Tying Up Loose Ends - Part A3
Vaporeon cuddled up to Red as soon as she noticed he was going to sleep. She kept him warm throughout the night. Though he had a nice rest, he was up as soon as the morning sunlight filtered through the curtains. Stretching, he smiled as Tori hugged her pillow. She chuckled in her sleep.
"Morty you're so funny, and so hot..."
Red shook his head in amusement. He saw Mimi sitting near the large window, watching the sun rise.
"Mornin' Mimi."
"Pun!" She smiled.
"Does Tori always have those kinds of dreams? About Morty?"
The Lopunny giggled as she held a paw to her mouth, and then nodded. The boy chuckled and looked back at his friend, a goofy smile on her face as she continued to dream about the blonde Leader.
Red had returned all his Pokemon into their capsules after he finished his morning business in the bathroom. He decided he was going back to the Pokemon Center to bring his belongings to the suite. Tori told him he could use it as long as he liked, even while she was away.
On the way there, his Xtransceiver began to ring. Answering it, he said, "Uh, who is-Gary?"
"Finally. Sup Red."
"I didn't know you had one of these."
"Well I just got it yesterday but I only now figured out how to turn the video on. Where are you?"
"In Driftveil. You?"
"I'm in my hotel room. Say…is…Tori with you?"
"We hung out yesterday evening and then she let me stay in her room at the suite building. Why?"
"She got really upset yesterday for some reason and then gave me your number to talk to you. Everything was fine, just like when we were kids, but after we went back to the stadium, she got irritable."
Red suspected the reason why, but he treaded lightly in this subject matter. "Maybe she didn't want to bother you and your friend?"
"Friend?"
"A girl named Lilith."
"Oh, her. Well, she's more like a fan. I dunno if I'd call her a friend."
"Tori said you two seemed close like friends. Is she your girlfriend?"
"Woah, why are you jumping to conclusions?"
"It's just an honest question."
"No, she's not my girlfriend. I mean, yeah she's attractive and nice. I saw her battle yesterday and she's pretty good for a coordinator."
"That sounds like she'd be a good girlfriend."
"Maybe… Hey, can we meet somewhere?"
"Really? Uh, sure I guess. How about the Pokemon Center? I'm headed there now."
"Okay, I'll be there. Catch you in a few." He turned off the device. Red didn't like where this was going and became slightly anxious as he headed to the Pokemon Center. He really wasn't comfortable talking about these sort of things, and he knew Gary was going to somehow or another bring it up, but he was still his friend and a friend in need is a friend indeed.
"Hey, good morning Gary."
"Red, there you are. What took you so long?"
"I like to take my sweet time to walk. It's not everyday that I'm left by myself without people bombarding me because they know who I am."
"Yeah, I know that feeling."
"We can talk over there at the furthest couch. It's less likely for us to be noticed."
The two young men sat down and the first few minutes was uncomfortable silence.
"So how've you been Red."
"Good. You?"
"Fine."
More silence.
"So, has Tori like…ever talked to you…"
"About what?"
"…like…personal things?"
"Gary you have to help me out here. You're being vague and I honestly don't know how you want me to respond."
"Okay look Red, everyone knows she's more comfortable talking with you than anybody else in the whole world. You're like her sassy gay friend."
"You forgot the part where I used to crush on her ages ago," he replied unamused.
"Hey you could've changed your preference along the way."
"GARY."
"I'm just kidding! Don't get so mad." He laughed. Red huffed in frustration.
"Well no, she doesn't talk about personal things. And by personal I'm assuming like, crushes and stuff right? She only talks about Morty. When I left this morning, she was hugging her pillow and talking to it as if it were him." He chuckled. "It was actually pretty funny. Hmm…but other than him, she never mentions any guys. I don't think she's interested in a relationship."
"Oh…I see…"
Red noticed he looked a bit disappointed, but decided to keep the observation to himself. "So are you entering the tournament today?"
"Oh, yeah I am. You?"
"Yup."
"I'm gonna kick your ass."
"We'll see about that Oak. You haven't beaten me since Kanto."
"Somebody's getting cocky."
"You really shouldn't be talking."
Gary gave a laugh.
"…did that crush of yours ever end? I mean, 'cause you're still close and all."
"Yeah, years ago. You remember what happened. I told her how I felt and she didn't feel the same way. That ship has sailed. It's really no big deal. And to be completely honest, I'm really happy we're still close as before. So now you don't have to feel bad about liking her."
"What? Where did you get that from?"
