Archive of Our Own

It’s early morning in Centra City. The sky has yet to lighten and the air is wet and crisp as it waits for the sun’s arrival. The city is subdued with dormancy. It’s peaceful to those lacking the experience to notice the signs and sense what Red does.

Mewtwo’s energy lies dormant in the air. It climbs over the buildings of the city and reaches far into the forest, crawling along the leaves and branches. It chokes the clean air. It twists what’s meant to be into something foreboding and wrong. The latent psychic energy tickles at Red’s arms and strains his throat.

Red keeps his hands in his pockets to stave the feeling off. He takes deep breaths and tries to pretend everything’s normal. That’s what today is about. A distraction. An obstacle standing between him and Giovanni.

But...distractions have their uses. Even Red can admit this. This distraction in particular is an occurrence that Red doesn’t mind. So he continues waiting on the bench just outside the pokémon center, fighting that terribly present urge to drop everything and go after Giovanni despite him not having any idea of where the man is hiding.

“Sorry I’m late!”

Red turns and looks behind him, seeing Green running down the main street of Centra, dressed in his casual jacket and khaki pants. That means Aerodactyl’s taking a rest for the time being. Red’s done the same with Snorlax. After battling grunts for days on end, Snorlax needs the rest, even if he was reluctant to return to the PC.

Red gives a small tilt of his hat. He didn’t notice Green was behind schedule. There’s plenty on his mind to pass the time.

Green joins him on the bench, taking a second to catch his breath. WIth his arms spread wide and open along the back of the bench, he casts his gaze in Red’s direction. “You okay? How’d you sleep?”

Red shrugs. It’s an awful habit but he’s used to going days without proper rest. He doesn’t know how anyone can with that energy in the air. He wonders—

“Yeah, I feel it too,” Green says, answering Red’s question before he can ask it. “It’s...powerful. Hard to ignore.”

Red nods, his thoughts returning to Mewtwo’s well-being. Every pokémon has their limit, and he knows Mewtwo has far exceeded theirs.

Green scoots closer suddenly, smoothly slinging his right arm around Red’s shoulders. “Look, that’s not what today’s about, yeah? We’re goin’ out.”

Being so close together means Red’s senses are assaulted with cologne, shampoo, and Green’s cheek pressed very closely against his. Red blushes against his will and tries to hide his face with his hat.

Before he can do so, Green swoops in as quick as a pidgey and kisses Red on the cheek. Red’s face is pure fire now, and he holds the brim of his hat with both hands, timid fingers lightly shaking as his embarrassment nearly causes him to topple over.

Green is merciless as he laughs in Red’s ear. “How are you gonna survive today if one kiss sends you spiraling?”

Red has no clue how. The whole kissing Green thing is still very new to him. They’d started dating about two weeks before the hunt for Giovanni started, and Red is flustered and surprised with every kiss and every shared look between them that is bursting with hidden intent. When their hands brush together in public, it’s a silent message, a reminder that they’re more than just rivals now.

They’re dating and it hasn’t fully registered in Red’s mind, even with all the signs and affection. It’ll happen eventually, he hopes and supposes, but right now it feels like every touch carries a hurricane. He has no idea how Green has adjusted to it so seamlessly.

But perhaps he shouldn’t be that surprised. Green was the one who confessed first. He’s obviously given this next step in their relationship a lot more thought.

One last squeeze and Green lets him go. He stands from the bench and extends his arms upward in some stretching, releasing tension from his upper back and shoulders.

Red watches this and the thought comes to him that he hasn’t yet asked Green how he’s holding up after the battles they had. It must’ve been harder on Green. He had other trainers to look after and search parties to coordinate; Red had only himself and Snorlax to worry about.

He grimaces, looking down at his lap and fiddling with the large white pockets on his jacket.

“Let’s get goin’,” Green says, turning to look down at Red. “We don’t have much time before the city wakes up. How about we get some breakfast?”

Red stares at him.

Green puts his hands on his hips with a sigh. “Yeah, I know nothin’s open right now. But neither of us are strangers to cheap breakfasts.”

So vending machines then. Red stands beside Green and they walk together toward the central plaza, hands brushing together with each step they take.

