Annais didn’t understand the men of Galar.  Her behavior somehow seemed to backfire when it came to them.  Her flirtatiousness with Piers ended with him never wanting to hear from her again.  That uncharacteristic confidence she mustered stemmed from how certain she was that it had been mutual, more certain than anything in her life.  This rejection left her disillusioned, confused, and emotionally exhausted.  

Avery was the exact opposite of Piers.  

It was unfair for Annais to compare them, but it was true.

From day one, Avery hated her guts.  The moment she showed up on the Isle of Armor, he treated her as a rival and a threat. The Master Dojo had been Annais’s plan to help her get her mind off things.  She was seeking to distract herself from how badly she wanted to die after the way Piers had abruptly shunned her, only to be greeted by this pompous asshole who hated her merely for existing.  He was catty, and haughty.  He made no effort to hide his disdain for her.  She did her best to just stay out of Avery’s way and let him do his thing, lacking the energy necessary for a rivalry.  But her complete apathy towards Avery drew him in.  She watched as his attempts got more desperate.  He tried to one-up her each chance he got, and grew frustrated when he didn’t succeed.  It was almost endearing how badly he tried to make her notice him while still maintaining his superior attitude.  She found that she enjoyed the attention.  As unsavory as it may have been, she continued playing hard to get to see just how far he’d go for her.  It was a nice boost for her self-esteem to watch him go to such lengths after what had happened with Piers.  

Over the weeks that they both trained at the dojo, she found herself in a better place again.  Mustard and Honey were the most delightful hosts. They treated her like family and helped ease some of the loneliness that drove her to the island.  Avery still kept his pride and superior attitude, but he had gotten significantly less hostile towards her.  The other students at the dojo loved watching the two of them duke it out on the Battle Court.

Then, out of the blue, she got a call from Leon.  He invited her to Wyndon for a special announcement, citing that it’d be impossible without her present.  She hated to leave the island, but couldn’t shirk Champion responsibilities...

Once in Wyndon, Leon ushered her to the field where he said he’d explain everything.  But when he got her out there, he didn’t start right away. A lot of familiar faces were around while she waited, and Lee’s little brother Hop was the very first to approach her. The second… was Avery.

He interrupted her conversation with Hop about his recent studies, stating he had an announcement of his own.  They had made him a gym leader.  She was ecstatic for him.  Even if it was only the minor leagues, it was a huge testament to how hard he had worked. She believed that with a little more discipline, he’d claim his rightful place in the major league in no time at all. Avery disappeared after that, likely to go gloat to someone else.  Hop resumed chatting her up and she couldn’t help but glance around as he did.  Upon looking towards the far side of the field, her heart stopped.  Piers was here too.

Seeing him again was almost enough to undo everything she had accomplished at the dojo.  She wanted to remain aloof, but swore his face softened when he noticed her from across the green.  Nothing made sense again.  She began to doubt her memory.  Maybe she took his words that day out of proportion?  They had both been under a lot of stress, even if he seemed to have it under control.  Maybe he just needed some space, or maybe she was trying to take things too fast for him. There was a nagging feeling that something was still there between them.  She couldn’t shake it.  When he was around, she felt a tug towards him as if they were physically strung together. She hung close to Hop, not letting her emotions reel her to him.  Even if she wanted to speak to Marnie, she wasn’t going to make herself vulnerable before this huge crowd.

When Leon announced that his proposed Star Tournament was a doubles challenge that required partners, she fought herself from glancing in Piers’s direction again in front of everyone. But back in the lobby, she just couldn’t help herself.  She approached him before having a chance to talk herself out of it.  Technically, she told herself, she wasn’t calling him.  He never said she didn’t have to talk to him ever again.

Piers stared at her for a moment, and she stared back with words caught in her throat.  She wouldn’t say he looked bad; he always appeared strikingly handsome to her.  But he didn’t look well.  Those sad, tired eyes of his were even more heavy and exhausted.  The pallor of his skin looked less healthy, even his stage makeup couldn’t conceal this.  She wanted to blame his ragged appearance on the harsh light of the stadium lobby, however untrue as that may have been.

Life slowly returned to his eyes as he looked at her, corners of them creasing with joy.  For a second Annais dared to believe in love again. Piers gave her a soft smile, and an even softer, “Evenin’, Annais…”

“Hi, Piers,” she managed to squeak out.  Confidence returning, she linked her hands behind her back.  “I…  I was wondering if you wanted to team up…  Since we already know we work so well together…”

Like a switch had been flipped, his face grieved at her request.  Eyes shut.  Lips narrowed into a thin line.  It frightened her.

