Since he'd been adopted by Professor Carolina at a young age, it was only to be expected that Sam lived with her and, consequently, with Cynthia as well.
They lived on a peaceful slope in Celestic Town, an old-fashioned home with wood flooring, cozy paper lanterns, and the everlasting aroma of mountain herbs wafting through the open windows.
In the warm living room, Sam sat going over a translated scroll when quiet footsteps came from the hallway.
Cynthia leaned against a mirror, lazily unfastening the golden buttons on her coat.
She slid out of her Champion wear and into something more relaxed—an oversized cream-colored sweater and cotton shorts.
Even in the sloppy homewear, she was just as stunning as ever, beautiful and powerful in ways that no magazine could ever hope to convey.
Her golden hair flowed down her back in a waterfall, radiating softly in the dimming light before she carelessly pulled it into a sloppy ponytail.
With a little sigh, she strolled over and flopped down beside Sam on the sofa, leaning into him like an exhausted Piplup in search of heat.
"It's been non-stop these days," she sighed, stretching like a Meowth.
"Sometimes I don't even get time to eat ice cream."
Sam smiled, putting the scroll aside.
"Then today's your lucky day."
She had a small giggle, then snuggled up beside him, her head on his shoulder.
He put an arm around her without hesitation.
"So, what have you been doing all this last month?"
Cynthia moved in closer, inhaling his familiar aroma.
The smell of ink, fresh paper, and something distinctly Sam.
"Let's see…" she started, her voice muffled a bit by his shirt.
"There were loose ends left by the previous League administration. A lot of red tape."
"Then there's that illegal poaching group—Golden Fang, I believe. They've been after Dragon-types the past few times. I've been assisting the Elite Four in stamping them out."
Sam's brow creased.
"Any losses?"
"None yet. But they're cautious. That's the issue."
Cynthia went on, raising a hand and counting off tasks on her fingers.
"I needed to take care of Caitlin. Then I made a cameo at a Contest Festival in Hearthome. And let's not forget—now I need to begin preparing for the Championship Ranking Tournament."
Sam softly swept a strand of hair from her cheek.
"Sounds draining."
"Mm," Cynthia let out a sigh, her voice growing gentle.
"But this-this is pleasant."
She curled up in his lap as a satisfied Glameow, her legs drawn underneath her and her head still on his chest.
"You're doing well," Sam told her, combing through her smooth hair.
"It'll calm down once the League stabilizes."
Cynthia hummed in assent, her voice drowsy now.
"Perhaps. But there's still training to be done…"
She came up a little, eyes lighting with that competitive flame he knew so well.
"The Championship Ranking Tournament is beginning in half a year. I don't have time to slack now."
She counted off once more on her fingers.
"I heard that Lance managed to get hold of a Gyaradosite. Already preparing for Mega Evolution."
Sam nodded. "That's going to make his already frightening Gyarados even more so."
"And Wallace," she went on, "he has a Mega Stone for Swampert. Sootopolis' priesthood likely gave it. I heard he's returning from retirement for this cycle. He isn't to be underestimated, either."
Sam raised an eyebrow.
"You sound anxious."
"Not anxious," Cynthia said.
"Merely… aware. The others are taking it seriously. I should, too."
She gazed down for an instant.
"Garchomp can Mega Evolve. But Garchompite… It's just too rare. Even Grandma used all her connections, but nothing yet."
"If I had one, at least I'd have the ability to maintain the middle ground."
The Championship Points Tournament was not just an international battle showcase—it was an exhibition for competition among Champions and top trainers from all over the world.
Placement not only gained fame but also prestige, sponsorships, and influence for their respective Leagues.
Sam listened silently, then reached up to softly cradle her face.
"Don't worry," he said.
"I've gone through ancient texts of Kalos and Hoenn myths. Some speak of stones buried deep underground, leftovers of Mega Evolution power from the war of old. Perhaps there's something hidden in Sinnoh as well."
Cynthia's eyes softened, her lips curving into a smile.
"You always say the right thing."
"I mean it," Sam answered.
"I'll study the Celestic archives once more. If there is a clue on the Garchompite, I will find it."
A satisfied puff of sound was released past her lips as she leaned forward and kissed his cheek lightly, eyes shining.
"You're too good to me," she grinned.
"That's why I'm keeping you."
Sam laughed. "Guess I'm trapped, huh?"
"Mm-hmm~"
Cynthia moved, leaning against his shoulder, her voice a conspiratorial whisper.
"You belong."
Their laughter intermingled in the empty house, light and soft.
For a moment, neither of them said anything.
Cynthia's eyes drifted closed, her breath slowing in his arms.
Sam rested his head back on the cushion, a contemplative look on his face.
The system… The countdown had begun. Six days left until it completed initialization.
He could sense something awakening below the surface of his heart.
Old glyphs swirled dimly on the periphery of his vision.
Power was approaching—and with it, fate.
But for the moment, in the golden glow of home, with the woman he loved sleeping quietly beside him…
Sam was at peace.
After discussing for quite some time in the cozy silence of the living room, Cynthia's fatigue from her extensive travels to Lily of the Valley Island set in.
The rush caused by experiencing Sam once again had dissipated, leaving her with an increasing sleepiness that pulled at her eyelids.
She did not need to say anything as she turned and settled, resting her head over Sam's thigh, using his leg as a pillow.
Her arms encircled him, holding him tightly as though she was scared he'd vanish again.
Her eyes closed, long eyelashes sending dainty shadows on her cheeks.
Her breathing slowed down.
Under the warm, golden glow seeping through the curtains, she appeared otherworldly, as a gentle fairy in some ancient myth.
Sam gazed down at her. Her pale skin, softly rising and falling with each breath, appeared to radiate. Her natural blond hair lay like silk in his lap and on the couch cushions.
There was something otherworldly, nigh upon divine, about her presence—so familiar, yet somehow still capable of leaving him breathless.
He could not help himself, and he softly stroked her hair with one hand, fingers caressing through the golden tresses.
"Mmm~" Cynthia murmured in assent, eyes still shut.
She moved her head, snuggling fractionally into him—until her forehead brushed against something hard under the material of his clothing.
Her movement stopped.
The long eyelashes quivered again before rising, showing her golden-gray eyes, now glinting with wicked playfulness and a faint rose flush on her cheeks.
She gazed up at him with a half-lidded, significant smile.
"Huh~?"
She taunted, a whisper that caressed his nerves.
Sam coughed uncomfortably, his hand stuck.
"Well… uh…"
Cynthia rose slowly, her eyes still fixed on his.
Her assurance was dazzling, bold, and defiantly feminine.
Her cheeks flushed pink, but her eyes didn't falter.
"Now?" she asked in a low, silky tone.
Sam swallowed hard and nodded. "Y-yeah."
She smiled softly, then leaned forward and patted him lightly on the forehead with one thin finger.
"Idiot," she breathed, her voice barely audible.
Then, without comment, she rose and went off towards the bedroom, hips rocking ever so slightly with every fluid step.
In the doorway, she turned halfway back, smiling at him with an expression that communicated volumes more than words ever could.
The door did not close completely.
Sam blinked and then rose hurriedly, his heart pounding with comprehension.
He brushed a hand over his hair, taking a stabilizing breath before moving forward.
"Let's go," he whispered, the hint of a smile playing at his mouth.
Cynthia was already inside.
The door still hung slightly open.
He moved behind her.
Though not yet wedded, Sam and Cynthia had long passed the line of promise to bond.
Their hearts were already taken by each other.
To Celestic Town, they were already wife and husband in all but title.
And as night fell on the peaceful town, the two soulmates slipped out of sight behind the door, into a moment of their own.