Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It wasn’t supposed to go like this.

It was supposed to be a simple, run of the mill check of the tunnels. Just a quick in and out before they went home for the night. Usually, other Depot Agents handled something like this, but the Subway Bosses had some spare time today.

Emmet couldn’t help but wish someone else had gone, as awful as that felt to think.

One minute, they were walking down the tunnel, Emmet doing most of the inspection, a tired Ingo on Joltik spotting duty. The next minute, he turned away to investigate a flickering light and when he turned back for his brother’s opinion, Ingo was gone.

At first, Emmet thought he had just walked away, went off to look at something further down the tunnel. But then his foot hit something, Ingo’s lantern, shattered on the ground. He swept his own lantern back and forth, illuminating Ingo’s Pokeballs scattered around him.

Something had gone terribly wrong.

He spent the next hour increasingly frantically searching the tunnels, trying to find Ingo. He had to be around here somewhere. He had to be.

Right?

But then, why didn’t Emmet hear him walk away? Why didn’t he hear the lantern shatter Why didn’t he hear Ingo’s Pokeballs hit the ground?

Why didn’t he hear anything.

Why, why, why?

By the time he dragged himself from the tunnels, Emmet was somewhere between a panic attack and dissociation, unsure of which extreme he was going to end up at.

A Depot Agent ran up to him, Emmet couldn’t tell who at the moment. “Boss Emmet! Any updates? Did you find Boss Ingo?”

Emmet’s voice sounded far away when he spoke. “No.”

The Agent looked him up and down. “Did you want to take a break? You aren’t looking too good.”

He didn’t. He really didn’t. He wanted to keep searching, to keep looking. Ingo had to be here. He had to be.

Somewhere.

But Emmet wasn’t sure if he would even notice if Ingo was standing in front of him at the moment.

“I’ll- I’ll be in my office,” he said. “Don’t let anyone in. Unless it is my uncle. Or Ingo. But only them.”

“Yes, sir,” the agent said as Emmet walked off.

On the short walk to his office, Emmet’s mind couldn’t help but wander.

Ingo couldn’t just be gone. He had to be somewhere. People don’t just disappear. They don’t just vanish into thin air.

But lanterns made a sound when they shattered. Pokeballs made a sound when they hit the ground. Footsteps echoed in the tunnels. Why hadn’t any of that happened.

Emmet felt his breathing speed up as he opened his office door, grip tight and shaking on the doorknob.

Panic attack it was then.

Barely managing to lock the door, Emmet slid to the ground. He needed to breathe. He went after his tie, fumbling at the knot at first. He threw it across the room once he managed to get it off.

He still couldn’t breathe.

The top couple buttons on his dress shirt were the next thing to go. He just needed it open enough to get away from his throat. He ended up ripping the topmost button off the shirt, but that wasn’t important right now.

Emmet’s breath didn’t slow by much, but at least he didn’t feel like he was suffocating any more. He was, however, grasping at straws in a desperate attempt to calm down enough to call his uncle.

He…

He had to…

He should…

The cuff of his coat sleeve came into view.

Fuck it, the door was locked and the Depot Agents knew not to let anyone in.

Emmet ripped his coat off, flung it in the same general direction of his tie, and wrapped his wings around himself.

The white feathers were soft and familiar, helping further muffle the sounds from outside his office. Emmet curled his legs up and pressed his forehead against his knees. This was better. He could breathe better now that it was just him under his wings.

But, oh, did Emmet wish there were some black feathers around him too.

By the time Emmet managed to calm down enough to try calling Uncle Drayden, he was utterly drained. Still, someone had to tell him about Ingo, and, if he was being honest with himself, Emmet wanted him close right now too. Even if it was just through a screen.

He lifted his head enough to see his Xtrans. Ignoring the unreturned calls and texts he had sent Ingo and the new texts from Elesa, Emmet called Uncle Drayden.

He picked up on the third ring.

“Hello, Emmet. Nice to hear fr-” Uncle Drayden cut himself off, his hidden smile shifting into clear concern, as he took in Emmet’s appearance. He probably looked like a mess right now. “Is everything okay?”

Emmet couldn’t form the words to answer. Instead, he shook his head as tears burned in his eyes.

Uncle Drayden’s eyes widened. “Okay, just try to breathe for me.”

Like he hadn’t already been trying to do that. Emmet nodded and took a shuddering breath.

Then Uncle Drayden asked the question that Emmet had been asking himself all evening. “Where’s Ingo?”

Emmet closed his eyes tightly, burying his face back into his knees, and shook his head. He didn’t want to start crying, not right now. He knew that it would go on for a while and he wanted to get home first. At least that way he could go to sleep right after. If he could even fall asleep at a time like this.

“I’m coming down.” Emmet could hear Uncle Drayden’s footsteps through the call. “Where are you? At home?”

Emmet shook his head.

“Gear Station?”

He nodded.

“Alright. I’ll be there as soon as I can. I just nee-”

There was a knock at the door, then the knob started jiggling.

“Emmet!” Elesa called from the other side. She sounded upset. “Emmet, it’s me! You and Ingo didn’t show up for dinner, so I came down and- The Depot Agents told me what happened. You- you got to let me in.”

Emmet looked up again, panicked.

Elesa didn’t know about his and Ingo’s wings.

And right now certainly wasn’t the time to explain them.

“Emmet, please.” Elesa sounded desperate.

It wasn’t fair to Elesa what he was doing, Ingo meant almost as much to her as he did to Emmet. But he didn’t want to hide his wings right now, staying under them felt like the only thing keeping him somewhat together.

“Emmet,” Uncle Drayden said, “Can you slide your Xtrans under the door?”

Emmet shook his head. The gap wasn’t wide enough. He would know with the amount of times he had had to slide paperwork a few sheets at a time under Ingo’s office door when they had different shifts and he needed Ingo’s signature for something.

“That’s fine,” Uncle Drayden said, “I’m going to call Elesa. Would you be able to tell her that somehow?”

Emmet took a breath. He could write a quick note and slip it to her. He could manage that much. He nodded.

“Alright. I’ll let you know when I’m driving. You’re going to be okay.”

He wasn’t. Emmet nodded. Uncle Drayden hung up.

Emmet emerged from his wing dome for long enough to scribble and slide a note to Elesa, telling her to pick up Uncle Drayden’s call. When he heard her do that, he hid under his wings in the corner of his office again, unable to face the rest of the world quite yet.

He just wanted Ingo.

-----

Admittedly, Ingo wasn’t paying all that much attention during their check of the tunnels. It had been a long day and Ingo was getting tired. Thankfully, Emmet was quick to notice and put him on Joltik spotting duty, an important, but simple job. It was easy to spot the bright yellow bugs once you got a light on them.

He hadn’t seen any yet. Which was good. That meant they weren’t eating up all the electricity from the third rail and slowly driving the subway into bankruptcy. They wouldn’t ever actually bankrupt the station, but it was a funny image to Ingo. Their big, grand station brought to closing due to a few hungry bugs. It was a silly thing to imagine.

He also liked teasing Emmet about it since he was the one who introduced the Pokemon to the tunnels.

Dragons, he was tired.

A bit into the check, Emmet wanted to take a closer look at something, wiring for the flickering light it looked like. There weren’t any Joltik around, so Ingo was just glad for the quick break.

Then he felt his stomach drop, not unlike when he would dive while flying.

Ingo looked down. The floor was gone. There was just darkness below his feet.

He was falling. Slowly, impossibly slowly, he was falling.

“Emmet!” Ingo yelled, looking up. Emmet didn’t move.

“EMMET!” Ingo yelled again, not even bothering to try to hide the spike of fear he felt. Once again, Emmet didn’t move. He didn’t even twitch from the half-crouched position he was in, half-turned towards Ingo and mouth slightly open like he was about to say something.

Somehow, Emmet was frozen in place like a paused video. He probably hadn’t even heard Ingo shout.

Ingo was still falling, as slow as it was. He could feel it in how his coat floated up around him, how his hat started to leave his head, how his lantern tilted on its handle.

He didn’t know why he was falling so slowly. He didn’t know where he was falling to. He didn’t know how he was even falling in the first place.

So, Ingo did the first thing he thought of.

He threw his lantern away and went for his Pokeballs. He had to keep his team safe. He might have been putting himself into more danger, but he had to keep his team safe. They would be with Emmet. Perhaps Chandelure would be able to help Emmet find him.

The moment the lantern left his hand, it sped up and smashed on the ground in an instant. The Pokeballs were the same, clattering to the floor and rolling away faster than Ingo could track.

Yet Emmet was still frozen. Yet Ingo continued to fall.

He clapped a hand down on his head the moment he felt his hat fully leave it. He reached out with the other as he sunk into the ground. The edges of the hole looked like they were right next to him, but he couldn’t reach them.

“EMMET!” he shouted, voice tearing his throat, in a futile attempt to get his brother’s attention.

Emmet remained frozen.

And

Ingo

fell

into

the

dark.

He wasn’t sure when he stopped falling, but stop he did. Ingo found himself floating somehow, darkness all around. He wasn’t sure if he would move even if he got his wings out.

Then there was a bright light in front of him, blinding him to the point where Ingo could only squint at it.

“Welcome to my realm, located beyond both time and space,” a voice said. It cut directly into Ingo’s head, his bones, his chest, his veins, overloading everything and anything else he could possibly be aware of.

“It is well thou art here,” it continued, cutting in impossibly further, “I am that which humans call Arceus.”

Arceus? Why was Arceus h-

“What is thy name?”

It took a moment for Ingo to get his voice to work, to get his lungs to work, to get his mind to work. His voice came out quiet and hoarse, “I-Ingo.”

“Ingo…” the voice, Arceus apparently, said, seemingly unaware of Ingo’s struggle, “Soon thou shalt find thyself in a world strange to thee. Seek out all Pokemon, and thou shalt find me once more.”

“Then I c-can go home, r-right?” Ingo managed to ask.

The light began to fade away.

“Right?!”

Ingo was in the dark again.

“PLEASE!”

Ingo fell fast.

“AAHHH!”

He was suddenly blinded again as he was plunged into light. When he finally managed to open his eyes and blink his vision clear, he hated what he saw.

He was high above the ground, a mountain in the distance, snowy cliffs below him.

“AAHHH!”

Ingo would figure out for certain where Arceus had dropped him later. Sinnoh if he had to guess right now. That was the region it frequented, right?

That didn’t matter at the moment. Very little other than surviving a fall from the height of a mountain mattered.

Out of reflex, Ingo tried to stick his wings out. They didn’t get far, the heavy fabric of his coat trapping them against his back. He couldn’t flip the back of the coat up with his wings as small as they were tucked in. But the only way to get them bigger was to stretch them out and he couldn’t do that with the coat on.

He had to get it off.

Trying, and swiftly failing, to not panic, Ingo went to slip his free arm out of his coat first, the other frozen as it kept his hat on his head.

He couldn’t get it out.

Breath speeding up, Ingo started to frantically shake his arm out of the sleeve. The ground was coming up fast. Too fast.

He got his arm out. He got one wing free, slowing his fall slightly.

But he started spinning.

Ingo tried to get his other wing free, but he could feel it get tangled up in his coat.

Even if he got it out, he didn’t know which way was up. The snow on the ground blended together with the grey of the clouds as he spun and spun and spun.

He was going to die.

He-

He was going to die.

No. No no no no no. He didn’t want to die. He couldn’t. Not yet!

Ingo managed to straighten out enough to figure out where the ground was again. Unfortunately, it was far too close for him to slow down enough to land somewhat safely, especially with only one wing free.

At least his Pokemon were safe. At least Emmet was safe. At least they had each other.

Ingo hit the ground, and everything went dark.

Chapter Text

Emmet wasn’t doing great. Even he had to admit that.

It had been nearly six months since Ingo had gone missing. Just vanished into thin air. No signs. No leads. Nothing. The search had just about stopped.

And Emmet, to put it in simple terms, felt like shit.

He had called in on Friday, unable to get himself much farther than sitting up in bed that morning. The rest of the weekend was spent hiding away in the apartment. He did manage to make it to the couch by Saturday evening and got something in him more substantial than whatever pantry food his Pokemon brought him this morning, which was an improvement. He would likely call in tomorrow as well, but he should be back to work by Tuesday.

Hopefully.

Currently, Emmet was laying face down on the couch, wings outstretched, mostly zoned out. A rerun of some game show he didn’t care enough about to pay attention to was playing on the TV, more for the background noise it provided than anything else.

Pokemon were scattered around the house. Most of them were napping the afternoon away. Eelektross, though, was once again on his own personal mission, trying to effectively preen Emmet’s wings despite not really having either the dexterity or fingers to do so.

It never worked as well as Eelektross wanted it to, but Emmet didn’t have the heart to try to make him stop. Besides, it helped with the itchiness in the areas that Emmet couldn’t reach. Even if he did end up losing a few feathers on occasion. It didn’t really matter. They grew back eventually.

A sharp pain and a distressed whine from Eelektross snapped Emmet back into full awareness sometime later. A different game show was playing, Emmet vaguely noticed.

He hissed and jerked himself up into a kneeling position as his Pokemon curled up around him in apology. Emmet reached a hand back to the spot that hurt. Unsurprisingly, he couldn’t reach it.

“Did you break any feathers?” he asked, rubbing Eelektross’s head. “Any bleeding?”

The Pokemon looked over Emmet’s shoulder and poked around a little before returning and shaking his head.

“Then it is fine. Maybe no more preening today.” Eelektross gurgled, nuzzling his head into Emmet's chest, and moved to a better position so Emmet could lay back down without squishing him too much.

Before Emmet could, however, there was a knock at his door. He froze, trying to make it seem like no one was home or he was asleep. It was normal to be asleep on a Sunday afternoon, right? It was a great time for a nap.

There was more knocking, accompanied by a voice.

“Emmet, are you alright?” Elesa called, “No one’s heard anything from you since Friday.”

Of course it was Elesa. They’d been friends for so long and she was the closest distance to him. If anyone was going to check in on him, it would be her.

But Emmet didn’t really want to see anyone today. Or hide his wings right now. Please think he was asleep and come back tomorrow.

She knocked again. “Emmet, please,” anxiety was starting to creep into her voice, “Drayden said he called you yesterday and you never picked up or got back to him. He’s starting to get worried.”

Oh, Uncle Drayden had called? Maybe Emmet should have looked at his Xtrans at least once this weekend.

“I am fine,” he called back, hoping to leave it at that. It didn’t sound convincing even to him.

“Emmet, can I come in?” Elesa asked, barely audible through the door, “Please?”

Emmet cared for Elesa, she was basically his and Ingo’s sister at this point, but he just wanted to go back to laying on the couch, go back to barely existing for a while.

Emmet sighed. That wasn’t following safety checks, was it? He needed company, not just his Pokemon, but actual people. Uncle Drayden and Iris were too far at the moment, Emmet not wanting to leave or ask them to come over. He really should let Elesa in.

But his wings. He didn’t want to hide them right now. He didn’t have the energy to fold them up and file them away like they always did.

But it was getting harder to comfortably do that with the state they were in.

He needed help.

Please don’t let this be a bad idea.

“One moment,” he called back. Emmet slipped off the couch, Eelektross moving to the chair. He grabbed a nearby blanket and wrapped it around his shoulders, covering his wings for the time being.

He shakily unlocked the door and opened it slightly. Emmet must have looked worse than he thought, judging from how much worry and concern appeared on Elesa’s face. He knew he wasn’t smiling. He must look so much more like Ingo than he usually did.

She opened her mouth to say something, but Emmet cut her off.

“If I let you in, can you promise not to freak out?”

“Emmet, you know I have never cared about how messy your apartment is,” she said, “especially now.”

He shook his head. “It is messy in here. But I am not talking about that.”

“Then what are you talking about?” Elesa tried to get a better look inside.

“Promise me you won’t freak out,” he practically begged.

“I won’t, I promise. Unless you’re dying or something.” She gave him a look. “You aren’t dying, are you?”

Emmet felt the ghost of a genuine smile touch his lips. “I am not dying.” He took a breath and opened the door wider. “Alright, come in.”

Elesa moved into the apartment. Emmet closed the door behind her and went back to the couch as she hung up her coat.

“It’s not that bad in here,” she said, looking around.

Emmet hummed in vague agreement. Garbodor had helped with that, eating what garbage she could and gathering what she couldn’t into one place. Thankfully, it was mostly wrappers and other things that wouldn’t become a major health hazard. He should dust soon though. And probably vacuum. And do the laundry. And the dishes. Dragons, there was so much to do.

“-met. Emmet.” Elesa waved a hand in front of his face. Emmet blinked out of his wandering thoughts.

“Back on track,” he said.

“So, what was it that I’m not supposed to freak out about?”

Emmet pulled the blanket around him a little tighter as he turned to face Elesa. This was a mistake. “I do not want to explain fully right now. I do not have the energy. But…” He took a breath. She was already inside, it was fine. “I... need help with something.”

“Yeah, anything.”

Emmet hesitated a moment longer before dropping the blanket and letting his wings open again.

“If-” He swallowed, trying to fight the lump in his throat. “If I tell you how to preen my wings, can you do it?”

Elesa’s mouth fell open, staring wide-eyed at his wings. Emmet moved them behind his back a little bit.

“Please stop staring,” he said, “You said you wouldn’t freak out.”

Elesa blinked a few times as she pulled herself together. “I’m not, I’m not. I just- I knew something was strange about you and Ingo’s backs. I just thought it was, like, spine problems or something. Not… I don’t know. That. Are they...?”

Emmet sighed. “Yes, they are real. Yes, Ingo also has them. We have had them pretty much our whole lives. We do not know why. I don’t have the energy to explain more now. Can you preen the parts of my wings that I can’t reach?”

“I don’t know how.”

“It is simple. I can show you.”

Elesa nodded. “Alright, I’ll do my best.”

Emmet stood. “Thank you. Anything would be good for them right now. Give me a minute to grab what we need.”

Once everything was gathered, the preening oil from his bedroom and a few cloths, and laid out on the coffee table, Emmet briefly explained what to do, demonstrating on the parts of his wings he could reach.

Elesa was a little hesitant at first, not wanting to break anything or do something wrong. At Emmet’s reassurance that his wings weren’t about to fall apart, even if they looked that way in a few places, and even if a feather did break, it was an easy fix, Elesa got more comfortable. Eventually, she shoved Emmet back down on the couch so he could relax.

It took a few minutes for the anxiety of someone other than his family or Pokemon touching his wings to leave. But once it did, he really did relax. For the first time since Ingo had got missing, Emmet felt properly relaxed, like he could breathe for a moment. With Elesa’s fingers carding through his wings and the itchiness finally starting to go away, Emmet found himself drifting off into an actual nap and not the daze he had been in all weekend.

Elesa’s voice faded in, waking him before he could fall asleep though. Not that he minded, he liked talking with her almost as much as he did with his brother.

“-this? If you don’t mind me asking.”

“What’s that?” Emmet mumbled.

“Oh, were you napping?” Elesa backpedaled, “Ignore me then, go back to sleep.”

Emmet rubbed at his face with a hum. “It is fine. I haven’t had human interaction outside of coworkers since we last talked. That is probably not good.”

Elesa gave a small laugh. “It’s less than great, to be honest. How long has it been since you were, uh, preened back here?”

Emmet sighed. “Since Ingo went missing. He would get the places I couldn’t reach. I would get the places he couldn’t reach. Uncle Drayden offered when he came down, but I refused. I was too upset.”

“And you didn’t ask him later?”

Emmet buried his face into the couch cushion. “I pulled an Ingo.”

“Didn’t want to trouble him?”

Emmet nodded. “I know it’s ridiculous. I tell Ingo the same thing. But...”

“It can be hard to ask for help,” Elesa said softly, moving to another section of wing.

“Yeah.”

“Would you like it if I came by when you need it to do this?”

“If it’s not too much trouble.”

Elesa gave him a light smack on the head with a cloth. “What did we literally just talk about?”

Emmet gave a small laugh. “Yes, that would be nice. Thank you.”

Elesa continued preening for a while, chatting about her week. It had been busy at the gym. There was this one kid that kept losing and would return every day to try again. By Friday they managed to win, and Elesa claimed that they were the runner up for loudest shout she had ever heard, right behind Ingo of course.

“Maybe they’ll give him a run for his money one day,” Elesa joked.

“I hope they ride the Battle Subway when Ingo returns,” Emmet smiled, “I would like to see them battle verrrry much.”

“I think you’d blow an eardrum!” Elesa laughed.

“It would be worth it.”

“Hey, I’m curious,” Elesa started, “what colour are Ingo’s wings? Do they match yours or are they different?”

“They are different. Yup! Black and red! Verrrry pretty.”

“Yours are pretty too,” Elesa reassured, “Don’t sell yourself short.”

“I never said mine weren’t.”

Elesa laughed for a moment before cutting herself off. “Hey, wait a minute! Did you match your coats to your wings? You said they were train tracks!”

Emmet could feel his face heating up. “They are train tracks. They are also our wings. I convinced Ingo to do it. I thought it would be nice,” he mumbled.

Elesa laughed and slapped him lightly with the cloth again. “You’re a dork. Both of you are. Alright, I think I got everything. What do you think?”

Emmet sat back up and shook his wings out a little. He folded them in and out a few times. They felt great, better than they had in months.

“Verrrry good! Maybe a little heavy on the oil, but that’s fine. Thank you.” He wasn’t going to cry.

“No problem! You’re just lucky Skyla likes flying types so much. I swear, every time I visit, all her Pokemon want to do is show off their feathers.”

Emmet wasn’t going to cry.

Elesa kept talking. “Next time I go over I’ll make sure to watch them more closely when they preen so I can do your wings even better!”

He wasn’t going to cry.

“They’re looking so much better now too! Hey, how do you-”

Emmet cut her off with a hug, wrapping both his arms and wings around her and burying his face into the crook of her neck.

Okay, maybe he was going to cry a little.

“Thank you,” he whispered as she returned the hug, “for helping me. For not freaking out.”

“Of course,” she whispered back, “you’re basically my brother at this point, both of you are. I’ve known you guys for, what, over ten years or something at this point? I still can’t believe you guys let me think you were the same person for a week.”

Emmet laughed. “I don’t know how you didn't notice for so long. Your dorm was three doors away. Our door had both our names on it.”

“How did you get Ingo to go along with that anyway?”

“It was his idea.”

Elesa pulled away slightly, leaving his arms but not his wings, and started laughing. “You know, that makes a lot of sense actually. Also, you’ve been holding out on me with your hugs. This is cozy!”

“It is,” Emmet said, wiping the last couple tears away. “Sorry, for not telling you sooner. We weren’t sure how you would react. We were nervous.”

Elesa looked away. “Was it something I did?”

Emmet’s arms and wings flailed a little. “No! No, not you! People- When we- Uh...” He wasn’t explaining this right. “One moment, please. Announcements are under repairs.”

“You don’t have to answer if you want to.”

Emmet held a hand out, gesturing for Elesa to wait as he sorted his thoughts out. She did and after a minute, Emmet took a breath.

“Announcements are back online. Thank you for your patience,” he said, “It was not anything you said or did that made me and Ingo not tell you about our wings. At first, we were just afraid you would freak out and not want to talk with us anymore. We didn’t want to risk it. Then the years passed and it felt like it was too late to tell you.”

“You’ve told people about your wings before?”

Emmet shook his head. “We weren’t always that careful about hiding them as kids. Some people saw and were weird about them. We got good at hiding them after that.”

“How do you hide them so well?” Elesa asked, looking at how large Emmet’s wings were. “They’re kind of giant.”

“They shrink.” Emmet tucked them behind him, demonstrating. “Don’t know how. They just shrink when they’re pulled in and grow when stretched out. Coats and sweaters are good at covering them up. It is amazing what people don’t notice if you don’t bring attention to it.”

“Huh,” Elesa said, “That’s cool.”

Elesa spent the rest of the day with Emmet. He was glad for the company and for the one more person he didn’t have to hide his wings in front of. It was nice. Comforting.

He texted Uncle Drayden back. Just a few short messages saying he’d call tomorrow, but he was doing better. He would tell him that Elesa knew about his and Ingo's wings then, no need to have that talk right now.

Elesa offered to take the following day off with Emmet. He said he was fine and that he was planning on calling his Uncle anyway. They made plans to meet up on her lunch break instead. Just to the park that was roughly halfway between the gym and apartment.

She headed home after dinner. Emmet decided to get ready for bed early. He probably wouldn’t sleep for a little bit longer, but this way he wouldn’t need to leave his bed when he got tired.

Before leaving the bathroom, Emmet turned to look at his wings in the mirror. They looked so much better than they had in months, feathers in their proper place and on track to get their shine back. Elesa had done a great job for her first attempt.

And she said she would help him more. She didn’t run away or get weird or call him a freak or anything. She had taken it in stride and helped him out more than he could have ever hoped for.

At this rate, he would be able to fly properly again once his missing feathers grew back in. That would be nice.

He hoped Ingo was flying, wherever he was.

-----

Ingo thought he must have been able to fly once. What else would these wings on his back be used for? But after years in Hisui and the lack of proper preening, that ability had been taken from him.

He couldn’t reach the sections on the back of his wings. Machamp tried to help, being the only one on his team to both have proper fingers and not hate touching the oil, but they had never quite gotten the hang of it. They would often misalign feathers, or even accidentally pull some out. It didn’t help that Ingo often would neglect his wings for extended periods of time too.

But it was better than nothing.

Surely someone must have helped him before Hisui. The man who looked like him perhaps. Did he even have wings like Ingo or were they different in that way? Was Ingo alone on this particular track? Did he even have them before his arrival to Hisui?

No, he was sure he did. Moving them and caring for them came as naturally as walking to him. It was something that was instinctual.

Which was why he was so sure that he used to be able to fly.

But as of yet, it was just more unanswerable questions about the past he couldn’t remember. The only thing he could do was move on.

Literally in this case as Ingo walked the path to his tent after collecting some firewood with Machamp. But a sound in the distance made him pause. Screaming from nearby, above him and a little bit away. He looked around quickly, trying to find its source.

Then something zipped by them, falling through the air. He looked over the edge of the sheer cliff.

Akari was falling.

Ingo dropped the logs he was holding, taking off his hat and coat and throwing them on Machamp’s pile in one quick motion. He jumped off the cliff side after her without a second thought.

Akari was still screaming, still falling, still rushing closer and closer to the ground. Ingo had to go faster, had to reach her in time.

“AKARI!” he tried to yell over the rushing wind, “TRY TO SLOW YOUR FALL! PUT OUT OUR ARMS!”

Akari upon finally noticing Ingo, panicked more, arms and legs flailing wildly and screaming something at him stolen by the wind.

“STRAIGHTEN YOUR ARMS AND LEGS!” Ingo yelled back. She had to slow down. He had to speed up.

She finally understood, sticking out her limbs the best she could with the air rushing by her. She slowed slightly, ever so slightly.

But it was enough. Ingo caught up. He grabbed her arm, pulled her in close, and snapped out his wings to further slow the two of them down.

Ingo couldn’t fly properly, no, but he could still glide somewhat.

He held Akari tight to his chest as he did his best to slow their descent and get them to a good landing area. He wished the flight was smoother, more controlled. His ragged wings caused the pair to dip suddenly and confined them to the air currents.

Thankfully, it didn’t take long for Ingo to spot a flat bit of ground that he could reach and was out of eyeshot of any of the Galaxy Team camps. He really hoped no one had seen him, but with how Akari had been screaming as his own shouting, he couldn’t say for certain. He would worry about that later.

“Miss Akari,” he said, thankfully no longer needing to shout as loudly, “you are going to need to disembark a few feet from the ground. Do you think you can do that?”

“Yeah, I think so,” she called back, “Just let me know when.”

After another moment, Ingo spoke up, “It is your stop now, Miss Akari. Please stand clear of the doors and thank you for riding with us.”

Ingo let go once he was certain Akari was ready. She fell the short distance and hit the ground with a roll, popping into a sit once she stopped. Ingo touched down a few feet away, stumbling a bit on landing, but managing to catch himself before he fell this time.

“Miss Akari,” Ingo said, going over to her, “are you alright? Any injuries?”

“I’m, I’m fine,” she said, trying to stand up. She took Ingo’s offered arm as she tried to get her legs under her. “Just shaken up a bit.”

“I would imagine. That was quite the fall.”

Once she managed to stand on her own, Akari seemed to completely forget her plummet. “Holy shit! That was amazing! You just swooped in out of nowhere and scooped me up!”

“Language, Miss Akari. I was simply fulfilling my duties as a Warden of the Highlands and ensuring no passengers got hurt,” he said, purposely avoiding the subject he knew was coming up next.

“Language, shmanguage!” She ran around to his back. “You have wings! You can fly!” She poked one of his wings.

He jolted and whirled around, tucking them close to his back again. “Please stay behind the yellow line! I would not like the entire region to know if you don’t mind.”

Akari looked at the ground, wringing her hands behind her back. “Sorry, I got excited. It’s just, that was so cool! You just swooped in and saved me! And sorry for poking you. I’ve been trying to not invade other people’s personal space, but I forget sometimes.”

Ingo took a breath, feeling his heartrate finally start to slow. She didn’t mean anything by it. She was just young and excitable, something that seemed almost familiar to him. “I forgive you. Perhaps you would like to accompany me back to my tent? I can explain everything there if you promise not to tell anyone about it.”

Akari perked up immediately. “Really? You will?” Ingo nodded, hiding his still shaking hands behind his back. This was probably a good idea and besides, she already knew about his wings. “Oh boy! I promise I won’t tell anyone at all! Not even Laventon who would probably think they’re super cool too!”

“Thank you, Miss Akari. Now, let us depart. All aboard!” He pointed towards his tent for a moment before dropping the pose and releasing Gliscor. The scorpion-bat chittered at him, likely confused as to why he was missing his usual hat and coat. “Gliscor, some cover if you please.”

Gliscor swooped around to cling to Ingo’s back, effectively covering most of Ingo’s wings. Ingo wasn’t certain they would run into anyone, but his dark wings stood out clearly against his light Pearl Clan tunic. While someone might mistake them for his coat, he didn’t want to risk it.

Fortunately, they made it back to the tent without issue. Machamp had waited there for Ingo to return, having already put the firewood in its place next to the tent. They held Ingo’s hat and coat held in one hand.

Gliscor flew over once they were close enough. After a quick discussion between the Pokemon, Machamp handed over the clothing and Gliscor returned them to Ingo.

“Thank you, Gliscor,” he said as he slipped them back on. Akari looked upset.

“Aww,” she whined, “I wanted to see your wings again.”

Ingo took a quick look around. As usual, there was no one up here. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to keep them out for a little while,” Ingo said, “They do need a proper stretch after that.”

He took his coat back off and tied it around his waist as Akari jumped up and down excitedly. He stretched this wings out a little, hearing a pop at one of the joints that connected them to his back.

“Come on! They go out more than that!” Akari said, running around to get a better look.

Ingo hesitated for a moment before obliging and opened his wings the furthest they could. He stretched them out properly, up and down and all around. He forgot Akari was still behind him when he moved them straight out behind him until he heard her sputtering and felt her batting his wings in an attempt to get out of them. He felt the corners of his mouth flick up as he kept them there.

It felt amazing, actually stretching out his wings. The sun beat down on them, heating up his feathers. He should really find time to do this more often.

Akari escaped and came around to face Ingo again, a few feathers sticking out of her hair, as he finished his stretching.

“Your wings are so cool. Have you always had them or did you somehow get them when you came to Hisui? How do you hide them so well? They’re giant! And they match your coat! Did you match your coat to them or was it a coincidence? Does the man who looks like you also have wings? Does everyone from where you came from have wings?”

“Miss Akari, please,” Ingo interrupted, starting to lose track of what was asked, “pull the breaks. I will answer all your questions, just one stop at a time please.”

Akari looked sheepish. “Yeah, right. Sorry.”

“No need to apologize,” he reassured, plucking a feather from her hair, “I have a tendency to speak too quickly for some as well. I am just losing track of everything you’ve asked.”

Akari nodded and went back behind Ingo to look at his wings again. “Have you-” she cut herself off, “They look kinda bad. Is that from when you saved me?”

Ingo sighed. “No, they were like that before. I can’t reach back there to preen them and Machamp does their best. However, as you can see, it is a little rough.”

Akari was quiet when she asked, “Maybe I can do it. If you want.”

Ingo blinked. Please, he wanted to say, that would be amazing. His wings would finally stop itching. His feathers would be healthy again and not point every which way.

Maybe he could properly fly again instead of the awkward gliding he was confined to.

“I wouldn’t want to impose, Miss Akari,” he said instead, “I’m sure you are busy.”

Akari seemed to read his mind. “It’s no problem! Really! Maybe once they’re healthy again, you can take me out for an actual flight. Can you fly or can you just glide around like earlier?”

“Ah, I am not entirely certain,” Ingo admitted, “With my wings in their current state, I can only glide somewhat. However, I may be able to fly with them in better shape. Now, let me gather what we need. Please join me in my tent.”

“Do you think you’ve always had wings?” Akari asked, walking inside as Ingo held the door open for her.

“I believe so.” He closed the door once Gliscor flew in as well, Machamp deciding to stay outside for a while longer. “They feel as natural to me as my arms and legs.” He pulled down his jar of preening oil and a few cloths.

“Huh, that’s neat.” Akari sat on a cushion. “Alright! Show me what to do!”

It took a few tries and repeat explanations, but Akari eventually got the hang of preening. It was nice, soft, much gentler than Machamp’s attempts. It felt... familiar.

“I think,” Ingo started slowly, carefully trying to feel out the half memory, “someone used to do this for me. Before.”

“The man who looks like you?”

Ingo hummed. “Perhaps.”

They were quiet for a while as Akari focused on her task, Ingo only speaking a couple times for a quick correction.

Eventually, Akari spoke up again. “Do you think he also has wings? Or that where you’re from everyone has wings?”

Ingo sighed. “Unfortunately, I don’t know if the man has wings. I don’t think many, if any, others have wings, though. He must know about mine as I feel as if we are close. I do not think I would want to hide them from him.”

“I probably should have guessed.”

“No worries, Miss Akari,” Ingo reassured, “Talking to someone helps me sort through my own thoughts about this. If anything, I should be thanking you for your help.”

Akari laughed a little. “Thanks for trusting me with this. It’s nice to not be seen as the weird outsider for once.”

Ingo nodded. He was well acquainted with that feeling. Perhaps that was why he was so quick to trust Akari, so quick to become tentative friends with her. They had both come from a different place, arriving under mysterious means. Both so similar in so many ways the other inhabitants of Hisui didn’t understand.

“Who else knows?” Akari asked, knocking Ingo out of his thoughts, “About your wings, I mean.”

“Not many,” he said, letting Akari move his wing to get a better angle, “Warden Calaba and a few other healers know. I was moderately injured upon my arrival to Hisui so them discovering my wings was inevitable. Lady Irida was told soon after. They all took it well enough.”

The last part was a bit of a lie, but Ingo wasn’t about to get into how tense the conversations he had overheard between Irida and the healers was. About whether Ingo should be helped or thrown back to the Icelands, whether he was human or Pokemon or something else entirely. He was lucky Irida was so stubborn.

“Anyone else?” Akari prompted.

“Not that I am aware of. Warden Melli might know due to us sharing this station. He has not said anything if he does, however.”

“I don’t think he’d be able to keep something like this to himself,” Akari joked, “I think he’d be jealous he couldn’t be super cool and fly around.”

Ingo laughed lightly. “This cab is hardly suitable for flight in this condition, Miss Akari.”

“But you will be! I’ll make sure of it.” She went back to preening with renewed vigour. “How do you hide these things so well anyway? They’re gigantic.”

Ingo shrugged. “They shrink.”

“What?”

“They shrink and grow depending on how much I close or open them. You can probably see it now, with one wing being more open than the other.”

Akari was quiet for a moment, likely examining his wings closer. “Cool.”

A comfortable silence fell over the tent again. Ingo rested his head on a hand, elbow on his knee. He tried not to drift off, but the shuffling of feathers and the rhythmic stroking made that difficult.

“Hey, Ingo?”

He snorted awake again. “Hmm? Yes? I’m awake.”

“I just wanted to say that I think I’m done.”

Ingo moved his wings about, careful of the close quarters. He couldn’t remember them ever feeling so good.

“Thank you, Miss Akari,” he said, turning to face the girl, “You did a fantastic job. Bravo!”

Akari blushed a little and wiped her hands off on a cloth. “Thanks. I should get going soon. It’s supposed to be a full moon and I don’t want to miss the Clefaries dance tonight and have to wait another month.”

“You can stay for dinner if you wish,” Ingo offered, “If not, I look forwards to seeing you again soon. Perhaps at the Training Grounds in Jubilife Village.”

Akari stood. “I’d love to stay for food, but I know I would get distracted. I’m just gonna hang around the Fabled Springs until the moon comes up. But I’ll see you in Jubilife! I want to battle you again! Don’t think I didn’t see that you evolved Machoke.”

Ingo could already feel the excitement for the potential battle beginning to rise, his wings fluttering a bit in response. “You’ll be excited to know I have a few more Pokemon as well. They were out on my patrols when I was guiding you through the Highlands so they couldn’t battle with us then. I look forward to our next battle. Please be careful out there and know you may always come to me for help.”

Akari nodded as she headed to the door.  “How many Pokemon do you have? Wait no, I’m getting distracted! I’m leaving now! Thank you! Bye!”

Ingo smiled as best he could back. “Thank you as well.”

With a wave, Akari left. Gliscor swooped down, happily taking his place on Ingo’s lap. Ingo rubbed his head. It felt good to have one less person he had to worry about finding out about his wings.

Ingo didn’t want to bother Akari, but maybe he would ask her to help preen his wings when they got bad. If it wasn’t too much trouble for her.

Maybe he could properly fly one day.

He would like that.

Chapter Text

“Emmet, are you sure this is safe?” Elesa asked, looking between him and the edge of the building.

Emmet handed his jacket to her before moving away to stretch his wings, warming them up. “Yup! I’ve done my safety checks! Ingo and I have done this verrrry many times. My wings are in good shape. Thank you again. It will be fine.”

They stood on the roof of Emmet’s apartment building. It was late and the moon and usual few stars were blocked out by clouds.

“You’ve done this before?” Elesa sounded worried.

“Of course!” Emmet smiled at her, trying to reassure her that it was fine. “What’s the point of wings if you don’t get to use them?”

“What if we get caught?”

“We are up too high and it is the middle of the night. No one ever comes up here at this time and no one looks up.” Emmet looked to the edge of the roof and took a few more steps back. “If they do, they think we’re a plane or Pokemon. You know about those Braviary sightings. We will be fine.”

Emmet could almost see the lightbulb turn on as Elesa made the connection. “Wait, are you telling me those weird Braviaries are you and Ingo?”

“Yup!” Emmet laughed. “But don’t tell anyone!”

“Alright,” Elesa huffed a laugh, “I’m still going to be worried about this though.”

“Understandable, but unneeded.” Emmet shook his hands and wings quickly, trying to get some of his excited energy out. He was practically vibrating. He got into position, wings out, hands on the ground, grin wider than it had been in a while.

He took a breath.

“All aboard!” he said as be started to run towards the edge of the roof, wings beating hard.

Then he jumped.

And Emmet was flying.

He felt the wind rushing past his ears, through his hair, across his wings. He felt the familiar drop of his stomach as he swooped and turned. A laugh bubbled up and escaped from him as he spun and dove and climbed and soared.

He went in close to Elesa, turning in tight circles around her. The air current he created made her hold her light coat and Emmet’s jacket tighter in fear of them flying away. Her worried expression finally broke as she laughed along with Emmet’s antics.

He always felt so light up here, so free. Right now, in this moment, Emmet was free of everything that had been eating at him, dragging him down. All of the fear, the sadness, the uncertainty that had been following him like a speeding train for almost a year now couldn’t reach him up here.

Emmet climbed higher. He heard Elesa shout after him, but he beat his wings harder. He couldn’t stop now, not yet.

He flew even higher, higher, higher still. Until the chill started to bite into him, until the air started to grow thin.

Until he hit the cold and wet of the overcast sky and the lights below him disappeared.

He should leave, head back down to the roof and Elesa, dry off and warm up before heading to bed. But what if he could reach the other side? Emerge from the top of he clouds and see the stars above. It was always so much nicer up here in the sky. Calmer, quieter, brighter.

But the cloud Emmet had flown into didn’t seem to have an end other than down. He kept trying, clothes becoming soaked, fingers becoming numb, wing beats becoming frantic.

He gave one last hard flap of his wings, propelling himself a little further. He paused as his momentum ran out. He seemed to float there, high above the city and stuck in a cloud, as the moment stretched into an eternity.

Then the moment came to an end and Emmet fell down, down, down, heavy and tired and wet and cold.

He caught himself before he reached the roof, stumbling slightly as he landed. Elesa ran over the moment he touched down.

“That was incredible!” she cried, handing him back his jacket, “You scared the shit out of me the whole time, but you’re really good!”

“Yeah,” Emmet got out between breaths and the lump in his throat, still slightly dazed, “Verrrry good. Learned as kids.”

Elesa’s laugh died down. “C’mon, let’s go inside. You’re soaked and I’m getting tired.”

Emmet's back was already starting to hurt from how hard he had pushed himself after not flying for so long. He would be sore come tomorrow. He could barely feel his face and hands, other than the hot tears slowly making their way down his face. Even If Elesa didn’t notice them between the dripping of his hair, Emmet knew she could tell he was upset. She thankfully didn’t say anything. He didn’t want to talk about it yet.

He nodded at Elesa. “Hot chocolate,” he said, leading the way to the door as he slipped on his jacket, “and a towel. I want to warm up before bed.”

“Good idea.”

Emmet held open the door for Elesa, refusing to look back to sky again before heading in himself.

Emmet truly believed that things would be fine again, that things would be okay again, that Ingo would return. But sometimes it felt like he was trying to convince everyone, himself included.

He would be fine.

He would be okay.

Ingo would come home.

-----

Ingo looked out over the cliff side. If he was wrong about this, it would hurt.

No, he had done his safety checks. Akari had been finding him and demanding she let him preen his wings for a few months now. Most of his missing feathers had grown back in, the last few almost there. He couldn’t remember his wings ever being in such good condition.

He couldn’t wait any longer. He had to try.

He stepped away from the edge, giving himself plenty of runway.

Ingo had waited until the night to give himself the lowest chance of being spotted. He had also waited for Akari to head off to the Icelands. As much as he cared for the girl, this felt like something he had to do alone. Even if that ended up being a bad decision.

