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It didn't matter where or when it would happen— as long as his first time would be with Red, Gold would make sure the Fighter would be his.
It had been quite some time since both of them trained on Mt. Silver, and almost every moment they've spent together felt romantic –not to mention intimate– in some way. Maybe it was how Red kept flirting with Gold sexually that it almost felt TOO genuine, or how Gold eyed his senior up and down one time as if pure lust was burning right through his eyes— either way, both knew they were teasing each other— nothing more, nothing less.
Gold wiped the sweat off his forehead with his hand and called his Pokémon into their Pokéballs as he turned to Red, who he watched do the same thing. He walked over to him and wrapped one of his arms around the Fighter's shoulder, leaning slightly closer as he grinned proudly.
"You did great today, Red! I'm so glad I trained with ya."
Red scoffed jokingly as he rolled his eyes. "I should be saying that, y'know. Now you sound like you're the mentor around here."
"Ehh.. I guess it can't be helped. I think I'd be better as one anyway, given the fact that I AM the Hatcher after all."
Red rolled his eyes playfully. "Oh? What does that have to do with anything-?"
"Ah, well y'knowww... For example, if you laid an egg, I'd incubate it."
Gold blinked as if he'd just realized what he had said. He felt his cheeks burning as he quickly removed his arm from Red and hid both of his hands in his pockets, looking away as his smugness came to an awkwardly painful end. Glancing at the other man for a second, the Hatcher knew his senior definitely felt the same way.
"E-excuse me..?" Red fought back judgement and laughter in his tone as he turned to look at the other fully-faced. "Well, I guess you'll need to breed me first for me to 'lay an egg'."
Despite being the one who started it, Gold couldn't help but blush at the thought of him banging his own senior— even better if the roles were switched, honestly. The young man looked at him one more time, observing how he laughed, smiled, and how he managed to stand there looking so cool. What made him feel better was that both of them matched each other's energy, even if Red was three years older than Gold was.
A few more days passed, and Gold couldn't stop thinking about Red— it was as if their teasing-flirting was starting to become serious. Is it still casual?, the Hatcher asked himself as he sat on a large rock, observing his Pokémon unleash its attacks on a dummy, and rested his head on his hands as his mind drifted away to recall the very moments he and his senior jokingly 'flirted with each other'.
Each memory that went over Gold gave him second-hand embarrassment. Phrases like "Why did I even say that?" Or "What the hell was wrong with me that day?" kept circling back and forth every time he remembered something he'd said or done— In fact, the Hatcher himself wasn't used to overthinking at all. He didn't know what to feel, what to do; hell, he had no clue how to talk to Red anymore.
Suddenly, the young man felt a hand touch his shoulder. He jolted back from his thoughts and slowly looked at Red, who seemed worried about him.
"What's wrong, bud? Bothered by anything?"
Gold's eyes widened as his gaze shifted elsewhere, and he waved his other hand as if to brush it off. "I'm fine, I'm fine... No needa worry."
"No, you're not. I can tell." Red patted his friend's shoulder to reassure him as he knelt to Gold's level. "If there's something you want to tell me, I'm here. You don't have to always keep it to yourself, y'know."
Gold smiled softly and looked down, sighing right after. "Thanks, Red, but it's more complicated than it seems."
"Hmm, really? I could try to help if you want–"
"No! It's..." The young man held his breath for a few seconds before he exhaled and turned to his friend. "Listen, dude... I.. I think I like you."
"Ohhh, I like you too–" Red chuckled before the junior cut him off, looking embarrassed.
"NO, YOU DUMBASS! I MEAN IT! I... have a crush on you..."
Gold felt his heart skip almost so fast that it almost seemed like it could burst any moment as he watched Red blink in shock. Normally, he'd be able to read his senior like a book, but this time, he didn't know what the fighter actually felt— was he disappointed? Grossed out? Angry? Either way, Gold reckoned this would probably be the last time they'd be training together, as his sudden confession was far too embarrassing for his mind to repeat, and he was sure Red felt the same way too.
