between episode 2-3

note: I use their japanese names (Satoshi- Ash)(Citron-Clemont)(Eureka- Bonnie)(Takashi- Brock)(Kasumi- Misty)(Professor Plantain- Professor Sycamore)

-(Satoshi's POV)-

Being a traveling trainer was the stuff Satoshi's dreams were made of. Of course, being a 'pokemon master' was the ultimate goal, but the journey there was where his heart lied. Over the last three years since he'd set off into the world, hed learned to love the ache of exhausted feet, the thrill of risking all he had for what he loved (ex: leaping off a freakin building without a second thought), and seeing new regions.

But meeting new people was always one of Satoshi's favourite things about traveling, and he was quickly learning that Citron and Eureka were welcomed additions to his list of friends.

Morning sunlight poured into the lab's residential hall and into the makeshift kitchen and breakroom, him and Eureka squished into an eatting nook and Citron working with the minimal equipment they had to get prepared for the day.

"Onii-chaaaann," she whined, kicking her feet wildly. "I want crepes! With strawberries! and looots of whipped cream! Not gross eggs!" The girl pouted, pushing her dish away.

"Eureka, that doesn't count as a healthy breakfast." Citron's expression remained flat, he obviously was not a morning person. Satoshi chuckled to himself, taking his now empty plate to the sink.

"You wanna be a strong trainer, dontcha?" He chimmed in, smiling at the familiar spark of determination that suddenly lit her face.

"Well, duh!"

"Then eat up. I'm gonna pack my backpack before we head out, okay?"

"Of course." The inventor poured himself another cup of tea, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"Thanks for the food!" Satoshi spared a second glance at the duo, before turning away. He heard a dismissive 'no problem' before the little girl's burst of laughter, followed by a rush of flustered french from her brother.

Hehe..

Absentmindedly, the trainer began to shove miscellaneous items into his bag, letting his thoughts wonder to the previous night.

-(flashback)-

"Pika-pi!" The electric mouse came bounding in happily, greeting Satoshi with a pleased chirp and head nudge. Citron entered the room just behind, with a tired sigh, tossing a sleeping bag onto a couch opposite of the trainer and throwing himself down along with it.

"Eureka's finally asleep. I swear she has too much energy for me sometimes.." He joked lightly.

"Must be fun to be able ta travel with your sister though." The trainer sat up, having caught a second wind. A flicker of memories passed through his mind of going through Hoenn with May and Max. The expierence was new, as though he had a younger sibling of his own.

"You're an only child?" Citron turned onto his side, to look at him, bringing his knees loosely to his chest.

"Yeah, it was just me an my mom in Kanto." It had always been that way. Although a few pictures remained around their home of estranged family, the young trainer didnt have a clear idea of what a typical family was like. Hell, he'd never known his father, let alone get lucky enough to get a sibling. "..Then when I left home it was Pikachu and I for a couple days, until I made some new friends."

"What were their names?"

"Takashi and Kasumi." Satoshi grinned. "They were like an older brother and sister to me, teasing and fighting and all."

"Sounds familiar, Eureka has a habit of sneaking into my room while I'm still asleep and making silly faces at me until I wake up. She says I'm ugly without my glasses."

"That's rude."

"Right?" he chuckled. "But that's what I deserve for making her eat carrots."

"I once told Kasumi that she had a face like a Magikarp. I can't count how many times she put me in a headlock," he laughed, sounding almost like a bark. It'd been a while since he'd seriously remembered them. Takashi with his parent like manners (despite his obnoxious flirting), and Kasumi yanking on his ear calling him a brat. "I was kind of a jerk back then."

"Glad that seems to have changed." Citron smiled, shifting again and grabbing his overly large backpack, rummaging through crumbled papers and loose odds-and-ends. As he did so, he began to wonder if he really had gotten better since then, and if they hadn't if Citron'd still be this comfortable around him..

