Chapter Text
Everything was back in the swing of things. Paxton went about his days; Philippe and Corbeau continued their work. No questions were asked amongst the three, no form of intervention which the trainer feared would happen at some point. Things were finally starting to look up ever since his incident with mega evolution. It felt normal to how it used to be, well almost. There were these moments where his mind made up things, scenarios of Philippe and Corbeau not wanting him anymore. Him trying to add in between the blanks of Philippe's silence, over analyze, and doubt every moment spent together. He knows that Philippe holds him closely, takes care of him, and protects him. It was his mind though it didn’t listen whenever a long silence was in between him and his partner. He’s been too afraid to ask, he could get rejected and his worries might be proven right. He just couldn’t handle it.
He woke up snuggled between Philippe and Corbeau, he didn’t remember coming to bed that night. All he could tell is that he could barely see throughout the dark room. All the lights were off and if he had to assume a time it’d be in the late hours of night. His mind jumped, Typically a Royal battle zone would be active around the time. He particularly got up early at this time to fight his problems away till he was staggering. He lets out a low sigh knowing tonight he wouldn’t be able to slip away without waking at least one of his partners. Instead he opted to run his hands tenderly through Corbeau's hair as a distraction, soft snores escaping the smallest. It was unfortunate he trained himself to get up so early. When he closes his eyes for a moment all he can think of is the red holographic walls of the battle zone. Even if he tried to think of other things his mind conjured the wild zones or a vibrant pink beam blasting into the dead of night. The mindset he's burned into his brain left him awake at this odd hour stuck in bed. He squirmed despite his desperate attempts to keep it under wraps. He wasn’t sure what to do since he was wedged in too snug to run off for the night.
Corbeau shifts and Paxton goes frigid still, it melts away instantly the moment he is brought back into a cuddle that he must have gotten out of before when he was twisting around. Paxton sighs for a second time but he accepts his fate, his stiff shoulders relax. The embrace was tight; it had him wondering if Corbeau was even awake. Maybe Paxton accidentally woke him up when he wasn’t attempting to so he risked it “Cor?” not soon after there was a hum and one hand rubbing soothing circles on his shoulder. “Yes love?” He got a sleepy response as silent as can be. “Did I wake you? I'm sorry” He was hushed. “You got nothing to be sorry for, you can relax, it's safe here.” Corbeau knew the right words because it soothed the part of him that was squeamish from his previous visions. He breathes in and exhales deeply, his body relaxing, eyes closing to the feel of the soothing motions. When he opens his eyes again it's to the sound of fletchlings chirping loudly outside the window. Corbeau still held him but in a peaceful slumber this time and Philippe wasn’t present. He feels sleep still tug on him so he falls back into a dreamless state. He was woken up this time by Philippe, now Corbeau wasn’t here. “Breakfast is ready” Paxton only nods drowsly, a yawn escaping his own lips. The oldest chuckles, he leans down and kisses his forehead.
It was lovingly and too good to be true, he mumbles “Be there soon” even though he's melted into the bed unmoving. The blankets of the bed doing its job at its finest it's comforting and warm. He was prodded a few more times “Come on we let you sleep in for long enough.” The blanket was yanked away, being off guard he didn’t have time to process as he was being scooped up. What was with the special treatment? He thought to himself. Or was this how it normally would be like if he stayed till a reasonable time? It’s probably the first conclusion though. They go through the hallway then past the kitchen and before he knew it he was sitting at the dining room table. A plate in view and Corbeau sitting next to him with a gentle smile. “Goodmorning” It was out of the usual that he gets to enjoy breakfast with the people he loves, at this time he’d be helping people or training in a wild zone. He couldn’t help but be cautious of the careful care he was receiving. There was a generous amount of chocolate chip pancakes on the plate in front of him. It held a side of hashbrowns, egg, and a bacon muffin sandwich. A good variety that he could eat from. He was confused, he looked up from the plate watching Philippe take his place at the table too.
