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Rainy Day Perfection
Tracey felt a little guilty admitting it, even to himself, but his favorite days were the ones where their plans got rained out. Sure, it threw off their schedule and adjustments and compromises had to be made, but a rainy day spent with Gary was never wasted. So when he woke up to the sound of pattering raindrops and the distant rumbling of thunder, he only smiled to himself and pressed a gentle kiss against the bare shoulder in front of him, snuggling closer to his partner.
It should have been sunrise, but the storm clouds only let through the tiniest specks of orange, keeping their suite in darkness. The occasional flash of lightning lit the room, distant enough that the light was soft and the thunder a low, gentle rumble. It was the perfect storm for an early morning cuddle - even if Gary was still sound asleep and would likely stay that way for the next hour. That was fine: this morning’s kayaking trip wouldn’t be happening with this weather anyway.
He used the arm that was draped over Gary’s waist to pull him closer against his chest and peppered a few gentle kisses along Gary’s shoulder. Gary gave a small content hum and Tracey couldn’t help but smile again as he settled his head on Gary’s shoulder and watched the storm through the window across from the bed.
This was perfect. He silently thanked the professor once again - for at least the hundredth time this week - for this incredible trip in this incredible region with these beautiful views. The ocean really was stunning with the sunrise just barely peeking through the storm.
His hand found Gary’s amongst the blanket and he twined their fingers together, smiling yet again when Gary gave his hand the tiniest of squeezes. Tracey let his eyes slide closed, blissfully content as he felt the cool metal of the band on partner’s finger against his own hand.
This really was perfect.
Gary awoke slowly as the storm worsened around them. A loud roll of thunder roused him more fully and he blinked sleepily as he registered the sounds of the storm. So much for today's plans. No matter - the bed was warm and comfortable, the room was quiet and dark, and Gary was pleasantly squished with his husband's body curled around his.
Husband . He liked being able to call Tracey that.
He glanced down at their hands, fingers still laced together against the fabric of the blanket. The room was too dark for their rings to catch any light but just knowing they were there was enough for Gary to sink further into their little nest of pillows and blankets with a content sigh.
They'd been lucky with perfect weather for the last four days of fun in Alola, and being forced to spend a sleepy morning together wasn’t something Gary could possibly complain about. Especially not after last night. Honestly, the weather couldn't have picked a better day to turn than today.
A gentle kiss against his shoulder startled him more than it should have. His jump was met with a low chuckle and Tracey’s arms wound about him tighter as thunder rolled overhead and the rain continued to patter against the roof and windows.
"Should’ve known you were awake," Gary mumbled, his face heating as though this wasn’t a daily occurence.
This was met with another chuckle, deep with just a touch of morning gravel. Tracey hadn’t been up long either, it seemed. He scattered a few more kisses across Gary's shoulders and smoothed a hand up and down his side. Gary gave a soft sigh and tilted his head back, giving Tracey better access to his neck - which was next to have kisses trailed along it.
"Happy one week anniversary," Tracey murmured, sounding slightly more awake.
It took a long moment for the words to fully register, distracted as Gary was by the kisses along his neck and shoulders. He rolled over to face Tracey when it finally clicked. “Has it already been a week?”
The smile Tracey gave him was amused as he leaned in to give him a quick kiss on the forehead. “It has,” he confirmed. He used the arm that was still draped over Gary’s waist to pull him closer, shifting on to his back as he did so.
Gary moved with him, settling with his head on Tracey’s chest, their legs tangled comfortably. His eyes closed as Tracey’s hand trailed up and down his back. "That went by fast," he observed quietly.
"It's been a busy week," Tracey reasoned.
"Mmm…" Gary hummed his agreement. It had been a busy week before the wedding too. They had slept in a bit the morning after, but this was the first actual rest day they'd had in well over a week. "I'm actually kinda glad it's raining."
As much as Gary had hated rainy days as a child, he had come to appreciate the opportunity for rest that these days offered - especially since Tracey enjoyed them so much. He could already feel himself starting to drift off again, lulled by constant drumming of rain against the window and the feeling of his husband's fingers trailing up and down his spine.
Tracey gave him an affectionate squeeze. "Me too."
"Of course you are.” Gary rolled his eyes fondly, entirely unsurprised. “It's your favorite weather."
"With my favorite company," Tracey added, running a hand through Gary’s hair.
Gary smiled to himself and cuddled even closer. "Perfect, right?"
"Sure is."
When Tracey woke again, it wasn’t to the sounds of rain and thunder - though those sounds were still there. A metallic rattle from atop the dresser was what startled him awake and a quiet groan told him that either the noise or his reaction to it had woken Gary as well. Their pokemon were clearly ready for breakfast.
He threaded his fingers through Gary’s hair and pressed a kiss to the top of his head. "I'll get them," he assured him.
