The first thing he noticed about living with Steven was the amount of rocks that appeared around the apartment. He didn't mind, but it made the place look a lot messier than before. Steven was actually a pretty clean and tidy person, it was just the rocks that let him down. He didn't have time to have any other lasting effects on the house seeing as just over a week later he was sent back to Sinnoh.

"I'm going back to Sinnoh because you didn't take me on a date last weekend," Steven joked as he ran out of the door. He was back seconds later to kiss Wallace's forehead.

Although this trip was a lot shorter than the previous one, Wallace still missed Steven. They were in a honeymoon period of their relationship after all. When he missed the other he'd pick up one of Steven's many treasures and study it. The fossils didn't particularly interest him, but the evolution stones were beautiful in his eyes. He could understand why Steven would collect them. The water stones were his favourite of all, he didn't care that he was biased.

There was no big entrance when Steven returned. Wallace simply woke to find the other sleeping beside him, bag still packed on the table. The smell of breakfast cooking roused Steven from his sleep.

"Welcome back. How was it?"

"I didn't get to visit any caves," Steven said sadly.

"Maybe we'll go on a trip for leisure some time."

Steven stared at him. "No. There's no way you'll be able to stand it."

"Anything for you, my love."

"You barely lasted a few hours in Shoal, what makes you think you'll survive weeks of me going back to the same cave? I'm telling you that you can't come with me, just so I don't have to listen to you complain."

"I'll just go the beaches."

"You'll be disappointed."

Wallace pouted. "Fine."

"How was your fortnight?"

"Pretty average."

"I noticed you've organised the rocks."

"Yeah, I was bored without you, dear."

Steven scoffed. "Really? Poor Winona. Are you sure you didn't enlist her and a small Pokémon army to rearrange them all? I mean I really am impressed. It looks like they're all just part of the house decorations. Sorry I left them lying about and for the fact that I'll be out all day in Rustboro."

Steven returned later that evening with a cake from Rustboro's popular bakery. It was lemon cake, something that Wallace could never refuse a slice of.

"Happy birthday." Steven handed Wallace a small box. "Did you think I'd forgotten?"

"No, I know you were tired and had a lot to do earlier, but I never really believed you could forget. Maybe you didn't realise the date."

"That's why I went to Sinnoh so quickly, so I could be back for today…well, tonight, again apologies for being out all day."

Wallace turned his attention to the box, unwrapping it carefully. Inside was a small item made of shells.

"It's a shell bell," Steven said, "made from the shells and salts of the Shoal Cave." It was definitely the kind of gift Steven would think of. "It's more than a pretty thing too; good for your Pokémon's health."

"It's lovely, thank you." Wallace pulled him into an embrace. "How was your day?"

"It was fine," Steven said quickly. "But today isn't about me. Did you want to go anywhere this evening?"

"I'm happy to stay in with you, maybe watch something together." He'd spent the day out seeing everyone else, so a relaxing evening suited him.

Steven disappeared into the kitchen and returned holding a cake full of lit candles. He began to sing softly. "Happy birthday to you…" Wallace realised he'd never heard him sing, it was quite nice. "Make a wish."

That was easy enough to think of. He looked up into Steven's illuminated face as he blew out the candles.

"Do you want a slice for during the film?"

Wallace chose a sweet rom-com for the evening's entertainment. Steven supposed that it was the cliché thing that all new couples had to do, sort of a rite of passage. Still, it meant that he didn't have to concentrate on what was happening too much, not that it was a bad film, but he was much more interested in making Wallace comfortable and playing with his hair.

Even Wallace chose to stop watching and pay more attention to Steven. The pecks on the cheek quickly escalated to tongues battling for dominance. It started off like all the other times they'd lost themselves in each other. They would touch until one of them pulled away, usually that was Wallace, never wanting to make Steven feel uncomfortable, knowing that he could definitely let himself feel the moment a lot more than he allowed himself to. They got to that stage and Wallace returned to the film, still in Steven's embrace, but Steven wouldn't let him off so lightly tonight. His hands continued to trace Wallace's jaw and neck, then his lips replaced them, brushing lightly against the skin at first, but then gently sucking.

