Flipped

  A/N I’ve had to push myself to finish this story, so this is the last chapter as if I tried to extend it, I would probably ever end up finishing it. 

  “He’s going to be alright. You got him here in good time.”

  Falkner let out a sigh of relief at these words. Looking the nurse in the eye, he said, “May I see him?”

  The woman nodded. “You may.  He may be a bit funny from the morphine, so please be aware of that."

  Falker nodded.  "Of course.  Thank you for your help." The blue-haired male entered his friend's hospital room, finding Morty curled up on the mattress. 

  The blond's wrists were bandaged, a few IVs poking out from the white material.  Blond hair stuck to Morty's face from sweat, the young man pale and frowning. 

  "Falkner...?” Morty tilted his head, his dark eyes conveying his confusion.  “What are you doing here...?”

  “Well, I couldn’t just leave you here by yourself, could I?” Falkner sighed as he sat on the edge of the bed, reaching out to brush blond hair out of Morty’s eyes.  “I mean...  You’re my friend, after all.”

  Morty offered a weak smile before he looked at his lap.  “...Eusine is not going to be happy when he hears about this...”

  “Who cares about what he thinks?!” Falkner snapped.  “I don’t even know why you’re putting up with him!  Why do you want someone like that in your life, Morty?!”

  Morty looked anywhere but at Falkner as he whispered, “Because he’s my best friend...”

  “Best friends don’t do those kind of things!” Falkner could feel himself losing his temper, but he knew it wouldn’t do any good – he would be no better than Eusine otherwise.  “Why...  Why can’t you see that he’s not worth it...?”

  Morty knew the other male was right, but how was he supposed to just abandon his best friend...?  How was he supposed to forget all those years of friendship – forget how Eusine was once a good person...? 

  “Morty...” Falkner sighed and leant forward, his eyes soft.  “Morty, move in with me.  He’ll never be able to hurt you again.”

  “But...” Morty was a Gym Leader; he couldn’t just abandon his post!  “...”

  The blue-haired male knew what his friend was thinking, and he hated it.  “Forget all that; you need to heal.  You don’t need to stress about your gym or anything of the sort – you need peace.”

  Morty knew that look in the other’s eye; it was one of persistence, and Falkner wasn’t the kind of person who would back down when he had his mind set to something.  He knew the younger male wouldn’t give up until he had Morty following him back to Violet City, but... what about his home?  His possessions?  His title...?

  “We can do double battles.” Again, Falkner seemed to have read the blond’s mind.  “We can run the Violet City Gym together.  I’ll send someone over to get your things.  You just can’t go back there – not with Eusine still around.” 

  Morty knew his friend was right; no matter how much it hurt, he had to leave – if not for his safety, but his sanity.

 Even as Morty said yes, agreeing to his friend’s offer, he knew it wouldn’t be as simple as this; it would take time for his scars to heal – if they ever would.  The things Eusine had done to him may always be in the back of his mind, but now, he knew Eusine couldn’t inflict even more damage – not with Falkner by his side. 

  Morty was glad he had friends like this.