I made sure the kids were out of the way for Celia’s return home to the Gym. It wasn’t too hard with last night’s snow. The kids had been eager to sprint outdoors. I’d stood in their way in the mudroom carrying a small mountain of scarves, gloves, jumpers and beanies.

“Broooooooooock!” They whined as they each ran for the door only for my much longer arms to snag them and ensnare them with the missing articles of clothing for each child.

When Yolanda didn’t appear I had to go looking for her. I found her in Forrest’s room cradling the incubator with a look of contented peace that I backed off instead of announcing myself.

When I was a few rooms away I rubbed my brow and played back the egg’s arrival to the house. Yolanda had been… not angry. Yolanda always remained composed, but she had been ruffled at the arrival of the egg. My gifting it to Forrest hadn’t slighted her… had it?

He was the next eldest in our family.

On the other hand, Forrest’s reaction to receiving a potential Pseudo-legendary, to use the game terms, had been extremely… Well, lacking was perhaps the best way to put it. He hadn’t been very enthused, and neither had he sought me out about how to look after a young Larvitar.

I tapped the wall and decided that this was not something that I should leave be. Instead, I was going to pry into Forrest’s thoughts. A tug at my pants had me looking down to find Munchlax with a scarf and beanie held out towards me.

“Munch!” he said with a big grin. I chuckled and set him to rights.

“You go have some fun out there Munchlax,” I said while patting the beanie onto his head. He hugged me and ran off. Amused by his antics, I walked to a window overlooking the front entrance. Munchlax ran out the front door and straight into a snowbank creating a perfect divot of his body before he popped his head up and trudged towards the closest family member. I snorted and headed towards the front of the Gym through the back of our house.

I settled into the trainer lounge and made myself a hot chocolate as I waited.

A few minutes later the bell at the front of the gym chimed and I walked out to find a shivering Celia at the doorstep. My big brother instincts kicked in without any conscious input, and I dragged her into the lounge to plop her down in front of a heater. A blanket swaddled her and a hot cup of chocolate was pushed into her hands.

“T-t-t-t-thanks Br-br-br-brock!” she said through chattering teeth. I patted her on the shoulder.

“You flew from the conference? You know it might have been smarter to just catch the bus that would have come with the rest of the Pewter trainers, right?” I said as if I didn’t have blankets, a heater and a warm cup of cocoa already set up. When I’d been told about the bus I’d bet Officer Jenny twenty pokedollars Celia wouldn’t be on it.

“Ii-itit—” I held up a hand. “Alright, you just worry about warming up before you worry about talking. I can’t talk to you while you’re shivering like a Dragonite in winter.”

That got a giggle out of her rosy cheeks. While she was lulled into the warmth, I toggled my transceiver and fired off a quick message to Officer Jenny notifying her that Celia had turned up here while asking when the bus was due to arrive at the transit centre.

I traded a few messages back and forth and made some plans for later. When Celia perked up and let the blanket fall off her shoulders I stopped and sat up myself.

“Alright, first of all, don’t ever fly into the winter wind. Pokemon trainers that are experienced flyers are leery of doing it, and it’s the sort of idea that results in search parties out in the mountains. You got your flying license but don’t think for a moment I’m not informing Officer Jenny and making you sit through remedial lessons on weather conditions.”

“But! But! I wanted to come back as fast as I could, and Pride and I could take it!”

I merely gave her an unimpressed look before making a show of sending off another message to Officer Jenny.

She pouted at me, but as always, it wasn’t very effective.

I clapped my hands to snap her out of her pout. “Right! With that chastisement out of the way for now,” she slumped a little. “Congratulations on making it to the top eight in your first tournament! You did incredible!”

She shot back at my exuberant tone before beaming. “You mean it? I thought you might have been playing it up since I was so…” She waved and made a vague pushing gesture that I took to mean her despondency after her loss.

“Celia, I will say it again. You, a first-year trainer, making the top eight in your first big tournament that also features some master-level opponents, is beyond incredible.” I held my stoic expression until she blushed and couldn’t meet my gaze. Then I grinned. “Now c’mon. Tell me you didn’t get multiple sponsorship offers from practically everyone!”

