Chapter 1: King of the Forest
Summary:
Inspired by Wine Nights With James.
Chapter Text
James started awake mid-snore, blinking blearily at his surroundings. Oh, it was dark. That meant it was late. He gazed down at the other end of the sofa and smiled. Jessie and Delia were all cuddled up together. Time to go home.
He shuffled round and slithered out over the back of the armrest, landing not very gracefully on his face. He got to his feet and paused to let the room stop spinning. Once everything was reasonably steady, he made for the front door.
The night air was pleasantly cool on his overheated body, the moon big and full. How late was it? Meowth would be worried. James giggled. Meowth was so sweet to worry about him.
He continued on, looking out for their little blue cottage. Was he going in the right direction? No, he must be. Just down this next -
James slipped on something and found himself rolling down a gentle hill, landing with a thump on a soft patch of moss. He let out a plaintive "Ow". The moss under him was soft. Very soft. He'd just take a little rest before continuing. Home couldn't be far...
---
"Now you finish all that up," Jessie murmured, handing her girlfriend a big glass of water. "It's important to rehydrate."
"Thank you, sweetie," Delia replied groggily.
"And get plenty of sleep," Jessie continued. She pressed a kiss to Delia's forehead before slipping out of their bedroom. "Mimey, guard."
The psychic Pokémon glowered at her, but muttered a "Mr. Mime" in the affirmative.
Jessie headed downstairs to finish picking up the living room. She folded up the blanket and wondered, slightly more worriedly than the first two times she'd wondered, where the hell James was.
Her phone buzzed.
I don't got the heart to wake 'em.
Accompanying Meowth's text was a photograph of a sleeping James surrounded by Pokémon. Mostly grass-types - Bellsprout were draped over his legs, a large Weepinbell lay at his back, a Tangela and a Bulbasaur snuggled by his stomach. A couple of Pidgey were roosting by his chest.
Jessie smiled... then frowned, and urgently texted Meowth back.
WAKE HIM NOW. They're trying to keep him warm!!!
She jiggled nervously on the edge of the couch as ten minutes crept by with no reply. Finally -
he's fine just a little sick. You guys tied one on last night, huh.
Jessie heaved a sigh of relief.
A second message came through - a picture of a Bellsprout and a Pidgey in James' and Meowth's kitchen.
These two wanna stay.
Jessie chuckled, and wondered how mad Ash would be if he knew that James had got himself two new Pokémon without even trying.
Chapter 2: Jamie
Summary:
Inspired by Beauty and the Beach.
Chapter Text
Delia blamed her fourth glass of wine.
“So… that Porta Vista swimsuit contest…”
“Hm, that takes me back,” James replied with a lop-sided smile. “We didn’t stick around to see who won.” He finished his glass and poured himself another. “Jessie’s so proud she bagged herself a bathing beauty. She cannot stop bragging.”
“You… both entered,” Delia continued, her face getting redder as she gazed at James’ chest.
James giggled. “That string bikini did not leave much to the imagination.” His voice dropped an octave. “I had to wear a towel to hide my… extra features.”
“Speaking of ‘extra features’…” Delia blushed. Had she really just said that? She had another gulp of wine to keep from saying anything else. James frowned at her in puzzlement, then glanced down at himself.
“Oh! It was a breastplate,” he slurred. “Inflatable.” He gestured to Jessie, fast asleep on Delia’s shoulder. “She didn’t want me to get it.” Pitching his voice higher, he continued, “ ‘Why do you want these? These balloons will be in our balloon now.’ But she had to admit I looked stunning.”
He drained half his glass and reached for the cheese and crackers. Delia accepted when he offered them to her, her brain stuck on the word inflatable.
“Oh yes,” James remarked, and Delia blushed as she realised she’d said that out loud. “Big as you want.” He gestured with his cupped hands and picked up the bottle. “Top you off?”
“Mm-hm,” Delia managed. Jessie shifted against her, murmuring something before drifting back to sleep. Oh, she should not be sitting here picturing her employee, friend, near-brother-in-law with boobs. Especially not great big big-as-you-want boobs.
James lay back against the couch cushions with a yawn and idly scratched his chest through his shirt. “…God, that feels like so long ago.”
“You probably don’t still have it, then.”
James glanced at her. “...Hmm?”
“Nothing,” Delia answered hastily, casting about for a change of subject. “That, uhm, that table of six tonight – what cheapskates!”
---
She’d drunk too much, but not enough to forget, and Delia felt incredibly guilty and embarrassed the following morning, even as Jessie quietly fussed over her in their darkened bedroom.
“I’m sorry, honey,” Delia murmured, finishing the glass of water Jessie had brought her. “I didn’t mean to go overboard.”
“It’s fine,” Jessie whispered back. “It’s not like you do it all the time.” She pushed Delia’s bangs out of her face. “Besides, you take care of everybody around here. It’s nice to take care of you for a change.”
“I don’t deserve you,” Delia blurted out.
Jessie chuckled softly.
“Maybe not, but you’ve got me,” she replied, pressing a gentle kiss to Delia’s forehead. “I’d better go check on that lush downstairs. He’s literally under the kitchen table.” She kissed her again and rose. “Try to sleep.”
James didn’t bring up their booze-induced boob-related ramblings when she saw him at work on Monday morning, and Delia did her best to forget about it. Until wine night rolled around again, and James apologetically told her he had to cancel.