"Steven…"

His trail of kisses changed direction, going from his neck to his ear while a hand around Wallace's waist snuck under the fabric of his shirt.

Wallace took hold of Steven's arm and held it in place. Steven waited for Wallace to tell him to stop, but the other just sat there before slowing releasing his grip.

"Is this okay?" Steven whispered in his ear.

"I was going to say that you don't know what you're getting yourself into, but clearly you do."

"I want to make you feel good on your birthday." Steven's hands resumed moving across Wallace's skin.

"Well, if this is part of my present then I want to touch you too."

Steven put his head on Wallace's shoulder as he idly brushed against a nipple. "But I was supposed to be your servant for the evening."

"Oh? Then I'm ordering you to let me touch you."

The arms holding Wallace loosened to allow him to turn and face Steven. "As you wish, master."

Wallace started to undo Steven's shirt buttons while hands continued to roam his upper half, slowing pushing his top up. He stopped to whip it off, feeling just a little exposed, not that it should have mattered. After their beach escapade why should he care if Steven saw his chest? It wasn't that, he realised. It was the fact that Steven now had unrestricted access to that part of him, but soon he would get the same. One last button freed Steven from the shirt.

Wallace ran his hands across Steven's back as he kissed and sucked at Wallace's chest. The strength of Steven's back was not new to him, but last time he'd touched it he hadn't allowed himself to take pleasure from the feeling. Steven spent a long time worshipping his chest, making Wallace more and more impatient with whatever he was planning. It was a very enjoyable thing, but Steven was dragging it out now, making him yearn to be touched elsewhere. Surely Steven couldn't be oblivious to the hardness pressed against him?

"Steven," Wallace whined.

The other smiled at him, hands coming down to undo trousers and relieve Wallace of his last pieces of clothing. Now he felt really exposed, but he couldn't find the time to care. Steven slowly ran a hand along his thigh.

"How much longer do you plan to torture me?"

"Such a strong word. I'm just making sure you're feeling it. I know you love to stop when things start to heat up."

"I think we passed that point a while ago now."

"I'm just making sure. Besides, isn't this going to be a memorable first time? Unless you really do have something to tell me about Winona."

Wallace pressed forward and kissed him. "Shut up. You know you're the only one. Now touch me before I think of a worse way to make it memorable for you."

Steven took hold of Wallace's member and brushed his thumb over the head causing Wallace to moan in relief. "It's already memorable for me. You're the first person I've loved."

Steven flipped their positions so that Wallace was sitting on the sofa instead. He got down between Wallace's legs, looking up into aqua eyes as he took the other into his mouth.

"Oh my god." Wallace couldn't contain himself as Steven sucked. Part of him wanted to stop so they could experience pleasure equally, but the other part was enjoying this way too much to even consider stopping. After all this could be a one-time birthday present, so he had to make the most of it, right? He didn't want it to end either, but Steven had done a really good job of turning him on.

"Steven, stop or I'll -" As soon as Steven heard the word 'stop' he made it his mission not to let up at all. "Oh my – ahh – S-Steven –" he moaned loudly as he came, Steven still milking him gently until Wallace touched his head to stop.

"Good birthday present?"

Wallace nodded, still catching his breath. "The best." Steven sat back next to him and Wallace began to caress his cock through the trousers he was still wearing. "Your turn." He undid the buttons and freed Steven from his underwear, kissing him as he rubbed the shaft.

Steven was a very quiet person, the only thing that told Wallace that he was enjoying it was the way his hips moved and how his face changed expression as he got closer to the edge. Wallace wanted to repay Steven with more than his hand, but the want to see his face when he did release was stronger. This was the guy who always tried to play it cool and even right now he looked like this was just another everyday thing, it almost pissed Wallace off. Clearly he'd have to work harder to make Steven sweat and beg. To make him moan and let the world know that he was really enjoying this. Next time he would truly replay Steven in kind.

Steven gripped him tightly as he released, a small moan escaping him. That was better. Wallace licked the semen from his hand, feeling accomplished. Who'd have thought his day would end with him making Steven come? The film had long since finished, but Wallace was still happy to sit there with Steven's arm around him watching the credits roll.