Celia giggled before shaking her head, “I can’t, I got so many! I… what am I supposed to do with all of them?” She said waving her hands about.

I snorted. “Accept, reject, and send back emails with your own counter-offers if you have them.” My shoulder shot up and down as I sat back in my chair.

“Well, it’s just that… I want to stay with you and the Pewter Gym…” She shot me a shy look, watching for my reaction. I rubbed the back of my head.

“Well thanks, I was worried ‘cause I don’t doubt that you would have a ton of great offers now.” I tilted my head. “Are you sure this is the best idea for your own growth?”

I shifted back and forth. “I can’t really ask you to share what offers you got because that’s very much a con—” I stopped as she reached into her pack and began to lay out a pile of written notes and offers. “And you're just going to give them up to me,” I said with an amused tone.

“That’s very loyal of you Celia, but sometimes it might be better to keep some of your cards closer to your chest for future negotiations, yeah?”

Celia scratched her cheek. “Ehehe? But I know you won’t take advantage of me?”

I sighed at her. “That’s not the point, you should learn how to handle discussions like this.” Not that I could talk as it did please me to have such a loyal trainer attached to the Gym. I’d still have to teach her to negotiate for her own good. It wouldn’t do to stifle her potential.

I gestured to the pile and when she nodded her assent I began to read through a few. I reached out and grabbed a notepad I had sitting next to my, now cold, drink. I began to note down the various offers and sponsor deals that she was receiving, organising them into a few different piles based on topic. I pointed to one pile.

“You might want to think about some of those first. Offers for sponsorships with clothing, equipment, cosmetics, or even a small appearance in a television show would be a great idea to look into.” I tapped the pile. “It’s probably something that we should talk with Rachel about.”

“Who?”

I blinked before remembering that I had hired on, technically, three new employees for the Gym with Rachel, Lawrence, and Georgina.

“Well, after I got audited I hired Rachel as a Public Relations Manager. She’s really switched on about the job and has some great ideas. She’d love to go through these with you, and there might be some synergy for the Gym as a whole that makes this more appealing.” I pat the stack affectionately. When I didn’t get a reply I looked up and found an enraged-looking Celia staring at me.

“When were you audited and why is this the first I’ve heard of it!?”

I chuckled at her reaction. “Huh guess I have a lot to catch you up with.” I scratched my chin. “Right, well it all started with a knock on my front door—”

By the time I was done regaling Celia about what had happened and how it was all wrapped up nice and neat now, she sat listlessly.

“I can’t believe you were audited!”

“It’s fine, the battles were no trouble. I was honestly more bothered by the audit of the accounts.”

“As if they could have canned the Gym because of that! The whole idea that the Pewter Gym needs an audit after you beat Lance is ludicrous! You could have failed it ten times over and it wouldn’t be possible to uphold the ruling!”

I pointed a finger at her, shaking my head. “Now that thought is exactly the type of thinking that we need to make sure doesn’t sneak in. It’s complacency and pride speaking, and it has no place with the good management of my Gym.”

Celia was flabbergasted a moment but ducked her head. “Sorry.”

I waved it off before gesturing at the other stacks. “The rest of these—if you’re serious about sticking with Pewter,” Celia shook her head frantically so I continued pulling out a notepad and jotting down some notes regarding each as I read through them. “—are probably not something you need to look into. It’s more interesting to see who offered you sponsorships. There’s a pretty compelling offer from Growing Strong Stables; a free year’s stabling rights for twenty pokemon is nice. Combine that with another offer from one of these corporate—” “Brock! I’m not going to accept those deals!” Celia said hotly.

I raised my hand “Sorry! Sorry! Just pointing things out.” I rifled through and selected a paper that had stood out in light of the recent news Surge had mentioned. “It’s just very interesting to see an offer from them. Neon City’s Gym is now one of the twelve accepted badges that allow qualification for the Indigo Conference from Kanto.”

Celia growled rather cutely, likely misreading my comments of interest as trying to push her off on these other Gyms. I waved a hand at her. “No, it's just interesting, I swear! I learnt about them getting their new status yesterday… that’s all.”