“Well, we can still have wine night,” Jessie declared when Delia told her. She set a bowl of potato chips, glasses and a couple of bottles on the coffee table. “I’ll drink sparkling water and listen to you vent.”
“I just hope I didn’t embarrass him last time,” Delia mumbled, slumping back on the couch.
“James doesn’t embarrass easily,” Jessie replied with a wave of her hand. “Remind me to tell you about the Flaming Moltres costume sometime.” The doorbell rang and Delia looked up curiously.
“Who could that be?”
Before she could move, Jessie dashed out of the room with an “I’ll get it!” Delia leaned forward, frowning as she heard Jessie excitedly greeting whoever it was. A moment later Jessie arrived back in the living room… with James.
James in a strappy dress with a plunging neckline and a split up the side.
James with…
“Jamie.” Delia’s eyes widened as he dropped down on the seat next to her, staring at the way they bounced when he landed. “Charmed, I’m sure.”
Delia shook Jamie’s outstretched hand, pressing her other hand to her mouth, because the cauldron of emotions she was feeling meant that the only words that were coming to mind right now were shit and fuck.
Jessie slid onto the couch on the other side of her, one arm settling around Delia’s waist.
“It’s okay if you like them.”
Delia looked at her girlfriend, then at Jamie, sitting with one leg crossed over the other and a teasing smile on her face, then back at Jessie.
“…I really don’t deserve you.”
Chapter 3: Platonic Parenting Polycule
Summary:
Inspired by Werewolfteaparty's headcanon re a Delia/Jessie/James polycule
Chapter Text
"Ugh."
Delia looked up as Jessie waddled into the room, one hand supporting the curve of her belly, the other on the small of her back. "Everything okay, honey?"
"These kids are annoying me already," Jessie grumbled. "Nobody told me there'd be this much peeing."
She settled herself on the couch, then cast a sour look at James. The blue-haired man lifted an eyebrow, and Jessie cleared her throat loudly. With a sigh, James put down his knitting and moved to kneel in front of her. Lifting Jessie's feet onto the pouf, he slid off her house slippers and began to massage her swollen ankles.
"I'll... get dinner started," Delia remarked awkwardly, and hurried into the kitchen.
She knew she was being irrational. Jessie was her wife. The conception had taken place in a clinic. Jessie came to her with all her worries and fears about pregnancy and childbirth, including the time she'd whispered, on the verge of tears, "What if the babies don't like me?" And it was good that James was involved, especially now that they were having twins. Delia knew only too well how exhausted and sore Jessie was going to be after the birth. Having James around meant that he and Delia could switch off shifts at the diner and Jessie wouldn't be left alone all day trying to cope with two tiny babies.
But still, Delia couldn't help but feel a little pang in her heart whenever James doted on Jessie. Those were his children, and he and Jessie were both so close. It was just too easy to imagine them in another life, married and happy, building a family together -
Delia stopped herself and looked down at her wedding ring. Keep it together, Delia Ketchum. This isn't like your first marriage. That girl out there is in this for the long haul, she's shown you that over and over. You can't let what your ex-husband did to you haunt you forev-
"Delia!"
She turned at James' shout.
"Delia, come quick!"
Abandoning the carrots on the counter, she rushed into the den. Immediately James guided her to kneel in front of Jessie, taking her hands and pressing them either side of her bump.
At first Delia didn't feel anything, but then there was a flutter, first on one side, then on the other.
"O-oh...!"
Jessie gazed up at her with a smile, blue eyes shining like sapphires.
"Our babies," she whispered.
Delia smiled back, tears pricking at her eyes as she felt James' arm go around her waist.
"Our babies."
Chapter 4: Eating Well
Summary:
Chronologically takes place before Platonic Parenting Polycule (ch. 3). Inspired by Uniform.
Chapter Text
“What’s wrong, honey?”
Jessie didn’t answer Delia’s sleepy mumble at first, shifting restlessly on the pillow as her girlfriend curled her arm around her waist. Her gaze fell on her old Team Rocket uniform, discarded on the floor after… well.
“I bet James’ uniform still fits like a glove.”
She closed her eyes, feeling stupid for even saying it. It was stupid – Delia’d just proved to her that she was still drop-dead gorgeous. And a little bit of chub was a small price to pay for having more energy, sleeping better – heck, without hunger constantly gnawing at her, she wasn’t nearly so quick to lose her temper as she had been. But still there was that little voice in the back of her head saying you’ve let yourself go. Jessie let out a breath and waited for Delia to tell her she was beautiful and not to be so silly.
“…Look closely when he’s sitting down.”
Jessie frowned. She turned to ask what she meant, but Delia took the opportunity to snuggle up tighter, resting her head on Jessie’s chest. A moment later the other woman was fast asleep. Jessie sighed and closed her eyes.
---
“I said choose, not chew!”
James wrestled Carnivine off his head and sent it to play with the other Pokémon. He sat down on the grass and leaned back on his elbows.
“Delia’s still afraid of Seviper?”
Jessie nodded.
“It’s too bad,” she said with a sigh. “Seviper really likes her.” She chuckled. “It lies flat on its belly and looks at her with these big eyes. ‘Pleaasssssse give petsssssss, human, I’m ssssooooo ssssssaaad.’”
“That ain’t how Seviper talks,” Meowth remarked acidly. He looked Jessie up and down, mouth twitching into a smirk as he added, “Ya racist.”
