-Fire Flares-(Chili X Burgundy)
Requested by: Rat2rrj.
This isn't exactly a romance fic, but I'll probably end up writing an actual fic for this pairing.
The gym was quiet as ten o'clock rolled around. A handful of people sat around drinking their tea as the remaining gym leaders sat at the counter. Cress smiled politely at everyone, even offering occasional small talk while his brother stared at the wall. Underneath the counter, he tapped his feet and fidgeted impatiently. He found the hours between eight and ten to be incredibly dull because no one bothered to challenge the actual gym. They just came to drink and converse.
"Chili, be still," Cress scolded lightly under his breath. "We close in half an hour."
"And you wonder why I'm restless?" Chili mumbled back, shooting him a look. Cress still had a smile on his face, a fact that irked him. "The fire's cooled for the day. All that's left are smoulders."
"A fact of life, brother. Have a good night," he added, raising a hand in farewell to a departing customer. "Come again." At times like these, Chili seriously questioned his parentage. His brothers and parents were so polite and calm as opposed to his flaring personality. He'd never perfected their tranquil patience or eternal peace. In fact, he was yet to see Cress lose his patience.
If I didn't know better, I'd say I was adopted, he thought sourly as the doorbell rang again. In all honesty- his thoughts were cut off as the door was slammed open. The bell jingled loudly as it collided with the door frame.
Cress's smile slipped as they assessed the entrant. She was petite and innocent looking, almost like a porcelain doll; except for her fiery eyes. A snarl lined her face as she walked towards them.
"Isn't that the girl that Cilian made cry?" Cress asked, assessing her.
"Looks like it," Chili replied, getting to his feet. "Welcome to-"
"-où est –il?" she interrupted him. Beside him, Cress winced at the mispronounced French. "Where is he?" she repeated, casting a burning look towards the brothers. "Where's Cilian?" she stomped her foot and bit her lip. "Tell me, s'il vous plait!"
"Cilian's not here," Cress said slowly. Her eyes, if possible, grew angrier.
"What do you mean, he's not here? He owes me a battle!" she fumed, clenching her fists. "I need to beat him!"
"Cilian's currently travelling," Chili rephrased, slightly amused at the display happening in front of him. This was by far the most interesting person he'd seen enter the gym doors.
"He won't be back for some time," added Cress. The girl's shoulders slumped.
"Oh..." she muttered with a sigh. "Damn..." she tugged at the red bow on her shirt and lowered her head, saddened.
"Is it the Trio badge you're after, or just Cilian?" Cress asked kindly, accenting his words with a flick of his fingers. "While he may not be here, Chili and I still are."
"I'll take you on whenever you're ready," Chili offered, studying the crestfallen girl with a twinge of sympathy. She raised her head slowly and stared at him, eyes full of wonder.
"Really?" she asked, a small smile crossing her face, "you'll battle me?"
"Yeah," he confirmed, surprised as he stared into her eyes. While lilac colored, they were his eyes- the eyes of fire. Eyes that could scorch and incinerate, smoulder and burn. He'd never seen eyes quite like that before. Not even on the boy named Tripp.
"Okay, I challenge you!" she exclaimed, smiling. "Are you ready? Ready to lose?"
"I've been ready all night," Chili laughed, re-invigorated as he reached for his Pokéballs. "Bring it."
"I intend to," she said, fire returning to her eyes. "Let's go, Dewott!"