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Living with Leon, especially with the changes he was going through thanks to his connection meant whatever had been Hop’s life before wouldn't exactly be the same.
Right now was one of those moments.
“Okay Hopschotch, bed time!” Leon declared giving a mighty stretch as he stood up from sitting on the couch.
“What?” Hop frowned. He looked towards the clock and frowned harder. “Lee it’s only eight!”
“Exactly, you need to be getting to bed and getting some sleep.” His brother stated simply. There was a confident smile on his face that screamed he was the boss and this was happening.
Hop mentally groaned. It had been a week since Hop had been sick and his brother had kept his word about doing better by him. Though by better it seemed to mean more controlling.
Lee was keeping him on a schedule now. That included making sure he ate three times a day, didn’t spend so much time on the computer, and like right now… making sure he went to bed earlier so he got more rest.
“Lee, I don't need to go to bed at-HEY!” Hop yelped as his brother scooped him up and forced him to cling onto him.
“Yes, you do. We’re going to work on you getting a better sleep schedule.” Leon chuckled as he stood up. His chest rumbled with purrs and Hop could feel himself beginning to get sleepy just hearing it. Despite that frustration still rang in him.
He didn’t have to worry about any of these sort of things back home, so why did Lee have to enforce them here?
“No c’mon Lee!” Hop attempted to push himself away but it was useless. Lee’s arms locked around him stronger than any sort of steel, there was no way Hop could get away.
Leon raised an amused brow with a smile to match as he came to a stop. Hop gave him a grumpy frown because he knew, he absolutely knew his brother was only standing still letting him do this to wear himself out.
“What?” Hop grumbled.
“You know if you actually went to bed at a reasonable time I wouldn't have to do this.” His brother teased.
“Not likely… You’d do it anyway wouldn't you.” Hop stated flatly. Leon closed his eyes and gave him a big grin. He knew it…
“Gloriaaaaaaaaaaa.” Hop complained loudly. “Save me from my bossy brother!”
“Nope!” Gloria called back. “I’m not getting between Leon and his baby.” Hop gasped and flung his head back.
“Why must you do this to me!” Hop complained louder. He suddenly squeaked of laughter as his brother cuddled him up, nuzzling his cheek against Hop’s with a grin. The beard of course tickled and all Hop could do was take a cuddle attack through laughter and a light heart that echoed with Leon’s happy purrs.
“Oi, Leon!” Rain’s voice was loud enough to cut through their play. “Just a reminder, you have another appointment tomorrow with the doc to get you looked over!”
Leon suddenly stopped and the sound of silence made them all turn to him.
The Chairman had a grouchy look on his face, his lips a taut frown with narrowed eyes glaring away.
Leon mad a grumbling sound Hop let out a laugh with Gloria at the man’s frustrated, downright near pouting face. Raihan turned around and smirked as he noticed the expression.
“Oh? What brought on that face?”
“I’m getting tired of these constant check ups.” Leon muttered in frustration as he lowered Hop to the ground to turn fully to the man. His hands went to his hips trying to look assertive. “I’m perfectly healthy, there’s no need for these anymore!”
“Leon.” Raihan shifted on his feet and raised an amused brow to the other. “You also happen to have super strength, can talk to Pokémon, and let’s not forget the incident when you vanished and appeared where Hop was.”
“Wait what?” Hop jerked at him in surprise. “What?!”
Leon frowned harder. “Yes, but that doesn't mean there’s anything wrong with me…”
Raihan let out a long sigh, moving a fist to his head. “You’re going to make this into one of those days aren’t you?”
Leon let out a snort and raised a brow. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
“Hang on…” Hop cut them off and everyone’s eyes were on him. “What do you mean Lee suddenly disappeared?!”
Leon blinked and shrugged. “It all happened so fast I’m not sure. All I know is I heard you were trouble, I wanted to get to you as fast as possible and then I was there.” He paused and hummed in thought. “Honestly that’s a really handy ability to have, maybe I can try and hone it like speaking to Pokémon…”
“Wait…” Hop muttered. “Wait, wait, wait Lee what you’re describing sounds like the move teleport…” His jaw dropped. “You can teleport?!”
Leon blinked before giving a big smile. “I guess I can!” He laughed brightly. “Wow! That’s incredible!”
“Oh great…” Raihan muttered with a chuckle and weak smile. “Leon can do moves now too… I think thats even more of a reason to at least update to the doctor whats been going on.”
Leon heaved a long sigh. “Fine…” He then perked. “Could you ask my doctor to check and make sure Hop’s all well too? That bout of illness lasted a little over a two weeks for him.”
