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Paxton can recall the first moment he felt this way towards a person.
When his heart stammered so rapidly that he thought he was choosing, his cheeks flaring so brightly that he looked like a Cheri berry, and how everything silenced except for the sweet, dulcet, tones of the voice he admired so much.
This must be love!
“I’ll pay you back in my body!” Paxton blurts out a bit too eagerly, ignoring the look of pressing concern from his MZ teammate.
“PAXTON!?” Lida blurts out as she snaps her head at her suddenly insane companion.
“We don’t take endorse trafficking,” a cool voice immediately cuts off, followed by another incredulous look. “Now, let us talk about repayment options, shall we?”
Paxton only obliges, following the Rust Syndicate’s leader instructions as he saddled with busywork while Lida trembles by his side.
Unfortunately, Paxton is too busy staring lovingly at the terrifying man in front of them, nodding along unaware of all three of the suspicious looks sent his way occasionally.
…
Every star must have crossed at this very moment upon Paxton finding out his promotion match was going to be Corbeau.
Although a problem soon raised as he glanced at the man so eager to fight him at the very moment…
How could he possibly win against the presumably love of his own life!?
“You look nervous, having second thoughts?” Corbeau asks, a brutal grin on his face as he stares down Paxton. “It’s too late for you to go back, y’know?”
Paxton attempts to not blush as he of anything to retort back.
“I’ll wipe that smirk off your face!” He returns, attempting his best glare at the threatening man.
The death stare he receives in return makes him squeal a bit inside, he’s too cute!
Ah… he’s a bit too obsessed with that face of his on realization.
Corbeau furrows his brows, trying his best to ignore the sparkling of the strange boy’s eyes.
…
Watching Scolipede barely survive, Paxton’s Mawile is knocked out by an earthquake, signaling the end of their match.
As Paxton looks at the Pokeball in his hand, nodding in appreciation towards his partner’s best efforts, he finds a firm presence pressed into his shoulder.
“It was a good match,” he says as he turns to see another death glare sent his way.
The chill sent down his spine is only second to the flutter in his heart at the way Corbeau’s pale fingers grasp at his skin so harshly.
He should lose more often!
“A rematch!” The poison trainer demands as he keeps his hand onto Paxton's shoulder, pressing even harder to earn a wince. “Now!”
“Huh?”
“It’s a good fight, but there’s nothing more that I loathe than someone who doesn’t go all out,” Corbeau explains, eyes tracing his body like a carnivore to its prey. “I’ve seen you fight before, I know you can do better.”
“Y-You’ve been watching me fight?”
Paxton knows blushing madly at this moment, his hands clammy at the thought of his crush secretly watching him behind his back.
Oh his heart can't handle much more of this…
“Don’t disappoint me,” is all the Rust Syndicate leader says as he readies his Pokeball once more, Paxton soon following forth. “I’ve yet to see you wipe this smile off my face!”
When Corbeau does his hop to throw his first Pokeball, Paxton has to stop himself from recording him.
…
Praising his Pokemon for a well-fought battle, Paxton withdraws his companion as Corbeau only stares at him with a slack-jaw.
He can’t help but feel a little bad for the man, but he couldn’t help himself in their rematch.
To be told to do his best by the man of his dreams, he’d explode the building if Corbeau even suggested it!
“To take out my entire team with only one Pokemon… I’ve seen to have underestimated you,” Corbeau comments as he glances at the device in his hand containing Scolipede. “Hah, I haven’t had this much fun in a battle in so long.”
He would battle this man for however long it took if it meant he could please Corbeau for even the slightest amount.
Curse the promotion system, now he was ahead of Corbeau for who knows how long!?
“Would you be interested in joining the Rust Syndicate?” He’s asked, destroying the black haired boy’s thought process as he acclimated to the alluring voice in front of him.
“YES!” Paxton yells instantaneously, making even Philippe who’s been hiding in the back jump a little.
However, he soon sees Corbeau shake his head as the man mutter something about his loyalty to the MZ Group.
Dejected, Paxton only hands his head low as Corbeau seems to stifle a bit of laughter.
“Hey, stick your hand out,” the older man asks, doing the same himself.
Quickly motivated, Paxton gives him a fist bump and savors the smirk the leader has.
I’m never going to wash this hand again.
As he receives another appalling look from the boss, Paxton realizes he may have blurted that out.
…
He can’t sleep that night, no, it’s utterly impossible to!?
The man of his dreams is currently sleeping in the same building as him!?
Thrusting himself out of his bed, Paxton trudges himself to the elevator, ignoring every deprave urge of his to press the floor to Corbeau’s room, and hobbles to the lobby.
