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It was Hop’s idea. Raihan had been staying in Wyndon for so long he wanted to help him make sure his Pokémon got plenty of training in. Lee’s at home training ring in his flat was honestly pretty impressive. Despite the fact there were scrapes and scars on the walls it was able to handle any sort of attacks. Hop faintly wonders how in the world it was even made, though knowing Lee he was able to get even the impossible to happen.
“Whoo! What a battle!” Raihan grinned, pulling out his phone to take a selfie. “You almost had me at the end there kiddo.” He added, and the pride in his voice sent a wave of warmth in Hop’s heart.
‘Not really…’ Hop chuckled weakly to himself. At least he didn’t think so. To be fair he was battling with Raihan’s Pokémon not his own so the odds of him winning were pretty low. He hadn’t had much practice battling using them before.
He jumped as he felt a gentle nudge and looked up to see it was Raihan’s Goodra. The light lavender Pokémon gazed at him kindly. “Haha! Hey you did really great! I’m sorry I wasn't able to have us win…” He apologized earnestly. Goodra was a strong Pokémon and Hop… well, he wasn't that strong of a trainer in his eyes. She had deserved better today...
The dragon type trilled gently and nuzzled his head. Hop couldn't help but laugh at the feeling. Goodra’s scales were a bit goopy, but she was such an affectionate Pokémon almost as much as Lee’s team towards him. Surprising since he didn’t spend as often with them, but nice all the less.
Raihan chuckled affectionately. “Seems like Goodra likes you Hop.”
Hop giggled as the dragon type rubbed her nose against his cheek, using her antennae to hold his head closer to her. “Y-yeah? I guess I-Hey cut it out that tickles!” He fell into another fit of laughter as Goodra gently nuzzled him harder. She let out a happy trill at his laughs and seemed encouraged to continue.
Raihan laughed merrily at the sight, moving his phone to take a quick picture. “Now that’s a keeper!” He hummed lightly as he gazed it over with a fond eye. Hop flailed an arm out to act like he was going to get the phone, but of course couldn't thanks to Goodra holding him still.
There’s a knock at the door and they all turn to see it open revealing Gloria and a beaming Leon.
“Hey is the training session over? I wanted to ask Hop if he could train with me too!” Gloria asked brightly, jumping inside with a glint showing she was ready for battle.
“The session’s over but you’ll have to ask Hop if he’s… eh? Leon? What’s the matter?” Raihan's eyes drifted to the man who hadn't seemed to have left the doorway.
Hop, who had been dealing with Goodra’s nuzzling and cuddles, looked over to his brother and blinked in surprise.
Leon was jerked back and staring at him in shock and appall. His mouth totally slack jawed, eyes wide and brows pinched. He looked downright almost horrified, as if Hop had just said the most offensive thing imaginable.
Hop wasn't sure what he even did to deserve such a look.
“Lee? Are you okay?” He asked while Goodra gently pressed her nose against his cheek and trilled sweetly. Hop laughed lightly at the motion and enjoyed the affectionate nuzzles he got from her as she held him closer. "G-Goodra!" He giggled and gently rubbed her head.
Suddenly something seemed to snap his brother from his stupor, and a deeply serious intense expression took its place. In only a few swift strides Leon made it to the two of them, only to grab Hop and yank him into his arms.
Hop grunted in surprise, especially as he was suddenly squeezed incredibly tight against Leon’s chest. Getting hugged wasn't really the surprise, that was a normal occurrence for him since he’s been staying here, it was more of the insulted look on his big brother’s face as he cast it towards Goodra that was odd. His mouth a deep frown and his pink eyes glowing with irritation and even a hint of anger.
The Pokémon let out a croon of confusion, one that Leon let out a few grumbles and huffs back. Goodra leaned back and quickly gave an apologetic trill before walking over to Raihan. As she instead went and nuzzled her trainer's cheek, Hop could only stare in shock.
“Uh… Lee what in the world…?” Hop muttered, only to yelp as his brother swiftly stomped out of the training room, carrying him out where Hop’s feet couldn't even touch the ground. He could see Raihan and Gloria stare just as confused and as they made it to the kitchen he could hear them follow.
