Champion's Heart: Leon x Reader Pokemon

Chapter Thirty

If you haven't checked out chapter Twenty-nine, please go back! I updated quickly this time so it's easy to miss that I just posted chapter Twenty-nine. Please vote on this chapter and the previous one so it'll show up in others' recommendations!

Hop awoke you early in the morning by running around the campsite, although he tried (and failed) to stay quiet. You could hear Leon grumbling to Hop about his antics, but ignored the both as best you could in attempt to get back to sleep. It was no use, and you accepted you were probably going to head into the Gym early.

You crawled out of the tent, feeling particularly grumpy from the rude awakening. Leon has yet to emerge from his tent, while Hop was running around feeding the Pokemon and giving his team a pep talk.

"Tone it down with the noise," you snapped. "Some of us still value good sleep."

Hop turned to you, embarrassed. "I'm just so excited for today."

You softened, feeling guilty for raining on what was to be a big day for Hop. You remembered how worried you were about your Gym Battle against Opal.

"You'll do great, Hop!" you exclaimed. "You're going to win."

"Easy for you to say, you're better than me!" Hop scoffed, his eyes distant.

You frowned. What was he talking about? "You have won more battles against me."

"You won the latest battle," Hop pointed out.

"How about a rematch?" you asked. Hop opened his mouth to protest, but you cut in. "Not now of course! You have a match today. I mean before we go against the next Gym and when we get to the next town."

Hop gave you a halfhearted grin. "I suppose we have an agreement."

That was the best response you would get for now. You decided to help cheer Hop up by telling him jokes and giving him insight with the Gym, like he had done with you in the past. Hop listened intently, determined to use whatever he could to help his odds in battle.

Leon finally emerged from the tent, looking as fresh as a rose.

"You could sleep through all of that?" you questioned.

"I'm talented, what can I say?" Leon shrugged.

You rolled your eyes playfully. "Sure."

Leon glared at you. "Remember who's the Champion."

"Not for much longer, you crushed grape," you insulted.

Hop burst out laughing at your insult while Leon was taken aback. "I-I've never been called a crushed grape before."

"Are you turned on?" you asked cheekily.

Leon glared daggers at you. "I would never be 'turned on' by something so stupid."

"You're stupid." You stuck your tongue out at Leon.

Hop couldn't stop snickering. Leon hit his arm, causing him to finally stop laughing.

"You guys are a couple of dummies," Leon said, finally grinning. "Shouldn't we be heading back into Ballonlea? Hop, if I remember correctly, your battle starts in an hour."

Hop jumped to his feet, his arms pumping and a wide smile on his face. You were excited to finally see a Pokemon battle as a spectator instead of a challenger.

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Hop practically raced into town, you and Leon barely keeping up. It was nice to see him acting like his normal self, but you could barely keep up with his energy. You stood outside of the Gym for the second time, and you felt uneasy as you walked in.