I Love You - IgnitionShipping (Flint x Volkner / オデン / デンオ)

Oneshot

(Fluff, Slice of Life, SFW) Flint and Volkner discuss their future together as they approach their 30s.

This event takes place in the same continuity as my other IgnitionShipping piece "Here for You" – which can be found on my profile.

(BASED ON EPISODES CONTAINING FLINT & VOLKNER'S APPEARANCES IN THE DIAMOND & PEARL ANIME – story may be inconsistent with official game universe & Manga universe. Watching the episodes in Japanese is recommended for clarity. Follows headcanons stated in my headcanon dump which can be found on my profile)

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HIGHLY RECOMMENDED LISTENING WHILE READING - [RIGHT CLICK --> LOOP] FOR PROFIT:

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28. He was really 28 now. And the one he loved the most in the world was 30. They were mature, they were a lot more open with their feelings and thoughts and they had basically mastered communication with each other.

Better yet, they had basically done everything a couple does together. Kisses. Dates. Travel. Making love. Living together. Just about the only thing left was marriage. Marriage. Marriage is a strange thing to Volkner. Despite their lack of marriage, no one really approached them romantically anymore. They were the only ones who didn't call each other "boyfriend" yet. But everyone else did.

Volkner was always an action-first-speak-later kind of person. One thing led to the other with him and his beloved Flint, but they never really spoke about what they are. They have always been so preoccupied with their work as Pokémon Trainers and they've had so much work to handle and go through, they have never had the thought to just relax and talk to each other for a second. Always living life on the edge.

Well, today, Volkner wanted at least some of that to change.

---

Flint came home a bit early today. Volkner had prepared dinner, which he rarely does. He looked up a nice recipe to cook for Flint. Fish curry with stir fry vegetables and beetroot rice. Volkner could tell it will be delicious and was looking forward to sharing dinner with Flint. As dinner was served, they sat at their usual table as their Pokémon munched away on their Pokéfood all across the dining and living space.

"So, what's the occasion Volks? You never cook." Flint chews a spoon of the warm and fluffy beetroot rice, filling his senses with warmth and flavor. "And this is delicious! Great job." Flint adds. Volkner smiles as he swallows a spoonful of rice. "Thanks. I took a while with the recipe. But it turned out really well, I'm proud..." Volkner replied. "...And the occasion," he continued, "I want to talk about our future."

"...FUTURE?" Flint asked in shock. "You're thirty, Flint." Volkner replied, deadpan. "I know! And I'm still as young as twenty! Aren't I?" Flint says in a cheesy manner as he gestures to his own body. Volkner giggles, acknowledging that Flint really is fit and healthy. But that won't stop the passage of time, nor will it change their strange relationship status of '30 and living together and sleep in the same bed but still don't call each other boyfriend'. "Yes, yes, we're both still healthy and strong. That's not my point and you know that." "...Yeah, yeah. I definitely know what your point is. I've just gotten...so used to whatever the hell we got goin' on that talking about the future just feels awkward. But...go on."

Volkner is usually very straight to the point.

"Be my boyfriend." He asks without any hesitation.

Flint looks at Volkner with large eyes. Despite their closeness, hearing those words still made Flint's heart flutter and face flush red. As if it was their first kiss in the rain again. The love they share feels both like day one and day one million, all at once.

"Can I...finish eating?" Flint replies. "Let's talk after dinner."

"...Hahahahaha!" Volkner laughs heartily, dropping his spoon onto his plate and holding his own stomach. "What!?" Flint replies. Volkner collects himself and replies. "It's just that- look, take all the time you need. But it's silly. At this point, it really shouldn't be so hard for us to process the concept of 'boyfriend', and yet, here we are." "I guess so. And that's fine. Don't laugh at me." Flint replies, half-joking. "Fine, I won't. Eat up, you middle aged man." Volkner replies, much to Flint's playful annoyance.

---

Their Pokémon all fall to sleep as the pair go into the balcony attached to their bedroom. The moon is shining particularly bright today, and the skies of Sunyshore are clear as usual. The stars shine down on them as the salty sea breeze dances across their home. They sit beside each other on the wooden floor, resting their backs against the wall of the balcony entrance. Volkner cuddles up towards Flint and lays his head on Flint's shoulder. They both relax and quietly take in the beauty of the nighttime.

Flint breaks the silence. "So, uhm, go on." "I already told you. Be my boyfriend." "Mhm. I mean, yes, well, duh. We are boyfriends whether we like calling ourselves that or not. I will be and have been your boyfriend. But, ya know, you mentioned the future?" "...Oh, that. Yeah. Well..." Volkner raises his left hand which is gripping Flint's right. He brings their hands up which covers their vision of the moon. "Us. You know. It's been a while together. There's been lots of things we haven't said to each other yet. I want that to change. I want to speak today. Honestly. Let's get it all out." Flint is happy with Volkner's words as Volkner lowers their hands back onto Flint's legs. "Alright...you start." Flint prompts Volkner.

"Okay. Firstly, I want us to be more permanent. More sure. This vague relationship we have was fun when we were young but...it's getting old. We're getting old. And yet nothing's set in stone. Nothing's been decided yet. Where do we go from here? What happens when we retire? What if one of us needs to move? What if one of us wants to settle down? You know, I'm already thinking of who's going to inherit my gym. I know it's early, but the thought crosses my mind a lot because of how often I get bored of the gym. What happens to us from here on out will affect all that greatly, you know?" Volkner explains his thoughts calmly as he strokes Flint's fingers.

"I hear ya...And I think I know an easy way to answer all of that. Turn to me." Flint asks, as he himself shifts his torso to gaze at Volkner, who does as asked as well.

"Volkner, I have something to say." Flint's serious side never fails to catch Volkner off-guard. Volkner can see the passion in Flint's eyes that shine under the moonlight. Volkner feels his heart rushing faster. "...Yeah?" Volkner asks.

"I love you."

Volkner nearly flinches. Somehow, despite laughing at Flint for his reaction to the word 'boyfriend' earlier, Volkner can barely handle hearing those intimate words. He takes in a deep breath.

"I love you, too." He feels confident in his reply.

Flint takes his hand and brushes away Volkner's hair from the side of his face as he leans in for a kiss. And again, they experience the incredible sensation of feeling as though it's their first kiss. Regardless of their older age and all the experiences they have had together, every minute of contact and love feels brand new.

Volkner pulls away. "So. This means...that we are official, right? We're a...couple?" "Sure. If that's what you want us to be, we will." Flint smiles lovingly and pulls Volkner in for a tight hug, Volkner smiles into Flint's chest, hearing his heartbeat and feeling his tender warmth.

Volkner speaks into Flint's chest, a little muffled. "...Say it again." He asks.

"I love you."

"...I love you too. I love you. Say it back."

Flint giggles. "I love you too."

Volkner pushes himself closer against Flint, holding him tight. They spend the night discussing all their hopes and dreams for the future. Flint looks forward to the little things, like being able to change Volkner's name in his contacts from 'Volky' to 'Volky (Boyfriend)' and Volkner looks forward to the bigger picture, never losing his Flint and being able to see him in every part of his future, hand in hand, walking forward together.