Lord Avalugg had recently become frenzied. Akari was sent to calm him, staying at Ingo’s tent the night previous on her way to the Icelands. He didn’t agree with placing this kind of task on the young surveyor’s shoulders, but even he had to admit that she was doing an excellent job. Besides, his Clan was right there. If something did happen to her, Gaeric and the rest of the Pearl Clan would be quick to help.

Ingo shook his head, trying to clear his wandering thoughts. He was avoiding what he had set out to do tonight.

He took his coat off, tying it around his waist. He had left his hat in his tent not too far away.

He stretched his wings out, getting ready to run. He took a breath.

“All aboard,” Ingo said to himself.

And he was off, running fast, wings beating hard.

He felt his feet leave the ground for just a moment.

He reached the cliff’s edge and jumped, pushing off as hard as he could.

He was falling. This wasn’t going to work. This was a mistake. He was going to get seriously hurt or worse. Ingo closed his eyes, not wanting to watch the rapidly approaching ground as he fought the panic that cut straight into his bones.

He hit an updraft and soared into the sky.

When Ingo opened his eyes, he was flying. Not just gliding, but actually, properly flying.

A laugh escaped him, unbidden. He felt the wind rushing past him, saw the stars and moon lighting up the sky above him. It all felt so familiar, so comforting.

So right.

It didn’t take long for Ingo to get a hang of flying. It was like riding a bike, whatever that was. He must have done this before. Perhaps with the man in white next to him.

Man in white?

Yes, the man who looked like him wore white in contrast to Ingo’s black. The new memory was almost enough to send Ingo literally spiraling, but he managed to keep steady. Something about being high in the sky, like deep in the tunnels, tried to pull faint memories back to their station.

He flew higher, the scattered lights of campfires on the ground shrinking rapidly. Ingo felt like there should be more lights beneath him, enough to rival those above him. Another faint, half memory.

He could almost feel the phantom of the man in white flying next to him on wings of his own. Whether the wings were part of the memory or put there by Ingo’s hopeful imagination, he could only guess.

The man flew circles around Ingo, spinning and twirling and laughing. He stood out clearly against the dark night sky, yet almost camouflaged against the bright stars.

The man rushed ahead, encouraging Ingo to keep going. Higher, higher, higher! Until you can reach the stars! Come on, we’re almost there!

Ingo followed, climbing further into the sky. They were so close now. Ingo felt like if he reached out a hand he could run his fingers through the stars, touch the moon, grab the man in white’s hand.

So, he did.

With one last flap of his wings, he reached out, desperately trying to touch, to feel, to hold, to grab, to keep.

To remember.

He seemed to float there, arm outstretched, suspended by invisible strings high above the ground.

But they were still too far away.

The phantom of a memory of the man who meant so much to Ingo faded as gravity took control again. He finally noticed how cold it was up here, how thin the air was.

Ingo fell, tumbled, back down to the ground that waited patiently for him to return. No! No, he was so close! He had to know!

Ingo barely managed to slow his decent enough to land back by his tent without hurting himself. He stumbled to the ground, unable to keep his footing. He wrapped his wings around himself, blocking out the world around him.

He wasn’t sure if the tears on his face were from the wind or the sheer amount of emotions churning within him, threatening to fully boil over.

He took a shaky breath and wiped his face. After a moment, Ingo managed to stand on shaky legs again. He stretched out his wings, knowing he would be sore the next day, and untied his jacket from his waist.

With a final look to the sky, to the stars and moon that seemed to taunt him now despite being so welcoming before, Ingo headed back into his tent and planned to make some tea. He should warm up before going to bed.

He would fly again another time. He had to build up the muscles after not properly flying for almost three years. Maybe one day he could give Akari that flight she had asked for so many times.

After all, what was the point of wings if you didn’t get to use them?

Chapter Text

Emmet was doing better as time passed.

It had been close to three years since Ingo had gone missing. Three years of loss, of sadness, of missing his brother. But Emmet had healed somewhat as well.

He could go into Ingo’s room now. It didn’t hurt to see the most obvious proof that his brother was gone.

At first it was just to give the room a quick dust and vacuum, enough to keep it clean for Ingo’s return (because he would return. Emmet had to believe that). But after a bit, Emmet would stay for longer, admire his brother’s silly knickknacks, maybe read one of his books. It turned into more of a comforting place than a sad one, something Emmet was always happy to have more of.

He had even reopened the Battle Subway the year prior. Well, most of the lines anyways, the Multi Lines were still closed. He didn’t think he could battle on them next to someone who wasn’t Ingo yet. Maybe Elesa one day, or Uncle Drayden or Iris. Maybe he would assign a couple Depot Agents to it. But those were thoughts for another time.

Right now though, he had just won a battle on the Double Line. His last one before they pulled back into Gear Station if he wasn’t mistaken.

It was an unremarkable battle, but that happened. Most of the others today were exciting, so Emmet didn’t mind that much.

“Please win 20 battles in a row, and fight with me!” he said, finishing his script.

His challenger, a woman with light hair, walked past him and placed her Pokemon into the healing station. “Thank you for the battle, but can I ask you something before I leave?”

Emmet smiled. “Tips for a future battle?” he asked with a bounce, arms behind his back. It wasn’t an uncommon question. And it was one he loved answering!

“That’s not exactly what I had in mind,” she said, returning her freshly healed Pokemon to her waist, “You’ve lived in Nimbasa City for a while, haven’t you? Been a Subway Boss for, what, almost ten years now?”

“Yes?” Emmet didn’t know where this was going. Perhaps she was a tourist looking for something interesting to do in the city? He had gotten questions like that before.

“Well, surely you must have heard about those Braviary sightings around here,” she said, taking a few steps towards Emmet, “Maybe even seen them?”

“I have heard of them, but I have not seen them,” he told her. He wasn’t sure he liked where this was going. “I don’t go out much at night. Need to be up early for the Subway!”

She nodded. “Yeah, yeah, of course. But what do you think of them? Strange, aren’t they?”

He tried to act casual, suddenly glad for his flat voice. “Verrrry strange. Braviaries do not typically come down this far.”

The woman took a step closer. Emmet took a step back. “Want to know what I think is the strangest thing about them?”

“No.” That was rude. He hadn’t meant to say that aloud, but he was getting annoyed. And nervous.

“I think it’s weird that the sightings stopped around the time Subway Boss Ingo went missing,” she said, taking another step forwards, “and when they started up again, instead of the pair that was always seen, there was only one.”

Oh, Emmet hated where this was going. The fact that he and Ingo were misidentified as Braviaries didn’t bother them, if anything they thought it was a little funny and flew a bit higher for a while.

They never thought anyone would make the connection.

Why would they? It was a wild connection to make! Yet here he was, stuck in a subway car with a lady who had somehow done it.

Emmet tried to discretely ping an Agent on his radio. “Please leave the car, ma’am.”

“How come you and your brother are never seen without some sort of coat on?” she asked, almost on top of Emmet now. The back of his knees hit the edge of a chair. He fell into it.

“U-uniform,” Emmet choked out.

She was over him. His face was heating up. He could barely feel his hands where they gripped his coat. He couldn’t even tell if he was breathing or not. It was almost painful how close his wings were tucked into his back, as if they were going to fuse into it.

Her hand was on his shoulder.

Her hand was grabbing his coat.

The door to the next car slid open. “Ma’am, please release Subway Boss Emmet!” a Depot Agent said. Emmet dimly noted it was Cameron as he rushed towards them.

The woman let go and took a few steps back. She and Cameron were saying something to each other, not that Emmet could make anything out over the ringing in his ears.

“Boss Emmet?” Cameron was in front of him. He looked worried. The woman was gone. They had pulled into Gear Station at some point. “Are you alright? Sorry, that’s a bad question. Of course you aren’t alright.”

Emmet swallowed, having finally gotten his breathing under control. As much as he would rather sign, he couldn’t get his shaking hands to move, much less open. “Kn-know what. You mean.” he forced out instead, voice quiet and rough, “I wwwill be. Fine. Need a mmminute.”

Cameron nodded. “Yessir. Do you want to stay here or I can bring you to your office? Whatever you want.”

All Emmet wanted was to not exist for a while, to curl up and wrap his wings around himself and block out the rest of the world until he could handle it again. He could do that in his office.

But...

Emmet glanced towards the Subway door and grimaced.

That would mean actually getting to his office. Emmet didn’t know if he could get that far right now.

“I’ve already contacted security,” Cameron broke in, “I got them to turn off the security cameras in the car. And I can get a few of us older staff to stay by the doors. Or I can get someone to take the train out for another lap or two. If you want to stay here and, uh, take your coat off?” His voice got more high-pitched as he continued rambling and wringing his hands.

Emmet froze. He looked back at Cameron, startling the agent and causing his mouth to shut with a clack. “You. Know?” he whispered.

Cameron quickly turned the shade of a Tamato berry. “I didn’t mean to notice! You and Boss Ingo sometimes just don’t put your coats on fast enough when we come into your office and I haven’t told anyone, I swear! And some of the other agents know too, but only the ones who’ve been here even longer than I have, like Jackie and Ramses. Oh, maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.”

They knew about his wings. They knew about Ingo’s wings. And they hadn’t said anything, to anyone. They kept their secret and didn’t even leave the Subway or treat them any different.

“Camerrrron,” Emmet interrupted the agent’s reignited rambling, “I will stay. Thank you.”

Cameron stood up straight and saluted. “Alright, Boss! I’m on it. You can count on me!”

Emmet smiled, small and barely there, but completely genuine. “I know.”

A couple minutes later, Cameron gave the all clear and the train began to move. Emmet took off his coat, already relaxing from the familiar rocking of the car. He wrapped his wings around himself there in his subway car, knowing he wouldn’t have to worry about anything for as long as he needed.

They had really lucked out with the Depot Agents, hadn’t they?

-----

“Akari!” Ingo shouted. The only reason his voice wasn’t starting to go was that his shouting was closer to his natural volume than his speaking voice.

How could it have gone like this?

It had taken Akari just shy of two weeks to quell Lord Avalugg, only sustaining a few superficial bruises and scrapes from it. She had stopped by Ingo’s tent on her way back to Jubilife Village, once again demanding to preen his wings. Ingo, as he always did, let her. Besides, they were starting to need it again with how he was working on flying most nights.

He asked if she wanted him to accompany her back to Jubilife. He wasn’t scheduled for the Training Grounds for a couple days, but he could always show up early. She said it was fine and headed back on her own.

He should have gone with her.

The sky broke with a loud bang the following day. Unnatural reds and blues and greens painted it, leaving the land below it in a permanent state of dusk.

“Akari!” Ingo yelled again. He had to find her. She had done so much for him, for Hisui as a whole. He had to help her this time.

As one of the Wardens stationed there, he should have stayed in the Highlands, but he was worried about Akari. With good reason apparently.

They had banished her. Her commander had blamed her for the sky and sent her out on her own into the uncertain and dangerous wilderness of Hisui to fix it, unable to return until she had. He had arrived too late, must have just missed her. Now he couldn’t find her.

She had called him uncle before she left.

He had to find her.

“Ingo!” a voice called from nearby. It wasn’t Akari, but it was almost as welcome. He spun around to face Irida running towards him. Adaman was talking with Mai at the top of a nearby hill.

“Lady Irida,” Ingo called back, “I apologize for not being at my proper post, but I need to find Akari. Have you seen her?”

She shook her head. “No, I haven’t. Not since Jubilife. Adaman and I are trying to find her as well. Lian said she had gone to him, but he sent her away. He was afraid that if he helped her then Galaxy Team would turn on the Clan.”

Ingo hadn’t thought of that. Should he still go after Akari? He was a member and Warden of the Pearl Clan after all. Would helping her end up harming the people that took him in?

Adaman called out before Ingo could think any further on it. “Hey, you two! Mai said she saw something!”

Ingo quickly followed Irida up the hill. Mai was already riding off on Lord Wyrdeer by the time they reached the top.

“What did she say?” Irida asked.

“Apparently she saw Akari leave towards the Mirelands with that one Ginkgo Guild merchant she’s friends with."

“Volo?” Ingo asked. He didn’t care much for the man or his questions about where he came from that he couldn’t answer even if he wanted to. But he didn’t seem like a bad guy, just someone Ingo didn’t particularly enjoy being around.

Adaman nodded. “Yeah, that’s his name. Apparently, that wasn’t too long ago. If we hurry, we might be able to catch up.”

Irida nodded. “Lead the way.”

The two leaders set off. Ingo didn’t move, still unsure whether or not he should follow them or return to the Highlands, until Irida looked back at him.

“Aren’t you coming?” she asked.

Well, that answered that question. “Yes, Lady Irida. Onward we roll,” he responded as he jogged to catch up with her.

Ingo followed behind as Adaman led the way to the Mirelands. They were moving quickly, but it still felt too slow. He wished he could just take off his coat and fly off. He could cover more ground, see further ahead.

But someone was certain to spot him. With the sky as it was and tensions no doubt rising, now was not the time to start showing off his wings.

So, he followed behind on foot, no matter how much he itched to get into the sky.

When they reached the Mirelands, Calaba was quick to find them on the back of Lord Ursaluna. She pointed them the direction she had seen Akari and Volo go before heading back out.

They kept going. Ingo was getting anxious, hand tapping against his thigh as they walked. It took almost every bit of will power to keep his wings still and breathing level.

Then they reached the end of the path they were following, and a familiar voice could be made out. Ingo couldn’t wait any longer.

He ran forwards and sure enough, there was Akari and Volo discussing something about lakes in front of a house.

“Akari!” Ingo yelled, still rushing towards the girl. She stopped midsentence and spun towards him.

“Uncle Ingo!” His heart skipped at the still new title. She ran to meet him, barreling into him. He caught her easily as she wrapped her arms around him, returning the hug.

“Akari,” Ingo pulled back and knelt so he could look her over, “Are you alright? Any injuries?”

She batted his hands away with a small laugh. “I’m fine. You’re worse than my mom.”

“I am simply doing my job as your newly appointed uncle. Passenger safety is of utmost importance after all!”

Akari’s eyes began to water as she hugged Ingo again. “Yeah,” she mumbled into his coat collar.

Ingo patted her back. “It will be alright,” he said as softly as he could.

Akari took a breath and pulled away. She swiped away any remaining tears and faced the others in the yard.

“Alright,” she said, turning to the rest of the group, “here’s what’s going on.”

The plan was simple enough. Visit the three lakes, contact their guardians, get something called a Red Chain, then fix the sky. Truthfully, it kind of went over Ingo’s head, an incomplete phrase about not allowing Legendaries somewhere passing through it at one point.

Eventually it was decided that Irida would go with Akari and Volo to the lakes, Adaman would keep an eye on the commander, and Ingo would return to the Highlands. While Ingo would much prefer going along with Akari, he had to admit he had duties in the Highlands. That and, not that he would ever say it aloud, he didn’t exactly trust Melli to keep an eye on things there adequately, especially after his stunts when his own Noble was frenzied. Akari gave him a look that suggested she thought the same.

So, Ingo returned to the Highlands and waited for Akari to arrive.

It took a couple days, but return she did. She ran over to him, interrupting the conversation he was having with one of the Galaxy Team members at a camp waving a solid red Pokeball above her head, yelling that they had to go right now.

Ingo followed Akari to the summit as she explained everything that had happened. She had gotten the Red Chain, fought her way past Beni, who was a ninja apparently, and Kamado. Then she caught Palkia, who was the Pearl Clan’s Almighty Sinnoh. They had to run as Dialga, the Diamond Clan’s Almighty Sinnoh, arrived and became frenzied. They made the remaining bits of the Red Chain and some ore Lian helped them find into a Pokeball that could hopefully catch Dialga and stop everything that was happening.

Ingo decided he would process all that later.

They reached the summit and the temple that stood there, meeting up with Irida, Adaman, Kamado, and Volo. Kamado and Volo stayed behind as the rest of them entered the temple. Akari rushed towards the giant blue Pokemon before Ingo had a chance to stop her. She threw a Pokeball at it.

Then the temple exploded.

He didn’t have time to react. He felt Irida pull him behind a pillar. What about Akari? Was she okay? She was right next to Dialga. What happened?

When the dust cleared, Ingo ran back out from the pillar. He stopped in his tracks after two steps.

Palkia stood in front if Akari, attacking a swirling vortex. Then it cleared, revealing Dialga once again, only in a different form. Its front legs were thicker, blockier. Its back ones ended in sharp points. It had a ring around its torso, four arrows pointing out from it.

Ingo was frozen. He couldn’t move when Akari ran to battle it, when she started throwing what looked like balms at it, when it started retaliating. Something held him in place no matter how much he wanted to rush forwards and get Akari out of the danger she had readily thrown herself into.

But then she got hit. She was flung through the air.

She went over the side of the temple, of the mountain.

Ingo broke free of whatever was keeping him stuck in place.

“AKARI!” There wasn’t anytime to think about the outcome of this decision. There wasn’t a decision to make.

He tossed his hat in Irida’s general direction. He ran forwards, taking his coat off and tying it around his waist. He dodged around the frenzied Legendary and jumped from the same place Akari had gone over.

Where was she? He couldn’t see her. Had he been too slow? Had she-

“Uncle Ingo!”

Lord Braviary rushed by him. Ingo snapped his wings out, slowing his fall. He flew near the bird, where Akari was hanging in the hammock he held.

“Akari!” he called to her, “You’re alright!”

“Yeah!” she shouted over the wind, “I managed to call Lord Braviary. But look at you! You can fly!”

“That I can! However, I may have acted rashly. I forgot you told me that you were introduced to Lord Braviary and came down to catch you.”

“You mean I could have had that flight I’ve been bugging you for if I didn’t call for Lord Braviary?” she asked.

“Akari, this is hardly-” She jumped from the hammock. “AKARI!”

Ingo tucked in his wings to speed up his fall again. He grabbed Akari before she had a chance to get too far down, beating his wings to bring them back to where they had started.

“This is amazing!” Akari yelled. Ingo was trying to focus on flying and not tearing out his hair. “But we gotta go back up to the temple, Uncle Ingo. I need to quell Dialga.”

Ingo nodded and flew back up to the temple. He was already starting to get tired between the extra weight and the stress Akari had put him through with that stunt of hers.

They landed at the foot of the stairs. Akari immediately ran back up to the temple as Ingo’s legs promptly turned to jelly. He landed face down in the snow, trying to catch his breath.

“Ingo!” Irida called, footsteps coming closer, “What were you thinking?! Jumping off the mountain like that. Kamado ran up when he heard you shout. Him and Adaman started questioning me about your wings as soon as they saw them! Thank Sinnoh I managed to convince them to stay behind right now.”

“One, one moment, please,” Ingo somehow got out between breaths. Oh, he was going to hurt later. He managed to push himself up a little, now kneeling on the ground. He left his wings splayed out on the ground, unable to pull them in just yet.

Irida handed his hat back to him. “Thank you,” he said, replacing it. “I forgot that Akari was acquainted with Lord Braviary, so I went to catch her myself. By the time I reached her she was already with the Ride Noble.”

“So why were you carrying her when you got here?”

Ingo sighed and ran a hand down his face. “She leaped from Lord Braviary for the chance to fly with me.”

It was Irida’s turn to sigh, glancing back the temple. “That girl.”

“That girl indeed.”

Irida looked back at Ingo. “You’re going to have to explain yourself to the others you know.” she said. “You won’t be able to avoid this.”

Ingo groaned. Unprofessional, but he’d rather focus on his exhaustion than the sharp spike of anxiety that stabbed through him. “I know. Can I do it later?”

Irida thought for a moment. “If you leave now, I think I can push it off for a day or two. I’ll send a Starly and let you know.”

Ingo felt like he would cry from the relief that rushed through his body. As reluctant as he was to leave Akari, he believed in her skills and knew he needed to take any time he could get to gather his nerves for what would undoubtedly be a long and unpleasant conversation. “Thank you so much, Lady Irida. Can you please tell Akari she is welcome back at my tent, but not to be surprised if I am asleep.” With the stress of the last few days and the frantic flight, Ingo felt like he could sleep for a week.

Irida laughed lightly. “I will. Now go get some rest.”

Ingo stood with another groan, finally managed to pull his wings back in, and replaced his coat with a nod. “I look forward to hearing from you. Farewell!”

Ingo was glad for the shortcuts he had found between the summit and his tent. And that the sky returned to its normal blue halfway home.

He passed out the moment he hit his bed, not even bothering to remove his shoes.

Chapter Text

After three and a half years, the tracks started with Emmet's Xtrans buzzing a few minutes after getting home from work.

They continued with Emmet grabbing his Subway Boss hat and coat out of habit, sprinting down the streets to his destination, and realizing he should call Elesa to meet him there once the building was in sight.

They came to an abrupt halt with Emmet sitting in the hospital waiting room, one leg bouncing a mile a minute, hand tapping the other just as fast.

Because for some reason, he had to wait before seeing Ingo.

“Emmet!” Elesa rushed into the room, out of breath. “Emmet, there you are. How is he? Do you know?”

Emmet didn’t move from his place, didn’t stop his tapping. “I don’t know,” he ground out, “They won’t let me see him.”

“Right,” Elesa said, trying to get her breath back as she fell into the chair next to him, “Okay. I guess we wait.”

Emmet hummed in acknowledgement. He was sick of waiting. He had waited long enough. He wanted, needed, to see his brother, to hug him, to at least know that he was okay.

If it really was Ingo.

Emmet shook his head. It had to be Ingo. Why else would the hospital call him? It was pretty hard to mistake Ingo for anyone other than Emmet, considering they shared a face.

He probably shouldn't have let his hopes get as high as they did, but it was too late now.

All they could do was wait.

Elesa put a hand on Emmet’s bouncing knee, not to stop him, just for some form of comfort for both of them. It wasn’t like he would even be able to stop his leg right now. He wouldn't be surprised if she was having a similar train of thought to his own.

After what felt like hours, but was likely only a few minutes, a doctor came into the room.

“Mr. Emmet,” he said, “can I speak with you?”

Emmet shot to his feet and rushed across the waiting room, Elesa not far behind. “I am Emmet. Let me see my brother.”

“Me too,” Elesa said.

The doctor looked between them. “I need to talk to you first, Mr. Emmet. Unfortunately, you will need to wait here, Ms. Elesa. Visitors are only one at a time for the time being.”

Emmet and Elesa looked at each other, both knowing who the obvious choice was. Elesa managed to cover her annoyed huff.

Emmet grabbed her hands. “I will keep you updated the best I can,” he told her.

Elesa pulled him into a hug. “You better,” she said before letting go. She returned to her seat.

“This way, Mr. Emmet,” the doctor said, leading them down the hall and into an office.

“How is Ingo?” Emmet asked as soon as the door closed.

The doctor sat in the chair by the desk. Emmet remained standing.

“Your brother appears mostly uninjured,” the doctor said. “He looks to only have some bruises and a few cuts. However, he will not let us tend to them or check for a concussion. Although, the concussion seems unlikely.”

That was verrrry unlike Ingo. “Do you know why?” Emmet asked.

“There is no easy way to tell you this,” the doctor said, “Please, sit.”

“I am fine.”

“I insist y-”

“I am fine.”

“If you’re sure.” The doctor paused. “Ingo has near complete retrograde amnesia.”

Emmet should have sat down. He fell into the near by chair, knees suddenly weak and a hand over his mouth.

Amnesia? Ingo couldn’t remember... anything? Was that why he hadn’t come home? He didn’t know how to? Didn’t know where it was?

The doctor interrupted Emmet’s spiraling thoughts, “There is also something else.”

What else could there be? What could be worse than Ingo forgetting everything? Emmet looked back to the doctor.

“Your brother, he- He has…” the doctor hesitated, looking behind Emmet.

No, not quite behind. Just over his shoulder. To Emmet’s back.

Oh.

“I want to see my brother,” Emmet said, hoping to change the subject.

“And you will, Mr. Emmet,” the doctor said, “but you must know-”

“I know,” Emmet said, standing up, “Where is Ingo?”

“I highly doubt-”

Emmet shrugged his coat off his shoulders. Maybe this plan wasn’t well thought out, but it was the quickest way he could think of to get to his brother.

He stuck his wings out.

“I know,” he said. His usually flat voice sounded cold even in his own ears. “Where is my brother?”

The doctor paled slightly. Emmet felt a little bad for scaring him, but Ingo was so close.

The doctor regained his composure quickly. “Mr. Emmet, you will see your brother. But I need you to calm down first.”

A beat of silence. Two.

Emmet took a breath. He pulled in his wings and replaced his coat. “Sorry,” he mumbled, looking to the floor and pulling his hat over his eyes.

The doctor nodded. “I understand. This is a stressful situation. Let me bring you to Ingo. Maybe you can convince him to let us treat his wounds.”

Emmet tensed. “You said he has amnesia. Will he know me?”

He regretted the question as soon as it left his mouth. He didn’t know what he would do if Ingo didn’t know who he was, if he didn’t trust him.

The doctor stood. “He told us that he was looking for someone when he ran in. A man who looks like him and wears white, was what he said.” He smiled at Emmet as he walked to the door. “Know anyone who might fit that description? Come on, this way.”

Emmet followed close behind as they went further down the hall.

Ingo did remember him. If only a little. That was enough. Emmet would help him. He would tell Ingo everything he could about their life. He should get Mom’s old scrapbooks from Uncle Drayden. Oh Dragons, he still had to tell Uncle Drayden about all this. And update Elesa about this. Maybe they would lift the one visitor at a time rule once Ingo was patched up and they would let her in. When Ingo was okay with it, Emmet didn’t want to overwhelm him.

“Can you tell Elesa?” Emmet asked as they stopped next to a closed door. “As much as you are allowed. At least that Ingo is okay and that I’m with him?”

The doctor nodded. “I can tell her that. Once he’s all patched up, Ingo should be allowed to leave. You two can tell her what you want then.”

“Thank you. And, um, could you not tell anyone about... You know.” Emmet shimmied his shoulders slightly, hoping that got his point across.

“Of course. Doctor-patient confidentiality. I can't legally tell anyone.”

Emmet sighed. “Thank you.”

With that, the doctor opened the door.

“I told you, I am fine,” a painfully familiar voice from inside said immediately. He sounded annoyed. “I was told that you were going to get the man I am looking for, but all anyone has been trying to do is bandage me. My injuries are not serious, I can tend to them myself later.”

Emmet didn’t give the doctor a chance to explain. He pushed past him and into the room.

Ingo was sitting on the bed, grip tight on his coat. He had a black eye, a scrape on his chin next to a strange little beard, and dried blood down the side of his face from a cut above his eyebrow. He looked like shit, but he was here.

Emmet heard the door click shut behind him as he and Ingo stared at each other.

“You,” Ingo started, voice quiet and shaky, “You are here.”

Emmet almost gave himself a headache with how hard he nodded. “You are here too.”

Emmet dashed across the short distance of the room, tearing off his coat on the way. He grabbed his brother, Ingo returning the hug just as tightly. Emmet wrapped his wings around them, making the world just the two of them.

“Oh,” Emmet heard Ingo breathe in his ear, “You do have them. It wasn’t- I-” Ingo’s voice cut off as he held on tighter, pressing his face into Emmet’s increasingly wet shoulder.

They sat there, crying into each other’s shoulders under Emmet’s wings, for a long time before Ingo managed to pull out of the hug. He kept holding onto to Emmet’s arms.

Emmet kept his wings around them as he gently tried to clean Ingo’s face with his sleeve, Ingo leaning into the touch. His shoulder was already stained with dried blood and snot. What was a little more on the cuff at this point?

Besides, one ruined shirt was a small price to pay for his brother sitting in front of him, under his wings again.

“May I ask you something?” Ingo said, voice rough and eyes rimmed red.

“You just did,” Emmet joked, voice just as hoarse, throat and chest already sore.

The corners of Ingo’s mouth flicked up as he gave a small laugh. “You know that is not what I meant.”

Emmet smiled back at him, taking Ingo’s hands into his. “I am Emmet. We are brothers, twins.”

Ingo looked like he was about to start crying again. “I should have guessed you would already know. Thank you, Emmet.”

“The doctor told me,” Emmet said as Ingo shimmied in place and rolled his shoulders like he was trying to get comfortable. “What are you doing? Are you okay?”

“I think I remember something,” Ingo mumbled to himself. He opened his wings and nudged them just under Emmet’s, expanding the wing dome slightly. “Like that? I think?”

Emmet blinked. “Your coat is still on,” he said dumbly.

Ingo looked away. “Ah, yes. I, uh, had to make some alterations to it.”

Emmet took a closer look at the parts he could see of Ingo’s coat. It was faded and worn down. The cuffs and much of the length were completely gone. Instead of mentioning any of that, Emmet said, “You cut wing slits in it.”

Ingo still wouldn’t look at him. “Yes.”

“Why?”

Why did Ingo feel the need to cut wing slits into his coat? Did someone make him? Did he have a choice? Was it for safety? Was he somewhere where not having his wings quickly available was worse than securely hiding them?

“It is a long story,” Ingo said, “One I am not sure I am ready to completely tell.”

Emmet took a breath. As much as he wanted to know everything that had happened, he wouldn’t push. Not right now.

“That is fine,” Emmet said, “I will be here when you are ready.” He gave his wings a quick shake, bringing Ingo’s attention to them and changing the subject. “We did this a lot as kids. The wing dome. Sometimes as adults too. It is verrrry nice. I think your memory will come back quickly!”

“Even in the short time I’ve been here, I can tell here and Hisui are quite different,” Ingo said, taking the subject change. “There wasn’t much to remind me of my home station there.”

“Hisui?” Emmet asked. “Is that where you were?”

Ingo sighed. “Yes. I want to explain, but even part of the story is a long one.”

“Then let’s wait until we leave,” Emmet said, “I forgot to bring any Pokemon, and they will be verrrry worried. Elesa is also still waiting. And your wings are not in good condition. I can preen them at home while you tell your story.”

“The tracks home were rough.” Ingo’s Purrloin smile crept up with a disbelieving laugh, eyes bright as he looked at Emmet. “But I am home.”

Emmet laughed back, smile soft. “This is a hospital. Home is a 40-minute walk away. Shorter if you run like I did. But Elesa drove, so we can get there much quicker.”

Ingo rested his head against Emmet’s with another light laugh, knocking both their hats askew. “You know what I mean.”

“Of course I do, I am Emmet. It has been a verrrry long time since I have been able to antagonize you. But you must let the doctor repair your cab before we leave.”

Ingo tensed, frowning more so than usual as his feathers puffed up slightly. “Can we not just do it at home? I know how to.”

“Nope! They are the professionals. They have all the necessary supplies here,” Emmet said, “But do not worry. I won’t let them touch your wings. I can check them myself at home. From this angle they look okay. If in need of a bit of preening.”

Ingo visibly relaxed. “Alright. But before you call the doctor, who is Elesa? You have said the name a couple times now.”

“Elesa is our best friend. Basically our sister at this point.” It was Emmet’s turn to look away, unable to stamp down the guilt he felt. “I told her about our wings when you were gone. I had to. Mine were… bad.”

“If we are as close with Elesa as you say we are, I am surprised we didn’t tell her sooner.”

“Me too,” Emmet said with a smile. Of course Ingo would understand.

With a breath, Ingo pulled back and tucked his wings back under his coat. “Okay, I am ready.”

Patching Ingo up was a quick affair. A few bandages, a couple wet wipes, and some disinfectant later, he was ready to go. Emmet was told he should make appointments for Ingo to get a more thorough check up and to see a specialist for his amnesia, but that could wait until tomorrow. For now, they headed back to the waiting room hand in hand.

Ingo was almost barreled over by Elesa when they entered. After a moment of surprise, Ingo took his hand from Emmet’s and returned the hug.

Once Emmet managed to convince Ingo that the car was perfectly safe, Elesa drove them home. They explained Ingo’s amnesia on the way, which probably wasn’t the best choice judging by how they nearly got rear-ended when Elesa hit the brakes in shock. Ingo almost broke Emmet’s hand with how tight he squeezed it.

Then, before they knew it, the three were standing in front of the door to the apartment.

Emmet looked over to Ingo. He looked nervous, but determined. “Ready?” he asked.

Ingo took a breath and nodded. “Full steam ahead.”

Emmet unlocked and opened the door.

The twins barely made it past the threshold before they were knocked to the ground and crushed by all their Pokemon.

“Get off!” Emmet called out, trying not to get suffocated by Galvantula. “Elesa! Help!”

“Oh, no way,” she laughed. Emmet swore he heard the click of a picture being taken. “This is exactly how I thought this would go.”

Emmet couldn’t stay upset for long as Ingo’s booming laughter once again filled the apartment.

The laughter turned into as a wheeze with the sound of Pokemon releasing themselves and more weight being added to the pile. Which didn’t make any sense because all their Pokemon were already on top of them.

“Alright! Someone is going to get hurt! Probably me,” Ingo called out, a laugh still in his voice, “Alakazam, if you are able, can you please help us out.”

They didn’t have an Alakazam.

Unless...

“Ingo,” Emmet asked as he was lifted psychically from the pile, “did you get more Pokemon?”

Ingo was already out and petting every Pokemon he could get his hands on, Chandelure chiming softly from her place pressed into his side. “I didn’t have any when I arrived in Hisui. Although, I didn’t expect them all to wish to join my return trip. They will need some maintenance. Honestly, I’m surprised they even came out now.”

Looking around, Emmet counted five extra Pokemon in varying degrees of injured investigating the room. They weren’t small Pokemon either.

“I am glad this place came with the extra-large Pokemon room,” Emmet said, “I do not want to think about moving. We have plenty of healing items, don’t worry.”

“Knowing you, I thought you’d have a full team of six,” Elesa said.

“Well, Gliscor is likely still in his ball,” Ingo paused his petting to do a headcount, “But where is Little Lady?”

“You have seven Pokemon?” Emmet asked as a purple head popped out of the nearby Tangrowth.

“She’s not big, it’s fine,” Ingo said before turning to the weird Sneasel. “Be careful not to hurt Tangrowth, Little Lady. She is quite strong, but you still have the type advantage and we had quite the battle recently.”

The Sneasel chirped in acknowledgement and dove back into Tangrowth, the larger Pokemon made a rumbling sound that was likely a laugh.

At least Ingo’s new Pokemon seemed to get along with the others. They were all chatting away with each other, filling the apartment with various sounds. The Klinklangs and Galvantula were already trying to distribute berries to Ingo’s new team. Verrrry noisy. Emmet would apologize to the neighbours later. Or if they came banging on the door.

Emmet hung his hat and coat up on their hook. “I am Emmet and I am not going to worry about the neighbours right now,” he said making his way to the hall, “Ingo, you can put your Pokeballs over here, then go have a shower. I will get you clean clothes and the preening oil. Elesa, I am putting you on Pokemon healing duty. Once you are able to get in.”

“Sounds good!” Elesa said with a thumbs up, still trapped in the doorway.

Ingo froze for a second before his eyes widened. “I forgot about showers! Oh, they are so much better than the stream.” He placed his weirdly old looking Pokeballs in the dish with the others and started down the hall. He paused next to Emmet. “Where is it?”

Emmet pointed to the doors from closest one to his right then around the hall in a circle as he listed the rooms behind them, “Guest room, bathroom, storage and laundry room, my room, your room. Let me know if you need anything.”

Ingo looked at the closed door to his room for a moment. He turned towards the bathroom. “Thank you, Emmet,” he said, quiet enough that only Emmet could hear over the sounds of Pokemon.

Ingo went into the bathroom and shut the door behind him. Chandelure, not wanting to be far from her trainer, phased through the door after him.

Emmet took a breath, still watching the bathroom door. Ingo would be fine, Chandelure was with him.

Elesa, having managed to make her way over, stopped Emmet’s thoughts before they had the chance to derail. “He’s quiet.”

“Yeah,” he said, still watching the door.

“And he slouches.”

“Yeah.”

“Are you doing okay, Emmet?”

The water finally turned on with a triumphant shout from Ingo. Emmet couldn’t help but laugh. He looked over at Elesa, finally breaking is stare at the door. “Yup. Everything I need to worry about is at a different station. We will reach that station, but not yet. When we do reach it, everything will be okay. Yup! Because me and Ingo will face it together again. Because Ingo is home.”

Ingo was home. He was really home. He was back in their apartment, having a shower, and Emmet was going to preen his wings again.

Emmet’s wings shook with excited energy, causing him to nearly lift off in the process. Sure, there was going to be a lot to do and get used to and figure out, but Ingo was home.

His brother was home!

A laugh escaped Emmet as he pulled Elesa into a hug. “Ingo’s home!” He let go and ran down the hall. He banged on the bathroom door. “Ingo!”

The water turned off. “Yes?”

“You’re home!”

“I’m home!” Ingo laughed as the water turned back on.

After pulling out a set of Ingo’s comfiest clothes and placing them on the bathroom counter, Emmet went to his bedroom, quickly changed his own shirt to something cleaner and softer, and grabbed the preening oil. When he turned to leave, a Gliscor that looked much more injured than the rest of Ingo’s Pokemon was hanging upside-down from the doorframe, blocking him off.

“Hello,” Emmet said, “I assume you came with Ingo. You look verrrry strong.”

Gliscor just watched him. Emmet’s wings fidgeted. He felt like he was being judged. Apparently passing whatever test Gliscor had, he swooped over and landed on Emmet, clinging to his shoulder. Gliscor rubbed his head under Emmet’s chin with a clicking purr.

“You are verrrry friendly,” Emmet laughed as he made his way to the living room. “Let’s get you healed up. Sound good?”

Gliscor stayed attached to Emmet as he and Elesa became acquainted with the Pokemon Ingo had brought. Unsurprisingly, they were all friendly and clearly well trained. The strange Sneasel was the shyest, hiding behind, or inside in Tangrowth’s case, the larger Pokemon. She was eventually lured out with snacks and ended up falling asleep on Elesa’s lap. Elesa looked like she was about to cry from that.

When Ingo finally emerged from the bathroom, likely having only left after using all the hot water, he looked much better than he had been in the hospital. He was still scraped and bandaged up and Emmet could see a few faint scars on his now bare arms and hands, but he looked more relaxed, more alive. Emmet felt much the same way.

“I wasn’t sure where to put my other clothes, so I left them in the bathroom,” Ingo said, hanging up his hat and coat in their place next to Emmet’s. It was nice to see again. He came over and sat between Emmet and Elesa on the couch.

“We can deal with them later. Your Gliscor is a suck,” Emmet said. Gliscor was on Emmet’s lap as he chittered at Chandelure on Ingo’s lap.

“Oh, Gliscor likes you? That’s a relief,” Ingo said, “He can be picky about who he gets along with. How has he been with you, Elesa?”

“He’s been ignoring me,” Elesa answered, “and we filled your funny Sneasel with treats.”

The corners of Ingo’s mouth flicked up as he petted the sleeping Sneasel. “I’m sure she loved it. Also, that is one of the better reactions Gliscor has had to a new person. He usually stays in his Pokeball when we go to new places. He must have released himself with all our shouting about being home.”

“What’s one of the less better reactions to new people?” Elesa asked. “He seems like such a sweetie.”

“He likes to bite,” Ingo said, “Hard.”

Emmet and Elesa looked at Ingo then down at Gliscor is a mix of disbelief and horror.

“But I have told him to stop that,” Ingo continued, pointing at Gliscor.

Gliscor bit down lightly on Ingo’s finger, holding it in his teeth.

“Don’t be cute with me now,” Ingo jokingly scolded, lightly shaking the Pokemon’s head back and forth before Gliscor released his finger. “If I didn’t know any better, I would say you were raised alongside a pack of Gible.”

Gliscor snickered and left Emmet’s lap, swooping off to investigate the rest of the apartment.

“Alright,” Emmet said, shaking off his shock and sitting on the ground, “get down here so I can preen your wings and check them over. And so the rest of the Pokemon can stay close without much issue.”

Ingo moved to the ground, facing his wings towards Emmet. He kept Chandelure on his lap as the rest of his Pokemon crowded around, new ones letting the old ones in closer.

Emmet got to work, carefully preening his brother’s wings for the first time in three and a half years. He could feel Ingo relax under his hands almost immediately, leaning onto Chandelure. Honestly, he felt much the same way.

“Ingo?” Emmet asked softly, “Did you want to tell us where you were?”

Ingo hummed. “Can I later? I promise I will, just… Later.”

“Of course,” Emmet said. “Want to hear about our past instead?”

“I would love that,” Ingo mumbled.

Emmet smiled. “Okay. Try not to fall asleep.”

One story about how they met Elesa later, Ingo was, in fact, asleep, wrapped around Chandelure and leaning on the couch. Emmet finished his wings soon after. Thankfully, they were unharmed other than a small handful of feathers that were missing or Emmet had to remove.

“Should we wake him up?” Elesa asked.

“I am not sure we could. And I think he needs it,” Emmet said, wiping his hands clean and standing with a groan and a stretch. “I need a nap too. But I need to make some calls. And put Ingo’s clothes through the wash. And figure out dinner.”

“Want some help? I can order food later and figure out the clothes,” Elesa offered. “I wouldn’t be surprised if that sweater he was wearing has certain care instructions.”

That would be a good idea. Elesa was the textiles expert between the three of them. But then she would probably need to leave the room and Emmet would already be in the other room since he didn’t want to risk waking his brother. Chandelure was here, yes, but she was pinned under Ingo. What if-

“Why don’t you bring the clothes to me?” Elesa cut in. “I’ll stay in the living room.”

Emmet felt his shoulders relax a little. He hadn’t even noticed how tense they had become. Or how puffed up his wings were. Dragons, that was embarrassing.

“I will grab them,” he said, flattening his feathers back down, “Thank you, Elesa.”

“Don’t mention it,” she said. Emmet didn’t miss the slight waver in her voice.

When he looked over, Emmet could see the same fear that had been in the not-so-back of his mind since first seeing Ingo again reflected in Elesa’s eyes.

He took a breath, then smiled. “He’s home.”

Elesa smiled back. “He’s home.”

Ingo just snored from his spot on the ground. Emmet and Elesa laughed, feeling a little lighter.

Chapter Text

Ingo hadn’t realized he had fallen asleep until he was waking back up. It was a slow and soft awakening, greeted by the warmth he held on to, a familiar voice in the distance, and another one speaking to him.

“-o. Ingo, you need to wake up,” a woman, Elesa that’s right, said, “It’s almost dinner and I don’t think that position is the greatest.”

“But it’s warm,” he mumbled, still not opening his eyes. The heat he held was warmer than his tent in the Highlands, more comforting than being buried in Lady Sneasler’s kits. He had almost drifted back off when Elesa spoke again.

“That’s because you’ve got Chandelure’s flame inside your chest.” She sounded like she was smiling. “Is that, like, healthy?”