Shyly, Red reaches over and loops two fingers with one of Green’s, hanging on loosely. There’s no one around, but his cheeks are stained pink regardless. They haven’t held hands that often but whenever they do, Green always leads the charge. Just like with that kiss, Green is bold and fearless with affection. He’s been waiting a long time, sitting on feelings and sleeping in fantasies. It comes easier to him.

Red’s emotions aren’t so easily expressed. He certainly has feelings for Green, but he’s never dated someone before. He’s playing this whole thing by ear, and right now, he wants to hold Green’s hand, but two fingers is all he can do.

Green picks up his slack. He clumsily intertwines their fingers, having to stop walking and make a few adjustments until it feels right.

“We’ll get the hang of it eventually,” Green mutters with a laugh.

Red’s too focused on the feeling of his hand so warmly held by Green’s clammy one. The chill of the morning is chased away by that feeling of skin and touch. His blood thrums and rushes, his face flushes, and his heart plays a game of hopscotch in his chest.

The distraction works wonders. Red’s worries and stresses are blown away by a whirlwind of Green, and it’s all he can do to just hold tight to their connection to survive the storm.

Throughout Centra City there are small alcoves where groups of vending machines can be found. In the center of these spaces are benches and chairs, creating a small resting area that’s perfect for getting a quick drink or snack before hitting the road again. Not all of them are decorated, but the one Red and Green stop at first has dwarf cedar trees and evergreen shrubs to give the place some life.

There’s six machines to choose from, three offering a variety of drinks and soups and the last three dedicated to snack food.

Green leads the way inside. “Feels like home. They’ve even got warm drinks here.”

Red takes a seat on the small bench that’s surrounded by all the machines. He still holds onto Green’s hand and will continue to do so for as long as he can. From what he can see, there’s hot and cold drinks, soups, and tasty pastries. There’s quite a selection in this little area with goodies from all over the world. Plenty of treats that Red has never heard of or seen before.

Green takes his time browsing, completely looking over one machine's wares before moving on to the next one. He does this for every machine, testing the strength of their connected hands and causing Red to fall over onto the bench in order to keep their hands intertwined.

Red reasons they’re probably being ridiculous about this, but he doesn’t want to let go. Green doesn’t want to either, and so they’ve wordlessly entered into a game to see who will let go first.

“Do you want the usual?” Green asks, looking down at Red and grinning.

Red glares at him. He sits up on the bench and tugs on Green’s hand.

Green stumbles and begins to laugh. He leans against the back of the bench, lazily looking into Red’s eyes. “You can let go at any time too, y’know.”

What a lie. Let go first and lose? Not a chance. And Red’s hesitant to admit it, but his hand will be cold if he does that. He’ll miss the warm, smooth skin pressed tightly against his, and that’s a bit overwhelming. It’s too cold out, he tells himself, ignoring how the chill of the night is fading with each passing second.

And the mystical look in Green’s eyes isn’t helping. The street lamps are a faint and dying white, slightly charred with a burnt yellow that places a soft glow on the bushes, shrubs, and Green’s brown hair and eyes. That orange glimmer dances tenderly upon Green’s silhouette, highlighting the freckles speckled on his cheeks and nose. The knowing charm that’s poured onto his voice adds even more magic to an otherwise muted scene. They’re not at some signature spot, but the little nook feels special right now.

Despite the tornado of nervousness roaring in Red’s chest, his frown is the only answer Green receives.

It makes Green snicker. “Yeah, so you want the usual, right?”

The 'usual’ is royal milk tea and strawberry chocolate. If either of those aren’t available, Red will settle for whatever kind of chocolate there is or some plain chips. He’s not picky, but the sweetness of the milk tea is a great way to start off the morning, to warm his hands around the steel can before setting off to train.

Green reaches into his pocket with his left hand to get some money, and Red jumps up at that, having money of his own to pay with.

“Don’t worry about it,” Green tells him. “I’m the one who suggested we go out, right? It’s on me.”

Red continues to stand, flattered and flabbergasted. He does nothing as Green goes through the ordeal of getting a hot can of milk tea out of the machine with only one hand. And Red accepts it wearing that same expression of confused captivation, holding the steel can in his free hand.

