Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Work days are always packed for Larry the salaryman, gym leader, and elite four. His 9 to 5 job is at a government function, the Bureau of Land Management of Paldea in Mesagoza. He does less about the fieldwork of taking care of the vast lands across Paldea to review the condition of the land and the pokemons that lived on it. No, he does the desk job that reviews the report from fieldwork employees, reviews building permits, and reviews results of research papers on potential pollution of industry permits. Boring desk job that got him sitting behind his desk for hours at a time, only getting up for lunch and bathroom breaks, no wonder he has back pain.

His Gym-leader responsibilities can only occur during his lunchtime from work, which is why he has his gym inside a restaurant, time-management. As for his elite-four responsibilities, he begged Geeta to have it on his weekdays too, that he'll make it work somehow because he refuses to work on weekends.

Larry has an okay position in the Bureau. High enough that he's not being pushed over, but low enough that he isn't needed 24/7.

He has an okay work life. He rarely comes to work late, and always clocks out right when the clock strikes 5. He's cordial with his coworkers, they all see him as a reliable person. His boss doesn't bother him more or less than necessary.

On the way back home, he always treats himself to a nice dinner, and an expensive one for every Monday because Mondays are always rough. Today is a Monday, and he plans to go to a fancy grill place in the town where he lives. His boss had asked why he lives so far away from his job (and whether it'll make him late for work). Well, Medali is a center of culinary delicacies and it's more important for him to have access to that than to his job. Another reason is that he doesn't mind the travel, and doesn't mind waking up earlier for the sake of it. He takes his small flute and blows. It sounds like nothing to human ears, but his long-life pokemon, Staraptor, lands in front of him from seemingly out of nowhere.

"How's your day been, Star?" Larry says to his pokemon, ruffling his feathers that replied in rumbling coos. "You up for a flight?" He might sound crazy for talking to him or even asking, but Star always replies. If he doesn't want to fly, he'll go away. If he doesn't mind, Star nuzzles his head into Larry's chest and under his arms, just like what he's doing right now.

"Alright, calm down." Larry ruffles his neck and put on a harness on Star so Larry can hold onto him and steer. Star lower himself and Larry hops up to the bird's back and takes to the air. Larry keeps himself low, holding onto the harness that goes from his chest and around his wings. 

The view of Paldea from up here never gets old. The sense of flying also gives him a stress-relieving effect, as if he's leaving work behind and now he's going away where he's meant to rest. It's fall, so the sun is already setting, and Paldea is ever so beautiful. It's land mostly untouched, their pokemons living freely, reminding him of what he's fighting for. The wind on his face feels nice too, fresh and freeing after the ac inside the four walls of his office. All of that is the reason why he takes such a commute to work.

Star lands at the gate of Medali. Larry presses the button in the middle of Star's harness and the harness retracted into a circle. Star flies away to wherever he likes to go.

The chef that owns the restaurant knows him by now, and so is the waiter that always put him at a table where he'll be left alone. Larry highly appreciates it. He walks back to his apartment a little lighter after a delicious meal.

The first thing that greets him when he steps into his apartment is the coo of his Komala, seemingly just waking up from a long sleep. Larry regards her with a hello and a pat on her head.

"Slept all day, Koma?" He said to her. Koma only opens her eyes to regard him before nuzzling back to her comfort log and sleeping on his soft pastel blue blanket. Watching her makes him ache to go to bed right away. 

Larry takes a deep breath and starts cleaning up. He puts his clothes in the laundry basket and separates his suits from his undergarments. He showers quickly with hot water and unscented soaps and shampoo, feeling more relaxed that he's clean.

After a shower, he takes a can of beer and sips it unhurriedly, savoring the one can he lets himself have daily. He sits on the bed and turns on the tv that's connected to Yootube, clad in comfortable shorts and a worn old t-shirt. His body sinks into his ultra-soft mattress with salmon-colored sheets, covering his legs on the super soft faux fur pastel blue blanket, and lets himself relax inside his apartment, a safe space that's accidentally mostly in pastel colors. He didn't mean to make his room look like a kindergarten, but when he was choosing colors, he wanted a non-offending color that isn't monochrome that would remind him of his workplace. His room looks cheerful and feminine but quite barren because he only owns necessities.

Oh well, he likes it anyway, and it feels very comfortable.

After his can of beer is done, depending on the day, he sleeps early. He would give Koma a chance to step outside if she wants to, but she nuzzles beside his pillow insistently. Larry is in bed by 10 PM. His head hits the soft pillow, his body sprawled on the plush bedding, and covered in the soft blanket. The moment he lays down in bed, he's out. 

He always wakes up well-rested because of the splurge on his bedding. Though it's always a bit hard to wake up because of the same reason.

His 6 AM alarm jolts him awake, except for Komala who stays asleep and unmoved from the place beside his pillow. He takes a quick cold shower to wake him up, wears the pressed suit he did on Sunday night, and makes a simple sweet eggroll for breakfast.

Once he's ready, he walks to the street of his apartment building and blows his flute to call for Star. His bird is in a good mood and takes him flying to Mesagoza.

He clocks in and sits on his desk where the piles of reports and a to-do list of papers are waiting for him.

And the day repeats.

Chapter Text

To say that Larry’s boss is an absolute pain is an understatement of the century. Not that he’s not a horrible boss. He does his taxes, he knows what this bureau stands for, and he’s less corrupt than the average person in power of the government, but the man was previously a military general and has no business being the Director of Land Management of all things.

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]
Subject: EIA report

I need the EIA report from Justine&Justin corporation by the end of the day, 5 PM sharp.

Koyo

Director of BoLM.

Larry sighs softly on the outside but silently died on the inside as he tried to figure out how to do Koyo’s order.

In retrospect, Koyo is efficient. He looks really good to the higher-ups and the public, getting things done and standing true to the bureau’s values. He looks intimidating in front of corporations, not to be messed with or tampered with. But that’s mostly because his employees are scrambling to meet his demands. Larry is one of the people that got the brunt of it the most. Because Larry is the supervisor of all the EIA (Environmental Impact Analysis) reports from corporates that request the bureau for building permits on Paldea’s land, Koyo always goes to him for reports, even though it’s way before the deadline, sometimes he’s asking for the impossible.

Koyo is a new director, only been two years since he got the chair, but in that two years, Larry had started growing grey hairs at 40 years old.

Larry had tried to do this conversation with the new Director. How the EIA process works and how the corporates can slack about the integrity of the report, so the field employees had to crosscheck it and slow the process, not to mention the back and forth they need between the bureau’s departments. Well, that conversation goes as well as asking the tiger for the meat he’s chewing, Larry got chewed out instead.

Larry doesn’t understand Koyo’s need for speed. Being unempathetic toward the process of assessing literal biomes and environments is only going to produce incorrect data. Koyo’s demand means that Larry has to demand all of the employees under him too, and it’s no easy thing to ask the already understaffed department. Larry’s been in their place, and things like this –for the lack of a better word— suck hard.

A cup of coffee carefully landed on his table. The cheap paper cup is a tell that it came from the break room.

“You lookin’ kinda bummed, boss,” says his coworker, Gurt, a punk-looking young man with a shorn head and a short mohawk in white and blue. “Been sighin’ ten times for the last five minutes.”

“Another deadline bumped up by the Director.”

Gurt paled, “Oh shoot, which corp?”

“J&J” Larry didn’t raise his quiet voice, but the other two people in the room hear him and groaned.

“But-but Boss! Cayleigh hadn’t got back yet from assessing Addison Forest Corp’s EIA!” Says another of his coworker, Apel, with lenses so thick and red hijab wrapped close to her head topped with a green bow headband. “Even if you bump this up, we can’t get it in time!” she adds panically.

“I’m going to try to extend the time, but I know he’d want this report at the top stack.”

Both Apel and Gurt give him a consoling look, knowing what will happen whenever Larry dares to opinionate on Koyo’s decision at all.

“Godspeed boss,” Gurt hits his chest, for whatever reason.

“Thank you. I’m sorry, Winda. I’d have to send you with Cayleigh,” Larry says to the furthest desk where the only other person hadn’t been speaking.

The gloomy woman with long black hair covering half her face looks forlornly at Larry, “I had hoped you forgot that I’m here at all.”

“I’m sorry about this.”

“It couldn’t be helped, the commander had spoken… I’ll get going.” The woman slumps, but she rises and walks out with her head hung.

“Gurt, Apel, I’ll take over your tasks for the day. Meanwhile, Gurt, start on the J&J report with what we have now. I’ll tell EBI that we need their report on North Province Area Two today or the latest tomorrow at noon. Apel, I want you to drop everything else and help our department with this report. By the end of the day, I want all of you to give me whatever you have for the day.”

“YES, BOSS!” They say and go back to their desk while Larry walks down the corridors to the Ecosystem & Biodiversity Impact (EBI) department.

Larry phoned Cayleigh and Winda along the way about the bumped deadline, and he heard colorful curses for a minute straight from Cayleigh. It’s highly inappropriate, but he lets it go for now out of empathy. He can’t spare the time for such empathy when the supervisor of EBI panicked and the division scrambled, Larry has one last stop.

He goes up to the Director’s office, knowing he’s gonna get chewed the daylights out of him.

Koyo is a military man through and through. Tall, broad, buzz-cut hair, thick grey mustache and always wearing his military suit adorned with rows of his medals.

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CAN’T GET THE REPORT TODAY? THE J&J TALKS HAVE BEEN LASTING FOR WEEKS.” He barks like scolding a soldier. His hands slammed on the table, chest up, and standing up to his intimidating height. Larry isn’t as rattled as the first time anymore, doesn’t mean that he isn’t tense from being yelled at in high decibels.

“Yes, they had talks, but their EIA report only come 2 days ago and we need-”

“I DON’T CARE! DON’T TALK BACK TO ME! I NEED THAT REPORT NOW AND THAT’S THE END OF IT.”

Larry sighs internally, this is going to be a long day and he’s kissing his lunch out goodbye.

++++

“So, are we losing our jobs?” Apel asks, the only one still around with him. Though Apel isn’t new to staying late because she works rather slowly, it’s understandable for an intern.

They’re still in the office past 5 PM and Larry loathed every second past it. Larry managed to extend the deadline by one measly day. ‘Tomorrow, at 5 PM sharp,’ Koyo had said. Larry didn’t even bother to ask why all the rush. It’s usually followed by more degradation.

“No. He had no reason to.” More like no proof.

As scary as Koyo is, Larry knows the man is out of his depth in the field of public service government work, meaning that he doesn’t know what went on in this regular, run-of-the-mill, less-funded government function. If he wants to fire any of them, he’d have to make a formal report to the mayor and then the national court house will investigate whether Koyo’s accusation holds water. Which it won’t, Larry doesn’t do things under the table, and no amount of money will be worth the stress and anxiety of having dirty money.

Larry felt his eyes burn and eyelids heavy. A sharp pain strikes his back. He looks down at his watch and cringed when he sees that it’s 8.30 PM.

“Boss, I can hear your back cracked all the way from here,” Apel says, “I think you should go home.”

Larry sighs and straightens his back, “Yeah. You should too, there’s nothing else we could’ve done for now. Let’s just come to work earlier tomorrow.”

