Work Text:
He took a deep breath and stared ahead at the familiar door. Sure, he's seen doors thousands of times, but none of those compare to this one. It was perhaps his most favorite one in the world. Many of the fond memories came flooding back to him the longer he gazed at it. It warmed his heart, and he couldn't help but sigh a bit from reminiscing.
However, this lighthearted moment couldn't distract him from the fact that he was still incredibly anxious. His feet shifted uncomfortably and his face was towards the floor. Man, he needed to stop fidgeting around before he walked in. He flexed his fingers to loosen up the tight grip that was on the small box he held in one hand. Feeling the tiny container gave him the reassurance he needed; the reason why he wanted to do this. Without further hesitation, he enters the code into the keypad and lets himself into the room.
He expected to see the redhead at his desk upon entering. A small chuckle left him. It seemed a bit ridiculous really, to expect to see him there at six in the morning. Perhaps he just got used to seeing him always being there every time he came by. His desk was no different either. Always organized, with a cup full of pens and pencils off to one corner, and the laptop front and center. The Magma leader was a neat freak to say the least, remembering how he once mentioned that cleaning was just something he did on his off time (He doubted at this point if the redhead understood the meaning of breaks) and that it had some "soothing" effect on him.
But he wasn't here to ponder on his partner's habits, he had a more important matter to attend to. He makes his way over to the room separate from the office, peeking in from a short distance in case the other was actually awake, which unsurprisingly, he wasn't. He now stood at the side of his bed, looking down at him. His back was towards him and in a deep sleep. He wasn't in his leader attire, instead he was wearing his usual mahogany turtleneck and black slacks. This look had started becoming routine after Courtney had once complimented how much she liked it one time. He hoped to Arceus that the redhead wasn't doing this out of some strange obligation to the admin, but rather just for himself. As much as he too liked this new look on the man, he couldn't help but be angry that he wasn't the one who seemingly encouraged the Magma leader to wear it more often.
Just thinking about her pissed him off...
He shook his head. He seriously needed to stop drifting off into his thoughts. The small box he held was placed onto the nightstand before he slowly kneeled down to the other's level. Carefully he positioned his arms over his body at a half attempt at spooning. His left snaking underneath the redhead's left arm and the other towards the collar of the turtleneck. He slowly pulled back the collar to expose his pale neck and trailed delicate kisses against the skin. As he was occupied with his neck, his left hand slipped underneath the hem of the turtleneck and smoothed over the warm skin.
It didn't take long for the Magma leader to wake up. He stirred in his sleep before his eyes snapped open and he jolted up from the invasion of his privacy. He turned to the one responsible for the rude awakening. "Get off m-!" The redhead instinctively said, but stopped short when he saw who it was. "Archie...?"
"That's not a nice way to greet me, Maxie." The pirate says, smiling at him innocently.
It took all of Maxie's self-control to not berate this man. He paused momentarily to assess the situation and clear his mind of the profanities that threatened to escape his lips. He narrowed his ruby eyes and scowled. "Archie..." He says again, this time much more forceful and in a lower tone.
The hint of agitation in his voice caused the Aqua leader to lose his smile. The now evident darkened circles around the other's eyes and steely glare forced him to back away. He was losing his confidence again as he shrunk back like a Torkoal trying to retreat into its shell.
"I have had a long night of work earlier, and I am very exhausted." Maxie starts. "I am barely getting five hours of sleep as it is, and you..." he paused briefly before suddenly blaring out. "You had the NERVE to wake me up at six in the morning to fool around!" The Magma leader reached out and grabs Archie by his anchor necklace, pulling him forward to meet his face mere inches away. "Don't you ever touch me in my sleep again without my permission. And if you don't mind, I would actually like to try and sleep for once!" The redhead snapped.
Archie never thought it would be possible to be turned on at the worst time, and apparently it was prominent in his expression. Maxie ceased his scolding as he observed the pirate's face. It seemed his yelling was falling on deaf ears as the other man gazed at him tenderly, almost in a blissful daze, like a Zigzagoon using Baby-Doll Eyes. He sighed heavily as he realized anything he says at this point is useless on the lovestruck man before him. Feeling a bit merciful, he gave the Aqua leader what he wanted, just to break him out of his self-induced stupor. They lingered on the kiss, enjoying how the heat between them seem to grow with every passing second. Maxie pulls back before Archie could take it further. "Idiot."
The taller man takes one of his hands in his, rubbing his thumb over the palm. "I'm sorry, Maxie. Trust me, if this wasn't as important to tell you, I wouldn't have woken you up." At this Maxie rolls his eyes and makes a sound of annoyance. Archie ignored his reaction and continued. "I really couldn't wait until later. Right now is really the only time we can actually talk." His voice softens on the last word.