“Annais…”  Piers sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.  His hair swayed as he shook his head.  Her intuition still insisted to her that he wasn’t annoyed, even if everything else seemed to point to that.  “I’ll hafta pass on bein’ your partner this time.”

“Oh, okay…”  She felt herself beginning to slip.  “Maybe next time then,” fell out of her ridiculous mouth before she could think better of it.  How much longer would she do this to herself?

“Y’know, Marnie could use someone.  An’ she’s been askin’ about you lately.  Bet she…” The next words sounded strained. “… Misses you.”

Annais nodded, trying to hold the crumbling remains of her self-esteem.  She was a goddamn fool.  She didn’t even fucking want to be here anymore.  If she knew she wouldn’t be missed, she’d slip out.  What were they going to do?  Send Leon to fetch her?  He’d never make his way to Ballonlea.

Tempting as it was, she decided against it.  Just because he didn’t want her didn’t mean no one else would- she was the champion! She was the champion…  She could have any other partner she wanted. Anyone else would be delighted to partner with her.  Annais repeated these things to herself to talk her out of hiding in the locker room. She shouldn’t take it so personally. He could have already promised to partner with someone else.

Marnie had been sitting on a bench, feeding her Morpeko when Annais approached her.  It was no fault of Marnie’s that her brother was breaking Annais’s heart.  She’d never teamed up with Marnie before, but she’d fought against her many times.  She was a great rising trainer.  It’d be a good opportunity for her.

“Hey, Marnie,” Annais said, seating herself on the other side of Morpeko.

“Oh!  Annais!  Been a while,” she said.  Morpeko chirped as Marnie perked up.  “Morpeko’s been missin’ ya.”  She ducked her head, fighting away a blush.  “An’… She hasn’t been the only one…”

“Sorry about that,” Annais apologized.  She scratched the Pokémon’s chin.  “I’ve been training at the dojo on Isle of Armor for the past month.  It’s beautiful, but the reception out there is awful.”

“Wager that makes y’ even stronger than before, yeah?” Marnie laughed, crossing her arms.  “You’re gonna walk away with this thing.”

“We can walk away with this thing.  How about partner with me?” Annais offered with a weak smile.  “If you’ve been keeping up like you had been, I’m sure no one else stands a chance against us.”

“Me?”  Marnie asked.  Her hand came up to hide her flustered face.  “Y’ sure?”

“Yeah.  To be honest, I’d like to see all your fans go wild and trash this lobby after we win.”

They both laughed at that mental image.

“Now, don’ feel like ya have to team with me just cos we’re rivals.”  Marnie looked around before lowering her voice and smirking.  “Me an’ Piers were gonna team up, but I’m sure he’d rather have you…  I can find someone else easy, if you want.  Feel like he’s been missin’ ya more’n me an’ Morpeko have, anyway.”

“I don’t think so.”  Annais tried to hold her smile, but it faltered far too soon.  She exhaled all the air out of her lungs and hung her head.  “Your brother doesn’t want me.”

Marnie was caught off guard by Annais’s blunt statement.

“What?” she baulked.  “C’mon, Ann, don’ be modest.  That’s utter bollocks.  You mustn’t have seen how delighted he was to see you were okay out on that field.  That’s the most life I’ve seen outta ‘im in a month!”

“Marn, he doesn’t want anything to do with me,” Annais said.  She was willing away tears; it’d be embarrassing to cry in front of all of Galar’s elite like this.  “He pretty much said so himself.  I asked him; he turned me away.”

“That doesn’t make a bit of sense,” said Marnie, frowning.  “He’s been right miserable since you disappeared.  He listens to the bloody Orbeatles or Klink Floyd in his room every night an’ mopes.  Frankly, I’m tired of hearin’ it; it’s startin’ to depress me too.  An’ he sneaks out.  Just to sit alone at the gym.  I’ve followed to see what he was up to, an’ that’s all he does.  Just look at ‘im…”  She gestured in his direction where he was standing lifeless as could be beside Raihan.  “Ann, I don’ think he’s eaten a proper meal or slept in a month.  An’ did you smell him?”

Annais shook her head.

“He reeks of smoke,” Marnie said with the most repulsed grimace. “He’s always only done that when he’s on edge, but he’s chainsmokin’ these days. He thinks I don’ know.  He pretends nothin’s wrong.  He won’t talk to me ‘bout what’s buggin’ ‘im.  I can’t do anythin’ for ‘im.  I’ve been hopin’ you’d come back to snap ‘im out of it…  I miss ‘im too…”

Every word from Marnie added weight to Annais’s heavy heart.  She wished she could do something for him, but she had tried.  He wouldn’t let her.

