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"They really like him, don't they?"
Hop puts his fork down and turns to look at his older brother.
"Who? Vic?" the young boy asks.
"Yeah," the former Champion takes his attention away from the current and looks at his younger brother.
"Yeah... they do," Hop answers with a slightly annoyed eye roll, he looks over to where the Champion is standing.
He looks at the faces of the people crowded around his friend with mock distain, it's not their fault his friend is so charming and handsome and lovable and perfect in every single way-
"Hops?"
"Huh!?" Hop snaps his attention back to his brother, "what?"
"I asked you a question," Leon laughs a little.
"What did you ask?"
"How are your studies going?" Leon reiterates with honest curiosity.
"Oh, they're going well," Hop takes one last tiny glance at his friend before picking his fork up again, “Sonia’s been a great teacher so far.”
“You learnin’ lots about Galar and Pokémon?”
“Mhm,” Hop takes a bite of his food, “not just Galar though Lee, some other regions too like Unova and Kanto!”
“Glad you’re having fun Hopscotch,” Leon smiles proudly at his younger brother, he’s glad to see that the boy is taking a liking to his new goal of becoming a Pokémon Professor.
“Hey you two!”
Hop and Leon turn to look at a towering familiar face.
“Oh, hey Rai!” Leon stands to hug his friend, “long time no see.”
“You saw me yesterday ya dork,” the other man pulls the former Champion hat down over his eyes before looking down at Hop, “How you doin’ kid?”
“Mhm,” Hop swallows a bite and smiles lightly at the man, “I’m doing well.”
“Good to hear,” Raihan turns to look back at the boy’s older brother, “Hey, I’ll buy you a drink at the pub down near the park that you like, what’da say?”
“Uh…” Leon looks down at his brother.
“It’s fine Lee, go, have fun,” Hop gives his brother a reassuring smile.
“Alright, let’s get out’a here!” Leon grabs his coat from the back of his chair and follows Raihan out of the event.
Hop pokes around at his food before putting his fork down again. He leans his head back while closing his eyes and let’s out a sigh. Like so many times before the teen finds himself alone at an event his friend invited him to.
‘Why does he even bother brining me along if we never actually hang out…’ Hop tilts his head back down, he stares at the flickering flame of the tables candle as he leans his head into his hand.
“Ah! There ya are mate!”
“Huh?” Hop lazily looks to his side, “Oh! Gloria!”
Hop jumps up from his seat to greet his friend with a large hug.
“I didn’t think you’d show up,” Hop smiles happily now that he’s no longer alone.
“And let you have all the fun by yourself,” she jokes and nudges the other boy’s shoulder.
“Oh haha,” Hop playfully punches the girl’s arm in return, “yep, so much fun over here.”
“Looks like it.”
Hop and Gloria take a seat at the table.
“Sooo,” Gloria inches closer to her friend, “you tell you know who yet?”
“Tell who what?” Hop asks and leans away a bit.
“Vic, you dummy,” she flicks his head, “who else.”
“Oh…” Hop rubs his forehead, “n-no…”
“Why!?” she dramatically falls back into her seat.
“I… I don’t know…” Hop sinks a bit into his chair.
“What’s stopping you?” Gloria sits back up.
“What if he-“
“What if he says no?” she finishes he sentence.
“Y-yeah…”
“Hop, mate, listen to me,” she leans forward and puts both hands on the boy’s shoulders, “Vic ain’t gonna say no.”
“How do you know?”
“I don’t, but I’ve got a feelin.”
“Gloria…” Hop gives the girl an unamused look.
“What in Arcues’ name are you two goblins doing?”
Hop and Gloria turn to look at the voice and the both of them mentally roll their eyes once they see who it belongs to.
“Yeah, everythin’ alright?”
“Yeah Marnie, we’re fine,” Gloria removes her hands from Hop’s shoulders.
“Are you going to invite us to sit down or not?”
“Marnie can,” Hop points to the chair next to him, “I thought we commoners were too low for the likes of you Bede.”
“Oh you are,” Bede smirks and walks over to an empty seat, “however, you’re all still my rivals so I’ve got to make sure you’re alright, so when I crush you in battle it’s even more fulfilling.”
