alola | raileon for the soul

[Leon gets back up to his feet, taking the little Pokemon's cue of going for a snack to get something for himself. Namely, a beer of his own. Leon's more used to casually drinking for fancy get-togethers, so this is...strangely comforting, in a way. He's not sure he can quite put his finger on it now.

He pops the tab and takes a swig before he replies, weighing the can in his hand.]

Yeah, I mean...you are right about that. This is really exactly what I've always wanted.

[Galar producing the best and brightest trainers that have been vetted by Leon himself. Most turned away as losses, but finally...one broke through and got him.]

Have you ever gotten the feeling...you knew all along how something was going to go? Even if you didn't let that stop you from trying your best anyway?

[ their new Champion, being the spitfire that she was, had set a precedent that Leon could be beaten. while Raihan is still dealing with not being the one to have done it, he's gotten over it... mostly.

that question makes him chuckle, though. if only Leon knew... ]

Yeah, I know what you mean.

[ when he'd seen that he was up against Gloria in the last round of the finals, that was all the convincing he'd needed to know that she'd go all the way. it's not that he was going to throw the match, nor that he didn't have faith in Leon keeping his streak, but... well, she'd saved the entire bloody region. it was almost poetic that she'd be the one to dethrone the king, wasn't it? he'd done his duty in being the last bastion in his name, but that hadn't been enough. ]

Is that how you're feeling now?

[Even when Leon knew that Gloria had backed him up against a metaphorical wall, he wasn't going to give up his title without a fight. And fought he did, tooth and nail, right to the bitter end. He couldn't think of a better person to take the helm than her, if he's honest.]

Mm. Wouldn't call it a bad feeling, but it isn't...a wholly good one, either.

[He taps his fingers vaugely on the outside of his can.]

I don't think I know how to feel. I thought it would just fall into place when it did happen, and for the most part it has...but it's like. A whole chapter of my life has ended, you know?

[ he doesn't doubt that - even after the intensity and stress of preventing the Darkest Day, the match between him and Gloria had been one for the history books. even his own battles with Leon, invigorating and heart-pounding as they were in their own right, made him feel quite the same way as he did when he watched that match. ]

Of course you don't - you've gone undefeated for a whole bloody decade. No one's had the chance to teach you how to lose! [ he grins. ] It's only natural that you're... well, at a loss. No pun intended.

[ Raihan's found himself at a loss as well, but for slightly different reasons. he'd initially become a Gym Leader for the opportunity to challenge Leon as much as possible - his role and reasoning has evolved into more than that, but there's a nagging worry in the back of his head that he'll be left behind in their rivalry now that things are changing. he's going to fight it with everything he has, but it's there all the same. ]

You'll have to work through it on your own. That said, you've got a rival with plenty of experience on working through feelings like that, and he'd be happy to share his wealth of knowledge any time.

[ it's a teasing, Raihan-esqe way to say "I'm here for you". his smile is still upturned in a smirk, but his eyes communicate something a little softer than that. ]

[Leon huffs a soft laugh through his nose. That's always something he appreciated about Raihan. As much as he's got a competitive streak about him- and he always has since he met him- he's still kept a level of sincerity about him. If the guy promised he'd do something, he'd do it. And if you wanted somebody to count on to be there for you through thick and thin, well...Raihan was your guy. The fact he specialized in weathering the most harsh of conditions through Pokemon battles wasn't entirely for the theatrics, Leon was sure. It was engrained in him as a person.]

Thank you, Raihan.

[Is a "thank you" really all Leon has to say on the matter, though? Hardly...it's just difficult to quantify how he's feeling right now. Maybe he doesn't have to know just yet.

He looks off to the side out the window for a moment, watching as the flash of rookidee wings herald a group of them heading off past town into the fields proper.]

I don't consider myself as having lost. If anything, I've supported the next generation. I got my time in the sun, for far longer than most could have expected to get to be there. I just...

[Another pause as he shifts his weight back on his heels.]

With how everything came to a head, at the end. With Rose. I've just been thinking a lot about how much he influenced me as I was coming up. He never seemed to have anything but good intentions for us all ever since I was little, so I never thought...

[ sincerity is one of the best things Raihan has going for him - well, besides his dashing good looks, popularity, and great fashion sense, of course, but those felt a little vapid in comparison. he always strives to be genuine in his interactions with others and defy any presumptions of spuriousness, which tend to be par for the course when you've got a large online presence. his boisterous side is an important part of him and a valid part of his personality, but he knows how to spin it into something that he knows Leon will find comforting. anything less, and he knows his rival would recognize that he's holding back - an unacceptable outcome, to say the least. Leon deserves more than that. ]

Don't worry about it.

