Since We're Alone
Here's some good old Mintteashipping fluff inspired by this prompt list because the hair prompts reminded me of Drayton's toothpaste hair. This was supposed to be a blurb, but it ended up being over 2,000 words whoops lol
This will also be posted on my ao3!
The fic is under the cut! This is very, very fluffy, you have been warned!
The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over the cozy apartment in Opelucid City. Carmine stirred from her slumber, her eyes fluttering open as she took in the sight before her. Drayton lay beside her, his features softened by sleep, his usually slicked-up hair now a tousled mess of white with a vibrant purple streak.
Drayton looked so different when he was asleep, devoid of the usual lazy smirk that defined his waking hours. Carmine felt a warmth spread through her chest as she gazed at him, appreciating the soft vulnerability he rarely showed.
They had come a long way since their days at Blueberry Academy, where their relationship had blossomed. Carmine couldn't help but reminisce about those times—how Drayton had teased her endlessly, how they had argued and laughed together. She suspected she had motivated him to push through his second year after he had repeated it so many times, even though he'd never admit it.
Carmine couldn't help but chuckle at her younger self's antics. She had always been so invested in other people's relationships, playing the role of confidante and matchmaker with fervor. Yet amidst her meddling in others' love lives, she had unwittingly neglected her own.
Back then, she would never have imagined that she would end up with someone like Drayton– Drayton, with his easy smile and laid-back attitude that had initially grated on her nerves. It had taken her by surprise when she had realized that beneath his nonchalant exterior was a person who truly understood her, who accepted her quirks and challenged her in all the right ways.
But life had a funny way of surprising her. Carmine had slowly come to realize that there was more to Drayton than met the eye.He had a depth of character and kindness that had captured her heart in ways she never expected.
After graduation, Carmine had made the permanent move from Kitakami to Unova, leaving behind her grandparents and the familiar comforts of home. She missed them dearly but knew they were doing just fine on their own. She made it a point to visit occasionally, making the long journey back to Kitakami to see her family and childhood friends.
Living in Unova with Drayton opened up new opportunities for Carmine. She pursued her interests, worked alongside Ms.Briar, explored new places, and built a life alongside the person she loved. Despite the distance from her hometown, she found solace in the fact that she could still see her younger brother, Kieran, who was now attending Blueberry University nearby. It was comforting to have him close by, a reminder of the family ties that anchored her to her roots.
As Carmine watched Drayton stir awake, she couldn't help but reach out and playfully tuck a loose strand of his hair behind his ear. He blinked up at her, a lazy smile gracing his lips. "Morning, Carmie," he mumbled, his voice still thick with sleep.
Drayton, with his tousled hair and sleepy smile, had grown into his role as Opelucid's gym leader, following in the footsteps of his grandfather. It was a responsibility he took seriously, but Carmine knew he still carried a piece of his carefree spirit from their academy days.
Carmine smiled down at him, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of his disheveled yet endearing appearance. Before she could say anything, Drayton suddenly reached out and pulled her into a tight cuddle, his arms wrapping around her with surprising strength.
Startled, Carmine blushed, feeling a rush of defensive embarrassment. "Hey, what are you doing?" she protested, trying to wriggle free from Drayton's embrace.
Drayton chuckled softly, his hold on her gentle yet firm. "Were you watching me sleep, Carmie?" he teased, raising an eyebrow playfully.
Carmine's cheeks grew warmer, a mixture of embarrassment and indignation flooding her. "N-No! I just... I woke up before you did," she stammered, avoiding his gaze.
Drayton's laughter filled the room, warm and infectious. "Sure, sure," he teased, pressing a kiss to Carmine's cheek.
Despite her initial protest, Carmine couldn't deny the flutter of warmth that spread through her at Drayton's affectionate gesture. She relaxed into his embrace, feeling the tension melt away as she nestled against him.
As they lay intertwined, Carmine finally gathered the willpower to break free from Drayton's hold. "Alright, I need to get up and get ready," she announced, trying to sound determined.
Drayton, however, tightened his grip playfully. "Nah, too lazy," he murmured with a mischievous grin, pulling her back into his arms.
Carmine let out an exasperated laugh, but she couldn't suppress the fondness in her voice. "Come on, Drayton," she protested, half-heartedly attempting to free herself again. "I have things to do today."
Drayton feigned a dramatic sigh. "Can't you just stay here with me a little longer?" he teased, pressing a soft kiss to the top of Carmine's head.
Carmine's heart fluttered at the tenderness in his actions. Despite her desire to stick to her morning routine, she found herself giving in to the warmth of their shared moment. "Fine," she relented with a playful smile, snuggling back into Drayton's embrace.
As she settled back into the comfort of Drayton's arms, Carmine realized that, in truth, she didn't have anywhere urgent to be. It was the weekend, so the responsibilities of the day could wait a little longer—this moment with Drayton was what she truly craved.
They remained intertwined for a few more precious minutes, basking in the quiet intimacy of the morning. Carmine felt a sense of contentment wash over her, grateful for these stolen moments with Drayton.
But eventually, the inevitable call of the day beckoned. With a gentle nudge, Carmine extricated herself from Drayton's embrace once more. "Okay, for real this time," she declared, a hint of determination in her voice.
Drayton pouted playfully, but then his expression turned mischievous. "One more kiss before you go?" he requested, leaning in closer.
Carmine chuckled but then wrinkled her nose in mock disgust. "Uh-uh, not until you brush your teeth," she teased, pushing herself up from the bed.
Drayton laughed, rolling his eyes in mock exasperation. "Fine, fine, I'll go with you," he relented, swinging his legs off the bed and following Carmine toward the bathroom.
