I look up from my papers as Nessa compares articles of clothing before deciding where they were to be put. I moved into my new apartment this morning, thanks to Leon having an all day solo Pokémon convention to make an appearance at. Nessa took some time off and decided to come help, take over, unpacking my clothes. Which is the only thing I really have to move in. When she came over she had stockholders and investors list ready for me to review, which is what I'm looking over on the bed.

"So tell me," She calls as she starts to color coordinate my shoes, "What all did you find?" She continues. "Did you know that all Pokémon entertainment industries, including the Pokémon league, have to pass an inspection and obtain an entertainment license?" I muse, "Isn't that just to ensure the wellness of Pokémon?" She answers, "Nope." I pop with a smirk. "And while Galar Pokémon League does have a license, it hasn't taken it's yearly exam this year." I quip, "Chairman Rose usually does the inspection just before the gym challenge opens up, we're all too busy to notice it when it's happening." Nessa informs as she looks between two similar colored pair of boots and heels.

"It also hides the poor conditions of gym leader responsibilities, an inspection before the gym challenges are bound to be busy. So busy in fact they aren't able to notice it's an actual everyday pace," I scoff while twirling my pen. "And ya point?" Nessa drawls, "The inspection isn't just for Pokémon. The entertainment license is something you have to test for every year and in the handbook it states the license is there to insure protection of both Pokémon and performers." I smirk.

"So what ya sayin' Rose has been scraping by inspections?" Nessa gaps whipping around to face me, "He has indeed, and it just so happens an inspector from the Kalos region owes me." I chirp grinning away. "Owes ya?" She snorts, "I almost got him fired, I caught him red handed in a pay off from one of my previous companies. Told him I wouldn't out him if he did me a favor I could call in." I muse. "What'd he get paid off for?" Nessa pries soaking up all the juicy details of Pokestar secrets, "Some girl 'broke' her ankle in an 'unsafe' practice room. Little did they both know she's been in both their beds in some poor attempt to gain leverage." I snort.

Nessa gasps scandalously at the information, "Her messy tactics failed her, but it certainly did me some favors. Instead of her, the two ended up in my pockets. Once for the inspector because of the bribe and the company manager twice because of the scandal of sleeping with an employee and the bribe." I laugh. "(y/n) you sneaky Meowth!" Nessa screeches, swatting her hand at me, "What was I supposed to do! The opportunity just fell into my lap." I squeal dodging her hit.

"So tell me, what's the plan for tonight?" Nessa questions, "What's that supposed to mean?" I scoff. "The dinner party. Is it like a secret meeting to overthrow the government?" She questions, I roll my eyes at her absurd theory. "No Nessa it isn't, It's simply a dinner party to celebrate my moving in. There will be no talk of politics at the table, I know how to separate business from pleasure." I scoff. Nessa lets out a doubtful hum, "I don't know bout that, I'm surprised you haven't made a play at Raihan let alone Leon." Nessa snorts lifting herself to lay on the bed.

"Leon is my boss and as I've said before Raihan wouldn't be able to pair because—" I explain only to be cut off, "Because he's an attention whore and your little miss privacy." She cut in with an eye roll. "I wouldn't say that," I rebut, giving her a warning glare on how she talks about people. "Ya know I'm only pulling your chain, love. But that doesn't mean you can't have a bit of fun." she sighs, "I have fun, going clubbing is a great way to relieve stress." I quip. "But not the best way." She pushes, "Nessa. Having that kind of fun hasn't done anyone any favors when you have my kind of identity and position. You lose that freedom when you become someone to over half a billion people." I grunt getting up from the bed.

"You think I don't know that? You may know the ins and outs of the industry (y/n), but that doesn't mean you're a big risk taker. I, however, happen to be and a lonely girl's best two weapons is finding someone who has just as much to lose in a scandal and NDA." She smirks. "So your suggesting I sign a NDA and sleep with someone like Raihan and Leon?" I scoff, "Or Piers if he's more your fancy." She shrugs. "Don't you know too much of one thing is a bad thing." I grunt, "That's not a no! And by all that I've gathered I can make a solid suggestion, someone who isn't Raihan." she chirps. "If I entertain your idea will you leave me alone about it?" I sigh walking to the door, "Of course. Gym leaders honor!" she salutes as she follows after me.

"Okay, let's hear it. Who and why you think will be my ideal partner for a night of bliss." I mumble out sarcastically, walking into the kitchen to start on dinner while I still have time. "Leon!" she answers simply, I force myself not to pause as I tie on my apron. I look over at her as she perches herself on the barstool of my kitchen island. "Okay, and why is that?" I spoke carefully, "Well I kinda just went down your list of no's and crossed off possible candidates as I did so. The only one left was Leon." she shrugs.

