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Chapter Text

There are days where he would return home with a smile and excitement plastered all over his face, dusty rocks would clutter his workspace waiting to be polished and cleaned, pulling an all-nighter to see the hidden gem beneath each and every rock he brought home. Other times, however, he would returned empty-handed, disappointed by the lack of new rocks to add to his growing collection.

It is during these times where he would spend the rest of the night wandering around the nearest city and enjoy what the night life is like. However, being a reputable individual, he tends to avoid bars and alcohol, because Arceus knows how much he has to deal with in the morning. He retired for a reason, and he is determined to keep it that way for a long time.

A small restaurant caught his attention as he's passing through the street food in Jubilife. Thankfully no one paid him any mind as he walked in, providing him with the silence he needs. Ever since he relinquished his title as champion, time is something he has now, followed by freedom. However this freedom comes with a cost, one he accepted with a heavy heart. His left hand reaches for a familiar object inside his coat jacket, an object that becomes dear to him as time passes.

The first time they met was at an official meeting by the league. He suspected this meeting was held to gave the other champions an opportunity to meet the newly crowned Sinnoh Champion. They talked, introduction and light jokes, professionally of course, but a start nonetheless.

Second was near Sunyshore. He came up disappointed after a fruitless dig near route 214, deciding to take a walk to Sunyshore before flying back to Resort Area only to change his mind once he spotted a shore near route 222, thus deciding to stay near the ocean for a while.

Before sitting down on the sand, a women in black came up from behind seemingly unaware of his presence. He didn't recognize the women until the cloud cleared up and moonlight hit her face did he realizes who she was, " Cynthia? "

After he called out to her, that seemed to have shaken her out of her mind and took notice of her surroundings, " Oh, Steven. I didn't realize you're here, in Sinnoh " Her voice drift at the last sentence making it difficult for him to hear her clearly.

" I'm on my travel. Sinnoh is my next stop after Johto "

" Oh, Is this one of your many expeditions? " she took a few step closer and join him in the sand, enjoying the dim moonlight and salty breeze together, from exploring caves to snowpoint temple and their connection to the regi trio talking with her seemed to have no end, it certainly made up for his disappointment.

Before they part way, she decided to exchange number. That night, though he wouldn't admit to her now, he was skeptical. How can the both of them stay in touch when cameras are following them. But he puts a smile, as she flew back to Celestic with a wave of goodbye.

Four days after their exchange in route 222, she called him up whether he would like to join her on her research in Canalave library. With nothing else to do he agreed, " I'll see you tomorrow. " what supposed to last a day turned into another tommorow and another tommorow until he decided to offer 3 days a week for her to which she sheepishly took in embarasment.

" I'm sorry I took your time off. I promise I'll make up for it once we're done " under the afternoon rays, ticking from the grandfather clock in the background, the quiet floor reserved just for the two of them, she looks stunning and radiant, even better when she hides a shy smile behind her hair.

He could feel a smile forming in his face but it soon disappear as he question himself,

Am I falling for her?

He was browsing through the books when he caught her between the gaps, curiosity starts to develop when he realized aside from her name, he knew nothing of her. Though, as much as he wishes to know more of her, he doesn't know how to present the question, it's not like he could ask her to tell him about herself without coming off as a freak.

During these thought he failed to realize how his staring doesn't go unnoticed when she turn her head towards him and tilt it to the side, a questioned look was plastered all over her face, " You okay? "

" Hm? "

" You've been staring for a while. Got something in your mind? "

It took him a second to realize he had been caught staring. But by that point he couldn't think up any excuses so he said what's on his mind, " I was thinking that aside from your name, I know nothing of you. " Her eyes widen in response, possibly realizing the same thing with him. " Now that you mention it, you're not wrong. " She got up from the couch to the table they're using, taking the seat across of his and wave at him to sit with her.

" Come, let's talk instead. Research can wait a little longer. " Perhaps by that time, he had fallen for her, even more so once they continue the topic later at night. He could feel himself smiling throughout the call and from her voice he could tell she was too.

Before leaving Sinnoh behind, he took her near the shore where they had met. The sun is setting when they arrived and local fishermans had returned home for the day, the place is free from people failing to mind their own businesses. " I'm sorry for taking your time "

She apologized once again, even after he told her not to countless time before, " I had fun being around you, there's no need for you to apologize. "

They fall into silent, watching as the sun set infront of their eyes. After the sky turns purple, she took something out of her pocket, " I want you to have this. "

Black colored stone is placed on his palm. With closer inspection he's certain it's a moon stone, a crack on the side causes a bit of discoloration adding to it's uniqueness, " It's, I was thinking, I could give you something to remember our time together "

" Thank you, I'll keep it safe with me " In the short time they had, one thing he learned was there's always more to her words than she's letting out. This gave him the idea that she probably puts meaning into things. Maybe there's a reason why she chose a moon stone, in the end he choose not to question it. Some things are best left alone for the time being.