Chandelure chimed something that sounded jokingly offended.

“I’m sure it’s fine,” Ingo said, finally letting his eyes open. He removed one arm that was holding Chandelure and rubbed his face with a yawn. “How long was I asleep?”

“About an hour,” Elesa said from where she sat on the couch. “Emmet finished your wings not that long after you fell asleep. We didn’t want to wake you since it seemed like you needed it, but we should get dinner soon.”

Ingo hummed as he finally managed to unfold himself from around Chandelure, back cracking loudly in multiple places in the process. Chandelure gave another chime and a soft bonk to his forehead before floating off. He managed to pull himself onto the couch next to Elesa despite the fact both of his legs were half numb from the cross-legged position he had been in.

Letting the impulse win, Ingo leaned over and gave Elesa a hug. She returned it tightly, pressing her face into his shoulder.

“I- I missed you,” she whispered, voice choked and muffled. “I’m so happy you’re home.”

“I am too,” Ingo said, resting his head on hers. “I must admit that I didn’t remember you until Emmet told me who you were. Truthfully, I still don’t remember much. But I have found that while the mind forgets, the heart remembers. I may have forgotten you, but upon seeing you again, I realized that I missed you. Dearly.”

Elesa gave one more squeeze and pulled back, dabbing at her eyes. “You’re going to make me cry. This is supposed to be a happy day.”

“Me and Emmet have already cried a bunch,” Ingo laughed lightly. He tucked in his wings and leaned back. The cushions were soft enough prevent his wings from digging into him. “It is fine if join us.”

“Later maybe,” Elesa joked back, leaning against him. “I got to get this makeup off first.”

Relaxing further into the couch, Ingo let his head tilt back and his eyes close.

“Hey!” Elesa laughed. “Don’t fall asleep again!”

“I’m not!” Ingo laughed, opening them again and looking down at Elesa, “It has just been a while since I’ve had the chance to relax.”

It had been a long few weeks of helping Akari finish up the Pokedex, saying their goodbyes, meeting up with that child-endangering legendary, and then finally making it home. He hoped Akari had made it home quicker than he had and was safe and sound with her mother. They had promised to find each other again. If that was even possible.

No, he shouldn’t think like that. No matter the space between them, he would find Akari and introduce her to the rest of his family.

“I don’t want to rush you,” Elesa said tentatively, bringing Ingo out of his thoughts, “but when do you think you’ll tell me and Emmet where you were.”

“Soon,” Ingo said, “I want to. Truly, I do. But it is a long story and not all of it is good. Perhaps after dinner I will tell some of it, when I make Emmet let me preen his wings. They look like they are starting to need it and he did mine.”

“Yeah, I’ve been doing it most of the time but we’ve both been busy this past week or so,” Elesa said, briefly leaning over to grab something from the table next to her. Ingo’s mind provided the word phone but nothing else. “So, what should we get for dinner?”

“I am not sure what is around here,” Ingo admitted, “I think I have some berries in my bag.”

“No offence, but I’m not having berries for dinner.” She tapped the phone a few times. “I’m thinking comfort food, like pizza for something.”

“What’s pizza?” The items in the small pictures looked familiar, but Ingo couldn’t place exactly what it was.

Elesa looked at him in shock. “Shit, that amnesia’s no joke if you forgot pizza.”

“Language,” Ingo responded without thinking. He probably shouldn’t be chiding an adult for swearing. Just as he was about to apologise, Elesa laughed.

“Never thought I’d be so happy to hear that again. I’m ordering the toppings you like. Emmet can just pick the Pinap berries off.”

“I am only agreeing to that because I’m still happy Ingo’s home,” Emmet said, appearing behind the couch and poking his head over the two of theirs. “Get garlic bread too.”

“Of course. What do you take me for,” Elesa said in mock offence, “some sort of heathen?”

“And marinara sauce,” Emmet said, coming around and sitting on Ingo’s other side.

“Don’t you have that in your fridge?”

“That is pasta sauce. It is completely different.”

“Sure, if you say so,” Elesa teased, tapping the phone a few more times. “Alright, it’s ordered. Should be here in about thirty minutes.”

“We don’t need to get it?” Ingo asked. “Or make it?”

Elesa smiled. “Nope! Someone will bring it right to us. Hot and ready to eat! No need to go anywhere.”

“Well, if that is the case,” Ingo brought his wings out and wrapped them around Emmet and Elesa, pulling Emmet closer, “I am trapping you here with me.”

“As if that’s a bad thing,” Elesa laughed.

“You’re trapped with us now, Ingo,” Emmet said, grabbing his hand and leaning on his other side.

Ingo laughed lightly as he leaned his head on Emmet’s. “I missed you both. Even if I couldn’t remember you, I still felt your absence.”

“Stop it! I already told you I didn’t want to cry yet,” Elesa said as she fanned her eyes. Emmet’s grip tightened. “Oh, Emmet, how did your calls go?”

Emmet cleared his throat before talking. “Verrrry good,” he said, still sounding a little choked up. “I have informed Gear Station that I will not be in for at least three weeks. They will email me the paperwork for that tomorrow. I am going to set up an appointment with a specialist for Ingo’s amnesia and our family doctor in the next few days. Also, Uncle Drayden said that he would start with the paperwork side of things tomorrow. Mostly figuring out what we will need to do. So, we can relax for the next little bit.”

“We have an uncle?” Ingo asked, mostly to himself. Emmet began to talk, but Ingo’s mind was already elsewhere.

Strong hands. Lifted into the air. Thrown up to fly. Caught in one arm as Emmet is caught in the other.

“We have an uncle!” Ingo exclaimed with a jolt. “Sorry, I interrupted you. What were you saying?”

“It’s fine,” Emmet laughed, “Just that he said he and Iris want to visit soon. But not until you are ready.”

“I think I need some time to get used to this station, but I would love to see Uncle Drayden again. And Iris is…” he paused, trying to remember something, but stopped when a familiar headache threatened to start. “Purple?”

Ingo heard Elesa snort. “Love that that’s what you remember.”

Emmet laughed lightly, “Iris is our cousin. She has purple hair, that might be what you’re remembering. I will let Uncle Drayden know.”

“You also mentioned Gear Station. What is that? It sounds familiar.”

Emmet jerked up and looked at Ingo, eyes bright. “I get to tell you about trains.”

Ingo could feel his own excitement starting to build. “I am not sure what those are, but they sound exciting!”

Elesa laughed. “You nerds.”

The time passed quickly as Emmet immediately started giving a speech on the history of trains. He ran off at one point to grab a large book about the vehicles, much to Ingo’s delight, to show what a train and all its components looked like. The conversation only stopped not when dinner had arrived, but when Elesa returned with the food and the smell of pizza filled the air.

Birthdays. Late nights. Cheese and peppers and Pinap berries. Grease on his hands and face.

Ingo cut himself off midsentence, whipping around to face Elesa. “I remember what pizza is,” he said, already reaching out his hands for the box. She handed it over with a laugh. Ingo had half a slice in his mouth before Emmet could reach for his garlic bread.

It was delicious. Probably the best thing Ingo had ever eaten if he had to guess. Although, that may be in part to how hungry he suddenly realized he was. He finished off the slice quickly, starting on his second before Elesa moved the box from his lap to the low table she had dragged over.

Dinner was a relatively quiet affair, mostly due to Ingo’s mouth being filled with food for most of it. Emmet and Elesa made sure to tell Ingo the names of the Pokemon he hadn’t remembered yet while they ate. He was glad he could at least remember Chandelure’s once they had separated off from the group for his shower.

Elesa snuck a few of their Pokemon her crusts, while Emmet focused on picking off the Pinap berries and putting them in a pile in the box. Not wanting good toppings to go to waste, Ingo put Emmet’s discarded berries onto his next slice.

“I see you remembered that,” Emmet said, dropping a few more berries into the pile.

Ingo hesitated. “Should I not be taking these? I did not think you wanted them and I don’t want them to go to waste.”

Emmet laughed, “No, no. It is fine! You always do that when I pick off toppings you like. I take your mushrooms sometimes.”

“Well, that is good because I was hoping to see how many Pinap berries I could get onto this slice,” Ingo said, adding another piece to his ever-growing pile.

“You’re ridiculous,” Emmet sighed, but still started picking the berries from the other slice he had set aside to add to Ingo’s.

In the end, Ingo’s slice was more Pinap than pizza, but he still enjoyed every bite of it.

Once all the food was gone, Ingo, Emmet, and Elesa ended up piled together other on the couch. They laid there in comfortable silence, enjoying the others’ presences. Ingo could feel Elesa running a hand through his hair, nails scratching soothingly against his scalp, and Emmet rubbing a thumb over his knuckles, pausing at the small, raised scars the baby Sneasels had left over the seasons.

Ingo couldn’t remember ever being this relaxed while so close with another person. The Clan had reserved touch only for family and those they were close to. While Ingo may have been a Warden, he was still an outsider. Even before word about his wings had gotten around, he wasn’t considered that close to any in the Clan.

There was Akari, but she was ball of energy. She would greet him with a hug after particularly long expeditions, always running and jumping into him, or lightly and rapidly punch him in the arm when she got excited. Her closeness was more often than not accompanied with fast movements and big gestures.

However, there were times that Ingo missed the calmer touch of someone he cared for.

A gentle, yet playful, nudge, a hand quietly slipped into his, a relaxed lean. It was this, the soft pile he found himself in, that Ingo realized was truly missed. A quiet he could relish in instead of being overwhelmed by. He felt like he could fall asleep again, sandwiched between his brother and sister, a mess of tangled arms and legs and wings.

Wait, he wanted to preen Emmet’s wings.

“Emmet,” he said, grabbing his brother’s now still hand, “your wings need preening.”

Emmet hummed onto Ingo’s chest. “Tomorrow. I am comfy.”

“Emmet, I want to preen your wings.”

Emmet squinted already half-closed eyes in thought for a moment before responding, “M’kay.”

It took a few minutes for the three of them to untangle themselves from each other. Once they did, Elesa cleaned up the boxes from the table as Emmet showed Ingo where the Pokemon food was. Ingo and Elesa fed all the Pokemon as Emmet got the preening supplies back out and moved the table again.

With everyone’s Pokemon eating their own dinners, Ingo sat on the floor behind his brother. Elesa returned to the couch, sprawling over it and claiming it as her own.

“Please let me know if I do anything incorrectly,” Ingo said, scooping up a bit of oil.

Emmet shook his wings out a little before settling. “You won’t. But okay.”

Ingo started where Emmet’s wings met his back, trying not to get any oil on his shirt, and slowly worked his way outwards. He could feel Emmet relax as he worked. Ingo relaxed too, finding comfort in the repetition and vague feelings of familiarity. Another comfortable, not-so-quiet silence settled over them, sounds of eating Pokemon and the shifting of feathers filling the air.

“I wasn’t sure,” Ingo eventually began quietly, “if you had wings. When I would try to imagine you, all I knew was that you looked like me and wore white. You would have wings in my mind, but I did not know if they were another scrap of memory or just my hopeful imagination. I am glad that you do. I’m not- I am rambling again, my apologies.”

Ingo felt Emmet tense for a second. “Don’t be sorry,” he said, “I missed hearing you talk.”

“Me too,” Elesa chimed in, “Besides, that was hardly rambling coming from you.”

“Are you sure?” Ingo asked, pausing his hands, “I was often told I was too loud. I managed to lower my volume, but I could never get the hang of using less words.”

At this, Emmet spun around. He looked upset, angry almost, but not at Ingo. He grabbed Ingo’s face, mindful of his black eye. “Listen to me,” he said, “You are Ingo. You are loud. You say many words. We love hearing you talk verrrry much.”

Oh.

Ingo didn’t need to hide himself away here. Logically, that was obvious. But it hadn’t really set in until now. He took a breath and cleared his throat before speaking.

“Okay. Thank you. Now, would you please turn around again. Your wings are not done.”

Emmet removed his hands with a nod and spun around again. Ingo resumed his preening.

“You said you where in Hisui,” Emmet said after some time had passed, “Where is that?”

Ingo took a breath. “I believe it is called Sinnoh now.”

“Sinnoh?” Elesa asked, “How did you get to Sinnoh? It’s on the other side of the world.”

It was strange to hear Hisui referred to by the name of what the clans worshipped and fought over. It probably wasn’t strange before his departure. He probably didn’t even know about Hisui and her people and Pokemon then.

But now he knew, and now it was strange.

“Ingo?” Emmet asked, bringing Ingo back to the living room.

“The first thing I was aware of when I arrived in Hisui was the cold,” Ingo started, “The second was pain.”

He told Emmet and Elesa what he could about his time in Hisui. He told them about the Pearl Clan, about becoming a Warden and Lady Sneasler, about meeting his Pokemon. He told them about the Nobles becoming frenzied, how Akari had quelled them, the events of the red sky.

He told them so much about Akari. How they had grown close, how she had a difficult task set upon her, how he helped in any way he could. How they had promised to find each other again.

Ingo avoided some parts. Like how he had been treated those first few months, his numerous injuries, how he had stopped hiding his wings once everyone eventually found out about them and there was no point in hiding them anymore. How most people always treated him as an outsider no matter his position or what he did.

He couldn’t talk about that, not yet. Not when the methodic rhythm of preening Emmet’s wings was the only thing keeping him present. Even when he was finished preening, he continued to run his fingers through the feathers, needing something to ground him.

The other two listened intently, letting Ingo speak every word he wished at any volume he wanted. It was nice to not have to worry about the person he was talking to growing bored or looking like they wanted to leave. Akari never did it on purpose, but she was a teen with a short attention span. Ingo could hardly blame her for getting distracted.

Eventually, Ingo was reaching the end of his story. He paused for a moment, knowing the next part would be hard to talk about. But he wanted to talk about it, had to talk about it. For both his family’s sake and his own.

“I- I was not supposed to have a ticket home originally,” he said, looking to his hands as they fell into his lap. He saw Emmet tense then spin around in the edge of his vision.

“What do you mean?” he asked after Ingo failed to elaborate.

Ingo took a breath. “Akari had come to me, saying that she had a way for us both to return to our home stations and wanted to know if I wished to leave Hisui. I took the chance… faster than I care to admit to anyone there. We prepared for our trip, said our farewells, and departed. The way home was the one who had sent her there to begin with: Arceus.”

He heard Elesa gasp quietly next to him. He continued, hands closing into fists and fighting to keep his voice level, “It agreed to send Akari home as she had completed the task it had given her. I, however, it did not. Apparently, it had sent me with the task it gave Akari first. I had no memory of this. I still don’t. Akari convinced it to return me, but it came with a caveat. I had to defeat it in battle.”

“And you did,” Emmet finished, “because my brother is verrrry strong.”

Ingo wanted that to be it, he really did. But try as he might, he couldn’t stop the anger from rising in him. “That child-endangering, self-righteous, cryptic, kidnapping, pedantic, holier-than-thou asshole, sent me to ‘seek out all Pokemon’. Then, when I could not do what it had asked due to getting amnesia within moments of arriving, did it do anything to remind me of this task? Give me a destination? Any sort of sign? NO! It stole a child from her bed, gave her the task instead, and had her deal with even more difficulties than I would have. Even if I was the one to deal with the frenzied Nobles, at least I AM AN ADULT!”

Ingo was breathing heavily, having finished his rant at a shout. He could feel his fingernails digging into his palms. A couple threatened to break skin.

Emmet placed his hands over his, gently prying them open to hold. “Ingo, time your breathing with mine.” Emmet began taking slow, deep breaths. Ingo copied the best he could, glad for an out. He was already feeling bad for getting angry. Even if Arceus deserved it.

Slowly, slowly, he could feel the anger leave him. Not completely, but it settled into something smaller, something more manageable instead of bubbling right at the surface. Emmet took his hands back and opened his arms in an invitation for a hug. Ingo accepted it immediately. He heard Elesa slip of the couch and join too.

“It is over now,” Emmet said into Ingo’s shoulder, “You are home and so is Akari. You will find each other. If she searches for you on the internet, she is sure to find something. It will be easy.”

“What do you mean?” Ingo murmured, deciding to ask what the internet was later. He guessed it was a place to get information based on context clues and the faint feelings of memories that frustratingly wouldn’t quite surface.

“We are Subway Bosses,” Emmet said, pride sneaking its way into his voice, “Battle Facility heads. Your disappearance was verrrry notable. She will find the Gear Station contact information easily. Then Elesa and I can meet our new niece.”

“We’re going to spoiler her rotten,” Elesa added with a laugh.

“She deserves it,” Ingo said, feeling his own version of a smile creep onto his face, “She deserves so much.”

“It’s getting late,” Elesa said, “Can I stay here tonight?”

“Elesa, our guest room is basically your second bedroom at this point,” Emmet teased. “You keep spare clothes here.”

“And my guest room is basically you guys’ second bedroom, yet you still ask every time.” Elesa’s laugh turned into a yawn which both brothers quickly returned. “I think it’s time for bed.”

“You are correct,” Ingo said as he felt Emmet nod.

They once again extracted themselves from their hug, the day’s events finally catching up with them. Elesa said goodnight, gave each brother a quick hug, scooped up her sleeping Emolgas, and went down the hall with Zebstrika following close behind. Emmet helped Ingo to his feet and led him down the hall, a few still awake Pokemon following.

Emmet disappeared into his room with a drowsy Eelektross and a few Joltiks slipping in before the door closed. Ingo faced the door to his old room. Chandelure floated next to him, Gliscor hanging by his tail off one of her arms. It was nice to see them getting along. He heard Elesa turn on the bathroom sink.

Ingo had been so caught up with being home, he had put his own worries out of his mind. But they all came rushing back now. The remnants of the man Ingo couldn’t remember being were clearly scattered throughout the apartment, but he had ignored them, focusing on Emmet and Elesa and the Pokemon instead. They were so obvious now, alone in the hall, facing the door that held the largest proof that he was no longer the brother that was missed on the other side.

Ingo heard Emmet’s door open next to him. He saw Chandelure and Gliscor drift back and Emmet take their place next to him. He stood there, now in a faded t-shirt and pants with grey and white triangles covering them, and watched Ingo.

“I don’t know if I am ready,” Ingo whispered.

He felt Emmet take his hand. “That is okay. It has been a long day. We can try tomorrow. Or another day. I will be with you when you are ready. You can sleep in my room tonight. Just like when we were kids.”

Ingo wanted to. He really did. “I wouldn’t want to intrude. I can sleep in the living room. Tangrowth makes a surprisingly good bed.”

“If you will not for your own sake, then will you do it for mine?” Emmet asked, tightening his hold, “I’ve been afraid that if you left my sight, we would become uncoupled again. That you would disappear again.”

“I have left your sight many times already.”

“With others watching you. I knew Chandelure or Elesa would tell me if something happened. Or they would help you themselves. But they will be asleep. I-” Emmet’s voice cut off.

“You want me close,” Ingo finished. Emmet nodded. “Okay. I will stay in your room. I- I want you close as well.”

“Thank you,” Emmet sighed, “I will get you some pyjamas. Wait in my room.”

Bedtime preparations were quick despite how tired everyone was. Once pyjamas were on, matching Emmet’s but with black and grey triangles on the pants, and teeth brushed, Ingo soon found himself tucked in bed next to his brother.

Eelektross was curled up at the foot of the bed, trapping the brothers’ feet under his body, while a few Joltiks settled in Emmet’s wings. Ingo could feel a few fall from his wings as he pulled them close. Chandelure floated above them, Gliscor still hanging off her, content to sleep like that.

Was Ingo even supposed to be here? Could he still be considered Emmet’s brother? He certainly wasn’t the same man who had gone missing. He was treated with such kindness and patience and love that wasn’t even meant for him. He was taking it from the man they had lost and would never get back.

“Ingo,” Emmet whispered, face full of concern “Are you okay?”

“How- I- You-” Ingo took a shuddering breath, looking away and feeling the tears start to fall. “Why do you care about me?” Ingo finally got out, voice smaller than he had ever heard it.

He felt Emmet jolt. “You are Ingo. My brother. My other car. Why would I not care about you?”

“But am I really?” Ingo whispered, still not daring to look at Emmet, “I couldn’t remember anything but my own name when I first arrived in Hisui. I still only have the faintest of memories now. How can I be your brother when I forgot him, forgot you? What kind of brother am I to forget my other car?”

Emmet grabbed Ingo’s hands tightly and shimmied a wing over them both. “I do not care. You are still Ingo no matter how much has happened. And you did remember me. Even if it was just a little bit. I missed you so much. I love you more than anything else.”

“But what if I didn’t remember you at all? What if I never returned?”

“I would still love you. Nothing changes that. But that didn’t happen. You are home and you remembered me.”

Ingo took a hand back and wiped his face before pulling himself closer to Emmet. “I love you too. Good night, Emmet.”

“Good night, Ingo,” Emmet said into Ingo’s hair.

They both drifted to sleep, cozy under blankets and feathers and Pokemon, Chandelure’s purple lights dancing gently on the walls.

Chapter Text

Uncle Drayden and Iris were visiting today, and Ingo wasn’t nervous. Nope, not at all. It wasn’t like he still couldn’t really remember them outside of faint, half-formed memories and what Emmet had told him about them. It wasn’t like they were bringing scrapbooks that contained a childhood Ingo didn’t remember and how, despite the brief talk he had had with Emmet that first night home and countless reassurances, Ingo still felt like a fraud sometimes.

It wasn’t like it had taken Ingo three days to go into his old room and still couldn’t bring himself to sleep alone in it now a week later. Although Emmet also couldn’t bare to sleep in his own room alone quite yet either, which was found out later that first night apart. They had dragged Ingo’s mattress down the hall into Emmet’s room within three hours of saying goodnight, for both of their sakes. They would have kept sharing Emmet’s bed if it was big enough for a half decent night’s sleep.

Currently, Emmet doing something in the kitchen, probably wiping down the counters, as Ingo sat on the couch. Some would say Emmet’s constant wiping and dusting that morning was from a place of nerves, but something in the back of Ingo’s mind told him that it was just something Emmet did no matter who was coming over. No, it was when the vacuum came out that it was nervous energy fueling his engine.

What was a vacuum again?

Knocking at the front door interrupted Ingo before he had a chance to ask.

“They’re here!” Emmet called, rushing over and swinging it open. “Hello, Uncle Drayden. Hello, Iris.”

A girl a couple years older than Akari flung herself at Emmet. Iris, Ingo recognized from the pictures Emmet had shown him. “Hi, Emmet! Where’s Ingo? I wanna see him!”

Iris looked over to where Ingo was sitting. He tucked his wings in closer out of habit.

“Ingo! You really are back!” Iris ran over, jumping onto the couch next to him. “And you got a funny little beard like Emmet said. We missed you so much. It sucks that you got amnesia and all, but now we have an excuse for Gramps to get the scrapbooks out! You two looked so goofy as kids.”

“Uh...” he trailed off, unsure of what to say, eyes flicking over to Emmet for some help.

Ingo was caught off guard by Iris’s enthusiasm. He was also trying to remember that he didn’t need to focus on keeping his wings out of view. She was family and already knew about them. Emmet had his wings out too and he only had them tucked in enough to keep them from hitting anything. Ingo would be fine.

“Slow down there, Iris,” another voice said. An older man with a beard covering most of his face entered, Uncle Drayden. “He’s still getting used to everything.”

“Ah, yes that is true,” Ingo said, glad to have found some words again. “Truthfully, I have only remembered a small amount about you both. Mainly how we are related.”

“Oh, sorry about that then,” Iris apologized, looking down.

“It is alright,” Ingo reassured, “I was simply not prepared for how energetic you are. If anything, that is Emmet’s fault.”

“Hey!” Emmet called over.

That got a laugh out of Iris.

Emmet and Uncle Drayden finally entered the living room. Uncle Drayden was carrying a few large books, full of the past Ingo still could only vaguely recall. He placed all but one on the coffee table before sitting on Ingo’s other side.

“It’s good to see you safe and sound, son,” Uncle Drayden said, “And that the black eye looks to be just about healed. How’ve you been doing?”

“I’ve been doing well,” Ingo said, ignoring the squabble between Iris and Emmet about who was going to sit next to him. “Emmet has been helping me with readjusting and it has been going smoothly.”

“That is good to hear,” Uncle Drayden said with a smile. He held the book he still had out to Ingo. “Would you like to hold the book?”

“Oh, yes please,” he said, taking it gently. It was clearly old, but well taken care of. The words Ingo and Emmet, age 0-4 ran across the cover in neat script.

“He is my brother,” Emmet said, bringing Ingo’s attention to the ongoing argument.

“But you live with him,” Iris whined.

“And you live with the scrapbooks,” Emmet countered, “Move or I will move you.”

“Try it. You haven’t been able to pick me up since I was 12.”

“Alright you two, that’s enough,” Uncle Drayden cut in just as Emmet bent to try to pick Iris up. “Iris, let Emmet sit next to Ingo. We’re staying overnight, there will be plenty of time for you to sit next to him.”

Iris pouted slightly as she stood. “Fine,” she said, “but I’m taking a book for myself.” She grabbed one from the table and plopped down on the nearby chair.

Emmet took Iris’s spot with a smug look. Ingo rolled his eyes and looked back down at the book on his lap.

He opened it.

The first page showed two identical newborns fast asleep and wrapped in blankets. The following few pages were similar, showing the babies mostly asleep, sometimes awake. When they were awake, one always looked angry while the other always stared directly at the camera.

“You boys were so small,” Uncle Drayden said, “I could hold one of you in each hand. It came in helpful when your mother needed a break.”

Sure enough, on the next page was a younger Uncle Drayden, hair closer to grey than white and beard a little less full, holding a baby in each hand. He looked like he was trying not to laugh.

“That is because you are a mountain of a man,” Emmet teased. “I blame you and Mom’s genes for making us almost 6 feet tall by age 12.”

Ingo flipped the page again. One of the pictures showed a woman with grey hair bearing a striking resemblance to the three men on the couch asleep on a soft looking chair. She was sitting mostly upright, head leaned back, mouth wide open. Both babies in her arms were also asleep.

“That is...” Ingo trailed off.

Emmet rested his head on Ingo’s shoulder. “That’s Mom. I will always love that she put that picture in. Uncle Drayden took it. She thought it was funny. You get your snoring from her.”

Ingo felt his face heat up. “I- I don’t snore!”

“Yes you do,” Emmet teased, “Sometimes you talk too. You are a verrrry loud sleeper.”

Uncle Drayden laughed. “You’ve always done both, even when you were young. Sometimes it was the only thing that would get Emmet to fall sleep too.”

Emmet straightened and reached up to the hat that he wasn’t wearing as his face started to turn red too. “Alright! Moving on!”

Iris cackled from the chair.

“Our mom,” Ingo began quietly, still looking at the picture of her sleeping, “She isn’t here anymore, is she?”

“Ah, no. She is not,” Emmet said.

“Was it when I was gone?” Ingo asked. He didn’t want to think about the mother he couldn’t remember thinking he was gone forever when she had passed. That his family, his brother, had to deal with two people leaving them in such a short span of time. But he had to know.

“No! No, it was when we were teenagers,” Emmet reassured. “She got sick when we were on our gym run. We wanted to stay with her, but she told us not to worry. That we should finish it for her. She never got around to finishing hers. Because of school and then us later. She started late too. Early-20s, I think. Which is fine. Not that uncommon. We finished. Almost became champion, but we turned it down since there can only be one.” Emmet paused a moment before continuing, quieter then before. “She died about a month later. But at least we got to show her our badges and recorded battles.”

The memories refused to stop at their station. They were close, Ingo could feel it. But the train carrying them rushed by, not applying the breaks once.

“And our dad?” Ingo heard the unintentional venom lacing his words as they came out. “Never mind, I think that answers that question.”

“That man thought your home was a hotel,” Uncle Drayden said, “He would show up for a weekend before disappearing for months on end.”

“He stopped showing up when we were around 10, I think. Mom yelled him out apparently. We were at school.” Emmet said, usual smile dipping into a scowl, “He tried to play the mourning father card when Mom died. It didn’t work. Uncle Drayden is more of a Dad than he ever was. He tried to contact me when you first went missing too.”

Uncle Drayden looked over. “You never told me that.”

Emmet shrugged. “It wasn’t important. I didn’t respond. Fuck him.”

Ingo didn’t give his usual chide, feeling the swear was appropriate this time. Even if the memories where gone, he still felt the emotions.

“I still don’t know what my sister saw in that man.” Uncle Drayden sighed. “No, that’s not fair. He was nice when they were dating. But once they were married, he was always gone. But that’s all in the past. Let’s move on to better times.”

They continued flipping through the pages, watching the babies become toddlers. Then one picture stood out to Ingo.

There were a lot of pictures of Ingo and Emmet asleep, apparently that was one of the rare times they held still enough for a half decent one, and this one was no different. They were maybe about 3 years old, laying on their stomachs, passed out while playing with some blocks. On their backs was a small pair of wings each, splayed out and trying to cover the other brother’s body.

Ingo quickly flipped back to the previous pages to double check. Yep, this was the first picture where he and Emmet could be seen to have their wings. There was even an earlier picture that showed their backs, wingless.

“We didn’t always have these wings of ours?” Ingo asked.

“Not as babies, no,” Uncle Drayden said, “They just appeared one morning. Scared your mother and I half to death. But they weren’t bothering you and the doctor said they didn’t seem to affect anything negatively, so we didn’t worry that much about it.”

“You don’t know why this happened?”

“We don’t,” Emmet chimed in, “but we are healthy, so I don’t think it matters. And we can fly, which makes us cooler than everyone else.”

“The worst part was when you started jumping from places trying to fly,” Uncle Drayden laughed, “Two hyperactive four-year-olds were bad enough not including having to make sure you weren’t flinging yourselves off of every elevated platform.”

“Our wings appearing later was probably for the best,” Ingo said, “I imagine trying to fit a squirming baby into their clothes would be quite difficult with wings.”

The other two laughed as Ingo flipped the page. Soon the first book was finished and the second was opened.

As they continued to flip through the pages, Ingo couldn’t help but feel annoyed. He still hadn’t remembered anything new. Sure, they were looking at pictures from when he and Emmet were quite young, but they were starting to reach the age where he could have memories from.

Emmet was getting concerned. Ingo could tell from the way he occasionally glanced at him. Uncle Drayden was too, if the tone of his voice was anything to go off of. But what was supposed to be reassuring, felt pitying to Ingo’s already irritated state.

When he flipped a page, perhaps a little too forcefully, he figured out what else was bothering him. In every picture of him, Ingo was smiling in a way that looked unnatural. Like he was only doing it for the picture. It looked awkward and strained next to Emmet’s easy and natural one.

Apparently, he had never been able to smile properly.

There could be some comfort in that, but it only served to annoy Ingo further now. He had always faked a regular smile apparently. Even as a kid. Even with his family. He knew it hurt after a while with how much he had done it in Hisui. Even if he couldn’t remember, he imagined it was the same then too.

Ingo abruptly moved the scrapbook to Emmet’s lap and stood up. He walked a few steps to the center of the living room but froze, a part of him not wanting to leave his family. He just couldn’t bear looking at pictures of an uncomfortable kid he still had no memory of being.

“Ingo?” Emmet asked, “What’s wrong?”

Ingo bit back a harsh laugh. “This isn’t helping. Thank you, Uncle Drayden, for bringing them, but these books aren’t doing anything. All they’re reminding me of is how much I’ve lost, how many memories refuse to return to me.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to ward off the building headache. “The worst part is that I can feel them there. They are right there. The train has arrived at the station, yet it has not completely stopped. The car doors remain closed, waiting for the announcement to disembark. But it has not come yet, and I am stuck behind the yellow line.”

Emmet stood, placing the book on the table. “Ingo, it’s okay-”

“It’s not!” Ingo yelled, hating how the corners of his eyes starting to burn, how his voice betrayed just how upset he was, “It’s not okay! I just want to remember my past, remember my family. Instead, all I get for my effort is a headache that threatens to split my skull in half. All I know about my past are stories that have been told to me and the fact that I’ve apparently never been able to smile.”

“You smile all the time,” Emmet said. Something about the words made Ingo feel like they were said often, like one of Emmet’s scripts. He couldn’t tell if it was from preparation or sheer repetition though.

“Not in a way anyone can see,” Ingo huffed, the earlier burst anger having swiftly drained away with no real target to properly focus on.  Ignoring the already rising guilt at getting angry, he sat on the floor with a thump and a rustle of his wings. “The Clan couldn’t tell. They always asked why I was upset. Jubilife couldn’t tell either. They thought I was intimidating. Why can’t I smile?”

Suddenly, Ingo was wrapped up in white. He looked up to see Emmet sitting in front of him, wrapping his wings around them like he did in the hospital room.

“Pull the breaks,” Emmet signed. Then aloud he said, “Wait, do you remember sign?”

Ingo nodded, choosing to ignore the addition of relief, excitement, joy at realizing that he did, in fact, remember sign to the already messy pile of emotions in him. At least he knew what those motions he did that no one understood in Hisui were now.

“Good,” Emmet smiled, “Is this better? Have you calmed down?”

“Yes, and a little,” Ingo replied, hands shaking slightly. “This is just a lot. I still cannot remember. I still cannot smile. You can smile. Why can’t I?”

“You can smile,” Emmet signed, sharp and fast, “You do smile.”

Ingo curled into himself slightly. “Not like you.”

“That doesn’t matter. You smile like you. You tried to copy me when we were little. Because everyone said you weren’t smiling when you were. I know it hurt you.”

Ingo didn’t say anything. He couldn’t bring himself to open his mouth or move his hands.

He knew that he smiled, but apparently it didn’t look like a smile. It was part of the reason he talked so much. But everyone in Hisui expected his face to show how he felt instead of his words, and Ingo just couldn’t do it. It ate away at him, all the questions about why he was upset or people suddenly becoming annoyed when they thought he didn’t care.

Why couldn’t he be more like Emmet? He could smile correctly. They were twins, shouldn’t that mean Ingo could too?

Emmet tapped Ingo’s knee, bringing his attention back to him. He stuck a hand out of the top of the wing dome. “Book please,” he said, “The one we were just looking at.” After a moment, Emmet pulled his hand back in, holding a scrapbook.

He started flipping through it until he found the page he was looking for. He placed the book on Ingo’s lap once he did. More photos of a young Ingo, maybe around seven or eight, forcing an uncomfortable smile looked back at him.

“I said I do not want to look at photos anymore.” Ingo signed, not yet having found his voice again. He held the book back to Emmet.

He pushed it back. “Flip the page.”

“I don’t-”

“Flip the page.”

Ingo sighed but did as his brother had said.

The train finally came to a full stop, the announcements came on, the doors opened.

Flash!

Ingo blinks away the lingering spots in his vision, looking up from the book he was looking through. He had just got to the Ghost type page, and those were some of the coolest Pokemon. “Emmet! What was that?”

Emmet grins back at him. “Surrrrprise!” he says, hiding something behind his back.

“What’s behind you back?” Ingo asks, trying to peek.

“No!” Emmet cries, turning so Ingo can’t see. “It’s a surrrrprise. No looking.”

“Fine,” Ingo pouts, “But it better be good.”

Emmet nods, smile wide.

A week passes full of random flashes and Emmet claiming they were for his surprise. Ingo is getting impatient. He wants to know what his brother is doing!

“Emmet, can I get your help with the dishes?” Mom asks one night. Emmet nods, strangely excited, and runs into the kitchen, Mom following behind with a laugh.

“I can help too!” Ingo calls out getting up to follow. He’s suddenly lifted into the air, legs swinging uselessly below him. He tries to hit his wings against Uncle Drayden, but they’re just too short to reach, the tips of his feather barely brushing against his uncle.

“Oh no you don’t,” Uncle Drayden says, “I need to preen your wings.”

“But what about Emmet’s?” he whines, “His are worse.”

“He’ll get his done once he’s done helping your mother.”

“Fiiiine.”

Ingo tries to sulk while Uncle Drayden does his wings. It doesn’t last long as preening always makes him sleepy. He had started to fall asleep, leaning on the throw pillow held to his chest when, in a rare moment of volume, Emmet’s shouting and running into the room startles him awake again.

“INGO!” he yells, “INGO INGO INGO INGO INGO!”

“Huh,” Ingo snorts, jerking his head up and blinking his eyes into focus, “What? What’s it?”

Emmet grabs his hand and starts pulling him. “Surrrrprise! In the ki-kitchen!”

“Oh!” Ingo looks behind him, fully awake again. “Are you done?”

“You’re good, son,” Uncle Drayed says, “Go see your surprise.”

Ingo lets himself be dragged off. “Thank you, Uncle Drayden,” he calls back.

Emmet pulls a chair out for both himself and Ingo, then jumps onto his. Ingo gets on the other.

One of Mom’s scrapbooks sits open on the table, glue still drying on the page.

The book laid open on Ingo’s lap. The word’s Everybody Smile! were pasted across the top in multicoloured bubble letters. Some of them were crooked in a way that made it clear a child had worked on it. The rest of the page was collage of pictures haphazardly slapped next to and over top of each other. In half of the pictures, their mom, Uncle Drayden, and Emmet were all smiling and happy.

The other half were all of Ingo. He was never looking at the camera, always doing something else. In one he was looking at a book, a small picture of a Litwick could be barely made out. Another, he was colouring and in another, he was talking to someone out of frame. In yet another, he was laying down wooden train tracks, the matching train waiting off to the side. Each one was different, except for one thing.

He was smiling in every picture.

It was a small smile, barely even an upturn of the corners of his mouth and eyes squinting slightly. Compared to Emmet’s, it could still qualify as a frown. But it was so obvious how happy the boy in the pictures was that it would be silly to call it anything else.

“Oh,” Ingo breathed, the sound coming out unbidden. “I do smile.”

“You do,” Emmet said just as soft, “All the time. You didn’t think you did as a kid either. It bothered me. So I made this with Mom’s help. I carried around a disposable camera for a couple weeks and took a picture when you smiled.”

“I-” Ingo cleared his throat, trying to dislodge the lump that had suddenly formed there. He gave up quickly and lifted his hands instead. “I remember. Mom asked for your help in the kitchen. Uncle Drayden preened my wings while you made it.”

Emmet’s eyes lit up. His hands shook from excitement as he signed, “Yes! You remember!”

Ingo couldn’t help the tears that started to fall, the way his breath hitched. He pushed his own wings out and around Emmet’s, wrapping his brother in both wings and arms.

“Thank you,” Ingo whispered, holding on tight, “Thank you.”

Emmet returned the hug, lighter but still just as comforting. “Of course,” he whispered back, “Of course.”

“Sorry about the yelling.”

“Don’t be. You said it yourself. It is a lot. I am Emmet. I will always help.”

“Because we are a two-car train?”

“Yup! Do you still want to stop looking at pictures?”

“Maybe we can take a break. But I do not want to stop altogether.”

“Okay. Are you ready to let go?”

“One more minute.”

Emmet laughed and leaned against Ingo a little more. “Alright.”

After a short snack break, they went back to the scrapbooks. After the Everybody Smile page, none of the pictures of Ingo had the forced smile the earlier ones did. It would seem that Emmet’s surprise had worked just as well the first time as it did now.

Ingo even remembered a few more things. Nothing too big, just things like the swings at their favourite park and how Mom and Uncle Drayden would fight, in the way siblings always did, when trying to bake something together. He remembered the how the pressure of Chandelure, just a Litwick at the time, felt on his back, right between his wings, as he would fall asleep.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t stop the familiar headache from making its presence loudly known. But on the bright side, the pain was quick to loop around into exhaustion and Uncle Drayden was right there.

Ingo wound up mostly asleep as he rested against the warmth of his uncle. Awake enough to still hear what the others were saying, but asleep enough that the words passed by him before he could really process them, like a train at a station it didn’t stop at.

“Hey, did Ingo fall asleep?”

“Ingo?”

Oh, that was his name. He tried to respond. It didn’t work. Oh well.

“Yup, he’s sleeping.”

“Should we wake him up, you think?”

“Nope! He needs to rest his engine. I will stop you if you try.”

“I’ll be careful when I stand then.”

Movement. Uncle Drayden was trying to leave. No, no don’t do that. Ingo had missed him, and he was so warm and comfy. He grumbled and pressed against his uncle, letting a wing flit around him before tucking away again, as he tried to convey all of this without words.

“I don’t think you’re leaving, Uncle Drayden.”

“Yeah, looks like you’re pretty stuck, Gramps!”

“Are you rrrreally asleep, dear brother of mine?”

Ingo grumbled some more and turned further into Uncle Drayden as he settled back on the couch. Stop it, he wanted to sleep.

“I thought you were the one who said to let him rest.”

Quieter, a whisper. “Ah! Sorry.”

The rumble of laughter. A hand through his hair, warm and rough and comforting. “I’ll stay with you, Ingo. Don’t worry.”

Ingo took a breath as he let himself relax further.

Good.

Chapter Text

Emmet wasn’t all that surprised that Ingo had fallen asleep while they were looking at old photos. Between the emotions and the headache that Ingo had mentioned, he had been expecting it to happen sooner.

He took the photo album from Ingo’s lap and set it on the coffee table. He was surprised, however, at his brother’s earlier explosion. He had seen Ingo angry before, but never like that. Never so thoroughly at himself.

Emmet just wanted to help his brother. And he was trying, but he didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t imagine how difficult it must have been for Ingo while they were uncoupled, but he could see the outcome. He was quiet and unsure and almost always on edge.

There were occasions that things would feel normal again. Ingo would let himself get louder, relax, enjoy learning something. But for every time he did that there were so many other times where he would lower his volume, jump at a sound, ask a question with shame and anxiety clear in his voice.

And Emmet was lost, unable to figure out a good way to help.

“I am going to get some water,” Emmet said, standing. He didn’t want to go down that train of thought right now. This was supposed to be a nice family visit. He didn’t want to ruin it. “Anyone what some?”

“I’ll be fine,” Uncle Drayden said, still pinned under Ingo.

“I want some,” Iris said, putting the book she was looking through on the table too. “I’ll come with you.”

Emmet left to the kitchen, saying, “You can stay there. I got it.”

Iris hopped up from the chair and followed anyway, sitting on the counter once they reached the kitchen.

“You didn’t need to follow me,” Emmet reiterated as he pulled down a couple of glasses, “I said I got it.”

Iris shrugged. “Maybe I wanted to hang out with you.”

Emmet turned on the tap. “You are at my and Ingo’s apartment. We have been hanging out all day.”

Iris just looked down as she wrung her hands.

“Is everything okay?” Emmet asked, turning off the tap and holding out a glass to her.

Iris took the glass. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m fine.”

He levelled her with a look, not believe her in the slightest.

