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“I mean, at least on the outside you’re really pretty, so-” Penny blushed slightly, looking away from Carmine. Juliana had called Penny over to the League Clubroom in Blueberry Academy to be a “special coach” or whatever they called it, and now Penny was having a conversation with the most beautiful girl she had ever seen. “Huh? Wait, what did you just say? That last bit in particular.” Carmine asked with a stupid but very pretty smile on her face. Penny instantly realized her mistake, her stupid mouth moving without her having a say. Fuck. “Uh- I said you’re really pretty, so- so it doesn’t matter who takes the ph-” She stammered, looking at anything but Carmine. Carmine immediately interrupted her, her pretty golden eyes sparkling with… something Penny couldn’t quite place. “Oooh, music to my ears! One more time, please! Repeat it for me, come on!”
Penny flushed a near bright red. “Uhm- I’m sorry I- I don't know what I’m saying- You probably think I'm weird now and I'm just going to go now-” Penny turned around and headed towards the clubroom door. Arceus, I am such an idiot! Why did I even open my mouth?
“Penny! You can't just leave after literally flirting with me!” Carmine called out, reaching forward and grabbing Penny's wrist. “Let me leave with at least some of my dignity still intact.” Penny murmured. “What do you mean?” Carmine asked, unusually serious. “You were teasing me, weren’t you? You think I’m all weird for. . . for thinking you’re pretty and shit.” Penny rushed out the last few words, trying and failing miserably to not let her face become all warm and red like her beloved Flareon.
“What? Why in Arceus’s name would I think you're weird for that? There's a lot of other things to focus on with your… crew, or whatever you call yourselves.” Carmine laughed. Penny let out a quiet laugh. It was true, there was a lot of baggage to unpack when it came to her and her friends. “Besides, I'm like the prettiest girl in the world. It would be weird if you didn’t find me attractive.” Penny turned around, a small smile appearing on her face. “Also, you look quite pretty yourself. Even if you are as red as my hair.” Carmine shook out her hair for emphasis. Penny froze at both the very attractivemovement and at Carmine’s words, her brain glitching and crashing like one of her games when she adds too many mods.
“You… you really think that?” Penny whispered. “Lying isn't really something I do anymore.” Carmine shrugged, casting a small, guilt-ridden glance towards Kieran. “We should probably go somewhere a bit more private…” Penny muttered, realizing that this really wasn’t a conversation to be having in front of the entire Blueberry Elite Four. Carmine nodded in agreement, and opened the door of the clubroom. “How about we go to my dorm? It's way cooler in there than in here. Mostly because Drayton isn't allowed in it.” Carmine giggled at the last sentence, clearly pleased with her own jabs. “That’d be great.”
The two got to Carmine’s dorm, and Penny was amazed by how much cooler the Blueberry dorms were compared to Naranja. Orange tiled floors get boring, even with a million boxes and Cup o’ Noodles covering it. Carmine had a bunch of chocolate sweets sitting on the counter, as well as a collection of figures and such on the shelves next to her bed. “This place is amazing!” Penny turned to Carmine, who smirked. “Of course it is! It’s my dorm!”
Penny blushed at the mere sight of Carmine’s pretty smug smile, and she immediately tried to hide her face in her hood. “Aw, c'mon! It's so cute when you're flustered!” Carmine laughed, and Penny hesitantly pulled her hood back down. She looked up at Carmine, and noticed there was a small, but noticable, amount of blush on her cheeks as well. She might actually like me back! Holy shit! Penny sat down in the middle of Carmine’s bed, still processing the last hour.
Carmine sat down in front of her and smiled. Her bright yellow eyes were usually sharp and full of determination, but right now they seemed to be soft and shining with affection. “You know, I've been thinking about you everyday since your trip to Kitakami.” She whispered. “Really?” Penny whispered back, shock (and the way Carmine said it) nearly causing her brain to break again.
