Double Bubble Disco Queen

3

Harlan set her bag down on her bed as Raiju jumped up onto it and curled up on the bare mattress. She and Exx were going to share a room - she was far more comfortable with Exx than she was with Ember since she knew the runaway Aether's family so well. Exx had found an air mattress and was inflating it with an electric pump, having laid it down next to her bed.

Harlan practically dumped her bag out. She had packed only the essentials, but it was good to lighten her load. Turning to put away the extra Poké Balls and other integral items, she caught Exx's eye. "What?" she asked, a little confused as to why he was staring at her.

"I've nothing better to do, no?" Exx said, a light tease in his tone. He was referring to the almost full air mattress.

"I guess not... though, I gotta say, take a picture. It'll last longer," she taunted him. Exx huffed a laugh, refocusing back on the pump as he disconnected it. Harlan sat down on her bed. "Do you ever miss old exes?" she asked, out of the blue.

"I told you, Harlan, I've only ever had one significant other," Exx said, not looking up from his little project.

"Ugh, I've had 3. Plus your brother that I'm still married to."

"Seems you were a heartbreaker, yes?" Exx asked, looking over his shoulder. "I don't know anyone besides you who's gone through 3 exes throughout her teenage years."

"You've certainly been living under a rock, my friend," Harlan said. "I had a best friend when I was living here as a child, and she would break the hearts of every boy in our elementary class." She smiled at the memory. "I wonder where she is now."

"Elementary? They just start younger and younger," Exx retorted, 'tsk'ing his disapproval. He made his bed with a single blanket and pillow, then turned to his briefcase and opened it. Curious, Harlan got down and sat on the floor with him, aware that their legs were pretty much smushed up against each other. Neither Trainer opted to move. "My documents," Exx explained, lifting a binder out of the briefcase. "I stole them from Mother's drawer."

"That explains why I'd never heard of you. Lusamine always kept her children's documents - I remember going through them once. I think it was only Gladion and Lillie's that were there," Harlan recalled.

"Ah, yes. I'd taken Blaise's as well. They may come in handy one day or another." Exx took out a smaller binder - less thick than his other one. Blaise's full name was written in neat cursive across the front. Blaise Michael Aether.

"I miss him," Harlan admitted.

"I do too." Exx made no effort to hide the binder with his own full name on it - Harlan had just then realized that it was on there. Dylan "Exx" Aether. It all came back to Harlan just then. Gladion mentioning his brother who'd run away. Lusamine claiming she'd never had a son named Dylan. Encountering a man who'd shared similar features as she fled the region for the first time. "Dylan." The name was unfamiliar on her tongue, not a part of her vocabulary.

"You must not call me that in front of Ember," Exx huffed a pessimistic laugh. "Keep calling me Exx, if you would."

"Why do you call yourself that?" Harlan asked.

"Exx is a play on the letter X. The letter X symbolizes items to be crossed out on paper, as was my name on my birth certificate," Exx explained. "Dylan was X'd out. Dylan became Exx."

"That's confusing," Harlan admitted.

"It's a mess." Exx let out a sigh, replacing the binders. "I have to go to my meeting now."

"It's 6 PM." Harlan was astounded.

"It was scheduled at this time. There is nothing I can do," Exx said, sounding solemn. "I'll see you later, Harlan."

Before he stood, he turned to her, taking her hands. "Please excuse my behavior," he said apologetically, and kissed her on the cheek. Without a word, he stood, took his briefcase, and left the room, leaving Harlan stunned on the floor.

-

Harlan came out of her room after a while. It was already dark, and Lunala's moon was illuminating the snow outside, reflecting through the window. Ember was asleep on the couch, his hand in a bag of chips and the TV on. She couldn't help but admire him. He truly was a handsome man, but Harlan knew he was out of her reach.

Why was she thinking of this?? Harlan knew those of other regions behaved differently than Adalans - Exx's kiss was likely just a friendly gesture, and Ember was probably just teasing. Harlan told herself neither of these men liked her romantically, and forced herself to believe it. Perhaps Ember was the exception, though.

But the man in question... his sleepy expression was just too cute for her to pass up.

Harlan cursed herself for her own hyperromantic tendencies, but fought back her self-deprecation and sat with Ember, eventually snuggling up to him. He was so warm and cozy - but Harlan couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. Why? What was it about him that made her so uneasy?

Ember opened his eyes, yawning and turning to her. "Why, hello," he said sleepily. "Decided to drop in, huh?"

"Please excuse me," she said apologetically.

"No, I don't mind." Ember squeezed her closer in a hug. Harlan dared to turn and put her head and hand on his chest. His heart was pounding. She wondered if her suspicions of Ember liking her like that were true. She'd never had anyone except Gladion or Blaise perceive her in such a light.

"You're thinking about your husband, aren't you?" Ember asked, focused on the TV.

"I don't want to cheat on him." Harlan looked down at their intertwined hands.

"I know." He glanced at her. "If you're available... I would love to go out sometime."

"But Brooke?" Harlan's voice cracked and broke. Why? Why was she feeling like this towards him? Her jealousy caught up to her and she shed a few tears.

"I like you, not him," Ember promised. He looked at her now, his green eyes determined. "Sure, boys are nice and all, but you... You feel different to me."

"You're gay?" Harlan asked, wiping her eyes.

"Bi. But usually I don't have trouble figuring out who I like more."

"Well... I'm abrosexual. But I like boys too. A lot." Harlan blushed. "Blonde men are my weakness."

"Seems it," he teased. He suddenly put the bag of chips on the floor and pinned her down with his arm. Harlan didn't even budge. She knew where this was going, and she was all for it. "Would you let a blonde man... do unspeakable things to you?"

"It's happened once."

"Oh." The lust in Ember's eyes faded. "You have a kid?"

"Yes, but Blai- se took him." That was a lie. Harlan had left Lantern as Blaise's responsibility. It was terrible, but Harlan was scared of her own power concerning the baby. Her mental health was just too unstable for her to take care of her son.

"Oh," Ember repeated. The sexual tension between them faded and Harlan wanted to cry. She mentally begged to be closer to him again. Her discomfort had gone. Ember noticed her tearful eyes. "Hey, don't cry. It's OK. I'm sorry that happened. I like you even though that happened, OK?" he told her.

"Promise?"

"I'd never break a promise."