah, together. We go through the same academy, we join the same team. Everything. We do it together." she stated, not taking her gaze away from the Luxray.
Raidon struggled to contain his doubt, but had the decency to hold his laughter, saying, "That'd be the dream, Anais. But, it's already hard enough trying to join a youth team, let alone the both of us joining the exact same team."
Pouting, the fairy turned back to the TV. "Fine," she whined playfully, "but I'll stay over here, and continue to manifest. Hey, could you put the next episode on? I'm obsessed with this."
"Haha, yeah sure."
The next episode was focused on the Emerald Deltas. However, something about the graininess of the quality, the issue of the kits, and the featured slightly different Pokemon on the roster than the one this season.
The main feature was a first person view of what it felt like walking into the Emerald Deltas' training studios, putting your stuff down and getting to work, as if you were one of the battlers yourself. Their gymnasium was massive, and had seating rooms sealed off with glass for the more diehard fans who wanted to watch and cheer their team on in training. The camera focused on a Blaziken, who had their hands on their hips, facing a battle occur on a nearby mat. The Blaziken turned to the camera, feigning a surprised look.
"Oh - my! Didn't see you there!" they spoke in a feminine voice, catching Raidon and even Anais off guard. "I suppose you're looking to get an exclusive tour of the Emerald Delta's tough training schedule, huh?"
"Hey… That's not Brendan Bursyamo… right?" asked Raidon inquisitively.
"...No… No, wait! That's his sister! That's…!"
Text came up from the bottom of the screen, captioning the detail of the Blaziken that smiled at the camera with a winsome smirk: "#3 - Bonnie Bursyamo."
"Oh yeah! Bonnie Bursyamo!" came again the electric type, as if he had known from the beginning. "That brings back so many memories. How come she doesn't battle for the Delta's anymore?"
Anais shrugged her shoulders, murmuring, "Dunno, probably injury. It's a shame, though."
The electric type nodded, unknowingly leaning on the fairy's side. "Yeah, a real bummer; I remember she brought crescent kicks to the battling league!"
Bonnie, who looked a younger, springier version of what Anais knew her to be today, held out a talon for the cameraman to grab.
"Hey, c'mon. Lemme show you around the establishment. Maybe we'll run into some familiar faces!"
The first thing shown to the audience were the changing rooms. Two doors across from each other had Bonnie stood at the midpoint of them both. She pointed at one door, which said "HOME".
"See, this is where we get changed…" she said, before pointing at the door that said "VISITORS". She then explained, with a coy smile. "...and this is where our opponents get changed. Don't wanna put your ear to this door post game, unless you don't value your hearing."
Bonnie peered through the door to the home changing rooms, before fully opening it to the camera. Once the camera focused, coming into view was another Blaziken. This particular blaze Pokemon seemed to struggle to put a vest over their hair and head. Arms stuck out in haphazard directions from different holes in the vest.
"H-Hey! Who's there? Could you help a Blaziken out?" called out the fire and fighting type. A light blue caption covered the bottom of the screen, reading "#1 - Brendan Bursyamo".
Bonnie turned to the camera, folding her arms. "As you can see, folks, the Emerald Deltas take pride in their knitwear, especially the captain of the team. Uniformity shows that we're part of a team, and-"
*CLANG*
Brendan had fallen into someone's locker in a bout to get the vest off his head. "OW! Hey, Bonnie! I know it's you! Come on, it's too tight!"
Awkwardly, the female Blaziken ushered the cameraman out of the changing room. "Ah, well. It seems like our captain is a little busy with himself. Let's head into the gym and see if we can show you how the West Latias' Emerald Deltas train."
Raidon was simply engrossed at this point. Seeing all the ins and outs of what were essentially his dreams was almost overstimulation. Nostalgia and anticipation spewed out from the TV screen. Each trophy, kit, and battler he recognised brought him back to his childhood, making his gleaming eyes beam a little bit more with colour. Soon he turned to Anais, an-
"GAH!" squealed the Luxray, lurching backwards and nearly falling off the couch. He realised that the Sylveon wasn't watching the TV - her body was facing his, intently watching his face.
