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I am sweating bullets.

I couldn't even hear what George or the others just said to introduce themselves..!

Out of all the people and pokémon, it had to be HER?!

Lana's gaze barely leaves me, despite it being my colleague's turn to speak.

It's not even the entertained look she had back at The Swingshot; she's basically looking at me like a predator studying her prey, cold and calculating.

«Samuel...» Kyle softly calls me from my right, letting me know it's my turn.

«I'm... Samuel Vianello. I'm 27 years old, and I've been working here for a little over 5 years.» I tell them, fighting my hesitation.

«Any plans for the future?» Falco inquires, shifting his weight in the chair.

«Well, I plan on staying employed...» I nervously reply, getting back a general soft chuckle.

«Naturally. And if you were? Where are you hoping to end up with your career?» he probes further, intertwining his fingers in front of his lips.

«Uh... to be honest, I'm fine where I am. If the need or an opportunity arises, though, I'll see...» I reply almost automatically, used to similar questions from my parents.

He nods, his gaze shrouded by thoughts.

«He's pretty much the problem solver, in here. And the baby sitter!» Jordan adds, trying to add a few words for me.

I raise my eyebrows for a second in silent agreement, wondering what Lana is thinking while the old man keeps talking about us.

Finally, she seems to have had enough of watching me, and focuses on her scarf instead, adjusting it around her neck.

«Well, that's pretty much what we had to say, for the time being.» Falco concludes, nodding. «I think we shouldn't keep the team from their work; I know meetings that could have been an e-mail are not well received...»

Hearing that, I'm about to take the opportunity to flee, when Jordan calls me, making my ass clench.

«Uh, Samuel? Could you make us a coffee? The machine is under maintenance, and you're the only one among the young ones that knows how to use a moka...»

Well, could have been worse; I still get to leave Lana's line of sight..!

«Sure..!» I reply way with way too much thrill in my voice, before speeding towards the break room.

Feeling safe from Lana's presence, I try calming myself down as I watch the moka's tank fill with water.

I open the cabinet and crouch down, searching for the coffee powder through the various snacks the boys have crammed inside it.

«For fuck's sake..! Why does it smell like weed in here..? Urgh..! Mike..!»

Finally, I find the powder, but as soon as I close the door, I find myself face to face with Lana.

My eyes widen as I hold my breath, somehow managing to not let out a scream.

«I'm looking for the bathroom.» she calmly states, pointing at the door. «I was told it's this way?»

After recollecting myself and making sure I didn't have an heart attack, I reply «Yeah, through there, the second door is the women's..!»

The lopunny disappears without adding a single word.

«Fucking hell..!» I let out as my organs resume their functions, allowing me to go back to the moka pieces and stop the tank from overflowing.

After putting the powder in the filter, I assemble the whole thing, and put it on the hob to heat it up.

As it gets ready, I prepare four paper cups and teaspoons - one for me, since I put in the effort..! -, and the sugar.

Soon, a pleasant aroma fills the air, shooing the weed one back into the cabinet.

Eventually, Lana comes back out, and quietly smells the air as she leaves the way she came from, without making the slightest hint of a remark.

Dear Arceus, she's creepy..!

As the moka starts grumbling, I turn off the fire and pour some some coffee to myself first, hoping one of the others doesn't steal it while I'm gone, and I bring the rest back to the meeting room.

Jordan is still rambling on about his feats as William appears to be patiently listening to him, while Lana types on her phone, not hiding her complete disinterest.

«Coffee...» I get their attention as I unstack the three cups on the table, before trying to fill them evenly.

Finally, I put down the sugar and the spoons.

«What a service!» Falco comments with an impressed smile as he watches me work. «It's been a while since I've had coffee from a moka...»

«That's because black coffee isn't as popular as it used too.» Lana retorts, finally glancing up from her chat. «Machines are far simpler to use and extremely more versatile, flavor-wise.»

Her trainer rolls his eyes, before reaching for a coffee. «Investing in that bar made you quite judgy, dear girl...»

«Well, a good old moka is still the superior choice!» Jordan concludes, stealing a cup and pouring himself some sugar. «Thanks, Samuel!»

Lana glances at me, thoughtful.

«No problem..!» I reply, hastily leaving the room.

Maybe she's already forgotten about me..?

She did say she didn't care about bonding with her partners...

No, she definitely recognized me, or she wouldn't have been staring!

Fuck..! What if she tells them?!

I hide back in the break room, where I find Kyle digging through the snack cabinet.

«Hey, Samuel.»

«Hi..!» I nervously greet him, snatching my abandoned coffee before he notices it.

«You... good?» he asks, narrowing his brows at my fidgety behavior. «You look pale.»

«Yeah! Just... a headache.» I lie, taking a sip.

«Oh. Are you sure..?»

«Mh-hm!» I nod way too emphatically, trying to cut it short.

He purses his lips, not fully convinced, but eventually shrugs it off.

«What do you think about this whole thing? Jordan retiring... Being acquired...»

«Uh... Jordan was a matter of time; he's like, 65. The acquisition... well, CasterNet has just moved in the business, so they need our experience, for how little that is.

And that's good, because we get to keep our jobs.» I reply, trying to remain concise.

He narrows his eyes, considering what I said while he opens a bag of cookies.

«You know, I've never seen a pokémon that well dressed. Or that dressed at all.» he then comments, bringing one to his mouth.

«Me neither...» I absentmindedly agree, throwing away the cup.

«And she's technically our superior... at 8 years old.» he adds, visibly hung up on that fact.

«Pokémon grow up differently; Keiran could speak like a six-year old at the ripe age of 9 months...» I point out, silently gritting my teeth.

«Damn..!» he exclaims as he closes the cabinet. «She can fuck us up, then..!»

«You're good; go back to work..!» I finally shoo him, done with the talk about Lana.

You don't know how good you have it right now..!

I don't remember the last time I've been so unproductive; every glance from one of my three superiors made my skin crawl, the fear of being discovered constantly nipping at me.

5:30 PM couldn't have brought me more relief..!

Once home, I just collapse on the couch, exhausted from the sheer stress.

«Sammy! Welcome home!» Keiran pops out of his room, smiling until he actually sees me.

«By Arceus, you look like shit. What happened?» he asks, approaching me with a concerned look.

«Remember Lana, that lopunny from the other day?»

He nods, with mild disgust in his expression. «Yeah, I can still smell the poison on you...»

«Well, Techafix is being aquired; she... is the new head of business, our HR representative, and the new owner's Pokémon.»

His eyes widen. «Small world.»

«Too fucking small! I am so afraid she will snitch on me, I'll have a heart attack by next month!» I vent, slamming my fists on the pillows.

As Keiran walks to the kitchen, giving it some thought, he retorts «Well, snitching can go both ways; SHE fucked YOU, after all. Even if it were a crime, you'd be both guilty.»

«Yeah, but first of all: she's a higher up, so she automatically holds the knife by the handle! Second: she's the boss's companion, so she likely gets special treatment, also given how well she was dressed! Third: she's the pokémon, and the small-bodied one in the equation, so that would make me a degenerate at best and a groomer at worst, while she would pass as the victim..!» I refute in one go, running out of breath towards the end.

The lucario tilts his head as he checks on me, making sure I didn't pop a vessel presenting my case.

«I see..! And... why didn't she already tell the big boss, if she wanted to fuck you over so badly?» he points out, resuming his march towards the kitchen.

«She's devious; she will probably use it to blackmail it when she needs to..!»

Keiran leans back into the living room to give me a skeptical look.

«Uh-uh. Because it's unthinkable that she just doesn't want her career to be impacted by her adventures. How did she even react when she recognized you?»

«Coldly.» I reply, thoughtful. «She was watching me, but she acted like she didn't know me, even when we exchanged a few words.»

He comes back holding a bag of popcorn, listening to my words as he readies another reply.

«Hm. I think she pretty much established how you should act around each other: professionally.» he concludes, offering to share the snack. «Live and let live, if you will.»

I get some from the bag, lost in thought.

«I honestly wouldn't worry about it too much, Sammy. Mostly because you can't do much about it, anyway.» he continues.

As much as I didn't like the last sentence, he's made a good point.

I sigh, still not fully okay with the situation.

«I just hope you're right, boss.» I conclude, finally eating some popcorn.

Luckily, he was.

William and Lana have come back to our office only the day after, before returning to CasterNet's HQ, so the rest of the week has gone by without anything worthy of note happening.

And finally, the weekend has come.

«Hey, Rosaline!» I greet her as I enter the Swingshot, upbeat from the relief brought by the Friday night.

The gardevoir smiles as she glances at me, taking a break from stacking papers.

«Samuel! Good to see you! I was just thinking about you..!»

