Chapter five: Misunderstanding

Prompt: #14 Judgment

Universe: Game-verse

Rating: T

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If there was one thing about Dawn that Cynthia strongly disliked, it was her ability to judge quickly without listening to others. Time and time again, Cynthia would remind Dawn to never draw conclusions from just her point of view, and to listen to all sides of a story before passing a verdict. The advice came from experience, having lived with a little sister who constantly blamed her for the problems in their grandparents' house.

However, Dawn just blew off all of Cynthia's words the minute she walked in on Caitlin, a member of the Unova Elite Four, attempting to seduce her lover. Key word: attempting. Cynthia, as cheesy as it sounds, only had eyes for her blue-haired companion, thus had been unaffected by the psychic-type specialist's attempts at wooing her. Pushing her back slightly, it only took a few swift and blunt words to affirm her love for Dawn, destroying all of Caitlin's hopes for a summer romance.

Dawn, on the other hand, was too preoccupied seeing red rather than stay and listen to the hilarious rejection dealt to the Elite Four member by the former champion. She walked into the gorgeous Undella villa, saw her lover and now mortal enemy 'getting frisky', and dashed out, face crimson, vulgarities shouted and tears brimming in her eyes.

Now, Cynthia was riding atop her Togekiss, searching around the Undella town perimeters to find her heartbroken love. She would've never been able to find her if it hadn't been for Empoleon discreetly flashing his crown at her in Undella bay. Dawn was sitting on the shore near the boulders at the edge of Undella town, watching her beloved starter swim and splash around. The teen wiped at her cheeks, breaking Cynthia's heart when she realized Dawn had been crying. Dawn quickly spotted Cynthia descending and made to run away, but couldn't get farther when her starter-turned-traitor seized her arms and held her in place.

"Empoleon! You traitor! I'm your trainer not her, so release me this instant!" Dawn shouted.

The penguin emperor shook his head and pecked his trainer on her head lightly to calm her down. Dawn continued to struggle but stopped when she saw the warning in her pokémon's eyes.

"Thank you, Togekiss, return," Cynthia said, returning her flying pokémon to his capsule, "and thank you, Empoleon. I would not have been able to find her without your help. You can let her go now. I don't think she'll run away."

Nodding, Empoleon let go of his trainer and dove into the bay, giving the couple much needed privacy.

Cynthia approached the girl and touched her shoulder. "We need to talk. Now."

Dawn huffed and turned around. Crossing her arms, she refused to look at her blond-haired lover. "I have nothing to say to you," she snapped.

"Then don't say anything, just listen," Cynthia replied, putting her hands to her sides. It hurt her to see Dawn estrange her like this, like they hadn't spent years forming and perfecting a bond so tight and full of love and friendship. Like they hadn't gone through ordeal after ordeal, always sticking together, like they were...

Separated.

Broken up.

Lost.

Swallowing a lump in her throat, Cynthia tried to make eye contact with Dawn but the girl would have none of it, glaring at the bay and keeping her arms crossed, a sign of frustration and impatience. 'Her eyes are so beautiful in the sunlight', Cynthia thought, blinking back tears. Taking a deep breath, the tall woman composed herself.

"The villa you just walked in to belongs to Caitlin," Cynthia explained, "or rather, belonged, since I bought it from her when she said she barely used it anymore. It took weeks to settle the agreement and refurnish it the way you and I would like it. I invited you to come see it, but under the guise that we would go sightseeing around Unova. Anyway, when you walked in, Caitlin was trying to... woo me, and you left before I could—"

"Ha! So she was doing something, huh? And you just let her?!" Dawn interrupted, turning around and scowling.

"Damn it, Dawn, would you just listen and stop interrupting me?!" Cynthia shouted, stomping the sand and throwing her hands in the air. Her light blue sleeveless shirt moved upward with her movement and Dawn couldn't help but blush, casting her eyes to the exposed skin and glancing away quickly. Ashamed at making Cynthia shout at her, she bowed her head and played with the hem of her pink skirt. Cynthia caught on and smiled slightly, coming closer to touch her younger lover's cheek.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you," she murmured, wrapping her arms around the girl and pulling her closer, "but you weren't listening to me, and I always tell you to listen to all sides of the story—"

"—before passing a verdict. I know, I know. It's just.. I got so mad when I saw you two together and I overreacted and... I'm so sorry, Cynthia," Dawn whispered, tears streaming down her face. She nuzzled her lover and wrapped her arms around her neck.

Cynthia smiled, brushing the girl's hair with one hand and using the other to pull her closer. "I know, it's okay. Just... listen to me next time, okay?"

Dawn pulled back, giving a heartfelt smile at being forgiven. "Okay."

They both shared a kiss under the summer sun, Empoleon giggling like a mad pokémon as he peeked from atop the waves.

...

"So, what did you do after Caitlin hit on you?"

"I told her off."

"Wow. You're mean."

"What? Did you want me to declare my undying love for you or something?"

Giggle. "That would've been nice!"

Sigh. "Just... watch the sunset with me, Dawn, will you?"