I put the paperwork back on the pile and turned my attention fully onto her once more. “Right! With that said, the circuit is over but your work is just beginning. Now comes the time to consolidate the lessons you’ve learnt over the entire course of not just the Conference but also the circuit in general.” I turned the notepad over to her along with a pen.

“In the coming days, I’m going to have you talk with Rachel about some of these offers. I’m also going to have you write up a report for each of the three quarters that the circuit takes up. What did you do well during these periods, what could you improve on, and what would you avoid doing in future? I’m very interested in your thoughts with the entire year’s perspective. Some things that might not have stood out to you in the moment, might do so now with the benefit of hindsight.” I rolled my hand about, “We’ll focus on that for now and then in a few weeks we’ll start considering where to go for next year, alright?” I stood and clapped my hands together, finishing my impromptu lecture. “Until then, you’re on light duties with the Gym if not outright on holidays to let yourself relax. You’ve done it hard for a long time, and now it's time to just sit back and recover.”

Celia grinned at that. “I like the sound of that!”

I chuckled. “Before you go running off for a nap, I need you to get changed into some cold gear and join me for a walk into town. There’s one more thing we have to handle.”

Celia promptly tossed the blanket aside and slipped into a bigger jacket that she had stashed away in a nearby locker. I resisted the urge to wrap a scarf around her neck and pat her on the head. Instead, I settled for a nod and waved her to follow me out of the Gym. Outside the Gym, a number of snowmen had been assembled while I’d been busy.

Celia glanced around looking for my family, but I could tell they weren’t around. The tire tracks leading into town gave away the culprit, but Celia didn’t notice them. Or if she did she didn’t make mention of them. Instead, she happily bounced along next to my much longer strides.

When I led her into the middle of town she perked up as we walked past a number of cafes and restaurants. Her mind was obviously turning back to her previous reward of a huge snack. Ice cream wasn’t something I’d suggest in this weather, but what I had planned should be even better.

It wasn’t much longer before we reached a building that connected to the main road for buses and trucks to enter the city. I spotted a certain cross-looking Officer Jenny standing in front of the transit building’s doors with her arms set at her hips.

Celia continued to bounce along for another few meters, her eyes locked onto the cafes. “How come all the cafes are closed? They should be open!” She said petulantly.

“They all have somewhere to be,” I grinned.

Celia turned her head to frown at me but in doing so spotted the scowling Officer watching our approach. Celia stiffened like a Vulpix that had just encountered a Mightyena. When Officer Jenny didn’t advance on us but held her ground and waited for us to continue approaching, Celia whirled onto me with huge, watery eyes that would make an expert of Baby-Doll Eyes proud.

“Brock! I said I was sorry, I won’t do it again! I can’t believe you’re making me do this on the day I came back!”

I pinched my side to stop myself from laughing. Despite this, my face twitched and I had to struggle not to smile as I said stoically. “This is for your own good Celia. Face the consequences of your actions.”

“But-but-but-!” She whined plaintively before reaching out to grasp at my arm to tug me away. I was amused that she wanted to run off but she didn’t even think of doing so on her own, instead trying to have me ‘forgive her’ and offer her protection.

Officer Jenny saw this and turned her head away to snort before looking back. We both shared an amused look before she gave Celia a stern expression.

“Celia Shardness! Do you have any idea what you might have done, young lady?” She demanded.

Celia wilted, turning to offer a meek. “I’m sorry! I was just so excited to get home…”

Jenny approached her and loomed over her. “Young lady, there are a lot of people that were extremely worried for you when you flew off like that.” She held her stern expression for all of a moment before breaking out into a smile. “We were so worried we wouldn’t get to hold your welcome back party!”

Celia blinked. “I… wait, what?”

Jenny turned to the side and waved a hand towards the doors of the transit building. I nudged Celia forward and she stumbled a step. When we reached the doors Jenny and I dropped back so Celia could tentatively open them herself, entering into a large watching area that usually served as a waiting room with rows of chairs. The chairs had been stacked neatly to the side and in their place a crowd stood under a banner.

“CONGRATULATIONS!” Shouted the crowd at Celia’s entry. Celia took a step back and gaped as the horde surged forward to drag her into hugs and pats on the back, all while a babble of noise washed over her. Trainers that had taken the bus or flown and likewise been directed to the transit building were all grinning at Celia. Around them, locals and notable people for the community were mixed in such as the Mayor, Nurse Joy, and a few workers from the pokemart. My own family were some of the fastest off the mark and Celia was almost overwhelmed as my siblings swept over her.