She sighed. “It’s nothing. I’m just worried about Ingo.”

Emmet leaned against the counter, looking into his own glass. “I am too.”

They sat in the silence for a little while, sipping at their water. Iris scooted closer to Emmet until she was flush to his side, leaning her head against his shoulder. He wrapped a wing around her.

“I’m worried about you too,” she said suddenly.

Emmet glanced over at her. “Me? I am fine. Ingo is home.”

“Emmet.”

“I am better than before,” he amended, “Now that he is home, I am feeling a lot better than I have in a long time. But there are other things I worry about. Other things that are draining me.”

“Like what?” Iris asked.

“Adult stuff mostly,” Emmet sighed, “Doctor’s appointments, legal stuff, recertifications later. Those sorts of things. But there are other things too.”

Emmet fell silent, not sure if he wanted to share everything with Iris. He didn’t want to burden her with all his problems. She was still only a teen.

“Ingo… He made a friend while we were uncoupled,” Emmet said, trying to find a balance between what he wanted to say and not wanting to tell too much of Ingo’s story. “She is a little younger than you. They both… travelled similar tracks. Have similar home stations. I have tried to find a way to contact her. I cannot. We are public figures. It is easier to contact us. But she hasn’t yet. I told the Depot Agents to let me know if she calls, but they haven’t told me anything. Ingo hasn’t said anything, but I know it worries him. It worries me too.”

Iris took a sip of her water. “Maybe she’s just… getting used to everything again? Like Ingo is.”

“That is what I keep telling myself,” Emmet said, wrapping his free wing around himself. “It has only been a week. But I am still nervous.”

“Yeah, I get that. I think you’re just gonna have to wait.”

Emmet huffed. “I’m not good at waiting.”

“I know,” Iris chuckled. She placed her empty glass aside and tucked herself a bit more under Emmet’s wings, wrapping her arms around him. “I’m sure it’ll be fine. And I’m sure she’ll like you just as much as she likes Ingo.”

He shouldn’t have been shocked at her figuring out what he was worried about the most.

Emmet returned the hug. “When did you get so smart?” he asked into her always poofy hair.

“I’ve always been smart.”

“Sure. Thank you.”

“No problem!”

Right before Emmet let go, he had better idea. He shifted his arms slightly to get a better hold and bent his knees.

“Hey, what are y-”

Cutting her off, Emmet scooped Iris off the counter and onto his shoulder as she squealed in surprise.

“I told you!” Emmet gloated, “I said I could move you!”

Iris laughed, kicking her feet.

“You will never escape!” Emmet continued, “I am the strongest cous-IN!”

Thunk!

Emmet and Iris landed on the kitchen floor in a heap.

“Anyone hurt?” Uncle Drayden called from the other room, voice tinged with fond exasperation.

“I’m good!” Iris called back, popping up a lot quicker than Emmet.

Once he managed to sit up with a groan and did a quick once over of his wings, Emmet called back, “I am also good!”

Iris stood, then helped Emmet up. “Alright, I’m going to go play with the Pokemon now.”

“They should be in their playroom. Bring some treats. The new ones will like you then,” Emmet said, going over and pulling out some berries from the fridge. “Little Lady might hide from you. She is shy. She is a Sneasel, a regional variant. Fighting/poison type. Also, watch out for Gliscor. He might hide too, but Ingo says he bites unfamiliar people sometimes.”

Iris took the berries with a nod. “There’s a shy Sneasel and a bitey Gliscor, got it. I’ll just bite Gliscor back if he tries to bite me.”

“Please, do not bite Gliscor,” Emmet said, “It will hurt your teeth. I do not want to pay your dental bill.”

Iris ran out of the kitchen as she called back, “No promises!”

Emmet sighed, then finished off the rest of his water. After giving the cups a quick wash, he returned to the living room. Ingo was, a little shockingly after all that, still asleep against Uncle Drayden. He had pulled his legs up, curling himself into a ball.

His wings were tucked flat against his back. That was something else Emmet had noticed as of late. Instead of letting his wings out while at home or asleep, Ingo usually kept them close. Hopefully that was a result of his tent in Hisui being small and not of something worse.

“Enjoy your water?” Uncle Drayden asked, bringing Emmet out of this thoughts as he sat back down on the couch.

He shrugged. “It was Nimbasa tap water. It was fine.”

Uncle Drayden chuckled. “I keep telling you to get a filter.”

“Filter water tastes weird now. I have gotten used to the tap water.”

All of a sudden, Iris ran through the living room to the kitchen, then back to the playroom, rapidly calling, “I need to get your funny purple Sneasel more berries. Okay, byeeee!”

Uncle Drayden interrupted Emmet’s laughter, “She’s worried about you two, you know.”

“I know,” Emmet said, “We were talking about it.”

“I’m worried about you too.”

“No one needs to be worried about me!” Emmet said, throwing his hands into the air. “Ingo’s the one with amnesia and travelled thr- far. Not going to say that. Ingo wants to tell you after dinner. Anyway, I am fine. Do not worry about me.”

“Emmet,” Uncle Drayden said softly, “it’s my job to worry about my kids. That includes you. I won’t force you to talk about it, but is there anything I can do to help with what’s bothering you?”

Emmet sighed, slumping further into the couch. “No. It’s a stupid problem I shouldn’t be having. I am being dumb and selfish.”

“I’m sure that’s not true,” Uncle Drayden tried to assure him.

“It is. I know it.”

“And I know you.”

“That doesn’t change anything.”

“It makes you being selfish hard to believe.”

Emmet pulled his legs up and brought his wings partly around himself. Finally caving to his uncle, he grumbled, “Ingo hasn’t told me everything. I want to know. That is selfish.”

“That’s caring about your brother,” Uncle Drayden said. “I know how you work. You want all the information you can get to figure out how to best help him.”

Emmet huffed. Uncle Drayden wasn’t wrong. How was Emmet supposed to figure out how to help Ingo if he didn’t know what exactly was wrong? But Ingo didn’t want to share and Emmet didn’t know why.

They used to tell each other everything. Or at least the important bits. They knew how the other helped best and Ingo used to always tell Emmet everything he could because of that. Even in cases where Ingo didn’t want to talk yet, he let Emmet know that much.

But Ingo had told Emmet he wasn’t ready to talk about everything that had happened in Hisui, back when they first reunited in that hospital room. Emmet was just being impatient and selfish about it.

“I think there’s something else that’s bothering you, Emmet,” Uncle Drayden cut into Emmet’s spiraling thoughts. “Even if you don’t know it yet.”

“I hate it when that happens,” Emmet mumbled. He unwrapped his wings and put his feet back on the floor with a huff. “What do you think it is?”

Uncle Drayden shrugged, Ingo shifting a little bit away from him with a grumble in the process. “That’s something you’ll need to figure out yourself.”

Emmet groaned. He hated trying to do that. Why couldn’t emotions be easy?

“You said you felt selfish,” Uncle Drayden prompted after a moment, “Why do you think that is?”

“Because am I.”

“Try again.”

Emmet hummed in thought, shifting slightly as Ingo did. “Because I want Ingo to tell me what happened, and he won’t.”

“Is Ingo not telling you what’s upsetting you?”

Emmet shook his head, readjusting himself again as Ingo continued to shift around. He opened his mouth to say as much, but closed it again.

He was upset about that, wasn’t he? Upset that Ingo hadn’t told him anything more than the general overview while he preened Emmet’s wings. But it wasn’t at Ingo. He wasn’t about to force his brother to talk about something that he clearly wasn’t ready to talk about. So, what was it?

Then it clicked.

“I- I think,” Emmet whispered, not wanting to wake Ingo anymore than they might have already, “that I am afraid. That Ingo doesn’t trust me anymore.”

“Well, I don’t think you need to worry about that,” Uncle Drayden laughed lightly.

“What do you mean?”

Uncle Drayden stood up, no longer pinned under Ingo. “I can leave the couch now and start dinner.”

“You are the one visiting,” Emmet protested, “I can make dinner.”

“Not if you can’t get off the couch. Did you not notice?”

“Notice what?”

“You’re the pillow now.”

Emmet looked down. Sure enough, there was Ingo, curled up and asleep against him. Emmet had even wrapped his own arms and wings around him subconsciously.

“When did that happen?”

Uncle Drayden just laughed and ruffled Emmet’s hair. “You rest. I can make dinner.”

“Okay,” Emmet laughed, “There are fillets in the fridge. Top shelf on the right. They should be thawed by now. I was going to make them with some potatoes and the frozen veggie mix.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Uncle Drayden said, walking towards the kitchen. He paused at the doorway and looked back at Emmet. “Rest. I mean it.”

Emmet smiled. “I will.”

With that, Emmet was left alone on the couch with his sleeping brother, like it was just a normal afternoon after an early shift at work. He took breath and settled a bit more into the cushions.

“Oh, Ingo,” Emmet breathed, smiling softly even as tears sprung up from the sudden rush of emotion, “I am so happy you’re home.”

Ingo hummed, shifted a bit more, then lifted his head. Emmet was worried that he had woken him, but Ingo’s eyes were mostly closed, still dim and unfocused with sleep, as he looked at him.

“You ’kay?” he mumbled, voice thick and crackly.

“Yeah,” Emmet whispered, lightly patting Ingo’s shoulder. “I’m fine.”

“Y’re cryin’,” he mumbled back.

“Happy tears.” Emmet wiped his eyes clear. “It’s fine. Go back to sleep.”

Ingo gave him one last look before letting his head fall back against Emmet’s shoulder. “M’kay… Love you…”

Emmet rested his head on Ingo’s, allowing himself to relax for now, and whispered into his brother’s hair, “I love you too.”

-----

Maybe the afternoon nap had been a mistake.

It was a good nap at least, having woken up to the smell of dinner and leaning against Emmet even though he could have sworn he fell asleep against Uncle Drayden. It was also fall asleep or deal with another headache, so he wasn’t complaining that much.

But now it was almost midnight, and Ingo was not tired in the slightest.

Accepting he was going to be tired tomorrow, Ingo grabbed his flute and slipped out of Emmet’s room without disturbing his brother or any of their Pokemon. He passed by the couch, Iris barely visible sleeping under her Haxorus, and stepped out onto the balcony.

He closed the door, not wanting to wake anyone, moved a chair cushion onto the ground, and sat down. Ingo took a moment to take in the cool night air and the sounds of the city, then began to softly play his flute.

It wasn’t anything special as far as he knew. Just some tune he had sounded out in his spare time. Maybe he had made it up, maybe it was some already existing half-remembered song. It didn’t really matter to Ingo, he liked it either way.

He played for a while, repeating the tune a few times. At the end his third or fourth playthrough, Ingo had lost count, he was finally starting to get tired. He took a breath to start up one more time before heading back inside.

“You can play the flute?”

Ingo played a sharp note with a jump. He looked over to who had spoken. Iris stood in the doorway, Sneasel sleepily hanging in her arms.

“Sorry!” she said. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“That is okay,” Ingo reassured, taking a second to get his heartrate back under control. “Did I wake you?”

“Yeah, but I don’t mind.” Iris sat on the ground next to him. “You don’t sound that bad. Surprisingly.”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means I didn’t know you could hold a tune.”

“Like you can do any better.”

“Roxie’s been giving me bass lessons. I think I could figure it out.”

“I don't exactly remember what a bass is, but I feel like it and a flute are two very different instruments.”

Iris laughed, then asked, “Why do you have a flute anyways?”

“I mentioned being a warden during my time in Hisui. Wardens, especially those of Ride Nobles like me, are required to play a Celestica Flute to summon their Nobles when needed.”

“That’s neat. What does that sound like?”

“Remind me to show you in the morning,” Ingo said, giving Sneasel a light pet, “I will most likely wake Little Lady with it. Her mother is the Ride Noble I am- er, was warden to after all.”

“Okay! Also, why are you sitting on the ground.”

Ingo shrugged. “Force of habit I suppose. It gives me a bit more arm room to play as well.”

They sat on the ground a while longer. Ingo returned to playing his song a couple more times, if only to fill the silence. He stopped when he heard Iris laugh lightly.

“What’s so funny?” he asked. “I thought you said that I didn’t sound that bad.”

Iris scootched a little closer and leaned against Ingo. He could feel her shivering a little. “Do you know what song you’re playing?”

“I do not,” he said. After a moment’s hesitation, he wrapped a wing around her and puffed up his feathers a bit, hoping to provide some warmth. “Truthfully, I was a little convinced I had made it up. But I don’t think I have that musically ability.”

“It’s the song the lady with the flute plays in Anville Town,” Iris yawned, nuzzling into Ingo’s side a little more. “She says it’s called ‘A Lullaby for Trains’.”

Ingo huffed a laugh. “I suppose it makes sense why I’d remember something like that. We should head back inside before you fall asleep out here.”

“But I’m comfy,” Iris mumbled.

“If you hold my flute, I can carry you back to the couch.”

“You haven’t been able to lift me since I was twelve.”

Ingo tucked his flute between Iris and Sneasel. “You said the same thing to Emmet earlier.”

“’Cause it’s true.”

“I’ve been living on the mountain side for the last few years. I have a bit more muscle than him. Besides, if I had to guess, you look to be around the same size as Akari. Maybe a little taller at most. I should be able to carry you fine.”

With that, Ingo got into a better position and stood, scooping Iris and Sneasel up with him with a groan.

“Are you sure you can do this?” Iris asked, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“I forgot to account for Little Lady,” Ingo grunted. “It’s fine. We can make it to the couch.”

Sure enough, Ingo made it inside, slid the balcony door closed with his foot, and fell onto the couch with a huff without dropping anyone. Iris tucked herself against his side once they were sitting again.

“I told you I could make,” Ingo teased, poking her in the side on impulse. He pulled his hand back just as he realized what he was doing, an apology already on his lips. But it was interrupted by Iris’s laughter.

“Yeah, yeah,” she said, joking annoyance in her tone, “I guess you’re the strongest cousin. You’re gonna need to take that up with Emmet though. Or maybe wrestle Haxorus to prove it.”

“I am not wrestling your dragon,” Ingo said with a soft laugh, “or mine for that matter.”

“Gramps's then,” Iris offered as she leaned more against him.

“I’m not wrestling anyone’s dragons!” Ingo laughed a bit harder. “Although, you could probably get Akari to try it. I think she’d think it fun.”

Iris yawned. “I can’t wait to meet her.”

“And I cannot wait to introduce her to everyone,” Ingo said quietly. He ignored the usual worry about the lack of communication from her so far, instead choosing to focus on how well he believed she and Iris would get along.

Oh, that reminded him…

“You know,” he said, causing Iris to shuffle against him, “I could probably take you out for a flight once my wings are in better condition.”

Iris looked up at him with tired but excited eyes. “Really?”

“We will need to double check without Little Lady, but I am pretty confident in my earlier assessment about you weighing around the same as Akari.” Ingo smiled down at her. “It shouldn’t be a problem.”

“That would be nice,” Iris mumbled, settling against Ingo again. “You two haven’t been able to take me flying for a while. It’s fun to ride on a Pokemon, but I miss being able to be carried by one of you.”

“Then I shall keep you updated on the condition of my wings,” Ingo said, helping Sneasel climb, half-asleep, into his lap. Iris’s Haxorus sleepily crept over too, carefully tucking her head into Iris’s lap. Ingo moved a wing to wrap around both Pokemon and trainer the best he could.

Accepting his fate at being the pillow tonight, but not quite tired enough to fall asleep just yet, Ingo managed to get his flute out from where it had slipped between the couch cushions and brought it to his mouth one more time. As softly as he could, he started to play the song again.

Iris had said it was a lullaby after all.

Chapter Text

It had been about two weeks since Ingo had returned. Emmet was planning on taking another week or two off, but he still had a time to decide. He would need return to work afterwards. It should be fine then.

Ingo was getting used to modern life quickly, always excited to learn about what different appliances did, sometimes remembering, sometimes not. He was remembering a lot of other things too, which he would loudly and excitedly share with Emmet.

Emmet was enjoying it. Well, most of it. He was growing tired of the paperwork and the calls and the appointments, but at least Ingo was by his side again, even with he how much he had changed. It wasn’t like Emmet was still the same as he was back then either. They were both different, but they still brought the other the same comfort.

Emmet and Ingo were sitting on their balcony tonight, enjoying the night air. Their Pokemon were inside, either sleeping or close to. They alternated between sitting in comfortable silence and talking about whatever crossed their minds, neither feeling any pressure to speak to each other but still enjoying being able to again.

“It was bright in Hisui,” Ingo said after another period of quiet, looking upwards, “The sky, I mean.”

Emmet nodded, following his brother’s gaze. “There’s too much light pollution for the stars here.”

“I miss it sometimes,” Ingo hummed, “I wish I could show it to you. The sky was always so full of stars. When I was able to go flying at night, they would surround me.” Ingo paused. Emmet looked over at him. Ingo had reached a hand up to the sky. He closed it around nothing, gaze following his fist as he brought it back towards himself. “But I could never reach.”

They were silent for a moment, then Emmet got an idea. “What day is it?”

“I am not sure,” Ingo said as Emmet went back inside to find his Xtrans, “I’m still getting used to keeping track of the days of the week again.”

Emmet found it on a coffee table. Friday. Perfect, the roof door would be unlocked.

“Ingo, grab a jacket,” he called back to his brother, “I have a surprise.”

Ingo closed the balcony door behind him. “What is it?”

“That would ruin the surprise. Now, come on!”

Emmet led them up to the roof quickly. He managed to close the door quietly despite how excited he was. He took his jacket off and tied it around his waist.

“Oh! I almost forgot,” he spun Ingo around to face away from him, “Safety checks. Please remove your jacket.”

It finally seemed to click for Ingo. He quickly took his jacket off, tying it around his waist as he stuck out his wings. “How are they?” he asked, looking over his shoulder.

Emmet looked them over with a hum. “Less than optimal,” he admitted. Ingo’s wings drooped. “However, they should still be good for flight. Let me know if you get tired and need to land. Do not overexert your engine.”

“Of course.”

Emmet grabbed Ingo’s hand and pulled him back to where they could get a running start. Ingo took a few steps to the side to give them both enough space for their wings. They got ready to run, Emmet shaking out his hands, Ingo tightening his jacket with one last tug.

Emmet and Ingo glanced at each other, excitement mirrored in the other’s eyes, then back out to the edge of the building.

“All aboard!” they both cried and started running across the roof.

Ingo pulled ahead and reached the edge first. He jumped up and flew into the air, Emmet following soon after.

They flew and spun around each other. Ingo faltered a couple times, getting used to the city’s air currents he had shouted over the wind, but it was smooth flying after that.

Oh, how Emmet had missed this.

It felt like nothing had changed, like Ingo had never left. No, that wasn’t quite right, not with the way Emmet continued to goof off in the air and how Ingo laughed at his shenanigans. It felt like that first night they had found the roof unlocked all those years ago. The hesitancy of going somewhere they weren’t supposed to be quickly being pushed aside for the chance to fly without needing to visit Uncle Drayden.

Finally remembering what had brought them up here, Emmet steadied himself and looked at Ingo. “This way!” he called down, “We have to go higher for the surprise!”

Ingo flew up next to Emmet. “Was this not it?”

“Nope!” Emmet took off higher, glancing down every so often to make sure Ingo was keeping up.

He flew higher, higher, even higher. Even if Ingo hadn’t said anything specific yet, Emmet could tell that his time is Hisui hadn’t been the kindest. He couldn’t have helped him then, but he would help him now. He would do this for his brother. He would bring one of the few genuinely good things of their decoupling back to him.

He could do that much.

As they left the city lights far below, the stars began to reappear. One by one, they lit the sky back up, adding to the lights under them. Emmet kept leading them further into the sky.

Soon the lights of the stars matched those of the city and if it wasn’t for gravity, it would be impossible tell which was which.

Emmet looked back down to Ingo, excited to see his reaction. Ingo was staring at Emmet, the stars reflecting in his panicked eyes, his wings flapping frantically. Ingo reached out a hand towards him, and Emmet did what any good brother would do.

He reached down and grabbed it.

Ingo held on tight.

Emmet pulled Ingo up to his level. Ingo’s wing beats leveled out, syncing to Emmet’s so they could hover far above the city, surrounded by lights. Ingo finally took his eyes off Emmet and looked around, eyes bright with stars and amazement.

“The stars are still here,” Emmet said, pulling Ingo’s attention back to him, “We just need to go up high enough.”

“Thank you,” Ingo said, voice tight with more emotions than Emmet could count, “for helping me reach.”

Emmet didn’t think Ingo meant the stars.

He smiled back. “Of course! We should head back down soon. I am getting cold.”

“You are correct,” Ingo agreed, “I am getting tired as well. Your earlier assessment of my wings was accurate; they are still less than optimal.”

They took their time making their way back to the roof, slowly circling downwards. The excitement and adrenaline settled down into something calm and comforting. The landed softly, taking a few steps to get rid of the last bit of speed.

“Well, I’m ready for bed,” Ingo said, untying his jacket from his waist. “What about you, Emmet?”

“I want hot chocolate first,” Emmet said, undoing his own jacket.

Ingo was silent for a second before his eyes widened. “Oh, yes! I remember now. Excellent idea!”

The door to the roof creaked open. Emmet, admittedly, panicked a little and threw his jacket over Ingo. Ingo appeared to have the same train of thought, as Emmet suddenly found himself under Ingo’s.

“Whoops, thought you were- Wait, you’re both up here?” Emmet heard someone say. He managed to get out from under the jacket as he tucked his wings in as close as possible. The usual apartment night security guard stood in the open door.

“I can explain,” Emmet said, trying to ignore how his heart tried to take residence in his throat and escape through his ribs simultaneously.

“Yes, we can explain,” Ingo added, anxious voice muffled slightly by Emmet’s jacket. He was struggling free himself from it, not helping their case in the slightest.

Emmet was suddenly hit in the back by something heavy and landed face down on the ground. He felt the jacket slip away as his wings unfolded in a reflexive attempt to catch himself. Ingo, still somehow trapped, had a wing of his own sticking out and flapping frantically, presumably what had hit Emmet.

How did it go so wrong so fast?

The guard’s radio crackled to life, “What’s taking so long, Tom?”

The brothers froze. They were dead. They were so dead. Security Guard Tom was going to tell the guy on the radio about them and they were going to be laughed at or thought of as freaks or hated and they would have to move and make a new life somewhere else and-

“Just those Braviaries again,” Tom said, shocking Emmet out from his spiraling, “Nothing to worry about. And the missing one came back! Can you believe it?”

“No kidding, really?” the person on the other end laughed. “That’s great! I was afraid we’d never see him again.”

“Yeah, me too! I’m going to let them finish up here, so I’m heading back down now,” Tom said before replacing the radio at his hip. “You two got twenty minutes, then I’m coming back to lock the door. I better not still see you here.”

“Th- Thank you, sir,” Ingo managed to get out.

“Yes, thank you,” Emmet added, “But why?”

The guard chuckled. “Who do you think’s been leaving the door open this whole time? Well, the first few times it was an accident. But never mind that. Twenty minutes, alright?”

“Yes, sir,” both brothers said as the door closed again.

“What the fuck?” Emmet said.

Ingo finally managed to get free, hair sticking up slightly from leftover static. “Language. But you are correct.”

Emmet picked himself back up. “I vote we think about that tomorrow.”

“Agreed,” Ingo said, trading jackets with Emmet and putting his on. “I want hot chocolate and a bed much more right now.”

It took maybe an hour for the two of them to return to their apartment, enjoy some hot chocolate, and get ready for bed. When Emmet returned to his room, thoroughly ready to pass out, Ingo was sitting cross-legged on his bed, still just his mattress on the other side of the room. They should really do something about that soon.

“Ready for sleepy time junction?” Emmet joked, hand on the light switch.

“Hmm? Yeah,” Ingo said, startling slightly.

“Everything okay?”

“Just tired.”

Not believing that for a second, Emmet gave him a look. Ingo looked away, wrapping his wings around himself a little. They were both tired. He’d ask if Ingo wanted to talk about it tomorrow.

Emmet flipped the lights off and climbed into bed, picking his way past the Pokemon that had decided to take it over tonight.

“Good night, Ingo,” Emmet said once he got under the covers.

“Good night, Emmet,” Ingo said back.

Emmet could hear Ingo shift around for a few minutes, trying to get comfortable. Emmet, for his part, was as comfortable as he could get, trapped between Archeops, Excadrill, and Alakazam as he fell asleep.

“Emmet,” Ingo whispered, waking Emmet back up, “Are you awake?”

“I am now,” He whispered back, managing to roll over to look at his brother. “What is it?”

In Chandelure’s light, Ingo could be seen sitting up again, looking down at his hands in his lap as he wrung his blanket. “Can I- Can I sleep with you tonight?”

“Yeah, of course.” Emmet started shimmying over, pushing the Pokemon. “Move. All of you. Clear the tracks.”

It took a couple minutes for Emmet to make enough space for Ingo to climb in. Once he got under the covers too, Ingo tucked in close to Emmet. Emmet wrapped a wing around him.

After few minutes of silence, Ingo mumbled, “I trust you.”

Emmet was glad Ingo wasn’t looking at him as he felt his face heat up. “You heard that talk?”

“Not really,” Ingo hummed. “I was mostly asleep. Do you know when you can still hear what is going on, but you are not really that aware of it? It was like that. I could hear you and Uncle Drayden talking, but I don’t remember any of it. Other than you saying that you thought I didn’t trust you. I should have told you sooner that I did.”

“I was just getting in my head. It’s fine.”

“Still. I wanted to tell you myself and make sure you knew that.”

“I think you moving over to sleep on me made that clear,” Emmet laughed lightly. “Isn’t that why you did that?”

Ingo huffed a laugh of his own. “No, that was unintentional. I think I just heard you talking and moved over.”

“I should have guessed.” Emmet sighed. He let the silence sit for a while before asking, “Was there anything else bothering you?”

“What isn’t?” Ingo gave a humourless laugh. “We haven’t gotten any word from Akari. My memories are still a mess. Apparently the guard knows about our wings. I got scared while we were flying that I was still in Hisui. There are a lot of little things that add up.”

Emmet hummed an agreement. But the last thing in Ingo’s list stood out. “You were scared?”

Ingo tensed. “I- Yeah…”

Emmet waited to see if Ingo would elaborate or fall asleep. Eventually, Ingo spoke again, voice soft and hesitant.

“After Akari started preening my wings, I would fly in Hisui. Like how we did tonight. I… The flights almost always left me upset. But I kept going out. I had to. It was the only time I felt like I was truly with you.”

Ingo paused and took a shaky breath before continuing.

“I knew I was imagining it. It did not even help me remember anything. But I couldn’t stop for the same reason I spent so much time in the tunnels and caves of the Highlands and battling whenever I could. It felt like I was closer to the home I wanted so desperately to remember.”

He shifted slightly, bringing a hand up and wiping at his face.

“Up there tonight, up in the stars, it felt like then. A man in white who looked like me guiding me higher and higher into the lights. I got scared that I had imagined these last couple weeks. That they were an extended dream and I was about to wake from it.”

Ingo finally looked up at Emmet, eyes tired, but bright, a small smile on his face.

“But I made it this time.” He looked back down and closed his eyes. “I reached you.”

Emmet pulled Ingo in closer, hugging him the best he could. “You did.” After a beat of silence, Emmet asked, “Would you want to share a bedroom? Like when we were kids.”

“I- I would like that,” Ingo said softly. “Would everything fit?”

“We would need to rearrange my stuff,” Emmet said, “but I think it would.”

“Okay, let’s do that sometime soon then.” Ingo took a deep breath, relaxing against Emmet. “I think we will be okay, Emmet.”

Emmet let his eyes close. Surprising himself by how much he meant it, he said, “I think so too.”

Despite finally letting himself drift off, despite what he had told Ingo, despite saying he wouldn’t think about it until tomorrow, a thought lingered in the back of Emmet’s mind all night.

How many people knew about his and Ingo’s wings and had kept it secret?

And why?

Chapter Text

Things were calming down recently, ignoring how their flight the other day had ended. Ingo’s memories returning were starting to slow. They were mostly small things when applicable nowadays. Emmet didn’t hear most of them anymore, unless it was something that really interested or excited Ingo.

The initial rush of paperwork for getting Ingo’s missing persons case closed and replacements for IDs that expired while he was away was almost over and they weren’t due for another doctor’s appointment for a week. Even that was just a quick check up to make sure everything was okay.

They had asked if Elesa could come over and help move Ingo’s things into Emmet’s room, his being bigger as it was technically the master bedroom. Between them and their Pokemon, they probably didn’t need Elesa’s help, but it wouldn’t hurt to have an extra set of human hands helping and it was an excuse to hang out. She was always better at interior design than them too, so she could help with setting up the room in a way that worked well. Elesa was more than happy to help and was planning on coming over that weekend.

The only immediate problem the twins really had at the moment was that they really needed to do some grocery shopping. Their last trip had been less than successful in terms of getting food as Ingo kept getting distracted by the various other things the store sold. It had been a fun trip, but it resulted in more novelty mugs and Pokemon toys than it did groceries.

Emmet went by himself this time.

It was a quick trip. He was efficient when he wanted to be and there was still that lingering fear that Ingo would disappear if he wasn’t watching him. But there were so many Pokemon between the two of them now, one of which could teleport straight to him if something went wrong, that Emmet felt comfortable leaving his brother to do the shopping.

But he was home now and nothing had gone wrong. Emmet couldn’t help but feel like this was a sign of things to come. That things really were starting to get better.

Then he entered the apartment and saw Ingo sitting on the couch, holding onto his tattered and sun-bleached coat. Emmet could almost hear him overthinking from across the room.

“I am Emmet and I am home!” He placed the bags on the ground and put his jacket and shoes away. When Ingo didn’t respond, Emmet said a little louder, “Ingo? Is everything okay?”

“Is there a point,” Ingo said quietly, not breaking his stare with his old coat, “to still hiding our wings?”

Emmet left the bags by the door, Chandelure and Alakazam quickly swooping in and floating them to the kitchen, and sat next to Ingo. “What do you mean?”

Ingo took a breath. “So many people know about them. That doctor. The security guard. You said that some of the staff at Gear Station know. Why bother hiding something everyone knows about?”

He didn’t know how to respond to that. What was the point of hiding something that everyone knew about?

Truthfully, Emmet had been having the same worries.

“It is happening again,” Ingo groaned, burying his face in his hands and coat.

“What is happening again?” Emmet couldn’t help but ask. He just wanted to help.

“Did I say that…” Ingo trailed off, voice muffled by fabric.

“You don’t have to say.”

After a moment, Ingo picked his head back up. “I… I want to. I think I am ready now.”

“Are you sure?”

“No,” Ingo huffed. “But when am I ever sure about anything? It is a long story. Are you sure you want to listen to it all?”

Emmet wrapped a wing around Ingo. “Always. But we should put the groceries away first.”

There was a chime from the kitchen.

“Or the Pokemon got it. I will double check where they put everything later then. Feel free to tell your story.”

Ingo’s lips twitched in the barest hint of a smile. “Thank you.”

Emmet waited as Ingo fell silent again. Then, Ingo took a slow breath, grip tightening on his coat.

“In Hisui,” he began, “I stopped hiding my wings. I didn’t see the point anymore. Everyone knew about them. Especially after my outburst.”

-----

Ingo probably should have waited another day or two before returning to his post at the Training grounds. He was still a fair distance away from Jubilife, the gates just coming into view now, and he was already feeling anxious about it. Then again, maybe that would always be the case.

He should apologise to Kamado for his abrupt departure from their last talk. Even if he was panicking, he should have had a little more tact.

(“Why were you panicking?” Emmet asked, wishing not for the first time he could have some words with certain people Ingo had met.

“It is not that important to this particular story,” Ingo said, “But I can tell you about that conversation later.”)

Ingo fought the spike of panic he felt just at the sight of Galaxy Hall from the gates. Maybe later.

With a breath that didn’t do much to calm him and a nod to Ress, Ingo entered Jubilife.

He couldn’t help but feel like everyone was staring at him. They weren’t. They weren’t. They had better things to do, their own business to attend to. But Ingo couldn’t shake the feeling that all eyes were on him, scrutinizing him and trying to see if the rumours he was sure were circling were true.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Choy glance at him as he passed the General Store. Even though they were under his coat, Ingo pressed his wings closer against his back.

Maybe they were watching.

(“Verrrry rude of them if they were staring,” Emmet chimed in, hoping to help lessen the tension he could see building in his brother’s shoulders.

Ingo shrugged. “I suppose. But there was not always much going on in Hisui. I was simply the newest oddity.”

Emmet crossed his arms with a huffed, “Still. Sorry for interrupting again. Please continue.”)

It was fine. He was fine. He just had to pass Galaxy Hall and get to the Training Grounds. He could distract himself from all this there. Hopefully Akari would visit. A battle against her was always fun and worked as a great distraction. But she had been busy with that merchant friend of hers late-

“Warden Ingo,” Kamado called out, “Can I have a word?”

Shit.

“Of course,” Ingo called as he walked over to the Galaxy Hall, hoping his voice didn’t betray his panic.

“If you could follow me to my office.” Kamado started up the stairs.

“I would prefer to remain outside.” If Ingo had to set foot in that office right now, Galaxy Hall entirely really, he’d throw something. Himself, probably, out a window and fly back to his tent.

“If that is what you want.” Kamado returned to the bottom of the stairs. Then he bowed. “I wanted to apologise for my actions when we last spoke. I acted rashly and disrespected both you and your Clan. I hope you can forgive me.”

Ingo didn’t forgive him. Not in the slightest. But he wanted to be anywhere else a lot more.

“If that is all,” he said, deciding not addressing the last bit was the best way to go, “I will be heading to the Training Grounds now.”

“Yes, of course,” Kamado said, straightening and giving a nod. “Thank you for your continued help there.”

“You are welcome,” Ingo got out before turning and walking off.

It only took a few more minutes to get to his post at the Training Grounds, still as anxious as he had been all day. He held his hands behind his back, fists clenched tight enough to hurt. He was a little concerned he was going to break a tooth from how hard he was clenching his jaw.

“Hey, Ingo,” Zisu said after no one showed up for a while, “are you okay? You seem a little… tense.”

“I’m fine,” Ingo ground out.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

Of course he wasn’t fine. Everyone was staring at him and he was forced to talk to the one person he didn’t want to. He just wanted to do his job, but no one was visiting. Probably because of him, because he looked intimidating, because he had to fight his own face to look approachable, because he talked too much, because he was too loud.

Because word had gotten around and everyone thought he was even stranger than before.

He looked over at Zisu, feeling his hands start to shake. He didn’t want to talk about this. Not right now. Not to her or anyone else in Hisui. “Yes.”

“Okay, okay. Just let me know if you want anything.” She glanced behind him, to his back, before quickly looking back at towards the entrance.

Of course. Of course.

“What I want is for you to stop looking at me,” Ingo mumbled loud enough to be heard if Zisu looking back over was any indication. He hadn’t meant to say that aloud, but now that it was out the words wouldn’t stop coming, getting louder and louder as he went on. “I want everyone to stop staring at me.”

“Ing-”

“I am the most recent news. You don’t think I know that. I can feel everyone staring at me and I HATE IT!”

“No one was staring-”

“YES, THEY ARE! You just were! Everyone is! They want to see the newest spectacle!”

Zisu took a few steps towards him. “Yo-”

Ingo stomped away from her and to the middle of the battleground, ripping off his coat. “You want a spectacle? I’ll show you a spectacle!” He spread his wings out as far as he could. “IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED? A GOOD LOOK AT THE FREAK?! I DO NOT CARE ANYMORE! I DO NOT FUCKING CARE!”

If no one was looking before, which Ingo highly doubted from the way his skin crawled, they certainly were now. He was too loud on a good day, now he was yelling and had completely lost what little volume control he had.

Zisu walked towards him again, hands out in a way she probably wanted to be nonthreatening, but Ingo could only read as preparing to grab him. “Ingo, you need to calm down.”

“Why? Why should I?!” Ingo’s hands shook violently. He hated how he could feel tears start to form, how his voice cracked. “All it ever takes is for someone to see these Sinnoh-damned wings. Then I am treated as dangerous, as a threat. I am not! They are just WINGS!”

Zisu opened her mouth to say something else. Ingo didn’t give her a chance. He grabbed his hat from his head in his free hand and ran, using the fence as a step to help take off.

He flew back to the Highlands. He really should have stayed there today.

-----

“Once I calmed down, I regretted my actions immediately,” Ingo said. He had wrapped his wings around himself part way through his story and was running his fingers through his feathers. “Zisu didn’t deserve that. She was just trying to help me and I refused to listen.”

“It sounds like you were already stressed,” Emmet tried to reassure, “She just happened to be the end of the line.”

Ingo sighed. “That is more or less what she said when I apologised a few days later. Still, I shouldn’t have let myself get to that point. I should have just left when I saw Kamado or after our talk. I should not have gotten so angry.”

So that was what this was about.

“You are allowed to be angry,” Emmet said despite knowing Ingo would likely not listen to him again. It was the one thing he never could get through to his brother.

Ingo pressed his mouth into a flat line, then huffed, “I do not like being angry.”

“It makes you feel bad. I know.” Ingo looked over at Emmet in surprise. “This has happened before. You get angry about something. Then you feel bad that you got angry. I tell you that you that you are allowed to be angry. Especially when it is something that warrants anger. You ignore it. We have this same conversation the next time you are angry about something.”

“I see,” Ingo sighed. “Maybe this time it will stick.”

“I doubt it,” Emmet said, hoping Ingo understood he meant it mostly as a lighthearted tease.

“I doubt it as well,” Ingo said with a huff of laughter.

“Was that when you cut wing slits into your coat?” Emmet asked, bringing the conversation back to the original topic.

Ingo shook his head. “Not after that. I stopped hiding my wings as much by keeping my coat tied around my waist. But I didn’t cut slits into it then. I thought about it, but I could never bring myself to go through with it. It hurt too much. Every rip and tear and hole in this old coat hurt. To add to that purposely myself… I just couldn’t do it.”

Yet he had in the end. The proof was right there on Ingo’s lap, two big wing slits in the back of his coat.

“What was it then,” Emmet asked, “that made you do it?”

Ingo took a deep breath, releasing it slowly. “Something arguably worse,” he mumbled.

“You do not have to say anything if you don’t want to,” Emmet reminded him.

“I will tell you if you wish to hear,” Ingo said, “This has been helping me, I think. Talking like this.”

“Then I will listen,” Emmet said, shimmying a little closer, “Talking helps you, knowing helps me. If I know what is wrong, I can figure out better ways of helping.”

“That sounds familiar,” Ingo hummed. He took another breath, then began, “What led me to committing to cutting slits in my coat happened a few weeks later.”

-----

It was a chilly day in the Highlands, meaning Ingo had his coat on.

He had started to take to keeping it tied around his waist, not wanting it far even if he wasn’t going to properly wear it. After the scene he had made in Jubilife, he didn’t see the point. Why bother hiding something everyone knew about. Besides, he’d rather know people are staring at him than just feel like they were even when they weren’t.

That was all besides the point and Ingo preferred not to think about it. Especially not right now when he was supposed to be focusing on his patrols. It was approaching the migration season for the Onix and Steelix around the Highlands and he needed to keep an eye out for the rockslides that typically came along with it.

There were a few locations Ingo wanted to check up on over the next few weeks, but other than that everything looked alright. He continued on, ending up taking the winding cliffside path that eventually led to the summit of the mountain. Maybe he’d fly home once he got there. That helped relax him. Sometimes. There was always the chance he’d feel worse by the end of it. Oh well, Ingo didn’t really care right now.

Before he could decide on his route home, Ingo saw someone coming towards him further down the path. Once they got closer to each other, Ingo could see that it was Volo of all people. He was wearing a white robed outfit Ingo had never seen before and his hair was in a frankly ridiculous style.

(“I almost wish I had a picture of it,” Ingo said, a slight bit of humour finding its way into his voice. “Elesa would throw a fit.”

“What exactly did it look like?” Emmet asked.

 “I do not know how it even stood up,” Ingo said with a laugh. He mimed out the hairstyle as he described it. “It stuck up here in the front, then came up in the back as well.”

“That does sound bad,” Emmet laughed. Then Ingo gave an annoyed huff and scowled. “What is it?”

“I am just realising that he was trying to mimic Arceus,” Ingo said, any lightness now replaced with irritation. “Honestly, why am I surprised? Megalomaniac.”

Emmet wasn’t sure if Ingo was referring to Volo or Arceus.)

“Hello, Mister Volo!” Ingo called out once they got closer. “What brings you to this side of the mountain?”

Volo looked up, anger in his eyes.

“You,” Volo sneered, rushing forwards and closing the gap between them.

“Me?” Ingo asked dumbly, wishing he hadn’t said anything in the first place.

Volo was in his face now. “You’re like Akari, aren’t you?”

Ingo took a what few steps back he could on the narrow path. “I am not sure what you are talking about. Is everything okay, Mister Volo?”

“She was thrown from the Rift. Sent by Arceus. No, chosen by Arceus.” He spat the words like they burned on his tongue. “And you. You. You claim amnesia, but is that really true?”

“It is true,” Ingo said, taking another step back as Volo stalked forwards again. “Why would I lie about something like that?”

“Because you’re. Like. Akari,” Volo hissed, “I’ve seen how close you two are. Everyone has. She calls you ‘uncle’. How can you not be chosen by Arceus too.”

Ingo felt his back hit the wall of the cliff, cornering himself. At least he wasn’t at the edge on the other side of the path. “I do not even know what Arceus could be!”

But that wasn’t entirely true. The name sparked some sort of familiarity, the same kind as hearing the names Palkia and Dialga did. Like he had at least heard of them before.

Despite them being similar heights, Volo seemed to tower above Ingo. “You don’t sound certain about that, Warden.”

“I- I might have- heard the name,” Ingo stammered out, voice pitching up several octaves “But I do not know! I have already explained that I cannot remember anything before my arrival to Hisui.”

“And what of those wings on your back?” Volo asked, “Did Arceus give them to you?”

“No! I believe I have always had them!” It was starting to get painful how tightly his wings were pinned between his back and the rock behind him.

That was quickly overshadowed by how Volo suddenly gripped Ingo’s shoulder, hard enough to bruise, fingers digging into the joint.

“Please unhand the conductor!” Ingo yelped, leaning into the grip in the hopes to alleviate the some of the pain from it.

Wordlessly, Volo dragged Ingo around until he was standing on the edge of the cliff. Ingo fought to keep his breathing level even as his heartrate spiked and panic shot through him.

He instantly regretted glancing down. The ground was miles away.

“You are derailing, Volo!” Ingo pleaded, holding his hat in place in case the worse happened, “Please, unhand me!”