"If you want to stay like this then help me out," Steven motioned to the mess on his stomach, "or I'll meet you in bed for snuggling and whatnot."

Wallace got up and retrieved a tissue, wiping away the mess they'd made. "I still want in-bed snuggles." He traipsed off to the bedroom.

Height differences would have Steven as the little spoon, but Wallace much preferred it the other way round.

"I love you," Wallace whispered.

"I love you too." Hearing the words still made his heart flutter.

"'The first', you said."

Steven hummed in agreement.

"So there were other people in the past that you didn't love?"

"Yeah, it was during that experimental teenage phase. We met in a cave, no surprise there, but it just didn't work out at all. Honestly I don't know what I was thinking that time. I guess I was blinded by her interest in fossils and she was interested in me so I just went along with it. Don't suppose you have any funny stories about silly teen relationships?"

"Unfortunately not. I didn't sit still in caves like you, hardly anyone could keep up, well, there was the time I spent in Sootopolis, but nothing there either."

"Winona could though."

Wallace jabbed his elbow into Steven. "Yes, she trains flying Pokémon that allow her to get to places really quickly. She's also a really cool friend. But if you make another comment about her being more than that I might have to throw all of your rocks out." If there was a threat that would get Steven right in the heart it was that one.

"Don't be so mean. You know I'm joking, right?"

"The joke's well past its sell-by date."

Steven kissed his shoulder. "I'm sorry. I'll tell you about the only other relationship I was in then, because you might meet her one day. Then you can feel free to make all the annoying comments you can think of. This was while I was in Sinnoh, before you said anything to me."

"Is she the reason you stayed?"

"No, I really did only stay for the caves, our relationship didn't last…I think it was a month? Cynthia's the Champion of Sinnoh at the moment. When she heard I was there she wanted to meet. Honestly, she's a really cool person and I enjoyed spending time with her. We tried to be more than friends, but I had to tell her that I just wasn't feeling the same way. She understood and we're still friends. Well, I guess we kind of still continued to be friends with benefits after, but I've told her that that had to stop last time I was there."

Wallace squeezed his hand. It meant so much to him that Steven would do that. Sure, it was what anyone in a relationship should do, but it just reaffirmed that Steven really did care about him. He needed to stop doubting the other, but he couldn't help it. He loved Steven so much and constantly worried about losing him.

OooO

Having two champions was pretty handy, but when they were both busy it was a pretty awkward affair.

Wallace had Steven tied to the bed, his way of repaying Steven for the agony he'd caused last time. It took Steven a lot longer to get aroused than it did for Wallace, but that was fine, it just meant that the fun would last longer.

A finger was brushing lightly up and down Steven's shaft when the Nav rang. Wallace, being the only person with free hands, picked it up after seeing who was calling.

"Sidney?" Wallace didn't stop moving his finger. "He's a little busy at the moment, but I can take a message." He smiled and put the Nav down. "I might just have to leave you like this if a challenger makes it up here."

"I'm pretty comfortable at the minute."

"I've got time to change that. Don't worry, I'll make sure I leave you begging for me to stay."

Wallace used his other hand to tweak his nipples. There must be somewhere he could touch that would drive Steven crazy. Slowly Wallace began to explore more of Steven's body, watching for any change in his expression.

Nothing he did got a rise out of Steven before Phoebe rang to confirm the challenger was getting closer. It was then that Wallace had an idea. He changed the restraints so that he could easily flip Steven over. With the faintest touch he started to run his nails down Steven's back and that's when he felt the other shiver beneath him.

"Oh." Wallace couldn't help but voice his surprise. Slowly his touches increased their intensity until he was almost massaging the muscles in Steven's back. Sighs of enjoyment escaped him, but Wallace still wasn't satisfied with his tone. He still didn't sound like he was turned on.

Working on one place at a time didn't seem to be the winning strategy, so he changed tact. He lifted Steven's hips so that he could gently stroke his half-hard member while kissing and licking his back.

"Mmm…" The sound Steven made went straight to Wallace's dick. Now he knew he was on the right track he kept going, forgetting that he was supposed to be going painfully slow. He could feel the appendage in his hand growing harder, but the man it belonged to wasn't letting another sound escape.