A number of people that couldn’t reach Celia instead clapped me on the back. I glanced up at the banner that read ‘Congratulations Pewter City Trainers!’. I chuckled and shook some hands in introductions as people mingled with the newly returned trainers that were still walking around, many of them still stunned at the reception they’d gotten upon coming home.

Celia seemed the most stunned. When she eventually got to emerge from a group of people that wanted to shake her hand minutes later, she hovered next to me. “This is crazy. I barely know half these people!”

“Welcome to fame. You don’t know them, but a lot of them know and like you. These are your fans, Celia.” I swept an arm about, gesturing at large to the banners, the balloons, and the small stage that had a DJ whom people could request music from. And of course, the tables that were stacked with food around the edges.

The few elderly that had come had claimed a corner for themselves with chairs and tables while sending out younger relatives to either gather choice selections of food or bring someone over to talk with them.

I snickered when most of the relatives disappeared into the three hundred-plus strong crowd and only returned much later.

It featured people such as the wealthy gentlemen and ladies that liked to experience a bit of excitement with high-stakes matches with young up-and-comers, the local bug enthusiasts, and the hobbyist parents that liked to try their hand with friendly matches. They and more had all been invited openly with a community billboard announcement along with a quiet word in the right ears. Celia and the other trainers deserved this for their wonderful showing. If we did it right, we might have more of these in future.

Having a breather, Cela was finally able to take in the room with an air of wonder. “I can’t believe this was organised for us…”

I patted her on the head. “You’re not the only person who can surprise people by rallying the hometown.” I shot her a wink. She stared at me before grinning. She opened her mouth to say something else but was cut off as someone tapped a microphone, the loud reception cutting through the air.

“Alright, people, alright!” Shouted a voice into the microphone. I turned and sighed explosively as I spotted Mayor Jonathan standing atop a small platform that definitely hadn’t been there a few minutes ago.

“Who gave him a mic? People should know better with a politician.” I stage-whispered to Celia. The people around me heard my less than subtle comment and laughed at my joke.

Jonathan beamed out at the crowd, happy as only a politician can be when they’re handed a microphone, a crowd, and an agenda to fulfill. “Alright, folks, we're all here to congratulate the young trainers that have collectively brought pri—” I sighed and settled into having to listen to Jonathan as he waxed on about the importance of Pewter coming together to support its young trainers and how this boded well for the future. A future that he would certainly support. I turned my attention away to people watching.

Maybe a quarter of the crowd of people actually stopped what they were doing and listened to the Mayor. Everyone else treated it like background music and continued as they were. The DJ hadn’t stopped either, I noted with amusement.

A tap on the shoulder got my attention, and I turned to see a smiling Nurse Joy. “Oh hey, Nurse Joy,” I said, happy to see she wasn’t avoiding me after the last time we’d talked.

I glanced around and saw a number of rather amusing reactions from my family that were nearby. All of them waved so she must have left them with a good enough impression to overshadow the ‘horror’ of her being an auditor in their minds. Celia was giving Nurse Joy a rather weak glare from the midst of the crowd that was congratulating her. I… hadn’t told Celia that Nurse Joy was an auditor, had I? I hummed to myself but didn’t get the chance to play it back over in my mind as Joy stepped up next to me.

“Brock! This is a wonderful event! I’m surprised we haven’t done something like this before!”

“Hmmm, I don’t think we’ve ever had a group of young trainers come together like this year's group. I agree there is something here though that I’d love to see continue.”

“Oh? What were you thinking?”

I began to outline some ideas of having training camps in the lead-up to the League along with some generalised mini-tournaments with breakdown discussions and lessons. Joy pointed out a few areas I’d need to tighten up or expand on and I found myself rather liking the idea. I made a mental note to jot all these suggestions down when I got home. I’d have to set something up towards the middle of the circuit next year… I hummed to myself and shook my head. That was… If I was even still here with the next circuit.

