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Will was out sick.
Which was fairly inconsequential to the two men sitting across from one another in the clearing behind the Indigo League Building. Blue and Clair were riding on the highs of their recent winning streaks - as if either of them needed the ego boost - so no new challengers were arriving. And the other thing that Will tended to keep at bay?
It wasn’t as though either Koga or Bruno were Karen’s Plan B. That was Lance.
Lance was also sick. He had still shown up to work, of course. Nothing short of a global catastrophe would keep him away.
But he was holed away in his office. Giovanni Jr - a name Blue had once called the boy on a day that his attitude was exceptionally sour, before Lance called the current Viridian City Gym Leader into his office for a solid four hours - standing guard just outside the Champion’s quarters. Snapping at anyone who dared to even consider bothering the ill Champion. Karen was no more safe from the redheaded brat's curses than anyone else, regardless of her being the most powerful person inside of the League outside of Lance himself.
Not that Silver cared at all about Lance's well-being. He would tell you that himself.
The kid wasn't exactly known for his unyielding honesty.
As amusing as it was to tease Silver, and as easy as it was to get him all flustered as she wrapped him up in her trap of “Well who’s your dad if not Giovanni? Isn’t it Lance?” Karen knew that there were better ways to spend her time. Especially as the minutes inched closer to her official lunch break. Because she had totally spent the entire morning focused oh-so intently on her paperwork. It wasn’t like she needed someone to keep her in check.
No no no. She simply worked better when she and her dearest William body-doubled such tasks.
In no way had she spent the entire morning in a heated discussion on the phone with Grimsley about just how much The Tale of Two Moons - the same vapid show that they had both watched dozens of times, and somehow always begrudgingly returned to - really did not get Liepards at all and just wrote them as edgier Persians.
It was, what, 2:47AM in Unovan time? Totally preposterous to even think that Grimsley would be awake.
Not as though both of them were night owls whose sleep schedules were even more disturbed by having their best friend living on the other side of the planet.
She really needed to tone down the mental sarcasm. It was a habit formed from those times that Will got too curious and peeked inside her thoughts. He didn't even do it that often. Such abilities aren't exactly the gift that most common folk take them for.
Will limited his abilities most days to harmless little tricks and better understanding his Pokemon. Those were far less debilitating than telepathy. Will liked those sorts of fun and silly things that didn't hurt his head too much.
But Karen was nothing if not perpetually prepared.
Karen was also very hungry. And it was probably time that Grimsley actually got his entire two hours of sleep for the night.
And she knew better than anyone - even Will - that her thoughts tended to drift to unpleasant topics if she was left to her own devices for too long.
Which is how she found herself in the clearing, her cyan eyes shifting between the two men lost in meditation. They both knew she was there, yet neither acknowledged her.
Bruno and Koga continued to sit in silent contemplation, unmoving. Unbothered. The pair was a stark contrast to the woman staring at them with her hands on her hips, waiting for one of them to give her some sort of opening to break them out of their daily meditation.
If you ignore a docile wild Pokemon for long enough, it will go away.
But this was no baby Caterpie. This was Karen. And she wasn’t going anywhere. She had never once taken her lunch break alone since she was appointed her role within the Elite Four. And she didn’t plan on starting now.
Karen wasn’t the only one watching them.
Bruno hadn’t caught it yet. But Koga?
He knew. He knew in the subtle shifting in a nearby tree. He knew in the way a nearby flock of Pidgey all avoided a particular branch. He knew in the way one too many leaves fluttered to the ground.
He knew because he was wholly responsible for this fourth party. He had taught her well, but not well enough.
“Lunch time already?”
His eyes drifted up to the exact spot where Janine had hid, carefully holding a bento in each hand. His daughter's expression shifted from practiced patience to a sheepish smile.
“It’s…actually a little early,” she began. “But Falk-”
A pause. Janine quickly caught herself. The faintest blush spread across her face as she stammered momentarily before she continued.
“The friend that I was training with today got caught up with gy-”
Once again, the young kunoichi stopped mid sentence. One of these days, she was going to either slip up and confess that she had a boyfriend, or she was going to gain the courage to confess that she had a boyfriend. Today was not the day for either outcome.
“Totally random battles with eager-eyed trainers!”
Karen smirked silently as she watched the young Fuchsia City Gym Leader leap out of the tree, landing with a soft thud in front of her father. As stealthy as she was, Janine couldn't be more obvious if she tried. Which is why Karen totally expected it when Koga shifted onto his feet and spoke calmly - a little too calmly for his daughter's liking.
“I was looking into the Gym Reports across the board yesterday. Violet City’s numbers are looking better than previous months.”
