Title: Implosion
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #38, Implosion
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: Shonen-ai, arachnophobia, fluff

Summary: Red tries to get over his arachnophobia.

There were spiders all over him! He couldn't move, he couldn't get away… they were going to kill him, and then he'd never see anyone ever again! He screamed, and dimly, he was aware of a voice calling out his name, but then there was nothing but darkness… and the horrible feeling of too many legs that just wouldn't go away…

Lance glared at Professor Oak. "Well, that was smart of you." He snapped. He walked into the room and the arachnids scattered, as he carefully unbuckled Red from his restraints. The Spinarak and Ariados looked shocked, but said nothing.

"I didn't think he'd react that badly." The Professor said.

"You should have used another method." The Dragon Master shot back, before he swung Red into his arms. "I'm taking him home."

Oak sighed, and watched them leave. He had only been trying to help…

When Red woke up, he half expected to still feel the prick of legs on his body, but to his surprise, he was lying in Lance's bed, dressed in his normal Pichu-print pajamas and not tied down.

Lance smiled. "Awake?"

"What happened?" Red shuddered. Had it all been a dream? He slipped out from underneath the covers and walked to Lance's side. "Was it a dream?"

"Yes." The Dragon Master crooned, drawing him close. "It was only a nightmare."

Red sighed in relief, as Lance pulled him into a kiss, and resolved to conquer this fear later. For now, the fact that Lance still loved him despite his fears was enough.

End Fic

Completed 12/10/06

Implosion, also known as flooding, is another behavior therapy for phobias. It involves a sudden and large-scale exposure to the object under controlled conditions. (Introductory Psychology, 7th Edition by James Kalat)

And yes, I think Lance would lie to Red to 'protect' him. Please remember that the Dragon Master may be a bit skewed…