“Something wrong?” Joy said, suddenly leaning in to inspect me. I blinked, realising I’d begun frowning.

“Just… started thinking some heavy thoughts is all… I’m fine.” My words did nothing to calm her and instead her eyes squinted a little more in suspicion. “Joy, really, I’m fine. Just some stuff coming up that will be resolved. One way or another.”

“Ah… you’ve seen him, then?” I didn’t need to clarify who ‘him’ was referring to but I didn’t want to talk about that now. So instead I grunted and nodded. Thankfully a distraction presented itself in the form of an approaching Officer Jenny. In each hand, she held a plate.

“Can I interest you in some cake?”

“Don’t think I’ll say no to that!” I said cheerfully. For some reason, Joy turned her head away and giggled into her fist. Jenny gave the nurse a glare while I spooned some of the delicious cake into my mouth.

Joy giggled to herself. “Oh Jenny, you know it’s rather forward of you to offer up—”

Jenny groaned “Oh Ho-oh! Is this about that stupid nickname?! I told you that privately! How about you don’t bring it up this time yeah?”

I glanced between the pair of them. “So this is some in-joke?” I got the impression that Jenny didn’t mind it being brought up, more that she was used to it, if in an irritated way.

“No.” “Yes!” said Joy and Jenny over the top of each other.

Jenny glared at Joy. “It’s not all that interesting so don’t worry about it.”

Joy grinned as she turned her focus to me. “Enjoying Jenny’s cake, Brock?”

I blinked before a lightbulb flashed on as I realised the nature of the joke. I grinned and Jenny blanched as she saw me swivel onto her, joining Joy in teasing her.

“Is there something special about your cake?” Enjoying the turn of phrase as much as I enjoyed Jenny’s now red face.

Jenny coughed and mumbled something about winning a prize in the local fair for it only to then learn she’d also won a vote on best ‘cake’ in Pewter city as voted by her fellow officers. She'd only learnt of this when she’d encountered a form detailing who people could vote for.

“—I didn’t even realise what people were voting for until a week later when I realised that Joy’s never baked a thing in her life!”

Joy giggled. “Oh, you’re so innocent.” I laughed along and finished my treat.

“Soooo, out of… professional interest, who else was listed on there?”

“I’m not dignif—” said Jenny only for Joy to tick off her fingers as she listed off names, “Myself, Jenny, Macey Meadows, Mary-Sue Lonlon, Trixie, Samantha Summers…” Joy clicked her tongue. “I think those were the serious contenders?”

Jenny groaned, her hand cupping her face. “Why!? Why am I friends with you?”

“I make your life interesting in the best of ways!” chirped Joy without a hint of shame. I chuckled at them, more than happy to be included in their back and forth.

I eventually was dragged away to talk with other people. I made sure to talk with each of the trainers that had completed the circuit and congratulated them on making it to the conference and being wonderful examples of Pewter City trainers. I liked to think that they left these conversations with their heads held high from the praise, but also with a few ideas of things to work on that would see them grow.

Eventually, the party had to end, and I had to lead my family back home along with Rocko, and Celia who lived in the Gym’s accommodation built for live-in trainers.

“Bye-bye!” said Suzie as she walked backwards away from the transit building. My big brother instincts, honed to a razor’s edge from having so many little siblings, flared up and I leaned down in time to catch her before she could trip and fall more than a short distance.

“Careful now!” I demanded, using my hand to spin her about which only made her giggle. She decided to continue the spin and began to twirl as she walked. I sighed as my instincts demanded that I stay close and catch her when she inevitably fell again. Sadly her antics inspired the rest of my family to join in. Yolanda spun like a graceful ballerina past me with her tongue stuck out. I huffed when Salvadore tried to copy her, only to trip instantly.

I lunged and grabbed him before he hit the ground, shaking my head at their antics. He got up and continued without so much as a ‘thank you’. I threw my hands up. If this was how they were going to be then it was time to let them fall and let the tears come.

Forrest merely walked along next to me, ‘too cool’ to take part in twirling around like his brothers and sisters.

Seeing him reminded me that I had a very pressing issue to talk to Forrest about. I grimaced and searched around for a method to break the ice. Sadly not finding any, I had to resort to the standard big-brother/parent mode of making conversation.