“Did he tell you anything about that day the Dynamax Pokémon went wild?”  Annais asked Marnie in a hushed voice.  Marnie shook her head.  “He tell you he told me never to call him?  Just… out of nowhere.  He told me I just get into too many messes.”

The younger girl stared at Annais in disbelief.  Her brows furrowed as she looked towards her brother.  She started to get up.  “Y’ wait ‘ere. I’ll go give ‘im an earful…”

“Don’t,” Annais sighed. “There’s too many people here to make a scene.  Let’s just have fun, okay?  We can talk to him later on to rub our victory in his face.”

Marnie agreed to this.

The majority tournament was a blur, save for one match-up- Annais and Marnie versus Raihan and Piers. Annais mustered all her strength for that one match.  She was ruthless.  All of her Pokémon’s attacks were aimed at Piers’s team.  Upset on the champion’s behalf, Marnie also decided to bully her brother.  Piers was taken out within the first few turns, leaving Raihan alone against the two girls.  Annais let Marnie’s Grimmsnarl take the Dynamax and deliver the final blow to Raihan’s Duraludon when the time came.  The joy that radiated from Marnie after winning such a battle helped ease some of Annais’s pain.

Raihan didn’t seem pleased that he was out of the running, but Piers looked worse.  The way Marnie looked at him when they parted for the next match seemed to hurt far more than the humiliating loss.  The way Annais wouldn’t look at him only added to it.

With Marnie, Annais had walked away with the cup despite her head not being in the game.  Reluctantly, she followed Marnie through the crowded lobby and adoring fans to rub the victory in her brother’s face as promised.  Yet Piers was nowhere to be found.  Raihan hadn’t seen him; no one else had either.  It had gotten late by the time they gave up.  Disappointed, Marnie ended up hitching a flying taxi back to Spikemuth with some of the more responsible female members of Team Yell, but not before making Annais promise to come visit soon.

Annais had considered going back to her cottage for the first time in a month, since she was so close to home.  Instead, she told the cabbie her destination was the Isle of Armor.

She had planned on going to the desert to brood and be alone, just like she would always do in the hills back home in Carolus.  She’d decided to set up camp there instead of going to the dojo where everyone would be clamoring to congratulate her.  Apparently, the desert wasn’t her exclusive sulking place.  She’d walked up on Avery.  He didn’t see or hear her come up; he was too busy with his Slowpoke.  She began to back away, not in a mood for him to start with her or see her like this, but caught his words.

“I need to get stronger so a certain someone will recognize me for the great trainer I am…”

Annais’s heart dropped. That certain trainer… could it have been her?  It had to be; Avery’s energy was never focused on anyone else.  Another step back caused sand to crunch beneath her boot, startling Avery.  He spun around and sputtered.

“Y-You!  Annais!” he gasped.  “How long have you been…?”

“Sorry,” she whispered. “I-I didn’t hear anything…  I came out here to be alone too.  I’m leaving, sorry.”

“Don’t.”

She froze and Avery walked over to meet her.  He looked far more embarrassed than irked by her being there.  Sweat glimmered from his brow in the pale moonlight.

“Here,” he slipped a league card into her hand.  “Forget what you heard.  Use amnesia if you must.  You are to think of that as contract between us two, understand?”

She nodded.  He looked at her, studied her face, then sighed.

“You… did splendidly out there tonight.  Your performance was elegant as always.”

“Thanks,” Annais said, rubbing the back of her neck.  “And congrats again on the gym leader gig.  You know, you’ve grown so much since we first met.  I just know you’ll be in the major circuit in no time.”

Avery gave her a nod as his cheeks tinted pink.  “I understand you want to be alone.  I’ll be going now.”

“See you back at the dojo?” she asked.

“I’ll be there when you return.”

Annais watched as Avery walked away.  Once he was out of sight, she stared up at the night stars.

Maybe Piers didn’t want her. But Avery…

Thinking about Avery, he reminded her of a boyfriend she once had, if she could call him that. What they had was good.  It wasn’t love, but he kept her happy and the sex was great.  The kicker was that he was also a psychic of sorts, though he wasn’t anywhere near as arrogant.  If Annais hadn’t questioned him about her future in a moment of vulnerability, she could have easily seen herself continuing their fling to this day.

