For once in a very long time, Leaf is trying hard on her appearance.
She could not remember the last time she wore a dress, or even changed out of her travelling clothes, to be honest. It had been probably when Blue had been commemorated as the new gym leader in Viridian City, and that had passed the April before.
The brunette girl count herself lucky that her boyfriend bought her a new dress for the occasion, as it would certainly be shameful if she showed up at the restaurant with her old outfit. It was horribly out of fashion, it was a sickly shade of mauve, and even growing threadbare on the left side. Designer is a commitment, her mother had said when she bought her that thing, hoping to justify the expense, she can use it for years, and she certainly tried to do so. Now it is time for its just retirement.
"Love, we're ready to leave!" Blue called from the living room. "It's getting late and Pidgeot is getting antsy!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Leaf called, as she finishes putting on make-up. "And your Pokémon love me more than you! It'll wait!"
As competitions dwindled and her resolve for retirement hardened and hardened, the young trainer decided to spend the holidays and the first few months of the year at her mother's house in Pallet Town. She had not found too much success as a trainer, settling into a comfortable upper tier that would not allow her to become part of the Indigo League, but still respectable enough. However, she still had to eat to survive, and that took money. Besides, regardless of her income, every journey must end someday, and Biology has become an increasingly viable interest of hers, one which she wishes to pursue into higher education.
It is time.
It is also quite melancholic, and returning to her hometown without all the glory both of her childhood friends have achieved is rather humiliating. Not that this arrangement had no advantages, as she is now closer to her boyfriend, who can come and visit often. It is on one of those visits, around an hour prior, that he had impetuously declared that he was taking her out on a date.
Today is February 14th, yes, but it was still surprising. She thought that, in keeping of the Oak men tradition of thinking every holiday is stupid and a capitalist trap for the weak, they would not celebrate Valentines' Day, either. Perhaps that is why he thought of getting her a dress.
Despite cutting it close, Leaf thought she did a very good job with her appearance, and she wanted to be dramatic about it. She waked down into the living room as if she was the star of a historical movie, precisely on those scenes when the lost Kalosian princess walks down the Parfum Palace's golden staircase and steals the protagonist's heart.
She has been very successful on that regard, as Blue felt his breath hitch and get caught in his throat. Even though they had been going out for nearly a year, she never failed to amaze him with her breath-taking beauty.
The dress he had purchase was, indeed, the winner Daisy assured him it would be. It was pure blue silk and taffeta for elegant details along the breast region, the colour marking a possession that excited his senses. His girlfriend had styled her hair in an elegant bun, letting a few strands loose to frame her face and give character to the style. Her make-up was light and simple, enhancing her features such as the round face and full cheeks and hiding the sun marks that came with long journeys out in the wild.
Leaf smiled at him and the gym leader's gaze immediately fell onto her soft-looking lips.
"Are you wearing new lipstick?" He questioned.
"Yeah. I bought in Celadon City before the end of the year." She smiled as he stared at her. "What, you don't like it?"
"You look stunning, doll." Blue muttered, smiling and pulling her into a hug, "I'm such a lucky person. What flavour is it?"
"Hmm, why don't you try to guess?" Leaf cheekily smiled, defying him to a little game.
"Alright, love." Blue grinned before swooping down to place a kiss on her shining lips. He feigned a thoughtful look before saying, "Cherry?"
"Nope, not cherry." The brunette shook her head. "Try again."
He kissed her again, this time asking, "Apple?"
"No, silly!" She grinned, rolling her eyes playfully at him. "C'mon, Blue! It's not that hard, you know?"
"Okay, okay." He chuckled before capturing her lips with his own again. "I'm sure about this one. Is it grape?"
"Articuno's tail, Blue, why are you struggling so much?" The girl smiled, squeezing his arm in light disapproval. "I thought you were smart!"
"I know, I know, but the moment I say it's strawberry, I won't have an excuse to kiss you anymore." Blue grinned adorably at her, hiding his face on the crook of her neck to enjoy the smell of her perfume.
Leaf felt herself blush from head to toe and she pulled him in, planting a sneaky peck on his lips, saying, "You don't need excuses to kiss me, dork. You can just ask. Preferably when you can be as passionate as you want without fear of messing my make-up."
"Mew All-Being, I love you." The man whispered against her lips. "I'm almost tempted to forget about going out tonight."
"Almost? I'm not doing good enough." She responded, melting under his touch with pleasure. "I love you too, Blue. So much."
"Babe, how about we go on that date now?" Blue asked. "It's getting dark soon, and I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate arriving late for what I prepared for us tonight."
She laughed, nodding. "Sure, sure. Help me up Pidgeot?"
The man climbed up the bird Pokémon and held his hand. "Allow me."
Soon after, they were flying into the sunset.