“Did you clean your room before you left for the party?” I asked. Mentally facepalmed.

He spluttered at me and grumbled something inaudible.

“Hmmm, what’s that? An excuse? I’m sure Backpack the Geodude will love to listen to those tomorrow morning!”

“I said I couldn’t ‘cause Yolanda was in there!” I nodded, thankful for the link. Then my mind connected some dots as to what Forrest would need to clean up that he couldn’t while she was in the room.

I swatted the back of his head. “Hide your magazines better in the future.” He blushed and didn’t meet my eyes before I clapped a hand on his shoulder. I swallowed and sighed to myself.

He gave me a confused look when I squeezed his shoulder lightly. This next part wasn’t going to be fun.

“Also… we need to talk.”

It was rather telling how young and innocent he was that he didn’t blanch at the mere use of those words. No one that has gone through their teenage years likes hearing ’we need to talk’ said to them.

Ever.

He gave me a clueless look while I internally cringed.

“Alright? What about?” he asked, watching me.

I gave his siblings, still pirouetting around us and miraculously without casualty, a pointed glance. “Can you stay up? I’ll come to talk with you about it before you go to bed, alright?”

“Sure, no problem,” he said with a careless shrug. I nodded and upon reaching home set about bustling through the various tasks that I had to do. I made up a light snack to curb any hunger for my family. Then it was into the shower. Then bed and story time for the younger siblings.

This time I had a new book to show support for Samurai Furrett. All the kids loved the story, and I was more than happy to encourage them to read. When I swept through the rest of my siblings' rooms, it was to give a perfunctory check-over. They didn’t have anything that needed handling and so I finally entered Forrest’s room.

“Brock!” He said, jerking in surprise while sitting at his desk due to my entrance. “Knock next time!” I heard something thrown underneath his desk but chose not to comment.

I made a show of sniffing haughtily. “I’m your big brother, I don’t have to.” I pointed at him. “Also, this is my house!” That got some grumbling from him and I rolled my eyes and nudged him over to make some space on the bed. I swept my eyes over the room. The room featured the typical features of any teenage boy. He had some band posters, a provocatively posed trainer reclining next to a pool in a bikini. I let my gaze linger on the unmade bed, the discarded clothes, snack wrappers, and what looked like a stack of books with some homework that still needed to be finished.

I gave him a very unimpressed look.

“What? I didn’t have time to clean it!”

I held the expression and shook my head. If I had time to shower two sets of our siblings, then dry them off and read them stories… I shook my head again. “Whatever. Get it clean by tomorrow.”

“Sure, sure,” he said, shifting in his seat and turning around to face me properly. “So what’s up? What did we need to talk about?”

I clicked my tongue a little and sighed before directly looking at him. “Do you actually want that egg?” I said pointing towards the Egg that was sitting in the only clean corner of the room in its incubator.

For a moment Forrest sat without really comprehending what I was saying. Then he blinked and leaned back. “Yes! Of course I do!” His eyes wouldn’t meet mine. “Who’d give up a pokemon that could one day fight a Dragonite?”

“Alright… Let’s say that’s so, how come you haven’t been walking around with the incubator?”

“I don’t want to seem lame around my friends!” He said.

“Your friends would die of jealousy if you ever turned up with an egg that you knew contained a Larvitar.” I gave him an unimpressed look. “What’s your next reason?”

“It’s heavy?”

“You regularly carry Backpack around, and he’s just as heavy and way more awkward to lift ‘cause he fights against you,” I stated, ruthlessly striking out his second excuse.

“I… I…” He slumped. “I wanted Dad to give me my starter… I remember he used to be really bummed out when he didn’t get to give you an Onix. He had one selected and everything and then you came back from that camp with Titan…”

“Oh,” I said, not really sure whether I should strike that down or let it stand. I shifted on the bed. “I knew he wanted to gift me an Onix, but Titan was a way better fit for me.”

“And it’s not that I don’t want to have a super-strong pokemon one day… It’s just… I want Dad to give me my starter. I can just rent pokemon from the Gym until he’s ready to give me my own personal starter pokemon, y’know?” Forrest flexed his hands. “I know it’s dumb ‘cause who gives up one day having a Tyranitar? But…” He gestured helplessly and I nodded understanding the dilemma he was facing.