"I want to hear you," Wallace whispered in his ear. The Nav rang and they both sighed. "I should make you answer," Wallace said. "Glacia, how did it go? …Excellent, thank you." He put down the Nav. "You're in luck. They didn't make it past her. Now, where was I?"

Instead of continuing where he left off he turned Steven over again, mainly so he could stop muffling the few sounds he did make in the pillow. Now that Steven was suitably aroused Wallace started to use his mouth to tease him. He sucked on the tip, swirling his tongue around, looking up to see Steven biting his lip. Well, if it was going that well, why stop? He kept going until Steven let out another sound, then he removed himself completely.

"Wallace?" There was the sound of need that he'd been waiting for.

"I think you're ready to be left."

Steven's face dropped. "You weren't serious were you? Come on, I didn't leave you hanging like this, I was just taking it slow."

"I like watching you beg for me."

Steven narrowed his eyes and smirked.

"Hm? What are you planning?"

Wallace watched as Steven's face melted into one of pleasure and he started to moan and breathe heavily. "Ngh, Wallace, please. Ah – yes – right there! Oh, oh god, fuck me!"

Well, he had to applaud his performance and ingenuity. "I'll touch you if you make let me hear those noises for real. Stop holding them back."

"As you wish."

He leant over Steven and kissed him, hand trailing down to where it had been not long ago. "Can I fuck you?"

"I don't know, can you?"

Wallace stopped everything. "I cannot believe you. For that poor joke I should just leave you here until your dick goes soft, then I'd come back and make you hard again only to leave you begging me to come back. And because of that joke I wouldn't."

"You know you love my humour and its terrible timing."

"And you know the only reason I won't actually follow through on that is because I want you too much. If I wasn't already this far in I might've you know." Wallace reached into the bedside drawer and pulled out a bottle of lube.

"Oh? You had this planned?" Steven asked as he watched Wallace quickly undress; he wasn't one to get anything dirty.

"I left it there just in case." Of course he'd hoped they'd one day get to a stage where a little extra something was required. He returned to touching Steven, a finger teasing his entrance before sliding in smoothly. That earned him a reaction. "Let me know how it feels."

"Odd, for sure."

A second finger joined the first, Steven's discomfort audible. Wallace was gentle, carefully stretching him, waiting for him to relax more before moving on.

"Oh my god," Steven couldn't help but exclaim as Wallace pushed into him.

It took all of his willpower not to start slamming into the other straight away. Who knew it would feel this good just to be in him. He gripped Steven's hips as he slowly began to move, watching Steven's blushing face.

"Touch me, Wallace."

He obliged, stroking Steven in time with his thrusts, and his reward was a very vocal lover. At first he thought that this was just Steven living up to his promise, but the way he gripped the headboard said otherwise.

"Right there, Wallace," Steven moaned.

He'd found it. He'd found the place that made Steven moan like a porn star. Each sound was music to his ears, making him more lost in the moment. It didn't take long for Steven's breath to hitch and be followed by a long moan as he climaxed. The euphoric expression on his face as he rode out his orgasm had Wallace on the edge. All he wanted was to replay this moment time and time again. His thrusts got needier and his gasps louder as he reached his own release, pushing into Steven as much as he could with each wave of pleasure.

Wallace collapsed next to Steven and loosened his restraints. Immediately Steven rolled on top of him, kissing him passionately.

"So, I take it you enjoyed that?"

"That was the best sex I've ever had. I want to do it again tomorrow."

Wallace couldn't help the massive smile that came over him. "Oh, I don't know if I'm available, I might be a little busy."

Steven sat on him, pouting. "Well then I'll just have to sit here so you can't go anywhere."

"Any other time I'd be more than happy for you to do that, but right now maybe not." Wallace stroked his face tenderly. "How about I treat you to a relaxing bath instead of us sitting here with my cum dripping out of your ass."

"Wow, that was so romantically put."

Wallace smirked. "You deserve to have your afterglow destroyed after that 'can you?' comment earlier."

"I thought you loved me for all my flaws. Besides, we wouldn't be in this position if you'd stocked up on condoms as well as lube."

He pulled Steven's face close and kissed him. "I love everything about you, and I'll keep that in mind for tomorrow."