“What would we ever do without you,” Gloria dead pans.
“I ask myself that every day,” Bede replies with a sly smirk.
“What were ya two talkin’ about before we get here?” Marnie asks.
“Oh! Uh… nothing important haha…” Hop nervously rubs the side of his neck.
“Right…” Bede raises a brow at the other boy.
Hop glares over at the pompous gym leader.
“Hey babe!”
Gloria looks over her shoulder and smiles warmly.
“Hey!” Gloria tilts her head up as the boy kisses her, “what’s up?”
“I found that place you were talking about,” the boy answers.
“Oh that’s great!” Gloria turns back and looks at her friends, “babe, you’ve met my friends before, right?”
“Mhm, hey folks,” he waves at the table.
“Hey Carter,” Hop waves back.
Marnie nods her head and Bede acts like the boy isn’t even there.
“Well, you wanna bounce?” Carter asks.
Gloria looks over to where her brother is standing.
“Might as well, Vic looks plenty occupied,” she answers.
“Alright,” he holds out his arm for his partner, “Corviknight taxi?”
“Hmm? I think so,” she replies.
The couple leave, Hop, Marnie and Bede sit in awkward silence now that one out of two of the twins that connects them disappears into the crowd of people.
Hop coughs into his hand and looks around the room for anything other than the tables he’s sat at, he spots the Champion. His friend is still being hammered with various questions and requests.
“You think he ever gets tired of it?”
Hop turns back to the table and looks at Bede.
“What?” he asks and raises a brow at the seemingly less pretentious boy.
“I said, do you think he ever gets… you know… sick of it?” Bede reiterates and gestures towards the Champion.
“Sick’a what?” Marnie joins the conversation.
“All of… that, the people, the questions, the… attention,” Bede puts both his elbows on the table and looks at the girl.
“I don’t… know…” Hop looks back towards his friend, he observes the Champion’s face before turning back, “he seems to be enjoying it.”
“Yeah but… even I get tired of it, and I love attention,” Bede admits.
“I mean he’s definitely been exhausted after some events,” Marnie adds.
“What do you mean?” Hop asks.
“Well, sometimes Vic crashes at my place-“
“What! Why!?” Hop interrupts.
Marnie and Bede give the boy a questioning look.
“Uh… because he wants to lay low for a bit I guess,” Marnie finishes.
“Lay low…?” Hop gives the girl a quizzical look.
“Yeah, most reporters stere clear of Spikemuth,” Marnie justifies, “he comes around more often nowadays.”
“Yeah, he’s recently been coming to my corner of the woods a lot too,” Bede adds.
“Why!?” Hop’s confusion continues to grow.
“He usually just likes to battle, although lately he’s just been staying around my place even after he’s already won… maybe its to rub it in…”
“Doesn’t he come back to Postwick?” Marnie asks.
“N-no… I mean not too much recently… b-but when he does, he spends the whole day with me,” Hop answers.
Hop looks over to his friend again, the Champion is taking pictures with fans. His friend’s smiling face makes Hop’s heart ache a bit.
The young professor in training doesn’t know when he started to have feelings for his friend… well that’s technically a lie. Hop had always loved Victor as a friend, but it wasn’t until the gym challenge when the boy started becoming enamored by the up and coming Champion.
Hop turns back to the other two guest at the table as he thinks about how he almost kissed his friend after he had saved him from Eternatus, he stops once he notices that both Marnie and Bede were doing the same thing had had been doing.
“You guys alright?” Hop asks the two staring rivals.
They both snap their attention towards Hop, seemingly brought back from some sort of trance.
“Yeah!” they both hastily respond causing Hop to lean away defensively.
“Okay…” Hop looks down at his plate.
There are a few moments of silence again.
“Do uh… do you guys think he likes anyone?” Bede asks meekly.
Hop looks up with slightly confused curiosity.
“I’d Imagine,” Marnie replies.
“Yeah, I mean obviously he likes someone but… do you think… he’d like someone like me…?” Bede quietly adds the last comment.
