~AUTHOR'S NOTE~
Sorry this chapter took a while, I have been distracted by the sudden realisation that I can just go to the library whenever I want and stay there the entire day… Anywho here's the chapter, I promise I'll try harder to get this finished. Merry Christmas and enjoy.
"Ah yes! That's the perfect place," said Steven, clapping his hands together, "can I just sort something out quickly?"
"Sure," you replied, failing to pick up the baby Aron and instead catching it with another pokeball. It's very heavy for a baby…
Steven took out a clever looking phone and dialed someone. "Hello? Wallace?"
The eighth and final gym leader?
"You should just go visit me tomorrow, something came up."
"What do you mean, 'something came up'? Have you dealt with the Aggron?" replied Wallace through the phone.
"Yeah we were just going to release it somewhere more appropriate."
"Wait… 'we'? Steven?"
Steven hung up with a click. "Well that's that sorted!" he said, putting his phone away. "Shall we?"
You chewed your lip as Altaria flew gracefully over the Hoenn region with Steven on his Skarmory next to you. If I was still going through with my plan, then this would of been the perfect opportunity.
"What were you doing in there anyway?" asked Steven.
"What?" you replied, his voice getting lost in the wind.
"I SAID: WHAT WERE YOU DOING IN THERE ANYWAY?" Steven repeated.
"Oh, I was - um - training! Because, you know, I love it so much?" you replied awkwardly.
"I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" Steven shouted.
"I WAS TRAINING BECAUSE I LOVE IT SO MUCH!" you yelled.
"I SEE. MAYBE WE SHOULD TALK ONCE WE LAND!"
"AGREED."
You continued flying in silence for a few minutes, occasionally checking your pokenav to make sure you were heading in the right direction. Finally, you saw the sandy beach and small town of an island ahead of you.
"THERE'S DEWFORD TOWN!" you shouted to Steven. You held on tight as Altaria started descending towards the place swiftly. Landing with a bump, you climbed off and retrieved Altaria, Steven doing the same with Skarmory.
"You probably know this place," you said, starting to head towards Route 106.
Before you could get anywhere, Steven grabbed your arm. "We're not going anywhere before we get something for that arm."
You looked at your wound and saw the blood was starting to clot, and nodded. "Maybe the pokecenter have some bandages or something."
"Let's go then," he said, letting go of your arm. Steven led the way to the town's pokecenter, you walking close behind. Once inside, you and Steven quickly walked to the counter.
"Excuse me, is there some bandages and perhaps some antiseptic or something that I can get for my friend," Steven asked, motioning towards your arm. You blinked. Friend?
"Sure thing!" replied the nurse, reaching into a first aid kit and grabbing the items. "You can keep those, we have plenty!"
"Thanks!" said Steven, eyebrows raised.
After finding a place to sit at a table, Steven frowned at your ruined sleeve. "Sorry about your sleeve…"
"It's fine," you replied. You bit your lip. It wasn't fine, this was your favourite dress, perfect for a contest. I suppose I could always try to fix it...
Steven nodded. "Allow me."
After you had carefully gotten the sleeve out of the way, Steven got the antiseptic spray and took off the cap. "This is going to hurt…"
"I know," you sighed, "just go ahead."
You winced slightly at the sting of the antiseptic.
"Sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorr-"
"Steven," you said, raising your eyebrows at him.
Steven shut his mouth, then smiled sheepishly.
He has a nice smile… you noted as Steven applied the bandages. He actually has a lot of nice features…
"There you go! All done," said Steven loudly, interrupting you from your thoughts. You almost blushed. Almost.
"Thanks!" you said, slightly too enthusiastically.
"You're welcome!" Steven replied, matching your enthusiasm.
You stared at him and he stared back in a moment of mutual awkwardness. In the corner of your eye you swear you saw the nurse smirking at you and promptly shook your head. "We better go release that Aggron and it's kid," you said, breaking the silence.
As you and Steven exited the pokecenter, you looked over your shoulder to see the nurse wink at you. This time you did blush, and looked at your feet furiously. I never blush, why does this of all things bother me?
"Everything alright?" Steven asked. He seemed genuinely concerned. It was all you could do to prevent yourself from blushing further.
"Uh, yeah! Nothing wrong," you replied embarrassedly.
"Okay…" he said. His eyes flicked to your now bandaged arm. "I am truly sorry about your dress… I can pay for a new one if you want…"
"No, no…" you bit your lip. Steven's eyebrows were raised. "Okay maybe," you said, sighing.
Steven smiled lopsidedly. "I'm assuming we're heading to Granite Cave, am I right?"
You nodded, returning his smile. It was contagious.
"Then let's go," he replied, placing a hand on your shoulder.
You were hyper aware of his warm hand resting there the entire way to the cave north of the town.