Volo leaned in close. His whisper dripped with venom.

“Let’s see those wings help you now, Chosen.”

Volo let go with a shove.

And Ingo fell.

Out of reflex, he tried to stick his wings out. They didn’t get far, the fabric of his coat trapping them against his back. Even with the length that had been lost over the years, he couldn’t flip the back of the coat up with his wings as small as they were tucked in. But the only way to get them bigger was to stretch them out and he couldn’t do that with the coat on.

He had to get it off.

This all felt far too familiar.

Before he could try to get his coat off, Ingo heard a voice above him faintly shout, “UNCLE INGO! Stick out your arms and legs!”

Ingo did so, keeping his hat in one hand and managing to flip around to look up at the same time. Lord Braviary was zipping down towards him, Akari in his hammock. She reached a hand down to him. He reached back.

Lord Braviary dipped, quickly recovering, when Ingo and Akari grabbed onto each other. Ingo felt like his arm was about to be ripped from its socket, but he’d take that over how his fall could have ended any day.

“I got him, Lord Braviary!” Akari called up to the Ride Noble. “Go find somewhere to land! Uncle Ingo, hang on just a little longer!”

“Yeah!” he called back. It was the only thing he could get out right now. Besides, he wasn’t sure he could open his hand even if he wanted to.

Thankfully, it didn’t take long for Lord Braviary to find a flat part of land to touchdown on. A few feet from the ground, Akari said, “Will you be good to fall from here?”

Ingo nodded still unable to get any words out.

“Alright, on three! One, two, THREE!”

They let go together, and Ingo dropped. He hit the ground, stumbling a bit as he tried to minimize the pain that shot through his legs. Akari and Lord Braviary landed soon after, Akari running over as soon as she could.

“Uncle Ingo!” She tackled him in a hug, sending them both to the ground. “I was heading to your tent but I saw you falling and you had your coat on and I didn’t know if- if you could get your wings out and- and-” A sob cut her off.

Ingo wrapped his own shaking arms around her. “It’s- It’s okay now,” he forced out, voice barely a whisper. “You are. Okay. I… I am too. I am too.”

-----

“I cut the wing slits soon after that,” Ingo said quietly. “I- I could not risk being in that type of situation again. I could also wear my coat properly all the time again, so that was nice at the very least.”

Emmet couldn’t say anything. He didn’t know what to say. He always assumed that Hisui was dangerous from what Ingo had told him and just the nature of being in the past. But hearing it firsthand? Hearing just how close his brother had come to…

He took a breath, holding the hand Ingo hand taken his with earlier tighter and tucking him a bit more under his wing.

“I remembered a little bit, after that fall,” Ingo continued, just as quiet, “about my arrival to Hisui. Not much. Just falling and spinning and being stuck in my coat.”

Emmet took Ingo’s other hand as he waited to see if he would say anything more. After a moment, he took a shaky breath and continued.

“I wish I could say that my last thoughts were of you, of the Pokemon, of home. But...” Ingo’s voice wavered. “But they weren’t. They were just about wanting so desperately not to die. I was certain I was going to when I hit the ground.”

Ingo’s hands started shaking. Emmet rubbed his thumbs against the backs, hoping to provide some form of comfort, something to help ground his brother.

“I think that makes sense in that type of situation,” he reassured, “No one should be upset with you for thinking that. I am not.”

“I-I know,” Ingo said, choked and watery. “I just... I wish I could h-have thought of home. One last time.”

Wrapping his wings fully around his brother, Emmet pulled Ingo into a hug, mindful of his own wings still around him, as tears started to fall. “It’s okay,” he whispered, “You are here now. I am here. I am Emmet. It’s okay.”

“I was so- so scared, Emmm...” Ingo barely got out between sobs.

“But you made it through.” Emmet gently combed his fingers through what of Ingo’s feathers he could reach. “You made it through, and you made it home.”

Ingo pressed further into Emmet with a whine and a shuddering gasp for breath. Emmet kept both arms and wings around his brother, holding him close as he shook and cried.

Eventually, Ingo’s breathing came in steadier and his body started to relax. With a final deep breath, he pulled back just enough for Emmet to see his face, eyes red and cheeks blotchy.

“Feeling better?” Emmet asked, gently wiping away the last of Ingo’s tears.

“Maybe,” he whispered, voice rough and tired, as he leaned into the touch, “I... I think I needed that.”

“I think so too,” Emmet said.

“There is more I want to tell you.” Ingo swallowed roughly. “But...”

“Not right now. You need rest.”

Ingo nodded. “Thank you.”

“No need to thank me,” Emmet reassured, “I am going to get you some water. Want to come or stay here?”

Ingo grabbed Emmet’s hands tightly. “Come.”

Emmet smiled at him, opening up his wings but keeping one around Ingo. “Alright. Let’s go.”

It didn’t take long for Emmet to get Ingo to drink some water then back to the couch, his brother tucked under his wing and pressed against his side the whole time. Emmet put on an old train documentary, mostly for the familiar background noise but also for something comforting for Ingo to focus on.

It did the trick. Ingo watched the movie curled up against to Emmet with excited, if tired, eyes. He even managed to chime up a few times when something really interested him.

Emmet, unfortunately, couldn’t focus on it that much, too busy thinking about everything Ingo had told him. It horrified him what Ingo had been forced to go through. But he was glad he knew now. He still wasn’t sure if he wanted to stop hiding his wings, but he knew where Ingo was coming from now. He felt like he could make a better decision when they no doubt had other conversations about it.

As much as he hoped what else Ingo wanted to share wouldn’t be as bad, Emmet didn’t think it he’d get his wish. But he would just need to wait until then.

For now, he’d rest, watch the documentary with his brother, and just be glad that he was home now.

Chapter Text

Since that talk he had had with Emmet the other day, Ingo was feeling a lot better. Talking about what he had gone through, some of what had led him to no longer hiding his wings in Hisui had really helped. Just the simple fact that he wasn’t alone to deal with the emotions that always came about when he thought about the worse parts of his time there helped Ingo more than he would have thought.

He supposed that made sense though. He and Emmet had always had each other before this. Of course he would feel better now that they could help each other again. But it had been a lot of Emmet helping him and not much of the reverse. Ingo knew there were things that were bothering Emmet, but he wasn’t sure how to help.

Maybe this was how Emmet had felt. Ingo supposed he would just need to wait until Emmet was ready to share. But that didn’t seem quite right.

Ingo was pretty sure Emmet wasn’t as much as a sharer as he was. He certainly wasn’t as much as a talker. Perhaps talking out what was bothering him didn’t help him as much either. But Ingo still felt like he was waiting for something from his brother before he could really help him, an ask for help or some sort of indication that he would accept it.

Whatever it was, Ingo just had to wait.

He couldn’t help but feel like he wouldn’t need to wait long.

In the meantime, he would continue packing up all the little things on his shelves. Elesa was coming over in a couple days to help move the furniture into Emmet’s room, so Ingo thought it would be helpful to get them ready for easy transport. He was just trying not to focus too hard on the books and knickknacks so he didn’t give himself another headache.

That was until he heard Emmet’s annoyed voice from the other room.

“Why can’t you just email it to me? You did last time.”

There was a pause.

“Really? It is only an extra week off.”

Ingo left his room, finding Emmet sitting on the couch with his head in his hands.

Emmet groaned. “Isadorrrre. I don’t want to come in.”

There was a muffled response. Emmet must have had earbuds in since Ingo couldn’t see any headphones. Those had been fun to learn about and sent him on a tangent about how wireless technology worked. He hadn’t understood much of it, but it had been interesting to read about.

“Tell them to shove it,” Emmet responded. “Do not actually. I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

Another pause as Ingo went over and sat on the couch. Emmet jumped slightly, likely not hearing him approach.

“I do not want to get in trouble,” Emmet said aloud. Then he showed Ingo his Xtrans on his wrist, screen showing he was on call with someone named Isadore and signed a quick, “Hold please.”

More on instinct than understanding, Ingo signed back, “Holding.”

“And you are sure this can’t be an email?”

Emmet pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes as the person on the other end of the call talked.

“Okay, fine,” he huffed, opening his eyes and throwing his hands up, “I will be there in ten minutes, fifteen at most. Bye.”

“Is everything alright?” Ingo asked as Emmet took out his earbuds and slipped them into their case on the coffee table

“Yup. Everything’s fine.” Emmet stood and walked over to the front door. “I just need to go to the station because apparently, I cannot fill out a vacation time form from home.”

“Is that not what you did last time?”

“It is. I said that. But I guess the higher ups want to talk to me about something too. They insisted that it can’t be an email. I bet it could be. 90% of what they want could be emails.”

“That feels familiar,” Ingo said, walking over as Emmet put on a jacket. “But you are on vacation. They should wait until you return to your post.”

“They are supposed to,” Emmet huffed, grabbing a baseball cap. “But I think it is about reopening the Battle Subway and when you will return. Something that could probably be an email.” He paused a moment, looking down as he put on his shoes. “If you, uh, want to return.”

Ingo hadn’t really thought about whether he would return to his old job. Yet, the answer came to him without a second thought.

“I would love to return to the Subway,” Ingo said, noticing the Emmet’s thinly veiled panic, “if I am allowed. I am not exactly qualified anymore.”

He didn’t miss the way his brother sighed as he stood back up, shoes now on.

“I am sure everyone wants you back. We will figure it out,” Emmet said, smile wide. Then he turned towards the door. “Okay, I will keep you upda- Pull the brakes!”

“What is it?” Ingo asked.

Emmet spun back around and pointed at Ingo. “You should come!”

“Are you sure?”

Emmet nodded. “Yup! If you want to. You can really see Gear Station again. You can meet the some of the agents. They missed you verrrry much too. And! You must see the trains. I cannot believe we didn’t do this sooner. Maybe I can. We have been verrrry busy. And Elesa has been driving us around.”

Obviously, there was only one choice.

“Emmet.”

“I am Emmet.”

“I have to see a train in person.”

Emmet laughed. “Get your shoes on then!”

Ingo got ready quickly, grabbing the matching jacket to Emmet’s but opting for his old Subway Boss hat. It felt appropriate.

The walk to Gear Station was quick. The longest time was spent waiting for the elevator and cross lights. But soon enough, Ingo and Emmet were approaching the station.

And by Palkia was it beautiful.

Ingo had seen it from a distance a few times when out with Emmet, but all their destinations happened to be the opposite way or didn’t bring them close enough to properly admire the building. But now, here, up close? He could really take it in. Its tall pillars and red banners and big windows took his breath away.

The railings on the second-floor balcony are covered in small, multicoloured lights. They peek through the snow that falls from the sky and clings to the metal.

Leaves the colour of flame are scattered across the steps, trailing inside where someone will need to sweep them back out for the umpteenth time.

The small yard surrounding the building is filled with flowers and bushes, making Emmet sneeze. He’s been having a particularly bad allergy day today.

“Everything okay?” Emmet said, bringing Ingo back to reality. The building was snowless, leafless, and the flowers just starting to bloom. “You stopped walking.”

“Back on track,” Ingo said, shaking his head a little and still staring at Gear Station. “Just some memories I think, and I wanted to admire the building. It is stunning.”

“Of course it is. It’s Gear Station!” Emmet laughed. Then he grinned and grabbed Ingo’s hand, dragging him forwards. “Just wait until you see the inside! It is even better. That’s where the trains are.”

Ingo happily let himself be pulled along, until Emmet stopped at the bottom of the stairs.

“Is something the matter, Emmet?”

“Not for me,” he said, turning to face Ingo, “I wanted to tell you that people will probably stare. We are popular figures around here. You have been missing and I have been off. So, people might stare. Please be prepared for that.”

Even if they were already hidden, Ingo tucked his wings a little closer against his back. He took a breath. “Okay. Thank you for the warning.”

“Let me know if you need a break.” Emmet started up the stairs. “We can pop into an employees only area.”

Ingo followed him up. “But I am not an employee.”

“Hardly matters. You are with me.” He put his hand on he door. “Ready?”

Ingo grabbed Emmet’s free hand and nodded. Emmet opened the door.

As they descended the stairs, Ingo pulled ahead, excitement quickly overpowering any hesitancy and anxiety.

The exterior was beautiful, yes, but the inside was arguably more so. With its circular room and stairs likely leading off to different train’s platforms, Ingo wanted nothing else than to run off and start exploring. There was a small part of him that itched to take off his jacket and fly up to the high ceilings, just so see what was up there too. Likely nothing of interest or importance, but he wanted to see everything.

Emmet appeared next to him, resting a hand on his shoulder. “Like it?”

Ingo nodded, still looking around. “Oh, yes! This is amazing! Do those stairs all lead to platforms? And the ceiling is so high. I bet it must look magnificent when the sun shines through the windows up there. And the- the- It’s all just-”

Emmet laughed and lightly nudged Ingo as he wiped the sudden tears in his eyes. “No need to start crying.”

“Like you wouldn’t do the same if you were me,” Ingo laughed back.

“I probably would! I can show you around once I am done with work stuff. Come on, this way.” Emmet took Ingo’s hand again and lead him towards the centre structure.

Unfortunately, with the initial rush of excitement starting to fade, Ingo started to feel like he was being stared at. It wasn’t as bad as he thought it would be, likely due to Emmet’s warning giving him some time to prepare for it, but he was still uncomfortable.

He tightened his grip and stepped a little closer to Emmet. Emmet squeezed his hand back comfortingly.

When the passed through a door with an employees only sign on it, Ingo almost sighed in relief.

“Are you alright?” Emmet asked quietly.

“I will be,” Ingo said, “I just need a couple of minutes.”

“There you are Boss Emmet,” someone in a green uniform called from down the nearby hall, “I told Micheal and Samina to wait in your office.”

Emmet took a breath, jaw clenching in annoyance for a moment. “So, Micheal did come.”

“Unfortunately.”

Emmet took his hand back from Ingo, shook them out a couple times, then said, “Okay. I am normal about this. Ingo, I will either be in and out or stuck for the next thirty minutes. Did you want to stay in the break room here or wander the station?”

“I will stay here,” Ingo said. As amazing as it was, he didn’t think he could handle the station alone quite yet.

“Okay.” Emmet turned back to the other person. “Are you doing anything right now, Isadore?”

“I was about to go on lunch break,” the man, Isadore Ingo supposed, said. “I’m sure a few others will show up too.”

“Great! You can hang out with Ingo. So he is not alone.” Emmet started walking down the hall. “I will be back!”

Ingo was left alone with Isadore, who was already heading over to the fridge across the room. He pulled out a container, closed the fridge, then sat at a table.

“It’s good to see you again, Boss Ingo,” Isadore said after a moment.

Figuring there wasn’t much else he could do, Ingo sat on one of the couches. “I am not your boss anymore.”

Isadore shrugged. “That isn’t going to stop any of us.”

It fell silent again as Isadore started to eat his lunch. Ingo wanted to ask him a million and one questions about the station, but that would mean he needed to tell him about his amnesia, and he wasn’t sure how well that would go over.

Any contemplation on that was cut short when the door slammed open.

“I heard someone saw Boss Ingo!” another person in a matching green uniform yelled as he ran in, followed by a few others. “Is it true?”

“Furze, you need to stop slamming the door open,” Isadore sighed. “But yes, he’s right here.”

Furze, apparently, finally spotted Ingo. He started bouncing in place. “Boss Ingo! You’re here!”

“I am,” Ingo said. He was a little concerned with how many people had suddenly come into the room. “Are you all on break?”

“Most of us are,” Furze said, rushing up and sitting at the table with Isadore.

“My shift’s done,” someone said. “But I wanted to stay for a little bit before heading out since you’re here. If that’s okay?”

“I got here early,” another said, “and I brought some extra cookies Sunny made last night.”

“Nice,” a third person said, turning on the kettle on the small section of counter. “I love your wife’s cookies.”

After a few minutes of everyone finding seats and cookies getting passed around, Ingo decided to just get it over with.

“This cookie is delicious,” he said, “but I must admit something to everyone.”

The room went silent.

“I, uh…” Ingo took a breath. “I have amnesia. I have been remembering a lot since my return a few weeks ago, but sadly, I cannot place any of the names Emmet has told me to faces.”

The relief that spread around the room was palpable.

“Is that it?” the one who had brought the cookies asked. “In that case, I’m Cloud.”

“I’m Cameron.”

“Ramses.”

“Furze!”

“My name is Isadore, but you might have figured that out from Emmet saying it.”

“And I am Jackie.”

Ingo couldn’t help by laugh. “You are all as kind as Emmet said you would be. I see why he described you as our friends before told me we were coworkers. You wouldn’t mind if I asked some questions about the station and what you all do here, would you?”

“Not at all!” Furze said.

The next roughly twenty minutes were spent with Ingo asking every question he could possibly think of and the agents all answering happily. The only thing that had stopped the conversation was Ingo spotting Emmet walking back into the break room.

Before Ingo had a chance to say anything, Emmet quickly and discretely signed, “Hide!”

Ingo pressed himself into the couch, unsure on where else to go, as Ramses, who was sitting on the couch next to him, turned to block Ingo. Cameron slid his chair closer as Jackie smoothly switched seats.

“It was a pleasure talking with you, Emmet,” an unfamiliar voice said.

“Yes, you too, Micheal,” Emmet said, acting like nothing had happened. “I will let you know what Ingo says.”

“We look forward to hearing from him,” someone else said. “Let him know we wish him a speedy recovery.”

“I will,” Emmet said. Ingo could partly see him by the door to the rest of the station. He opened it. “Have a good day!”

“You as well.”

“Take care.”

Emmet closed the door. Ramses, Jackie, and Cameron moved out of the way just in time for Ingo to see him fall into the last free chair with a huff. He ran his hands over his face, saying, “That could have been an email if they had just listened to me. I may be on vacation technically, but I check my work email in the morning.”

“Most of what they say could be emails,” Cloud chimed in.

“Yup.” Emmet straightened back up, energy renewed. “Well! Now that that’s done, why are there so many of you here?”

“I’m clocked out,” Cameron said.

“My shift doesn’t start for another ten minutes,” Cloud said. She held out the container of cookies. “Cookie? Sunny made them.”

“Oh! Yes, please,” Emmet said, taking one. “What about everyone else? Break still?”

“Not sure about Isadore,” Ramses said, “but that’s the case for me, Jackie, and Furze.”

“My break is nearly over,” Isadore said from where he was washing his utensils and Jackie’s mug at the sink. “What did those two want?”

“And why did I need to hide?” Ingo asked.

Emmet swallowed his bite of cookie. “This is good as always, Cloud. Tell your wife thank you. They were wondering if Ingo was planning on returning as a Subway Boss. I told them you didn’t come with me. I guessed you didn’t want to talk to them. Because of- You know.”

“Do not worry, I have already mentioned my amnesia,” Ingo said, “But that was a good choice. I have no idea who those people are.”

“Upper management,” Emmet said, waving it off, “I will explain later. We have more important matters at hand.”

Ingo shot up, excitement coursing through him again. “Oh yeah! Let’s go see a train! Wait, you needed to fill out a form. Right?”

There was a chorus of laughter from the Depot Agents as Emmet said, “Already done! Also, shush you guys. This is what so long with no trains does to someone.”

Furze gasped. “There weren’t any trains where you were?”

“Unfortunately, there was not,” Ingo said, hand on the brim of his hat. “I didn’t even remember what they were until after I returned.”

With that, the collective attitude shifted, and everyone was pushing the twins out the door saying the Brown Line was leaving in fifteen minutes and that they had to board that one so Ingo could also see the railyard.

Isadore and Cameron followed them out, saying a quick goodbye before going their separate ways. Emmet chuckled, then started leading Ingo another way.

“They are right,” Emmet said with a laugh, “The railyard would be the best place to go to see trains. And not many people ride the Brown Line this time of day.”

“Destination set then,” Ingo said, “They were all quite insistent and seem to enjoy trains just as much as us, so I trust their judgement.”

“They work at the Battle Subway,” Emmet said as they started descending a flight of stairs, “We hired a couple of them. Of course they like trains!”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yup! We hired Furze and Cameron a year or two after our promotion. Isadore was hired around the same time as us when we started as Depot Agents. Cloud and Ramses have been here forever.”

“What about Jackie?”

“What about Jackie?”

Ingo paused a moment, his train of thought suddenly lost. “I am not sure.”

Emmet laughed. “It probably wasn’t important. Come on, this way!”

As they reached the platform and sat to wait for the train, Ingo tapped his feet in excitement for the afternoon ahead. Any doubts or fears he had had about eventually returning to Gear Station assuaged by the Depot Agents and the rumble of the approaching train.

Chapter Text

The day had finally come to move Ingo’s room into Emmet’s and Ingo was beyond excited. He’d been wanting to properly go through his old things more closely, finally feeling ready to do so, and having his clothes in the same room he slept in would be great. Not to mention having a bed frame. As similar as the mattress on the floor was to his cot in Hisui, he had to admit that bed frames were better, especially when there was no tatami floor.

However, that required actually moving the furniture.

“So, were you guys thinking of any specific layout?” Elesa asked, walking around Emmet’s room.

“You’ve got free reign, Elesa,” Emmet said, leaning against one side of the door frame. “Just tell us what to do.”

“You are the conductor for this particular track,” Ingo added from the other side.

Elesa took a few more passes around the room, then pushed the twins out of the way. “Move it, you two. I need to see what furniture Ingo has.”

They followed with a laugh.

Once Elesa had seen everything she wanted to, and measured everything with a tape measure she pulled out of nowhere, she returned to Emmet’s room and laid out her plan.

“Okay, here’s what I’m thinking.” She moved to the centre of the room and gestured to where she was referring to as she said, “You said you want to turn Ingo’s old room into a home office, so you won’t need your desks in here. I’m pretty sure everything else will fit if we do a kinda mirrored look. Put the beds and nightstands there and there. The dressers can go on that wall and the bookcases next to them. You could also group the bookcases and dressers together instead of mirroring them if you wanted to. Either should work.”

“I think the mirrored look would be nice,” Ingo said, trying to imagine it. “That way we could still have our own spaces even in the same room. What do you think, Emmet?”

Emmet squinted in thought, looking around the room. “Hmm… Yup! That sounds good.”

“Alright!” Elesa said with a clap. “Let’s get started! Ingo, do you want to call Chandelure and Alakazam over to help?”

“Of course!”

It took a lot of careful maneuvering, rearranging, and only a couple of pinched fingers, but eventually most of the furniture was where it should be. The desks and other things for the office were in the living room, having needed to be moved completely out of the way, but all the bedroom stuff was in Emmet’s room. Well, his and Emmet’s room now, Ingo supposed. It was nice to see.

For all his confusion to some of their customs, Ingo had to admit the Clan was right about their views on sharing space. When done with those you love, it was something to be treasured.

It was unfortunate that while they were setting up the room Ingo started to get a headache. He had been trying not to try to remember things he couldn’t. As unpredictable as his memories returning on their own were, it was the only way he didn’t get a headache. But between all the objects, mostly likely kept due to sentimental value, and Emmet talking about how they hadn’t shared a room since college, Ingo couldn’t help but to grasp for memories that remained just out of reach.

He had tried to ignore it, but once the lights felt too bright, Ingo had to admit that he needed a break. Not wanting to worry the other two, he quietly slipped out of the bedroom and went to curl up on the chair in the living room.

Ingo wrapped his wings around himself, the black feathers doing wonders to block out the light, and pressed his face into his hands. He took a breath, settling a little more into the cushioned chair.

He was already starting to feel better by the time he heard Elesa ask, “Are you okay?”

“Just a headache,” Ingo hummed, “I will be fine. I should only need a few more minutes.”

“Want me to sit with you?” she asked, voice a little louder.

“If you want to.” He heard her sit on the couch. “Like I said, it’s just a small headache. I will be back on track once the lights stop hurting.”

“Did you want me to get you an acetaminophen or something? I think I got some in my bag.”

“I’m sorry, that word was far too long for me to process right now. A what?”

“Acetaminophen,” Elesa repeated, “It’s headache medicine.”

“I believe I will be fine, but if it is still at my station in a few more minutes, I will take some.”

Elesa started to say something, but was cut of by Emmet’s voice across the room. “Can you two please announce departure ti- Are you okay, Ingo?”

“Just a headache,” Ingo said, “I will be fine. It is already clearing up. Sorry for not saying anything before leaving. I did not want to worry you.”

“Yeah, sorry about that Emmet,” Elesa added, “I didn’t even think.”

“Just try to remember next time. Thank you,” Emmet said, moving closer. “You didn’t used to get headaches so much.”

“Makes sense,” Ingo said. He took his hands away from his face, glad to see that the bit of light coming through his feathers wasn’t bothering him anymore. “They are usually my fault.”

“How can a headache be your fault?” Emmet asked.

“Are you drinking enough water?” Elesa added.

“I could probably drink more water,” Ingo conceded. “But that is unrelated. They are from trying to force memories to return to the station. I know it never works and only gives me a headache, but I can’t help it sometimes.”

“You mentioned a headache back when Uncle Drayden and Iris visited,” Emmet said, “Was that like this?”

“It was,” Ingo sighed. “I will admit that I pushed myself much too far then. This one is nowhere near as bad and is already clearing up.”

“I will get some headache medicine next time we’re out,” Emmet said, “I do not think we have any right now.”

“Why?” Elesa asked, “That’s something you should have.”

“Probably! I forget medicine exists sometimes.”

“How are you alive? Or, like, not in pain?”

“An excellent question! I simply suffer.”

“Emmet, there’s a better way to live. It’s called taking a painkiller sometimes.”

“Like I said, I forget.”

Ingo couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped him.

Emmet made a strained humming sound, probably stretching if Ingo had to guess. “I am going to make sure we got everything from Ingo’s old room. Maybe give it a sweep. Then we can move the desks.”

“Sounds good,” Elesa said. “Let us know when you’re ready to start.”

“I should be good by then”, Ingo added.

“Okay,” Emmet said, footsteps fading.

Ingo and Elesa continued chatting about whatever came to mind. A few minutes later, Ingo’s headache had almost completely dissipated, and he was able to drop the wing dome without being attacked by the lights.

It took another few minutes for Ingo to notice that Emmet hadn’t returned.

“Has Emmet asked for our help yet?” he asked in case he had just missed it while being under his wings.

“No, he hasn’t.” Elesa turned back to the hall, calling out, “Hey, Emmet! Did you want our help now?”

There was no response.

They waited a moment. Two.

“Emmet?” Ingo called, trying to ignore his rising anxiety.

Silence again.

“I’ll go take a look,” Elesa said, standing from the couch. Ingo watched as she walked over to the door just down the hall, only to stop in the doorway, her face dropping. “Emmet, are you alright?”

Ingo was up and joining Elesa in the doorway in an instant.

Emmet stood stock still in the middle of the now empty room, feathers slowly puffing up.

“Emmet?” Ingo asked from the doorway. “What’s wrong?”

Emmet just stared straight ahead. Even with what little of it visible at this angle, it was easy to see his face twitching as he fought to keep it straight. Despite his best efforts, Ingo could see his lip wobble and his eyes start to water.

Maybe he had waited a little too long.

Or maybe Emmet wouldn’t have accepted help until now.

Either way, Ingo walked past Elesa and in front of Emmet. He gently took his brother’s hands.

“Emmet, can you hear me?” Ingo asked as soft as he could.

Emmet nodded stiffly but looked down as to not make eye contact.

“Are you alright?” Ingo asked again.

He watched Emmet fight to get some words out. When he did, they were quiet and choked, “I- I don’t- It’s not. Mmmy room.”

Emmet started to shake. Ingo lowered them both to sit on the floor, wrapping his wings around them. He the door creak almost closed and Elesa’s footsteps fade. He made the mental note to thank her for the privacy later.

“What do you mean?”

“It’ssss nnnnot...” Emmet pulled his hands back with a grimace, Ingo letting him without complaint, and signed, “This is not my room. It’s yours. I should not be so upset at seeing it empty.”

“Did you not want to share a room after all?” Ingo asked, hoping his voice didn’t betray how little he wanted that to be the case. “I know we already moved everything, but we can move it back if need be.”

Emmet shook his head quickly. “I want to share. I suggested it. I wouldn’t have if I wasn’t okay with it.”

Ingo rested his hands on Emmet’s knees, rubbing circles with his thumbs. “I think I recall you not enjoying change much. Is that it?”

“A little.” Emmet signed, hands starting to shake. “This is your room. But not anymore. That is good and bad.”

“I am afraid I don’t quite follow,” Ingo sighed.

Emmet shook his hands, probably trying to figure out how to word his thoughts. He still looked like he was on the verge of tears.

“This was your room,” he eventually started, “even when we were decoupled. It hurt to go in for a while. But then it was comfortable. This was your room.”

Ingo still didn’t get exactly what Emmet was trying to explain to him and he was getting annoyed at himself. Emmet was his brother, he should know what he means. It couldn’t have been this hard before they decoupled, before his amnesia, before everything that had happened.

Emmet suddenly gave a single sharp clap, eyes widening as he found the words he was looking for.

“This was you,” he signed, “when you were gone. Your room was you. Does that make sense?”

Ingo nodded. It did. It finally did.

It probably felt like Emmet was losing him again, even if all of Ingo’s stuff was in the room adjacent. No wonder he was so upset at the sight of it empty.

Funnily, but perhaps not that surprising, it was the Pearl Clan views that Ingo next thought of.

“The Pearl Clan worshipped space, as I have told you before,” Ingo said, “While there was a lot of their practices and outlooks I didn’t necessarily follow or believe in, there were a few that I ended up picking up. One was about how a space can change depending on how someone occupies it. Some spaces, like homes, can become one and the same with the people who live there. But people need to move sometimes, settlements have to relocate.”

Emmet looked at him, brow furrowed in confusion. “Where are you going with this?”

Knowing Emmet meant that as a genuine question and not a polite way of telling him to cut it short, Ingo continued, “Just because this exact space is no longer my room, does not mean it never was. It does not mean that it is gone. Even as it sits empty, even once we make it our home office, this room was still my bedroom, still me, at one point. That fact remains. Those memories and feelings remain. It is important to acknowledge them even as we build our new space together.”

Emmet sat, quiet as he pressed his hands together rhythmically, as he processed everything Ingo had said. Then, he let out a breath, trying to hide how it caught. “I get what you’re saying. But it was still not my room. It was yours. I am upset about something that isn’t mine. I shouldn’t be. It’s not my room.”

“We have been through a lot these past few years,” Ingo said, “I think you’re allowed to be upset over whatever you want right now."

“No I’m not,” Emmet signed, then winced, looking like he regretted it. “Ignore that.”

So that was it.

“Forgive me, but I don’t think I will,” Ingo said, tone a little more forceful than he meant to make it. Emmet finally looked up at him in panic.

“No. Ignore it. It’s fine. I’m fine,” he signed. His hands moved faster, signs becoming sloppy enough for Ingo to only be able to pick out the odd one as he continued, “I’m fine. I had it easy. I was home. I had Elesa. Uncle Drayden. Iris. Our Pokemon. You had it bad. So bad. Worst. Past. Alone. Amnesia. Complain. No.”

“Emmet,” Ingo said, gently grabbing his brother’s face when he abandoned signing and started shaking his hands out instead, “listen to me. You are allowed to be upset. I had it bad, yes. But that does not change the fact that you did too. You have helped me so much since I have returned home. Now let me help you.”

The tears in Emmet’s eyes finally fell as he fought the way his breath came in gasps.

“You are also allowed to cry,” Ingo said, brushing away what tears his thumbs could reach. He let Emmet move his hands from his face.

“I do not like crying,” Emmet managed to get out through trembling hands, “Hurts.”

“That may be from how much you fight it.” Slow enough for Emmet to be able to refuse it, Ingo pulled him into a hug. “I am here now. You can stop fighting. We’re a two-car train. You have helped me out so, so much these last few weeks. Please, let me help you now.”

With one last shuddering gasp for air, Emmet did. With sobs louder than Ingo had ever heard him and a tight grip on the back of his shirt, Emmet finally stopped fighting and cried into Ingo’s shoulder. Ingo held him close, murmuring reassurances and gently smoothing his brother’s feathers back down.

Eventually, Emmet’s sobs quieted to just the occasional hiccup and his grip relaxed. He didn’t let go fully, just started softly running his fingers through what of Ingo’s feathers he could reach.

“Feel better?” Ingo asked. He felt Emmet nod. “That is good.”

There was a light knock at the bedroom door. “Knock knock,” Elesa said as the door creaked open, “Why did I say that? I knocked. Whatever. I brought some water since I thought you might need it.”

Ingo felt Emmet’s wing push out from under his hand. He followed suit, making a small opening in the now slightly larger dome. “I believe you are being welcomed in, Elesa. Thank you for the water.”

Elesa walked over and sat under their wings. Emmet pulled away enough to take the offered glass once he had wiped his face a bit.

“Feeling better?” Elesa asked once Emmet started sipping the water. He nodded again.

“Once you are done that, I would like it if you rested on the couch,” Ingo said. Emmet shot him a glare that was entirely nullified by how tired he looked. “Emmet, I have cried so many times since returning that I may be an expert on it now. A nap will do you good after that. Or even just taking a break.”

“Ingo’s right,” Elesa chimed in. “You don’t need to sleep, but you should at least rest. Me and Ingo can sort out the bedroom and you can curl up with a few Pokemon.”

Emmet huffed, but still put down the glass and signed a quick, “Fine.”

“Thank you-” Emmet held up a hand, cutting Ingo off.

“But you two will rest with me. We have been moving furniture around all day. It is break time. Union mandated.”

“Well, I can’t argue with that,” Ingo laughed. “Even if I am not entirely certain what a union is. What say you, Elesa?”

“If it’ll get you to rest, then I’m in,” Elesa said.

They stayed on the floor, chatting about how they were going to arrange the office as Emmet finished his water. Then they moved to the couch, meeting up with Eelektross who was waiting for them in the hall.

Despite his earlier protests, Emmet fell asleep quickly, head resting on Ingo’s chest and tucked under his wing with Eelektross wrapped around them both. Ingo didn’t mind. Elesa thought it was funny.

It was worrying how much it seemed like Emmet had held in, how much he ignored simply because he felt Ingo had had it worse.

Ingo supposed that, on paper, he had had it worse. He was transported across time and space and lost his memories. Emmet, meanwhile, had his memories, their family, was home. But Ingo still couldn’t help but feel that Emmet was the one in the worse situation.

Yes, Ingo had to learn to deal with so much in Hisui. It was stressful and scary and overwhelming. But he couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be in Emmet’s place.

What would he have done if it was Emmet who had disappeared, who he didn’t know whether he was still alive or not, who had returned with amnesia? Would he have even been able to get through it? Or would he completely derail before Emmet had the chance to return?

But that wasn’t what had happened, and they had both made it through.

Ingo managed to grab the remote from the coffee table without disturbing Emmet or Eelektross and turned the TV on.

“If we are going to rest, we might as well watch something,” he said, “What are you in the mood for, Elesa?”

“Give me the remote,” Elesa said, reaching for it, “I haven’t had the chance to show you to the shows we like but Emmet doesn’t.”

“Destination set,” Ingo said, handing it over and going back to running his fingers through Emmet’s feathers. Emmet, for his part, turned a little more into Ingo and flitted a wing the best he could around him and Eelektross.

Before Elesa hit play on what looked to be some sort of drama show, Ingo spoke up again. “I am worried about Emmet.”

Elesa sighed. “Me too. But he should be better after that.”

“He is not good at accepting help, is he?” Ingo asked, hoping his headache didn’t come back as he tentatively felt out the vague memories that stubbornly refused to surface. “Or asking for it.”

“He’s not. But once he finally does, he’s a bit better about being more open about it. I think he just gets stuck on that inital first ask.”

“That is good at least.” Ingo shifted a little, getting more comfortable. “I will keep an eye on him and make sure he is resting his engine when he needs to, as well as making sure he knows that I am here to help him. Now, let’s watch the show.”

“Okay,” Elesa said hitting play, “Oh, I am so excited to see your reactions to this. It’s great.”

 As the show began to play, Ingo glanced down at Emmet and Eelektross. Eelektross was trying to nose his head between Ingo and Emmet. Ingo gave the Pokemon a pet.

“He’ll be okay, Eelektross,” Ingo said softly. “Thank you for looking out for him while we were uncoupled.”

Eelektross gave a content huff and settled back down. Ingo looked back to the tv, excited to be reintroduced to an old show.

He was sure he was going to enjoy it.

Chapter Text

It had been just over a month since Ingo had returned, and things were finally slowing down.

No more regularly scheduled doctor’s appointments. No more meetings and phone calls get Ingo’s missing persons case closed. No more piles of forms for everything from reopening Ingo’s bank account to getting him a new library card.

Ingo’s Hisuian team were properly registered, Ingo himself was starting the process of getting recertified for the subway, and even if he still believed that Ingo had had it worse, Emmet was no longer ignoring his own problems from their decoupling.

Things had fallen into a comfortable and much welcomed routine.

Unfortunately, that meant Emmet had to return to work.

It was only for a few mornings a week, shifts ending mid-afternoon at the latest. Just a few hours to make sure everything was running smoothly and to catch up on anything that needed his attention while he was away. It was mainly desk work, Emmet’s least favourite part of the job, but he still had to get through the backlog of paperwork that had piled up. At least it was mostly just forms that only required a quick once over and his signature.

Today had been a longer shift, having been held up by Micheal calling about when the Battle Lines would reopen. Emmet got that the Battle Subway brought in tourists, as if there weren't a thousand other things in Nimbasa that did that, and they “had a reputation as Battle Facility to uphold”, but he had just got back to work. He wasn’t even there enough to run them properly.

Honestly, the regulars weren’t complaining. The opposite if anything. Multiple had come up to him since his return saying that as excited as they were for the Battle Subway to reopen, that he shouldn’t feel rushed to do so too soon. So take that Micheal. Who needed tourists?

Anyway.

That was long over now, and Emmet was finally home again. He opened the front door, immediately being greeted by the smell of baked goods.

“I am Emmet,” he called out, closing the door and removing his shoes. “I am home. It smells good!”

Ingo appeared from the kitchen, excitement in his eyes and a flour covered apron on. Even his wings had a dusting of flour from what of them Emmet could see. Excadrill and Crustle were at his heels, Sneasel sitting on Crustle’s rock with a wooden spoon in her mouth. “Emmet! Welcome home! We have been baking today.”

“I can see that,” Emmet laughed, hanging up his hat and coat before walking over. “What are you making?”

“Jubilife Muffins! Akari helped make the recipe with one of the residents of Jubilife Village and then later showed me how to make it. Thankfully, it was surprisingly easy to adapt them to modern day. The main issue was figuring out the temperature for the oven and how long they should cook. They are quite tasty. Come! Little Lady, if you can return that please.” Ingo wrestled the spoon back from Sneasel, the group of Pokemon scuttling away afterwards, and started corralling Emmet into the kitchen. “They should be cool enough to eat now.”

“I do like muff-” The sight of the kitchen cut Emmet off. “Ingo, what happened in here?”

It looked like someone had upended a bag of flour into a Hurricane from Tornadus. It looked like a family of Patrats had broke in and tried to cook a meal for eight. It looked like when Garbodor was a Trubbish and she would throw a fit before she had figured out better ways of communicating.

It looked like Ingo was baking.

“I admit, we did make a bit of a mess,” Ingo said, turning to the rack of cooling muffins and letting Emmet see just how much flour had ended up on his wings. “But I will clean it, no worries. I will also buy more flour since we used it all. It took a couple tries to get the texture right. Here, this one looks good. Try it!”

Emmet took the muffin with a laugh. “I am surprised that any flour made it into the muffins.”

Ingo frowned at him, more so than usual that is. “Don’t make fun of me. I made you muffins. Try it.”

With another laugh, Emmet took a bite. He immediately tried to cover his shock at how strange the texture was. It wasn’t that it was bad, just verrrry unexpected. It was closer to that of bread than a muffin.

Ingo, however, saw right through him. “Do you not like it?”

Emmet swallowed. “No! It is good! I just wasn’t expecting the texture.”

Ingo tilted his head in question, picking up another muffin and taking a bite. His chewing slowed as he got a faraway look in his eye. Then he blinked, shook his head, swallowed, and said, “They are supposed to be like that. Perhaps I should have warned you about that since they are called muffins despite the difference in texture.”

“You just remembered what muffins are like here, didn’t you?” Emmet asked with a teasing smile.

“Again you make fun of your poor amnesiac brother. After I made muffins for you. Maybe I won’t offer to preen your wings this afternoon.”

“They don’t really need preening,” Emmet said, taking another bite. Now that he was expecting the texture, he could tell that the muffin really was quite good. He could imagine them going well with some coffee and jam in the morning.

“Of course they do, they have been trapped under your coat all day.” Ingo looked away, face brightening as he mumbled, “And maybe I just want to preen your wings. Maybe I miss you when you go to work.”

Emmet laughed. “Okay, you can preen my wings.” Ingo looked back, eyes bright. “But only if I can preen yours. They are covered in flour.”

Ingo shook his wings out, sending a cloud of flour into the air. “They aren’t that bad.”

“They are starting to look like mine!” Emmet grabbed one, pulling it out to show Ingo. “Se-”

“LET GO!” Ingo yelped, jerking away and yanking his wing out if Emmet’s hand.

The immediate silence hung heavy in the air. Emmet hand was still raised as Ingo did his best to control his breathing, wings no longer visible from where they were pinned behind his back.

Emmet retracted his hand. Ingo let his wings open a little.

“Sorry,” Emmet said, “I shouldn’t have done that.”

Ingo took one last breath. “You did not know. I forgive you.”

“Are you hurt?” Emmet asked. It was the only real reason he could think of as to why Ingo would react like that.

But still, Ingo shook his head. “No, not anymore. It is just... I do not like my wings being grabbed like that. Especially that one. I should have said something, but it never came up. Truthfully, I did not think it would be an issue.”

“I will not do it again,” Emmet said, mentally searing that into his mind. Do not grab Ingo’s wings.

Ingo’s whole body relaxed slightly. “Thank you for understanding.”

Emmet nodded. “Yup! Of course. Neither of us really like our wings being touched. There are some exceptions. But...”

“My reaction was new?” Ingo mumbled, lightly scratching at his arm.

Emmet nodded.

Ingo took another breath. “It is because of certain events in Hisui. I can explain more if you want to listen.”

“If you think talking will help.”

“I believe it will. One of them is the conversation with Kamado I said I would tell you about the other week.”

“Alright. Let’s clean the kitchen first. You can still preen my wings if you want.”

“I would like that.” Ingo turned towards the sink. “Destination set. All aboard!”