"You're really not going to let me kiss you until I've brushed my teeth, huh?" Drayton remarked. a hint of laughter in his voice.
Carmine raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "Absolutely not," she replied with mock seriousness. "I have standards, you know."
Drayton chuckled, his eyes softening with affection as he squeezed Carmine's shoulder gently. "Fair enough," he conceded, uncapping his toothpaste and starting to brush his teeth.
As they stood side by side, the simple act of brushing their teeth together felt strangely intimate—a glimpse into the everyday routines that defined their life together. Carmine couldn't help but steal glances at Drayton in the mirror, admiring the way the morning light caught the purple streak in his hair, the crinkles around his eyes when he smiled.
Once they had finished, they rinsed their mouths and exchanged playful smiles. "There, now I can have my kiss," Drayton announced, leaning in closer to Carmine.
Carmine laughed, her heart fluttering with warmth as she met Drayton's gaze. "Much better," she teased, leaning in to meet his kiss.
Pulling away, Drayton couldn't help but playfully run his fingers through his tousled hair, trying to tame the unruly strands. "I really need to do something about this mess," he mused, his voice tinged with amusement.
Carmine chuckled, watching Drayton's antics in the mirror. "Maybe you should consider a new hairstyle," she suggested with a playful grin. "Something that doesn't scream toothpaste head."
Drayton's eyes sparkled as he let out a scoff. "Hey, I happen to like my toothpaste head," he retorted.
Carmine couldn't suppress her laughter at Drayton's playful response. "Of course you do," she teased, shaking her head affectionately.
But as she watched him in the mirror, attempting to smooth down his hair once more, a thought crossed her mind. "Here, let me help," she offered, reaching for the bottle of gel.
Drayton raised an eyebrow, a curious smile playing on his lips as he handed her the gel. "Are you sure you can handle it?" he teased, leaning closer to her.
Carmine rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the grin that spread across her face. "Oh, please," she replied, feigning indignation. "I've seen you struggle with this enough times to know exactly what to do."
With a determined expression, Carmine squirted a small amount of gel into her palm, rubbing her hands together before reaching for Drayton's hair. She worked the gel through his strands with practiced ease, her fingers deftly styling his hair into its usual slicked-back look.
Drayton leaned into her touch, his eyes fluttering closed as he savored the sensation. "You have magic hands, Carmie," he remarked, his voice soft with appreciation.
Carmine felt her cheeks flush at the compliment, a warmth spreading through her chest. "Just trying to make sure you don't scare anyone with your bedhead," she teased, though her words were laced with affection.
Once she was satisfied with Drayton's hair, he turned to face her with a grin. "Alright, your turn," he declared, grabbing a hairbrush from the counter.
Carmine raised an eyebrow in surprise. "My turn?" she echoed, feeling a flutter of excitement.
Drayton nodded, his eyes warm and gentle. "Let me brush your hair," he suggested, motioning for Carmine to sit on the edge of the bathtub.
Carmine complied, sitting down as Drayton stood behind her. She closed her eyes, savoring the sensation of his fingers running through her long hair, carefully detangling the strands with practiced ease.
As Drayton brushed her hair, Carmine felt a profound sense of intimacy wash over her. It was a simple act, yet it spoke volumes about their connection—the trust, the familiarity, the unspoken bond that had only grown stronger with time.
"You have such beautiful hair," Drayton remarked softly, his voice a gentle murmur.
Carmine smiled, her heart swelling with affection. "Thank you," she replied sincerely, turning to look at Drayton over her shoulder.
Their eyes met, and in that moment, words seemed unnecessary. Carmine knew that they were both thinking the same thing—that they were exactly where they were meant to be, sharing these intimate moments that made their love story uniquely theirs.
With a final stroke of the brush, Drayton finished styling Carmine's hair. "There," he said, stepping back to admire his handiwork.
Carmine turned to face him, her eyes sparkling with gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered, reaching out to cup his cheek in her hand.
Drayton's smile was soft and genuine. "Anytime, Carmine," he replied, leaning in to press a tender kiss to her forehead.
As Drayton pressed a tender kiss to Carmine's forehead, she couldn't help but feel a rush of warmth spread through her. She stood up from the tub and leaned into his touch, relishing the affectionate gesture.
Drayton's arms enveloped her in a gentle embrace, pulling her closer until she was nestled against him, their hearts beating in sync.
For a moment, they stayed like that, lost in the quiet intimacy of the embrace. Carmine felt a sense of peace wash over her, grateful for the love and comfort that Drayton provided without hesitation.
When they finally pulled away, Carmine met Drayton's gaze with a soft smile. "I love you," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Drayton's eyes softened with emotion, his own smile mirroring hers. "I love you too," he replied, his words filled with sincerity.
Carmine nestled against him once again, her face buried in the warmth of Drayton's neck. His familiar scent enveloped her, calming her racing thoughts. In that simple, intimate moment, Carmine felt an overwhelming sense of peace and contentment.
But eventually, the rumble of Drayton's stomach broke the spell, reminding them of the pressing need for breakfast. Drayton's chuckle rumbled through his chest, a soothing sound that reverberated against Carmine's cheek. "I'm starving," he admitted playfully, his voice tinged with amusement.
Carmine lifted her head from his neck, her eyes twinkling with mirth. "Typical," she teased, a grin tugging at the corners of her lips.
Drayton flashed her a sheepish smile, his eyes crinkling with laughter. "Well, then, how about we get breakfast?" he suggested, taking her hand in his.
Carmine's heart swelled with affection as she intertwined her fingers with his. "Sounds perfect."
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