“Oh scat, cat,” Jessie teased, giving him a little push towards the rest of their Pokémon. She mimicked James’ posture as she rested next to him on the grass. They’d started having weekly playdates for all their Pokémon shortly after James and Meowth moved out. As much as she loved Delia (and Ash, Jessie begrudgingly admitted to herself), it felt weird not being with James and Meowth every minute of every day. Their monsters, too, had been a team for so long that they had to miss each other. Right now all twelve and Meowth were frolicking happily in the Ketchums’ back yard. Jessie chuckled when she spotted Pikachu standing off to the side, head cocked like he still couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
Beside her, James yawned and stretched. Jessie idly glanced his way as he leaned forward to pick up his soda bottle… and then she saw it. A slight but definite roll that pooched over his shorts.
“Hmm?”
Jessie dragged her gaze away from James’… tummy, and looked up at him.
“N-nothing!” she said quickly. “I just thought I saw a stain.”
James frowned and pulled his shirt out to check it himself. Jessie stood up, brushing grass off her jeans.
“I’ll – um – be right back,” she stammered, and went inside.
She made her way to the kitchen, one hand pressed to her mouth.
“Delia!” It came out in a half-whisper. “I saw…!”
Delia glanced up from preparing lunch. With a furtive glance over her shoulder, Jessie gestured at her waist. "James...!"
“Mm-hm.” Delia went back to making sandwiches. “It’s been there. He hasn’t worn a belt in months.”
A small giggle bubbled up in Jessie’s throat. Delia set her knife aside and took her in her arms.
“I don’t think you realise how skinny all of you were when you arrived in town,” she said gently. “Remember that first night at the diner? You three nearly emptied the fridge.”
“I suppose it was always feast or famine with us,” Jessie sighed, sliding her hands around Delia’s waist. “Mostly famine.”
“And that’s not good for you,” Delia continued. “You’re all doing much better on three squares a day. Have you picked Meowth up lately? He is solid now.”
Jessie smiled wistfully. “I just can’t believe I didn’t notice before.”
“James is taller and he’s a boy,” Delia replied. “He carries weight differently.” She grinned up at her. “And if you mean something else, you three can still read each other’s minds.” She glanced away, her smile dimming slightly. “It’s… a little intimidating.”
Gently, Jessie turned Delia’s face towards hers.
“You’re getting pretty good at reading mine,” she murmured, bending her head to kiss her. Delia kissed back, stroking her fingers up and down Jessie’s spine, before stepping away.
“Here.” She handed Jessie the plate of sandwiches. “Take these outside. And no more worrying, okay? You’re beautiful. If anyone says anything different, I’ll kick their butt from here to Rustboro City.”
Jessie took the plate and left the kitchen, ignoring Mimey glowering at her from the living room. She paused on catching sight of herself in the hallway mirror, taking in her slightly plump figure, bright eyes, and goofy smile.
“Get loved and nourished, idiot,” she murmured to herself, and went into the yard.
Chapter 5: Jamie Is A Shameless Flirt
Summary:
Based on Crossdressing. (You're gonna want to read that comic, it's hot.)
Chapter Text
Jamie giggled as she made her way down the road from the Ketchum house. She couldn't blame Jesse for kicking her out: if (she cast about for a male version of Delia) Derek was single, she'd have made a move herself. Still, she counted herself lucky that it was a nice night, the rain of the past week having finally cleared. Though she was starting to regret her choice of footwear. With a sigh, she slipped off her heels, grimacing at the feel of damp grass under her feet.
Headlights lit up the road, coming from behind her, and Jamie turned as a jeep slowly pulled alongside.
"Excuse me, young lady..."
Jamie looked. Professor Oak was leaning over, talking to her through the open passenger window. "Do you need a ride?"
Well. It wasn't seemly for a lady to accept a ride from a stranger. Luckily Professor Oak wasn't, and Jamie really didn't feel like walking the rest of the way.
"Why, thank you kindly," she cooed, opening the door. "I'm Jamie. Charmed, I'm sure." Oh dear - her dress rode up a little as she slid into the passenger seat. Still, nothing wrong with giving him a little sugar, seeing as he was being so nice.
"I, um, I don't think I've seen you in town before," the professor remarked as he pulled off.
"Oh, I'm something of a homebody," Jamie replied. "I was just visiting with two very nice boys, but..." She twirled a strand of hair around her finger, glancing the older man's way. "...I got the feeling I was being a little old third wheel, so I decided to take my leave."
Professor Oak made a disapproving noise. "They really should have seen you home. There are wild Pokémon about."
"They're not gentlemen," Jamie said truthfully. The professor wasn't wearing his lab coat, just a short-sleeved red polo. His arms looked nice. Strong.
"Well, some of us still are," Oak replied. He caught her looking and cleared his throat. "Uhm - left or right?"
"Oh! Make a left here, please," Jamie answered. They turned onto Hyu Road. "It's just down here." She took a chance, briefly covering his hand on the steering wheel with her own. "Thank you so much, professor, I do appreciate it."
"Call me Sam, please," Professor Oak chuckled.
Jamie giggled. "Sam." She glanced out the window. "Oh, this is me."
The professor pulled up and shut the engine off. He did a double take at the house, and Jamie suddenly realised he'd dropped Meowth off before.
"Wait, you live -?"