Anais sat up, surprised, asking, "What, what's your problem? You scared me!"
"Nothing! I just didn't know you were staring at me." replied Raidon, readjusting his rear onto the couch.
Slow movements were used to make the fairy appear more apologetic. Anais slithered up to her boyfriend's side, wrapping him tightly. "Sorry, Raidon. I just felt really nice and safe… and warm… mhmhmm…"
The fairy hugged him tighter, squeezing the air out of the electric type with a wheeze.
Raidon returned the favour, remembering to make extra efforts to breathe so he wouldn't fall unconscious. The two enjoyed each other's company in bliss. The electric type could feel his eyes closing, and the warmth from his girlfriend beckoning him toward the sleepy city.
*Grumble, Grumble*
"Aw, shoot."
Frowning, Anais wrapped her soft feelers around the rumbling waist of the Luxray, whispering, "Aww… you hungry?"
Raidon bit his nails a little nervously, but that could be his body wanting something to eat. "Yeah, maybe a little. Should we look for somethin' to eat?"
The fairy nodded eagerly, and led her boyfriend to the kitchen as if she owned the place. To be fair, she was familiar with the Blizzards' residence thanks to countless barbecues. She looked in the fridge, going up on her tip-toes to find her meal. Meanwhile, the Luxray sat back patiently and watched. And thought… and wondered.
Man… She's great - I've never had anyone care about me this much before. Like, genuinely.
Well, there has to be a reason why?
I don't know, I don't think I'm all that.
Must be less than just you, and more what you mean to her, no? Why else would she be crazy 'bout you?
She's crazy about me…?
Yeah dude. Crazy 'bout you.
Anais turned around, finding a plastic box of refrigerated Pokéblocks and pulling it out with her ribbon-esque feelers. She smiled ear to ear, showing off her impressive dental discipline.
"Hey, I know it's not food food, but how do Pokéblocks sound?"
Raidon's stomach angrily grumbled again. A bigger, heartier meal would definitely hit the spot, though he knew that he wasn't quite in any position to negotiate. Begrudgingly, he nodded his head.
Placing the box carefully on the counter, Anais was preparing to receive Pokéblock goodness before she was interrupted by the sound of the main door opening.
Both Raidon and Anais turned, facing the door.
Chloe enters, taking one step, before making eye contact and freezing on the spot.
"Raidon… Anais… Hi. Again."
The Zoroark's lacklustre greeting was met thankfully by Raidon's soft smile. Albeit, Anais wore a sour scowl.
"Hi, Chloe." spoke the Luxray, intently watching a plastic bag in the dark type's possession. "Umm, what's in the bag?"
Chloe placed the bag on the counter, next to a comparatively small box of what was going to be Raidon and Anais' dinner.
"Just some take-out from town. I went out with a few of my friends, and figured I'd get you some food." she said, her expression stone-faced. "So yeah, eat up, dude." She then looked down at Anais, who returned a similar profile. "You can have some too, Ani."
Anais was seconds away from forming a retort. Her mouth came open, and she breathed in the air that would fuel a cunning response.
"Aw, man! Thanks, Chloe. You're the best." blurted Raidon, immediately giving all of his attention to the waft of the appetising takeout meal.
Her eyes widened once Anais felt her heart sink into her stomach. Chloe simply shrugged her shoulders, and cracked a smile. Anger boiled her insides upon making eye contact with the Zoroark. She felt strength manifest in her ribbons - it was as if Arceus was trying to tell her something.
…Oh, that's me! Wait, DON'T HIT HER!
Anais took a few deep breaths, and calmed down. She faced Raidon, and reminded herself what he was to her. Plus, seeing him smile was enough comfort for her.
If Raidon wasn't so happy, I swear I'd pin her down and rip her damn throat out.