Hesitantly, Satoshi rested his arms along the back of the couch, rubbing under his nose and looking away. Pikachu hopped into his lap reassuringly, seemingly understanding his self conciousness.

"Yeah.. but I'm grateful to have traveled with em. I mightve lost pikachu to Team Rocket long ago, if it wasn't for them."

"So, this stuff happens to you often?" Citron tipped his head, retreiving a toothbrush. "Why do they want him so badly?"

"I dunno, I guess it gives them a purpose?.. doesnt really matter though. They're never gonna get him. Right, Pikachu?"

"Chaa!" The pokemon rubbed against his hand happily.

"..So, what's your damage report?" he changed the subject. This was all a bit of a.. sensitive topic, anyway.

"W-what?"

"Did ya get hurt?" From what he could see, Citron appeared okay. A little scuffed up on his cheek, but Satoshi knew better than anyone how easy it was to end up more battered than you'd think. His own muscles ached, elbows and knees grazed.

"Hm?.. no, not really." The blond rubbed the side of his head. "Nothing really serious, certainly nothing like jumping off an eighty-one storey building."

"But you hit your head." he said simply, seeing Citron cup one ear when he thought he hadn't noticed. Catiously, he crossed over next to the blond. Lifting a couple fingers to brush back the lock of hair hiding a blossoming welt. Citron recoiled, his expression unreadable. "I mean, it was brave of you to protect Eureka like that."

"It's not like I'd let her get hurt. She's my responsiblity.." he blushed, looking away almost shamefully.

"She's lucky."

..

The air grew tense, neither really knowing what to say.

".. so, where are you two headed first?"

"Trainer registration, I guess." Citron's eyes lit up. "I'll take you to the Southern center in the morning."

"Really? That'd be really great of you!"

"U-uh.. no problem." His face turned darker pink. "It's the least I can do after today."

-(end of flashback)-

He blushes real easy.

Satoshi made a mental note to take it easier on his friend, and carried on with the task at hand, grabbing a spare change of clothes and stashing it away in his backpack. It didn't take long (he was never one to care about belongings) to get himself squared away.

"Satoshi! Come on!" He heard a peppy voice call after him, Eureka flailing her arms in excitement. "Last one there's a rotten egg! Pffftt!" She spat at her brother, in particular.

"Eureka, relax! Professor Plantain said he still needed to talk to us. Geez.." The trio waited outside, listening to the sounds of the busy city around them. The little girl played with Pikachu, the two taking turns chasing one another in circles.

".."

"..you ready?" Citron said awkwardly, adjusting his pack over one shoulder then the other. Gently, he nudged his shoulder with a smile. "Today's the official start of your Kalos journey."

Satoshi had a good feeling about this, all of this..

The air was crisp and cool, the sun shining, and with new friends, things could only get better from here. Confidently, he raised a fist, amber eyes bright.

"Yeah, let's do this!"

So! In this chapter we've been establishing:

- satoshi's current age (13)

- satoshi's need for companionship, whether from pikachu or friends

- his need for continued travel

- my "adrenaline junkie" satoshi headcanon

- satoshi and eureka's relationship (her as a little sister and him as an inspiration)

- concept of them having a "damage report"

- general info: satoshi's homelife, team rocket, previous friends, etc

- citrons responsibility to eureka and their relationship

- citron and eureka speaking french

- satoshi having self doubt but not wanting to show it

- satoshi not wanting to think about/talk about the past often ("susume!")

- citron's self deprecation ("thats what i deserve", dismissing his own wellbeing, etc.)

- citron's knowledge of prism tower's tech specs

- beginning of physical contact, albiet with a somewhat negative response (citron withdrawing shly)

- satoshi noting to 'take it easy' because citron blushes; establishes his constant compliments and citrons reaction

- set up to citron inviting himself on satoshi's journey (by taking him to the centre)

- minor detail: language (no cursing, keeping in line with their 13 year old selves)

And I'm really happy with how it turned out! Its actually fun lol (not that my other works havent been, it just feels like theres less pressure because its a drabble series)