Hop’s expression morphs from Bede comment. Where once was its was curious, it contorts to now be so profoundly dumbfounded that it hurts the muscles in his face a bit.
‘Someone like you!? Have you even met Vic!’ Hop says to himself as he just stares at the other boy.
“I don’t know about that…” Marnie gives Bede a sympathetic look, “do you even know it he likes boys?”
“No…” Bede puts his head in his hands and thinks for a moment before looking up towards a still staring Hop, “you, assistant.”
“Assisatan-“
“You’ve spent the most time with him,” Bede points at the boy, “what does he like, boys or girls?”
“I beg your par-“
“Save it you pompous talking cloud,” Marnie cuts in, “out of anyone here, I got the best chance with him.”
Hop looks at the girl with the same look he had given Bede a few moments ago.
“YOU!” Bede chuckles, “don’t make me laugh bottom feeder.”
“Bottom feeder!” Marnie jumps up and leans onto the table.
“Guys wai-“
“Yeah!” Bede interrupts Hop and sits up in his chair, “you really think you got any better chances with the Champion then yours truly?”
“Please, gu-“
“You betcha!” Now Marnie interrupts her indigo haired rival, “I’ve seen the way he looks at me and I’ll tell ya, that boy is so easy to read.”
“If that’s the case then why haven’t you pounced at the opportunity miss corvisquire eye,” Bede counters with a sly smirk.
“I- I…“ Marnie stops and blushes ever so slightly.
“That’s what I thought,” Bede leans back into his chair with all the pretentiousness he’s known for, “you don’t have any Idea what’s on the Champions mind, you’re just as in the dark as me and pokedex over here.”
“Pokedex?” Hop is taken back a bit by the comment.
“Yeah… well… I think I’ve still got the best shot out of the three of us,” Marnie huffs as she plops back down into her seat.
The three of the rivals return to quietly sitting once again.
“I’ve got an idea,” Bede breaks the silence of the table.
“Oh?” Marnie raises an eyebrow at the boy.
“What if we battled to see who has the best shot?” Bede suggests with a slight smirk.
Hop and Marnie look at one another before looking back a Bede.
“That’s a stupid idea,” Hop replies bluntly.
“Yeah, it doesn’t solve the issue,” Marnie adds.
“We- well do either of you have any better idea?” Bede asks.
“Ideas for what?”
Hop, Marnie and Bede turn to look at the new voice, they are met with the Champion’s kind and curious smile.
“Vic!” Hop smiles, now slightly relieved that this conversation might come to an end.
“Victor!” Bede and Marine shout in unison.
“Am I interrupting something?” Victor asks leaning onto the back of an empty chair.
“No,” Hop sits up properly in his seat, “you finally done with all the pictures?”
“Sorry mate, not quite, gotta go talk to some sponsors,” Victor rolls his eyes and looks to the side before turning back towards his friend, “should be done soon though.”
“Oh, okay…” Hop slumps a tiny bit.
“Ay, don’t worry,” Victor walks around the table to his friend and crouches down to his level with a caring and sorry smile, “I’ll be right back, you won’t even know I’ve gone.”
‘But you already left me here…’ Hop forces a smile, “yeah… I get it, you’re busy.”
“Yeah,” Victor pats his friend’s back and Hop notices the Champion’s smile breaks a little bit, “I’ll be back in no time.”
Victor walks away and disappears into the crowd of party goers. Hop’s smiles drops and he sighs, he looks down at his plate and contemplates just leaving the event.
“Well.”
Hop looks back up with a little surprise, he had forgotten he wasn’t alone at the table.
“I think that really settles it then…” Marnie comments slowly.
“What?” Hop raises a brow at the girl.
“He didn’t even say hi to us…” Bede remarks with an annoyed glare.
“Who, Vic?” Hop asks.
“Yeah… He only saw you…” Bede leans back into his chair and crosses his arms.
“I… don’t think I get it…” Hop confusingly looks at both his rivals.
“Arcues he’s dense,” Bede rolls his eyes, “and you’re going to be a professor.”
“I… think what Bedes trin’ to say is…” Marnie looks down for a second “is that… th-“
“He likes you,” Bede finishes and glares at the boy, “you, you! Of all bloody people.”
