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Marnie always loved the Wild Area.
The vast expanse of land gave her the freedom she often couldn’t afford with her position as the Dark Type Gym Leader, and she appreciated time away from Spikemuth whenever she could be spared.
Sometimes, when Piers was back home from touring, he’d step in and take over her responsibilities so that she could go out and roam Galar like she used to back in her Gym Challenge days. She was always more than happy to pack her bags and dig out her old camping equipment, ready for an adventure.
There was also the added plus of being able to see her boyfriend.
Whenever she got the urge to travel, Marnie would shoot off a quick text to Victor before catching a Corviknight taxi. Then, she’d meet up with Galar’s reigning Champion, and they’d find themselves wandering through the Wild Area hand in hand, like they used to do when they were kids together.
Now, they were camped by the waters of Bridge Field; they’d already pitched their tents right next to each other and were working on a pot of curry as their Pokémon played together close by.
“Hey, Marn… There’s something that I’ve been meaning to ask you,” Victor said suddenly, breaking the silence that had blanketed them.
As Morpeko toddled by, stuffing a berry or two into its hungry mouth, Marnie met his gaze from over the cooking pot. “What’s wrong?”
Victor’s brows furrowed as he adjusted his hat, something he only ever did when he was nervous. “Well… I dunno. I guess I was just wondering.” He stepped closer, fingers tracing along her wrist.
Arching a brow, Marnie just looked at him. “You were wondering,” she repeated, waiting for him to continue.
“Yeah, I was… Wondering.” Victor coughed awkwardly, though he didn’t move away. Instead, he let his hand drift down, lacing their fingers together. “You know, the next Gym Challenge is coming up soon…” His voice trailed off as he examined her features closely. “I’ve been thinking… If someone ever manages to win over my title, well… How would… How would you feel if I moved somewhere a little closer?”
Marnie looked up at him sharply. “What do you mean?” The soothing circles he was rubbing into her palm with his thumb were becoming more and more distracting by the minute.
“I’ve just been thinking, I guess,” Victor shrugged. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to move back to Postwick once my time in Wyndon is up.” He paused, glancing down at Morpeko who’d just bumped into his legs. “Would you mind terribly if I moved to Spikemuth?”
Taken aback, Marnie barely managed to reply, “I… I don’t know.” She pulled away from him, folding her arms over her chest. “I don’t know, Victor.”
“It’s okay,” Victor said simply. “It was just a thought. Nothing’s set in stone.”
A beat passed. “I wouldn’t mind havin' you closer,” Marnie found herself whispering.
“What?”
Marnie flushed lightly and hoped he wouldn’t notice. “Never mind.”
Pressing a quick kiss to her forehead, Victor just grinned, “Love you too, Marn.” Then, he went rummaging through his bag, pulling out a few Pokéballs. “I’m gonna go check out some of the Pokémon that are here, okay? I’ll be right back!”
“If you die, I’m going to kill you.” Marnie’s response was flat as a particularly strong looking Gyrados glided through the water past them.
Victor waved her off as always, a boyish smile spreading across his features. “If you wanna make sure of that, then you should probably just join me.”
“I have to make sure that I’m here when Morpeko gets hungry,” Marnie protested. “And someone needs to watch the camp.”
“The camp can watch itself,” Victor insisted quickly. He laced his fingers through hers again and lightly tugged on their locked hands. “C’mon, Marnie, please? I don’t get nearly enough time with my girl.”
That had her reconsidering, and she finally acquiesced as his grin returned. “Alright, alright, I’m coming,” she conceded with a reluctant smile of her own, allowing him to pull her toward the water.
After all, if she didn’t make sure her boyfriend didn’t die, then who would?