Pessimistic

Steven sighed in defeat when, for the fifth time that evening, he failed to properly fix the black cloth, which now hung around his collar, into a proper and presentable bow tie. All his earlier attempts had either ended up in the knot turning out uneven or lopsided, which he considered a complete mess since tying one was never a problem for him in the past.

He partially blamed the fact that he was in a moving vehicle to be the cause of his troubles.

"Do you need some help?"

He looked over to the seat next to him, which was occupied by the Sinnoh champion, herself, when she addressed him. Even in the dim light, which shone down on them from the roof of their limousine, coupled with the blackness of the night outside, he could still make out the defining features of her formal ensemble for the evening.

Cynthia wore a one-shouldered, black gown that hugged her figure about the waist perfectly that flowed straight down to the ground. Her platinum blonde hair was more wavy tonight, coupled with her usual black hair ornaments.

Even to this day, Steven still very much believed in the fact that she could look incredibly beautiful in just about any kind of attire she chose to wear.

He said nothing and simply handed Cynthia his tie. He tilted his chin up when she inched closer to place the silky cloth around his collar. Steven could smell the fragrance of her perfume from their proximity – a rose-like scent that was definitely new, but he still liked it, nonetheless.

"You seem nervous," Cynthia said as her fingers worked to get the proper knot done.

Steven nodded slightly. "Aren't you?"

"Of course, I am. I've never had to done anything like it before." Even though she said it, she appeared far more composed than she actually let on.

He glanced at her and eventually asked the question he was fearful of, himself. "Are you sure you don't think it's too soon?"

Cynthia pulled on the cloth to tighten it around his neck. "The League allowed for us to bring one guest of our own, if we so wished to, and I asked you because I wanted you to come." She then pulled down his raised collar once she finished. "Don't tell me you're backing out on me now, right when I've fixed your bow tie perfectly."

Steven smiled faintly. "I'm only saying because I worry about all the attention from the public eye that will come forth after tonight," he said. Their vehicle drove over a bump on the road. "You're already gaining enough, as it is, with the Championship tournament coming up soon."

"People will talk, yes, but they already are." Cynthia adjusted the angle of his bow. "I couldn't care less about what the press has to say, even after tonight. Besides," she added with a small smile, "you'll get to see your former League members once again. Isn't that something to be excited for?"

She had a point. Being able to see the Hoenn Elite Four, altogether again, and his other former colleagues was something he'd been looking forward to, after Cynthia invited him to be her plus-one for the evening.

The annual Pokémon League Gala was being held in the Unova region, for that year – though, to him, it seemed rather odd as to how much time had passed since the last one, which was well over a year ago. He heard it had something to do with the planning and schedule conflicts.

But alas, he never would've thought he'd get to attend another one of them ever again, after having his champion title renounced. And though he would normally refuse to attend such an occasion in the past, coming with Cynthia on the plane ride to attend the social event, held a much greater purpose than just being her date and meet up with some of the strongest trainers in the world.

It was a decision that they both had to think long and hard upon before coming to an agreement – that once they stepped out of the doors of the limo together, in front of all the cameras and fans to see, they'd finally be showing the true nature of their relationship to the world.

Cynthia patted his chest reassuringly when he didn't respond. "We'll be fine," she said. Then she leaned into him to press her lips against his, and whispered, "I love you, by the way."

Steven's stomach did a flip inside and smiled warmly. Nearly a month since she had reciprocated his love for her and still, hearing those words from her had him feeling overjoyed, every time.

He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. "I love you, too," Steven said with sincerity. "You look beautiful tonight."

Her smile grew wider. "And you look rather handsome. I suppose my bow tie must have made the finishing touch."

Their limousine made a turn onto the lot venue before Steven could say anything to her light teasing. He stared out the window to see the grand hall, where the gala was to take place, coming into view. But he felt his hands go cold when he finally saw the great number of cameras, stationed by the entrance, lining the length of the red carpet. It was a sight he dreaded the most.

Their vehicle made a stop just when they reached the front of the venue. They could already hear the loud chatter of voices even from the inside.

Steven looked over to the Sinnoh champion once more. "Are you ready?" he asked.

There was no sign of hesitance or objection in her gaze, as he stared at her, but instead, a look of determination and finality. Cynthia nodded firmly. "Yes, let's go."

The cameras closest to them were already locked onto their vehicle before he even stepped out, after the doorman opened the door from the outside.

Steven registered the sound of some gasps and exclamations once they saw him, but he barely paid heed to all the noise and flashing as he helped Cynthia exit after him. Her fingers curled around his hand when he offered it to her.

And once she stepped foot beside him, for all the cameras to see, the amount of flashes that went off and the noise of multiple voices speaking at the same time, seemed to grow tremendously. It was one of the few times he had ever gotten such a reaction, before.

Despite the noise around them, their eyes met again, and this time Steven smiled. He held out his elbow for her, to which Cynthia graciously slipped her hand into.

The press was certainly going to be all over their story tonight.

This chapter was actually supposed to serve as the beginning portion to what will now be the next chapter, until I decided to cut it, to shorten its length, and because I realized this portion could work just fine on its own. I also feel that it fits the prompt title, so that's one more prompt down. Consider this and the next chapter as a two-part story. This chapter is just part one.