Chapter Text
Upon arriving in Pasio, Hassel met with the Blackthorn dragon cousins for the first time in a long time. Lance and Clair, both talented dragon tamers, greeted him humbly, most likely because of their age difference compared to him and not some acknowledgement of his skill with training dragons himself. He wasn’t exactly renowned besides his status as a member of the Elite Four.
Hassel expected to go right into strategy talk, maybe even an offer into battling right away. Some dragon tamers were like that, eager to see rather than discuss strategy. That wasn’t the case here.
Lance in particular surprised him. “You’re part of the Elite Four in Paldea, right?”
“That is correct. Not quite as admirable as being the crowned Champion across multiple regions.”
“Right, thank you.” Lance gave a polite smile at that comment. “I hear it’s gorgeous in Paldea. Some of my favorite artists are from there. A little pidgey told me that you also teach. Is that right?”
It took him a moment to process this. Why did he want to know about his teaching career? They had pokèmon in common, surely he would rather be discussing that?
“Sorry, I know it doesn’t look like it, but Lance is a bit of an art snuff. It doesn’t fit his overall domineering appearance, so we don’t really talk about it much.” Clair elbowed Lance in mild jest. “I always said if my cousin’s talent ever fell through, he probably would’ve been an art critic.“
“It’s not art. I like studying other cultures, which sometimes includes art.” He clarified to her specifically before turning back to Hassel. “Anyway, when I heard that you lived in Artazon, I thought there was a chance you were an art teacher, and that you know a lot of artists in Paldea.”
“You’re right I am an art teacher. I have recently taken to painting specifically. Most of the artists in the Paldea region like to gather in Artazon every once in a while, so I know pretty much all of them. I have a feeling there’s one in particular you’re trying to ask me about.”
“Yes, I do apologize. It’s very nice talking to you. I don’t mean to sound rude about this—”
“Is it Brassius? He has a piece that has recently been getting a lot of attention: the Black Rayquaza. Obviously a dragon tamer would be interested in a piece like that.”
“Well, I guess I’m an open book then. Do you know him?”
“Well, we’re closely acquainted. I know by now he would’ve sought out other artists on Pasio. Next time I see him I’ll arrange something.”
--
Except finding him on an island full of trainers was impossible. He found traces of the artist around but not him. And an odd phenomenon happened whenever he was approached by someone he had never met before.
“Hello! Are you Hassel? Do you have a minute?”
Hassel turned to face a man he never met before. A tall and thin, blond man with a tired face—young but hard working kind of tired. His glasses and overall appearance made Hassel think he’d be an Electric specialist, maybe Steel. He hated to assume, but it sometimes just happened when one saw so many lives take predictable paths.
“I am Hassel, yes. How do you know me?”
“I met a guy, a great friend and mentee of yours apparently, and he sang your praises. I’m a new member of the Elite Four in Alola—I’m new and the League is new. I guess I just wanted to have a conversation about what it’s like in the Paldea Elite Four. I’m curious about the differences, I’m sure there’s many!”
“Oh, of course! I have some time. A new League must have been intimidating. What is your specialty? Oh—I don’t even know your name. Let’s find somewhere to sit before we chat.”
“My name is Molayne, I’m a Steel specialist.”
“I thought as much.” Wait, how did this man hear about him? “Who told you to talk to me?”
“Indirectly, but Brassius offered the information when I mentioned what I do. I happened to be around Mina, an artist from Alola, when they were chatting,” he confessed. “He also really emphasized how approachable you were. And he was right, you’re really nice.”
They spoke for a while after, and Hassel enjoyed the conversation while wondering why Brassius talked so casually about him. It wasn’t inappropriate, just odd.
Afterwards Hassel wandered, a little lost but still in town, and decided he might find Brassius in the forest area. Although, perhaps not since Pasio did not have wild pokèmon.