His fingers burn with heat to match his face. It’s not like they’ve never bought food for one another, but there was something in the manner that Green said it, something in his casual demeanor and the way he squeezes Red’s hand now as he moves to another machine.

These activities that they’ve done over and over again together aren’t the same anymore. Red looks at the world with new eyes as it takes on this lovely new coating, this reinvention of friendship and relationships. It’s a new evolution, one that’s strange and awkward but interesting all the same. It’s possible he’s getting worked up over nothing, but…at so many points in his life, he never thought Green would see him this way.

Green stands up straight after having retrieved Red’s strawberry chocolate and hands the bar to him.

Quickly, Red places his can of tea in his large white pocket and accepts the chocolate, holding it carefully in his hand as Green gets his own snack and then moves on to another machine in the nook.

There’s a brief moment of quiet as Green waits for his hot milk coffee to be prepared, and he looks over at a machine that offers frozen treats. “You want some ice cream, mountain man?”

Red rolls his eyes but gets up to see what’s on offer anyway. He joins Green as they look at the ice cream together. There’s more chocolate than anything, cones and bars of milk chocolate, chocolate bars with almonds or pecans sprinkled in, and dark chocolate. The only thing that stands out is a vanilla ice cream cookie sandwich that Red points to.

Green chuckles. “How’d I know you’d pick that one?” He leans over and puts three coins in, but instead of returning to his previous position, he stays there, close to Red. He rests his head on Red’s shoulder and presses the correct button for Red’s choice of treat.

It warms all of a sudden, the air, Red’s face and neck, his hands and his ears. He stands rigid and jittery as Green reclines against him. He’s frozen in place. Broken down. Red’s brought to a standstill as he cautiously awaits another kiss to his cheek or forehead.

Red doesn’t know how Green does it. Red’s heart stutters whenever they’re this close. It thrashes against his chest cavity and he knows Green can hear it. He clenches his eyes shut and tries to move, but he doesn’t know how he should move or what he should do and—

A beeping sound signals Green’s hot coffee is finished being prepared. Green lifts his head and moves away completely unbothered, and Red is left standing there like an idiot.

Green turns to him, hot coffee in hand. “Well, c’mon! Get your ice cream and let’s go before daybreak.”

Slowly, Red snaps out of it and slowly, he reaches down to retrieve his frozen treat. Miraculously, they’re still holding hands through that whole mini shopping adventure. And, by way of another miracle, Red’s heart is still in working order.

He lets himself get dragged by Green out of the nook and into the open air of the plaza once more. They keep walking this time, out of the city and away from the soon-to-be awake residents. They pass through the treeline and enter into the sprawling forests surrounding Centra City, and this is where Green’s ideas fall short.

“You know a good spot?” he asks after a sip of his coffee. He looks a bit sheepish, having not planned this part out. “I was just gonna pick a place under the trees, but if you know of somethin’ better…”

Red’s not surprised or bothered by this lack of foresight. Their date was planned last minute. He pauses and glances around the secluded area they’ve found themselves in. Underneath the canopy of trees, the sun is beginning to rise. It’s light shines through the branches and leaves on the tall trees and it’s moments like these that make Red momentarily forget that this entire island is artificial.

Every tree has been strategically and perfectly planted, every lake and pond man made. It’s still beautiful, but Red’s found through his explorations that it’s lacking some of that...magic. Luckily, he’s learned that they can bring their own magic to an area to elevate it into something truly moving.

There’s a place he knows that offers a great view of the city and surrounding areas. An overlook just outside the forest. Red turns and begins to lead Green there. With each step and every breath, he forgets about how the air is brimming with danger, how the threat of more chaos is a dark hand upon his shoulder, how Red’s failure to stop Giovanni caused a lot of pokémon to get hurt, especially Mewtwo.

The sun’s coming up and he’s holding Green’s hand. They walk side by side together, the quiet of the morning reminding them of what they’re fighting for.

Once at the overlook, the trees part and clear a space just for them. The beach sits below, the distant waves mellow and beautiful. Perfectly cut blades of glass will be their seats, and the soft wind is their accompaniment. And out, stretching wide and open, lies the whole of Pasio. From the mountain ranges and deep trenches to the spiked icebergs jutting out of deep shimmering blue.

