Chapter Text
Hassel walked through the festival with the others from the Elite Four and enjoyed some company from the teachers from Uva Academy as well. The festival brought out some Gym Leaders too, but Larry, Rika, and Poppy followed Hassel for the most part with Rika occasionally dipping out of their group to harass some unsuspecting students and other people. Poppy followed Hassel since Geeta hadn’t made an appearance yet. Once she finally showed up, he suspected Poppy would prefer to follow Geeta.
Hassel stopped Jacq, another teacher, and spoke with him for a little. It took a moment to recognize the younger teacher without his lab coat filled with too many things. He looked just as messy but spoke just as kindly. Once he ended the conversation, he saw Larry give a slight eye roll—something that always drove him mad when students did it.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.”
“Larry, clearly you don’t agree with something I said.” Hassel insisted.
Poppy held Larry’s hand while they spoke, sort of dancing around with his arm.
“That’s the fifth person you talked to where you brought up Brassius for no reason.”
Did he? He thought back to the conversation and—oh, he commented on his shoes and brought up Brassie. How odd of him!
“I didn’t even realize I was doing that.” Hassel shook his head. “But why? Does it bother you?”
Larry shrugged, but obviously it bothered him enough to say something.
“You know why he does it, right?” Rika made her way back to them.
“Yes, we talk about the things we care about,” Hassel answered, smiling. How true it was!
“No,” Rika waved her hand in the air, “it’s because every dragon has its…”
Poppy piped up when Rika faded, “treasure!”
“Dragons have their treasures, good job Pop.” Rika patted her on the head and met Larry’s question-mark expression. Not much different than his other expressions to be honest.
“Rika, you can’t say all that and not explain.” Hassel walked along with the group while they spoke.
“So, you’ve heard that type exclusive trainers have some similarities with their preferred types? Over time, a Fire user can stand hotter temperatures, Ice users have lower body temperatures, you can zap Electric users and never get them to stop, that sort of thing. So? Why wouldn’t that be true for Dragon-type trainers?”
Hassel covered his face in disappointment. “Rika, you can’t be serious.”
“Don’t you think Mr. Hassel has some dragon-like qualities, Poppy?” Rika pointed at him and looked at the little girl.
She looked up at him, and he smiled. Something about his smile made the little one look back at Rika and nod.
“So, he hoards artists?” Larry looked at Rika.
“No, dragons have their treasures, and his is—”
“Brassie!” Hassel broke away from the group as soon as he spotted the artist.
Brassius looked over, responding to his name with his natural scowl, but he lit up as soon as he realized it was Hassel calling out to him. Hassel took his hands and greeted him affectionately.
The others followed him over. Larry stuck his hand out for a handshake, which they exchanged. Brassius lingered in the handshake for a moment to talk to him, not allowing him to escape. “Larry, I had a question about Arboliva that I think has to do with it being a dual-type Grass and Normal Pokèmon. Can I steal you for a moment?”
“Apparently.”
Hassel, normally not one to interrupt a conversation, stepped a bit closer and pulled apart their hands. He grinned softly and found himself reflexively eyeing Larry as they discussed the typing issue Brassius ran into.
“Perhaps I could visit the Gym and sketch out a few of your Normal-types for reference?”
Larry nodded. “Sure. As long as it’s not stopping a challenger, do whatever you want.”
Rika made a noise that caught Larry’s attention. He glanced her way and shook his head. Hassel thought he may have missed some nonverbal exchange.
Brassius gasped. “A challenger! That’s not a bad idea, I could see them in action. What better time than when they’re at their full potential?”
Larry put a hand out again in closing. “Fine. It’s a date.”
Hassel missed Larry watching him as he internally fumed.
“Brassius?” Hassel prompted his attention.
Brassius almost left their group but stopped at his name. “What is it, Hass?”
Hassel made a little show of giving Brassius a little goodbye kiss, one that Brassius gladly humored. Once they departed, Hassel acted as if nothing happened, and that they were about to greet everyone else as a unit again.
Geeta caught up with the group, and Poppy reached up for her. “Hi, Poppy. How’s the little meet and greet going?” She picked her up.
“Great, but a battle would make it better,” Rika replied, suddenly messing with a Pokèball.
“I’m not actually sure this is a League requirement.” Larry commented. “And Rika has been signing anything people give her.”
“I’m not going to turn people down, and I can tell who’s watching me.” She grinned.
“Grampa Hassel is a dragon.” Poppy told Geeta as if it were an important discovery.
“Is he?” She looked Hassel over. “Why do you say that?”
“Because he hoards treasures!”
Geeta nodded. “Ah, okay. I know what you mean. You know, we all have our treasures, Poppy.”
Much later, Hassel arrived home, exhausted from a day of talking with people and walking around to see more people. Geeta keeping them together worked out nicely, but it meant they traveled together for a longer time than he would’ve liked. The others could stay on their feet longer than he could. He sat the moment he saw a chair. He took off his shoes and coat and slowly dragged himself to the bedroom.
“I’m home, my treasure.” Hassel called out.
“Treasure? That’s a new one. I like it.” Brassius replied, already dressed to sleep. “Come lay down, you look worn out.”
Hassel changed into more comfortable clothes and crawled into bed. Brassius moved next to him to settle into his space. “Rika taught me something today, Brassius.”
“Did she?”
“I know, I was surprised too.” He pulled Brassius to his chest and lowered his voice. “I am lucky to have found my treasure. And I would do anything to keep you safe.”
Hassel moved a hand to touch his face. “You know, when I see how old we are, whether it’s my back aching or the wrinkles on your face, I realize how much time we’ve had together. Aren’t I so lucky to have had you this long?”
“All that from Larry calling my request ‘a date’?” Brassius teased him.
Hassel shook his head and scoffed. “I’m not immune to small bouts of jealousy now and then, but at least it’s nowhere near as volatile as it used to be.”
“True.” Brassius undid Hassel’s ponytail, something he forgot to undo. He also removed those pesky gloves that fit so tightly on his hands. “But don’t forget, you’re also my treasure. And I would likewise not let anything happen to you, or let anyone take me away from you.”
“Right. I’m sorry about being so possessive. I promise to cut off that nasty habit.”
“Don’t be. When you glare at people in warning like that, it makes me feel treasured.” He turned to sleep but still murmured, “good night, my treasure.”