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It was another day at the Rust Syndicate as Corbeau worked. Signing paperwork, checking to see if any citizens are in need, and so on. Phillippe had gone out to get him some coffee, as he'd been working nonstop for a while now. Truly though, his mind had wandered to the siblings. Yumi and Soji.
He hasn't seen them for a while. And truthfully, he missed them. They were truly the only ones he could be himself around. He had to wonder what they were up to. It was then that he heard the door open. Looking up from his laptop, he saw Phillippe enter with coffee in hand...and a heal ball?
"If I may ask, why do you have a heal ball?" He questioned. Phillippe put down the coffee and handed him the heal ball. "You see, I ran into Soji on the way back from the cafe. Said that he and Yumi were heading back to Johto for a day or two to take care of a few things. However, Soji couldn't take this one with him since he had a full party. So he wants you to babysit."
Corbeau started back in mild surprise. "Babysit?" Out of everyone Soji knew, he was the one chosen to be a babysitter. "Indeed. He even gave me a list of instructions for you." Phillippe added as he pulled out a folded piece of paper. Sliding it across Corbeau's desk. Corbeau set the heal ball aside as he picked up the paper. Unfolding it to read the list.
'Instructions to take care of Rosie'. Corbeau almost laughed at the nickname. But based on the nickname, he can safely assume it's a grass type pokemon. Regardless, he kept reading. 'Rosie likes sunbathing, so make sure she gets plenty of sunlight. I also gave Phillippe her favorite flowerpot to rest in'.
Corbeau raised an eyebrow as he glanced up at Phillippe. Sure enough, Phillippe was placing said flowerpot on the nearby table. Definitely a grass type then. 'Rosie can't eat hard pokemon food yet, so feed her mashed up berries and other soft foods. She also likes honey and syrup, but make sure she drinks plenty of water.
So...a grass type that might still be in its infancy. Corbeau made a mental note to be gentle with the small creature. Though he still questions why he was chosen to babysit a pokemon. He was a busy man after all. Still, if he was entrusted with this pokemon by Soji, then he'll certainly make time.
'If she starts crying, rocking her will help. Also, make sure to have your Roserade help out (just trust me).' Was the final bit of instruction. Now he was truly curious. Why Roserade specifically? With a small sigh, he picked up the heal ball. Lightly tossing it, the pokemon came out in a flash.
What came out shocked both him and Phillippe, who had been reading the instructions over his shoulder after setting up the flowerpot. It was a cute little Budew! Not only that, it had a cute little purple bib unlike the normal Budew. It was a shiny.
Rosie blinked innocently at them and Corbeau felt his heart melt. "My, what a cute little Budew." Phillippe said as he reached out to pet her. Unfortunately, Rosie seemed intimidated by Phillippe and started crying. Immediately, parental instincts kicked in. Corbeau stood up and picked up the little bud. Cradling it in his arms as he cooed at it.
Almost as if sensing the crying Budew, Corbeau's Roserade came out of his dusk ball on his own. Upon seeing his Roserade, Rosie calmed down and sniffled. Corbeau and Phillippe both let out a sigh of relief. Now Corbeau understood why his Roserade could help with this task.
Roserade hopped onto Corbeau's desk to see the little Budew better. Before reaching out to gently wipe away her tears with his bouquet like hands. Causing little Rosie to giggle. "Hm, seems like Rosie has taken a liking to your Roserade sir. Why don't you take today and tomorrow off to care for her? I'll hold down the fort while you're gone." Phillippe suggested.
Normally, Corbeau would say no to taking a day off that wasn't a holiday. However, he could make an exception this time. "Very well. I'll leave things to you Phillippe." Corbeau says as he places Rosie on the table. Going over to pick up the flowerpot. Trying not to smile at how his Roserade and Rosie were getting along already. Then again, they're the same species.
Once he placed the flowerpot on the desk, Rosie's eyes lit up as she hopped into the pot. Corbeau had to admit, she looked adorable in the pot. "Rosie, my name is Corbeau. Your trainer, Soji, asked me to take care of you while he's away. I hope you'll be able to trust me." He explained in a soft tone.
Rosie stared at him for a moment before letting out a happy chirp. Roserade also seemed pleased. Picking up the flowerpot, he nodded toward Phillippe before strolling out of his office. With his Roserade close behind him. His grunts saluted him, some trying to hide their amusement at the sight of him carrying a Budew in a flowerpot.
It wasn't until Corbeau was outside that he realized something. '...I forgot my coffee.'
Upon arrive at his penthouse, he placed the flowerpot on the windowsill that gets plenty of sunlight. Rosie let out a pleased chirp as she settled more comfortably in the flowerpot. With Roserade going to sit next to her. This time, Corbeau couldn't hold back his smile. The scene was just so heartwarming.
As the two grass types bathed in the sunlight, Corbeau let out a yawn. The stress of work, and his lack of caffeine, caught up to him. 'A short nap wouldn't hurt.' He thought to himself. Removing his suit, he layed down on the couch. Using his suit as a blanket. Immediately, he was out like a light.
His rest remained undisturbed, until, two hours later. He jolted awake by the sound of Rosie crying. Quickly getting off the couch, he walked over to the windowsill. His Roserade already comforting the little one. Kneeling down, he gently petted her. "What's wrong little rose?" He asked softly.