"Thank you kindly, Sam," Jamie said hurriedly, slipping out of the jeep. With a quick wave, she dashed up the path, fumbling in her purse for her keys. "Bye now!"
---
The last of the afternoon customers had left, and there was still a little while to go before the dinner rush. James was in the middle of getting everything organised when Delia approached him.
"James - I meant to say -" She glanced over her shoulder to make sure there was no-one in earshot. "Sorry about kicking you out so suddenly last night." She blushed deeply, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "But... thank you."
James giggled, cocking an eyebrow at her. "Glad your son was out of the house?"
"James!" Delia exclaimed, flicking him with her dishtowel. She glanced around again, lowering her voice. "...Yes."
"HEY!"
The door banged open and Meowth stalked in with a face like thunder.
"You wanna tell Jamie to stop flirting with everything in a pair a' pants?" He slapped a piece of paper down on the counter.
James picked it up. His stomach dropped as he saw a row of digits.
"That's Professor Oak's number," the cat spat. "Sam wants you to call him."
James gulped.
"Well... you don't have to," Delia murmured after a moment. "You could say she was just visiting, or -"
"Oh no no, Delia, you ain't gettin' it," Meowth snarled. He went into the kitchen and helped himself to a carton of milk. "I explained to the prof that 'Jamie' is really a big dumb line cook named Jim who likes to play dress-up. And then he wrote down his number."
James looked at them both in shock.
Delia shrugged, a nervous smile appearing on her face.
"Prepare for trouble?"
Chapter 6: Jamie Is Still A Shameless Flirt
Summary:
Continued from Chapter 5.
Chapter Text
James took a deep breath and let it out slow, then lifted the videophone receiver and slowly punched in Professor Oak’s number.
He didn’t have to wait long.
“James!” The professor greeted him with a smile. “I was hoping you might call.”
“…Professor Oak.”
“I told you, call me Sam, please,” the older man chuckled. Behind him, Meowth leaped gracefully up on the laboratory bench and glowered in James’ direction.
“…Professor,” James replied reluctantly. He launched into the speech he’d rehearsed after Meowth outlined all the reasons dating the man was a bad idea that guaranteed a bunch of wacky shenanigans everyone could do without. “Listen – I was a teeny bit sloshed, and I was in drag, and Jamie’s just a character I like to have fun with, so –”
“…Oh.” He winced at Professor Oak’s disappointed look. “Well, that’s too bad. I was hoping to get to know you better over dinner…”
James forced a laugh. “Well, there’s only one place in town, and I work there…”
“I was thinking more along the lines of Viridian City,” Professor Oak continued. James straightened at that. Dinner someplace fancy? Behind the professor, Meowth frowned and shook his head furiously at him. “But since you aren’t interested…”
---
“Are you out of your mind?”
Jessie pulled a face at him across the kitchen table. “Professor Twerp? Isn’t he a grandpa?”
“Sam is a gentleman who sees a lady home safely,” James retorted haughtily, taking a sip of coffee. He arched his eyebrow and gave her a sidelong glance. “Unlike certain rude little boys who unceremoniously eject their guests because they can’t control themselves.”
Jessie turned bright red. “You were the one who made her all sexy!” she hissed. She crossed her arms and scowled. “I can’t believe you’re going through with this. You can’t possibly like him.”
“I don’t have to like him,” James shot back. “He’s taking me to dinner, Jess. I’m going somewhere nice to eat a meal I didn’t cook.” He nodded at her girlfriend, currently folding laundry on the countertop. “Delia knows what I mean.”
“Yeah, where’s he taking you, the Early Bird Special?” Jessie asked sarcastically. “I will bet you ten – no, I’ll bet you twenty Pokébucks you’re home by eight with a cup of hot cocoa.”
“I’ll happily take twenty dollars of your student loan money,” James laughed. “Have it ready next Saturday morning.”
“Jessie? Sweetie?”
Both former Team Rocket members looked up. Delia hadn’t turned around, and when she next spoke, her voice was strangely flat.
“Could you take these clean clothes upstairs for me? I’d like to speak to James alone.”
Jessie and James exchanged glances before Jessie rose and took the basket of laundry out of the room. Once she was gone, Delia turned, leaning back against the counter as she crossed her arms.
“I don’t care what Jamie did after a few glasses of wine,” she said quietly. “And we did kick you out so that we could…” She nodded at the ceiling. “…you know. But if this is just a big joke to you, don’t do it. Samuel Oak is a dear friend of mine, and he’s very important to Ash.” She shook her head at him slightly, her expression putting ice in his veins. “Don’t play with his heart.”
“Delia – I –” James swallowed and had another sip of coffee – his mouth had gone dry all of a sudden. “Listen, all that with Jessie…” He wilted under her steely gaze. “Look, I was going to tell him I wasn’t interested, but he wants to take me out. No one ever wants to take me out.” He gazed into his mug. “I know the three of us have wine nights, and now and then we all go dancing, but sometimes I feel…”
He risked looking at her. Delia’s expression had softened slightly, and she was nodding.
“I understand,” she answered. “But – I mean it, James. I’d never look at you the same way if you were cruel to him.”
“I won’t, I promise!” James insisted. “He was nice to me. I’m not mean to people who are nice to me.” Getting up, he crossed the room and placed his hands gently on her shoulders. “And you know that I’d never want to do anything to jeopardise our friendship, Delia.”
