#( chapter )

Sunghoon's on the couch, head tipped back, legs sprawled wide. His lips are parted slightly, a little flushed. His hair falls over his eyes, his phone clutched loosely in one hand—screen dark. He hasn't looked at it in fifteen minutes. Your last text is burned into his memory anyway.

You: go have fun, i don't wanna be at bOys nIghT😂

He sighs. Drunk, but not mindless. Slowed, but aware.

And all alone, Jake long gone goofing around somewhere with Jungwon.

There's movement to his left. He doesn't open his eyes at first. He assumes it's Heeseung coming back out, that's until he smells perfume. Not the kind he likes, this one's heavier and manufactured sweet.

"Rough night?" Yunjin's voice lilts, playful and syrupy. She plops down next to him without invitation, knees brushing his. "You've barely said a word all night."

"M'fine," he mumbles, voice thick.

"You don't look fine." Her fingers curl over the back of the couch behind him, close to his shoulder.

Sunghoon opens his eyes slowly. She's staring at him, her mouth curled into something that could pass as a smile if it weren't for the sharpness behind it.

"You miss your little girlfriend?" she asks, tilting her head. "You look like a kicked puppy."

He straightens slightly. "Why are you even here?"

"Mm." Yunjin lets the syllable hang. "Don't you get tired of it?"

He frowns. "What?"

"Pretending that's what you want. The innocence. The slowness. You could have so much more, you know."

"Plus I know her. And she's definitely not giving it up. Or is she?"

His face hardens a little, but his body stays relaxed — maybe too relaxed to react properly. "She's exactly what I want."

She laughs. "Sure. For now."

Sunghoon doesn't answer. She leans in anyway, closing the space like she hasn't said anything wrong.

"You know Heeseung's out cold," she says softly. "And she's not here. Nobody's here. You don't have to pretend."

Her hand drops to his thigh—barely above his knee; like she's testing him.

Sunghoon shifts, his leg jerking slightly to the side. "Stop."

But she doesn't. She leans in closer, so her breath grazes his jaw. "I won't tell. Heeseung doesn't have to know."

"Yunjin." His tone is sharper now, his brow furrowed.

She swings a leg over him in one practiced move, suddenly straddling him. Her hands are on his chest, pushing under his jacket, nails trailing. "C'mon, Sunghoon," she whispers, hovering over him to perch on his thighs—straddling him.

Her hands ghost over his chest, nails trailing down, inching lower. She adjusts her position, shifting her weight deliberately as she presses her hips against him.

But there's nothing, no response. No sharp inhale, no movement, no tension in his jaw. Just an empty daze in his half-lidded eyes. His body doesn't stir under her touch—doesn't respond at all.

Still, she keeps going. More pressure. Bolder now. She leans down, pressing her lips to his neck, letting them drag over his skin, hands moving to his waistband with intent.

But there's nothing to work with.

He's soft. His body unresponsive, untouched by the friction or the proximity. It's not arousal—it's absence. A deadweight of intoxication or the fact that his body simply isn't moved by her—keeping him utterly unreachable.

She tries again, more insistent this time, and he groans—not with pleasure, but with discomfort. A sluggish frown creases his brows. His hands attempt to push her away, slow and loose, like his limbs aren't listening.

"What the fuck are you doing?"

Door flung open. Jake's voice through the silence like a crack of thunder.

Yunjin flinches. Sunghoon's head lolls sideways toward the sound, lips moving around Jake's name like a lifeline.

Jake doesn't wait. He crosses the room in three long strides and yanks her back, eyes blazing.

"You fucking psycho." "Get off him," he says, voice low, livid.

"He didn't say no—"

"He's drunk, you freak," Jake snarls, stepping in front of Sunghoon. "Get the fuck out."

Yunjin looks between them—defiant, defensive—but Jake's already pointing at the door.

"Now."

She storms out in a flurry of sharp perfume and sharper heels, slamming the door hard enough to rattle the frame. The air crackles in her absence, heavy with tension that only breaks when Jake exhales, dragging a hand down his face.

Sunghoon's still draped across the couch, boneless and blinking slowly like he's just registered Jake's presence for the first time. His head lolls toward him, a lazy grin spreading across his flushed face.

"Jakeee," he hums, reaching out with both arms.

Jake sighs but crouches again anyway, pulling Sunghoon up with practiced care, steadying the taller boy's weight against his chest. He smells like whiskey and cologne.

"You're so annoying when you're drunk," Jake mutters, wrapping an arm around his waist.