He was ready for some breakfast as well and had an idea he was sure would appease everyone. Fully prepared to have to squirm his way out from beneath his sleepy and stubborn partner, he was surprised when Gary let him leave the bed with no fuss. He probably shouldn't have been so surprised, given how busy yesterday had been between the long morning hike and the afternoon snorkeling, plus the nice dinner and… well. The pokemon were in their pokeballs for a reason. Gary probably would have crashed this afternoon anyway, but Tracey wasn't worried. It was nothing some extra sleep couldn’t fix.
Tracey tossed on some shorts and a t-shirt before grabbing the pokeballs off the dresser. Umbreon and Marill’s balls shook insistently as he leaned over the bed to press a quick kiss to Gary's cheek. “I'm gonna get us some breakfast," he murmured. "Get some more sleep while I'm gone, okay?”
He couldn’t help but smile at the sleepy nod from Gary and pressed another kiss to his cheek before leaving.
As soon as he was outside the door, he released their two pokemon. Marill greeted him with a cheerful squeak and hopped up into his arms like any other day but Umbreon sniffed the air and fixed him with an unimpressed stare.
“I know,” he said, giving her a placating pat on the head. “We’re getting breakfast now.”
That would appease her for now, but her sensitive nose was undoubtedly smelling last night on him. He and Gary would have to shower after breakfast to keep her from shooting them dirty looks all day. Although that would probably just lead to a repeat of last night and she would promptly return herself to her pokeball anyway.
They could worry about that later. Breakfast was more important and there was a fantastic little coffee shop in the hotel lobby. Tracey took his time walking to the elevator, pausing at every window they passed to admire the view of the ocean - gray and dreary as it was today, Alola was still beautiful. Eager to give Gary some more time to rest, Tracey ordered himself a coffee and some breakfast for the pokemon and sat outside on a covered deck to watch the waves and enjoy the breeze.
The breeze was a little stronger than Tracey would have liked and he kept getting hit with stray raindrops, but it was quiet and peaceful. He savored it while he sipped his coffee and the pokemon ate and enjoyed their time outside of the hotel room. They probably wouldn’t be getting much more time outside than this today, if the weather stayed like this.
He waited until the wind and rain picked up again before heading back inside. After a loop around the gift shop and a few impulsive purchases, he headed back to the coffee shop to pick out some pastries and a fresh coffee for Gary before making his way back to the elevator. Not wanting to bring his husband cold coffee, Tracey didn’t waste any time in getting back to their suite.
Umbreon started towards the bedroom but stopped in the doorway, sniffing the air before turning and heading to the couch with a huff. Tracey shook his head amusedly and opened the balcony door for Marill, who was looking outside at the rain. The little mouse immediately scampered outside and sat to watch the rain while Tracey brought the two paper cups of coffee into the bedroom. He set them both on the bedside table and sat on Gary’s side of the bed.
He leaned over Gary, scattering kisses across his shoulder and gently shaking his arm. "C'mon, sleepyhead," he teased. "It's time to get up."
But Gary only rolled over and rested his head in Tracey’s lap. "But I'm comfortable… " he whined, wrapping his arms around Tracey’s waist and closing his eyes again.
Tracey laughed and ran a hand through Gary’s hair. "I got coffee."
Gary hummed in response, clearly interested, but not quite willing to get up yet. He was being clingy and silly, so Tracey was certain he wasn't too tired still.
"And a croissant."
That did the trick. Tracey laughed again when Gary sat up - that combination always got him moving. He passed Gary his coffee and raised his own to his lips.
"What do you want to do today?"
Gary shrugged his shoulders as he took his first sip of coffee before resting his head against Tracey’s shoulder. "Repeat of last night?"
Tracey snorted amusedly and slipped his arm around Gary’s waist, pulling him close just like earlier. "Umbreon's not gonna like that."
"It's not Umbreon's honeymoon so she can deal with it." Their quiet moment was interrupted by a loud huff from the main room and Gary snickered a bit in response. “We’ll be in the field for two months after this, I promise you’ll be fine,” he called to his pokemon.
There was another huff from the couch and Tracey groaned quietly, burying his face in Gary’s hair. “Don’t remind me.”
Gary turned his head to bury his face against Tracey’s neck and pressed a few kisses there. "It's still three weeks away," he reminded him.
Tracey sighed, suppressing a shudder at those kisses. "I know. I’m just gonna miss you.” One of Gary’s hands trailed down his chest and he knew what he was about to say before he even opened his mouth.
“All the more reason…” he said suggestively, nipping at Tracey’s throat.
“Umbreon hates the smell of that lube. That’s why she keeps getting annoyed.”
“All the more reason to use it up.”
Tracey couldn’t find it in him to argue that logic. Of course, it was hard to argue anything, let alone think straight, when Gary’s hands were tugging at his shirt and his mouth was busy at his throat. He groaned and pushed Gary away just enough to set their coffees back on the bedside table.
“If you insist,” he gave in, smiling at Gary’s triumphant grin.
Gary laid back against the pillows, and Tracey followed, crawling over his husband and capturing his lips in a hungry kiss. The sounds of the rain and Marill playing faded and they barely heard as Umbreon returned herself to her pokeball in the next room.
