No Feelings Allowed (Raihan x OC, NSFW)

02 - A Knight and A Dragon

Last chapter was just the line being cast, a bit of a tease... so let's see if we can't hook you with some sass and flirting ;)

-----------

Raihan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck to work out the kinks. He rolled his shoulders for good measure, too, relishing in the release of the tension from sitting in an office all day. It was a necessary evil, dealing with the meetings, but one he wished he wouldn't have to ever endure again. Yet, he knew he'd be called back in a few days to talk with the League associates and the other Gym Leaders to check up on repair progress. After all, it'd only been maybe a week since the wackos Swordward and Shieldbert went on a Dynamaxing spree, damaging at least half their Gyms, and was maybe two since the Second Darkest Day in Galar—the day Rose, the now-former Chairman criminal, unleashed Eternatus on the world for the second time, only to be defeated by Gloria and Hop, the former of which was now their new Champion.

He still recalled his loss to the kiddo during her Challenge and was both irate and delighted. He dared to say even proud of the young teen, who'd come so far so fast and now stood on a pillar he'd still not reached himself. He disliked having yet another rival he might never beat, but at least Leon had finally been knocked down a peg. Although, he wasn't entirely glad about that, either, and not just because it hadn't been him. He'd seen how deflated his long-time rival—and friend—looked at the meetings, though he put on a brave face. If he'd beaten him, it'd been different, but it was what it was. Leon would have to find a way to get over it like he had.

They had more important things to focus on anyways—like repairing the Gyms after the Dynamaxed Pokémon had gone on a rampage. By some miracle, there were essentially no lives lost, if any. At most the number could be counted on one hand, although the injured had been much higher. The stadiums were wrecked, too, but nothing that couldn't be fixed. It would cost a good chunk of money, but the League kept an emergency fund just for such things, although now they were starting to call it a "remodel" and not a repair. No doubt to keep the crowd cheerful, but he just saw it as another one of their little "scams", as he affectionately called them.

But that was how it went, and he only lamented the Gym Challenge and Championship Cup for next year was being postponed. It was going to be weird not facing challengers throughout the year, seeing who had what it took to make it to the finals and face Gloria, who would have to defend her title. He supposed he could try out the Battle Tower then—the re-imaged Rose Tower, spear-headed by Leon of all people. He had a feeling it was to help wipe away the betrayal, which had cut the purple-haired man the hardest.

'Whatever helps him, I guess,' Raihan mused as he brought out his phone, thumbing through the latest blogs and Pokégram posts. He hadn't posted a picture in a while, which wasn't like him, but he'd just been so busy between meetings, having public viewing with the populace to keep everyone at ease, and then seeing about repairs. He'd had no time to really do much outside of work. As such, he had countless comments and private messages from fans asking if he was okay and where was his usual Towel Tuesday post. He couldn't help snickering at that—at all the thirsty ladies out there.

Naturally, he enjoyed the attention. The thirst fueled him, he dared to say, and, well, he had the goods, so why not show them off? Of course, there was backlash, too. He got plenty of snide comments from salty dudes, but also those who criticized his losses against both Leon and Gloria. It was annoying, being that he only ever lost to two people, while all the ones leaving their harsh words had probably never won a battle in their life. Whatever. He could handle it, and the thirsty ones always outmatched the venomous anyways.

Raihan switched to his photo album, figuring he could go ahead and post something real quick to satisfy the fans. If nothing was in his albums he'd probably do a selfie with one of his Pokémon—Duraludon and Flygon and even Goomdra were pretty popular, which he approved. They were technically both is favorites. He adored all his Pokémon, of course, but the fierce dragon-types always had his heart first. Their wild nature and raw power were just so enticing and a challenge to wield. Every moment with them was a thrill.