But Sunghoon just laughs, soft and breathy, pressing his face into the crook of Jake's neck. His lips brush there once, twice, then again with more intention. Not quite kisses, more like lazy nuzzles. Familiar, intimate and even possessive in a slow, syrupy way.

He mouths at Jake's jaw, then down his throat, mouthing a warm stripe over his collarbone. His hands slide beneath Jake's shirt, cold fingers against warm skin, touching aimlessly at first...but then one trails lower, settling with a firmer kind of intent.

Jake flinches.

He looks down, eyes widening slightly when he feels the change in Sunghoon's body against his thigh—the sudden tension, the unmistakable press of Sunghoon’s hardened cock.

"Seriously?" Jake breathes out, somewhere between disbelief and concern.

But Sunghoon's not listening. He shifts, trying to pull Jake closer, sliding one of Jake's hands down between their bodies. Not guiding or forcing—just placing it there.

Jake swears under his breath, heart pounding harder now. Not because of what's happening, but because of what it means.

Sunghoon, drunk off his ass, completely unresponsive to someone else. But here, clinging to Jake like gravity itself depends on it, completely undone by the sound of his voice and the heat of his hands.

Jake looks at him, lips parted, stunned. And Sunghoon, eyes half-lidded and glassy, just presses another kiss to Jake's cheek and mumbles something soft; your name, like a prayer.

Sunghoon looks down, suddenly serious. "Don't tell her, okay?"

"I won't," Jake whispers.

And then Sunghoon kisses him. A soft, slightly sloppy press of lips—nothing filthy, nothing practiced. Just raw, messy and needy.

Jake blinks, a little stunned.

"Such a clingy drunk," he says softly, brushing a hand through Sunghoon's hair.

"I love her," Sunghoon murmurs again. "And you too."

Jake smiles faintly. "Yeah. I know."

And he lets him hold on, before guiding him out of Heeseung’s apartment.

The door clicks open. Jake's arm is looped around Sunghoon's waist, half-dragging, half-guiding him in through the entryway.

Sunghoon's still a mess in the most uncharacteristic way, cheeks flushed, hair mussed, black shirt rumpled where Jake's been gripping him. He stumbles once on the carpet and just laughs.

"I'm fiiine," he insists, drawling out the word like it's an inside joke.

Jake snorts. "You're not fine. You shouldn’t have drank five of Heeseung's jungle juice monstrosities."

Sunghoon grins. "They were sooooo good."

Jake doesn't respond. He's too busy trying to keep Sunghoon upright, nudging open Sunghoon’s bedroom door with his foot.

"Hi," your voice rings out, soft and bright.

You're fresh out of the shower, towel wrapped snug around your body, damp hair tucked behind your ears. You're standing by the dresser, lotion half-rubbed into your arm, blinking at the two of them like you weren't expecting company.

Sunghoon stops dead in the doorway. His eyes go wide.

"Oooooooouuuuuu," he howls, dragging the word out like a cartoon character. "Y/N in her towelllll."

Jake closes his eyes. "Here we go."

Sunghoon wiggles out of Jake's grasp, swaying a little as he stumbles toward you with all the awe of a man witnessing a miracle.

"Wait—no wait," he slurs, grinning crookedly. "Hold on. You look like a dreeeeam."

"Sunghoon," you say carefully, lips quirking, "how much did you drink?"

"A lot," Jake says at the same time that Sunghoon points at you dramatically. "Not enough."

You giggle, surprised and delighted by how silly he's being. You've never seen him like this—all loose limbs and rosy cheeks, his usual sharp edges melted down to something warm and dopey.

"C'mere," he says, reaching for you. "Let's take this off."

And then his fingers find the knot of your towel.

"Hoon!" you squeal, laughing as you stumble back and hold the towel tighter, but he’s determined.

You squeal again, backing up more. "Hey—wait—!"

But he's already undoing it, and the towel slips to the floor with a whisper, leaving you bare and blinking up at him, caught somewhere between shock and laughter.

"Oh my God," you whisper, face heating. "You actually—!"

Sunghoon hums like he's reached nirvana. "So soft," he marvels, hands coming up to cradle your waist, skimming over your arms and shoulders, then back down to your hips.

You're still laughing, heart thudding a little too fast. Sunghoon turns in Jake's arms, swaying again.

"I didn't let them," he mumbles suddenly.

Jake freezes.

"What?" you ask gently.

Sunghoon doesn't look at you. He's looking at the floor now, fingers twitching at the hem of his shirt.

"There were people...at the party. Someone tried to...y'know. Touch me. But I didn't let them." He whispers the last part like a little secret.

Your smile slips just a bit.

Jake cuts in quickly, tugging Sunghoon toward the bed. "He's exaggerating. It's fine now. He just got overwhelmed, that's all."

