Chapter 11
Seeing Brendan waiting for her on the ground beside a bicycle, Swellow flying off on an unknown task, May couldn't bring herself to look at him, her starter pokémon carrying her close to his chest.
They'd made it back to firm ground once more, or as firm as it could be when you were on Mount Chimney. Blaziken hadn't even struggled as he manoeuvred the steep cliff, with May held close to his chest, still fluctuating between chastising her and teasing her as he followed the path chosen by Brendan's Blaziken.
With a huff, her starter walked away from the cliff, still holding May close to his chest. It didn't seem like her pokémon was willing to let her go anywhere in her current state, and May knew she couldn't chastise him for it.
'Blaziken,' May muttered, glancing furtively at her pokémon as Swellow's cries could be heard.
Looking up, May admired the large flying type as he glid down to them, something glinting under his body.
When he came closer, May saw that he was carrying a bicycle, his wings gliding through the air with ease.
'See? It wasn't that bad,' Brendan grinned at May, his eyes softening as he looked at her, the corner of his lips twitching in a small smile.
Seeing his expression, May blushed furiously as her starter pokémon let out a throaty chuckle.
If Brendan had always been like this, how had she been oblivious? When Brendan looked at her like that, her heart bounded nervously in her chest and she was grateful Blaziken was carrying her.
Grabbing the bike from his flying type, Brendan thanked his pokémon with a pat, Swellow eagerly leaning into his touch.
'You did well, Swellow, thank you. Rest up, bud,' he grinned before recalling the flying type.
Holding the bikes, he turned his attention back to May, still carried by her own fire type.
Frowning, his eyes intent upon May's ankle, Brendan said, 'you're in no shape to ride.'
With that statement, he considered the two pokémon before him. Considering their bipedal nature, as well as their hand-like claws, May knew that they could, theoretically, be taught to ride a bike.
She wasn't sure if it would be a good idea, but she knew Brendan.
'Do either of you want to ride a bike? Norman's going to kill me for losing May's bike,' Brendan grimaced, a guilty expression flitting across his face as he glanced at May.
With a huff, his Blaziken took it, her eyes flickering from May to Brendan and back again.
'Edit that, take mine, just try not to dent it,' Brendan grimaced before going on May's bike.
'I'm sure dad won't care,' May began, but was silenced with a look.
Clearly this wasn't up for discussion, so May raised her hands, acquiescing defeat. Bikes in Hoenn were notoriously expensive, so replacing them was next to impossible. If you were lucky, you could find someone to fix it cheaply, but most places charged an arm and a leg simply because parts were so expensive.
'We should take a break. We were higher than I expected,' Brendan said before leading them to the little clearing they had previously camped at.
Seeing the makeshift stone benches, May adjusted her position in Blaziken's arms slightly. Her pokémon, whilst treating her with utmost delicacy, wasn't quite a smooth transport.
Blaziken, apparently having noticed her discomfort, placed May gently on the bench, his movements delicate. Pulling back, his eyes searched hers to ensure she was all right, creasing with concern for her.
'Thanks, Blaziken,' May grinned at her starter pokémon as Brendan's Blaziken rode Brendan's bike into the bench with a loud clang.
'Blaziken!' May gasped as the pokémon fell back, off the bike.
Turning to face them with an innocent look, the pokémon scratched the back of her neck nervously.
'I told you not to dent it!' Brendan cried, grimacing as his pokémon chattered nervously with May's, the male counterpart clearly scolding Brendan's pokémon.
'Your parents are going to kill you,' May giggled, sending him a disbelieving glance.
Shaking his head, Brendan scowled, 'well, it's a dented bike or no bike. I'll try and pay for it somehow. Let me check your ankle.'
Opening her mouth to offer her savings, May clamped it shut when he sent her a warning glance.
In silence, he sat next to her, propping her foot carefully on his leg.
With a frown, he muttered, 'you must have really hurt it. Normally the swelling shouldn't be this bad. But then, you did fall off that cliff.'
Grimacing, May said, 'so… how're we going to get home, then? Should I just get carried by my pokémon the whole way?'
He sent her a sad glance before replying, 'I don't know about the whole way, but Blaziken will probably have to carry you some more. I can't afford to replace one bike, let alone two.'
Placing her foot back on the bench, Brendan watched her, his expression concerned.