«What a nice thought..!» I joke, leaning against her desk expectantly.

Looking away with an embarrassed smile, she hands me a neon pink keycard, with the letters "TS" etched through it.

«Forgot another important step?» I tease her, raising a brow.

«My bad..!» she admits, flustered. «That will let you access one of our available rooms at your leisure. You can change the latter within one minute from opening the door by swiping it again; past that, you will need to ask me to reset it, if the room was left untouched!»

I nod, studying the card.

«How many tiers of these are there?» I ask, curious.

«Well... one; the only variable in our subscription is the time span.» she replies, blinking with perplexity.

«Oh. So you offer custom ones?» I inquire again, raising the device. «Last time I was here, Lana, a cocky lopunny that came to me, pulled out a cool metal one that had... all those "TS" patterns..!»

She freezes for a second, taken aback by the question.

«Uh..! Uh! How curious..!» she then nervously replies, looking around.

I notice what must be hers peering out of her pocket, also seemingly made of metal, although way closer in design to my own, aside from the few visible letters from her name etched on its surface.

«Er..! But don't let me keep you here! Mark will make you a free drink! You have a right to it every evening!» she exclaims as she tries to disappear behind a door with her documents and an overly enthusiastic smile.

Could it be about the "inner circle" Lana mentioned?

But she had no problem telling me about it, and it sounded a lot like figurative speech...

Maybe Mark will be more open about it...

Once I enter the main hall, a shiver travels down my spine as I remember that Lana could also be here.

I take a few cautious steps forward, glancing at the tables to spot any lopunny-shaped threats.

Unless she also knows how to become invisible, I think I'm in the clear.

I sit down at the counter, where Mark is carefully preparing an order.

«Hello, Samuel.» he calmly greets me. «Have you recovered well from last time's incident?»

I chuckle. «Yeah, although it took me several showers to get my lucario to approach me again..!»

He nods in understanding as he garnishes the drink with an oran berry peel.

«Got any requests for Bloody Marias, after that display of power?» I ask with a grin, gauging his reaction.

A note of amusement betrays his stoic features.

«Strangely, no. I suppose Lana didn't find it strong enough to recommend.»

«Your a misunderstood artist, friend.» I comment, ready to ask him the question. «Speak of Giratina, what else can you tell me about her?»

Out of nowhere, his focus moves entirely on the tray he's picking up.

«I'm sorry, Samuel; our policy is to protect the privacy of our costumers. You may try asking her yourself, once you two meet again.»

«I see. And... about her fancy keycard? How do I get myself one of those?» I probe him again, trying to get around his secrecy.

«I'm not sure; we cannot afford customizations at that level. I suggest considering a third party cover.» he replies instead, heading out to deliver the order.

«I can answer that for you, if you wish!» a voice merrily exclaims behind me.

I turn around, and I have to look down as I spot the friendly blue eyes and pink accents on the sylveon's fur.

He looks reasonably young, with a friendly smile and not a hint of malice in his gaze.

«Hello..!» I greet him, surprised. «You know about-»

«Lana. Yes, we all have an... "idea" of her!» he chuckles, approaching the seat next to me with what looks like a mild limp, as if he were way older than he looks. «May I?»

I nod as my heart starts beating faster, realizing he might be here for ulterior motives.

«Why are you curious about her, friend?» He asks, his four ribbons slowly turning towards me in pairs.

If I recall correctly, his species can use them to read their target's emotions, aside from straight up hunting with them.

«She has just become one of my higher-ups at work.» I reply before he can probe me, hoping he's using them for the former rather than the latter.

He narrows his eyes, perplexed.

«Odd... usually she likes to play from behind the curtain.» he comments, his tendrils settling down.

Once Mark comes back and sees the sylveon next to me, he sighs in defeat, and goes back to work.

«How so?» I inquire, eager to learn more.

«Well... Lana is quite wealthy, even if she doesn't like to show it. As you've seen last time you were here, she prefers to show off her skills instead! Among those, there is a keen sense for business.»

I nod. «Yeah, I've noticed. Probably thanks to her owner, who acquired my workplace.»

His eyes widen slightly in understanding. «I see... that would explain it, then. But I'm pretty sure that he just showed her the ropes; you don't get that good if you don't have a talent for it...»

I sit in silence, with many thoughts swirling in my head.

Aside from my curiosity around Lana, the present moment is making me... "uncomfortable"..?

I mean, if I think of Keiran, I do feel some kind of attraction; he's a good-looking Lucario, and I really like his personality.

Still, that's more... platonic than anything, since I pretty much raised him.

I glance at the pokémon at my side: do I feel something, if I focus on him?

Is my hesitation just a result of bias..?

«Can I offer you something to start your evening?» Mark intervenes, sensing the pause in our conversation.

The sylveon turns to me, offering another friendly smile. «Go ahead... Samuel, was it? I'm Cody, by the way!»

«Oh, thank you..!» I reply, returning the expression. «A Long Island will do; thanks, Mark.»

«I will go for a Classic Mimosa, please!» Cody adds, his tone as kind and cheerful as before.

He does seem like a nice mon..!

But maybe he's just looking for someone to talk to while he waits for someone else?

Just because he approached me in here, it doesn't mean he has to like guys...

«Anyway, back to Lana: given her knowledge of almost every service and item offered in here and her seemingly unlimited tab, I think she has made investments into several fields on her own, and learned a lot from that. That gave her some cash, and some strong opinions about the strangest things..!» the sylveon resumes, chuckling. «Especially after a few big glasses..! She will tell you whether anything you've bought somewhere is good or bad, and why!»

«Yeah, she did mention a few odd facts here and there, back then...» I manage to remember.

«And you want to know the "strangest" thing about it?» he adds with a clever grin. «All the stuff in here is at the top of her standards. ALL OF IT. And it's strangely affordable, even considering the membership, as if our big handsome machamp here and his sweet other half were blessed by a stroke of good deals..!»

Mark glances at him in silence, before finishing up our drinks.

«Where are you going with this, Cody?» I ask, barely keeping up with him.

«Her special keycard? I think it's to remind other potential staff of her status.» he replies.

«I think that -and the others consider it too- our cocky furry friend is the main reason this place managed to exist; Lana owns most of The Swingshot, and has shares in its suppliers, as well!»

Hearing that, I recall Falco mentioning her investing into a bar.

Was he actually talking about this place..?

That would be wild..!

«Damn! So she's actually THAT influential in here..!»

Cody shrugs with a hint of amusement.

«Yes and no; everyone more or less knows her and respects her for her intelligence and rationality, but she doesn't have a say on who gets to do what with whom... we are our own people, after all!» he reassures me. «Her "evaluation" isn't worth more than others; we just know what it means when she enjoyed it. Kinda like a trusted news outlet!»

I nod, interested.

«I see... Say, did she say something about me?»

Cody pauses as he tries to recall her words.

«"He's alright" was the way she summed it up.»

I'm mildly disappointed, and his ribbons must catch that pretty quickly.

«Well, she did answer questions, when asked; I don't remember many of them, but the outlook was positive! And a lot of people were also there after Angela called dibs on you and returned!»

Mark places the glasses in front of us.

«Indeed. I think the entire room listened to both of them, and many inquired about you. I recall questions about your personality, hygiene, and... fit.» the machamp calmly adds, before looking at Cody inquisitively.

The Sylveon's ears droop suddenly as he looks away in embarrassment.

«You good?» I ask him, wondering what warranted that.

«Yes, I just... well, I'll admit that I asked Lana a question, too! She didn't know, though...» he hesitantly replies, his ribbons curling up towards their bases.

«Well, go for it.» I invite him, picking up my glass to take a sip. «I can surely answer that better than her.»

The sylveon looks at me, taken aback.

«I..! I was wondering...» he pauses, forcing himself.

I patiently wait for him to finish, reminding him of his drink by pointing at it.

He quickly puts his front paws on the counter and laps up some of the Mimosa with his tongue.

Once the alcohol starts to take effect - which happens surprisingly quickly -, he timidly continues, making his body appear smaller.

«...do you... do you like... guys too, Samuel..?»

I really wanted to refrain from making assumptions, but I guess the odds were against a different ending...

And I still don't know the answer.

I mean, he's not bad-looking at all, and he seems to have an adorable, almost nerdy personality, which reminds me of my younger self.

Maybe I could give it a shot..?

«Well, you can always make me!» I ultimately reply, encouraging him as I sip some more.

His jaw drops slightly as an incredulous smile appears on his muzzle, revealing the tips of an endearing pair of fangs.

«Well..! Either you do, or you don't, Samster..!» he retorts, trying to build up some confidence with more of his drink.