“I… kinda get it.” I didn’t hold as much stock with Flint, but I could recall trying to reach out to my dad from my past life. I’d offered simple things like asking to learn how to shave, or how to polish boots only to find he didn’t have the time right then. It had stung. It hadn’t been about just learning the skill. It had meant to be about having something that brought me and my dad together.

Forrest nodded slightly. He probably thought I had some similar experiences with Flint. Sadly he was wrong, and for some reason that made me want to squirm. I didn’t though and instead, I looked to the side, recalling how sometimes it was better when talking to another ‘male’ to not look them directly in the eyes when talking through sensitive topics. Sometimes you needed to lock eyes but right now we needed the perception of space. To look past or away from each other instead of being overly conscious.

At least that was my reading of Forrest right now.

“This egg,” I waved towards the egg in its incubator. “It was a surprise for me as well. I went to Mt. Silver just to give Titan something nice after his victory. He appreciated it, but his Mum… She might have been way more impressed with me and him than I really understood at the time. I think she wanted to offer the same to one of my siblings, in the hope her children would each grow strong… The timing though… It really put me on the spot.”

I scratched at the back of my head. “I half thought of sneaking in the back and hiding it, but then that would have been like me saying I didn’t think you deserved this.”

“Oh,” he muttered eloquently. I grunted back at him. We let the quiet moment linger before I decided to speak up once more.

“I do think you're capable,” I said before rushing out the next words, “Of raising a strong pokemon like Tyranitar… But I think your idea isn’t that bad either. Having something like that with him…”

Forrest sighed and I could tell that he preferred the idea of not having to claim the egg as his starter. The clinical, cold part of my mind wanted to scoff, but the emotional side understood where he was coming from. Giving a starter to another was a big deal and they, at the very least, would always remember the day. They’d remember the person, what they wore, and how it all played out in their memories for the rest of their lives.

In a way, I had denied Flint that chance to do the same for me when I’d staggered home with Titan.

Not that I could ever regret finding and taking in Titan all those years ago. He was the first and best thing to happen to me upon arriving in this life.

I coughed to signal that I was done getting lost in my thoughts. Forrest also jolted before chuckling nervously. “So what should we do? I don’t think it would go down well if we gave the egg back, would it?”

I gave him an amused look. “Forrest, think about this for a moment. You might not want the egg, but who’s shown a lot of interest in it since its arrival?”

Forrest blinked at me, not comprehending what I was getting at.

Arceus, had I ever been this slow? I didn’t think I wanted to know. Perhaps all young teenage boys were this sluggish in their processing? I could almost hear the cogs in his mind thunking along. He squinted at the egg.

“Yolanda?”

I nodded. “Yolanda,” I agreed. I grinned at him. “You know what might be really cool for a big brother to do?” He tilted his head at me as I stood, taking up the incubator. I placed it into his hands. “Be the one to give it to her.”

His eyes widened and he stared up at me. “But! But-you’re!?”

“I’m the eldest, yes, and I gave it to you. And you have thought about it and come to… an admittedly very mature and well-reasoned decision. Do you agree with me that Yolanda deserves this?”

“Yeah, yeah she does!” He said standing up. I grinned at him and let him lead me to Yolanda’s room. When we reached it I knocked on her door.

Forrest stopped and scowled at me. “Why’d she get a knock?”

“It’s different for girls,” I argued.

“You don’t knock on my door but you do for her? That’s not right!” he whispered hotly.

“You’ll find it is, little bro. You’ll find it is,” I said, putting a hand on his head and ruffling his hair. He glared at me, obviously not understanding the difference. I didn’t elaborate.

“Come in!” said Yolanda.

I opened the door and prodded Forrest to enter first.

“Forrest? Bro—” She fell quiet when her eyes landed on the incubator in Forrest’s hands. If it hadn’t been extremely obvious to Forrest now he must have fully realised how much Yolanda wanted that pokemon. She licked her lips. “W-what’s up guys?” She said while letting her face fall into a placid expression to cover up her prior expression.