She dropped onto the cool sand at the memory, burying her face in her arms.  Morty had promised that one day, she’d be happy.  It wouldn’t be with him, but she’d be happy.  He foresaw that a darkness would come that she could call home.  A comfortable darkness, he said.  It would consume her.  All around her was darkness, but no matter where she went, she wasn’t wanted.  She remembered him saying he withheld the knowledge from her so long to see if her future would change to include him in it. Was that a possibility?  Did she change her future and ruin her chances at happiness somehow?  Certain things he had predicted came to fruition- a connection with legendaries, for instance. She had met at least three since coming to Galar.  Annais sighed.  Even a broken clock is right twice a day.  She tried to hold on to what he said.  A challenge. Hurt before healing.  How much longer would she have to hurt?

She kicked the sand.  She was tired of fucking up when it came to others. Why couldn’t she trade a shred of her ability with Pokémon to just be able to interact with fellow humans like everyone else could?  She wanted a break from being miserable.  Annais was tired of pursuing love, but she wanted to be wanted.  She couldn’t keep being alone.  At this point, a friend with benefits would suit her just fine, or even a friendly rival with benefits.  Avery seemed interested enough in her.  She vowed not to trip up with him like she did with Morty.  If Avery knew something she didn’t, he could keep it.  She didn’t want to know the future.  Heaving another sigh, she rose to her feet and brushed the sand off of her.  She’d always be alone if she kept isolating herself, and she promised Avery she’d meet back up with him at the dojo tonight.

It was past midnight when Annais arrived at the Fields of Honor.  All the lights were out in the dojo.  Annais crept inside, then to the women’s changing room with her bag, careful not to wake the sleeping students.  Once in the illuminated locker room, she dug her clothes out so she could quickly shower before laying down.  She heard the door creak open behind her.  She turned around, figuring that one of the other students probably needed to use one of the toilets, but was surprised to find Avery standing at the door instead.

“Avery!” she gasped.  “… You’re not supposed to be in here.”

Putting a finger to his lips, he shushed her and walked closer.

“It’s only you in here. Everyone else is asleep,” he huffed, crossing his arms.  “Nevertheless, your futon is already laid out.  So, you needn’t make any more noise looking for it when you’re done in here.  Next to mine… for ease of locating, of course.”

“Oh,” Annais said, blushing slightly.  “Thank you.”

Avery nodded, but lingered rather than leaving immediately like she thought he would.

“Um… What are you up to tomorrow?” asked Annais, rubbing her arm.  

Arms still folded; he raised a brow at her question.

“I’m wanting to go to Challenge Road myself,” she mentioned in his silence.  “There’s still some Pokémon I’ve yet to catch around here.  I’d like to finish my Pokédex before returning to Ballonlea.”

“That’s an invitation, I presume?”

She gulped.  Was she being too forward again?  How else was she supposed to ask if he wanted to spend time together?

“… Y-Yeah, if you’ve got nothing better to do.  It’s Saturday, so it’s not like Mustard has anything planned for us.”

Avery’s face softened. “We can discuss this further in the morning.”

“Okay, yeah.  It’s kinda late,” she agreed.  “Night, Avery.”

“Goodnight, Annais.”

When he left, she showered off as quickly as she could get away with while still being hygienic, tossed her dirty clothes and bag into her locker, then headed off to sleep.  Sure enough, she found her empty futon next to where Avery lay sleeping.  He saved her the good corner spot where she would only have him to her side and one person below her feet.  Once she laid down, it took her forever to doze off.  Her brain was in a million places.  So much went on over the course of the night, it was a lot to process.

The groggy Annais awoke the next morning to the most delicious smell, as she did every morning at the dojo.  Honey’s breakfasts were a staple.  Her food reminded Annais of being back home; everything was so delicious and made with love. Annais glanced to her side.  Avery had already left, as well as a handful of other students.  Annais quickly folded her futon to get ready for the day.

Annais missed the fanfare last night, but she was not spared it during breakfast.  The moment she seated herself at the table, everyone was congratulating her on her victory as well as clamoring at Master Mustard’s participation.  Well, most everyone.  Avery was more quiet than usual in his spot opposite Annais.  Feeling a bit overwhelmed from all the attention she was getting and slightly bad for him, she believed he deserved his share of the fame.  She brought up Avery’s new title as the psychic type gym leader.  Many of the students had not been aware of this, and heaps of genuine praise were piled on him.  The boost to his ego was immediate and Annais felt a little better knowing he was finally getting the recognition he rightfully earned.

After breakfast, Avery pulled Annais to the side.

“I suppose you’re looking for gratitude?” he said.

Annais cocked her head. “For?”

“Recognizing me,” he answered with a frown.

“Aw, Avery,” she said. “Sorry if what I said was out of place… I just thought the others would like to know.  They’ve been rooting for you too.”

At this revelation, Avery turned bright red.  He cleared his throat to recollect himself.

