My eyes fluttered open briefly and I groaned as a bright beam of light lanced into my eyes, causing me to snap them shut.
"Dawn!"
My eyes flew open and I looked over to see my mom's face flooded with more concern and relief than I had ever seen.
"Mom?" I asked in disbelief.
She rushed forward and pulled me into a fierce hug. Tears sprang to my eyes and I hugged her back, breathing in her comforting scent of nanab berries and cinnamon.
"Oh, sweetheart, are you alright? I got here last night and you wouldn't wake up!" Mom said in a shaky voice as she sat down on the edge of my bed and pulled away to run her hand down the side of my face.
"How long did I sleep?" I asked, surprised at how scratchy my throat felt.
Mom immediately reached for a water cup with a straw and handed it to me. I sipped the cool water gratefully as she explained that I had been sleeping for two days. The doctors said it was probably a side effect from the forced hypnosis that Hypno put on me.
"Where is Paul?" I asked as soon as she had finished. Mom smiled and patted my hand soothingly.
"He's been in here every second since I got here. I can't believe you didn't tell me you were dating someone, Dawn!" Mom said teasingly and I felt myself blush.
"Well... It kind of happened really fast. Paul and I started officially dating a few days before the pokemon league and I didn't really know how to tell you..." I explained awkwardly and Mom laughed.
"So you let me see you hug and hold hands on national television instead?" she asked with a wicked glint in her eyes and I blushed harder.
"Sorry," I mumbled, not realizing that Mom had been watching the pokemon league broadcast. Mom shook her head and pulled me into another hug. "What do you think of him?" I asked curiously as she pulled back once again.
"He is not the kind of person I expected you to fall for," she answered candidly and I frowned. I opened my mouth to defend Paul when I saw Mom smile gently over at me. "But I can't think of anyone else I would trust more with your heart," she whispered.
Tears prickled the back of my eyes and I rubbed them with my left hand since there was an IV drip stuck into the back of my right. Suddenly the door to my private hospital room opened and I turned to look.
Paul, dressed in a simple blue V-neck and black jeans, walked in. He had bandages wrapped around his left palm and up his arm and I could see the edge of a bandage poking around the back of his neck. Worry made my throat constrict briefly, but when our eyes met the relief and love that shone from his expression relaxed my entire body.
Blinking rapidly I held out my arms silently. Paul walked across the room in four giant steps and scooped me into his arms. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and buried my face into his neck, tears streaming down my cheeks and dripping down onto his neck and collarbone. Paul cradled me in his arms, murmuring soothingly into my ear as I cried and held onto him. I heard the door shut softly, signaling that my mom had left the room.
When I finally calmed down Paul gently placed me back on the hospital bed and then sat down in the chair my mom had been sitting in when I woke up. He took my hand into both of his and kissed my fingertips tenderly, making me smile and squeeze his hand tightly.
"Are you feeling alright?" he asked with concern in his amethyst eyes. I nodded and ran my other hand over the bandages on his left arm.
"Are you?" I asked with worry and he smiled.
"I got hit by some shrapnel when the computer exploded, but I'm fine. The cuts are nearly healed," he replied nonchalantly.
The memory of when Paul pushed me down and covered me with his body during that explosion surfaced briefly and I squeezed his hand. Moisture entered my eyes again and I blinked rapidly to try to keep the tears at bay.
"Faba...?"
"He's in jail, and will be for a very long time," Paul grunted with a hard glint in his eyes and I sighed in relief. "Did he... hurt you, Dawn?" Paul asked, a little awkwardly but with obvious concern. I shook my head quickly and Paul sighed in relief.
"I think he was planning to, but you came before he could do anything unsavory," I said while squeezing his hands. Paul looked up at me and I was surprised at the guilt that entered his expression
"I am so sorry, Dawn. I couldn't think straight. If I had just attacked the Hypno sooner..." Paul began with shame in his voice and I shook my head firmly.
"Don't blame yourself, Paul. When I was hypnotized I was still partially aware of what was going on. It was... really scary," I admitted as my shoulders began to shake.
Paul immediately stood and slipped onto the bed next to me, pulling me against his chest. I allowed myself to relax against him, feeling safe and secure in his arms.