“If you say so, Boss.”

As they step outside, before Larry even blows a whistle, Star already landed in front of him, cooing rapidly. His fluffy head thrust towards Larry’s bodily direction, poking and checking.

“I’m fine, Star, calm down. Calm down.” Larry pats him soothingly from the side of his face down to the ruffles of his neck.

Star has been acting more anxiously around him. Larry knows it’s because their routine is disrupted. Larry that used to come home at 5 PM sharp every day, had been coming home late at least twice a month for the past two years and Star hasn’t gotten used to it yet. Larry can only hope Star only needs more time, though if he hasn’t in two years, perhaps he’s being stubborn and Larry is being scolded.

“Is that your pokemon?” Apel says with excitement.

“Yes.”

“He’s so big for a Staraptor!”

“I know, I’m amazed myself. He’s still growing too.” This is weird for a 25-year-old, fully grown Staraptor, but Larry can’t do anything about that than just mesmerizingly watch him grow.

They separate ways and Star takes him flying to Medali. He has no time to eat in a restaurant so he bought a ready-made meal in a combini. After cleaning up, he goes back to work. Pulling out his laptop and gather the information his coworkers gather for him. Larry puts it together, and makes the final report, stitching together with the data Cayleigh provided. He notes what’s missing and which part he needs to do tomorrow. It’s midnight once he’s done, and his meal is only eaten half. He quickly finishes it and goes straight to bed.

He wakes up feeling like crap because of that, his magic bed can’t do anything about it. Still, he goes straight back to work.

It’s finished in the end. His department pulled it together at the great cost of their health and mental well-being.

But it’s done, and Larry treats his department to dinner as a celebration. They all deserved it.

Chapter Text

“Medium-serving grilled rice balls, Fire Blast style, with fresh lemon on the side!”

“Gotcha! Medium rice balls, extra crispy, with lemon!” the chef replies excitedly, and the arena rumbles behind Larry.

“LARRY YOU’RE UP!” Says the waiter again.

“Guess I’d have my dish to go.” Larry sighs. He was looking forward to having lunch in peace, sitting down, and eating his comfort food onigiri in peace. Well, he took the responsibility, and now he has to show up.

“You got it! Give a good show to my patrons, will ya'?” says Chef Mala.

“I’ll try.”

Larry stands and walks to the challenger. A kid with green bobbed hair and… green lipstick? Well, he has no business in judging anyone’s fashion for someone that’s been wearing suits that barely differs five days a week for the past 18 years.

“Hello. I’m Larry. I’m assigned to work as the Gym Leader of the Medali Gym.” He exchanged pleasantries like reading off a script, time’s ticking after all. “Anyway, my boss will dock my pay if I spend too much time chit-chatting. Let’s get this battle over with.”

And the battle is over quickly. Quicker than he’d ever been beaten. He’s so impressed by the new trainer that he treats them to a meal while he works. He orders a pile of onigiri, knowing that a growing child has to eat a lot, Larry knows he did.

Larry stays silent while he eats and works while the trainer, Lettuce, is chatting with Mala.

“Larry, why are you working if you’re already a gym leader?” Says Lettuce.

“You’re not from here, are you?”

“No, I’m actually from the Galar region.”

“That explains it.” Larry takes his last bite of onigiri and sips his tea. “It’s different here in Paldea. Galar’s gyms profit from their battles. People buy tickets to watch their gym leader battle, their arenas are meant to have spectators. More tickets sold means more sponsor for the gym leader, the combination of the two are profitable enough that being a gym leader can become a full-time job. Paldea’s gyms are meant to attract tourists to experience pokemons native to Paldea, promote its non-pokemon-related tourist attraction, and showcase the skills of Naranja academy’s students as the academy’s promotion as well. Our gyms are non-profit that’s government funded. And as with all government-funded things, it’s barely enough at all. Most of the money goes to the gyms’ maintenance, Pokemon Centers, and administration. Gym leaders barely got any of the funds, it’s barely a job, and more of a volunteer at this point.”

“Then why become a gym leader at all?” 

“Because we love pokemons and the art of the battle. That’s why none of the gym leaders in Paldea is ever only a gym leader.”

Lettuce considers him, “You don’t look the type.”

“Why?”

“Dunno. You seem like the all-work-no-play type of guy.”

“This is work.”

“You just said being a gym leader isn’t really a job.”

“Still work.”

After they finish their meals, he says well wishes for Lettuce’s journey through Pokemon battles. It’s been a while since he had a challenging battle like that. Not that he’s new to losing, but that Lettuce is something else.

Larry will be keeping an eye on the new trainer.

Chapter Text

There’s nothing on earth that’s more blissful than waking up and finding out that it’s Saturday to no alarm. The second blissful thing on earth is closing your eyes again to go back to sleep for a couple more hours in his cloud bed and soft blanket.

Larry is truly awake at 10 AM on a Saturday and relishes every minute he spent lounging in bed on his phone, checking the news or his subscription to his favorite yootube channels. He only gets up once he’s sick of laying down and goes right to lunch.

Saturday is a home day for Larry. Taking it slow, while doing his chores. He finds it relaxing to do his chores at a slow pace and in the comfort of his own home. Something about putting things in orderly and neat without pressure eases him.

The first thing he does on Saturday late morning is buy groceries for the week. He’d take his time to make his lunch, often a recipe he bookmarked that he wants to try. Today’s lunch is sweet and savory udon stirfry with chili oil, bokchoy, soy sauces, and maple syrup. For dessert, an easy microwave lava cake. Larry follows the recipe to a T, and he never failed a recipe. The meal he makes always has a satisfying taste of labor.

Next, he does his chores. Which means cleaning up his apartment, vacuuming, wiping, and doing laundry. He puts on a playlist of chill music and opens the window. At this point, Komala will step outside because she’s disturbed from her sleep, and Oricorio will fly in and dance to the music in the middle of the room. Sometimes she does some very ambitious twirls. Larry would stop and watch for a while, providing a round of applause when she succeeds. When she fell and weeps, Larry chuckles a little and helps her up, encouraging her to do it again. Sometimes his Oinkologne climbs up to his balcony (yes, she scaled the apartment’s wall), and demands treat before demanding to be let out from the front door. Altaria would perch on the balcony for pets and stays until Sunday.

His pokemons often come to him when he’s at home longer, as if they knew.

For dinner, depending on his energy or prep, he usually cooks something he had prepped along with lunch. If he’s too tired to cook, he usually orders takeout and chills with his pokemons for the rest of the day.

The rest of the night he spent chilling in his kotatsu while leaning back to his bed, turning the TV to The Great Castelia Bake Off. Koma is back, and snoozing under the kotatsu, pressed against his leg. Ria, his Altaria is bundled up in a compressed circle of clouds beside him, snoozing.

Sunday is an outing day for Larry. He’ll go to a restaurant he’s been dying to try no matter where it is in Paldea. Wearing casual clothing aside from suits puts him in a holiday headspace, and his steps feel lighter.

Today, he’ll be traveling to Alfornada. Tulip had said there was a new restaurant opened. It’s a fusion Mexican restaurant and the tacos are a must, she said. Larry’s first impression of Tulip is a high-and-mighty successful person who has no time to spare for plebians like him, and he sure is wrong. Tulip is cordial with him, a friendly acquaintance, she doesn’t see him any less or more than that. She accompanies him as they eat at the restaurant because she thinks it’s sad if anyone eats at a restaurant alone.

“You don’t have to accompany me, Tulip. I’m used to going to restaurants alone.”

Tulip tuts, “Not on my watch. Besides, I’ve been wanting to try this restaurant too, and coincidentally, I finally have some free time at the moment.”

“Been busy?”

Tulip sighs softly, “Very.”

Tulip talks about her work. Larry dares say that Tulip is way busier than Larry. Having no set working hours, she’s used to working a full day with no downtime aside for sleeping. There’s her work as a makeup artist, as a celebrity, as a company owner for her beauty products, and as a gym leader. And yet, there’s a smile on her face the entire time she talks. There’s excitement to her work, passion in her busyness. It’s something that differs from Larry’s work fatigue. He’s happy for her.

Larry orders food from the same place for dinner to go, and he goes home with a moisturizer Tulip produced for him to try. It’s his saving grace that it’s unscented.

On the way home he met with his Tropius named Palm, flying beside Larry and Star. Star coos happily and flew off the line in a happy chase with Palm. Larry held on and lower himself to Star. Welp, this often happens, Palm and Star love playing chase, it’s one of the few times it happens while Larry is on Star. Can’t be helped.

Larry holds on tightly, even tighter over his dinner. It’s not so bad, the high-speed chase is scary but kind of fun, and it makes him feel fond to watch his pokemons play happily. The two of them stopped at a pond to drink and play in the water. Larry stays on the sidelines and safely away from the splash zone. He sits back, relaxes, and enjoys the view. It’s not like he has anywhere to go, it’s the point of weekends, doing nothing is a privilege for him to just go with the flow. And sometimes the flow carries him to a beautiful lakeside view and warm sun. He decides to snack on his dinner while he’s waiting out his pokemon playdate.

Eventually, Palm gets tired and walks to shore nudging Larry for pets. He indulges Palm for a few minutes until Palm finally gets tired of him and flies away. AS if waiting for his turn, Star coos and shoves his head to Larry’s shoulder.

“Yes, yes, you have your turn.”

After a round of pets, they took to the air and are finally home. He finds his Flamigo perched on his balcony. Larry puts a bowl of cold water and a plate of treats for him then leave him alone to enjoy it.

The last half of his Sunday is spent doing half the laundry didn’t get to do yesterday and ironing five suites for the incoming weekdays.

Since he already ate his dinner, he cooks something simple, a minestrone soup with indulgent thin slices of beef. He watches movies for the rest of his night and goes to bed relaxed and satisfied.

Waking up to a cold Monday is a harshness that has gone dull for him. It’s not easy, but he’s used to the resisting pull from laying back down to bed.

He gets ready, makes breakfast, puts on his suit, and flies to Mesagoza.

The week repeats.

Chapter Text

“Larrrr-Beeaaaarrr”

Oh, dear God, no.

A piece of ass landed on his desk, right on top of his papers. Larry pinches the bridge of his nose and closes his eyes, hoping that this is all a dream.

“Helloooo, Larry-Bear!!” the person knocked on his desk.

Larry finally looks up, “Please don’t put your behind on formal documents, Luxy.”

“But then you’d ignore me!” Luxy whined, then posed right on top of his desk, flexing his bicep, butt still on Delico inc business permit. “Even though I bring great news to share with you!!” He looks to the side puffing his chest and combs back his coiffed hair. In the corner, Apel is swooning at him.

Larry knows for a fact it’s not news. Whenever Luxy ever goes into his division, it's always for one thing and one thing only.

“No.”

“But Larr-Bearr!! I guarantee there will be lots of beautiful women there!”

“I told you that it was the last time ever that I’ll join you.” Larry shivered at the memory. He still feels the scorching hot soup splashed against his chest and then down to his lap.

“I didn’t invite him again! In fact, he’s banned from my ever-fruitful group date.”