Delia let out a sigh. Finally, she smiled up at him. “Okay. I trust you.”
James nodded. “You’ll see. By this time next week, I’ll have had a free – but boring – dinner, Jessie’ll have an extra twenty Pokédollars, Professor Oak will be thoroughly disillusioned, and everything will be back to normal.”
---
Meowth scowled as his human housemate tried on various combinations of shirts and pants, fretting over which ones looked best. “Thought you was only doing this for the free dinner?”
James cast him a sour look. “Excuse me for wanting to look nice in front of your boss.” He settled on a pair of chinos and a white shirt.
“Yeah, he is my boss,” Meowth growled, “and I gotta look him in the eye Monday morning, so no funny business.” James rolled his eyes and applied some cologne. Meowth sneezed as it wafted his way. The doorbell rang and James flinched.
“Get that, will you?” he said, a note of panic in his voice. “I haven’t even decided what shoes to wear!”
Grumbling under his breath, Meowth trudged to the front door, jumped up on the end table, and tugged on the handle.
“Hey there, Prof,” he mumbled, moving to let the older man in. He gestured through to the den. “Have a seat. His Majesty’ll be right out.”
“Thank you, Meowth.” The professor settled himself on the couch, laying the bouquet of flowers he’d brought carefully on the coffee table. He plucked a comb from the pocket of his sport coat and ran it through his hair. Meowth slunk into the den and eyed him suspiciously from behind the armchair. He didn’t like the flowers or the sport coat or the black shirt which looked kinda tight on the prof but in a flattering way. And here he’d done everything he could to try and stop any shenanigans from shenaniganing.
His ears twitched at the sound of a door opening and closing down the hall.
“Yoo-hoo.”
Professor Oak stood up, taking the bouquet with him. James stepped into the den, leather jacket slung over one shoulder.
“Well!” The professor looked up at him. “You certainly look handsome.” He looked down at the flowers. “I, er, I wasn’t sure who I’d be taking to dinner…but I suppose these are for you.”
“Ooh.” James giggled and Meowth frowned. “Oh, these are expensive.” He blushed. “Sam, you shouldn’t have.” He turned to the surly Scratch-Cat. “Meowth, be a dear and put these in some water, will you?”
With a growl, Meowth snatched the flowers out of James’ grasp.
“Shall we?” Professor Oak asked, offering James his arm.
“Let’s,” James answered. He petted Meowth roughly on the head. “Don’t wait up now!”
Meowth followed them to the entrance, frowning again as the professor opened James’ door for him. “I ain’t never gonna sleep tonight.”
---
“Thanks for coming, honey.” Delia glanced up anxiously at the clock again. It was almost time to open up, and there was still no sign of James.
“Oh I’m not missing this,” Jessie replied with a smirk. “I want my twenty bucks.”
“If James doesn’t show up soon, I’m going to need you to be a server,” Delia warned. “I’ll have to do all the cooking.”
“I dunno what to tell ya, Delia,” Meowth remarked from the counter. He had another mouthful of milk. “He was at home this morning and he left before I did.”
The back door flew open.
“Sorry I’m late!” James called. He snatched his apron from its peg and put it on. “Let me just get ready –”
As he made for the kitchen, Jessie leaned over and hooked him by the collar. “Hold it right there, mister. We all want to know how your date went.”
A dreamy look came over James’ face.
“Oh it was a magical evening,” he drawled, resting his chin in his hand. “He took me to this swanky Kalosian restaurant, and then we went for a walk in the park. And then we drove down to Route 21, and the moonlight was shining on the water…”
“Aww…”
Delia glanced at Jessie. She was mirroring her former team-mate’s posture, a goofy smile on her face. Note to self – take Jessie to Route 21 after sunset. Dressed as guy(?)
James pushed himself off the counter and began to saunter back and forth. “And we just talked and talked and talked…”
“Yeah, what about?” Meowth asked sourly.
“Poetry,” James retorted good-naturedly. “And Grass-types. And overly affectionate Pokémon. And Ash.” He scratched the cat behind his ears. “And you.” He crossed his arms and shot Jessie a smug look. “And you owe me twenty Pokédollars, because I didn’t get home till after midnight. No hot cocoa involved.”
Jessie looked to Meowth for confirmation. The cat shrugged.
“I hate to say it, but he’s right,” he declared. “Pay the man, Jess.”
“You know, I’m not even mad,” Jessie chuckled, reaching for her purse. A teasing note entered her voice as she handed over the cash. “You’re sweet on a grandpa.”
James giggled. “You know, I think I am,” he admitted. “Did I tell you he brought me flowers?”
“Midnight’s not so late,” Delia remarked. She arched an eyebrow at James, her smile belying her serious boss act. “So why are you, Mr. Sasaki? Explain yourself.”
“Oh, I had to drop Sam’s jeep back to the corral,” James replied. “I wound up driving him home.” He looked away coyly. “He wasn’t really in any shape to.”
“Really?” Delia asked in surprise. “That’s not like him.” She chuckled. “I suppose it has been a while since he had a night out, he probably doesn’t know his limits anymore.”
Delia – as most people would, in her position – assumed that the blank look which appeared on James’ face was just the latest in a long line of himbo moments. Jessie and Meowth, on the other hand, understood loud and clear, with the latter just managing not to spit milk across the restaurant.
