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“Hey, Leon,” Sonia greeted, lifting her free hand up in a quick wave. She pushed through crowds of her childhood friend’s adoring fans before he scooped her up into his arms.
With a laugh, Leon crushed her in a hug. “Sonia! It's so good to see you again.” He buried his face in her hair and likely would've spun her in a circle had there not been so many people there.
Colorful streamers floated down around them as people cheered and chanted the name of Galar’s former Champion. As the crowd waned and people were ushered out of the stadium, Leon made use of his winning smile as he saw them all off. Hands ghosting along Sonia’s slim waist, he made an effort to speak with any fans who were still milling about and trying to catch his attention.
Finally, Sonia couldn’t take it anymore, and she extracted herself from his embrace. Her lips tilted upward as she looked up at him. “Congratulations, by the way.” To her credit, her smile didn’t waver. “You've maintained your post-Gloria winning streak.”
With a confident flourish of his cape, Leon grinned, not quite meeting her gaze. “You bet I did.” He gripped the brim of his cap and adjusted the way it rested atop his head. “Thanks for dropping by to watch.”
Smile shifting into a bit of a grimace, Sonia nodded and ignored the way her stomach was churning. “Of course.” She sucked in another tiny breath. “I wouldn't have missed this for the world.”
Leon guided her away from the crowds and onto the sidewalk, and soon they were standing just outside the Wyndon stadium. “I'm so glad we'll have the chance to catch up for a bit tonight,” he mentioned offhandedly. Then, finally away from prying eyes, he looked at her for the first time, greedily soaking in the sight of her. “I've missed you so much, Sonia.”
With a shaky smile, Sonia tugged her lab coat a bit more tightly around herself. “I've missed you too, Leon.”
Despite how many months it had been since they'd last seen each other, it was easy for Leon to reach out a hand toward her. It was easy for her to accept it and swing their joined hands as they walked away from the stadium. It was easy to throw her head back in laughter as her childhood friend cracked a joke or told a funny story. And it was easy to slide into a seat across from him as they browsed menus and ordered food at a small restaurant nearby. Yet, no matter how easy it all was, it didn't feel quite right.
Still, Sonia smiled when Leon took both of her hands in his own, gazing at her earnestly from across the table.
“Sonia… This is really nice.”
Flicking her eyes downward, Sonia could scarcely find the proper words to reply. Her heart rate picked up due to the intensity of his gaze. “It is. I've missed this a lot.” She then cleared her throat lightly. “My gran sends her love. So does Hop.”
Leon’s golden eyes lit up with interest at the mention of his little brother’s name. “How’s the little guy handling his research responsibilities?”
“Wonderfully,” Sonia replied with a fond smile. “Gran and I are both very proud of all the progress he's made over the past few months.”
They parted as their food arrived and full plates were set down before them.
“I'm glad,” Leon sighed. “He didn't take losing to Gloria all too well at first, but I really do feel as though he’ll make a smashing professor with time.”
“I agree,” Sonia nodded before taking a sip of her tea. “He's very talented.” She dropped his gaze as she reached for a biscuit. “I don't suppose you'll have time to hang out for a bit after dinner? I drove all the way up from Wedgehurst to see you, and it's been so long since –”
“Oh, damn… I'm sorry, Sonia,” Leon cut in, his frown deepening. “I promised Gloria I'd help her train at the Battle Tower today before her next big match. I really don't wanna let her down. Do you think we could rain check?”
Sonia’s heart sank in her chest, and if she were a little less used to Leon’s busy schedule, she might have snapped back at him in frustration. Instead, she just squared her shoulders and nodded her head resolutely. “Of course, Leon. We can't have Galar’s Champion getting rusty.”
Relieved, Leon went back to eating his dinner, not quite noticing her disappointment. “You can let Hop know that we’re keeping Gloria in tip top shape for whenever he feels up for a rematch.” Then, he laughed, “And honestly, I think my manager would kill me if I went out on the town with a girl he hasn’t cleared. The tabloids would have a field day if they caught us together, and it’d be weird as hell for people to think I’m dating my childhood best friend.”
With a short cough, Sonia dropped his gaze as her smile grew pinched and rigid. The biscuit she’d crammed into her mouth just seconds prior tasted a lot drier than usual as she forced it down her throat. Worsening the experience entirely, she had to swallow huge gulps of scalding hot tea to wash it all down.
So much for catching up with her best friend.
Clenching her teeth in annoyance, Sonia gripped the steering wheel so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her little pink car had stalled while on the way back home to Wedgehurst, and she found herself slamming her fist down against the car horn in frustration.
