Sorry for the late update. I know this chapter isn't long, but it's very eventful. Enjoy!
Chapter 5: A Day at the Hot Spring
Two weeks had gone by since Razara and Seviper formed Team Crush Fang. They were falling fast for each other. Otherwise, it was a relatively uneventful two weeks. They had taken up jobs, taken down some outlaws, and pulled off some rescues. Such happenings were of the life of an exploration team.
However, one day was just a bit different…
"A day off?" Razara echoed Chimchar's words. She looked perplexed. "Why would we take a day off?"
"Well, you two have been working extra hard trying to fit in with the rest of the guild, so the Guild Master decided to give you two a day to yourselves. I recommend going to the Hot Spring," Chimchar elaborated, keeping the real motive for the day off in the back of his mind. "I think Oshawott and Eevee said something about going there."
"What about the rest of Oshawott'sss team?" Seviper inquired.
"Well, Tepig is training at Sawk and Throh's. Snivy opted to stay here and study. She'll probably end up reading something for pleasure. Maybe. Pidove…well, let's not go there," Chimchar answered. "Why don't you two go with Eevee and Oshawott?"
"Sure!" Razara squealed excitedly.
"Sssoundsss like it will be relaxing," Seviper mused. He veered his head around. "Where are they?"
"I think they're on their way to the northwestern gate right now. I could have Thomas check with his Spatial Awareness, if you want," the fire chimp offered.
"No thanks! We'll get going! Thanks, Chimchar, and thank the master for us!" Razara exclaimed happily as she raced out of the guild with Seviper in hot pursuit.
"Those forbidden lovers. They really are cute," Chimchar chuckled to himself.
Meanwhile, Oshawott and his beloved Eevee were about to depart from Mountain Pass Town when they heard a voice call out, "Wait for us!"
"Huh? That voice…" Eevee's ears perked up and she turned around. She saw a Zangoose and a Seviper. Her face lit up.
"Is that Seviper?" Oshawott squinted and asked.
"Yeah! Razara's with him!" Eevee said ecstatically. Her tail wagged rapidly.
Soon enough, Seviper and Razara the Zangoose caught up to the younger couple. The four of them travelled together to the Hot Spring, trekking the path in a formation of two-by-two. Razara and Seviper walked (or slithered in Seviper's case) quietly as Oshawott and Eevee discussed well-known explorers.
"Greninja has a cool team. The moves they pull off are so disciplined and precise! Chesnaught's really strong, too! A battle with either of them would be exhilarating and terrifying," Oshawott said to his beloved.
"Well, you have a point. I'd prefer Delphox and her team. She's strong and elegant, not to mention a genius," Eevee debated. "Now that I think about it, don't Greninja, Delphox, and Chesnaught have kids our age?"
"I think I heard something like that," Oshawott said with uncertainty. "Team A.C.T. is strong. So is Team Charm. Wow, I have high standards to live up to!"
"You just be you," Eevee advised and licked his cheek.
"Okay," Oshawott complied, blushing.
Both Seviper and Razara watched on, secretly hoping they could be as close as Oshawott and Eevee someday.
Finally, they got to the Hot Spring, and when they did, they were pleasantly surprised. Vaporeon, one of Eevee's older sisters, was there with a Samurott. Eevee delightedly squealed, "Big Sister!"
"Hey, Little Sis!" Vaporeon gasped gleefully and greeted her younger sister. "Samurott, this is my little sister, Eevee, and her boyfriend—"
"Oshawott…" Samurott gazed at Oshawott in surprise. It seemed like they new each other, and Seviper deduced that from the way they looked at each other.
"Sensei, it's been a long time," Oshawott said with an awestruck voice.
"They know each other?" Razara asked rhetorically. She chuckled. "Small world, huh?"
"Sensei, I never expected to see you here," Oshawott claimed.
"Nor I you. How is guild life?" Samurott inquired.
"Pretty good. I've met the love of my life," Oshawott answered and wrapped his arm around Eevee's furry neck.
"That makes two of us!" Samurott announced with a hearty chuckle. A bright red blush spread across Vaporeon's face.
As the others conversed, Razara and Seviper decided it was time to get into the naturally heated pool. The Treasure Town elder, Torkoal, was shocked to see them. He gasped, "A Zangoose and a Seviper? Y-you're not going to try to fight for your species, are you? This is no place for violence!"
"We're here together," Razara informed him.
"Hmm?" Torkoal let what Razara said sink in. Then, he started chuckling.
"Sssomething funny?" Seviper inquired, somewhat annoyed.
"Oh? Me? No, not funny. Oh ho, don't mind an old fart like me," Torkoal chuckled.
"Hey, now, don't say that, Torkoal! You're well known as a wise Pokémon in these parts," Razara informed him.
"Oh my stars, young girl, you flatter me!" Torkoal blushed, but it was difficult to see due to his orangey red skin.
Throughout their stay at the Hot Springs, Razara gradually grew closer to Seviper until her body was pressed up against his. Seviper stammered, "R-Razara, I, well…never mind."
"No, no. Tell me. You're not keeping secrets from your partner, mister," Razara urged, not taking 'no' for an answer.
"Well, you sssee, I—well, ever sssince I met you, I—um…I think I—" Seviper was unsure of how to say what he wanted to say.
"Spit it out!" Razara shouted, annoyed.
"I love you!" Seviper blurted out. Razara gasped and blushed intensely. Seviper gulped, feeling nothing short of doomed. "Razara…"
"Well," Razara inhaled sharply, "what if I told you the feeling was mutual?"
"I'd be the happiest Pokémon alive," Seviper replied, heart racing due to anxiety.
"Arguably," the Zangoose replied. "I'm the happiest Pokémon alive right now."
"Ssso…"
"I love you, too. Admittedly, I hated you at first, but…you're everything I'd want in a mate…"
"Ssso, does that make us…?"
With a smirk, Razara replied, "We'll see."