It took nearly an hour to get the kitchen cleaned and settled in the living room. They had almost sat on the couch, but knowing the conversation they had planned, they opted for the floor. Emmet didn’t want to accidentally fall asleep halfway through. Unlike Ingo, preening didn’t usually make him that tired, but it had been a longer day at work.

A few minutes after he started, Ingo spoke up, “I told you about the Red Sky. But I left out something important. During Akari’s battle with Dialga, she was flung over the side of the mountain. I followed. At the moment, I had forgotten that she was acquainted with Lord Braviary. She was already in his hammock by the time I reached her. Then she jumped out of it so she could fly with me, but that is unrelated.”

“Everything you tell me about Akari makes me more excited to meet her,” Emmet couldn’t help but laugh.

“And I am excited to introduce you.” The warmth in Ingo’s tone dissipated as he continued, “I do not regret my actions. Not then nor now. But that didn’t change the fact that Kamado and Adaman saw my wings then. It was only a few days later I was in Kamado’s office, explaining my wings the best I could.”

-----

Ingo didn’t want to be here. Not in the slightest. He was already mad at Kamado for banishing Akari, even if that anger was currently greatly overshadowed by how nervous he was.

It also didn’t help that there were more people than he had been expecting.

He thought that it was just going to be him and Kamado and later he would head over to the Mirelands and talk to Adaman. But instead Adaman was here too.

Irida was also present, but that was more comforting that added stress. She already knew about his wings and with how she had defended him back when he first arrived, Ingo was sure she would step in if needed.

Professor Laventon, however, was a surprise.

Word was getting around apparently.

“Now that we’re all here,” Kamado said, looking directly at Ingo, “We should get started.”

Ingo grabbed his coat, pausing before removing it. “May I ask why Professor Laventon is here?”

“I told him about your wings and asked him to record what he can about them.”

(Ingo fell silent as he moved over to Emmet’s other wing, hands shaking slightly.

“That…” Emmet trailed off a moment. “He just told him?”

“Yes,” Ingo said, voice quiet.

“I am sorry.” Emmet couldn’t think of anything else to say as the horror of the situation set in. It was something they had always been terrified of happening but somehow never had as far as they knew.

“It was not your fault.”

“Still.”

Ingo sighed. “Still.”)

“You went behind my warden’s back?” Irida cut in, much to Ingo’s relief. “Why would you even think of doing that?”

Kamado was unmoved. “I believed it necessary.”

“What is ‘necessary’ about-”

“Lady Irida,” Ingo cut in, stepping next to her as she approached Kamado, “I appreciate the concern. However, I would rather just get this over with.”

Irida stared at Kamado another moment, then gave an annoyed huffed and stepped back. “If that is your choice. I will be returning to that later, Kamado.”

Kamado just nodded and looked back at Ingo.

Everyone was looking at him.

With hands he couldn’t stop from shaking, Ingo removed his coat, tied it around his waist, and stuck his wings out a little.

The only thing to break the oppressive silence was the short intake of air from Laventon. If anything, that made it worse.

Quick to recover, curiosity likely taking over, Laventon started circling Ingo.

“This is amazing,” he started. He continued going, saying something about how Ingo’s wings were attached to his back and the size of them. Ingo couldn’t really hear him with how he was fighting to stay as present as possible.

“I wonder why the feathers are so puffed up,” he heard Laventon say, catching his eye. “Ah, I see.”

Another length of time later, Ingo wasn’t sure, Laventon was behind him again.

“Do you mind if I...?” Laventon asked, holding a hand up to one of Ingo’s wings.

“I’d rather you didn’t,” Ingo managed to say. He knew he wouldn’t be able to handle if someone touched him right now, especially his wings.

“That’s fine,” Laventon said, putting his hand down. “Can you open them yourself?”

Futilely trying to swallow his nerves, Ingo opened his wings a little more.

“Is this how far they go?” Laventon asked.

“They appeared larger at the Temple,” Kamado cut in. Ingo couldn’t ignore how he looked at him, not dissimilar to how Lady Sneasler watched those who could pose a threat to her territory.

“I was trying not to hit anything,” Ingo got out.

“May I see them as far as you can stick them out?” As kind as he was being, Ingo still couldn’t help but feel like Laventon’s newest research subject.

“You may want to step out of the way,” Ingo told Adaman. He finally shook off his surprise and stepped back with a nod.

Slowly as to not knock any thing or one down, Ingo opened his wings as far as he could in the closed space. The once large office felt as if it was closing in around him as he took up more and more space.

“That is about it,” Ingo said, at war with trying to keep his voice level and, ironically, above a whisper. Irida shot him a glance, likely noticing how much he hated this. Ingo looked away.

After a moment, Laventon gave a hushed, “Marvelous...”

“Can I put them away now?” Ingo wasn’t sure how much longer he could take this.

“Let me take some measurements first,” Laventon said, taking out a measuring tape, “This is astonishing! I’ve never imagined anything like this could exist.”

“Thanks,” Ingo mumbled.

Thankfully, Laventon was quick with his recordings and Ingo could tuck his wings behind himself again.

“I have a few questions,” he said, “if you don’t mind of course.”

“I am not certain how much help I can be,” Ingo said, “on account of the memory loss.”

“That is fine. Just answer what you can.” Laventon grabbed his notes again. “How long have you had them?”

“I do not know.”

“Are they a common thing where you come from?”

“I do not know.”

If Laventon was dismayed at Ingo’s lack of answers, he didn’t show it. “Can you fly with them?”

Finally, a question he could answer. “Yes.”

Laventon looked up, excitement clear. “Can you demonstrate?”

“I’d prefer not to currently.”

“That is fine,” Laventon assured. “I would like to see it, but I understand if you don’t want to demonstrate. Even if it would be great for science.”

“Find me in the Highlands sometime,” Ingo said without really thinking about it, nerves looping around to his usual politeness. “Perhaps I can give a demonstration there.”

“I will need to take you up on that later.” Laventon closed his notebook. “That’s everything I wanted to ask. I am sure you have other things to discuss, and I have much to think about. I look forwards to that demonstration, Ingo.”

Ingo gave a stiff nod and Laventon left the office, door shutting behind him again.

(“I will say as curious as he was then, Professor Laventon is exceptionally kind,” Ingo said.

“What do you mean?” Emmet asked. From what Ingo had said, it had just sounded like he was Laventon’s newest science project.

“When we ran into each other in the Highlands a week or two later, I asked him if he could get rid of the recordings he took of my wings,” Ingo explained. He gave a slight laugh. “He said that he had ‘tragically spilt tea on them’ and they couldn’t be recovered. I think he noticed how anxious I was.”

“That was nice of him.” Emmet was just glad that there were at least a couple people who were kind about Ingo’s wings to him.

He wished he could thank Laventon.)

Irida, Kamado, and Adaman started talking to each other. Ingo couldn’t make out a single word over the ringing in his ears. He was more concerned with breathing and trying not to throw up from his sudden wave of nausea. At least he could keep his wings closed now.

He should put his coat back on.

He should put his coat back on.

He should put his coat back on.

Things tried to snap back into place when there was a tap against his shoe. Ingo jerked his head over as his non-immediate surrounding slipped away again. Adaman was standing next to him. Irida and Kamado were still talking, both sounding annoyed.

“Are you okay?” Adaman asked. He looked concerned.

Before Ingo could have a chance to try to answer, Kamado was towering in front of him.

“I asked you a question, Warden Ingo,” he said.

“You. Did?” Ingo croaked.

A look of irritation passed across Kamado’s face. “I asked, what are you planning on doing with these?”

Everything was wrenched back into focus as Kamado grabbed Ingo’s wing, pulling it between them.

“LET GO!” Ingo jerked back, trying to free his wing. Kamado didn’t let go. His grip didn’t even budge. “LET- LET GO! LET GO!”

Kamado finally released Ingo’s wing as the two Clan Leaders started yelling at him to. Ingo scrambled backwards, almost falling over in the process. His heartrate was through the roof. Heat was crawling up his neck, over his face, in his ears. He was either breathing too fast or not at all, he couldn’t tell.

He hit a wall.

He had to go.

He had to go, he had to go he had togohehadto-

He stumbled to the nearest door he saw. After struggling with the knob with trembling hands, it slammed open. It led to a balcony.

“Ingo, wait!” Irida called from behind him.

Ingo lurched forward and threw himself off the balcony, taking off and flying anywhere that wasn’t here.

-----

“I crashed somewhere in the Fieldlands,” Ingo finished. “Akari found me sometime later and called Lady Sneasler for me. I am glad she did. I wasn’t exactly at my station until the evening.”

Emmet felt sick. “I- I don’t know what to say.” What could he say?

“That is okay,” Ingo said, hands grazing Emmet’s wings as he gave them a last once over. “I am not exactly over it, but it is in the past now. Far in the past, I suppose. There is not much anyone can do about it anymore.”

Emmet spun around. Ingo was looking at his hands in his lap as he wiped them clean.

“Ingo,” Emmet said. Ingo looked up, his tight jaw giving away how he felt behind his neutral face. “I am not good with words. Can I give you a hug?”

Ingo nodded and Emmet wrapped his arms and wings around him.

After a few minutes, Ingo whispered, “They’re gone now.” His grip tightened. “All of them.”

If Emmet didn’t know what to say after Ingo’s story, he really didn’t know what to say after that.

Before he had the chance to try to respond though, Ingo took a breath and pulled back, saying, “I will deal with those emotions later. I do not think I can handle it right now. Thank you for letting me talk.”

Emmet made the mental note to be ready for another breakdown. At least he would have some time to prepare for it, even if he wasn’t the biggest fan of Ingo ignoring his feelings. He had just been reminded how well that tended to turn out for himself.

Instead, Emmet smiled softly at him and changed the subject for now. “Of course. I will always do my best to help you. But now it is my turn to preen your wings. They are still covered in flour.”

Ingo huffed a laugh. It built into a few giggles before petering out with a sigh. He rested his head on Emmet’s shoulder.

“They are, aren’t they. Alright, let me turn around.”

Emmet unwrapped his wings as Ingo turned around. It was still shocking just how much flour had made it on them. Just as he went to start trying to brush some of it out, he paused.

“Are you okay with me grabbing your wings while I preen them?” he asked.

“You’ve done it before,” Ingo said.

“But are you okay with it?”

Ingo hesitated a moment, then said, “I never really thought about it. I grew used to Akari doing it when she preened my wings, but I didn’t really have a choice. I think it helped that it was the first time they had been preened properly since my arrival in Hisui.”

“What about now?” Emmet asked. “Are you okay with me grabbing them while preening?”

Ingo nodded. “I am. It surprised me, my lack of anxiety, when you grabbed them while preening that first night. And every other time really. But I think it is because I am expecting it more and that you are gentle. It is less of a grab and more of a hold if that makes sense.” Emmet saw the tips of Ingo’s ears start to brighten as he mumbled, “And because it is you.”

Emmet managed to stifle a laugh. “I miss you when I’m at work too.”

Ingo lightly smacked him with one of his wings, covering Emmet’s side in a dusting of flour. “Preen my wings, brother.”

“Okay, okay,” Emmet said with a laugh, brushing himself off. “Hold still.”

It took a good while to work all the flour out of Ingo’s wings. He had almost finished when Ingo spoke up.

“Would it be okay if I talked about something else?” he asked. “It is something I skipped about my arrival to Hisui. Right after the Clan found me.”

“Is it related to you not wanting your wings grabbed?”

“It is.”

“If you feel it will help, then feel free.”

“But will you be aright? I do not want your engines to burn out and that last story seemed to take a lot from you.”

 “It did. But I am a bit better. Preening your wings helps too. I am sure you know that.”

“I do.” Ingo took a breath, then began. “I must start with an apology for failing to mention this that first night home, but it wasn’t the most relevant at the time. Although, you may have figured it out by now. I mentioned that I was injured upon my arrival to Hisui, what with the falling. But I underplayed how injured I was. I passed out on the way to the settlement despite my rescuers’ best efforts at keeping me awake.”

-----

The first thing Ingo was aware of was the warmth. It was possibly the best thing he had ever felt. Not that he had much of a base line. All he really knew was cold.

Ignore that. Ignore the broken tracks where his memories should be. Ignore the gaping hole in his chest. He could deal with that later. Just focus on warming up now.

He let his feathers puff up, trying to trap as much heat as he could. That was nice. Toasty. He went to move them to cover himself more when a twinge of pain shot through his back.

Ingo gasped and finally opened his eyes. He was lying on his stomach on some sort of mat. The room he was in was circular with a fire in the middle. The flames were low, but their dance was almost hypnotic, something comforting and familiar about them.

He couldn’t help but feel like they were the wrong colour.

(“So, it was Chandelure you remembered first,” Emmet cut in, needing to momentarily distract himself from imagining his brother hurt.

“I suppose she was, in a way,” Ingo said. “I am sorry it wasn’t you. I did not remember anything about you until I saw my reflection in some ice a few weeks later.”

Emmet lightly slapped the rag against Ingo’s head, leaving it there. “Don’t give me that. I know you do not control what memories you get. I am glad you remembered anything.”

Ingo batted the rag off his head. “Okay, okay. Moving on…”)

The rustle of fabric and a voice jerk Ingo out of his staring, “Oh! You’re awake.”

Ingo snapped his wings closed, doing his best to ignore the pain that shot through his back again, and tried to push himself upright. He fell back down as a new pain went up his left arm.

“Careful!” the owner of the voice, a young blonde woman, rushed over. “Warden Calaba told me that you aren’t supposed to sit up yet. Wait, stop!”

Ignoring her, Ingo pushed himself up again. He got into a sitting position this time, panting slightly from the effort. When he went to wrap the blanket he saw on the mat around himself, pausing as he noticed the splint around his left wrist.

“Your wrist is broken, or close to it,” the woman said. “I don’t really understand most of the details, but I can get Warden Calaba to explain everything now that you’re awake.”

Ingo wasn’t sure he wanted to see anyone else. He still needed to cover his wings. He didn’t know why he was so concerned about that, the woman had probably already seen them, but it was important. He grabbed the blanket and struggled to get it around himself with one hand.

“May I help?” the woman asked.

Ingo nodded. Between how sore his throat was and some intangible lump, he couldn’t get a sound out yet.

Once he had the blanket around himself, the woman backed up again and knelt onto the ground.

“My name is Irida,” she said, “I am the leader of the Pearl Clan. You’re at our settlement now, in the healers’ tent. I hope you understand how significant it is for us to allow you to stay in our space.”

Ingo didn’t. He nodded anyway.

“What is your name?”

Ingo took a breath, stopping when his chest started to hurt. He had to say something. His voice came out quiet and rough, the one word feeling like it was being ripped from his throat. “Ing-go.”

“And where are you from, Ingo?”

He shook his head, stopping when that hurt too. He gripped the blanket a little tighter and curled in on himself.

“You don’t want to tell?”

“Th-that’s not-” His voice cut off. He needed to stop trying to talk.

At least Irida seemed willing to work with him on that. “That’s not what you meant?”

Ingo nodded.

“You can’t tell?”

Ingo nodded again. That was close enough.

“Why not?”

Ingo wished she would stick to yes or no questions. Against his better judgment, he tried to speak again. “Don’t kn-know wh…”

“Alright, stop talking,” Irida said, looking concerned. “We can talk more later once you can. Let me get Warden Calaba. She's the head healer. She will want to know that you’re awake.”

With that, Irida left and Ingo was alone again. He just kept watching the fire and tried to ignore everything while he could. He could figure things out later, when he wasn’t this exhausted from a simple conversation and sitting up.

A new voice brought Ingo back to his surroundings. “What are you doing upright?”

He looked over to see an older woman, Calaba presumably, put a new log in the fire, then come over to him. She went to grab his blanket. He jolted back, unable to stop the sound he made and the tears from the pain after hitting what felt like a hard post behind him.

“This is why you should be lying down,” she said. “Well, since you’re already up, I can get some medicine in you. I wanted to ask about those wings, but Irida said you couldn’t talk at the moment. I am still going to give them a look over. But I’m a human healer not a Pokemon one, so I might need to call someone else in.”

“Don’t,” Ingo blurted out. He didn’t want anyone looking at his wings, much less touching them right now. He could probably figure out how to fix them himself.

Probably.

Hopefully.

“So, you can talk,” Calaba said, starting to mix something up. “But that doesn’t change things. I need to make sure they aren’t hurt too. Between your wrist and the bruises, I assume they are.”

“I- I can. Chhheck,” Ingo got out.

Calaba turned back around, holding a cup. “I see what Irida means by you not talking. Now drink this.”

Ingo took the cup and gave it a sip. He barely managed to swallow the bitter tasting drink.

“All of it,” Calaba said at his hesitation to take another sip.

Ingo stared at the cup a moment longer, then downed it as fast as he could, trying not to gag. Calaba took the cup back once he was done.

“Alright, lay back down.”

Ingo did, suddenly overtaken by a wave of exhaustion once he was horizontal again. It didn’t last long as he felt the blanket over his back be pulled down.

He was frozen in place, acutely aware of everything when Calaba grabbed his right wing and pulled it open. She moved it around as Ingo held his breath. Apparently satisfied, She put it down again. Then she grabbed his left wing and started to do the same.

It didn’t take long for the pain to return. Ingo tried to wait it out, just bare through it, but then Calaba tried to bend the wing down and the pain got so much worse.

“STOP!” Ingo couldn’t help but yelp. “P-please. That- that hurts.”

Calaba dropped his wing. Ingo tried to pull the blanket back over it. He could feel his face heating up.

“I am going to return with someone more skilled with Pokemon healing,” Calaba said after a moment, helping replace the blanket. “Try to rest. I do not want to see you upright when I return.”

Ingo couldn’t say anything as she left. He couldn’t really rest either, just stare into the fire, wait, and try not to cry.

-----

“I think that is a big part of why I don’t like my wings grabbed,” Ingo said, “They were grabbed and moved around and poked at for a while after I first arrived. But I suppose it was for the best. I am not certain they would have healed a well as they did if not. Even if they did keep comparing me to a Pokemon.”

“I do not like that either. But I am glad they healed,” Emmet said, finishing the last section on Ingo’s wing. “What exactly was wrong?”

“I think it was a sprain,” Ingo said, “A severe one, but nothing was broken, thank Palkia. It might have been dislocated, but to be honest, I wasn’t paying the most attention. I do not think I was fully present most of the time either.”

“That is understandable.” Emmet gave Ingo’s wings a quick once over, then wiped his hands clean. “Your wings are done.”

“Thank you, Emmet.” Ingo gave them a small shake, then tucked them back in. He stood, reaching a hand down to help Emmet up. “I think we should move on to better topics now. How was work?”

Emmet took the hand and pulled himself back up. “It was fine. Micheal called me about the Battle Subway again. That is why I was late coming home. Which reminds me! I have great news! You have gotten permission to return to the Battle Subway without certifications.”

“That seems unsafe,” Ingo said, concern overpowering the excitement Emmet could tell was right under the surface.

“There are rules,” Emmet said, walking back to the kitchen. He wanted another muffin. “You would be hired only as a battler, not as a conductor or engineer. You will need to be accompanied by me or another Depot Agent. You will only be able to run the Multi Lines with me, not the Singles yet. There are a few more, but those are the main ones. Once you are properly recertified, you can return fully and run the Single Lines again.”

“Oh...” Emmet could see the gears turning in Ingo’s head as he processed the news. “Oh. Oh! Really? I can return ahead of schedule?”

“Yup! Just let me know when you want to return and I will set it up.”

Ingo started bouncing in place, hands and wings shaking slightly. “Will you? Oh, this is wonderful, Emmet! I- I can’t wait! This is- This is amazing! Bravo! Super Bravo! I think I might start crying again.”

“Don’t do that!” Emmet laughed. “Let’s see when you can start getting recertified again. That way you can get on the Single Lines sooner.”

Ingo gave a short, wordless, but verrrry excited shout and ran off. Emmet grabbed a couple muffins and followed him to the office, happy to see Ingo so excited about something again.

Emmet wanted to talk more about their wings, but that could wait. With everything Ingo had told him, he couldn’t help but grow more hesitant about not hiding their wings anymore. He would do it if Ingo wanted to, but he also knew that Ingo would want them to agree about it.

But that was a conversation for another time.

Chapter Text

Emmet was so glad things were starting to feel normal again.

Sure, things were different. That was obvious. But a lot was the same as before too.

Emmet was back at work. Ingo was getting more comfortable with the city. The Pokemon had gotten used to each other and the Hisuian ones were getting better at modern day battle rules.

Ingo was even going to be returning to the subway soon. There were still a couple small things that needed to be sorted out, but soon enough he and Emmet would be riding the rails together again. Then he would just need to get his certifications again and things would be back to normal. Or, well, the comfortable new normal they had made for themselves.

Right now was a good example of that. Emmet was finishing his lunch break. He had taken it in his office with the door closed today since Gliscor had come to work with him and he was getting antsy in his ball. Emmet didn’t want him wandering around the station without human supervision for a variety of reasons.

Also this way, he could let his wings breathe for a bit. He had forgotten how stuffy it could get under his coat. That was definitely a tick in the good things column about not hiding their wings anymore.

That was the big thing right now, whether they would keep hiding their wings or not. On one track, it was the only thing they really knew. It would be a big change and there had already been so many big changes recently. Were they ready for another one?

On the other track, it felt like so many people already knew about them. Did they need to keep hiding them? But even outside of that, Emmet couldn’t deny how freeing he felt like no longer keeping this secret would be.

There wasn’t any rush to come to a decision, but it was starting to weigh on him.

A knock on the door brought Emmet out of his wandering thought. It also caused Gliscor to burst from the pile of scrap paper he had made after stealing the recycling bin and onto Archeops’s perch above him.

“Boss Emmet,” Cloud called from the other side of the door, “I know it’s your lunch, but I wanted to ask you something real quick.”

Emmet called back, “It is fine. Come in.” He started to put his coat back on. Cloud already knew about his wigs, but the door would be open and he didn't want to risk it.

Then three things happened in rapid succession.

The first was the door opening. This was when Emmet noticed Gliscor’s stance, like he had caught sight of one of his toys.

The second was Gliscor launching himself from the perch, over Emmet's shoulder, and directly at Cloud, who was starting to enter the room.

The third was Emmet leaping from his chair and throwing himself across his desk. One of his wings slipped out from under his half-on coat, knocking down his water bottle with a clang. But he still managed to grab Gliscor by the tail before he hit Cloud.

There was a moment of silence as Cloud stood shocked in the doorway, Emmet strained to keep his hold on both Gliscor and his desk as Gliscor gnashed his teeth and hissed.

“Dragons, I see what Ingo means by biting now,” Emmet wheezed. Using his desk as leverage, he pulled Gliscor back until the Pokemon was sitting on his lap. “One second, Cloud. Can you please close the door.”

“Y-yeah,” Cloud said, shutting the door behind her. “No problem, Boss.”

Emmet looked at Gliscor as he finished putting on his coat. “Just because Ingo is not here does not mean you can bite people. That is rude and dangerous. You have sharp teeth.”

Gliscor unapologetically showed off his teeth to Emmet.

“Yes, they are verrrry nice teeth,” Emmet conceded. “But you are still in trouble later. I am Emmet and I am not as much as a pushover as Ingo. You know this.”

Gliscor rubbed his head under Emmet’s chin with a clicking purr. He was making it really hard to be mad at him.

But Emmet stood firm. “Nope! That will not work on me.” He lowered his voice a little, just to be sure no one could hear him on the other side of the door. “You are verrrry lucky that Cloud already knows about my wings. Otherwise, you would be in even more trouble.”

That seemed to get Gliscor’s attention. He pulled back, eyes wide, then bent his head down and lightly bumped it against Emmet’s chest.

“Now you are sorry. I will talk with you more later. Where is your toy? I know you brought it.”

Gliscor hopped off Emmet’s lap and swooped over to the corner. He rummaged around his makeshift paper den and started tossing out several chunks of rubber.

“Did you already wreck it? That was the extra strong one. We just got that for you the other day!” Emmet walked over and started sifting through the scrap paper. He gave up when he remembered that Cloud was still here. “Okay. You clean up your broken toy mess. I will talk with Cloud. You will not bite her. Understand?”

Gliscor gave a chirp then buried himself in the pile again. Emmet returned to his desk.

“Sorry about that,” Emmet said, picking his water bottle back up. “He’s been full of piss and vinegar all morning. Ingo gave me his ball before I left. Told me to take him and to ‘stay safe’. Wouldn’t take no for an answer. He texted me later asking if I had Gliscor, so I don’t think he was all that awake.”

“You know, my cousin’s got a Gliscor,” Cloud said, sitting across from him. “I could ask them if they got any toys that don’t get destroyed.”

“That would be good,” Emmet sighed. “Gliscor wrecks everything we give him. Either every online source on caring for the species is lying, or Ingo’s is built different. Knowing where he came from, it is probably the second option.”

Gliscor snickered from his corner.

“Don’t be cute,” Emmet shot at him. “You are still in trouble, sir. Again, sorry about him. What was it you wanted?”

“No worries!” Cloud laughed. “I’ve been hoping to meet Ingo’s new Pokemon ever since he mentioned having them. But yeah, I wanted to let you know that we got a call from some kid claiming to have info about Ingo. Since his return hasn’t been made officially public yet, we told them that we would talk to you about that and would call back.”

Probably just another needlessly cruel prank call. Ingo was home after all. Or maybe he had gone out for a walk or something and someone saw him around. That would be a funn-

Wait.

“Did you say a kid called?” Emmet asked. Could it be...?

Cloud nodded. “Yea- Well... They were probably closer to a teen or young adult according to Viera. She was the one who answered the phone.”

“Did they give a name? Anything at all?” Emmet asked, leaning forwards.

“No, just said that they had info on him.” Emmet could see when Cloud made connection with how her eyes lit up. “Do you think they’re that Akari girl you told us to look out for?”

“It might be!” Emmet tapped his hands on his desk. Finally. Finally. “Do you have their number? I will call them back.”

“I’ll go ask for it.” Cloud stood up and headed for the door. “I’ll be right back!”

It would only take a few minutes for Cloud to come back with the number, but in that time, Emmet couldn’t help but end up focused on the pressure of his wings under his coat. It really was getting harder and harder to keep hiding them.

It didn’t make sense though. They had done it pretty much their whole lives. Why was it getting annoying now? Maybe it had something to do with the fact that there were more people they didn’t need to hide them from now. Maybe it was because Ingo was home and Emmet was in a much better headspace than he had been in for years.

Maybe he was just ready to no longer hide them.

The door opened with a knock, bringing Emmet back to his office. Gliscor stuck his head out of the paper pile but stayed put this time.

“I’m back,” Cloud said, walking in. She placed a small slip of paper on Emmet’s desk. “Here’s that number. I hope it’s who you’ve been looking for.”

“Me too,” Emmet sighed, picking up the paper. “Thank you.”

Cloud went to leave. “No problem!”

“Wait,” Emmet said just as the door started to close. Cloud turned back around. “Can I ask you about something? As a friend, not your boss.”

Cloud came back in. “Of course. Did you want me to close the door?”

Emmet nodded. “Yes, please.”

He took the brief moment it took for Cloud to close the door and sit down to prepare himself. He and Ingo hadn’t really shared their idea about not hiding their wings with anyone but Elesa. She had said that she would be supportive no matter their choice. While that was comforting to hear, it hadn’t really helped them.

Emmet wanted another opinion, and he trusted Cloud to give it to him as straight as she could.

He took one more breath, leaning back in his chair and tapping his fingers against his desk. “Ingo and I… We have been talking. About making some… adjustments to our coats. The back, specifically.”

Cloud’s brows furrowed a moment, likely trying to figure out what Emmet meant by that. Just as he was about to explain further, she looked to have understood.

“And will you be?” she asked.

“We are still discussing,” Emmet said, pulling his hands back to start wringing them. “But I want to ask. If we do, how do you think others would react?”

Cloud took a second to think it over, then said, “Can I answer completely honestly?”

“Please. That is why I am asking you,” Emmet said, then added, “No offense to anyone else.”

Cloud gave a laugh. “Guess that makes sense. Well, I think people would stare and ask questions they probably shouldn’t. I think both of you would get attention that neither of you would enjoy and I think that you’d likely get unwanted comments and possibly even touches.”

Emmet sighed and looked down at the desk. “That was what we were afraid of.”

“But,” Cloud continued, “I think that it wouldn’t be all bad.”

Emmet looked up. “What do you mean?”

“Well, you’d have us,” Cloud said, “Staff that knows would help you and not make a big deal out of it. The ones who don’t will probably follow our lead and do the same. I think the regulars would also have a similar response. Overall, I think it would be a good reaction and people would be happier to have you and Ingo back than weirded out by any ‘adjustments’ you make to your coats. And if I may speak from personal experience, it can be a lot better for yourself if you stop hiding such a large part of what makes you you. As long as you do it on your own terms. At the end of the line, it's your choice.”

He hadn’t thought about it like that.

Emmet gave Cloud a smile. “Thank you. I have a lot to think and talk with Ingo about. And a call to make.”

“Of course! Feel free to come to me for anything else. Good luck with your call!” Cloud stopped just as she was about to open the door again and spun back around. “Oh! Also! Ramses wanted me to let you know that he’s having a barbeque at his place on the 28^th at six and that you and Ingo are invited.”

“Oh, Dragons yes,” Emmet said, “His partner is the best person I’ve ever seen barbeque. I will need to tell Ingo we’re going.”

“I know, right?” Cloud laughed, opening the door. “Okay, I’m out of here for real now. I got to eat, I’m starving.”

“Go eat!” Emmet said, making shooing motions with his hands.

With that, Cloud left and the door shut again.

Emmet picked up the paper with the phone number and slowly, deliberately, punched in the number. He paused before picking up the receiver.

What if it wasn’t Akari?

There was only one way to find out.

He put the phone to his ear. It rang.

And rang.

And-

There was a soft click as someone answered the call. The voice on the other end was as Cloud had described it. “Hello?”

“Hi. I am Emmet. I am a Subway Boss. You called here earlier about my brother. Correct?”

“Um… yeah.” The person on the other end paused. They sounded nervous.

“Can I ask what your name is?” Emmet tried.

They were quiet another moment.

Please, please, ple-

“I’m Akari.”

Emmet shot up, free hand shaking rapidly. He was far too excited to remain sitting. Gliscor watched him intently from the papers.

“I- I know this is gonna sound like I’m lying but I promise I’m not," Akari continued, the floodgates open. “I got sent back in time and then I met your brother there and he should be home by now, but I had to leave before him, so I don’t know if he actually made it back.”

Emmet tried to tell her that Ingo was home safe. But through in his excitement, all that came out was a squeak.

Akari must have taken the sound the opposite way. She continued rambling, voice growing more and more frantic. “And I know I should have called sooner. But I was scared that Uncle Ingo didn’t make it home and I didn’t want to tell you that you that your brother could have gotten home but didn’t and- and I know that you deserve to know where he went to but- but-”

Emmet cleared his throat, cutting her off, and finally managed some actual words. “Akari, I have been verrrry excited to meet you.”

“You- You have?”

Emmet nodded, then remembering she couldn’t see him said, “Yup!”

Whatever Akari said next was lost as Gliscor pounced onto Emmet, knocking the phone from his hand.

“Please hold, Akari!” Emmet said, hoping he was loud enough to be heard. He pushed Gliscor off him and grabbed the receiver. “Sorry. Gliscor tackled me. I think he is excited to hear from you too! Want to say hi, Gliscor? I will put the phone on speaker.”

With that, Emmet stood back up, Gliscor clinging to his shoulder, and put the call on speaker phone.

“Can you hear me?” Emmet asked.

Akari’s voice filled the room. “Yeah! Is Uncle Ingo there too?”

“No. I am at work. He is at home. It is just me and Gliscor today.”

Gliscor pressed his face against the phone, clicking at it.

“Is that you, Gliscor?” Akari laughed, “Hi! I miss you!”

Emmet moved the Pokemon before he started hitting any buttons as he sat back in his chair. “Let me talk to her. You will have plenty of time later you overgrown Woobat.”

Gliscor gave Emmet a headbutt and flew up to the perch.

“Okay, now that he is out if the way. Again. I have heard a lot about you Akari. Ingo and I have been waiting for you to contact us. I would have contacted you, but I could not find a way to. Which makes sense considering you’re a teenager and not a Battle Facility head.”

Akari laughed again, nerves lacing it this time. “Haha, yeah... Sorry about not calling sooner.”

“That is fine. You were probably getting used to being home again.”

“I was... But I still should have called sooner.”

“No buts! Ingo needed rest when he came home. You did too.”

“But I didn't need to battle Arceus. I wasn’t even in Hisui for as long.”

“You still needed rest. Ingo told me where you two were and what you did. It sounds verrrry tiring.”

Akari was quiet, then with a sniffle said, “So, Uncle Ingo made it home? Is he alright?”

Emmet couldn’t help his fond smile. “Yes. He has returned to our home station safe and sound. He needed mild maintenance to his cab when he returned, but nothing a fresh coat of paint and some rest couldn’t fix.”

“You talk like Uncle Ingo,” Akari laughed.

“That is what happens when you work with trains your whole life,” Emmet joked, “and were obsessed with them as a kid. Look, we just really like trains.”

He heard the sound of Akari hitting something. "That’s what it was! Ugh, it was on the tip of my tongue, but I could never figure out what it was that Uncle Ingo reminded me of. In my defense, there aren’t really many trains around here.”

Emmet tsked. “A shame really. I am sure you will learn now. Just ask Ingo about them. Or me. We can tell you everything.”

Akari’s good mood seemed to evaporate again. “Oh. I should call Uncle Ingo then, huh.”

“I can give you his Xtrans number,” Emmet said. Trying not to push he added, “And mine too if you want it. Does your phone support Xtrans calls?”

“Uhhh... Probably? I don’t see why it wouldn’t.” Akari took a breath, then asked, voice quiet, “He isn’t going to be upset that I didn’t call sooner, right?”

Emmet picked the receiver back up, the conversation turning to something that felt a little too personal for speaker phone. “No, he will not be upset. He will be happy that you called.”

“How can you know that for sure?”

“I am Emmet,” he said, “I know Ingo. Even after everything that has happened, I know Ingo. He would never be upset with you about this.”

Emmet heard another sniff. “Okay. Let me get a paper, then you can tell me your numbers.”

It didn't take long for Akari to find a paper and pencil and for Emmet to relay both his and Ingo's contact information. Right as Akari was about to hang up, Emmet stopped her.

“I have one more thing I want to say, Akari.”

“Yeah?”

“I wish I could tell you this in person. So you would know how much I mean it.” Emmet took a breath, then tried his best to force as much as he could into the tone of his voice, “Thank you, Akari, so verrrry much. For helping Ingo with his wings. For being his friend. For helping return him to me and our family. For everything. Sorry if this sounds sarcastic. I am not always good with my tone. But thank you so so much.”

“Oh,” Akari squeaked. He wouldn't be surprised if he had embarrassed her, but she needed to know how thankful he was for everything she had done.

Akari cleared her throat after a minute. “Uh, you’re welcome? I didn’t really do much compared to what Uncle Ingo did for me.”

“Still. Thank you. Now go call Ingo. I will let him know to expect it. Do you want it to be a surprise, or do you want me to tell him it’s you calling?”

Akari hummed in thought. “Make it a surprise.”

Emmet laughed. “I think we will get along great! Much to the annoyance of Ingo. I will do that! Enjoy your call. I hope to talk to you again soon.”

“Yeah! Me too! Oh, wait. Can I ask you something? It might be a little rude, so you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”

“Is it about if I have wings or not?” Emmet guessed.

“Y-yeah,” Akari said, “You don’t have to answer if you don’t wanna though. It’s f-”

“I do,” Emmet said, the words coming out easier than he thought they would. If Ingo trusted Akari, then he would too. “They match my coat. White and red.”

“Okay,” Akari sighed. “That’s good. I think Uncle Ingo needs that. He never said anything to me about it, but I think being the only person in Hisui with wings really bugged him.”

Emmet hadn't thought about that. How much worse had it been being the only person with wings? At least growing up they had each other. Emmet always knew that there was one other person like himself. That fact alone made their wings more special than anxiety inducing. What would life had been like if he had been alone on this track?

Emmet shook his head. “Alright, go call Ingo. Just give me a few minutes to text him first.”

“Okay,” Akari said. “Bye!”

“Goodbye.”

Emmet hung up, then shot Ingo a text to expect a call. When he asked from who, Emmet just said not to worry about it.

He didn’t hear from Ingo again until he was starting to get ready for home a few hours later. As he was about to text Ingo that he was on his way home, a simple, one word text from him popped up.

AKARI!!!

Chapter Text

“Excuse me! Sorry!” Emmet dodged around another person on the sidewalk, Eelektross following above. “Clear the tracks please!”

He felt a little bad about causing a bit of a scene, but he needed to get home right now. He was practically vibrating even as he ran down the street. Honestly, he had been like this ever since getting the "your order is ready" email at work.

“Pard-AH!” Emmet rounded the corner too fast, tripping over his own feet. Eelektross swooped down and caught him before he landed face first on the pavement, not wanting to drop the box he had his arms wrapped around. “Thank you, Eelektross. Maybe I should slow down a little.”

Eelektross gave a scolding gurgle as he placed Emmet back on his feet.

“Thank you again. However, I will not be doing that.” Emmet took of running again, Eelektross zipping after him. He could see the apartment building just down the road.

Emmet was only slowed when he got inside and was forced to wait for the elevator. He may be bursting with energy, but there was no way he was about to climb six flights of stairs. Or would it technically be twelve from how they were laid out? It didn’t matter. He wasn’t going to climb them either way.

Not for the first time, Emmet wished he could just fly up to their balcony and not have to wait for the elevator. Although, that might not be as out of the questions as he once thought. He’d have to see if it was large enough to land on.

The elevator arrived with a ding and Emmet stepped aboard.

It was strange to feel excited about the idea of no longer hiding his wings. It was still nerve racking and stressful to think about, but exciting too.

Eelektross nudged Emmet as the elevator door opened on his floor and excitement took hold again. He was down the hall and at the front door to the apartment in an instant.

He moved the box under one arm and slammed the door open. “Ing-”

It was… dark? Why was it dark? And why did he feel so heavy?

“-met? Emmet!” Ingo sounded far away despite the light tap he felt on his cheek. “You need to wake up!”

Wake up? Was he going to be late for work?

Wait, didn’t he just get home? Emmet didn’t remember going to bed at all.

He pried his eyes open, squinting in the light. Ingo’s blurry face was in front of him. Or above him? It looked like the ceiling was behind Ingo’s head. His wings were digging into his back too. Was he on the floor? How did he get there?

“Oh, Emmet,” Ingo sighed. He looked relieved. “Are you okay? Anything hurt?”

“Wha…" Emmet tried to blink his vision into focus. “Wha’ happen’?”

“You slammed the door open and frightened Alakazam,” Ingo said, helping Emmet sit up. “She hit you with Psychic, then you collapsed. I apologise for that, and Alakazam is quite sorry as well.”

Alakazam floated over to Emmet’s other side and gave an apologetic whine.

“It is okay,” Emmet said carefully. It was still a little hard to speak. He rubbed Alakazam’s head with a still slightly numb hand. “It was verrrry strong.”

Alakazam lightly headbutted Emmet, then teleported away.

“She is embarrassed,” Ingo said, a laugh in his voice. “But you are okay, right?”

“I’m fine.” Emmet’s vision blurred again as he found himself zoning out mid thought. He rubbed his face. “Just… floaty? If that’s the word. Like when I wake up after Chandelure knocks me out with Hypnosis.”

Ingo nodded. “That makes sense. Even if I do not remember, I assume Chandelure has done that to me as well. I do know that Alakazam has done that a few t…”

Ingo kept talking. Emmet wasn’t hearing any of it. He needed a coffee.

“Ingo,” Emmet interrupted, “I have not processed a single word you’ve said.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

“Don’t be.” Emmet got his legs under him. “Help me up. I need a coffee. That helps.”

“I was actually just asking about that,” Ingo said, helping him up.

Emmet’s vision was overtaken by spots as he suddenly became dizzy. “Stood up too fast,” he mumbled, leaning against Ingo a little more. “Help me with my coat?”

Eventually, they made it to the kitchen and Emmet had a warm mug of coffee in his hands. That was nice. He and Ingo chatted about their days. By the time the coffee was finished, Emmet felt like he was back to normal, if only a little tired still.

“Sorry for slamming the door open,” Emmet said, getting up and putting his mug in the sink

“Why did you slam the door open?” Ingo asked.

“I was just excited.” Emmet froze, then spun around. “Wait! I was excited!”

“About what?” Ingo asked as Emmet ran out of the kitchen.

“Eelektross!” Emmet called. His eel was already in the living room, box in his arms. “Where are- You already have them. Thank you!”

Emmet took the box, returned to the kitchen, and slammed it on the table. “They came in! Thank the Dragons. It was getting close.”

Ingo stood next to him, looking down at the box. “What came in?”

“You are returning to the station this Monday,” Emmet said, grabbing the scissors and cutting the tape. “So, you will need… this!”

Emmet opened the box and pulled out one piece of its contents with a flourish. Ingo gasped, eyes wide.

“It’s…” he breathed, gently grabbing it from Emmet’s hands. “It’s a new coat.”

“Yup!” Emmet pulled everything else from the box and laid it out on the table. “And a new hat. I also got myself a new set. Mine have been needing replacing too.”

Ingo only had eyes for his new coat as he gently removed it from the plastic bag and held it out in front of himself. His eyes were misty and his mouth open slightly.

“It’s beautiful,” Ingo whispered.

Emmet gave him a nudge. “Try it on.”

Ingo slowly slipped one arm in, then said, “You try yours on as well.”

“Okay!”

Emmet removed his new coat from the bag, but paused when he picked it up.

Was his coat always this heavy? This bright?

“Emmet?” Ingo asked. “Is everything operational?”

“Y-yeah,” he said. He didn’t move. “I haven’t ordered a new coat in a while. I… I should have sooner. I was supposed to a couple years ago. I never did.”

It was obvious now, how ragged his coat had become. Nowhere near as bad as Ingo’s of course, but still not great. The weight was gone, the white dingy, the red faded. He should have replaced it sooner. He was supposed to always look his best as a Subway Boss.

But…

“It is hard,” Ingo said softly, breaking Emmet from an old spiral, “to let go of something so important. I know.”

“It felt like replacing you,” Emmet whispered, grip tightening on the new coat. “It felt like going somewhere you couldn’t follow.”

“I understand. Fully. I was offered replacements for my coat, but I could never take them.”

“That is different.”