Three years was all the time they had before he stepped down. Even then they only met once or thrice a year

Two years after, he heard from Wallace she was defeated. Decided to step down from the position to pursue something else.

A year ago she discovered the lost adamant and lustrous orb deep within Mt. Cornet, now no longer known as only a former champion but a renowned archeologist as well.

Athough calls are quite often, it wasn't the same as seeing her in person. Even after their time as champion, they still have places to be, people to see, and responsibility to put firstly. At least, to his knowledge she has places to be. Work can be done anywhere as long as he has the necessary tools with him.

Finding love has never been something he found important, he heard stories as a child, the heir is always forced to do someone's bidding and marriage is not out of the question. He never understands his father even now he hardly does, who's he to guarantee arranged marriage isn't something he wouldn't be asked to do one of these days.

but that begs the question,

He's aware of how everyone see her, to be able to even call her a friend should be an honor on itself. To experience falling in love, shouldn't that be enough for somone like him. In a way, shouldn't he be content with where they are right now, is she happy with where they are right now? For all he know she could be in a relationship with anyone, once he realize his love for her goes to waste, what will he do then? What will happen to everything he cherish in his heart.
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Shouldn't he be content with where they are now?

He fly to route 222 as soon as he's done with dinner. They had agreed to meet in this place, it's still 30 minutes away from their agreement but right now he has too much in mind to do anything else, he needs to clear his mind. Once he arrive, she was there already, sitting alone playing with a shell. " Cynthia? "

" You're here " She looks releaved when he approach slowly, clearing her hand from any sand in her hand.

" How long- "

" I've been here for a while, I thought I could enjoy a walk near the ocean. " and she laugh, sheepishly, a very different side of her he never seen before. They sit next to each other just like back then, but this time the silence that follows is heavy and awkward. Both have something to say yet none wanted to say first, that is until she calm herself down and decided to spark a conversation, " I was 21 when we met each other here. "

" You don't look any different. "

" Speak for yourself. "

" It's been years since then "

" And we're both still the same " He's about to respond when he thought to himself, could she be implying their relationship or could she just be implying how indifferent they are. " Do you have a lover? " She kept her gaze on the calm ocean, her hand is buried in the soft sand, pulling it up only to bury it again. He watched her repeating the action a couple of times before answering her question, " I don't "

but I would love to change that with you

She falls into silent, refusing to give any explanation as to why she asked such question. Maybe she's trying to point him to something, a suggestion? He knew she loves to give hints within her sentence but what is she trying to say? All those years are just him trying to hold the string together? Maybe tonight she wanted to let him know she hated how he kept trying to hold on when she moved on years ago. Maybe she wanted him to stop calling her because she has a lover now?

He took a deep breath at the ocean breeze to calm his mind down. He knew she watches him the entire time he kept silent, his racing thoughts prevents him from doing the same thing to her. " I love someone. " three simple words, if only the last one is what he wishes to hear from her.

Chapter Text

Other than dusty caves and ruins she loves the ocean, when she's younger her parents would brought all of them to Sandgem as a family trip. Who could have thought that their time together would be cut so short, cherish the memories you made with those you love, you'll never know what will happen to them

Her mother's word stings her heart, even to this day. Time heals all wound, perhaps the better term should be time lessens the pain.

But those words along with the pain it brought, shaped her. She cherish the memory of her parents, the time spent with her sister and grandparents, her time as champion, her time with friends and colleagues, and the happiness he brought to her since their meeting in the sandy shore near route 222.
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When she flew back to Celestic that night, there's a feeling in her heart, a feeling she described as happiness back then. Before him there aren't many people to talk to when it comes to things she likes, so that night she made a promise, a promise to keep this newfound friendship up no matter what the little voice in the back of her mind tells her

A few days afterwards, ancient text and photographs she asked from a fellow researcher in Kalos a week prior had arrived. In the heat of excitement she called him, asking him to join her research, only after she asked did she realize what she was doing but the question is out there's no turning back now, a few seconds of waiting felt like a long time. She lets out a silent sigh of relief when he agreed.

Her days spent with him increased when he decided to spare three days a week. It wasn't what she had planned to do, to take up his time off like this, no matter how many times she apologized he always brushed it off and told her he's fine and happy to spent time with her. Even though it warms her heart it doesn't help ease her guilt.