He looks back up to the redhead, seeing that his countenance changed to one of slight curiosity but still having the crankiness from when he woke up. He guessed that was a cue to go on. His heart began pounding against his chest when he changed positions so he was kneeling before him on one knee, still holding his hand. The Magma leader felt his eyes widened at the gesture, unconsciously turning his body more towards his direction. The pirate took back the box he placed on the nightstand earlier and offered it to the redhead. Archie had then let go of his grip on Maxie's hand so that he could open it. Once opened, it revealed a silver ring with two gemstones, one ruby and the other sapphire.
Is he asking me to...?
He should have known this was coming, it seemed inevitable really. The way the other was so passionate and confident in their relationship, almost wanting to flaunt it around their team's base (He never did for obvious reasons). Only now did it occur to him that he was supposed to be happy when he popped the question. But he wasn't. Not in the slightest.
"Why." Maxie finally answered.
His face dropped almost immediately upon hearing his reply. Did he hear that right? Nah, he must still be angry about me waking him up. Archie tried playing it off as a miscommunication. "Why? Whaddaya mean why? Ain't it obvious? You still asleep?" He nervously laughed through his words.
"No."
"Oh, that's good to know-"
"I said..." To emphasize his point, he shuts the box. "No."
Okay, the joke was starting to get old now. Archie narrowed his cobalt eyes at him. "Alright nerd, stop kiddin' around with me already. Look, I know you're still peeved at me for waking you up. I already said-"
"Are you deaf?!" Maxie tossed the box into the pirate's lap. "Or are you slower than a Slaking?"
The room had fallen into complete silence, so much so that they could even hear the small box roll off his lap and onto the carpet. Archie couldn't tear his eyes away from the redhead, his disbelief anchoring him down to the spot. Words struggled to come to mind the longer he stared at him. His entire mouth felt like it had gone dry, and his voice took on an unrecognizable tone that even made him cringe. "You don't mean that..." Archie said.
"Well I do. Why don't you tell TV Mauville about it? I'm sure they could use another great story." Maxie mocks before pulling the blankets over himself and flopping back against the mattress.
The pirate soon found the strength to get up once more. He stood over him, seeing Maxie trying way too hard to feign sleep. Without hesitating he grabs the blankets, ripping them off the other man. The redhead's eyes snap open, startled and shocked at the amount of force that was used. He turns over to look up at him, now clearly beginning to get angry. "What the hell is wrong with you?" Maxie says, almost hesitantly.
This wasn't normal for the pirate. Yes, he had seen Archie get angry plenty of times in the past. But the vibe radiating off him now, it was starting to unsettle him. He didn't even get another moment to think before his wrist was grabbed harshly and forced up onto his feet. He winced at the tight grip. "You're hurting me!-" he began to protest, but was silenced immediately when the pirate forced him to look him in the eyes dead on.
"You don't mean that." Archie repeats ominously.
Maxie felt his breath hitch and his heart beat faster at his tone. And for the second time in his life, he felt genuine fear strike him. Fear of the man in front of him.
The grip had loosened a bit, just enough for Maxie to snatch his wrist back. He rubs the skin tenderly, keeping his eyes on the other out of paranoia. "You're scaring me..." He says, taking a few steps back from the taller man. The need to get away suddenly sparked in his gut when those azure eyes wouldn't stop staring so intently at him. The room's air felt thick and heavy, almost suffocating. "I need a moment..." Maxie folds his arms around himself, as if to indirectly shield his true emotions. His legs began carrying him over into the next room, his main office. He stopped short when he heard shuffling behind him. How fast he turned his head to the aggressive sound told him that something was indeed wrong with this entire situation.
"Don't walk away from me!" Archie's voice rose when he started approaching him at an alarming pace.
Immediately his sense of danger kicked in once the situation had seemed to rear its ugly head. "Are you insane?! Get away from me!" He warns, now backing away as quickly as he could. His words appeared to have no effect on the man, which only left him one option. To flee. Maxie retreats into his main office, going around behind his desk to put a barrier in between. The pirate did not run nor slow down his pace, instead keeping his eyes squarely on the shorter man the entire time.
"Archie...! If you don't stop this right now-!" The Magma leader circles around to the other side of the desk once Archie appeared to be getting too close.
I need to get him out.
Maxie's eyes quickly scanned his desk for his communicator before spotting it on the corner. Without further hesitation he swiped it up and pressed down one of the buttons. "I need security in my office, now!" The redhead ordered, still keeping his distance from the other as best as he could. At this, the pirate finally stops himself. He stares at him blankly, but still giving off waves of frustration. Maxie merely scoffed at the sight. "I'd suggest you leave before I have to beat you out."