"It was so surreal. When I was hypnotized I had access to all of my memories and thoughts, but I couldn't speak unless Faba talked to me first and I felt like my body was being moved by an invisible puppet master. I was going crazy when I saw you trapped by that bug thing and I couldn't make myself move or say anything. But during the battle, the more I heard your voice the more I could slip a little more of me out of Hypno's hold. So thank you," I said sincerely.
Paul squeezed my shoulders and rubbed my back. We sat like that for so long I had almost drifted back to sleep when the door to my hospital room suddenly slammed open.
"DAWN!" Serena's hysterical voice yelled.
I jerked up, pushing lightly against Paul's chest and he let his arms fall down from around me. Serena ran into the room and threw her arms around me, leaning awkwardly over Paul as she cried. I hugged her back fiercely, and after a few seconds, Serena pulled back slightly and looped one arm around Paul's neck, pulling him over to form a group hug.
"I'm so glad you both are alright!" she hiccuped out.
I gave a watery laugh, realizing that I was crying too. A hand rested on my head and I looked up to see Ash smiling at me with a look of relief in his brown eyes. Pikachu looked at me from his shoulder with his big black eyes filled with concern and his ears twitched worriedly.
"You had us really worried there, Dawn," he said. I smiled up at him as Serena let go of Paul and me before sitting down in the chair next to my bed.
"I'm sorry," I said, feeling a little guilty that they had traveled all the way from Kalos.
Serena told me that if I apologized again she would disown me, which made me laugh. Paul wrapped his arm loosely around my waist.
"So when did this happen?" Ash asked, gesturing to Paul sitting next to me and I blushed.
"We traveled together on the island challenge and I tried to push her away, but I realized I loved her and asked her to be my girlfriend the day before the pokemon league," Paul explained flatly and my cheeks heated up even more at his direct tone. Ash blinked but then laughed and punched Paul in the shoulder hard enough to make him wince.
"You sly dog! Well, as long as Dawn is happy that's fine with me. But if you hurt her I'm going to pound you into the ground," Ash said with an eerily happy smile and Pikachu's electric cheek pouches sparked.
Serena laughed awkwardly but Paul just nodded and I chuckled. Later that day the doctor gave me a final health check and pronounced me healthy, so we all left the hospital.
Ash and Serena had to leave the day after since Serena had a big event to go to as Kalos Queen but I promised to keep in touch. Throughout the next few days, all of my friends from my travels contacted me to make sure I was okay and Mom stayed with Paul and me as we showed her around the more touristy parts of Alola.
As we were visiting Olivia in Akala she insisted on throwing us a party. Mom had a blast with the preparations and she and Olivia became fast friends. I stayed in the kitchen with Mom, Mallow, and Olivia for most of the day while Paul helped with decorations. When seven o'clock rolled around Kiawe, Lana, and some of Olivia's store employees came to her house and helped us carry over the hors d'oeuvres and other refreshments we prepared.
It seemed like all of KoniKoni City had been invited and to my embarrassment, in the middle of the party, a chant started asking me to give a performance. I tried to refuse, but when Paul pushed me gently towards the center of the large park we were having the party, I gave in. After asking which performance they wanted I was surprised when almost everyone shouted for "Stay". I passed over the soundtrack and released Oricorio, Mirageon, and Ribombee.
As we went through our routine I couldn't help but contrast the feelings of this performance with my first performance of this piece. At the time I thought that Paul would never allow me to be by his side and it had been my desperate plea to him to follow his heart and not his mind. Now that he had actually acted as my soldier and rescued me from Faba it seemed like the song was a little redundant. Everyone cheered after the performance was over though, and the DJ took the opportunity to begin playing dance music.
As many of the party guests moved into the center of the park to dance I tried to make my way to the edge where I could see Paul watching me with a gentle smile on his face. I had nearly reached him when something slammed into my back and I laughed when I heard a familiar squeal. Turning I grinned into Leia's excited face and returned her hug.
"Oh, Dawn, I just love your performances!" Leia gushed and I laughed.
"I love yours too, Leia. I bet you'll be the tournament Star next year," I said with a wide grin. To my surprise, Leia shrugged and looked away from me, towards the ocean.
"Actually, I was thinking it might be time for me to travel to some of the other regions for a change. I've never left Alola and meeting you and your adorable Piplup, it's gotten me curious about what the world holds," Leia said with a hesitant smile.
