Karen's eyes fluttered open as a small smile crept over her lips. In front of her, she saw Grimsley holding her waist as Will was behind him, legs intertwined. They looked so peaceful from their intimate throes that occurred the night before. It was so unusual for her to wake at this hour. Normally she would wake at around noon, but today? She was up around ten.
Perhaps she could surprise the boys with something for breakfast?
She would need to get a shower and dressed first. Carefully, she slips out of Grimsley's arms and crawls out of bed. Gathering a few things, fresh clothes, brush, and make-up, before sliding into the bathroom. Humming to herself, she ran the tips of her fingers through her hair before reaching for her soap. Feeling around, she couldn't find it until she felt a familiar pair of hands threading through her hair. She smirked.
"Oh love dove, you don't have to do that. I can wash my hair."
She felt the soft brush of Will's lips against her shoulders, pulling her closer. "I am aware. But I didn't get a chance to admire you last night. At least allow me this."
"Ah-..hmm..if you say so."
A soft chuckle from the other, "I most certainly do. Now. . . ."
Karen closed her eyes as she leaned her head back as much as she physically could so Will could rub and lather the soap into her hair. "Thank you. Is Grimsley still asleep?"
"Last I checked, he was still sound asleep."
Karen turned around after a moment to face Will, allowing the water to bounce off of her back as she reached a hand out to brush her fingers against his cheek, " I'm sorry if I woke you, love dove. I thought I was quiet enough to allow you to still rest."
Will wraps an arm around her waist as the other trails a path up her side, curving around her breast with the softest touch that sent shivers up her spine, followed by a sharp intake of her breath. Her reaction urged a sly grin to stretch over the Psychic's lips. He leans forward, brushing his lips against her neck as he chuckles softly into her ear.
"I've been awake for an hour, Karen. No need to feel bad about possibly waking me." He nips her neck softly, earning a dreamy sigh from the dark woman. "Are you truly planning on going out on your own this morning? You know it isn't wise to travel on your own. but I know you won't hear it. At least take one of your partners with you, for me?"
Karen gave a soft hum, nodding, "I already planned on taking Houndoom with me."
"Splendid. I'm glad we could have this little chat."
"Does that mean you'll be leaving then?" she gave him a playful pout, reluctant to have him leave. His warmth complimented the hot shower.
He gave a soft hum, his wandering hand traveling down as his head tilted. Though his bright lavender eyes were still covered by his mask, she could tell by that grin of his that he had something devious in mind.
"I suppose I could think of a reason or two to stay for a few minutes."
Karen couldn't help but smile from ear to ear, "Now you're talking."
Will closes the distance between them in a soft kiss, allowing his roaming hand to slide down over Karen's hips and dive between her legs. Two digits graze over her folds, already moist from his earlier teasing. She moans into him as he toyed with her insides until she wasn't able to remain still in his arms. While they were locked in their lip lock, Will lured her against the shower wall, allowing him to lift one of her legs as he continued to stroke her inner walls.
Gasping, she breaks from the kiss and leans her forehead against his, " W-Will..." her voice came out hoarse as she breathed heavily against his lips.
"What's the magic word?~" he purred against her own in return.
Her head leaned against the porcelain wall behind her, "*..."
Will chuckled against her neck, "Not quite. Try again, my darling diva. I know you can think of the word. You don't want to beg for it, do you?"
"P-please...?"
"Ahhh..that's what I was looking for. Ready for your first finale, darling?"
She leaned her head back as she nods against the wall, "Y-yes.."
Hearing her plead like that gave him a rush he couldn't ignore. Leaning forward, he pressed soft kisses from her collar, down the valley between her breasts, further down her stomach as he took a knee -- resting her leg over his shoulder.
Karen felt her head spin the moment Will probed his tongue against her eager petals. Each slow motion of his tongue inched her closer to her much-needed release. He knew how she could get in the morning. Though he wasn't personally in the mood to get too involved, what sort of partner would he be if he left her unattended? He knew she would certainly do the same for him if he asked. Just by the way she was moaning, he could tell, she was ever so close to the edge.
