Hey, y'all! Welcome to the Oneshot Edition of my Pokemon Adventures story! This will be where I showcase a lot of the relationships that will appear in the series. Whether that relationship is romantic, platonic, or familial! Expect to see main characters, side-characters, gym leaders, and the like! This will be a very fun, lighthearted, and sometimes harsh experience. These stories will vary and deal with black queer themes like all of my stories.

I wanted to start this off with Ocean Shipping, my favorite pairing to write and think about! This pairing involves my two characters, Turquoise and Navy. They were originally straight characters, but I decided to write about characters that reflect the reality my friends and I live in.

I dunno what the musical inspiration for this was because I edited this so long ago and just didn't upload lol. But right now, Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae is on repeat so that's the vibe for now lol.

Ocean Shipping – First Impressions

First impressions—more like permanent introductions. A bitter battle against anxiety Turquoise learned to loathe. A shame, he supposed. Years should've honed his instincts. Granted him that legendary sixth sense Mama spoke of. Yet it evaded him. And anxiety ran its wicked blade through his chest.

I needa stronger armor, he sighed. Upgrade the lazy chainmail for the heavy warmth of silver. Maybe paint it blue. Specks of purple couldn't hurt either.

Anything to liven the mood. And the atmosphere of his room. It wasn't healthy sitting in dark at his desk, but it brought a semblance of peace. Well, ignoring the clothes and books slung across the place. Sadness and messiness fell in line together.

The soft orange of the desk lamp set a nice mood. And the perfect time to fix his bedhead. He should've never gone so many days without a durag. But…maybe it was for the best. A nice wash eased away so much tension. And now he could twist his hair in peace. Who knows? Maybe he'd finally finish the homework due Monday.

(Mr. Turquoise,) Ina began with soft steps forwards. She smiled at him with sparkling eyes, levitating a few pieces of clothes with her psychic powers. (Do you mind if I…?)

Unsurprising. Indeedee made great caretakers. The perfect partners for all inspiring breeders and teachers.

"Aye," Turquoise nodded. "If it's no trouble."

Ina squealed and went to work. Amazing how pokémon rarely had poor first impressions of him. Though he had Lady Mesprit to thank. The Gift of Empathy granted him a closer connection to pokémon than people. Yet Lady Mesprit expected him to utilize his powers to guide others into living their truths. What does that even mean?

Am I supposed to be a detective or something? Turquoise sighed, finished off his fifth twist. Not gonna lie, that would be lit. Who wouldn't wanna be a detective? Or just like Pokédex Holder Black and his musharna?

Still, making friends and building relationships should've been easier. With his abilities, even the coldest of hearts melted in his presence. It never failed! Besides, Jasper and Ammolite became his best friends in months! And Paxton—

Oh…right, a deep ache rattled his chest. Must be that sword. And the harsher the ache, the more its wielder revealed itself. Until a familiar face sneered at him. Paxton.

First loves always made a lasting impression. Even if their first impression sucked. Not a day went by where he didn't feel the lingering anger of their meeting. Of how easily Motha wiped the floor with Kiri. Even their future spars never erased that mark. A petty grudge, part of him snarled. Still, that day scared their relationship. And he was a fool to ignore it.

Foolish. Turquoise chuckled, but no humor came to mind. Nor did the joy bubble beneath his hazelnut skin until it eased through his pores. Must be the dryness. He's been so ashy lately. Not to mention the limpness in his coils before the wash. He always heard tales of the disastrous effects of heartbreak. Even seen it firsthand. Yet he never imagined he would fall victim to it.

Might as well add arrogant to the list too.

The last twist finished, and every semblance of peace faded with the completion. Only the drowning loneliness of a dark room. Perhaps homework wasn't a bad idea. Or he could finally give his team the attention he deprived them all. …Nah, Motha and Empola probably weren't happy with him. Only Ina wouldn't pry even if her concern burned through her senses. She'd focus on her tasks and find an opening when she could. She's clever that way.

Oh, and of course there's— (Tur-Tur,) Miso drifted down with a sly smile. (How are you feeling?)

Not all pokémon had great first impressions of him. Ina practically threw herself into his arms when they met. But Miso…well, he got a kick out of scaring him. Somedays Turquoise wasn't sure why the misdreavus stuck around. Did he love scaring him? Or did he care? Answers Miso never gave. And his empathy didn't help much. Ghost-types always rattled his powers.

"Cruddy," nonetheless, he pulled Miso into a tight hug. Ghost or not, Miso gave the best hugs. Always so squishy. And—Turquoise giggled, pulling the ghost closer—nuzzled him the best. "But thanks for caring."

Miso giggled and phased out of his arm. (Of course, silly Tur-Tur!) And all his negative emotions drained out of his skin in vibrant red trails. Sucked right into Miso's glowing necklace. Everyone knew misdreavus thrived off fear. But maybe they ate all kinds of negative emotions too. (We're all here for you~!)

Miso had a point there. Still— (Excuse me, Mr. Turquoise.) Ina began, folding the last of clothes in a neat pile. (It appears you have a visitor.)

And a brisk orange light erupted behind. "Turquoise?" The voice questioned. Ina had always left to greet him as she always did. But Turquoise couldn't bring himself to turn. Not now…he wasn't really for conversation. Especially the kind this one brought with him. Somehow it never failed at swirling up his emotions.