His answer was swiftly given by Rosie's grumbling stomach. 'Ah, she's hungry'. After instructing Roserade to keep Rosie company, he sleepily made his way to the kitchen. Pulling an oran berry out of the pantry, he gently mashed it up. Along with getting a small cup for water.
Walking back over to the two grass types, he chuckles upon seeing his Roserade with Rosie in his lap. Rocking her like she was his own child. It was cute. Though, now that he thought about it, Soji had a Roserade as his main partner. And he definitely saw how enamored his Roserade got upon seeing Flora.
He flushed slightly at the thought of his Roserade and Soji's Roserade in love with each other. Raising little Rosie as their child. Quickly shaking his head, trying to ignore the heat in his cheeks, Corbeau focused on the main task. Setting the items on a nearby table, he gently took Rosie into his arms. Much to his Roserade's protest.
Sitting in a chair, he cradled Rosie in one arm while feeding her the mashed oran berry with the other. Cooing softly as the little one ate. Once she finished eating, he carefully made sure she drank some water. Now that she was full and happy, she let out a cheerful cry. Hopping out of his arm as she spun happily on the floor.
Roserade joined in as the two started a playful game of tag, running around his living room. Corbeau couldn't help but chuckle, a tender smile on his face. He never thought babysitting a pokemon could feel so rewarding. In fact, he wouldn't mind babysitting little Rosie again in the future.
And that's how the next two days went. Spending time feeding Rosie, sleeping, playing, and giving her a bath. Roserade also became protective of Rosie, stopping her from going near anything that's dangerous. Corbeau is convinced his Roserade has become Rosie's father figure.
Then finally, the day came when Soji and Yumi would return. Honestly, he was a little sad to say good bye to Rosie. And he could tell Roserade was as well. Still, he did have a good time taking care of her. So, while wearing a disguise, he waited by Gare de Lumiose.
Occasionally checking the time on his Rotom phone, he let Rosie and Roserade play within his viewing distance. Finally, the appointed time came and the train arrived right on schedule. Before he could even think about going to greet the twins, Soji's Roserade immediately came dashing out of the station.
Rosie noticed her and happily started bounding over to her. Flora immediately picked up little Rosie and hugged her, with Rosie affectionately nuzzling her. Corbeau smiled as he approached the two, his own Roserade by his side. "It's lovely to see you two reunited." He comments.
Flora looked up at him and smiled before a familiar voice called out. "Flora! You couldn't have waited!?" Looking up, he sees both Yumi and Soji approaching. The twins looked exhausted and were carrying multiple boxes. His gaze turned to Yumi, even with bags under her eyes she still looked beautiful.
"Welcome back you two. I trust your temporary leave went well?" He asked. The two smiled tiredly at him. "Yeah. We've decided to officially move to Lumiose. We only went back to Johto to pick up some of our things." Yumi explained and gestured to the boxes. The news filled Corbeau with joy.
"I'm delighted to hear you'll be residing here permanently. And I'm sure your friends feel the same." Corbeau says with a smile. The twins nod before Yumi turns to Soji. "I'll be heading on ahead. I'll meet you back at the hotel." She says. "Ok sis, I'll see you there." He responds with a smile.
Corbeau could only watch in disappointment as Yumi left, wishing she could've stayed longer. With a shake of his head, he turned to Soji. Handing him the flowerpot and heal ball. "I'm happy to report that Rosie was well behaved and just fine." He says, automatically speaking in his business voice.
For some reason Corbeau did not understand, Soji's cheeks flushed. "Thank you Corbeau. I know the favor was out of the blue, but I owe you one. And it seems Flora appreciates your Roserade's help too." Blinking in surprise, he turned to the three pokemon.
A faint blush rises to his cheeks as he notices Flora snuggling up to Roserade, who in turn looked so in love with Flora. Rosie just looked happily at them like they were her parents. "You know...you look adorable in that hoodie." Soji suddenly says, causing Corbeau's blush to darken.
He was indeed wearing a hoodie to disguise himself. After all, it would've looked odd for the leader of the Rust Syndicate to be waiting outside of a train station. Still, the compliment made his heart skip a beat. Briefly glancing at his hoodie, he admired the Venipede design before turning to Soji.
"Thank you. I rarely get a chance to wear it, so it's nice to see that it's appealing." He says. Soji nods before turning to the grass types. "Flora, Rosie, let's go home." He says, causing the two to approach him. His Roserade already looking disappointed by Flora leaving his side.
He couldn't help but chuckle quietly by how enamored his Roserade was with Flora. However, he was quickly snapped out of it when he felt warm lips against his cheek. If he wasn't blushing before, he sure is now. His cheeks turning cheri berry red as he sees Soji kissing his cheek out of the corner of his eyes.
Corbeau stood frozen as Soji pulled away, his own cheeks bright pink. "Thank you once again Corbeau." Is what he said before quickly walking away. Corbeau just stood there in a daze for a while before his Roserade shook his leg. Lifting a hand to his cheek, he could feel the lingering sensation of the kiss.
His cheeks felt hot as he started walking to the Rust Syndicate HQ. Roserade giving him a smug look the whole way there. 'Well now...this is quite an unexpected development.' He thought as he entered HQ. Ignoring the curious looks of his grunts as he entered the elevator. A small smile forming on his face during the ride up.