It wasn’t quite the rainy day cuddle fest he had been looking forward to, but this was still perfect, Tracey thought.
The coffee and pastries Tracey had picked up were cold but Gary couldn’t complain. He was the reason everything had been left on the table to cool for forty minutes, so he really couldn’t complain. Whether or not the cold breakfast was his fault, he felt happy and blissfully content as he leaned in the doorway to the balcony and watched the storm play out over the ocean.
The thunder was growing more distant and the rain had lightened just enough to be able to make out the surrounding islands in the distance. The worst of it had passed, it seemed, but it looked as though the rain would be lingering a few hours longer. That was fine with Gary and he knew without asking that it was more than okay with Tracey. They both loved being outside and having fun exploring, but there was just something about a rainy day.
Rainy days called for warmth and coziness, for cuddles and held hands - just the two of them in their own little corner of the universe. Gary knew Tracey fully intended to stretch it out as long as possible and he had absolutely no complaints about that. Before they started dating, he had been bored and restless on rainy days, but it had only taken a few of Tracey’s rainy days to win him over. With Tracey, rainy days meant no expectations and few responsibilities, indulgence and intimacy, and nothing but time and each other.
They were some of his favorite days now. Nothing could beat the days with clear skies and gentle breezes where every moment was spent outside together, but rainy days were their own sort of perfection.
Now that he’d had a shower and coaxed Umbreon out of her ball, he could relax and wait for his husband to emerge from the bathroom. He vaguely noticed the sound of the water in the shower shutting off in the distance but stayed on the balcony, watching the waves crash on the beach below. A few minutes passed before he heard soft footsteps approaching him. He smiled to himself and waited, immediately relaxing back against Tracey when he reached him and wrapped his arms around Gary’s shoulders.
“Thinking of renting a board today?” Tracey asked. He was clearly aiming for lighthearted but Gary could hear the trepidation in his voice.
Gary shook his head. He’d be tempted if they were home in Kanto, or in just about a dozen other regions, but not here. “I’d get pulverized on those rocks.” He set his coffee down on the table next to the door and turned in Tracey’s arms, burying his face against his shoulder. “Besides, I know how you like your rainy days," he assured him.
He felt Tracey relax and press a kiss to his temple. "Good, because those waves are huge."
Gary could hear the relief in his voice and shook his head again, this time with a fond sigh. Tracey always worried about him, even when it wasn’t entirely necessary. “Water’s way too choppy to try surfing,” he pointed out.
“I thought so, but I honestly never know with you.”
Gary huffed out a laugh against Tracey’s neck and was pleased by the little shudder that ran through his husband. “I’m impulsive, not stupid,” he reminded him.
“Mmmhmm,” Tracey hummed, sounding far too amused for Gary’s liking.
“Hey!” He squirmed but Tracey held him tight, refusing to let him move an inch. If he was entirely honest, Gary didn’t mind it one bit, especially not when Tracey chuckled next to his ear and ran a hand up and down his spine.
“I’m just picking on you,” he laughed gently. He pulled away and took one of Gary’s hands, tugging him back into the room. “Come on, I picked up a few things for us while you were sleeping.”
Curious, Gary followed him in and raised his eyebrows when he saw the shopping bags on the table. "A few things, huh?" He grinned when Tracey rolled his eyes.
"Oh, shush." Tracey reached into the first bag and pulled out a glass bottle and what appeared to be a corkscrew shaped like a sharpedo. "It's from the winery on Akala Island," he explained before reaching into the second bag and pulling out a pair of plastic wine goblets with the resort name printed on them.
They were a little cheesy but it was a reminder of where they were and why they were there. Gary reached for the corkscrew only for his hands to be swatted away.
"That's for later," Tracey admonished lightly. "And so are these," he added, pushing another bag at Gary.
Gary’s grin turned sly as he peeked in the bag. "Bubble bath and massage oil? I like where this is going."
Tracey returned the grin with a fond smile. "I knew you would." He gestured to the bag he had pulled the cups out of. "There’s plenty of snacks and I'm sure we can find a movie on the tv, but I also got this."
For a brief second Gary was confused as Tracey passed him what appeared to be an old-school Pokedex. On closer inspection, it was a book designed to look like one. It was apparently a children's activity book of sorts, with pages that looked like pokedex entries for all of the common pokemon in Alola.
Gary laughed as he thumbed through the pages. "I was wondering what you would find this time."
He took the book to the couch and sat down, fixing Tracey with an expectant smile until he joined him. As soon as Tracey was next to him, he cuddled as close as he could. This was one of favorite parts of traveling with Tracey - he always found some sort of book to keep them amused during any down time. It was a sort of interactive souvenir that they would fill, sometimes while snuggled on a couch like this, other times next to a fire at a campsite. It was a silly but special little tradition of theirs.
Tracey wrapped an arm around his shoulders and rested his head against his. "I had to find something good for this one," he explained.
"It's perfect," Gary replied immediately. He meant it whole-heartedly. Between the cozy morning, this little book right now, and the promise of later, it really was perfect.
Absolute rainy day perfection.