[ best to leave it at that and a charming smile, to keep things simple. he opts to listen instead, reflecting on what Leon has to say. it starts off agreeable enough, but his brow starts to furrow when the conversation shifts to Rose. ]

If I'm hearing you trying to blame yourself for not catching Rose earlier on, knock it off. You're better off blaming me for not knowing what was going on in my own bloody city.

[ everything had come to a head in Hammerlocke, right under Raihan's nose. he'd been so focused on the season that he hadn't paid any attention to the League officials coming in and out of the Energy Plant, or the odd times he'd caught Oleana skulking around the castle... looking back on it, it's embarrassing to have not suspected something. Hammerlocke is his turf - his responsibility. he'd failed to protect it. ]

[Good ol' Raihan. He knew he could trust him to keep his conscience on an even keel. He shakes his head slowly, but yet won't argue what Raihan is saying in retort. The truth is that no one should be blamed but Rose himself, who manipulated the story from the get-go and always intended to pursue his plan regardless of the damage it was destined to cause both man and Pokemon alike. Even if Leon had any idea what was coming...what could he have done to really stop it? He was the Champion, sure, but did that give him any real power to enact change?

He acted as Rose's beacon of hope and optimism for Galar for so many years, and that's not something Leon regretted. But that's where his influence ended. He was the mascot; had things gotten hairy much sooner, Leon isn't sure what his word would have been, against Rose's.]

The way Rose did things was always under the table, but just open enough to not have anyone questioning it. And as for the rest of us, and the challenge?

[He gestures between the two of them, his smile still genuine...if a bit sad behind his eyes.]

Well. It made for a convenient distraction. I guess he took advantage of our good natures too, huh?

[ it's easy enough to toss the blame around on yourself, but Rose's ambitions, however their initial nature may have been intended, were ridiculously out of check. Leon might have been Champion - the region's hero - but Gym Leaders aren't complicit, either. in a large, culturally-significant city like Hammerlocke, Raihan prided himself on being involved in its safety.

he has plenty to do himself with repairing the stadium after the confrontation with Eternatus, but that isn't anyone's responsibility but his own. he's just glad that no one got seriously hurt when all was said and done. at the same time, the protective nature in him wishes he could have done more... especially if it would have eased a burden off of Leon.

but, ever-positive, he simply slings a casual arm around Leon's shoulder. he doesn't like that sad look in his eyes, and seeks to cheer it up somehow. ]

Well I say that if our good natures are what's keeping us from being over-ambitious whackjobs, I'm alright with a little inconvenience every now and then. [ he flashes him a grin, fanged and genuine. he's gotten practiced at not appearing too eager when he gets this close to Leon. ]

[Honestly, Raihan could probably push it and Leon would still be caught unaware...as it is, he finds himself smiling even with a bit of a weight still lingering on him. Moreso than the physical weight of Raihan leaning against him now, that is.]

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[He chuckles, finally knocking back another swig of his beer after passing it over to his other hand so he's less in danger of accidentally dropping it.]

Sorry to come here and bring down the mood seconds from walking through your door.

[ well... it is what it is. it's not as if Raihan hasn't been in this position before - close to Leon, the fringes of the pining that he'd been pushing down for the better part of the last couple of years struggling out of their hiding place. he's well aware of the way his heart skips a beat when they're like this, but as far as he's concerned, Leon will never be the wiser. it would ruin what they have; Raihan doesn't want to risk that, especially now that things are already set to change in Leon's life. he doesn't need the added drama of his friend and rival being secretly in love with him. talk about a bother!

he only allows himself a moment of gazing at Leon as he takes the swig of his beer before snapping back to reality, clapping a friendly hand to his back as he pulls away. ]

I expected as much. Even ex-champs need a good feelings jam every once and a while, right? [ and before he can get too into talking or thinking about feelings, he pulls his phone out to check the status of their food delivery. it's almost here - good. ] Wooper Eats driver's pulling around the corner, Mind getting the door for me?

[ they can spend the rest of the evening getting drunk, eating junk food and watching crap TV, like two normal guys their age. no titles, no competition... just catching up. ]

[You might want to be careful with that fire you're playing with, Leon. Especially so close to alcohol, which tends to loosen normally tightly closed lips.]