Archie didn't respond, instead deciding to sit on one of the corners of his desk. He folded his arms, and turned away from the other. The redhead couldn't be more confused at the display, a complete 180 from his earlier behavior. In fact, he even had the gall to stay until security finally showed up a minute later. The door to his office opened with the familiar metallic hiss, and the sound of multiple boots came into the room.
"Boss! Are you alright, sir?" Tabitha immediately approaches. Behind the admin a few of his grunts also followed, clearly tired from night guard duty. He stops short upon seeing the Aqua leader. "What...- boss?" Tabitha looks back to the redhead completely confused.
Maxie didn't meet his gaze, instead looking anywhere except at his admin. "Get him out." He says calmly, almost too eerily.
His tone suggested he was in no mood to explain the situation that was before them. The second in command merely nodded, knowing better than to question his boss at this point in time. He sighed heavily before bringing his attention back to the pirate still sitting at the desk, who was now eyeing him rather annoyingly. "I don't know what's going on or why you're even trespassing in his room, but you need to get out right now." Tabitha warns. "I will use force if I must." He adds, not seemingly concerned if it came down to that option as well.
Words had finally got through the silent man when he slowly rose up again. He eyed Tabitha briefly, then at the Magma leader, who had now moved closer towards his group of grunts. He began walking in the direction of the main door, then suddenly takes a sharp turn to one of the corners of the room. There was single potted plant, the only contrast to the blacks and reds of his office. The pirate stops beside it, and in a swift motion he kicks the pot over. Maxie flinched at the sound of the porcelain shattering, eyes widening at the display. Shards of glass littered the floor as well as the soil.
Everyone except for Archie only watched in shock. The Magma admin was speechless at first, but it didn't take long for him to lash out at the Aqua leader on Maxie's behalf. "How dare you!? I'm going to-!"
"Let it go."
Tabitha stops again at his boss's words. "But he... Leader Maxie..." He says almost helplessly.
"Take him out. If he is seen around Team Magma's side of HQ, get rid of him."
The Aqua leader takes one final look at him, fists clenched tight. "You're a god damn idiot, Maxie." He snarled fiercely, storming out right after.
He felt something break, and not just the porcelain pot, but within himself. His chest tightened as an unfamiliar ache started creeping inside. The atmosphere was practically choking him. No words, not even a breath, nothing could come out from his mouth. His trembling hands clutched harder onto his sleeves. He then remembered to blink, breaking him out of his daze. A shuddery exhale managed to pass his lips then. "You all can leave." The redhead mumbles, barely audible.
Tabitha was about to approach the man before he felt a hand rest on his shoulder. He looks over to see one of the grunts looking up towards him pleadingly. They all had similar somber looks. As much as they too did not want to see their leader in such a state, they knew when to leave him be. Reluctantly the Magma admin steps back to the group. Without another word, he motions for the grunts to follow him back out. The redhead didn't watch them as they left the room.
His arms started to ache from tensing them for so long. He breathes out slowly as he releases his grip over his arms, letting them fall back beside him. He looked back over to his desk where he also left his PokeNav. He picks it up, pressing one of the buttons to bring it back to life. The little screen illuminated his face briefly, making him wince and shut his eyes from the brightness.
6:15 A.M.
There was no way in hell he could go back to sleep, not after all that... He sets it back down onto the desk, making his way back towards his side bedroom. The first thing he attended to were the blankets, still laying in a bunched pile on the floor. Sluggishly he kneels down and gathers them together into his arms and places them back onto his bed. He heard something roll and lightly hit his foot after dropping the blankets back. Maxie squints at the foreign object through the darkness. His heart dropped when realized what it was. The small ornate, ebony box.
The Magma leader retrieved the box and sat back down onto the bed. The longer he gazed at it, it felt as if the box was burning through his palm. Eventually the temptation to open the box got the better of him. Muttering a curse to his weakness, he opens it. The ring sat snuggly in its cushioned slot, still immaculate from when Archie shown him it earlier. He studies it, and strangely he cannot recall seeing jewelry stores carrying this type of ring before. Usually they would have only one gemstone, with a plain, simple gold or silver band. If anything this was the first time he'd seen two gemstones in one. And in their respective colors...
It was custom made, for him.
Tentatively the ring was removed, and placed the box onto the nearby nightstand. Maxie let the ring hover over his ring finger hesitantly. His lips couldn't stop quivering at the thought of what he knew was going to happen next. It took all his willpower to let the silver band slip over his finger. The cold metal contacting his skin caused him to shiver briefly and shut his eyes. After the cold shock to his nerves, he opens his garnet eyes once more. Maxie couldn't contain the flood of emotions and utter shock at the sight.
