Pokemon Sword and Shield One Shots

Escape - Hop X Reader

Crunching noises of sticks and grass under your feet made you feel at ease. The Slumbering Weald was the one place that you could escape to where no one else would bother you. Even the very atmosphere made you feel at ease. You twisted and turned between trees and through patches of grass plus your trusty Cinderace walked behind you by a few paces. He was keeping you company without being overbearing, knowing that you wanted to enjoy the silence. When you turned your head to face him, he smiled brightly at you before he faced forwards and his expression turned into one of confusion. Following his gaze, you also turned back to face ahead of you only to see that someone was there.

The light from the late day sun was shining directly onto the altar at the end of the Weald's path, reflecting off of the structure to blind you. You shielded your eyes with your hand and looked down to see someone laying on the grass. Their hands were crossed behind their head and their partner Pokemon sat next to them. You'd caught the Pokemon's attention and as soon as it noticed you, it beamed and ran over in excitement. You held your arms out to the Rillaboom and was engulfed in a huge hug. Cinderace also ran forwards and waved to the giant Pokemon, who soon released you from it's arms. The two ran off together to play as you approached the trainer on the grass.

Without a word, you sat down next to them and smiled.
"Hello, Hop." This made him turn his head in surprise, leaning up to rest on his arms, but his expression softened when he noticed it was you.
"Y/N? What are you doing here?"
"I come here often actually," you noted softly, "It's a good place to relax." Hop returned to his previous pose. "And escape." Your rival, and friend, looked at you in confusion.
"Escape?" Sighing, you shook your head.
"The Gym Challenge is incredible," you started before your tone softened even more, "But after every victory more and more is expected of you." You subconsciously started to play with the hem of your shirt. "It's a lot of pressure to try and live up to people's expectations. Especially when competing against people like you, Bede and Marnie."
"I know what that's like." Hop mumbled.

You turned to face him, matching his sad expression. "Everyone thought I was gonna be just like Leon when I started the challenge." You felt sorry for Hop. He'd had some really tough defeats recently that were wearing him down, mainly mentally. "I'll never live up to him."

You'd been friends with Hop for years and you'd never mentioned your crush on him for obvious reasons. He meant too much to you to ruin it all. As you sat looking into Hop's downhearted eyes, you really wanted to open up but it wasn't about you right now.

"Listen here," you started, grabbing your friend's attention, "So you've faced some losses, and everyone does, but you can't give up!" You sat up a bit so that you were looking down on your rival, "Remember that even I had to go back to Hulbury three times before I beat Nessa!"
"But you haven't lost since."
"True but you've come close to beating me every single time." Hop was conflicted at this point. "Your brother's been a trainer for a long time. You started out, what, a few months ago? You still have so much potential, Hop." Reaching for your rival's hand, you smiled encouragingly. Hop, however, felt the breath hitch in his chest at your soft touch.

These words meant a lot coming from you, his childhood best friend. However, he'd be lying if he hadn't thought about asking you out multiple times. It was the middle of the Gym Challenge though, the timing couldn't be worse.

Hop looked up at you with adoration more than anything, you stayed so positive through everything. The young challenger wished he could also block out the losses.
"Don't compare yourself to Leon," you continued, "Your worth is so much more than you think."
"You think so?" Hop asked, unsure. Suddenly, you tumbled onto Hop in a hug, rolling across the grass. You laughed together as you leaned your forearms on his chest.
"I know so."

It pleased you that Hop could open up but his inferiority complex was upsetting to you. When you thought about it, Hop's living room only had pictures of Leon framed. You'd been to his house many times but you couldn't recall seeing pictures of the younger brother around, apart from a big framed one of the two of you in his bedroom.

Your eyes met Hop's and his gaze softened, he even brought one of his hands up to his chest to hold yours.
"Y/N," he started, looking like he had a lot to say. Soon enough though, he sighed, "Thanks."
"Always," you smiled, "We all need an escape once in a while. I'm glad that we founds ours together today." In a split second decision, Hop reached out to stroke your cheek, making you blush profusely. Hop smiled sweetly as he pulled your face gently towards his own, locking your lips in a chaste kiss.

For years you'd both wondered what this moment would feel like and it was finally here. This was meant to happen. Even Leon knew that the Gym Challenge would bring the two of you closer but of course both of you could only hope.

When you pulled away, you wished you hadn't. Your blush rose higher on your cheeks, making Hop chuckle and brush your hair out of your face. From beside you, you could hear a laugh and looked over to see Cinderace and Rillaboom hiding behind their faces and chuckling at the sight of their trainers. Even they could notice the chemistry between the two of you.

You giggled nervously and laid back down beside Hop, who turned to you, leaning in for another kiss.
"Let's stay a little longer." You broke away laughing.
"We have all the time in the world!" The young trainer smiled and pulled you towards him once more.
"I want this escape to last forever," he peppered your face with little kisses, "Or at least for a few more minutes." You both rejoined your lips again with more laughter, relaxing in the afternoon sun.