“Not as much as you imagine, I think. I would still have my old coat, but accepting something to wear in lieu of it felt too much like accepting I would never return to my home station. I couldn’t do it.”

“What about now?” Emmet couldn’t help but ask.

“Now I am home. Now I can wear something new.” Emmet looked up to see Ingo in his new coat, smiling softly at him. “Now I can match my brother again.”

Managing not to cry by some miracle, Emmet put his own coat on and grinned at Ingo. “Shave that beard and then we can match.”

Ingo laughed. “Don’t shave for a couple months and then we can match.”

“You know what?” Emmet said, spur of the moment. “Deal.”

“Wait, really?”

Emmet shrugged. “Sure. Why not? Maybe a silly little beard will be fun.” He removed their new hats from their bags, took out the bits of cardstock that kept their shape during transport, and held Ingo’s out to him. “Here. We should complete the outfit.”

Ingo hesitated but took the hat.

“What is it?” Emmet asked, seeing how Ingo’s jaw tensed.

“May I be completely honest?”

“Of course."

“I have suddenly become worried that I do not deserve all of this,” Ingo admitted.

“Too much change at once?” Emmet offered. That tended to be a common sticking point.

Ingo squinted in thought a moment. “That may be it. But we need to do this.”

“Perhaps not everything at once,” Emmet said, trying to think of something they didn’t need to change yet.

“Could I wear my old hat?” Ingo asked, only to immediately backtrack, “No, it won’t match and I should look my best. I can just push-”

“That is fine,” Emmet cut in. “I do not want you uncomfortable on your first day back. I will also wear my old hat. I think that would help me too.”

“Really? That’s wonderful!” Ingo’s excitement shot up, then dampened a second later. He started removing his coat, wings fluttering a bit once they were free.

“Are you alright?”

Ingo set the coat on the table with shaking hands. “I seem to have to run into a new obstacle on the tracks. I like how heavy the coat is, but it does make me feel claustrophobic if I move my wings too much. I- I need to sit down.” He ran off to the living room.

Emmet removed his own coat, placing it next to Ingo’s, and followed. He sat next to Ingo on the couch, lightly wrapping a wing around his brother. Ingo held his head in his hands and took a breath.

“The jackets are fine. They’re short and light. I want the new coat for the Subway,” he muttered. “I do not know what to do about this.”

Emmet knew an obvious route. But was it the best choice?

Ingo was on the same track. “We could cut wing slits into the coats. But that would naturally involve others learning about our wings.”

They were silent another moment, then Emmet asked, “Do you want to stop hiding our wings?”

“Does that matter?” Ingo groaned, dragging his hands down his face.

Emmet grabbed Ingo’s shoulders, pulling him out of his slouch to make sure he was listening. “Yes,” he stressed, “It is the only thing that does. We talked about what Cloud said. Cutting wing slits is the most obvious solution to the coat problem, but I am sure there are others.”

Ingo was quiet for a moment before asking, “What about you? Do you want to stop hiding our wings?”

Emmet let go, turning away and wringing his hands. “There was a lady, some time ago, on the Battle Subway. Somehow, she figured out that we had wings. I still think that it was a wild leap to make, but she still made it. She tried to make me show them. Got too close. Grabbed my coat.”

Ingo shuffled closer until they were pressed side by side. With his own wing, he lightly pushed Emmet’s out of the way and gently laid his wing against Emmet’s back.

“Cameron helped before anything happened,” Emmet continued after a moment. “She was banned for a few months, but she never returned afterwards. I don’t know why. I don’t care why.” Emmet shook his head. “This is all to say that even after that, I am… warming up to the idea of not hiding our wings.”

Ingo’s eyes widened. “Really?”

Emmet smiled softly. “Yup. I think it will be difficult at first. I also think it will be good. But only if you want to too. This is something I want to do together.”

Ingo took a breath, likely taking the moment to think things over. Once he exhaled, he nodded. “Okay. I... I think I want to too. I think it will be easier than when I stopped in Hisui since you will be with me.”

“We are a two-car train after all!” Emmet smiled.

Ingo huffed a laugh, leaning against Emmet a bit more. “We are. It is exceptional that we are again. I am sorry we became decoupled.”

“It is not your fault,” Emmet said, mostly out of habit at this point. “But I know what you mean. I am sorry too.”

They sat there in silence, leaning against each other, as Emmet tried to figure out their next steps.

“We should ask Elesa for help,” he eventually said, breaking the silence, “with our coats. She is better at that stuff than us.”

“I am inclined to agree,” Ingo said, amusement in his voice. “When I cut slits into my coat in Hisui, I had to take it to Anthe to get the holes to stop fraying. My shirts I could fix easily. Even my tunic only took a couple attempts. But the coat was always an issue.”

“That couldn’t have been easy,” Emmet said. It was easy to see how attached Ingo was to his old uniform. He still wore the battered and sun-bleached hat whenever they went out.

“It wasn’t. But it was for the best in the end.” Ingo chuckled a little. “The time waiting for my coat wasn’t all that bad either, I suppose.”

“What do you mean?”

“Would you like a paraphrase or a story?” Ingo asked.

“Ooh, story please!” Emmet said, getting out from Ingo’s wing and cozying himself in the corner of the couch.

Ingo laughed, leaning against Emmet and saying, “I should have assumed. Okay, after I gave Anthe my coat, I hung around the pastures.”

-----

Ingo leaned against the fence, watching a few Gible play with each other while trying to ignore feeling extremely exposed.

It hadn’t been long since he had started keeping his wings out most of the time. The fact that it was the first time in Jubilife since then didn’t help either. He could still feel the stares from the villagers, but he had grown somewhat used to them, even if they did still bother him.

He supposed he could tuck his wings under his tunic, but that was never comfortable. There wasn’t as much space there as there was under his coat. He’d rather just deal with the anxiousness he felt from letting someone else handle his coat without adding a physical discomfort as well. At least this way he could let his wings breathe a little too.

That was something good about this whole situation. Ingo hadn’t noticed how cramped his wings always felt trapped under his coat until now. Nowadays, whenever he kept his wings tucked in, he found himself getting uncomfortable a lot sooner. Maybe he had just gotten used to letting them open more.

He also wasn’t as cold anymore. He didn’t think there would be that much of a difference between keeping his wings close to his body and letting the feathers puff up while they were out in terms of keeping warm, but there was. The feathers trapped heat in such a way that not only warmed his wings, but the rest of his body too. It was nice to not freeze as much during patrols when the temperature dipped as the sun went down.

The Gible ran off to pester a nearby Gabite just as the feeling of being watch grew. Ingo glanced around, trying not to be obvious in case someone was watching. He just wanted to see if he should go somewhere else. Maybe the photo studio. Perhaps this time he could get a half decent picture with Gliscor without him trying to bite Dagero.

(“Why does he bite so much?” Emmet asked.

Ingo shrugged. “I am not entirely sure. He’s done it since he was a Gligar. It is easy to tell when it’s because he’s nervous, but those instances became significantly less common after he evolved. My running theory is that he thinks it’s funny. Or he is bored.”

“I guess there weren’t too many toys for him in Hisui.”

“There was not since he broke every piece of wood I gave him and wouldn’t let him chew on rocks.”

Gliscor snickered at them, sticking his head out from the playroom door.

“Yes, we are talking about you. Rocks are bad for your teeth,” Ingo light-heartedly scolded as Gliscor went back to whatever he was doing. “You are well aware of this fact. Anyway, back to the story.”)

Just as Ingo thought he was imagining things again, he spotted the small group of kids that liked to hang around down the road. They must have noticed him looking over, since they ducked behind the nearby building they were next too.

As much as he didn’t like being stared at, Ingo had to admit he much preferred it when it was children. They were always a curious bunch and it was much easier not to take their, maybe a little invasive, questions to heart.

Ingo shifted slightly so he could see them out of the corner of his eye without them noticing. Soon enough, they poked their head back out. He heard them whispering to each other, nothing but awe and excitement in their tones.

It was a shockingly refreshing change in tracks.

Unsure what came over him, Ingo slowly opened his wings up a little more. He heard the kids gasp and go quiet.

Then he quickly puffed all his feathers up with a small shake. The kids all gave a small shout in shock, then tried to shush the others.

“I know you’re over there,” Ingo called out, letting his feathers fall again and smoothing out a few that stuck still stuck up a little. He might need to see if Akari was free soon to preen them.

The kids shuffled over to the fence next to him. The one at the front, the apparent oldest and chosen leader, asked, “Why d’you got wings?”

Right to it then.

Ingo shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t really know much about them at all. In case you haven’t heard, I have amnesia.”

“What’s that?” one of the younger kids asked.

“It means he don’t remember nothing,” the first one replied, then looked back at Ingo. “Right? I think that’s what Mama said.”

“That’s about right,” Ingo said, much preferring this topic for once. “I believe there are different types. But mine is the classic one. I don’t really remember anything before arriving to Hisui.”

“That stinks,” the kid said. “So you can’t tell us cool stories about other places like the professor?”

“I am afraid not,” Ingo said, pulling his hat down slightly. “I can tell you a lot about Pokemon, however. As well as battling with them. That is information I have retained shockingly well. There are a few gaps and I believe that a handful of Pokemon here are different than the ones I am familiar with, but overall, my knowledge is relatively sound.”

“We can just go to Akari for that,” the kid waved off. “We wanna know about your wings! Can you fly?”

So much for the topic change.

“I can.”

“Show us!”

“Yeah! Show us!”

“We wanna see!”

Soon enough the group was all begging for a demonstration.

“Pull the breaks! Please, quiet down.” Once the kids stopped their ruckus, Ingo looked around.

The road was pretty much as empty as it usually was, not many wanting to get so close to the Pokemon in the pastures. There was plenty of space to get a running start and Ingo could even use the fence to help take off.

Might as well.

“I will need everyone to stay behind the yellow line,” Ingo said walking to the other side of the road. A couple of the kids looked down, probably looking for a line.

“Back up a little,” Ingo clarified after a moment. “I need some space.”

With that, the group scurried backwards, giving Ingo ample space to take off. He did a quick stretch, then got ready to run the few steps towards the fence.

“All aboard!” he called, half out of habit and half to make the kids laugh, and ran.

With a few steps, a jump off the fence, and some beats of his wings, Ingo was in the air. He did a few laps of the pastures, noticing the kids jumping in excitement below, then landed again.

“Woah! That was so cool!” one of them cheered.

“Yeah! You were like, this, and then, whoosh, and then, zoom!” another said, acting out Ingo’s flight with his hands.

The kids continued to cheer Ingo on and ask innocent questions about his wings until Anthe came to find him with his coat. Ingo thanked her and slipped it on, immediately grateful for its familiar weight.

He then said goodbye to the kids, since he needed to get back to the training grounds, and left them to their games.

He couldn’t help the lightness he felt as he saw them running around with their arms outstretched later that day, acting as if they were flying as well.

-----

“It was children, more often than not, that were accepting of my oddities,” Ingo said. “They might have thought they were funny, but they were always more curious than anything. Or didn’t see anything wrong.”

“That’s usually the case, isn’t it,” Emmet sighed. “It is the adults that make it weird.”

“Nothing we can really do about that.” Ingo sat up with a stretch. “Continuing on, did you want to call Elesa or should I?”

“I can do it.” Emmet stood so he could stretch too. As much as he loved Ingo’s stories, they did have a tendency to go a little long. “Can you get the coats?”

Ingo took a breath. “Are we sure about this?”

Were they? Were they really sure? It wasn’t something they would be able to take back.

After everything they had shared, everything they had considered, every piece of advice and worry and warning and support, the answer finally came easy to Emmet.

“Check safety,” he said. “Everything’s ready.”

“All aboard?” Ingo asked. Emmet could hear both nervousness and excitement in his voice.

He looked down at Ingo with a determined smile. Ingo matched the energy, but with his usual frown instead.

“All aboard.”

Chapter Text

Today was the day.

Oh Dragons, today was the day.

The day the Multi Lines reopened on a limited schedule. The day Emmet finally got to work along side Ingo again.

The day he and Ingo went out with their wings fully exposed.

Emmet was… feeling all sorts of things as he got ready.

He was excited, that was certain. Ingo was coming to work with him. They were going to ride the trains and battle together again. That was exciting.

Happy was definitely another. Although, that was mainly at seeing Ingo so excited for work. Emmet had never seen his brother so awake and energetic this early. Expect for maybe when they were kids and it was their birthday or another equally anticipated event.

Anxious was another large part of what he was feeling, but that was to be expected. He had never gone out in public without his winds hidden. The most “out” he had ever gone were the roof flights or the backyard growing up and even those had been under the cover of night or early morning.

At least picking out his feelings was helping.

A little.

“Everything ready, Ingo?” Emmet asked, returning Durant to his ball then attaching it to his belt.

“Just need to brush my teeth and I will be all set,” Ingo called back, the bathroom sink turning on briefly.

Emmet took stock of everything one more time. Showered, had breakfast, bushed teeth, fed the Pokemon, lunches made and packed, miscellaneous work stuff never left his bag last night so that was already packed. Yup, that was everything. All he had left to do was get his hat, coat, and shoes on.

Emmet put his coat on, same as he did every workday. It almost felt too heavy, not used to its original heft anymore, but it was more than welcomed. He had missed it.

He felt his wings slip easily out of the new wing slits they had cut into it. Elesa had, naturally, done a great job. He suddenly wasn’t sure what to do with his wings. No position felt comfortable.

Ignoring that for now, Emmet put his hat and shoes on.

“I am here!” Ingo called, rushing over and putting on his coat. His wings went through the slits, stretching out with a ruffle before settling against his back as he bent down to put on his shoes. He stood up straight again and put on his hat.

“Everything’s set,” Ingo said, practically shaking with the excitement that painted his voice.

Emmet nodded and turned towards the door.

And froze.

Could they do this?

Could he do this?

“Ready?” Ingo asked, voice softer now.

Emmet took a breath, not breaking his stare with the door. “I don’t know.”

He felt Ingo’s hand slip into his. “That is okay. I am not certain either. But I am not alone this time. You are not either.”

“I know.”

“We don’t have to do this right now. We can do this tomorrow or another day. We can keep our wings tucked in our coats and no one would know the difference.”

Emmet swallowed nervously, giving Ingo’s hand a squeeze.

“If there is one thing that you have helped me understand since returning is that we are a two-car train,” Ingo continued when Emmet said nothing, returning the squeeze. “Before, now, and always. We can watch out for each other when we decide to do this and reach new heights together.”

That was right. They were always a better team together. Individually, they were strong, sure. But together they cou-

Wait a fucking second.

“Ingo.”

“Emmet.”

“Was that a pun?”

“I have no idea what you are talking about.”

Emmet looked over at Ingo, who looked like he was trying not to laugh.

“I am nervous about going outside with my wings exposed, and you are making puns.” Emmet jammed his elbow into Ingo’s side. “We were having a moment. You ruined it! Awful brother.”

“We have had many moments since my return,” Ingo snickered, elbowing Emmet back, “and I think I improved this one.”

“I think you should stop hanging out with Elesa so much.”

“Woe is me!” Ingo put the back of his free hand against his forehead, turning away slightly. “I miss our dear friend Elesa for years and now I cannot hang out with her. A shame!”

“Alright, alright,” Emmet laughed, grabbing the door handle. “Let’s go. We are going to be late if we keep stalling on these tracks.”

With one more moment to steady their nerves, Emmet and Ingo left their apartment.

It took all of three minutes after leaving the building for Emmet to fully understand how Ingo felt about everyone staring at him.

No one was, that much was obvious. Anyone out this early had their own things to do. Even so, Emmet still felt like they were all looking at him, looking at his back. He was just waiting for someone to shout something at them.

“How are you doing?” Emmet quietly asked Ingo, hoping to distract himself from his own discomfort.

One of Ingo’s wings twitched. “Fine. I will be better once we are inside. You?”

“Same as you.”

They made it to Gear Station soon after. They almost ran down the stairs and, after a quick hello to the other morning staff, into Emmet’s office. Ingo closed the door as they both sighed in relief.

“Okay,” Emmet wheezed, hands on his knees. “Okay. I am Emmet. I think I am going to throw up.”

“You are not going to throw up,” Ingo tried to reassure, not looking much better himself.

“I will. All over the room. And then I will die.”

That got a light chuckle from Ingo. “You are not going to die.”

“Yup! I will. Watch me. Bleh…” Emmet tilted his head to the side and stuck his tongue out for added effect.

Ingo gave another laugh and patted Emmet’s shoulder. “Feel better now?”

Emmet straightened back upright with a stretch. “A bit. Does the feeling like you’re being stared at ever get better?”

“It didn’t really in Hisui,” Ingo sighed. “I simply found that I preferred having my wings out since then I knew why someone would be staring. Perhaps it will be different here. There are more people supporting us here than there were supporting me in Hisui.”

“I am sorry you had to go through that,” Emmet said, not for the first time and surely not for the last.

“I know. Thank you.” Ingo shook his hands out a little. “But that is in the past. Let’s look towards the future right now. Or at least today. What is first on the schedule?”

“I think you are just shadowing me today. The Multi Lines for us won’t be departing until after lunch.” Emmet sat at his desk. “Let me turn the computer on and check.”

For once, it didn’t take long for the computer to turn on and for Emmet to pull up the train schedules.

“Yup, we aren’t need on the Multi Lines until the afternoon. This morning is mostly admin stuff. You can refamiliarize yourself with some of the forms.”

Ingo’s face appeared over Emmet’s computer monitor. “Why can’t we just ride the trains now?” he asked. Emmet knew the sadness in his brother’s voice was a trick from his Baby-Doll eyes.

“There will be no challengers riding our train this early,” Emmet said, navigating through a few menus, “unfortunately. Besides, there is more to being a Subway Boss than just riding trains and battling. As much as I would like to ride the trains too.”

Emmet found his way to were he was going. He just wanted to double check something. It was probably already finished but-

Honestly, Emmet probably should have expected this.

“Ingo, there has been a change in tracks,” he said, getting up from his chair.

“Oh?” Ingo let himself be led out the door and across the hall. “Are we going to ride the trains? Did I convince you?”

Emmet found the key he was looking for and unlocked Ingo’s office. “Nope!” he said, moving Ingo to his desk and sitting him in his chair. “You have training modules you need to finish. I thought you did them already, but I am not surprised you didn’t. You hate them more than me.”

“I was unaware I had training modules,” Ingo said, looking at his computer. “How do I work this again?”

Ingo’s crash course in how to use a computer didn’t take long, between it being one of those things where muscle memory helped the process along and his experience with his new Xtrans. After a couple password recoveries, he was ready to start.

“I am going to leave you to that,” Emmet said. “I will be in my office across the hall. Come over once you’re done or need help. I am getting a coffee. Do you want one?”

“I think my heart will give out if I have another one,” Ingo joked. “I will take a tea if there is any though.”

“One tea, coming up! Maybe those modules will actually teach you something again. Have fun!” With that, Emmet left for the break room.

It took until he was waiting for the water to boil for Ingo’s tea for Emmet to remember why they had gone straight to his office when they got here. At least he was alone for the time being.

Then Ramses entered the room.

“Boss Emmet!” he said, “How are you doing this morning?”

“Good,” he said, moving over to let Ramses get his own coffee. He once again didn’t know what to do with his wings. Did he leave them as they normally sat? Tuck them closer? Ramses already knew about them, so they wouldn’t be that weird to him.

“How’s Boss Ingo holding up?” Ramses asked, interrupting Emmet’s internal debate.

“He is good too.” Why did water take forever to boil? “He is stuck doing training modules right now.”

“Putting them off until the last minute again?” Ramses laughed, putting a pod in the coffee machine and hitting start.

“He said he didn’t know he had them.” The kettle finally clicked off. “I do not fully believe that. We did need to recover his account password, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he hadn’t done that sooner to put off the modules longer.”

Ramses laughed again. “Even with the amnesia, I’m not sure he needs them. I certainly don’t anymore.”

Emmet poured the water into the empty cup, deciding to let Ingo add the bag himself. Maybe he should grab a couple sugar packets in case he wanted them. The tea brand at work was different than the one Ingo had settled on at home.

“I seem to recall a couple of them are going to be renewed for you soon,” Emmet teased.

“Yeah, yeah.” Ramses waved him off, taking his cup and adding a bit of cream to it. “I’ll get to it when I get to it. When have I ever been overdue?”

“All the time.”

“I could probably quote a few of those videos at this point. It’s fine.”

“Me too,” Emmet sighed. “Are you on the Multi Line this morning? Or was that Cameron?”

“Cameron. I’m on Super Multi.”

“Even better,” Emmet laughed, glancing at the clock. “You have safety checks to run then. You might want to get going.”

“I was just about to. See you later,” Ramses said. He put a lid on his cup and made his way to the door to the rest of the station. He paused before leaving. “Oh, Emmet, can I say one thing real quick? As a friend?”

“Yeah,” Emmet said, suddenly concerned, “is everything alright?”

“I’m fine,” Ramses reassured. Then with a smile said, “I’m proud of you, you know?”

Emmet felt his face start to heat up. “Uh, we- Ah…” He took a breath. “Thank you. We felt it was about time.”

Ramses nodded. “I get it. Just remember to rest your engines sometimes, you hear me? I’m not above sicking Ingo on you about that.”

“I know,” Emmet said with a laugh. “Now get out of here. I am sure there are verrrry many people excited to ride the trains today.”

“Yessir,” Ramses said and left the break room.

Emmet grabbed his cups, a bag of tea, and a couple sugar packets, then headed back to Ingo’s office.

He heard the droning voice from a module reading out a slide about workplace hazards as he rounded into the office. Ingo was laying on his desk, watching the screen with half-focused eyes.

“I am back,” Emmet announced. Ingo paused the video and looked over.

“Emmet, my darling perfect brother,” Ingo whined, “I’m dying. Give me your coffee.”

“I am not giving you my coffee,” Emmet laughed. “You wouldn’t like it anyway. Here’s your tea. I got some sugar in case you wanted it.”

Ingo groaned, pulling himself upright. “Fiiiine. Thank you anyway, Emmet. I think I am starting to remember some of these, so I shouldn’t be too much longer. Depending on how long these videos are.”

“They are just reading the slides.” Emmet reached over and tapped the right arrow key a couple times. “You can just skip until all the text shows up and read it yourself.”

Ingo dropped the tea bag into his cup, then looked over at the computer. “How did I not notice that?”

“You were dying,” Emmet joked.

“That I am,” Ingo sighed again, then looked over at Emmet. “Are you alright, Emmet? You’re puffed up a little.”

He was? He looked at his wings.

“That’s embarrassing,” Emmet mumbled, flattening his feathers back down. “I always wish they would stop doing that so much. I am fine. Ramses was just reminding me why he’s known as everyone’s Work Dad.”

“That is nice of him.” Ingo took a sip from his tea, scrunching his nose a little. “This is different than what we have at home.”

“I should have warned you about that. Is it okay?”

Ingo shrugged. “It’s fine. I will live. The sugar will help. Or just cover the taste if nothing else.”

“That’s good. I will be in my office.”

“I will go back to dying.”

“Have fun!” Emmet singsonged as he left.

“I won’t!” Ingo called, copying Emmet’s tone.

The morning went by smoothly, at least for Emmet. Ingo could be heard moaning about training modules from his office.

He got a break at least when Cloud went to knock on his door. Emmet didn’t mean to overhear, but the door was open.

“Hey, Ingo,” Cloud said as she walked in, “how’s it going?”

“I am stuck doing training modules,” Ingo groaned, pulling himself upright again, “I am actively perishing before your very eyes.”

“They aren’t that bad,” Cloud laughed. She leaned around to see his monitor. “How many do you got left?”

“Just these bottom five.”

“Oh, yeah. You’d be considered a new hire in the program. You got to do all of them at once.”

Ingo groaned again, then cut himself off. “I am being entirely unprofessional right now, my apologies. Why are you here, Cloud? Did you need me for anything? I am not certain how much help I can be right now, but I will do my best.”

“Just wanted to say hi. This is a friend visit, not a talk-to-my-boss visit. Even if you aren’t technically my boss right now.”

“Oh, okay then.” Ingo flopped across his desk again with a groan. “Cloud, I’m dying.”

Emmet couldn’t help but laugh, causing them both to look over.

“Mind your own business,” Ingo called over.

“Close your door if you want a private conversation,” Emmet called back.

Cloud laughed. “It’s good to see you two back here again. I’m sure everyone agrees.”

“It is good to be back,” Ingo said, “even if I am currently suffering.”

“Our train is departing in 90 minutes,” Emmet said. “You will be free soon.”

“Alright, I should get back to work,” Cloud said, leaving the office. “Cera’s going to be wondering where I am soon. Plus, we’ve got that Aron lookout out by the station south of Striaton City.”

“For the commuting lines or the Battle Lines?” Emmet asked.

“Both right now, but I’m sure it’s nothing,” Cloud said. “It’s just a lookout right now and those happen all the time. We'll let you know if it escalates.”

“Thank you. Now stop distracting Ingo or he’ll never finish and I’ll have to ride the trains alone.”

“I’m almost done!” Ingo protested. “Don’t board without me!”

“Okay, gone for real this time,” Cloud laughed, walking off, “and it really is great to see you here!”

With that, the twins were left to their work again. The only thing filling the air between them was the taping of keys, the opening of a training video before it was muted, and the occasional gripe from Ingo.

After a little while, Emmet managed to figure out the work schedule for the next two weeks just as he heard a thump on the chair across from his desk. He glanced over to see Ingo sitting in it.

“I am done,” Ingo said, “finally.”

Emmet looked back at his screen so he could save and print the schedule. “Nice. We still have a few minutes before lunch. Then we are on the Battle Lines for the rest of the day. Usually we stay into the evening, but I do not want to rush you.”

“That is quite the long day,” Ingo said, tilting his head. “As much as I am currently willing to do that, I am not sure how I will feel come afternoon. You may have the right idea.”

“We have also been told to stop doing that,” Emmet laughed, standing from his chair. “It’s apparently ‘not healthy’ to work so much. Didn’t stop me though.”

“What do you mean?” Ingo asked.

Maybe he shouldn’t have made that joke.

It wasn’t that much as a joke though, was it?

“When… When I returned to work after we decoupled, it was too soon. I recognize that now. I overworked myself.” He couldn’t bring himself to look at Ingo. “I didn’t really know what else to do. I was put on mandatory leave after collapsing in the middle of a fire drill. The only reason they found me so soon was because I was at the ‘fire’.”

Ingo was quiet. Emmet walked over to the door, still unable to look at him. It had happened a while ago and he had gotten past it, but it was still a hard time to look back on, to talk about.

“I am better now,” Emmet went on when Ingo didn’t say anything. “I stopped working as much after that. I asked Elesa for help with my wings. I didn’t go back to my previous level of work until about a year and a half ago. That was when we reopened most of the Battle Lines. But I was better at that point. I took breaks.”

He heard Ingo stand and walk over. He still hadn’t said anything.

Emmet kept going, rambling a little now. “But that is over. And you are back. We do not have to ride these tracks anym-”

He was cut off as Ingo hugged him tight.

“I am sorry you went through that,” he said. “Truly.”

Emmet returned the hug, just as tight, and buried his face into the crook of Ingo’s neck. “Thank you.”

They stayed like that a minute longer before Emmet pulled back with a breath. “Alright. No time to get emotional. We still have a couple things to do before lunch. First of all, showing you where the printer is.”

Ingo huffed a laugh, eyes squinting warmly. He stepped away from Emmet and gestured towards the hall. “Lead the way.”

With another thanks to Ingo in the form of bumping him a little as he passed, Emmet left his office and went down the hall. “There are three key things about the printer. The first most important thing is not letting it sense your impatience. The second most important thing is to not let it smell fear.”

“And the third?” Ingo asked.

“Making sure it has paper and ink.”

Chapter Text

The Multi Lines were busy.

It was to be expected, today being the grand re-opening and technically the official announcement of Ingo’s return. But truthfully, Emmet forgot just how busy they could be.

They only had about ten minutes before their first pair of challengers reached their car. After that it was almost nonstop. It seemed like everyone had brought only their best teams today for the chance to at least say hello to the bosses.

Emmet was loving it.

It had been so long since he was able to battle side by side with Ingo. Sure, they had had a few practice battles against Elesa and Iris to help figure out how to best incorporate Ingo’s Hisuian team into the Battle Subway once they were allowed to later down the line. But those weren’t they same. They couldn’t simply enjoy them, having to analyze everything they could while they happened.

These, on the other hand, could be savoured, enjoyed to the fullest. The only thing they had to focus on were the combinations in front of them. No hypotheticals, no wondering if other move sets would work better, no figuring out what items could help. Just Emmet, Ingo, the pair across the car from them, and the Pokemon between them.

Ingo was enjoying himself too. Emmet could tell. His calls for moves were loud and congratulations or encouragement louder. There was an energy in his movements that Emmet hadn’t seen for a while, one even he hadn’t had in some time either but began to match as the afternoon went on. It was like it was their very first week as newly promoted Subway Bosses again.

And wasn’t it, in a way?

Despite all the excitement, Emmet could tell Ingo was starting to get a little overwhelmed. There was a tightness in his eyes. Hopefully he wasn’t getting a headache from this. Riding the trains the first few times had brought them, but they had stopped as of late. Maybe actually battling had brought them back. He would have to check when they had a minute.

His wings were also pinned against his back, out of sight from their challengers. Emmet’s were too, still nervous about someone saying something about them. Ingo probably felt the same.

He wasn’t sure if it was due to them keeping them against their backs, but no one ever mentioned their wings. Even the times where he was sure someone had seen them, excitement or shock causing them to stick them out or ruffle, they weren’t mentioned. They were glanced at with confusion or amazement or shock, but never brought up and never looked at for longer than a moment.

They weren’t stared at any more than normal. They weren’t yelled at or asked a million invasive questions or anything. Everyone just seemed happy they could battle the Bosses again.

Emmet liked it.

Part of him wished he had done this sooner, but he knew he wouldn’t have been able to without Ingo by his side. Even if everyone’s reactions were exactly the same, having Ingo there reminded him he always had someone on the same tracks as him. It made him more upset at what had happened to Ingo in Hisui, but those were feelings for another time.

Today was for battling, riding the trains, and proving that things had gotten better.

Up until he and Ingo were standing on the platform, waiting for their next train.

There were plenty of others here too. Emmet and Ingo stayed near the opposite end of the platform from most of them. That was where their car would come to a stop. The distance also helped not annoy anyone with the rapid taptaptaptaptap of Emmet’s foot against the tile.

He shifted his weight, changing the foot he tapped when it started to get sore, and glanced at his Xtrans for the millionth time. “The train is almost five minutes late.”

“That’s not too bad,” Ingo said again, looking down the tunnel. “I am sure it will be here shortly.”

“You have said that for the last five minutes.”

“Because it is true.”

“I have not heard anything about delays.” Emmet opened his messages to double check. No unread messages from anyone on staff. There were a few from Elesa asking how the day was going, but he would get to those later. “Why is the train late? Could it be from the Aron? Should I contact Gear Station?”

It was their first day back, their first day running the Battle Lines together, and things were already falling behind. They weren’t going to be able to follow the schedule at this rate. If this train was late then the next train would be late and then everything would be late and everything would be ruined. What-

“-alright? Emmet, take a breath,” Ingo’s voice cut in. His eyes flicked from the tunnel to Emmet, then behind.

Before Emmet had a chance to follow his instructions, Ingo zipped a wing around Emmet, covering his back.

“Please don’t touch the conductor, little one,” he said.

Confused, Emmet turned around.

There was a kid, no older than ten or so standing behind him. Their hand frozen against Ingo’s wing, eyes wide and staring.

They yanked their hand back as a woman’s voice called, “Milo! There you are!”

A woman, presumably the child’s- Milo’s- mother going off the matching dark hair and eyes, ran over.

“I am so sorry about them,” she said, gently pulling her child towards her. “I’m Annalise, their mother. They ran off when I was getting us drinks from the vending machine. I told you to wait on the bench.”

“But Moooom,” they whined, “I wanted to see if their wings were real.”

“Then you ask the Subway Bosses. Not sneak up behind them and touch them. What have I told you about personal space? And what if you broke them? I’m sure they worked hard to make them.”

Ingo pulled his wing back. It twitched a bit as he tucked it behind his back. “I would be surprised if they managed that. To answer the little one's question, they are real after all.”

Annalise’s eyes widened as she looked between the brothers. Emmet suddenly did not want to be part of this conversation anymore. Not that he had said anything yet.

“They... They are?”

Deciding Milo was likely easier to talk to, even if they were pouting at getting in trouble, and that Ingo had their mother handled, Emmet crouched down.

“Is it true?” Milo asked. “Are your wings real?”

Emmet nodded, giving his wings a shake.

“Wooooah...” They’re eyes were wide with amazement. “Can you fly?”

Emmet nodded again. “Not here. But outside we can. Have you heard about the Braviaries around here?”

Milo nodded quickly. “That’s you?!”

Emmet put a finger against his lips with a grin. “That’s a secret.”

Their laugh was drowned out by the sound of the train’s breaks as it pulled into the station. The doors opened, the speaker inside announcing the stop.

“That’s our call,” Ingo said, giving the top of Emmet’s head a tap.

Emmet stood, batting Ingo’s hand away. “It is. I hope to see you two again. And battle against you!”

With an apology from Milo prompted by Annalise, the pair set off for the other end of the train with the rest of the boarding challengers. Emmet and Ingo boarded their car.

As soon and the doors slid closed again and the train started moving, Ingo doubled over, hands on his knees, and shook his wings out with a huff.

“Thank you,” Emmet said, “for doing that.”

“Of course,” Ingo said. He gave his wings another shake and straightened. “I could see you were getting anxious and I didn’t think a random child touching you would help that.”

“It wouldn’t. But are you okay?”

“I will be once we’re battling again.”

“Are you sure? Any headaches? We can take an early break.”

Ingo gave his wings one last shake, then tucked them close against his back. “I did have a brief headache near the beginning of our battles, but it’s just about gone now. I will keep you updated, but I should be fine. You said we were going to go on break once we return to Gear Station anyway. I should be alright until then.”

“Okay. I am going to-” The door across from them slid open. That was quick- “ask why the train was delayed later.”

Emmet and Ingo scrambled to their positions and started the battle.

It only took a few turns for Emmet to notice how shaken Ingo really was from what had happened at the station. The way he stood, shoulders tense and wings pinned tightly to his back, the way his voice was clipped as he called out moves, the set of his jaw. Everything pointed towards an anxious brother.

With only a second’s thought, Emmet stuck his wing out and around Ingo’s back.

Ingo jolted slightly as the wing made contact, glancing behind him then at Emmet as he called another move. Emmet just smiled, pressed his wing against Ingo again, and called out his move. Ingo squinted warmly in return as he leaned into it a bit more.

They went a few more battles like that, Emmet’s wing against Ingo’s back, until the tension started to leave Ingo. His shoulders relaxed. His voice warmed up. Emmet brought his wing back once Ingo’s started to press against it, opening up to a more comfortable resting spot.

Once they finally had a moment alone in their car, the last team of challengers having lost their 18th match, they collapsed onto the subway seats.

“Verrrry busy,” Emmet said, shimmying a little to get his wings to lay better as he leaned back.

“It was. But I suppose that makes sense, this being the reopening after all.” Ingo sighed and rested against Emmet. “Thank you for what you did earlier. I didn’t notice how much that interaction had affected me.”

Emmet bumped his head against Ingo’s. “I thought so. Of course I helped.”

Ingo hummed, letting the sounds of the train fill the car for a few minutes.

Eventually, he said, “Today has been good.”

“It has,” Emmet agreed. “Even if this train was late. We should check in on that actually. Do you think it’s the Arons?”

“We can check when we get to the station,” Ingo said, leaning a little more against Emmet. “I am sure it was nothing if you were not already informed. Also, I am comfy.”

Emmet laughed. “Alright. You win this time. But only because we’re going on break when we get back.”

Ingo huffed a laugh and closed his eyes. “Wake me when we arrive.”

“It will only be a few minutes now. I don’t think you will actually fall asleep.”

“You underestimate my napping ability.”

“I always do,” Emmet laughed.

Sure enough, a few minutes later they pulled into the station and Emmet had to nudge Ingo awake again. He was pretty sure Ingo was mostly faking it though.

They made their way back to HQ, only to be immediately rushed by Furze before the door behind them could close.

“Boss Emmet! Boss Ingo! I am glad you’re here,” he said, slightly out of breath. “The Aron problem has gotten worse.”

“Was that why our train was late?” Emmet asked, following Furze to the center console.

Furze nodded. “Yeah, they’re all over the Multi Line by Straiton City. Station Master Mary-Ann is already working on dispelling them, but we won’t be able to run any lines until they’re gone.”

“I asked to be updated on the Arons,” Emmet said, looking at the map. “Why am I just hearing about this now?”

“I thought Jackie told you,” Furze said.

Jackie looked up from the other side of the table. “I though Furze told you.”

“Great communication everyone,” Emmet mumbled.

Ingo pointed over to the red section of tracks on the map. “I take it this is the affected area.”

Emmet nodded. “Yup. Right on the Multi Line tracks. At least commuting lines are unaffected. We don’t need to worry about delays or cancellations there. For now, at least. I would like to get the Multi Line back up as soon as possible though.”

“That’s where we’d like your help,” Furze said. “Mary-Ann said that it might take her team a few hours depending on how many Pokemon are there and how cooperative they are.”

“Should we go down and help?” Ingo suggested.

Emmet waved him off. “It would take too long. We might also just get in the way. Too many cooks and all that.”

“Too many trains on the tracks?”

Emmet snorted. “Yes. I’m stealing that. Anyway, our best bet would be to close the line and wait until they’re finished. As annoying as that is. Maybe it won’t take to long.”

The radio by the wall crackles to life, Mary-Ann’s voice coming through. “Gear Station, this is Station Master Mary-Ann. Please respond. Over.”

Jackie went over and said, “Station Master Mary-Ann, this is Gear Station. What’s the status? Over.”

“Gear Station, there’s approximately fifteen Aron on the tracks. Along with three Lairon. They are relatively calm and we are now working on clearing them out. Current time estimate until the Multi Line can run again is 3 hours max. Ov-”

She was cut off by a rumble loud enough to be heard through the speaker.

“Station Master Mary-Ann, what was that?” Jackie said, voice calm as ever but their concern showing on their face. “Is everyone okay? Over.”

After an agonizingly slow few seconds, the radio crackled back on. “Everyone’s fine! An Aggron just burst through the wall. I strongly recommend closing the line until further notice! Over!”

Emmet went over to the radio, holding a hand out for it. Jackie handed it over.

“Station Master Mary-Ann, this is Subway Boss Emmet. Are you capable of handling this yourself or do you require back up? Over.”

“Subway Boss Emmet, we should be good. The Aggron just looks a bit lost. The Aron are the most upset really. We have this under control. Main issue is infrastructure damage. It doesn’t look too bad; this isn’t a support wall. I will be requesting someone to look over it more thoroughly once we’re done here. Over.”

Emmet sighed in relief. “Station Master Mary-Ann, that is good to hear. We will send someone out as soon as you give the word. Stay safe and leave if things get dangerous. Please confirm. Over.”

“Loud and clear, Subway Boss Emmet. We will leave if things get dangerous and keep Gear Station updated. Over and out.”

So, waiting was out of the question.

Emmet went back to the table console. He hit a few buttons, making more layers of the map visible, and looked everything over.

“This is going to cause so many delays,” he mumbled, running a hand down his face. “It’s our first day open. I’d rather not close the Multi Line if we can help it.”

He looked back at the screen. Were there any alternative routes they could take? Maybe open one of the unused lines as the Multi Line for now? Could either of the Double Lines work? Those trains were already outfitted for four Pokemon on the field at once, but only took one trainer into account.

But then they would need to run safety checks there before starting. That could take a while. Maybe they could get the Multi Trains onto a Double Line. That way they wouldn’t need to run start up checks, just a quick track check. They had just been in use a month ago.

But how could they do that without causing delays for the regular subway lines? Which tunnels could they take? Maybe-

“Hey, Bosses?” Furze said, cutting into Emmet’s attempt at fixing this. “Isn’t it time for your break.”

“I am fine,” Ingo said, tracing a line with his finger and clicking his tongue in annoyance when he hit a different one.

“After we fix this,” Emmet said. Would the J Line work? No, it-

“No offense,” Jackie chimed in, “but you two look like a couple of Rufflets with how you’re puffed up.”

“Jackie!” Furze hissed.

Emmet and Ingo both looked up. Jackie... wasn’t entirely wrong.

Ingo’s wings were sticking out a bit more than usual, coming up closer to his head. His feathers were sticking up dramatically, making him look not unlike a storm cloud. His one wing intermittently twitched.

A glance to his side confirmed that Emmet didn’t look much better, his own feathers somehow sticking up more than his brother’s.

“Dragons,” Emmet cursed under his breath, feeling his face heat up. He started trying to smooth out his feathers, not accomplishing much.

“We got this under control,” Jackie said, coming to stand next to the table. “Go on break. You’re overdue for one anyway.”

“You two seemed to be trying something out,” Furze said. “We can try to get it to work.”

“Alright, you win,” Emmet sighed, giving up on his wings for now. “I was thinking to reroute the Multi trains to one of the Double Lines.”

“We were on the similar tracks,” Ingo said. “I was thinking using one of the Single Lines.”

“Oh, maybe that would work better.” Emmet looked back down at the map, only to be pushed aside by Jackie.

“Go! On! Break!” Furze said, pushing Ingo next to them. “Go on break!”

“Okay, okay,” Ingo laughed, escaping the pushing. “We’ll go on break.”

“I am technically your Boss, Jackie,” Emmet said, “I can fire you.”

“Do it, coward,” Jackie joked back, letting Emmet walk properly again. “You won’t. You can’t. No one can. I have been cursed to forever haunt these rails.”

“Then I’ll get Chandelure to eat you,” Emmet said, playing along as he always did.

“Please, finally I will be put to rest. But then who will work the night shift?”

“I’ll find a new ghost. I am sure there are tons around here.”

“Is Jackie really a ghost?” Emmet heard Ingo ask Furze.

“I’ve stopped questioning it,” Furze said with a shrug.

They kept going back and forth until they reached the door to the rest of the staff only rooms.

“Alright, we’ll see if your idea works and let you know,” Jackie said, heading back to the map.

“Thank you!” Emmet and Ingo called to them.

Furze remained, shifting his weight from foot to foot.

“Is there something else, Furze?” Ingo asked.

“Do your wings match your coats or do your coats match your wings?” Furze blurted out, slapping his hands over his mouth afterwards.