He can’t possibly sleep the night, he needs an outlet for these palpitations and fluttery feelings.
Bidding a confused Floette goodbye, Paxton embarks for the ZA Royale to calm his rampaging yearning, completely oblivious to the Corbeau that was knocking on his door a few minutes later.
Urbain made him clean the floors for the following week was compensation for the heart attack he received at Corbeau breaking the door down in anger.
…
Originally, Paxton only held a little interest in the invitation from Jacinthe that Lebanne begrudgingly delivered, and that the only reason he even showed up was because Lida and Naveen had urged him and Urbain to attend to attract customers to Hotel Z.
All his thoughts were blown out the water as soon as he stepped foot into the banquet hall and spotted the poisonous heartthrob of his dreams sitting irritatedly on one of the nearby couches.
His feet moved without his mind’s input, ignorant to how Urbain is attempting his hardest to pry Paxton away from his loan-shark.
“Corbeau, it’s nice to see you again,” he greets, unable to handle the brightness that exudes with every expression the man shows.
His friend’s hands are trying to pull him back by pulling his waist, but his core has never been firmer at the sight of this toxic dream.
“Paxton, I’ve been meaning to speak with you again,” the glassed man returns with a cheerful expression, roaming his golden eyes over the man’s outfit. “Is this a new suit? It’s nice.”
Paxton can’t help but evade eye contact at the man’s compliment, suddenly feeling so hot under fond scrutiny.
Maybe he should never change again… but he remembered how much he bothered his poor friends after refusing to wash his hand after the fist bump he shared and the process of Lida chasing him across the hotel with Staryu just to wash him.
Paxton finds a finger on his chest, feeling the luxurious material of his new suit, he gulps with anticipation.
That pale finger pressing on his new outfit, so close to his bare skin, he wished he could be crushed by it this instant.
“Let me dress you up next time,” is all the man whispers, closing his hands towards Paxton’s own face. “You won’t mind, do you?
Before Paxton can erupt in flames, Jacinthe makes her entrance with a flashy introduction, snapping Paxton back to cruel reality as Corbeau lets out a click of his tongue.
…
He really didn’t want to leave the venue, but after a desperate plea from his friend and watching Corbeau grow steadily smaller from his line of sight as he departed, he resolved himself to quell all the rogue mega evolutions as quickly as possible so he could return to his fawning.
What he didn’t expect was him being continually stalked by Jacinthe and her hologram, and then follow-up calls by a seemingly upset Corbeau.
Ah, Corbeau must be upset that he chose not to fight him during the tournament…
It’s not his fault!
Paxton makes sure to send Urbain another politely disguised glare as the pair walk back to the hotel.
The duo notice a certain green haired maid awaiting them, Paxton prepares himself for another battle.
Or he would if he wasn’t being called over by a group of violet dressed grunts desperately demanding for him.
“You’re Paxton, right?!” One of the intruders shouts as Urbain and him send them a suspicious look.
“Do you have any business here?” Urbain cuts in, defensive from presumably his experience with the Rust Syndicate. “I don’t owe any more money to your group!”
Before the two can comment any further, the grunt only bows on their knees in front of Paxton, beginning to grovel as the two men only watch in awe, alongside the formerly forgotten maid.
“COME BACK TO THE TOURNAMENT TO FREE BOSS, I’M BEGGING YA!” The pathetic syndicate member cries out as he gets on his knees and bows further.
“We told you we’re not inter-“
Paxton immediately dashes off.
Lebanne and Urbain only watch with dumbfounded looks, the dragon trainer sending an understanding glance to the young man before escorting him to the hotel.
…
After another crushing defeat for Corbeau, Paxton can’t help but admire how the man so gracefully accepts defeat and even asks for him to come visit!
Were he not busy with the MZ group’s antics, he’d surely come to visit everyday just to longingly admire the handsome man.
In fact, he’s so caught up in admiration he can scarcely make out the seemingly disturbed Philippe and equally bothered Urbain, or the glow that Corbeau had at his staring.
Paxton would unfortunately be unable to see the swathing jealousy that burned from his devoted one as he battled Jacinthe, dust and particles flying in the air as the pair dueled to their heart’s content in this tournament.
…
Some time after their bout at Jacinthe’s invitation and during the time with his battle with Grisham and Griselle, Paxton took it upon himself to raise the last members of his team.
Meganium, his faithful starter, was always a core part of his team, with its cheerful nature and seemingly careless attitude that always brightened his day.
Mawile, who he met after a request, was another important asset to his repertoire, and often a force to be dealt with for his opposition with her terrifying prowess.
Gardevoir, who appeared by his side one day alongside its own mega stone, was a gentle presence by his side. She never commented much, be he could tell from her kind nature yet terrifying strength that they cared for each other deeply.
