Chapter Text
It had been almost a year since Eternatus was defeated and captured by the new champion and the region of Galar had begun to settle back into a new comfortable era of peace.
Sonia had taken on the mission of rediscovering and teaching the actual history of Galar with Hop as her apprentice- the two of them traveling to recently opened regions just outside of Galar as well in search of undiscovered legendary pokemon. Hop was having the time of his life learning more about Zacian and Zamazentaas well as the other newly rumored pokemon coming to light seemingly every week. He had known Sonia for years, as she had been his brothers friend since Hop was merely a toddler, but learning under her as an apprentice had taken some time to get used to. Now though he was striving with Sonia even trusting him to travel alone to the Isle of Armor to complete some research she had started, allowing him a bit of freedom to help him develop his own research and style.
Meanwhile back in Wyndon Gloria has already participated in two league competitions, defending her title each time with a smile and a goal, though still far off, to hold the title longer than her predecessor. The gym leaders had accepted her with fanfare and made sure to be available to help her learn the ropes of the league both on the field and off. Nessa came with her to her first photoshoot for a local magazine to give her not only modeling pointers but general moral support. Kabu and Bea took time out of their schedules to show her a few private training areas and Piers had sent her pointers early on on how to escape and avoid paparazzi. Despite her new very public position Gloria tried her best to keep in contact with Hop, Marnie and even Bede, by creating a group chat to help organize hangouts together on corresponding off days or to just check in with her other equally as busy friends. She kept in good contact with the former champion as well as Leon had made it known since his defeat that he would be available at all times to help Gloria transition into the role of Galars champion. The past two or three months however, although Gloria didn't have too many questions as of late, the former champion had been harder and harder to get a hold of.
Since his defeat and Chairman Rose's arrest, Leon hadn't been given a chance to really relax as he was immediately offered the position of Chairman by Oleana and Rose at Macro Cosmos and the Rose Tower. Not one to sit by and be idle Leon took the position on with little need for convincing- in a way he felt responsible too for Eternatus and proposed this as a good way to help fix the mess he had been unconsciously apart of. Not that the people of Galar blamed him for any part of Rose's plan however, they loved Leon, even after his defeat and made sure he knew it by supporting and endorsing his changes to both the tower and Wyndon.
But being Chairman of a region was a lot harder than Champion and while Leon took joy in his new position he found himself often overwhelmed as well. Eternatus had destroyed part of the tower so construction was necessary as was hiring new staff once it was reopened, assuring anyone still loyal to Rose was weeded out for safety measures and restaffed with people focused only on providing both up and coming and visiting trainers a remarkable battle experience at the tower. There were also the legal cases involving Rose and his actions that Leon had to over see and untangle, making sure nothing was connected to the league or the gym leaders who had been left to help Gloria and Leon clean up the aftermath of Rose's plan. Any area or building that had been disturbed or destroyed during the random dynamax hot spots had been restored as well as any damage sustained to the gyms involved. Despite keeping busy, Leon found himself missing his friends only a couple months in- the loud dinners after tournaments, attending eachothers promotional events in support and even the boring league meetings.
The last time Leon had seen all of his friends had been a couple of months ago during a large promotional gala celebrating the official opening of Battle Tower. Even then however Leon was expected to wine and dine investors and the scientific researchers come to visit who were curious about the idea of dynamaxing and it wasn't until Melony stumbled into him, supposedly too intoxicated to walk straight, and wisked him away to assist her did he get a chance with his friends hidden away in a private room. Leon almost wanted to cry seeing them all there, waiting for him and Melony, dressed up to the nines for once instead of their gym uniforms. Like Melony, Nessa looked like she had come straight from a modeling gig, while Bea wore something more along the lines of a pantsuit still however, stunning. With the exception of Allister who dressed fairly formal on a daily, all of the guys had seemed to pull out their best suits, ties and bow ties included except for Piers and Raihan. Leon would pay good money to see Piers in a neck tie of any sort, the punk rocker absolutely refusing such a garment ever since they were kids as it clashed with his style.
And Raihan...as usual Leon's gaze seemed to stall on the dragon type Gym leader and as usual the tall man looked sinful. His suit was a dark navy and was practically painted on with how well it was tailored to his form along with the dark gold waist coat and partially unbuttoned black dress shirt he wore under it. Raihan had a bad, well bad for Leon's heart rate, habit of keeping the top two if not three buttons of his dress shirts undone no matter what the setting and accenting said exposed skin with some sort of gold chain. Leon has seen similar ensembles on Raihan more times than he could count however that never stopped him from getting breathless each and every time.
The group of gym leaders had welcomed him loudly as soon as Melony had shut the door behind them, most coming forward for some sort of affectionate greeting be it a hug, a firm handshake or a strong sturdy pat on his shoulder, Milo was too strong for his own good really, and Leon grinned through all of it. He had missed them all especially-
"Heya champ! Long time no see. Its like your'a ghost lately" a fanged grin accompanied the firm hug Raihan pulled the smaller man into. Leon used to hate their height difference until Sonia had pointed out one time how cute it was that Leon's head fit right under the dragon trainers chin.
𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘻𝘻𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴
"I wish, at least as a ghost I'd be able to see Alistair" Leon laughed tilting his head up to look at Raihan, still pressed close.
"Alright boys, break it up. Its toasting time!" Nessa called out as she raised her glass above her head, the champagne left in it swishing around precariously.
"As if you need more" Piers scoffed from where he was tilted back in his chair, his own mixed drink of god knows what held to his lips.