The color faded entirely from Janine’s face as Koga’s words sank in. Before she could stutter any sort of half-baked response about “Oh, yeah! I did mention…um… the Sprout Tower…this morning? Didn’t I? That’s why you’re bringing Violet City up, right? Right, Father?!” Koga’s stern expression shifted ever so slightly into the faintest of smiles as he motioned towards Janine's hands.
“You mentioned this morning that you were trying your hand at your mother’s gyoza recipe, correct? I’m looking forward to them. I do rather miss her cooking.”
Oh, that's just cruel. The poor girl's gonna be on guard all day now and you know it.
Karen couldn't help but snicker to herself, knowing how Janine was dying on the inside. She made a mental note to tag along with Lance during both Fuchsia and Violet's next gym inspections. Last thing anyone needed was for either Gym Leader to become Ghost-type overnight.
Janine composed herself as best as she could as she turned her attention to Karen. Unfortunately she had only made enough for herself and Koga. She'd offered to make extra for Bruno on numerous occasions, but he always had other plans. So it was just easier to stick with two portions.
Karen gave a warm smile as she assured the young Gym Leader that she was capable of feeding herself.
Though she was starting to realize she was looking at slim-pickings in terms of company as the ninja duo made their way towards the trees, undoubtedly to watch for any wild Pokemon while they ate.
"And then there were only two."
Bruno's voice was flat, his frame unmoving and his eyes still closed. But it confirmed that he knew Karen had been there the whole time. She couldn't decide if the living mass of muscle ignoring her was annoying or creepy or hot or just plain weird. But she quickly regained her composure. After all, her team had wiped the floor with his many times over. She wasn't about to be intimidated by a little bit of small talk just because she couldn't exactly read him.
"So you've noticed me all this time?"
"You're kind of difficult to ignore."
Karen could have sworn there was the faintest smirk curling at Bruno's lips - and something not unlike a chuckle in his tone - as he finally turned to look at her.
"If I didn't know any better," Karen drawled, knowing she was likely pushing the envelope too far - but not about to be outdone by Bruno of all people - "I'd say that almost sounds like you're flirting, Big Guy."
"It's not."
Well there goes that idea. Of course he was unfazed by her teasing. But she did have to admit, it was the longest the two had spoken outside of their battles or League meetings in...well, probably ever.
Yet as if they were old friends, Bruno continued.
"You haven't ate yet?"
She wasn't sure if her stomach growling had given her away, or if it was the earlier conversation with Janine, but she couldn't deny it. It was obvious what was coming - it was exactly why she had sought her fellow Elites out to begin with - but it still caught her off guard when Bruno was the first to mention it.
"There's a sandwich shop just off Victory Road that I go to just about every day. You want to join me? Skipping meals will only make you..."
His normally stoically composed nature trailed off for just a moment, carefully weighing his words.
"...more frail."
Of course, Bruno wasn’t exactly known for small talk or social graces. As effortlessly as he spoke, he had almost immediately managed to dig himself straight into a hole. Karen couldn't help but laugh at the mental image of the Fighting Master trying to punch himself out of a crater.
Coming from anyone else, being called "frail" would have felt like an insult.
But least he was trying. At least she wouldn’t have to spend her break alone with her thoughts.
And at least, worst case scenario, she’d have some horror story to pass along to Will that night.
__________
Karen had heard of A Piece of Paldea, of course. It was the only eatery that had been bold enough to set up shop so close to Victory Road, just down a grassy path that veered outside of the cave. A path that had previously been a dead end that both baffled and stumped many trainers. A false lead that many newcomers hoped was a shortcut to the Indigo Plateau.
Which made it a favorite among Ace Trainers and Wannabe Champions. Bruno must have been such a regular fixture that both patrons and workers barely batted an eye at the Elite. A handful did pause when they noticed that he wasn't alone, but most quickly returned to their meals.
It was night and day from the usual grand entrances that she and Will would make to whatever diner Xatu teleported them to on any given day. It was also far more casual than any lunch with Lance, on those rare occasions she actually managed to pry him away from the Plateau for a total of twenty minutes. No one ignored Lance. Even when he wanted them to... or especially when he wanted them to.
Bruno led her to a booth near a large window, with a fantastic view of a pair of Teddiursa cubs and their Ursaring mother rolling around in the tall grass outside. He watched them patiently, a rare chuckle escaping him as one of the cubs tumbled awkwardly off of a rock it had just climbed. Karen could have sworn she heard a "Try again, little guy." escape him. But her attention soon shifted to the sound of giggling from somewhere behind them. She glanced over to the counter and noted the way three young waitresses giggled among one another, their eyes all fixed on him. Proceeded by a round of rock-paper-scissors. The winner’s smile beamed as she made her way to their booth.
Bruno wasn’t just a regular here, it seemed. He was a favorite.