I grinned widely and instantly gave her a summarized version of my own travels through the other regions. She listened avidly and she had started asking me for more details about Hoenn when I felt a small tap on my shoulder. Turning around I smiled widely as Paul looked down at me with a quiet smile.
"Pardon the intrusion, but could I steal Dawn from you for a bit?" Paul asked politely.
Leia grinned widely, assuring Paul that I was all his, before giving me a last hug and making me promise to call her on her PokeGear sometime soon. I waved after her as she disappeared into the crowd of dancing people and then turned and smiled up at Paul.
"What's up?" I asked, loud enough to be heard over the pounding music.
Paul's smile turned a little awkward and he looked to the side before taking my hand in his and fidgeting with my fingers.
"I know it's not really my thing but... do you think you could teach me how to dance with you?" he asked in a mumbled voice.
I blinked mutely from shock for a few seconds and then I felt a huge, teasing grin split my lips.
"Really? You want to dance?" I asked with amusement. With the help of the light bulbs strung up around the park, I could see his cheeks tint a pale red color as he glanced at me out of the corner of his eye.
"Unless you don't want to," he said gruffly and I laughed, gripping his hand in both of mine and pulling him farther onto the dance floor.
"Are you kidding? Of course, I want to dance with you!" I replied with a girlish squeal and Paul smiled with chagrin.
For the rest of the night, I led him through a few simple steps. He didn't have much rhythm, but he only stepped on my feet a few times and I loved him for trying something so far out of his comfort zone.
As the party started winding down I noticed a familiar shirtless boy. I watched as Traavi and Leia danced around the grass, seeming to be deep in conversation. He caught my eye as I was watching him and I saw sadness flash through his red eyes for a moment before his face relaxed into a smile and he nodded over to me. I returned his nod with a gentle smile.
Now that is interesting. Leia is a girl who won't put up with any nonsense and Traavi needs someone who can bring him down a peg but love him for who he is. I wonder...
An amused smile played along my lips as I mused over the unexpected pair, then I turned back to look up at Paul, who had just moved left when he was supposed to step right. I laughed delightedly and guided him through the steps one more time.
* * * * * *
"You know, they have rescheduled the pokemon league for next week," Olivia said later that night in her home.
She had insisted that Paul, Mom, and I all stay with her for the night and she had fixed us all a warm chicory root drink while we relaxed in the living room. I grimaced slightly and quickly looked down, hoping that no one had seen my reaction.
"I think we were planning on heading back to Sinnoh for a while," Paul said calmly and I looked up at him in surprise. He looked down at me with a questioning look and I let out a sigh of relief.
"Yah. I don't think I'm really up for league battles right now," I admitted and Olivia smiled gently at me.
"That's completely understandable, I will let the organizers know," she said soothingly and I thanked her.
Mom was ecstatic about the news and she immediately began planning our trip back to Sinnoh. To my surprise, Paul asked her if we could stop in Veilstone City before making the trip to my hometown in Twin Leaf Town. Mom agreed immediately when Paul said that was where his brother lived and I sipped my drink quietly, enjoying the slightly nutty and bitter taste to it, as they made their plans.
I was surprised at how close Mom and Paul had become so quickly. After hearing the full story of what happened at Aether Paradise and how Paul rescued me she'd been impressed, but I was surprised one night when Paul actually told his side of the story of how we had come together as a couple. Mom had listened intently and after Paul finished she hugged him and told him she was sure his mother would want him to make his happiness a priority over his becoming a pokemon champion. It had been a tender moment and since then she treated him like her son without reservation.
Before I knew it we had left Alola behind us and touched down in Lilypad City. Reggie was waiting for us as we disembarked the plane and I saw Paul stiffen slightly when Reggie pulled him into a hug but I smiled when he slowly relaxed and awkwardly hugged him back. Reggie pulled back and I saw him whispering something to Paul that made him roll his eyes. I hung back, suddenly feeling a little nervous, and I ran a hand absently through my loose hair, wishing I had clipped it back or done something with it.
Just then Paul turned and smiled gently at me; I felt my nervous energy relax as I returned his smile. Mom squeezed my hand encouragingly and I smiled up at her, grateful that she had been so patient during my travels and still loved me unconditionally. We walked over to where Paul was gesturing for us and we bowed politely as Paul introduced us. Reggie returned our bows and then looked at me with a kind smile.
