#thanks to impulse's stream for the egg update | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

misskikuwrites · 4 years

Text

Pretty in Pink (3/3)

Bede/Gloria (dressedinpinkshipping)

Two full weeks passed without Gloria dropping in randomly. No abrupt visits to Bede's Gym, no unexpected phone calls. Ballonlea felt strangely calm for once. Too quiet.

Bede had fallen back into his routine. He prepared for the next challenger in the waiting room, making sure his pokemon were healed and ready to go again. He pulled out his phone and bit back a sigh. Gloria had been weirdly silent for the past week. Up until now, she had been updating him on their Pokemon, on any interesting raids she'd faced. But now, there were no messages, no forwarded pictures of his Rapidash and her Ditto together. No random pictures of the Bede-doll in various situations.

He absently noticed the Gym Trainer approaching him from the corner of his eye and he shoved his phone away.

"Checking your phone before a battle?" the Gym Trainer chided in a familiar voice. "Who knew Gym Leaders had it this easy."

Bede frowned and turned to face them, about to bark that it didn't concern them, when the words lodged in his throat. His mouth dropped open. Heart skidded to a halt.

"Gloria?!"

She laughed at his surprise. "Got you! Oh, it was totally worth digging this uniform up to see that!"

The blood that had drained from his face in shock began to pool on his cheeks. Gloria wore a replica of the Fairy Gym uniform the Trainers wore. She had the whole set - stockings, gloves and shoes included. She grinned at him cheekily, hands clasped behind her back. Bede scowled.

"I thought you were busy," he snapped, his chest beginning to flutter distractingly.

"I was… but then I got this!" She revealed what she'd hidden behind her back, holding an egg-incubator with a large white egg, speckled with pink and green, fitted securely inside.

Bede's eyes widened. "Is that…?"

"Yup!" She smiled brightly, almost giddy. "We're going to be Grandparents!"

Bede froze. His breath caught in his throat. "What?!"

"Well, since it's your Rapidash and my Ditto-"

"That's not how it works!"

Gloria pouted. "Fine, then you don't get any visitation rights!"

Bede huffed. "You… are an absolute nutcase, you realise that, right?"

"I was joking!" She rolled her eyes despite the smile lingering on her face. "But, seriously, this wouldn't have happened without you. I know I said this before, but I owe you, Bede."

She said his name so softly, so gratefully, that Bede couldn't meet her eyes. He looked away as casually as he could.

"I know," was all he managed to say in reply.

"If it isn't Gloria dear." Ms Opal walked into the waiting room, a pleasant smile on her face. "It's a lovely surprise to see you here, isn't it, Bede?" She directed her smile at Bede and he stiffened.

"Y-Yes, it is," Bede replied, looking elsewhere.

"Good morning, Ms Opal!" Gloria chimed.

Ms Opal studied the egg in Gloria's arms. "And what do we have here? I haven't seen a pokemon egg in years."

"It's a Ponyta," Gloria explained. "I just got it this morning! Bede was kind enough to lend me his Rapidash so I could breed it."

"Well, that was mighty generous of him." Ms Opal's smile widened.

Bede had to force himself not to stiffen further under her knowing gaze. She was reading him like an open book.

Gloria smiled happily at the egg. "I know. I'm so excited for it to hatch! Oh, and I've got your Rapidash!" She placed the incubator on the bench and pulled the Rapidash's Pokeball from her bag. "Here you go! Thanks for letting me borrow it."

Bede took the ball, making sure not to let their fingers brush at all as he was acutely aware of Ms Opal's eyes on him.

"You're welcome," Bede said quickly. He handed back her Mimikyu and she took the ball happily. Ms Opal watched the exchange with a glint in her eyes.

"Gloria dear, since you're here, would you like to join in and help with the Gym Challenge today? You've already got the uniform and we could always use an extra set of hands," Ms Opal said.

"What?" Bede blanched.

Gloria perked up. "Oh, can I? That sounds like fun!"

"Of course." Ms Opal turned to Bede. "I'm sure Bede wouldn't mind at all, am I correct?"

He knew not to argue. "Sure. Though you won't be able to use your own pokemon when battling the challengers."

"That's fine with me!"

Great. Bede wasn't sure what Ms Opal was playing at, inviting Gloria to help, but he decided to go with it. For now.

After all, it meant spending more time with Gloria which… wouldn't be bad at all. He just had to make sure to keep an eye on Ms Opal. He wasn't about to let her witness anything between him and Gloria. Not that he planned on anything happening.

Gloria left her egg, safe in its incubator, along with her bag and pokemon, with the reception desk, and readied herself for the challengers to arrive. She'd been given two pokemon, a Clefable and a Ribombee, and was the last of three Gym Trainers for the challengers to fight. She pulled her hair up into a messy bun in a lazy attempt to make herself look less like the recognisable Champion she was.

The Gym interior still had the homely feel of a theatre, with bright lights strung overhead. The passageway for the Gym mission has been updated, however, refurbished with new wallpaper and gorgeous wooden floorboards. Thick theatre curtains blocked off sections of the mission, opening only when the preceding trainer had been defeated.

Gloria grinned and got into position, awaiting a challenger who could defeat the two before her. Bede had taken his position behind the glass partition, a long separate hallway that ran parallel to the one Gloria was in, and she couldn't see him as he began to quiz the challenger.

Soon enough, the curtains before Gloria parted, and the challenger walked through. He eyed Gloria up and down, a bored glaze in his eyes.

"And here I thought this gym was full of old birds," he quipped, grinning at her. "You're a nice change of pace."

It was the way he said it, the way his eyes slid up and down Gloria's body, that made her tense. Made her feel like a scrap of food being eyed down by hungry, scavenging pokemon. She narrowed her eyes as Bede appeared behind the glass and took his seat. He swung a leg over his knee and leant back, a wary look in his eyes.

"Oh, sorry, I forgot that the Gym Leader's a guy," the challenger laughed. "Bit hard to tell with that dress he's wearing!"

"Are we going to battle or not?" Gloria snapped. She grabbed the Clefable's pokeball and gripped it tight.

"Feisty!" He grinned at her, and Gloria held back the impulse to gag. "You should be thankful; I'm about to you a real battle - from the one who's worthy of becoming the next Champion!"

Gloria hid her grin at his obliviousness to who he was battling and sent out her Ribombee. The challenger, who hadn't introduced himself, sent out a Toxtricity.

A Poison-Electric type. Good choice against the Fairy Gym, Gloria noted. At her command, her Ribombee set up a glimmering, invisible wall of light that shimmered in the space between the pokemon.

"Venoshock!" the challenger commanded. The Toxtricity shot forth a stream of purple, poisonous gunk. The Rimbombee whizzed around the hall with practiced grace, dodging the majority of the spray, a few wildly flying droplets splattering on its wings. Rimbombee cried out. Despite Light Screen weakening the blow, even just a glancing droplet of the poison was enough to hurt.

Gloria winced, her mind racing as she planned her next move, when Bede spoke.

"Question three; how many turns does it take for a Timer Ball to be more effective than an Ultra Ball?"

Gloria gaped. Since when were the questions this hard?

The challenge scoffed. "That's easy - ten turns. That's when they're the most effective."

"Incorrect. They become more effective than an Ultra Ball after four turns. Max effectiveness is ten turns. Perhaps you should listen to the question properly before you answer."

Gloria heard the smug lilt in Bede's voice. The challenger's pokemon was doused in a spray that lowered it's Special Attack and Special Defence. Gloria grinned as the challenger scoffed bitterly.

"Ribombee, use Psychic!" Gloria called, and the dextrous bug chimed eagerly, swooping down to launch it's attack. Despite the challenger's cry for his Toxtricity to dodge, it couldn't avoid the blast of energy that sent it tumbling across the room. The Toxtricity shuddered as it tried to stand.

"Discharge!" The challenger clicked his tongue, snapping the command. Still struggling to stand, Toxtricity send a blinding burst of electricity shooting through the air. Ribombee zipped around in the air in an attempt to dodge but couldn't get out of the way in time. Ribombee quivered in the air from the hit before dropping like a stone.

Gloria sucked in a tight breath and recalled the fainted pokemon. "You did well," she whispered to the pokeball before sending out the Clefable. "Use Attract!"

Toxtricity, who had finally gotten to its feet, stiffened under the effect of Clefable's move, and swooned.

The challenger cursed under his breath. "Venoshock, Toxtricity!"

His pokemon clambered over to Clefable, completely ignoring his command, and fawned over the Fairy-type. Gloria smirked.

"Use Zen Headbutt!" Gloria called, and Clefable mirrored her grin as it swung its head at the Toxtricity with a flash of light.

Toxtricity flew back, toppled over itself, and fainted. The challenger glared, then composed himself and huffed, sending out his next pokemon. His Corviknight took to the air with heavy beats of black wings, circling above the battle.

"Attract, again!" Gloria commanded.

The challenger scoffed. "Steel wing!"

Clefable's attract barely slowed the diving Corviknight, its wings taking on a bright, silver sheen. It cut through the air like a knife, striking Clefable head on. The Fairy pokemon braced too late. The impact knocked it flying, skidding across the field before coming to a stop and falling limp.

Gloria breathed a gentle sigh, recalling the fainted Clefable and praising it quietly. "Good job," she said, smiling softly at the pokeball before she tucked it away and went to congratulate the challenger on passing the Gym mission.

"Not bad," the challenger said, taking Gloria's hand in a tight handshake. "You're better than the rest of those old bags, at least."

Gloria's expression twitched as she tried to maintain a professional smile. Arceus, she wanted to smack that arrogant smirk off his face. A quick Pyro Ball to the face would do the job.

The challenger used their handshake to tug Gloria closer so that she fell into him. His arm snaked around her waist. Her body stiffened at the sudden contact, her mind skidding to a halt in shock, blood in her veins running cold.

"Why don't you join me after I'm finished wiping the floor with the Gym Leader? I'd be more than happy to show you the rest of my team," he said with a chuckle, the low insinuation in his voice making her stiffen. Gloria saw Bede stand with a jolt in the corner of her eyes.

Before Bede could say anything, Gloria grabbed the hand sitting on her waist and twisted it hard. The challenger yelped, and she smoothly extracted herself from his grip.

"Oh, I have a feeling you won't be winning the next match," Gloria said, smiling at the challenger. She leant in close, letting the venom in her smile sink in as she hissed, "and if you do, then I'll gladly show you the rest of my team. I'm sure they'd be glad to meet you after this."

She threw his wrist away and the challenger balked at her, rubbing the reddening skin as she stalked away. She heard him mutter a string of profuse curses at her but continued on his way to the stadium. When he was out of sight, Gloria's shoulders slumped in a heavy sigh. She rubbed her back where the creep had touched her.

"Gloria - are you okay?" Bede stormed up to her, meeting her eyes, studying her gaze, with concern. The worry in his voice was so unlike him, foreign and yet what she needed to hear in that moment.

"I'm fine." Gloria huffed, a lingering feeling of disgust rising in her throat. She swallowed bile. "Bea taught me a bit of self defence; if he'd actually tried anything I would have walloped him good."

"I'll disqualify him. A pathetic creep like that has no right to challenge my gym-"

Gloria caught Bede's arm before he could turn away, and a menacing smile pulled up her lips. Her eyes narrowed sharply, keenly, and the wicked grin she gave him made his breath hitch.

"I have a better idea," she said. Her whisper was full of vitriol, of dangerous, righteous fury. Bede suddenly remembered that this was the woman who had defeated the Legendary pokemon that threatened Galar. "I want you to thrash him on the pitch. No mercy. Show him what happens to challengers who make a mockery of the Fairy Gym."

A strange jolt of heat tingled down Bede's spine at her voice. It sparked something deep inside him, and he returned her smile with pride. "No mercy," he repeated with a confident nod. A challenge blazed inside him.

"I look forward to it." She whirled on her feet, giving him one final, coy smile, and left to take her place at the stands.

The challenger maintained his smug grin as Bede met him on the pitch. The Fairy Gym leader gave nothing away on his face, his posture, and greeted the challenger like normal. Deep in his violet eyes, a steady, determined flame burned bright.

No mercy.

The match begginned, the challenger sending out his Toxtricity with that cocky grin of his. Bede set his plan into motion.

"Go, Hatterene!"

The challenger blinked but the smirk returned. He looked down his nose at Bede and scoffed.