It fit perfectly.
_________________________
It had been over an entire week since they had spoken. Each passing day the redhead would catch glimpses of his significant other across the hallways or in the mess hall. If he didn't know any better, it looked as if Archie had absolutely nothing bothering him, laughing like his usual self and cracking jokes to his two admins at the table they shared.
But he knew.
Masking his pain with laughter and cheerful banter had always been the pirate's way of avoiding certain issues. Suffering in silence while his soul screamed and cried from his anguish. A fitting punishment to witness for those who caused him that amount of grief. Maxie averted his eyes once he realized he had been staring at him too long again. He made a dismissive grunt and continued making his way out from the room.
Unknowingly for him, Shelly had also been watching the redhead when he had been looking towards them. Her rose lips drew into a frown as she narrowed her cobalt eyes at him. To her, he had a lot of nerve to act like he had no part in her leader's disposition. Behaving so stuck-up and too stubborn to admit that he was wrong in how he treated the pirate. It wasn't unusual for Archie to tell her of his quarrels with the Magma leader, but she knew something huge must have gone down for them to not even speak, let alone outright refuse to look at each other. Then again, she recalled that her boss hadn't told her anything recently, which only reinforced her suspicions.
As soon as the Magma leader left, Shelly stood out of her chair. "Hey, Archie, I gotta do something really quick." She rests a hand on his shoulder.
He gave her a look of confusion at her sudden statement, then shrugged. "Uh, okay. Matt and I will still be here when ya get back."
She circles around the table and starts heading in the direction Maxie disappeared in. She picks up the pace, not wanting to fall behind and miss her chance. Around the second hallway of Team Magma's side of HQ, she barely managed to catch the tip of his red coat cut one of the corners. Making one last dash, she rounds the same corner and stops herself, huffing slightly. Luckily that stopped the other from walking, now hearing someone behind him.
Maxie looks over his shoulder, then fully turns when he sees Shelly leaning against the wall and trying to catch her breath. He was... surprised to say the least, and rather shocked as to why she was in his territory to begin with. He narrows his eyes and looks her over once, as if the answer to this bizarre encounter was written somewhere on the Aqua admin. "What are you doing here?" he demands.
"You know why." Shelly retorted on cue.
The redhead flinched at her swift response. He didn't even get in another word when Shelly cuts him off. "You think I don't know you and Archie got in another fight? Except this time it seems to be the worst one you two have had so far." She straightens up. "Why do you always gotta complicate things and piss each other off? Whatever you did or said, you really went too far this time." She steps closer to the man, jabbing a finger into his chest accusingly.
Whatever anger that had been laying dormant now boiled. He slapped away the hand and his lips curled into a snarl, like a Mightyena ready to pounce on its prey. "It's always my fault," he starts, his voice low, "It's never HIS fault in your eyes." Maxie snapped. "He overreacted to a minor altercation, and that automatically makes me the villain? You don't know what we said that day. So I suggest you keep out of this like the obedient dog you are to him!"
Shelly shrunk back from him, his tone shook her hearing. His harsh insult rattled her nerves, but she refused to let it show and composed herself again. A mocking grin formed on his lips, clearly satisfied with her reaction. "Of course you are. Always the good, little, filthy pirate dog... I'd say you are more angry with the fact that he chose me over you-"
He was shoved into the wall, the back of his head hitting against the metal. He vision blurred and his ears rung for a few seconds until he felt pressure over his chest again. The Aqua admin had her forearm pressed into him, holding his body against the wall. Despite her azure eyes, they burned with a fiery glare. Though she was shorter than him, her current position made her appear the superior one of the two.
"Don't... even go there, Maxie." She stammered, her frustration getting the best of her. "I loved him." The Aqua admin admits suddenly. "I loved him in all the same ways you do. I would do anything for him. I will do anything and everything to see him happy, even if it meant..." Her voice wavered. "Not being with me..."
The Magma leader was silent, eyes wide. Shelly continued on. "You know that this is the happiest I've ever seen him in his entire life? When he told me about you guys, he was practically beaming." Her voice went softer. "If that's what really made him happy, then I accepted his choice. And since then I've been supporting you two, and I honestly don't think you even realized that I did until now." She pushed her forearm further into his chest, causing the redhead to make a noise of protest. "So don't go saying I'm blaming you for everything when in reality I care for both of you! But when you just go and do things like this..." Her hold on him loosens, "Just why? Anything good that happens to you, you just sabotage it! I don't get it! Maybe you don't deserve any of this if that's how your going to treat a relationship. Because I sure as hell wouldn't want to stay." She backs away, letting him go.
