Disclaimer: Pokémon isn't mine!
A/N: I recently got into this pairing; probably the first rival ship I actually started supporting. lol
Thanks for reading!
Day 10: Write about any pairing.
Pairing: Hugh/Rosa
Warnings: None.
Word Count: 1,330 words.
.: Lost & Found :.
~ It's still there; keep searching ~
:: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::
Hugh hisses when the disinfectant begins working on the cuts to his skin. He's trying not to be a baby about it—come on, he's had worse—but he hates how tingly and cold the chemical is on open wounds. Rosa rummages through the first-aid kit before she lets out a happy chirp; Hugh feeling a bandage being pressed to his cheek afterwards.
"There you go; all done!" Rosa smiles; closing the first-aid kit.
"Thanks," Hugh says, wiping his nose on the sleeve of his jacket. He tenderly touches the bandage, thinking for a moment before looking disillusioned. "Was this necessary?"
She looks at him as if he was crazy. "Hugh, that could leave a scar if it isn't treated."
"I think you're overreacting; it's just a scratch," he replies in monotone, glancing at the view looking over Aspertia City. Currently, they were 'catching up' when Rosa comes back to visit her mother. Truthfully, Hugh is more than happy to see his friend and rival after a month of little to no contact, but today probably isn't the best of days to catch up.
He's still…having problems with his sister's Purrloin—…Liepard. It still doesn't trust humans and Hugh has tried almost everything to get it to open up again. Not even his sister's face—the one hope Hugh believed would work—can break Liepard's shell. Hugh curls a fist tight enough to cut through his gloves. It's his fault Liepard came back the way it did; if only he acted sooner to retrieve his sister's Purrloin five years ago—
"I met up with Nate the other day. He says we should all get together some time and attempt a three-team Rotation Battle at the Battle Subway." Rosa cuts through Hugh's heavy thoughts with a simple giggle. She grins at him. "Of course, Nate's having a hard time convincing Emmet and Ingo to allow it, but once he does, we should try it!"
Hugh blinks without breaking face. Rosa remains positively unfazed; blue eyes bright and smile growing, but as he thought, her optimism isn't reaching him. Sighing, Hugh falls back on the bench with his eyes closed; hands behind his head. "Count me out. I have things on my plate right now, so I can't do it."
He doesn't have to look to know there's a frown on her face. "Not even for a little bit?"
"Rosa, we'd still have to travel to Nimbasa City and that takes time," Hugh deadpans, turning his head to give Rosa a stand-offish look. "I'm busy—"
…Oh, he does not like that look she is giving him…
The pig-tailed brunette narrows her eyes so dangerously, Hugh unconsciously leans back out of fear. There isn't a lot of things that scare him, but Rosa was an exception—he did grow up with her after all. Rosa gets to her feet and stands in front of him; her frown growing as she places her hands on her hips and it doesn't help that the rim of her visor shadows her eyes to give her a sinister expression.
It's almost a challenge to keep his red eyes from diverting to the side, but Rosa remains firm as she sharply whispers. "Quit lying to me, Hugh."
"Huh?"
His eyebrows knit together, but Rosa persists. "I said quit lying to me. When was the last time you actually went out and had fun?"
"What does that matter—?"
"Hugh." There's something about the way she looks at him now—sympathy replacing her annoyance—and it causing a stirring in the pit of his stomach. Hugh clenches his teeth the more he looks at her. "Stop blaming yourself for things that were out of your control."
"…You think you know everything don't you?" Rosa tilts her head, trying to catch Hugh's eyes when he lowers his gaze. However, it wasn't necessary because the next thing the male Trainer does is snap up with a gaze of overwhelming rage; the control of his emotions worn down by exhaustion and frustration. Hugh towers Rosa when he glares down at her; fists at his side. "You think you know everything just because your world is fine and dandy! Well, here's the reality: not everyone can grasp the same happiness as you. If that were true, my sister wouldn't be crying for Purrloin every night; Liepard would still be safe and happy at home; and I wouldn't…!"
It's unnerving; she's unnerving. Rosa keeps a straight face even as he yells at her. No wavering of emotion; no pulling away from direct eye contact… She is calm and takes everything he says before brushing them off; and yet…she still holds that sympathy in her eyes.
"I wouldn't…" He's losing his voice; his anger is dying down; and Hugh feels something that hasn't been there in so long. Breathing heavily, he feels his vision beginning to blur and Hugh falls back on the bench like a mess, leaning forward on his knees and burying his face in his hands. The tears escape him before he has time to hide them and Hugh's shoulders heave uncontrollably. He's crying in front of someone who shouldn't ever see him cry—Hugh is pitiful.
Only his stifled whimpers resound between them, but eventually, Hugh is pulled forward. Unbelievable warmth wraps around him and the smell of lilacs invades his senses. Rosa strokes a gentle hand on his back as she hushes him quietly. They stay that way until Hugh's hiccups die down. "…It's okay to rely on someone too, Hugh. Show Liepard that it's okay to trust others again."
Her words cut deep and the only thing he can do is keep Rosa close…
:: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::
"Are you sure?" Rosa asks, biting her bottom lip.
Hugh simply nods, taking in a deep breath as he holds Liepard's Poké Ball tightly in his right hand. He stares at the ball, already feeling Liepard's hostility stirring inside. "Yeah. This time, I'll get through to Liepard." Rosa hums in uncertainty and this catches Hugh's attention. He frowns at her; a little hurt that she doesn't believe him. "You don't think I can do it?"
"No, that's not it!" The pig-tailed brunette is quick to wave her hands, smiling. "It's just that, well, Liepard already attacked you today and I don't have any more bandages."
Oh. That's what she was worried about? Rolling his eyes, Hugh turns back to concentrate. "Forget the bandages, Rosa. We'll figure something out along the way."
She pouts, almost unimpressed, before crossing her arms and thinks. Hugh is about to release Liepard when Rosa pipes up brightly. "Okay, I'll just kiss your boo-boos away then—"
"What made you come up with that!? And why are you calling injuries 'boo-boos'!?" Hugh cries back with an unintentional yell. He's pretty sure the Pidove flock resting the metal railing flies the coop once he starts shouting again, but it wasn't his fault! Rosa's idea is super-childish and naïve and…why is his face turning red?
Rosa raises an eyebrow. "It was just a suggestion. And why are you freaking out?"
"I'm not freaking out," Hugh retorts, glaring only because he doesn't know what else to do.
She doesn't answer right away, blinking innocently before grinning so devilishly, Hugh could have mistaken her for a Purrloin. Snickering behind her palm, Rosa teases. "Says the guy with puffy eyes." He flabbergasts with a straight back, but the female Trainer only continues with a satisfied sigh. "You actually opened up to me so much today…it was cute."
"Rosa, shut up," Hugh warns with finality. He decides it's better to ignore her—especially when she begins laughing light-heartedly—to focus his attention on Liepard. Maybe it wasn't going to happen today, or even tomorrow, but Hugh is going to get through to Liepard no matter how long it takes…just like how Rosa was able to get through to him. Hugh hides a smile as he whispers. "I'm not giving up on you, Liepard. That's a promise."