"Venoshock!" the challenger called.

Before the move could land, Bede drew his Hatterene back into the pokeball to the surprise of the challenger, the crowd, and the Toxtricity who froze in confusion. Bede held the pokeball out in his hand, his dynamax band glaring to light in a swirl of energy that enveloped the Hatterene's pokeball. He tossed the enlarged ball behind him, gigantimaxing his Hatterene in the first turn.

The challenger paled. Toxtricity shrunk in the shadow of the towering pokemon.

"Max Mindstorm!" Bede called. Hatterene drew a surge of psychic power and levelled it straight at the Toxtricity. There was no room to dodge. Nothing to do but brace as the beams of energy showered down over the pokemon.

Toxtricity shuddered under the onslaught, before collapsing. The challenger recalled it with a sharp tsk, sending out his Corviknight.

Bede smirked.

No mercy.

"Steel wing!" the challenger ordered. His obsidian bird streaked through the air. Wings flashed in a coating of steel and the Corviknight dove through the air at the gigantimaxed Hatterene. Bede's pokemon didn't flinch. The usually sizeable bird was like an annoying fly to his Hatterene.

"Max Flare."

A surge of heat filled the arena. The challenger cried out, his Corviknight squawking and trying to dive beneath the torrent of fire, but it disappeared into the roaring flames. The stream of fire dispersed, licking into the air as cinders, and revealed the fainted Corviknight on the ground.

Two turns down. One more until his Hatterene reverted to normal, one more to defeat the challenger's final pokemon.

A team of three meant his pokemon had more experience in battles than most challengers usually had, but also left him vulnerable. The challenger hissed something beneath his breath and sent out his final pokemon, his Rillaboom.

The challenger didn't look so cocky now. He dynamaxed his Rillaboom instantly, his pokemon finally matching Bede's in size.

"Max Overgrowth!" the challenge barked.

Bede countered it with another brutal Max Flare. The blaze swallowed the Rillaboom's attack before it reached Hatterene. The blast of heat threw the Rillaboom off balance, skidding back across the pitch before the sweltering flames devoured it. The flames died with a flash of light, the challenger's final pokemon fainting and reverting to normal size.

The match was over.

No mercy indeed.

The crowd roared to life in an explosion of cheers, screams and clapping. Bede looked to the stands, to where Gloria sat with a satisfied grin, and smirked. His job was done.

The challenger fumed as Bede approached.

"That's against the rules!" the challenger snapped.

Bede raised an eyebrow, displeasure sneaking into his voice as he replied. "There are no rules regarding the dynamaxing of a pokemon on the first turn. It is, however, widely accepted to wait until your final pokemon before dynamaxing. That, however, is not a rule. Only a common occurrence."

"This… this is a farce!" the challenger barked. "You just didn't want me to win because you know I'd become the next Champion!"

Bede narrowed his gaze at the brat who was no less than two years younger than him. Arceus, he hoped he hadn't sounded like that.

"You are right about one thing; I didn't want you to win. However, you're way off base when it comes to my reasoning. If you can't recognise that then there's no hope for you to ever become close to defeating the Champion."

With that, Bede marched off the pitch without another word.

Gloria was sitting in the waiting room when Bede returned, hugging her egg incubator tight. The fire in her eyes had petered out. She seemed small. Shoulders drawn close.

"That was easy," Bede said, averting his eyes from her lest he make her shrink further from the attention.

Gloria managed a smile, but it faded quickly. "Thanks, Bede."

His heart flopped. Her eyes carried a far-off look, clouding over as she stared at nothing. Her confidence, the sinister venom she'd exuded earlier had vanished. An empty shell remained where she sat.

This wasn't what he was expecting to find. Not after he'd done what she'd asked, after he'd given that brat what he'd deserved. The words Bede had planned to say were lost in his throat. A sharp needle drove deep into his heart at the shadow in her eyes.

"Gloria-"

"Ah, there you are!" Ms Opal said, trotting into the room with a gentle smile on her face. "Gloria dear, do you have a moment? I have an errand I need to run in Hammerlocke. Would you care to join me?"

Gloria looked up at Ms Opal, taking in the soft smile on the older woman's face before nodding.

"Sure," she said. The usual energy in her voice was nowhere to be found. She stood, gave Bede a quick, forced smile, and followed Ms Opal out.

Bede wondered what he'd done wrong.

Gloria trudged beside Ms Opal, her mind reeling and swirling and sinking heavily in her head. The match hadn't been fair. She shouldn't have snapped like that. Shouldn't have hurt the creep, even if he did grab her like that.

She was supposed to be representing the Fairy Gym. Bede's Gym. Not letting her emotions get the better of her and making a scene. Not dragging Bede into her mess.

Ms Opal slowed, and Gloria glanced at the storefront they'd stopped at. A cafe. She looked at it quizzically before Ms Opal opened the door.

"Are you going to come in, my dear?"

Gloria blinked a few times in quick succession and nodded. She followed after Ms Opal as they joined the queue.

"What errand are you running here?" Gloria asked. The cafe was quaint, a faint trickle of orchestral music in the background beneath the gentle lull of conversations. Indoor plants hung on the walls, flowers spilling out of the pots like green waterfalls.

Ms Opal smiled gently. "Morning tea."

Gloria's mind blanked. She stepped up in the queue next to Ms Opal, confusion widening her eyes.

"What would you like? It's on me."

"Oh, um…" Gloria glanced at the menu above the counter. "I'll… just have a hot drink. I've never had rooibos tea before but I've heard it's nice."

Ms Opal nodded. "Good choice." She greeted the waiter who recognised her and ordered a pot of rooibos tea for two, as well as a scone with jam and cream. She chose a table by the window, and they sat in the warm sunlight as they waited for their tea.

Gloria placed the egg incubator on the floor by her feet, cupping her hands in her lap. Her stomach churned, unsettled and queasy.

"I heard what happened with that boy," Ms Opal said. Gloria shot her eyes up in a flash of panic, but Ms Opal's smile remained gentle. A kind light glimmered in her eyes. "The other Trainers overhead and informed me."

"I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have acted the way I did and dragged Bede into it as well-"

"Now, now. Slow down a bit. I'm not upset with you."

Gloria paused. The panicked skittering of her heart began to slow. "You're not…?"

"Of course not, dear. You reacted to an unfortunate situation, while still remaining professional, and Bede's match didn't break any rules. There's nothing for me to scold you about."

Gloria sank in her chair slightly. "I still… feel bad about it though. I shouldn't have gotten Bede involved."

Ms Opal chuckled lightly. "I'm sure he would have involved himself regardless of whether you asked him too or not."

Gloria pursed her lips slightly, a dusting of heat curling on her cheeks. "Um… Bede and I are not actually… we're not a couple."

"Oh, I'm well aware."

Gloria stared, mouth hanging agape for a few, silent seconds. "But… earlier you said…?"

Ms Opal smiled with a bright chuckle. "I was only teasing. I find that it does Bede some good to experience a bit of shock every now and again."

"Oh." Gloria nodded sheepishly. Their tea and scones arrived, giving a brief moment of respite as they poured their tea and Gloria breathed in the rich scent. Ms Opal sliced the scone in two and shifted the plate between them.

"Help yourself," Ms Opal offered. "You can't go wrong with fresh scones, fluffy cream and rich jam."

Gloria looked at the delectable scone, her stomach rumbling in response. "Thank you." Gloria spread a generous amount of jam on the scone, topping it with a thin layer of cream, and took a bite. "Mm…!" she hummed in delight. It was warm and fluffy, the jam sweet and slightly tart, and practically melted in her mouth. It was heavenly. Gloria downed the scone with little restraint, sipping satisfyingly at her tea to wash it down.

"So," Ms Opal began, taking a delicate bite of her scone, swallowing before she continued. "How do you feel about Bede?"

Gloria inhaled her tea. Hot liquid burned her throat and she coughed, covering her mouth and wincing as her chest heaved in protest. Tears pricked in her eyes as she choked.

Ms Opal handed Gloria a napkin, still smiling keenly at the young girl. With a few hasty gups of her tea, Gloria finally got over her coughing fit, wiping at her tears with the napkin.

"My apologies. I didn't mean to shock you that much," Ms Opal said. "I must admit that I am curious as to how you feel about Bede. You two seem to be quite close lately."

Gloria's cheeks warmed. "He's… he's a friend. A good friend. I like being with him. He's a bit rough at times, and still not honest with himself, but he's also very kind. He's been very good to me. And…" she looked up, seeing Ms Opal's interested eyes on her. "Well, I'm really happy with the way he's changed and grown. He's fighting for what he wants to do, he's living for himself. I'm so glad to see him step out from Rose's shadow."

Gloria flushed, not having meant to say so much. "I kind of… rambled on a bit there, sorry!"

Ms Opal smiled sweetly. "Are you in love with him?"

Gloria squawked. "What?! Me? With… with Bede?" Her heart jumped in her chest, sending a rush of heat through her body, making it hard to breathe. Her chest felt tight, throat rigid and stiff. She looked down at her tea. Her cheeks burned darkly.

"I… I don't know. I've never actually… been in love before," she admitted quietly. "I like Bede, I enjoy being with him, but… but being in love…? I'm not sure I know what that feels like."

"You've never had a crush before?"

Gloria traced her thumb around the rim of her cup slowly. Absently. "Not on anyone I've known in person. I've gotten starry-eyed at celebrities before but that's not the same thing. I didn't have friends other than Hop as a kid and he was like family to me, so…" She shrugged. "I don't know if what I feel for Bede is a crush or… or something more, or if he's just a friend. I've… never really thought about it before."

"It won't do you any harm to think about it," Ms Opal said gently. "It's alright to be a bit confused about your feelings. You're only young. If you give it time, I'm sure you'll figure it out."

Gloria nodded, her cheeks still aflame, staring at her tea as if it were the most captivating thing in the world.

"I'm sure Bede is well aware of what his feelings towards you are."

Gloria snapped her head up. "Wh-What? What does that mean…?"

Ms Opal had that knowing smile on her face. A cheeky glimmer in her wise eyes. "If you want to know, you should ask him yourself, my dear. Though, I can say for certain that he does see you as a friend. He wouldn't have offered you tea otherwise."

"Y-You knew about that?" Gloria flushed.

Ms Opal chuckled. "I happened to see the open Applin tea packet and the kettle on the stove when I interrupted you two the other day. Wasn't very difficult to put the two together."

"You… you weren't interrupting anything." Gloria sipped at her tea, finding her throat dry. The glint in Ms Opal's eyes suggested that she had indeed interrupted something that day.

"I'm glad he has you," Ms Opal said. "You're good for him."

Gloria didn't know how to take that. She nodded slowly, stiffly, wishing the embarrassed blush would fade from her cheeks.

"How are you feeling?" Ms Opal asked. "I find that a good tea does wonders for your nerves."

Gloria took a slow breath, then another. The heavy weight in her stomach was gone, replaced with a strange flutter. The tight, painful construction of her heart had eased, now feeling light and full. She felt warm, no longer chilled to the bone in regret.

"I feel better, thank you." A smile came upon her face. "I didn't realise how much it had affected me. I guess I took it harder than I thought."

"I'm glad to hear that." Ms Opal's bright smile calmed Gloria's heart. "A good dose of embarrassment can make you forget your troubles for a while."

Gloria raised her eyebrows. "You did that on purpose?"

"I had my reasons. That may have been one of them."

Gloria couldn't help but smile. The morning tea expedition with Ms Opal ended with a short grocery shop, stopping at her house before returning to the Gym. With a new shot of energy in Gloria's veins, she eagerly jumped back into helping with the Gym Challenge.

It wasn't long before she came across Bede in the waiting room again. Gloria cradled the egg, walking over to him as he entered the room after winning another match.

"Nice job," she congratulated him with a smile. He studied her face for a moment, his keen gaze not giving anything away in his eyes. "Sorry about earlier. I'm feeling much better now."

"That's good," he said, and turned his eyes from her. Despite his standoffish demeanor, the concern in his eyes faded and his expression relaxed. A sheepish dusting of pink settled on his cheeks when he turned away. "You looked like a zombie for a while there."

Gloria pouted with a scoff. "It's hard to look perky all the time when you're running on five hours of sleep!"

"What?" Bede frowned. He looked at her in disbelief. "What are you doing getting that little sleep? Are you trying to run yourself into the ground?"