Emmet couldn’t help the small laugh that escaped him.

“The wings came first,” Ingo said, actually answering the question, “so that must mean the coats are based off them. Is that correct? I keep forgetting to ask you about this, Emmet.”

“Yes, the coats are based off the wings,” Emmet said, having got his laughter under control. “I thought it would be fun and convinced you to go along with it. They are also based on train tracks. As you know.”

“Okay,” Furze squeaked out. “Thank you. That’s been bugging me for forever, but it always seemed like a bad time to ask.”

With another laugh and a promise for any updates, Furze left and Emmet and Ingo went to the break room.

“Wait, I have another question,” Ingo said once he sat down.

“What is it?” Emmet went over to the fridge. “Juice box?”

“Yes, please. Didn’t you say that there were other Subway Bosses before us?”

Emmet tossed over a box, Ingo catching it easily. “Yup.”

“Wouldn’t that mean the coats came first?”

“I see your confusion. The coats weren’t always part of the uniform.” Emmet sat next to Ingo and punched the straw into his box. “We added them when we were promoted. We found the Depot Agent jackets were uncomfortable when it came to hiding our wings. The old uniform had a similar jacket. We didn’t want to keep doing that. So, we got the coats commissioned. Elesa helped with them actually. Honestly, I’m shocked she didn’t find out about our wings then. Also, they’re a nice sensory thing. The weight and the collar and the cuffs.”

“It is nice,” Ingo hummed, bouncing his cuffs a little. “I forgot how good the extra weight feels.”

“Me too.”

With that, Ingo stabbed his straw into his juice box and drained it in one go.

“You’re a maniac,” Emmet deadpanned.

Ingo just laughed, taking the straw out to chew on it.

After a couple minutes of silence, Ingo said, “Today has been good.”

“You already said that,” Emmet said. “Back on the train.”

“It is true.”

“Even with the track closure?” Emmet sighed. “Everything has been thrown off schedule. On our first day!”

“That is less than ideal,” Ingo admitted. “But not really what I was referring to.”

“Oh?” Emmet looked over at Ingo. Unlike Emmet’s, his feathers had flattened back down. Emmet tried again to flatten his own, actually succeeding a bit more this time.

“I was talking about our wings.” Ingo reached over and started helping Emmet. “Today has gone so much better than I could have hoped for with regards to people’s reactions to them. That may be in part to much of the staff already knowing about them, but even outside of that the response has been nothing but kindness. Or just ignoring them. Which I see as a form of kindness. It is… a refreshing change from Hisui. There, something like this was seen as a potential threat. Here, no one seems to think much of it.”

“I suppose there will always be stranger things than a pair of twins with wings in Nimbasa,” Emmet chuckled. “Or people assume they are fake, like that mother thought.”

“I suppose. Either way, it is nice to be able to keep them out now.”

“It is.”

Emmet feathers finally sat flat. Ingo stood and stretched. “Should we check on the Multi Line situation?”

“We technically have another few minutes for our break,” Emmet said, standing to stretch too. “I think we will be kicked out again.”

Emmet’s Xtrans chimed. He looked at it, opening the message notification from Jackie.

“Great news. They managed to figure out how to get the Multi trains to the Single line. It will be departing in an hour. That means we will be boarding the Super Multi Line first now.”

“That is wonderful! Is there anyway we can help?”

“If there is, it will be me helping. You are not allowed to drive the trains yet.”

“I know, I know. I just want to ride the trains really.”

Emmet laughed, “Who doesn’t? Alright, Jackie’s asking for us to come back. Let’s see what we can do.”

“Full steam ahead!” Ingo called, starting down the hall.

Emmet took a moment, watching his brother walk off, wings shimmying in excitement. He took a breath, gave his own wings a shake, and followed.

It really was a good day today.

Chapter Text

“But what should we get for dinner, Emmet?” Ingo asked, turning and walking the length of the car again. “There are so many choices in Nimbasa. Have I mentioned that? How much choice there is for food in the modern day?”

“A few times now,” Emmet said from his seat with a laugh.

“Well, it is true.” Ingo turned again and started to hit his fists together rhythmically. “I just don’t know. Pizza’s always a good choice, but there’s that Paldean place Elesa reintroduced me to that’s also good. Not to mention the Kantonian restaurant on 5^th. Then again, maybe we play it safe with Sinnohan. The ramen in that shop a few blocks away from the station is excellent and not to mention close by. But we are having tha-”

“Ingo,” Emmet said, putting his hands on Ingo’s shoulders. Ingo hadn’t even noticed him standing. “Akari is visiting for two whole weeks. We will have plenty of time to show her everything.”

“I’m just excited,” Ingo said, moving to drum his fingers against his leg since he wasn’t walking anymore. “It’s been a few months since we’ve shared space and I want to show her everything about Nimbasa and the home station I couldn’t have told her about in Hisui. I know we have been able to call each other, but it isn’t the same.”

“I know.” Emmet released Ingo’s shoulders and moved to his spot at the end of the car. “I am excited to meet her in person too. But we need to finish up here first. We will be arriving back at Gear Sation in thirty minutes. Can you hold out until then?”

“I will do my best,” Ingo laughed, joining Emmet just as another pair of challengers entered their car.

It was a little difficult to focus on the battle at hand, thoughts racing between everything Ingo wanted to show Akari. Thankfully, Emmet could tell and would prod Ingo in the right direction.

Akari was coming to visit. Akari! Here! In Nimbasa! Ingo couldn’t be more thrilled. Ever since that first call from her, they had called each other or texted almost everyday. Ingo got to introduce her to Emmet and Elesa and in turn she introduced them to her mom. Honestly, the speed of communication in the modern day still baffled and excited him.

Ingo was just happy to see that Akari was settling in well back home, and that she had family and friends she could turn to. He had worried that something had happened to her when it took so long for her to reach out. But learning that it was simply due to finally being able to relax again like him, he was relieved. She was safe and sound and with her family, much like he was.

But now, after a few talks with her mother, Akari was coming to visit for a couple weeks. She was to arrive soon, Ingo and Emmet planning on picking her up from the airport after work. He would get to see his adopted niece again, properly introduce her to his family, and show her all of the things he had been remembering.

He was overjoyed and it showed in his voice as he congratulated their challengers on winning. Maybe he should have been paying a little more attention to the battle.

With that, Ingo and Emmet were alone in the car again, Ingo bouncing in place a little.

Emmet broke the silence as he healed his team. “Ingo.”

He looked over. “Emmet.”

“You’re my brother and I love you,” he said, taking his Pokeballs out of the machine, “but I am going to fucking throttle you if you keep making that whining sound. I know you’re excited. Please either shake it out or take a few steps away for the next battle.”

“First of all, language Emmet. We are at work.” Ingo placed his own team in the machine. “Second of all, my apologies. I was unaware I was making that sound.”

“I thought so. This is why I am informing you of it prior to the throttling.”

“That is appreciated. But what do you mean by ‘shake it out’?”

“Exactly what it sounds like!” Emmet gave his arms and wings a small shake in demonstration. “Like that, but more.”

Ingo took his team from the machine, attached them to his belt, and stepped away a little. He shook out his arms, the excited energy moving from his shoulders, down his arms, and to his hands. His wings puffed up as he gave them a shake too. After a moment of frantic arm shaking, he settled on simply bouncing his hands enough for the cuff of his coat to bounce nicely.

“Better?” Emmet asked with a laugh.

Ingo nodded. “Much. Thank you for the suggestion and please let me know if I start whining again.”

“I will. Now, get over here. We’ll have more challengers any moment.”

There were a few more groups that made it to their car before they returned to Gear Station. All they had left to do now was a few admin things and to clock out. Then they could head over to Mistralton to pick up Akari and come back to Nimbasa for dinner.

Which Ingo still hasn’t decided on.

“I have narrowed it down to pizza or Paldean,” Ingo said as they got off the train.

Emmet laughed. “Are you still thinking about dinner?”

“Yes! It is important. It’s Akari first time in Unova and I want to make sure that she has an enjoyable trip.”

“I am sure that one dinner won’t ruin it.”

Ingo paused at the bottom of the stairs. “But what if it does?”

Emmet grabbed his hand and pulled him to start moving again. “It will not!”

“But it might.”

“But it won’t!”

“It might!”

“It won’t!”

They reached the top of the stairs.

“It mi-”

“Akari’s here?”

Ingo whipped his head around. “What? Where?”

“Uncle Ingo!”

He looked towards the voice and sure enough, there was Akari. She stood with Elesa, a large suitcase between them.

“AKARI!”

Ingo ran over, thankful for the fact that rush hour had passed. Akari, as she always liked to do, launched herself at him. He caught her easily and, with no better way to stop his momentum, scooped her up and took off. Akari laughed as their feet left the floor and she held on tighter.

“Akari, I am thrilled to see you again!” Ingo said, his cheeks already hurting with how much he was smiling. Not that it was much compared to anyone else, but it was a lot for him. “What are you doing here so early? Did your plane arrive ahead of schedule? Why didn’t you tell me? Emmet and I would have got off early to pick you up.”

“It’s fine! It’s fine!” Akari laughed. “I got through security way faster than I thought I would, so instead of waiting around I called Aunt Elesa. Plus this way, I could surprise you!”

“Aunt Elesa, you say?” Ingo teased.

“Well, I already call you and Uncle Emmet, ‘uncle’. So, I asked if she was okay with it on the way over and she said it was fine.” Akari laughed. “Well, she said she’d ‘always wanted to be an aunt’ and almost started crying.”

Ingo laughed too. “That sounds like her.”

“Ingo!” Emmet called from below. Oh, they were still in the air, weren’t they? “We agreed that Gear Station is a no-fly zone. Get back down here. I want to hug Akari too!”

Ingo felt his face heat up and he flew back down. They did agree on that and now he was once again being entirely unprofessional at work. But when all he was really allowed to do was battle with Emmet, he had a lot of pent-up energy. People were probably starting to stare too.

Once they hit the ground, Akari let go and hugged Emmet. “It’s so good to finally see you in person!”

“I agree!”

Elesa laughed as she moved next to Ingo, Emmet and Akari still talking. “Excited to see her?”

Ingo nodded, giving his wings a shake to try to flatten his feathers. “Quite. Thank you for picking her up by the way. Did you want to join us for dinner?”

“It’s no problem! Anything for my new niece. And I would love to stay for dinner. What were you planning on having?”

“I’m still uncertain,” Ingo admitted, tucking his wings against his back. “But before that, I would like to move this to somewhere less public.”

Emmet glanced at Ingo at that. Likely seeing his growing discomfort, he got out of the hug. “We still have a couple things left to do. Did you want to come along Akari?”

Akari nodded excitedly. “Uh, yeah! You got to show me everything!”

It took a little longer than expected to get out of the station. Akari meant it when she said she wanted to see everything, wanting to know how the different lines ran and asking a million and one questions. Questions that Ingo and what ever Depot Agents overheard were more than happy to answer. Emmet chimed in on occasion but was more focused on finishing up work. Which was fair since Ingo wasn’t exactly helping him much right now.

In the middle of all that, Ingo managed to pull Cameron aside.

“Can I speak with you, Cameron?” he asked quietly as Isadore went into detail about the different layers of the table console map. “As a friend, not your boss. Or co-worker technically right now.”

“Yeah, what’s up?” he said.

“I should have mentioned this a while ago,” Ingo said, fiddling with his sleeve cuffs. “But as you know it has been busy with my return here and our shifts do not always line up the best.”

“Ingo,” Cameron interrupted, “don’t start rambling about things you should have done. That’s my job.”

“You should not do it either,” Ingo said with a small laugh. “But to the point, I wanted to thank you. Emmet told me about a commuter who got far too close to him while we were decoupled and how you helped him afterwards. Thank you for being there when I could not be. I should be thanking all of the staff really.”

Cameron laughed. “Not a problem at all! Just doing my job and being a friend. I think that batch of- What did you call them? Jubilife muffins?” Ingo nodded. “I think that batch of Jubilife muffins you brought in earlier this week more than thanks for everyone. Also, those were really good. Can I please have the recipe?”

Ingo laughed. “I will be sure to send it to you. Akari actually helped develop it.”

“Really?” Cameron looked over at the girl, who was switching between map layers excitedly. “Hey, Akari! Those Jubilife muffins are great!”

Akari looked over. “I know! Also, what does this part of the map mean?”

Eventually, they made it out and back to the apartment. Elesa, always the lifesaver, made the executive decision of pizza for dinner after seeing Ingo stressing about it again.

This, however, rose a new argument.

“I still do not understand what’s wrong!” Ingo said, standing from the couch.

Emmet tapped the coffee table. “I am saying that Pinap isn’t good on pizza. It is strange to put berries on something savoury.”

“Sweet and savoury things go together!”

“Pinap berries aren’t sweet!”

“So why do you have an issue with this?!”

To the side, Ingo heard Akari ask Elesa, “Does this always happen?”

“Pretty much,” Elesa said back.

They got two pizzas.

And much to Ingo’s dismay, Akari preferred Emmet’s choice of toppings.

“I just like mushrooms,” was her only defense.

“Bretrayed,” Ingo jokingly lamented, “by my own adopted niece! Can you believe this, Elesa?”

Elesa patted his shoulder, playing along. “A tragedy. But at least you still have me!”

“Akari, please.”

“Hey!”

Elesa’s light slap resulted in laughs from them both as Emmet rolled his eyes, still smiling. Akari grabbed another slice with a laugh of her own.

After the pizza was gone, and a lot of begging from everyone’s Pokemon, things started to wind down, taking to the couch to relax. They put on a movie Akari said she liked. It was some cheesy romcom that she thought was funny from how bad it was. Ingo couldn’t help but agree, the storyline was a mess, but extremely funny in the confusion it brought.

Once the credits started to roll, Akari was almost asleep as she leaned against Ingo.

He gave her a poke. “Akari, I think it is time for you to rest your engine.”

Akari hummed and rubbed her face. “Yeah…”

“I’m going to head home too,” Elesa said, standing up with a stretch. “Akari’s already got the guest room and I don’t want to sleep on the couch. Swing by the gym tomorrow! I’ll be happy to give you a tour.”

Akari gave a thumbs up.

“Let me walk you,” Emmet said, standing too. “It is late.”

“Will you be alright getting home?” Elesa asked.

“I will bring Eelektross. I will be fine.” Emmet shook out his wings. “Worst case, I simply fly away. Who’s going to catch me then?”

“Fair enough.” Elesa went to put her shoes on. “Good night you two!”

“Good night, Aunt Elesa,” Akari yawned, getting up and heading down the hall. “Good night, Uncle Emmet.”

“Good night, Akari,” Emmet said.

Akari slipped into the bathroom as Ingo joined Emmet and Elesa at the door. “Good night, Elesa. Get home safe. Please inform me when you two arrive and you are making the return trip, Emmet.”

“Yup! Elesa’s isn’t that far. I will be about thirty minutes. Leave the balcony door unlocked please.”

With a couple more goodbyes, the pair had left and Ingo could get ready for bed.

Or so he thought.

“Uncle Ingo?” Akari asked from behind him.

Ingo turned around to see Akari standing at the hall entrance, pyjama pants and a hoodie on. “Yes?”

Akari fiddled with her hoodie strings. “You and Uncle Emmet had your wings out. Back at Gear Station.”

“We did.”

“Is it…” She took a breath. “Is it ’cause of something like in Hisui?”

“No!” he said, going up to her. “No, not at all. It was a mutual decision we made after much thought. While the idea may have arisen due to us learning that more people than we thought knew about our wings, those people kept and respected our choice of hiding them. That, as well as support from our friends and family, allowed us to stop hiding our wings in a much more comfortable way than I had in Hisui. It was a choice here, rather than what felt like an obligation there.”

“Oh.” Akari looked up and smiled at him. There was happiness in the smile, yes, but there was something sad behind it too. “That’s good! I’m happy you’re comfortable. You deserve it.”

Ingo wrapped a wing around Akari, trying to clear the sudden lump in his throat. “You deserve it too. Now why don’t you head to bed? I am sure you had a busy day travelling here.”

“Yeah… I did. I should probably go to bed.” Despite this, she pressed herself a little closer against Ingo.

“Was there something else you wished to talk about?” Ingo asked softly.

“I, um… It’s- Uh…” Forgoing words, Akari nodded.

Ingo gently guided her back to the couch. “Alright. Let’s go sit down.”

It took another few minutes for Akari to say something once they were settled on the couch. When she did, it was soft and hesitant, “Do you… Do you miss Hisui?”

Ingo sighed, readjusting the wing he had around her. She pressed closer to him, watching her hands in her lap.

It wasn’t something he had put much thought into, too caught up in how much happier he was with his family than he ever was in Hisui. But he couldn’t deny the pang he sometimes felt when he thought back to his time there.

“I do,” he said, “on occasion.”

“And…” Akari pressed her hands together. “Would you ever say that to Uncle Emmet?”

“I have, briefly.”

Akari looked up at him, eyes wide. “And he wasn’t upset?”

Ingo shook his head. “He wasn’t. In fact, he helped me with it. Was someone upset with you for missing Hisui?”

“No… But what if my mom is?” Akari looked back down again. “What if she thinks I don’t want to be home? I do want to be home! But I miss everyone in Hisui so much sometimes. I miss having tea with Laventon and teasing Rei and trying new outfits with Anthe. I miss talking with Arezu when she tried out new hairstyles on me and training with Zisu. I miss Cyllene telling me I was doing a good job with the Pokedex and hanging out with her Abra.”

Akari gave a shuddering gasp for breath. Ingo wrapped an arm around her too.

“I just miss them, and they’re all gone.” She gasped again, wiping her face. “Everyone’s gone and I’m scared that Mom or my friends are going to think that I didn’t want to come home because I miss them.”

“They aren’t going to think that Akari,” Ingo said, rubbing her arm. “I am sure they care about you and would help you as my family and friends have helped me. I will always be here for you as well.”

Akari didn’t say anything else, just cried into his side as he held her. Maybe that was what she needed right now, to cry about what she had left behind with the only other person who understood her feelings.

But did he? Did he really understand how much this affected Akari?

Ignoring that for now, Ingo waved the closest Pokemon who could help over. Alakazam floated to them.

“Can you get a glass of water?” he asked softly, hoping not to disturb Akari.

Alakazam floated off, Akari calming down a bit once she returned with the requested item.

“Thank you,” he said as he took it. Ingo nudged Akari slightly. “Akari? Have some water. It will help.”

Akari took the offered glass, taking a few sips before setting it on the coffee table and pressing herself against Ingo again. He let her, going back to rubbing her arm.

Eventually, he felt his Xtrans buzz on his wrist. He glanced at it, seeing the expected text saying that Emmet was on his way home. He looked back down to Akari to let her know and see if she wanted to head to bed.

She had already fallen asleep against him.

Ingo sighed fondly. That made sense, he supposed. “Alright,” he whispered, “let’s get you to bed. Alakazam, I would like to ask for your assistance again.”

Thankfully with Alakazam's help, Akari stayed asleep as they moved her to the guest room and got her under the covers. Once Ingo was sure she was comfortable and her own Pokemon were resting around her, Ingo went back to the living room to wait for Emmet.

That unfortunately left him to his own thoughts in the quiet apartment.

He did miss Hisui on occasion. That had been the truth. But it was nothing more of a passing feeling, something that popped up and dismissed itself just as fast. It wasn’t something he really dwelled on. Not because he wouldn’t let himself, it just didn’t bother him that much.

Akari was right. Everyone they had met in Hisui was gone. That did hurt him, but clearly not nearly as much as it did Akari. He had been there almost three times as long as Akari had been. Shouldn’t he be more upset about this?

A thump from the balcony interrupted his thoughts. A moment later the door slid open and Emmet walked in.

“Great news! I am in fact able to land on the balcony.” Emmet closed the door behind him and went to put his coat and shoes away. “Much faster than the elevator.”

Emmet looked back at Ingo, who still hadn’t said anything. “Is everything okay?”

Ingo took a breath. “Akari and I had a talk about Hisui while you were out.”

Emmet sat next to him on the couch, waiting for him to continue. Ingo took a couple minutes to sort through his thoughts.

“They’re all gone, Emmet, and I feel like I should he more upset about that,” he settled on as he pressed his hands together. “Akari was in Hisui for much shorter than I, and she is upset. I am… I am not.”

Ingo couldn’t look up, couldn’t look at Emmet. How could he even look Akari in the eye tomorrow?

“Of course there are some people I miss,” Ingo continued when Emmet took his hand, squeezing it comfortingly, “that I wish I could see again. But that's it really.”

Emmet wrapped a wing around Ingo. He remained silent, likely able to tell Ingo had more to say.

“I am technically the final warden of the Pearl Clan, aren’t I?” he whispered, “Should I not be more upset that they're gone? They saved me, took me in, gave me a purpose when I was lost. And now I am the only one left. Should I be doing more to maintain their memory? Should I not miss them more than I do?”

Emmet tucked him a little closer, saying, “Please give me a minute to figure out what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” Ingo said. “I shouldn’t be unloading this so late at night.”

“I want to say something,” Emmet reassured. “I just need to figure out how to word it.”

“If you are sure,” Ingo said, then fell silent.

A few minutes later, Emmet nodded. “Alright. Figured it out.”

“Let’s hear it.”

Emmet turned to face Ingo a little more. “Everyone handles grief differently. I saw that when you went missing. Elesa was sad. Iris was angry. There was a span of a few weeks near the beginning where we couldn’t even look at each other. Uncle Drayden and I overworked. The difference between us is that Uncle Drayden knows when to stop. I told you about collapsing.”

Ingo nodded, letting Emmet pause as he sorted out his thoughts again.

“What I am trying to say is that it is okay to feel this way,” Emmet settled on. “It is also not new. Back when Mom died, you were similar.”

“I was?” Ingo asked, guilt already eating at him.

“Not in a bad way!” Emmet clarified. “It just… took longer to hit you, I think. Uncle Drayden and I weren’t taking care of ourselves the best either. You helped us. I think that helped you too. Having something to do. To be able to do something. When we were back on our tracks, that is when you derailed.”

Ingo curled into himself a little. “But what if that doesn’t happen? What if I always feel this… this indifference?”

“That is fine too.” Emmet started rubbing his thumb in circles. “And it is fine if your feelings change. We can work on finding you a therapist if you want. I happen to know a good one when it comes to… something like this. Grief.”

Ingo took another breath, feeling a little lighter now. “Maybe. Let me get back to you on that.”

They sat there a while longer, Ingo not wanting to separate just yet. He did look over at Emmet, who was looking off in the distance, jaw working and smile flat.

“There is more you want to say,” Ingo said.

Emmet jolted slightly, then said, “I do not think I should say it. It will just upset you.”

“Do you know that or are you assuming?”

“…Assuming.”

“Then, please, say it if you wish.”

Emmet took another moment.

“You are allowed to be upset with how you were treated in Hisui,” he said. “Even with the Pearl Clan.”

“But- They did so much for me.”

Emmet looked at him, eyes hard. “They also held you at arm’s length. Not just in the way you described due to their beliefs. You said they compared you to a Pokemon. Repeatedly. That you had to convince them you were human.”

“Not everyone…” Ingo trailed off, looking away. “But most did.”

Emmet wasn’t wrong was the thing. He did feel upset with the Clan. But they took him in, made him a warden, let him be part of their community. Shouldn’t he be thankful for that? Sure, most thought him strange and were wary of his team, but he was an outsider and there were plenty of reasons to distrust Pokemon then. It was reasonable.

As if reading his thoughts, Emmet said, “Ingo. You can be thankful for their help and upset with how you were treated. I know that is strange. But if I have learned anything from our decoupling, it is that feelings can be strange and conflicting. And that that is okay.”

“I just…” Ingo leaned into Emmet a little more. “I do not know if I can let myself do that quite yet.”

“Then will you let me?” Emmet asked, squeezing Ingo’s hand again. “Will you let me be upset with them?”

Ingo took another breath, letting it out in a huff. “I can do that,” he mumbled. “I will take you up on the therapist offer too.”

“I think that is for the best.” Emmet rested his head against him. “We can figure out the details later. See if we can get you an appointment for after Akari returns to her home station. It is late now. We should rest.”

Ingo leaned back. “Alright. You are right. Thank you, Emmet. For everything you have done since my return.”

“Thank you for returning. Thank you for helping me back.”

With a hug between them, Ingo and Emmet got up and ready for bed.

They were sure to have a busy day tomorrow.

Chapter Text

It was a surprisingly quiet morning for it being the first full day of Akari's visit. As excited as she had been yesterday, Akari was not much of a morning person. Honestly, she could rival Ingo for it with the way she was slumped across the table.

Speaking of his brother, Ingo shuffled his way into the kitchen and leaned against Emmet.

“Good morning,” Emmet laughed. “Coffee’s almost done.”

“Hmm… What are you making?” Ingo mumbled, not bothering to move as Sneasel climbed up to his shoulder to look.

“Pancakes with Oran berries.” Emmet held up the spoon he was using. Sneasel stole it immediately and put it in her mouth to eat the batter. “Whatever, you can have that. I am almost done anyway. Just need to cook them. There should be enough for the Pokemon too.”

Ingo hummed again and still didn’t move.

Emmet pushed him off with another laugh. “Go get some coffee. I got breakfast.”

“Okay.” With a groan, Ingo stretched, jumped slightly as his wings brushed the ceiling, and went over to get some coffee.

“Can I have some coffee?” Akari asked from the table.

Ingo grabbed a second mug as Emmet said, “No. I think your mom would kill us. You’re off the walls enough as is.”

Ingo put the extra mug back.

“Maybe I drink coffee all the time at home,” she said.

“I don’t believe you.”

Akari huffed. “Fine. Just give me some pancakes!”

Emmet poured some batter on the pan. “I am cooking them!”

Soon enough, there was enough pancakes cooked to start dealing them out.

“Here you go,” Emmet said, placing plates in front of Akari and Ingo. “Breakfast!”

“Thank you, Emmet,” Ingo said, more awake now. “I still don’t understand how you can be awake enough to make them, but you make great pancakes nonetheless.”

“Well, one of us needs to be awake in the morning.” Emmet started another batch on the pan before handing out the rest of the ready ones to the closest Pokemon.

Mouth full, Akari gave a thumbs up. “It’s good!”

It took another fifteen minutes, but Emmet finally managed to get all their Pokemon fed and sit down with his own plate of food. Just as he started to eat, his Xtrans buzzed from where he left it on the counter.

Ingo looked over at it from where he was doing the dishes. “Iris wants to know when we’re planning on heading to the amusement park.”

“About an hour maybe,” Emmet said. “I just need to eat really. Akari! Would you be okay with departing in an hour?”

Akari poked her head back in the kitchen, Sneasel and Archeops with her. “Sounds good to me!”

“Hand me my Xtrans?” Emmet reached over to Ingo for it. “I can let her know.”

About an hour later, they were standing outside the entrance of the amusement park, looking for Iris. The current plan was to spend the day here, meet up with Elesa once she was done at the gym, then head home for dinner where Uncle Drayden would meet them once he made it down.

And it was such a good day for it. The sun was out. The park wasn’t too busy, allowing Iris to land her Hydreigon next to them at the entrance. Akari and Iris were getting along great. Akari was asking a million questions about Hydreigon and the rest of Iris’s team, while Iris was happy to gush about her Pokemon.

Really, as long as no one dragged him onto the Rondez-View, Emmet was expecting to have a great time today.

“C’mon! Ride the Ferris wheel with me!” Akari said, dragging Emmet by the hand.

“It’s called the Rondez-View,” Emmet squeaked out. He was planning on continuing, to tell Akari that he didn’t like heights if he wasn’t flying, to see if she would want to ride it with Iris instead, but he couldn’t. Not with how excited she looked.

So, here he was, sitting in a car and getting more tense as they went up.

“Hey, uh, Uncle Emmet?” Akari asked once they paused only a quarter up. “Are you okay?”

“Yup! Just fine!” he said, voice several octaves too high.

They started moving again, causing Emmet to lurch forwards and grip his knees tighter.

“Are you scared of heights?” Akari asked. While she did sound concerned for him, Emmet could also hear amusement in her tone.

“Nope!” he said, voice still high-pitched, “Why would you say that? I fly higher than this all the time. I am Emmet. I have wings. I am fine being inside a small car that is supported with a metal pole that I am sure is safe! No problems here!”

“I’m sorry for dragging you on!” Akari said, holding back a laugh. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

Emmet pressed his head to his knees and wrapped his wings around himself. “You looked excited,” he mumbled.

“Well, thanks for coming on anyway,” Akari laughed. “Will you be okay?”

“I am fine if we don’t shake the car to much,” Emmet said. “And when we get off. And if I do not look outside.”

They stopped moving again as Akari said, “We just reached the top so we shouldn’t be too much longer now.”

“The ride is three laps. We will be up here two more times.”

“Ah. Do you want me to tell you where we are in the ride?”

“If you don’t mind.”

They went through another lap in silence. When they made it to the top again, Akari said, “Uncle Ingo said that he told you he misses Hisui sometimes.”

Emmet took a breath as they stopped moving again. “He has.”

“And… Were you upset at him for that?” Akari asked quietly.

Emmet opened his wings a bit and glanced up at her, only to put his head back down when he saw how high up they were. “I was not. I am not. I have my own feelings about Hisui from what he has told me. But if Ingo misses the place or people he spent the last three and a half years with, that is his right. I know he is happy to be home again. I know he does not want to return.”

Akari gave a hum as they started moving again. She didn’t speak until they had stopped at the top for the third and final time.

“So, if I miss Hisui sometimes, that’s okay?”

Akari hadn’t shared much of what she had went through in Hisui with Emmet. He wasn’t going to pry. Despite quickly being given the honorary uncle status, he hadn’t known her for more than a few weeks at this point. Even so, with what Ingo had shared, it sounded like she had had an overall better time than he had with regards to interpersonal relationships.

“It is.” Emmet braced himself and actually looked at Akari. She was wringing her hands as she looked out the window. “You made a place for yourself there, did you not? Made friends and good memories?”

Akari nodded. “Yeah…”

“It is fine to miss it even if you don’t want to return,” Emmet said. “I miss the first apartment I rented with Ingo when we were in college sometimes, but Dragons, I do not want to live like that again. There was always something broken. The area was a little sketchy. It was small. Ingo and I had to hide our wings a lot more since we had to go out more often to let our Pokemon exercise. But it was cheap, and we had each other and our friends. Who thankfully lived in better locations.”

Akari laughed as they started moving again, making their final descent. Emmet looked back down, not wanting to watch the landscape move.

“Okay, thanks, Uncle Emmet.”

“Talk to your mom sometime too,” Emmet said. “I am sure she can help.”

Emmet looked back up as they reached the bottom. Akari leapt forwards and gave him a hug. “I will. Thank you.”

Emmet hugged her back and gave her a pat on the back. “Of course.”

With that, the door opened, they let go, and Emmet launched himself out and away from the Rondez-View. He managed to get to the grass just off the path before he collapsed face down on the ground.

“I really am sorry about dragging you on,” Akari said from above him.

“It is fine,” Emmet said, voice muffled a bit by the dirt. “I just need to stay here for a little bit.”

“If you say so,” Akari laughed. “Oh! There’s Uncle Ingo and Iris. Over here!”

Emmet heard Akari run off and a different set of footsteps approach him.

“Are you okay down there?” Ingo’s voice came from above.

“Give me a minute,” Emmet grumbled.

“Iris told me that you don’t like heights if you aren’t flying,” Ingo said, sitting on the ground. “Why did you go on with Akari?”

“She looked excited.” Emmet managed to pull himself up. “I couldn’t say no.”

“You could have. She would have understood.”

“Would you have said no?”

Ingo’s ears turned red as he looked away. “Yes I would.”

“No you wouldn’t.”

“No I wouldn’t.”

Emmet laughed, looking around the area. “Where are the girls now? I don’t see them.”

“Probably either on the Rondez-View again or seeing if they can bug Elesa at work.” Ingo leaned back on his hands with a sigh, wings opening slightly as the sun came out. “The sun is nice.”

“It is,” Emmet said, doing the same. He noticed his feathers were still puffed up, but it was nice in the warmth. “I like that we can do this now. Sit in the sun with our wings out.”

“Me too,” Ingo hummed.

Their brief moment of silence was interrupted by Akari shouting in the distance, “I told you I could do it!”

“Want to take bets on what ‘it’ is?” Emmet joked.

“If I had to guess, Iris has gotten Akari to wrestle one of her dragons,” Ingo said.

“Yeah, you’re probably right,” Emmet asked, moving to get up. “Should we go supervise?”

“She will probably be fine.” Ingo stood with a groan and held a hand out to Emmet. “But we should anyway. If not for them, then for the other park goers. Maybe we should go elsewhere for the wrestling.”

Emmet took Ingo’s hand and let himself be pulled up. “That would be for the best.”

Today was a good day after all.

-----

“Out of my kitchen!” Ingo laughed, shooing his entire family out. “The lot of you. There is not enough space for you all to stand around and for me to cook.”

“But what if I was helping?” Emmet asked with a falsely innocent look.

“By leaning against the fridge and not letting me into it?”

“Point taken.”

“What are you making anyways?” Akari asked, ducking out of Ingo’s path.

“Yaki Udon,” Ingo said.

“Oh! Let me help!” Akari tried to push herself back into the kitchen. “You know I’m great at chopping veggies.”

“I want to help too!” Iris chimed in, joining Akari in trying to get past Ingo.

“You both are guests. I do not want to make you cook.”

The girls both slipped past him, Ingo unable to get his wings out enough to stop them. He heard the fridge open and Akari call back, “Too bad!”

“Looks like you got some helpers, Ingo,” Uncle Drayden chuckled from where he had sat on the couch. “If only Iris would help me back home like that.”

“Looks like,” Ingo sighed, not able to help his small smile. “Did you three want anything before dinner? I could start some tea?”

Emmet flopped onto the living room chair. “I am good.”

“Me too.” Elesa joined the Uncle Drayden on the couch. “Drayden?”

 “I’ll be good too.”

“Alright. Dinner should be ready in about thirty minutes,” Ingo said, heading back to the kitchen, “depending on how much the girls get in the way that is.”

“Hey!” came the duel response from the kitchen.

Ingo returned to the kitchen and was greeted by a pile of vegetables on the counter and two teenage girls ransacking the rest of the room.

“Where are the noodles?” Iris asked, head in one of the cupboards.

“And the pots?” Akari asked, looking in another.

“If you two could give me a moment,” Ingo said, looking down at them, “I can get everything else out.”

“Okay!”

Once the proper pots and pan were on the stove and the rest of the needed ingredients out, they started dinner.

Akari was put in charge of chopping everything up, as she usually was when she would visit his tent in the Highlands. Ingo would be the one actually cooking, just like then too. Besides the obvious, the only difference between then and now was the inclusion of Iris. She was making the sauce and keeping an eye on the miso soup as it warmed on the stovetop.

It was nice, being able to cook with his family again, for his family again. It was one thing he and Emmet couldn’t really do, the two of them having wildly different preferences when it came to it. Whereas Emmet preferred to find a recipe and stick to it, something that made him better at baking without making a giant mess, Ingo liked to figure things out as he went.

It meshed great with Akari and Iris. Akari enjoyed being given a task and sticking to it while Iris looked for suggestions and wasn’t afraid to try them out.

“Cabbage is done,” Akari said, sliding it closer to the stove. “Just need to do the green onion and garlic.”

Ingo moved the rest of the vegetables in the pan around a bit. “I will add them in a moment. How is the sauce, Iris?”

“It’s almost done. I think it’s missing something though.” She held a spoon with a bit of sauce on it out to him. “What do you think?”

Ingo took the spoon and tasted the sauce. “You are right. It is missing something, but I am also unsure what.”

Akari reached a hand behind Ingo. “Let me try.” She got another spoon form Iris and put it in her mouth. “Yeah, I’m not sure what either. Something spicy maybe? But not too much.”

“Maybe…” Iris took the spoons back, wiped them off, then walked off with the bowl of sauce. “I’m going to ask the others.”

Iris returned just as Ingo added the cabbage and green onion. “Elesa suggested a bit more chili oil and she’s right.”

“That is excellent!” Ingo gave the Udon noodles a stir. “Akari, can you drain these? They are done.”

“On it!”

It didn’t take that much longer for dinner to finish cooking and be dished out to everyone.

Dinner was loud and cramped. The table was barely big enough for everyone and the food. People were talking over each other. Pokemon kept begging for scraps or waiting for someone to drop something.

Ingo loved it.

“Ingoooo,” Emmet whined as he leaned against him. “I am being made fun of. Elesa and Uncle Drayden don’t like my little beard.”

“You barely have one,” Ingo teased, moving his soup so it wouldn’t spill.

“Not you too!” Emmet leaned towards Akari and Iris on his other side. “You two wouldn’t make fun of me, right?”

Akari and Iris spent the rest of the meal poking fun at Emmet in the way only teens could. That wasn’t to say Emmet took their words lying down. Ingo was sure he would end up in a battle against the girls with Emmet by his side sometime tomorrow.

“Why is your brother growing a beard?” Uncle Drayden asked.

“I made a joke about him growing one out and he decided to do it,” Ingo said, taking a sip of soup. “Although, his is certainly taking longer than mine did.”

“I heard that!” Emmet cut in before going back to his conversation with Akari and Iris.

“I am just teasing,” Ingo laughed. “I don’t really know how long mine took to grow. I had other things going on.”

“Like what?” Elesa asked.

“Like getting accosted by the overgrown Gible you are currently feeding under the table,” Ingo said.

Elesa froze as the tips of Gliscor’s ears poked over the edge of the table.

“You’ll get your dinner once we are finished, Gliscor,” Ingo said, trying not to laugh. “Stop mooching.”

Gliscor took the noodle from Elesa and scurried off.

Elesa went back to actually eating her meal. “I still don’t believe you when you say he likes to bite.”

“You didn’t see him when Iris and I first visited.” Uncle Drayden laughed. “We introduced the Pokemon after dinner. Gliscor bit down on Druddigon’s tail and wouldn’t let go.”

“Apparently, he went after Cloud when I sent him to work with Emmet one day,” Ingo said. “Emmet grabbed him before he reached her, and Cloud was even kind enough to suggest a couple toys for him that miraculously didn’t break immediately.”

“Sounds like he has a lot of energy,” Elesa laughed.

“That he does,” Ingo sighed. “He hasn’t been able to properly battle as much as he would no doubt like since we departed from Hisui. However, that should be changing soon. The Hisuian team should be ready to start on the Battle Subway next week.”

“Nice!”

“I don’t think you boys have changed the teams you use since you started there,” Uncle Drayden said, taking the last bite of his dinner.

“We are setting up a rotation.” Ingo started gathering the empty dishes and piling them in the center of the table. “It wouldn’t fair to the Hisuian team to not let them battle. We just need to get them properly registered in the battle system and it will be full steam ahead.”

“And what about the Single and Double Lines? You said your certification exams are coming up.”

Ingo drummed his fingers on the table. “They are in a few weeks! About a week after Akari returns home actually. Assuming everything goes to plan and I pass them all, I will be allowed to run the Single Lines by the end of next month!”

Elesa joined his drumming the table. “That’s exciting! Let me know when you reopen. I’ll be sure to swing by.”

“Please do! I would love to battle you again. Especially on the subway!”

It didn’t take long after everyone had finished eating for the Pokemon to come asking for their dinner. As the others sorted that out, Ingo helped Emmet with the dishes.

“I told you,” Emmet said, placing a bowl in the rinse water sink. “You cooked. I can do the dishes.”

“And I told you that it is fine.” Ingo took it out, dried it, and put it away. “Besides, I need a moment of quiet after dinner.”

“I agree,” Emmet laughed. “Our family can be a lot. But so can we.”

“That we can,” Ingo laughed back.

“If you need to hide in our room, feel free.” Emmet put another bowl in the rise water. “I can do the dishes.”

“Please do not take this the wrong way, but you barely count as company. I am fine.”

“I get what you mean. The same goes for you.”

Ingo hummed, leaning against Emmet. Emmet nudged him off with a smile and put a plate in the other sink.

They continued washing the dishes in amicable silence. The Pokemon could be heard faintly eating and chattering with each other in their playroom, while Iris and Akari were swapping stories and likely numbers.

Once Emmet was down to cleaning the final pot, Ingo softly said, “I love our family.”

Emmet put the pot in the rinse water and unplugged the sinks. “I do too.”

Ingo dried and put the pot away, taking a moment to wipe his eyes while he was crouched. Emmet’s wing landed on him as he crouched next to him.

“Don’t start crying,” Emmet teased despite his own eyes looking misty.

“Why? You’ll start crying too?” Ingo teased back.

“Shut up,” Emmet laughed, wiping his eyes. “I was going to say that it’s Friday. We should head up to the roof.”

“I have been promising Iris a flight.”

“You can lift her?”

“I can.”

Emmet squinted at him. “I do not believe you.”

“I am simply the strongest cousin now, Emmet.”

“Nope! Do not believe you!”

“I will prove it,” Ingo laughed. “But let’s wait a bit before changing tracks to the roof. We just ate not too long ago, and I like flying at night.”

“Let’s do that then.” Emmet stood with a stretch. “I like flying at night too.”

It only took another hour or so for the sun to go down and the beginnings of stars to come out.

It took less than a fraction of that to gather everyone onto the roof, the youngest giggling and shushing each other while the older ones looked on fondly.

Despite having been given a key to the roof now, something that made the twins almost cry in disbelief, they still preferred to keep to their usual Friday nights for flying. It was just routine now and they tended to forget they could even get up here the rest of the week anyway.

“I still don’t think you can lift Iris,” Emmet said, heading to the other side of the roof.

Ingo followed him over. “Well, be ready to be proven wrong.”

“Clear the tracks!” Emmet called over to the rest of the group as he stretched out.

“Please stay behind the yellow line,” Ingo added, stretching as well.

Everyone got out of the way just as Ingo and Emmet got ready to run. The brothers took a few steps away from each other and stuck their wings out.

“Follow the rules and safe driving,” Ingo said, glancing at Emmet.

Emmet looked back at him. With a slight laugh, he said, “We’re headed for victory.”

They looked towards the other end of the roof. Uncle Drayden and Elesa were chatting, trying to decide whether or not Elesa was going to borrow someone’s Pokemon to join them in the air or stay on the ground. Iris and Akari were already on their own Pokemon, Iris on her Hydreigon and Akari on her Crobat, and were waiting for the twins to take off first.

And so, they did.

With an excitement for the night, for the rest of Akari’s visit, for the future as a whole, and a familiar call together, Ingo and Emmet ran forwards and jumped into the sky.

“ALL ABOARD!”