Maxie smoothed the creases that formed on his coat and adjusted his glasses, muttering how she "ruined" his attire. "If I'm as horrible as you say, then I don't understand why he stays."
"Because he LOVES you." Shelly grits her teeth. "And I suggest you better do something about this fast. People are starting to get suspicious with all this borderline domestic arguing. Arceus, you two act like a married couple." She mutters the last sentence to herself.
Couldn't be closer to the truth...
"Then what do you suggest?" He asks snippily.
She sighs heavily, refraining from connecting her hand to his face. "Don't tell me you're this dense."
Maxie eyed her with a steely glare. "You're suggesting I apologize first?" He says rather loudly, seeming to be genuinely offended at the notion. "He was the one acting like a complete immature child!"
"I don't care! You shouldn't have said whatever you told him, and yeah, maybe he shouldn't have overreacted." At this Maxie felt a twinge of anger spark in him at her loyalty to the man. "But you both were wrong in how it played out. You guys need to get together and admit you were wrong on both sides." Her eyes look away from him sadly. "I know him. He's isn't gonna be the one to step up first. That's why I'm asking you. If anyone can get him to talk, it's you, Maxie."
He merely stared at her blankly, not sure if he had heard correctly. How, when, did he become so petty that someone had to practically beg him to simply say he was sorry?
Never, that's what.
"Very well..."
________________________
He had waited until the weekend started, because trying to get the other alone for a discussion during a busy work week was nearly impossible. Luckily for him, Archie was a least a man of habit. In the morning he'd usually be in his room until he left to meet up with Matt for another one of their ridiculous "Bro Workouts".
Unfortunately for him, that meant getting up early, AGAIN.
"How have I not developed insomnia yet?"
The redhead made his way over to Team Aqua's side of HQ, all while refraining himself from literally stomping across the cold metal flooring. He didn't even bother to change his clothes. No glasses, just his turtleneck and sweats with his boots thrown on as an afterthought; Probably the most unpresentable he will ever look to anyone. He clutched the trademark coat that hung over his shoulders like a cloak more tightly. Why did the mornings always have to be so damn cold? His body shivered as he huffed irritably at his predicament. The sooner he gets it over with, the sooner he could go back to sleep.
At least that's what he told himself.
He makes it to the entrance to his office. Rather then knocking he instead entered the keycode into the number pad and let himself in. The room was dark as expected, with the exception of a small source of light emitting from the side room. He was either awake or had left it on overnight. He stands by the doorway, now seeing that the man was indeed awake, going through the drawers of his dresser. He was still in his wetsuit, minus the mega anchor necklace and bandana. The pirate stops momentarily, then looks behind. In more words or less, he was very startled to see him after a week of no communication. He didn't respond.
Maxie already felt the pressure piling on him to say something. "We need to talk."
Immediately the other man's countenance morphed into one of irritation. He turns away from him, resuming whatever he had been doing prior. "There's nothing to talk about." He says with a hint of hostility.
Already he felt his patience running out. He was seriously a man-child. "We can't keep avoiding this, you know..."
"We?" The pirate looks over his shoulder. "That's a laugh."
"Is this going to have to get physical?"
"You know I can knock you flat on your ass whenever I want." He turns halfway, and smirks mockingly.
Their old habits of making jabs at one another were kicking back in, which was a good sign in his opinion. The redhead mirrors his expression, albeit lightly. "I know you wouldn't." He answers smoothly. Another idea popped into mind. Seemed appropriate to use the oldest persuasion trick; Flirting. Internally he cringed. "Although, I do lament over the absence of your manhandling." He even went as far as to start pressing himself into him. Well... it wasn't a total lie.
There was a surprised hitch in the other's breath when he leaned into his chest suddenly. Already he felt the heat between their bodies spread over him like a wave. Then he remembered what this whole confrontation was about. He pushes the smaller body away and huffs annoyingly. "Don't get me all flustered. I'm still pissed off at you." Archie stuttered, averting his eyes away.
Maxie pursed his lips briefly, the lightly shrugged. "Fine. Then I'll just stay here until you are ready." He sits down on his bed, folding his hands on his lap.
He saw the twitch in the Aqua leader's eye, then him grumbling a low "Whatever". Archie merely continued on rummaging through his drawers, taking out something to wear later when he met up with Matt for their morning routine. A couple minutes go by in tense silence. As he finished folding his small pile of clothes, his anger was reaching its peak. He didn't need to fold his clothes for any reason. But trying to wait out the redhead with this "game" was really starting to make him crack. Which unsurprisingly he did. The drawer was pushed back rather harshly, startling the other.
