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“Liepard, Sunny Day!” A faint glow surrounded the feline pokemon, her nose pointing to the sky as she let out a howl. The once cloudy atmosphere gave way for light to filter through, the battlefield turning blazing hot. Perfect. You looked over to Friede, who winked back at you.
You were at a terrible type disadvantage with Liepard against two bug pokemon– a Scyther and a Scizor– but fortunately Friede had chosen Charizard for this fight. And supporter moves were your specialty. This battle was going to be over quick.
“Flamethrower!” Friede called out. His Charizard immediately took flight, rising up to block the sun off from the ground with his massive wings. The sun glistened off its red, scaly, body, a translucent glow of power circling around the pokemon as he charged up its attack. Charizard opened his mouth and unleashed Flamethrower.
It hit the Scyther spot on, burning the pokemon and immediately knocking it out before it could react. The Scizor narrowly avoided it, its claws lighting up when its trainer shouted out a command. The pokemon made a mad dash towards yours.
“Block it with Night Slash!” The pokemon was too close to dodge, so Liepard did her best to counteract the move. They met in the middle, claws pressed against each other with equal power before Liepard was knocked back to her original position on the field.
The opposing pokemon attempted to use the same move again, but Charizard had finally regained its barings and let out another Flamethrower before the Scizor could do anything. This time the attack hit dead on, knocking out Scizor.
You won.
The referee called it out, and both you and Friede shouted in victory. You turned to Friede, intending to give him a high five for his battling efforts, but was caught off guard when his hands went to your hips. He raised you up from the ground without warning and spun you around. Your arms instinctively wrapped around his shoulders to keep you from falling. The look on his face was that of pure delight, and before you could tell him to put you down, he lowered you down, keeping a hold of you even after you regained your balance. Your arms stayed around his neck. Yellow eyes stared into yours, and you could’ve sworn he looked down at your lips once or twice. He said something, but you didn’t hear it.
You were in your own little world, your heart beating hard and your fingers trembling against the fabric of his jacket. The light from the Sunny Day soon faded behind you, and you remembered where you were. You weren’t in some mystical dream– you were standing in the middle of a tiny area, staring at your crush like he would disappear if you looked away for even a second. People were definitely staring. You untangled yourself from Friede’s grip in a panic and shouted out some excuse before rushing off to the nearest bathroom, your Liepard following closely behind you.
Friede, completely unbothered by your antics, “I’ll go check on the kids!”
The door clicked shut behind you and Liepard, the single stall bathroom greeting you with a questionable smell and an average cleaning job. Your back slid down the back off the door until you hit the floor. Covering your face with your hands, you let out a loud, annoyed, groan.
“What the hell was that?” Liepard laid down next to you, her head resting in your lap to ground you. You ran a hand through her dark red fur.
“He was just holding me. Like it was nothing . I have to be imagining things.”
This wasn’t the first time something like this, Friede being touchier than normal, that is, has happened. It was just because you were friends. Best friends. Obviously! But the raging crush you’ve been forming on the man over the last few months made moments like this drive you nuts. To your displeasure– or maybe pleasure, only future you would be able to decide– this wasn’t the last time this was going to happen.
It was earlier in the morning, the sun barely peeking through the alleyways of buildings and reflecting a pretty orange across the windows above. The medium-sized plaza had an array of stands, both with various options of produce and way too much junk year nor Friede could imagine people actually wanting. It was advertised as a farmers market, but it was more like a flea market.
You and Friede walked the aisles all the same, stopping occasionally to observe the random knick knacks and to pick out the produce for the week. The rest of the team was split across the city gathering other supplies, leaving you and Friede to get the food. You looked over to Friede, who was holding an apple with a puzzled expression.
“You good there, Friede?” You questioned, a smirk rising on your lips.
Friede looked over to you and held the apple in your direction.
“Looks like a good home for an Applin. Pretty sturdy. Surprised it made it to a market in one piece.”