Larry doesn’t know about fruitful, most of the women that join the group date came for Luxy anyway.

“Please ask anyone else,” Larry dismissed and made a show of going back to reading the document despite it’s still covered half by Luxy’s ass.

“Yeah, man, I’ll go,” Gurt says from his desk.

“Not you, you’re too young.”

“Excuse you? I’m in my thirties??”

“But I particularly need you, Lar-Bear!” Luxy puts his hands on Larry’s shoulders, eyes big blue and sparkling. “They need someone the same age as you!”

“Winda is the same age as me.”

“I’m married,” Winda said cold-heartedly, it’s particularly chilling when Larry knows she’s not.

“See?! Please Lar-Bear! For the sake of my cupid reputation!!”

“I couldn’t care less.”

“I got us a reservation at The Goût Délicat, the owner’s gonna give us half price promo.”

Ah, now Larry remembers why Luxy managed to rope Larry into the group date last time. Luxy, the head supervisor of the public service department, always has his ways to get what he wants. Including getting a reservation to the brand-new fancy restaurant that just opened in the capital of Paldea with a bargain price to top it all off. Larry never gets to eat in those types of places, it being way too expensive for the comfort of his wallet.

Luxy might be a pushover extrovert, but the man knows how to play you fair and square. Larry hates group dates, especially Luxy’s, it’s always so flashy, but Larry knows fully well what he got himself into… all for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Once they’re in the classy high-end restaurant, he immediately knew his designated ‘older’ person that supposedly, he caters to. He feels a little silly in his regular suit because the woman he’s supposed to accompany only has a streak of grey hair as the tell of her age –Well, that, and the very fine lines around her mouth – but other than that, she seems sophisticated, cut-throat, and elegant in her satin blouse, pencil skirt, and heels. It’s supposed to be intimidating, Larry thinks, but he’s just relieved. Perhaps this means that she’s also here under duress.

“Larry,” he says once they’re seated across from each other, at the furthest end of the table. Larry says nothing more, and it makes the woman pause.

“Daiya.”

“Nice to meet you.”

She says nothing else, and it’s okay.

The group date consists of eight people. They’re all considerably young compared to Larry and Daiya. None of the women of the other party includes Larry in their conversation, while Daiya gave Luxy’s friends short and stiff answers that cut their interaction short. In the end, the rest of the entourage got the message and enjoy themselves chattering happily while leaving Larry and Daiya out of it.

Larry is beginning to understand the condition of the half-price promo. One of Luxy’s friends is a Selfgram star, and she’s not letting people eat until she takes a picture of every course. Thankfully she’s a professional, the food doesn’t get cold when she’s finished taking pictures.

It’s not until wine is provided with the third dish that Daiya begins to talk to him.

“So, you’re not interested in the date?” She says, sharp foxy eyes staring at him.

Larry stops mid-cut, “You didn’t seem like you do, either.”

“That’s true,” she says easily, sipping her wine. “You’re forced to be here?”

Larry sighs in relief, she doesn’t seem angry. “Is it that obvious?”

“As obvious as me peacocking to my ex.”

Larry blinks, “You what?”

Daiya smirks, giving a dangerous and very seductive look as she makes a show to turn her face toward the head waiter. The man in question had been staring at her and pointedly look away with a flush on his face. Larry doesn’t want to know, but it’s kind of amusing.

He chuckles, “Hah, I didn’t realize at all.”

“I figured. You don’t do a lot of dating,” Daiya says, point-blank.

“No, I don’t.”

“Why?”

The personal interest surprised Larry, coming from the woman that didn’t talk to him for 20 minutes straight.

“… I don’t like going on dates with strangers.”

“Huh…” Daiya takes another sip. “So, you don’t date.”

“Not really.”

“What do you mean not really?”

“It’s not that I don’t want to, being friends first is important to me.”

“A romantic, how surprising.”

“That’s romantic? Huh.” Larry pushes around his food. “I think it’s logic instead of romance. I don’t think it’s realistic nor safe to open up to strangers with that intention because we’d only talk about what will make ourselves more desirable instead of being ourselves first as a whole, which I think is more important for a relationship.”

“Talking to the other person about your good sides is a part of being ourselves though, as long as no one is lying.”

“I agree, I just think it’ll put a tinge of rose-colored filter, then when it’s all said and done, you finally saw the real person behind the relationship, and it’s not what you think. So, I believe that a connection shouldn’t be woven under the pressure or expectation of a relationship.”

Daiya studies him, and it surprises Larry that she seems to consider his thoughts. “Are you speaking from experience?”

“Yes.”

“So, you don’t want it at all?”

“It’s not like that either. It seems nice to have an intimate relationship like that, but it’s not something I prioritized in life.”

“Really… No pressure at all about settling down with someone?”

“I am settled down. I’m a self-sustaining adult living a steady life. I don’t think I need anyone to do that. I’m pretty happy with my life as is. Busy and tired and all.”

“I never thought of it like that.” Daiya circles around the mouth of the wine glass with her manicured red-nailed fingers. “Everybody in my life always says that it’s such a waste for someone like me to not have someone in my life.”

“What does ‘someone like you’ entail?”

“Beautiful and suuccesful.”

“Ah, still, I can’t see how that’s anyone’s problem but yours.”

“I know. It’s just pressure… from meaningful people. It holds weight when it shouldn’t.”

Larry hums, “That must be hard, I never had any pressure about relationships.”

“Is that so? Your family doesn’t beg you for grandchildren? They don’t push suitors at you? Give you match-making pamphlets? Signed you to a matchmaker company behind your back?”

Larry feels a tinge of sympathy for Daiya, “No, we don’t meddle in each other’s life that way.”

Daiya slumps a little, even then, it’s elegantly, “Oh, lucky you.”

“I can’t say I know how you feel, but that must be quite annoying to deal with. How have you been coping?”

“I kept thinking maybe they’re right. They make it so wonderful sounding.”

“For all its worth, you can always try again and see for yourself if you have doubts.”

“Hmmm.”

When Daiya says nothing else, Larry continues to focus on his meal, not noticing how Daiya’s eyes roam up and down at him.

She’s sensible enough to let him swallow his food when she asks, “Would you be open to a one-night stand?”

Larry’s eyebrows are gone to his hairline. More shocked than anything at the random question. “No, I don’t do casual sex. Sorry.”

“No need to apologize,” she shrugs. “Thank you for being blunt about it.”

“Was there another way I could’ve done it?”

“The lame way, for example, my ex over there said that he has a family emergency to bail on me. Then the woman that he cheated on me with posted his naked ass on Selfgram story, tagging me. I know it’s his naked ass because he has this birthmark right on his-”

After that, Larry doesn’t speak about anything else and lets Daiya rant about her ex a little louder than conversational. It’s highly personal and a little over-sharing, but Larry doesn’t mind it, as long as she doesn’t pressure him to respond to these embarrassing stories about a man he doesn’t even know. Despite everything, the group date doesn’t turn out as bad as last time.

The group date wraps up with people exchanging business cards with the person they’re interested in. Surprisingly, Daiya gave him hers.

“Just in case, you’re not so bad,” Daiya says easily. Larry looks down. A fashion designer, that one he’s not surprised at. He doesn’t ask what she meant by ‘just in case’, but out of politeness, he gave her his business card too.

“So, what do you think of the meal?” She asks out of the blue.

“It’s fine. Not really my thing. Kind of too fancy and complex, I don’t get the charm.”

“Yeah… We’ll never work.”

Both of them chuckle.

They all say their goodbyes and the group separates. Luxy puts his arm around Larry’s shoulders.

“I saw that!!” Luxy says happily. “I knew you’d score one of these days! I totally believed in you!”

“It’s not like that,” Larry shrugs his arm off, “Goodnight, Luxy.”

“I’M ROOTING FOR YOU LARR-BEARR!!!”

Larry waves to him without looking back and goes home. It’s a less disastrous group date Luxy ever dragged him to, Larry would give him that, but holy hell, never again.

That meal is way too expensive for what it's worth.

Chapter Text

The official elite four daily meeting is held every month. They usually talk about the condition of the gyms, gym leaders, and how many challengers arrived in Paldea. Sometimes they talk about the future of Paldea’s elite four, like right now when Poppy dropped the bomb most of them saw coming.

“Once elementary school starts, I’m quitting this lame group,” Poppy says, twirling her hair. No one is surprised but her grandfather.

Hassel’s jaw dropped, “But-but dear!!! You’re so skilled and you’re-”

“I know grandpa, I’m very strong and talented, that’s so obvious,” Poppy says, flipping her unflippable short hair. “It’s just that being the elite four is so so so so… boring.”

There it is.

“Initially, we did agree that Poppy would be a temporary member of the elite four since the previous member had retired,” Larry reminded.

“And not to undermine Poppy’s skill, but she’s ten. She shouldn’t have all these responsibilities that came with the position,” Geeta adds, and all of them nod, including Poppy, except for Hassel.

“It’s been nice having ya kid,” Rika says pinching Poppy’s cheeks.

“Hey!” Poppy pulls Rika’s hand away. “You just liked the trainers’ faces when a 10-year-old beat them!”

“Yeah, that’s what I meant.”

Hassel is looking at all of them like they’re all crazy, “WAIT! You all know??! Poppy! How could you only not tell your grandpapa that you’re leaviiiinngg!!” Hassel cries to the air theatrically, dramatically dropping on his hands and knees as he sobs.

Poppy put her hands on her waist, “I did so! But you always burst into tears before I get to say more. Like right now!”

“WAAAAAHHH I’M SO SORRY MY DARLING POPPYYY!!!!”

Poppy rolls her eyes but is patting her grandfather’s back to soothe him. She doesn’t seem phased by Hassel.

Distancing from the two, Larry, Geeta and Rika gather at the other end of the table to start the real talk.

“So, anyone got a candidate?” Rika says.

“The obvious choice, for now, is Nemona,” Geeta answers. “She had battled all of us in the pokemon league and won.”

“I agree,” Rika nods. “Nemona is strong, and she has the spirit of battle.”

“Though I do agree, I suggest you wait.” Both of them look at Larry, even Poppy and Hassel had stopped. “Before you choose, I have another potential candidate.”

Geeta raised an eyebrow, “A potential of it?”

“Yes, perhaps some of you have seen them, their name is Lettuce.”

“Oh,” Rika snaps her fingers. “The green-lookin’ kid?”

“Are they sick?” Poppy asks, returning to the conversation.

“No, not that kind of green.”

Hassel adds, “Ah, perhaps they’re partial to using recreational substance-”

“Not that kind of green either!”

“Do they like vegetables?” Poppy asks again.

“Not-…” Rika opens her mouth, then closes it, “You know what? Maybe.”

“Either way,” Larry says, “I think I see potential in Lettuce. I suggest that we give them the chance to go through Paldea’s pokemon league before we decide.”

Geeta nods, “If you think so, I value your consideration. Everyone in agreement?”

Rika hums, “I guess, I’d have to see this kid for myself.”

“Ooh! Me too!” Poppy raises her hand, “They’ll be a candidate for my replacement after all! I need to approve them!”

“But, my sweet Poppy, is it okay if you hold the chair a little longer?” Hassel asks.

