Work Text:
It's as if the stars aligned for Florian and his friends. His friends all had a hectic schedule, Arven is studying at Naranja Academy to make up for his lost credits, Nemona was busy training for her next rematch with Florian and Penny has been patching out exploits of the LP Management System of the Pokémon League for volunteer work. Of course she and her friends, Eri and Giacomo were helping their other 3 friends with studying after they returned to school from their stunt as Team Star. In fact, Florian helped them with their studies too! Eri and Giacomo knew Florian was trustworthy as their Big Boss Penny called him for the task to stop Team Star.
“I’m really glad we can hangout again after so long!” Arven said through his Rotom Phone.
“Yeah seeing you guys again gets my blood pumping! Can't wait for the battles we’ll have Florian!” Nemona energetically said.
Florian smiled at his friend's enthusiasm. “Kieran said we can use his place for our meetup. He promises there won't be any evil mochi this time.” He weakly chuckled after saying that.
“Oh I guess we'll be in Kitakami again…” Penny said defeatedly. “There's no Internet out there, guess I'll have to download my anime and manga before we go…” Penny thought of another question. “Where are we heading to in Kitakami? That place with the masks was pretty cool.”
“I helped this photographer named Perrin out finding Pokémon to take photos of.” Florian answered. “There was this nice forest northeast from Kieran’s place. I think you guys have met Perrin before, she was at the Terarium in Blueberry Academy.”
“I think I have when I was showing the students at Blueberry how to make sandwiches.” Arven chimed in. “You sure do make a lot of friends, little buddy!”
Florian couldn't help but chuckle.
“Alright, we'll meet at my place tomorrow.” He said. “And from there we’ll head to Kitakami.” They all agreed and all were excited for tomorrow.
After meeting up, taking an air ride and then a walk to Mossui Town, they arrive to Kieran's home.
“Kieran and his sis are busy in Blueberry Academy.” Florian said. “But if we need something we could ask his grandparents.” The others nodded.
“Alright” Florian summons his Rotom Phone. “I can call in a Flying Taxi that'll drop us at the Kitakami Wilds, it's less of a trek to the Timeless Woods.”
“Sure thing little buddy.” Arven said. “We didn't explore much last time. With the purple mochi and whatnot.” He said nonchalantly.
“At least the service here is better.” Penny said fidgeting with her Rotom Phone. “But I bet where we're going the signal is going to get lost.” She said defeatedly.
“Don't worry with us around you won't need your Rotom Phone!” Nemona assured her. Besides her friends in Team Star, these 3 helped get her out of her shell. And she cherishes each and every one of them for what they have done. Especially Florian, he helped turn a new leaf for Team Star for the better.
“I guess you're right!” Penny said enthusiastically. “Florian, is the Fly Taxi set up?”
“Yep, they'll be here in a few minutes!” The Flying Taxi powered by Noctowl lands in front of Kieran’s place. And one Flying Taxi later, they arrived at Kitakami Wilds. They said thanks and waved at the cabbie that flew them there.
“Okay from here we go East.” Florian points straight ahead to where a large forest is seen. “Kieran told me it rained for a few days so the path might be muddy. But Timeless Woods is covered in trees so it's gonna be dry!”
Arven sighs. “I guess my boots will do fine if push comes to shove.”
“I’m used to getting dirty when training!” Nemona chimed in.
“Ugh…. I just hope it's not like the Safari Zone in Sinnoh…” Penny said. “I don't like getting dirty.”
“It won't be too bad.” Nemona said to Penny.
“Alright it's time to head east!” Florian said as he walked the path to the Woods.
A spark of nostalgia forms as they're walking. Just like walking to Area Zero, they grew a strong, tight bond together after visiting Area Zero. Florian saw Penny walking behind the rest of the group and slowed down to match her speed. “Penny, how are you doing?”
She looks up from her Eevee themed Rotom Phone to face him. “Oh you know, fixing exploits for the Pokémon League. Ms. Geeta was impressed with my skills.” She mused. “Oh yeah, Atticus, Ortega and Mela say thanks for helping them with their studies. They’ve been doing a lot better now!” Penny happily said, knowing she and her Team Star friends will never be apart. “I’m glad I picked you for the job Florian!”
“You're welcome! I was just doing the right thing.” He said bashfully. They both smiled and continued walking.
As they were walking, Florian’s hand brushed against Penny’s. “Ah I'm sorry Penny!” Florian quickly apologized. “D-don’t worry about it!” Penny replied. Penny looks at her hand. “Oh my gosh, our hands touched.” She thought to herself. “It's like one of those romance anime I binge watched. Just… keep your cool Penny, it was just a mistake. Just the wrong place, wrong time for our hands to touch… or right place right time? Gah! Pull yourself together Penny!” Penny was thumping her head with her hand thinking about this.
