Title: Three Plum Buns
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #40, Three Plum Buns
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*

Notes: () for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks

Warnings: AU, het

He yawned as he climbed out of bed, shutting the alarm clock off. He went into the bathroom and took a quick shower. Then, he brushed his teeth. He put on the dark blue jacket and pants that were his school uniform, and walked into the kitchen. Breakfast was waiting.

"Good morning," Lance said.

"Morning," He replied. He picked up his bowl of miso soup. She did the same with her own. They ate quietly, enjoying the silence.

Soon, he had to leave. His apartment mate handed him a bento.

"You made lunch for me?"

Lance smiled. "It's not much, but I hope you like it."

Red grinned and threw his arms around his friend. "Thanks a lot!"

"No problem," She smiled. "Have fun at school today, all right?"

"I will, I promise~!"

Lance watched Red go with a slight frown on her face. Ever since Red's parents had died in a tragic Magnet Train wreck three years ago, he had moved in with her. They had separate bedrooms, and took turns cleaning and cooking. That was fair.

Not that she minded of course, but something still whispered … wrong?

She shook her head. She was thinking too much. Or, she had finally realized her feelings. It was not always a good thing.

Red munched on his katsu sandwich he sat with his friends Green and Blue in the schoolyard. Blue rifled through his lunch, despite his protests.

"Ooh! You have sweets?"

He blinked. Indeed, there they were – three plum buns. White flour filled with sweet paste filling. He grinned. "That's one for each of us, all right?"

"Sure."

He didn't think more of it until he returned home. Lance was already there, though she looked dulled, for lack of a better word.

"Is something wrong?" He asked.

She shook her head. "It is nothing for you to worry about."

"Are you sure?" Red asked. Maybe she had a bad day at work?

"I could never keep any secrets from you."

He could make dinner tonight, if she was tired. And he would wash the dishes, too. They didn't have to do any cleaning until the weekend.

"Tell me." He coaxed, as he climbed onto her lap. Technically, he was too old for it, but that never stopped him.

"I cannot…" She sighed.

"Why?"

"It is too dangerous."

"What do you mean?" Red blinked. "You mean the work you're doing for the government is too dangerous?"

"I suppose you could put it that way…"

Red frowned. "If you're having financial trouble, I could find a job, and you could rent my room out. I could sleep on the floor in a sleeping bag." It would be cheaper that way. Had the landlord increased their rent?

"That's not it." She shook her head. His willingness to help was touching, though.

"What is it then?"

"It might be more accurate if I show you," Lance murmured, and that was all the warning he got before his friend kissed him.

Red gasped, as they broke apart for air. * What… *

She sighed.

"Do you see now, why it is so dangerous?"

Red shook his head.

Lance raised her eyebrows, and that was when the teen promptly kissed her back. "I like you too!"

Well, that wasn't quite the problem, but her age was. Men were supposed to like younger women, and women older men. Plus, what if this ruined their friendship?

He looked pleased, though, so she shrugged, and kissed him again.

"So what were the plum buns for?"

"They're one of your favorite foods, aren't they?" She asked. He nodded.

"I gave you three… the first to represent friendship, the second for family, and the third for romance."

Did he get it?

Red goggled at her. He hadn't even caught the significance. "They were yummy?" He offered.

Lance smiled. "Then that's all that matters."

There was a pause before he spoke again. "Will you marry me?"

"No," She said, seeing him deflate. "I won't marry you until you graduate. Right now, I want you to concentrate on your studies. And, that will give you time to think about if this is what you really want."

He thought about it for a moment. It made sense…

Besides, it would be uncomfortable if something happened and they didn't like each other any more.

"Okay," Red nodded.

Lance gave him a hug. "Thank you for understanding." He at least had some maturity!

He hugged back, and miracle of miracles, did not attempt to grope her. Good – he could still tell the difference between sex and love.

"I'll make dinner tonight." He grinned. "What would you like?"

She grinned. "Let's go out and celebrate."

That was good too, and he cheered.

End Fic

Completed 7/25/06

Edited 8/31/09

Look, more fluff!

Lance: *Hugs Red*

Red: *Blush*