These three were always part of his team ever since he captured them, never leaving and equally as attached to him as he were to them.
However, after catching such feelings for a certain syndicate leader, he couldn’t help himself to some new additions.
Ekans, who quickly evolved into an Arbok, was just as vicious as it seemed, but was incredibly affectionate towards Paxton, even if he lost circulation from how Arbok would coil around him.
Venipede, who he raised into a Scolipede, was a beautiful creature that reminded him so much of Corbeau on a daily basis that even Meganium began to show signs of jealousy to how much he pampered the big Pokemon. It also didn’t help that she was an alpha, and thus had even more room for love and admiration.
Finally, his most troublesome companion, Budew, was well… still a Budew.
Despite his best efforts and the amount of cafe trips and resting at benches, Budew refused to evolve and would often pelt Paxton whenever he tried to approach her.
It was a cruel love they shared, which only spurred him even more to raise the Pokemon as lovingly as possible, even if it meant being hit by constant poisonous or paralyzing spores by the bitter bud.
It was Gardevoir and Meganium who often quietly tended to his random afflictions from Budew while Mawile and Arbok would attempt to reform the mischievous plant. Scolipede only watched with passive interest, more often than not just content with being Paxton’s cushion as he was assaulted by the baby Pokemon.
If he showed his team to Corbeau, would he get praised?
Paxton certainly hoped so.
…
“I’ve never met such a displeased Budew,” a voice commented as the Budew in question only scowled at Paxton in the person’s hands.
“Am I doing something wrong?” Paxton questions, looking almost tearful at the other’s unexplained hatred. “I tried everything I could think of and Budew still won’t accept me.”
Corbeau, letting go of the Budew to face the younger man, ponders for a moment entire calling out his own Roserade, quietly whispering a command.
With a nod, Roserade utilizes its vines to carry Budew and play with it, the Budew forgoing its usual displeased depression for a childlike glee.
Paxton can’t help but smile so brightly at the sight.
And Corbeau can’t help but grin eagerly at the sight of Paxton smiling so happily, making sure to get the entire exchange on camera secretly.
“I’ve noticed some of the newest additions to your team,” the leader remarks as he glances at the Pokeball holder Paxton wears. “Eager to get on my good graces?”
Paxton wants so badly to nod, but he restrains himself for a modicum of some shred of dignity in front of this dreamboat.
“I really liked the Pokemon you used in our last battle, I thought it’d be nice to raise some of my own,” he decides to say, prideful of his new teammates.
Corbeau furrows his brows for a moment, before showing with a chipper expression.
“Your Arbok and Scolipede seem very happy with you, I can tell you’re just as promising as I expected from a trainer,” the man notes as he leans forward, peering into Paxton’s own ashen eyes. “Budew however seems to be the stubborn type.”
“Stubborn? Why so?”
“It’s not happy with its owner being so dishonest with itself.”
“It’s not happy with me?” The trainer speaks as he notices how happy Budew was outside of his hands.
Discomfort surges within his chest, the fluttery and warm feeling inside him is consumed for a moment by a cold, unavoidable guilt.
“Budew refuses to evolve because it doesn’t acknowledge you. Tell me, did you raise Budew just because it was a Pokemon you wanted to be with, or because it was simply something you wanted?”
Paxton feels lost for once, or more likely, called out for his selfishness.
Just like how he wished to visit Corbeau’s office everyday, he wished to raise Budew into a Roserade to have a piece of the man with him everywhere he went.
It’s foolish, he’s realized.
“Ah… I think I understand what you mean,” he simply comments, staring downward at his feet. “I’ll just have to try something else to get Budew to acknowledge me.”
Corbeau only smirks at him, but Paxton can’t tell what kind of smile it is, no matter how handsome it is.
…
During his time in contemplation about his own behaviors, the Prism Tower goes under a rampage.
Dispelled from his own depressive thoughts from the chaos of the moment, Paxton and his team quickly work with all his companions in an effort to save Lumiose.
Although, there was an unexpected obstacle he faced.
“I-I can’t possibly climb on you, Corbeau!” Paxton rejects as he looks at the human ladder in front of him. “I-I can’t possibly just, touch you like that!”
“Shut up and climb already! We have more important things at stake!?” Corbeau immediately retorts as groans of discomfort erupt from below him. “The quicker the better!”
Paxton knows he shouldn’t be self-conscious in a state of emergency… but it was still a difficult concept to fathom that he was about to climb on the back of the most desirable man alive to him.
“Get on now before we have an even bigger problem to deal with!”
Mentally preparing himself for finally being able to get onto Corbeau, Paxton breathes in and out before beelining to Corbeau’s backside.
