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Bede really shouldn’t be as nervous about this as he is. It’s not a big deal.
He’s just giving one of his favorite Pokémon to a trainer that can take good care of it. It’s not because he secretly really likes said trainer, because he DOESN’T.
Avery is the worst. He definitely does not have the most beautiful eyes Bede’s ever seen, nor a hat that he thinks is really cool (he doesn’t think it’s really cool, totally not, it’s stupid.)
He doesn’t understand why he’s getting so worked up over this. He keeps telling himself that it’s completely reasonable and anyone in his situation would do it, regardless of any feelings that he definitely doesn’t have.
Yet, despite that, he’s standing outside the psychic gym holding the collar of his coat above his nose to cover the blush that won’t go away. The hand that’s not holding his coat is clutching his reuniclus’s pokeball.
He’s debating whether to give up on this whole thing and go back when the doors to the gym open and Avery steps outside, an amused expression on his face.
“Bede? What a pleasant surprise. When one of my trainers told me there was someone standing creepily outside I didn’t think it would be you.”
Bede’s face flushed even more and he scowled, though it was partly covered by his coat.
“What? I wasn’t- no, I wasn’t being creepy! I was just- deciding whether I should waste my time going in or not.”
“Is that so?” Avery asked, walking over and standing in front of him, “This city is a bit far from Ballonlea, it’s strange to think you’d come all the way here despite being as unsure as you claim to be.”
“I just happened to be here, so I thought I’d stop in and say hi,” He bluffed, letting go of the collar of his coat so his face showed.
“Well, whatever your reason is for coming here it’s nice to see you,” Avery smiled.
“Yeah, whatever…”
Bede was trying his best not to turn on his heels and run all the way back to Ballonlea and lock himself in his room.
“…I have… a favor to ask of you,” He muttered, forcing himself to meet Avery’s eyes.
“Oh, is that so?” The other trainer asked with a patient smile, “What can I do to help?”
“It’s… Well… I need you to take care of a Pokémon for me.” He held the pokeball up. “I would keep him, but I’ve dedicated myself to fairy types, and I haven’t been able to give him the attention and care he deserves. I- I wouldn’t normally ask you to do it, but you specialize in psychic types so I thought, maybe, he’d be better off in your care then in someone else’s.”
To take some of the attention off himself he clicks the button on the pokeball, and Cyfrin beams out of his containment. The reuniclus bobbed up and down, looking curiously at the new trainer in front of him.
“Ah, a reuniclus!” Avery said, wonderment in his voice, “A fine Pokémon. The champion once mentioned that you used to have a solosis. Is this him?”
“Yes,” Bede said, the blush returning to his face. Gloria and Avery were talking about him? The nerve-
“Hello there,” Avery greeted the Pokémon in front of him, “What might your name be?” The reuniclus chirred, eyes sparkling.
“Cyfrin…” Bede muttered, “His name is Cyfrin…”
“Ah, a lovely name! And very well picked too.”
Cyfrin cooed, happy because of the compliment. Bede watched him float around Avery, amused when he swiped at the pokeballs floating around the trainer’s hat.
As Bede watched his Pokémon, there was a sadness growing inside him.
Cyfrin- was he ready to give him away?
It was a tough decision, but… he knew this was for the best. He couldn’t give Cyfrin the attention and care he deserved. Under Avery, he would be trained properly and would probably be happier than staying trapped in his pokeball all the time.
Still… Cyfrin was the first Pokémon he’d caught (his first ever Pokémon being hatereen) and had been with him for years. He’d made a bond with all of his Pokémon, but Cyfrin had always been one of the special ones. It was hard saying goodbye to him.
“Are you sure about this?”
Avery’s sudden question brought Bede back to reality.
“Huh?”
Avery watched him with a thoughtful expression.
“…It’s apparent that you care about this Pokémon a great deal. Are you sure you’re willing to give him to me?”
“…Yeah,” Bede sighed, shoving his hands into his coat pockets, “I’m sure.”
“Well then, I’m truly honored to be the one to take care of the Pokémon you care so dearly about.”
Avery smiled warmly at Bede, giving him butterflies.
“Don’t overthink it!” He snapped, “It’s not a big deal! He just- he’ll be happier with you.”
Cyfrin turned around and looked up at Bede. The Pokémon’s arms drooped sadly and it made a sorrowful noise.
Bede took a deep breath, trying not to cry. He’d already explained everything to Cyfrin the night before, to make sure he knew Bede wasn’t abandoning him and wanted him to have a good life.
He extended his right hand, and Cyfrin took it in one of his own enormous hands.
“…” Bede forced back tears and quietly choked out, “…Bye bud.”
He returned Cyfrin and shoved the pokeball into Avery’s hands.
“Here,” He said gruffly.
Avery didn’t comment or make fun of Bede for getting emotional. Instead, he smiled kindly (Arceus, why was he smiling so much!?) and took the pokeball.
“Thank you, Bede. I promise to take good care of him. I’ll train him until he’s as elegant and powerful as my other Pokémon.”
“He’s already powerful. I trained him, after all.” After a few seconds he added, “…But extra training couldn’t hurt.”
Avery chuckled and said, “Exactly what I was thinking. You're quite a competent trainer, I doubt it will take much training until Cyfrin is ready to join my team.”
“What? You- You’ve already decided you're putting him on your team?”
“Why of course. I see much potential in him, and any Pokémon that once belonged to you is surely strong and reliable.”
Ok, now Bede was sure Avery was trying to fluster him. He pulled the collar of his coat over his nose again, blushing fiercely. He quickly muttered a thank you and hurried off. As he was speed walking away Avery called after him.
“Wait!”
He turned around to look at the other trainer.
“Yes?”
“If you ever want to see him, you can stop by whenever you wish,” Avery said, holding Cyfrin’s pokeball gently in his hands, “I’ll even make tea if you decide to visit.”
Bede was sure his face was now as red as a cheri berry
“I-I’ll think about it,” He stammered, and then fled.