But you're already walking over, placing a soft hand on Sunghoon's cheek. His eyes flutter closed at the touch like he's been starved for it all night.

"You okay?" you whisper.

He nods. "Now that you're here."

And then, like the switch never flipped, he perks back up. "Wait—can you do that lotion thing again? You smell like vanilla clouds."

Jake groans, letting his head fall back against the wall.

“I’m gonna get him to bed.”

════════════════════════════

He cuts in between and steps back, forcing sizable distance between you and your friends. He looks back at you, noting the Arc Phone that you hold tight, and speaks in a low tone so they can't hear. “Are you trying to get into contact with Him?”

“Yo, are you talking about Arceus?” Urbain says.

Your husband underestimated how nosy they both are, though.

Corbeau's mouth drops. “How do you–?!”

“They told me about it, duh. We're really close– ‘cause you know, we're dating and all that– and I know everything.” Now he shifts towards you, sporting a determined expression. “That symbol on your hand is Arceus's mark on you, because you're his servant. He told you it was supposed to keep you safe, but the ones who recognize it usually see it as a reason to hate you rather than respect you. But you still do everything he says. And–”

“--and you can never answer when someone asks you if you like being his servant.” Taunie finishes. The rise and fall of her chest is heavy enough to be noticeable now.

Urbain narrows his eyes and clenches his fists. “How do you do that…? How do you know everything I'm about to say next?”

“I dunno.” She speaks towards him, but stares at you. “Were you just about to ask them why they can't bear to admit we used to be together?”

He follows her gaze. “Yeah, yeah I was, actually.”

You're frozen in place. You can't decide who to look at, what to say, or even if you should stay by your husband or go towards them. Corbeau raises his chin. Deep resentment builds within his eyes. “I won't let you gang up on them like this–”

“Wait!” You hold him back. He scolds you with a silent glare, and for a second you regret stopping him. But you know you'll regret it even more if you don't defend them when you know they're just confused… and hurt.

“It's okay. I know you guys are just annoyed. I wasn't trying to be difficult on purpose, because…” You still can't decide who to look at. What can you say to keep the peace? “...I do remember that we were together.”

“Were?!” The two say simultaneously, while Corbeau's silent glare burns through you. He presses himself into your side like he's trying to burrow within you.

Okay, that did not keep the peace. You shake your head. “It's really hard to explain…”

“Just try! Please! That's all we're asking!” Taunie cries.

After a long pause, you finally say, “Well… I know I told you about Arceus, and that he chose me to be his servant so I could help people on his behalf. But… for me to do that, I had to do a lot of traveling. And not just to different regions.”

Your lips clamp shut before you can continue. Why the hesitation? If anyone will believe you, it's them. But…

Harsh flashbacks pop up in your mind. Jealousy, hatred, and violence that you're all too familiar with.

…that's not the only issue, is it…

You've already started explaining, though. It's too far to turn back now. And besides, if you want to have any chance of fixing this, you'll need help from your friends while Arceus is…

Your thumb brushes over your scar.

But until then, you'll need people on your side. And they can't help if they don't know what's going on.

“Arceus sends me across timelines. When there's a new problem to be solved, he sends me there.” You turn away, unable to face any of them. “So that's why you guys are remembering different things; you're literally from separate timelines where different things happened.”

“Timelines?” Urbain gapes. Taunie almost said the same thing, but she caught herself when she saw him moving to speak first.

Corbeau's eyes wander as his mind connects the dots. They slowly return back to you, uncertain. “So then… Did Arceus merge the timelines?”

You only respond with a confused gaze, so he motions towards them with his head. “He had to, right? Or else those two wouldn't be here.”

Now your thumb digs into your scar. “...Arceus?”

“Yeah. It makes sense. It explains why I never recognized her, despite her apparently having history with us.” He glances at Urbain as well. “And that would mean you're not the same Urbain I know, either. He was irritating and way too attached to my spouse, too, but nothing like you.”

Urbain returns his glare before sighing in defeat. “I don't like what you just said there, but everything else makes sense. What if that's why all the regions came together, too?”

“What if that's why the Pokémon are acting so weird, too?” Taunie says. “What if some of them aren't just angry because their habitat was displaced– but their timeline was, too?”

“But Arceus wouldn't do this... Why would He ruin the world He created?” You say with more intensity than you meant to, but it doesn't do much to change their looks. You continue, “If it was Him… It had to have been a mistake.”

“Can a god make mistakes?” Corbeau crosses his arms.

