Chapter Text
Taking a cigarette out and lighting it up, Piers took a deep drag, exhaling smoke through his nose. He was leaning against the lamp post right in front of the Cafe he was supposed to meet Leon at. This had been Hop’s and Marnie’s idea, wanting their brothers to meet and chat. They figured if they were friends, their big brothers would probably get along too. What they didn’t realize is that while Piers had a lot more time to do things, Leon was much busier due to Rose being arrested. The man now had to fix everything Rose had messed up, on top of reforming Rose Tower into The Battle Tower.
Piers looked at the time on his phone as he took another drag of his cigarette. “Didn’t expect ‘im t’ show anyways…” he muttered, exhaling smoke as he spoke. Leon was late… much later than Hop told him he’d probably be.
“Leon gets lost easy, give him ten minutes, he should show!”
The singer shook his head, taking his last drag, putting the cigarette out on the bottom of the heel of his boot, tossing it in the trash as he exhaled the last of the smoke. Piers took out his phone, trying to decide what to do now that Leon was nearly thirty minutes late. He could go shopping here in Wyndon, he’d heard from Marnie that they were selling some nice leather jackets. He rubbed his chin, pushing off the lamp post to turn and leave. The singer stopped when a rush of purple passed his face. Out of instinct, he reached out and stopped who he could only assume was Leon.
“Whoa there, where ya headin’, mate?” Piers asked.
“Sorry, can’t talk, I’m really late! I just hope Marnie’s brother doesn’t lea--” Leon stopped when he looked at Piers. “Ah!!! Piers!!!” He looked around and found the small, in-the-wall, cafe right behind the singer. “Really?! I passed this place three times!” The ex-champion hung his head.
“Where’s yer Charizard?” Piers asked, letting go of the taller man.
“I was in such a rush, I didn’t let him out of his Pokeball… I see now that I should have. I’m sorry I’m so late.” He scratched the back of his neck.
“Yer lucky ya ran past me, I was ‘bout t’ leave, thinkin’ ya were too busy t’ meet t’day.” Piers muttered, grabbing the man’s arm and leading him into the cafe, not taking any chances with him getting lost again.
“I’m not that busy today, it’s why I told Hop I could meet up.” Leon looked around the cafe as Piers led him to a table and sat him down before sitting across from him. The singer crossed his legs, fixing the hem of his black tee.
“Yer bro is gonna be so upset when Marnie tells ‘im ‘ow late ya were meetin’ me.” The dark-type trainer looked at Leon. He looked like an ashamed, lost puppy, which made Piers sigh some. “Yer lucky yer cute, I won’t say anythin’ t’ Marns.” He looked out the window, resting his cheek in the palm of his hand, his elbow resting on the table.
“Thank you, Piers. I hate upsetting Hop. He gets so pouty and never lets me live it down.” Leon smiled gently, scratching the back of his neck.
“Ain’t that ‘ow siblings are supposed t’ be?” The singer asked, looking at the waitress as she stopped by their table.
“What can I get you two?” She asked, smiling kindly.
“Venti Caramel Frap, no whip.” Piers ordered.
“Just a medium Hibiscus iced tea for me.” Leon grinned.
The waitress bowed and left the two as the ex-champ turned back to Piers. “Hop and I tend to get along pretty well… also, coffee huh?” He beamed.
The singer rolled his eyes, “I need it to function.” He muttered, turning to look back at Leon. Piers sat back, crossing his arms over his chest. “I like tea as well, but ‘aven’t ‘ad m’ coffee for th’ day.”
“Fair enough.” Leon shrugged, smiling.
The ex-gym leader exhaled slowly, lifting his hand to scratch his cheek some. “‘Ow are ya feelin’ by th’ way? I ‘eard from Marns ya were in th’ hospital for a bit after th’ whole Eternatus debacle.”
“Yea, I’m fine. Think I’m more wounded over losing my title as Champion.” Leon laughed some. He paused when Piers stared at him seriously and he sighed, “I promise I’m fine. I have a scar but it doesn’t hurt or anything. On the subject of being Champ, well my dream was always for Galar to have the strongest trainers, so losing that title and reforming Rose Tower into The Battle Tower has helped to make that dream come true.” He smiled gently when Piers nodded to him, physically relaxing.
“Good, I figured ya were pretty busy when those two weirdos showed their faces.” Piers took his frap when the waitress came back, setting Leon’s tea in front of him and walked away.
“Yea, I was setting up The Battle Tower and Hop didn’t want to bother me. I was actually upset with him over that. I would have gladly helped with the dynamaxing pokemon and to chase down Swordward and Shieldbert.” the ex-champion muttered.
“Let me tell ya, they ‘ad th’ audacity t’ say I ‘ad strange taste in hairstyles… but one o’ ‘em is runnin’ ‘round lookin’ like a bloody dildo or some shite.” Piers grumbled, glaring out the window.
Leon burst out laughing then, “you’re right, oh my god I didn’t even realize it!” he laughed harder. His laughter was so contagious, Piers sputtered a laugh.
“Seriously, though… ‘ow could that penis haired tosser think he ‘ad any right t’ shite on m’ hairstyle?” Piers snickered between words.
Leon laughed harder, nearly falling out of his chair. “Stop, stop! Oh, my sides!” He wiped at the tears falling down his cheeks from laughing so hard, one of his arms holding his side.
The singer couldn’t help laughing so hard, covering his mouth with his hands, trying to calm down. The two of them laughed for a good thirty minutes straight, trying so hard to stop. It was when Leon got a call that they finally came back down to earth.
The ex-champion stood but Piers grabbed his shirt so he couldn’t wander and get lost. Leon looked embarrassed as he took the call.
“Hello? Yes, This is him. Uh-huh… I was out get-- okay, yea. Do I have to come back right--” He sighed and shook his head, letting Charizard out of his Pokeball. “I understand, I’ll be there soon. Thanks.” He hung up his rotom phone and scratched the back of his neck. “Sorry to cut this short, but seems there’s an issue in The Battle Tower, so I have to head back.” He picked up his tea and downed it, leaving money for it on the table.
Piers didn’t let go of his shirt, “‘and me yer phone.” Leon paused, not used to the directness of being ordered around, not since Rose anyways. He handed over his phone and found Piers’s in his hand. He watched the singer typing on it. “Gonna put yer number in m’ phone? I figure it’d be easier than communicatin’ through our siblings…”
Leon physically relaxed and nodded, putting his contact information into Piers’s phone and when he went to hand it back, the singer gave him his phone back in return. He also finally let go of Leon’s shirt, downing his coffee and leaving money for it on the table.
“Let me walk ya out, at least.” He muttered and the ex-champ nodded. The two of them left the cafe, and Piers pat his shoulder. “Don’t work yerself too ‘ard, mate. If ya need any ‘elp, feel free t’ text me, don’t do phone calls… at least not often.” Leon nodded to him and waved as the shorter man walked down the road towards the clothing store.
The ex-champion looked at his phone, staring at Piers’s contact information. He walked with Charizard, the pokemon leading him even as he continued to stare at his phone. Before he knew it, he was messaging his best friend and rival.
Hey, Raihan… what do you know about Piers?