So before he left for Hoenn, she decided to gift him a moon stone as a small memento of their short time together. Although that's what she said, the true meaning of the stone was something a lot more selfish. Not only her name being associated with the moon but she's also often associated with black clothing.

She wanted to plant an image in that stone, in her head she had put together an explanation but when she actually gave it to him her thoughts are everywhere that she forgot about it. She was skeptical, at that moment, that stone was found by her not by the both of them. By her logic, it doesn't hold anything special for him to remember.

Believe in yourself

She can only cling to dim hope

×××

Every year the pokemon league holds an end of the year meeting for champions all around the region. It started out as a formal meeting sharing a few events happening in each region  though it soon becomes informal as it gradually turns into a party than a meeting. After the " meeting " they would spend an amount of time together from discussing myths to a friendly argument. Needless to say it was the only thing she looked forward to at every end of the year meeting, and it saddened her to only be able to experience it for a short time before he stepped down.

But she's determined to keep this friendship, just because he's no longer champion doesn't mean their friendship has to end. Now that he no longer champion he travels a lot more, free to do as he wish. Everytime she called he would tell her his findings and everytime he called she would tell him the opponent she faced earlier that day. All of this lasted for two years before she was defeated by the same trainer that saved Sinnoh. Her defeat surprises her as no trainer managed to get pass her Lucario in her years of being champion.

That night while contemplating a new strategy her defeat opened her eyes as she realizes just how long she held her title as Sinnoh Champion, she never had enough time for her research unless she stayed up very late, never had time to explore other hobbies she finds interesting, and lastly never had time to actually spend some time with her family. After days of consideration she decided to stepped down and give the title to the kid that defeated her.

Now free from her position, she pursue her original career choice, an archeologist. One of her successful conduct was finding the lost Adamant and Lustrous orb. From her grandma old book collection, she manage to locate and find the orb deep inside Mt. Cornet. She was praised not just by Sinnoh but also people from other regions. It made her feel content with the amount of work she put in or maybe it's the praise she received that night from a certain light blue haired individual that made it one of her proudest day.


×××

A few years havepassed since then, they change throughout the year. Changes went both way for her, seeing sinnoh changes for the better made her happy but thinking of how much Steven change clenches her heart, just how much does she know now? Calls are just calls, his voice doesn't give much to think. The things he told her doesn't give much either, the last time they see eye to eye was almost a year ago. Taking over more of the company made him busier than before, more things to think of than some friend he met once a year. The amount of time her finger hovers over his number increases as her feeling grows, and so does the amount of time she repeats a single sentence in her head.
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Spare me a thought will you?

×××

" I love someone " The word spit out of her mouth without realizing just how it could be misunderstood easily, and true to her word she caught his eyes widen in shock but quickly went back to neutral, at least he tried too, it doesn't take a genius to see a turmoil of emotion beneath those " neutral " eyes of his. She could say it explicitly in his face right now, could, but she's still unsure whether the feeling is mutual.

" How long have you met this person? "

" A long time, I love him after I realize just how much he means to me "

" Do I know him by any chance? "

" You know him better than I do "

" I- " The wind blew past them, stray hair in his eyes halts his sentence. It's nearly the end of autumn in Sinnoh, the cold season will be even colder in a matter of a week.

Fortunately for her, she happened to wear a scarf today, the cold season never bother her but she knew it bothers Steven since Hoenn is a tropical region. " Winter is almost here, it's starting to get more chilly, huh? "

" I should have brought my scarf "

" You can wear mine for now " The red scarf around her is now wrapped around his neck before he gets a saying, the smell of her perfume is strong on his nose as she wrapped the knit garment around his neck. " Aren't you worried if he sees you right now? "

" I wouldn't worry about that "

" Why? "

" Because I will only do this to him "

Leaning back to her original position the red scarf made up the missing tie he likes to wear, though without her scarf his flushed face is more than enough to replace the missing color.

" Do you realize what you just said? "

" Yes " She found him diverting his sight from her, he can't keep an eye contact longer than a minute and it's driving her mad how many times he turned towards the ocean instead of focusing on her.

" You will only do this to him, so you're saying you will only do this..... to me? "

" Yes "

" You...like me? " Inching closer, her hair brushed against his cheek, both her hands are at his side preventing him from escaping her, closing in on his left ear she whispered, " I prefer love "

Coming to her senses once the deed is done, a typical behavior for a stubborn person like her. It wasn't anything serious most of the time, but the same can't be said this time. Her face is red, she can feel her entire body sweating, her heart is beating fast and loud, she guarantee he can hear them loud and clear.