The distance between Wyndon and Wedgehurst was huge, and although Sonia hadn’t planned on traveling back so late in the evening, she gave it her best shot, still hurt by Leon’s indirect rejection. After passing through Stow-on-Side and saying a quick hello to Bea and Allister, she’d taken her car down Route Six in the hopes that she'd be able to cut through Hammerlocke, the Wild Area, and Motostoke before midnight.
Clearly, luck was not on her side.
Sunlight gave way to the darkness, and clouds shifted overhead, creating a bit of a filter for the pale light of the moon. Regardless of the time of night, though, Hammerlocke was always a busy city, and tonight was no exception. The streets still buzzed with life even as the night swept in and she continued to coax her car to work again.
“Sonia?”
She snapped her head upward before her gaze fell on Hammerlocke’s Gym Leader. “Raihan?” She rolled down the front window of her car so that his voice wasn't as muffled by the glass between them.
“It really is you,” Raihan smirked, leaning up against the side of her car. “I’d recognize this cute lil pink car anywhere.”
Smiling up at him half heartedly, Sonia kept working her car in the hopes that it would revive while they were speaking. “It’s quite iconic,” she laughed in agreement. She was always teased for her bubble gum pink car, but she swore up and down that she’d drive it until the day it finally died. “Slow night?”
Glancing down at her, Raihan nodded, “Like you wouldn't believe.” He arched a brow, watching her fiddle with the controls of her car as the engine sputtered and died. “I was actually just heading home for the night. I'd ask what you're doing in Hammerlocke so late, but I think I can take a lucky guess on answering that.”
With a groan, Sonia let her head drop against the steering wheel. “I was supposed to stay in Wyndon tonight after meeting up with Leon, but things… didn't quite go according to plan.”
A curious look crossed Raihan’s features. “Well,” he mused, “I'm a man of opportunity, and I seem to recall asking you out on a date a few months ago. If you wanna make good on that tonight, I'd be down. The invitation still stands.”
Eyes meeting Raihan’s in a curious stare that lasted just a bit too long to be comfortable, Sonia considered his invitation carefully. For now, her car was out of commission, and she wouldn't be able to make it back to Wedgehurst before nightfall. Perhaps she really should take him up on his offer.
Interpreting her silence as rejection instead of as mere hesitation, Raihan continued, “If not, that's totally cool too. I can lend you my car for the night or buy you a train ticket back to Wedgehurst. Lovely ladies such as yourself really shouldn't be alone at Hammerlocke past dark. I mean, no one should really be alone past dark. I didn’t mean to insinuate that you can’t take care of yourself or anything like that, but –”
“No, no, Raihan,” Sonia cut in with a smile. “I'd love to hang out with you tonight if you're free. That'd actually be perfect.”
Raihan stepped backward slightly as she popped open the front door of her car. He smirked and shook his head before she could close it again. “Even though you look cute as hell in it, you might wanna ditch the lab coat… just for tonight.”
Tugging off her lab coat, Sonia tossed it onto the front seat and stepped more fully out of her car. “Better?” When he grinned at her in approval, she closed the door and locked it. “Where to?”
“Wherever you want to go,” Raihan replied smoothly. “Or we could head to the supermarket and pick up some milk. That’s what I was planning on doing before spotting you on the street.” He nodded down the street so that she could note the direction they’d be heading in. “Hey, I can book a room for you at the hotel if you want, or you're more than welcome to stay the night at my place. My bed’s pretty comfortable, and I’d be down to take the couch.”
Sonia shook her head hastily, “Oh, no, I wouldn't want to impose.”
“You wouldn't be imposing,” Raihan grinned. “Come on, babe – Let me be welcoming and hospitable. You're my guest.”
“I… Thank you, Raihan.” Sonia’s heart picked up in her chest even as they strode down the street. Paying a bit too much attention to Raihan and a bit too little attention to where she was going, she accidentally tripped on a slab of uneven pavement, arms flailing out as she tried to catch herself from falling.
With a swift extension of his arm, Raihan made sure she remained upright, “Whoa, careful there.”
“Thanks,” Sonia flushed. She straightened as best she could and briefly adjusted the hem of her shirt. Before he could move away, she slipped a hand through his.
“You're, uh… You’re welcome.” Raihan cleared his throat and studied her for a moment as her thumb brushed his inner palm. Then, after regaining his cool demeanor, he led her through the automatic doors of the supermarket. “I just need to pick up some milk, but if you see anything you wanna get too, feel free.”