“Yup! I guess now it’s kinda fun with the new trainer!” Poppy says with a wink. “Also, still got a long way to go in summer vacation!”

God, Larry feels old. What he’d do for a vacation.

They talk more about the flow of Pokemon battles in Paldea, but most of the talking points are preserved to be discussed with the full gym leaders meeting. The Elite Four of the Pokemon league aside from being the strongest in the region also acts as the legal representative of Pokemons and local trainers. They hear from the locals of all suggestions, criticism, and complaints around pokemons and discuss what they can do about it. Even at times, they issue regulations, write laws, represent in legal courts, and so forth.

At the moment, one of their pressing issues is Team Star, which after research, is a gang that’s been terrorizing Naranja’s young trainers, with squad bosses to boot. They’ve been going back and forth with Principal Clavell, who insists that he can handle it so far.

Another pressing issue – the most worrying – is the strange appearance of ancient pokemons that has no business being in the present time, seemingly coming out from Area Zero. Rika and Geeta share with them about the ongoing research in the crated by professor Sada and more about the great era of exploration. It’s all very worrying, and they need to do something about it.

“We need a real member of the elite four to help us with this,” Rika scratch the back of her head. “No offense Poppy.”

The ten-year-old narrows her eyes, “I’m gonna let that pass because I know the crater is scary.”

Larry feels a little bad for Rika and Geeta. The leadership of the Pokemon league rests mostly on Geeta as the leader and Rika as her secretary. Larry and Hassel can only help so much with their other job with the limited expertise in the field of their occupation. The person that Poppy replaced had been significant help, and now that they had needed him the most, he had run off to live the life of his dreams off-grid.

“I’ll communicate this with the school,” Hassel says, finally tear-free. “Hopefully we can form a team into the crater while we find our footing.”

“Thank you, Hassel,” Geeta says.

They briefed and a few minutes later, the meeting wrapped by 7 PM. Geeta treats them all to dinner in a nearby restaurant.

Geeta and Larry hang back as they let Rika, Poppy, and Hassel chatter about their day. Mostly Poppy though. Who knew a 10-year-olds’ social circle has so much drama? Even Geeta seems to be engaged by Poppy’s friend who had beef with her other friend over an XS Candy. Larry has a feeling that they’re all gonna miss Poppy a lot.

So, when Rika approached him to set up a farewell party for Poppy, he agrees.

Chapter Text

A loud thud wakes him up, again. Larry jolted up from his bed, bleary-eyed and confused. It takes a few seconds to gather his consciousness and look at the time, 1 AM, and the thud is followed by screaming from upstairs.

Sighing, Larry drops down to bed a little pissed, but once again, too tired to do anything about it, not that he can anyway. So, he puts on his earplugs and goes back to sleep.

Larry’s upstairs neighbors have been fighting in the last few months. The couple has been here for a few years. Larry didn’t pay them any attention until the fight. They’re a young couple, around their early thirties with no kids. They had seemed very romantic at first, and friendly to the others. The fight had been about infidelity, both of them cheated. The guy had done it way earlier and the girl did it back in revenge, now they’re fighting about which one is eviller.

How did Larry know all this, you may ask?

“Larry!!!” calls one of his neighbors, and the earth rumbles as he runs to the elevator. Ricky is a tall and bulky man, he has no business running this fast when he could’ve reached his destination in a few long strides. From the excitement in his eyes, Ricky has new info for him. “Did you hear what happened with 4-H???” his nose flared, unfurling his thick mustache.

“Hard not to,” since 4-H is on the fourth-floor room right on top of Larry’s while Ricky lives down the corridor to his.

“Did you hear what they’re talking about?” Ricky says, hands jittery, and eyes manically wide. He’s way too invested in this.

“I don’t know, I got right back to sleep.”

“Ugh!” Ricky groans. “I swear you’re the worst person to be close to this hot goss! Are you sure I can’t switch places with you just for a night?”

“No.”

“Not even for a free meal at my place? A week???”

“I’m saying no for your safety Ricky, from your wife.”

Ricky visibly shivers, “Yeah, you’re right. Guess I’d just have to catch up with Chantelle instead.”

Larry had thought that had been it.

+++++

The fight escalates, Larry isn’t surprised, but he sure as hell is annoyed by it. No, he has no empathy towards a ruined marriage between two adults that could’ve hashed it out together like their age.

He’s woken by one too many fights until he can’t stay silent anymore.

Larry finally talks to the landlady.

Marisa is an elderly well in her late sixties. Like a common grandmother, she’s a gentle-hearted and understanding sweet woman, but like any other landlady, she’s ruthless if you cross her.

“Alright, that’s it,” Marisa slaps her thighs and raises from her chair in a great effort. Larry is surprised that she’s angry at all. “I’m sick of all these yappings from my tenants.”

Larry stiffens, he had never angered Marisa before, “I-I’m sorry, Marisa. I’m just-”

“I’m not faulting you.” Marisa waved him off, “You’re the fifth person that complained this week, and I’ve had it. It’s policy at this point.” That’s true though. It’s not illegal for a landlord/lady to kick out a tenant under a cause of public disturbance. No matter what the cause.

Larry feels a little bad to be the last crack to make the whole thing break, but damn he’s so tired and they’re so damn loud.

Just before Larry left, Chantelle, another of his neighbor, come in with skidmarks behind her heels, eyes blazing.

“I have had enough!! Marisa, you have to kick out that couple before I do it myself and I will not be held accountable for what I’ll do!” Chantelle barks, her eyes carrying ‘Gucci bags’ as she likes to describe it.

“I thought you love the gossip,” Larry says unwisely because Chantelle locks on him and grabs him by the shoulder.

“There’s gossip where we enjoy slandering them from afar, then there’s being affected by it. Larry, I have not slept well for Three. Days.” Chantelle hissed, eyes bloodshot and Larry felt it.

“Unhand poor Larry, Chantelle,” Marisa scolds. “And I’m going to talk to them tonight once both of them are home.”

“Finally!” Chantelle theatrically falls to Marisa’s arm, “You’re an Angel, my savior, my grace from heaven, my mom!”

“Now, now, what would your own mother say to that,” Marisa chuckles, patting her back. “I expect Larry, but never you dear. I thought the fighting had gotten – in your words – juicier.”

Chantelle’s eyes glisten, “No! Because the drama doesn’t continue and they’ve resulted in meaningless screaming!”

“They were debating about the new house, apparently they’ve been building it for a while, down payment and all.” Two sharp eyes turn at Larry which made him immediately regret talking. He was just so tired from sleep deprivation that he didn’t think.

“Larry, dear,” Marisa put her unassuming hand on his shoulder, “It seems that you need some tea. I have a very good ginger tea at hand.” He’s doomed, he knows, no one says no to Marisa.

“I got some desert home, don’t look so devastated, darling,” Chantelle grins. “I’m also calling Ricky to placate you.”

“You meant to bribe me.”

“Yes, that’s what I said.”

Larry doesn’t think it’s that bad. He didn’t have any dinner plans anyway, and being bribed with food helps all the details fall out of his mouth. He’s starting to understand why people gossip, maybe. For him, the couple had been frustrating him. He doesn’t like the feeling of earplugs in his ears but want it or not, Larry had been subjugated by a telenovela he didn’t consent to hear at all. It seems that his enjoyment of gossip isn’t the same as Chantelle and Ricky who have been in various states of shock and excitement.

Larry endured one night of telenovela before he finally got a consistent good night's rest. The day after the couple is gone, Larry finds Marisa crowded by neighbors saying thank yous and begging her to pick a bachelor tenant.

Chapter Text

Out of all the trainers that he’s still in contact with, Nemona is the closest one to him, but that’s because Nemona is close to everyone. At first, it was a little endearing that a kid looks up to him, but now Nemona only bugs him to get herself a free lunch.

Larry doesn’t mind, he makes enough for the occasion extra meal, and Nemona isn’t bad company. Nemona is an extrovert and a cheerful passionate person that’s close with all the gym leaders. She has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and excitement, always looking to learn from whoever she can.

Today, she approaches him demanding lunch and to talk about a normal type pokemon she just found. Larry talks in length, then Nemona asks why Larry choose to be a normal type gym leader.

“They’re unremarkable, something I feel connected with.”

“But all of your normal-type pokemons are so strong!”

“I didn’t say they can’t be strong,” Larry smiles a little, proud of his pokemons. “I admire them, and I want to show how powerful they are in their non-special way. That just because they’re unremarkable, doesn’t mean they can’t be strong.”

“Aw, that’s so cute!!!”

“It is, a little.” Says a third voice.

“La-La Primiera!!”

“Geeta, hello,” He says politely, though her calling him cute makes him uncomfortable in their working relationship.

Nemona gasps, heart-eyed, “Geeta! Did you also think that Larry’s cute????”

“Ah, is that what you’re talking about? I thought it was about your new pokemon” Geeta chuckles, and Larry internally sighs. “You do have a special way of normal type pokemon that I’ve never seen anyone do,” She then says to Larry.

“Really??? What is it???” Nemona demands.

“Ah, well… it’s just depending on what skill your pokemon learn, really. How you team them up is also important.”

They talk more about it and at the end of lunch, Nemona is starry-eyed, thanking Larry before she bounces off to more adventures. Larry is already tired seeing how much energy Nemona is exuding. He wondered if he had that much energy when he was her age.

He walks with Geeta back to his office while Geeta looks at him vaguely. “She might beat you at your own game if you tell her all that.”

“Isn’t that a good thing though? A new generation taking on the normal type, even I know I can’t go on forever.”

“And you’re okay with that? That one day your glory will end?”

Larry chuckles, “What glory?”

“You’re one of the strongest normal-type gym leaders in the world, that’s no easy feat,” Geeta says factually, and Larry is more surprised at the praise than flattered at all. Geeta doesn’t do praises, which means that she must’ve gotten that fact somewhere. Which is… weird. Larry knows there’s a ranking somewhere, established just a few years ago, but Larry had never thought of seeing it, nor is it publicized in Paldea.

“I don’t really believe in measuring strength, but even if that’s true, it’s not my goal. I want to show anyone the strength of normal-type pokemons. If Nemona does, then I’m pretty content.”

“When we put you in the seat of the elite four, my only consideration had been your skill, your knowledge, and your sense of responsibility. I admit, this is surprising.”

“What is?”

Geeta only smiles mysteriously, “I’ll see you in our next meeting, goodbye Larry.”

Well, that’s a little disconcerting, but Geeta’s his boss so Larry lets it go.

Chapter Text

Larry is fifteen when he meets Star as a little Starly. His big brother is having his high school friends over to party at their house while their parents are on a business trip. His younger sister already bounced to her friend’s and have a sleepover. Larry isn’t so lucky. He has nowhere to go, not when the loud music still reached his room. He tried to tell his brother to not let his guest go to their wing, but he only told Larry not to be lame.

So, Larry puts up a tent on the side of the lake far away in their backyard. It’s not the first time this had happened, so he knows what to do, and the camping kit is always ready. Larry enjoys the view and calmness anyway, so it’s never that much of a bother.

It was the morning after that he stumbled upon a Starly. The pokemon usually evolves into a solitary pokemon when they become a Staravia but at a Starly phase, they supposedly never stray away from their nest-mates and parents.

