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Ryme was one of the most important friends in Grusha's life. She was there to show him the ropes of being a gym leader. He has grown to love and respect Ryme as one of his greatest friends. But today he was losing some respect.
Ryme covers her face with her hand, “ And then I pay for dinner for Guy and his son. Who turns out to be 32 years old."
“What!” Grusha shouted with eyes wide open. “Why would you do that?"
This caught the attention of a few people. Gym leader Grusha and Ryme decided to have breakfast at a lovely cafe. Unfortunately, both of them forget their inside voices.
“I thought his son was a child. He shows up once I finish paying. Guy always talks about him like he was a little kid!”
"Ryme, he's using you! Guy knows you have money. Dump him!”
Guy was Ryme's boyfriend of 11 months. They met at an airport during the TSA line and were on the same flight.
They have been having problems. Problems include Ryme's money being borrowed and never being paid back. While Ryme is feeling bad after dates. Grusha is not sure why Ryme is still with him. It's very hard to convince someone to leave their boyfriend, even though it was her money being used.
“Whatever,” she commented. “Well enough about me, how are you and your boyfriend doing? "
“He's not my boyfriend! “ Grusha yelled out.
Ryme gives him a smirk in return.
“ It's fine. He's nice and funny, okay.” Gursha responded, hoping Ryme would drop the subject.
“That's good. It's good that you don't have a problem. Friends or whatever you are.”
The dates with Gordie were fun. He can see why he was so popular in Galar and has a large fan base.
The problem, however, is that he thinks he might have caught feelings. Grusha is not sure why or how it happened.
“Hey.. Ryme?” Maybe she can help.
“Huh? “
“Nothing… Let's split the bill.“ Grusha mumbled. Maybe it's not best to get her advice while she is still with Guy.
The first date was fun, to be honest. They both decide to take a hike in the forest and have a picnic.
He planned only to go on one date, but the rock trainer used charm to get another date. And then another couple more.
He didn't have the heart to say no. In fact, he enjoys them. The dates were really fun and casual. There was no pressure at all and no need to feel shy.
Then later, he would be invited to hang out with Gordie's friends.
Something he and Gordie would just hang out. It was not a date; they would just hang out like friends. Though he wondered if Gordie saw him as a friend or a hot date. Gordie can be different with his friends and Grusha.
At first, the flirty and pick-up lines were something he could ignore or laugh at. (They were really bad) But now it's become something he can’t ignore. Especially feeling flustered.
Gordie sometimes flirts with his friends, and everyone laughs. Maybe it was just a joke.
His Pokémon were fond of him. Weavile even seems to be fond of Gordie. His Weavile is the most grumpy one in his team, and yet he enjoys the belly rubs given by Gordie.
Sometimes he looks at rocks on the street and wonders if Gordie would like it and add it to his rock collection.
He likes to hear Gordie talk.
He likes his stupid stands, Gordie does when he wins a battle.
He likes it when Gordie gives all his attention to him.
He enjoys arguing with Gordie over the most trivial things.
He likes that Gordie gives treats to his Pokémon.
He likes seeing him smile.
His laugh.
He likes the butterfrees Gordie gives him.
He likes thinking of Gordie.
Does he like Gordie?
How does one know if you like someone more than a friend? Could these thoughts just be misleading to a romantic relationship?
What does Grusha even know about romance? Maybe he was just bored and wanted something new in his life?
Grusha made a plan at first to spend less time with Gordie in hopes his feelings would go away. But he found himself right next to Gordie.
Who knew that after dating for three months, it would come to this?
Both gym leaders paid the tab and left the fancy cafe. “I don't like Guy,” Grusha stated as he opened the hotel doors for Ryme.
“He says he's going to pay me back”, she sighed. Tired of the same talk.
Gursha rolled his eyes.“Why are you still with him?”
“He makes me happy,” she replied angrily. “ He knows me well. Probably knows me better than I know myself.”
“Hey Ryme! Over here!” shouted a voice.
Speak of Giratina. It was Guy. Guy was a tall and pale man from Kanto. He has a dad body with grey hair and a goatee.
A silver fox, according to Ryme.
And of course, he had a Charizard. A sad-looking Charizard that is always by his side.
Lame.
“I'll talk to you later.” Ryme waves bye.
He noticed Guy waving at him too, but he decided to look away.
Bitch
Grusha has talked to Guy a couple of times when he started dating Ryme. He seems like a normal man. Just a normal guy dating the ex-rapper and now ghost gym leader.
But then came the money problems. Grusha doesn't know how someone who works for the government can have no money.
Ryme claims she paid for some of the dates they went on. The same dates Guy asks her out to.
Now Grusha doesn't think there is anything wrong with Ryme paying. Especially for herself or spilling the bill. But Guy is the one taking her out. He barely pays for his half of the bill. Guy will order the most expensive items on the menu.
He has never paid for a movie ticket.
