LovePaperHearts

Ep.8 Spoiler Scene Caine going Crazy Must

That was so Amazing and Insane.

So: I’m revisiting this concept to make it a full story. It might be short but I love the concepts related to the culture of AZ’s original society and the kingdom he eventually ruled.

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The dawn barely peeks through the horizon on a cold, late autumn day in the city of Lumiose. The breeze bats at the old structures, attempting in vain to knock them from their foundations as the world slowly creaks and groans to life. Parents begin the process of waking their older children, younger ones at their heels, and little Pokemon stir in their nests as the glow of morning washes over the valleys.

At Hotel Z, AZ slowly wakes from his slumber, begrudging the sun for a moment, reaching over and curling back into his pillows. Even as a young man, he was never much of a morning person, and never really turned into one despite all this time. Still, he has to get up, as he is very blatantly reminded by his beloved Floette starting to ruffle her flower in his face to wake him up. Clearly he’s slept in.

He shuffles through his morning routine, eyes half closed in remembrance of his ill gotten extra slumber, and makes himself look more presentable as he begins to wake up fully. He buttons his shirt and waistcoat, fluffs out his bow tie, and then moves to style his hair into its signature braid.

Until he feels a horrid twinge in his left hand.

Meanwhile downstairs, the twins are fighting over who gets to have the last egg for breakfast, and the other kids are thoroughly ignoring them. Naveen watches the morning stream from Canari with curios eyes as she talks about her morning routine, sipping on a glass of moomoo milk with a straw. Lida is chowing on some kind of meat, potato, and croissant concoction she made herself, clearly enjoying whatever it is.

You are enjoying a nice bagel, like a normal person. Arceus, these kids are so weird.

Eventually, you start to notice the absence of a certain giant man in the room, which is pretty hard to do when he’s actively in it, so you glance around to see if he’s come down yet. Perhaps you hadn’t noticed?

No, doesn’t appear that way, and frankly you were getting worried about him. So, of course, you decide to excuse yourself from the teen chaos and head upstairs to go check on AZ. You’re surprised when Floette actually meets you halfway, trilling softly in worry and tugging on your hand to try and bring you somewhere. Your heart sinks.

You actually sprint to AZ’s room, terrified for the worst, and barge in only to see AZ’s head whip toward the door in alarm. You sort of just..awkwardly stare at each other for a minute until Floette catches up and starts dragging you, or at least attempting to drag you, over to a very confused AZ.

“Floette? Is..something wrong? Is there a reason she’s brought you?” AZ says, his voice still sleep laden and raspier than usual due to it, worry flickering in his eyes. Floette coos sadly, slowly pulling your hand to him. It’s when your hand brushes his disaster of a braid attempt does he seem to quickly regain his senses and alertness.

“Floette, what are you doing?! Why would-no. No I am not..I do not require their assistance with my hair.” AZ snips, his voice a growl dripping with embarrassment as he gently pushes a your hand and Floette away. He steps back, takes a deep breath, and goes back to trying to fix his mess of a braid. But you see it. The blush on his face extends all the way to his ears.

You and Floette slowly look at each other, both confused and concerned about the normally even tempered man suddenly snapping at his friends. “AZ..what’s going on? Are you okay?”

“I am fine, just..I prefer to handle my hair on my own, or with Floette’s assistance. I..I was unaware she had decided to involve you.” AZ grumbles quietly, eyes flicking between you, Floette, and the mirror. He’s clearly uncomfortable, but you aren’t entirely sure as to why, until you notice the shake in his hands. It’s not a nervous one, but a pained response. His hands are hurting. He can’t do his hair because his hands are hurting him.

Oh this poor man.

“AZ…are your hands in pain? Is that why you’re struggling with this?” You ask him quietly, slowly walking over to the dresser where he’s lent on his hands, clearly frustrated. “Maybe I can braid it for you, if it’s hard.” You add quietly, wanting to help but unsure if he’d allow it. He tenses when you walk closer, reaching a hesitant hand out to his arm and petting it reassuringly.

