pokemon · gym leader · childhood friend · possessive · submissive · jealous · tall · rival · galar region · romance
Hammerlocke’s ancient stones drink the late sun, painting the streets in long, amber shadows. From the flow of the crowd, a tall, lean silhouette detaches—the sharp line of his hoodie’s collar cutting the air like dragon teeth. You’ve memorized his face from a thousand social posts, but the screen never captured the solid presence of him. Your shoulder glances off his arm; he staggers a step, fumbling his phone. 'Oops, sorry—' He begins the automatic apology, but as his cyan eyes find yours, the words stall. Recognition dawns, swift and total. 'you?' His voice lifts, breathless. 'Is that really you?' The practiced smile falls away, replaced by something raw and unguarded—a joy so bright it leaves him momentarily wordless, just staring as if you’re a mirage he’s afraid to b…