Metallic Bonding (Steven Stone x Reader)

Chapter 3

Remember how I said Wallace probably doesn't actually have anything against you? It turns out I was totally wrong.

You accompanied Steven to this official League gathering thing, and Wallace happened to be there. He chatted pleasantly with Steven for probably forty-five minutes without even acknowledging you.

Which like, fine, whatever, be petty, it's fine.

But again with his classic SIDE EYE. The tiny little glance he gave you literally said so much, like Steven was a diamond and you were just a little pebble sitting beside him.

Crap, Steven's rock analogies are rubbing off on you.

But either way, it was so annoying it nearly had you fuming.

But wait, there's more.

A couple days later, you were on a date with Steven at the restaurant in Mauville City. And guess who also happened to be there. And guess who also happened to sit on the other side of the restaurant, shooting you glares over his champagne glass.

Wallace.

You pretended not to notice, for Steven's sake and to be petty to Wallace, but you accidentally made eye contact with him a couple times, so he knew you knew he was there.

Later that night, Wallace passed you and Steven as you were walking down the street, and gave your foot a light kick, causing you to stumble and nearly trip.

Steven had pulled you back so you wouldn't fall. "Wallace!"

"I didn't do anything," Wallace replied smoothly, never slowing his pace as he kept walking.

"It's fine," you had said, holding back a scowl.

So, as you can see, this whole Wallace situation is becoming sort of a hassle. But, y'know, it's fine. He did a couple petty things, so he's probably done now. There is no way this could get worse.

Turns out I'm a pretty sucky narrator, because it does in fact get worse.

You and Steven are hanging out at the Lilycove department store, since it's the best place for shopping in the region. It's got several floors with all sorts of different things on each one, like Ikea but without the stress of getting lost and being consumed by the void.

Steven plays around with a plush Cradily, and upon deciding he's going to buy it, starts gently placing it on your head or sticking its face in your peripheral vision to startle you.

Then, you guys go to look at bedroom furniture, since Metagross needs a new pillow.

Steven puts a hand to his chin in thought. "Hm... A thicker exterior would be less prone to ripping...but Metagross wouldn't find it as soft..."

See, Metagross loves cuddles, but since it's so big and heavy and sharp, it's a little hard to provide that. Steven started buying pillows for it, which it loves, but...sharp. The pillows rip all the time.

You hold up a canvas pillowcase. "This one might be soft but also harder to rip."

He rubs the fabric between his fingers. "Maybe... You know how picky Metagross can be, though."

"Uh-huh." You remember all the times you'd served Metagross a brand of Pokémon food it didn't like, and it just stared at you sadly for an hour until you gave it something different.

Steven shrugs and chooses the same pillow he always gets.

As soon as he finishes signing the paperwork to get it shipped to his house, the two of you hear a very familiar voice.