Hello again!

Here's a one-shot that features a little character development for my secondary couple from one of my main fanfics. Yay, other characters!

Featured Characters: Machamp, Alakazam

Additional Cast: Delphox, Mewtwo, Froslass, General Abomasnow, Weavile, Poliwrath, Politoed

Genre: Romance, Drama, Hurt/Comfort

Timeline Placement: Prior Events - - - Bluebells Are Forever - - - Melting Gelid Roses

Story goes below the cut. Enjoy reading!

A slight creak woke Alakazam up. The mage blinked and stared at the four-armed knight above him, who tilted away just slightly.

"Aw, I knew I was pushing my luck," mumbled Machamp.

"Good morning to you too."

"Oh, right!" Machamp pecked at Alakazam's head, a quick, light kiss. "Good morning! And, uh, sorry."

"What are you apologizing for?"

"You looked so cute and peaceful asleep," explained Machamp, gently leaning back in, as he used his lower arms to caress Alakazam. "But I got greedy, and moved too close to you." He moved his right hand away from Alakazam and pressed lightly against the bed, as it answered with a squeak.

"Oh." Alakazam shrugged and yawned. "It doesn't matter much; I needed to get up either way." He lightly pinched at Machamp's face. "Otherwise I don't get to look at this gorgeous face."

"You mean you don't see me in your dreams?" Machamp pouted.

"…Ok, I get to touchthis gorgeous face." Alakazam dropped his hands and rolled his eyes. "Better?"

"Yep!"

Letting out a slight chuckle, Alakazam moved to rise from the bed. Machamp, however, pinned him down between two of his four arms.

"Getting up usually involves getting out of bed."

"That's not always the case," teased Machamp. He lowered his eyes and grinned at Alakazam.

"I would have thought that you'd clean up that ribald mind of yours," sneered Alakazam. "You know, considering the distance it put between us."

"Maybe," relented Machamp. He smirked and lifted the rest of his body around Alakazam. "Then again, it's closing the distance now, if I'm not mistaken." He lowered his face near Alakazam's, with his lips grazing his lover's mustache. "Am I wrong?"

"Y…n…uh."

"It's fine," teased Machamp, pulling his head back. "You don't have to tell me that I'm right." He winked, placing his higher hands around Alakazam's pillow, and moving his lower arms past the mage's waist. "I already know."

"…Fine, sure," gave in Alakazam with a huff. Controlling his breathing, he lowered his own eyes, and smirked at Machamp. "So, now what?" He slid one hand around the knight's waist, and brushed the other against his cheek. "Are you just going to keep me here? All to yourself?"

"Sounds like the right idea to me."

"And you think you can hold me here, just like this?"

"Pretty sure I can."

With a heavy push, Alakazam threw Machamp over, onto his back as the mage pinned him down. Astonished, Machamp's mouth parted as he blinked at the smirking mage above him.

"Psychic powers, remember?" Alakazam lowered himself closer to Machamp, guiding his hands up the knight's shoulders, then down his chest. "It's fun to see your face when you're not paying attention."

"Is that so?"

"Very much so."

"Just what makes you think that I didn't want this?"

Alakazam gasped as Machamp's lower hands slid up his mage's legs, and rubbed around his thighs. Grinning, Machamp continued, moving them around the mage's waist, earning heavy breaths between Alakazam's sharp inhales.

"Hmm." Machamp bit his lower lip, still smirking. "Seems like you're enjoying that."

"Sh-shut up."

"That's a yes." He gently drummed his lover's waist and massaged his shoulders, chuckling as he did. "You are enjoying it, right?"

"If my pulsating heart isn't enough of a dead give away," teased Alakazam, slowly wiggling against Machamp, "you should already know from the other signs."

"Hey, I just want to make sure." Machamp sighed. "Bodies and minds aren't always a perfect link."

"No, but it's best when they are." Again, Alakazam leaned closer to Machamp, resting his hands against the knight's chest. "And I believe both of ours have a stronger bond than most."

"Oh? You admitting to that?"

"Please." Alakazam lightly kissed Machamp, pulling back as the knight pressed back for more. "It's not worth the effort denying it."

"But it's worthwhile to pull back from me?"

"Yes." Alakazam grinned. "That's fun."

"How?"

"Because you lose track of your thoughts," enlightened Alakazam. "And I can feel your energy spike when I'm close, but then it gets erratic when I pull back—sorry, this is killing the mood, isn't it?"

"Not at all. Keep talking like that," purred Machamp. "I like it when you're on a roll."