If his hands accidentally press on a certain posterior region, or cling tightly to the man’s anterior, he makes sure he goes fast enough to make it not a problem, even if he can’t savor it.
As he reaches the top, Corbeau sends him a cocky smirk.
“Don’t let me down. And don’t look so sad, this won’t be the last time you’ll climb me,” the man chides with a soft chuckle, before falling down ever so coolly.
It’s as if the world slows for the moment as the older man falls from the sky, Paxton’s heart leaping in anticipation, but also in awe from how incredible his lovely Corbeau is.
He can hear a groan erupt from Phillipe and a few swoons from the grunts below as the man presumably lands.
This would be the moment where he immediately rushed forward to his next rendezvous spot to save Lumiose City once and for all.
But that was not this moment, no in fact he needed to be able to climb Corbeau once more as soon as possible.
The city can wait, his need for Corbeau cannot!
He dived off the building at that moment and would be caught by Corbeau’s arms, before immediately earning the scolding of a lifetime.
Worth it.
…
Even after working together with Zygarde to defeat Ange and after the reconstruction of the city from all the collateral damage, life itself hadn’t changed much for Paxton.
He was still doing whatever request Emma had sent to him, duking it out at night during ZA royales, and leisurely enjoying his time in Lumiose while he could.
Even his team hadn’t changed, the unaccepting Budew now a permanent fixture to his squad even if he gets poisoned on a daily basis.
Something that did change however, was the number of messages he received everyday.
Notably, the fact Corbeau was always trying to goad Paxton into his office, either with the promises of pastries or a battle to be had.
Paxton would never turn him down!
Well, today he would actually.
He received a message from Urbain actually, detailing about a meetup between the two of them his friend wished to have.
As much as he loathed turning down Corbeau, he decided to prioritize his friend once more.
Distance makes the heart grow fonder, generally convinced himself as he attempted to not walk into the general vicinity of the Rust Syndicate.
…
“What’s up Urbain?” He calls out, seeing the boy waiting for him at a nearby cafe with two cups on the table. “That for me?”
The pair met at Cafe Nouveau, the personal favorite of both men from shared history.
“Your favorite! The flamethrower roast, right?” The other says with a showy wink, making Paxton feel a bit lighter at his usual casualness.
He nods, and sits down as Urbain quickly talks his ear off about little matters here and there.
It’s been some time since Urbain temporarily left his spot in Team MZ, or better yet, started working at Quasartico.
He missed seeing the other boy so often, even if he didn’t exactly have a place in his heart like their debt-saddler.
In the corner of his eye, he spots Floette and Urbain’s Feraligatr chatting with one another, eating galettes leisurely as his Meganium soon joins in their chitchat.
He can’t help but smile at the innocent sight.
He should bring some galettes later to share with him and Corbeau’s Pokemon, maybe a special one for the leader so he can secretly admire how he eats his food.
“Hey Paxton, wanna catch dinner some time?” Urbain cuts in, glancing at him now. “Something a bit more formal, you know?”
“I thought you’d be tired of doing business in your free time?” He returns, surprised by the other’s suggestion.
Urbain was the epitome of causes to Paxton, if the sweatpants and mediocre ads weren’t enough proof.
“Business? No that’s not it! I want to invite you out properly!”
“Like a hotel dinner?”
“Exactly!”
“We had those almost every week before you left for work.”
“That’s different!”
He and Urbain always have this kind of banter between one another, the strawberry haired male trying to take him out and Paxton never really understanding his words at face value.
It’s really nice.
“So, are you interested?” Urbain tries once more, of course receiving a nod from Paxton. “Sweet!“
Why would he ever turn down a request from a dear friend?
“Geez you had me worried for a bit, you’re always wrapped up in some kind of request for others or wagging your tail at that certain man. Seriously, I’m not sure what exactly you find so incredible about Corbeau asides for his passion to this city.”
Paxton takes a sip unable to deny the other’s words, despite the last sentence being debatable.
He didn’t need to dredge Urbain into his own convoluted feelings; he’d gladly die with the love in his heart if it meant being able to admire such a wonderful person.
“Good thing I’ll get to have you toni-“
A hand is placed on Paxton’s shoulder, and Urbain’s trap finds itself shut as the man pales.
“Good day, Urbain,” an overly polite voice greets as a body soon accompanies Paxton’s side, followed by an unsubtle glare at his friend. “I happened to hear my name passing by and just had to know what the matter was.”
Corbeau’s hand was on his shoulder still, his body was pressed against the man’s side so tenderly, and his grasp on the coffee cup was now shaking a bit from the sudden contact.
Embrace me more Corbeau!