“What?” Hop whined in dismay. “No! I don’t need a doctor!”
“Hop you were seriously sick.” Leon stated sternly, eyes turning to him that matched his tone. “I’m not going to risk it again. I trust this doctor, he’s been doing a great job with me.”
“Oh c’mon!” Hop crossed his arms and frowned. “I don’t need a doctor visit! I mean…” He looked to his friend and motioned to her and then himself. “Gloria and I didn’t even go to the doctor after the whole Darkest Day or even when the legendaries were running wild! So, I don’t need to go after being a little ill!”
He was sure throwing that out there was proof enough that he didn't need to be looked over thanks to some stupid cold. While the doctor was here he should focus on his brother not Hop.
Yet the two men were staring at them both with wide eyes, mouth’s slightly agape in shock. Hop wondered what it was he said to get such looks.
“Wait a moment…” Raihan raised a brow. “You mean to tell me you kids never went to get looked over after all that happened? You two were right in the middle of those messes.”
Hop simply shrugged casually and he could see Gloria just blinking blankly. Their answer seemed to make something in Lee snap because his shocked expression turned horrified fury.
“WHAT?!” Leon’s voice thundered so loud it made the room quake from its volume and power. Hop flinched and he even felt Gloria cling onto his arm tightly.
“Er… we were more worried about you Lee.” Hop explained weakly as his brother stared at him with wide, blazing eyes.
“Hop…” He choked. “Are you serious? Neither of you went to get looked over?”
Hop shared a nervous glance with Gloria. She bowed her head while he let out a nervous laugh.
“Er… yeah no we didn’t…”
Leon sputtered and Raihan stared at him in total shock. His eyes darted between Hop and Gloria before the teal orbs narrowed.
“Okay, this a three patient call.” He suddenly muttered, pulling out his phone and dialing on it.
“Wha?!” Hop gawked. “Raihan no you don't need to do that!”
“No, he does. Good job Raihan.” Leon muttered to the other man approvingly. “I’ll even take the earliest possible appointment.”
Hop shared a dismayed look with Gloria. He mouthed an apology to her, because this was not how it was supposed to go.
“C’mere you…” Leon muttered and Hop yelped as he was suddenly scooped up and carried out of the room. He held out a hand towards Gloria dramatically and she did the same. Expressions of dismay on both their faces. Hop had a bad feeling he was in big trouble.
Hop was placed onto the nest once they were in Leon’s room and he looked up to see his brother’s eyes narrowed… he knew he was right.
“Hop…” Leon said in a low voice, moving a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. “I cannot believe that you didn't go to the doctors after any of those times…”
“Well…”
“You are so much smarter than this, so why did you go and do something so foolish!? After you put yourself in danger BOTH TIMES!”
Hop winced at the volume of his voice “Er…”
“Why won’t you answer me!” His brother’s eyes were wide with frustration and disbelief as he shouted.
“I can't you keep interrupting me!” Hop shouted in a higher pitched voice thanks to feeling cornered and frustrated.
Leon clamped his mouth shut with a grunt. “Right, right I’m sorry I just…” He looked away with a deep, long frown on his face. “Hop what if you’re hurt and we haven't known about it all this time? I just…” He ran a hand over his hair as a whine escaped his chest.
Hop frowned as he recognized those words all too well. How that was how thought had thought when his brother had been taken to the Hospital after enduring Eternatus’ attack.
“I’m worried…” Leon rasped. “I wasn’t there when you faced Zacian and then when I was trying to protect you I…” He choked and clenched his eyes shut. He shuddered and a pained whimper escaped him. “…failed…”
‘Aw Lee…’ Hop’s heart hurt hearing those sounds, like his brother was in physical pain just at the thought Hop could be hurt and he hadn't been able to prevent it.
His brother prided himself to be a protector, and Hop hadn't ever thought about how he must’ve felt when he couldn't defeat Eternatus…How he couldn’t be the one to save them and it had been Gloria to do that very thing.
Hop was pulled from his reverie as Leon’s fists clenched and more whimpers escaped him.
“Lee… we’re okay.” Hop attempted to calm him down.
Leon opened his eyes and Hop flinched at how sad and despairing he looked.
“Really we’re are… ”
Leon stared at him for a moment, before he slowly opened his arms towards him. Hop took the pleading invitation and was quickly swallowed up into a big hug.
Leon’s face pressed into his hair and Hop could feel him let out a shuddering breath. He sounded… scared…
“I don’t want to lose you Hop…”
Hop flinched at how small his brother’s voice sounded. He knew the pain too well… when Hop had waited in the hospital waited for his brother to wake up and be okay. The fear he might not and…
“You’re not going to lose me Lee.” Hop said softly.
