(Chapter 3)

Comfort

My daily routine was usually the same. I'd wake up, shower, go to school, drift through the day, go home to mentally prepare for work, then get through work by sheltering myself in my mind and putting my body on autopilot for five hours. I was lucky enough to get an hour break.

But that all seemed to change when Damien came into the picture. We didn't interact, or talk, but I did start to notice him more. It was more prominent at work, because he always seemed to break into my sanctuary, by which I mean, instead of me ignoring him completely, and getting things over with, I would notice him, and have to take some time to myself to get back into autopilot before getting back to work.

I didn't want to be doing this, if that wasn't obvious. Most of the guys I service don't say anything, they just sit in my chair, let me do my thing, and get to work. That makes it a little easier to bear. We don't speak outside of work, and I've only seen about one or two of them outside of this place.

But he knows my name now. And I know his. He's seen me at the lowest point in my life, and has been at the forefront of it. I guess, knowing all that makes it harder to look him in the eye. I'd rather avoid the inevitable look of disgust while I sit in between his legs. This job is hard enough as it is.

Sorry for rambling, this is usually how it goes when I'm working. Currently I was "helping"...uh.. an Ursaring I think? I don't know, I've never seen him befo-

Suddenly I was jerked out of my thoughts by a rough paw on the back of my head, and extreme amounts of pain in the back of my throat. I looked up, and saw the Ursaring's repulsive smile.

"Come on boy! Put a little more effort into it, I'm fallin' asleep here."

I tried to pull away, but his strength kept me at bay. I put my paws on his thighs in an attempt to push away, but that only made him push my head down further, making me choke more.

He didn't stop until Avery's closest henchmen, a Pangoro people called Goro, and a Magmortar people called Morty, arrived. Not really creative names but they were nicknames to keep their real names a secret. Goro punched the Ursaring right in the nose, and knocked him out of the chair, effectively making him release me. I kept myself up on all fours, holding my sore throat and coughing.

I could barely see through the tears, but I watched as Goro held the Ursaring down.

"Come ooon! I was just tryin' to enjoy myself a little!"

Morty held an arm cannon up to his face, silencing him instantly.

"Quiet. The boss will want to have a word with you. You laid a hand on his precious trophy. There'll be hell to pay for that."

I squinted in distaste and got up. I hated that that's how people saw me. I failed to notice the familiar Luxray walking right in after he said that. Goro walked over as the Ursaring was taken away by Morty, and put a paw on my shoulder.

"Sorry Gray. You okay?"

I didn't even glance at him. Instead I kept my eyes on Damien, with teary eyes, still holding my throat. I suddenly felt a lot worse.

"I'm *cough* going on break."

I moved away from him, and made my way outside.

The one good thing about this place is that it's close to the pier. So whenever I wanted a break, I would come out here to watch the ships sail by. It didn't do much to make me feel better, but it was at least some time to myself. The cool salty sea air did me some justice by helping me relax a little, and I rested my head on my arms, which I had on the railing.

I soon realized that I wasn't alone anymore, as Damien came walking up to me. I looked away from him, knowing what he was going to attempt. I assumed Goro sent him out here to check on me. I spoke up in my raspy voice.

"I came out here *grunt* to be alone, you know."

He stood silently for a bit, before I heard his footsteps in the other direction. I suddenly felt a little guilty.

"But *cough cough* I guess the company wouldn't be so bad."

I coughed out those last words, my aching throat making itself known once more. His footsteps continued again, before he eventually stood next to me, leaning on the railing himself. I felt something cold on my arm, and turned towards him.

"I brought you some water."

He was holding a water bottle, presumably taken from the break room. I took it slowly, and raised a brow at him.

"Thanks..."

He kept his eyes fixated on the ocean as I drank the water, the cool liquid slowly soothing my sore throat.

We stood in silence for a bit, both looking out onto the harbor, letting the cold night air wash over us. Until he broke that silence.

"Sorry. About what hap-"

"Please don't. I came out here to escape that place. I'd rather not spend my little bit of free time talking about it."

I looked down at the ocean, and tried to calm down a little. Even thinking about that place outside of it makes my blood boil. It was like I was in some kind of purgatory, where I went to school, then went to that place, just to wake up and go to school again. I didn't know if this gross cycle would end any time soon, but I did know that Avery clearly had no qualms about making me miserable. This is a game to him. A game he thought he would win. Either I would go crawling back to him hoping for another shot at our relationship, so he could once again manipulate and abuse others in order to pay for the things he used to take care of me, or I'd keep doing this until I finished school and saved up enough money to run away and get a job somewhere far away. He knew it would take me a while, what with little pay I was actually keeping. He was sure I would crack from the pressure before that point. But I promised myself I wouldn't back down.

Thinking about it all did the opposite of calm me down, and I hadn't realized my rings were glowing a little, until Damien tapped me on the shoulder. This caused me to flinch, before quickly snapping.