"It's nothing, I've just had a few bad days of sleep, that's all." She waved his concerns off. "I had a busy week and ended up staying up late yesterday with a Dynamaxed pokemon that appeared in the wild area. I was going to sleep in this morning but then I got a call about the egg!" She grinned as if that excuse made perfect sense.

Bede sighed. "Go home and take a nap, then. We're fine here."

Gloria swayed on her feet as if debating Bede's offer. "Hmm… but I was having so much fun…"

Bede poked her forehead with his index finger. He pressed firmly, making her rock slightly on her heels, and narrowed his violet eyes at her. "Sleep now, fun later. You look like you're about to fall over."

She swatted his hand away. "Am not! But a nap does sound really good right now…"

"Then go. I'm sure we'll find a way to manage without you."

Gloria stuck her tongue out at Bede with a dramatic huff. He smirked at her childish response. It sent a strange spark crackling in her belly. She still wasn't used to getting this kind of response from Bede. She wasn't used to him actually reacting to her snarky comments or the dramatic expressions she'd pull. Instead of scoffs and rolled eyes, he played along, smirking or throwing a reply back her way. The air in her lungs felt too light as if she'd swallowed helium.

"Take the back door," Bede offered. "It can get pretty hectic in the lobby at this time."

"All right. Will do!" She gathered her bag, turning away as she did to hide the giddy smile on her face. She swung her bag over her shoulder and gave him a wave. "See you later!"

Bede nodded a goodbye, giving her a brief wave, only watching her go when her back was turned to him.

The fresh air of Ballonlea enveloped Gloria in a cool embrace as she stepped out the back door of the Gym. She took a deep breath, letting the cool air fill her lungs and revitalise her. The gentle cries of pokemon filled the air. It was calm, peaceful, and placid. Gloria left her worries behind her, hugging the egg tight to her hip as she fished out her phone from her pocket.

Someone stepped in front of her. She glanced up, then froze, staring at the rude challenger from before. His expression was hard with anger.

Gloria stiffened in cautious trepidation. Her heart hammered uneasily in her chest. "You again. What do you want?"

"What do I want?" the challenger echoed. "What do I want?! It's because of you that my eligibility for the cup is being challenged!"

"How is that my fault?"

"You teamed up with the Gym Leader and sent a complaint about me!"

"That wasn't me - and I specifically asked Bede not to."

The challenger stamped forward. "You're lying! If I lose my endorsement then you're going to pay! I've prepared my whole life for this, I'm not going to lose it all because of you!"

He lunged forward and grabbed Gloria by her arms.

"Hey!" she yelped and tried to tug herself free. His nails dug into her skin. She squirmed in his grip and he threw her to the side, making her tumble to the ground. The cracking of glass, the egg incubator tumbling from her arms onto the path, was all she saw. She didn't see the guy approach a second time. Didn't see Bede rush up behind him, his Hatterene close behind.

Bede yanked the challenger away from Gloria and slammed his fist into the brat's face before he could react. The challenger roared in pain, spitting curses. Fury blazed in Bede's veins. Venom and bile burning his throat. The challenger threw himself at Bede, swinging his fists wildly. One caught Bede's shoulder. He ducked from the second, blocking the blow with his arm.

League staff members poured from the Gym and swarmed the thrashing challenger before he could strike again. They pulled him off Bede, arms held tight behind his back.

"Knock it off!" the staff cried as the challenger spat and kicked and struggled. They dragged him away and Bede whirled to find Gloria, saw her on her knees, trembling hands reaching for the incubator.

The cracked incubator. Cracks bloomed across the glass like bolts of lightning splitting the protective case. It lay on its side in the dirt.

Bede recalled his Hatterene and rushed over to Gloria, knelt beside her so quickly his knees impacted the ground hard.

"Gloria, are you okay?"

Her eyes were frozen wide open, staring at the incubator in silent horror. There was nothing behind her eyes. No light, no life, nothing but a dark shadow of panic.

Bede's heart fractured. He clenched his jaw and dug deep into his heart for the clarity, the strength, to fight. He took Gloria's trembling hand. Her fingers were cold like ice, quivering with terror, and he held them tight. Let the warmth from his skin leech into hers. She flinched from his touch.

"Let's get it to the Pokemon Centre," Bede said. He swallowed his fear, the prickle of panic that threatened to take hold in his throat. "They'll know what to do."

He had to take the lead now. Had to help her fight. He stood, still holding her hand, and gave it a gentle tug. She obeyed his gentle command and he helped her stand before picking the incubator off the ground carefully. The fractured glass crackled as he handed it to Glora when she reached out for it.

"Come on," Bede said. He gently coaxed Gloria with a touch on the back of her arm. "This way."

She followed him in silence. Walked stiffly, quickly. Her gaze was hollow, a dark endless pit expanding beneath her eyes as she stared ahead at nothing. Unseeing. Empty.

Bede pushed onward and they came upon the Pokemon Centre quickly and headed directly to the counter. Nurse Joy stifled her gasp at the broken incubator in Gloria's arms.

"Please, can you help it?" Bede asked. He cautiously took the incubator out of Gloria's arms, making sure she didn't object before handing it over to Nurse Joy. "It hit the ground pretty hard. It happened only a few minutes ago."

Nurse Joy steeled her expression and nodded. "I'll see what I can do." She whirled on her feet and disappeared deeper into the Pokemon Centre.

Another, identical Nurse Joy appeared from a side door. "Come this way - you can wait here, if you'd like."

Bede nodded, finally noticing the shocked onlookers watching them. Peering, curious eyes honed in on him and Gloria from around the room. Bede didn't waste another, tense moment and led Gloria into the room, giving Nurse Joy a thankful nod.

The room was small and secluded from the rest of the Pokemon Centre. It functioned as a waiting room for Trainers of more seriously injured Pokemon who wanted to be out of view and in private. A couch sat against the far wall, a small wooden table a few feet in front of it. At Bede's direction, Gloria walked over to the couch with him and sat down.

A heavy silence fell. Bede glanced at Gloria, her expression hidden beneath her bangs as she hung her head. On her lap, her hands trembled despite being clenched. Her shoulders shook and a broken sob escaped into the silence, sounding impossibly loud in the quiet room.

Bede stiffened. His hand froze, halfway through the action of touching her shoulder. A jolt of panic once again coursed through him as Gloria began to cry. Quiet sobs deafening in his ears. Her shivering form so close to him yet seemingly so far away, so out of reach. She drew her legs up, hugging her knees to her chest, and buried her face in her knees. She curled up tight. Became small and tiny and fragile.

The shattered remains of Bede's heart dug into his chest like tiny needles. The pain rippling through his body drove away his hesitation and he shifted closer to her, wrapped his arm around her back and held her close.

Damn it, if this was all he could do now, if all he could do was offer her some comfort, a shoulder to cry on, then that's what he would do. He ached for her as she leant into him. He became a solid purchase for her to cling to, a strong foundation to quieten her trembling. He discarded any thoughts that lingered; that he didn't know what he was doing, that this wasn't natural for him, that comforting was far from who he was, and held her.

He held her as if he could absorb the pain shuddering through her body for her. As if he could drain her tears and dry her eyes with a simple embrace. He held her because there was nothing else he could do. Because she needed him and - deep inside - Bede knew he needed her.

He wasn't going to let her go through this alone.

Gloria's tears continued to fall long after the sobs had left her, long after she stopped trembling in Bede's arms. Her tears ran onto Bede's shirt, her cheek pressed to his chest, as she leant into him. He kept his arm around her shoulder. Slowly, gently, he rested his cheek against the top of her head. His eyes closed. He surrendered to this moment, to her. Let his heart ache, let it bleed for her because he wouldn't forgive himself if he didn't.

Strangely, holding her like that began to feel normal. Natural. There was no embarrassment in the way he held her, he didn't flush as she sank into his arms. Even when Nurse Joy came and offered Gloria a blanket, when the owner of the cafe gave them a hot chocolate each on the house, Bede didn't flinch. He accepted the blanket and draped it over Gloria. He mouthed a 'thank you' to the barista. He felt warm, but not embarrassed. Fuzzy and light, but no flush burned across his cheeks. The ache in his heart kept those away. The vacant, empty look in Gloria's eyes made it impossible for Bede to even think about appearances.

Gloria shifted slightly, a sharp sigh escaping her lips. "It's all my fault…"

The pain in her voice, barely above a quiet whisper, twisted his heart.

"No, it's not." He answered as quietly as she'd spoken.

She stole a shaky breath. "What if it's…? What if I've killed it…?"

"Gloria, they're doing the best they can. They'll look after it."

"But…"

"No buts. This isn't up for debate. I can't promise you that everything will be fine but I can promise you that none of it was your fault."

He felt her take a shuddery breath. Felt each and every breath she took, sharper and shallower than his. Bede reached forward, grabbing one of the mugs of hot chocolate from the table, and handed it to her.

"Drink it. It'll help warm you up. You were freezing earlier."

Gloria took the mug, cupping it in two hands, and shifted so she sat up straighter and curled her legs beneath her. Her head still rested against his chest, only higher now so that the back of her head was at his shoulder. She took small sips from the mug and Bede hoped the hot drink would help bring the colour back to her face. She was so pale. Cheeks white like a sheet, making the darkness of her eyes even deeper and colder.

Gloria held the mug to her lips, leaving it there and letting the hot air brush her cold features. She made no attempt to breathe in the rich, chocolatey scent like she usually would. She held it there until it went cold. Until she stared down at the mug blankly and lowered it into her lap.

Bede took the mug from her, placing it back on the table. She'd hardly drunk from it at all. Gloria - who had an immense sweet tooth and loved all things chocolate - had let it go cold.

An unknown length of time passed before the door clicked open and Nurse Joy entered, an egg incubator in her arms. Gloria shot to her feet, blanket tumbling to a heap on the floor. She rushed over before Bede could even stand.

"Is that…? Is it okay?" She fumbled over her words, shifting this way and that to look at the egg, to study every angle.

"The egg is fine," Nurse Joy said. "The incubator took the brunt of the impact. Not only did the glass casing break, but there were a few internal parts that had broken as well. It was easier to replace it with a new one rather than fix it."

"So it's…? It's going to be okay?" Gloria gasped. Tears glistened in her eyes.

"Yes." Nurse Joy handed the incubator to Gloria who hugged it tightly. "The egg is going to be okay. We checked the Ponyta inside and everything is fine. You don't have to worry. It might hatch a little earlier than usual but that's all."

Gloria sniffled. She sobbed in relief, pressing her cheek to the top of the incubator and crying.

Nurse Joy smiled softly at Bede. "I'll give you two a few moments. You're alright to leave whenever you're ready."

Bede nodded his thanks as she left and walked over to Gloria. She raised her head, bottom lip trembling as she smiled through her tears.

"It's going to be okay…!" she said. A soft light of relief, of joy, gleamed in her eyes. Her relief, her smile, washed over Bede like a gentle caress.

He smiled warmly in return. "See? I told you it was in the best hands here."

Gloria flicked her eyes between the incubator and Bede. Never looking at him for long. Colour had returned to her cheeks, her face reddening slightly as she blinked away her tears.

"Thanks, Bede. I… I'm glad you were there. I was so panicked I couldn't think. I didn't know what to do." She held the incubator close, sighing softly. "How did you know I was in trouble? I thought you were still inside."

"I was. Hatterene was the one who alerted me. She burst out of her Pokeball and I knew something had happened."

"Guess I owe both of you, then."

"No, you don't."

Gloria looked at him now, confusion worrying her brow. "What do you mean?"

Bede looked away. Cast his eyes across the room sheepishly, dug his hands into his pockets. "You don't owe me. Not for helping you just now, not with what happened in the Glimwood Tangle. You don't owe me for any of it."

"But-"

"The only thing you owe me for is lending you my Rapidash. That's it. The rest… that's just… being a friend."

He heard her gasp. That sharp intake of breath deafening in the quiet room, louder than the roaring of blood in his ears. He didn't look at her. Couldn't.

She ducked her head, smiling at the incubator. "Thank you…" she whispered quietly.

"W-We should go," Bede said curtly. It was hard to find words, to speak, with his mind swirling.

Gloria nodded. She followed him out without a word, glancing occasionally at him over the top of the incubator. They exited the Pokemon Centre and made a left, walking past the entrance to the Gym.