"That's not exactly what I'd call this," joked Alakazam, drumming Machamp's chest. "But I think I'm on something, or onto something. Which is it?"

"Both."

"Mm. And I don't suppose you'll specify?"

"Here's a hint."

Machamp leaned up and pulled Alakazam's face back into his. The pair kissed deeply, as the knight brushed the mage's mustache with his thumbs. Alakazam scooped Machamp's face into his, and then caressed the back of his head. Slowly, reluctantly, they broke apart, and took a minute to breathe.

"It seems…like you're getting it," joked Machamp between his panting.

"Am I already?" Alakazam laughed. "I didn't think…we went that fast."

"Well, if you want to, we could—"

Knocking pounded from the door away from them. Both froze for a moment, and turned back to face each other before the pounding sounded again.

"Machamp, and Alakazam," called Poliwrath. "I've got a funny feeling that you're both in there, so let's go; we're needed for the day."

"Aw, come on!"

"Coming!" Alakazam chuckled as he pushed back from Machamp, collecting spoons from the end table. "That's what you get for taking your time with the foreplay."

"What?!" Machamp gawked at Alakazam, but shook his head. "Y-you indulged me!"

"Of course I did." The mage peeked over his shoulder and smirked. "That didn't mean you needed to keep going."

"B-but that's my default response to you!"

"I know."

"Ooh, you are not messing with me like this."

"Silly Machamp…I'll tease you however I want."

Reaching over, Alakazam kissed Machamp once more on his lips before hopping off the bed entirely, and quickly whipped his robes over his body. Frustrated, Machamp grumbled and stared at the ceiling for a moment, but then leapt from the bed, and gathered his armor. He paused in the middle of collecting himself, fumbling with his four vambraces, as he caught Alakazam taking a glimpse over his shoulder again.

"W-what?"

"Nothing." Alakazam failed to hide his smile as Machamp raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "I'm just checking out my boyfriend."

"Oh."

"Is…something wrong with that?" Alakazam turned around entirely as Machamp continued to place on his armor. "Machamp?"

"Yeah, no, it's fine."

Annoyed, Alakazam twirled his spoons and focused on the armor. Waving his arms around, the mage pieced the knight's armor across his body, until he was fully clothed in a matter of seconds.

"Machamp."

"What? Nothing's wrong."

"Look, I'm sorry for teasing." Alakazam strode over to the knight, who faltered back and avoided gazing into the mage's eyes. "It gets annoying, I'm sure, so I should be working on toning it back. It's just fun that we can—"

"That's not it." Machamp finally caved and returned his attention to Alakazam. "You're never the problem."

"I'm always the problem," mumbled Alakazam.

"Not this again."

"It's true! I was the hardheaded one that didn't listen to reason," reiterated Alakazam. "Me, the one that pours over books and postulates theories, the one that bends spells and toys around with magic, the one that literally looks into people's minds, I'mthe one that was obstinate about admitting my feelings, and ignoring yours—"

"Yeah, ok, you screwed up," interrupted Machamp. "Guess what? I did too. My stupid fault for letting my mind wander off, thinking lewd thoughts that shouldn't have crossed it when we were already so close. And then I had multiple opportunities to fix it, but I didn't." He shrugged and smiled a little. "Couples and drama. It happens."

"But—"

"Come on, enough." Machamp wrapped his lower arms around Alakazam's thin waist again. "We wasted enough years struggling against each other, right? No more of that." He cupped his upper arms around Alakazam's face and guided him in for another kiss, brushing along his cheeks to keep their lips together. They broke apart after a moment, and gazed longingly at one another. Machamp smirked. "We should struggle together now. That's how it works now."

Alakazam burst into giggles, and rested against Machamp. They laughed together for a moment before the door pounded again.

"Look, are you two finished, or should I come by later?"

"Why are you still there, Poliwrath?" Machamp threw his head back as Alakazam buried his head into the knight's chest. "What, are you listening in or something? We're not that loud."

"To be fair," called out Poliwrath, "you can be."

"He's got a point," whispered Alakazam.

"You, hush up." Machamp returned his attention to the door. "We'll be out in a minute, hold on."

"It's not just the General that'll kick my ass for being late," snapped Poliwrath. "My brother taunted me for opting to get you two, and he knew you'd be too into each other—"

"A minute, ok, Poliwrath?" Machamp hugged Alakazam into him. "We can get there quickly."

"We're running late—"

"Teleportation."

"We're still late, even with that."

"Oh well, then we're late."