“What compelled you all to do this? I usually am the one to cook.” He picks up a fork and looks at the daunting display of the plate. “Can we not do something nice in return for what you do for us?” Paxton smiles sheepishly when Corbeau finishes speaking. “I just- It’s perfect, thank you.” He covers his smile with his hand. He felt like he could cry but tears of happiness. “Don’t thank me, Philippe did most of the work.” He turns his head to look over at Philippe who was already eating besides him. Philippe only hums a response, gesturing to them to start digging in. His eyes were back on the food. Was this unexpected for Philippe or was this what’d he’d have if he was normal? Normal about going to bed at a decent time, waking up at a reasonable time, and not overworking till a late hour. He pokes at the food feeling his appetite which was nonexistent but he still cuts out a small piece with his fork. The syrup dripped back onto the plate when he lifted it. Why would he do this? Was it for Corbeau’s happiness? He guessed that he was feeling alone but his mind told him a few other things. Now he wasn’t sure exactly what his issue was to begin with. He has lovely partners that care for him. Philippe was showing it this by cooking all this but his mind wouldn’t stop going crazy. It made him feel upset and frustrated with himself, something he was all too familiar with.
He didn’t pick up that Corbeau and Philippe started chatting away. He had to continue eating, and had to pretend that he was fine. He’d break down alone, not here, not now after all the time in between his last break down. That's why they were doing this extra stuff wasn't it? Pity? He was too far into his thoughts way too much. It was a lot and it overwhelmed him but he continued eating disconnected from the world. He lifts the fork and chews the small piece. It felt like too much but at the same time it wasn’t enough. He didn’t know anymore so he just continued picking away at his food. Tomorrow will be better. He slowly came back to the conversation becoming clearer. “-I just hope we don’t get any interruptions again. We still have another deal in the works and I want to focus on this important matter.” Corbeau spoke, taking his time cutting the pancakes into pieces. “You mean the person with the lost pokemon?”
“Percisley I couldn’t imagine being without my pokemon; I get a feel for whoever this is just trying to do a good deed for a lost pokemon.” Maybe Paxton shouldn’t have tuned back in but he had to ask. “What pokemon was it?” Now all eyes were on him, they probably didn’t expect him to speak but Corbeau was eager enough to speak about it even if it was work related. “I don’t know yet, but we still need to confirm a deal in person.” Paxton nods and continues to eat away little by little of his eggs and hash browns. He wasn't really feeling it today and this mention of pokemon had him feeling off. “Thats interesting. I hope you find the trainer.” Is all he said before he placed down his fork feeling defeated. Corbeau's eyebrows furrowed upwards. “Are you sure you’re alright sunshine? You don't look so well.” Philippe caught on not long after his partner spoke.
“Ahh it's just I should probably sleep a bit more. I'm still really tired.” Paxton responds panicked. Philippe raises a skeptical eyebrow he places down his own fork now. He did done it now, he worried he might have accidentally upset his partner. For what? Who knows? “I think we need to have a serious discussion.” Paxton's heart sank; those words were the least of his wants right now. They did all this just to soften the blow of them kicking him out of the relationship. Is his past coming right around to them, did they know? “Philippe, we should give him some time.” Time for what? His mind raced. To be ready for the moment they say they don't like him anymore? “But we need to know why he keeps coming back home all messed up. It's not helping, it's getting worse. We can't just let it happen and pretend it's fine.”
“You're right but we need a softer approach, one where he tells us because he wants to. We can't just force him."
“You know I'm still here” Paxton rubs at his arm he wasn't looking at the two anymore. He didn't think he could eat anymore with all the tension floating in the air. His eyes were downcast and he felt like his world was ripping apart. “I don't want to talk about it.” He shuts it down. He scrapes the chair along the floor as he stands up. He still has his hand on his left arm, and a look that the other two hated seeing Paxton express. It was full of unshared pain and they had no idea how to help and no clue what's wrong. Corbeau protested and then there was Philippe's silent stare again. Oh how it pained him to not be able to tell what his partner felt. He turned away to their shared bed room, he needed to go out but he was in his pajamas still it wouldn't do. Philippe was the one to stop him by reaching for his hand, Paxton freezes. “Just be careful ok?” He pulls away “Yeah I will.” It was a lie and one that wasn’t very believable; they let him turn away unable to fathom the words that could help. He couldn’t believe he just walked away from them, he closed the door shut. The only lighting being the sunlight peaking through the curtains. How could he do this? It was starting to feel like before, he could only run. It was frustrating that he felt the need to flight instead of fight. He would still have everything he loved but then again he wouldn't have met the boss of the rust syndicate and his assistant.