"We're not…?" Gloria paused for a moment before trotting after Bede and falling into step beside him.

"You've had enough excitement for one day and it's getting late. Won't be much time for another challenge to run through."

Gloria quietened and followed Bede to Ms Opal's house. She hadn't realised how much time had passed. Between being a Gym Trainer, having morning tea and shopping with Ms Opal, as well as helping out around the Gym afterwards, Gloria hadn't checked the time. She didn't know what time it had been when she'd left the Gym and had no idea how long they'd been in the Pokemon Centre afterwards.

The hunger gnawing at her stomach meant that it had been longer than she'd thought.

Gloria settled on the couch once inside, toeing her shoes off and curling her legs beneath her. She placed the incubator next to her, propping it up against the armrest.

"Would you like some tea?" Bede asked. "You didn't drink much of the hot chocolate earlier."

Gloria perked up. "Yes, please! Can I try the Roselia tea? It looked really nice!"

"Sure."

Bede smiled to himself, turning away from her in the kitchen so she wouldn't see the effect her switch in mood had on him. Her easy excitement was a dramatic change from earlier and it sent a warm rush of relief through him. He could breathe easier. Things were returning to normal.

He set the kettle on to boil as his stomach grumbled silently. He hadn't eaten all afternoon. He'd planned on grabbing something to eat after he'd sent Gloria away but that had never happened. He glanced at her, seeing her whimsically studying the egg. The soft smile on her face, the loving twinkle in her eyes, sparked something deep inside him. A deep yearning, an ache in his gut, a pull on his heart. For a moment, she wasn't staring down at a Pokemon egg but a newborn baby. A tiny, delicate child with deep brown hair like hers and warm violet eyes like-

A teacup shattered at Bede's feet.

"Bede! Are you okay?" Gloria was in the kitchen before he could register what had happened. Before he could wipe the image he'd seen from his mind. A torrent of heat flooded him.

"D-Don't come in here!" Bede squawked, cursing the crack of his voice. "You're not wearing shoes."

And he couldn't deal with having her close to him right now.

"Oh!" she gasped, jumping back and away from the scattered ceramic shards spread across the floor. "What happened?"

Bese huffed, stalking quickly over to the pantry and retrieving a broom. He dragged a frustrated hand down his face when his back was to her and took a deep breath.

"I dropped a teacup and it broke. I thought that would be fairly obvious."

He stiffened at the cutting edge to his voice. An irritable heat spread through his veins and he felt violently on edge. His heart thrumming a terrified beat in his chest. He was so close to being found out. To have his feelings for her spill forth.

"Really?" She sounded surprised. Confused. "I guess even you can have a klutzy moment sometimes."

Bede frowned and began to sweep up the shards. The tortuous heat slowly began to recede as he focused on sweeping, searching for the miniscule fragments under the table.

"And what is that supposed to mean?"

Gloria leaned on the counter and watched him. "Well, you're such a perfectionist and always seem so level-headed; it's nice to see you make a simple mistake like dropping a cup for once."

Bede clicked his tongue. Was that meant to be a compliment or not? He gave her an unamused stare but couldn't hold it as she smiled at him.

Damn that dazzling smile of hers. There had to be some magic to it, some trick that caused his heart to flutter whenever he saw it. He pushed that out of his mind and bit back his reply. He wasn't about to give her a reason to ask what had made him drop the teacup in the first place.

He didn't see the thoughtful look in her eyes. "Hey, Bede?"

"What?" Bede ducked further under the table, sliding the last fragments he could see towards him with the broom. It was amazing how far they'd flown.

"How do you feel about me?"

Bede cracked his head on the underside of the table.

"Oh, Arceus! Bede, are you okay?" Gloria knelt beneath the table, finding him on his knees, cradling the back of his head in his hands.

"I-I'm fine…!" Bede winced. His head spun, throbbing painfully. He blinked through painful tears and slid out from under the table.

"Are you sure? Let me have a look at it-"

"D-Don't come over here!" Bede snapped, jumping as she stepped closer, a spear of heat shooting down his spine.

She flinched and blinked at him in confusion.

"The… the glass," he mumbled. He stole his gaze away, still holding his head with one hand. "I haven't finished sweeping it."

"Oh, right!" She stepped back. "I'll get my shoes on."

That wasn't the issue! Bede's throbbing head screamed at him. Arceus, what kind of question had she just asked? How could she ask that with a straight face? How was he supposed to answer that?

He stiffened as Gloria approached, her shoes now firmly on her feet. "Sit down. Let me have a look at it." She pulled out one of the chairs, motioning for him to sit.

Bede scowled but complied, sitting in the chair and facing away from her. He twitched when her fingers wove through his hair. Her thumb brushed over his scalp. Her touch was so soft, so gentle and foreign, his heart ricocheting in his chest in shock. He couldn't breathe. Her fingers brushing through his hair paralysed him, freezing him in place from his head to his toes. And yet, he felt far from cold. He was burning up inside.

A rush of emotions Bede had never felt before swamped him with wave after wave, a torrent of lightning and heat and buzzing filling his chest.

"Hmm… doesn't look like you split your head," Gloria said. She sounded close, too close to his ears, the tips of which were burning bright pink.

"Good." Bede stood up curtly, shoving the chair into place and grabbing the broom again. "Now, let me finish sweeping before you track the shards all over the house."

"Alright, sheesh!" Gloria huffed lightly, stepping over the pile. "Sorry for being concerned about you!"

Bede grumbled to himself and focused on sweeping. Heat still burned on his cheeks.

"What kind of question was that anyway…?" Bede muttered before he could stop himself.

Gloria looked down at her hands. "Well… Ms Opal said that you knew what your feelings towards me are, but she didn't elaborate and told me to ask you instead."

Bede screamed internally. That…! That old woman was messing with him on purpose!

"I thought I made it clear earlier." He turned away from her, face aflame, his body burning like a furnace. "You're a friend to me. So, I suppose that I… have come to care about you," he said that last part quietly, a struggle to get the words past his lips. That confession stole the air from his lungs. Silence hung in the air. Stiff and deafening. Bede burned inside, waiting for her to answer, to say something, anything, to put him out of his tortuous misery.

Finally, Bede glanced at her, and saw her grinning widely at him.

"D-Don't look at me like that!" Bede barked.

Her smile brightened. "I can't help it! Aw, Bede…!"

"Don't-! Just… just don't!" Bede stammered and stole his gaze away.

"I haven't done anything!"

"Stop grinning at me like that, you madwoman!"

Gloria laughed. "I'm just smiling!"

"Well, stop it!"

"Fine, fine." Gloria tracked back to the couch and flopped into it. Mirth rumbled in her voice as she stifled her laughter.

Bede huffed, muttering unintelligible phrases under his breath. He finished sweeping, collected the shards in a dustpan and tossed them into the bin. The task gave him enough time to clear his head. To settle his nerves enough to pour the tea and bring it over to Gloria.

Where she sat on the couch, fast asleep.

Bede blinked at her, stunned. Her head was dropped towards her shoulder, mouth hanging slightly open.

Bede smiled down at her. She managed to have her nap after all.

Gloria awoke to a sickly gnawing in her stomach, a strangle sizzling sound in the air. She groaned, rubbing her eyes and sat up, inhaling the smell of something cooking. A blanket lay across her. Across her lap on the couch. On the couch in Ms Opal's house.

Gloria was wide awake in an instant. She shot her eyes to the incubator nestled safely beside her, to the kitchen where Bede stood, cooking something on the stove. Whatever it was, the smell was mouthwatering. Gloria swallowed hungrily.

"Did I fall asleep?" Gloria asked sheepishly. She already knew the answer but didn't know how else to break the silence, to talk to Bede as she realised he must've draped the blanket over her when she'd fallen asleep.

"Oh, you're awake." Bede smiled coyly at her, turning enough that she could see the pink apron he wore. There was writing on the front she couldn't make out from the angle. He'd changed out of his Gym uniform and into some grey pants and long sleeved t-shirt. "You were sleeping like a Snorlax."

Gloria flushed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep like that. I guess I was more tired than I thought." She gave a bashful laugh and stood, leaving the soft blanket on the couch and walked to the kitchen. "What're you making?"

"Savoury mince." Bede swirled a drizzling of soy sauce into the wok. A colourful mix of different vegetables, finely chopped into cubes, swished in the wok among the mince as he stirred the sauce in.

"It smells amazing! I didn't know you could cook!"

Bede shrugged. "It's something I picked up over the years."

Gloria eased closer, spying the array of different sauces and jams spread out on the counter. Her stomach growled eagerly.

Bede snorted a laugh.

Gloria balked, embarrassed. "I-I haven't eaten since lunch, that's why…! Wait, I didn't even have lunch."

"That's what I thought. Don't worry, I'll be done soon. If you can wait, that is."

"I can have some?" Her face lit up.

"What, did you think I was cooking all of this just to deny you any?"

"No, of course not!" She shook her head quickly. "I just never thought I'd ever see you cook let alone be able to eat it. All I can make is curry - though, I'm pretty decent at it if I do say so myself!"

"Well, if you've got nothing better to do than gawk at me, you can set the table. Ms Opal's not going to be back until late so don't worry about a place for her."

Gloria rolled her eyes. "I wasn't gawking." She followed Bede's directions and pulled out a pair of plates and set them on the table.

"You were staring at me with your mouth hanging open. Gawking."

"I was not!" She tried to sound offended but failed at the smirk she caught sight of on Bede's face. She turned away from him and quickly grabbed the knives and forks, feeling a burst of heat climbing up her face.

Who knew he could smile like that?

She'd finished setting the table as Bede turned, bringing the wok over and placing it on a heat mat, sliding a serving spoon into it. Gloria looked at the writing on the apron.

"What's it say? Kiss the… cook…" She regretted reading it aloud instantly. Bede stood right beside her, suddenly feeling so close, the air suddenly too warm. She laughed awkwardly. Ducked her head away from him and hurried to her spot on the other side of the table where she could actually breathe.

Bede looked away from her, his own cheeks warming as he removed the apron and sat down. "It's Ms Opal's," Bede said quickly.

"Right."

Bede served himself before tilting the spoon towards her. "Help yourself," he said.

"Thanks." She didn't look at him, serving herself quietly, before she drew a deep breath and hummed.

Bede's lips twitched into a smile. "Are you smelling it?"

"I… maybe." She pouted, curling her lips at him. "So what?"

Bede raised his eyebrows coyly. "You're the first person I've ever seen who smells their food before they try it."

"There's nothing wrong with that," she protested with a huff and scooped a forkful of the mince into her mouth. Her eyes widened in delightful surprise. "Mm…! It's good!"

Bede almost laughed at the look on her face, opting to eat and satisfy the grizzling hunger in his stomach rather than replying.

"Gosh, I wish I could eat food this good every day!" Gloria sighed happily, practically inhaling her next forkful.

Bede lurched before he could choke on his mouthful. He stared at her, realising she didn't catch - or mean - the insinuation in that sentence of hers, as she continued eating in delight.

At least she was oblivious to the searing heat she's sent cascading across his face.

It was strange to remember there was a time when Bede loathed to spend any time with her, when he sat across from her comfortably now, sharing a meal he'd cooked himself. Making light conversation, making jokes and discussing the past week as if it was something they did everyday.

He wouldn't mind if they did this every day.

Bede collected their dishes when they'd finished, placing them in the sink and filling it with hot water. He drizzled detergent over it as Gloria came up beside him.

"Can I help? I don't mind washing dishes and I'll feel bad if I did nothing after eating your food."

Bede glanced at her from the corner of his eyes. "Sure, if you don't mind." He looked to the mess of sauces and ingredients he'd yet to deal with. "I'll start cleaning up, then."

"No problem!" Gloria chimed and got to work on the plates. She didn't even flinch or complain when Bede added more stuff to the sink as he cleaned, handing over the utensils he'd used when cooking. He set the wok beside her on the counter, having divided the leftovers into neat containers to go in the fridge. She'd already finished washing everything up and had begun to dry them when Bede was done wiping down the counter.

They worked quickly and soon everything was clean and put away. Gloria brushed her hands together, satisfied.

"There! All done!" She grinned at the clean countertop.

"You still want to try the Roselia tea? You fell asleep before I could make you any."

"Ooh, yes please!" She beamed. "I'm always in the mood for tea!"

"And what about cake?" Bede asked as he filled up the kettle at the sink.