The tension grew as both of them just stared at each other awkwardly. Gold dared not breathe the slightest anymore. Shit, even just by looking at Red felt like he'd get stabbed for being gay— not that he'd care, though. As long as his mentor himself would do it, he'd be willing to take the hit.
The senior looked down, smiling, his cap covering half of his face as he murmured something that sounded like a "Well... In that case, I like you too,". Gold found it endearing and chuckled slightly, grabbing Red's hands as he held them close to him with hope shining in his eyes.
"REALLY!?– Y-you're not joking, right..?"
"Of course not. I've liked you for quite some time now, too. Just thought it wasn't mutual so I didn't say anything,"
"Awh, come on! You should've either way— don't you realize how much that face of yours makes me blush?! I felt HORRIBLE for the past few days..." The Hatcher paused for a second to process what was even happening— it was the first time someone had ever confessed directly to him. "Also, how am I going to tell everyone about us dating now?"
Red laughed softly as he realized how close their bodies both were at that point. "Gold... I never said we were a thing, though."
"WHAT? But you liked me!! That has to prove something at least!"
"Well, that's not how it always works," Red paused for a second and smirked. "..Gotta ask me out first.
Gold scoffed as he turned his head away and let go. "PFFT– As if! If you want me as much as I do to you, then you oughta do it yourself."
Red clicked his tongue as he leaned in closer. "Come on, Gold," He held his junior on the shoulders almost too gently and whispered in his ear. "You're the one who confessed."
Gold shuddered in response as he stood up and stepped back slightly in surprise. Red followed and got even closer, almost as if he was teasing him into asking him out.
"Red.. Wi– will you be my... boyfriend-?"
"Sorry, didn't catch that."
"Oh, come on! Don't tease me like that!"
The other chuckled as he held his junior's face, stroking it gently. "Alright, fine. I'd love to be yours."
Gold's eyes widened at the response and lunged at Red to kiss him. Both fell harshly on the cold snow and laughed, but neither seemed to care as the heat coming out from their bodies made them feel like they weren't at that mountain at all. Gold grinned and hugged his mentor tightly.
Red grinned and patted Gold on the back. After a few seconds, he stood up and reached a hand out to his boyfriend so he could do the same. He led them to their cabin to rest for a while. After all, the hours' worth of training as well as the confession had them tired and flustered.
Gold still couldn't believe that he and his crush—not to mention idol —were finally together; it was almost as if he were living in some dream. Nonetheless, he was happy Red even accepted his confession. That's something no homosexual person in Johto or Kanto would be brave enough to do.
In the middle of zoning out, the Hatcher felt something warm hovering over his cheek. He regained focus to look at the mug of chocolate milk Red was offering. He smiled and accepted it, giving room on the bed for the other to sit next to him.
Both of them sat comfortably next to each other as they drank their hot beverages. The older man couldn't help but gaze at his boyfriend in awe of how cute he looked. Eventually, Gold noticed Red staring at him and raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"..What? Is there something on my face?"
"Nope. You're just cute, that's all."
Gold furrowed his eyebrows in feigned offense and scooted away slightly. "....Holy shit, that's corny."
Red laughed at Gold's reaction as he took the last sip from his mug and reached out to place it on the bedside table. The man then shifted to hug his boyfriend on the waist as he nuzzled his chest, leaving the other even more flustered.
Red chuckled and shifted once more to kiss his lover's neck. "I know, I know," He paused for a few seconds. "I just wanted to see your reaction."
The Hatcher rolled his eyes playfully and set his own mug down, holding the other's face to kiss him. Red fluttered his eyes closed as he grabbed onto Gold's waist and leaned even closer until their bodies fully touched. Eventually, they had to break apart to gasp for air and lay down together in their shared bed. The Fighter reached out to caress his lover's cheek as he admired him one more time before leaning his own forehead against the other. Gold closed his eyes as he let Red cuddle him.