Work Text:
My classmate is a slowpoke.
Literally. As in, she’s a Slowpoke, the Pokémon—but she’s also human too?
I don’t know how it started happening. In fact, no one seems to know. Somehow, some way, half-Pokémon, half-human people started showing up around the world. It’s honestly crazy to think about. Maybe one of the Pokémon “gods” decided one day that they should start branching out into the human world—who knows.
It’s actually been a while since those changes started taking place. In fact, it started before I was even born. Since it’s been some time since, thankfully the human world has been able to adjust to having these new fellows in our society (though it can still be awkward when you’re sharing a train with a Machamp-man).
Anyhow, when I was a kid, we were still in the mid-to-late stage of that transition. So, while there were a good amount of human-Pokémon people around, we were still getting used to it. There were also still a sizable number of people who didn’t like these new hybrids, but I never saw the problem with them. They're still people after all; they just have some rather… interesting features to them.
I guess my mindset was helped by the fact that I grew up with one of them. This was (and still is) my Slowpoke classmate. And I’m not trying to be rude by saying that; she is a literal Slowpoke. But she also fits the bill for a typical slowpoke too, which I guess is why those Pokémon are named that.
She was actually like that back when we were little kids too. Despite all the other kids in the neighborhood being young and little and having a lot of energy because of that, she was always more lethargic and, well, slow. That meant she didn’t fit in that well, since she wasn’t able or just didn’t want to participate in a lot of the games we would play together like tag or hide-and-seek. Even when she did get roped into playing with us, she didn’t do that well, and the other kids eventually learned to leave her out of it. So, she wound up sitting or lying around most of the time, either watching us run around like the little kids we were or napping by herself.
Her parents didn’t seem to worry about her not socializing and making friends as much—probably because they were Slowpokes as well—but I always felt kinda bad for her whenever I was playing with the other kids and I saw her off by herself. That’s why I decided one day to go up to her and say ‘hi’.
So, I walked up to her and said: “Hi.”
She slowly blinked at me for a moment. “…Hi.”
“What’s your name?”
She was a little slow to respond again. “…Sabrina. What’s your name?”
I told her my name was “Leeroy” (because that’s my name). She hummed and then returned to staring off into space. I felt awkward just standing there, so I asked: “Can I sit with you?”
She glanced at me for a brief moment before letting out another hum and then spacing out again. I was confused, but since she didn’t explicitly turn me away, I figured it was okay to sit with her. So, I sat down in the grass next to her and stared off in the same direction she was.
We kinda just sat like that in silence for a while. I felt a little uneasy about how quiet it was, but she didn’t seem affected by it at all. I glanced over at her after a bit and saw that her eyes were watching the other kids running around.
I decided to ask her another question. “Do you want to play tag with them?”
She simply shook her head. I frowned, confused. How could someone not want to play tag?
“Why?” I asked.
“I don’t wanna,” she said.
I scratched the top of my head. “But… The other kids like to.”
“Mm.” She just let out a hum and didn’t elaborate.
“Is that why you’re always by yourself?”
“Yeah.”
I fidgeted in place for a bit. “Don’t you wanna make friends?”
She shrugged. “I guess.”
“…Do you wanna be my friend?”
She finally turned to look at me. Her eyes were still a little hazy, half-lidded like she was half-asleep (which she probably was). “Okay.”
I smiled. “Cool.” I stuck a hand out for her to shake cause my dad taught me that was the proper thing to do.
She stared at my hand for a while before reaching out and giving it a slow, small little shake. She looked at me and… she smiled. “Friends.”
In that moment, I felt a wave of relief and happiness wash over me. At the time, I thought it was just because I had made a new friend, but it wasn’t until years later that I was able to place the definitive reason why I felt so happy then.
It just took a while.
Fast forward some ten years or so and you get to where we are now. I was able to become fast friends with Sabrina even though she was, y’know, slow.
…
Ha.
Ha.
Okay, I know I’m not winning “Comedian of the Year” awards for that one, but Sabrina tends to laugh at my jokes most of the time. Though she might just be laughing at how stupid they are. I wouldn’t put it past her given her personality shift over the years.
As we grew up, she actually became less slow, and she wasn’t as lethargic all the time. Granted, her favorite activity was (and still is) lazing about and napping, but she’s much better at being social now. In fact, I’d say she’s become rather popular lately.