The island is theirs, and Red pulls Green closer to the cliffside as if to prove it to him.

Green’s smile is pure warmth. “Wow. Now that’s a view! I had no idea about this place.” He glances at Red with an appreciative look. “‘Course you’d know about it with all the travelin’ you do.”

Red bashfully shrugs. He places his free hand in his pocket now and remembers his royal milk tea and his, probably melted by now, ice cream cookie sandwich.

“We can sit here if you promise not to fall off,” Green tells him while peering over the edge of the cliff.

Red looks at him with all the exhaustion he can muster.

Green laughs like sweet honey and Red unintentionally squeezes his hand. “Hey, don’t look at me like that! You treated Mt. Silver like a vacation spot. I never know what you’ll do from second to second.”

Well, right this second, Red wants to eat his cheap breakfast while holding Green’s hand. There’s a medium-sized tree right next to a rock nearby, and Red drags Green over there to sit. While they get out their respective drinks and snack foods, the boughs of the trees speak with the breeze. The grass is incredibly soft and the whole thing is very near perfect.

Red misses the presence of other pokémon, the sound of the cries nearby and in the distance, the way they’d peek out of the bushes and around the trunk of trees to see what’s going on. That absence of life is so assuredly missed.

The quiet peace they have is disturbed by Green opening his bag of trail mix. “I haven’t had much time to check Pasio out, y’know. There’s been plenty of trainers showin’ up lately and guess who’s the welcome brigade?”

Red winces as he chews on a piece of his strawberry chocolate. He doesn’t envy Green’s job at all. The thought of having to welcome every trainer sounds completely overwhelming. The only one he can truly talk to is Green and sometimes Leaf.

Green fishes around in his trail mix for his favorite pieces. “That’s why I like it when we go out like this. Can always count on you to show me someplace cool.”

Red’s face takes on the same shade of pink as his strawberry chocolate. He chews slower now, eyes aimed in the other direction. His legs had been stretched out in front of him, but he pulls them close now, crossing them and putting up something of a barrier between Green’s compliments and himself.

But they’re dating now and comments like that will become more frequent as time goes on. Red knows this and he knows that he’s shying away for no reason. They’re just sitting together, enjoying the view and each other’s company, but he didn’t know Green enjoyed these outings so much.

It makes Red feel guilty for so often being absent.

Green inches closer despite Red’s attempts to keep him at bay. He holds up the bag of trail mix. “You want the rest?”

Red hopes his blush has lessened as he looks over to see which scraps remain for him to pick through. Of course Green’s eaten all the best parts of the trail mix, but Red doesn’t mind what’s left. He takes the bag and offers Green some of his strawberry chocolate and the exchange is complete.

A quiet falls between them, which is strange because Green is here and they both seem to be in good spirits. Red looks over at his...boyfriend between scooping handfuls of trail mix in his mouth. Green seems a little preoccupied, which is, again, strange.

Red gathers his wits and decides to take the initiative for once. He lightly bumps his shoulder against Green’s to get his attention, something he rarely has to do since Green always looks over or catches his eye so they can communicate.

Green startles, looking over at Red in confusion before he seems to realize he’d been spacing out. He hands Red back his bar of strawberry chocolate. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to hog it.”

Red shakes his head, confused himself now. He doesn’t care about the candy. He nudges Green again and narrows his eyes.

Reading the message written on Red’s expression, Green sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “I was just thinkin’ about, y’know, the other day.”

Red’s heart leaps into his throat. All at once he’s reminded of everything: Giovanni, Mewtwo, and the energy in the air. He’d completely forgotten about it. The bubble of normalcy around them bursts and Red’s worries come surging down to plague him once more. They hit him with veritable force, his eyes widening as the spell of this distraction collapses into dust.

It shows on his face. He knows it does because Green drops his concerns and diverts his attention to Red. He reaches out his right hand and places it on Red’s cheek, grounding him, making him focus on spring blooming behind golden-brown eyes. “Hey—Red, look at me. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have… I shouldn’t have said anythin’.”

