just to ask what would would happen if hop and Leon never knew each other now I love them both but think about it
I feel even if Leon and Hop never knew each other they'd always feel like something was missing. Like a missing part of themselves that they know they can't live without but they're not sure what.
Their bond, while complicated at times thanks to Leon's Championhood, is very deep between them. Leon is the same man who has horrible direction but the very second his brother is in danger he's able to lock in and find his way to him instantly like in the Slumbering Weald. Hop meanwhile kind of seems to have a similar sense because he was darn well certain something was going on at Rose Tower and pushed for MC to go with him. While both situations weren't really dangerous, they got a sense that something could happen and locked in.
For how they wouldn't know each other...the situation would most likely be Leon and Hop's family give Hop up for adoption when he's just a baby and don't tell Leon that he even has a younger sibling since he's so busy and off in Wyndon.
-Hop on the one hand would grow up without the constant pressure of an older brother who's a shining star. On the other he would be in a Bede situation where if he isn't adopted he'd be moved from home to home and cause a different type of hurt to carry.
Hop would be a bit more wary towards people, mainly adults given how many times he's been passed around. How many times he's had his hopes up that maybe these people love him and want him, only for him to be moved to another place and have to start all over again.
The feeling of not being wanted would feel even worse for him. He'd try to be strong and act tough but inside he's a little kid who just wants to be loved. Inside he wants to be held by someone who loves him, who wants him and never wants to let him go because they're family.
Hop would still look up to Leon, but as a fan of a Champion. In a way more than just "He's an awesome unbeatable Champion", but also "He seems super nice and warm and an incredible trainer" admiration.
Sometimes he wonders, with a aching heart, what it'd be like to have an older brother like him. He always is super great with kids his age and so nice... But he'd always push that thought away as quick as it came.
Hop's learned the hard way not to think about such things, to not get his hopes up...
As much as Hop would love to meet him, it feels like it would hurt to do so as well.
-Leon meanwhile would feel even more lonely in his position as Champion. Sure he has a family that adores him but they put so much pressure on him to the point he doesn't really even like to go home anymore. (Being the one and only golden child with no one to turn to in the family would be hard...)
Him and Sonia have been distant (Without Hop around to help mend their bond thanks to their mutual love and care for him they don't have time to heal the rift between them)
Any other relationships he does have he can't even see because Rose has such a tight grip on him and his life.
By this point in his life Leon basically just has his Champion work and battles and while he loves the latter it can only fill so much of a void.
Leon all in all is a natural born older sibling/caretaker with how he treats younger kids, and I feel like if he didn't have one (or didn't know he had one) he'd want one so bad. Because while he loves his Mum and Grandparents, a little sibling is a different bond all together. He'd be able to take care of them , watch them grow up and become their own person, love them and be there for them like know that they'd be there for him too.
-Things change when Hop is moved to a town called Postwick. It's a sleepy place that's quaint and nice. He's given to a single mother with a child close to his age, which is a first for him because usually he's alone. While he doesn't warm up to the mom despite her being so kind and nice, he quickly clicks with her kid and they become close. At least... as close as Hop's willing at this point.
-Leon visits Wedgehurst to help inspire the trainers to try the Gym Challenge. He does it every year and usually it's more people from other parts of Galar to come see him but he always wants to try and help anyone who's new to want to try as well.
-Hop and his new friend just happen to be there shopping because his friend loves to look at new things brought into the store. He only tags along because his friend. Besides he likes to see them happy, it makes him happy too.
There's a giant crowd of people in front of the station. Hop hates crowds and holds onto his friend's arm as they help drag him away. Yet as they pass by Hop hears "It's Champion Time!" and turns to see none other than Champion Leon do his famous pose.
-Leon does his pose as he always does. He has to do it for the fans after all, help them be happy and smile. Even if he can't...
As he opens his eyes they trail over to a small form to the corner near the front of an outlet store.
He sucks a sharp breath as his gold eyes lock with the boy's...
The boy that... looks strikingly just like him... So much so it makes his heart ache.
-Hop stiffens as the Champion suddenly is staring at him with wide eyes, smile gone with a look of shock and awe on his face.
They've never met... but something in their hearts aches and cries out that they should... Something in them wants to run to that person and cling onto them, hug them tight and never let them go...
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And now I'm wondering if I should just write a fic about this because I've made this answer long I'm so sorry 😅. My brain just starts putting out ideas and I write with the flow!
If I do write more I'll call it something like My Missing Piece AU
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