“Oh the mud doesn't look too bad!” Nemona said about the muddy path. “With a running start you can just…” And Nemona sprinted across the muddy path to the forest. “See?” Nemona doesn't mind the mud left on her knee socks and shoes.
“Geez Nemona.” Arven moaned. “At least do it so mud doesn't fling everywhere.” Arven carefully tread the mud path. “See? Less mud on my boots.”
Nemona chuckles weakly at Arven’s better method of getting across the muddy path. Nemona waves her arm at the other two. “We’ll be waiting for ya!”
Florian looks at the muddy path. “Wow there is a lot of mud. I guess I was wrong.” He turned to Penny. “Penny, the path is really muddy, would you like me to carry you over?”
“Oh uh yeah s-sure.” She said nervously. She started fidgeting with her hands and looks away from Florian. “S-so are you going to give me a Tepiggyback ride across the mud or….” Before she could finish her question, Florian already lifted her up. One arm under her legs and the other holding her back, she's getting carried like a princess or a bride on her wedding day.
“Oh Arceus this isn't happening!” She mentally thought. “He’s carrying me across like a knight in shining armor! An unlikely knight as well…” She thought, while staring at him. He's looking dead ahead focused on getting her through the mud. She blushes at his stoic demeanor. “This is some cringey fanfic trope I only see when I read my stories! But… I see why many authors like this trope. I feel like a princess!” She smiled at the thought.
Nemona and Arven were staring gobsmacked at Florian's gentlemanly gesture. He then gently placed Penny down on her feet. Everyone was shocked at Florian's action. “Well then, let's head out to the woods!” He nonchalantly said and walked ahead. Penny is as red as Koraidon’s scales. She still can't believe Florian did that.
“Uh… care to explain what that was about?” Arven questioned.
“Yeah when Florian did that I felt I was paralyzed by a Thunder Shock!” Nemona blurted out.
“He… he asked me if I wanted to be carried over the mud and I said yes.” She explained. “I thought he was going to call out Koraidon or give me a Tepiggyback ride… I didn't expect this!” She said defensively.
“That's such a surprising move from my little buddy.” Arven said.
Penny stares at Florian. “Look at what I’ve done, got his clothes all muddy!” The mud got all over Florian’s Blueberry Academy uniform. His pants were covered in mud. “Jeez, look at what my big mouth did!” She started thumping her head with her hand again.
“No Penny, it's fine.” Arven said. “That's how Florian is, he doesn't care what happens to him if it helps someone in need.”
“That's why I think he's top champion material!” Nemona chimed in. “So compassionate for others, something La Primera has!”
“Let's catch up with Florian.” Arven said. “We can talk about this later.”
A picnic table is summoned and Arven starts to make his sandwiches. Nemona and he are strategically placed away from Florian and Penny, they wonder if lightning will strike twice. Penny awkwardly shimmies towards Florian. “So…. Florian….” She said awkwardly. “About what happened…”
“Yeah?” Florian turns to face her.
“Why did you do it?” She questioned him.
“You know it was really muddy and I know you don't want to get dirty so I carried you across.” He answered.
“Why did you carry me like that? That's something I never expected from you Florian.” Penny doesn't want to beat around the bush.
“Oh uh….” Now it's his turn to be all red. “Because of…. Um….. you know in Alola…”
“Do you love me?” She questioned.
Florian helps others with their problems but who will help him? But it's better not to coy right now and tell her. “I do have a crush on you!” He blurted out. Penny was taken aback from this, Nemona was shocked and Arven dropped his bread.
“When I helped you with Operation Starfall while you were under the name Cassiopeia, I was kinda intimidated to do it by myself but then you came by after I took down each leader. You rewarded me with LP but having you by my side besides Director Clavell gave me confidence. And then after all was said and done, you and Team Star were allowed back into Naranja Academy. I’m glad I helped you.” Florian eyes start to get watery.
“I… I didn't know…” Penny said sadly.
“I had these feelings hidden, helping Arven find the Titans and getting the gym badges with Nemona were good enough distractions. And then Area Zero happened. I could've gotten you guys hurt, especially you Penny. But thankfully I was strong enough to stop the AI Sada.”
“But then why didn't you say anything on the way back to the academy or basically tell me whenever!” Penny questioned.
“I thought it was best if I didn't. I was so busy with other things. I went to Kitakami with those nice students that were also lucky enough to go. Then me, Kieran and Carmine got rolled up with Ogerpon. Few months later I got enrolled at Blueberry Academy and had to stop Kieran when he was jealous of me. Just… so much has happened.” Florian explained. “I could’ve told you when you guys visited Kitakami for the first time when Kieran bought those tickets for us. But that killer mochi episode happened and I didn't know what to say. I did call out to you when you were possessed. You and Arven looked pretty silly doing that dance!” He chuckled.
“Hey! Stay on topic!” Penny exclaimed.
