Chapter Text
Click, Clank
Hop carefully set one block on top of the other in his Hotel room, the past months have just been an utter nightmare for him, what with losing in the Semi-Finals to becoming partners Zamazenta and deciding on becoming a professor. He barely spent time at home anymore... not that his family noticed, Leon, even after losing his title, threw himself right into taking over Rose tower and repurposing it into the battle tower and Hop? well, he wasn't the Golden son Leon, so the rest of his family brushed his absence off with ease. Right now Hop sat in the comfort and safety of his room, utterly alone to indulge himself into little space, a very welcomed break, especially after he had burst into tears from overload and Sonia gave him a month and a half off for rest which he accepted. With a quick packing of things back home, the boy was out the door and roughing it out in the Wild Area and routes, until he needed a place to shower and a comfortable space to do what he needed to do desperately. So here he was, very much enjoying hearing the soft crinkling of the Wooloo printed Nappies ring into his ears as he chewed and suckled on his pacifier, looking at his block tower he worked so hard on, happily clapping for himself.
He hadn't dared told his family about his being a little, there was no reason to ostracize himself to his family more and especially cause distancing between him and his big brother. But sometimes... More so recently, the boy just wanted to be cuddled and doted on like a baby and it hurt him that he had to keep this harmless desire to himself. As for why he slipped more and more? Part of him assumed it was because he was around Leon more since the Gym Challenge and he desperately wanted to spend time with his big brother. But instead, he was sitting here utterly alone in his Hotel room, playing with blocks.
Alone... Hop let out a soft sniffle at the word echoing tauntingly in his head, hugging his stuffie close to himself to try and comfort himself with a "hug". On his bed, his phone buzzed, someone was texting him? Sitting up, Hop went and pulled the phone off the bedside table and looked at it.
Lee: Hey, been looking all over Galar for you, mum says you haven't been home for at least 2 weeks and I just talked to Gloria who Told me you're at the Budew Drop Inn in Motostoke... Are you free to see me right now?
Tensing up Hop thought of many excuses or reasons to tell him he couldn't... but on the other hand, Leon seemed like he was worried for him, or was worried he was living in the Hotel room...
Hop: I haven't been in the Hotel for 2 weeks if you're worried about an expensive bill Lee...
Hop winced at how... douchey that came off and went to type another response, but saw Leon was typing already.
Leon: Never said you were, I'm just worried you left without telling any of the family little bro... So...Are you free to see me?
The boy didn't even think about his current attire, his big brother was taking time off to see him.
Hop: Yes, I'll be down there in about 15!
Getting up, Hop began to put on his usual attire in a flash, but his trousers felt a little... off. Looking himself in the mirror, he realized why this was.
"Sonnuva..." he groaned, the nappy was making his trousers fit weirdly, making it obvious he was in the thick garment, to begin with.
"These... aren't exactly cheap nappies... taking it off might ruin the tapes" Hop mumbled to himself, head tilting to think of a solution. Eyes scanning the bed, he thought of any piece of clothing that could cover at least the bulk. What he spotted was one of Leon's hoodies, which he had borrowed when doing laundry and had no PJs to wear to bed. Picking up the soft article of clothing, Hop slipped it over his head, a bit too easily as it practically fell onto him and damn did it do the trick. It went halfway down his thighs and the sleeves past his hands.
"Hhhhhhh" looking in the mirror was a mistake, only serving to make him feel even smaller than he felt in it. Looking at his lanyard where the pacifier was clipped, Hop popped it into his mouth as he gathered up his phone and a few things, letting himself have just a bit more little time to get it out of his system before he opened the door and locking it behind him with his keycard, sucking on the Pacifier on his way to the elevator and only pulling it out to hide under the hoodie when he waited for it to get the first level.
Ding!
Stepping out of the elevator, he looked around curiously, spotting sitting in one of the chairs, in a red jacket and black jeans, was his brother. Taking a deep breath, Hop smiled, calling out to his brother with a wave.
"Lee!" Leon turned to see Hop making way to him and smiled. He stood up just as the younger brother got to him.
"Hm, Is that one of my old Hoodies?" Leon asked playfully of his brother whose cheeks burned.
"I-It's cold and it's the only clean warm item I have on me" he convinced of him. Humming thoughtfully, Leon's smile did drop a little.