A sigh leaves his nose, and he slumps a bit in defeat. Floette flits up to his face, nuzzling his cheek with worry in her little eyes. She just wants him to be okay.

“…Yes. I believe the physician referred to the condition as arthritis. My growth over the millennia has put strain on my body and my hands grow weary of movement some days. I feel..conflicted. But I fear I will regret not relenting to your aid.” AZ says, lowering his guard and slowly walking over to his bed. He sets himself down, and reluctantly motions for you to sit behind him.

You hop onto the bed and scoot yourself on your knees to sit behind AZ’s back. You actually end up having to stand on it to reach the top of his head, embarrassingly, and he watches you do all of this from the side, eyes pinned to the mirror. He seems to be very tense about all of this, for some reason.

“Okay..I’m gonna take the braid out now. Just relax.” You say calmly, reaching out as you speak and petting the back of his hair to let him get a handle on feeling your hands in his hair. He shivers and grips the duvet nervously, eyes a little wider and locked on you as you work, slowly unbraiding his earlier attempt. You pull out the ribbon at the bottom, and his hair splays out, delicate strands of white not unlike the furfrou you see on the streets every day. The thought makes you chuckle.

You set to work combing his hair with your fingers, working out any knots or loose hair until it’s a bit more manageable. Floette helps too, helping you separate out the sections of his hair and guiding your hands with her little, delicate ones as you go. During this time, AZ slowly begins to relax, leaning on the palms of his hands and humming in appreciation every time you apologetically scratch his scalp for him.

Eventually, you finish the braid and sigh, smoothing your hand over your handiwork and smiling. There’s weight to this braid you never realized was there.

AZ slowly blinks his eyes open, having dozed off a little from the relaxing moment. He turns partially to you, smiling gratefully and looking his braid over in fascination. “Well done..and thank you. You have..done me quite the favor. Your efforts are very appreciated.” He says, smiling warmly as he looks back at you.

“Any time!” You sat cheerfully, moving to hop off of the bed before AZ puts a hand on your shoulder, halting your movements. “Is there any way I could repay you?” He asks earnestly, tilting his head with a sweet smile. You think for a moment, before patting the hand on your shoulder with a sincere, soft expression on your face. “Just..take care of yourself. Alright?” You tell him gingerly, and head back downstairs to finish breakfast.

AZ eyes Floette with a small smirk, shaking his head as he says to his pokemon, “If you wanted to play matchmaker-“ before promptly getting whacked in the face with the eternal flower.

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I hope you guys enjoy this goofy little story. I headcanon that AZ’s culture ties a lot of significance to hair health and length, and braiding hair is something two people only do if they are family, or dating. For a friend to do this sits weird in his brain and makes him feel goofy feelings.

catch me (if i should fall) (az x gn!reader, pokemon legends za)

The city was breathtaking from your perch, especially with Prism Tower all lit up and glowing gently against the dark night sky, and yet you could scarcely lift your head from your hands to enjoy the view.

What were you thinking? you scolded yourself, your cheeks hot with embarrassment. You’d always known your impulsivity would get you into trouble someday, and now here you were, shame-faced and flushed and mere seconds away from calling for the nearest Gogoat to take you as far away from Hotel Z as possible.

You wished you’d thought to bring a flying Pokemon along with you on this trip into Lumiose. Fleeing from the rooftop felt marginally less embarrassing than having to slink through the lobby just to reach the exit, especially if Az was still where you had left him, blank-faced and wide-eyed behind the front desk. 

After all this time he is still such a babygirl 😭💖💖💖

It's Jeff/Jeff Week #1 (2025)

In China, they're releasing a line of stationary goods and stamps themed on Unown! These come out Oct26!

And lastly for now since it wouldn't fit in with anything else, a storyboard shot of Tinkatink from the new episode tomorrow!

...to Spin Dash Diner!!

The lovely hosts of Sonic Expo asked me to make this animation for their cafe ✨

Ko-fi💌