Woah, dude. You hangry? There's food in front of you, you know.
I'm not fucking hungry. I'm mad.
…Why? You should be hungry so you can enjoy the food better, not mad.
Fucking…! I'm getting sick of Chloe the cockblock coming out of nowhere and ruining the time I have with Raidon. She needs to get lost.
Umm… Anais? Are you jealous?
What? Jealous? No, I'm not jealous, I just… Um, well, jealous isn't the word, it's more like…
…
Yes, okay. I'm jealous. Why would I not be jealous? I'm getting shown up by my own cousin. My own cousin! UGH!
Hey, just calm down.
Giratina jumped in his seat once he saw Anais look directly into the "camera".
Do you really think that's gonna help now?
N-No, ma'am.
Chloe, the oldest out of them all, grabbed two plates from the cabinet, and set it on the counter. Behind her, Anais watched closely. She didn't like the way she held the plates in her stupid clumsy red claws. She didn't like how much taller she was than the rest of them - She stood on two legs, so it was a given. It's not like Eeveelutions were as lucky to have that privilege of being a digitigrade. Her hair was long and flowing, similar to the waves at the beach that she'd see in her nightmares, though it had been tied up in a fruitless effort to contain it. Her beautiful, exotic violet eyes tracked every graceful movement from her careful paws. Candidly, she looked amazing, even when she wasn't trying. The Sylveon found herself staring at the Zoroark that merely distributed food onto a couple plates.
"There, you go, you two." said Chloe, backing away from the counter. "Enjoy your food. I'll be upstairs on my PC."
Chloe left the room, and soon after, Raidon and Anais were left with two large plates chock full of rice and meat, all drenched in a red, sweet smelling sauce. This was certainly a Johto delicacy.
The Luxray hadn't even said a word to the fairy. He headed for his plate, and took it in his care to move it to the dining table. Soon after, Anais did the same, unwillingly, of course. However, a meal this good would require swallowing her pride.
Hopefully she had enough room.
…
Once it was all said and done, Anais and Raidon were stuffed. They both sat on the couches, half asleep. Sitting was an understatement; the Luxray was on his side, clutching his stomach.
"That food was sooo good…" he murmured.
Anais' eyes widened. She realised how hungry she must have been for the entire meal to be consumed in close to complete silence. She rubbed her eyes a couple times to get the blurs out of her vision.
"Yeah, you're right." she mumbled in response, not putting much effort in.
Looking to his left, Raidon made eye contact with his girlfriend. It didn't last long, as she looked away almost shamefully. The electric type furrowed his brows.
"Hey, are you good, Anais?" he asked, sitting up and giving the fairy hi full attention.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Anais replied, still not
"Somehow, I don't buy that. What's wrong?"
Anais bit her lip.
I don't want to tell Raidon what's wrong… He'll think I'm fucking crazy.
Right now, doesn't seem like you're fucking anything, am I right, readers?
Audience applause ensued inside of Anais' head. She still wasn't entirely sure how Giratina did that.
Anyways, don't tell him what's wrong, then. Bottle up your emotions and let them develop into a fiery blaze of glory. That way, you'll get over it easier.
Yeah, yeah. Good idea.
…what?
I'm just pretty sure that this is petty. I shouldn't be jealous. I have nothing to worry about.
Anais cleared her throat, fixing her posture to give a straight answer. "Nothing. Nothing is wrong with me."
Raidon raised an eyebrow and cocked his head. "Umm… you sure? Somehow, I don't buy it."
"...Why not?"
The fairy's response puzzled the teen. "Uh… Well, you just don't look alright. You look like you have something on your mind, and I really wanna know what."
"N-Nah, there's nothing. Don't worry."
"...Is it Chloe?"
On the inside, that struck a nerve. The fairy froze, and she was certain he had caught that. Shuffling about, she sought to play it coolly.
"Of course not... C'mere."
Anais then scooched over to the electric type, bringing him closer using her useful feelers. Another tight embrace, but something about this hug lacked something that all their other hugs had, and Raidon could feel that.