Guy once claimed he was a traditional man. The man should be the one produced for their lady and treat her right.
The only thing he pays for are the gifts he sends Ryme whenever she is upset. Which is almost all the time.
Why would Ryme choose emotional support over financial?
Beep…Beep
Taking out his Rotom Phone, he sees a text. From Gordie!
Hey! Nessa and I are going to battle. Want to join?
How sweet of him.
Sure.Sounds fun.
Want to make it a date after!?<3(｡•̀ᴗ-)
Whatever. Lol. Meet you at the Pokémon Center.
At least he can spend some time with Gordie. The hotel wasn’t far from the Pokémon Center.
True to Gordie's words, Nessa was there. Good, maybe she can get in the way so Grusha doesn't develop any more feelings for the cute trainer.
The two friends wave hello at Grusha.
“Hey, you okay?” Gordie asks. He seemed to notice the ice trainer's grumpy face.
“Huh? Yes, everything is fine.”
Gordie and Nessa look at each other.
“Let's go!”
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After a few battles, which they won all three; they decided pizza was worth getting.
Gordie is in line waiting for their order, as Grusha and Nessa get their drinks and find some seats.
There were a lot of Cutieflys today. Meaning they were due to people and Pokémon being happy. Or maybe they were there for the fountain drinks.
Beep…Beep
Nessa got a text.
“Heyyy Gursha! Can you do me a favor?” Nessa sang as she put her phone away.
“Um.. okay?”
She takes a seat next to him. “Gordie wants to talk to you. Please be understanding and gentle. “
“What's going on?”
“Please just go. You will understand.”
Gordie was talking to another trainer. The trainer was tall and seemed to be making Gordie smile a lot. It looks like the trainer gave Gordie something round. That trainer needed to leave.
The ice trainer walks closer to get Gordie's attention.
“Hey, Grusha! I'll see you later, mate!” They shake hands.
Yeah, that's what I thought. You better leave.
“Who was that?”
“A friend.” Gordie smiles at him.
The same smile that Grusha grew to love.
That trainer better be just a friend.
“Nessa says there was something you wanted to talk about.”
“Yeah, so um it's kind of private. Nessa can get the pizza.”
A nod
“Are you still mad at Guy?” Ask Gordie
“Yes, but I am more mad at Ryme. I don't understand why she is still that man!”
“Didn't you say they have a break?”
“Yeah, for a few weeks, before we came to Palsio. She went right back to him.”
“Well, she feels lonely. I remember my Mum saying she was lonely before she met my stepdad. "
This was a surprise for Grusha. It was rare for Goride to talk about his mom. A step-dad was new for him.
"I guess some humans need friends and lovers to be seen. You have every right to worry about Ryme. I didn't like my stepdad until he proved he really cared about my mum and siblings."
Gordie was always a good listener. He never made Grusha feel dumb for expressing himself.
"So what did you need to tell me? Nessa said it was very important." Grusha stops walking and turns to face Gordie. "You can tell me anything."
Gordie's face turned red .“So, um..first off. These dates have been very fun. And I feel like we-"
Ring…Ring…Ring
Grusha's phone rang.
"Sorry. It be a few seconds."
Phone call from Ryme, the screen says. Grusha answers it in a heartbeat.
“Ryme..Hello..” Grusha doesn't like phone calls; she likes face time. This worries him.
“…He pushed me,” she sniffs.
Guy. Who else?
“Where are you right now?”
“My hotel room.”
“Ok, I am now on my way.” He ends the phone with a small bye.“ Gordie, I need to go.”
“ I'll call and pay you for a ride. " Gordie said with a small smile.
“…Thank you.”
Gordie stayed with Grusha as he waited for his ride. Complete silence. But it was a good silence, a comfort silence. No talk was needed at the moment. Just someone being there was enough.
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“Where's Grusha?” Nessa asks as she looks around to find the other boy. She hasn't seen the boys for over 15 minutes.
“An emergency. He needed to go. Until next time.” He took a seat next to Nessa.
Gordie looks at the personal small pizza Grusha ordered for himself. Cheese with hot peppers. It was a weird pizza choice, but that's how Grusha liked it. Gordie ordered his meat-lover's pizza, while Nessa got her Margherita pizza.
“Gordie, are you sure you like him? He is from a different region. I feel like he doesn't give you anything.” Nessa asked out of the blue.
“Like what do you mean?”
“What if he doesn't feel the same. You are asking to be boyfriends. That's being serious. It's not dating, where you can take a rain check on dates or not care what they think. These are real feelings where you both have to take care of each other.”
“Is that why you haven't told Sonia how you feel?”
Maybe that little hash. He knew the water trainer had strong feelings for Sonia.
“Gordie… I don't want you to be heartbroken. Sonia and I still have our friendship; I can live with that. But I don't think you can with Grusha.”
Gordie was full after one bite of his pizza.