Sonia swung their locked hands as they continued walking through the aisles, “Sounds good to me. Since this is a special occasion, we should probably get some ice cream too.”
“I won’t object to that,” Raihan arched a brow. “I don’t often have ice cream because it could wreck my physique, but you’re right.” He winked. “It’s not every day that I get the pleasure of hosting such a lovely lady at my place.”
Though they arrived at the store only intending to buy a jug of milk, they ended up with lots of snacks too. Throughout their whole time in the supermarket, her hand remained loosely cradled in his, and she had to repeatedly remind herself not to scrutinize that particular detail too closely.
Despite trying to talk him into splitting the bill or letting her take care of it entirely, Sonia found that arguing with Raihan was futile. After cracking a few jokes, he had peals of laughter escaping her lips as he smoothly slipped the cashier his card.
“Raihan!” Sonia protested upon the realization that she'd been subverted. “We could've at least split it.” He had let go of her hand so that he could flip through his wallet, and she was almost sad about it as she picked up a few of the grocery bags.
“Nah,” Raihan winked. “Don't sweat it, babe. It's my pleasure.” Then, as he grabbed the remaining bags, he reached out his hand and flashed his teeth in a brilliant smile when she held it. “My apartment’s just a few blocks away if that's alright.”
Squeezing his hand lightly as she adjusted all the bags in her other hand, Sonia nodded, “Of course. Will my car be alright parked on the street until tomorrow morning?”
As Raihan led her out the supermarket, he nodded, “Should be alright. The spot was legal, but if there are any issues, I'll just have a talk with Officer Jenny in the morning.”
“Thanks, Raihan,” Sonia said, and she hoped that he knew how truly grateful she was for the way he'd taken care of her that night. “I really owe you one.”
A strange look overtook Raihan’s sharp eyes. “Hey, don't worry about it, Sonia. Anything for you.”
When they finally arrived at the apartment, Raihan unlocked the front door and nudged it open with his shoulder. “Home sweet home.” Shoving his keys back into one of his hoodie pockets, he flicked on the lights and motioned for her to step in too. “Welcome, Sonia.”
“I don't think I've ever visited you here before,” she mused as they kicked off their shoes in the foyer. “You have a nice place.”
With a smirk, Raihan placed all of his bags in the kitchen. “I don't often bring people here so I guess you can count yourself as one of the honored and few.”
Following suit, Sonia also dropped her bags onto the kitchen counter. “Has Leon been here before?” She asked the question, even though the thought of her best friend caused her heart to sting a little.
“Leon?” Raihan repeated as he washed his hands in the sink. “Nah. He doesn't leave Wyndon much, and when he does, he isn't off visiting me. In all fairness, though, I wouldn’t want him here either. Can’t stand the guy sometimes.” With a curious look in his eyes, he stepped aside so that she could use the sink too. “But, going back to Leon’s visiting circuit, I actually kinda thought he’d be off visiting Wedgehurst or Postwick in his free time.”
With a slight shrug of her shoulders, Sonia let the water run over her soapy hands for a little longer than necessary. “Yeah, I suppose so… He sometimes drops by with Gloria to visit Hop.”
“And you too, I assume,” Raihan continued, leaning against the counter nonchalantly.
Sonia thought back to her meal with Leon at Wyndon just a few hours before, and she found that she had no good reply to Raihan’s offhand comment. Apparently, the mere thought of dating her was weird as hell to Leon, and he’d need to get her cleared by his manager to do more than have a meal with her. For Galar's beloved Leon to be seen with a regular small town girl he'd known since childhood… The absurdity of it all. Still, she knew that she couldn’t really be mad at him, especially when he was clearly oblivious to how emotionally confused she was about him.
Concern overtook Raihan’s expression as he searched her features carefully. “Hey, listen – If you and Leon are together, I can totally back off with the whole date thing. I get it, and I wouldn't want to make you feel uncomfortable.”
Lips twisting downward, Sonia replied, “There's nothing between me and Leon, if that's what you're wondering.” With a sigh she added, “Not that I wouldn't have wanted there to be.” She gripped the counter between shaky fingers and fought back any urge to cry. “But I don’t think he ever plans on seeing me as anything more than his childhood best friend.”
“Hey,” Raihan placed one of his hands atop hers. “Leon and I have been pretty friendly over the past few months, but I’ll be the first one to tell you that if he can't recognize the lovely lady that you are, then he doesn't deserve you.”
Brows furrowing, Sonia laced their fingers together and allowed him to lead her out of the kitchen. “Do you really think so?”
