Easing the Irreparable by UmiTheUmbreon

“Thanks." Brooke hung up and dropped her phone on the couch. The room was dark. No TV. No Luma. No Parker. She wore a long-sleeved tee and casual pants.

They were both asleep in the bedroom, which was where Brooke would be if sleep was an option or if she could bear to be in Parker's presence.

She doubled over and held her face in her hands. “I can't believe I…" She curled her fingers against her skin and scrunched her eyes. “I fucking hate myself. I hate myself I hate myself I hate myself." Her mind roiled with dark disturbance that she didn't know what to do with. She couldn't curb it, couldn't escape it.

The longer she sat with it, the more pronounced it became—the more it swelled. Her head pounded.

She opened her eyes and looked through the gaps in her fingers, then slowly lowered her hands. Vix stood right there—directly in front of her with glowing eyes but without his usual smirk. “Fuck off."

He stared up at her, his gaze unwavering.

“What?" She inhaled. “What do you want?" Somehow, she felt he knew what she'd done, even though he couldn't have.

His eyes didn't leave her face. He took a step toward her, raised his paw, and placed it on her shin, pressing her skin with his claws.

She locked eyes with him for several moments. She felt the prick of his claws, which she didn't retract from. Fortunately, no sensation stirred between her legs. She was too much of a wreck for that. That, he knew. He saw it.

He made no further advances, and she uttered not another word.

A half-hour passed. Vix had long left; Brooke hadn't moved an inch within the time.

Just then, her phone lit up and vibrated in gaps. She looked over and saw an incoming call from Malia, which she picked up and swiped to answer. She held it to her ear.

“We're out front," Malia said.

Brooke slightly pinched her brows. “We?"

The call dropped.

“Ugh." Brooke got up and dragged to the front door, where she grabbed her keys, slipped into her shoes, and stepped out into a humid atmosphere.

She saw Malia's coupe double-parked out front with its hazards flashing, which she walked to. She approached the back door and wiggled its handle, but it didn't budge.

The passenger window rolled down halfway. “In the front!" Malia called from inside.

“Ughh." Brooke stepped aside and pulled on the passenger door's handle, which gave and opened after the second tug. She slumped into the seat and scanned Malia, who had on lipstick and wore a tight shirt tied aside to reveal her slim tummy and belly button ring.

“What's up?" Malia said while texting on her phone and taking glances up at Brooke.

“Hey, Brooke."

Brooke slightly turned to see Tay in the backseat, who was wearing a slim jacket and jeans. “Oh, Tay. Hi."

“Talky?" Malia said and set her phone down while eyeing an obviously depressed Brooke.

“Malia, not now," Brooke mumbled and rubbed her face with her hand.

“Come onn," she nudged.

“Malia, don't pressure her," Tay said.

“Yeah yeah…" Malia threw the car in drive, turned it around, and accelerated faster than she should toward the strip.

“You okay, Brooke?" Tay asked.

“Not really, but… maybe tonight'll help." Brooke leaned back and buckled her seatbelt, looking ahead at the passing surroundings shrouded in darkness, semi-lit by streetlights. She shifted to sit upright. “Where're we going?"

“Was gonna hit up a bar at the Shopping District," Malia said. “But there's one in the city I just lovee, and since you hate fun, I've gotta take you for once."

“You a regular there?" Tay asked.

“I plead the fifth."

As they soon reached the strip, the lights flared. Street lights, headlights, hotel logos, and flashy neon store signs were abundant and inviting, luring anyone who witnessed the conglomeration. The Shopping District especially shined.

Brooke's eyes shot to and from it all. She couldn't take her gaze off of it, never could, and for the first time tonight, she grinned a little.

The inner city came as alive as Hau'oli's strip during the night, though it sprawled over twice more in size. The asphalt, every road, was full of vehicles, and the pavement, every sidewalk, teemed with people and pokémon alike.

“Finally heree," Malia said with a smile, pulling into a decently-sized lot of which half of the spots were taken.

Beside the lot on the street's corner was a two-story building. Its sign had a vibrant neon logo: 'Alola's Spot', written in cursive with an outlined neon flower beside it.

“More of a chill bar or a nightclub?" Tay asked as Malia found a spot and parked.

“Nahh, nothing noisy. Babe told me she needed to chill, so chill we will." Malia turned off the car and stepped out, as did Brooke and Tay.

They followed Malia out of the lot and onto the pavement where a few giggly, chatty groups either entered and left the bar or hung out in front of it.

