Work Text:
Never was Alex more grateful to be a psychic type than he was now.
Quickly— very quickly, before the approaching Trainer could set eyes on them— they Transformed into an Eevee and went to faux-cower in the bush.
Unfortunately, Alex hadn’t calculated that they’d end up stepping on a massive thorn just as the Trainer turned around the bend.
Now they were here; snuggled up in the Trainer’s lap as they finished bandaging up their “bad paw”.
“There,” The Trainer said, voice soft. “You should be better now.”
Before Alex even had time to rise to their feet and run off so they could get back to normal, the Trainer continued.
“I think I’m gonna stick around and set up camp here,” They said, their fingers gently scratching behind Alex’s ear in a surprisingly satisfying way. “I don’t think you could outrun a Great Ball right now, and the Trainers over in Ecruteak would love to get their hands on another Eevee.”
Ectruteak. Alex had forgotten they were so close to that city when they’d chosen the form— maybe they’d have gone with something more unassuming, like a Rattata.
The Trainer was still talking. “I don’t think you’d do very well on someone’s team or as someone’s pet, would you? You look like you prefer to be a wild Pokémon.”
Nothing could be more true; Alex had gotten away from Team Rocket quickly, after all. But they were intrigued by this Trainer now— and quite frankly, they were thoroughly enjoying the attention now.
The Trainer was absent-mindedly stroking Alex’s fur now. “I kinda get it. My parents— they always wanted me to battle the Indigo League. But I don’t— I don’t want that. I want to be a Pokémon Breeder.”
Alex hummed, getting more comfortable. Pokémon Breeders were the ones who would help raise the younger Pokémon from their hatching to level five. It was a vital, if under-appreciated, part of Pokémon-human coexistence.
“I can look after you tonight,” The Trainer continued, “and then we’ll see how your foot’s doing tomorrow. Okay?”
Alex hummed again, already drifting off. It was nice, relaxing like this, and they were so tired. . .
Alex absently heard the Trainer introduce themselves as Morgan, but that wasn’t important. What was important was sleep.