"Cake?" she gasped. "There's cake?!"

Bede smiled to himself. "Chocolate cheesecake, to be precise. I made it yesterday and haven't tried it yet. You can be my guinea pig."

"You make desserts too?!" She sighed dramatically. "Bede, you're better wife-material than I am!"

Bede frowned. His stomach swirled strangely. Was that a compliment or not?

"What kind of statement is that?" he scoffed. "Surely it would be husband-material instead."

She rolled her eyes. "You'd be such a catch if you weren't so snarky all the time."

"That's rich, coming from you."

She poked her tongue out at him. "Yeah, but I'm the Champion so that automatically makes me a catch anyway."

"Surely that would apply to me, as a Gym Leader, as well?"

Gloria huffed. "I'm pretty sure your bad attitude cancels that out."

Bede rolled his eyes. "Do you want the cheesecake or not? Because insulting me is a sure way to make sure you don't get any."

"Wait, no, I was joking! Bede please, give me some cake! I'll love you forever!"

Silence fell.

Bede gaped at her. Heat flooded to his face and then hers when she realised what she'd said.

"Wait, no! I didn't mean it like that! I-I meant as a friend! I didn't mean- I… um… just forget that, okay?!" Gloria buried her face in her hands and muffled a scream. "Arceus, Bede…! I'm sorry! Please, forget I said that…!"

The kettle whistled and cut Gloria off before she could ramble any further.

"Okay, okay!" Bede huffed, using the kettle as an excuse to busy himself and not look at her. "Just stop, alright? You're making it worse!"

Gloria nodded, her face still firmly in her hands.

"The… the cheesecake is in the fridge." Bede motioned towards it as he gathered the teacups and let the Roselia tea steep.

Gloria wordlessly headed over to the fridge and found the chocolate cheesecake on a decorated glass plate. She pulled it out and brought it over to Bede. He deftly sectioned out two identical slices and placed them on the table as Gloria took the teacups over. Gloria bounced eagerly as she sat down, grinning at the cheesecake. It was a rich, chocolate colour, the base the colour of caramel. She stabbed her fork into it and took a bite, savouring the creamy taste with a sigh.

When she drew the fork from her mouth, she saw Bede watching her.

"So?" he asked. "I gather that your response means it's edible?"

Gloria faintly remembered something about her being a guinea pig and stared at Bede. "You didn't poison it with something, did you?"

Bede levelled a flat stare at her. "Of course not. I changed up the recipe slightly since last time and I wasn't entirely sure if I put in too much chocolate."

Gloria scoffed. "There's no such thing as too much chocolate!" she declared, pointing her fork at him. "Anyone who says there is is a coward and a liar."

"I assume that means it's edible."

"More than that! It's so good!" Gloria scooped up another bite, smiling as she ate.

Bede's heart fluttered at her compliments. He tucked into his own slice, trying not to notice how much Gloria was enjoying it. She finished her slice in record time, leaning back in her chair with a satisfied sigh.

"I think you missed your calling as a chef, Bede," Gloria said. She sipped at her tea happily, after pausing to smell it first, of course.

"Too bad."

His dry comment made Gloria laugh. The relaxing way they spent the evening was far removed from the hectic morning and afternoon they'd shared. After finishing their dessert and cleaning up, Gloria finally checked the time and found it was after seven pm.

"I should get going," Gloria said. "Thanks for dinner - and that amazing dessert! I'll have to treat you to my curry sometime so we're even."

Bede shrugged as if he didn't care either way, pushing down the eager bubble in his chest. "Sure, if you want."

She smiled at him. "And remember - I still owe you one for borrowing your Rapidash. Let me know how you want me to pay you back."

"About that…"

Gloria looked up from her phone, about to call for a sky taxi, and paused. Bede had turned his face away but glanced back at her for a moment.

"You've thought of something?"

He looked away. "You… are a very huggy person."

"Yes…? I am…?"

"You hug all your friends."

Gloria looked confused. "Yes, I do…?"

Bede's lips twisted in frustration. "Well, you've… never tried to hug me."

Gloria's eyes widened. "Oh, well… I… didn't think you would like that. You didn't seem to even like handshakes at the start, so I… didn't think you'd be comfortable if I hugged you."

"That was… a while ago."

Gloria nodded slowly.

"We're friends now."

She stopped nodding. "Are you… saying that you want me to hug you?"

"I… suppose that is what I am saying." He looked away. His cheeks were scorching. Heart lodged high in his throat. Gloria stepped closer and he stiffened reflexively. He snapped his eyes to her, saw her searching his face.

"Can I hug you?"

His heart leapt into his mouth. "I believe I already made that clear-"

She wrapped her arms around his back and silenced him with a hug. He froze in her embrace and his brain stopped working. No thoughts formed. No words. He stood still and stiff as she leant into him, her head slotting against his chest. She was so warm. A familiar scent surrounded him and he realised it was her scent. Her silky hair tickled his neck.

He felt her rumble of laughter against his chest. "You know, hugs are usually reciprocated," she giggled.

Something snapped inside Bede, something that had been strung so tight for so long finally gave way and Bede wrapped his arms around her. He heard her surprised gasp but couldn't find himself to care as it felt so right to be in her embrace like this. To hug her like he'd always wanted. To hold her tight and breathe her in. It was like having a final piece of a puzzle slot into place. He felt complete. Felt warm and safe and calm. Like nothing else mattered in that moment.

He didn't want it to end.

"Bede?"

Her cautious voice, the sound of his name right into his ear, snapped him back to reality. He jolted away from her like he'd been struck by lightning and thrown away. Repelled like opposite magnets, he stepped back from her, holding his arms up in a flash of panic.

Gloria blinked at him, stunned. "Are you okay?"

Yes!" Bede cursed the squeak that leapt from his throat. He tried again. "Yes. I'm fine."

"Okay…?" She didn't look convinced. "Was that alright?"

"Wh-What?"

"The hug. You look uncomfortable. Are you sure that it was okay?"

Bede stole his eyes away. "Yes. It was… fine."

Better than fine. Better than he'd expected, better than he could have anticipated. He could still feel a ghost of her arms around him, a lingering memory of their embrace.

"Well, if you say so…"

"I do."

She finally nodded. "Okay. I'll see you soon, then. I'll definitely come by when the egg hatches!"

"Yeah. See you."

It was only after Gloria had left when Bede let the realisation of what had just happened crash down on him. He sank into the couch and held the back of his hand to his burning cheeks and flushed darkly.

He had held her far too long. He'd been so absorbed in their hug, in the feeling of her warmth and how soft she felt. In how sweetly she smelled. He'd forgotten all his inhibitions, forgotten to hold back and bury his feelings, his desires towards her.

It was only by the miracle of her obliviousness that she hadn't realised what his actions had meant. His control was slipping dangerously as he fell deeper and deeper in love with her.

He didn't know how long he could maintain this facade, acting like she was only a friend and that his heart didn't yearn for her.

Arceus.

He wanted her so badly.

The next few weeks that passed were akin to torture. Bede kept thinking that he saw Gloria. A flash of pink and his heart would race, the longing to be in her arms again would surge through him until he realised it was something or someone else. Her texts continuously sent his heart skittering, and he made sure not to check his phone when there were other people around lest someone see a smile pull on his face or a blush form on his cheeks.

He was succumbing.

Bede had finished with his Gym Leader duties for another evening and changed into regular clothes before preparing to leave. He'd gathered his bag and moved to leave after giving the stadium a quick once-over, when his phone buzzed to life.

His pulse spiked when he saw Gloria's name on the screen. He answered it quickly before he'd realised it was a video call and almost dropped his phone when her face appeared.

"Bede!" Gloria called excitedly. "Look! Look!" She turned the phone away from her gleeful face and a Galarian Ponyta came into view. He recognised the room from the background of pictures she had sent him before. Her bedroom. Ponyta slept peacefully on her bed, front hooves tucked beneath it's chin.

"Isn't she adorable?" Gloria cooed, her hand reaching into the shot as she stroked Ponyta's fluffy mane. "I named her Pearl!"

A smile tugged on Bede's lips. His heart softened.

"That sounds like something you would name a Ponyta."

Gloria's face appeared again, pouting. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"I'm just saying, you have a track record of nicknaming your Pokemon…. interesting things." Bede smirked.

"Interesting is good! Better than boring or strange!"

"If you say so."

Gloria rolled her eyes. "Are you still at the Gym? I wasn't sure if you were busy. She hatched about… maybe half an hour ago? I didn't want to bother you but I knew I had to tell you first!"

His heart skipped. "You did?"

"Yes! Without you, little Pearl wouldn't be here!" Gloria ran her hands through Ponyta's mane. "Bede, I've only had her for half an hour and I'm already in love!"

Bede bit back a laugh. That was so like Gloria. "Why am I not surprised?"

"We'll have to come visit you sometime!"

He let himself smile. "That wouldn't be so bad. I'll have to make sure that you're treating my Grandchild well."

"Hey, you gave up your custody!"

"I don't recall doing that."

Gloria huffed. "Does that mean you're going to give me childcare payments?"

"Oh, so now you're trying to extort me? Who knew the Champion would stoop so low."

Gloria laughed. The sound was music to Bede's ears, and sent a tingle of warmth through his chest. "Fine, fine. We'll come by when I'm free next." She glanced offscreen for a moment. "I've got to go. See you later, Bede!"

"Bye, Gloria."

She smiled at him a second longer before the image vanished when the call ended. Bede released a tight breath as a sigh. He felt lighter. The weight in his chest was gone.

It was strange.

He didn't realise just how much he'd missed her until she'd appeared before him in that moment.

For once, he didn't mind the heat on his cheeks.

He didn't mind being in love with her.

She'd changed his life for the better.

#bede #bederia #dressedinpinkshipping #gloria #pokemon swsh #pokemon #ITS DONE #IM SCREAMING

103 notes · View notes

witchqueenofthemoon · 5 years

Text

BODY AND SOUL Part 6 (Duncan Shepherd/Mackenzie Stone Millory AU)

BODY AND SOUL MASTERPOST

Author’s Note: As ever, y’all continue to render me speechless with your kind words and messages of support and encouragement regarding this fic. There’s no end in sight; I have the next few chapters mapped out and will keep going as long as Duncan and Kenzie drag me along behind them, telling me their story. I still plan on continuing to make vague allusions to Michael and Mallory as the fic goes on, as I consider Duncan and Kenzie to be the parallel universe versions of them here; whether or not I’ll tie it into something bigger remains to be seen, the allusions/easter eggs might be just that and nothing more. I just had to use Billie’s nickname for her mother (Momby) here, I just love it so much and I wanted to nod again to the fact that I’ve modeled Madeline after Carrie Fisher entirely. I based her house, the Cape Cod-style on Fenwick Street, on a real house I found listed for sale in Arlington. Candice, Kenzie’s EIC, is the AU version of Cordelia. I may or may not add other AU versions of AHS characters, it depends on where the story goes. Kenzie’s ex Tyler is an AU version of Taylor Lautner, Billie’s ex in real life, and I made him a pediatrician as a nod to his SCREAM QUEENS character. He may show up again later, he may not. The gossip website I made up, buzzpopfeed.com (lol), will probably show up again as Duncan and Kenzie’s relationship gains attention and becomes more public. I made a masterpost for this fic where I’ll update chapters as I finish them; please use it as your main reference point for the complete work going forward. Shoutout to @nat-de-lioncourt who made the moodboard edit that’s featured on it, and she also made this gorgeous moodboard for Part 5, which I love so much I could cry; go give her some love. Shoutout to @impiorumrequies who coined the shorthand DUCKENZIE for Duncan/Mackenzie yesterday when she sent me a message. You’re encouraged to use it as a tag if you reblog the fic. My laptop insisted it was time to update right in the middle of my editing this part and I forgot I needed to save what I’d formatted so far as a draft on Tumblr, so it took a lot longer than it should have to get it up on the site because I had to start from scratch once my laptop rebooted; I appreciate every comment, like and reblog if you’re enjoying the fic. And as ever: THANK YOU, Millory fans. You are truly the greatest of all time. There’s so much more to come.