“Did you still intend to go hunting Pokémon today?” he asked.  “Or were you just talking out of your ass last night?”

“Yeah, I did still want to go to Challenge Road,” she said.  “You can come if you’d like.”

Avery appeared to study her face for a moment, before cracking a smirk.

“I suppose I have nothing better to grace with my time.  I will accompany you, if you insist.”

At his confirmation, Annais went to fetch her bag from the lockers so they could head out.

Little conversation was exchanged between the two of them as they wandered across the island.  His comment earlier had her worried.  She hoped he didn’t think she was being nice to him after overhearing him last night.  The whole time, Annais wanted to ask him things, but felt so choked up any time she opened her mouth.  She was hopeless.  After nearly an hour of wandering around in silence, the pair ended up at their destination.

“Alright,” Avery proclaimed. “We’re all the way out here.  Now, you may confess your true intent behind dragging me out here.”

Annais froze in her tracks and whipped her head around.

“What?” she asked quietly.

“Don’t be coy, Annais. You heard me.”

“I… I wanted to hang out,” she said.  “And catch Pokémon.”

A smirk crossed Avery’s face as he rubbed his chin.  “Hmm… No. I don’t believe that’s why I’m here. With you.  All alone after someone eavesdropped on me last night.”

“Oh, if you’re such a fucking psychic, figure it out yourself,” she huffed.

“I believe I already have,” Avery said, adjusting his glasses.  “I just want you to proclaim it.”

Annais stared at him, knitting her brows and biting her lip.  His attitude really infuriated her sometimes.  She began to second guess herself, second guess if pursuing something with Avery was worth it.  She began to open her mouth again, but felt the heat rise to her cheeks.  She couldn’t say it.  She couldn’t put her feelings, however mild, out in the open.

“Never mind,” she said, turning back around.  “Forget it if you’re going to act like that.”

Avery turned up his nose incredulously.  “You are by far the most asinine person I have ever met.”

This statement really got under her skin.  She began to storm off by herself.  In her irritation, she wasn’t paying much attention to her surroundings.  She tripped over something.

“… Are you okay?” she heard Avery ask.

Fuck.  He saw that.

She ignored him.  Sitting up in the tall grass, she instead looked over to see what caused her to stumble.  Whatever it was hissed in pain.  She crawled over to the source, finding a Salandit nursing its tail.

“Aww, oh no,” she said, reaching out for the creature.  “Fuck, I’m so sorry about that.  Let me help.”

Reaching into her bag, she felt around for some berries or potions, something to heal the creature. There was nothing.  She groaned.  Avery agreeing to venture out with her caused her to rush; she forgot to replenish her stock with the vending machines.  She peeked up and over at Avery, who had continued to watch the whole thing with a smug expression.

“Do you have any potions?” she asked.

“Don’t believe that’s going to fix whatever’s wrong with you,” Avery sneered, cocking his hip.

“It’s for the Pokémon, asshole.”

“Pokémon?”  Avery drew closer, joining her in the grass with the Salandit.  “Ah…  In that case, let me see if I have anything.”

He took off his top hat, much to Annais’s amusement.

“Gonna pull a Scorbunny outta there?” she joked.

“No, but I have something for you.”

She tiled her head, only for him to pull out his hand to raise a middle finger.  Scoffing, she shoved him.

“Quit being a dick and tell me if you have something for the Salandit!”

“Impatient!  If only someone could get her head out of the air, she probably could’ve remembered to pack her own.”

The rustling sound that grew closer was neglected as the two began to bicker.  A louder hiss interrupted both of them.  They froze and looked back.

A Salazzle.

The Salandit that Annais tripped over must have been part of her harem and alerted her by crying out. It darted behind the Salazzle as if it wasn’t injured at all.  Panic flashed in Avery’s eyes as Annais held her hands out.

“Th-There, there,” she said to the Pokémon.  “It was an accident.  We’re trying to heal him.”

The Salazzle hissed again, causing the pair of trainers to inch backwards.

“Do something!” Avery whispered.  “Surely, you of all people have a Pokémon that can ward it off!”

Annais reached for Quesalupa’s pokéball, but it was too late.  The Salazzle hit both of them with a cloud of sickly sweet-smelling gas.  As Annais and Avery were reduced to a coughing fit, the two Pokémon scurried away to safety.

The two trainers sat in a daze for a few moments as they tried to clear their lungs.

“This isn’t good,” Annais said.  “Fuck.”

“Are we poisoned?” he asked, holding his chest.  “Was that toxic?  We need an antidote!”

Annais sighed and held her head.  “Avery, do you know anything about Salazzles?”

