Nice and Spice

Finally

A soft fog rolled in with a warm sunrise gently diving beneath a calm horizon. Y/N giggled wildly, the whole group having just gotten off a ride.

"That was great!" Hop cheered, the male clapping happily with his stride. It was an exhilarating roller coaster full of fast, sharp turns. The large group consisted of Hop, Marnie, Piers, Victor, and Y/N; Gloria having said she was busy.

It was a mostly happy event, Y/N feeling distracted from her intrusive thoughts and concerns. Marnie gave the young woman a swift pat on the back, "so, how was my idea?"

The girl chuckled nervously, "better than I thought." Y/N was just happy to feel better than moping.

The group walked calmly, taking their slow leave from the fairground. A harsh chill breeze tumbled through the youths, Y/N burying her face in the neckline of her jacket. Hop started to make small talk about the weather, the others joining in until they all eventually had to split off to head home.

It was under a convenient street light, all walking off in different directions into the indigo darkness. Y/N stared at the cobbled ground for a bit. It was a nice distraction, but that's all it was: a distraction. As the cold night started to settle in, her mind started to wander.

That man. That boy. Cotton white hair, a coat a shade of blazing pink. Imagery so strong it latched in her mind like hot glue. She was infatuated, for sure.

But would she ever measure up? Surely, he had to have high standards. Him, liking her? She kicked a loose stone, watching it scratch over the gravel. A soft sigh left her lips, the girl looking up, staring into the foreboding night. As a chill wind whistled, she started to hum and walk toward the direction of home.

Faintly, she heard another set of footsteps. She had zoned out, paying no mind up until her name was uttered from the source of the noise. Almost eagerly, she lifted her head, glancing around.

It was. . him. Her source of love and pain. Clad in his practically trademarked jacket—large, magenta, and perfect for the wintry breeze. He looked relieved in a way, his gaze softening over her form. It was a comfortable few moments of silence, the Fairy Gym Leader choking out some words first.

"H-hey, Y/N. What're you doing out this late?"

"Couldn't I ask you the same thing?" She joked halfheartedly, Bede letting loose a small laugh.

The platinum blonde fumbled internally. He wasn't good at small talk—matter of fact, he wasn't good at much talk at all except for boasting in times of fragility. "I uh, wanted to ask if you wanted to," he thought carefully, "battle maybe? After all, we never got to."

The short girl stared for a moment, drawn in by those amethyst orbs of his, glittering in the faint glow of the street light. She didn't initially ponder the idea he went all the way out here to find her. Merely thought he sought the thrill of a good battle. She pulled a Pokéball out of her bag. Y/N wasn't one to decline any activity with the boy.

She mustered some vague feeling of pride and enthusiasm, not wanting him to know of her lukewarm emotions. "I'm up for a challenge."

The pink-clad male smiled, not expecting her to rise so eagerly to the question but welcomed it warmly. "I pity your Pokémon," he sighed, that air of arrogance fueling him again, "they won't last long against me."

Y/N missed this from her days in the Gym Challenge. Running into Bede, hearing him swear up and down his utter gloriousness in every way before losing and fumbling angrily. Such cute simple times. Though things were different now, Bede was still the good ol' Bede she had come to admire.

"I think you'll be eating those words, call it divine intervention."

The male before her scoffed as he sent out his Hatterene. His uncaring and proud toss. It almost seemed like he moved how he did back in the Gym Challenge for nostalgia's sake. "Divine intervention? For what reason?"