Red grabs onto Green’s wrist and shakes his head. He wants to know what’s on Green’s mind, just as Green can so easily read his.

Green smiles briskly. “I didn’t mean to remind you of all that. And I wasn’t thinkin’ about him, I was thinkin’ about...you and what you did.”

Red’s thoughts skid to a halt. So...not the imminent danger that hangs like a thunderous cloud over the entire island, but what Red did?

Green’s fingertips skim Red’s jawline. He reads the confusion on Red’s face but patiently waits to answer. “... How you went in alone.”

Oh. That. It’s easy to see in hindsight that taking on the entire bulk of Team Rocket by himself was stupid, but he’d done it before, so he could surely do it again. And he almost did, but wiping out teams at a time takes its toll on himself and his pokémon. He wasn’t a complete fool while pursuing them, opting to take a break instead of pushing through.

But if he’d asked Green, it would’ve been much easier, he knows that. He knows that Green could’ve fought by his side easily, keeping up and taking care of his pokémon. He wouldn’t be a hindrance in the slightest. But… Maybe…

Red holds tightly onto Green’s wrist, wrestling with the emotions that surface in his stomach and rise to his chest. They pull at his heart, contorting his expression into something apologetic as he grapples with his true feelings.

Sometimes it’s easier to go alone. Red can look after himself, but if Green had gotten involved… If something had happened to him…

Red’s afraid of what he would’ve done.

Slowly, as if ashamed of himself or his feelings, Green retracts his hand, pulling it out of Red’s grip. He looks conflicted as he stares down at the grass, his brow furrowed. “I’m glad—really glad you’re not hurt. But…I’m wonderin’ if you went on your own because of how I acted before. Years ago.”

It takes a minute for Red to understand what Green’s referring to. Years ago when Team Rocket had Kanto in the palm of its hand, Red had taken it upon himself to root them out alongside getting the gym badges and advancing to the Pokémon League. He doesn’t doubt that Green fought his fair share of grunts, but his primary concern wasn’t getting rid of Team Rocket; it was being the best trainer in the region.

Now, Red is revered for his actions and Green tolerates the bulk of the region’s ire and dismissal. It was that decision of inaction that Green’s talking about. How he put his own ambitions and goals ahead of everything else.

They’re still holding hands despite everything, and Red squeezes Green’s hand with persistence. That's not why he went alone. Beside, Green’s—

“I’ve changed,” Green tells him, and it’s firm, steady. Not to be argued with. He looks at Red with unmistakable confidence. “That’s not who I am anymore. I trust you, Red. I know you could take care of them. That’s not what upsets me. It’s…”

Red watches as the strength that’s always at the forefront of Green’s stare is chipped away, revealing this piece of vulnerability and truth hidden deep inside. His behavior mirrors this honesty as he sits back against the rock, eyes distant, hand loosely hanging on to Red’s own. It’s so close to defeat.

Green’s a weeping spring day, bogged down by a sudden rain that floods the land with little care. It’s foggy and dreary as the colors of spring lose their vibrance. “You can come to me, y’know. You don’t have to do everythin’ on your own...”

The heartbroken words hang between them, a heavy spear through Red’s soul. It’s a brutal feeling, critical and raw and Red buckles under it. He didn’t charge off on his own to look the hero; he did it because he didn’t want anyone else to get involved and potentially get hurt. He feels it’s his own responsibility to take down Team Rocket each time they rise from the ashes.

But Green is his rival. He’s the strongest trainer Red’s ever faced. He’s Red’s best friend. He’s Red’s boyfriend. His protectiveness prevented him from going to Green and asking for his help in taking down Giovanni, even though that’s what ended up happening anyway.

In his want to protect Green, he’d unintentionally made him feel unimportant, like some novice trainer, like Green’s not—

Not worthy.

Red moves closer to Green, leaning his shoulder against the rock Green’s back is pressed against. He’s never been the best at this, showing and giving affection, but he tries. He needs to try now because Green isn’t looking at him and hasn’t in minutes and that isn’t right. No one else understands Red like those honey-brown eyes do, and Red’s completely dropped the ball in understanding his boyfriend in the same manner.