"Gary, you may be good at hiding other personal problems, but I've known for a while that you like her."
"No I don't."
Red crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. Gary didn't look at him.
"It's the only explanation as to why you'd be asking all these specific relationship-centric questions."
"You and your deductions. Okay fine, so maybe along the timeline I did actually…start to like her…a lot."
"Have you told her?"
"…no. But I do know she's not interested in a relationship, except with Morty."
"Not really. She admires him, and it's just infatuation. He was a hospitable Gym Leader and a strong one at that. She likes his character, but she's not in love with him or something."
"Oh."
"You should tell her."
"What for? She's not interested in dating." He shrugged. There was another pause between them both. "Hey Red."
"Yes?"
"Do you think I should…"
"…move on? Right now, yeah."
He stood quiet.
"I mean, I did, and nothing bad happened. If Tori isn't interested, why make her feel uncomfortable? She's so focused on the relationship between her and her Pokemon, caring for them and keeping them healthy, strong, and happy. Maybe, for your sake, you should…try somebody else," Red said sympathetically.
"Maybe you're right. That shouldn't be hard anyway. I can get whoever I want." His tone was cocky, but Red could see clearly through his charade.
"What about Lilith, your coordinator friend? You said yourself she's attractive and nice, and a good battler."
He shrugged. "Maybe."
"I don't know what else to tell you Gary."
"Nah, it's fine. Thanks Red. You come in handy."
"You don't know how many times I've wanted to punch your smug face right off."
Gary grinned as Red fumed across him.
"Oh, Gary!"
Red watched as the girl he assumed to be Lilith approached them. "And Red! It's a pleasure to meet you!"
"…uh, it's a pleasure to meet you too. I don't mean to sound rude, but who are you exactly?"
"My name is Lilith. I'm a friend of Gary's."
"Oh, okay. Well good morning Lilith."
Red became transparent after their introduction as she turned her attention to Gary. "Say, do you wanna get some breakfast?"
"Sure, yeah I could use something to eat before the tournament."
"Great! I saw this place that I think you'll love!" She almost dragged him out of the Pokemon Center. As they left through the automatic doors, he attempted to wave Red goodbye, a look of uncertainty on his face. Red just shrugged and waved back.
"Well," he said to himself. "Let's hope nothing bad happens because of my advice…"
---
Tori walked to the stadium after she met Red in the street, explaining to her that he went to retrieve his belongings from the Pokemon Center.
"Good luck Red."
"Thanks Tori. Are you gonna watch?"
"Uhm…I might."
"Oh Red, there you are!" Lilith came jogging toward them. "Good morning Tori."
She said nothing in response. Lilith paid her no mind after the greeting. "The Champions are all meeting up before the matches start."
"Couldn't Gary come to tell me?"
"No, I offered to do it myself since he needs as much time as he can to strategize since his opponents are the best of the best! You come along too!"
"Oh, okay. Well let me just finish-"
"It's okay Red," Tori replied. She took out Washington's Pokeball and released him. He stood next to her, his chest puffed out proudly. "I'm gonna…get going. I need to check on some things in Nimbasa anyway. Uh, but we'll talk later?"
"Oh, yeah of course! I'll call you on the Xtransceiver when I'm done."
"Sounds like a plan." She put a hand on his shoulder. "Good luck. Kick some serious butt out there."
"I will."
Tori mounted herself on the Braviary's back. "C'mon Washington, let's go to Nimbasa City." He spread his wings wide and took off into the sky, Tori holding on tightly to the feathers on his back.
Red couldn't help but feel concerned for her, even as he arrived at the Champion's room, being briefed on all the rules.
"Hey Red, good luck," Gary said.
"You too."
They shook hands.
"Hey…is…"
"She went to Nimbasa City. She's not coming to any of the matches."
"Oh. Well that's fine. The battles will probably be over quick anyway."
Gary kept telling himself that, but as he stood on his end of the stadium, looking at the challenging Trainer across from him, he couldn't help but feel a bit sad she wasn't coming to watch his match, or any of the Champion's matches.
He looked at the crowd, the screaming fans with the girls shouting, "We love you Gary!". There were thousands of people, every seat full, even the VIP booth. Lilith waved down at him, blowing him a kiss. He gave a quick smile and then focused his attention back at his opponent.
Gary gave a heavy sigh, and then took out a Pokeball from his belt, fully focused on crushing his opponent with no mercy.
"Let's go, Blastoise!"
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A/N: THERE I HOPE YOU LIKE IT KOONDY.