“Unfortunately, we have some matters to do together tonight, don’t we Paxton?” Corbeau mutters, his hand snaking its way to Paxton’s thigh as he makes a wide smile. “You wouldn’t cancel on me so abruptly, now would you?”
Paxton nodded so fast he gave himself a slight headache.
“Excellent,” the older man says with a self-righteous smirk, glaring down Urbain.
The cobalt-eyed clenched his teeth in opposition, intent on not backing down.
“T-that’s fine, let’s just book the day after-“
“He’s busy that day too.”
“After that!”
“Once again busy.”
“A week later!”
“Don’t we have something planned as well?”
Paxton can only watch as two bicker, his calendar slowly being filled up by Corbeau’s incessant attempts to take over his schedule and Urbain growing desperation to have a single day with him; it was almost tempting to spray the both of them down with Budew to end the conversation.
It wasn’t until Griselle told them to both shut up that they backed down.
Lumiose men are weird.
…
Ever since that day, the amount of times he’d see Corbeau on the street became almost uncanny.
Visiting Canari? Corbeau would be getting construction contacts done nearby.
Visiting Ivor? Corbeau would be speaking to the female members of the Rust Syndicate who happened to train together with the Fist of Justice.
Visiting Philippe? Corbeau would be doing paperwork or any kind of busywork and force Paxton to sit down and start eating or scroll on his phone.
Visiting Jacinthe?
Well, Corbeau wouldn’t be there. Instead it’d be Philippe who had to politely coerce him to leave the establishment and return to anywhere else. Preferably the Rust Syndicate.
So, with that in mind, he never expected Corbeau to break into Hotel Richissime for another Le Super-Tournoi de Jacinthe Infinite which was nearing its hundredth round for the day.
“Return him this instant,” Corbeau demands as he stares at the lavender lady in front of him.
Jacinthe, ever the noble lady she is, covers her mouth to hide a chuckle, making the man tense even further.
“Haha, it’s not my duty to return him to you. He’s a being with his own mind and choices. He chose to remain with me and join my tournament,” she retorts with a graceful brush of her hair. “Not you.”
Corbeau sends a lethal look at him, Paxton swoons instantaneously.
He didn’t need to be told twice!
“Well… it has been all day since we started,” Paxton comments, although a bit disappointed he can’t break his previous score of two hundred matches. “Shall we continue this another time, Jacinthe?”
“Why of course!” The fairy trainer states as she glances towards Lebanne’s way. “Shall I leave you with a parting gift before you go?”
“A gift?”
“We decline!” Corbeau snaps, although still waiting for whatever the girl has planned.
“Let the boy speak for himself,” Jacinthe curtly replies, although the smile alone speaks for how entertained she is at the pair. “Lebanne!”
Snapping her fingers, Lebanne quickly gets an inconspicuous bag from the corner, Jacinthe thrusting the cute gift into Paxton’s hands with a gentle wave.
“Adieu, may we have more lovely battles in the soon-to-be future!” She bids as Paxton is dragged away by a furious leader. “And do tell me if everything fits perfectly.”
“Leave the present,” Corbeau warns as he stares at the frilly present poking out of the bag.
Paxton decides not to, because of his curiosity and the suddenly whiny behavior the older man exhibited.
Seeing such a cool man act jealous… oh, he couldn’t control the surging endearment within him!
“Hehe, don’t forget, you’re always welcome here as a guest too, Corbeau,” Jacinthe only speaks with a charming tone. “I’d love to speak more about our wonderful possessions.”
Paxton feels a thrilling shiver down his spine while Lebanne makes a most displeased look.
As he’s escorted into a car, Corbeau tells Philippe to burn the bag he’s given.
…
He’s visited this place so many times that he’s actually been learning the names of the members that greet him on a daily basis.
After sharing his daily greeting, Paxton came to this office with a mission in mind.
“No,” he’s immediately told, making him wince and droop a little. “I’m occupied right now.”
“Not even one picture?” He begs, desperate to have even just a slight memento of the man he favored.
“I normally don’t do pictures, unless you’re willing to pay the price.”
“Do you accept down payments?” He asks, shut down once with an unimpressed glance.
He’s given his usual ‘sit down and be quiet and eat some snacks’ look from the poison specialist, but today he’s decided to be a little more forward.
“Okay, then Phillipe, can we take a pic together?”
The right hand man gives him a surprised look, notices the disapproving aura from Corbeau, and nods.
“Just one,” Phillipe tells, enjoying the sparkle of the younger man’s eyes. “What brought this up?”
“I want a picture of everyone I’ve met before I have to return home from vacation,” he explains as he sets up his camera, oblivious to the furious typing erupting from the background. “Ok, now let’s do the Rust Syndicate squat!”