Motioning for her to have a seat on the couch, Raihan draped a blanket over her shoulders and nodded. “I know so.”
With two tubs of ice cream between them, Raihan and Sonia eventually curled up on the couch and watched movies in his dimly lit living room. Though they’d been acquaintances through Leon for ages, this was the first time they’d ever really had the chance to hang out together without any other people around, and Sonia was surprisingly pleased with how the night was going.
Though she still felt hurt by Leon’s unknowing rejection from earlier in the evening, Sonia couldn't help but feel touched at Raihan’s kindness. He was thoughtful, always looking for ways to help her or take care of her. He was respectful and kept a safe distance from her, which she appreciated… and hated too.
As the night progressed and the end of their first movie came about, Sonia sat up, the fuzzy blanket he'd placed snugly around her shoulders now pooling at her waist. “Would it be alright if I used your restroom really quick?”
“Of course,” Raihan nodded as he reached for the remote. “It's just down the hall, first door on your right.”
Sonia smiled as she stood. “Thanks. I'll be back in a minute.” Upon reaching the bathroom, she decided to tug her hair out of the tight ponytail she wore it in throughout the day, opting to leave it wavy and loose. She adjusted the way her black glasses rested on the bridge of her nose before swiping on a thin coat of lip gloss.
When she finally made it back to the couch, she sat purposefully closer to Raihan than she’d been before. “You ready for the next one?” he asked, aiming the remote at the television screen. He hadn't quite noticed her proximity just yet, which was fine with her.
With a nod, Sonia settled in beside him, tugging the blanket back over her lap. “All set.” She reached for her tub of ice cream. “Who knew that the great Gym Leader of Hammerlocke took time off every once in a while to watch movies and eat ice cream.”
“Only on special occasions,” Raihan clarified with a grin. “I don't often receive the pleasure of hosting lovely ladies such as yourself at my apartment.”
“Odd,” Sonia mused, glancing up at him. “All the tabloids paint you to be quite the womanizer.”
Rolling his eyes, Raihan shook his head. “They couldn't be farther from the truth. I can't even remember the last time I visited someone’s apartment or had anyone over to hang out at mine.”
As their next movie began to play, Sonia felt unnaturally bold and dropped her head to rest against his shoulder. “I'm glad that I’m the first in a while then.”
Almost startled, Raihan glanced down at her before recovering with a brilliant, genuine smile. “Me too.”
Eventually, as Sonia grew more and more sleepy, the sound of the movie playing on the screen became less and less intelligible, and the ambience of the room shifted slightly. In an attempt to get more comfortable, Raihan slipped an arm over her shoulder, and she found herself curling up against his chest.
The fabric of his hoodie was surprisingly soft, and she appreciated the way it smelled faintly of both clean detergent and dragon smoke. “Raihan?” She mumbled, still tucked close beside him.
“Yeah, Sonia?” Raihan replied, absent-mindedly working his fingers through her wavy hair.
Half asleep, Sonia continued, “Is this a date?”
Raihan didn't pause as his fingers danced lightly along her scalp. “Do you want it to be?”
“Yes.” At that point, Sonia was very nearly slurring all her words as she hid her face in the soft fabric of his hoodie.
Shifting them both so that he could rub light circles into shoulder blades, Raihan only held her closer. “Then it's a date.”
With his reassurance echoing through her mind, Sonia leaned further into his embrace and smiled before succumbing to sleep completely.
Sonia awoke the next day with a start.
The sunlight that was streaming through her closed blinds felt foreign somehow, as did the firm pillow upon which she rested her head. She sat up in a bed that didn't belong to her, eyes scanning a room that wasn't hers.
Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she padded toward a chair nearby, picking up a familiar hoodie that vaguely resembled a dragon. Beneath the hoodie was a pair of oversized sweats.
The events of the previous night flooded back into her mind, and she tugged on the clean clothes Raihan had left for her without a second thought. He must've carried her to his bedroom after she'd fallen asleep last night.
Carrying her clothing to the foyer and dropping them into a pile by the front door of his apartment, she turned to head back to the kitchen and search through his cupboards.
On the way there, Sonia passed through the living room and spotted Raihan, passed out on the couch. His lips were curled into a pleasant smile, and his limbs were sprawled all over the couch in a disorganized mess. Stooping down beside him, she pressed a soft kiss to his brow, knowing that he likely wouldn't wake up.
She was a morning person, and he was a night person. There was no way he'd wake up just from a quick peck to his brow.