Mackenzie sighed herself awake, out of a vague dream (fire and candles blazing, an angry, powerful man in black with long hair...it slipped away from her). For the second morning in a row, she woke in Duncan Shepherd’s black-sheeted bed, but this time she was really in it, not just on top of it; her sleep-dizzy head was buried in one of Duncan’s black pillows of organic Egyptian cotton and duck feather, and she could feel pressing weight around the rise of her bare hip under the duvet, a stubbled cheek pressed into the space between her bare breasts, skin pressed into the space between her legs, the incline of his thigh, the pressure of his cock, stiff with daylight. She looked down a little, moving her hand into the brown, sun-kissed curls against her body, gazed, in no small wonder, at Duncan’s wildly beautiful face in his deep sleep, arm thrown around her, his breath soft and slow, turning his head a little in his dreamstate so his lips hovered close to her nipple. He calls me angel, but I think he’s like an angel, too. More of an angel than me, because he doesn’t seem real; Claire was right, it’s like he’s living in a different universe. She imagined a halo around his head, great wings extending from his back, his blue eyes gazing on her, laying her bare again and again, kissing her secrets from her lips. He seemed otherworldly to her; he seemed impossibly perfect, especially this way. She felt tears gather at the corner of her vision; the emotion deep inside her thoughts frightened her. The feeling that gathered in the core of her body when she looked at him this way made her ache terribly, an almost physical pain building up in her. She thought of the roses in the bath and his cries of euphoria, the way he’d pressed into her in the bed again later, blurring her vision with his fingers and his mouth. Duncan. Will you be mine? His words from last night, achingly sincere, echoed down from the back of her mind. Yes I will yes she whispered again in her heart, fingers threading his hair as he slept. Yes I’m yours yes.

With a searing moment of disappointment, she remembered: it was Monday. She would have to go to work eventually. She tried to turn her body away from him carefully, so as not to disturb him (god he’s too beautiful, I just want to let him sleep, I just want to look at him and thank my stars for how wonderful he is she thought deep within herself), but he moaned a little, his arm tightening around her waist and sliding up, his face turning up, his hair in the light over his bed, his eyes touched with sleep. God, I could look at him all day. His eyes opened; sapphire, shadow, sky.

“Baby,” he murmured into her. “Baby. What time is it?”

She glanced over her shoulder, resigned to his waking. “7:46. I have to be at work in an hour. It’s Monday,” and she moved her hand through his curls and ached to go back to an hour ago, when they were asleep and in each other’s embrace, the world slipped away, moonlight on the bed.

“No, baby, no,” he muttered, pressing his mouth to the soft skin above her heart.

“Yes, baby, yes,” she smiled into him, hiding her own disappointment. He lifted his face, still half-awake, pressing his mouth into her chin, his hands reaching up to her nipples, his thigh pressing up into the space between her legs, questioning, hungry.

“Baby, I can’t…” she pulled away from him, full of regret.

Another little moan fell from his lips (those lips, on me always, oh my god, mine) and she whispered “I’m sorry,” and he pouted, and her heart shook, her body tingling. “I want you,” he said, looking up into her face, and she shook her head again, frowning, matching his discontent. She lifted herself away from him, sadly, resigned. He tried to come after her, reaching toward her, but she was good at skittering away; she had always had a talent for it, useful when she was young and shy and worried about everything, always running away. She slipped out of the bed, her naked back to him, shaking out her tangled hair. She didn’t look back at him, not right away; she felt determined to be bold after last night, cast in the haze of amazement and adoration as it all had been, determined to see the reality of everything clearly, determined to not be blindsided by his beauty yet again.

“Kenzie,” she heard him whisper from where he still lay in bed, staring at her.

“What,” and she turned, stretching, her hands lifting to the high ceiling, pressing the impulse to be shy about her nakedness away. Get used to it, Kenzie, she thought. Duncan Shepherd is your boyfriend now. Or, at least, he was last night.

“I meant everything I said last night.”

Duncan let the words hang in the air; he regarded her, and she thought in frustration that he was so blindly lovely she might never know what he really thought about anything; she’d be too distracted to decipher him, lost in his eyes.

“We’re together. That’s what I want. Is that what you want?”

She pressed her face into the incline of her shoulder; towards him.

“Yes. We’re together.”

“Okay.”

She looked at him again. He was still staring at her; eyes roving over her naked body, the fall of golden-brown hair down her back, the incline of her ass, the outline of her in the light streaming in.

“You are so beautiful.”

She smiled; she tried to hide the way her limbs shivered as his words fell over her. She blinked, turned her head, looked to the floor, disoriented, for her things.

“Fuck, I have to go. I have to change. I can’t wear that dress to work.”

“Okay.” The edge in his voice. Sadness. Longing.

She bit her lip. “What are your plans today?”

She heard the rustle of the sheets; heard his groan, his restlessness.

“Gardner Analytics press. Charity supplements for the Foundation. Dinner with mom tonight.”

“That’s...a lot.”

“It sure fucking is. Come back to bed.”

She blew air from her nose. “Duncan, I can’t.”

“I know. But it’s what I want.”

She lifted her head, glancing his way. He had come to a sitting position on the edge of his big bed, legs resting on the floor, hair tossed in sleep, a scant corner of sheet over his crotch; she could see the edge of his erection peeking from the corner of the fabric. She looked away, smiling. His eyes gazed and gazed and he bit his lip at her, blinking slowly, hunger shining out of their depth.

“Kenzie,” he said again.

“Yes?” She moved toward the bathroom, where she knew her dress lay in a heap.

“I want to tell my mother about you tonight.”

She turned to him, her heart in her mouth suddenly, sickness sinking into her guts.

“Duncan...are you sure?”

“I have this feeling, like...I want everyone to know. Especially her. But I don’t want you to worry. No matter what she says, or what she thinks, I’m with you. It’s what I want more than anything; to be with you. To know you.”

She had retrieved her dress; she slipped it over her shoulders, pulling her arms through the sleeves, pulling her hair free, easing it over her shoulder. She padded over to him on sleepy feet. “Zip me up,” she asked, softly, sitting there beside him, on the edge. He eagerly grasped her waist, turning to her, leaning his head to the incline of the nape of her neck, his fingers (oh, those hands) grasping the zipper, pulling it up with aching slowness as his mouth pressed into the soft skin along her spine, between her shoulder blades. She gasped a little, arching her back, the intensity of the act pushing a pool of warmth into her abdomen, her arms breaking out immediately into goosebumps. He moved his head slowly, achingly slow, lips lingering, trailing up to the nape of her neck where she felt his hot breath on the baby hairs there, and her whole body kindled a low fire, stoked by his mouth, his fingers. His hands reached the end of the zipper, one gently rising and seeking the incline of her neck, and she gasped a little again at the weight of his fingers there; they snaked softly around the dip below her ear and his index finger, long and languid and so obscenely beautiful, probed the corner of her mouth which ached open at the feeling of his touch, almost involuntary, sliding along her bottom lip, his other fingers at her throat. She felt the weight of his forehead press into the back of her hair, breathing deeply into it, as if it was the air; as if it was oxygen to him.

“Kenzie, is it okay? I want to tell her about you because--you are both so important to me. My mother was the most important person in my life, but now there’s you. There’s you. And I can’t keep it to myself. I need the people in my life to know...that you’re....” She could hear the whisper of his voice against her, the hand still playing at her neck and her little mouth, teasing her, aching for her.

“Your girlfriend?”

She bit the finger still playing softly at her bottom lip, and it pressed into the sharpness of her teeth, as if he liked the pain.

“Yes. My girlfriend.”

The One, she thought, and shivered. He hadn’t said that, why had she thought it? Why had it probed into her mind as though it came from him? That was odd, disorienting. Maybe I’m just imagining what I want him to say, she thought. We’ve known each other for two days, Kenzie, slow down. The feeling of his hand at her neck that way was wiping her mind of all coherency, bringing flashing memories bathed in gold light of him fucking her in the shower, his hand pressed there insistently, his eyes full of desirous abandon, storms. His eyes, a galaxy to lose herself in.

“Okay, baby,” she said. She turned to him, turned her head into his hand so it came to her cheek, clutching her, and gazed into those stormy eyes. “It’s okay.”

“Do you think you’ll tell Madeline?” He asked, his eyes clouding with concern, brow furrowing just a little, the sleep clearing from his features.

“I guess I have to.”

He was quiet at that, his hand falling down her arm, grasping her hand, tightly, as if to give her his strength, channel it through their bodies, into her heart. She felt as though it did somehow; somehow, he had given her some of his energy, and her body felt tingly, full of light.

“No matter what, we’re together. That’s what I want, Kenzie.”

“It’s what I want too.” And she knew it was true, she knew it was the only truth that mattered in this moment, the only one she could fathom. Now that he was here, now that her hand was clasped in his, the way it fit against his, as if it belonged there, the thought of being without him was like a knife in her belly. Life had changed. Everything was different. The colors of the world had burst into radiance; the glow of this reality was blinding.

“Two days ago I would not have believed any of this,” she said, sharing her thought with him. “If someone had told me I’d be dating Duncan Shepherd, I would have laughed in their face.”

He smiled (that smile, a dancing ray of sunlight on water, that smile), pulling her body into his naked one, pressing his face into her neck. “I can’t believe it either,” he whispered. “I feel...blessed. I feel like--everything has been building up to this. To you. Fortune is smiling on us. On me. And I’m so grateful.”

His words brought a lump of emotion into her throat, and she wrapped her arms around him, pressing her little face into his neck, breathing in the smell of his skin, hovering on the edge of her tears, knowing that he was right. Fortune is smiling on us.

-------

Kenzie stepped through the glass door to the main floor of the Post building, eyeing her little desk in the south corner, biting her lip, her thoughts seeped in Duncan. She was still thinking about the way he’d looked, standing there in his black briefs, pulling the sleeves of a high-collared black Oxford shirt through his long arms, hands pulling sleepily through his hair (I love his hair, she thought), watching her pull on her boots as she sat on the edge of his bed, smiling at her with a dreamy expression, and she had thought I could die in that gaze, die and be happy to die. Her subconscious painted the word Prince onto him again, reminding her of her dreams when she was a little girl pining over her fairy tale books, and she didn’t realize it, but a smile fell over her face, her cheeks blushing. My very own Prince, he really is.

She made it to her desk, setting down her black satchel atop it, pulling out her Macbook and the little recorder she’d taken secretly to the party (the party that changed my fucking life). She’d taken a Lyft home, changed in a frenzy into the saddle-colored turtleneck dress she now wore, hem hitting at the bottom of her thigh (need to be more subtle about all the marks on my neck, she’d thought, achingly) and knee-high black thigh socks, slipping on one of several pairs of comfortable black kitten heels that she often wore to work (it was usually them or ballet flats), grabbing a stick of mascara and another of brow gel from her makeup bag and smearing on a rosy-nude lipstain (good enough, she thought, resigned) and thrown herself out the door, half-walking, half-running to the Dupont Circle Station platform, a black triple-moon pendant with a round obsidian stone in the center bumping and twisting against the space between her breasts, her hair floating around her face, strands falling into her eyes, pressing her earbuds in, lost in her thoughts. I had a dream of a ship that we sailed in the night, a soft masculine voice floated into her ears from her phone, and she thought of Duncan’s hair, his hands. Ooooh / the fortune said / flowers bloom with no regret and she thought of the roses woven together around the bath, the candles, the look in his eyes when he’d pushed the velvet dress from her body, the ache in his eyes. Surround me body and soul / pull me into your glow, make me blush and she blushed at the thought of his hands and his lips and his beautiful cock exploring every corner of her body, his ardent, insistent touch, the glowing sincerity in his eyes, unbound me, spin me in gold / as the story unfolds in your touch, she remembered staring in wonder at the gargantuan painting that spread along the wall of his study, how it had dazed her, shaken her, the feeling of his mouth pressed into her sex and her vision blurring, lost in him and in it, in the beauty of it all, how could life be so beautiful, suddenly, ooooh, who can breathe me into life? / just one more look at you, my heart has been hypnotized…

She came back to her desk, from the memory within the memory, as Candice’s sincere, lovely, earnest, and right now, concerned face appeared in front of her, her golden hair falling in waves around her shoulders, her pink lips giving Kenzie a friendly smile.

“Good morning, Mackenzie,” she said, hands coming together in front of her pastel, chrysanthemum-covered wrap dress. “So, how’d it go?”