The psychic shook his head.

“We’re not going to die,” she said.  “But… This still isn’t good.”

“You keep repeating that,” he huffed.  “Care to extenuate why exactly isn’t this good?”

Annais wanted to save her breath; talking was hurting her lungs.  She fished her Rotomphone out of her bag, opened the Pokédex app, found Salazzle’s entry, and passed it to Avery.  She then watched as his face cycled from annoyance, to confusion, to horror.  As he handed the phone back, his default smug expression had returned.

“All according to your plan then, hm?”

“What?” Annais croaked.

“You were trying to seduce me,” said Avery.  “… Were you not?”

Annais’s eyes widened.

“No!” she said.  “No!  I wanted to get to know you better!  You act so different around me when we’re alone.  I thought… Forget it.”

“Oh…”

Annais was even more confused by this response.

“Wait, you thought I brought you out here to fuck?”

““I…”  Avery ducked his head and rubbed his neck.  “…May have gotten that vibe from you.”

“Oh.”  Annais was feeling dizzy, and she wasn’t sure if it was from the poison or not.  “Wait, wait… And you came along?”

“Naturally,” he said, shrugging.  “I figured we both wanted to relieve some of this tension so we could get back to our rivalry.  We both find each other as attractive as we are aggravating, do we not?”

Annais nodded slowly. She couldn’t believe her ears. Avery wanted to have meaningless sex with her too.

“At any rate, we now need to get back to the dojo,” Avery said, standing up and dusting himself off. “Whatever happens can happen there. I don’t wish to be vulnerable like this in the wilderness.”

“We can’t go back to the dojo!” she replied.  “What are we supposed to do?  Masturbate in the showers?  Mustard would surely kick us out.”

Avery let out a shaky breath at that comment.  Annais also became hung up on that mental image.  Avery soon cleared his throat.

“Well, we certainly can’t stay out here.”

“I have a tent,” she said. “There’s a cave not too far that way. Let’s set up camp.”

Avery’s face had taken on a red hue that didn’t look like it would be going away any time soon.  His breathing was a bit labored.  Annais didn’t feel so good herself.  Her body felt sticky and uncomfortable.  She was hyper-aware of every fiber touching her skin.  Regardless, she scooped up her bag, rose to her feet, and began heading towards the cave.  Avery followed behind.

The next time she glanced back, Avery looked worse off than before.  He was holding his hat.  His gloves, glasses, and cravat had been removed and placed inside.  His hair was tied up.  All things considered, he looked pretty fucking cute…

Annais shook her head. No.  They couldn’t do anything now.  Even if she had again decided to give him a shot, this would be weird.  They weren’t in a clear state of mind.  They needed to wait it out.  They could have their fling at another, more appropriate time.

They entered the mouth of the Brawler’s Cave, dodging the Pokémon that wandered around until they found a decent spot to set up camp.  It wasn’t too deep inside, but still in a small den tucked out of the way.  It was highly unlikely anyone would find them.

She had a battery-operated lantern.  It was perfect for illuminating the tent without risk of setting fire to herself. With that light, they could see what they were doing.  Annais began to set up camp, and Avery attempted to help.  She couldn’t help but notice how close he was the entire time. Every time he bumped against her, she fought back a gasp.  Her mind was getting foggier and her panties were getting more soaked.  She tried to think about other things, but when her thoughts drifted, each was more erotic than the last.  The cool, dank air inside the cave was also torture against her overheated skin.  She couldn’t get inside the tent quick enough.

Annais laid her sleeping bag down, unzipped to cover a wider area so Avery wouldn’t have to be resting on the rocky ground.  She sat the lantern in the corner of the tent and Avery crawled inside too.  She may not have had potions, but she did have bottles of water.  She handed one to Avery and began sipping her own.

“Annais…”

His voice sounded so labored.  It was concerning… and a bit arousing.

“Hm?”  

Annais twisted the cap onto her bottle and looked over at Avery, only to be greeted by him pressing his lips to hers.

She hesitated, bringing her hands to his chest with every intention of pushing him away.  She knew they shouldn’t.  They wouldn’t be doing this if not for the pheromones.  They’d be fussing and bickering.  Not to mention, there had been a different man forcing his way back into the forefront of her mind since the aphrodisiac began to cloud her thoughts…  

She began sweating profusely as she thought about Piers.  When she closed her eyes, she imagined it was his lips on hers instead, prompting her to kiss back more passionately.  In her heart, she loved Piers.  She couldn’t deny she truly loved him.  And she wanted him so bad.  Her core ached at the thought of him.  Physically and spiritually, she felt empty in a way that could only be filled by him.  Her arms coiled around Avery when she imagined how she would hold Piers.  But he hated her.  They weren’t together; they were never going to be together.  It made no sense to waste her life on someone who didn’t love her back.