Of course that’s what he was thinking. You plucked the apple from his hand and placed it in your basket. Friede grinned. “We’ll be sure to leave it out for one, then,”
You felt your stomach grumble. Skipping breakfast this morning might not have been the best idea, but you figured you could find something fun to eat while out and about. Looking around the plaza, your eyes landed on a sweets shop not too far from you. What better breakfast than a donut? You tapped Friede’s shoulder to get his attention and pointed towards the shop.
“Wanna get a donut?”
Friede immediately agreed, and after paying for the vegetables you got from the sweet old lady, the two of you made your way over to the food. The line wasn't too long, they likely had just opened, but the menu options seemed endless. They have a display of other treats, too, making your mouth water. You ended up deciding on your favorite donut, while Friede chose something with cherry filling. The two of you got some treats for your pokemon as well.
After finding a free table, you let Liepard out of her pokeball and handed her a pastry. You then handed Cap the donut he had been eyeing since you got to the stand. They were grateful. Finally, you took a bite of your own donut.
Delicious!
You practically melted at the taste. Sure, you get this flavor every time you go to a donut shop, but you couldn’t deny it was the best thing you’ve ever had. Friede seemed to be enjoying his donut too.
“Why don’t we come here more often?” Friede asked, mouth stuffed with food and a little bit of cherry filling stuck to the side of his lips. You tossed a napkin at him, which he accepted.
“I dunno– don’t you drive the ship?”
Friede busted out into laughter, laughter that was too contagious for you not to join in. If you had to make a guess, Friede was definitely going to make this a regular supply run city. That is, if he remembers how much he enjoyed the donuts here.
The laughter soon died down, and you eventually finished off your donut. As you were about to ask Friede where to next, you paused. He was staring at you, intently.
“You got something on your face,” Friede said. Before you could reach for a napkin, Friede held his hand out towards your face. Your breath hitched. His fingers cupped your cheek, while his thumb grazed the corner of your mouth. He pulled his hand back and inspected the syrup. Without giving it much thought, he tasted it. A burning feeling rose up your body.
“Not bad,” he declared. Friede pushed himself up from the table and grinned. “Let’s go get the spices Murdock wants!”
Without waiting for an answer, Friede and Cap walked off into the direction of the spices. Liepard started to go with them too, before she looked back to see if you were coming.
You stayed still on the bench, mouth agape and your face on fire. Your lips almost felt numb, and the feeling of his hand on your face lingered. If it wasn’t for Liepard nudging her nose against your knee and almost hitting you with Iron Tail, you would’ve stayed on that bench for the rest of the day.
Rocks crunched beneath your feet as you made your way up the path. Liepard was next to you, her red and yellow fur all dusty from the environment. Friede was on your other side, a bag slung over his shoulders and a water bottle in hand. He offered it to you, which you graciously accepted. You tried to ignore it when Friede took a sip out of it right after you. The two of you stopped in front of a steep wall of rocks.
Friede took the climb first, scaling up the section of mountain like he was a professional. Considering all the stuff you’ve seen him do, you wouldn’t doubt that. Liepard and Cap jumped up after him. Friede held a hand out to you.
“This is the spot!”
You took hold of the wall in the same way Friede did, rising a few steps before you allowed him to take your hand in his. He yanked you up effortlessly, and after you regained your balance, your eyesight settled over the horizon.
The chunk of mountain the two of you were on looked over a small forest that bordered a large, blue lake. The cloudless sky was colored a deep blue that faded into a bright orange the lower it went. The reflection of the sunrise bounced off the water.
“It’s beautiful,” You whispered.
Friede, instead of looking off towards the sunrise, had his eyes on you. His hand was still in yours, the calloused skin warming your near frozen fingertips. Friede gave your hand a squeeze before letting go and stretching his arms. You mirrored the motion.
Friede’s arm then wrapped around the back of your shoulders, and you let him pull you into a side hug. The moment was borderline romantic. Watching the sunset together in the brisk morning, all by yourselves? The light of the new morning gave a soft glow on Friede’s face, his eyes sparkling as they looked into yours. It felt like a scene out of a romance movie. If only you had the courage to lean in and kiss him.
