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"I got you!" Wallace shouted as he sprinted toward the icy cave wall. Just in time to catch Steven, who tumbled down the wall. "What would you do without your good old friend Wallace, Steve?" he asked with a playful smile, his arms tightly wrapped around Steven's chest.
"Well, without you, my life would be pretty uninspired," Steven muttered. "And if I keep this up, I might just end up dead without you."
"That sounds about right," Wallace replied, his arms still gripping Steven tightly. "Though some better climbing gear wouldn't hurt, Steven."
"What? My gear is fine," Steven pouted.
"Ah, yes? Is that why you just fell down a cave wall?" Wallace teased, pulling himself and Steven up.
"It was a random accident," Steven sulked. "Could’ve happened to anyone."
"I told you we should've stayed in Laverre City and had dinner," Wallace said, shaking his head.
"We can still do this, Wallace," Steven whispered sweetly, shaking heaps of snow from his grey winter coat. "Just let me pack up my minerals, and we’ll be out of here."
"I reckon the restaurant has no reservations left by now, Steven."
"Don’t worry, Wallace. I’ll organize something," Steven declared confidently while carefully placing the last few minerals into his backpack.
"Oh, to be a pampered heir," Wallace grinned, helping Steven buckle on his backpack.
"Come on now, it’s not like you don’t enjoy the perks of my money."
"I suppose," Wallace chuckled. "But I do think you’re a bit spoiled, Steven. Not that I’m innocent either—I do tend to bow to your every whim." The turquoise-haired man laughed and turned away. "We should get going if we want to make it to Laverre before dawn."
"I think I’m the one always serving you, Wallace. Aren’t I doing it right now?" Steven said, hurrying after him.
"You should know these situations are entirely different," Wallace replied with a smile, effortlessly gliding over the icy paths toward Dendemille Town, just south of the cavern. He moved with grace and elegance. Steven meanwhile struggled a bit more.
"You know, I’m glad we don’t have this much ice in Hoenn," Steven said, his voice shaky as he carefully crossed one of the large, clear ice paths that were blocking the way to Dendemille Town.
"Personally, I think ice is positively beautiful. It’s a lot like water, don’t you think? So elegant and graceful," Wallace said with a smile. "It’s inspiring. Maybe we can incorporate it into our performance tomorrow."
"I hope tomorrow’s battles go better than this," Steven muttered, brushing even more snow off his winter coat.
"Oh, don’t be so negative, Steve. We’re almost in Dendemille."
As they continued to walk on, the giant grey limestone windmill at the heart of Dendemille Town began to appear on the horizon. The snowy path beneath them slowly gave way to grey stone. Now only a wooden bridge separated them from the town.
"Look at that view, Steven," Wallace said, interlocking his fingers behind his head and smiling.
"It’s beautiful," Steven nodded in agreement.
"Infuriatingly so," Wallace chuckled, taking in the deep red hues of dawn. "I love sharing these moments with you, Steven. With you by my side, they’re twice as beautiful."
"You’ve always been excellent with words, Wallace," Steven said with a nod. "It’s one of your many talents."
"You’re too kind, Steven," Wallace replied, his cheeks suddenly tinted slightly red. "But we should keep moving. We’ll be late if we don’t hurry."
"There’s no need to rush," Steven said, struggling to catch up to Wallace, who was already making his way toward the town.
"To be so carefree—it’s something to envy, Steven. But also a sign of your pampered lifestyle," Wallace’s voice echoed over the stone tiles to Dendemille Town's entrance.
"Oh, come on. Not this again."
"I might never stop," Wallace said sweetly. "Now hurry. Just a few more steps and we’re there." The slender, turquoise-haired man descended the countless stone stairs quickly, with Steven following close behind.
With a quick snap of his fingers, Wallace had already summoned a typical blue Kalosian taxi to them. "After you, sir," Wallace said with a wide grin.
"Now you're just being silly, Wallace."
"I'm certainly not," Wallace replied, forcing himself into the taxi next to his partner. "Laverre City Centre, please." He told the driver politely before shutting the door to the driver's seat. "I like how much privacy one has in Kalosian Taxis." He sank deeper into his seat. "Wouldn't you agree, Steven?"
"Hmm." The young man hummed as he inspected some of his newly attained minerals.
"Typical, Steven." Wallace rolled his eyes.
"Oh no, I'm listening." Steven shifted his gaze from the stones to his partner. "Maybe I spoiled you with too much attention, but now it's all yours."
"Oh, please. You can be glad that I'm here to receive your attention." Wallace tugged a strand of his turquoise hair behind his ear. "It's a true privilege. You know I'm a busy man."
"I'm aware." Steven nodded a hint of sadness in his voice. "And I want to thank you for accompanying me today, even though it's the night before the big tournament."
"No need for that, Steven," Wallace replied softly. "You know I love travelling alongside you. Nothing pleases me more than you do."
"I'd hope so." Steven nodded a playful grin flashing on his face. "I try my very best, after all." He let his gaze wander over the landscape outside—the large pale fields of grass, the red leaves, and the thrilling rivers. "I love the rivers of this region. They are very relaxing."
"Aren't they?" Wallace smiled. "I wish we had them at home in Sootopolis. If I didn't live in the most beautiful city of all, I would move here within a heartbeat."
"I'd rather you stay close to me in Hoenn," Steven muttered. "But here, we could live together. That would be nice."
"Sounds fantastic." Wallace sighed as he watched the red leaves fall on the rapidly sprawling out red stone paths. "We should be there soon, Steven."
"And the sun hasn’t even gone down yet. I told you so, didn’t I, Wallace?"
"Yeah, yeah," Wallace muttered as he stepped out of the taxi. He stretched and then leaned against one of the many trees that adorned Laverre City. "I think I’m getting a bit tired."
"Is that so?" Steven paid the taxi driver and quickly caught up to his partner. "Would you rather head to our room?"
"I guess so." Wallace hummed and then grabbed Steven's hand, pulling him toward their hotel near the Laverre Gym. "You know, Steven, I actually know a chef in Lumiose City. When we get there tomorrow, maybe I can arrange a reservation for after the tournament. How does that sound?"
"Lovely," Steven smiled. "And the day after, we can visit the caves west of Lumiose."
"Of course, Steven." Wallace sighed. "But please, don’t make me catch you again."