Oh, yeah! I'll get right on it.

[Convenient segue. Leon draws back and heads to the door as requested, giving Raihan time to ruminate on what just happened. It's probably the extent of the feelings he'll have to deal with this evening...

Probably.]

[ hey, what's a bottle or two in good company? neither of them are going anywhere tonight, so they can definitely kick back and relax - Raihan isn't the heavy drinking type to begin with. he likes to stay in control when he can, especially around Leon... but a little downtime would be nice. how long has it been since they last spent time together like this, anyway?

too long, in his opinion. ]

Is your order still ridiculously basic? [ he takes a peek into his bag, confirming his suspicions with a 'tch' (and stealing a few of his fries). ] Typical... you're always easy to predict until we hit the pitch. It's like day and night, I swear.

[ they eventually settle into some sort of lump on the couch, finding a sitcom marathon to watch as they eat and drink the evening away. Raihan stops himself at two beers, but won't do the same for Leon until it starts showing signs of being problematic - the guy deserves a night of letting loose. ]

[Leon doesn't drink much either, it's instead more that...he can get drunk from very little. He's always been that way. He rolls his eyes when Raihan comments on his food but reahes in the bag for it anyway, ready to tuck in and just...exist with his best friend for a while.

He honestly can't remember the last time he did this. Like...it's almost sad he can't think of a day, much less in recent years. He'd been so busy- both of them had- with their respective duties that hanging out wasn't a priority. And when they did see each other it was always on the pitch. Always a battle, always a competition. He wouldn't have it any other way, but...it was different from the way things were when they were kids and had time to burn.

By the time Leon has matched Raihan beer for beer, his face is looking a little redder than it was when he first stepped in the door. His food is gone but it's not enough to keep the alcohol from hitting his system solidly some time later, and it shows in the way he acts. He's talking more- faster- and his laughs are deep and tend to stretch on for a bit too long. But he seems to be thoroughly enjoying himself, even if they don't have much important that they're doing exactly.

It's enough that he doesn't seem to notice or care the way he's gotten quite a bit closer to Raihan over the past hour, no longer sitting on the couch a respectful distance away but instead right up at his side. An arm has slid around him at some point, but it was originally more friendly than anything...now? Leon has his head canted sideways, leaning against Raihan's shoulder as he stretches one leg out in front of him.]

Haha...boy, this sure has been a bang up time of it, don't you think? I haven't been this fired up since the Championship even...

[ it's always been that way since they hit drinking age - Leon, beefy as he is, was a lightweight when it came to holding his liquor. Raihan could always shake it off unless he was bingeing, thanks to what he refers to as his "legendary metabolism". tonight, though, he'd much rather enjoy the company than drink the time away.

though he wouldn't trade their rivalry for anything, there are times where he misses Leon's company like this. he understood quickly upon realizing that he had feelings for him that having him as a friend and rival would be more important than potentially making things awkward; those emotions would always be simmering below the surface, and that's where they'd stay, whether they were together or apart.

maybe it's because of the gentle haze of his own tipsiness, but he doesn't notice that Leon is so close until that movement of his leg prompts him to move himself to get more comfortable. how long has he had his arm around him like that? sure, he'd done that earlier, but it was short and playful - just enough to be shrugged off as platonic. with the way that Leon has his head on his shoulder... this is different.

still, like always, he swallows it down and keeps his cool. don't do something you'll regret, he thinks to himself. ]

Sitting on the couch and watching crap telly is what gets you fired up these days? Don't tell me you're getting that soft already!

[It's a noble goal that Raihan has, but just how long exactly is he going to be able to keep this up? It doesn't seem like Leon is bothered by their close proximity at any rate, staying put exactly where he is so long as Raihan continues to allow it.]

S'not that...

[He replies with another laugh that he doesn't really bother to attempt stifling, gesturing vaugely with one of his hands not holding onto his beer.]

Spending time with you, I mean. Like this. Not on the pitch or battling or nothing like that, just...being together.

Don't you feel the same way?

[ with how close Leon is, probably not much longer. he already has some concern that the other man can feel the way his heart is beating faster, but not nearly enough that he wants to push him away. maybe it's a little selfish of him, but as long as he's not the one making the move for himself... is it so bad to indulge? for now, he's convinced himself that it isn't. ]

Well... obviously, yeah. You're my best mate.

[ it comes out more tender than intended, coupled with a shy chuckle and glance away. as much as he treasured their rivalry, it was always the company; the togetherness that Raihan liked the most. with Leon, he could always be himself. ] I like being around you, believe it or not.