"Have you been taking care of yourself Hop? and eating?" Leon questioned looking him over, Hop looked down with a blush.
"Bro I learned how to rough it out during the gym challenge didn't I?" he asked him with a weak smile. Arms crossed, Leon did nod with a hum.
"You're right, you didn't always get a nice cozy hotel during it and had to camp under the stars and cook outside, but as a big brother, I do worry about my baby brother too" hearing Leon casually use the term "baby brother" did something to Hop as his cheeks flushed. The boy craved to hear his brother call him that directly, maybe while hugging him too? Hop shuddered, forcing the thoughts down, right now was big boy time! Leon's hand pressed against Hop's back gently.
"Come on, let's get some fresh air Hop..." with a soft volume, the older male walked, leading his brother out. There was a temptation from Hop, to hold his big brother's hand and let him lead him.
"Stop thinking about yourself dammit" Hop thought bitterly to himself. The cold air hit like a rock on the boy's face who sunk his head into the hoodie.
"It is chilly out" Leon laughed when he saw Hop's reaction. They continued their walk in a peaceful silence until they were a good far distance from the Hotel and down by the river stream that passed through the city, both sitting at the bench.
"Mum, Grandma, and Grandpa told me they barely see you anymore since you started apprenticing under Sonia, and Sonia told me she gave you a month and a half off because you had a breakdown at her lab" Leon began, getting to the point. Hop could only tense up at his brother's long stare, waiting for some kind of answer from him.
"D-Do they even care they don't see me often?" he didn't mean to blurt it out, evident when he covered his mouth, looking mortified. Wide-eyed and mouth agape, Leon stared at his little brother, he didn't think that about their folks...right?
"Hop...why would you say something like that about mum and our grandparents?" the tone was one of shock and horror. Hop gripped at the hoodie, chewing on his lower lip, staring at his feet.
"I... I think it's a fair question for me to ask Lee" now he wasn't looking at his brother, but Leon's eyes were burning a hole into his head at this point. He didn't know, did he? Hop fiddled with the hem of his hoodie, still not looking at his big brother.
"Lee... do...do you really think I'm the one who decided to dedicate all photos in the house to just you?" Hop's voice was barely audible, like a fading whisper.
"Whenever there's company, even my friends... they talk like you're the only son or grandson... the only proof there is that I live there is my bedroom, and even that then..." Hop didn't mean to but he let out soft sniffles, tears building up in his eyes. He could only imagine how pissed off his brother was right now for him having the audacity to bring up their blatant favoritism, shouting at him that he was ungrateful.
Leon could only stare at his brother in shock... He always found it odd how his family never talked about Hop's achievements, but... Not once did he consider or think that they ignored him to his friends. His heart cracked hearing those thinly veiled little sobs coming from his little brother.
"Hop... Oh, sweetie..." Reaching his arms out, he pulled Hop close to him and into a tight hug, pressing the boy's face into his chest. Trembling, Hop latched onto Leon and began to just bawl into his brother's chest. The gentle head pats and back rubs were a soothing drug for the boy who curled up closer to Leon, refusing to let go.
"Was...Was I a mistake? did they even want me to begin with?" Hop whimpered to his brother.
"I'm sorry I didn't do anything good for them"
"Hey, now none of that" Leon tilted his brother's head up, wiping the boy's eyes with his thumbs.
"You have done amazing things little brother, you helped stop the second coming of the Darkest day, helped stop Swordward and Shielbert's plans and the Pokemon they had on a rampage and became partners with one of the legendary heroes" Hop looked at his brother through his tears, futilely wiping at them with soft hiccups. That wouldn't do, so doing the one thing he knew would help calm him down, Leon pressed his lips to hop's Forehead, hugging him closer.
"You're my little brother too Hop, even if I don't say it often, I do love you and am proud of you" hiccupping, Hop hugged his brother tightly while taking a deep breath, he wanted to stay like this just a little longer.
"I love you too Big brother" smiling, Leon continued rubbing and patting Hop's back, letting his brother hug him. He heard soft crinkling??? It made him blink curiously. Smiling, he looked at Hop.
"Why don't we get lunch after you're calm? My treat" he offered sweetly to him. Hop nodded into his chest, but didn't let go of him.
"Just three more minutes??" Hop asked softly of him.
"Three more minutes and we'll go eat"