Leon pressed his cheek against his head and squeezed him tighter against him. A sad, scared whine rasped the man’s chest and throat. He said nothing more, but his hold on him screamed his fears and pleas not to leave him.
Hop snuggled deeper into the hug in what he hoped was comforting.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hop hadn’t really seen his brother’s check ups since he was in the hospital. He expected it the be the same as it was there. A simple doctor look over like any other. Turns out things were a tad different…
Hop sat with Gloria and stared as Leon sat on the couch with a sour expression on his face. There were multiple wires hooked up to him that were connected to multiple monitors. All of them were showing different graphs that were shifting and moving. None of them any sudden drastic changes so Hop had to assume that was good… right?
“Okay Chairman Leon it looks like you seem to be doing pretty well.” The doctor hovering but the screens murmured, his nurse by his side looking over the computers herself. “No irregular problems from what I can see here. I’d say according to this you’re as healthy as a Machamp!”
Leon turned to Raihan by his side and lifted his nose in the air triumphantly. The other man rolled his eyes with a smirk.
“So nothing new despite all we’ve told you?” Raihan asked the doctor. The older gentleman shook his head.
“No. nothing…” He removed his glasses and rubbed his head with a sigh. “The former Champion now being part Dragon Type was not something I’d ever expect to happen but here we are.”
“Nobody expected a giant skeleton dragon from a meteor to nearly destroy Galar either to be fair.” Gloria whispered to Hop’s ear. He couldn't help but snicker in agreement.
“What’re you laughing about over there?” Leon asked, a purr in his voice as he looked to him with a playful smile. The doctor looked at him in surprise.
“Ah! So there’s the purring you spoke about.” The man quickly grabbed his Rotom pad and began tapping away. “Interesting.”
“Yep, he typically only does it when his little one’s with him.” Raihan stated causally. “He makes him happy.”
“That would explain why the Chairman’s in a much better mood during this visit compared to the others.” The doctor chuckled.
“Hey!” Leon muttered affronted, crossing his arms and closing his eyes with a frown.
“Hop was it? Perhaps you could stick around during all his health sessions?”
Everyone in the room laughed, with the exception of Leon. He opened his eyes and smiled as a tiny purr escaped him instead. He seemed to like the idea.
“Speaking of which…” The doctor turned to Hop and Gloria. “Raihan also asked me to check over the two of you. Since the Chairman is all set why don’t we get started.”
Hop stiffened and he felt Gloria scoot closer to him in comfort. This was the part he had been dreading.
“I can go first!” Gloria asked, raising her hand. The doctor nodded.
“Okay then Gloria, my nurse will take care of you right Stacey?” He looked to the woman by his side.
She turned and gave Gloria a smile. “Of course! Come on luv, you’ll get your check up with me.” She stated warmly as she stood up and walked over to her. Gloria stood up and followed after her, but not without giving a worried glance to him.
“Then Hop you’ll be with me.”
Hop gulped weakly. He hadn’t had a doctor check up in a while. He knows he probably should but life got in the way for such things. Maybe that was why he was so nervous… He hadn’t had to do this in forever.
‘C’mon it’s just a check up, nothing more…’ Hop dreaded as he was lead to the couch. He sat down and looked to his shoes clenching his teeth fearfully. ‘Ugh… I hate this…’
Hop jumped as he felt a warm body press against him and the moment a soft purring sound came from it he knew it was his brother. He risked looking up to see Leon smile down at him warmly, an understanding look in his eye. As he turned Hop could also see Raihan and the doctor watch him patiently.
He really must look nervous if they all noticed…
“Don’t worry Hop. With how technology is nowadays we’ll get you over and done faster than a Rapidash can gallop.” The doctor told him kindly.
Leon bent down and nuzzled his cheek against the top of Hop’s head as he continued to purr comfortingly. Hop suddenly realized Lee was doing so to help him feel safe and calm.
He could see the doctor patiently looked over his pad as he waited. After a few moments Hop calmed and the doctor looked back to him.
“Alright then Hop, we’ll make this quick for you.”
As the doctor began Hop went stiff. He followed his finger as the motion, took the shining light blaring into his eyes, and squirmed as he felt him look at his ears.
He checked his pulse using a tiny device that latched onto his pinky and Hop watched curious and amazed as numbers flashed in seconds.
“Hm… heart rate is fast but strong.” The doctor murmured. “That’s good to see.”