"Still lively as ever" Leon sighed fondly as Raihan took a step back, his arms finally dropping as he placed his hands on his hips and turned toward the group as they all gathered after grabbing or refilling their drinks. Allister, Gloria, Hop and the other underage attendees being handed a champagne glass of juice or pop so they could participate too.
"Ya I don't see 'em changing anytime soon" Raihan agreed laughing before moving to pick up two freshly poured champagne glasses off a nearby table, passing one to Leon. "Especially with these new youngins in here"
Leon smiled and took the proffered glass as Nessa and Milo called out a toast to success of the league, the Macro Cosmos and for Leon personally as Chairman. With a loud cheer they all stepped forward to clink glasses, Leon touching glasses lastly with Sonia then Raihan before tipping back to swallow the whole drink in one go, hoping to blame the sudden intake of alcohol for the heat under his collar as Raihan brushed up next to him taking his own drink. After one more glass, except for Nessa whom Sonia and Milo deemed done for the night, they returned to the party, trying to slip in casually though Leon has no doubt they all failed as they returned at the same time. Leon had felt so worn down before but now he felt revitalized- and oddly aware of bright cyan eyes tracking him through the room.
Another two hours had past, or maybe it was three, and the last of the gala attendees had left for their hotels, his trainer friends included as most of them had battles scheduled for the next day. Leon was expected to stay until every important guest was gone and had relocated himself to the balcony after bidding fair well to some scientist from the Kanto region, his name having to do with some sort of tree maybe? Leon had probably had too much to drink already. He was leaned against the balcony overlooking the lights of Wyndon below him, pleasantly warm despite the breeze, when some one leaned with their back against the railing next to him.
"I hope you don't have an early morning like the rest of them champ."
"Do you have the day off tomorrow?" Leon questioned instead as he glanced over toward his company.
Raihan grinned as he shook his head. "Nah, last few trainers have been defeated right before my tier. Which I'm not gonna lie, is a bit boring" he chuckled before turning to lean on the balcony the same way as Leon, city lights catching his eyes just right to make them glitter like some hopeful anime protagonist (and just enough that Leon felt almost entranced).
"Most people would be glad for a break" Leon rolled his eyes before focusing back on the city below, chin resting in his propped up palm.
"Ya well I gotta keep sharp to beat both Gloria and you. No training makes for a dull dragon ya know."
Maybe it was the alcohol that caused Leon to snort the way he did and have to quickly press his face into his palm to cover his mouth in hopes of holding back his laugh and any other ridiculous noises. Before Leon could reply after calming down to tell the taller how stupid his joke was, Raihan spoke again.
"I miss you Lee"
Leon had never felt so sober yet so hazy before. Surely Raihan meant as a trainer, as the champion or even just in general at league meetings. But when he turned toward Raihan he wasn't expecting the other to be looking straight at him, smile soft and expression unguarded. He looked so young again. Like when they were ten years old hurriedly trying to escape the rain in the wild area and collapsing into a fit of giggles under a thick foliage tree both soaking wet and oh so happy.
Suddenly Leon couldn't swallow right despite the fact his mouth felt ridiculously dry. He felt stupid, lost in a different way beside his shite directional skills, as he stared into Raihan's eyes, his expression still just as soft as he waited for a reply.
"I missed you too"
The words were out before he could stop them but Leon meant it. He missed his friends and Hop, but he missed Raihan... differently. They'd always been friends ever since bumping into eachother on route two and then of course rivals as they started the vym challenge but there was always something more there. Something Leon didn't know how to name. Or maybe didn't want to. He felt the most himself with Raihan, when they used to crash at his place in Hammerlock after an event there, Rose uncaring as he at least knew Leon wasn't wandering lost at midnight. Or on days off when they'd go explore the wild area and purposefully Leon would lead so they would get lost, often setting up camp and letting both of their teams play while Leon made curry for lunch and Raihan played with baby pokemon stopping by in hopes of food.
And just like in all those times and many more, there was something heavy sitting between Raihan and Leon as they stared at eachother on the balcony, the city below them dimming as people turned in for the night and staff members in the ballroom just beyond them cleaning up from the party. And just like all those other times before Leon was lost. It was like Raihan was reaching out toward him, fishing for something, but Leon didn't know where to grasp.
Leon refused to break eye contact as Raihan reached out, long fingers brushing Leon's cheek to push back some stay hair behind the shorter man's ear, Raihans gaze tracking his own movement before lifting back toward Leon's then away toward the city as he straightened up, retracting himself from Leon completely. Suddenly the chairman felt the cool breeze around them and suppressed a shiver at how cold it was.
"I like the new fit" Raihan grinned turning toward him again and gesturing at the ensembles Leon donned. "Classy". And just like that he broke whatever spell he had cast over them in the first place and Leon had to blink a few times to clear the rest of the haze before looking down at himself.
"Ah I'm glad. This is my new Battle Tower uniform. I thought the style would be reminiscent of medieval Galar. Like an homage to our founders. " he explained before grinning up at Raihan who had his lips pursed. Again he extended his hand but this time to flick at the cravat around Leon's neck with mild distaste.
"This is silly" he declared making Leon shake his head and laugh in fondness at Raihan's sudden critique.
"And your faux teeth hoodie isnt?"
"I'm a dragon trainer. Teeth are my thing" he smirked, flashing his own sharp canines and that influencer worthy smile.
"And I'm a chairman. Classy title means classy attire." Leon shrugged with a smile as he turned to return to the ballroom. Hopefully he could leave soon, like Raihan had hinted at he did in fact plan on working early tomorrow.
Faintly he heard Raihan mutter behind him something that sounded an awful lot like "Still look like my champ to me" before the gym leader was next to him and following him in.
Leon couldnt blame the alcohol this time for the warmth in his chest.