Part of it’s definitely her looks, because, well– she is attractive. I won’t deny it—she’s hot. With her bright pink hair, the tail and ears of a Slowpoke, and the fashionable way she dresses herself, she's quite the looker. She also has a, uh... rather pleasing figure to her. Combine all of that with her laidback personality, and it’s no wonder people get along with her.
Granted, she’s not always hanging out with the popular crowd. Her lazy side means she doesn’t go out shopping or to parties or what-have-you too often, but I think that ends up adding to her popularity somehow. The fact that she’s more chill and not 100% engaged and energetic all the time just makes her seem cooler.
It’s honestly surprising how Sabrina ended up in this perfect little spot in the social hierarchy considering it seems like none of it is on purpose. She’s just- being herself; being a Slowpoke. But who knows, maybe it is all on purpose, and she knows exactly what she’s doing. I don’t really think it’s an act though.
I feel like I can say that with some confidence considering I feel like I know her well. I’ve spent the past ten years growing up with her as her childhood friend after all, and we still spend time together hanging out, just the two of us.
Saying it like that makes it sound like we’re dating, but we’re not. Some people think we are, but I’ve had to tell them that we aren’t together. Sometimes I do feel tempted to lie and say that “yeah, she’s my girlfriend”, but I’m not about to do that.
I do wish it was the truth, though.
Because I have feelings for Sabrina. Have had feelings for her, actually. For a while. Going through puberty certainly helped me realize this as I and other boys my age began to realize that girls were cute and not just a source of “cooties”. Trouble is, us boys being boys; we don’t really understand girls—and I’m no exception.
It is likely that I’m just overthinking it way too much though. Whenever I’m with Sabrina I always find myself overly analyzing everything she does and says; whether it’s just as friends or if there might be anything that indicates she’s interested in me too… It’s a lot, and I have to tell my mind to keep quiet or else I get a headache.
I really shouldn’t worry about it. Things are nice as they are anyways. I just sometimes hope that maybe they could become even nicer.
But if it does turn out that she doesn't feel the same way towards me, then that'll be fine. Disappointing, but... fine.
...
Hah...
Just imagining it is making my heart ache...
"Hm?"
...Huh?
Blink blink. My vision comes into focus. Sabrina's staring at me.
Oh. That's right. I'm here with her right now.
We're lying down under the shade of a tree, taking part in a "mutual nap sesh" of sorts. I must've muttered something out loud in a half-conscious state.
"Oh, um... It's nothing."
I scratch awkwardly at my neck and look away. The bright blue sky's looking particularly interesting right now...
"Mm... 'Kay."
I turn back and see that Sabrina's now looking at her phone—which is what she's usually looking at when she's not staring off into space. She's on her phone a lot actually, but I can't really blame her. Everybody is on their phone these days, myself included. I try to stay off it whenever I'm outside though.
Which is why I frown at Sabrina very clearly scrolling while we're out relaxing in the grass, under "our" tree. (In fact, I'm pretty sure it's the same tree that I first met her under. Wild.) I try nudging her shoulder to get her attention.
...Nothing. I sigh. She gets lost, either in thought or in her phone often enough, so I have to get her attention with something else. Luckily, I know the perfect trick, one that I've made use of before.
I touch her tail.
Even just putting a hand on it causes her to freeze, her body visibly stiffening up. She turns to me with a lazy look and a pout.
"Whaaaaat?" She asks it like she's a kid getting dragged away from the TV by their parents.
I shake my head. "We're outside, it's a nice day; why are you on your phone?"
"Mm..." She rolls around her head, cracking her neck. "I need to see what my friends are up to."
I give her an exasperated look. "Well, one of your friends is right here, sitting with you."
She lets out a long sigh and smiles at me. "Yeah, but you're not really doing anything, are you?"
"I thought that's what you liked to do the most: nothing."
"Heh... You know me too well."
I return her smile as I watch her yawn and stretch out while returning to lying on her side. Her most natural posture, surely.
"Still... If you want to keep my attention away from my phone, you already know how to."
I frown, confused. "Huh?"
She looks at me like it's obvious. "My tail, dummy. You touched it to get my attention in the first place—and you're still touching it now."
I look down and see that yes; my hand is indeed still on her tail. I flush with embarrassment and Sabrina giggles.
"Relax, Leeroy. It's fine."
"Alright– But how do you suggest I 'keep your attention'? I can't just keep putting my hand on your tail over and over."