[ understatement of the year. ]

You mean it? Really really?

[Leon tilts his head up, the angle a bit awkward with the way he's sort of looking at Raihan upside down, now.]

[ the angle is so silly that Raihan has to laugh more openly at it. Leon is just... adorable, really. that's the only word that comes to mind, and he can't help but give the other man a playful little poke on his forehead. there's no doubt in his mind that Leon is totally sloshed, so he can at least make fun of him for it. ]

C'mon - the great Raihan always means what he says. What, you want me to get all sappy about it?

[At least Raihan is here to supervise while he's this drunk. It probably would be a lot more worrisome otherwise...can you imagine Leon getting lost while like this?]

Heheh...I meeean...you say that like you haven't before. I havn't soon- soon forgotten all those grand...speeches you make up on the pitch...

[ perish the thought, of course. though he'd rather have a sober Leon to talk to, there's no questioning that he's pretty cute when he's this tipsy... even if he's playing babysitter, it's not as if it's a bother for him. ]

So you think my grandstanding is me getting sappy? [ that's... not too far from the truth, in all fairness. it's like a form of flirting that he can excuse as fanning the flames of their rivalry - it's about as close as he can get to really saying what he wants, and the crowd loves the fanservice that comes from it. ] Heh... I guess you could call it that. Both of us embellish enough, but it's all genuine from me.

[There's a bit of a pause following that, and it wouldn't be wrong for Raihan to assume it's Leon just zoning out. In reality, he's considering his words. Once he finds them, there's nothing really stopping him from continuing, shifting so that he's leaning against Raihan a little more comfortably. Less haphazard flopping and more...close. Maybe even halfway deliberate, but that's probably not actually the case.

Probably.]

I mean...it's genuine from me too. Y'know that, right?

[ as much as his pining heart wants to take it as something deliberate, he knows better not to see it that way. any of Leon's actions toward him in the past that could be taken another way have always ended up being benign; he's learned to save himself the heartache by thinking they were something else. ]

'Course I do. I don't think you have an ingenuine bone in your body.

[ and that comes from a meaningful place. if there was anyone he could rely on for honesty, it was Leon. what you saw was what you got, and he admires that. ]

[It's for the best, right? Lest he read into this too deeply and make things awkward between them later. It's definitely not worth even taking that leap, even for just the smallest chance it could be true.

Whether or not it is, Leon isn't going to be the one to handle things rationally given how little he seems to care right now about Raihan's personal space. He doesn't even seem to know he's causing any issues which...definitely isn't making it much easier.

Leon laughs, but it's soft under his breath.]

Guess years of fame as Galar's Champion didn't change me too much...

[There's another pause, not quite as lengthy as the last. Leon's brow furrows as he looks up at Raihan without moving his head, rolling his eyes up to eye him beyond his lashes.]

I don't think you would'a changed if you were the Champion either.

You've always been consistent, that's for sure.

[ Arceus... when he looks at him like that, he feels his defenses all but crumble. maybe it's the booze, but meeting his gaze like this makes him want to reveal a little more of his hand than he normally would. it seems particularly relevant now, seeing as Leon's reign has come to an end. ]

You do know that it wasn't about me taking your title, right?

[ though their eyes met for a lingering moment, Raihan's tear away in an attempt to keep his cool. you want sappy, Leon? he'll show you sappy. ]

I mean, it started out that way when we were kids... but I lost interest in it pretty quickly. After a while, it just became about beating you. Proving myself. [ getting you to notice me. ]

[Why bother keeping it all to himself for the rest of time, right? They've had this public rivalry of theirs for as long as Leon has been the Champion. Whatever Raihan has to say likely won't come as a surprise to Leon anyway.

Yet...what he does end up telling him is enough to cause Leon's brows to make a bid for his hairline, still watching him even though Raihan turned away.

Raihan has always been competitive. Both of them are. It just seemed right for Raihan to be coming after the title all of these years. It wouldn't have been the same if that weren't a permanent fixture. Actually, it's half of the absence Leon feels now...there's a bit of loss there, now that he's in a different position. Raihan has no reason to continuously challenge him, not really.]

...so what would you have done after that? If you beat me.

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and the latest reply ever award goes to-

i get second prize ;_;

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Wooper Eats is the best thing I've heard all day thank you

hehehe

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returns to this a million years later COMMENCE GAY

steeples fingers

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