He was grateful for them but what he went through to get here was painful. It ached at his heart that he had to suffer enough to want to run away to the city. He wouldn't change it. No, he'd suffer to meet his amazing partners again, his friends as well. He quickly changes out of his pajamas neatly folding them on the bed, he didn’t want to leave a mess. Pulling on his regular outdoor clothes and his signature team ZA jacket. He wears the hat as a final touch and now he feels complete. He was ready to go out to help some people and forget about his worries. Philippe was cleaning up the dishes when Paxton passed by the kitchen and Corbeau stood by the front door. They wouldn’t let him off that easily and he knew it. “You’ll come visit my office for lunch this afternoon.” Corbeau held a serious expression and despite him being smaller he held his ground against Paxton. It was sort of like when he first battled the boss, determined is what he would call it. The command wasn't even a question, it was like Corbeau expected him to be there. No excuses. “Okay I swear, I’ll be there twelve sharp.” He would keep that promise too. “Good, call me whenever you need.”
“Don’t you have meetings today?” Paxton asked nervously, he didn't want to interrupt if he ended up calling at a bad time. That is if he did end up calling. “Yes but I put health above work. If it makes you feel better you can just text me.” Corbeau moves to the side, Paxton nods. Before he makes it over to open the door Corbeau gives him a hug. It felt relieving at first he didn't expect it but now he melted into it as if it was natural. The noise in his brain dwindled at the touch and now Corbeau gave him a peck on his lips that left him stunned for a second even though they’ve kissed before. The boss pulls away only to whisper in Paxton's ear “I love you.” He pulled away, the trainer could see the flushed face of Corbeau who looked to the side avoiding eye contact. Oh my goodness he's so cute, he's fangirling again a tad of his usual self peaking through the gloom. “I love you too, cutie.” He smirks and pulls him in for another kiss. It lasted a few seconds longer before Paxton broke away. “I'll text you if something important comes up, I'll see you at lunch.” Corbeau opens the door for him still with a look of worry. “I'll be okay, I swear.”
Now with this new found joy he left the apartment not feeling nearly as miserable. He decided right in that moment he wouldn't go to a wild zone today so he opted to help people. He started at the canals and made his way away from the middle of the city. The last thing he needed with his better mood was something to ruin it. He approached the first exclamation mark on his map and eyed the area for the person in need or pokemon. He hummed then his eyes landed on the dock, so he started there. He made his way along the river as he helped people left and right of the flowing water. Each task became exhausting, for one he had to climb up a bunch of scaffolding. Then there were the few trainers that asked for a battle against the so-called hero of the city. That sort of drained him even more than the parkour course. In the end he helped around eleven people before noon approached. He stared at the time in disbelief, it flew by so quickly. He barely has time left to make it to the rust syndicate by noon so he takes off running instead of texting Corbeau he might be late. He ran as if he was avoiding attacks from wild zone seventeen. He was desperate not to be late.
He pants and wheezes when he makes a complete stop. He'd been running for a few minutes and now he was in front of his destination. He didn't have time to wait around for his breath to readjust. He walks to the two grunts holding their ground at the entrance, he gets by no problem. They didn't even glance his way but Paxton didn’t care. All he wanted was to be on that elevator away from the many people guarding the entrance. He keeps his head down entering the main lobby, again nobody glances at him. He walks up to the elevator quickly but not desperately. He didn't want to cause a scene. It dings but he didn't press the button. His hand was hovering above the button but he didn't press it. Someone was here.