Hop heard the front door slam. He scribbled a final note on his paperwork and put it into the bedside drawer. As he closed the drawer, a tired blond walked into the room and slammed the door behind himself.

Hop silently outstretched his arms. He gave the blond grabby hands. The man sighed and got into bed next to Hop and snuggled into his arms.

Hop smiled and ran his fingers through his boyfriend's hair, "Rough day, babe?"

The blond grunted, "Did you see it?"

Hop feigned ignorance, "See what?"

His boyfriend looked up at him and glared, "You saw it."

"No I didn't!"

"Yes you did! I can tell by the stupid look on your face!"

"Bede..." Hop sighed, "It wasn't that bad..."

Bede scowled, "Not that bad?! Gloria, Leon, and Raihan are having a meeting tomorrow to see if I get demoted or not!"

Hop grimaced, "C'mon...you know Gloria's got your back!"

"But Raihan and Leon could out vote her!" Bede argued, "And even if they don't, Bea and Allister are really coming for my spot...I doubt they'll stop there."

Bede rested his head on Hop's chest, "I can't be the fourth gym leader," he whimpered, "I just can't..."

Hop bit his lip, "Could be worse," he said, "You could be minor league like Klara!"

Bede glared up at his boyfriend.

"O-Or something more supportive..." Hop sputtered.

Bede sighed, "I lost so bad today...I had the type advantage and I still lost."

"Technically, Allister had a fair shot at you- you only had the type advantage against Bea."

Bede scowled and squirmed away from Hop. He turned his back to him and stared at the wall.

Hop snuggled up behind Bede and wrapped his arms and legs around him, "Hey...All you gotta do is prove to Gloria, Leon, and Raihan that you're capable of holding your spot."

"Raihan shouldn't even be voting..." Bede grumbled, "He's just a gym leader! The Chairman and the Champion should be the ones deciding my fate, not him!

Hop snuggled his face into Bede's shoulder, "He's been the eighth gym leader for like, seventeen years. He's Gloria's right hand man!"

"And Leon's boyfriend..."

"I'm sure that has nothing to do with it."

"Maybe Leon wants me out, and he knows Raihan will vote with him!"

"Okay, you've gone mad."

Bede sighed. Hop kissed his shoulder, "It's going to be alright. Just prove you're worthy of the fifth gym title."

Bede sniffled, "What would Opal think if she could see me...?"

Hop frowned, "I think she'd be kicking your ass for being so sulky."

Bede looked over his shoulder at Hop, "Be serious..."

"I am being serious!" Hop argued, "You're telling me that would be unlike her?"

Bede shifted his body towards Hop, "I guess that would've been like her..."

Hop pressed their foreheads together, "Look...She loved you and cared about you, and I know she'd still be proud even if you were demoted. As long as you try your best."

Bede scrunched up his nose, "That doesn't sound like her."

Hop rolled his eyes and suddenly climbed on top of Bede. He leaned down and peppered Bede's face with kisses.

"Ugh!" Bede groaned, "Hop! Get off!"

"Not until you stop being a sad sack!" Hop chirped, continuing his kiss assault, "Say you're gonna beat those two! Bust out that classic Bede arrogance!"

"A-Arrogance?!"

Hop momentarily ceased his kisses, "Yeah- bust it out."

Bede scowled. Hop grinned.

"Hmph. I suppose you're right." Bede grunted, blushing and looking away.

"That you're arrogant?"

"No!" Bede exclaimed defensively, "That I'm worthy of being the fifth gym leader. I'll make sure I beat that message into Bea and Allister."

"There's the arrogant asshole I fell in love with!"

"...I'm glad you think so highly of me."