Thumps came from the stairs. Chloe had come down with a headband holding her hair back, and a toothbrush in her mouth. She seemed like she was heading toward the kitchen, but stopped in the doorway to the lounge as she made eye contact with the couple. Anais let go of Raidon, making the electric type frown a tiny bit.
"Ani, didn't you tell me earlier Raidon was gonna be staying at yours?" said Chloe, placing a hand on her wide hips, and striking a pose unknowingly. "Change of plans?"
Anais looked back and forth between her boyfriend and her elder cousin, as if she hadn't expected the dark type to talk to her. "Um, yeah. We're here now."
Chloe shrugged her shoulders, before staring at the electric type. "Whatever. Hey, what happened to your arm?"
"Oh, this?" said Raidon, holding up his bandaged forearm. "Yeah, just fell down some stairs."
The dark type smirked, saying, "That's what I'd say if I didn't want anyone to know what I actually did."
Raidon laughed nervously, feeling his cheeks go red. Hopefully by avoiding eye contact, he'd avoid attention too.
It seemingly worked, as Chloe laid her eyes on her younger cousin. Leaning on the doorway and folding her arms, she suggested, "You can stay on the couch if you like. You're not sleeping in my room, though. I don't want you guys smashing faces while I sleep."
The very comment brewed a bubbly ire on the inside of Anais' stomach. She breathed, and collected her thoughts.
"Nah, nah. I'm gonna stay at mine." said the Sylveon, looking away from both Raidon and Chloe. "I… I…"
"Okay, no worries." Chloe interjected, shifting her focus to the Luxray. "That works, because I ran you another bath. You smell like you've been rolling in grass all day."
Raidon sat up with an audible "Hm?", ears standing on end.
"Yeah, I'm talking to you, Rai."
Anais looked down at her paws. Clenched, and shaking with rage. Her feelers felt stiff, and her jaw was closed shut. It was all too much. What the Sylveon was feeling felt like someone had tied a rope around her heart, and attached it to an anvil. No, she couldn't do this anymore. Scarlet lined the peripheral of her vision. She tried blinking to get it away, but the red veins seeped into her sight the more she tried to contain it.
Come on, Anais… She's getting under your skin, and you know she's doing it on purpose. Hit her. Bite her.
No, stop - you're just jealous. This doesn't mean anything.
Yes, it does! It means the world, because Raidon is your world. With him, you feel safe, and protected. Chloe will take everything away from you.
No she won't - she's my cousin. I hate her, but no one is that evil.
Some people are. Some people want you dead. Everyone hates you, Anais. Raidon will soon follow suit, once he falls for Chloe.
"Just…!" Anais said aloud, though catching herself once she caught the attention of Raidon and Chloe.
"Um… Are you okay, Anais?" asked Raidon, rubbing her back and shoulders carefully.
The feeling brought a few butterflies on the inside.
But it wasn't enough.
Anais stood from the couch with purpose. "Yeah, I'm okay. I'm feeling a little ill, I think I wanna go home."
"Oh. Was it the takeout?" Raidon chimed, standing as well to support her.
"Y-Yeah, probably. I'll walk myself home." she mumbled, shuffling past Chloe and walking toward the door.
Raidon followed in close pursuit, but stopped once she opened the front door.
"Aw, are you sure? I mean, you don't even live that far, right?"
Anais shook her head. "N-No, it's fine. Goodnight, Raidon."
Walking out, the fairy refused to look back once more at her boyfriend before she had shut the door upon departure. Something about how the night concluded left an awful taste between Raidon's lips. He hadn't even the chance to wish the Sylveon a goodnight, nor a safe trip.
Raidon felt a gentle tug on his shoulder fur. He turned around, and locked eyes with Chloe's amethyst pearls.
"Hey. Your bath is getting cold."