Hop stares at his two rivals, still confused. Bede throws his hands into the air before standing up and walking away.
“You… you really think he like me…?” Hop asks slowly.
“I think so,” Marnie asnwers.
“Ho- how do you know…?”
“The look in his eyes when he said he couldn’t stay.”
“Well, I mean… that could’ve just been because he’s sorry…”
“Nah,” Marnie shakes her head, “it’s the same look your brother and his boytoy get when they say no to each other.”
“Raihan?”
“Mhm,” Marnie nods, “he likes you.”
Hop thinks for a moment, he still doesn’t believe what the girl is saying. Why would Victor actually like him, he’s just a professor’s assistant that’s nowhere near as cool as being the Champion… it would make him look bad…
“You can argue with yourself all you want,” Marnie stands up and fixes her dress, “but you could always just ask.”
Hop watches the girl walk away. He just stares forward blankly for a few moments until a hand touches his shoulder, causing him to jump a little.
“Hey mate.”
“Vic,” Hop looks up towards his friend, “you’re back.”
“Miss me?” Victor smiles, the Champion tilts his head back up and looks around before looking back down at his friend, “come with me.”
“What?” Hop looks at his friend questioningly.
“Just-“ Victor giggles a tiny bit and smiles widely, “come with me.”
“O-okay,” Hop stands up from the table, Victor garbs his wrist and starts pulling his friend along, “Ah! Vic, slow down!”
The Champion just laughs under his breath as he guides Hop and himself through the crowd and out of the event.
“Ah,” Victor takes in a big breath of air, “finally some fresh air.”
Hop takes in a smaller breath of air and looks out over the balconies railing. The moon hangs comfortably above the Wyndon skyline, the lights of the capital flood the night sky, pushing back against the blue hues of the moon.
“Pretty innit?”
“Hmm?” Hop turns to look at his friend, “what is?”
“The uh… the city… I guess…” Victor answers and swiftly looks away from the other boy, “I don’t know, never mind…”
“Oh no! it is uh… it is pretty!” Hop agrees and puts a hand on his friend’s shoulder.
Victor looks at the other boy’s hand and blushes ever so slightly. He takes another glance at the city before looking back towards Hop with nervous smile.
“Ca-can I ask you something?” Victor asks.
“Of course, Vic,” Hop answers.
Victor stares at Hop for a moment, he had a plan made up in his head and the words he wants to say out right on the edge of his tongue… but he can’t seem to be able to say very much of anything as he looks awkwardly into his friend’s honeyed yellow eyes.
“Everything… alright mate?” Hop raises a brow at his friend.
“Huh!?” Victor blinks and shakes his head a bit, “uh… yeah! I uh… I…”
Victor lets out a heavy sigh, he looks away again.
“I… Arcues!” Victor laughs nervously and shakes his head again, “I really thought this was going to be easier… I mean I faced Eturnatus…”
“Vic, what are you going on about?” Hop looks increasingly more concerned.
“I don’t know I had this plan in my head a-and it was going to be perfect and you… you were…”
“Mate, seriously!? What are you talking about?” Hop puts a hand on his friend’s shoulder, “are you alright? What plan? Is this about the Pokémon World Tourna-“
Victor stops the other boy’s questioning with a kiss.
Hop eyes widen as he realizes what’s happening, he must be dreaming… but as his friend pulls away with a very red face, he can’t help but just stare.
“Heh…” Victor laughs nervously again when he sees Hop’s face and he takes a step back, “I… I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have done that.”
Hop doesn’t respond, still processing what just happened he continues to stare.
“I- I… I’m sorry Hop… I- it was a mistake and I’m sorry… I… I should go,” Victor can feel a tear tug at the corner of his eye as he turns to run away.”
“Huh?” Hop snaps out of his thoughts and grabs the Champion’s wrist, “Wait!”
Victor looks from his wrist to the other boy’s face as a tear slides down his cheek.
“Wait…” Hop reiterates, he releases his friend’s wrist and moves closer.
Hop takes both of Victor’s hands into his own. He closes his eyes and sighs before looking back into his friend’s nervously curious eyes.