Brooke slipped inside the bar with her and Tay; before her eyes was a dark atmosphere dimly brightened by soft lights, multicolored neon tubes lining the ceiling, and neon flowers posted on the walls. The many-hued neon lamps hanging from the ceiling over every table were modeled after the same flowers.

Almost half of the tables around the place were taken, and patrons occupied every elevated seat at the bar up front, people and pokémon from all over the world huddled into one room.

There were couples winding down after a long workweek, individuals doing the same, some people on dates, others sitting with their pokémon—and yes, some of said pokémon had drinks.

The resounding music filtering through several speakers on the wall was a tame ambient electric track to tune the atmosphere.

“Fancy spot…" Tay scanned the interior.

“They have decent food here too," Malia said while leading to the corner of the bar where a man stood before a register.

Brooke looked over the counter at what went on inside the bar.

Mainly friendly human bartenders, but a couple of pokémon on shift as well—two slim lopunny with dark eyeliner wearing shorts and tight tops.

They all served either chatty or silent customers drinks and appetizers behind the counter, even holding conversations with a few. One of the lopunny chatted with a cinderace while wiping a spot on the counter.

“Hii," Malia greeted the cashier and grabbed three of many stacked menus, two of which she handed to Brooke and Tay.

“How are you three tonight?" The man grinned with a nod.

“Greatt." Malia frowned. “But my babe here's feelin' a little down." She nudged Brooke.

Brooke sighed and squinted at the menu under the low lighting. She turned it around and spotted 'Poké-safe' at the top right in bold print.

“Hey, I hope it gets better after your time here. That's what this spot is made for," the man said.

“Totally will. We'll step aside for a sec." Malia tugged Brooke a few feet away; Tay followed. “You've gotta get the petal potion. Gotta gotta," Malia told her with hushed excitement.

“What's the alcohol content?" Brooke asked. “I'm bad at drinking." She glanced at her pocket as her phone vibrated twice.

Tay chuckled while looking over his menu. “So, not an alcoholic?"

“Watch it." Malia punched his shoulder. “I'm not one."

“Alright, alright. You've got it," he said.

Malia peered at him before wrapping her arm around Brooke's waist. “Anywayy, get it—we'll both get it. It's pricey, but it'll be on me."

Tay lowered his menu and blinked at Malia. “You said you weren't going to drink…"

“Just one." She shrugged. “I'll be good."

After they ordered and received a handheld buzzer for said order, they found a table against the wall as requested by Brooke and sat at chairs around it, with Malia sitting closer to Brooke.

Malia fidgeted with the buzzer and eyed Brooke's somber face. “Gonna talk to us?" She pouted.

“I'm stressed." Brooke sighed and pushed some of her hair out her face.

“From what?" Tay asked. “Is it you almost working two jobs now, or?..."

“I don't think so, just…" Brooke rubbed her eyes and huffed. “Maybe– but I-I..."

Malia reached out and touched her shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. “Calm down calm down. Maybe after our stuff gets here and we settle in."

“Yeah, no pressure at all," Tay added.

“Maybe." Brooke put her hands in her lap and looked at Malia. “Relationship status?"

“Nope, but honestly, I'm starting to think I should enjoy the single life for a while and focus on me." Malia smirked at Tay. “Relationship status?"

He shook his head with a slight grin. “Leave me alone, Malia."

Malia flinched and looked at her hand after the buzzer went off in a series of beeps and vibrations. “Think that's our drinks. Be back."

They watched Malia pace to the bar.

“How've you been, Tay?" Brooke asked.

“Fine. Work and whatnot. You? How's the sitting generally been, and how'd that first gig go?"

Brooke felt a knot form in her throat. “Good." She again glanced at her pocket as her phone vibrated in elongated gaps. She slipped her hand inside her pocket and pressed the lock button to mute the incoming call.

She looked around and saw an ivysaur lift a glass with its vine and pour a decent amount into its mouth while its owners talked. “What's in the pokéhol anyway? Never knew."

“Pretty sure it's purified poison extract or something," he said. “It functions as a muddling, calming agent. We can't drink too much of it and vice versa."

“Makes sense." She looked at him. “But how do you know that?"

“Uh, Sozi."

“Backk." Malia set the buzzer and two slim, tall glasses on the table, then retook her seat.

The liquid inside the glass glowed a fluorescent, vibrant pink tinged with a soft blue hue due to the glowing neon blue flower floating on top of it.

“I've never seen a glowy drink. Maybe on a few shows before, but…" Brooke grinned at the drink whose glimmer reflected off her eyes.

“Mhmm," Malia hummed. “You'll mostly see these in classier settings. It's drawn from fairy-type extract. Also tastes really really sweet." She picked up her glass and took a sip.