Unsure of what she should do, she muttered, 'don't give me that look. We'll get home somehow, and the bikes aren't important right now.'
'We'll get home somehow, hey? With Officer Jenny? Do you really want that?' Brendan grimaced, his hand reaching for hers.
Grimacing, May could already imagine how horrifying that would be. To be brought home with Brendan like two delinquents who'd snuck out and lost track of time.
If Orlando had been there, the implication might not be nearly as bad. However, with it just being the two of them, May blushed.
Glancing at Brendan with some apprehension, May grimaced, 'do you think Orlando camped somewhere?'
If he'd camped somewhere overnight they might have some more time.
Shrugging, Brendan said, 'I don't know. He would've been pretty worried with how we disappeared, but… he would've also been pissed. I guess we'll find out if we bump into Officer Jenny or Growlithe.'
Looking at him, May faltered. She didn't want to be taken home by the woman, no matter how friendly she typically was. May might deserve it for being absolutely reckless, but Brendan didn't, and it would only reflect poorly on him.
'Don't look at me like that or we'll never get home,' Brendan growled before climbing over to her, kissing her softly with his lips, his thumb stroking her jaw before tracing its way down her neck, his touch warm.
Relishing the scent of petaya, May hummed, wrapping her arms around Brendan with an increasing confidence.
'Blaze!' Coughed one of their starter pokémon, though May was honestly too distracted to be completely sure of which one it was.
With a sigh, Brendan pulled away to glare at both pokémon, whilst May pressed her lips together, hoping to at least somewhat control how hot her cheeks felt.
Seeing her Blaziken swoon as Brendan's was pecking the air in what was undoubtedly meant to be a kissing motion, May jerked her eyes away.
She'd hit a new low, to be mocked by not just her starter, but Brendan's too.
Glancing up at Brendan, she saw that his cheeks were equally red as hers felt.
'Enough, you can tease me all you want, but not until May is better,' Brendan growled at them, a fierce anger filling his voice as he stomped towards them, his hand reaching for his stained white hat.
'Blaziken, you both should know better,' Brendan continued, crossing his arms as he glared at both the starters, who were starting to look sheepishly down at their feet.
Realising that Brendan's Blaziken wasn't going to stop, May knew she had to interrupt, glancing at her pokémon for assistance.
Thankfully, her Blaziken understood what she meant, bringing their bikes towards them, his expression mareepish.
Trying to slide off of the bench, May called out, 'let's just go.'
Hearing her voice, the man turned, his eyes wide.
'What?' May asked as she innocently hopped towards them, trying to keep her balance.
'May!' The man hissed, rushing towards her.
'What?' May repeated indignantly as she wobbled.
Oh no.
With a yelp, she tried to balance herself, not hearing a crash.
No, she was falling.
Closing her eyes, she braced herself and landed onto something soft, warm and comfortable.
Flashing her eyes open, May saw Brendan was under her, cushioning her fall, his eyes wide as his arms began wrapping around her.
'B-Brendan?!' May whispered, trying to ignore the painful stab she felt from her ankle.
'I'm not l-letting you hurt yourself more,' the man groaned, a sentiment he'd often said over their years together.
Hearing it this time, though, her heart throbbed painfully in her chest.
He was still her Brendan, even if their relationship had changed.
'Thanks, Brendan,' May whispered as he slowly helped her up, his eyes inspecting her carefully for any sign of further damage.
If she'd been in a better state, she would have told him that she was not made of glass. However, as it was, she definitely wasn't in a state to comment, and he'd probably respond that she was so accident prone that she might as well be.
'Be careful, May,' Brendan grimaced, sending their pokémon a nervous glance before kissing her forehead, hugging her close.
'I almost lost you yesterday, so please, please be extra careful,' he whispered in her ear, his lips grazing her neck slightly.
Hiding her face in his shoulder, May tried to hide her embarrassment. Why was Brendan asking her to be careful now of all times, with their pokémon already amused by their antics?
If it wasn't absolutely so mortifying to be judged by both their starters, she would have been over the moon, the beautifly and butterfree fluttering in her stomach.
Had Brendan Birch of all people always been this sweet? Had she just been oblivious?
A/N:
I told you things would get better hehe
I've still got a few more chapters to go, so let me know what you think :)
