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It had become a fairly normal occurrence, seeing the fearsome leader of Lumiose City’s Rust Syndicate hanging around Team Skull’s turf. News of the bosses’ fast friendship had quickly spread around the group, as surprising as it was to hear to some. Still, though, those who had the pleasure of seeing the two interact pretty much instantly understood what made them click so fast- Especially if their respective ace pokemon were involved.
In particular, Corbeau had laid claim to the seldom-used kitchen situated towards the back of the Shady House. Cooking wasn’t a hobby shared by many Skull grunts– Mostly Plumeria and some of the older kids who she trusted to use the stove without causing any explosions. That left the area scarce enough for Corbeau to make it his home-away-from-home.
Not that there was such a thing as privacy among Team Skull. Being in each other’s business was just par for the course. Which is why Guzma decided it was perfectly fine to waltz in and lean on a nearby counter as the other man worked. “Damn, it smells good in here. What’cha makin’?”
Corbeau gave him a slight nod of acknowledgement. “Just some yakisoba. I’m impressed at the selection of Johtoan ingredients they’ve got for sale at that market over in the city. Figured I’d shake the dust off an old favorite recipe of mine.”
“Hah. Can’t say I took ya for a chef. 'Specially with the way you talk about slingin’ poison around. Dunno if I trust a guy like that makin’ my meals, y’know?” Guzma snickered, arms folded behind his head.
“It's a hobby of mine. Has been for years now. I don't take good food for granted. And who said I was intending on sharing, exactly?” Corbeau raised a brow in his direction with a smirk.
Guzma laughed louder. “Damn, alright then! Keep it to yerself! I’m a grown ass man- I can make my own noodles.”
Not a minute later, a bowl was set in front of him. “Well, since you can't seem to mind your business, go on and tell me what you think of mine.” Corbeau only spared him a wink before moving to grab a serving for himself.
Of course, in spite of his earlier comment, Guzma wasted no time digging in. And holy shit, this guy could cook. This was probably some of the best damn yakisoba he’d had in his whole life. “Damn… This is some good stuff.” He almost forgot to cover his mouth as he spoke, until he caught Corbeau glowering at him for his lack of manners. He rolled his eyes and swallowed before continuing. “… Thanks, ‘Beau.”
Corbeau almost choked on his noodles. “Come again?”
“What, you stuck-up Kalosian haole never thank each other? Or you just shocked to see me bein’ grateful for somethin’?” Guzma huffed in his usual overdramatic fashion.
“For your information-” Corbeau began, adjusting his glasses in annoyance. “Yes, we do thank each other. And I do appreciate the compliment, however undignified it may have been.”
Guzma cocked his head. “Then what the hell’s yer problem?”
“You really have no idea what you just said, do you?” Corbeau huffed out a laugh.
“... What, ‘Beau’? You got somethin’ against nicknames?”
“That ‘nickname’ happens to be a word in Kalosian, you know. And one you shouldn't throw around to just anyone you happen across.”
“Well are you gonna fuckin’ tell me what it means or not, ignoramus!” Guzma scowled.
Corbeau laughed at that. Not his usual polite businessman chuckle, but a proper laugh- Breathy and uneven and impolite. Guzma blushed in spite of himself.
“Handsome.” He started, once his laughter had died down. “L’homme est beau. The man is handsome.” He smirked at Guzma. “So you’ll probably want to rethink that nickname, hm?”
Guzma blinked, processing. Handsome… Well, it wasn’t exactly a lie. Anybody with eyes could see that Corbeau was a good looking guy. And the whole shady CEO thing- Girls were into that, weren’t they? And yeah, he was a little on the short side, but that was kind of cu–
What the fuck? Where did that all come from? Bulu, what was his brain DOING to him?
He shrugged idly, fiddling with his hoodie strings and gazing into his bowl of noodles to avoid Corbeau’s eyes. “An’ what if I don’t?” Why the fuck did he just say that-
… Now it was Corbeau’s turn to pause. He cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses for the umpteenth time. The question had managed to knock him completely off-guard in a matter of seconds. “I… Can’t say I’m opposed to it.”
Oh. Oh okay then. That’s not worrying at all. “Heh. Cool.”
They ate the rest of the meal in silence.