He lightly places a hand on Green’s knee. Red’s hand trembles and shakes but he keeps it there. He won’t back away. He squeezes to show that he won’t.

“I—” Red starts, but his voice is faded with nonuse. It scratches against his throat, his vocal chords stiff from neglect. He dusts them off and prepares them for work by clearing his throat and swallowing spit. He wishes he’d taken a sip of his warm milk tea before moving closer, but he has Green’s attention now, quiet surprise settled on his features.

Red hasn’t spoken in so long. He’s forgotten how to do so efficiently. He tries again because he has to, conjuring some of that strength and fearlessness that everyone has imposed upon him.

“I’m...sorry,” Red whispers, as quiet as a wish. Inadequacy flows over him, telling him that’s not enough, that this meager and horrible apology won’t mean anything, but no other words come. All Red has are feelings that he can’t decipher, languages that he has no hope of translating and communicating.

But he is sorry, every part of him is. It’s never his intention to hurt Green.

Green waits, perhaps thinking Red has more to say, but nothing else comes. There’s a break in the rainfall, a moment of quiet as the last drops fall and perch on verdant leaves. The clouds gently blow over and the sun peeks out, Green’s smile a bittersweet thing, soaked in beauty.

“It’s okay,” Green says softly, matching Red’s volume. He runs his fingers along the back of Red’s hand that’s planted on his knee. “Just...come find me next time. Please.”

Red turns Green’s hand over and grips it. His fingers cradle that hand, thumb idly stroking the skin, tan dotted with freckles that shine in the morning sun. He can do that. He can promise it.

There’s something else he can do, isn’t there? A soothing balm that he can place on that ache. A memory that he can sweeten. A moment that he can add some magic to.

It comes to Red, quick as a flash, and before he can think himself out of it, he releases Green’s right hand to tilt up the brim of his hat. He feels nervousness bubbling up in his gut, but he acts swiftly, dipping his head down as quick as he can to kiss Green’s left cheek.

It’s over in a second. Red pulls back and readjusts his hat, wanting to hide away from Green and the world. He can feel the flush to his cheeks, can feel the burn to the tips of his ears. Under the safety of his hat, he chances a glance at Green, thinking his rival will have some teases ready to fire at him.

But to the contrary, Green stares wide-eyed at him, a hand placed on the very cheek Red just kissed. Stripped of his usual demeanor, Green’s face flourishes with scarlet efflorescence. It covers pretty tan cheeks and continues to sprout up and around, touching Green’s ears and neck.

“Red…” Green whispers, words lost to him.

At a loss for words himself, Red’s breath catches, hypnotized by how Green’s reacting to a simple kiss. How hypocritical of him to get on Red’s case earlier, but he doesn’t care about that now. The only time he’s seen Green blush this much was when he confessed his feelings.

But there’s something cute and shy about this, about Green’s reaction to Red showing affection. It’s always been Green taking his hand and giving him small kisses on the cheek or forehead. This is the first that Red’s taken the initiative himself, and if this is his reward? Well…

Red boldly lifts his hat up again, heart steadily pounding, the force of it vibrating throughout his body. But he leans forward again, hearing Green inhale sharply as a kiss is lightly pressed against his right cheek this time.

Green stammers, releasing Red’s hand and moving back, his blush growing deeper and darker.

Red presses forward, kissing the side of Green’s nose, his chin, his jaw, and his temple. Red kisses blindly, eyes clenched shut, but he’s determined and he’s set his mind to this. He wants to see it through.

How many times has he seen Green speechless like that? Flustered and awkward and shy? Red did that with one simple kiss that’d taken all of his courage. Is this why Green kisses him like that? To see him blush? Because after seeing it once, Red’s become taken with the idea and the outcome. He doesn’t care if he’s nervous and that his heart might burst through his chest; it’s worth it to see that pretty color on Green’s face.

The only thing Green has managed to say in the past minute or so is gibberish. He places one hand behind him to try and steady himself, but it slips on the smooth grass, and he tumbles onto his back. He looks up at Red like he’s a cornered pokémon about to be caught, and that’s exactly what he is, because Red follows him, leaning over Green with his sights set on those lips.