Not to mention the weird position they ended up in, he almost laid himself on the sand if it wasn't for his arm supporting half of his weight. From the corner of her eye, Cynthia caught a sight of his face, flushed and very warm so much so she could feel the heat emanating from him.

The plan was to pull herself back and leave, she will release togekiss and fly back to Celestic without looking back, But before she gets to move back, one of his hand reach out behind her and lunged her entire body forward, due to slow reaction her body fell right into his. However instead of lying on him, she's instead sitting on his lap it seems he change his position when she was busy with her thoughts. His arms are wrapped around her, now he's preventing her from escaping.

" I love you as well " Steven whisper near the nape of her neck, sudden warmth sends chill down her spine. Her heartbeat is slowing down as she calm herself down, while also finding a better way to position herself in this awkward position. One of her hand finds it way up to his head then followed by her other hand, pulling it closer to her neck, " You mean it? "

" Of course I do " Steven pulls his head back, tilting his head up to see her grey eye, one remains hidden behind the golden lock. The hand that's resting on his head went down to his forehead brushing the stray hair away in a slow loving manner. " How long? "

" Too long " The answer he gave is short but beneath those two words lies many doubts, what ifs, sleepless nights, and potential regret when he realized he's too late.

" Why didn't you make a move? "

" I was unsure. I said this multiple times before but you are important to me, if things went differently I can't bear to see our friendship end just like that. " He took the hand that was stroking his cheek, brushing it with his thumb a few times before placing a small kiss on the palm." I can bear a broken heart "

Cynthia is left stunned not just from the action displayed infront of her but also the words he spoke, for years she thought she was the only one who worries whether he thinks of her,

did he see her as someone worth his time and thought. Their interactions are limited, though she tried, her efforts can't be compared with someone who sees him everyday. Not to mention, Steven has never shown any signs of attraction to her, at least in her book.

To hear those words from his mouth strangely comforts her, as if something that had been clenching her heart has been removed, taken away by the person underneath her right now.

Both her hand went behind his head, hugging it close to her chest, Cynthia whisper quietly on top of his head, " You should let the people you love know how much you love them, Steven. Regret isn't a good feeling "

" Things doesn't always end on a good note Cyn, what do I have to be so sure that you won't walk away when I confess. " the hug around his head thigten and her leg closed in a bit more around him. Though the act doesn't last too long her hold on his head lossen, and so does the one with her legs. Cynthia pulls back sitting on his stretched out legs instead of the sand around them, " You know me better than that, I cherish our friendship. "

" Then let me tell you everything I wanted to say, if that's what you wanted from me " Steven lean in closer to her face, now it's his turn to trap her between his arm, the blushing mess that he was moments ago is now gone, replaced with the same confident she saw on the battle field.

" I would like to pursue a relationship with you, a romantic relationship just the two of us. What do you say? " A charming smile adorned his face, it would be candy for the eye if it wasn't for the fact he's inches away from brushing his lips against hers.

So being the mischievous person that she is, she lunged her head forward placing a quick peck on the corner of his lips, leaving the man stunned and a bit disappointed, " I would love that, dear " smiling innocently as if she did nothing wrong.

" You missed the spot "

" Oh no, that was intentional. If you want a full kiss you better- " Steven cup both of her cheek and closed the gap between them. She was embarrassed then, but now she's on a whole other level of embarrassed, her entire body is heating up rapidly. Judging from how intense the kiss was it's safe to assume he must have waited too long, and honestly she waited far too long as well, " I'll play your little game tommorow, dear. "

Steven pulls her in for an embrace. The act goes unnoticed for the blond as she was too busy calming herself down, it would've been a pleasant end to their night if it wasn't for the loud buzzing coming from his left pocket, an audible sigh from the man releases the warm cocoon that was just starting to get warmer, " Can't you stay a little longer? " one hand instinctively grab on to the dangling piece of the scarf, activity preventing him from going back any further.

" I'm afraid I can't, I've pushed this matter back for the entire evening. Though, if you want we can go back to my place and spend the rest of the night there after I'm done? " Cynthia gave smiled at the offer, getting up from the sand and follow behind. Her eyes landed on his unoccupied hand, dangling on his side as he answers the many messages he got, taking a few steps closer she snatch the hand, pulling it forward causing Steven to lose his balance. " Shall we get going then? "

He smile, amused by her behavior but most importantly, serene. Although they rarely see eye to eye, she sees him pretty often be it in tabloids or interviews that aired international. Putting up a smile is something they often did back in their champion days, though she rarely does it anymore she knows he still does it. So to see him showing his genuine emotion made her heart feel content and judging from how playful he has been since stepping inside his apartment, she could tell he is too.