Brooke raised hers too and held it before her eyes before tilting it to her lips and sipping. She licked her lips. The taste was acutely, distinctly sweet with a tangy finish. Her eyes shot up in apparent thought. “I've never tasted anything like this before. Nothing to compare it to."

“Right?" Malia took another sip and slid it to Tay. “Sippy?"

He put up a hand. “I'll ask for water when the food comes."

“Tsk tsk." Malia shrugged and brought her glass to her lips.

Brooke had taken several more sips between their interaction—twice more than Malia; already, the alcohol's effect started to haze her mind.

Malia clicked her tongue at the roof of her mouth at Brooke. “Should eat something with that, babe."

Brooke set it down, but not before taking another two sips. “Mhm…" She leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes for a few seconds, taking a breath.

“Hitting her already." Tay chuckled while watching her.

Malia giggled after him. “It's a strong drink, and she's a lightweight. Feeling any better? All that tension fading?" she asked Brooke.

“'Ae." Her shoulders slouched. She still felt aware, but any and all previous emotions that had been weighing her down slowly dissipated.

The buzzer went off again.

An hour had passed. Within that hour, they'd eaten the wings and sliders they ordered, and Malia had downed another of the same drink—so had Brooke.

“And then the dude was like–" Malia giggled louder than she was earlier. “He was like… oh, I didn't order this. I wanted the classic wrap."

“Ugh, I've had them do that," Brooke said. Her speech slurred at times. “Tried to make mee look sstupid, b-but I love most customers."

Tay was sitting back and watching them both with a slight grin, sipping from a glass of water through a straw.

“How about you, Tay?" Malia giggled again.

“Oh, I don't mind any," he replied. “Some might make me sigh, but I keep them happy."

“As yh should," Brooke said. Every noise around her blended and fuzzied and had a slight echo to it. Her mind was spinning; she was weightless.

“Soo, wanna talk now?" Malia poked Brooke's waist.

“I dn– don't know. I don't think I should be around pokémon sometimes, but mh great with them. I love them so much."

“Like, why not?" Tay asked.

“I just…" Brooke started. She held her tongue. She was aware enough for that. “I dnknow, takes me over."

“Lifelong pokécarer, hmm? If that's the name," Malia said.

“Ah, think I get it." Tay nodded. “Makes you wanna neglect everything else since it's your primary passion?"

“Yeah…" Brooke mumbled, and a beat of silence drowned by the overhead music momentarily played.

“I'm getting sleepy." Malia yawned. Of course, a giggle followed.

Tay leaned forward. “We could–"

“We'll end it with onee more drink," she continued and shifted her lazy eyes to Brooke. “Babe?"

Brooke opened her mouth to reply, but Tay interrupted this time.

“I think you two've had enough."

“Whaddya meann?" Malia teased.

“You're already drunk, which means Brooke is more drunk."

“Yeah, maybe I shouldn't," Brooke slurred with a soft smile.

“Fine fine. I'll drive." Malia placed her hand on her chest, her bracelets clinging.

“Oh, of course." Tay stood and watched Malia stand, who swayed on her feet. “You okay to walk?" He raised a concerned hand toward her.

“Duh, I got me."

Tay then watched Brooke get up from her chair; he took a step toward her as she stood upright, and as she started to tilt a bit too far back, he grabbed her arm and tugged to level her. “Brooke?"

“I'm– I'm a little dizzy," she said, subtly giggling with a smile.

He broke a brief grin. “I'll walk you." He held her shoulder as she took a few steps and kept beside him. “You should stay by me too, Malia."

As they made their way to the exit, passing several tables, they caught eyes from customers—especially Tay.

“Ugh." He grunted.

Outside, there were a couple of groups lingering around the entrance and near the curb. One was occupied among itself, but the other, consisting of three local guys—two of which were tatted up, and a male braixen, eyed Tay and both women as they passed.

“You girls cool?" one asked.

Malia slightly turned to look at them as Tay stopped with a subtle grimace. “Yeahh, don't worry. He's our bff."

“He's completely fine," Brooke added.

Tay awkwardly chuckled. “I'm just the only one who drank water tonight."

The guy nodded and returned his attention to his group, and Tay made it to the car with Brooke and Malia, who he made sure were buckled up.

He then got in the driver's seat beside Malia and shut his eyes. “Arceus…" he murmured. He opened them after something tapped his lap and looked down to see a set of car keys in them.

Malia eyed him with soft blinks. “Ready?"

He nodded and slightly averted his eyes, pulling the door shut. “We'll drop Brooke off first." Tay looked in the backseat at her, who was leaning forward against her seatbelt, her head sulked over and hair dangling in front of her face. “Ah…" He reached and gently pushed her back to rest against the seat. Her eyes were closed.