Green puts a hand on Red’s arm. “R-Red, hey—” But he doesn’t get anything else out. He looks as nervous as Red feels, his bangs falling this way and that, his eyes still wide and beautiful. He stares helplessly up at Red.

Red acts before his courage burns up. He stares at the pink of Green’s lips, at the freckles he can still see behind the rosy coloring of his cheeks. He never thought he’d be this close to Green, so close he can see every strand of his hair and feel his body heat. He can see the details in Green’s eyes, how they look in the morning light, how they carry their own spark to them, a bold and ever-present statement.

There’s a tight feeling in Red’s chest whenever he looks at Green, and now that they’re this close, it constricts around his heart. It helps but it also hurts. It’s a nearly overwhelming emotion, something terrifyingly wonderful. It pushes on his throat, battering against his ribcage, daring him to act and just do something so this feeling isn’t as powerful, so it’ll lessen, at least for the moment.

Red leans down and gently presses his lips to Green’s.

He pulls back quick as lightning, his heart only getting worse with its incessant pounding. He gives Green some space to breathe and in that space, in that moment just seconds after their first kiss on the lips, Green inhales quickly and covers his fully blown red face with both hands.

That is something he’s never seen Green do. In all his years of knowing him, Green has never reacted like that to anything Red has witnessed. But, truth be told, it’s something Red would also do at this moment, but he’s using both of his hands to prop himself up. He pushes himself further away, a slight smile on his face as he beholds Green in all his embarrassed glory.

It’s really fun to embarrass Green. It may be his new favorite thing to do.

“Arceus,” Green mumbles, refusing to show his face. “Where did all that come from? You’ve never—I can’t believe you!”

Red leans his shoulder against the rock Green had been sitting against and watches the show. Green will have to be on his guard now. Red will be the one giving him surprise kisses whenever they’re alone now.

Green runs his hands down his face, perhaps thinking or hoping that his blush has cleared off, but it’s still there, only having lightened just a bit. He pushes himself to sit up with a hand, and in doing so, accidentally brushes his knee against Red’s left pocket. The sound of plastic wrapping gets their attention.

Oh no… His ice cream treat! Red reaches into his pocket and pulls it out. His expression immediately crumbles into despair. He can feel the gooey vanilla ice cream about to burst out of the plastic wrapping. It’s squishy and mushy. It’s lost its luster and true appeal! The day is truly heating up and Red is stuck with an ice cream cookie sandwich that’s fallen to room temperature.

Green chokes back a laugh. He puts a supportive hand on Red’s shoulder. “I’ll get you another one. Save that for Snorlax.”

Red sighs with disappointment, but agrees. That lumbering giant of a pokémon appreciates any type of food and will be grateful for the snack. Besides, if Green’s paying for another one, Red doesn’t have any right to complain.

“Hey. Look at me.”

Red does so, turning his head to the right only to feel Green gripping his chin. Green presses close, their lips touching together, Red’s heart quickly jumping back into action after a short break. This kiss lingers. It’s a mountain of softness with some sweet on top. It’s everything that he imagined that ice cream cookie sandwich was going to be.

“Payback,” Green explains simply, voice hushed. He grins at Red as if him being driven to hide his face didn’t happen at all. Green will probably deny it, but Red will remember it forever.

This time Red doesn’t move away. He stays close to Green until their foreheads are touching, eyes closed as he listens to the morning breeze. Maybe the more he does this, the easier it’ll become. Already, he doesn’t feel as nervous about it as he did earlier today. It’s something he could get used to, this closeness. The feeling of Green’s bangs and the tip of his nose poking Red’s own.

And this is their new competition, payback through kisses and making the other embarrassed. Fighting to see who can make the other blush first. The thought makes Red smile. Being together in this new way doesn’t remove that inclination.

It’s relieving and nerve-wracking and wonderful, everything about it. It’s much more than a distraction, Red’s come to understand; it’s a priority, one that he’s been neglecting. But not anymore, not with Green’s words echoing in Red’s ear, the emotions within them causing his heart to bleed.

This relationship will be full of mistakes and mess ups, stumbles and blunders. But it’s like Green said…

They’ll get the hang of it eventually.