A single hand rested on his head, massaging his scalp as her hips rolled into his lips. There were so few who could dare to claim to know how to make her unwind with ease. Will was certainly one of them. Grimsley was becoming a quick second. She would need to spend more time with him to make a final judgment though.
As his tongue dove deeper inside her, a sharp nerve was struck inside her and she felt an electric wave of heat wash over her. Breathing heavily, she tugged on his hair as she rolled her hips against him, before slowly coming down from her high. Once she relaxed against the wall, Will pulled back for a moment, but only long enough for him to plant a soft at each inner thigh while looking up at her.
"Have I told you how beautiful and relaxed you look when you come down from a high?"
A soft laugh slips from her lips, "Not recently, no."
A kiss is pressed against her left thigh, shifting her leg off of his shoulder to stand. Ignoring the hot water that poured over him, he hooked a finger under her chin, pulling her closer to his height to lure his dark beauty into a self-indulgent kiss. Karen moaned softly as she tasted herself against his lips. It was always such a unique taste against her lips, but not something she didn't care for.
Her lips parted wide, groaning into him. He took her open invitation and swiped his tongue over her own, ensuring she knew that he was always ready for whatever challenge she laid before him. Parting from their kiss, he left her in a daze as a triumphant grin crept over his lips.
"You look radiant, dearest Karen. A diva after my own heart with the cries of a siren I can't help but answer. Your voice bids me to follow your beckoning call."
Will presses a kiss upon her forehead, " I'll let you finish your shower. You know where to find me if you want more."
Karen stole a quick kiss from his lips before he turned to leave and dry himself off, heading back to the room - though leaving the door open ajar. She shook her head, a smile never once leaving her lips as she finished her shower. When she got out, she noticed that Grimsley was getting dressed. Smiling to herself, she dried her hair before placing her towel around her slender body.
"Grimsley, would you come here a second?" Her voice was soft as she beckoned him to join her.
"Hm?" He approaches the room, pausing a few steps away from the door when he sees her in a towel, "Are you sure it's okay for me to come in?"
"Of course. Why else do you think Will left the door open? "
Grimsley looked over his shoulder to see that Will was finishing getting dressed. Feeling a dark gaze in his direction, Will turned to Grimsley. A knowing grin crept over the Psychic's lips as he adjusted the sleeves for his outfit.
"It isn't polite to leave a lady waiting, Grimsley. I do believe Karen is waiting for you."
This was so weird for him. He slid into the bathroom to join Karen. Once he was past the doorway, she grabbed him by the shirt and closed the door.
He was taken aback by the pull, but he gave her his usual grin, "You need me, Karen?"
The dark woman held him close, pulling on his tie to steal a quick kiss from Grimsley, "Mhmm.~ I need to have a little word with you."
He settled his hands along her hips, ensuring that her towel didn't fall off, yet keeping her close.
"Well, you certainly have my attention. I'm all ears."
"Did you sleep well last night?"
His piercing blue eyes calmed over her slender frame, "I did. I haven't felt that well-rested in a while. Heh heh. I suppose I have you and Will to thank for that." He leans forward, pressing his forehead against her own, a twisted smirk playing over his lips, "Are you two always that. . . .energetic?"
"Not all the time but we have our moments." Karen traces a line up his chest, humming softly, "Do you have plans for today? I was hoping we could spend some time together."
". . . ." Grimsley was quiet for a moment, looking away from her, "I can't stay with you two. We lost the PML because of me. I know you both want me to stay but...one losing streak after another doesn't bode well for one's motivation to keep going. The odds haven't exactly been in my favor lately."
Karen frowned a bit, "So you're going to leave then?"