«"Samster"; that's a new one.» I comment, imitating him. «Still, I've never been with a good-looking little snack like you..!»

I'm trying to copy from Angela's and Lana's book, since he's obviously way more submissive than I am.

Let's hope I don't overdo it..!

Cody chuckles, extremely flustered.

«This is..! Quite a shift in tone..!»

I smile as I lean back, entertained by his reaction.

I feel surprisingly powerful; I get why they enjoy it, now...

«You started it, buddy!» I point out.

He begins to pant lightly, likely to cool himself from the alcohol and the embarrassment, his tails now wagging.

«Yeah..! But I didn't actually think you'd be bi..!»

«Neither did I, to be honest.» I retort. «I've been curious about male pokémon, but I've actually never been with one at all, so it really depends on you if I keep that up!»

Upon hearing that, Cody turns to his glass and downs the entire remainder of its content, lifting it up with his ribbons and front paws.

Mark turns towards him, worried.

«Okay..! I will do it..!» he then goes, his balance wavering on the stool as the weight of the glass brings him against the counter.

And here I thought I couldn't handle alcohol...

«I will..!» he quietly resumes, a hiccup interrupting him. «I will make you ga- gayer than me..!»

My eyes widen in surprise at his words.

«Cody, there's no need-!»

«Angela said you are..!» he continues, giggling as he gets flustered again. «...Big..! Are you big, Samuel..?»

«I'm... of average height!» I deflect the question, silently asking Mark for help with my gaze as I put my hand on Cody's back to keep him somewhat steady, but as he flinches and almost falls forward, I quickly give that up.

Lana was aware of what she was doing, but he clearly doesn't anymore; I'm worried he might say something he regrets, or hurt himself..!

«Cody, would you like to try a special recipe of mine? It's sweet, light, and on the house...» Mark tries to tempt him, quietly getting a bottle of soda ready.

Ah, the old sugar trick; an effective and cheap way to make a drunkard "slow down"..!

Cody turns to him, confused.

«Sorry, I didn't quite- quite catch that..!» he replies with a hiccup.

Mark rightfully takes that as a yes, and pours him a glass.

«Oh, sweet..!» Cody lets out, pleasantly surprised in his grogginess.

«Drink up, buddy..!» I invite him, nudging him forward as I pat his shoulder, this time without getting any reaction.

I wonder if that will "fix him" just as fast as the alcohol wrecked him; it could be a specific quirk of his species.

As soon as he finishes, the sylveon closes his eyes with satisfaction, licking his lips as a soft purr escapes his body.

«That must have been the best soda in the world.» I comment, finishing my own drink.

«Sylveons tend to have a fast metabolism and a sweet tooth.» Mark explains as Cody starts reopening his eyes. «I mostly gave it to him as a distraction while the alcohol leaves his bloodstream.»

I quickly look at my watch.

«You mean that five minutes from now he'll be hungover, and in ten he'll be fine again?»

«Make that two and four.» the machamp corrects me, cleaning his glasses and disposing of the empty bottle. «I have seen what the boy is capable of.»

I purse my lips, impressed.

«Should I stop flirting with him? He seems... not ready for this.»

Mark pauses his work to take a deep breath.

«We don't have many bisexual or gay males among our customers, so Cody is not as... "hardened" as the others in these matters, that's certain.» he replies, unsure. «Some "practice" might prove beneficial for him, on the other hand. Either way, he will appreciate any type of company he can get.»

Suddenly, Cody hisses in pain.

«Damn..!»

«You good?» I ask him, mindlessly placing a hand on his back once again, accidentally triggering another reflex.

«Oh..! Yeah, sorry about that, Samuel..!» he ultimately replies, looking down in shame.

«No, sorry I went so hard on you.» I retort, making him chuckle.

«I... actually liked that..!» he admits, embarrassed. «As I think I've heard Mark say, it's not easy for me to find someone to share a bed with.»

I nod, thoughtful.

Then what keeps him here?

«What were we talking about, now that I don't have a drink to hide behind?» he then asks, still groggy.

«You asked me to share a bed with you.» I politely summarize, wondering if he actually forgot.

Judging by the subsequent widening of eyes, drooping of ears, and stiffening of ribbons, that might just be the case.

«Ah..! And...»

«I agreed. As long as you are still fine with it, that is...» I continue, playing with my empty glass.

His tail slowly starts wagging as his eyes lower shyly, a faint smile appearing on his face once again.

«I am..! I am fine with it!» he agrees, trying to sound confident. «I want it!»

I thank Mark for his services, and I stand up. «Alright, let's go, then!»

Still in disbelief, he steps down from the stool and follows me up the stairs, struggling mildly with the steps, but keeping the same smile stuck on his face.

«So... what's your body count, so far?» he asks as we travel through the corridor upstairs.

«Uh... pokémon, two, in total, three.» I reply, swiping the card on the first available door I find, which opens with the usual beep.

He seems thoughtful.

«Are you alright, Cody?» I inquire, shifting my weight on one leg.

«Oh, yeah... so, tell me if I'm overstepping, but this means your first time was with a human, right?»

I nod, holding the door for him. «A human girl, yes. It was when I still lived in Tempra, during high school.»

His eyes narrow further as he passes me by.

«Yeah, as you can imagine, it didn't go very well. There were no hard feelings, but we ended up drifting apart...»

«I see... but what happened between then and your first time here?» he wonders, tilting his head as he hops on and sits on the bed.

I close the door behind me with a sigh, pacing in a straight line until I'm in front of him.

«You don't have to answer, Samuel... I'm not the police!» he reassures me with a joke.

«No, it's fine. It's just... there isn't much to say.» I shrug, unbothered. «While waiting for the bus on a windy day, some time after I lost my virginity, I saw a very pretty gardevoir, and something stirred inside me when the wind lifted her gown.»

I turn towards him, gauging his reaction.

«Well, as much as I tried to convince myself of the opposite, what was happening was obvious; in the following years, I came to terms with the fact that I was a poképhile, and I kept it hidden from my parents and friends.»

His ribbons wave gently as they point themselves at me, likely trying to read me further.

«I see.» he replies, looking down. «Do any of them know, now..?»

«Keiran, my lucario; I told him recently.» I admit, moving closer to sit on the bed, weighing down on the mattress. «He took it well, as always. And he recommended me to come here.»

A soft smile appears on his lips.

«I can only imagine the relief you felt; I can only detect a little as you think about it...»

I nod in agreement, before giving him a smirk.

«But enough about that; you said you'd turn me gayer than you.»

His eyes widen in shock, not expecting my jab. «I- I did..?»

I nod, pursing my lips. «Yep. I hope you have a plan, 'cause it's not going to be an easy task..!»

His tail wags as his ribbons almost tie themselves into a knot, likely a mix of excitement and embarrassment. «I..! Well, I'll try to leave you bisexual, of course! I certainly don't want to force you into it..!»

«"Try to"? You mean there's a chance my bisexuality won't survive this?» I playfully point out, raising an eyebrow.

A nervous chuckle escapes him.

«Yes! Exactly..!» he playfully yet timidly retorts, standing up to try and move my way, but I think his limbs do not agree with his decision.

I scoot closer to him on the bed, possibly intimidating him slightly with my height as I see his fur slightly stand up.

«Well, then I'll make you straight!» I pompously retort.

His breath hitches for a second, his eyes widening in surprise for a second as his smile falters. «Wha-»

«That'll motivate you to try harder! Nevermind the fact that I have even less of a clue than you on how to do it!»

Overcoming his surprise, the sylveon lets out a hearty laugh.

«Well, now I'm curious..! And what would your first move be?»

I lean forward, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

His body trembles on contact, his ribbons straightening slightly.

«Did that work?» I tease him.

He giggles, flustered.

«I don't think that's how you do it, Samuel..!» he smugly comments, turning to face me as his cerulean eyes become more inviting.

His warm breath washes over my chin as he approaches, trying to fight his own shyness.

«Your move, then, handsome..!» I encourage him.

Finally, our lips meet, and I close my eyes as I feel his tongue trying to see if it's fine to come in, before I send mine to go get it before it can escape.

A soft moan escapes his throat as I feel his ribbons caress my shoulders and hair, exploring my body, and maybe trying to find interesting emotions to latch onto.

As I break the kiss, I feel his fangs hold onto my lower lip, letting it go with a small delay.

«Well, well, well..!» I try to keep my confident persona, despite being flustered and surprised myself. «And... where did you learn that one?»

A faint smirk appears on his lips as he licks them, probably seeing through the cracks of my facade.

«Just an old trick, if you can call it that... "big boy"..!» he teases me back as one of his ribbons runs around the shape of the tent I pitched in my pants.