Forrest shifted from foot to foot. In doing so he drew Yolanda into a ready state. I could see she was coiling up in readiness in case he slipped with his grip like the first day. I decided to progress things along.

I clapped Forrest on the shoulder. “Forrest and I have been having a talk about how things played out, and we’ve come to a decision. Forrest would like to say something.”

“Huh? Oh right… Yolanda, I’ve decided that… I don’t want this egg.” I held in the grimace. That was a poor choice of wording. He barreled on, not realising his slip. “But you do, and you deserve it. I think… I think it would be better suited if you raised this little fella,” He raised his hands and offered her the incubator.

Yolanda didn’t say a word but she did raise her hands and take the incubator. She drew it in and smiled hugely. “Girl, it’s going to be a girl.” She stared at it for a long moment before looking up. “You really mean this Forrest? You’re giving up this egg for me?”

“You wanted it, right?” I squeezed his shoulder in warning.

“I think he means you deserve it, and it would be a wonderful starter that he wanted to give to you.” She giggled at my interruption. Forrest merely gave me a confused look, obviously not understanding how what I’d said was different in any way. I held in my sigh. I’d talk him through it later.

“So,” I waggled my eyebrows, “You looking forward to training with me on how to handle the Tyranitar evolution line?”

She beamed a huge grin. “Yes!” She said. She didn’t leap up to hug us like she wanted to but she did stand after putting the egg safely to the side. Then she gave Forrest the biggest hug I’d ever seen her give him. He blushed as she whispered into his ear.

“Thank you so much for this Forrest! I love you, big brother!”

“It’s nothing.” I rolled my eyes at his words. Yolanda giggled into his side knowing what he was like. I held in the urge to cuff him. The book on parenting was adamant I not cuff him about the head, no matter how stupid his words were.

Yolanda broke the hug and rocketed in to hug me. “Love you too Brock,”

“Love you too Yolanda.” I leaned down to whisper into her ear, “I’m sorry I didn’t offer it to you first… I was dumb. I didn’t mean to hurt you by snubbing you.”

“No, I understand,” she whispered back to me.

I patted her on the back and stood. Forrest watched us and I nodded to him. “Well, I’ll leave it to you but we’ll talk more about this tomorrow, hmmm?”

Yolanda’s head bounced up and down, whereas Forrest merely grunted. I let him exit first. Before I departed, I watched Yolanda curl her blankets and pillows into a pseudo-nest for herself and the egg to be cradled in. I chuckled and waved at her. “Night Yolanda, sweet dreams.”

“Night Brock.” She called out to my back. I walked back to Forrest’s room and knocked on his door frame.

When I opened the door a second later Forrest was on the bed looking at me. “Now you knock? What is up with you?”

“You showed some maturity so I think you deserved it,” I said offhandedly, not wanting to admit I’d done so out of habit. It also sounded wise and played into reinforcing positive behaviour. I nodded at him. “Good work.” I decided not to mention how he’d been too rough in his delivery, I’d do that later. For now, it was better to stick with the positives.

“Thanks, it felt good. She’ll be great with that as her starter, and with dad coming home I won’t have long to wait for my first pokemon. Think dad will have something strong?”

“..” I held my thoughts to myself before adopting a smile that felt all too fake. “He might, yeah.” I walked over and clapped him on the shoulder. “Still, nice work tonight. Have a good night bro.”

I turned and in doing so spotted what he had hidden under his desk that was hidden with most of the litter around his room. I turned around. “Also? “ He gave me a curious look, “Clean your room little bro.” I pointed at the magazines with ladies in various states of dress or undress, clearly visible. He blushed hugely and I waved off his splutters.

“It’s a friend’s and I’m holding it for him!”

“That just makes it kinda grosser. I don’t want to know. Just… clean your room and hide your magazines. Yolanda was in here earlier. The other little ones probably wander in here all the time as well. You want them reading that willy-nilly?” I shook my head and chuckled at how things had turned out.

I fell asleep just as another body pressed itself into my side.

It reminded me of another night’s sleep almost a month ago now. The sleep was at least as good if not better. Once again though I woke up to only an indent. I shook off the mild feeling of loss and instead fired off a message to Sabrina. She was obviously feeling better. I’d be seeing her in an official capacity soon anyway.