"LEON!" I snap from across the courtyard, the man in the red cape hurries over to me. "What am I going to do with you?" I hissed as I shove him into the flying taxi, "I'm sorry, I got stopped by a fan club." He chuckles apologetically. "Don't apologize to me, apologize to all the little kids at the hospital when they find out their Champion almost didn't make it to the taxi." I huff climbing in.

"I made it though!" He grins, I roll my eyes but I couldn't help but smile. I grip the edge of the taxi when the metal box shakes upon lift off. Leon lets out a chuckle at my reaction, "You've been here what? A month? When are you going to get used to the taxis?" He snickers. "When you finally learn to figure out your left from your rights." I sneer with a pointed look. Leon smirks and leans against his side of the taxi effectively tilting it, "STOP!" I screech clinging to the box, I glare as I watch the man let out a booming laugh.

"I should throw you out." I hiss, "Then what are you going to tell all the children at the hospital?" He mocks. I mumble out curses and cross my arms, Leon's satisfied smile never left his lips for the rest of the ride. I let out a relieved breath when we finally landed, I made sure Leon stayed close by as I paid the man. Once the flight was paid for Leon and I made our way inside the hospital.

The nurses check us in before leading us over to the activity center, and as soon as we walk through the archway Leon is swarmed by dozens of tiny children. I stood back and let Leon work his magic, each little child lighting up like stars when Leon talks to them, some even glowing as he lifts them up as they hang off his arms.

"I'm happy you were able to make room Miss (y/n)." The head nurse smiles, "I am too." I whisper looking at all the little faces. "No, really we appreciate it. Sometimes the kids feel a little left behind, parents don't visit often because of work and they can only play with each other so much because of their conditions." She mumbles as a sad look washes over her face. "I'm glad we were able to help." I smile brightly, The nurse nods with a small smile.

However she jumps as a loud cry rings out across the room, excitement falls silent as nurses rush over to a play pen where a small toddler cries her little head off. The children around us watch worriedly as the toddler makes a fuss, Leon looking nervous and unknowing what to do. The head nurse takes the toddler into her arms and bounces her softly, her cries softening but not stopping. I motion Leon to continue entertaining the kids as the head nurse approaches me.

"Sorry about that," She sighs as the toddler hiccups, I hum not really paying attention to her but the toddler in her arms. "Would you like to take her, maybe you could get her to calm down a little more." She smiles, I feel my blood go cold, "oh! I don't know, what if I make it worse? I've never been around too many kids this age." I prattled out worriedly. "It's okay, she won't do anything we haven't dealt with before." The nurse laughs, I lick my lips and look down on the toddler, her pretty green eyes glossy with tears.

I nod my head and put down my bag, the head nurse slowly hands the small girl to me. I panic slightly as she squirms and makes a small squeal but much to my shock her small warm body relaxes into mine. Her hands resting against my chest and head laying against my shoulder. I coo at her softly, supporting her with one arm under her body while the other strokes along her back. My chest grows fuzzy at the peaceful feeling that settles in my body.

"She likes you." The head nurse muses, "I can't imagine why." I snort softly. "I can." Leon's voice pipes in, my eyes shoot up from the child to Leon who stands in front of us. His hat and cape missing, tilting my head I can see the children squealing and giggling as they play with the missing garments. "Keep your imagination to yourself, Champion Leon." I muse, "Can't help it." He chuckles. Leon's hand comes up and lets his hand run over the toddler's head, she coos and reaches out to take his finger into her hand.

"Reminds me of my brother." He whispers, flexing his finger in the child's grip. "You have a little brother?" I puzzled, Leon let's out a soft laugh, "Yep." He nods, "The same age as Piers' sister." he hums. "Hopefully he doesn't look anything like you," I tease, Leon shot me a mocking hurt look. "I happen to be very handsome to the people of Galar." He defends. "I wouldn't be surprised if you brainwashed them to think that." I continue to taunt, the toddler in my arm lets out a joyful squeal as Leon wiggles his finger in her grip. "See, even the kid thinks I'm handsome." He beams smugly, "That's dirty." I hiss.