«Oh, so we are both getting "cocky", now, uh?» I reply, likely blushing.

Trying to remain confident but betrayed by a slight droop of his ears, he sits on his haunches, glancing down as he reveals his knotted rod, fully outside its sheath as it crowns his peach white, fluffy balls. «Guess so..!»

«Oh, wow. You might actually be bigger than me, there.» I comment, studying the veins that course through its shiny skin, actually feeling a hint of growing desire.

He looks back up at me, surprised. «What? No way..!» he lets out, but he quickly corrects himself. «I mean, even if it were, it wouldn't be a problem! Because it isn't at all, and I don't mind! Er..! I'm not saying yours is small, obviously! It-»

«Okay, I get it..!» I stop him before he melts his own brain out of embarrassment.

After a few seconds of awkward silence, I ask «So... what happens now..?»

«Man, it shows you're a sub..!» he teases me with a sudden grin. «No matter how much you try to appear otherwise..!»

«No, I'm not!» I protest, now definitely blushing.

I wonder just how much Angela and Lana said..!

«We're on the same boat, Sam..!» he continues, just as in trouble. «But... maybe you're slightly closer to a switch than me..?»

So, the ball is in my court.

The sylveon glances at me, hopeful.

I lean forward again, thinking about starting with some foreplay to gain time.

I lower my lips on his shoulder, kissing it gently as I move towards his neck, which he exposes as his muscles tense up, surprisingly well defined under his fur.

I caress his sides, making him shiver as he leaves himself even more vulnerable.

His ribbons feel their way along my arms and around my head, quietly urging me to continue.

Gently pushing against his chest, I get him to lie down into my other arm, exposing his malehood once again.

«Samuel..!» he whispers my name as his half-lidded eyes lock onto mine.

My free hand caresses the soft fur on his abdomen, slowly moving downwards, causing his body to tremble once again.

Giving him another kiss on the lips, I starts to delicately stroke his length, gauging how sensitive he is.

«Oh..!» he breathes out, his cock quivering between my fingers as they slide down its length, exploring its texture.

It feels smooth and rubbery, compromising its shape against my fingers as it irradiates a particularly strong heat.

Eventually, my fingers reach his knot, which is considerably harder to the touch and even warmer than the rest, despite not being flared.

Finally, I delicately caress his fluffy gonads - which look exactly like large cotton balls, even if the warmth and weight have nothing to do with the latter-, getting a labored exhale from him.

Do I dare..?

Hesitantly, I lower my head right above it; it smells completely neutral, like the rest of his body.

It's almost as if he put in the extra effort to scrub off his scent...

Before I can even touch it again, my breath makes it throb in front of my face as he clenches his teeth in anticipation.

In the end, I bring my lips around his tip, making him shiver as I delicately run them across its surface.

«Oh..! Oh..! Samuel..!»

I have never done this before, but as long as I don't hurt him by accident, it should be good enough.

As I caress his back, I feel a few strange indentations running across it, which I carefully start scanning with my fingers.

Soon after, though, I feel his paws on my arm, trying to gently push the latter away as he pants and moans.

Guess that's none of my business...

The salty taste of pre-cum makes its sudden appearance on my tongue, letting me know I'm not doing too bad.

I continue in silence, feeling my own rod wonder if it can ask for the same treatment as it continues to stretch my trousers.

I almost jump when one of his ribbons places itself against it.

«Samuel..! Let me have it..! Make me face it..!»

I gently move him around, forcing myself to take more of him as his position shifts.

His mouth skillfully pulls my zipper down, caressing my length through my underwear with his muzzle.

As he pulls that down with his teeth as well, I feel his warm breath on my skin.

«Push it in..! I can take it..!» he begs, before grasping my tip between his lips, sending a tingling sensation straight to my brain when one of his fangs lightly stings my skin as he settles it into position.

Trying to coordinate my head and hips, I start gently moving them back and forth alternatively, fighting against the instinct of thrusting harder inside him.

«Hm! Hm..!» I hear him moan as his hind-legs gently push against my cheeks, making my head stop as he slowly starts moving his lower body back and forth,rubbing his cock against my mouth and tongue, likely to free me from the effort of coordinating the whole operation.

I hold him up by the pelvis to help him, since his position must be way harder to work with than mine.

Focusing so much on holding the position while fighting off the distraction of my impending climax, I don't even realize I've taken in most of his shaft until I feel his swollen knot touch my nose.

Arceus almighty, it must be a perfect fit if I haven't gagged yet!

Wait, but if his knot is this flared-

Suddenly, his whole body trembles at once as he starts moaning around my cock, way louder than earlier.

And soon enough, he erupts in my mouth, triggering a reflex as soon as his cum strikes the back of my throat, sending me into a coughing fit.

I immediately pull my head back, getting his member out of my mouth, which shoots against my face a couple more times, taking me by surprise before letting some trickle on him down below.

As soon as he feels free, his ribbons circle my waist, trying to hold me still as he flips back on his paws, before raising my rod slightly while bending his head forward.

With that, he starts deepthroating me at a surprisingly quick pace, chocking and slurping on me, clearly eager to get even.

And at this rate, that we will be..!

«Cody..! I'm-»

As soon as I start saying that, he speeds up until I actually release with a groan as he tries to get me as deep as he can, moaning as he swallows, looking up at me while giving me the sweetest bedroom eyes I've ever received.

«Fucking hell..!» I let out, shaking from the sheer intensity of the sensations he brought me.

Once he lets me go, I collapse on the bed, right next to him.

«Thank you for that..!» he says, clearly appreciative. «For being so unsure about this, you did an amazing job.»

«Could have done better, though; I fucked up most of the swallowing..!» I retort.

The sylveon chuckles as he turns his head to look at me, his ribbons reaching for my hand.

«That takes a lot of practice, especially with a dick already inside your mouth!» he reassures me. «Take the win, Samuel!»

I nod, returning the smile.

«Yeah, I guess it could have gone worse; could have scraped your dick off with my teeth..!» I joke.

He laughs out loud, his ribbons shaking in amusement. «Well, I should be worried about what you could do to my ass, then!»

«Ah, right..! That part...» I comment, thoughtful. «So, I imagine that's a preference, for gay people? Who gives it and who takes it, I mean?»

He nods.

«Indeed! I prefer "taking", as you called it! Unless you're feeling daring?» he offers, rotating his body to let me see what the latter would entail.

I loudly exhale, weighing my options.

«Up to you! We can stop at any point, if you don't like it!» he reassures me with a gentle smile.

I once again study his rod: it's reasonably long and thick, but not outside of a human's "specs".

Then again, I've never had anything up my ass other than Lana's fingers, so I really have no idea how much of a hit that would be.

Also, that knot terrifies me..!

Right now it's relaxing, but when it was flared, its size wasn't too far off from my fist's.

«That's not going in, right?» I address the issue right away.

He giggles as he gives me a reassuring look.

«Don't worry; I think there's one of those special condoms in there..!» he replies, standing up to check inside the cupboard.

A shiver runs down my spine at the mention of "special condoms".

«They don't involve a umbreon's toxin, right?»

He gives me a quizzical glance in response.

«No..? I don't remember what's in them, but they should make my knot swell up immediately, so that there would be no way for me to accidentally push it in..!»

I nod, feeling instantly relieved.

«Uh... field human-like... field equine... field feline... Uff! They're not in alphabetical order..! Oh! Field canine! Delay... Enhance... Delay for anal...» he keeps searching, until he finally pulls out a box with his mouth.

«Flare for anal!» he triumphantly exclaims through his clenched teeth.

His tendrils snatch a second container right before he jumps back on the bed, where he drops the boxes.

«Well, Sammy, all that's missing is the lube; those there are the bottles! Pick the one you like the most!»

I study the containers peering back at me from the open cabinet, recognizing immediately the tasty oran berry and my savior, the pecha berry.

I go look a the few others, wondering what would be best for this; a rawst berry would be great to fight the burning sensation from the friction, but I don't see it...

Might as well go by flavor.

Mint berry... Sitrus berry... Kee berry.

Angela had that one in her shampoo, if I recall correctly.

Well, since it was the first scent I was met by before fucking a pokémon, might as well let it be the first before I get fucked by one.

Snatched the bottle, I bring it to him.

«So, how does this work?» I inquire, curious.

Cody promptly passes me the second box before opening it.

«"Mono-use douches"?» I read, perplexed.

«Yes, just one to clean up your insides. Do you know how to use it?»

I shrug, heading for the bathroom.

«I think I have an idea, but I'll read the instructions...»

«Make sure you do it while sitting on the toilet..!» he adds as I close the door, before taking off my clothes.