Avery was gorgeous too, and he was right here kissing her.  He had confirmed out loud that followed her out here fully prepared to sleep with her. Avery wanted her attention.  Sure, she didn’t feel as strongly for him as she did for Piers, but she didn’t need to.  He wanted to fuck and resume their rivalry.  She could look past the lack of feelings.  At least in this moment, she could look past it.  They’d come a long way since they first met; who’s to say they could come even further?  Maybe this experience would bring them together.  Her lips parted for him and she melted into his arms.

But when his tongue swirled against hers, visions of Piers flashed in her brain again.  She pictured him groping her, pinning her against the cave floor, and shoving his tongue deeper into her throat.  She imagined his slender fingers dancing beneath her skirt, stroking the slickness between her legs.  The thought was so overwhelming, she couldn’t breathe.  She broke away from the kiss, panting for breath.  Avery was panting too.  Strings of flaxen hair clung to his damp cheeks and he brushed them away with the back of his wrist.  His dazzling blue eyes glared at her through heavy lids.  The man in front of her was attractive, possibly far more attractive than she had any right to be with.  Her heart twisted, and she cursed it.  Why wasn’t she happy yet?

This was going to happen whether that ungrateful heart of hers wanted it to or not.  Maybe once the act started, she’d be more focused on the here and now.  She stripped away her shirt, now soaked with perspiration and tossed away her bra too, before straddling Avery and freed him of his top.  This devolved into a frenzy of removing each other’s articles of clothing and discarding them to the side.  Soon, they were completely naked, bare skin glistening in the dim light of the lantern.

Avery looked absolutely ravenous.  Whatever the Salazzle infected them with had ridded him of all his poshness.  He pushed her off of him, onto the sleeping bag. Grabbing her legs, he spread them and brought his mouth between her thighs.  Annais could have cum immediately at the feel of his mouth on her clit.  She began to see stars as he vigorously ate her cunt.  Amidst those stars?

She huffed, shaking her head.  It wasn’t fair!  Piers wasn’t the one eating her out.  He didn’t deserve the credit of bringing her to orgasm.  She grabbed hold of Avery’s silky ponytail, encouraging him to keep up the good work and anchoring herself to reality.  Annais bit her lip as she felt the familiar buzz of an impending orgasm.  She wanted to moan so badly, but feared Piers’s name would slip out.  It always slipped out when she was fingering herself at home.  She threw her arm over her face as she got closer.  She wanted to cry when she came and Piers’s name was still on the tip of her tongue.  She wanted to cry because she wished he were here.

Instead, she propped herself up after recovering and ended up between Avery’s legs to thank him.  She hoped if she was doing the pleasing, she’d be forced to focus on her current partner.  Yet having Avery in her mouth didn’t make Piers go away.  She idly wondered if Piers would be more withdrawn if he knew what she was up to right now.  He wondered if he’d be as hurt as he made her.  Guilt began to creep up as she continued going down on Avery.  Hearing the normally arrogant man reduced to a moaning, pleading mess because of her ministrations didn’t fill her with the pride she hoped it would.  In fact, she was beginning to think that gas from the Salazzle was also some kind of hallucinogen dead-set on having her fixate on what pained her the most.

After getting Avery off, they tried something new.  They kept making each other cum over and over.  Annais’s body craved the pleasure; her pheromone-induced arousal still had not waned despite multiple orgasms.  But her soul was in turmoil.  Her body rejoiced with every climax, and her heart felt more betrayed. This went on for what felt like hours. They proceeded to fuck until they exhausted themselves and passed out tangled up in each other’s limbs.

Every part of Annais’s body ached when she came to, inside and out.  She was freezing.  The siring heat of arousal had long passed.  She crawled around to find the pieces of her outfit.  Once dressed, she laid back down on her side of the tent, facing away from Avery.  She felt like she cheated and couldn’t shake it.  She thought sleeping with someone would help distract her, but it only felt worse.  Avery wasn’t Piers.  Avery was Avery.  Piers was Piers.  That wasn’t a bad thing.  Avery just couldn’t be used as a replacement for Piers.  The two were opposites.  The way she felt about each of them was as different as possible.  Avery was a rival, who may have also become a friend.  And Piers…?  Piers could be so much more than that if he’d let her in.  She wished he’d let her in.  It hurt knowing he was as broken as she was.  The thought of it had her silently crying herself back to sleep.

Movement behind her woke Annais up again.