“It’s not a squat,” Phillipe comments but nonetheless gets in position anyways. “Let’s have a battle before you leave.”
“Of course!”
Taking the picture, Paxton beams at the sight of him and Philippe having matching poses, content with the consolation prize of capturing the sole arm of Corbeau.
He’ll be content with a consolation prize, even if it’s just a piece of him as an electronic file.
Suddenly, he finds hands pushing him forwards, causing him to stumble a bit forwards as he’s comforted with an absolutely infuriated Corbeau, whose vein is now pulsing on full display.
He was envious of that bulging vein.
“What’s the matter?” He asks, wondering what could’ve driven Corbeau to look so upset. “I made sure to not include your face in the picture.”
The man looks even more furious now.
“Taking pictures with someone else on my territory, you’ve got guts, or emptied out the head of yours,” the poison trainer remarks with a cold voice. “Have a seat, I insist.”
Paxton sits down immediately.
The shadow on his body only grows larger as Corbeau comes closer, his golden Rotom-phone shining ominously as Paxton's skin feels jittery.
“Prepare yourself for what you asked for,” the man says, voice as gentle as steel. “I won’t even let you have a moment to breathe. Let alone think.”
They spent the rest taking photos until Paxton’s Rotom-phone powered off after the obscene amount of pictures taken.
Best! Day! Ever!
Paxton’s favorite is the one with Corbeau’s middle finger raised when he attempted to take a candid photo of the gentleman.
He wanted to make it his home screen but the disapproving look of all three of his friends is enough to avoid being socially ostracized for his taste in men.
…
“Hey Paxton, what’re you gonna do if Corbeau doesn’t feel the same way about you?” He’s suddenly asked one day as he’s lounging in Hotel Z.
The world pauses for a moment, a deafening silence in his ears as he contemplates what exactly he would do if all his pining amounted to nothing, if the man he admired never reconciled his overwhelming feelings, if his one-sided love truly died inside of him.
Lida waves her hand in his face to see Paxton is still functioning while Naveen watches for a few seconds and then returns to his Canari stream.
“I’d still love him,” he says, making Lida choke and Naveen simply just shrugs his shoulders, seemingly predicting this outcome.
“Even if it ends up pointless?” The designer questions. “Sorry if that’s a bit too blunt.”
Paxton only smiles, before calling out a certain partner of his.
Budew, as expected, scowls at Paxton and busies itself elsewhere.
“Ahaha… seems like you haven’t grown on her drill yet,” the dancer remarks with that awkward smile of hers.
“That’s fine,” he says, content with watching from a distance. “I’ve learned to accept the nature of Budew, and I even find it cute that she treats me this way if anything.”
“Tell that to the person who has to carry antidotes or paralyze heals for you!”
“I think I carry a similar feeling for her the way I do for Corbeau. Even if they might not feel the same I do, these feelings of love are what make me happy. And so, if I can do my part thanks to these feelings, then I’ll still be happy even if I’ll never be loved back the exact same way!” Paxton explains with an awfully bright smile. “I love him so much I’ll do anything if it means it’ll make his dream a reality!”
Lida, gives him a warranted concerned look, yet Naveen seems genuinely surprised.
“Ignoring the red flags in your wording, I think I get how you feel actually," the boy responds as he pauses the stream. “Even if Canari might not feel the exact way I do, it’s thanks to her I have the motivation to chase my own dreams. I wouldn’t call what I feel is love the same extent as you do though…”
“Naveen!” The lovestruck male only exclaims as he sends an excited look at his comrade, the other brushing off the look to continue watching.
“Totally lost here but as long as you’re happy, healthy, and partially-sane then I support you!” The dancer chimes with two thumbs-up, making the hero of Lumiose beam even brighter.
He’ll love Corbeau even if it’s for naught, that’s how it mattered to him.
Encouraged by his friends, Paxton ended up going through an entire rant on why Corbeau was the ideal man of his dreams, completely ignorant to a figure in the far distance listening in.
As he was trying to convince Naveen to help him make Corbeau-inspired fan sticks and lights, the Rust Syndicate was undergoing its own crisis as its leader seemed to be entering some kind of state of enlightenment and pure euphoria.
It was said that Corbeau began abruptly cancelling all his plans and ordering his right-hand man to person a number of incredibly concerning tasks, all the while smiling almost insanely at his Rotom-phone.
…
“Budew still doesn't want to evolve,” Corbeau mentioned one day as the pair met together once more in his office after the photography incident.
Paxton however, only carries the begrudging Pokemon with a chipper look on his face, in contrast to the frankly disgusted Budew.