After some reading and some inner cleansing (not of the soul), I come back out with a large towel, finding Cody pawing at a lone condom on the bed, visibly frustrated.

«You need help putting it on?» I ask, startling him.

As he nods, mildly embarrassed, I pick it up and open it while I read the back of its box.

«Ah, it uses the same compound that makes nidokings and nidoqueen's armor harden. Is this really safe..?»

He lifts one of his hind-legs, giving me access to his member.

«Well, the mons I know who tried it are still alive and well, so I think it's fine.» he reassures me.

I carefully exchange the condom's package with the sylveon's, watching his reactions for anything going wrong as I lay the towel on the bed.

«There. It says on the box it should work in a couple of minutes...»

«About that..!» he meekly comments, pointing with a nod at his already expanding knot.

I'm not sure whether to be surprised at the speed it's flaring, or at its sheer size, pretty much comparable with a large apple's.

Then, I remember about his metabolism, and my brows lift in understanding.

«Does that mean it'll last shorter, too?» I suggest, going by logic.

He nods, standing up.

«Yes, but it should still be long enough for us... woah, that feels strange! I'm not used to moving with my knot like this!» he comments, pacing around as his swollen malehood dangles between his hind-legs. «It's like someone tied a dumbbell to my penis..!»

I audibly chuckle at the last quip, bending forward slightly.

Cody approaches me, just as amused.

«Well, big man, it's time to ready the lube!» he playfully announces, rolling the bottle towards me with one of his ribbons.

«On you or on me?» I ask, popping the cap open.

«Yes.» he jokingly smirks, before getting distracted by its scent. «Oh, I always love smelling kee berry in here..! It reminds me of Angela!»

His smile softens as he focuses on it.

«Are you two close?» I ask him, moving in to lube up his condom.

«Well... I guess you can say that.» he replies, his eyes filled with thoughts. «She was the first one to approach me when I started coming here, same as you.»

«Uh. And... how did it go?» I inquire further.

Given Angela's personality, she probably instantly melted for him.

«Well... if you leave out the part where I cried my eyes out in front of everyone, it wasn't a bad experience.» he bluntly admits, his expression unchanging.

I narrow my eyebrows, stopping to find his gaze.

«Oh, it was my bad! I had yet to start going to therapy, so I was still in a terrible headspace.» he clarifies. «I was afraid she would mock me in front of the entire crowd when I told her the truth, but as you can probably imagine, she comforted me. Caressed my cheeks... Hugged me... Shed tears with me.»

I blink repeatedly, confused.

Tears? What could he have possibly told her..?

«I don't remember much of my mother, but I like to think she would have been like her...»

After a few seconds, Cody seems to snap back to reality.

«Oh, sorry..! I didn't mean to overshare...» he apologizes, his ears drooping.

«Don't worry.» I comfort him as I caress his head. «You should know by know I get what it's like to reveal stuff like that.»

His gaze falls slightly, clouded by more thoughts.

«Yes...»

Then, he puts a paw on my hand, mustering a smile.

«That's enough on me; turn around and get on all fours, so I can put it on you. Well, IN you.»

Once I follow his instructions, making sure there's space for us both on the towel, I feel his paws gently part my ass-cheeks, making me feel extremely vulnerable.

«I like your rear.» he comments, likely trying to reassure me.

«You have no problem with the hair?» I reply, almost absentmindedly.

He giggles as he pours some lube around my hole, making me shiver.

«That would be kind of hypocritical of me! And you're not exactly a wooloo back here, so don't see a reason for you to be worried...» he observes, before one of his small paws spreads the fluid slightly deeper.

«Oof...» I let out, worried.

«We can still back out of it, Samuel...» he lets me know, retreating slightly.

I shake my head, clinging to the bed sheets for comfort.

«After all this effort?» I reply, bracing myself.

Once I feel his front paws on my lower back and his tip near my entrance, I clench my jaw.

«Remember: you may be the bottom, but you set the pace for the top. Tell me how to adjust it or if you want to stop. Or anything else, really!» he reminds me with a comforting tone. «Ready?»

I nod, taking a deep breath.

The second I feel him trying to enter, my hole tightens up as a protest.

«Careful..! Try to push against me as if you were pooping!» he instructs me. «That should make the sphincter relax...»

What a charming picture.

Yet, his technique works, and his shaft actually travels far smoother inside me, until I feel his knot part my cheeks further before stopping at the entrance.

Everything kind of burns, and I don't exactly feel pleased; it's more like I'm constipated.

«Dear Arceus..!» I mutter.

«In a good way or in a bad one..?» he asks, remaining inside.

«In a weird one..! Should it feel good?»

Cody shifts slightly inside me, gently probing around.

«Well, I will need to find your prostate for that...»

Eventually, he hits it, making me quiver.

«I think you found it..!» I comment, a surge of dopamine spreading through my brain.

«Oh, alright..! So it's there..!» he mumbles to himself, beginning to thrust gently, rubbing his shaft along it.

My eyes flutter closed, despite the slight burning sensation caused by the intrusion still making itself felt.

His shaft gently moves back and forth, pulsating ever so slightly against my insides, which clench around it in response.

«This is nice! It's so much gentler that when I did it last...» he comments. «And my feelers tell me you like it just as much, Samuel!»

«Guilty as charged..!» I admit, exhaling deeply in delight.

It's such a different experience from regular penetrative sex...

It didn't feel this good even when Lana did it.

«I will keep this pace; I think it works for us both in terms of stamina and enjoyment. Yet, I would like to try something that was suggested to me last time...»

As he finishes that sentence, my heart skips a beat as something lightly wraps itself around my rod, progressively tightening itself.

I look down, and spot his colorful tendrils enveloping my shaft like scarves.

«My ribbons aren't particularly strong compared to regular limbs, but can do some of the same stuff, sometimes even better...» he explains, before they start stroking my sensitive length.

Woah..! The mixed feeling of him massaging my prostate and his tendrils caressing my cock is just something else..!

The latter in particular, is strangely effective, for such a light touch...

Soon enough, I feel his paw tenderly run across my lower back.

«I'm trying to share our pleasure; it seems that, like most pokémon, humans share the exact same circuitry for it as sylveons. How lucky..!» he explains, audibly pleased.

«Happy to learn my cock doubles as a socket for that..!» I joke despite the overwhelming feelings, making him chuckle.

«Oh, I could do it anywhere; I'm just multitasking!» he playfully retorts. «I can tell you're getting close, by the way..!»

I nod as he continues his thrusts.

The novelty of the act makes it fairly effective in that regard, so it really shouldn't be a surprise.

Cody exhales deeply, quietly telling me that he's enjoying himself just as much.

Within a minute or so, my muscles contract, and I climax on the towel with a light groan, his tendrils still caressing me as he keeps thrusting.

«Uh..!» he lets out in surprise as my insides clench on their own, squeezing his rod. «I felt that..!»

Soon, I feel his shaft throb inside me as he rests his head forward on my back, sighing, which makes me believe he came as well.

«Whew..!» he exhales. «It's been a while..!»

«Do you still prefer being a bottom?» I ask him, feeling his cock failing to lock itself inside me as it stiffens further, likely building up on the now fading effect of the condom.

After carefully pulling out, he moves to my side, where he lies down.

«Well, yes. It's part of my personality, and being a small pokémon has its "perks"...»

«"Small"!» I skeptically repeat, pulling the condom away from his swollen member.

«By body size, I am!» he points out with a smirk. «It's not my fault I was born "gifted"!»

As he finishes that sentence, his fur shivers ever so slightly.

«Are you alright?» I ask as he suddenly closes his eyes to take a deep breath.

«Yes... just bad thoughts.» he replies, before smiling again. «But I know how to fight them!»

He's making me more curious by the minute.

But will I appear rude, if I ask him about it? Will I overstep, like I did with Lana?

I must be staring at him, because soon enough, he tilts his head, just as concerned.

«Did I say something wrong..?»

«Oh, no, my bad. It's just...» I start.

Damn it, it's stronger than me..!

«Well, I'm curious about your story, if you're willing to share it.» I finally admit. «No pressure, obviously; people have already pointed out I'm a nosy fuck, recently.»

Cody chuckles at the last remark, relaxing his posture.

«Don't worry; I've asked you about your past, too!»

Then, his smile wanes slightly. «The problem is that mine is... not something you usually share during an afterglow.»

I nod, acknowledging his words. «If you're willing, I will listen regardless.»

He sighs, settling on the bed in a sphinx-like position.

«Well... I'll try to cut the fluff, but know it will probably still be a long one.» he comments.

«I was born in a breeder's farm. Eevees are popular, you know..! I vaguely remember my mother and siblings, and the golden star they tied around my paw.»

