Chapter Text
“Tom! That Dragonite landed in the backyard again, you wanna run to the store with me and Matt?”
Tom looked up from his place on his bed; Edd was standing in the doorway, his Chimchar wrapped around his shoulders. This would be the third of her kind he had bred and raised thus far, and he anticipated her evolving any day now; so logically the Pokemon, named “Torch” lovingly, never left his side. “Either it’s going to throw you off mid-flight or it’s going to strand you there, just take the car.”
“No, I think I really bonded with it last time.”
“Matt broke his arm last time.” Tom glanced back to his book, unimpressed.
“Well, aren’t you a downer.” Edd stuck his tongue out, turning around as Torch mimicked the action. “You have two minutes to join us if you want!”
“I won’t,” Tom called after him, settling back down against the headboard. There was a quick ruckus of footsteps dashing around the house, and he could just make out both Matt and Edd’s excited tones as they dashed outside to greet the dragon Pokémon. He sighed slightly, dropping his book to the side and allowing himself to relax.
A soft rustling attracted his attention; he looked up as his door nudged open just slightly, and a shuffling lapsed across the carpet. Tom watched as a small crinkled looking head appeared over his pile of dirty laundry, clambering up to the bed. “Hey there Hershey. Escaping the noise?”
The Mimikyu didn’t answer, but succeeded in mounting the summit of laundry and sank down onto the comforter. Hershey had been his partner Pokemon for a good couple years now, despite Edd offering many times new, possibly more friendly Pokemon than the justifiably disconcerting ghost-fairy type. Tom waved him away many times; he and Hershey had clicked, and besides, Hershey was plenty friendly when he wanted to be, such as now.
Hershey had shuffled right up to his side, pushing aside his arm to rest there. He really was quite a strange specimen, behaving something like a cat much of the time. Tom tsked as he brushed his hand back onto the bed, taking in the once again wrinkled disguise cloaking Hershey. “What did you do this time?”
Allowing Tom to fuss with the dusty fabric, Hershey let out a low screech; Tom chuckled. “Don’t sass me, just stay still a moment.” He managed to straighten out a few of the worse creases, fixing the head so it wasn’t quite so crooked. Tom rested a gentle hand against the Pokémon’s “head”, brushing the crinkly costume back in an attempt to prop Hershey’s ears back up. “You gotta take better care of yourself little buddy.”
It let out a soft croon, leaning back against his chest. They sat that way together for a time, Tom’s eyes slowly sliding shut peacefully. A low hum was the only noise in the household, perhaps from the refrigerator. A lazy sunbeam crept through the window, hitting both Pokémon and man in a warm burst.
Eventually Hershey shuffled into a stand; he crept out from under Tom’s arm, and he listened sleepily as Hershey wandered down towards the kitchen, probably to eat. Hershey never would eat in front of people, but it didn’t bother Tom; he understood the need for quiet moments such as these. His eyes shut once more, enjoying the stillness.
A sudden burst of noise sounded from the kitchen; a slight thump as though someone entering the house, then a quick shriek from Hershey. An alarm noise. Tom jumped up, dashing out of his room and down the short distance to the kitchen. He stopped dead, staring at the intruder rudely trying to pet Hershey. “Tord?! What do you think you’re doing here?”
Tord looked up with a grin. He had been crouched next to Hershey, who was continuing to make a static shriek towards him. “Ah Tom, I’m guessing this little guy is yours? He’s not exactly to Edd or Matt’s taste, is he.”
“Get away from him.” Tord obliged, standing to his feet once more. Tom glared at him, ignoring as Hershey scuttled off behind a counter. “Again, what are you doing here? Why did you break in?”
“I didn’t break in, first of all, the door was unlocked. Besides, Edd invited me.” Tord turned, walking to the kitchen table; he pulled a chair out, turning it so he could sit backwards and face Tom. “Is he out at the moment?”
“Yes, so you should leave until he comes back.”
Tord laughed. “Glad to see you haven’t given up our old unpleasantness. No, I think I’ll stick around.” He fumbled at his belt for a moment, grabbing a Pokéball; his entire outfit was so clearly that of a top trainer, and it pissed Tom off.
Apparently finding the one he was looking for, he tossed it down onto the floor; it opened, revealing a Raichu. “Hope you don’t mind letting my Pokemon have a stretch.”
“I doubt I can stop you,” Tom grumbled. So much for a quiet afternoon. He didn’t want to leave Tord alone in here, but he certainly didn’t want to stick around either; Edd better get home soon. The Raichu didn’t seem at all interested in exploring the house yet, instead staying by their owner’s side. Tom turned away, searching momentarily for Hershey; he had pressed himself into a corner, since all his favourite cupboards were shut. He didn’t struggle as Tom picked him up, cradling him gently against his hoodie.
Tord was staring at him with interest, surveying the Mimikyu carefully. “There really isn’t much known about those you know… I’d love to take a closer look.”
“Not a chance,” Tom hissed, leaning up against the fridge. Hershey settled in his arms, but if anything his continued static noises only made Tom more suspicious of Tord’s sudden appearance.
There was a sudden crash outside, coupled by a roar. An instant later, terrified laughter could be heard approaching the door, and Tord said, “That sounds like them. Should we say hello?”
Tom wasn’t given a chance to respond before the entrance crashed open, and the duo and their companions dashed in.”Tord!”