Karen wondered if he was even aware of the way his fangirls must have spat at one another for the opportunity to refill his water
Tofu? Yogurt? Apples? Anything that could be stuffed between two pieces of bread was meant to be stuffed between two pieces of bread. At least that was the Paldean way. At least that’s how the menu made it seem. Karen couldn’t help but raise a brow at some of the options. Of course, there was the classic jambon-beurre advertised on the front page. It appeared to be the safe choice for folks as baffled as she was.
But Karen didn’t want to just go with something so basic. The safest option was usually the most boring one. And that just wasn't her.
“The herbed sausage is pretty great.”
Bruno had already sat his menu down, his gaze fixed on her. His smile still lingered. She tilted her head in consideration, tapping at Bruno's recommendation, then to two other choices, then back in a pattern. She had no reason to not trust his taste. But that also just wasn't clicking for her.
A small bell chimed as yet another pair made their way through the front door.
"I’m telling you, this place has a killer dessert sandwich!”
As if Arceus himself knew of her uncertainty, one of the boys chimed his own recommendation. Though not to Karen. To the other boy who grumbled as he followed behind. Two young faces that everyone in the Indigo League knew well.
“And I’m telling you that anything called "dessert" is categorically not lunch. Idiot.”
Looks like Lance's little Arcanine is off the clock for a change.
Karen stifled her laugh as she took a sip of her water. After a beat, she caught Bruno's gaze.
"Didn't know you were bringing me to a dinner and a show. You're pretty fun after all, Big Guy."
While his eyes never veered from his fellow Elite, he couldn't ignore the two as they made their way to a booth on the other end of the restaurant. Ethan was also a regular here. The two had shared several lunches, with Bruno entertaining all of the boy's questions about battling. Depending on how quickly they would finish their sandwiches, they would have a battle before returning to the Indigo Plateau. Ethan was one of the few capable of defeating Bruno, and the older man would joke that he demanded a rematch. An official battle within the League. And unless Blue was joining them, Ethan always took Bruno up on the challenge.
Naturally, Ethan would claim victory yet again. Every time.
But he was with Silver this time. Which meant his full attention was dedicated to teasingly assuring him that Lance would survive for a couple hours without his little shadow following his every move. Besides, Silver had skipped breakfast. So Ethan was not about to let him get away without a proper lunch. He may or may not have used the "Lance would be disappointed if he wasn't half-asleep" card, before rambling on once again about how great the dessert sandwich was.
Karen could never figure out if Ethan was the smartest or dullest kid around. What she could pinpoint was that the redness in Silver's face wasn't exactly the sign of anger that he always tried to play it off as. There was a certain gleam in his eyes with every glance. And that maybe Ethan reciprocated. In his own way.
Having decided on the smoky sandwich with extra vinegar, Karen returned her menu to the waitress and absentmindedly pulled out her Pokegear. The two sat in silence - not quite uncomfortable but not quite entirely casual either. Fearing that she had reached the limit on just how much socialization she was going to get out of Bruno, she needed something to entertain her.
As if on cue, she received the latest in a string of texts from a man who was definitely not fighting sleep and in a questionable state all around.
Grim Reaper 🎲 - 12: 13 PM
bet I can't get Chili to make a fool of himself at the next League meeting
Grim Reaper 🎲 - 12: 15 PM
i know you said no bets
Grim Reaper 🎲 - 12: 16 PM
lame
Grim Reaper 🎲 - 12: 16 PM
so take that with a grain of salt. an expression
Grim Reaper 🎲 - 12: 21 PM
wait didn't you get a raise last month????
Grim Reaper 🎲 - 12: 23 PM
we can TOTALLY make it a real bet
Grim Reaper 🎲 - 12: 23 PM
it'll be fun
Grim Reaper 🎲 - 12: 24 PM
😈
Maybe she wouldn't have scoffed if those timestamps weren't only for folks in the greater Indigo Region. Which Grimsley was not. As she began to type out a response, Bruno's gaze returned to the window with a thoughtful expression. After sending her rebuttal to her favorite Unovan idiot, her eyes followed. The pair of Teddiursa cubs followed after their mother as she made her way to a nearby tree. The joy that followed as she pulled a few berries off of the branches was infectious. Though while Karen giggled softly, Bruno's expression soured slightly.
"Pecha. Looks like I'm out of luck."
Karen's laugh was cut short as she turned back to him. Before she could put her confusion into words, Bruno continued.
"I thought they may have been Persim berries at first glance. I grow Persims for my Pokemon, but my last harvest was...lacking. Machamp has been pretty disappointed ever since."
Bruno? The embodiment of physical discipline? The unyielding, undecipherable elder of the Elite Four? Tending to a small orchard just to make one of his Pokemon happy? And foraging when that failed?