Leon placed Hop right on the counter and he watched as his brother began looking through the cabinets. The fact he was doing so with his serious battle face, with such focused speed confused Hop to no end.
“Lee? What’s going on why are you acting so…?” He trailed off as his brother pulled out a large bar of soap. Hop continued to stare in confused as Leon turned to the sink and began lathering it. Once it was completely covered in bubbles he turned. Hop stiffened when he saw his brother was staring at him intensely.
“Wait… w-wait no Lee I already took a bath six days ago!”
His argument was thrown away as Leon took his face firmly, and gently, and began scrubbing it,
“Peh ! PHHHH! Pah! Lee! C’mon Noooooo!” Hop wailed as his brother continued to scrub his cheeks furiously. All while his face and eyes were practically blazing with determination.
He suddenly yelped as Leon moved a hand to cover his eyes as the other began scrubbing his forehead and hair. “Lee c’mon if I need a wash I can do it myself!” He cried out.
Leon let out a few grumbles and scrubbed with more vigor, making Hop yell in dismay.
What was worse is he could feel Raihan and Gloria staring at them while all this was going on. It only added to his horrified embarrassment at this entire ridiculous situation.
“Um… Rai-Rai why?” Gloria asked the man over Hop’s screams of frustration.
Raihan hummed, only to suddenly let out a laugh. “Hahaha! Oh whoops! This actually might be a bit my fault.”
“WHAT?” Hop squawked, only to grumble as his brother took his chin and scrubbed his cheeks once more. “Raihan what did you do to make Lee like this?!”
“I didn’t do it on purpose.” Raihan chuckled, holding his hands up placatingly. “Listen, Gloria do you remember what I said about nesting Dragons? How they can get clingy and possessive?”
“Yeah?”
Raihan chuckled again. “Well, I hand’t thought about the fact that Goodra hasn't been around Hop as much as Leon’s team. Not to mention she’s a dragon type so when Leon saw her cuddling and hugging Hop like that…”
“Wait…” Gloria’s voice tilted lighter in laughter. “Wait, wait…Are you saying that Leon… got jealous of Goodra snuggling Hop?”
“Considering the fact the man’s currently trying to scrub away any slime and smell of her off of Hop I’d say so.” Raihan chuckled. “That would also explain why he looked so insulted. For Leon it probably felt like she was trying to steal Hop from him!”
“UGH! Lee seriously-ACK!” As the soap moved to behind his ears. “Goodra wasn't even near there!”
“Can’t forget behind the ears!” Raihan laughed loudly. “Nice thinking on that one Leon, my Mum would do that for me too.”
“Mine too…” Gloria murmured, sounding sympathetic. “Should we step in?”
Raihan hummed. “No, let Leon take care of it. Once he’s satisfied Hop will be fine…” He paused. “Besides I heard that comment, six days? Not in this house.” He added seriously.
“Not you too!” Hop whined in dismay. He huffed as Raihan let out an almost cackle at his expense.
For a while Hop dealt with his brother’s serious scrubbing. Only until finally, when Hop’s head and face was pretty much drenched with soap and water, along with the bar being used in its entirety did Leon stop and give a tentative sniff. Hop kept his annoyed expression even as Leon pulled back purring looking much more content.
“Are you happy now?” Hop nearly grumbled. Leon gave him a big toothy grin, purring louder with laughter as he gave a nod.
Hop crossed his arms and gave a “Hmph” as his brother grabbed a dish towel and very gently began to dry his head and face off. Despite how furiously he has scrubbed before he was being very tender and careful. Each movement was slow and delicate and his eyes just as serious as before but a lot brighter now that matched his now smiling face. Hop’s cheeks still sore from how much they been had rubbed that bar of soap and he’s sure his hair is in a total mess that would take forever to fix. That wasn’t something that really bothered him since he never really fixed his hair anyway, but it was the principle of the thing.
As Leon pulled the towel away his brother finally seemed to notice his mood. His older brother’s expression turned amused as he bent down and gently bumped his forehead against Hop’s with a huffing chuckle.
“It’s not funny... Lee…” Hop snorted. Leon put on his own grumpy face, though exaggerated clearly teasing him. It made it hard for Hop not to smile at least a little at that.