“Morning, Candice.” Candice was her Editor-in-Chief, and everyone at the Post adored her; she’d worked long and hard for the position, for over fifteen years, and Kenzie’s mother, Madeline, had advocated for her ability. Madeline was now almost entirely retired, but she would use her leverage at the Post when she felt it would do some good; helping to get Candice in as the EIC was one of her proudest achievements in her later years. Many believed Candice was the best thing that had ever happened to the Post, as she had pushed to champion the voices of women and people of color on her staff, bringing them in consistently on breaking stories and important editorials. Mackenzie loved working for her, but she was consistently intimidated by Candice’s poise, and longed to prove herself to Candice; prove that she hadn’t been hired at the Post just because her mother was a veteran.

“I think I got what I was aiming for,” Kenzie went on, thumbing her recorder. “There was an open bar at that party and tongues were flowing freely, and of course, nobody paid tiny ol’ me in a little babydoll dress any mind unless they were trying to hit on me. Which also happened,” she included, making a face. Candice made a face in return, sympathetically. “I know I can always count on you to weather the shitty stuff,” Candice replied. “You remind me so much of your mother sometimes.” Kenzie smiled brightly at that; to be compared to her mother was always a source of pride for her.

Candice was quiet for a moment, eyeing her with a strange expression. “You look absolutely radiant today, Kenzie. Did something happen?” Kenzie balked; was it that obvious? She thought she’d been hiding the glow she felt inside carefully, but the smile seemed to have pushed it out of her, made it stark. Candice continued to gaze at her with that strange expression, as if she was probing into Kenzie’s mind, searching for the source of Kenzie’s smile, the truth behind it.

“Just thrilled I got the info I wanted,” she replied, looking down at her Macbook, pressing it open, anxious to escape from the observant eye of her boss.

“Uh huh,” Candice she, eyebrows raising, grinning at her suspiciously. “Good work, Kenz.”

Kenzie sat down, blowing out a quiet, relieved breath as Candice walked away. Safe for now. She opened her laptop, finding the word document she’d started for her article, which she’d last worked on hours before the party, anxiously hoping she’d be ballsy enough to go. I sure fucking was, she thought, ballsy enough to go, ballsy enough to talk to Duncan Shepherd, gazing at me like I was made of chocolate, ballsy enough to let him buy me a drink, ballsy enough to let him kiss me, god, what a kiss, ballsy enough to go home with him, ballsy enough to fuck him again and again, ballsy enough to think I’m girlfriend material for a guy who has a Black AmEx, a private car with a driver, a penthouse, and more money than I could hope to earn in my entire life. A shiver touched the back of her neck despite the turtleneck. She remembered Duncan’s words this morning; remembered she’d agreed that it was okay for him to tell his mother about her. His mother was Annette fucking Shepherd. Her stomach dropped again. How will that ever go over well, she thought, biting her lip, clacking on the smooth keyboard of her Macbook, sticking her earbuds into the aux jack of her recorder, playing back the tidbits of conversation she’d quietly been recording as she sidled up, unnoticed, next to prominent Republican Senators and Congressmen. They’d all assumed she was a call girl (there were other call girls there, indeed) and that was fine; that was what made her unnoticeable to men who were busy talking about something that wasn’t sex. She imagined Annette Shepherd’s head spinning on her shoulders a la The Exorcist at Duncan’s admission and a laugh snorted out of her nose. She glanced over at her phone, having noticed its screen light up from the corner of her eye; Clairebear.

Clairebear: Kenzie, details!!!!! TELL ME EVERYTHING

Kenzie paused in writing her article (sources tell the Post that Senator Howell did indeed receive PAC funding from private donors for two consecutive election cycles, despite his repeated insistence to the contrary--), snatching up her phone and typing quickly, holding her breath.

Clairebear, it was the most perfect night I’ve ever had. He’d booked a private room for dinner, he looked so gorgeous, he ordered a $250 bottle of wine, I ate the most delicious duck I’ve ever had, HE HAS A FUCKING BOUGUEREAU ORIGINAL IN HIS STUDY, he ate me out on his desk!!!!!!!!!!!!!, he had put all these roses around his clawfoot bathtub and these candles and it was like a DREAM and I am REELING and I can’t even believe it was all real. Clairebear, he wants me to be with him. Be his girlfriend. I said yes.

Clairebear: Whoaaaaa whoa whoa, you said yes???? Already??? It’s been two days, Kenzie!!!

Clairebear, he wants to tell his mother about me. I told him yes. He said he wants to tell her because she was the most important person in his life until he met me, and now we both are. He’s going to tell her tonight.

Clairebear: His mother, you mean ANNETTE FUCKING SHEPHERD KENZIEEEEEE

Claire!!!!!!!! I have to do this. I have never felt this way about anyone before. I was thinking about Tyler and I never felt this way with him. I never thought I could feel this way about anyone, honestly. This is different. You said you trusted me, please trust me.

Kenzie sat back, setting the phone down, lost in thought for a moment. She hadn’t really thought about Tyler until that moment, but now that she had, she felt what she’d said to Claire was the truth. She and Tyler had been together for three years until she had graduated from Georgetown, and he was her first love; she’d lost her virginity to him, had thought she would marry him. He was going to medical school to become a pediatrician, and she had thought, for awhile, that she could be happy with him. But then she’d been hired at the Post, and he’d started a Residency, and they saw each other less and less, and eventually she felt like she didn’t know anything about him anymore; didn’t know what he liked to eat or what he looked like when he slept, didn’t know what he’d done on any given day. He’d wanted kids, too; that made sense, since he was going to be a children’s doctor. But she didn’t. Kenzie didn’t want kids, and she knew that, she had decided that a long time ago; she wanted to be a writer, she wanted to be a good journalist, she wanted to help people, but she didn’t want to be a mother. And so, they’’d broken up. Tyler had been tall and tan, with a soft face and dark hair, and he had been sweet to her when they held each other at night, and she was sure that someday, someone would make him very happy. But it wouldn’t be her.

But Duncan. Duncan was different. Her affection for Tyler had always been warm, even when she knew, finally, that he wasn’t the man she’d grow old with. But that firey feeling Duncan ignited in the center of her soul; that feeling was new, and it thrilled her and terrified her. I said I loved him while we fucked, lost in him, but I think it was true. I think I’m in love with him. Already. I love him. I love him so much it fucking hurts.

Clairebear: Kenzie, you know I do. I just want you to be happy and safe. You know I’m here for you no matter what. I’m here to help you weather the storm. Be the brave bitch I know you are, and don’t let Annette Shepherd give you any shit. And WHEN DO I GET TO MEET HIM The end of Claire’s text was accompanied by three steam-angry face emojis.

I won’t. I’ll pretend to be as brave as you think I am. Kenzie added the smiling face with waving hands emoji and the emoji with a closed eyes and downwards, exasperated expression. And I promise, you’ll meet him soon.

She set the phone down, turning it over. She had to finish this article. She’d spent the whole weekend in a dream, a daze of ecstasy the likes of which she’d never imagined, but dammit, she needed to fucking write this fucking article. She certainly had no plans to give up her writing career to be Duncan Shepherd’s housewife, no fucking way. Anyone who really loves you will always nurture your hopes and dreams for yourself, her mother said into her ear.

Shit, I have to tell Momby, she thought. If Annette Shepherd finds out, it’s only fair that Mom knows too. Come what may. But this is going to suck. She turned back to her keyboard, took another deep breath, and got back to writing.

-------

Kenzie was sitting on one of the long stone steps of the John Barry statue in Franklin Square, a spot where she often ate her lunch. She had a salad with strips of chicken with some balsamic dressing on her lap, with a little container of vegan dumplings sitting beside her can of lemon La Croix on the step, all of which she’d gotten from one of the lunch shops nearby that she frequented when she forgot (or didn’t have time, too busy wrapped in Duncan’s arms, she thought, biting her lip) to pack a lunch herself. Her black Kate Spade Margaux satchel (a gift from her mother when she’d gotten her position at the Post) sat on the step above, her phone in its gold case next to it, its face blank for now. Duncan hadn’t texted her yet since she’d left his penthouse five hours ago, his lips kissing her again and again, clutching her as she half-heartedly tried to break away (she hadn’t wanted to), and she was determined to wait until he did, even though her fingers itched to send him a message. She tore at one of the dumplings with her little fingers, tossing morsels to a fat pigeon who cooed around her feet, lost in thoughts of Duncan again, apprehension at telling her mother or imagining the cold eyes of Annette Shepherd’s judgement, Duncan again, his bright blue jeweled eyes, his hands, his finger on her clit, his black Oxford shirts, his kisses, his voice in her ear, low and sweet. Her phone trumpeted.

Mom: That should work for me, sweets. Is spaghetti and meatballs okay? I’ve been craving it. Can’t wait to see your beautiful face. Is everything at work okay?

She’d texted Madeline in line at the corner store, after she’d made it to a break point regarding her article; Mom, can we have dinner tonight? I need to talk to you about something. Everything’s fine, but it’s important to me. I get off around 5, I could take the train to you.

You know I love your spaghetti, Momby, she typed, using the special nickname she’d called her mother since she was barely old enough to speak. Work is fine, it’s not about work. See you around 6ish.

She set her phone down again, reaching for her can of seltzer; but the familiar trumpety text sound rang out from it again, startling her. Must be Momby again, she thought. She stared at her phone, pushing a forkful of chicken into her mouth. Duncan.

She dropped her plastic fork, grabbing at her phone, holding it up to her face, breathless.

Hi baby. Hope your day is going okay. I’m nervous about tonight, but I know when Mom meets you she’ll love you. Everything will be okay.

A pause, and another text appeared behind the first. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you, I can’t concentrate at all today, I fucked up my taped interview three times.

One more pause. Wish I could go back to last night, looking at you in the candlelight. Wish I could wake up again with you in my arms, over and over. Want you on my desk again, looking down at me that way with my mouth on your clit…

Kenzie swallowed, heat rising at the back of her neck, and she pressed a hand against her mouth, unknowingly. Fuck. Duncan. She typed back.

I’m nervous too, I’m going to see my mom on the train after work. But everything will be okay, because we have each other now. And we’ll have so many days to wake up together, baby. My day’s okay, I’m almost finished with my article.

She hit send, hesitated, and typed again. I can’t stop thinking about you either. Last night was perfect, like a beautiful dream. I can’t stand the thought of sleeping without you tonight.

Duncan: Baby. I can’t stand it either.

Mackenzie blood was singing. The way he spoke to her, the way he looked at her, his gentleness, his strong beautiful hands all over her. How would she ever think clearly again? How would she ever be able to concentrate on anything else again? She felt wildly high, like she’d smoked an entire bowl in a few minutes. The endorphins in her brain were coursing through her, filling her with a euphoric daze. Her appetite slid away, her body buzzing with too much nervous energy to eat anymore.

Duncan: No matter how these conversations go tonight, please promise me I can see you tomorrow? I don’t think I can wait longer than that. I want to leave this fucking meeting right now and come to where you are and kiss you until I can’t breathe. I want to make you writhe with pleasure. I wanna make you feel so fucking good, angel…

Mackenzie typed quickly, her breath hitching, her stomach in knots.

Yes, I promise, tomorrow. I get off around 5. Maybe you could come to my place this time. I want you so much, I miss your mouth all over me, I miss your hands on me…

With a grin she imagined Duncan’s pants growing tight around his length in the middle of a meeting, and she couldn’t stifle the giggle that rose out of her. She liked the idea of him getting bothered and distracted in a professional place like that; it thrilled her that he was thinking of her, thinking of fucking her, while he was supposed to be poised and reserved. She wanted to make him feel like that all the time; she wanted him to want her like crazy. And that was the thing; he did. It was too wonderful to be true, too intoxicating to be real. She still couldn’t believe any of it. She couldn’t believe he was hers.

Duncan: Fuck, baby, yes. All over you. I can’t wait to see you, fuck. I feel like I can’t breathe now that you’re not here.

She sent him three kissy face emojis. Just try to be patient, baby, I’ll be in your arms again soon.

Duncan: Tomorrow I wanna give you a card to use for things you need. It’ll be in my name, but it’s yours to use whenever you want. I want you to use it to get some things to leave at my place for when you stay with me. I already made room in my closet for you. Is that okay? Will you, please? I want you to feel safe and comfortable and at home there. Get whatever you want. Get some beautiful things so I can admire you in them. Please?