“Oh – yes,” James laughed nervously. “We brought a bottle of wine with us to Route 21 and he had a few too many. That, that is definitely what happened.” He looked past her at the clock. “Is that the time, I’d better get in that kitchen!”
Delia turned to look, jumped a little at the time, and quickly headed to the front door to open up. Behind her, Jessie and Meowth exchanged a wordless glance.
So much for looking the prof in the eye come Monday morning.
We are never telling her.
Chapter 7: Meowth Starts From The Bottom
Summary:
Chapter Text
Meowth heaved a long, sad sigh and did his best to shake the dirt out of his fur. Three days in and this new gig just wasn’t working out. Day one, all the twerp’s Pokémon except Infernape treated him like crap. Day two, none of the other Pokémon would talk to him either. And today, a bunch of real jokers had dug pit traps all along his route to the front door of the lab. Professor Oak was being nice about the whole thing, telling him he understood and that it’d take time, but Meowth couldn’t help worrying that the prof was gonna run out of patience with him real soon. He took a deep breath and pushed the front door open.
“Oh, there you are, Meowth.” Professor Oak nodded to him from the lab bench as he dragged his sorry keister inside.
“Yeah, sorry I’m late, Prof,” Meowth replied. “Somebody dug holes all over your yard.”
“…Ah.”
Meowth jumped up on the bench and sat down, hanging his head dejectedly. “Hey, Prof, I – I don’t think this is working out,” he mumbled. “Everybody round here hates me, and I guess I understand why. If they won’t talk to me, then I can’t interpret for ’em, and…” He trailed off.
“Please don’t quit just yet,” Professor Oak remarked. “I’ve got a big problem, and I was hoping you could help.”
Meowth’s gaze fell on the equipment on the bench – a big bottle with a hand-pump, a box of rubber gloves, and a large metal capsule.
“Yeah?” he asked tentatively.
“Every month I have to give Charizard his pill, and today’s the day,” the professor explained, shrugging out of his lab coat. “He absolutely hates it. I do my best to get it over with as fast as possible, but he’s always angry with me afterwards.”
Meowth chuckled. “Have you tried wrapping it in bologna…”
The professor rolled a long rubber glove over his right hand, all the way past his elbow. Meowth gulped.
“Could you talk to him for me?” Professor Oak asked. “Clearly I’m doing something wrong.”
“Y-yeah,” Meowth answered, shifting uncomfortably. “Sure thing.”
“Wonderful! Grab that for me, will you?” The professor nodded at the metal capsule. Tentatively, Meowth picked it up and followed the professor into the next room.
A large Charizard was dozing in the corner. One eye opened, then he slowly got to his feet as they came closer.
“That ain’t the twe- Ash’s Charizard,” Meowth exclaimed in surprise.
“No, he’s mine,” the professor chuckled. Setting the bottle on the lab bench, he approached the huge Fire-type. “We’ve been together… oh, forty years now. Haven’t we, old friend?”
He reached out to pet the Pokémon and Charizard immediately shied away with a growl, his gaze fixed on the big metal capsule Meowth was carrying. The professor huffed in annoyance.
“You see?” he said to Meowth. The Scratch-Cat cast a wary look at Charizard as Professor Oak took the capsule from him and set it on the bench. “Charizard, I’m tired of having this fight with you! You have to take your medicine. Now, Meowth here speaks human language, and he can translate for you. What’s the matter?”
Charizard glared at Meowth for a few moments. Meowth’s ears drooped. Great, he wasn’t gonna talk to him either –
His ears shot back up as Charizard lumbered towards him. Meowth dug his claws into the bench, fighting his natural instinct to turn tail and run as fast as his legs would carry him. Charizard finally came to a stop a few feet away. Meowth gulped as he leaned down, heat wafting from his nostrils… then Charizard began to speak.
“Well?” the professor asked.
Maybe it was nerves, maybe it was fear, maybe it was the fact that the old Charizard was the first Pokémon at the lab to actually talk to him. Meowth couldn’t help himself.
“Charizard says buy him dinner first,” he blurted out with a chuckle.
He just had time to see the professor’s eyebrows disappear into his hairline before Charizard snorted soot in his face.
“All right, all right!” Meowth yelled, raising his paws in surrender. “I was just trying to lighten things up a little!”
Charizard growled at him.
“Well – er –” Professor Oak cleared his throat and attempted to get things back on track. “Would he rather Nurse Joy did this?”
Charizard immediately cried out in alarm.
“No way,” Meowth answered, shaking the soot off his face. “He don’t want nobody else poking around…” He rubbed his neck nervously. “…back there.” Charizard continued on, each sentence making Meowth more and more uncomfortable. He looked at the professor once the Flame Pokémon had finished. “Charizard says – you go too fast. And he don’t like being taken by surprise, neither. Slow down, and… you know, give him time to prepare.”
The professor heaved a sigh. “I’m sorry,” he said to Charizard. “I thought getting it over with quickly would be best.” He reached out to the Pokémon, and this time Charizard permitted the petting. “I know this isn’t exactly pleasant for you.”
Charizard looked at Meowth and murmured to him. Meowth’s eyes widened.
“…Do I gotta tell him that?” he whined.
The older Pokémon gazed at him with a strange sort of sadness, and suddenly Meowth understood. Sure this whole scene was excruciatingly embarrassing, and sure he was blushing under his fur, but this old gent had to go through this every month. He just wanted his trainer to do it without hurting him too much. Meowth took a deep breath.
