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Ever since he'd first met Marnie at Motostoke, right while registering for the Gym Challenge, Victor knew that he wanted to do all he could to try to coax a smile out of her.
It was a challenge, to be sure, but Victor had never been one to back away from one before, and he didn't plan on starting now.
From trying to catch some of the biggest Pokémon in existence to leaping into the deep end off the highest diving board at the pool to even buying VIP tickets to her own brother’s concert, Victor would stop at nothing to try to get in her good graces.
Marnie was worth it.
With her dark hair and blue eyes and leather jackets, her smiles were few and precious, and her boots could very likely stomp his heart out if she wanted them to. Still, he couldn't help the way he felt about her.
“This is where you try to impress me, right?”
Victor shook himself free of his thoughts with a nervous chuckle. “You bet, Marn.”
Together, they stood at a booth for Wyndon’s annual carnival, eyeing a pyramid of glass bottles stacked toward the back of the booth. The booth tender beckoned toward them, and Victor handed over some cash.
Standing slightly off to the side, Marnie folded her arms over her chest, watching him.
Accepting the balls the booth tender handed over to him, Victor gave two of them to Marnie before preparing to throw the one remaining. As he lobbed the ball into the air, he held his breath, hoping to at least knock over one of the bottles.
No luck.
His ball sailed through the air and landed at the back of the booth. Marnie handed him another ball, and he tried again, glaring at the booth tender as he threw the ball again, this time at a sharper angle.
Not a single ball was knocked over.
From behind him, Marnie shifted, handing over his last ball. “You can do this, Victor.” Then, she glanced at the booth tender. “Even if you can't knock them over, this is probably just a scam anyways.”
As the booth tender balled his fists in indignation, Victor took Marnie’s confidence in him to heart, getting into position one last time. “Thanks, Marnie.”
His ball soared through the air, knocking over absolutely nothing.
Marnie eyed her Pokéballs and glared pointedly at the man in charge of the booth. She looked annoyed enough to whip out one of her Pokéballs and sic Morpeko on him. Ultimately, though, Victor was able to drag her away before things got ugly.
“That was such a waste of money,” Marnie complained, shaking her head. “I hate carnivals so much.”
But, as he slipped his hand through hers, Victor grinned at her, “Yeah… They kinda suck.” He squeezed her hand lightly. “And that booth was definitely a rip off. I still wish I'd gotten the chance to impress you, though.”
“Victor,” Marnie began, meeting his gaze. “You already have.” She hid a smile. “You totally kept your cool while dealin' with that crook. I could never.” He reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Besides. You don't need to win a stupid carnival game to impress me. Just the fact that we're together is proof enough that I like you. You don't need to do anythin' to earn that.”
Victor’s features softened. “I think that’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me, Marn.”
“Don’t get used to it,” Marnie joked.
With a smile, Victor squeezed her hand again. “I never will.”