Leon pressed his cheek against Hop’s head and continued to purr, his hand taking Hop’s to help him feel safer. He really appreciated it.
“Just one more test and then we’re all done.” The doctor assured. “You don’t even have to do anything for this one. We’re just going to do a quick scan over you like I did you Chairman Leon a moment ago.”
His pad suddenly flew out of his hands and floated in front of Hop. The Rotom on the pad gave him a wink and smile and Hop couldn't help but smile back.
“Aaaaaand done!” The pad flew back to the doctor’s hands and Hop blinked in surprise.
“Wait really?” He murmured in surprise.
The doctor smiled. “I told you it would be quick! Now let me just look over the data…”
Hop jumped as he felt Leon curl around him, his purring continued but he could hear the slight worried sputter. Hop took his brother’s hand this time and pressed closer.
Of course he'd be there for his big bro when his brother did the same for him.
They waited silently as the man looked over the screen. Even Raihan was watching with his brows creased with what could only be concern. After what felt like forever, the doctor turned and gave them a smile.
“You’ve got a clean bill of health young man!”
Hop yelped as Leon suddenly threw his arms around him and squeezed him tight to his chest. His purrs were even louder and slightly raspy and Hop knew part of it was the pure relief that he was fine.
“Lee!” Hop laughed as his brother nuzzled their cheeks together furiously with pure joy.
Raihan let out a sigh and the doctor chuckled at their interaction.
“I’m glad to see I’ve put your minds at ease… however…”
His words caused them all to freeze and look at him warily.
“You’re body is still rather exhausted from that bout of illness your brother told me about. It seems here you have a rather fragile immune system.” The man muttered as his eyes roved over the data. “It seems to be an ongoing problem since he was born yes?”
“Yeah…” Leon rasped, snuggling Hop more against him. “My Hop’s always gotten sick pretty easy if he isn't careful… and it gets.…terrible sometimes…”
Hop winced at the pain in his brother’s voice. He never really thought about how him getting ill would make others feel bad, especially Leon.
“Then we’ll need to keep a close eye on him and make sure this doesn't happen again. Maybe some vitamins to help boost that system of yours so your poor brother doesn't get ill from worry himself.”
“Okay…” Hop muttered. Leon nuzzled his head in thanks and Hop sighed. More changes for him to deal with he supposed…
“Now I need to go gather Stacey and get information on how Gloria is doing.” The doctor murmured.
“I’ll join ya. I want to check for myself too.” Raihan stated and straightened up, leading the way towards the training room where the young woman had escorted her. Once they were gone, Hop was snuggled more against his brother.
“You did good.” Leon purred warmly. “I’m proud of you.”
“Proud of me?” Hop chuckled weakly. “I just did a doctor’s check up nothing big…” He felt admittedly a little embarrassed to have even been scared in the first place. Especially because his brother noticed…
Leon’s nose pressed into his hair and Hop could feel the smile on his lips against his head. “You didn’t want to do this but you did it anyway. Even if you weren’t a fan of it…” He paused. “Thank you Hoppy… I feel a lot better knowing you’re safe…” He whispered earnestly and a kiss pressed against his forehead.
Hop couldn't stop a happy smile on his face to hear the relief in his brother’s voice and he was more than happy to take the snuggling to comfort himself too. As he did he looked back to the computers curiously.
He’s never seen so much equipment and all of it different. Each monitor held sometime unique to his brother’s medical info and it was a relief to Hop to see it seemed all was normal too. Well, despite the obvious changes…
‘Huh, wonder what that one is.’
Hop paused as he noticed something on one of the screens further off. He wasn't sure exactly what it was but there was something… familiar about it.
‘It almost looks like how Professor Magnolia’s Dynamax energy chart loo-’ Hop’s eyes widened. ‘Wait…’
He stared harder at the screen, flicking his eyes back to his brother and back to the screen again. If what he was reading was true then…
Hop glanced to see if his brother was watching him. Seeing the older’s eyes closed with a content smile on his face as he’s curled over him, Hop quickly took a picture of the screen and has his phone fly back. If what Hop was suspecting was right, then he wasn’t surprised the doctor might not have thought much of it even if he knew what it was.
Humans couldn't Dynamax so Lee couldn't either but… His form did change into something more powerful something like it… Twice.
Maybe just like how his brother had his own unique connection to Eternatus, he had his own unique way of filtering the Dynamax power that come from it. Such as having an armored form and… what Hop could only describe could have been what Lee’s version of Gigatinaxing could be.
Not change in size, but the power even in the split second had been… just as epic as a G-Max move.
‘More changes are happening for sure…’ Hop thought with a mix of awe and dread.