“I’ve accepted Budew just as she is!” He speaks as he cradles the baby Pokemon, knowing he’ll be attacked soon. “We work perfectly in battle together, and even if I can’t understand her, I love her just as she is.”
Corbeau looks at him with wide eyes, before they soften, with a rare smirk.
Reflecting on the man’s words, Paxton realizes that he can’t force Corbeau onto him.
No, all he does is try to imitate what the man has with whatever he owns, and it’s never enough for him.
So, he’ll just accept this distance between them, he’ll accept this refusal to go any further if it means he’ll have a place somewhere in the man’s mind whether as a bright ray of light, or a fleck of dust to be cleaned away in due time.
Even if far apart, he’ll always leave a piece of his heart here right in this office, with the guardian of Lumiose.
“What do you like about me so much?” Corbeau questions, getting up to sit across from Paxton on the couch, just like their first interview.
Usually, he’d burst into his usual waxing and essay of compliments and praises, but being enraptured by the man upfront, unable to escape or think of anything else but the man printed in his eyes, he tenses up.
There’s no words that can perfectly describe just the yearning he endures, or how much he wishes the man plunge himself into him.
Of the envy he feels to be treated so specially like one of his Pokemon, to be one of the few grunts who receive even a fraction of attention, of how it feels to be second to Lumiose at all times.
“…your face,” he instead mutters, watching the man burst aloud in laughter, the usual wrinkle lines dissolving for a brief time.
As superficial as it sounds, Paxton absolutely reveres the image of his love, of the sharp gaze he presents as his moon-colored irises focus onto his own dull eyes with utter carnivorous intent, of how those same eyes can seem so horrific yet soft in a moment.
Their first meeting was enough to captivate him, shackling himself to a man who buries himself in obscurity and expects pure devotion to his cause to protect what he loves.
He’d let himself be eaten alive by that same face if it meant remaining with him.
“I’ve received that answer a few times before,” the man says with an amused look, making Paxton feel a bit ashamed at his shallow response. “I’m certainly handsome, I know. You have to wield every tool possible if it means protecting what you care about.”
Before he can utter his own explanations, Corbeau glares at him, indicating for him to shut up and remain silent.
“I’m no fool to know what you feel however. Your affection for me goes far deeper than just a simple crush for me based on appearances,” the man speaks, his whispers scalding the boy’s skin as Paxton feels his legs go taut. “You’re no better than a collared Arcanine, begging for attention and imitating its master just to feel even a bit of closeness. It’s tragic really.”
It feels like he’s being crushed, but it’s not as agonizing as it should feel.
Maybe it is liberating to have his own obsessive thoughts and feelings dredged into the brilliant sun and trampled on.
Even in rejection the man is so cool, he could fall in love again!
“I like that about you,” the man confesses, looking utterly pleased with himself. “What? Did you think I called you here to reject you?”
Now it’s Paxton’s turn to look awestruck.
“You’re so eager to prove your worth to me, to belittle yourself and kneel beneath me just to crane your neck upwards to see me, how oblivious you are to even the slightest amount of attraction, your willingness to destroy any part of yourself just to appease that desperation and hunger in you.”
Paxton feels his heart pounding once again, as if it were to soon beat so fast that he’d black out and leave this worldly plane.
“At first, I thought I could use you, exploit you for everything you brought until nothing remained. But not only were you so powerful on your own, you carried such expectant and reverent thoughts towards me,” Corbeau speaks, his face content as always. “I didn’t even need to raise a finger to make you obedient to me.”
He did indeed love this man to his very core.
“It’s troublesome to get attached to a pawn. But you proved yourself to be so much more than that, to both Lumiose… and myself.”
Paxton wishes to speak, but his lips are stiff.
In fact, his entire body is frozen, as if he’s been paralyzed by his own Budew again.
Corbeau smiles, like a predator to its dying prey.
“In fact, it’s so troublesome to be attached to such a kind, yet determined young man who seems so lonely in this wonderful city. I decided to take it upon myself to give him a home,” the man whispers, his breath warm in this quaint room. “I trust you have no objections, don’t you?”
He wants to smirk, but his face isn’t cooperating.
“Roserade’s stun spore is quite potent, but I couldn’t risk leaving the job unfinished,” he comments as he gently touches Paxton’s side, making sure to press against every curve he can, the boy unable to squeam or squirm. “Didn’t you notice the pleasant scent in the air when you arrived?”
Paxton didn’t, in fact, he was so busy with the man in front of him and focused on the man’s distinguished cologne that he didn’t realize he walked right into a trap, happily he might add.
He’s being pushed onto his side and cradled onto the abdomen and arms of the man he loves, he’s absolutely livid with rampaging affection and perversion.