Friede seemed to not get the memo, and without warning, he leaned in and pressed his lips against your cheek.
The motion was quick, his soft lips only lingering on your skin for a few seconds before he pulled back, a goofy smile on his face. You tried to say something, but he beat you to it.
“I could go for a sandwich.” It was casual, the way he spoke, like he didn’t just do something that turned your whole perspective on your relationship upside down. Up until now, you’ve been writing everything off as a cruel coincidence, but now you had no idea what to think. Liepard nudged your leg, her cute face looking up at yours. Friede had started walking away now, back towards the direction the two of you came from. One of your hands touched your cheek.
This was getting out of hand.
“Sounds like you,” Orla pointed a finger in your direction, “are in a situationship.”
“ Ughhh!” You buried your face in your hands, a warm feeling rising up through your body. You spent the last thirty or so minutes complaining to Orla about the various encounters you’ve had with Friede over the last few months, and as much as you didn’t want to admit it, she was totally right. There is absolutely a situation going on, and you didn’t know how to proceed. Orla was amused.
“Been there, done that. It’s not that bad.”
You huffed. “It totally is! Am I missing something?”
Orla shrugged in return. “You know Friede, always forgetting to tell people things and instead taking actions that confuse everyone. Maybe he likes you, and just hasn’t said it yet.”
It was plausible. But the doomerism in you wanted to say there was no way. Orla chuckled. She was about to say something else before the door to the conference room slid open. You turned to look behind you and were greeted with the sight of the very man you were complaining about. Friede walked over, plate in hand.
“Thought you might be hungry.” He placed the plate in front of you. Orla crossed her arms, a playful frown on her face.
“You didn’t bring me anything?”
Friede shrugged. “Murdock has sandwich stuff in the kitchen.”
He then leaned down next to your ear, saying your name to get your attention.
“I was wondering if you wanted to get dinner with me? Tonight?”
You raised your eyebrows. Glancing over at Orla, you saw a surprised look on her face. She mouthed something along the lines of ‘say yes’.
“Sure. Sounds like a plan.”
Friede grinned. He casually kissed your cheek, just like he did earlier in the morning, and started to make his way out of the room.
“Great! See you later!”
The moment the door shut behind him, Orla started laughing. You groaned.
“See what I mean?”
You looked down at the plate before you. A twisting, warm feeling settled in your stomach– Murdock usually left the ingredients out, separated, for everyone to make their own choice. Friede had taken it upon himself to build your favorite sandwich.
The place Friede suggested wasn’t overly fancy, but you still dug out some nice clothes for the event. As Orla theorized, the rest of the crew wasn’t invited, and it was almost certainly a date between you and Friede. You argued that she was wrong, but you couldn't shake the feeling of excitement for the night. And nervousness. You were so nervous.
The hostess led the two of you to a table near the window, dimly lit and most of the light coming from the evening sun outside. Friede pulled a chair out for you, which you accepted. He took the one across from you.
The waiter had come by quickly to take your drink and food order, then left the two of you alone.
“So,” breaking the silence, you started, “what have you been up to all day?”
Friede went off into a tangent about the afternoon he had, which included updating parts of his environment map. Apparently an area he needed to look into again was overrun by Spheal, and despite how cute they were, they were extremely rude, hitting Friede smack in the face with Water Gun a couple times. His environment map was a passion project since high school, and you couldn’t help but marvel at how fondly he spoke about it, partially wishing it was you he spoke about with such love. During the conversation your drinks arrived, and midway through your rant about the training you did with Liepard today, your food arrived too. You originally weren’t sure how this night was going to go, but you were pleasantly at the outcome. It felt natural, the best friend side of your relationship wiping away any awkwardness as the prospect of this being a date. You were glad for that, as you weren’t even sure this could classify as a date.