"Tur, I—" a slew of curses snapped out his lips as a slight thud echoed through the room. "I heard what happened."

He knows. The words echoed through his mind as his blood ran cold. But how? He never told—oh…Jasper. Figures, Jasper never kept these kinds of secrets to himself. Not when he devised a plan to help.

Although, Turquoise failed to see how Navy of all people would help him.

"…You good?"

Turquoise sighed. How eloquent. Yet, he expected no less from the swimmer. Even now he came dressed in only a towel around his neck, a pair of manaphy-themed trunks, and slides. Fresh from a swim too. Water rolled down his toned, ebony body.

They made eye contact for a few moments before Turquoise looked away. Those deep brown eyes always managed to trap him. Even now their waves of worry pulled him under.

"Not really," he mumbled. This had to be Jasper's worst plan ever. Navy and an emotional situation? Talk about a finneon out of water. "But I'ma be fine—promise."

"Don't lie to me." Turquoise felt the heated scowl as Navy stalked closer. And those hands fell on his shoulders. Sky blue met deep brown and a comfortable silence fell between them. Never failed. All Navy needed was one touch to steal his senses. "You can lie to everyone else. But don't lie to me."

Fair enough. Turquoise wasn't a good liar anyway. "I guess," he mumbled, lowering his head. Still, lying made it easier. At least in lies, he didn't have to face reality. "Sorry."

"Wait what?" Navy flinched and reeled back. "You apologized? What—you never—" Navy paused and inhaled. Emotions ran rampant in that mind of his. But Turquoise didn't dare peer inside. Not this time. "Hey, Tur? Please talk to me. We're friends, right?"

"Why wouldja wanna be friends with me?" Friends…what a concept he didn't deserve. "I just ruin everything."

"Tur…that's not true." Maybe. Maybe Navy had a point, but he couldn't be a great person. Great people aren't tossed out of a relationship. They leave amicability—right? Wasn't that how it goes? Yet here he sat alone while Paxton finally gained the peace he craved. It's unfair, but…maybe he did deserve it.

"Hey, don't do that," Navy began with a smile. And his grip on Tur's shoulder tightened slightly. Comfortably so. "Can you stand up?"

Turquoise raised an eyebrow. Of course, he could stand. Why wouldn't—actually, no. The inner workings of Navy's mind scared even the most sensible of people. Plus, there's no telling how Jasper portrayed the situation. So, with a sigh, he stood. Might as well get it over with—

Huh? Navy hugged him. And not one of those clumsy, awkward hugs Turquoise forced himself to normalize. A real one with strong arms wrapped around his back. Pressed against a wet chest, but it only dampened his pajamas—no biggie. Still, it has been a while since he got a real hug from Navy. Or…any forms of intimacy from the swimmer, honestly.

It's nice, he smiled and returned the hug. I've missed this.

"You're amazing, Tur," he whispered, tickling Tur's neck with his breath. "Don't let that jerk make you forget that."

…Maybe Navy was better at this than he thought. Well, then anyone thought really. Everyone had mixed first impressions of Navy. And Turquoise was no different. Though, he hadn't heard any stories as embarrassing as his. Honestly, he could not believe they became friends afterward. It was…unlike anything he ever experienced before.

Then again, Navy's unique like that.

They met in a head-on collision, ending up sprawled across the floor. And with a throbbing skull, Turquoise found himself laid out on Navy's perpetually wet chest.

Awkward. Just…awkward. Thick tension hungover as they stared at each other. Lips only inches apart. To this day, Turquoise recalled the raging blush like it was yesterday as he stammered for an apology. But he didn't need to.

Navy had already kissed him.

A short kiss. But Navy pulled away with such a dopey smile. "Yo," he began in a smooth baritone. "I'm Navy." Eep! Turquoise flinched as hands fell on his hips. "You gon kiss back?"

Bold. Yet not as horrid as he thought. Especially the heated passion or kisses that followed. Or the friendship they built. Who'd a thought? Navy—the swimmer deviant—and Turquoise—the silly empath.

"Besides," Navy pulled away with a beaming smile. "You're too cute to ruin anything."

Cornball, Turquoise chuckled. Yet in soft, desk lamp lighting, his spirit smiled. For the first time in times. Maybe corn was good for the body?

"Thanks, Navy," Turquoise began, allowing the smile to bloom across his face. And his joyous spirit filled his body. "Thanks for being…you."

Navy laughed. Yet, Turquoise swore he saw a faint blush burning across that face. "Hey, don't mention it," he folded his arms behind his head and grinned. A Navy Signature. "We're friends! Well…unless—"

Turquoise chuckled. Ina finally finished her cleaning and Miso left for a nap. That left them alone with a fresh clean room. The perfect temptation for Navy. Still, …he had other things in mind.

"We're friends, Nav. Until time changes things." Navy sighed in relief. He's so adorable when he worries.

"Bet. Well, you probably don't wanna go outside just yet," understatement of the year, Turquoise sighed, "And I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay as long as you want me to."

First impressions weren't everything. And they would've made him miss out on the great person Navy was.

"Stay the night?"