𝑳𝒖𝒎𝒊𝒂, 𝑮𝒚𝒎 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈!

Lumina giggled, glad her impulsive choice released some of the tension of the situation. She didn't want to be upset or worried. She wanted to believe in Chiyo.

"You're crazy sometimes. But I love you, too. You're important to me. Don't forget that, got it?"

It? She took her hand and placed it on Chi's cheek. She's kissed her friend's lips. "Then I'll hold you to it." She smiled. "But fair warning; if you just become a lame knock-off Team Rocket, Articuno and I will find you and kick your ass." She didn't need muscles to be a strong trainer, thankfully.

Each kiss on her hand sent a ripple through her. She really believed Chiyo would live up to the woman Lumina saw her as. This was her Chi.

She kissed her knuckle where Chi kissed her. "I believe you." She hesitated, but it felt right. If they were sealing this promise with a kiss, why dance around+

Kissed Chiyo's cheek. "I want to see you make something really good of this team of yours. If you're trying to do good, prove that. You aren't a bad person, Chi. I just want the world to see that. See you."

She was right. She couldn't just be an open associate of someone running a criminal organization, regardless of how she painted it. But she didn't just want to cut Chiyo out, and she hated the idea of abandoning her completely.

"You are such a pain in the ass, you know," she grumbled. Then she+

To stay away because I have a future. I would be much less happy if the future doesn't have you around, Chichi."

Why were there tears forming in the corners of her eyes already? She didn't like where this conversation was going.

She pressed her forehead against Chiyo. "Why are you such a trouble magnet? I want to believe you. Because it's you. But you know how this looks. And you can't just tell me+

laylily

As someone who still uses tumblr sometimes, you have no clue how badly I yearn for tumblr rp to return.

"It does, doesn't it?" They were finally catching up on lost time, but it wasn't like they were kids again. They were adults now, and they had history.

And Lumina wasn't just going to ignore that under the Paldean Stars. She smiled and got on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to Rosa's lips.

"I know you have a... checkered past with the law. But this still sounds reckless, even for you. I mean, I'm about to be a member of a Pokémon league. Part of my job is literally protecting Unova from teams like this."

She looked down, frustrated. "But it's not like I want to just avoid you..."

Lumina furrowed her brow, trying to process the information. "Chi, that's... serious. My other partners have a lot of trauma surrounding criminal teams." She didn't notice she was calling them her "other" partners. Her and Chi weren't together. And yet, they didn't NOT feel together sometimes.+

She knew she had a way with Chi. She was already basically out of trouble!

But this new concern... "You started a group? And what do you mean is causing problems for the people in your life. Should... should I be worried?" She was someone Chi knew, and there was at least some kind of love here.

Lumina pouted. Chiyo definitely put her through her paces when they were getting to know each other. She sighed and looped her arms around the ninja's waist, seeking forgiveness. "But you're a splendid ninja, so at least I have someone so strong to protect me?" So maybe she was buttering Chi up.

Lumina squirmed, not expecting to be called out like that. "I walked around Paldea! I'm fit enough. You're just crazy strong. Not all of us are super cool ninja, Chi."

She appreciated Chiyo committing to the bit, but the scooting caught her off guard.

As did the strong arm around her waist. A gasp slipped out. She was too gay to deal with this. "Oh no, wicked villain. I'm in your clutches." She gave Chiyo's waist a squeeze. "My arms are noodly compared to yours."

Lumina tried to maintain a straight face, but she inevitably cracked. "The most terrifying villain," she replied flatly, even though she could easily kick a heroes ass if she wanted. "Careful with that laugh, or people are gonna think you're here to capture fair maidens."

Lumina's coffee machine barely had a chance to bubble, and she was already sure she needed more than one pot.

It sounded crazy, but wasn't the world crazy sometimes? "Squids, dimensions, mind reading... Chi, how the hell did you get into all this while I was traveling in Paldea? Are you okay now??"

Lumina pouted, still feeling the warmth of Chiyo's hands on her cheeks even after she pulled away. "You're so mean to me." Except she really wasn't. Chiyo was good to her, even if she threatened Lumina with exercise and sparring.

She sipped her tea to hide the small smile she was fighting.

Rotom, DO NOT answer that.

The hands were unexpected. She had such a firm grip, taking full control of Lumina and her face. Her cheeks flushed with heat.

"Right. Sorry. Thank you for checking my pessimism." She paused. "You were joking about throwing me, right?"

"It IS a job. There's pay, a team of gym trainers to help run things, a housing stipend. And you typically become respected in your city and around the league, provided you aren't terrible."

She took a sip then furrowed her brow. "I REALLY hope I'm not a terrible leader after all this training."

Lumina giggled, relaxing. "Yeah, the perks of being a gym leader aren't that good. Not that I've officially started yet. N-nor would I do something like that anyway."

Lumina sighed, sipping her tea. "Not even close. That's declaring your love. Lovemaking is... um..." Her cheeks pinkened and she leaned over the table to whisper the bare essentials.

"Chi. What do you think lovemaking means? Because it isn't usually something done publicly in a tea shop."

It's concerning that Chi correlates those two things...

"We do! And they're all such CUTIES!" She wrapped her arms tight around Rosa's waist, still riding high in adrenaline. "I know I'm just convincing myself, but this feels like what I always hoped going on a journey with you would be like."

Lumina sat up and yawned. "Chichi, I don't think you're psychic. Wait, what is this about a squid dimension?"

She groaned and slipped on her slippers. "Explain from the start, I beg of you. I'm making myself coffee."

Lumina was having such a nice sleep with ninetales keeping her company, but the chiptune ringtone eventually pulled her out of her sleep.

She was still drowsy, but she made the name out their her blurry vision and picked up. "Chi?? I forgot you had a phone. Er, morning!"

in Paldea!

She jumped, then returned her attention to Rosa and her battle. "You've got this, babe!" She was so excited, the pet name slipped out.