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When their plane finally touches down in Alola, the first thing that catches Green's attention isn't the view, though that certainly is spectacular. It's the crowd of reporters and paparazzi outside the airport eagerly awaiting their arrival, hungry for just a glimpse of the Kanto champions. Maybe an interview or even a single question answered, if they're lucky.
Years ago, Green would have been thrilled to take advantage of the photo op and spin the media circus to his advantage. He thrived in the spotlight.
Now, though, he has Red sitting next to him. Red, who disappeared for the better part of a decade due to the stress the publicity caused him. Red, who's seeing the same thing as Green and is tensing up, his hand seeking the comfort of his partner's.
"I know, I know," Green mutters. "They're not supposed to be here."
He pulls out his phone and places a call. The familiar voice of Lance answers on the second ring with a curt hello.
"Why is the press here?" Green demands, wasting no time with pleasantries. He's not feeling all that pleasant.
"Sir." A flight attendant leans in closely enough that he gets a noseful of her overwhelming floral perfume. "You'll have to wait to use your phone until the plane has reached the gate."
"I know, hold on," Green says, waving her off. "This is an emergency."
She looks unconvinced, but she must decide that arguing with a rude passenger isn't worth the trouble, as she disappears down the aisle with a sigh.
"Lance?" he asks, returning his attention to the call. "What's up with the press?"
"We think someone on your flight must have gotten a message out to someone," the former champion says. "We told the press you wouldn't be arriving in Alola until next week. I'm sure you can handle them, though. You’re good at that."
"Well, yeah. Obviously. But that's not the point. They’re not supposed to be here."
"Maybe not, but at this point, they’re not going anywhere. It doesn't seem you'll have much choice in the matter."
With a frustrated sigh, Green ends the call and looks over at Red, who's now sunk down into his seat and has pulled his hat down to cover his face.
It was one of the conditions Green had set for them taking the Battle Tree job - that he and Red would have time to settle in before making a statement to the press or giving interviews. They both knew there was no way around the anxiety the public appearances would cause Red, but they'd hoped that delaying the inevitable would give him time to prepare mentally and emotionally. Green had planned it all out so they could control the situation and face the press on their own terms, rather than getting ambushed the moment they stepped off the plane.
So much for all that planning.
"Hey," Green says with his best reassuring smile. "No worries. You know I'll take care of it."
Red responds with a reluctant nod, though he still won't meet Green's gaze.
For a long time, Green believed that Red’s fear of the spotlight made him weak, but he realizes now how wrong he was to believe that. Their childhoods were far from what anyone could call normal. They were only eleven when Red became the childhood prodigy who took down Team Rocket and defeated Kanto’s long-reigning champion. His time in the spotlight, and the self-imposed isolation on Mt. Silver that followed, did a lot of lasting damage.
And maybe they're both a little damaged for their own reasons, but they aren't broken. Sometimes they just have to help each other stand back up when they stumble.
Red squeezes Green's hand to get his attention and offers a very forced smile from under the lowered brim of his hat. It’s okay, he signs. I’ll be fine.
“I know you will,” Green says, and he means it.
Red is the strongest person he has ever known, and not just because he still hasn't beaten him in a single battle. Red’s inner strength has nothing to do with pokémon, and it might be the thing Green admires most about him.
Still, he wishes he could shield Red from the paparazzi forever.
As soon as they're off the plane and allowed to release their pokémon, they let Pikachu and Eevee out. Pikachu takes his place on Red's shoulder, while Eevee swishes her tail at her trainer's shins. She won’t look at him, and Green’s sure she’s plotting how to make him make it up to her later. Spoiled thing.
Green takes Red's hand in his, and they start through the airport. As expected, a horde of reporters and fans wait for them at the security checkpoint. The crowd erupts as soon as they catch sight of the two champions. They're all asking questions at the same time, and the cacophony of demanding voices makes it impossible to understand a single one of them.
Red's grip tightens until Green's fingers start to hurt, but he doesn't say anything - not even a friendly tease. He squeezes back gently.
I got this, Green says with a smile.
I know, Red responds with a nod.