"Just hurry up already, Machamp."

Gently, Machamp guided Alakazam back out from him, just enough to make eye contact and keeping his arms around the mage. He sighed, and brushed Alakazam's mustache, slightly straightening it.

"Later, we can talk more about it," murmured Machamp. "But you should stop beating yourself up over this, over us." He kissed Alakazam's head, just after the mage nodded lightly. "We're together now. So, let's be happy with that. You're too good for hating yourself, like you are for me."

"Please, I've hated myself for…wait, what?"

"Come on, Poliwrath is waiting."

"Wait, wait, what was that last—?"

Before Alakazam could finish, Machamp opened the door. Outside was the short, blue frog knight, eyes drooping, as he waited against the wall opposite to the room. He faltered and rubbed his gloved arms over his eyes, and walked up as the couple emerged.

"Finally." He paused and looked the pair up and down. "Did you two at least—?"

"We're not talking about it," the couple replied simultaneously.

"Yikes, ok." He rolled his eyes and shrugged. "Well, whenever you're ready."

"Right."

Machamp wrapped his arms around Alakazam again, lightly leaning on him. Poliwrath merely grabbed onto an open space on the mage's arm. Exhaling, Alakazam closed his eyes, and the trio disappeared in a flash.

They reappeared in the man hall of the palace, and Poliwrath hastily pulled his arm back.

"Thanks a bundle, Alakazam." He glanced around the room, spotting General Abomasnow and Politoed walking down another corridor. "Ha, see? Told you! Made it before you two did, didn't we?"

"Barely," noted Politoed, as they came into the main room. "You claimed that you'd be here with time to spare."

"Yes, but I didn't specify, now did I?"

"Both of you, shut your traps already," snapped Abomasnow. "Alakazam, you're not with us today. Untwist yourself from your boyfriend and get to practice with your fellow mages."

"Certainly." Alakazam stroked Machamp's arms once as the knight reluctantly released his lover, and the mage started off. He paused and pivoted back to the general. "Sire, um…where are Chesnaught and Greninja?"

"Out in the city gathering supplies," rumbled Abomasnow. "As are several others. Emperor's orders."

"Ah."

"Get going, Alakazam."

"Yes, sir."

Waving to Machamp, Alakazam turned away and disappeared behind a door, walking off from the group. The same door quickly opened again, as Mienshao scurried out from it.

"You're late," thundered Abomasnow.

The main doors to the palace opened, as Carracosta trudged in. He sighed, as the general's glare turned on him.

"You're late," he rumbled again.

Everyone turned as the doors nearest to the staircase opened, and Weavile strolled out from behind them. Abomasnow folded his arms, though the archer mimicked his motion, as she remained calm under his glower.

"And you're—"

"Waiting on everyone else," explained Weavile. "Equipment's inside, like you wanted."

"Oh." Abomasnow huffed and let his arms drop. "Very well, it'll be Carracosta and Mienshao cleaning and carving the palace halls tonight. Let's get started then."

The group of knights made their way into the training room, and lined up as Abomasnow walked into a marked circle between icebergs.

"First up, we'll start with a strength test," the general instructed. "You pass if you manage to push me outside of this circle." He blinked at the smaller knights, and then shook his head. "Which…I doubt any of you will manage, save for Machamp."

"Of course not," acknowledged Carracosta. "None of us have the bulging muscles or raw strength to keep up with that."

"Ha, well, I suppose," relented Machamp. "Though—"

"He's the only one actually built on strength," Politoed chimed in. "Not all of us are hunky strongmen."

"Uh—"

"Easy, Politoed," cautioned Poliwrath. "Alakazam will make your mind a pile of mush if he hears something like that."

"It's true, though. And you'd agree with me, if you weren't afraid of being a Psychic's plaything."

"Well, yeah." Poliwrath shrugged. "Machamp's got the body and strength that even I get jealous of."

"Thanks?"

"Yes, yes, and he's the only one heavy enough to rival my weight," droned Abomasnow. "None of you are getting out of this, so come on, let's get started."

"Sounds like he called him fat."

"More like Machamp is a bulging muscle, and Abomasnow is the fat one."

"I heard that!" Abomasnow growled. "You two want a more severe punishment for tonight?!"

"No."

"Then shut it!" Abomasnow glared at the group outside of the ring and jabbed his arm out. "Carracosta, you're first."

"It was nice knowing you guys," he uttered.

The sea turtle knight trudged into the ring, and stared at Abomasnow. They locked eyes for a moment, and Carracosta sighed.