“Hop-“
“I like you…” Hop admits.
Victor’s eyes widen a bit.
“I like you… a lot Vic… more then you probably know…” Hop closes his eyes again, “for a while too…”
Now Victor stares in silence as he processes the situation.
“I mean… I’ve known for a while to… but I didn’t know what to make of it… I thought maybe it was because you’re so amazing and cool and kind and caring and so so very handsome a-and you saved me and the whole region from the darkest day and you tamed two legendary Pokémon and-“
“Hop.”
“-you’re the Champion! And I mean that’s just so awesome-“
“Hop.”
“-but I’m just an assistant, now don’t get me wrong I like what I’m doing and Sonia’s a great teacher-“
“HOP!”
The boy finally stops his rambling. Victor laughs but not out of nervousness, he laughs his usual adorable laugh that makes Hop’s heart flutter.
“I really like you too Hop,” Victor squeezes Hop’s hands a bit and smiles warmly.
“You do?”
Victor rolls his eyes playfully before looking back into Hop’s eyes, he leans in close and kisses the other boy’s cheek.
“Yes silly.”
Hop smiles but it quickly morphs into a questioning look.
“What about Bede?” Hop asks.
“What about him?”
“Don’t you like him?”
“Sure… I guess,” Victor raises a brow, “I mean, as a friend.”
“Well, what about Marnie?”
“What do you mean? What about Marnie?”
“She said you look at her a certain way… and you spend a lot of time in Spikemuth.”
Victor thinks for a moment.
“Oh!” Victor starts laughing.
“What’s funny?”
“I look at her like that because she buys new cloths and asks me to judge them.”
“But why do you go to Spikemuth so much?”
“The press keeps its distance and she’s got these great noise canceling headphones when I’m really tired and Peirs starts his performances.”
“So you don’t like her?” Hop asks.
“I do, as a friend.”
“Okay…” Hop looks away for a second, “but what about spending time with Bede of all people?”
“Ballonlea had a Impidimp problem,” Victor answers honestly, “and because Bede’s fun to battle against.”
“Alright…”
“Are you done interrogating me?” Victor jokingly asks with a playful smirk.
“Oh, hehe…” Hop rubs the back of his neck, “sorry…”
“Don’t worry about it,” Victor leans in again, “may I?”
Victor doesn’t get a verbal response. Instead Hop just kisses him as an answer, surprising the Champion a bit but he quickly relaxes into the embrace.
They don’t pull away from each other, how could they? Something that both boys have been wanting to happen is finally happening. Eventually they must in fear of suffocating the other.
“That was amazing…” Hop comments with love lidded eyes.
“Definitely better than this League party,” Victor adds.
“Definitely.”
They stand there and stare at one another for a few more moments.
“So… does this… make us…”
“Boyfriends?” Victor finishes, “only if you want t-“
“YES!” Hop shouts.
Victor laughs and Hop follows suit with his own laughter.
“I love you,” Hop states.
“I think you already know my answer mate,” Victor replies.
“Yeah… but I want to hear you say it,” Hop leans on the other boy’s chest and looks up into the Champion’s eyes.
Victor smiles and runs a hand through the other boy’s indigo hair.
“I really,” he leans his head downs towards the other boy’s, “really really love you Hop.”
Hop tilts his head up a tiny bit and kisses Victor again. The boys hold each other and look out over the capital, back inside the event hall a very happy Professor types on her phone.
*Ding*
“Hmm?” Raihan looks down at his phone.
Sonia: You owe me $100.
Raihan thinks for a moment about what the girl could be talking about before it clicks, and he picks up his phone.
Raihan: Yeah, but who kissed first?”
Sonia: Does it matter?
Raihan: It was part of the bet.
There is a few second pause before Sonia starts typing again.
Sonia: Victor.
The dragon tamer laughs, Leon looks away from the pub’s television.
“What’s up?”
“Huh? Oh, nothing,” Raihan smugly smiles, “just Sonia.”
Leon nods and goes back to watching the rerun Pokémon match again as Raihan starts typing.
Raihan: Then it looks like you owe me $100.