Pissed as he is that they're here, Green isn't going to be rude to the press. He's been down that road before, and it's not worth it. Especially since the whole point of this is to create good press.
So, instead of saying everything that's really on his mind, he turns his attention to them and gives his most charming grin, accompanied by his signature two-fingered salute. Red shuffles behind him and pulls the brim of his hat further down, as Pikachu repositions himself so he's shielding his trainer's face from the cameras.
Lights flash and shutters click as hundreds of photos are taken all at once.
"Champion Green!" A reporter near the front of the crowd pushes through and waves at him.
At this point, he figures the only way to get them to back down is to give them a little of what they're looking for and answer a few of their dumb questions.
"Yeah, go ahead." He points at her, and the other reporters go quiet so they can catch the exchange.
Green answers every question they throw at him and does his best to steal the spotlight away from Red. He tries not to think about how he did the same thing when they were kids. It’s just for a different reason now.
***
By the time they make it to the rental car in the private garage, Red is trembling.
Green sighs and leans his head back against the headrest. There's a moment of quiet between them, where the only sound is their own breathing. But Red's breaths are heavy, coming faster, like he's not getting enough air.
"Breathe," Green murmurs. "It's okay. I'm here. It's just us."
Red nods, but his harsh breaths don't slow. His breathing accelerates, turning desperate as he starts sucking in air.
"Deep breaths." Green slows his own breathing, setting a slow and steady example for his partner to follow, but it's not very effective when the panic is already this far along. He tries a different tactic. "Show me five things you can see."
Red's eyes dart around the car wildly until they settle on Green's. He points.
"Good," Green says, giving him an encouraging smile. He keeps his voice light. "Of course this face is the first thing you notice, right? Give me four more."
Red points at the keys dangling from the ignition, Eevee curled up in Green's lap, the sign labeling their parking spot, and Charizard's pokeball on his belt. His breathing is still way too fast, but it's slowing down a bit as he takes time to process his surroundings.
"Good," Green says again. "Four things you can feel."
Red's hands fly to Pikachu as though he only now remembers he has a pokémon to reach for. His fingers thread through yellow fur as Pikachu leans into his trainer’s touch.
"Three more," Green says. "And I'll try not to be too offended that you went for him first."
Though Red is still fighting for breath, the corner of his mouth twitches up very briefly in the first hint of a smile, the first hint that he's coming back down. He reaches a shaking hand out and pulls his fingers through Green's hair the same way he'd done with Pikachu's fur, messing it all up. And, okay, Green supposes he can let him get away with it this time if it helps him feel better. Red's hand slides down his face, resting on his cheek for just a moment before he moves on to the next thing he can feel.
He runs his hand next on the leather seat, then pulls his fingers along the brim of his hat.
"Perfect," Green says. "Three things you can hear."
This one is a little harder, since they're alone in a quiet car, and Red takes a shuddering breath as he considers. He points up, then makes the sign for plane as one takes off somewhere in the distance. When Eevee lets out a little purring noise as she pushes her head under Green’s hand, Red points at her. Green's phone chimes - probably a text from Lance checking on them - and that gives Red his third thing.
"Two things you can smell now," Green says. "You're doing great."
Red's breathing is almost normal now as he taps the new-car scented air freshener hanging from the rear view mirror. As the little tree gently swings from side to side, Red reaches for Green's hand again.
Green shudders, just a little, as Red drags his finger along his inner wrist, feeling his pulse, right where he applies his earthy cologne.
You smell good, Red signs. His fingers are still shaking a little, but he doesn't have any trouble forming the words. That's a good sign.
"Oh, uh, thanks," Green says, flustered enough that he momentarily forgets what he's supposed to ask next.
Thankfully, Red knows, and he leans forward and captures Green's mouth in a deep kiss. His tongue brushes against Green's and-
One thing you can taste. Well, Green figures that technically counts. He's sure not complaining.
Thank you, Red signs once they've pulled apart.
"Anytime," Green says softly. "You're feeling better?"
Red nods.
"Good. Because we have an apartment to get to, and I don't know about you, but I'm ready for a nap after all that."
At this, Red nods enthusiastically. He links his hand with Green's once more above the car's center console, and he doesn’t let go for the rest of the drive.