"What!?"

He raised a brow, but appeared unfazed by my seemingly out of nowhere hostility.

"Your fur was glowing, and you seemed lost in thought. I figured we should go back soon and get the rest of the night over with before they come out looking for us."

I took a deep breath and exhaled, releasing the tension I had built up in my chest. I nodded in agreement, and we walked back to the building.

I got through the rest of the night with no problem. Goro had been told to keep an eye on me to make sure there weren't any incidents, and the night went pretty quickly.

I thought I was gonna get over that pretty easily, but I vomited as soon as I got home, something I hadn't done in a while.

(The Next Day)

I woke up with an extremely sore throat, much worse than before. I couldn't speak without large amounts of pain. That sick feeling in my stomach was still present from last night, which left me feeling extremely abrasive. I told myself I wouldn't be doing much talking, which I didn't already, but Alyssa had a way of dragging words out of me sometimes, and today wouldn't be a good day for that.

I decided to skip the coffee today, and went to a pharmacy for some throat lozenges, and stomach medicine. I don't know if I was actually getting sick, but the feeling in my stomach wasn't getting any less nauseating.

I got my medicine, and made my way to campus.

As usual I met Alyssa and Co. outside the building for my first class. She beamed when she saw me, and separated to walk over and greet me.

"Gray! Good morning!"

I inwardly sighed and gave a silent wave. She giggled, and grabbed one of my paws, leading me over to the rest of the group.

"What's the matter? Skitty got your tongue? Hehe."

She pulled me over to the group, and started talking about whatever the fuck they were doing today, which I immediately tuned out.

I was slightly peeved, wanting nothing more than to get to the bathroom because my stomach was killing me. I just wanted to take my medicine and get through the day. Avery was "nice enough" to let me stay home from work tonight after yesterday. I didn't really want to since I needed the money, but even if I did, I didn't wanna risk vomiting on the job. That would cause a lot of gross problems that I didn't wanna get into.

I was about to try to sneak away when I felt a familiar cold on my shoulder. It was then that I noticed the rest of the group was looking in my direction, or in that of who was behind me.

Damien was standing behind me, holding a Ginger Ale.

"Morning Gray."

He gave me the soda, and walked inside without another word, leaving me with the group of Pokemon who were staring at me questioningly. I didn't say anything, and awkwardly waved as I hurried into the building.

I quickly went to the bathroom, having only ten minutes to take my medicine and get to class. Damien was, unsurprisingly, waiting for me inside.

"I saw you in the pharmacy. I was making a quick delivery for Jace and noticed what you were buying. I figured a Ginger Ale would help, if only a little. I saw the cough drops, can you speak?"

I tried to say something, but the pain in the back of my throat flared up.

"Only a li- ack-"

I rubbed my neck softly, before opening my bag. Damien only nodded.

"I see. Well, I'm going to head to class. If you need any help you know where to find me."

He left as I took my medicine and throat soothing cough drops. I found it a little odd that he was being this nice, since most people are apathetic towards others in this line of work. Everyone has their own reasons for doing what they do, but hardly anyone wants to be doing it, myself included.

He probably just feels bad 'cause he heard about what caused it. I guess there's nothing wrong with that.

I didn't want this to become a common occurrence, things like this are more than I can handle. It's not exactly my first time ending up with a sore throat after a rough night. The stomach pain is new, but it's not too much of a burden. I typically just power through, and try to remember why I'm doing this.

A passing thought hit me as I left the bathroom to go to class.

I wonder why he's doing it...

I took a mental note to ask about it sometime in the future, if he stuck around that long.

(The night before, 2 a.m., somewhere in Breeze City)

I really wish I wouldn't be dragged into situations like this.

I learned about the incident in the filming room swiftly after my "session" was finished. The Ursaring was detained by Morty, while Goro stayed behind to keep an eye on things. As for me, I was asked to tag along by Jace.

The three of us transported the bear to a secluded location in the city. Jace and Morty had…frankly speaking, beaten the shit out of him, and I was tasked with standing at the door to keep watch. Jace knows I'm not a violent person despite how I look, so he didn't ask me to participate in the Ursaring's "termination".

"Please- I…I was just trying to -"

"Quiet. To be straight with you, I don't care. You caused harm to one of my employees, possibly impacting their work and likely costing me money. As such, you're terminated, effective immediately."

This isn't the first time I'd come along when something like this happened. Not this incident in particular, but moments where someone did something that cost Jace money. I was never asked to help, and all I did was keep watch, but it was still a little…chilling, what being terminated means.

Jace lit a cigar, and turned away.

"Morty, if you would."

"Yes sir."

Morty loaded up one of his cannons, and I mentally prepared myself. The scream that echoed out, like always, was one I'd never forget.

All this just to stay on his good side…It's okay. It'll all be worth it … in the end.