A/N: It's been about…5 years since I wrote the prequel to this idea? Welp, better late than never. Enjoy!
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"Race you to the city!"
A warm breeze hits them while riding their bikes across the highway bridge, cars on their way to early morning shifts bustling beneath them. The last remainders of nightfall shadow the Castelia skyline.
"Most restaurants aren't even open yet, May."
"I never said I was hungry!" Her stomach protests. Drew stifles a laugh.
She unexpectedly met up with her rival during one of her expeditions through Pinwheel Forest yesterday. Also heading to Castelia City for the upcoming contest, he suggested they go together. After camping the night out, they woke up before dawn to cross the Castelia Bridge and explore the city before it became its infamous lively self.
"We'll get some food once we get there. There's probably a hundred Sawsbucks waiting for our hard-earned money."
Surprised he directed his wit not at her for once, May smiles at the prospect of yummy overpriced café food and a nice frap-
"Try swallowing some Cutieflies until then."
Ah. There it is.
She grimaces at the mental image and turns, preparing a retort, but Drew isn't beside her. Looking behind, she notices he stopped, gazing intently at the horizon. Stopping her bike, May turns her head in the same direction.
She isn't a morning person; Drew practically dragged her to the bridge this morning. Yet, experiencing how the sun as it peaks out from the sea, bathing the city in a warm light that reflects off the buildings in front of them, makes her want to set her alarms this early more often.
The coordinators admire the spectacle, undisturbed by the muffled road rage and cruise engines. May closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, tasting a twinge of salt in the air. It reminds her of Hoenn.
She voices her nostalgia. Drew laughs.
"Yeah, reminds me of your Beautifly's Morning Sun," he stretches his arms, breathing in the air. "Feels like I got restored by it, too."
Drew flattered her Pokémon and her skills many times before, but she's never gotten used to it. If he notices her blush, he doesn't comment.
"Oh! I got an idea. Beautifly, take the stage!"
Drew looks at her quizzically before understanding, calling out his Roserade. Both Pokémon emerge, questioning their trainers for sending them out before noticing the sunrise. Without need of further prompting, they perform their restorative moves.
As their Pokémon restore their energy, the coordinators re-mount their bikes and continue towards Castelia. Beautifly happily chirps as it flies over them, wings sparkling. Meanwhile, Drew hides his initial struggle with Roserade's added weight on his bike but adjusts quickly, managing to pass May on the narrow road.
"I thought you didn't wanna race?"
He doesn't even have to turn around for her to know he's smirking. "It's not a race if the winner's decided."
Oh, now she's irked. She peddles vigorously, motivated by the sweet, sweet victory she will shove in Drew's smug face. Drew peddles a little faster, not willing to let May pass him. Roserade grips the sides of the basket in panic, sending her trainer a glare that he ignores. He's not about to admit he's having a little fun. Despite always teasing her childishness, May does bring him out of his cautious shell.
Well, maybe cautiousness is better in some situations; especially when you're carrying a 35-pound, nearly meter tall Pokémon while biking up concrete.
He doesn't hear May shouting at him to watch out through his adrenaline rush. Next thing he's on the ground, a little disoriented. His bike fell beside him, its wheels still spinning. Roserade jumped out as they fell, landing gracefully near her trainer.
"Arceus, Drew. Are you OK?" May gets off her bike and crouches beside him, Beautifly hovering above. "You're hurt!"
Pushing himself up with scraped hands, he notices his pant leg torn up, revealing an ugly cut on his knee. It doesn't look too deep nor does it hurt much when he bends his leg. Then again, the remaining adrenaline probably clouds his judgement.
"Shame, I liked these pants."
"It's not funny!"
He flicks his messed-up hair, attempting to regain some finesse. His hair looks worse. The feeble attempt makes her laugh though, and he supresses a smile. This clumsy situation is unlike him. Roserade also giggles at her trainer's expense. Drew deadpans at her, but internally releases a breath knowing his Pokémon is unharmed.
"May, I'm fine," he tries standing up, wincing as a sharp sting registers as his weight falls on his knees. "I'll get it checked once we get to the Centre. Let's go."
May's not having it though. She exchanges a look with Roserade, who looks just as equally fed up as she is worried for her trainer. Seriously, why are men so stubborn?
"Wait a sec, Drew," she calls Beautifly, who perches itself on her head. Drew's about to dismiss May because really, he doesn't want her worrying, but Roserade gives him a pointed look and he obliges.
May instructs her Beautifly to use Morning Sun again. Roserade gets the gist, using Synthesis near her trainer's leg. A few minutes later, the cut on his leg is nothing more than a faded scar. His hands also healed up. He clenches and opens them up a couple times, staring at them and his leg in awe.
"Huh, looks like I did get restored by it," he stands up easier now, mind clear. "Thank you, Roserade and Beautifly."
"Hey, I helped too!"
"I didn't know you could do Morning Sun, May," Drew dusts himself off, running a hand through his hair as she stands up. She's starting to regret helping him. "But seriously, thank you."
The genuine sincerity he looks at her with takes her back. Despite his smug attitude and sarcastic comments, she understands why so many fangirls admire him – herself included.
"I-its no problem," she turns away, flustered he's made her feel like this twice already in the span of what, ten minutes? She feels silly for always wearing her heart on her sleeve. "I'm glad you're better. Let's get going!"
Thanking their Pokémon once more, the coordinators call them back into their Pokeballs. The sun rose a bit higher in the short amount of time, further basking the city in a livelier light. Steady lines of traffic continue forming below them. Drew suggests they walk the remainder of the way. May agrees, not questioning his reasoning. He internally thanks her for it.