Already off to a bad start; many breeding centers force their "patients" - more like "victims", as anyone with even half a functioning brain would call them - to carry out multiple pregnancies and sperm donations in a row, often using drugs to achieve better results.

«Golden star?» I ask, letting him know I'm interested and following.

«Yes, apparently, it meant I was... "a good yield".» he replies, as if he were repeating someone else's words. «Meaning they could sell me for a lot, as I would have kicked ass in a fight, once given proper training. And that became true.»

I raise my brows in surprise at the last statement; I really can't picture him sweeping through opponents, but thinking about it, I've heard of pokémon from the elite four being absolute sweethearts, outside the field.

He chuckles as he studies my expression.

«I don't even need to point my feelers to perceive your disbelief..!» he comments with a temporary smirk, his fangs peering out of his lips. «I mean, I wasn't that tough compared to my companions, but I clinged to life as best as I could, and most often than not, that's enough.»

He sighs, his ears drooping as he looks down, his shoulders tensing up as if they were carrying a heavy weight.

«My trainer was...» he hesitates, before furrowing his eyebrows, as if the words were trying to resist him.

«...a monster. She only cared about having a strong team and being victorious, whether the fights were legitimate or not; we were just war machines to her, an investment, and nothing more.»

His muscles tense up further under his soft fur, his eyes widening as they relive terrible memories.

«I saw pokémon die, Samuel. It was always the ones I could have called friends, were we born under different circumstances; too humane for that life.»

With that grim expression and tensed up body, Cody almost seems like a different person.

I can see him clench his jaw before talking again.

«I was raised as a fighter, eating horrible shit spiked with Arceus-knows-what and following dictatorial training routines. And the worst part is that I believed that was a good thing, that my suffering was just weakness being "purified" through battles.»

«Is that why...» I dare, but he anticipates me.

«Why I evolved into a sylveon? No. I didn't love that life, nor my teammates, nor my trainer. She actually wanted me to become a flareon, but there were a few troubles while importing the fire stone into Solris... and while controlling the young heart in my chest.»

A bittersweet smile suddenly appears on his face as he remembers, his gaze moving far away.

«Being late for my training schedule, I was out of a sparring partner, at least until he came to me.» he sighs, his ribbons shifting around as if looking for someone in particular.

«Tom was a young herdier, about my age. Not particularly strong, but carefree, kind, open-minded... everything I wished to be. After a lifetime of dealing with the opposite, I instantly fell for him.» he narrates, his eyes still distant, as if focused on studying someone's features.

«It went on for a while, after that afternoon. I stayed longer and longer at the center, letting my trainer believe I was just trying to catch up with the others. A piece at a time, I told him my story, and he gradually managed to free me from my own cage of thoughts.»

«That... sounds delightful.» I let out, feeling the warmth enveloping his heart even without touching his ribbons.

He nods, dreamy.

«He made it so easy to endure my trainer's anger when I didn't mate with the high-IV females she kept bringing in, trying to get some extra cash through some arrangements with their trainers... while I was an eevee, I would like to remind you.»

The warmth is quickly replaced by a fire burning in my core; pokémon shouldn't breed until they reach their final stage in evolution, regardless of their gender!

That woman was rabid..!

«At least she couldn't force me to "donate" sperm due to the risks involved with non-fully evolved mons. However, that blessing wouldn't have lasted long, as she had managed to get things moving with the fire stone.»

His expression grows defiant.

«After Tom had helped me get free from her influence, I had doubts about evolving like that. I shared my concerns, asked him if he would have even liked me the same as a flareon...»

An unexpected laugh escapes him, despite the fight in his eyes.

«He said that the extra fluff would have made me better for cuddles, had I gone through with it..! But then he suggested that I should have ran away with him, that his trainer was a good guy, and that he would have definitely took me in.»

«The more you talk about him, the more he sounds like you...» I comment while he catches his breath, hoping my remark wasn't out of place.

He scoffs lightly, unconvinced.

«Oh, I wish. I'm striving towards being like him, but the path ahead is still long...»

«Well, look where you've come from and tell me you haven't walked far already!» I dare him, pointing my finger.

He sighs, his body slumping slightly.

«I know, but...» he doubts as he glances at me, before a hint of frustration crosses his expression. «...it's just so hard..! I'm fighting against a lifetime of..! Of diabolic bullshit! That I caused and suffered!!!»

A few seconds after he notices his own outburst, his ears droop.

«I'm sorry..!» he whispers, looking guilty. «I will do better; I promise..!»

«It was my mistake, Cody; I should have-» I try to take my responsibilities, but I'm quickly hushed by one of his feelers as it carefully touches my lips.

«My reaction was excessive.» he calmly insists, before pulling his ribbon back. «You're right: I have come a long way. But I'm still scared of looking back, and that's why I must tell my story; to grow stronger from it.»

I nod in silence.

«And remarks like yours help me to metabolize it better, to find new meanings in it.» he continues, giving me a thankful smile. «So they're most welcome..!»

I can't help but smile back.

«Can I hear more, then?» I ask, shifting my weight on the bed.

After stopping for a couple of seconds to recover the thread, he finally resumes with a hint of newfound regret as he seemingly realizes where he left off, mixed with the pleasant memories he must have of the herdier.

«His offer for shelter left me stumped and afraid of the consequences, were I to desert from my team. While I was tempted, the loyalty that was forced upon me was not brittle enough yet, unfortunately.»

I nod in understanding, letting him continue.

«I think he understood that; I clearly remember him having the same expression as you do right now.» he admits. «But he chose not to force his wish upon me, saying that he would have still been there for me, had I needed him, or changed my mind.»

His ribbons tremble, seeking each other.

«At that point, I realized that, rather than of being punished, I was more afraid of losing what I had built with him. I burst into tears, unsure of what to do. He held me close as he waited for me to calm down, hatching a plan in his mind.»

I lift my head with my hand as I keep my eyes pinned on his lips, eager to know what Tom came up with.

«Knowing we were both about to enter the same tournament, he told me to file for a percentage of the cash prize if my team were to win, as it would have been within my right as a member of my level; that would have at least allowed me to afford a lawyer to properly sever ties with them.

While being a more concrete plan, that didn't really make it easier for me.»

Surprisingly, his smile returns.

«He reiterated that he would have been there for me regardless of what the future held, or of what choice I would have made. I know it doesn't sound like a lot, but... my heart was fluttering for him, and the uncertainty of our tomorrow made one choice easy, at least.»

He sighs, his features showing a mix of amusement and fluster.

«I kissed him, as timidly and as poorly as you would expect from a young, inexperienced eevee.

But that was all it took; I evolved in front of him. Slightly embarrassing for me, but that emotion faded after sharing a good hearty laugh!»

Cody's smile sweetens. «He was the first one to compliment my eyes. He said they showed "my real potential", a proof of what I could have been, and that wasn't something as lowly as a pit fighter.»

«I think I can see what he meant.» I comment, smiling back at him.

He returns the feeling, but after a sigh, his expression changes yet again for the worse.

«That's because you're a good human. My trainer, on the other hand... hurt me pretty badly when I came back, as I could no longer become what she wanted. But that wasn't the worst part.»

I recall the cuts on his back; did she do that..?

«In the tournament I spoke of earlier, after several victories, we ended up facing a young trainer; the leader of my team, a really strong Luxray, had already defeated four opposing pokémon, injuring some severely.»

He swallows a drop of saliva, hesitating.

«His fifth opponent was... Tom.»

I have a horrible feeling about this.

«It was raining, so electric type moves felt dangerously more powerful, especially for pokémon with a long, permeable coat of fur.»

A tear streams down his face, his teeth clenching.

«He recognized me on the bench, realized they were my "captors". He didn't back down when he was told to.» he whispers, closing his eyes as they water.

«The smell of burnt fur... The empty eyes..!»

«Cody, that's enough..!» I interrupt him, resting my hand on his shoulder, but one of his ribbons envelops it faster than I can blink, calmly but firmly pulling it away.

«No, Samuel; let me finish..! Let me move past that once again..!» he retorts, looking at me with determination and tears in his eyes. «I told you: every time I make it through my story, I become stronger..!

I remember that my past does not hold power against me, unlike me with my future! It makes me believe that I can move on..!»

I willingly pull my hand back, going back to just listening.

His ribbon, however, remains wrapped around my wrist, either to search support for its owner, or out of eagerness for my point of view.

«As it was happening, I vaguely remember rushing on the battlefield, headed towards them, before it all went dark. I must have screamed, because when I woke up in the infirmary, my throat was killing me. The electrical shock I had received was still making me shiver hours later.» he continues. «Once I was brought home, my trainer beat me harder than ever before, whipping me like a beast and insulting me like a criminal, as she had gotten a formal warning for me stepping in the field without permission; a big deal, at a competition of that caliber, worthy of a suspension.»