"I've met you once before, haven't I, Dawn?" he asked and I smiled.
"That's right. I used to travel with Ash Ketchum and you taught his Staraptor Brave Bird," I said and Reggie grinned broadly.
"I knew I remembered you! Who knew that fate would bring you and Paul together years later like this?" he asked excitedly.
I felt my cheeks heat up slightly as I gave Paul a small smile. He reached out and took my hand in his, squeezing it gently before turning back to Reggie and asking where he had parked.
We piled into his van and drove the three hours to Veilstone City. Reggie and my mom spoke animatedly in the front seat but I was feeling a little jet-lagged so I cuddled up against Paul's side and felt myself drift off to sleep. A jerking motion ripped me from the peace of sleep and I blinked my blurry eyes in confusion for a moment. Quiet breathing sounded beside me and I turned to see that Paul had also fallen asleep, but one of his hands was interlaced with mine on top of his thigh. I smiled happily and settled back against his side as Reggie drove down his bumpy, mile-long driveway. Looking out the window I could see several buildings where the pokemon he trained would sleep and train and I couldn't help but sigh as the familiar sight of a coniferous forest stretched out as far as I could see.
"We're here!" Reggie called out in a singsong voice as he parked in front of his modest home.
Mom turned around and smiled gently when she saw Paul sleeping peacefully, his head leaning against the headrest. I motioned for her to go first as I gently nudged him. He didn't respond at first so I reached up and brushed a hand through his bangs, relishing the silky smooth texture against my fingers. He moved his head slightly at the touch and I gently shook his shoulders, calling out his name softly. Slowly his eyes began to blink open and he looked around him, grimacing as he moved forward and rubbed his neck.
"Did you hurt your neck?" I asked in concern and he smiled gently at me, already looking more alert than I would've if I had been awake for ten minutes.
"Just a little sore," he said.
I followed him as he opened the door and jumped out of Reggie's large van. Reggie had already taken our backpacks from the trunk so we followed him into his house, which smelled divinely of curry.
"I've got dinner in the crockpot, I just need to make some rice and we'll be ready to eat. Feel free to make yourselves comfortable in the meantime," Reggie said as he deposited Paul's and my backpacks on one of the couches in his living room.
At her request, Reggie directed my mom to where she could find a bathroom and Paul took my hand to lead me to the guest room where Mom and I would be staying. He helped me put a fresh sheet, blankets, and pillows on the bare mattress and then sat down on the mattress, patting it to motion that I should join him. I was about to sit next to him when Reggie called that dinner was ready. Paul frowned but then shrugged and stood up.
"Do you want to go for a walk after dinner?" he asked quietly and I smiled up at him.
"That sounds great," I agreed.
Dinner was fantastic and Reggie seemed to have a blast bragging about Paul to my mom. I listened to all of his stories intently, wanting to hear all about the Paul that I hadn't known while he was traveling by himself.
Once the conversation turned to me and Mom started bragging about my travels and the grand festivals I had been a part of though I was initially embarrassed, but it soon gave way to quiet amazement. I hadn't realized how many memories Mom had of me in contests and for the first time, I realized that she was truly proud of me, even though I hadn't become a top coordinator after eight years of traveling. Realizing that affected me more than I anticipated and I had to excuse myself to wipe at my tears in private.
When I opened the bathroom door I squeaked in surprise when I nearly bumped into Paul's tall frame. He smirked in amusement and grabbed my nose gently between his thumb and forefinger.
"You are so jumpy," he teased. I laughed, brushing his hand away from my nose. "Are you ready for our walk?" he asked.
"Shouldn't we help with cleaning up dinner?" I asked in concern but Paul shook his head.
"Johanna said that she and Reggie would take care of it," he said.
I bit my lip, wondering if it was really alright to leave it to them, but as Paul slipped his hand into mine and gestured with his chin for me to head outside I couldn't resist the chance for some alone time with him. Sending a silent apology to my mom I followed Paul as he led me out the front door and we began to walk up the large hill behind Reggie's home.
A/N Thank you all so much for reading this! What do you think of Traavi and Leia as a couple? Honestly I did not plan that at all and who knows if it will actually work out, but I thought it was a cute touch :P