Title: Blue Tomorrow
Rating: G
Word Count: 500
Genre: Drama, Character Study, Fluff
Summary: Steven/Various. Steven Stone and the love interests he can't have.
Disclaimer: Pokémon isn't mine.
Author's Notes: Originally written 3 Jan 2011. For Manhattan Martini.
Steven's first love died the moment he was born.
He grows up padding through silent corridors and writing letters in empty rooms. Dear Mother, today the sky was high and cloudless and it made me think of the way your faded blue eyes look in father's old photographs. I never had a chance to know you, but I miss you all the time.
He folds each one neatly and stares at them, unmarked and unaddressed, before picking them up and walking to the cliff overlooking the sea. Then he shapes them into airplanes and flings them with all his strength.
—
Steven's first crush is a young girl who's visiting Rustboro for the summer.
He's never seen hair as gold as hers, or seen anyone move as gracefully as she does, long-fingered movements that sweep through the air. She's the first person he meets who loves books as much as he does, who doesn't mind when he stammers and blushes and stares at his feet, who holds his hand and smiles when he brings her to see the cliff overlooking the sea.
But Cynthia returns to Sinnoh when autumn comes, and Steven's only ten years old, and eventually, the memories fade.
—
Steven's first kiss feels like an accident.
When he's sent to boarding school in Sootopolis, it feels like he's been exiled to the end of the world—until meets his roommate. Wallace shows Steven around town and cracks sly jokes until Steven's laughing too hard to feel uncomfortable.
They spend their last night of high school together, lying on the roof and staring at the starlight that filters through the crater. Steven turns to say something—and runs into Wallace's kiss.
"I'm sorry," Wallace whispers when they pull apart. "I thought—"
"It's okay," Steven says, and their friendship survives unchanged.
—
Steven first feels a connection when he's old enough to know better.
He's met her somehow-familiar blue eyes before. He's noticed the determination beneath her bright exterior, but he's never paid May much mind—not until they fight together and fall into step, dovetailing strategies like old friends.
Her cheeks are flushed when she turns to him, victorious, and he can't stop his rising interest. He wonders what could have been if only she were a few years older, if only he weren't a few years too late.
When she saves the world, he cheers her on—from the sidelines.
—
Steven has written his last letter.
Her smile is nervous, but genuine. "Take your time," she says.
He places the airplane on the granite stone and stares at the fluttering wings. This is Flannery, the letter says. I wish I had a better way for you to meet each other. Father says she's a lot like you, especially when she smiles.
...I'm happy, Mother.
When he gets up, Flannery steps forward. "Hello," she whispers, bowing.
"Thanks for coming," he says. He turns away and reaches for her hand; her fingers are warm when they twine with his. "Let's go home."