"Weavile, count down."

"Three, two, one, go."

"H-hey, wait—"

With a heavy thrust, Abomasnow launched Carracosta right out of the ring. The turtle flew back and slammed into an iceberg, groaning as he sank to the ground.

"What a surprise." Abomasnow shook his head. "Poliwrath, up next."

"Here goes."

Poliwrath jogged in and met his general's glare. They waited for Weavile's apathetic countdown, before they locked arms. Abomasnow pushed Poliwrath back, who skidded against the ice. He tried to slip past the yeti's arm, but only made it easier to be grabbed.

"Uh oh."

With a yelp, Poliwrath was thrown out of the ring and beyond the icebergs, crashing down behind them. Politoed's eyes widened and he stepped forward.

"…Brother?"

"I'll live," called the frog knight to his twin.

"Good." Abomasnow pointed at Politoed. "You can join him."

"Um."

"Let's go."

Whimpering lightly, the green frog made his way into the arena. He shuddered at Abomasnow, as the yeti leered at him.

"Three, two, just go," muttered Weavile.

Quickly, Politoed sprang forward and pushed into Abomasnow. The general's eyes dropped as the knight slipped and struggled against him, failing to move him at all.

"Try harder next time, Politoed."

Lifting the other frog up, Abomasnow tossed him away, off near his brother. He crashed down, and both frog twins yelped from a collision, before painfully groaning together. Carracosta managed to pick himself up and lumbered away from the circle as Abomasnow sighed once again.

"Weavile, you might as well."

"If I have to."

She stepped forward and waited at opposite Abomasnow. She glanced over to Mienshao and Machamp, who waited for her.

"One of you two needs to for this one," she murmured.

"Oh, right." Mienshao cleared his throat. "Three, two, one, and…start."

Abomasnow shot his arm forward, only for Weavile to dodge it. He threw his other arm forward, as she sidestepped him again. She blinked and watched as her general glared at her, and thrust his arms out at her. Effortlessly, Weavile merely dodged each shot, and slowly backed out of the ring.

"It's strength testing," thundered Abomasnow. "You have to actually go up against me, Weavile!"

"If you insist."

She reached out and dragged an off-guard Abomasnow from the arena. He growled as she shrugged to him, and earned some snickers from her fellow knights.

"Does that work, sir?"

"You know damn well…!" Abomasnow shook his head. "Forget it. You're an archer anyway." He jabbed his arm at Machamp. "Come on, let's get the real one over with."

Machamp nodded and entered the circle as Abomasnow returned to it. Both Poliwrath and Politoed trudged back to the group, barely holding one another up, as everyone lined up by Mienshao again. They waited as Weavile stepped forward.

"Three. Two. One." She paused and narrowed her eyes at the two. "Go."

Machamp and Abomasnow charged forward, and locked arms together. Using both sets of arms against his general's tree trunk-like ones, Machamp managed to keep a firm lock against Abomasnow, and they remained still as they pushed back against one another.

"Not bad, Machamp." Abomasnow grunted. "I see Alakazam hasn't softened you up enough yet."

"What, you thought he would?"

"Of course!" Abomasnow forced hard against Machamp, who slipped back a bit. "After all, how could he handle a brute like you?"

Faltering with his arms, Machamp lost control of the grip, and Abomasnow shoved him back further. The knight stumbled back, but kept himself balanced enough, still in the arena.

"You know, I'm not a complete barbarian, right?"

"Could've fooled me!" Abomasnow surged ahead. "And everyone else!"

Abomasnow surged again, but Machamp's arms launched up to block him. Growling, the knight pushed his general back to the middle of the circle, and they reached another stalemate once more.

"At first, it was a bit strange that he'd even pick you," rambled Abomasnow. "But then again, if he's into such big muscles, how could he not?"

Throwing their arms up, Machamp forced Abomasnow to fumble back. Thrusting his arms forward, the knight slammed into the general, and knocked him backward again. Though Abomasnow lifted his arms back up to meet Machamp's, he failed to retain his grip against the ground. He glanced down as his body slid past the borders to the arena.

"And…that's it," called Weavile. "Machamp wins. Shocker."

"See? That's so hot!"

"Seriously, Politoed, calm down." Poliwrath rolled his eyes. "You're embarrassing yourself."

"Oh, come on," countered Politoed. "It's not like I actually mean it."

"That makes it worse."

"Ah, he gets me. Right Machamp?"

"Uh—"

"Just because he does, doesn't mean that you should keep it up," lectured Poliwrath.