Leon’s eyes sparkled and Hop laughed as his brother took his face and pressed a kiss on his forehead purring.
Leon then pulled him into his arms, scooping him up and hugging him tight while he swayed side to side. Leon’s eyes were closed and a happy smile on his face as he nuzzled his and Hop’s cheeks together. Surprisingly it didn't hurt despite the rough scrubbing they had gotten before and he realized his brother was being careful even now. As Hop took the affectionate snuggle, he couldn’t stop himself from asking something. A question that had been on his mind since Raihan brought it up.
“Lee… are you actually jealous of Goodra?” He asked lightly.
Leon paused his swaying, moving his cheek against his head and letting out a frustrated rumble with a terse expression. Hop laughed.
“Lee for real? Oh c’mon!”
Leon rumbled grumpily, cuddling Hop more against him and rubbing his cheek into his hair.
Hop couldn't believe it, his brother had been jealous of a Pokémon? Over him?! The idea was as hilarious as it was unbelievable. Still, Hop couldn't deny it did feel pretty nice to know someone loved him so much that they would even feel that way out over him of all people.
Even if it was a situation as silly as this…
“He can’t help it Hop.” Raihan chuckled from the dining room. Hop looked over to see that was where the two had moved. Sitting at the chairs and watching the two of them with smiles on their faces.
“Yeah but why Goodra? She was just being sweet.” Hop mumbled in confusion.
Leon stiffened and Hop grunted as his brother squeezed him tighter, curling around him with a loud sad croon.
Raihan watched as Leon rubbed his cheek against Hop’s head harder with an upset expression and his smile softened.
“My Goodra’s the gentlest member of my team when it comes to outside battling. She’s good with kids especially, so it’s no surprise she has a soft spot for Hop.” He started. “She treats kids like little hatchlings herself. I dare say she treats them like any mother dragon would. So when Leon saw her doing that…”
His smile widened as Leon nuzzled Hop even more with distressed whines.
“Our poor Leon here took it as her trying to take Hop from him, and from how upset he’s getting now I think he’s worried you care for Goodra more than him.”
“What?!” Hop sputtered. “Lee really? You seriously think I like Goodra more than you?”
Hop looked up at his brother, his eyes widening as Leon pulled slightly back and looked at him so upset and hurt that it made his heart twinge.
‘Aw Lee…’
As silly as it was, he couldn't stand to see him look like that. This wasn’t ridiculous to Leon and Hop needed to help him see he had nothing to worry about. So, Hop squirmed around as best as he could in the tight hug and attempted to wrap his arms around his brother. As he pressed his head against his chest he heard Leon let out a tiny curious croon.
“Lee…no matter what you’re the person I love the most okay? You’re my big bro, my hero, nobody can ever take that away from you in my eyes.” He nuzzled his face more into the broad chest, right over his heart. “You’re always there for me and remind me how much I mean to you! Why do you think I’ve always wanted to make you proud of me? Because you mean so much to me!”
For a moment Leon doesn't move and Hop wonders if his brother understood he meant it. Maybe he was in shock? Hop’d be surprised if Leon didn’t already know all this. It should’ve been common knowledge for him…
He wheezed slightly as Leon suddenly squeezed him even tighter to his strong purring body and curled over him. He was purring so hard he was practically shaking and Hop can't help but giggle at the feeling.
“Hahaha! I love you too Lee!” Hop giggled as his brother bent down and nuzzled their cheeks together furiously, the older smiling so bright it would make the sun itself jealous of him.
“I think that was exactly what he needed to hear.” Raihan chuckled warmly from the table.
“To help him feel better about Goodra? Definitely.” Gloria giggled. Raihan let out a contemplative hum as Leon happily flopped onto his rear snuggling Hop in his lap and as he continued his overjoyed cuddling. Hop couldn't help but laugh more as he was smothered with affection by his enthusiastic brother.
“… I’d say it did even more than that…”
Hop could barely hear Raihan’s murmur over Leon’s happy purring and croons. He wasn't sure what he meant by those words but that didn't matter. What mattered was that Leon was in a happier mood now and that Hop had cheered him up. He had been able to do what Lee always did for him and it felt great to return the favor.