Tay left the parking spot, pulled up to the lot's exit, and looked both ways, inching out of the driveway while a few cars passed and joining traffic when it was clear. Malia had pulled out her phone and was scrolling Sozi posts and video clips, so other than her giggles, the drive was silent.

“Ohh." She looked over at Tay. “How're you getting home?"

He shrugged his lips. “I'll just get a taxi."

“Cool." She kept her eyes on him. “But likee, we do have work tomorrow, so you could also crash at my place, and I couldd drop you off at home on the way there in the morning."

At that, he glanced at her from the road. “I mean, don't worry about it. I don't wanna intrude."

“You aren't." She giggled. It was quieter than her others. “I'm offering."

The drive to the strip was quicker since it was so late at night. There was little to no traffic on the way, and the drive through the strip, while expectantly more active, was tame compared to its usual bustle. Throughout the trip, Tay had often glanced in the rearview mirror to check on Brooke.

They reached Brooke's neighborhood in half the usual time, where he significantly slowed his speed and rolled down the street while squinting out of the window.

“Which one's her house…" he said.

“Here." Malia looked up from her phone and pointed. “Stop stop. You're gonna pass it!"

“Oh." He pulled over, put the car in park, and looked back at Brooke, who was still asleep with her head tilted aside against the seat and mouth slightly open. “Brooke." He unbuckled his seatbelt and reached back to gently shake her shoulder. “Brooke?"

“Just go get Parker," Malia said while watching a random pokéshow clip.

He pulled his hand away and sat back in his seat, looking out at the front door. “I'd rather not…"

She paused her clip. “I'll go then."

He narrowed his brows. “What, alone? You can barely walk."

“Then come with me, scaredy-torracat. We're just her friends." Malia fumbled with the door handle until getting a grip and pushed the door open.

Murmuring something, Tay got out and met Malia on the sidewalk, ensuring he walked beside her and watched her steps as they approached Brooke's door.

Malia stopped before it and didn't hesitate to raise her fist and knock multiple times, which she titled back from, so Tay had to rebalance her by briefly placing a hand on her upper back.

The door opened to Parker with messy hair and with Luma in one arm. He shot his eyes between Tay and Malia. He had on casual wear and socks.

“Awe, no way! You're the 'lil pix Brooke talks about." Malia reached and rubbed Luma's head, who tensed against her touch.

“Sorry, who are?..." Parker's voice drifted.

Tay extended a hand with a friendly grin. “I'm Tay, and this is Malia. We're Brooke's friends—co-workers."

Parker took and shook his hand. “It's fine. I'm just not understanding what's going on since she didn't tell me anything. Is she okay?"

Malia giggled. “She's passed out wasted in my backseat." She pulled her hand from Luma.

“Malia…" Tay pinched his eyes shut.

“What?" Parker set Luma down and slipped past Tay and Malia.

Malia immediately crouched and picked Luma up even after the vulpix attempted to scurry away and yipped when Malia's grabby hands snagged her. She almost fell with Luma while standing up again but stabilized herself.

Tay followed after Parker, meanwhile. “It's nothing huge. She was stressed about something. Seemed almost distraught, so Malia came to pick her up, and they both had a few drinks."

Parker opened the back door and scanned Brooke. “I'll take her. Thanks for watching over her." He leaned in, unbuckled her seatbelt, slid his arm under her knees, his other hand supporting her back, and pulled her out the car, lifting her with held breath.

Her head hung back, as did her hair, and one of her arms dangled.

Tay trailed behind him. “Sorry to meet you like this."

“It's fine. Not you guys' fault." Parker walked inside with her and double-glanced at Malia holding Luma to her chest while rubbing her back. “She's usually skittish around new people."

Malia squeezed Luma. “Call me a pokéwhisperer."

“Vulll…" Luma wiggled in her grip with uncomfy eyes.

Parker faced them. “Good night then. Guess you two'll see her tomorrow."

“Uh-huhh, that hangover's gonna be vicious." Malia giggled.

“Yeah, night. Sorry again," Tay said and glanced at Malia, who still held Luma.

Parker grinned a little. “Gonna need her back too."

“Aww, I wanted to nap her." Malia puffed her cheeks. She set Luma down and giggled as the vulpix trotted off into the home.

After a final wave, Parker pushed the door closed.

Tay turned and ensured Malia did without tripping, and they strolled back to the car. “That was something…"

“Told 'ya it'd be fine. Should listen to me more."

He chuckled. “I guess I should."

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