"Yes, father."

"Oh, sod off."

"Yes, as expected, Machamp proved his absolute strength again," commended Abomasnow. "Very good. Mienshao, you're on."

Walking back to the other knights, Machamp nodded to Mienshao, as he ambled into the ring. Abomasnow lined up against the ermine, and glowered at him.

"Shall we have it, General?"

"Better not get your hopes up here, Mienshao."

"Three, two, you can go," droned Weavile.

Abomasnow forced himself forward, as Mienshao threw up his arms and slid back quickly. However, the stoat dropped his arms quickly, and let his long fur droop on the floor. Abomasnow stumbled forward, and Mienshao tugged back, forcing Abomasnow to stumble ahead again, and out of the arena.

"What the…?" Abomasnow spiraled around and roared at Mienshao. "What was that?!"

"Strength, sire." Mienshao lifted his arms back up, smirking. "After all, you weigh far more than I do, so it takes a lot to make you flop off like that."

"That…that—"

"He's got a point," chimed in Weavile. "Kind of like my approach to it, but actually trying."

"Hmm." Abomasnow folded his arms. "Fair enough. Though Machamp's the real brute here, I'll give you credit for craftiness, Mienshao." He pivoted to the group. "The rest of you, however, need to prove your worth with our ensuing exercises!"

Carracosta and the brothers groaned, while Weavile rolled her eyes. Machamp scratched behind his head, and dragged his arms ahead as the group moved on to weapons training.

Meanwhile, Alakazam watched as Delphox slumped against the side of the wall and exhaled heavily. Mewtwo sat a small distance away from him, and blinked at the fox.

"You're lucky she's not interested in wearing you thin," Delphox managed, as Mewtwo blinked to him. He squinted at Froslass, who grinned happily at the fox. "Why won't you fight him, anyway?"

"Eh, he's still observing," admitted Froslass.

"What, because he's new?!" Delphox slammed a hand down. "I was new, but you were more than happy to throw me into the fire!" He paused and whimpered, pulling his hand back up and shaking it.

"Well, you're already an actual mage," admitted Froslass. "Mewtwo's…not really one. Sure, he casts spells and is all mystical like us, but he's not really versed in so much the same methods we are."

"Yeah, but…but he needs to practice too!"

"He will, when he actually gets it." Froslass giggled. "And then, you can be his plaything too, just like you are with me!"

Laughing, the ghost floated away and into the air, as Delphox groaned and flopped over. Mewtwo, shakily, reached out and patted his head.

"You are…doing well."

"Thanks." Delphox picked up his stick and stared at it. "Greninja and Chesnaught made good friends with you, right?"

"Yes. You are…their friend as well?"

"Yep. Came from the other kingdom like them." Delphox dropped his stick into his face and groaned. "Somehow, they have much better luck than me."

"Perhaps." Mewtwo shrugged and scooted away from Delphox. "You do seem strong, though."

"Huh. Thanks again."

Delphox blinked, and raised an eyebrow at Mewtwo's distance, but shrugged it off. Alakazam returned his attention to Froslass, who spiraled around the air before him.

"You can give up now, Alakazam," she offered. "We both know that I've got you outclassed here."

"By type and sheer endurance, I'll give that much to you," acknowledged Alakazam. "However, I remain your spell casting superior."

"Ah, no, that's a farce," quipped Froslass. "But how about I prove that?"

Spinning around, she launched a sharp, Ominous Wind at Alakazam, who raised a wall of ice to block most of it. Froslass launched a ghastly purple spell orb at it, shattering the wall, but stared at the empty area behind it.

"Huh?!" She floated backwards and huffed. "Come on, Alakazam. You can't Teleport and hide from me!"

"Hiding? Gracious, no."

She yelped as a heavy burst of fire slammed into her back, and knocked the ghostly mage to the ground. Lifting herself up, she watched as Alakazam sauntered over to her, twirling his spoons around.

"Merely, I was getting a better angle to attack from." He grinned to her. "Are you ready to continue, or would you like a reprieve?"

"Um…yeah, I could use a break."

"What?!" Delphox shot up from the ground, fuming. "Are you two serious?! You can take turns walloping on me, but once Froslass takes a single hit, that's it?!"

"It was pretty powerful," admitted Alakazam.

"Plus, you already got a good number of shots in against me," added Froslass. "So, chillout, Delphox."

The ghost mage erupted into a fit of laughter as the fox mage seethed. Flames burst against his stick, to which Mewtwo scooted further away from.