“What time is it?” she heard Avery groan.

Annais rubbed her eyes, then reached into her bag to find her phone.

“Six.”

“Six?” Avery repeated and sat up.  “In the evening?”

“No,” she shook her head. “Six in the morning.”

Another groan came from Avery.  “How long did I fool around with you?”

Annais shrugged.  They had departed the Dojo early yesterday afternoon.  Who knows what time they ended up in the cave?

Avery made haste putting on his clothes.  Annais rolled up the sleeping bag, which definitely needed to be run through the wash, and exited the tent.  He followed her out, assisted in taking the tent down and packing it back in her bag.

Silently, they wandered through the cave.  They made it to the outside just in time to watch the sun as it rose above the tower.

“Avery,” she lowered her voice as they continued back towards Challenge Road.  “Um, what does this mean… Like, for us?”

Avery tutted.

“Last night, we both needed to blow off some steam.  Don’t feel like strings must be attached.”

Annais nodded, looking a bit crestfallen.  Avery frowned at her, tilting her face up by the chin to look at him.

“If you wanted something more, we could give it a try.  But in my expert opinion, I don’t think we’d be good for each other.  Not romantically.  Not in the long run,” Avery admitted, tucking her hair behind her ear.  “You’ve helped me so much, but I still have a long way to go. I don’t need distractions; I need discipline.  You’ve shown me this.”

Annais nodded, twisting the edge of her skirt in her hands.

“Besides, one wouldn’t have to be a psychic to know that your heart is elsewhere.”

She gasped and her eyes blew wide.  He knew? She felt like she was going to be sick.

“A-Avery,” she stammered, tears beginning to brim her eyes again.  “I-I…”

He put a finger to her lips.

“Shh… Annais, no.  Don’t feel like you have to apologize to me,” he said with a laugh.  “There are no hard feelings.  We had no control over what happened yesterday.  And you have no control over how you feel.”

Annais tried to nod as tears dripped out the corners of her eyes.

“Can I give you some advice?” Avery said.  “Not as an intellectual, as a friend and confidant.  You consider me those things, don’t you?”

Annais rubbed at her eyes. “Please…”

“Ask him.”

“Ask…?”

Avery heaved a sigh.  “You’ll have to ask that Spikemuth ruffian how he feels about you.”

A grimace appeared on Annais’s face.

“I know, I know.  That isn’t your nature, but I need you to just ask him how he feels.  Ask him if your suspicions are true.  Ask him if he hates you, since you’re so hung up on believing that.  You people can’t read minds.  You don’t know what’s in someone’s heart.  Even if you did, it doesn’t make it easier…”  Avery sighed once more.  “Trust me.”

“… You knew?”

“Of course, I knew!” Avery announced.  “Anyone with vision could see how hard you were pining.  You looked downright pitiful at the Star Tournament.  I hadn’t seen you that melancholy since you first reared your cumbersome head here on this island.  I must say, that venom of yours towards him during the second round could have put any poison-type to shame.”

Annais felt even more embarrassed, running her hands down her face.

“If I’m being completely candid, I don’t have the slightest idea what you see in him… He’s a little ratty, if you ask me.  A comb wouldn’t hurt that hair of his, though he’d probably hurt it.”  Avery paused to shake his head, then turned back to Annais. “Still, there’s something there. Something that brings you the slightest bit of joy.  Pursue it. Need I remind you that you’re the bloody Champion?  You could take any partner in Galar.  If that one’s the one you want, heaven help you, show him some of that tenacity that you’ve always shown to me.”

Annais threw her arms around Avery.  He stiffened from the sudden affection, but eventually relaxed and patted her back.

“Nevertheless, I must take my absence.  Mustard and Honey are probably wondering what happened to me last night,” Avery admitted. “… And I’d hate to miss Honey’s breakfast.  You come and go as you please, but my missing presence is far more noticeable.”

“I think… I’m leaving the island,” she said.  “You’re right… I should probably go to Spikemuth before I change my mind.”

“I predicted you’d say that,” Avery grinned.  “You know, that little dump is right across the sea.”

“Is it really?” Annais asked.

A nod came from Avery. “If you depart from Challenge Beach, it’s right across the Stepping Stone Sea.  Though, I must advise you shower before making any attempt.”

Annais snorted.  “Thanks, Avery.  I’ll swing by Ballonlea first.  It’s been a while since I’ve been home.”

“Excellent plan.”

“Guess I’ll see you around.”

“I’ll await your next visit,” he said with a bow.  “Though, try not to come back too soon.  I intend to surprise you next battle.  We’re still rivals, after all.”