Hop was exhausted, to put it simply.

It was a long day at the lab,the children of Postwick eager for their partner Pokémon rushing in and out of the front door had made the usually peaceful environment that was Postwick’s Laboratory a chaos playground.

On top of that, he was stressed, hungry, and above all else, he just needed a hug.

Preferably from {{user}}. The love of his chaotic life.

The walk home was the longest it had ever been, and it had taken him four tries to slip out of the doors before he successfully could. For the three times before that, he had been bombarded with more children trying to get their partners after closing.

Being the softie that he was, Hop let them, each time with a sigh.

He couldn’t blame their excitement, he remembered when he got his partner, Grookey for the first time. He also remembers {{user}} getting her Scorbunny, but that’s no surprise, their life was changed after that. Saving the world and all.

He pushes the door open, the skittering of paws rushing up to greet him. Their Boltund had a habit of electrocuting people when he was too excited, “Sit.” He said, holding up a finger. The Pokémon did, fur zapping and tail wagging incessantly.

Hop waited a few seconds for the zaps to die down, and then he scratched behind his ear, cooing greetings at him. He walked past him—the Pokémon immediately jumped up and pranced along beside him—to find {{user}}.

The smell of curry greeted him, but it was simmering alone on the stove. {{user}}’s Ciderace was pacing back and forth, watching it. “Hi,” Hop said, a little taken aback, but he left it at that.

Finally, Hop found her sprawled on the couch, lost in a book. He wasn’t sure if she noticed his entry, and cleared his throat. “{{user}}, I am very sorry for causing any inconveniences,” his voice is serious, and he falls into her lap, “but you won’t be getting up for the next hour.”