"Ugh! Will you just leave?" Archie said, swiftly turning to exit his room.
The Magma leader stood up. "No."
He immediately headed for the door, leaving behind the shorter man. Much to his annoyance, the other trailed behind him mere feet away. His pace sped up more, and unfortunately the redhead kept up with him still. Not even turning many corners deterred him. He stops in his tracks, feeling Maxie bump into him from behind. Without warning he flips around to face him. "Stop following me!" He shouts.
The Aqua leader didn't stay long enough to hear the redhead's response, if he even had one. Now he had gone from speed walking to full on running. Momentarily it had shocked the shorter man, but he couldn't falter, lest he lose Archie's trail. He had no choice but to keep matching his pace. He held tighter onto his coat as he began. "Where are you going?" Maxie shouts after him.
"Far away from you!"
That caused him to roll his eyes dramatically. "Stop being such a child!"
It was a wonder how their arguing hadn't woken anyone up in the base. His chase had eventually led to the entrance of their hideout. Nothing stopped the pirate from running straight outside. Maxie, however, had to stop short against the entrance to catch his breath. He watched his form slowly shrink the further he ran down the shoreline. His hand reached into his coat pocket, bringing out two Pokeballs. "I said "stop", but you wouldn't listen."
His lungs felt like they were burning as he breathed in the salty sea breeze. He gradually slowed down, noticing how much more quiet it got after he ran outside. He paused, huffing heavily as he leaned down and braced his hands onto his knees. His break was cut abruptly when he heard the sand behind him crunching at an alarming rate. His head whips up and looks over his shoulder to the source. Crobat and Mightyena were charging at him full speed. Archie couldn't recall the last time he screamed, but this definitely warranted it.
The adrenaline rushed back into his legs as he broke into another mad dash. He didn't get very far, and his vision was assaulted by a purple blur. Crobat made short angry screeches, nipping and tugging at his face and hair. The pirate yelped as he tried swatting the bat away, stumbling back as he did so. "Get-! Off me!" He yells.
Eventually he fended off the purple bat, only to realize Mightyena was now standing a few feet away. The canine backed onto its hind legs, like it would when hunting prey. With a growl, it launched forward towards the man and right into him. The paws pressed so hard into his chest, he felt the wind knocked out of him as he fell back onto the sand. His head pounded at the impact as he tried to sit up. That was immediately stopped by another threatening growl. Every time he moved in any direction, Mightyena would snap its jaws at him in warning. Archie cursed to himself and the canine as he realized he was trapped.
His head thumped back helplessly into the sand and stared straight up at the orange sky. A flock of squawking Wingulls and Pelippers flew high above. He turned his head to the side, noticing the many tiny seashells scattered around, along with the small waves gently crashing onto shore. He was brought out of his nature induced reverie when he heard steady footsteps mushing into the sand towards him. His azure eyes look up, seeing the Magma leader step into view and looking down at him from his side. The morning light from the sun gave him an almost heavenly glow, and his front was cast in shadow. Archie didn't even realize his jaw had gone slack as he stared up at the man, never before seeing him in such a picturesque angle.
"Archie."
His tone sent a shiver through his spine. It had only be a little over a week since they last spoke, he had forgotten just how mesmerizing his voice was. Calm and stern, mixed with his charisma. Truly a fitting quality for the Team Magma leader. He watches him dig into his coat pocket. "Your job is done, thank you." Maxie praised his Pokemon before returning them to their respective Pokeballs.
Technically the pirate was free now. He could've ran off again, but that would quickly turn disastrous as he learned just shortly ago. At least he could sit up now. His back was still a bit sore from his rough fall earlier. "Ugh... damn mutt got me good..." Archie rubbed the back of his head.
Maxie folded his arms with a disapproving frown. "If you had just listened to me..."
"So what do you want, huh? You already rejected me, what more could you possibly want to say to me? I already get it! I won't bother you with that question again."
"That's not...-"
"Then what?" Archie demanded. "If you don't give me a solid answer right now, then I-" He stops short. A glimmer of light managed to slip past the body standing in front of him. He managed to catch something glint in his peripheral vision, specifically on his left hand. His eyes scanned the pale hand, then he saw it. A silver band, wrapped perfectly around the ring finger. "You..."
Maxie gave him a puzzled look, then realized where he was looking exactly. He raised his left hand, and the other's eyes followed it. Whether it was out of embarrassment or stubborn pride, he pulled and tucked his hand close to his chest. His eyes went wide for a moment, and his face flushed a soft vermillion. "I- you weren't supposed to-!" He retorts, trying to regain his air of authority.