“And he’d like you to rub his belly the way he likes,” he said, unable to look human or Pokémon in the eye. “It’ll help him relax.”
Professor Oak nodded thoughtfully.
“All right.” He opened the metal capsule and Meowth grimaced at the huge green pill, almost the same size as the container, inside. The professor held his gloved arm under the hand-pump of the bottle, coating it with lubricant, then picked the pill up and placed it in his gloved hand. He looked at his Pokémon.
“Charizard. It’s time for your pill.”
Charizard took a deep breath and blew it out, accompanied by a little puff of smoke. Then he began to turn around.
“I, uh, I’ll just give you two some privacy,” Meowth mumbled nervously, turning his back on them. Behind him, Charizard grunted once, then began to growl softly. Meowth cringed and got down from the bench. He didn’t need to be here for this!
The growling stopped before he hit the door, and a moment later he felt hot breath on the back of his neck.
“Hey –”
Charizard nuzzled his snout against him, growling his thanks.
“Geez, okay, take it easy, big guy,” Meowth chuckled self-consciously, patting Charizard on the head. The larger Pokémon’s gratitude was nearly overwhelming – he hadn’t done that much, really. “I don’t suppose you could tell the others that I’m not such a bad guy after all?”
Charizard backed off a little and turned to look at his trainer. Meowth followed his gaze, and together they watched the professor peel off the glove, toss it in the trash, and wash his hands and arm real good.
“Well.” Drying himself off, the professor approached the two Pokémon. “That certainly went a lot more smoothly than usual.” He reached out and scratched Charizard between his wings, drawing a happy rumble from him. “Thank you, Meowth.”
“Ah, don’t mention it,” Meowth replied with a grin, waving it off. “Least I finally did something right around –”
Charizard interrupted him with a quiet growl. As the older Pokémon went on, tears began to prick at Meowth’s eyes. He glanced at the professor, then back at Charizard.
Professor Oak frowned, looking from one Pokémon to the other. “What is it?”
“Charizard says…” Meowth looked at Charizard again. “He misses taking ya-”
Immediately Charizard cut him off with an indignant snort.
“Aw, c’mon, really?” Meowth pleaded. He didn’t know if he could get through this without bawling. Charizard nodded. Meowth took a deep breath and started over, this time repeating Charizard word for word.
“Charizard says, he misses taking…” He stared at the professor. Forty years. “…his boy flying.” Aw, geez, here came the waterworks. He squeezed his eyes closed and tried to swallow the lump in his throat before continuing. “He ain’t too old for it. He hopes you ain’t, either.”
Professor Oak looked at him for a moment, then at Charizard, pressing a hand to his mouth.
“No,” he whispered at last, wiping his eyes. “No, I’m not too old.”
Charizard let out a purr and put his arms around him. Watching the two friends embracing, Meowth sniffed and dragged his arm across his eyes. Everything he’d been through – Meowsie, learning to talk human talk, joining Team Rocket, getting blasted off over and over and over – suddenly all felt like it had been leading up to this one beautiful moment. No matter what happened with Jessie and James and this podunk town, he was done being rotten. From now on, he wanted to be good.
Chapter 8: Soft
Summary:
Coda to the Journey arc.
Chapter Text
"I've gone soft."
With a yawn, Delia slid out of bed and moved to stand behind her wife. She slid her arms around Jessie's thick waist as the other woman gazed into the mirror with a glum expression.
"Warm," Delia countered. She rubbed her hands up and down Jessie's tummy. "Curvy. Plush."
"I'm not talking about my full and fabulous figure," Jessie interrupted with a dismissive wave. Delia's hands stilled and Jessie glared at her in mock indignation, lips quirking into a smile. "I didn't say stop."
Delia grinned and nuzzled her neck, letting her hands roam once more. "What's the matter?"
Jessie heaved a sigh.
"I used to be a lean, mean Team Rocket machine," she explained. "I lived on my wits and whatever I could forage, hustle or steal. Slept under the stars, on the ground, on jungle gyms, under bridges, walked miles in a day, dragging those two cry-babies with me." She clenched her fists, gazing skyward with a look of fierce determination. "Neither hunger, nor blisters, nor lack of a decent moisturiser could deter me from my goal - catching that Pikachu!"
She sagged, letting her hands fall back to her sides.
"And... now I live with you in this palace. With air conditioning, and hot water, and a big comfy bed and lots of food and quilted toilet paper..."
Delia let out a chuckle. "That's a bad thing?"
"No, of course not," Jessie replied. She moved out of Delia's arms and began to pace up and down. "It's just... suppose some team of vicious villains let loose a Legendary. Suppose we have to leave with only what we can carry." She looked away, carding a hand through her pink locks. "What if I'm so used to all these creature comforts that I can't handle life on the road any more?" Her voice went small and quiet. "What if I'm just a burden?"
Delia couldn't help but smile. She fought down her instinct to tell Jessie that she'd never be a burden - her wife needed to believe that for herself.
"Well..."
She took Jessie's hands.
"...why don't we go on a journey?" She looked up into the other woman's eyes. "Like we did when we were dating? You can test your skills and polish up any that are rusty. Maybe even teach me some."
A slow smile spread across Jessie's face.
"Well, I'd have to check with the Viridian City Nurse Joy, but... yeah." Her smile grew bigger, her eyes lighting up. "Yeah! Let's go!"