I shiver, my jaw tense in disgust and shock, realizing the origin of the cuts is even worse than I thought.

«"You damn fairy..! Next time, I'll send you to suck Giratina's cock, since you like it so much", "You better hope your balls don't carry your same idiocy, or I'll drown you and their inhabitants as soon as they come into the world", and alike. My ears where ringing from my own screams, so I don't remember the rest well.»

«Fucking hell..!» I retort, in disbelief.

«Indeed. Needless to say, I gritted my teeth and stood up as soon as she left me there, barely holding myself together as my own fur irritated my wounds, matted with blood. To this day, I've never felt the same level of anger, despair, or hatred as in that moment.»

His fur stands up slightly at the thought.

«I licked the cuts and covered them with pieces of my blankets, trying to clean them to the best of my abilities before they could get infected.

Come the night, as I quietly moved towards the window, my eyes fell on that whore sleeping in her bed, like nothing had happened...»

His hairs are standing straight at this point, his teeth almost bared as a high-pitched rumble travels through the mattress from his body.

«I swear on Arceus's name, I thought about killing her right then and there..! I would have bitten through her throat before she could have realized what was happening! I didn't refrain because of some "holier than thou" idiocy; had she managed to scream, I would have been done for..!» he admits, before closing his eyes again to take another self-soothing deep breath. «So, I just escaped, as Tom would have wanted.»

Cody exhales, as if freeing himself from the hatred contained in that section.

«Have I gone on for too long? Should I stop?» he asks, sounding more like his "usual" self.

«Well, I would like to know how you came back from that.» I admit, genuinely curious and concerned.

He raises his brows in agreement, thoughtful.

«Well, I managed to find a few odd job that I kept for a month or so each; mostly illegal labor, but it helped me not to starve despite my homelessness, and to get some medications to help with my wounds. As you may have noticed, sometimes I still have problems ambulating...»

I nod, now understanding many things.

«Eventually, walking back from one of those jobs, with the usual worry of being found by my old teammates, I smelt The Swingshot's aroma as the wind carried it. I already told you how meeting Angela went, so I will just say that when I came back a few days later, she offered to help me find a proper job at her company, which I still hold today. I work customer support, by the way. With that, I managed to afford a small flat; it's not a mansion, but now I actually own a real bed and a hot shower..!»

«Wait... your teammates are still looking for you?» I stop him as I take in what he said, worried.

He looks away, unsure.

«Well... back then, I doubt they would have actually cared that much, so it was mostly an irrational fear. Now, though...»

«What happened?» I inquire further.

«My trainer was convicted for abuse about a year after my escape; I heard she was sentenced to 15 years in prison, causing my ex-teammates to either be granted autonomy, or put up for adoption. Either are a far cry from being successful tournament winners under a skilled trainer, so I think they would suspect it to be my payback.» he explains, shifting his weight. «That wouldn't make them happy to see me, I fear.»

«Well, that bitch got what she deserved; she's the monster in the story, no doubt. It's a shame they don't want to see that.» I comment. «Still, who do you think got her caught? Tom's trainer? Or did one of her pokémon actually realize how fucked in the head she was after seeing what she did?»

Cody shakes his head, unsure.

«I heard there was a lot of evidence brought to court, with a good offense; that wasn't something started by your average Joe...»

«Hm. She pissed off a big fish... but I realize it's an impossible guess; too many people involved across time and space.» I conclude, before resting my free hand on his shoulder to caress it.

I can feel his muscles relax underneath it as he exhales again.

«Enough about that; I've already won.» he comments with a faint smile. «Would you be willing to continue, after the mood-ruining bombshell I dropped on you?»

I return him a smirk.

«I mean, that would mean sticking it to your ex-trainer, wouldn't it?»

A short laugh escapes him as he envelopes a douche with one of his ribbons, before standing up.

«I guess so... Give me a couple of minutes, you pick a condom, in the meantime. Make sure it's good for anal and for your shape!»

Eventually, he comes out of the bathroom, shaking his fur.

«It's truly been a while..!» he comments as he hops back on the bed, giddy.

It's so incredible to see such a fast change in mood...

Is his psyche a reflection of his metabolism?

«So, are you ready?» he asks, his tail wagging behind him.

«Still waiting to get fully hard...» I reply, gently stroking myself.

His ribbons wrap around my penis to join my hand, while his lips reach my own.

«One for you as a gift...»

Then, he gives my tip another kiss, drawing a small bridge of pre-cum to his mouth as he retreats, before licking it off his muzzle.

«...and one for you as an encouragement.»

«You sure are eager..!» I let out, surprised.

«Well, I won't deny I am! You know I don't get much of this, and I never tried it with a human..!» he replies, excited at the thought. «That's such a taboo..!»

I nod, tilting my head for a second in agreement.

«Can you help me lube up?» he asks, offering me his rear; I caught a glimpse of it earlier, but from this perspective, his round, fluffy cheeks are really pleasant to look at without his tail blocking the view.

His anus is a deeper shade of pink, perfectly clean and smooth, located right under the tip of his sacrum, between the small skin flaps connecting the latter to the cheeks.

«Alright. Give me a sec...» I agree, moving closer.

Compared to me, Cody is almost stone cold as I place the lube around and into his hole.

His inside are feverishly hot and surprisingly tight, especially when they squeeze around my finger.

«Is it really gonna fit?» I ask him, unsure.

He looks back to wink at me. «Worst case scenario, it will get half as thick and twice as long!» he jokes, actually getting a laugh out of me as I lube up the condom, almost making me spill the liquid everywhere else.

«It should be fine; I'll let you know if I can't take it.» he then concludes in seriousness, giving me a welcoming smile as he raises his rear for me once again, his tail held up high as it sways like a metronome.

Taking a deep breath, I get on my knees behind him.

He gasps and shivers as my hands circle his toned waist, his ribbons scrambling around as they look for something to cling onto.

«Yes..!» I hear him whisper as his tail sways faster, showing his puppy-like excitement.

He's so endearing..!

«Here I come..!» I warn him, pushing my tip against his hole.

While he relaxes it, the rest of his body tenses up, bracing itself for my size.

As my glans disappears inside him, he shivers.

«Uuuh..!» he lets out, likely in mild pain.

I immediately stop moving, leaning slightly to the side to wait for his response.

«I'm fine, just a bit rusty..! Go ahead..!» he hisses, his eyes closed and his teeth clenched. «Slowly, if you can..!»

Following his instructions, I inch my way inside him, making sure the condom has enough lubricant on its surface.

His rectum is just as warm and smooth as I had felt originally, but even tighter than that.

Not even half-way there, the lower portion of my cock meets a particularly significant bump, which causes him to shiver at the touch.

«Found the prostate?» I guess, hopeful.

«Y-yeah..!» he blushes, his ears flattening ever so slightly. «But you can put the rest in, too, if you'd like..! I surely would..!»

I tighten my grip around his waist, getting him even more excited, judging by his gasp.

«One stuffed sylveon, coming right up..!»

He squirms in pleasure as I slowly pass the rest of my length against his love gland, moaning softly as his tendrils decide to wrap around each other.

«Oh..! It's gonna be hard to walk after this..! But so worth it~!» he squeals out the last part.

Unable to go further, I am about to pull back, when he stops me.

«Leave it in..! Give me a second to get used to it..!»

He pushes back against me as his insides squeeze around my cock, trying to expel me.

Cody slightly moves his fluffy rump around, tilting my shaft as if he were calibrating it.

His soft fur gently caresses my groin, causing my hands to return the gesture, first around his flanks, and then along his back, belly, and hind-legs, getting a purr out of him.

«Okay..! Go for it..!» he concludes, finally coming to a still as he turns his head back towards me, panting.

I can feel his heartbeat accelerating around me.

Holding the condom still, I pull my rod back until my glans caresses his prostate again, before running above it again.

His ribbons untangle themselves to gently wrap around my wrists, sharing how much bliss he's in.

I lean forward to kiss him as I slowly thrust inside him, fighting against the powerful muscles around me.

He moans against my tongue at every cycle I complete inside him, his adorable blue eyes looking for my own.

At a glance, I can see his tip drip with arousal, leaving wet spots across the towel underneath him as his cock dangles back and forth from my movements.

«Samuel..! Harder..!» he whispers as he breaks the kiss, before bending his front limbs to leave only his ass up, slowly pushing back against me.

I retreat fully behind him, and, trusting the condom not to slip away, I bring my hands back to his sides to screw him harder.

