Akari Wishes For The Cloths Of Heaven (Volokari/Volo x Akari/Volo x Reader)

Once There Sat A Group Of Friends

They walked for several more miles, the silence cut only by polite small talk and the cries of wild pokemon in the distance. Akari was surprised by his willingness to keep a conversation at all; while Volo still maintained bits of his old self, he was much more subdued and cautious in ways she would have never expected from him. When they finally reached the edge of the Diamond Settlement, Akari beckoned him to stand closer to her side. Calling out to the man who stood on the path to announce their arrival, she was pleasantly surprised to see that he didn't recognize Volo, his eyes only for her as he gaped at the Hero of Hisui.

"Hi there!" she said cheerfully. "Would you mind telling Adaman that some friends have come to visit?"

The man nodded vigorously, giving her a polite dip of the head before running off towards the navy tents of the clan. They followed at a walk, and she could sense Volo tensing slightly, one hand slipping into his pocket. She frowned.

"Don't do that, they'll think you're trying to grab a Pokemon for battle," she muttered.

"Oops," he said, quickly pulling his hand from his pocket. "Instinct, you know?"

Akari almost gave him a snippy retort but before she could do that a loud, bright voice interrupted them.

"Now this is a sight I never thought I'd see again! My, my, time really does spin in circles, doesn't it?"

Akari gave a nervous smile to the man approaching, his heavy blue coat flying behind him as he all but ran towards them. Adaman had not changed much in the years, except letting his hair grow slightly longer and the faint smile lines on his cheeks. Her grin brightened as he embraced her briefly, as if it had been moons, not weeks since they had last seen each other. He gave her a squeeze, before pulling away and turning towards Volo.

"And more importantly, why are you traveling with him? If I remember right, he tried to kill all of us," Adaman said, shooting a glare at the other man before turning back to Akari. "I would be prepared to have the whole Clan battle here and now if I hadn't seen you first,"

"It's a long story—" Volo began, an edge to his voice Akari had not heard in many years. "I—"

"I'm not talking to you," Adaman growled, turning to face Akari but keeping his eyes on the former merchant, who hissed softly. "What has he told you?"

"Volo has changed, Adaman," she said firmly. "He regrets what he did and just wants to live humbly in Hisui as he used to,"

"I'd hardly call him humble," Adaman muttered, but allowed her to continue.

"We've talked a lot and I want him to help me record Hisui's myths and legends for a book for the Galaxy Team. He knows more about them than anyone except Cogita, and you know how she is; you'll never get a direct answer from her,"

Adaman chuckled at that. "Damn, that's a fair point. But what does Kamado think? No, don't tell me, you haven't told him yet, or anyone else for that matter?"

Akari sighed. Her friend knew her far too well.

"You know how the commander is. We thought going into the village up front would be best. Harder to turn him away if I'm there,"

Adaman laughed again, his suspicion slightly fading, she noticed.

"If he gets into Jubilife without getting sumo-thrown I'll treat you both to whatever sake Ginter has hidden in that cart of his,"

Akari grinned. "Now THAT is something I didn't plan for,"

Even Volo looks slightly relieved, a smile attempting to escape his lips.

"Could he even throw me? I am pretty sure I'm taller than him,"

Adaman laughed again, a full smile on his face now.