Maxie X Reader
Chapter One
As you bent down to collect your Soda Pop out of the vending machine, you heard a male voice state 'niiiiice'. You turned and saw a fellow grunt halfway through his sandwich. He gave you a thumbs up and a wink. Quick to hide your blush, you hid your face under your hood and shyly opened the can.
The male lazed back in his uncomfortable cafeteria chair and frowned. "Come on, [Name], how are you ever going to get anywhere with Maxie if you can't even take a compliment from your co-workers?"
A female grunt joined him at the table, with a tray full of food. She took one look at you, who hid behind your can, and said "What's wrong?" She snapped her head round to the male. "Have you been harassing [Name] again!?"
He held his hands up defencelessly and smirked at the female. "I'm not harassing anyone. Just tryin' to help her out."
The female's eyes narrowed and she glanced at you. Timidly, you took the can away from your face and gave her a meek smile. "It's okay, Julia. I'm used to Xerxes trying to 'help' me."
"Hun, if he gives you any more trouble, just let me know and my Mightyena will rip his perving eyes right out of their sockets."
Xerxes laughed off the threat, but you weren't certain that it was a joke.
Since you had finished your shift for the day and had no other commitments, you decided to sit with your colleagues. The usual topics came up; the hot Team Aqua girl, the pesky unbeatable-kid, your pokemon's progression and as always, your undying love for Magma's leader, Maxie.
"It's not an 'undying love'!" You protested with pink cheeks.
Both Julia and Xerxes laughed. "Right." Whispered Julia with a nod. "Courtney could be around here. Better not let her hear about your crush, or there could be a cat-fight! Mrrrow!"
Xerxes pulled an unconvinced face. "Pfft, you don't believe that rumour, do you Juls?"
You raised an eyebrow. "What rumour?"
Julia leaned back and elegantly drank her lemonade. "The rumour that Courtney fancies Maxie. I think there might be some truth to it."
You subconsciously gulped as Courtney's flawless figure and enchanting eyes came to mind. She was always by Maxie's side, ready to do anything he asked her to in that tight, short dress. Sweat started to form on the back of your head. If the rumour was true, you were ready to surrender there and then. There was no way you could compete against a intelligent woman like that for Maxie's heart. Or so you believed.
Xerxes immediately picked up on your anxiety. He gave you a harsh pat on the back and told you not to worry. "Rumours are just rumours. There are loads in every work place. This place is no different. Like there's a rumour Tabitha fancies Maxie. Oh, and Courtney fancies that stupid pesky kid. Oh! And that Tabitha faps to Gardevoirs-"
"Ugh gosh! Right! We get the picture!" Julia shuddered. "Did not need that image, thanks."
"Does Tabitha really do that over Gardevoirs?" You asked with a raised eyebrow.
Xerxes laughed. "I bloody hope not!" He rubbed your back and smiled. "Like I said, they're just rumours. No-one knows if they're true and they most likely aren't. I don't think you have to worry about Courtney, okay?"
A wave of reassurance made you relax. "If you say so, but I know I'm not the only one in this place who has... you know... a thing for Maxie."
Julia shrugged. "Probably not, but if anyone can crack that cold shell of his and get the warm Maxie juices flowing, it's you."
"You make it sound so gross..." You whimpered. "But, I don't even have many chances to talk to him outside of work. I sometimes deliberately screw up to get lectured by him or take on extra workloads to talk with him, but we've never spoken outside a work environment before." You confessed.
Xerxes scratched his left butt-cheek as he nodded along with your words. He could not help but scratch all the time; the wool irritated his sensitive skin. "Well, the annual work do is coming up, maybe you can talk to him at that?"
You sunk lower into your seat. You had forgotten about the Magma annual party and Pokemon competition. It was first introduced to keep morale up and became a regular occurrence. Maxie never attended for long, but he always showed his face for a few songs and watched the finals of the competition. You admitted to yourself that it would be a great opportunity to talk to him in a more laid-back environment, but you were not sure if you would be able to muster the confidence to even walk past him, let alone strike up conversation.
"Maybe..." You muttered as a few grunts walked past the table to the bin. They discussed who their dates were for the party and that made you grin a little. "Are all three of us going as a trio again?"
As soon as Xerxes and Julia glanced at each other with a worried expression, you already knew the answer. They explained that they had gotten dates and hadn't given much thought to attending as a group. You were not impressed by them and with a bit of attitude you shot up out of your chair. "It's fine." The passive aggressiveness was clear in your voice.
You tossed the empty can into the bin and made your way over to the warp panel. "I guess I'll see you guys at the party." You tried to force a smirk but it did not fool anyone.
"We're really sorry!" Julia repeated for the umpteenth time.
"Don't sweat it." You avoided her gaze and warped away.
The locker room was empty aside from you and one other. As you walked to your locker to get your normal clothes and bag, you eyed the man across from you. A smile cracked across your face. It was Tabitha, but all you could think about was whether he really did masturbate over Gardevoirs. A horrid tingle ran up your spine and the mental image made the hairs stand on the back of your neck. You had not realised you made an audible groan.
"Huh?" Tabitha turned from his own locker. His narrow eyes glared at you but his expression changed when he recognised who you were. "[Name]? Didn't your shift finish an hour ago?"
"Mm." You pushed the locker door closed with your back.
"Were you helping out Maxie again? You know, you shouldn't let him take advantage of your kind nature-?"
"No, no." You interrupted and laughed very slightly. "I just got talking to some friends. Besides, I really don't mind helping Maxie out. He's not taking advantage of me, I really enjoy it, but thank you for caring."
Tabitha seemed startled when you said that. He folded his arms across his chest and turned away. "Oh I don't care about you, I just have a-a, um, a duty to look out for my fellow colleagues! That is what a great chief admin does." It definitely sounded like he cared.
"Right." You headed towards the woman's changing rooms and gave one last smile to Tabitha. As you placed your hand on the door handle, you became nervous. The image of Courtney blew up in your mind once more and that awful cold sweat had returned. You bit your bottom lip and stared at Tabitha. Your eyes bore into him as you tried to brew the courage to ask him a question.
He visibly began to sweat as he watched you stare at him. He was clearly freaked out. "Can I help you?" Tabitha asked cautiously.
"Yes!" You said a little too eagerly and made the male flinch. You cleared your throat and averted your gaze to the ground. "Um, I was just wondering. You and Admin Courtney are friends, right?"
He scoffed. "We work together."
"Well, do you think there's any truth to the rumour that she... 'likes' our boss in a... well a romantic way?"
Tabitha looked at you. There was an awkward silence as you awaited his answer and he waited for the punchline. When neither came, Tabitha laughed. "Ahyahyahyah, you're being serious." It made him laugh harder. "No, I don't think Courtney holds any silly affection for our leader. We are great admins and work hard for him, but Courtney? Liking Maxie? That is just something preposterous and amusing!"
While Tabitha giggled to himself, you felt extremely embarrassed. You rushed into the changing room and did not leave until you were certain Tabitha had left. That damn Makuhita-man had really knocked down all the confidence you had built. Still, he had given you an answer.
Courtney was not your rival.