He looks back again, clenching his teeth as his eyes flutter slowly, moaning softly in a mixture of discomfort and delight.

Looking down, I notice some blood on the condom, and my eyes widen in alarm.

I am about to warn him, when his ribbons slither further up my arms like colorful arboks, sending a strange sensation through them, bringing me a mild sense of reassurance.

«I... can take it..!» he adds, trying to muster a smile as a couple of tears stream down his cheeks while he keeps pushing back against me.

I try my best to tilt my rod down, to at least stimulate his prostate properly.

A gasp leaves his mouth once I hit the target, his body trembling around me.

«Knot..! Knot me..!» he lets out, closing his eyes. «Please, make me yours..!»

It takes me a few seconds to compute his words.

How..?

In an act of improvisation, I swiftly lube up my hands, and I try sliding my fingers into his already stretched hole, which is far easier said then done while he moves against me.

Once I manage that, I try expanding them from my rod, trying to mimic a knot swelling up despite the strength of his sphincter pushing back against me.

«Yes..! Give it to me..!» he breathes out as he contracts around me, putting a terrifying pressure on my digits.

Suddenly, he leans back, getting most of my fingers inside him before contracting harder than ever before as he moans, ejaculating.

My eyes widen in fear as I become aware of the risk of my fingers breaking, and I desperately try to pull them out.

«Cody! CODY!!!» I exclaim, but he seems completely out of it.

Luckily, though, his muscles starts relaxing as quickly as they contracted, allowing me to break free.

Alright; I'm never doing that again..!

I shake my hands to awaken my circulation, in mild pain.

Cody turns his head around as he falls on his side, slipping out of my dick as he partly drags away the condom, which I quickly intercept and remove before it can get stuck inside him.

His tendrils slowly fall off my arms on their own, apparently just as spent.

«Were you calling me..?» he innocently asks, already enjoying the afterglow, his rear still reddened and slightly gaping.

«Yeah, but I managed, don't worry.» I reassure him, not wanting to worry him as I flex my digits.

His eyes narrow with perplexity as he looks at them.

«What happened..? Did you get hurt?»

I raise my brows and press my lips together as I shrug.

«Humans don't have a knot, so I had to make do.» I nonchalantly reply.

His eyes widen as he starts laughing.

«Oh, no! Are you alright?»

«Yeah, I'll still be stuck writing code for the rest of my life.» I reassure him, wiping my fingers on the towel.

His ears perk up as his eyes seem to let a sparkle across them.

«Oh, you're a programmer?» he asks, his ribbons turning their tips towards me. «I would like to become one, too!»

«Really?» I ask as I rest on my side, parallel to him. «You know you'll find plenty more reasons to hate people and machines, right?»

He giggles again.

«Oh, working customer support already provided them! And I probably have even more than you!»

I tilt my head for a second, showing agreement. «Yeah, fair enough. What can you do, programming-wise?»

For a few minutes, we spend our afterglow like the geeks we are, as he allows me to give him suggestions on what to study, how to avoid messes and how to solve common problems.

«Very cool, very cool...» he nods, thoughtful. «I think Lana will hold you close.»

«What makes you think that?» I ask him, turning to face him after I've settled on my back, curious.

«Well, you seem to know your stuff, and you have no fear of growing or exploring uncharted territory, for starters, which is not as common as you think.» he starts.

«Plus, you are more receptive to pokémon's feelings than most (for one reason or the other), and I'm pretty sure that's something she looks for in her circle.»

One of his ribbons touches my sides as a half grin appears on his muzzle.

«And the fact that you let her have her way with you without putting up a fight might help, too..!»

I swat at his tendril, making him laugh.

«You cheeky little..!» I grumble, flustered.

«Oh, don't worry, Samuel! Were I straight and as "exotic" as you, it would have probably happened to me as well! And I also would have been subjected to an interrogation on who I voted for at the last elections...»

I narrow my eyebrows at the last sentence.

«Really? She's into politics, too?»

«Well, as I told you earlier, she has interests in many fields. Also, the main reason she praises the items used in this place is due to the ethics of how they were produced, so my guess is that she supports Nannini, at the very least.»

«Jessica Nannini? So, Solris Center Party?» I deduce.

«Yes, likely due to their attempts to remain extremely moderate and without favoritism, as that means pokémon receive more rights thanks to them than with any other party.» he explains, nodding. «Which is sad, if you think about it, because if the system were fair, SCP would be the average and not the top...»

«Yeah, I recall Keiran telling me something like that, when he told me why he voted for Nannini. Not that I'm against the party, but...»

«...they likely will never lead the region; we know.» he sighs, his ears drooping. «But at least we get something good, every now and again. Maybe one day we'll be able to live on our own without the permission of our trainer or an insurance company! At least then I wouldn't have to lose a fifth of my pay every month..!»

I saw the prices for that as well; the fact that species that are recognized as intelligent still need that shit, if they don't have a trainer to take responsibility for them, is a legalized scam!

«And with that I could afford a Winged Wheels subscription and not have to walk home alone at night..!»

I observe him, thoughtful.

«Would you like a ride home?» I then offer.

He likely doesn't live far away, but at least he would feel safe, for once.

His ears perk up in surprise.

«Oh! That would actually be really nice!» he replies, his tail wagging gently. «I live in Farmers's street; is that too far..?»

I shake my head.

«It's on the opposite side of Founders's road, right? Ten minutes and we're there, traffic lights permitting. Plus how long it takes us to clean up our own mess.»

He stands up, visibly in a good mood.

«Let's get to it, then!»

As we share the bathroom, I can't help but watch the quadrupedal pokémon as he washes his junk; he's standing on his hind-legs inside the bidet, enjoying the freshness as his front limbs rest on the faucet, his tendrils holding his sheath back.

Then, he lies on his back, letting the water rinse his balls and anus as his ribbons soap them up.

Eventually, he notices me staring. «You need help?» he asks, curious.

I quickly avert my gaze, embarrassed. «Oh, no, sorry. I was just studying your... technique.»

He giggles, surprised.

«What? It's comfy! And not too different from what you're doing on that sink!»

«Yeah, yeah..! But yours is way stranger!» I playfully retort.

«Well, I'm saving up for a quadrupedal bidet; if you ever come by my flat, we'll see who's the strangest!» he counters with, standing up to shake the water off his fur.

«Deal!» I conclude with a grin as I jokingly strike the sink with my fist.

Eventually, we manage to leave the room despite our incessant bullshit.

It's almost midnight, so I feel quite tired now.

Cody precedes me down the stairs, and passes by the counter to say goodbye to Mark, which nods at him with a faint smile, before turning to me to repeat the same gesture.

I wave back at him, before letting him go back to his work.

I wonder if there's anything in the world that could take the big guy away from that spot...

Some of the other customers wave at Cody, too, likely pleased from seeing him happy.

Surprisingly, a few give me a timid smile as well.

Either Lana actually did her magic, or they are getting used to me.

Or both.

«Hey, Rose!» I wave at her as she sweeps the entrance.

«Hi, Rose!»

«Oh, Samuel! And Cody! Hello again, sweetheart!» she smiles. «You got to know each other?»

The sylveon nods. «Indeed! Samuel is a really nice human!» he adds, making me feel a mild yet positive embarrassment.

«It's always nice to see you happy!» she replies, resting her hands on her broom. «I take it you made friends? I think I heard you are both into computer things...»

«Yeah, we-»

«We had a lot of fun! And he found out he might be a switch!» Cody precedes me, still giddy.

Rosaline pauses, her lips barely parted and her eyes wide from the surprise.

«Oh. That's... good..!» she lets out as she glances at me, still taken aback, a mild blush spreading across her cheeks. «Glad he learned something new about himself..!»

I turn away, likely appearing just as embarrassed.

«Mh-hm..! Cody, she seems busy, maybe we should go..!» I comment, trying to nudge him forward with my leg.

«Oh, don't worry, Samuel; I know the boy..!» she then comments with a faint smirk. «He likes being cheeky, when he's in a particularly good mood!»

As a testament to that, he gives me a naughty expression, before sticking his tongue out.

«The boy will now pay for his crimes by traveling home inside the trunk of my car.» I calmly state, before picking him up in my arms.

«Hey..!» he lets out, surprised, his ribbon wrapping around my chest like a harness, trying to keep himself steady.

Rose chuckles. «You haven't had too much to drink, have you, Samuel?»

«Don't worry: this is my natural dumbassery at work. Goodnight, girl!»

«Goodnight..!» Cody echoes, still worried for his safety as he tries to settle in my arms.

«Goodnight, boys! Behave yourselves..! Somewhat..!» she replies, amused, before resuming her work.

«No promises..!» we quietly retort at the same time, smirking.

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