"You had it... all this time?" The sudden melancholy in his voice struck a chord in the redhead. "I thought after all that, you threw..." He didn't finish his sentence, instead trailing off. He looked away briefly, letting the fact sink in. Then faced him again. "What is wrong with you?" He asked, almost pleadingly.
The other man flinched at his sudden change in demeanor, now hugging his arms together. "W-what are you talking about?" he stumbled.
Archie finally stood up, dusting off some of the sand from his wetsuit. Now he fully faced Maxie's direction, fists clenched. "First you tell me off for asking you the question, and now you chase me all the way out here to talk about Arceus knows what, AND I find out you had kept the ring?" He stepped closer to him. "What is going on through your thick head, Maxie? Why are you sending me these mixed messages? Why? Tell me!" His hands clasped onto his thin shoulders and shook him.
Pale hands took hold of his wrists then, ceasing the taller man's action. He was facing towards the ground as he mumbled. "I... I'm afraid."
The bewilderment only intensified at the cryptic answer. His hands tightened on his shoulders. "What?" The pirate said snippily. "What the hell does that mean?"
Slowly Maxie meets his fierce gaze again. "Marriage..." He starts. "Why go that far?" Archie didn't answer, instead letting him continue to explain away his madness. "Is it really necessary? What we have now isn't enough for you?"
The Aqua leader felt his heart drop, the same exact way when the redhead had told him 'no' the day he asked him. Was he serious? Was all this just another elaborate way to reject him all over again? Or did he truly believe they weren't meant for each other in the long run? So many questions buzzed in his mind as he internally screamed at him for answers. "You... can't seriously think that." Archie said lowly. "You're lying." For a second he saw a hint of hurt spark in his ruby eyes at the accusation. He refused to believe this was the Magma leader's final answer. His hold on him loosened, but he didn't let go. Instead he cupped his face into his hands, leaning forward and pressing their foreheads together. "Max-"
"I'm scared..." The redhead's voice trembled as he felt the other's body beginning to quiver in his hold. "Marriage is just another layer of heartache we don't need. What if one of us dies before the other? Then what are we supposed to do? I don't want to have to go through something so horrible!" The man had broken down the barriers he had placed around himself. "I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt you this way..." A choked cry left the redhead, startling the pirate. It was such a rare, but tragic sight to behold. He had only seen him cry once before. Even then it was hard to watch. But seeing him in this state now only solidified the fact that he truly wanted to be with this man forever.
"Aye Maxie... I don't think I could love anyone else after you." Archie laughed lightly, trying to fight back the tears that were on the brink of showing. "I guess... I was just so certain that you felt the same. I shouldn't have acted the way I did towards you. It was wrong. Can you ever forgive me?"
Maxie blinked slowly as his hands came up and held the other by his wrists. "If you can forgive me as well."
"Like I can stay angry at you." Archie tilted his partner's head forward and kissed his forehead.
The redhead tried to ignore the rising heat in his face, but failed. No one else besides the man standing in front made him feel this way. He couldn't even fathom the thought of being with someone else. Someone can lock him in a room with the world's most perfect, beautiful person, and even then he would still choose Archie. Every single time. His eyes widened at the sudden revelation.
Is this what it meant to find your soulmate?
"When you think about it..." The Aqua leader interrupts his thoughts. "We only got one life on this earth as far as I know. I want to be with you, every second, every day, more then you'll ever know." His thumb wiped away the stray tear stream that ran down the other's pale cheek. "Even if one of us might pass on before the other, I'm willing to risk that. Because I might not get a second chance to ask you." His voice softened on the last word. Archie took his partner's left hand and slipped off the silver ring. He knelt down before him on both knees, and offered up the ring once again. "Maxie... Will you trek the vastest of lands and sail the highest seas with me for the rest of our lives?"
There was a moment of silence. The ambiance was the only thing that could be heard. Maxie could almost swear that the pirate can even hear just how fast his heart was beating at the proposal. He placed one hand over his mouth, looking away from him. His body mildly shook as a short faint laugh emitted from behind his palm. It was a bittersweet laugh mixed with tears. "You... are such a sap."
The Aqua leader smiled. "And that means...?"
To his surprise, he knelt down to his level as well. He nodded slowly. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."
Without hesitation he pulled the shorter man into his arms, finally letting his own tears fall. The two continued to cry softly in their embrace for a bit longer. Archie pulled away briefly, taking Maxie's left hand one more time and slipped the band back onto his finger.
"Ya know, it's kinda ironic." Archie says, rubbing out another fresh tear from his eye. "I proposed to you where the land and sea meet."