“I know that sounds crazy. But I think that maybe… he got hurt somehow,” you insist. “We spoke in my dreams just last night. Everything was fine at first, but all of a sudden, he stopped talking and the whole thing turned into a nightmare. And then when I woke up, the world was a total nightmare too.”

He motions towards your Arc Phone. “But you tried connecting with Him?”

“I tried.”

“Which means He's not answering, then.” His head drops to the side, eyebrows furrowed. He looks back up. “You don't have any ideas as to what happened? What could've hurt Him?”

In a flash, it's like you're there again.

Standing on the hard ground with this man below you on his knees, one arm wrapped around your legs and the other guiding your scarred hand to caress his face. He kisses your palm and grazes his teeth like he wants to sink them into you.

“Arceus must want me to find Him after all. He wouldn't have sent you to me again, again, and again if He didn't.” He looks up at you through wisps of his blonde hair, which had been styled into a sick mockery of your only guardian. You shudder every time you see it. He grins.

“That's why I'll always follow you. You will lead me to Him.” He digs his nails into your hand until its golden light pulses. His pupils dilate. “That'll be your first act as my servant.”

The sound of someone saying your name snaps you out of your thoughts. Corbeau stares at you expectantly, and you reply. “...I have an idea of who would want to do it, at least. But he's from another timeline.”

“Hey, sorry to interrupt, but I'm kinda losing my mind after that huge lore drop you just bombed us with and moved on from really quick.” Urbain points between himself and Taunie. “So you're saying that she and I are just from different timelines where we were dating you?”

Sheepishly, you nod.

“And since you remember us both right now, you don't ever lose your memories when you're traveling timelines?”

“No, I wouldn't be as strong of a trainer if Arceus took my memories and I couldn't remember my past experiences.”

Taunie beats him to the punch this time. “So why'd you date us both?”

You don't have time to react before she closes in. “I mean, I guess I didn't exist in some timelines, so you had to settle for that instead–”

“That? You realize we're probably like, the same person, right?” Urbain grits his teeth.

“I wouldn't even care as much if you dated him. That'd be like the next best thing if I didn't exist!” Her voice wavers. “But then you married Corbeau in this timeline! Why?!”

“Why?” Corbeau repeats with venom. He scoffs. “They don't have to defend themselves to you, and I don't have to listen to your stupidity. Why are you wasting your time asking dumb questions anyway? Don't you have a city to defend– one of you, anyway, whoever's in charge now.”

His comment makes Taunie and Urbain glare at each other. They have a whole argument with their eyes, one you can't decipher, but evidently Taunie is the one who wins. She spins back towards you.

“We can talk it out later, I guess. I just–” She squeezes her eyes shut before forcing them back open, joined with a smile. “Just don't shut me out, okay? I wanna help you out any way I can.”

She's pleading. You know her well enough to know that. And how can you deny that pretty face you once fell in love with?

“I won't. I think for now, just help keep the Wild Zones contained so Lumiose doesn't get as bad as everywhere else.”

“Okay! That's a really good idea!” She reaches forward like she's about to hug you, but Corbeau's sharp glare stops her. She tugs on jacket collar before forcing that smile back on her face. “So can we call tonight?”

“They'll be busy,” Corbeau says.

“I'll try.” You nudge your husband, who only rolls his eyes. After a reluctant goodbye, Taunie leaves the building.

Urbain doesn't move.

“What?” Corbeau hisses.

He stutters for a moment before saying, “I just wanted to know if there's anything I can do to help you too!”

Ah. Of course him, too. “Well… I saw someone get injured really badly on the way over here. Just go around the city and see if you can find anyone else like that who needs help.”

"Okay! So later, can we call–” His eyes widen and he bites his tongue. “Blegh– nevermind. We'll just talk later. See you.”

He turns to leave, but stops so he can look back between you and Corbeau, who he eyes suspiciously. “And if you need anything else–"

“Leave! Now!”

“Jeez! Anger issues!” Urbain glances at you. “So this is your man now, huh?”

Urbain escapes before Corbeau can shout again. His fists shake as he watches the door shut with a loud thump. It's not until you touch his shoulder that he stills, and releases it all with a heavy sigh. He turns back to you.

He takes your chin to guide you to his eyes. “Why do those two need your permission to do anything?”

You still can't quite meet his gaze, though. “Stories from other timelines.”

His grip on your chin tightens as he leans forward, until you can't look at anything else but him. “Make sure you remind them who you're married to.”

“...I know.” You examine him carefully. “Are you okay?”

Corbeau tightens his lips for a moment until finally releasing you. “Yeah… Right now, we need to handle what’s happening. You said you know someone who'd want to hurt Arceus? He should be here if there was a merge, right?”