"We'll make believe we're on the run," Delia declared. "We'll pick a city to get to, any way we can!"
"We'll take only the essentials," Jessie added, her excitement growing. "We'll forage, hustle and ste-"
She broke off at Delia's frown, and hastily amended, "...dumpster-dive."
"Jessica."
"Baaabe, dumpster-diving isn't stealing," Jessie pouted. "The grocery store doesn't want that stuff!"
Delia hadn't thought of it that way. "...I guess..."
Jessie bounced giddily on her feet. "I'll call Nurse Joy in the morning. She's got to say yes. I've got so much vacation time stored up." She giggled. "Oh, this is just what I need!"
Delia gasped as she found herself pulled into a hug.
"Thanks, babe," Jessie mumbled. "You always know just what to say."
Delia hummed against her, trailing her hands up and down Jessie's back.
"...we're bringing the quilted toilet paper though."
"Agreed."
Chapter Text
"...Delia?"
Professor Oak didn't wait for her to answer before entering the room, closing the door softly behind him. "It's time."
Delia swallowed, rubbing her sweaty palms against her white trousers and hoping, too late, that they wouldn't leave a stain. She knew it was time. It was time ten minutes ago. Just like it was time fifteen years ago, back when she was the one wearing the dress. Except today, she couldn't move, couldn't even stand, much less walk down the aisle.
Oak frowned slightly, bushy eyebrows drawing together. He was greyer and his boutonniere was a different colour, but Delia wouldn't be surprised if he was wearing the same tux.
"What's wrong?"
"...I can't do this."
Her voice cracked and she choked back a sob. She was so stupid, doing this now at the eleventh hour, the twelfth hour, she'd been fine all through the run-up and the planning and the rehearsal dinner, why now, Jessie was waiting -
"It's all right."
Oak slid onto the bench next to her. His hands were warm and rough around her own.
"You don't have to," he murmured.
Delia shook her head.
"But everything -"
"You don't have to," Oak interrupted gently. He fished a couple of tissues from the nearby box (thank goodness James had thought to leave some in both dressing rooms) and pressed them into her hand. "Second, there's no need to worry. James has convinced Jessie to be fashionably late."
Delia couldn't help but chuckle at that. She wiped her eyes and looked up at him. Oak smiled and pulled her into a hug.
"Let's you and I figure this out," he suggested.
Delia took a deep breath and let it out. She held onto him, breathing in the aftershave he only wore on special occasions. He'd been her teacher, her support system, her crush (very briefly), a mentor to her son, and most of all her friend. A friend who knew what it was like to marry young, divorce young, and raise kids alone.
"I'm scared," she mumbled. "I love Jessie - Sam, I love her so much - but I loved Jack. I loved Jack and Ash and I weren't enough for him and -"
Oak cut her off before she could spiral any further. "All right, let's be scientific about this." He pulled back slightly to look at her. "You and Jack were eighteen, and you were..."
"Pregnant," Delia finished.
"And you'd known each other..."
"Six months," Delia answered, understanding what he was getting at. "And now I'm thirty -" she cleared her throat - "and very much not, and we've been a couple for years." She sighed. "I know all that, Sam. It's not helping."
Oak shrugged.
"Fine, forget science," he agreed. "Tell me why you want to get married."
"Jessie really wants to," Delia murmured, gazing down at her engagement ring. "She's dreamed of a big wedding ever since she was a little girl. And I want her to be happy, so..."
"Ah, ah," Oak chided with a smile. "That's a Mom answer. Tell me why Delia Ketchum wants to get married."
Delia paused, the clock ticking softly as she thought back over her relationship with Jessie.
"It doesn't feel right saying 'girlfriend' anymore," she replied.
"You could call her your partner," Oak suggested.
Delia shook her head. "James was her partner. It sounds... Team Rocket-y." Though he did have a point, she had to admit. "...I want us to be a real family."
He cocked an eyebrow. "You aren't a family now?"
Also a point. She and Jessie and Ash were a family. And yet...
"I love how she and Ash spend time together," Delia murmured. "I know they had a rocky start, but..." She looked up at him. "...I swear, Jessie misses him more than I do. She pretends she doesn't, but as soon as she knows he's coming home, everything has to be perfect. And she's the first person he talks to about his adventures. Until she pushes him to go talk to me." Her fear and anxiety continued to wane the more she thought about it. Ash and Jessie talking snake Pokémon (shudder), arguing over who would take the fall for her ruined garden, shamefacedly confessing their daddy-daughter-drag-double battle adventure. Jessie moved to tears by Ash's Father's Day gift. The pair of them exchanging a brief look before Ash explained away his bandaged leg as a bike accident. "I want us to be together forever. And..." She swallowed. "...if anything happens to me... I want them to have each other."
Oak squeezed her shoulder.
"Then I think you should get married," he replied with a smile. "But it doesn't have to be now, or like this."
Delia looked away, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"Well yeah, but... everyone's here... and there's a great buffet that'll go to waste... and how often does the Professor Oak wear a tuxedo?"
Oak chuckled.
"For what it's worth," he remarked, "I was against your first marriage. I'm not against this one."
He rose and offered her his hand. Delia took it and let him help her to her feet.
"Walk me down the aisle?" she asked. "Again?"
He smiled.
"It would be my pleasure."