Which is why when Larry saw the little Starly all alone, he tries to find its family. Larry looks up and finds them. A nest of Starlies suspended on top of a firm branch. A Staraptor is teaching a nest full of Starlies how to fly.

“Oh, did you fall?” Larry says to the Starly on the ground, receiving an adorable coo for a reply.

Larry takes the little Starly back to its nest, careful and anxious from the parent Staraptor that’s been glaring at him.

Larry thought that’s it and sets up his campfire to boil water for his cup noodle, until the same Starly drops beside him in a soft plop. After the landing, the Starly went near the fire pit and… nap, while its fellow siblings and parents already took to the air and fly in circles. Larry checked if the Starly is okay, and the pokemon seems okay with Larry touching him. So, he’s not in pain, just can’t fly.

“Don’t worry, you’ll get it sooner or later.”

Since then, Larry would go to the lake every day to check on the little Starly. Both because he’s worried and curious. Larry looked it up, turns out it’s detrimental for a Starly to fly with their family at an early age since it’s their time to learn from their parents about the essentials of surviving.

It’s the third day that Larry finds the Starly at the foot of the tree, seemingly in a daze. In a panic, Larry feeds it and its appetite is normal. The Starly doesn’t show any distress or sickly behavior from what Larry learned. Larry tried to teach it how to fly, throwing it gently into the air and catching it. The Starly barely makes an effort, and Larry feels he’s just playing with a feathery bouncing ball.

“Don’t you want to fly with your family?” He asks it in frustration, then soon realizes how crazy he’s behaving.

Larry can’t help it, he’s already so invested in the Starly’s well-being that he can’t stop worrying about the worst possible thing happening to the little creature.

In desperation, Larry did something he had never done before, doing something risky. He has all the precautions, including a very wide net. Larry looks up to its family in the air and then to the Starly, hopeful and determined, “You belong with them, little Starly. I want you to believe in me, as much as I believe that you’ll finally join them.”

With that determined one-sided speech, Larry uses all his strength to throw the Starly up in the air. Larry immediately gets the net, but it fell from his hands when he looks up, and the Starly finally joins its family.

“Yes!” Larry cheered. He can’t look away from the Starly, flying so happily with its family. He’s so glad that he’s able to help.

Larry sighs and slumps to the tree, looking out to the sparkling lake reflecting the bright summer sky. It’s quiet, something Larry prefers. Nothing fills it but the sound of water and wind.

“Coo!”

Larry pops his eyes open. He managed to see a Starly with its wings in full span before he gets a face full of feathers.

“Ow.” He looks at the Starly, the same Starly that had been struggling to fly is now flying like an expert as it lands on the bed of grass beside him.

The gears suddenly turn in Larry’s head. He… never really did see the Starly struggle to fly, not even when he tossed it. It just bounced from his hand like a ball.

“Did… did you just not want to fly?” Larry’s question falls to the deaf ears of the Starly that seems to be too busy chilling. “But, what about your family? Hey!” Larry pokes its fluffy side.

It coos happily, chasing Larry’s finger as if asking to be pet. Larry obliges listlessly, struck shocked at the Starly’s anomaly behavior. Little Starlies are meant to fly…

“But you’re happy here, aren’t you? You don’t always have to fly when they do.” Larry doesn’t know why his eyes sting. “I guess that’s okay too, I also prefer this… It’s peaceful, isn’t it?”

Ever since then, Larry tries to go to the lake whenever he can, never failing on finding the Starly even though his family had long gone flown to separate ways in their solitary nature. When Larry can’t go one day, the Starly finds Larry at his window. That day had been the most shocked he’s ever been when a loud thud hits his window to show a ruffled Starly. Larry can’t exactly place the emotions he felt when a solitary pokemon chooses him, Larry, who isn’t truly doing anything special for it. He names the pokemon Star, like the starry night he first flew at his window.

“Oh… is that yours?” His mother had asked, the first string of words she said to him after she’s been gone for a long business trip to direct a film.

“Yeah, he chooses me. His name is Star.” He’s been told that he’s stoic, but even his mother can see how excited he is, and how quickly he wilts at his mother’s hesitance.

“Are you sure? My friend had a shiny Shinx, I thought maybe you should give him a try,” his mother coaxed not for the first time, and it’s not the first shiny that she offered as well. By her side, her shiny Dragonair is tilting her face at Star. The two seem cordial as they greet each other. Before Larry answers her, the two pokemon are off playing.

“I’m sure mom, look at him,” Larry chuckles when Star puffs himself into a round feathery ball as Laura the Dragonair licks him.

His mother looked, and her expression is different than Larry’s. He had seen it on her face countless times, always at Larry. “Alright dear, if you say so,” She said, trying to be supportive, but Larry knows she’s disappointed in him yet again. “If you change your mind, let me know, okay?”

Larry sighs, “Okay, mom.”

A few minutes after she left, his sister barges in, “Mom said you finally got a pokemon???” Her Sylveon also trots inside in the same manner, as entitled to the space. Their eyes land on Larry’s bed where Star is tucked like a ball, unbothered. “Whaaat? A normal-type boring-ass Starly??? Laaaaame!!” just like that, she left.

That night, Larry cuddles with Star to sleep, clinging a little closer than most nights. Bless his heart–Star the solitary pokemon– stayed with him through the night.

+++++

Larry steps out of the building to the large shade of his Staraptor flying over his head. It’s been twenty-one years since he first met Star when he can still carry the pokemon in his arms. How time flies.

Star lands in front of him, cooing and nudging his head to Larry’s chest.

Larry smiles a little and rubs his feathery head. The normal pokemon couldn’t be any more normal, but Star has always been special to Larry.

In the end, it’s what makes all things precious.

Chapter Text

“Hey, Larry!!!” calls Bella, Ricky’s wife. The middle-aged woman approaches him in the hallway to his apartment. The white streak in her black hair is flailing in the air as she speedwalk toward him. Still clad in her work clothes of overalls.

“Hello Bella, how’s it going?”

“Oh you know, work splitting my back in two.”

Larry felt that.

“By the way, Potluck is up this Saturday, you coming?”

“I should be able to. What do you want me to bring?”

“Would it be okay if you make the loaded baked potato salad?” Bella asked sheepishly.

“Of course,” It’s one of the easier things he can make.

Bella brightens up, “Thank you! Ricky and I had been dying to eat it again!”

Larry doesn’t know what’s worth dying about a simple potato salad, but he let her and her husband have that happiness.

Time flies, and before he knew it, it’s Saturday.

He buys the ingredients he needed on Friday after he got home from work, sans the pickled cucumbers he bought the week before that he had added with more spice to marinate. It’s called a loaded baked potato salad because it’s what it said in the recipe book given to him years ago. A potato salad with baked potatoes included crispy skin, he also added pieces of crispy candied bacon to it. For acidity, he added the spiced-up pickle juice and a splash of vinegar. For creaminess, he added mayo and mustard. For crunch, he added pickled cucumbers, boiled carrots, and sweet apples then sprinkled the mixed salad with toasted panko. What resulted is this toasty, creamy, crunchy, sweet, savory, and tangy potato salad.

The potluck is held on the rooftop of the apartment, and the moment he steps in, the air smells savory of grilled beef. He’s the last one there and it’s a full house of his usual neighborhood potluck.

Bella, the one who approached him about the barbeque, runs a butcher and lives down the hall from Larry’s floor with her husband Ricky, who owned a barbeque restaurant. Bella provided the meat while her husband provides the sauces and cooks. His fellow gym leader, Katy, is also here, bringing cornbread to accompany the barbecue. She’s visiting her long-time girlfriend, Chantelle, a chocolatier in Medali who brought desert and lived right under Larry. Oliver lived on the top floor, he runs a brewery and provided craft beers. Larry brings side dishes. For tonight, it’s his potato salad. Then there’s Marisa who owns the apartment building and lets them have this little gathering. He also pulls together some tables, chairs, grills, a portable fire pit, and lighting for the roof.

It’s a casual and chill group of neighborhood friends. It started with three people, Marisa, Ricky, and Bella, who then invited people they knew who invited other people. It’s been the seven of them for a few years now though. They don’t have the potluck regularly nor has it always been a full house due to life and work, but it’s always been relaxing.

Oliver is the one who spots him first, looking up from the camping chair. “Salads here!” He announced to the group.

Bella made space in the table of food for Larry’s big bowl.

“Hey, Larry!” Ricky says from the grill, his hands don’t stop tending to the meat despite looking at Larry. “I’ve heard some bad news high-up. The new director hadn’t let up?” That’s Ricky, ever the gossip.

Larry sighs, “No, it’s been getting worse actually. He’s been getting more comfortable in ordering us around.”

“Making the bureau his little military camp, didn’t he?” Ricky tuts, “That sucks.”

“Right.”

“Well, then, the more reason to not talk about it, if you don’t want to!” Bella steps in and gives Ricky a scolding look whose properly chastised.

“That’s right man, c’mere!” Oliver put his lanky long arms around Larry’s shoulder and shove a can of beer with his brewery logo. It’s a new one that Larry hadn’t recognized. “It’s a new brew, pretty proud of it.” He winks.

“I swear,” Chantelle murmurs, already having a full plate in her hand, chewing on Larry’s potato salad. “One of these days I’m going to figure out what exactly is in these that makes it so good.”

“I can’t tell you. How else am I gonna pull my weight for barbeque?”

“I personally think your mac and cheese is better,” Katy says, “But this is a close second!”

Larry takes two full plates and gives one to Marisa. The elderly woman is tending to the fire in the portable pit. Marisa smiles softly at him as she gratefully takes the plate. “What did you make this time, dear?”

“It’s the potato salad.”

“My favorite.”

She said that no matter what Larry brings.

They eat, relax, and catch up under the stars in the presence of good people, good food, and good company.

Larry called these gatherings his little vacation, he always feels comfortable and relaxed. It fills up his social meter slow and steady instead of a shock of abundant interactions and expectations.

They talk about news, gossip, and personal lives depending on who. Ricky, Chantelle, and Marisa are the chatterboxes in the group, the rest don’t talk much. It’s perfect for Larry who can simply relax and not be pressured to socially perform. Ricky is gushing over about his kids, Chantelle rants about rude customers and tourists, and Marisa is telling them about the new tenant that replaced the fighting couple that had lived above Larry.

“He’s lovely. Very polite, a little skittish from being in a new region,” Marisa informs. “A bit shy too.”

Then Bella asks the most important question of all, “Is he single?”

“Yes.”

They all collectively sigh in relief.

Chapter Text

Just as he expected, Lettuce pass through the pokemon league like a breeze. Larry can even openly admit that Lettuce had passed embarrassingly easily. Nemona was all fired up when she saw Lettuce get through. She kept insisting Lettuce become her rival even though they kept saying no. The conversation still goes on around “YOU!! ME!! RIVAL!!! YES!?” “No.” until Larry had to walk away to his office. Larry didn’t even know they were close.

“WE ARE NOT CLOSE!” Nemona insists, blasting his ears. “We’re rivals! Get it right, Larry!”

“Yeah, I gave up on it eventually,” Lettuce says consolingly from his right.