The meal was over as quick as it began, and after paying for the food, you found yourself walking side by side down the sidewalk. The sun was almost down by now, a soft orange glow and newly turned on street lamps lighting your path. The moment felt like the morning you had, but Friede somehow looked better, that dopey smile melting your heart.
It was too perfect to not confess everything on your mind.
Friede slowed to a stop next to a water fountain. The clear water glistened in the light. So did Friede’s eyes. You sucked in a breath. This was the moment. Friede stared at you, an indecipherable look in his eyes.
“Friede, I have to confess something.”
“No,” your name followed next. “I have to tell you something first.”
It caught you too off guard to object. Friede grabbed onto your hand and raised it up to his face. He pressed his lips against your knuckles.
“We’ve been dating for three months now, and I can’t keep waiting any longer to say it. I love you.”
Friede’s hands cupped your cheeks as he pressed his lips, soft and wistful, against yours. It felt different than when they ever did against your cheek, and you couldn’t help but internally punch yourself for missing out on something like this for so long. His breath was warm on your cheek and you weren’t sure what to do with your hands. You weren’t sure what to do with anything, really, the thoughts racing through your mind as you failed to reciprocate his actions.
He loves you?
Friede pulled back, a look of confusion laced through his features. You stared at him, the words getting lost on your tongue. You barely registered him saying your name.
“What’s wrong? Are you not…”
“You love me?”
“Yes, I–”
Suddenly it hit you. You took a step back. “Wait. We’ve been what ?”
It was Friede’s turn to be confused. “We’ve been… dating?”
You couldn’t stop yourself. Your shoulders shook as a wheeze passed through your lips, and not even the lack of proper airflow could stop you from laughing.
Friede started to panic. “Are you okay?”
“We–” Your voice was broken up in gasps. “Aren’t dating!”
Maybe that was the wrong thing to say at the moment, the visual of Friede’s heart getting shattered to pieces squeezed at your own. Before Friede could make any brash movements, you grabbed ahold of his shoulders.
You took a few breaths to steady yourself. “Let me rephrase that,”
“I wasn’t aware we were dating, Friede.”
One of your hands trailed down his arm, stopping above his hand as you laced your fingers together. He accepted the affection, but he still seemed confused when he spoke.
“At the battle tournament.”
You pinched your eyebrows together, thinking back at the day. Friede had spun you around after you won the qualifying match, and while you didn’t go on to win the whole thing– Liko and Roy did, actually– you had fun with him. But you couldn’t remember any significant moments from that day. When you didn’t respond, Friede continued.
“After we won that one match. You looked so happy, and I realised how much I wanted to see you happy forever. I asked you out.”
“You did?”
Friede raised an eyebrow. He was more amused than concerned now. “Yeah? You said ‘yes, yes, sure, I need to go pee I’ll be right back’ and ran off. I thought it was kinda weird but you act weird sometimes so I didn’t think too much about it.”
Upon seeing the look on your face, he continued. “Maybe I should have thought about it more.”
You hit the palm of your hand against your forehead.
“I’m sorry Friede. I didn’t know what you said, I was distracted.”
He released your hand. Friede rubbed the back of his head. “No, it’s my fault. I should have noticed how awkward you got whenever I did something romantic. I just thought you wanted to take things slowly. Like really slowly.”
Friede took a deep breath.
“I get it if you don’t want to continue–”
“No!” You cut him off. “I mean, yes, I do want to continue. That day I was distracted by you. Because I like you. And I wanted to tell you that tonight, after dinner, but I guess you had something more shocking to tell me.”
That stupid grin was back on Friede’s face. He pulled you into a hug.
“This time, we’re actually dating?”
You pulled back and cupped his face in your hands like he did to you. You leaned forward and pressed a light kiss to his lips.
“I thought we were already dating?” You joked. Friede laughed and grabbed a hold of your hand. The two of you continued your way down the road, a new-found connection between the two of you that made your heart flutter. Guess that nervousness was all for nothing, huh?