Karen had no idea he had such a soft side. Especially not one that she could relate to so perfectly.
"Funny, William and I also grow our own berries." Her usual smirk gave way to something softer. "Qualot, Sitrus, Lum..."
"Sitrus are difficult. I've tried."
Karen beamed at the comment for just a moment before continuing. She leaned in slightly over the table, casually commanding Bruno's full attention, as she began to delve into a story of how she discovered a trick for those fickle little things.
The air started to shift. The lingering, awkward heaviness that had followed them since they first left the Plateau began to lift. A sort of companionship that could potentially exist outside of their titles. Truly an unusual pair in every way. But one that felt less forced by the time their sandwiches arrived.
The smoky sandwich was absolutely the right choice. The fillet was near perfection, and the watercress brought out the flavors of the sauce wonderfully. She still wasn't certain about some of the other offerings though. Her expression of bewilderment returning as she watched a waiter bringing out what appeared to be all the makings of a sushi roll haphazardly sandwiched between two buns. It seemed Silver had opted to go as far in the opposite direction of Ethan's suggestion as he could.
Karen talked about everything and nothing at the same time. There were times that Bruno would chime in and times that he simply nodded quietly. The Teddiursas outside had fallen asleep at some point, splayed out in the afternoon sun as the Ursaring calmly watched a Jumpluff floating above them.
Occasionally their attention shifted back to Ethan and Silver, somewhere between bickering and subtle affection. Ethan suggested that the pair see a movie together after this. Silver stammered awkwardly until he was reminded that Lance would survive. And that Ethan already had two tickets to the new Proteam movie. Sure, Ethan’s mom had been the one to buy them, but she didn’t really follow the series at all. And Ethan knew that Silver adored it.
Karen couldn’t help but remark how Silver was at least beating his daddy dearest in one regard. She couldn’t remember the last time that the words “Lance” and “date” were put in the same sentence. Bruno hummed in agreement, mentioning how that ship had already sailed all the way out to the Sevii Islands before silencing himself with a chug of his water. No amount of prying from Karen made him crack any more. She’d have to figure out just what he was talking about herself apparently. No big deal. Karen was good at figuring things out. Especially things that others tried to keep hidden in the dark.
The two were laughing at some poor little curious Sandshrew that had gotten spooked by the Mama Ursaring and was tumbling away awkwardly when Karen’s Pokegear rang. Bruno, who had finished his sandwich already, excused himself - sneakily paying for both of their meals before she could object - as Karen picked it up off the table. She couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh as the screen flashed for an incoming video call.
William🖤💜
No sooner had she swiped to accept the call did a feeble, not-at-all over-dramatic moan reach her ears. His hair was a mess, his face was flushed, and his head bobbed lazily as he spoke.
“I am dyyyyying, Karebear. I mean it this time.”
Though she rolled her eyes, there was no real heat in her actions. Will was nothing if not dramatic. Almost always intentionally so, except when he was under the weather. Then he was just pitifully so.
And she couldn’t help but love him for it. Even when he was a dork. Especially when he was a dork.
“I don’t remember performing a seance. How are you calling me if you’re dead, love?”
Karen’s teasing was met with yet another low moan from Will. He gave what she imagined he intended to be some sort of witty comeback. But his speech was too slurred and he was cut off by a sneeze.
She waited for him to steady himself enough to actually look into the camera, to meet his eyes, before continuing. Her expression was soft but her voice was firm.
“You’re supposed to be resting. Is everything okay?”
Will’s head tilted to the other side as he hummed for a moment, though his gaze did not waver from hers. He gave a pout for a moment before responding.
“I just wanted to check on you. I noticed the time and needed to make sure you’re not going hungry.”
He was too caring for his own good sometimes. Looking out for her while he was the one wrapped up in what looked like every blanket they owned. Karen assured him that she had indeed eaten. He was skeptical, sleepily informing her that barbecue chips did not count. To prove her point, she pointed her camera to the remaining quarter of her sandwich. Knowing full well that she couldn't bring herself to finish it right now. As delicious as it had been, it was quite heavy. Will hummed in acceptance before pondering outloud just how she wound up at some Paldean place.
Even as half-dead as he was, there was no masking his surprise when she relayed how Bruno had brought her here. The wide-eyed expression remained as she read him the daily special advertised on a chalkboard in front of the counter. But the disbelief gave way to curiosity as a waitress scurried past with a curry sandwich.
They would definitely have to come here together sometime. Maybe with Bruno. Maybe with Koga and Lance as well. Make it a sort of work-family dinner.
But also at least once, it would be just the two of them.
As for the remainder of her sandwich still on her plate?
Well, someone had to make sure that Lance ate too.