There he was, Larry surrounded by teens, buying all three of them lunch. Nemona is the one that dragged them here to Larry, Lettuce keeps giving him apologetic looks. Then there’s Arven, who politely says hello to him with an awkward smile. Right now, Arven is holding back and quietly laughing along with his other two bickering friends. Arven’s Mabostiff is obediently lying down under the table, Larry caught Arven sneaking a piece of his chicken cutlet or two under the table.

Larry doesn’t know how he finds himself at a table of kids, but he’s often swept by people like them anyways, so it isn’t a strange day for him.

“Arven! Why are you so quiet, my dude?” Nemona asks.

Arven jolts and laugh awkwardly, “Ah, I’m just tense for our next mission, bu-but I’m also very fired up!”

“Ah, good then, thought you chickened out!”

“Where are you kids going?” Larry asked.

“We’re going inside Area Zero!!”

Screeech, what? “Inside?”

“Yup!” Nemona cheers. “We’re gonna go in there and investigate what’s up with these ancient pokemons popping around!”

“You kids are going inside a dangerous crater that used to be a volcano, that even adults had abandoned to be hopeless and dangerous,” Larry says flatly.

“Heeeeell, yeah!”

Larry looks at Lettuce for help, but the teen only shrugs, “Got nothing else to do, probably we’ll be okay.”

“It’s going to be fine!” Arven says, rather passionately. “We have Koraidon!”

“…Who?”

“We’ll show you after,” Lettuce says.

“Okay, who’s Koraidon?”

“Our pokemon friend!”

“An ancient pokemon!” Arven corrects Nemona.

Oh, God no.

“Don’t worry Larry,” Lettuce pats his shoulder. “We got the go from Geeta and Clavell.”

“Right, will you excuse me for a second?”

Larry gets up and steps outside Treasure Eatery to call Geeta. It takes a few rings before his boss finally picks up.

“Geeta.”

“It’s Larry. Sorry for bothering you during your break, but I need to crosscheck something with you. I was told by Lettuce, Nemona, and Arven that they are going to Area Zero to fix the ancient pokemons problem. Is that true?”

“Yes, Clavell had briefed me.”

Larry was struck surprised, “Boss, they’re students, kids.”

“They’re the top of their class, pokemon champions, and Arven is the best medic Naranja can provide. Supposedly, another student named Penny will join them.”

So, four children and a strange unknown pokemon, damn… “Wasn’t the plan to get experts to handle this?”

“I did contact HQ, but the problem had gotten worse and they’re the best that we can have right now.”

“They’re children!”

“My decision is made, Larry,” Geeta’s voice is severe, no non-sense, and Larry knew he had pushed too far.

“Right, I’m sorry, Boss.”

Geeta huffs, “Is there anything else?”

“No.”

Geeta hangs up promptly and Larry sighs defeatedly. What has the world come to? Larry would’ve come if he isn’t tied with three collars of responsibility. Larry goes back inside to the teens having a heated conversation about pokemon battles. He tunes them out and finishes his meals. A pile of onigiri, his ultimate comfort food whenever he’s down and loathes to think anything complicated.

A while later, Larry goes up to the cashier to pay but then Lettuce cuts in front of him, putting down their card.

“Mine is the soba noodles and lychee soda,” they said to the cashier.

“What? Lettuce, Larry is treating us!” Nemona said.

“Yeah? Larry didn’t say anything about that though.”

“Pssh, he doesn’t have to. Of course the adults pay.”

Lettuce narrows their eyes, “Sure, we’re kids that’s too young to pay for our meals, but none of that crosses the mind when we’re dipping ourselves into the deep down dark deep down dead volcano, huh?”

“Uh… yeah?”

“Fuck sake, Nemona! The guy worked three jobs and strugglin’ to stand on his feet, and you’ve been robbing him of his livelihood when you’re already rich with little kids’ money from pokemon battles you decimate them with!”

“What! No I don’t!” Nemona squawks. “And you rob those little kids with your overpowered Tinkaton too!”

“Yeah! And thanks to Taffy, I’m paying for my own meals with my hard-earned little kids’ cash!... or credit! Yes, credit please,” They say the last notion to the cashier.

“Even though questionable. Lettuce is right, it’s only polite,” Arven sighs and puts down his card.

The cashier is looking at them amusedly while Larry only sighs for being talked about as if he’s not in between them.

“I’m not struggling so badly, Lettuce. It’s okay, let’s count this as my good-luck-cheer for you guys,” Larry says, completely flat.

“Yeah? Why are you working three jobs then if you’re not struggling?” Lettuce crossed their arms.

“Uh…”Larry ignores them. “Please use this card,” he says to the cashier who graciously doesn’t comment.

They walk out of the restaurant with a huffing Nemona, an awkward Arven, and Lettuce ignoring them all.

“As promised, I introduce to you…Koraidon” Lettuce whistled and out of nowhere, a pokemon he had never seen before appeared in a twinkle. A four-limbed red pokemon with spiky furs and slitted eyes is staring at him like a meal. “Koraidon, meet Larry.”

Larry pinches the bridge of his nose, and even though Koraidon looks impressive, that still doesn’t rebuke his point.

“Are you sure about this?” He asks them. “You shouldn’t do this. It’s too dangerous for you. I probably can-”

“We have to do this!” Arven spoke out, tense and hands clenched. “We-well, I do! I have to do it. I have to be the one that goes down there!” They all look at Arven, shocked by his burst of fire. “The head researcher, Professor Sada, she’s my mother.”

Larry’s eyes widen, “I… I didn’t even know.”

“Never mentioned me now, did she?” Arven says bitterly through gritted teeth.

Larry understood the feeling, though never expressed as anger, “Only at first, then…” Truth is, Professor Sada’s son is only mentioned in passing, Larry never even knew her child’s name.

“She used to send me emails, even though it’s short. She went dark for years, and I need to know what happened.” Arven looks at him with determined eyes, “Please, Larry! I need to find her. I want to confront her! I want to know if all this research is worth abandoning her son!”

Though Arven to speaking with fire and determination, there’s no mistaking the anger and heartbreak in his eyes. Larry looks at the other two kids for help.

“I got nothin’ else to do,” Lettuce shrugs.

“ADVENTURE!” Nemona exclaims.

Larry sighs, massaging his temple, “Please promise me that you’ll be careful, at least.”

They did, as the three of them hop on Koraidon’s back and ride away into the mountains. Larry wishes they’ll come back safe and sound.

Chapter Text

Larry doesn’t hide the fact that he worries about the Area Zero team constantly. It’s been a full day and there is no news of them. He tried to contact the kids, but it all fell to a dead line, there was no signal at the bottom of the volcano, after all.

It isn’t until the next day at lunch that Larry spots Lettuce’s bright green hair.

“Larry!” Lettuce waves to him from another end of the road, Nemona and another person in tow. At the sight of them, Larry sighs heavily in relief. “We survived!”

That joke is way too soon, but Larry let it slide. “I’m glad. None of you got hurt?”

“All fine and dandy!” Nemona grins.

“By the way, this is Penny, she's the surprise member of our team,” Lettuce introduces.

Penny yelped at being addressed and nods at Larry. She seems shy. Larry nods back

“Where is Arven?” He asks

“He didn’t want to come with, said he wants to rest or something,” Nemona shrugs as if she doesn’t understand. “He’s been holed up in his tower since we came back last night.”

“Well can ya blame him?” Lettuce shakes their head, “The guy’s been dying to meet his mom only to find that she’s been dead for years.”

Kids, they say the darndest thing. It was the second time they made Larry’s mind screech halt.

“Excuse me, Professor Sada is dead??” Larry almost raises his voice, but his exhaustion can’t meet up the expectation of his emotions. “But the Pokemon League and Professor Sada had been corresponding.”

“Yeah, turns out it was her robot clone that’s been acting as Professor Sada this whole time,” Nemona says helpfully. “Now that Clone got time traveled back in time too. It’s been wild.”

With all that aside, Larry feels a pang of pain for Arven. The kid had thought he was abandoned and then found out he has been an orphan instead.

“Have you checked on Arven today?” Larry asked.

“No, he made it clear yesterday that he wants to be left alone,” Lettuce answers.

“It’s okay,” Penny speaks up timidly. “Arven gets like this sometimes. He often retracts to himself whenever there’s something overwhelming. I think he’ll come out fine in a week or so.”

Penny’s input is giving an even worse picture of what’s happening to Arven. If the kid is already repressing his emotions, this big one isn’t going to end well.

A gnaw of worry eats Larry up. Someone so young shouldn’t be left alone with that much sadness to process it. Larry can’t stop thinking about it, there’s something in the depths of his subconscious that keeps hurting.

That’s how he’s at the front door of Poco Path Lighthouse after work with a basket of pre-made meals and isotonic drinks. Star is staying on the ground with him since Larry will only check Arven quickly.

Larry knocks and is surprised when he’s met with hostility.

“I told you that I don’t want to come out!” Arven screams from behind the door. “I don’t want to see anyone! Can’t I just- Have a moment to myself??!”

Larry feels a little bad, but he’s relieved that Arven is still there at least, “Sorry for bothering you.”

“Wha-Wait, you’re not-?? Gosh, Larry, I’m so sorry! I- uh, let me just…”

Larry hears a lot of ruckus from behind the door, something heavy dropped and Larry cringed.

“It’s okay, Arven. I’m just dropping some food and drinks for you,” Larry supplies and Arven suddenly goes very quiet. “I heard from Lettuce today, I’m sorry for your loss.”

Arven pause, before a wet voice says, “… it’s fine.”

“No, Arven, it’s not fine, and that’s okay too.”

“She’s never around anyway!” Arven snaps back defiantly, “Nothing changed whether she’s alive or not.” Larry doesn’t miss the way Arven’s voice breaks apart at the end, even though the door still keeps them separated.

Then, Larry starts to remember that familiar gnaw in his heart, why he can’t step away from the grief of the kid he barely knows.

“It does change something, Arven,” Larry tries. “She might be absent, but you’ve been expecting her to come home sooner or later. You’ve believed that she exists all this time, only away. And now… now she’ll never come home.”

There’s a long pause, Larry thinks that Arven must’ve left him by the door. He was about to leave the basket on the front door before a scratchy voice says, “You don’t get it…” The smallest sob escapes. “She doesn’t deserve my tears, she doesn’t deserve to be mourned. She-she abandoned me! She chose that research, she–she chose to go deeper, and she doesn’t choose me. She never chooses me!”

Larry stands there and tries to be strong as he hears the wet sobs of the boy behind the door. Heartbreaking and muffled as if Arven is still actively trying to stay quiet and hide it. It’s all too familiar, hitting too close to home. Larry gives Arven a few minutes to calm down a bit until he speaks again.

“Have you ever heard of Gloria Franca?”

Arven’s pause is telling of his confusion, “The director? The one that made all the famous movies? What’s she got to do with anything?”

“She’s my mom.”

“…Wait, what? Larry, you’re-!” Arven made the connection himself, “…Oh.”