"I suppose so. This was fun but I need to find my luck. . .somewhere else. I'd only bring you two down with me and neither of you deserves that." He looked away from her, "Trust me. Things are better off this way. It was a mistake to join the two of you...despite the fun we had." a faint smile crept at the corner of his lips before it faded, turning his attention back to Karen, "I'm sorry to disappoint you and Will. I should just go."
Karen's heart sank as she listened to him before her brows narrowed at him, "You're making a mistake by leaving. We can achieve so much together. There will be other events for us to participate in together. You can't let a few losses get you down like this."
He tilts his head at her, "..and what would you know about losses?"
". . . . ."She looked away from him this time, unsure how to answer.
"That's about what I thought. Thanks for the thrills, but I don't belong here."
She releases him, taking a step back before opening the door, "Good luck. . ." her voice was soft.
Grimsley ran a hand through his hair before turning to leave the room. Once he was back in the bedroom, he could hear the door behind him slam shut. Seems like he may have been the cause of Karin having a poor mood this morning. Oops.
Will stood against a nearby wall, arms crossed as he stared at Grimsley's back.
"So, you're leaving then? I was hoping you would reconsider."
Grimsley shook his head, raising a hand, "Loss stacked against loss only makes the odds worse against us. There's no way we'd make it anywhere. . .not after seeing the chemistry we have on the field against the current champion. Heh..to think, three Elites defeated in a single sweep by a mere kid. That's quite the low blow if you ask me."
"So it's a pride thing then?"
Grimsley half turned to face Will, who had his head tilted at him, "Heh..it's more than just pride, though I won't pretend that isn't part of the equation."
Will pushes himself off of the wall to cross the room. He takes one of Grimsley's hands into his own, looking up at the dark gambler," I suppose I can't force you to stay. When you've made up your mind, there's no convincing you otherwise. Just do me a favor and take care of yourself. I have this gut feeling that something bad might happen to you if you don't pay attention to the choices you make."
Grimsley raises the hand that held Will's to his lips, "I can't make any promises but I will certainly try, for your sake, dear Will."
C R A S H !!!
The sound of broken glass could be heard from behind Will. The Psychic sighed. He could sense a great deal of hostility from Karen and a mix of other emotions. His partner was a royal mess and a half, all because of the man in front of him.
"If you're going to leave, I suggest going now. I need to check on Karen."
"Right. . . .Take care. I'll see you around."
Releasing Will's hand, Grimsley leaves the apartment, closing the door behind him. Will took a moment to compose himself. He wasn't happy that Grimsley left either, but he had to be a rock for Karen. Once she recovered, he would slowly unload the disappointment he felt towards their now former team member.
Turning on his heel, he carefully opens the door to see that Karen was fully dressed she sat on the floor with her knees up to her chest, but her right hand had a few small cuts as the bathroom mirror was in several shards, and her brush was discarded in the sink.
"Karen. . .?"
She was silent, looking away from him. She didn't want to see her crying. She was stronger than this. . .
A sigh left his lips. He steps closer to her, carefully stepping around the broken glass. Taking a seat beside her, Will brushes several of her long silvery blue locks away from her face, tucking them behind her ear. Her eyes were bloodshot and he could see that she was crying earlier. He brushed the back of his hand against her cheek to chase away the tears.
"Karen. . .are you alright?" A dumb question on his end, but he needed to hear from her how she was feeling.
"No. .that damn Unovian just. . .left. Are we not enough for him? We had a good thing going, didn't we?"
"We did but not all Sync pairs stay together, unfortunately. It's just how things work. He'll be okay. With the PML over, I am sure that he will find a pair that works for his needs. We need to focus on ourselves now until we are asked to join an event."
She rolls her eyes, "...like that will ever happen."
"Karen..you know what I mean, don't you?"
Karen ran a hand through her hair, a sigh slipping from her lips, "Yeah, I know what you mean. That doesn't mean I have to like it." She looks around the room, "Sorry about the glass.."
"A minor setback for the day. Shouldn't take long to clean and fix. What we need to do first though, is tend to your injury."