He could die right now, in fact he might if he doesn’t focus on breathing!
“You shouldn’t pay attention to other people besides me, didn’t you promise you’d give yourself to me?” The voice above him says, dripping with saccharine melancholy.
He remembered being rejected at first, but he’s always down to renew his vows!
“I didn’t think you’d also start running away once I started to reciprocate. That’s not very nice isn’t it Paxton?” The man says as he cradles the boy’s soft hair, feeling each lock with a tender touch. “I’ll make sure to punish you for having such thoughts.”
He’ll make sure to apologize later after his punishment!
“Being with you isn’t enough anymore. I intend on keeping you. Aren’t you so happy now?” Corbeau sweetly says, bringing his face closer to the boy’s. “Let’s make it official now.”
Paxton is the happiest he’s ever been, he thinks as the world vanishes with a pair of lips, his body coiled away soon after by his beloved’s eager Pokemon.
…
Paxton loves Corbeau, this was a given.
But to attempt to put just how much he loved the man…
Paxton loves the arms that encase him every morning, the hands that trap him all night, that mouth that whispers sweet praises and promises every reunion, the eyes that track his every movement, the ears that capture all his silent mutters, the nose that can detect his faintest presence, and the teeth that mar into his flesh and bind into him so delicately… so much to be loved in the man he drove himself mad for.
He loves the man who treats his subordinates and Pokemon so kindly, and nurtures them to be the best they can be, all for the sake of the city he loves.
The man who let Paxton embrace his whims and drowned him in his own depravities and desires, to forever be with the one he loved so dearly.
Standing at the doorway, he watches the man ready himself for another day of work, Paxton only idling as he dejectedly sees him out.
“I was thinking about going out for a bit today,” he comments as he watches Corbeau’s face dim for a moment, before being replaced by his usual poker face. “I’ll make sure to be back before you get home of course!”
“I can send someone to get you whatever you wish,” his boyfriend dismisses, but Paxton shakes his head in refusal. “There’s no reason to leave.”
“I want to get things for our special day!”
He knows Corbeau knew of his plans to leave for the day to help prepare for their half-a-year anniversary, but he knew Corbeau wished for him to cancel said plans and instead leave it to the older man.
Corbeau was the type to keep his greatest treasures hidden from the public eye, whether it be from his own greedy nature or paranoia, both delightfully charming to Paxton.
Nowadays, the hero of Lumiose spends the majority of his days inside their shared home, only leaving under strict surveillance in regards to matters with his closest friends or the occasional promotion match that he must attend.
This was under their shared terms, after Corbeau’s attempt to kidnap Paxton failed after a siege from all the boy’s friends to rescue him.
He remembers them breaking into the home to find home in the middle of cooking dinner for him and Corbeau, and the awkward dinner exchange between his friends and handsome captor soon afterwards.
“I’ll send Scolipede to accompany you today then,” his lover says as he summons his partner soon after. “I’ll make sure to come home earlier if I can. In fact, I’ll find you when I finish, and we can prepare together."
He assumed via the tracking app on his phone, or the quietly beeping ankle monitor he wears like an accessory nowadays.
At first it was kinda unwieldy being tracked so often, but he’s discovered it’s an easy way to force Corbeau to come back home if he can manage to stick his leg out an open window!
“Hehe, I love being with Scolipede too! Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to come back with a surprise for you!”
He was thinking of getting the matching Scolipede charms to carry around.
The Scolipede next to him only lets out a worried look as he glances at the bulging vein that pops out of Corbeau’s forehead.
Jealousy is not a good look on the Pokémon’s master, even if Paxton still fawns over anything the man does.
“I’ll see you when I finish Paxton,” Corbeau finally says as he unlocks all the different locks and bolts on the door, turning once more to the boy. “I love you.”
“I love you too Corbeau,” He speaks back from the depths of his heart, enjoying the visceral smile his boyfriend carries at his response.
As the door closes, Paxton turns to face Scolipede and pets the giant Pokemon, the bug only letting out a satisfied murmur as it leans closer.
Paxton should get ready to feed his team and Scolipede soon before getting ready to head out.
Turning away, he already feels the loneliness creep in, even if Corbeau had only just left.
Feelings of a blooming love never seem to leave his body even if he’s slowly being possessed entirely by the man he adores.
As he readies himself for the day, knowing it’s only a matter of time before his imaginary leash is pulled on and he throws his entire self to the man he clings before, he simply cherishes this obsession named love to a man who’ll devour him whole.
Being a prisoner was fine so long as his captor belonged solely to him, he mused with a sweet cynicism.
Even Corbeau wished to keep the sun to himself, no matter how fractured it may be.