“The dozens of movies she produced came with a price. I barely see her. I can count on one hand the conversation we had that lasted more than thirty seconds where she was not just talking at me. She died when I was 19, and I felt so empty…” It’s been decades since then, yet Larry can still feel the pinprick of his grief, deep down. “Despite everything, she is still your mother. Their lack of existence in our lives doesn’t mean that they didn’t leave a mark. It’s not whether or not she deserves to be mourned. Mourn for yourself, Arven. You still lost your mother. Sometimes what we mourned about is losing the chance of having the mother we wished we had.”

Arven goes quiet again, but if Larry listens closely, tuning out the wind and the waves, he can hear Arven breathing deeply.

Larry worries even more, but he had done all that he can do. He hopes that he didn’t make things worse. “I have a basket of premade meals and isotonic drinks with me. I’ll leave it on your doorstep here. Please take care of yourself, okay?”

When Larry hears nothing more from Arven. He says good night and starts to leave.

Larry and Star start to walk down from the knoll where the Lighthouse stands solitary and lonely. Star needs the even ground to take off. They manage to move a couple of steps before Arven opens the door.

“Wait!” Arven says breathlessly. His hair is awry, like they’ve been pulled, still wearing the same clothes Larry saw on him yesterday. His face is wet and flushed, eyes red and glistening. Arven sniffs wetly, “Does it… does it ever…Will I ever stop hating her?”

Larry recalls faintly of his 19-year-old self, asking himself the exact same thing. “Do you want to?”

The question caught Arven off guard and the boy stops crying, “Wha-what? I-I don’t know… I just- I don’t know!” He rubs his face so hard it looks painful. “I just, hate her! For leaving me. For not being here when I grow up. For never showing up. Now she’s dead!”

“And you don’t know who to put your anger towards,” Larry completes. Arven watches him sadly and nods. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. You don’t ever have to forgive her if you don’t want to… I’m sorry Arven, the answer to all your anger and sadness can’t come from her anymore. It has to come from you.” In an instant, Arven’s eyes tear up again. “I don’t recommend you being alone in this stage of grief. Do you have someone you can stay with? Someone to check up on you?”

Arven shakes, which could be from the cold night air of the sea or the way he starts another sobbing cry, “The-there’s… Grandpa Kevin and Grandma Esmeralda lived there,” he points to the lone house at the foot of the knoll. “They’re the ones that my mother left me to. They’ve… They’re the ones that have been raising me.”

“I think it’ll be better for you if you stay with them for a while.”

Arven only frowns, looking down while fidgeting with his hands, “They didn’t know. I-I haven’t told them. Can-can you do it?”

“Of course,” it’s barely anything if he can get Arven the help he needs.

The elderly couple seems to be in their sixties, they have kind eyes and are soft-spoken. When Larry told them about Arven and his mom, they seem to be genuinely heartbroken for Arven. Kevin goes to the lighthouse to get Arven and tells him to live with them until he feels better while Larry stays with Esmeralda and helps her with making extra dinner for Arven.

“Kevin and I don’t interact a lot with Sada, always busy that girl,” Esmeralda reminisces. “We were already settled in when Sada and her husband moved to the lighthouse. We didn’t know much, but the husband moved out a few years later, and she would pay us to babysit Arven. One day she told us that she will be leaving for an undetermined time so that she’ll wire us money every month for the cost. Years passed by since then and eventually, Arven grew out of the age needed to be babysat, but until now, she’s still wiring us money. I never would’ve thought that she…” Esmeralda wipes the tears welled up in her eyes. Larry takes over cooking so she can collect herself.

Once Arven arrived with Kevin, Esmeralda moved so fast to go from point a to point b and swallowed up Arven in her arms, Kevin joins in immediately as Arven starts to sob. Larry feels like he’s intruding on a tender moment, but he stays until the three break apart to eat.

When Larry tried to excuse himself, Esmeralda insists he joins dinner while Kevin hits pats his back to just cave into his wife’s whims. “She ain't gonna hear nothin' from you boy. And you're way too skinny for your own good.” Been a while since Larry is called a boy.

So Larry sits for a second dinner –he didn’t get to eat a lot on the first one – thinking it’ll be awkward, but Esmeralda and Kevin fill in the silence for the four of them. They are obviously not talking about what had happened, their questions are more directed to Larry and retelling stories of when Arven was a kid. Larry feels a little prodded and awkward for listening to Arven’s personal story, but Arven had stopped crying and bantered with the couple instead, and… it feels nice. They’re friendly and it’s always nice to eat with someone.

Once dinner is over, Arven sees him off.

“They seem like good people,” Larry nods to the inside of the house.

Arven smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes. He was distracted but not anymore, “They are. I… spent more time with them than my own parents…” Arven’s eyes look empty, and Larry recognizes it.

Without thinking a second time, Larry gives Arven his business card, “I know we just met and we barely know each other, but I’m here if you just want to talk. Remember that you don’t have to go through this alone. You are grieving, your feelings are real and never wrong.”

Arven takes the card, eyes cast down while chewing on his lip, “…Thank you. Truly… I don’t what I’d do if…” Arven stops, he’s trying hard to hold. “Thank you,” he says again.”

“You’re welcome… Good night, Arven.”

“Night.”

Larry looks back when Arven closes the door, Esmeralda and Kevin are already by his side.

A wave of relief washes over him when Larry knows for sure that Arven won’t go through what Larry had, alone.

Chapter Text

“Mom, Dad, please… can’t you just stay? Just for today?” Ten-year-old Larry begs, not knowing any better.

His dad is fixing a soft pink sash that goes over his sky-blue suit. His dark hair is combed back and his blue eyes striking as they’re framed in long dark lashes and shimmery nude eyeshadows. The people on TV and social media said that he was the sexiest man alive last year. Larry doesn’t know what that meant.

“And I’ve told you times and times again,” His dad isn’t smiling like in the magazine, for the dozens of times, he’s scowling at Larry. “This is the Emmys! And I starred in one of the most prolific billion-credit movies of the decade! Why can’t you understand how much this means to me?” the middle-aged man says to his ten-year-old son.

“But… but it’s-”

“Honey! Have you seen my Jimmy Choos?” His mom rush to the living room, adorned in jewels and a sharp tapered black suit. Her dark hair is peppered with white. Her dark eyes are covered in red contact lenses and her lashes are coated with red mascara.

“Which collection, babe?” He looks at her wife. “Ah, of course, the blood crystal. Sorry, I borrowed it, let me get it.” He then disappears into the walk-in shoe closet.

His mom finally looks at him after the entire day of ignoring him with her prep, “Why aren’t you dressed?” She huffs exasperatedly, “Zivka!!” She calls.

“No, mom, wait-”

“Yes, ma’am?” The middle-aged pale woman emerged with Larry’s sister in tow, already dressed in a fluffy pink tulle dress and sparkly shoes. His brother follows in tow, dressed to the nines in a bomber jacket, heavy cargo pants, and thick shoes.

“Why is Larry not dressed?” She quips at their helper, who already seems overwhelmed from doing his sister's hair for the past couple of hours.

Zivka looks at Larry apologetically, “He told me he doesn’t want to come because-”

“Larry…” His mother groaned, “Why aren’t you coming? I prepared a suit for you!”

Larry bites his bottom lips, eyes in tears, “But I told you I didn’t want to come.”

“You didn’t tell me that.”

“I did! I so did!”

“Why didn’t you want to come? There’s going to be lots of food!”

“I hate parties like that, mom, I told you…” The last time they brought Larry to their famous people gathering had been so scary. The other kids are mean, and they kept teasing Larry for being quiet and for not knowing where their clothes and jewelry are from. Larry doesn’t even care about things like that, he has no one to talk about homework with.

Larry’s eyes are getting watery, and his mom finally sighs, “Fine, if you don’t want to go, you can stay here with Zivka.” She addressed Zivka, “I’m sorry for this, I’m going to pay you double from the usual rate, please.”

“It’s okay, ma’am. I understand,” Zivka sighs, moving to Larry’s side and patting his head.

“Mom… can you really not stay?” Larry tries again, his brother whose been off on his phone groans and gags. His sister is too busy twirling in her dress.

His mom only looks at him, disappointed, even though she tries not to show it, “Honey, you know mommy worked really hard to direct this film, right?”

“I do, mom,” Yes, Larry knows exactly how hard his mom and dad worked for this film, the one they did together, they haven't been home for months. Once they do, they’re always too busy doing something else and be home late. “I’m really happy for you, I bet it’s great.”

“It truly is,” his mom smiles proudly. “It’s not too late to change your mind, honey.”

Larry immediately shrinks, “But I-”

“UGH, Mom!!” His brother whined, “If you’re taking Larry then we’re going to be late! They’re gonna run out of shrimps!” His sister is hanging off his brother, then he’s too busy pushing her face away from his phone as she wails.

“Stop it you two!! Larry, last chance.”

“But Mom, it’s my-”

“I got it, babe!” His dad comes in with crystalized red heels, “Sorry, I forgot it was in my other closet.”

His mom huffs and glance at her watch, “We should go, now. Sorry again, Zivka. Feel free to sleep over, I’ll still pay double. Come on kids!”

In a quick snap, they all left the front door and Larry’s voice is too weak for them to hear “… but it’s my birthday…” Larry’s eyes went glassy.

“I’m sorry, Larry,” Zivka put her arm around Larry’s hunched shoulder, and Larry latches onto her hips and cry. “I tried to remind her.”

“It’s okay,” Larry rubs his eyes.

“Hey, let’s celebrate it ourselves, yeah? Do you want cake?”

Larry shakes his head, Zivka sighs, “Alright, do you want to choose some other stuff from my cookbook?” With that, Larry lights up and nods.

Zivka has a binder, thick with add-in papers of recipes. Larry goes through it and noticed that the papers are different. The more that Larry reads the recipes, the more he relaxed, forgetting about his parents and siblings going away.

“Zivka, why are the papers different?”

“Oh, that’s because it’s added by different people,” Zivka says in the middle of putting laundry in the machine. “That recipe book is one that is given down from many generations!”

Larry looks up at her, eyes wide and shiny, “Wow! I didn’t know that you’ve been making us your family recipes! Did you add one too?”

“Of course! I have added two recipes so far. The first one is the loaded baked potato salad,” Zivka chuckles when Larry makes a face at the word ‘salad’. “The other one is milk and honey layer cake.”

“Oh! That sounds delicious! Can that be my birthday cake?”

“Are you sure? There’s a swamp log cake there that I think you’ll like more. It’s shaped like a tree log with little frog decorations and caramel sauce!”

“But I want to try your recipes,” Larry stare at her with big pleading eyes.

Zivka sighs softly, unable to resist. “Of course, after I did laundry.”

“Here! Let me help!”

Zivka chuckles, “Thank you, sweet boy.”

Larry smiles so big it hurts. He loves when Zivka compliments him, even though his mother told him time and time again that he shouldn’t bother Zivka, so Larry helped instead.

Whenever it’s the kids' birthday, his parents usually call an event organizer for the celebration. Larry didn’t like it at all, he barely knew anyone, and the food is not up to his taste. The gifts given to him are nice, but mostly he doesn’t wear, like big uncomfortable shoes and accessories. The toys are nice though, even though he has too much of the same one that he doesn’t know what to do with.

