Steven was nervous. It wasn't like Steven to be nervous, but in this occasion he was extremely nervous.
Today was the day he wanted to ask Brendan out.
He had played it coy in the past, just talking to Brendan as a good friend, seeing him every now and again. Eventually he realised that he enjoyed seeing Brendan so much because he liked the young trainer.
Seriously, he had never thought that falling in love with a teenager would be in his future, but whatever, shit happens.
He looked at himself in the mirror what felt like the millionth time that morning. He could hear Wallace chuckling at him.
"I don't see why you are so worried, Steven, I mean, you have known him for years now."
Steven sighted. "I…" he shook his head. "I just don't want to embarrass myself. What if he says no?"
Wallace laughed loudly. "Say no? Have you been living under a rock?" Wallace stopped laughing. "Oh, right…"
Steven frowned. "I don't…" he waved his hand. "Whatever. Wait… what did you say before that?"
"Nothing" Wallace smiled. "You will be fine. Just go meet up with him. Good luck."
"Thanks Wallace."
He nodded. "I don't even know why you wanted me to help you get ready, jeez… you don't look any different."
"Thank you?" Steven replied, not entirely sure if it was a compliment.
Wallace smiled and nodded. "Okay, you better get going."
"Right, yes. Thank you." He walked out of his house. The nerves overtook him. He just stood in the doorway.
Wallace stepped out next to him. "Steven Stone, are you really that nervous? That is simply put, embarrassing."
"Look, I have… never been in this situation before. I am allowed to be nervous."
"You were the champion, you faced numerous trainers and you go caving all the time yet you are scared of asking one little question."
He sighed. "Yes. That is me summed up to a T."
Wallace pushed him out from the doorway. "Go. Now."
"Okay." He released skarmory. He breathed in and exhaled his nervousness. "I got this
he breathed. He sat on the bird pokémom and flew to Mauville.
He arrived at Mauville, and he saw Brendan already sitting in the courtyard near the Pokémon Center. He felt ashamed that he was running late, having made Brendan wait. He returned skarmory and walked over. "Brendan" he smiled. "Sorry I am late."
Brendan smiled. "Don't worry about it."
Steven smiled, Brendan's face was so beautiful. He looked at the basket on the chair next to him. "What-?"
"It's a nice day. I thought we could have a picnic on the top terrace."
"I would like that… um… you packed food?"
Brendan laughed. "Of course I did." He stood up and picked up the basket. "I packed sandwiches and pastries. Hope that's okay."
"Of course." Steven awkwardly grabbed the basket from Brendan. "Let me help you with that."
"Oh-"
"It's okay. Thank you for bringing lunch."
Brendan smiled. "Anytime. I just wanted to say that… I am glad you are happy to take time out of your day to catch up with me. I mean, even though Wallace is at the league now and you don't have that responsibility… well, I mean, even though you're the head of Devon… I am just glad that… I still get to see you… gosh that was longwinded…" he sighed.
"No… I thought that was nice. Thank you Brendan. I would… like to see you more."
Brendan ginned, not looking at Steven as though to hide it.
They walked up the stairs to the rooftop.
"It's always so nice up here" Brendan smiled. He looked at Steven. "Do you come here often?"
"No… um… not really."
"Hm…"
Steven bit his lip.
"I guess you would be busy with work… and you still go caving, yes?"
"Of course."
"So you probably don't get time to come to Mauville." He took the basket from Steven and set it down on the ground. "I have been thinking of becoming a Gym Leader" Brendan confessed, opening the basket and retrieving the picnic blanket.
"You should go for it."
"Maybe I should… be just like my dad." He smiled.
"Norman would be proud."
"He would be. I haven't told him yet… I wanted to get your opinion."
Steven smiled. "Why mine?"
"Because" he shrugged. He sat down on the rug and opened the basket again.
Steven decided not to be nosey. "Um… so…" he sighed.
Brendan chuckled. "Sit with me Steven" he held his hand out.
Steven smiled and took Brendan's hand, sitting down next to him. He watched as Brendan smiled to himself, setting up the picnic. "I hope you enjoy the food. I wasn't really sure what to pack."
"This is wonderful. Thank you Brendan."
Brendan smiled. "I'm glad."
Steven couldn't believe he had been so nervous to meet with Brendan today. Of course everything was going well. He smiled at Brendan. Just looking at Brendan reminded Steven of how beautiful he though the teen was. Every time he saw Brendan he was reminded of how gorgeous he was. He reached over and lightly brushed Brendan's face with his fingers.
Brendan looked at Steven. He smiled. "Steven-"
"B-Brendan, please go out with me." He froze at his outburst. Gosh that was the worst. He flushed and looked away.
Brendan leaned over and touched Steven's shoulder. "Steven?" he asked softly.
Steven looked at Brendan.
The teen smiled at him. "Yeah, I would love to."
Steven sighed, relieved. "You have no idea how nervous I was to ask you."
Brendan laughed. "Steven Stone, you, nervous? No way! I could never imagine that."
Steven had to smile. "Yeah… sound ridiculous, right?"
"Very much so. Damn Steven, you are full of surprises."
"So are you."
"How so?" Brendan asked, brow furrowed slightly.
"You said yes, didn't you?"
Brendan laughed and punched his arm lightly. "Of course I did!"
Steven smiled. "And that is how you surprised me."
Brendan looked down. "I am glad you asked. I was planning on doing the same thing today." He leaned against Steven. "I feel like I have been waiting for this for… ever" he chuckled.
Steven nodded. "Yeah… I guess it does feel like forever. I have known you for years now…" he smiled. "I will never forget the moment I met you in Granite Cave.
"I was so awkward back then" sighted Brendan, reminiscing.
"Not at all."
He rolled his eyes. "I so was."
Steven smiled. "You were so determined. Even back then."
"I remember it like yesterday."
"It was like fate that we continued to meet. Such chance meetings… could only end up in friendship."
"And romance" Brendan smiled.
Steven took him into his arms.
Brendan leaned back. "This is nice. Do… you think we could do this again tomorrow?"
Steven smiled. "Of course we can."