Sparks Fly (reupload)

Getting By

Okay but seriously, I'm sorry it took so long for the ship to become canon in the book.

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"So, yeah. That's why I had to leave so soon," Meyer explained to Professor Sycamore, whose image was displayed on the living room TV. "Sorry for not saying anything."

Sycamore shook his head. "Don't apologize for anything. If something like that happened to Alain, I'd do the same."

"Yeah, you're right," Meyer nodded. "Is it okay if I stay with him for a bit?"

"Of course. Take all the time you need."

There was a pause. "Do you think I'm a bad parent?"

"How so?"

"Well, I had told Clemont when I first saw him in the hospital that I had thought he was safe. I felt distraught, and that I didn't want him out of my sight. Especially since I had left him in charge of the Lumiose Gym at a young age, let him travel across Kalos, and left him and Bonnie without adult supervision at home. Then he gets hurt, and I feel like I haven't been doing enough for him and Bonnie. And I feel like there's been something going on that I don't know about."

Again, silence.

"There's no definite way to be a parent," Sycamore replied. "It's not unordinary to send your child out on their own to become a Pokémon trainer."

"But what about leaving them alone afterwards?"

"Meyer," the professor said. "The boy was able to handle himself, even amidst the... incident. One mistake was made a few days ago, but being responsible for yourself doesn't mean being perfect."

The man nodded. "Yeah, I-"

"Bonnie, get out of my room," Clemont's voice came from the hallway.

"I'm not in your room, I'm in the hallway. But seriously, though, I'll go," Bonnie's voice replied.

Meyer sighed. "Oi vey. I gotta go, Augustine."

"It's fine," he replied. "Good luck, Meyer." Sycamore waved goodbye, and the screen faded to black.

Meyer rose from the couch and saw that the hallway was empty. He walked down the hallway towards Clemont's room. "Is everything all right in h-"

He stopped at the sight of Clemont being held in Ash's arms.

Ash noticed Meyer out of the corner of his eye and froze.

"Huh? Ash, what's wr-" Clemont looked up and saw his father watching them. "Oh."

"I didn't mean to walk in on you guys," Meyer said. "I heard you and Bonnie talking, I thought that something- never mind."

The three waited in an awkward silence.

"Is there anything I can get you two?" he asked. "Any food, drinks? Privacy?"

"I was thinking that we could maybe have a private battle at the Lumiose City gym," Ash said. "Like old times."

"Old times, huh? What are we, in our forties?" Clemont joked.

Meyer crossed his arms. "Let me guess, that would make me ancient?"

Ash laughed nervously. "I-I didn't mean it like that. I meant like, before I went to Alola." Then he gasped.

"You okay?" Clemont said.

"How much longer am I supposed to stay here for?" Ash asked.

There was a brief moment of silence.