Sabrina rolls her eyes. "Pet it."
"...Oh. Right." I pull a tight smile as I realize that I should've realized that. I look and see that Sabrina's definitely being serious. I let out a breath and try to relax. Time to pet her tail...
Pet... Pet...
Nice and slow, easy does it...
Her tail feels really smooth. While I've touched it before, this is the first time I'm actually petting it and touching it for an extended period of time. It's... nice.
Sabrina seems to find the petting nice too, cause her eyes are closed and she's smiling contentedly. As I keep gently petting her tail, I can even hear her humming quietly. Seems like this is a pleasant activity for her.
Knowing that makes this even nicer. It makes me happy to see her happy, and to know that I'm the one making her happy.
Arceus, I'm so smitten with her.
Meanwhile, my hand is still petting her tail on its own. I don't even think I'd be able to stop it at this point—I mean, if Sabrina asked me to I would, but I don't think she's going to anytime soon, based on how happy this seems to be making her.
In fact, she takes a break from her pleased humming and mumbles something to me.
"Keep going..."
I nod fervently while my hand keeps gently stroking her tail. "Yes ma'am."
I can see a smirk curling on her lips at my response, but she quickly returns to her casual sleepy smile.
It looks like she's about to fall asleep for real...
A thought that is quick to be proven true as I hear Sabrina start to snore.
I smile as my hand comes to a stop. She's always so cute when she's asleep.
Thing is... now I feel sleepy too.
A very tempting idea comes to mind as I look down at Sabrina sleeping peacefully.
What if I...
...lied down and cuddled with her...?
...No, no, no, don't do that. I shake my head back and forth furiously, even slap my face with my free hand real quick to try and get rid of the thought. Even if doing something like that is fairly "innocent", it's still an intimate thing to do, and not something I should be inviting myself to do while someone is asleep. And especially when that someone is my best friend and someone who I don't want to risk ruining my chances with. I can barely imagine how she would react...
Letting out a sigh, I decide to lift my hand up and move away, but–
Hang on.
My hand's stuck.
Looking down, I can see that Sabrina's tail has wrapped around my wrist, keeping my hand held hostage.
Great.
What am I supposed to do now?
I try wresting my hand from her, but her tail's got a tight grip on my wrist...
How strong is her tail?!
After trying that for about a minute (I'm not that strong), I try jostling her awake instead.
"Hey. Hey Sabrina, wake up."
No reaction. She keeps snoring softly. Is she part Snorlax too?
Well, looks like I'm screwed until she wakes up. Who knows when that'll be.
I'm still feeling sleepy myself... What if I just– lied down as best I can without getting too close?
It's a bit tricky to do while my wrist is kept captive, but I manage to find a way to lie down on my side comfortably with my hand still wrapped in her tail. I am still pretty close to her right now, but I'm not touching her (aside from the whole tail business), so this should be good, right?
Yeah... Should be good...
...
I open my eyes again and Sabrina's staring me in the face.
Gah-!
Oh, wait. Her eyes are closed. She's still asleep, thank goodness...
I look around and see that I'm still in relatively the same position I was in when I fell asleep. (At least I think so?) Which means that Sabrina must've shifted around in order to be facing me like this.
I can still feel my hand in her tail's grasp though. Which means...
Ah. Her tail's gone between her legs over to her front. The edge of it's still coiled around my wrist, though much more loosely now. I've actually seen her do this a couple of times in the past, where her tail swings around to her front so she can cuddle it in her sleep. Right now though, with it going through her legs, it's pushing up her skirt a little, and–
No. No, don't look. Don't. Look.
It's already hard not to look in the first place, with how she usually dresses with a skirt and thigh highs, but now? It feels like the inner "teenage-boy-pervert" part of me is clawing at me to look up her skirt. Thankfully, it's not that influential in the realm of my mind, so I can resist.
Pushing that thought away also allows me to realize that with her tail's loosened grip, I can finally reclaim my hand. I make sure to do so carefully and slowly, so I don't wake her, and soon enough my wrist is free from her clutches.
Phew... Glad that's over with.
Now, do I get up or just lie here and wait for Sabrina to–
...Wake up. She's waking up. Her eyelids and lashes flutter for a bit before she opens them for real—though her eyes are only half-lidded and still sleepy. The first thing she looks at is, well, me. Because I'm right in front of her.