Carmine leaned closer to Penny, smiling as softly as possible for someone who seemed to only know how to smirk. “Do you want me to prove how much I think about you?” Penny could only helplessly nod, fully aware that her face was practically on fire. She couldn't properly process any of this.
The taller girl carefully and gently reached her hand towards Penny’s face. Oh my god oh my god oh my god oh my god. Was this really happening? Maybe Penny had fallen asleep while watching one of her animes again. . . She looked up into Carmine’s eyes, and couldn’t stop her gaze from moving to her lips.
Carmine’s fingers, worn and tired yet still soft and gentle, moved to hold Penny’s chin. She tenderly tilted Penny’s head up slightly, and that sent all sorts of warmth and fire spreading throughout her.
Carmine closed the gap between the two, and Penny instantly melted into her. Her lips were so soft and so warm. She smelled and tasted like cherries. Penny grabbed onto Carmine’s shoulder in an attempt to ground herself. Too soon for her liking, Carmine pulled away. Her face was flushed pink and red, but it was nothing compared to how much blush coated Penny's own face. “Holy shit.” Penny gasped, realizing how out of breath she was.
Carmine opened her mouth to say something, but Penny lunged herself at her before she could speak. She wrapped her arms around Carmine’s neck and brought her into another kiss, deeper and more passionate than the first one. Carmine’s arms found their way to Penny's waist. She quickly pulled Penny into her lap, holding the two girls close together. This was paradise, heaven even. I never want to stop. Unfortunately, both Penny and Carmine needed air. They broke apart, reds and soft pinks dusting their faces. “Hey.” Carmine whispered, dazed. Her eyes were glowing. “Hi.” Penny whispered back.
“So.. uhm. What now?” Penny coughed, looking at the ceiling. “You're a dork.” Carmine snorted as she tapped Penny's nose with her finger. “Can I be your dork?” Penny instantly looked back at Carmine, once again speaking without hesitation. She immediately realized what she said, and buried her face in her hands. If I am not permanently red after this I'll be shocked.
Carmine carefully pried Penny's hands away from her face. Penny looked up at her with a sheepish smile. “You say the dumbest things sometimes.” Carmine snickered. “I love it.” Penny rolled her eyes. “You've said dumb shit too. I'll bet that Drayton's got at least an hour of stories.” She laughed. “OH THAT ROTTEN, SLIMY-” Carmine nearly turned the shame shade as Penny, although for her it was pure rage rather than love and crushes. “I could totally get his home address and IP for you if you wanted.” Penny cut her off before she could say anything more, which was probably for the best.
“Really?!” Carmine smiled dangerously. “Yeah! I’d just have to hack into his league account, and all his information should be there.” Penny smirked. Naranja Academy’s trainer cards had so much information, and it was hard to imagine that Blueberry’s was different. “Omigod, you’re actually the best person ever.” Carmine rushed out, her face turning the slightest bit more red. Penny on the other hand definitely turned at least 3 shades redder. Yep. Definitely going to be permanently red after this.
Penny settled into an embrace, hooking her arms lazily around Carmine’s neck again while resting her head on the taller girl’s shoulder. Now I really want to stay like this forever. She thought to herself silently. “Oh also, the answer is yes.” Carmine murmured into Penny’s ear. “Huh?” Penny was convinced her brain was a complete train wreck at this point. “Well, you asked if you could be my dork or whatever. And my answer is yes.” Carmine said it so simply, as if she was stating a well-known fact. “Woah.” Penny whispered, half to herself. She heard a snort, and felt one of Carmine’s arms pull away to definitely try to keep herself from laughing. “You’re such a loser.” She was nearly cackling now. But no venom or intention of hurt could be found in either the harsh words or the laugh. It was pure affection and friendly teasing.
Penny realized that she could never get sick of the sound of her laugh, no matter which emotion it carried. Arceus, I’ve only been here for a day and already I’ve fallen hard.