“I wasn't planning on confessing my love for you today. This all just… happened. Our hands brushed and that got my heart pounding. I guess with the muddy path… I just instinctively did what I wanted to do for a long time. I’m glad I did.”
Now Penny’s eyes are tearing up. “Jeez Florian… you're just… one big loveable Teddiursa Bear!” She wrapped her arms around him. Florian blushes at her action. “You helped a lot with Team Star. They're back in Naranja Academy, helped Mela, Atticus and Ortega with studies and their and the others Team Star bases became training centers!” She hugs him tightly. “You wanted to help someone out… I owe a lot to you Florian.” She looks deeply into his eyes. “Your hand brushed against mine and I felt weak, you carried me like a princess across mud and… Gosh Florian, you’re such a cliche dork!”
Florian returns the embrace. “Sorry about that, that's just how I feel about you.”
Arven couldn't help but take a picture of the special occasion. “Look at my little buddy being such a little Romeo!”
Nemona was overjoyed. “It's as if Attract had a special Z-powered version!”
“Here” Florian splits his sandwich into two. “One for you Penny.” He smiled while giving her the sandwich. “I guess we're a thing now?” Penny said.
“We both confessed our feelings for each other so I guess we are!” Florian replied happily.
“Jeez I probably won't hear the end of it from Team Star!” Penny bemoaned. “Well it's their fault we're a couple now.”
“You two don't feel awkward about this?” Florian said to Nemona and Arven. “We had an intimate conversation and you two were just 3rd wheeling.”
“No, of course not.” Arven said. “You can't predict something like this. You said it yourself, you had your feelings for her bottled up. It was only a matter of time.”
“It's nice seeing you in a different light.” Nemona said. “My rival has such a sentimental side and won someone’s heart in a battle of love!”
“This will be surprising news for Kieran and Carmine.” Florian said. “They offered their place for us to stay and this happened. Bet they're going to be shocked!!”
A nice campfire is set up and the group is huddled around it. Penny is enjoying her time with her new boyfriend. Resting her body on top of his, their hands interlocked. “I still can't believe this happened!” She exclaimed. “It's just… I never expected you to feel that way for me!”
Florian chuckled. “I guess I should've been more honest with my feelings for you. But it all worked out for the better!”
Penny placed her hand on his chest. “This is pretty timeless… I gonna remember this day fondly!” Florian wrapped his arms to embrace her. “Likewise Penny!”
Arven couldn't help but smile. “It's so strange seeing my little buddy grow up this way!” He cried.
“I just hope he doesn't get too busy, I want my rival to be in tiptop shape!” Nemona cheered.
Arven notices how dark the forest is getting. “I think we better go.” Arven said. “It's getting late and we don't know what's out here!”
“Yeah I'll call in a Flying Taxi.” Florian answered. And one Flying Text later they're back at Kieran's place. Kieran's grandparents were also quite surprised with the news of Florian and Penny becoming a thing. But they think the newly formed couple is a cute pairing. After a quick shower and outfit change, everyone has their sleeping bags layed out in Kieran's room.
“Sure was an eventful day today.” Florian said. “Um I'm glad you guys could come.”
“I wouldn't pass up an offer like this little buddy!” Arven said.
“So much happened but I’m still pumped up!” Nemona smiled.
“Uh I knew I was gonna enjoy our meetup.” Penny said while looking at the ground. “Just Florian confessing his feelings for me was surprising.” She looks at Florian. “But I'm glad he did!”
Florian smiles at his girlfriend. “I-i’m glad I did it too!” He gets in his sleeping bag. “I’m pumped too but it's getting late.”
“Yes it's time for sleep.” Arven said. “Goodnight everyone.” He said as he gets in his sleeping bag.
“Time for rest for more battles tomorrow!” Nemona said as she gets in her sleeping bag.
“Goodnight you two! And u-uh… g-good night my d-darling…” Penny bashfully said. “I-i don't know what to say in this situation… I-i got that line from an anime… About a robot maid I think…” Florian sits beside her in his own sleeping bag. The grandparents think the love birds are cute but they're not gonna have two teenagers share a sleeping bag together. No hanky panky so separate bags.
“Good night my love.” Florian gives her a peck on the cheek. Penny blushed the instant he did that.
“Gah how are your cheesy lines getting to me!” Penny said. “But goodnight uh… my unlikely knight!” As she returns a kiss as well. Florian smiled at her action.
Everyone was sleeping soundly, especially Florian and Penny. The two were embracing each other in separate sleeping bags. Florian thinks to himself. “Wow I actually did it!” He celebrated. “And she returned my feelings! I guess hanging out for a while would deepen our bonds.” Penny nuzzles against Florian's chest. He hugs her tighter. “I’ll never forget your name unlike the second time we met.” He thought. “I’m glad I could help you with Operation Starfall…” He looks at his first ever girlfriend and smiles. “So this is love?”
