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Because he'd been adopted by Professor Carolina from a young age, it was only natural that Sam lived with her—and by extension, with Cynthia as well.
Their house sat on a quiet slope in Celestic Town, an old-style building with wooden flooring, warm paper lanterns, and the constant scent of mountain herbs drifting through the open windows.
In the cozy living room, Sam was reading through a translated scroll when soft footsteps approached from the hallway.
Cynthia stood in front of a mirror, lazily undoing the golden buttons on her coat.
She slipped out of her Champion attire and into something more comfortable—an oversized cream-colored sweater and cotton shorts.
Even in the loose homewear, her figure was as breathtaking as ever, graceful and strong in ways no magazine could capture.
Her long golden hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, glowing faintly in the evening light before she casually tied it into a loose ponytail.
With a small sigh, she walked over and plopped onto the sofa beside Sam, leaning against him like a tired Piplup seeking warmth.
"It's been non-stop lately," she murmured, stretching like a Meowth.
"Some days I don't even have time to eat ice cream."
Sam smiled, setting aside the scroll.
"Then today's a lucky day."
She gave a little giggle, then curled up next to him, her head resting on his shoulder.
He wrapped an arm around her without a second thought.
"So, what have you been up to this past month?"
Cynthia snuggled closer, breathing in his familiar scent—the scent of ink, fresh parchment, and something uniquely Sam.
"Let's see…" she began, her voice muffled slightly by his shirt.
"There were unresolved issues left by the last League administration. Lots of paperwork."
"Then there's that rogue poaching group—Golden Fang, I think they're called. They've been targeting Dragon-types recently. I've been helping the Elite Four crack down on them."
Sam's brow furrowed.
"Any casualties?"
"None so far. But they're careful. That's the problem."
Cynthia continued, lifting a hand and ticking tasks off her fingers.
"I had to look after Caitlin. Then I made a guest appearance at a Contest Festival in Hearthome. And don't forget—I have to start prepping for the Championship Ranking Tournament."
Sam gently brushed a strand of hair from her cheek.
"Sounds exhausting."
"Mm," Cynthia sighed, her voice softening.
"But this-this is nice."
She lay curled in his lap like a contented Glameow, her legs tucked beneath her and her head still resting on his chest.
"You're doing great," Sam said, running his fingers through her silky hair.
"It'll settle down once the League stabilizes."
Cynthia hummed in agreement, her voice sleepy now.
"Maybe. But there's still training to do…"
She sat up slightly, eyes sharpening with that competitive fire he knew well.
"The Championship Ranking Tournament starts in half a year. I can't slack off now."
She counted off again with her fingers.
"I heard that Lance got his hands on a Gyaradosite. He's already prepping for Mega Evolution."
Sam nodded. "That'll boost his already terrifying Gyarados even more."
"And Wallace," she continued, "has a Mega Stone for Swampert. Sootopolis' priesthood probably passed it down to him. I heard he's coming out of retirement for this cycle. He's no joke either."
Sam raised an eyebrow.
"You sound worried."
"Not worried," Cynthia said.
"Just… aware. The others are preparing seriously. I should, too."
She looked down for a moment.
"The thing is, Garchomp can Mega Evolve. But Garchompite… It's so rare. Even Grandma pulled all her strings, but no luck so far."
"If I had it, I'd at least have the power to hold middle ground."
The Championship Points Tournament was more than just a global battle exhibition—it was a competitive event for Champions and top trainers across all regions.
Placement didn't just earn glory; it brought prestige, funding, and power to their respective Leagues.
Sam listened quietly, then reached up to gently cup her face.
"Don't worry," he said.
"I've read through old myth texts from Kalos and Hoenn. Some mention stones deep underground, remnants of Mega Evolution energy from the ancient war. Maybe there's something buried in Sinnoh too."
Cynthia's eyes softened, her lips curving into a smile.
"You always say the right thing."
"I mean it," Sam replied.
"I'll look through the Celestic archives again. If there's a lead on the Garchompite, I'll find it."
A pleased sound escaped her lips as she leaned in and pecked his cheek, eyes gleaming.
"You're too good to me," she said with a grin.
"That's why I'm keeping you."
Sam chuckled. "Guess I'm trapped, huh?"
"Mm-hmm~" Cynthia shifted, resting her chin on his shoulder, her voice a mischievous whisper.
"You belong."
Their laughter mingled in the quiet house, soft and light.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Cynthia's eyes fluttered shut, her breathing slowing in his arms.
Sam leaned his head back against the cushion, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.
The system… The countdown had started. Six days left until it finished initializing.
He could feel something stirring beneath the surface of his soul.
Ancient glyphs danced faintly at the edge of his vision.
Power was coming—and with it, destiny.
But for now, in the warm light of home, with the person he loved resting peacefully beside him…
Sam was content.
After talking for a while in the quiet comfort of the living room, Cynthia began to feel the fatigue from her long journey to Lily of the Valley Island.
The adrenaline from seeing Sam again had faded, replaced by a growing drowsiness that tugged at her eyes.
Without a word, she shifted and gently laid her head across Sam's lap, using his thigh as a pillow.
Her arms wrapped around him, holding him close as if afraid he'd disappear again.
Her eyes fluttered shut, long lashes casting delicate shadows on her cheeks.
Her breathing slowed.
In the soft golden light spilling through the curtains, she looked ethereal, like a serene fairy from an old legend.
Sam looked down at her. Her fair skin, gently rising and falling with each breath, seemed to glow. Her natural blonde hair spilled like silk across his lap and the couch cushions.
There was something foreign, almost divine, about her presence—so familiar, yet still able to take his breath away.
Unable to resist, he gently stroked her hair with one hand, fingers combing through the golden strands.
"Mmm~" Cynthia purred faintly in approval, eyes still closed.
She adjusted her head, nuzzling slightly against him—until her forehead brushed against something solid beneath the fabric of his clothes.
Her movement paused.
The long lashes trembled again before lifting, revealing her golden-gray eyes, now sharp with playful mischief and a faint rosy flush across her cheeks.
She looked up at him with a half-lidded, meaningful smile.
"Huh~?" she teased, her voice a soft whisper that danced along his nerves.
Sam coughed awkwardly, his hand frozen in place.
"Well… uh…"
Cynthia lifted herself slowly, still keeping her eyes locked on his.
Her confidence was radiant, bold and unmistakably feminine.
Her cheeks were pink, but her gaze didn't waver.
"Now?" she asked, her voice low and smooth.
Sam swallowed, nodding. "Y-yeah."
She chuckled quietly, then reached out and tapped him lightly on the forehead with one slender finger.
"Idiot," she whispered affectionately.
Then, without another word, she stood and walked off toward the bedroom, hips swaying ever so slightly with each graceful step.
At the doorway, she paused and turned halfway back, glancing at him with a smile that said far more than words ever could.
The door didn't close all the way.
Sam blinked, then stood quickly, his heart racing as understanding settled in.
He ran a hand through his hair, taking a steadying breath before stepping forward.
"Let's go," he murmured, a small smile playing at his lips.
Cynthia had already slipped inside.
The door remained slightly ajar.
He followed her in.
Though not yet married, Sam and Cynthia had long since crossed the line between promise and bond.
Their hearts were already spoken for—each belonging wholly to the other.
In the eyes of Celestic Town, they were already husband and wife in everything but name.
And as the twilight settled over the quiet town, the two soulmates disappeared behind the door, into a moment just for themselves.