"My list of no's?" I muse pulling out my cooking utensils and ingredients, "The stuff you didn't like about Raihan or Piers. Leon is very private about his personal affairs, so private that not even Raihan knows who he sleeps with. We only know he gets laid. And he's not dark and edgy like Piers, Leon would be the golden boy while Piers would be the family disappointment." She snorts, I set her a warning look over the recipe I was going over. Nessa holds her hands up in mock defense, "Believe it or not, Piers has used that expression himself." She shrugs.

"And you think because of those reasons I will agree to sleep with him?" I quirk, "Or at least help convince you. Com'n (y/n)! You're such a workaholic that ya can match Leon's schedule and plan a full blown take over! You and I both know that ain't healthy!" She huffs. I stop what I'm doing and look at her, "I'm fine Nessa, I know you're worried but I can handle it." I smile. She didn't say anything in return, only watched me get back to work on dinner.

It wasn't until later, when I got the main course in the oven, did I get a chance to get myself ready. Nessa, who left hours before, went home to get ready herself. I jump into the shower and wash my hair before giving myself a good rub down from all the extra ingredients that landed on my skin in the cooking process and the sweats of my labor of said cooking process. I was just rinsing myself off when the doorbell went off, I curse to the Pokémon god above and quickly jump out. I wrap a towel around my body and rush to the front door, much to my shock and the world's irony, Leon stood there dressed in the suit I had matched together for him during the banquet and holding a cluster of flowers.

To my surprise instead of flushing red and stuttering out an excuse he stood there a smirk spreading across his lips and his eyes turning to a molten gold. "I guess we're even now huh?" He whispers, it takes all I have not to blush. Instead I roll my eyes, "Come on in Leon, I've almost got dinner done and I was just about to get ready. You can put the flowers on the island and relax in the living room. If the oven goes off before I'm back, could you take it out for me?" I instruct turning and leading him further into the house. "Sure." He hums, I don't pay him anymore mind before going back to the bathroom.

I dry my hair and do my makeup before styling my hair in pretty flowy waves, I then drop my towel and slip on my underwear. I turn then turn and take the simple black dress off the hanger and slip into it. I reach behind me and zip the zipper as far as I could reach before it gets caught. I bite my lip as I try to tug it back down only for it to be firmly stuck. I lick my lips and try to pull it out of place without ripping the dress, however a knock from the door causes me to jump.

"You okay in there? The oven went off and I pulled out the food but you haven't come out yet." Leon calls from the other side of the door. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just...Experiencing some technical difficulties." I call back, there's a pause between us, "Is it anything I could help with?" He questions. I pause in thought and weigh my options carefully, I made my decision by opening the bathroom door to Leon. "My zipper got caught and I can't get it out. I'd take off the dress if it wasn't for the fact it's caught far enough up that I can't squeeze out." I huff.

Leon nods before gently placing his hands on my hips to tilt me so my full back faces him. I watch through the bathroom mirror as his gold eyes narrow in focus, I feel a chill run down my spine when his fingers graze against the bare skin of my back. "Some of the loose fabric got caught in the zipper, I think I can pull it out without making a hole." He mumbles, I keep my eyes focused on Leon's as his looks down at the zipper.

I swallow hard when I feel his fingers dip into the fabric of the dress, I feel them as he pulls the fabric as gently as he can so he doesn't make a hole. Only to jump when the fabric pops free and his hand goes gliding across my back, "Sorry, but hey it didn't rip!" He grins looking up. I sent him a smile in return, only to shiver as his hand slowly removed itself from my dress. "While I'm back here I'll zip you up." He smiles, but the way his eyes still hold that molten gold hue tells me this isn't as innocent as he's playing.

I almost hate to be right when his fingers find the zipper only to use one finger as a guide across my skin when he pulls the zipper up. It's a real kick to the gut when he looks at me through the mirror as he does so. His eyes, much like a Midas touch, freeze you and consume you if he touches you with his golden eyes. I felt myself relax a little more when his hands finally found the top of my dress, however Leon wasn't too keen on the idea of being done.

My mouth falls open as he leans down, all while holding my eyes with his, he kisses the open space of my throat and shoulder before backing off with a smirk. "I'll see you in the living room. The others should be here soon." He whispers before leaving the bathroom and closing the door on the way out. I wait until I'm sure he's gone before letting go of a breath I didn't know I was holding and leaning against the counter. What the actual fuck was that.

Word Count: 2K