She doesn't seem to be reacting at all though... She's just– staring at me.
"...Hello?"
"Mm." She doesn't say anything else and just keeps looking me right in the eyes, blinking every so often.
It's starting to freak me out a little, to be honest. She hasn't done anything like this when we've napped together before.
I watch as her tail slips back through her legs and behind her back, where it's supposed to be. And then... Sabrina starts leaning in closer. Slowly.
Very, very slowly.
Makes sense, considering she's a Slowpoke...
But the question is: is she leaning in for a kiss?
I certainly wouldn't mind it (I might even be wishing for it), but I don't want to assume that's what she's doing just yet. So, I just lie there, as still as I can.
Eventually, her forehead comes to rest against mine. Her eyes are now right in front of mine, and I also have a hearty helping of messy pink hair in my face now. I have to resist the urge to sneeze...
She blinks. Slowly.
I'm not sure what to do now. Maybe I could ask?
"Sabrina...?"
It takes her a moment. When she does speak, I can feel her breath hit my lips.
"...Do you like me?"
"I- Of course I do, Sabrina."
She sighs. "I mean like– like like me."
"...Yeah."
She smiles. "Good."
And then she kisses me.
I really should've figured.
As I close my eyes, my other senses come into focus. I can feel her lips against mine, taste her strawberry lip balm, smell her flowery conditioner, and hear her soft breathing. The kiss goes by slowly (because of course it does), so I'm able to savor each and every sensation to its fullest.
Chu~
Finally (and regrettably), Sabrina pulls back. Opening my eyes, I can see that she's smiling.
"Was that your first kiss?" She asks.
"...Yep."
"Heh... Knew it."
I frown. "What's that supposed to mean?"
She giggles. "I don't mean it as an insult. Honestly, you'd probably be more popular with girls if you didn't always hang out with me all the time."
My shoulders sag. "But... I want to hang out with you."
"I know. And now I know the reason why too."
I pull a tight smile. "Yep. You sure do."
Sabrina laughs again. "Mhm. And I really am glad you decided to spend time with me. Just, in general. But also because, well- I'm sure you can tell by now that I like you too, yeah?"
"...Yeah. I think I'd be pretty oblivious if I couldn't."
"Mm. Good." Sabrina takes in and then lets out a very deep breath. Her eyes are still half-lidded. "Now I'm tired."
I give her an exasperated look. "You just had a nap."
"Mm... Well, I feel like having another."
"Jeez..." I shake my head at her unabashed laziness.
"Heh... You know there's no arguing with me when it comes to sleep."
"Yeah, I know."
She stretches out as best she can without getting up. "Can you keep close this time?"
"How close do you mean?"
She rolls her eyes. "I mean... this close." Her arms slither their way around my waist, holding me close and hugging me.
"...Good idea." I return her embrace easily.
Sabrina hums happily. "You're much warmer than my tail."
"Ah... Thanks. I'm not sure if I can compete in terms of on-demand availability though."
"Well, you'll just have to stick with me all the time then."
"Uhhhhh... I don't think I can do that..."
I can feel her chuckle. "Hehe... I'm just kidding, Leeroy. You should spend time with other people too. In fact... I think I might introduce you to some of my friends." She pulls her head just far enough so I can see her smirk. "I'm sure everybody would love to meet my new boyfriend."
I pale at the thought. "Uh oh."
She giggles and playfully smacks my arm. "What are you 'uh oh'ing for, mister? You should be happy that one of the most popular girls in the school is introducing you as her boyfriend."
"That's exactly why I'm worried."
"You really don't need to worry. I don't think anything bad is gonna happen—and even if anything does, my mom and dad taught me how to Tackle."
I pause, then sigh. "Y-You don't need to go that far."
"Mhm. Cause I won't have to. So don't worry, cause worrying's for workaholics."
I smile. "Which you clearly aren't."
She smiles and nods like she's some sage. "Right you are." Then, Sabrina lets out a wistful sigh and buries her head in my chest, her next words coming out muffled. "Okay. Nap now."
I chuckle and pat the top of her head. "Of course. Have a good nap."
"Mm." She doesn't say anything else—but she doesn't need to. Sleep is calling her, and I'd hate to interrupt.
...I guess I'll just have to keep her company while she sleeps. But this time, I'm holding her.
My arms wrap a little tighter around her. Sabrina's mine.
And I'm hers.