He had wanted a birthday party just with family, and they left.

Zivka stays with him the whole day, keeps him busy, and plays tag and hide'n'seek with him. Until it’s finally cake time, and they make them together. It’s the most delicious cake Larry ever tasted. Just him and Zivka. She cheered and clap when Larry blows his eleven birthday candles. As a gift, Zivka gave him a pair of socks with Larry's favorite cartoon on them.

Zivka tucks him to bed a little later because it’s his birthday, and Larry falls asleep smiling.

It was the best birthday he ever had.

In the morning, his mom approaches him –still hungover and tired from the after-party– to apologize to Larry for missing his birthday. She told him that they’ll celebrate this weekend. Larry said she didn’t need to. The birthday party is still enacted anyway, and Larry is only there for candle-blowing and gifts. The rest of the day he wanders to the backyard and found a lake. He stays there until the party is over.

+++++

It’s Sunday, and Larry is too tired and lazy to go out. There isn’t any new restaurant or dish enticing enough to move his feet. So, he flips through the cookbook, careful to flip the papers through the ring binder.

Larry spots a familiar recipe that instantly makes him feel nostalgic.

Milk and Honey Layer Cake.

Larry had to go out and buy honey, but it’ll be worth it.

Larry remembers vividly how good it taste, and how good it made him feel whenever he eats it. Even after all these years later.

Chapter Text

Nature Day is coming, one of Paldea’s most important national holidays. The employees don't come to work on the date of the holiday, but as a government function, celebrating it is both mandatory and politically important.

Koyo –Larry’s Boss– is tasking the employees to organize a celebration of Nature Day in BoLM. At the same time, he expects work to go on as usual. Larry feels bad for his department since tasks like these always fall on the shoulders of the employees as if they didn’t have a job. So they divide some tasks to make it work –Larry’s division does it, at least. They still do their job, but Larry helps with the work that anybody can do. Which is how Larry found himself with Apel’s workload as she’s running around with another division’s fresh hire to put on the décor and arrange food and beverages for tonight.

Larry can even hear Koyo from the ground floor main hall all the way up to his floor, micromanaging the green fresh hires. Larry feels for them and shamelessly feels fortunate that he’s no longer in their place.

When the sun had set once the work hours had ended, the party is on. The party isn’t bad at all, a touch more extravagant than Larry would expect for a mere office party. There’s enough food and drinks, and the stage where Koyo stands to give a speech is sturdy enough to support Koyo’s broad physique and the ginormous head of his. Apel and a few other fresh-hire are outside on the balcony, sitting and laying down, having their own celebration.

After Koyo gives out his speech, Geeta takes the stage for a few thanks and another round of speech. Larry didn’t know that Geeta would be here, he looks around and noticed that all of the elite four is attending as well. Larry’s previous boss usually set up Nature Day with the basics: A performance of Paldea’s traditional music and dance then followed by a buffet. Though from the famous political guests around and his previous micromanaging, Koyo has another take on it.

Larry planned to stay in the corner with a plate of finger food and not talk, but from the way Geeta is approaching him, his plan not only exploded into a million pieces, his whole day is about to get ruined. There’s a reason why no one talks about Larry being an elite four –though Hassel himself doesn’t mind the publication and being swarmed by his students– Larry loathes being paraded around. Larry had specifically requested that his involvement as an elite four be kept silent, he doesn’t want the public to know. Geeta is eye-catching and famously no-nonsense. On God, if people find out he’s one of the elite four-

“Larry,” Geeta nods in greeting, Larry wants to disappear on the spot.

“Good evening, Geeta.” Larry is not one to snap at his boss, but he made it obvious in his tone of voice that he was uncomfortable and disliked it. Geeta –of course– keeps talking.

“I’ve managed to get an expert on our crater problem. A scientist, zoologist, and geologist of the sorts.”

“I thought the area was considered handled by the Naranja’s students.”

“I did, but Pokemon Associations picked up the scent of the Terastal phenomenon and deems Area Zero needing to be fully investigated. They didn’t know what Professor Sada was doing there all these times, only knowing that she was there to discover pokemons that only live in the crater before the reports stops and they assumed she had found nothing.”

“Only that she wasn’t discovering pokemons, she’s experimenting with a portal.”

“Yes, something the Association can’t tolerate, a disbalance in the Pokemon ecosystem.”

The reports probably stopped even before she died, Larry thought. Monopolizing information for personal publication isn’t a new practice among ambitious scientists. He agrees though, that Area Zero needs to be investigated and not just left open then and there. Someone also needs to do something with the ancient Pokemon littering around.

“When is the team arriving?” Larry asks.

“Not a team, only one person for now…Oh, he’s taking the stage now actually.”

Larry looks to the stage and a man roughly Larry’s age is talking to the mic with a friendly smile on his face. The man looks familiar. The soft gasps and the applause are clues enough that some people recognize him. Then the man introduced himself and Larry raised his eyebrows at Geeta.

“How did you get Professor Willow?”

“I don’t. The man volunteered. He had wanted to bring a team, but the Association rejects his request, until he has enough evidence that is.”

Larry watches the man with a polite smile and reservedly gives a speech about the importance of pokemons and their habitats, reading from a paper in his hand. Larry slowly tunes everything out. It’s a very bizarre Nature Day for Larry, it’s never been this big of an event.

Once there’s no more speeches and the people’s attention dispersed from the stage, Geeta thankfully left his side to network. Larry meets with his department, checking in on Apel, talking to Gurt, Cayleigh, and Winda who soon left early. Larry wished he could leave early too, but Koyo demanded him to stick around for one of his political friends. Larry knows that his friend will ask Larry a favor, one that Koyo will make him accept. Right now, Koyo is still happily networking and surrounding himself with attention.

The crowd, the noise, and the lights are starting to make him feel suffocated, so he leaves through the door at the back of the stage that leads to the parking lot. It’s blissfully quiet, the night air feels crisp, the cool air calms him down, and he’s alone, for now. Until Koyo calls for him, and drags him inside.

At times like this, Larry wished he had a cigarette but he left his stash back at the apartment. He sips his fruit punch instead, it’s too sweet.

“Oh, hello,” Greets a man. Larry swallows his resigned sigh and kisses his peaceful corner goodbye as he turns around. He’s only mildly surprised that it’s the man of the hour.

“Hello, Professor Willow. I hope you’re having a good night,” Larry politely greets, though it’s taking every little inch of his soul.

“And you must be Larry. I’ve greeted all the elite four, they told me you’re here,” Willow adds the explanation once Larry gives him a quizzical look at his name. “And please, just Willow.”

“Are you looking for me in particular?”

“Ah, no,” Willow flustered, “I was just looking to get some air. I’m sorry if I’m intruding-”

“You didn’t. It’s okay,” Larry doesn’t know what he meant, but he just wished that Willow will stop looking so obviously awkward.

“I’m glad,” Willow sighs in relief. He leans back to the wall beside Larry and takes out a cigarette pack. “Do you smoke?” he tips the box to Larry as if he’s an angel sent by the heavens to give him mercy. Remembering what a night he has and the night that he’s going to have, Larry doesn’t have it in him to say that he had quit.

“Thank you,” Larry takes one out of the box, and Willow offers him a lighter before lighting his own.

They spent about ten minutes in silence, just smoking and looking up at the sky. Larry savors every breath, every sensation, as he does whenever he cheats on his cessation. Larry feels all his nerves relax and detangle minute by minute, by every drag and exhale. It’s been a while since his last cigarette, three years ago or so. Back then, it was when his father made a surprise visit to him. It goes as well as he thought.

“So, how long have you quit?” Willow asks, and Larry stares at him quizzically at the eerie question. “I mean, if you still do I would’ve found you already with one.”

Larry sighs, “Five years.”

“Nice. I’m on my way to fifteen. Though… I cheat a lot,” The man has a guilty smile on his lips, Larry never expects Professor Willow to be someone so smiley. “Why did you quit?”

He stares at the burning cigarette that Willow gave him and thought, might as well. This conversation doesn’t feel that bad. “It got so bad that it’s starting to dent my bank account. Started to take in more jobs for the sake of buying packs, then that’s not enough either. Did some math on my yearly spending one day, and decided to quit after I see the astronomical numbers.”

Larry left out the absolute pain of withdrawal and how depressed he was for the following year. Even though he no longer buys cigarette packs in bulk, he didn’t quit his extra job and suddenly has all this extra income sitting in his bank account. So, he treats himself to a better apartment with a balcony and inside bathroom. He also loves his two extra jobs as a gym leader and the elite four, so he sticks around.

“What about you?” Larry asks back, tit for tat and all that. “Fifteen years, that’s a long time.”

“Ah, I was a little of a troubled kid when I started,” Willow chuckles the huff of white disappears into the dark sky completely. “When I started studying Pokemons, I noticed that some of them don’t like the scent of nicotine, some even have an allergic reaction to it.”

“I remember that you published a paper about the effects of Nicotine pollution on Grass pokemons.”

Willow’s eyes light up, “Yes, seeing how they react to my smoking habits firsthand was the one that inspired me to pursue that research. I love my job, and I love these peculiarly magnificent creatures, so I quit.”

Larry hums softly, “Congrats.”

“Thank you, you too.”

Like a harbinger of doom, Larry’s phone rings. He puts a special ringtone on this peculiar person. Koyo. Larry knew he is looking for him. Larry picks up his phone, and Koyo’s voice is jolly and cheerful with an echo of the song playing inside the building.

“Larry, I trust that you’re still inside the building,” Koyo’s eerily cheerful voice makes Larry shivers.

“Of course, Boss.”

“Marvelous! Come now to my office and meet my wonderful friends, we have some business to do! Quickly now!”

“On my way, boss.”

And Koyo hangs up, just like that. Larry sighs, contemplating leaving and getting himself fired for the sweet severance pay. Will he be fired though? Procedure-wise, Larry should be getting a warning first, he hadn’t got any yet. Knowing Koyo though, he’ll find a way to punish Larry, the whole employees in BoLM knew what happened to the previous head of the Ecosystem and Biodiversity Impact department. Will it be that bad if Larry got fired? Yes, because he loves a roof over his head, thank you very much. Two third of his income came from this office job.

“Sounds nasty,” Willow comments, his eyes sadden in sympathy. Larry appreciated it.

“Yeah.”

Larry sighs again, heavier this time. He lifts his foot and snuffs his cigarette at the bottom of his shoe, then put the bud in the trash.

“If I may, I will highly appreciate it if you don't advertise that I’m one of the elite four. It was supposed to stay in the books, though my colleague seems to forget. Not even the people in BoLM knew.”

“Oh! I didn’t know. I promise I won’t tell anyone,” Willow says, a little flustered yet again. He doesn’t question why Larry hides it, it’s a breath of fresh air, despite the smoke surrounding them.

“Thank you again, for the hit,” Larry nods.

“Of course, you’re welcome. Good luck with your boss.”

It probably doesn’t mean anything, Willow is just polite, but Larry appreciates the good wishes and walks to his doom.

When his department spotted him, they all give him good wishes, and in Cayleigh’s case… “I got a beer ready for you after you’re done being paraded like a show pony.”

Larry got that going for him at least.