They both looked out towards the horizon at the morning light, bathing their forms in its orange warmth. Maxie would never admit it to him, but for the first time in his life, he thought the ocean was beautiful.
_________________________
(A couple days later)
Life had returned to normal shortly after. It didn't take long for Shelly to pull him aside and interrogate him about his and Archie's exchange that morning. To put it in short terms, she was absolutely stunned.
"No, wait... are you serious?" Her cobalt eyes went wide as he lifted his hand to further prove his prior statements. His ears still felt like they were ringing from the Aqua admin's joyous squeals and cries. He really had underestimated her when she said she had supported them. Maybe a bit TOO much. "Unbelievable! He didn't even tell me himself? I think I'm gonna go have a little "chat" with that boy."
That occurred an hour ago. The Magma leader was currently sitting at his desk, doing the usual paperwork and projections on his laptop. The PokeNav on his desk buzzed, bringing away his attention momentarily. He sees that a new message had been sent to him. The first thing he noticed when he opened it was that all the lettering was capitalized.
WHAT DID YOU TELL HER SHE WONT STOP HITTING ME
Maxie couldn't help but chuckle at the text. He decided to write back.
I shouldn't have to do your job
"Something happened, sir?"
He looked up from the device, seeing Tabitha enter his office with a tablet in hand. "Nothing." His thumb pushed "send" on the screen and placed it back onto the desk. "Did you need something from me?"
Tabitha shook his head. "No sir, just bringing back the report of the latest check in our maintenance systems."
He nods, gesturing to his desk. "You can leave the report here. I'll go over it when I have a moment. In the meantime, resume your duties alongside Courtney."
The Magma admin walks over to the desk and places the tablet down as instructed. As he turned to leave, he stops. He looks back around at his boss, who already paid him no more attention as he resumed his own work. His gaze lingered on his hand, seeing the silver band glint under the ceiling lights. "I didn't know you wore jewelry."
The pen in his hand stopped inking the next word as he froze, letting the sentence he had just heard sink in. Suddenly he felt self-conscious and narrowed his eyes at him. "Is that an issue?" He says testily.
"No, no." Tabitha raises a hand in defense. "I've just never seen, or noticed, is all. It is a lovely ring though."
Maxie tucked his hand closer into his chest, deciding not to respond. His admin seemed to understand, or at least on the most basic level, why he was so reluctant to talk any further on the ring in question. There was a deeper meaning, so he decided not to pry out of respect. "I... hope you are happy, sir."
The redhead stared blankly at him, then blinked once to shake himself out of the minor daze he was in at those sudden words. His hand rested back onto the desk. "Thank you..." He mumbles back.
Tabitha left his office soon after. His right hand fiddles with the ring, a habit he recently started, and gazes at it. Under the light, it did look beautiful, and if he angled it just right, the gemstones seem to emit their own glow. He couldn't have asked for a more perfect ring. Of course, his work schedule couldn't go unbothered without a certain someone barging into his room not long after. The metallic door hissed open.
" 'Do my job'? What's that supposed to mean?" Archie raised his own PokeNav in front of him as he neared the desk and set it down.
"I shouldn't have been the one to tell Shelly about us."
The taller man slapped a hand over his forehead. "What- Shelly! I was gonna tell her eventually! I mean... an engagement isn't exactly the kind of news you just drop on your friends outta no where. Just... cmon!" He threw up his arms, shouting at the ceiling. As soon as he raised his arms, his right side went sagging back down. "Aw shit, I think she actually went and bruised me during that "talk"." He rubbed his shoulder tenderly.
Archie hears movement beside him, bringing back his attention to the other. Maxie was now standing beside him, examining the spot where he said he might have a bruise. His hand came up and pressed down on a few random spots of the skin. One spot he pressed down gently on caused the pirate to wince slightly. "Is it there?"
"Yeah, I guess so."
Then thin lips pressed delicately onto the spot. Archie only stared, surprised by the man's gesture. Ruby eyes look back up to his own sapphire ones. "Any other spots I should tend to?" He asked, a hint of suggestiveness sparked under his stoic demeanor.
"Maybe around my lip..." Archie says innocently. His request was answered with the redhead's lips planting themselves onto his. His arms wound themselves around his lower back, pulling the smaller body into him. Maxie had done the same, instead wrapping his own around his partner's neck. They lingered on the kiss, allowing it to deepen further. He feels the Aqua leader smile against his lips, gazing longingly at him. "Mmm... you wanna maybe...?" He asks, his voice husky.
Maxie returned the smile. His heart was brimming with complete happiness. He couldn't think of a single reason against spending time with his fiancé.