Her breath shuddered again. Oh my fucking god, she thought. “I already made room in my closet for you.” That gorgeous walk-in closet; he made room for her to put her clothes there. Kenzie gripped her phone tightly, fingers white and bloodless. “Fuck,” she said. “Oh my god. Fuck.”

Okay, baby, she typed. That sounds so wonderful. She felt wildly nervous at the idea of having a credit card from Duncan Shepherd that he wanted her to use, but she remembered what he’d said to her when she balked at the wine; Don’t be afraid. This is my life. The endorphins were still coursing through her and she felt positively faint with their intensity. Duncan wanted her to leave things at his penthouse. The reality of the fact that Duncan Shepherd was her fucking boyfriend now was starting to sink in and she felt absolutely drunk on the realization.

Duncan: Good. I’ll text you later after I talk with Mom. I can’t wait to see you. I’m aching for you, angel.

Good luck, baby. I’m aching for you, too. She sent a broken heart emoji with the red lipstick stain emoji beside it.

Kenzie stood up, brushing imaginary crumbs from the front of the saddle-colored dress and her knee-high stockings. She tucked her phone carefully back into her satchel, gathering the food items in the plastic bag the store clerk had given her, and walked back to the Post building, her nerves on fire with thoughts of the magick that was falling all around her, like rain made of gold, since two nights ago.

------

Kenzie had hopped on the Metro at 5:16, now wearing the oversized Brooks Brothers wool cardigan (Duncan’s cardigan) over her turtleneck dress, wisps of hair around her cheeks again from the wind that had pushed her down the stairs to the underground platform at Metro Center Station. She held the sleeve to her nose, breathing in, earbuds pushing sound into her as the Blue Line train traveled toward Arlington, where her mother now lived alone in a warm brick Cape Cod style house on Fenwick Street, a house that Kenzie thought looked like a bed-n-breakfast and had encouraged her mom to make into one several times, now that she was retired with time on her hands. Kenzie’s thoughts were hazy and drifting, thinking of Duncan’s hands and eyes and lips again, the smell of his woodsy cologne, the music pressing into her--all the roses in the garden fade to black, oooh / oooh--when that familiar trumpet-y sound emanated into her ears. Text message.

Clairebear: Kenzie, oh my god. Did you see this? Take a deep breath. It’s on like four other sites now.

A link accompanied Claire’s text; buzzpopfeed.com. Oh, fuck, Kenzie though, blood freezing. A gossip website.

She clicked the link, her stomach turning over. SHEPHERD UNLIMITED HEIR DUNCAN SHEPHERD SPOTTED AT HIP DC FRENCH BISTRO WITH MYSTERY BEAUTY, the headline read. OH, FUCK, Kenzie thought, heart ramming up into her throat, scrolling down rapidly to the photos, eyes wide. Oh fuck, fucking shit fuck oh no.

There were three photos; the first one was of the two of them walking through the closely-set tables of the main dining room of Le Diplomate, towards where their private room was tucked towards the back; in it, Kenzie looked at Duncan shyly and he looked back at her, his expression casual, at least, it appeared that way, and their hands were tightly clasped; her face was totally visible, as if someone had taken the photo from the back of the room while they walked forward--a photo from a phone, no doubt. The plunging neckline of her dress was clearly visible too; her waves of long hair over one shoulder. I look really nice, she thought, with strange, removed relief. I guess if I have to show up on a gossip site, it’s better if the pictures aren’t terrible. Duncan, of course, looked wonderful; wildly handsome, his hair tossed perfectly back, his blue eyes shining out of the photo strikingly, his velvet jacket falling just-so despite the candid nature of the shot. God, he’s so beautiful. She felt absurdly distant from the photo, as if there were some other girl in it with him; it was all still so surreal.

She scrolled down a little more; the second photo was clearly their backs to the camera, wherever it had come from, moving out the front door; obviously taken as they were leaving in a dizzy rush, wrapped up in each other. Duncan’s hand was visible along the bottom of Kenzie’s back in it, pressing against her long wavy hair, his face leaning down to her; her face was turned up to him, and her smile, though only partially visible, was radiant. I look so happy, she thought. I am happy. I’m in love.

The last photo made her gasp; in it, she and Duncan were clearly embracing, and his lips were pressed to the incline of her neck, her eyes closed, her face serene; she remembered the moment as clearly as if it was happening again now, despite the wine having settled into her by then; he’d grasped her to him as he’d opened the car door for her, and pressed a kiss, like the immediate passion of Klimt’s painting of the same name, into her. She couldn’t imagine any onlooker mistaking the kiss for one of platonic affection; there was an aching sensitivity to it, a passionate depth of feeling that was never present for the embraces of friendship. It was a Kiss; running over with emotion, gold and glittering and weaved of transparent desire. You only kiss someone like that if you want them terribly, she thought, and knew it was obvious; that it would be obvious to anyone who saw the photo, including their mothers. Looking at the photo filled her body with electricity; god, his kisses. Knowing they were all for her now was a dream too precious to fully grasp.

She blew air carefully from her nose, willing herself out of the dizziness that washed over her; at least you were about to tell your mother anyway, she reasoned with herself. But a stone settled into the pit of her stomach, one made of a heavy sourness, comprised of apprehension; I’m not sure I was ready for literally everyone else to know, too, that’s all.

Too late now, I guess.

She replied to Claire. No. I hadn’t seen that. I’m literally on the train to Arlington to tell my mother about him, though. I was already. Good timing, I guess.

Clairebear: Kenzie, you look BEAUTIFUL in these photos. Stunning. No wonder he asked you to be his girlfriend. At least now I know he isn’t an idiot, at least, not entirely. He better hire you a bodyguard now.

Kenzie bit her lip nervously, reading Claire’s message a few times. She glanced up, noticing they were a stop away from Arlington Cemetery. Momby, I’m about five minutes from the Station, she sent to her mother. Her mother replied almost right away with a thumbs-up emoji and “ok” emoji, which meant “on my way!” in Kenzie/Momby speak.

Thanks for letting me know, Clairebear. I love you. He’s telling his mom soon too, over dinner.

Clairebear: You know I gotchu, bb. God, I’d love to see the look on Annette Shepherd’s face tonight. He better have nerves of steel. I love you too.

Kenzie tucked her phone into the long pocket of Duncan’s wool cardigan as the train rolled to a stop at the Arlington Cemetery Station; she stepped out onto the platform, spotting her Momby’s old beat-up Jeep Cherokee, waving to her and smiling. Madeline waved back, her rectangular glasses glinting in the low evening light; the ones she wore tonight were black, but she had ten different pairs, all the same style but in different colors. Kenzie hitched the straps of her satchel over her shoulder, sighing. Here goes fucking nothing, please be understanding tonight, Momby.

She slid into the beat-up passenger’s seat of the Jeep, fingers immediately finding the place where the seam had ripped out along the side, pressing into it; she had worked her fingers there for years, and it was her fault the orange-y stuffing was poking out. Her mother’s warm scent, like clean sheets dried in sunny air and a vague sweetness (it always made Kenzie think of wine), enveloped Kenzie as it always did as she leaned over and kissed the crow’s-foot at the corner of her mother’s eye. “Hi Momby,” she said, settling back into her seat, hand grasping around her mother’s resting on the steering wheel for a moment before putting it back into her lap.

“Hi sweet pea,” he mother said, putting her foot on the gas gently, pulling out of the parking lot behind a few other cars; she wore plum-dark lipstick and a dark indigo sweater, a black scarf around her neck; she had on her little gold hoop earrings, the ones she wore most often these days. The Platters’ Only You drifted soothingly from the stereo as she pulled onto the road, towards home. “I made the meatballs with extra garlic; most recipes call for a clove of garlic, which I find unbelievable, you need at least five for any savory food to taste decent. And you need to ward off the vampires, of course.”

Kenzie grinned at her mother. “Of course.”

“So what’s with you, Kenzie Lou.” Her mother yanked on the stick shift, the old Jeep rumbling at her. She didn’t look at her daughter, keeping her eyes on the road, but Kenzie could tell by the edge in her voice she wasn’t going to let her daughter stall for long.

“Ummmmm.” Kenzie hummed for a moment, flicking imaginary dirt from under her nails. “The past few days have been...really overwhelming. I went to that party and it was awful, Momby, the men there were terrible, their conversations, ugh, just horrible. But I did manage to record some incriminating stuff. But--” She hesitated. Madeline glanced at her, pressing her lips together in that familiar way.

“But what, sweet pea. Spit it out.”

“I...Momby. I met someone there.”

Her mother didn’t say anything, eyes staying on the road for a few beats. She glanced over at her daughter, her eyes peering over her squarish glasses, and Kenzie saw her eyebrows fall; saw a shadow falling over her mother’s face.

“Okay.”

“Ummm.”

Now that the moment seemed to be here, Kenzie felt unable to continue. It was one thing to imagine telling her mother about Duncan; it was another thing entirely to stare her mother in the face in person and tell her she was Annette Shepherd’s son’s fucking girlfriend.

“Please promise you won’t get upset.”

“Mackenzie. What are you talking about? You met someone. What does that mean?” Her mother’s tone was even, but hid a gaining hint of annoyance that only the well-trained ear of her daughter could pick up on. Kenzie had grown up having conversations like this with her mother; matter-of-fact and even, but tinged with a complete lack of tolerance for falsehood. “Promise I won’t get upset? I don’t even understand what I’m theoretically supposed to be upset about. You met a Democrat there? What are the odds.” She laughed a little at her own joke.

“I met Duncan Shepherd there.”

Her mother said nothing. The air seemed to go thick with the heaviness of the silence that settled between them. Her mother was thinking.

“Okay. And?”

“Momby. Don’t be mad. I wanted to tell you because...it’s important to me.” She mirrored Duncan’s words without fully realizing it.

“Tell me what? He has six fingers? He has horns?” Her mother mirrored Duncan’s words now, and it unnerved her. A strong wave of deja vu washed over her; time falling in on itself.

“I--we went out together,” she said, lamely, fumbling for words.

“‘Went out together’?” Her mother’s tone was rising very slightly, the edge becoming more apparent. “Went out? To where, their fucking chemical plant?”

“Momby.”

“Mackenzie.” Her mother turned onto Fenwick Street with a jerk, pressed the foot more firmly onto the gas pedal, the Jeep stuttering forward, the warm light of the house visible down the block. Kenzie fumbled her hands together again, reaching down to her pocket, fingers closing around her phone, as if Duncan could send strength through it to her hand. She knew inherently her mother understood already what she was trying to say, but she also knew her mother was going to force her to say it outloud. Madeline Stone was like that. You said what you meant, or you fucked off.

Her mother turned into the slender driveway paved with red bricks along either side of a stretch of blacktop. She turned the Jeep’s ignition off, yanking the key out with a measured amount of anger. Mackenzie listened to her mother let out a colossal sigh, a sort of exasperated groan.

“Mackenzie Louise. Just spit it the fuck out.”

“We’re together. Momby. I’m dating him. I thought you should know.”

“Jesus, Mackenzie!” Her mother spit the words out, slapping a hand against the steering wheel. “You have got to be fucking kidding me!”

Her mother slapped the door of the Jeep open, stepped down, purse clutched tightly in her hand, and slammed it behind her, making the old car shudder. Kenzie winced. Her mother stormed into the house, the big wood door swinging shut with a slight crash.

Kenzie sucked air into her lungs, holding her breath in, puffing out her cheeks. She pulled the phone out of her pocket and stared down at it, noticing it was blank of messages, wondering if Duncan was having as great a time as she was so far (haha). She copied the link from the text from Claire and pasted it into the message box under Duncan’s name in her texting app. She pressed send, and typed after it: Just told my mom and she isn’t taking it very well so far. I’m going to try to talk to her somemore over dinner. In the meantime, my friend sent me this. I thought you should know. She chewed her lip, hit send again, lowered her phone into her lap, took a deep breath. Kenzie opened the car door, slinging her bag over her shoulder, and trudged into her mother’s warm brick house, determined to convince the notoriously stubborn Madeline Stone that Duncan Shepherd was indeed good enough for her daughter.

#millory #body and soul #duckenzie #duncan shepherd #duncan shepherd au #millory au #duncan x mackenzie #duncan shepherd x mackenzie stone #duncan x mallory #michael x mallory #collie #cody x billie #cody fern #billie lourd #ahs apocalypse #house of cards #house of cards au #my fic

23 notes · View notes