Leon and I are pulled away from our spat when there's a tug at my skirt, my eyes darting down to a small boy. Dark hair and the most amazingly pink eyes, He shifts his weight from foot to foot as he plays with his thumbs. I wait for him to find his words, Leon looking just a tad bit confused. "Are you?" He starts but his voice dies down, red streaking across his face as his cheeks puff up in frustration, "Are you the Poké Queen?" He finally blurts. My eyes widen and I look over at Leon, who is leaning against the wall with shoulder shaking and hand covering his mouth, doing his best to keep from openly laughing at the poor boy who shakes so hard he's vibrating.

Regardless of all the reactions around me, I squat down carefully, mindful to keep my legs as close to each other as possible with my skirt and the toddler in my arms safe. "I'm surprised you know me, what's your name?" I smile, the boy's pink eyes sparkle like jewels upon my answer. "My name is Atlis!" He grins, "Such a unique name. Tell me Atlis, how did you know I'm the Poké Queen?" I question with a smile, the toddler in my arms takes hold of the blue scarf around my neck and sticks the loose ends into her mouth.

"My mom and I watch all kinds of Poké Pageants together when she visits. You've always been her favorite." He grins, "Well I'm happy to hear someone in Galar likes me." I giggle, "You're my favorite too! I want to be a Poké King when I grow up, but we don't have competitions like that here." He pouts, a small smile itches onto my face. "You're still young, you never know. Maybe by the time you're ready to enter Galar will have one. If not, just come find me and I'll take you to Kalos to enter." I chuckle. "Really?" He gasps, "Sure, but remember you have to be gold rank by then." I remind with a wink.

The boy clenches his fist close to his face, determination carved onto his face. "I'll be ready!" He promises with as much grit as his little body can muster, "Then I'll be waiting." I promise in return. I watch Atlis turn and run back to his huddle of friends who were watching from afar, upon his return I watch him gush and throw his hands around as he relives our conversation to his friends. I look up at Leon who sends me a warm smile, the toddler in my arms coos happily at him using one arm to wave as the other continues to stuff my scarf into her mouth.

Leon gently helps me up from the ground, "You're going to sponsor someone?" He chuckles. "You could say that, if Rose decides to fire me anytime soon I'll just start my own Poké Pageant," I shrug, "As amazing as that sounds, let's not hope for it. Who else is supposed to keep me from getting lost." He chuckles, "Very true." I nod in agreement. "Alright kids! It's almost time for Champion Leon to leave, come say goodbye!" The Head Nurse calls, and just like that Leon is bombarded by a horde of children again. As Leon says Goodbye I have to hand the toddler back to the Head nurse, The child whines loudly and tears start to well up in her pretty eyes. I unknot my scarf and hand it to her, the girl takes it into her chubby hands before it's stuffed into her mouth. "You better not forget about me," I whisper, "I'll come see you and little Atlis as often as I can." I smile.

The Head Nurse sends me a bright smile before gathering up the children and taking them to their rooms. "Well Leon, we have a few more things to do today." I sigh as we walk to the entrance of the hospital, "Can't we just...skip it? I'm drained from that." He sighs as he pulls his cape back on and fits his hat back onto his head. "Remember when you said we shouldn't hope I don't get fired, well if we did that I'd be getting fired." I quip.

Leon and I exit the hospital and wait for the pre-ordered taxi, "You're good with kids." Leon spoke up. "I love them, innocent, pure, and full of so much wonder. The kind that you only ever see once in a person." I whisper looking up at the mid noon sky. "That's not true." Leon spoke softly, my eyes shifted over to him curiously, he's already looking at me, golden eyes freezing me in place with his midas touch. "Where? In me?" I scoff bitterly knowing there's no such thing in me, it's a poor attempt to snap some sense into myself, "No, but I want to." He answers simply. "Well you're out of luck." I grumble as I hear the heavy wings of the flying taxi, "Once that wonder in someone dies it never comes back, which is why you only ever see it in a person once, when they're a child." I mumble climbing into the taxi as soon as it lands. Leaving Leon standing alone out in the open.

Word Count: 1.7K