Work Text:
Prompt # 13 - Butterfly kisses against the other’s cheeks.
Pair: Steven Stone x Cynthia
As a Champion of Sinnoh and a researcher, Cynthia was always busy with one duty or another. Today, she was busy as both. She was on a mission to look for a rare stone that was found in a cavern within Hoenn. This stone was supposed to have the secret missing link for a mythical Pokemon she was researching. Her guide today was none other than Steven. She made sure to change her attire for the trip.
Faded blue jeans, a green sweater with arm pads, and a helmet that had a light. She adjusted a pair of leather gloves, flexing her fingers in the fabric for a moment as she gave him a skeptical glance. There was a lifeline rope that was supposed to lower her further into the cavern but it looked as if it had seen better days. The ends were frayed and a few of the knots looked as if they were about to come undone.
"Ah...Steven? Is that rope even safe to use? I think I would feel safer using a newer rope."
He gave her a dismissive wave of his hand as he started to tie the old rope around her waist, "I've used this thing a hundred times and it's never failed me when I've been on an exhibition. You'll be fine."
"You know, if I fall to my untimely end, I'm haunting you. I hope you know that," she mutters in a huff.
Steven pauses for a moment, tilting his head in thought, "Hm..."
Cynthia places her hands on her hips, "What's that look for?"
A sly smirk played along his lips, "I'm trying to think of a downside to that."
She smacks his arm, rolling her eyes, "It's not funny."
Despite her comment, he laughed a little, "My bad. Still, it would be nice to have you around more. I know you're here on a mission but. ." He paused once more, stopping himself, "..never mind. Let's get you set up. I'll be right here should you need help, okay?" He gave each of her cheeks a soft kiss. "Ready?"
She called for her Garchomp to come close to her, hugging her from behind, "Yeah..as ready as I'll ever be."
Closing her eyes, she falls backward and uses the light on her helmet to guide her while her partner made sure she didn't crash land. Below the surface were several old magma-hardened rock piles, which gave her the indication that a volcano must have erupted down here at some point. She was on the right track! The mythical Pokemon she was looking up had fire abilities so it only made sense to look up its special abilities down here.
As she looked around and saw the stone she needed. A bright crimson stone almost completely embedded in magma.
"Garchomp, if you would be so kind?"
Her partner used their claws to swipe at the hardened rock before finally managing to break it free. They then carefully handed the stone over to Cynthia. Setting the stone in a pocket, Cynthia thanks her partner. She fans herself a little after a moment, feeling the temperature of the cavern slowly rise. She needed to get somewhere cooler. Heading back to the entrance, she tugged at the rope.
"Steven, we're good to go."
It took a moment, but he eventually pulled her up and took her hands when she was close enough to reach. He nearly fell backward when he pulled her out. "I've got you. Find what you were looking for?"
Cynthia gave him a nod, "Sure did. Thanks for lending me a hand. Can we get out of here now? It's too hot."
He just shook his head, "I think someone is too well adjusted to the cold weather in Sinnoh, but yeah. Let me just pack things up and we can head out."
Taking a moment, he unties the rope around her, giving a wink, "Told you the rope was fine."
"For now. One of these days, that thing is going to snap."
Steven carefully packed the rope, "On that day, you can say 'I told you so'. Until then, my rope is staying in my bag."
While he placed it away, Cynthia had her back to him. He had a small box in his breast pocket in his suit but he was hesitant. Was now a good time? Debating with himself for a moment, he shook his head and decided against it. Maybe some other time. Now wasn't the time or place. A sigh leaves his lips as he pulls the straps over his shoulders, taking her hand into his own as he lifted a lantern in his other. Guiding her down the safest path he knew, they made it out of the caves into the brisk evening of Hoenn.
The sky was covered in stars, not a cloud in the sky. His attention turned to Cynthia for a moment, "How long...do you plan on being here? In Hoenn, I mean."
She thought for a moment, "Two or so more days. Why?"
He gazed to the side for a moment, "Before you leave, would you mind coming over for dinner? I don't think I've had the pleasure of entertaining you since you've been here."
Cynthia giggled softly, "Are you asking me out on a date?"
Steven thoughtfully rubbed his chin, humming aloud, "Hmm. I might be. Do you accept my invitation?"
"Well, since you did help me out tonight, I don't see why not. You've got yourself a date."
He brings her hand he was holding close to his lips, keeping his eyes locked with Cynthia's, a knowing smirk playing over his lips, "It's a date. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, my lady Champion."
Cynthia blushed a little at the kiss on her hand but gave him a smile in return. "You adorable sap. I'll see you tomorrow." She leans into Steven and gives his cheeks a brief kiss before parting ways with him - her Garchomp acting as her escort.
Once she was out of sight, he took a deep breath as he removed the box from his coat. He carefully opened the box to reveal an onyx band and a topaz gemstone that was forged to look like an eye of a Garchomp. He knew how much style and fashion meant to Cynthia; but would she accept him in her life too?
His shaky hands closed around the box as he carefully tucked it back away into the safe space of his pocket.
"Hopefully fate smiles on us both tomorrow.." he mutters to himself as he makes his way back home. He had an important day to prepare for after all.