Scrolling through her Rotom phone for any missed messages, Sonia made sure to check in on Hop and her gran before arriving at Raihan’s kitchen. While she browsed through his cupboards, she pulled out the ingredients for a simple pancake recipe she could remember off the top of her head.
As she began whisking up a fluffy batter, she made sure she prepared a pan to cook them in. Every once in a while, she'd poke her head into the living room, as though to check and make sure Raihan hadn't up and left while she was gone.
Expertly pouring the first few circles of pancake batter into the pan, Sonia monitored them as they cooked, swiping through new messages on her Rotom phone from Hop and, surprisingly, Leon.
After making sure that Hop would be alright managing a second day at the lab without her, she also checked the new message from Leon. Flipping the first round of pancakes, she felt strangely calm about his apology for not being able to hang out with her last night. In fact, she found herself smiling as she scooped each perfectly formed pancake onto two ceramic plates she'd found in Raihan’s cupboard.
Setting the table with silverware and plates stacked with pancakes, Sonia anticipated his arrival at the kitchen, almost wringing her hands with anxiety. Had she misread any of the signs he'd sent her last night? Was cooking breakfast for them both too much or too forward? Would he be upset that she'd rummaged through his kitchen without him?
All her worries fell to the wayside as soon as Raihan stepped in through the doorway about thirty minutes later. He wore a sleepy, lopsided grin as he strode across the tile floor and stood by her side. “Well, what do we have here?” He mused, arching a brow.
“Breakfast,” Sonia supplied easily, nearly bouncing on her toes with excitement. “I hope you like pancakes.”
As his tongue darted out to lick his lips, Raihan slipped a casual arm around her waist. “I do like pancakes.” His gaze never left hers. “And I like you too.”
Tiny shivers danced down Sonia’s spine as she allowed him to lead her to the table. “I… I think I like you too, Raihan.”
With a grin, Raihan pulled her chair out for her and made sure she was seated properly before continuing, “Don't worry, Sonia. You don't need to say anything you're unsure of.” He made his way around the table before sitting down too. “I've waited to have the chance to take you out for months now, and I'll wait however long you need me to if you're willing to give this a shot.” His gaze turned serious as he held her hands from across the table, an echo of the way Leon did the previous night. “You deserve to be treated right.”
Another blush worked its way onto her cheeks. “You're really sweet.”
“Nothing less than what you deserve,” Raihan replied with a smile. Then, he squeezed her hands lightly before letting them go. “Thank you for making breakfast, although you really didn't have to.”
“I wanted to,” Sonia replied simply, and that was the truth.
Raihan hadn't needed to let her stay last night at his apartment. He hadn't needed to buy her groceries or let her rest in his arms. He hadn't needed to sleep on the couch or give up his bed or carry her up to his room. Yet he did all those things and more with nothing but a smile and good intentions. He did them because he wanted to take care of her and make sure that she was okay.
And, after searching her heart a bit, the more Sonia found that she wanted to do nice things for him too.
Raihan watched with his hands shoved deep into his pockets as Sonia finally managed to coax her little pink car’s engine to life. “You did it.” He rested a warm hand on her shoulder blade. “I'm glad Duraludon and I didn't need to push you so you could get a running start.”
Glancing back up at him, Sonia smiled as her engine purred steadily without another hitch. “I bet you both would've enjoyed the exercise.”
“I don't know about that,” Raihan admitted with a laugh. Still, the mirth in his blue eyes wasn't lost as she ducked out of the car to stand before him. “After all the ice cream we had last night, I'm not quite on top of my game.” Then, leaning forward to tuck a strand of wavy auburn behind her ear, he whispered, “Promise me you won't let the tabloids know you caught me slacking?”
Reaching up to cup his cheeks, Sonia enjoyed the way his eyes widened slightly in surprise. “I promise, Raihan.” Then, she tugged him forward, pressing her lips to his forehead. “Thanks so much for spending the night with me and letting me stay at your place.”
“You're welcome any time, babe,” Raihan replied easily. He leaned into her touch subtly, sharp eyes roaming over the sight of her in his hoodie and sweats. “You look better in my clothes than I do.”
Eyes crinkling into a delighted smile, Sonia pulled him into a hug. “You might not get them back,” she laughed, leaning her head against his chest. “They're really soft.”
“Keep them then,” Raihan smirked, wrapping his arms around her. “They suit you.”
Tilting her head up to look at him, Sonia smiled, “Think you can manage a trip down to Wedgehurst sometime?”
And, as they stood together in the middle of a busy Hammerlocke street, Raihan held her close, threading his fingers through her hair. “Of course I can,” he replied easily. “Anything for you, Sonia.”