Sandwich Making (Self insert x Arven)

[6] Lunchtime

 At lunch, which was after four more periods (Tyme, Saguaro, Dendra, and Hassel) I usually went out of Uva to grab some store-bought sandwiches. I was on my way to do that when someone tapped on my shoulder.

"Uh?"

"O-oh, um.." It was Penny, the one who'd been supplying me with League Points and various Pokemon materials. I'd never seen her around school before now. "Hey, uh.. Z."

"Oh, hi Penny! I don't see you around here very much."

Penny adjusted her big Eevee backpack awkwardly, and awkwardly avoided eye contact. "Y-yeah. Um. Z? I need a favor. From you. Please..?"

I shrugged. "Alright. What'cha need?"

Penny looked uncomfortably agitated, and she pulled me out of the main path and into a secluded area, shaded by trees and bushes. "Z.. you know Team Star, right? Y-you've almost beaten all the Team Star bases."

"Yeah..?" I couldn't tell where Penny was going with this. "What about it?"

"I- I-" she looked as if she was struggling to say something, but she eventually gave up. "I.. need you to keep doing a good job.. At that."

I raised an eyebrow at her. "Is that all?" I asked. "Surely you didn't seek me out just to encourage me, right?"

Penny shook her head. "Eri.. she's the strongest of all them. I don't know if anyone told you, b-but, she's a Fighting-type specialist."

"How do you know this?"

"C-common knowledge." she stammered. "I- I need you to promise me you'll win in the battle against her."

I nodded. "Ok.. I promise I'll do my best."

Penny let go of my shoulders. "That's.. All." she nodded awkwardly, then dashed away.

I pushed my way out of the bushes and put my hands on my hips. "What was that about?" I wondered aloud.

I guess I could make my way to the last Team Star base. After all, we're supposed to find our own "treasure", yeah?

I shook my head. I'll get lunch settled first. Boy, am I hungry.

I sat at a bench outside the sandwich shop. I had bought enough sandwiches for my Pokemon to eat. Miraidon, who absolutely loved Arven's sandwiches, didn't touch these ones. Azalea, who was always hungry, practically fought with Noodle- Chein-Pao- for the sandwich.

"You guys are too much." I laughed, running my hands through my Arcanine's fur. His name was Hunter, because I had seen him hunting some Pachirisu when I first caught him.

Everyone was playing around happily- Salvatore was chasing Sandaconda, Snek, around, and Lemon had been trying to snatch sandwiches away from Azalea.

I reached into the bag to pull out my own sandwich, but nothing was in there. I looked up at Azalea, who had my sandwich halfway into her mouth. She gave me the most innocent look she could muster, and I sighed. "Fine, eat my sandwich."

Suddenly, Miraidon's head shot up. "What's wrong?" I got up to give it a pat on its neck, but it pulled away. It turned around, chirping happily.

"Ugh. I was really hoping Miraidon wouldn't be out of its Pokeball." It was Arven, and he was holding a paper bag.

"Oh, hi Arven! I wasn't expecting you to be here."

He shrugged, and his usual bright and happy disposition was replaced with an annoyed look. "Hey."

"Uh.. are you ok?" I scooched over and patted the bench next to me.

He sat down, glaring at Miraidon, who was nudging the paper bag. "Ugh! None of these are for you!" Arven shooed Miraidon away from the bag. He turned to me. "I brought you some sandwiches I made. But uh.. Seems you've already bought some-"

"Oh, thank Arceus! Azalea had stolen my food. I was just about to go in and buy another one." I returned all my Pokemon to their Pokeballs- I wanted this to be just me and Arven.

Arven looked very pleased with himself as he pulled the sandwich out of the paper bag. "Here- I made your favorite."

"No way.. Is it-!"

"Klawf sticks, fish filets, lettuce, and vinegar?" Arven beamed. "Yeah."

I took a bite of the sandwich, and I lit up. "Ohhh my Arceus!! How did you remember?!"

Arven's face went red. "Oh, well.. I have a good memory." he laughed, slightly embarrassed.

Arven pulled out his own sandwich and started eating it. I had my own, but oh boy did his smell good. So like any other well-adjusted member of society, I leaned over his shoulder and took a bite of his sandwich.

Arven stiffened. "H-hey, you have your own sandwich! I made this one for me!"

"But it tastes good!" I whined. "Can't we, like, share?"

Arven side-eyed me, then leaned over and took a bite of my sandwich. "Hey!"

He shrugged. "You did it to me."

We sat there, laughing. After who-knows-how-long of eating and chatting, the sun started to set.

"Woah, I didn't think we were out for that long." I murmured, crumpling up my trash. "Maybe we should head back to Uva."

Arven put his head on the table, somewhat forcefully. "We've got four more Titans to take on, though. I really wanna get those over with."

"I have one more Team Star base to take on.. And then I gotta tackle the Elite Four.."

Arven chuckled. "You really have alot on your plate, huh?"

I nodded, slightly overwhelmed. "Yeah. I dunno what to do first- Nemona's gonna hound me until I beat the Elite Four, Penny's counting on me to beat Team Star- dunno why, but she seems passionate about it- and then you.. I really want to help you heal Mabosstiff."

Arven teared up slightly, but he blinked it away. "It's.. really sweet that you're.." he rubbed his eyes. "It's really sweet that you're thinking of me- uh.. everyone. But you've gotta slow down! If you're.."

I sighed. "If I'm constantly putting myself out there I'll get burnt out? I've heard that all the time from my mom."

Arven shook his head. "What I was gonna say was that.. If you keep helping others, yes, you'll get burnt out, but you won't have anything left for yourself.. Also, depression 'n whatnot." his eyes softened, and he held my hand in his, squeezing it. "I don't want you to feel.. Bad. I want you to feel good! Great, even!"

I sighed. "Yeah. Thanks."

Arven must've noticed how subdued my response had been, because he put his hands on my shoulders. "Z, if you need to take a break, we can take a break. Forget what Nemona wants, or that girl whats-her-face."

"Penny?"

Arven shrugged. "Whatever her name is. If she wants you to tackle those bullies, you have a right to say "no" or "gimme some time". Y'know?" Arven looked slightly awkward, as if he wasn't good at giving supportive speeches.

"Mhm." I rubbed my eyes some more, avoiding his eyes. "I um.. I appreciate it." I stood up. "Let's head back."

Arven nodded, looking slightly flustered. "Y-yeah. Let's." he started packing his stuff into his bag.

I tossed the remnants of our meal into the trash, and Arven heaved his backpack onto his back. "Thanks for.. Linner?"

Arven laughed out loud. "'Linner'? Is that what that's called?"

I giggled, glad the heavy conversation had dissipated. "Would you rather it be called.. Uh.. Dunch?"

"That sounds like some weird insult or something!" Arven snickered. "Ah, you callin' me some kind of dunch?!"

We headed back to Uva, laughing the whole way back. Even though I still felt weighed down by all the stuff I had going on, when I was with Arven I felt so much better.