Work Text:
Maxie loved going to the beach. His mom would usually take him once every few weeks, no matter the season.
Of course, he wasn't there to enjoy fooling around in the water like the other children he'd see. He wasn't one to enjoy such trivial activities.
Instead, he'd trace a square in the sand, usually two or three meters wide, sit in the middle and build his own tiny world : castles of course, but also caves, mountains, and buildings for his little pebble people.
He had to be serious about it, so they could live in a functionnal world.
When curious kids would sometimes come and peek at his work, he'd throw a death stare in the hopes of them going away, which usually worked.
He'd see his mother checking on him from time to time, making sure he'd reaply sunscreen on his pale skin, to which he'd reassure her by a quick nod.
His work had to be perfect by 5:00pm, when it would be time to leave and go home. He felt a bit sad about leaving his little world to be taken apart by the wind, or worse, by the sea ; but he'd realize that was how life had to be, or at least as long as he had no real power.
But that was to be developped for an other time.
For now, little Maxie had his mind set on making a rampard stand sturdy enough, but it seemed as the sand he was using was too thin.
He sighed and stood up, knowing where he'd find thicker material and started walking, carefully avoiding the dried seaweed scattered on the floor.
One thing about the thicker sand was bugging him : taking it meant going into the water. Even if it would only go to his knees, he felt so disgusted by the thought of getting wet AND going into the same water as hundred of other persons, and, when you thought about it, thousands of people...
But he would do anything to perfect his work of the day.
And so he walked resolutely towards the water, his Nosepass shaped bucket in hand and stepped into it, shuddering to the feeling.
He bent down to start filling his bucket, careful on not taking in seaweed or other unwanted and disgusting things into th-
« GOT IT ! »
Something knocked him over, only having time to gasp before falling into the water head first, the cold striking him, hearing a splash near him. Before he had time to rise up from the water again, a hand grabbed him by the forearm and lifted him up.
When he opened his eyes, the worried face of an other child, only way bigger and taller than him was looking at him, still holding onto his arm.
« Ya okay ? »
Realizing that the ''thing'' that caused his fall was the human being standing in front of him finished to piss him off.
« Let go of me this instant ! »
He freed himself from the grip of his assaillant and ran to get out of the water. When he turned to look at the other child, his face was red in anger.
The other tried to explain himself, visibly embarassed.
« Look, I'm sorry lad, I was playing with my Poochyena and didn't see ya behind me, so when I jumped I- »
« Whatever !! » The redhead hissed at him, looking his opponent up and down.
He was a dark skinned boy, about 20cm taller than him, long, dark and messy hair flowing on his broad shoulders. However, he didn't seem much older. Good.
« Watch where you're going next time. I won't be so nice. »
« I swear I didn't do it on purpose !! »
« Yes but that doesn't change the fact that I'm soaked now- and my bucket is floating away !!! »
He pointed at his bucket -that was indeed getting carried away by the waves, farther every second.
The other kid looked at it, then swam to it -it wasn't actually that far-, grabbed it, and brang it over to Maxie, walking out of the water.
« Here. I got it back for ya. Will you calm down now ? »
Maxie looked defiantly at him.
« No I won't. Because of your foolishness, my sunscreen got off and I'm disgusting now. My mom is going to get so mad and- »
« Oh c'mon now, is that what's bugging ya ? That yer mama is going to go all angry-angry on ya ? »
« Are you mocking me ? »
« Yes I am. I've been nice to ya, apologized, got yer stupid bucket back and you still won't stop crying. » A Poochyena trotted to him, looking at them.
The redhead felt his ears burning.
« I am not crying. »
He lowered his eyes, looking at the Poochyena.
« And get your fleabag away from me ! » He hissed, kicking some sand at the dog, that sniffed the little pile of sand created.
The other boy raised his voice, coming closer to Maxie until their torso touched.
« Don't you fucking try and hurt my Poochyena. I will fucking end ya, and then you'll have a reason to come crying to yer mom. »
Maxie took two steps back, clenching his fists, looking at the floor.
« ...Whatever. Just don't... » He opened his mouth to spit some threat at him, but nothing came out. « Whatever. »
He walked back to his playing square, stomping and still clenching his fists, face red as ever. He'd blame it on the sun.
He looked at his little ''world'', which seemed meaningless now. All he could think about was the confrontation, and this rude kid.
Who did he think he was ?
He didn't even get any thick sand in the end, and the problem was the same as before. He angrily threw his bucket in the sand.
« Hey. »
This voice. He instantly turned, only to look at the boy that harassed him earlier, followed by his damn dog. He hissed.
« What ? »
« I know you didn't actually want to hurt my Poochyena before. And... I know y'come here pretty often, playing with the sand or something. » He pointed at his current work in progress.
Maxie raised an eyebrow, arms crossed, trying to look unfazed.
The taller kid continued.
« I just thought that we could maybe hang out. My name's Archie. There aren't many other kids here and I usually just play with Sapphire and- » Maxie interrupted him.
« Archie, right ? Well, know that I have no wish of ''hanging out'' with you. »
He let out a snicker.
« I'm already pretty busy with my very important work, you see. I have no interest in engaging in trivial activities. So take your dog with you and walk away. »
He squinted his eyes at this Archie boy, a smug smile on his face and satisfied of his answer. Archie paused, then crossed his arms as well, staring at Maxie with an indescriptible look.
« … I see. I get it, y'know. I should've known. That's on me for thinkin' we could get along. »
He turned away. « Can I at least know yer name ? »
Maxie chuckled.
« My name is Maximilian. »
« Okay, Maximilian. »
He turned back to face Maxie, and his sand structure. The Poochyena was still there, sniffing around.
« Say girl, let's at least show Maximilian our favourite game ! »
The Pokémon raised his head at his trainer, eyes shining and letting his tongue out. Maxie took a Pokéball out of his short's pocket, pushing the button to increase its size to its normal one ;
« C'mon Sapphire, catch the Pokéball ! » he shouted as he threw the Ball in Maxie's sand work.
The Poochyena immediately sprinted, running into the structures, destroying them as Maxie could only watch, his face going livid and his hands covering his mouth. The dog got back to his trainer, giving him the Ball, waiting for praise.
« Good girl Sapphire, good girl ! Great work. »
His owner laughed heartily.
« Anyway... Maximilian, right ? Hope you won't feel too sorry for declining my friendship. I'm sure you'll have lots of fun with... » He gestured at the destroyed sand structures. « Whatever this is. C'mon girl, let's go home. »
Poochyena barked, and as they were walking away, Maxie finally let a shout out, his voice breaking.
« Archie !! I swear to Arceus I'll make you pay for this ! Next time we'll meet, you won't even know what's coming at you ! »
Archie kept walking, letting a laugh out.
« Right, right. »
Maxie was fuming. This boy was going to pay, and he had until next time to think about his revenge.