He turns to have a First Aid kit float towards him so he could patch up her right arm from the small cuts from the broken mirror pieces. Once he finished, he carried her from the floor and brought her to the bed.
Kissing her forehead, he brushed a few stray locks away from her face," Just stay here. I'll take care of the mirror."
Karen gave him a nod, turning to her side so she back was facing him.
Stepping away from Karen, he went to the bathroom and stood a few feet away from it. "Hm. . . ."
Concentrating, Will mentally searched for every tiny piece of glass in the room. Raising them from the ground and sink tabletop, he carefully placed each piece back into place. It was almost like putting together a jigsaw puzzle but had to arrange them in his mind so they would do as he commanded.
It would take him about twenty minutes, due to several tiny pieces flying across the room, to properly fix the mirror. He admired his work for a moment. Seamless cracks covered the mirror. It would do for now until he could inform a staff member on Pasio that he might need a replacement.
A sigh leaves his lips, "I hope you know what you're doing, Grimsley. . ." he muttered under his breath.
He then leaves the room, determined to cheer up Karen and attempt to distract her from something that wouldn't depress her further.
______________________
[ Two Years Later ]
The rumor mill was alive and well on the cruise ship to Alola. Karen was doing her best to ignore it as she leaned over a balcony. Her black crop top was accompanied by a matching pair of shorts and a half-silk floral skirt. There was a bored expression on her face, despite the joy she should be feeling for today.
She and Will saved up several sick days for multiple months to go on a vacation around Valentine's Day. Being that there weren't many trainers coming to challenge the gyms around this time of year, they were safe to take at least a week for themselves. At first, she was quite excited to go on a trip. The idea of spending a relaxing time in the sun on white sandy beaches with a cocktail in hand sounded like a perfect way to unwind.
However, during the boat ride to Alola, she had been hearing rumors of an aquatic racer with a Sharpedo named G. taking the ranks on the Manatee races. At first, she didn't care. Water-type races were common around places that were surrounded by small islands. However, when G was described, she was stuck between a mix of emotions.
Anger, sadness, joy, doubt, nervousness. . .
She reached for her small purse, took out a cigarette, and lit it. Karen didn't smoke often but it was an occasional bad habit that allowed her to destress when she was frazzled or needed to hold back a nervous breakdown.
Inhaling for a moment, she breathed out as she heard footsteps beside her, "If you're going to give me a lecture, keep it to yourself."
Will laughed softly," I know better than to do that. I'm just coming over to check on you." His tone grew softer as he placed a gentle hand on her lower back, "You seemed pretty rattled back there. Are you okay?"
Karen shook her head, "No. I'm not. He's here and I just feel so many...emotions. My head and heart are confused."
He leans against the railing beside her, "I know how you feel. I wasn't exactly happy he left either but we couldn't force him to stay. If he is here, try to be civil...if you can."
She took a long drag from her drug, icy blues glaring forward at the islands becoming closer, "I'll attempt. I can't promise anything."
Will's eyes went wide for a moment before they softened, followed by a light chuckle. His laugh caused her to raise a brow.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh, just that you dark types are so similar with your mannerisms when it comes to making promises. I find it amusing." He tilted his head to the right, thoughtfully holding his chin, "If I recall correctly, Grimsley said something similar when I told him to take care of himself. How interesting."
"Hopefully that's all we have in common..." she mutters softly.
They both felt the depth of her words, killing any joking joy that was in the air beforehand. Will reaches for her free hand, giving her a tight supportive squeeze. She leans her head on his shoulder.
"Promise me, that you won't leave my side too. ." Karen whispers to him.
"I wouldn't dream of it. I'm afraid you're quite stuck with me." he teased, kissing her forehead.
His comment earned a soft giggle from her, "I'm good with that.."
It would be a matter of hours before they landed at the islands. They would see an old companion and lover soon. Only time would tell what would happen once they docked.