As he was daydreaming and getting lost inside his own head, a hand gently touched his arm to call his attention. Hassel spun around too quickly and startled a shorter, young man with long black and white hair. He wore a Galar gym uniform, and it took Hassel no time at all to guess Dark user. Unusual for a Gym Leader, but not illegal. Gutsy for sure. A punk rock singer? That would fit with the audacity it took to use Dark types in a gym. He liked him before he said a word.
The young man cleared his throat to save face before speaking, “I heard ya used to be a punk rock singer? Why’d ya give it up? Can’t imagine a stiff like you singin’ rock let alone punk rock—wha’ happened?”
Hassel smiled at the memory of his black, dyed hair and many piercings he sported in his youth. “Well, I originally did it as a rebellion against my parents. I eventually came to the conclusion that that reason wasn’t good enough. I wasn’t very good anyway, and I thought a better way to bring about change would be to be more influential. Now I’m a teacher and a member of the Elite Four in the Paldea region. I like to think I bring about change and inspire people in a much better way now. So, how did you hear about me, young man?”
“My sister ‘n’ I saw a real grouchy bloke I thought was a Ghost type user. She thought Grass user, so we asked him. Turns out she guessed righ’, a Grass user. He knew I was a punk rock singer, bu’ since he didn’t know me, I asked how he knew that. Said you used to be one. Then he told me to find ya if I wanted ta know more, an’ that you’d be open to talkin’ ‘bout it. Yer boyfriend was right, yer really nice.”
“Boyfriend?”
“Yeah, I got one that talks ‘bout me the same way. M’surprised you guys make it work. We don’t got an Elite Four in Galar, bu’ the League still gives us issues, ya know?”
“We have run into some problems, but not nearly as much as we did back in the day. Are you a Dark-type Gym Leader? You’re the first one I heard of to choose that type specialty and work with the League. Also, quite the controversy.”
“Yeah, I get that a lot.” He offered a hand that Hassel took and shook once. “Piers, from Galar—guess ya knew that already.”
Hassel felt the itch of battle just like in those younger dragon tamers he joked would come after him earlier. “We should battle some time. You must have an interesting style, Piers.”
“‘Kay, yeah.”
“I should warn you though. I am a dragon tamer.” Hassel dropped the little smile to let a bit of intensity show through.
He looked back up at him with a smirk, “Tsk. So is m’boyfriend. I ain’t scared of dragons.”
“Oh, how interesting. Do bring him with you then.”
“Only if you bring tha’ wilted rose with ya.” Piers waved as if getting ready to go. “See ya. Thanks for the chat.”
--
Lance found Brassius before he did, and Hassel assumed this would be a good thing. However, as he approached them in the lobby of the Pokèmon Center, he received quite the side glare from Brassius. Lance went on and on about something while Hassel melted internally from Brassius leering at him.
Lance politely parted from them when he noticed Hassel. Brassius crossed his arms. “‘Well acquainted’? Interesting introduction. You captured our relationship so poetically.”
“Geeta told me to be discreet, and I wasn’t sure what you were telling others so…”
“I didn’t tell anyone we were married. But I was also honest about who you were!” Brassius huffed. He didn’t honestly look too frustrated, just annoyed by the facts as they were.
Hassel put his arms out. “I apologize, please forgive me for…” Hassel shook his head and picked a different approach, “I do appreciate you so much! You have so many wonderful qualities that I admire, and I do wish I’d have told others about them.”
Brassius went to him and presented his cheek for a kiss, smiling a little despite himself. Hassel hugged him before kissing his cheek while caressing his other cheek in his hand.
“I’ve met some of your new acquaintances, Brassie. You’ve been quite busy, haven’t you?” Hassel whispered in his ear.
“Oh I’ve barely scratched the surface of all the good you do. I can’t help but talk about the things that I love.” Brassius leaned into the hand as Hassel playfully kissed him a couple more times.
“Brassie, let’s go get some coffee.” Hassel grabbed his hand and pulled him along. “And if we see anyone else, I’m introducing you as my beloved Brassie, my one and only muse.”
“Don’t you dare embarrass me like that.”