You nod begrudgingly. “Yeah, but I still have no idea how I'm gonna find him… He's the type to hide.”

“Well, we can make this situation work to our advantage. Since all the regions are now one, that gives him less space to hide. Come with me.” He leads you back inside his office so he can sit back in front of his laptop. “Give me his description. I'll have everyone in the Rust Syndicate and its associates looking for him.”

As you do that, he pulls up a map of the new world. It's similar to the one shown on the news, not much better in quality, probably since it's so new.

But after examining it, you realize the new world is still just too damn big. As much as you respect Corbeau's power, his influence only reaches so far. You think back to his words. Make the situation work to our advantage…

He stops typing. You gaze at him. “What’s wrong?”

He meets your gaze with a sharp one. “One of my grunts just sent me a message saying that they ran into somebody from your search party.”

“My what?”

“That’s what I’m asking you.” He deadpans.

“How would I know what–” you cut yourself off. After a pause of thought, you take your phone back out and open your social media.

The #1 Trending Tag is #championsearchparty. The #2 Trending Tag is #championmandelaeffect. You check the first thread you find– one of many that tags you in it.

bro i can’t be the only one who clearly remembers them being unova’s champion for years right. So why y’all saying that they’re hoenn’s champion when i swear to arceus that they’re literally not. 

↳ Its not just hoenn, i met someone who thought they were from kalos??? everyone is confused since the regions got fucked up

↳ guys i literally have the battle footage from when they took on leon saved on my computer… idk about anything else but they were AT LEAST champion of galar at one point 

[video]

↳ WTF THATS NOT REAL. WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN  

↳ AI SLOP

Your heart drops in your stomach. So even total strangers have been affected by the merge… you keep scrolling until you find an account you recognize. 

☆ionozone☆: WHT IS HAPENPEINGG CHATTTTTT IM SOS CONFUSEDS? MY POOKIE WHERE R DEY……. [gif]

↳ DYN4MOC4N4RI♪: oooh ouch iono… girly… i’m gonna hold your hand when I show you this

[image]

Look who’s been here with me this whole time! Took this just a few days ago even!! Stay mad!!! <3 

You almost drop your phone at what you see. It's an image of you and Canari walking through Lumiose City and holding hands, looking up at the Rotom Phone that had flown above your heads to get the high angle. For you, it's like someone finding a forgotten vintage photo in their grandparents’ attic. But for her, it was just last week. 

Canari's response was so recent that Iono hadn't even answered yet, but plenty of others had.

↳ I. WHAT. 

↳ Bruh why are you surprised, everyone knows canari is dating them 

↳ I DIDNT??? BC THEYRE ON ALL OF IONOS STREAMS AND SHES ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT DATING THEM

↳ huh?? ionos streams are always just her whining and talking shit about canari cuz she stole them away from her cuz shes better lmao 

↳ Omg sweaty canari fans will do anything to ruin iono’s rep 🙄 now ur just spreading flat out lies and fake photos

↳ def not fake, I literally was in the area when they were together and I even got a picture with them too

[image] 

literally get a life loser lmao 

↳ 022.719.9.6

↳ DID YOU JUST FUCKING DOX ME 

↳ Welp the shippers are doxxing people again, internet is officially back to a war zone. Time to log off and touch grass– oh wait the world is basically a war zone too rn haha imma kms [gif]

You stop and stare at the one reply that stands out among the rest. 

↳ OMG @.raihan! LOOK??? THEY’RE IN LUMIOSE SEND THE WHOLE SEARCH PARTY RN!!! 

“What are you looking at?” Corbeau peers over your shoulder and sneers at what he sees. “Who’s Raihan and why is he looking for you?” 

“He's… another person I used to be close with. In another timeline.”

Corbeau refuses to look away from your screen as you tap on Raihan's account. His profile picture is still that photo of you wearing his hoodie and wrapped up in his arms. Your username is tagged in his bio, next to the words ‘taken!’

You wilt. 

“Another one?” Corbeau pulls your phone closer to him. His expression gets more venomous as he studies Raihan's face, like he's disgusted by what he sees. He makes you set it down and look at him again. “How often is this gonna happen?”

Oh shit, you realize. How often is this gonna happen?!

“I don't know.” You cringe. 

“Then you need to tell everyone that you're taken– mine. Fast.”

The way he grips your wrist makes you shift uncomfortably. “How am I supposed to tell everyone at once when…”

You trail off as Raihan's photo catches your eye again. His most recent post, in which he asked all his fans to search for you since you mysteriously disappeared from his side, had gained millions of likes in barely a day. 

Ah. So that's how.