…
…
Okay, all done. This chapter took awhile to complete. I'm sorry. Once again, I'm grateful for all those who read. This year has been super super long, so I appreciate everyone who takes the time to get caught up with this story. It's honestly my release.
Take care, everyone!
-LuanOTP
…
"Come on, you're supposed to be helping me, Lola. Can you get off your phone?"
"Yeah, Ann. Just gimme one sec…"
Anais groaned, as she sat back in her seat. She had invited her best friend to her room so she could aid in getting her chemistry homework done on time. Moreover, it'd mean she'd be able to go to a "sleepover" this coming weekend. In actuality, it was a party hosted by Nester Queueneufs. She had never spoken to the Ninetales before - it was only that she heard things about him, and from what she heard, things were looking good. This party was a must-go.
Her eyes fell on the paper that had many letters, symbols and numbers. In other words, gibberish. Next, she looked at the Lopunny at her disposal. Mindlessly scrolling through social media posts. It was times like these, she really missed her cousin Barry's presence.
"I don't get balancing these equations. Like I gotta have this many oxygen molecules… right?" asked Anais, who didn't get much of a response aside from a few incomprehensible grunts. The Sylveon could only imagine her feelers wringing the Lopunny's neck out of frustration. "Ugh… you're useless… What are you even looking at?"
Peering at her friend's phone screen, Anais' eyebrows dropped once she saw captioned pictures of a familiar Blaziken.
"Ugh, seriously? If you wanna get off to my uncle, go watch some battling compilations."
Lola turned the phone screen off, and held it closely to her chest. "Nah, you don't get it, Ann. I'm OBSESSED with Brendan Bursyamo. I want him. I want him to carry me onto a private jet where we can make love in the sky, then watch him knock some loser's lights out when we arrive at his matches."
Anais rolled her eyes. "You give girls a bad name when you go all yandere like that; he has a wife, remember?"
The normal type huffed, and reclined uncomfortably in her seat. "Ugh… I know. She must be sooo happy…"
"I mean, for sure. But anyways, you can find a nice person of your ow-"
"No. It has to be a Bursyamo." interrupted Lola, slamming her paw on the desk. "Come on. Set me up with your cousin."
Groaning, the fairy's voice had a slight hint of disgust. "Ugh, Lola, I don't see why you just don't go 'n' ask him out. He's just gonna say yes because he's ditzy."
"And get rejected by the hottest guy in the school? You know what that would do to my self confidence?"
"Um, firstly? Nester Queueneufs is the hottest guy in the school." stated Anais, pointing a finger up. "Secondly, if he dates anyone else, you'll lose your shit. So, pick your poison."
"Just let me bide my time, okay!"
"Bide your time by helping me like you said you would!"
Lola grabbed the chemistry homework sheet and slid it closer to her. "Mehmehmehmeh meh!" she blabbered, imitating the ferocious fairy.
A couple knocks came from the door. It opened slightly ajar to a meek Umbreon's worried face.
"H-Hey, you two. Are you doing alright?"
"Yeah, Dad."
"Mhm! Good to see you, Mr. Breon-Solian! How're you doing?"
Julley cracked a smile, blushing the tiniest bit. "O-Oh, I'm fine. Thanks."
Lola beamed. "Ah, great. I hope you have a nice day."
"Thanks. You too, Lola." he returned, ending a nice, brief conversation. Then, he turned his attention to his eldest daughter, who had been a spectator the entire time, saying, "B-By the way, Anais. I'm heading to the store. C-Could… Um… Do you mind watching Julius while I'm gone? He's downstairs."
"Yeah, sure."
"Thanks. Good luck, you two."
The dark type bid his farewell, and shut the door. Anais looked at her classmate, because she knew exactly what was on her mind.
"Go on…"
"Your Dad is sooooooooo cute!"
"Ugh, Lola, could you lay off for awhile? That's my dad!"
Lola placed two paws on the desk, and stared at the fairy with a look that could sever a spine with ease.
"No, you don't get it, Ann; I'm OBSESSED."