"It will just be for a little while, Delphox," insisted Alakazam, as he sat between the fiery mage and the mystic. "So, relax a little."

"Ugh."

Delphox dropped back down and huffed, as Froslass floated over to the group. She twisted around and waited quietly in front of Alakazam, who picked at his spoons before glancing up to her.

"Yes?"

"Well, while we're all taking a break, why don't we chat?"

"About…?"

"Hmm. Well, I've got nothing new going on, and neither does Delphox."

"Hey!"

"So, to avoid putting Mewtwo on the spot, let's put you there instead, Alakazam!"

"Um."

"Tell us how things are with your best boyfriend," urged Froslass, resting her head on her hands and waiting, eyes focused on Alakazam.

"Things are, uh, good."

"Yes, good, that's great!" She clapped excitedly and wiggled around. "Ok, continue."

"Uh…what exactly are we looking to discuss here?"

"Whatever you want!"

"Froslass, please," snapped Delphox. "Have a little tact and delicacy with these matters."

"Huh?"

"Oh, for…let me ask." Delphox cleared his throat as he straightened up and faced Alakazam. "You and Machamp are doing well, which is natural for friends that become boyfriends, I suppose. Is there anything in particular that makes it difficult to adjust to with him?"

"Not really," determined Alakazam. "We've been attracted to one another for years, it turns out, so the physical end of it is fine."

"Aw, he likes you too!" Froslass lightly clapped. "That's so sweet."

"You're right, but you're not even getting into it," chided Delphox. "Of course you're attracted to him physically, Alakazam. What's not to like there?"

"Certainly, Machamp's attractive to, well, many," conceded Alakazam. "But, that's not exactly the end of it with his physical charms."

"Right, we could go further into how much you drool over his muscular chest, and other activities that will make the rest of us blush," rambled Delphox.

"That's not what I was getting at," corrected Alakazam. "He's…gentle with me. Sure, he's very muscular, and the less he wears—"

"Yes, yes, the better he is, lovely mental images, thank you," interrupted Delphox, pinching his brow and squeezing his eyes shut.

"No, I'm not trying to take it from that angle," argued Alakazam, hugging himself close together. "It's that he's more delicate than anyone would expect—"

"Right, right, we understand."

"I'm not sure you do."

"Not in your details, I'm sure." Delphox shook his head. "But, we can picture it."

"How about how he feels about you?" Froslass drifted back and forth, blinking at Alakazam as he grasped his head.

"Huh?"

"Um, well, you like him for his strength and how gentle he is," reiterated Froslass. "But, how does he like your appearance? And, how do you guys feel about each other?"

"Oh." Alakazam lowered his hands as he twirled his mustache. "Well, he loves this. I didn't really expect him to, but he's constantly brushing against it, and…oh, he's very cuddly, and loves to put his arms around my waist, and nuzzles against the top of my head." Alakazam picked at the ground by his feet, chipping away at a loose bit of ice. "He's comfortable with how thin I am, though I feel like I'm boney."

"You're not a ghost though," pointed out Froslass. "So, you've got stuff for him to feel."

"Really? You too?"

"Oh, Delphox, you know what I mean." Froslass giggled and twisted around. "You're so furry after all, so plenty of folks must love you."

"Ah…let's not get into that," muttered Delphox.

"And beyond the physical stuff?"

"It's…good, I think." Alakazam tugged on his mustache, and tapped his spoon against his leg. "He loves listening to me, even when I go off on stupid ramblings. He knows to go slow. But he's good at picking me up when I'm down, and he's really, really sweet." Alakazam shrugged. "He compliments me often, he makes me feel better than I am, and…oh."

"Hm?"

"Earlier this morning, we were bickering a bit," divulged Alakazam. "And, well, we made up fine, but he's…the way he worded something…"

"Uh oh," murmured Delphox. "What were his exact words?"

"Well, I was ragging on myself," explained Alakazam. "So, he told me to stop doing that, because I was too good for hating myself, and followed up with 'like you are for me,' which implies that I'm too good for him."

"Huh." Delphox folded his arms. "That doesn't sound good."

"Right?!" Alakazam huddled his knees back into his body. "I don't understand why he feels that way."

"Did you read his mind?"

"No," admitted Alakazam. "I should have, but I wasn't concentrating completely, but even still, I should know what's wrong, and I don't." He sighed and released his legs. "Machamp's great at cheering me up, but here I am, struggling on making him feel better. How does he not see how terrible I am at this?"

"You're not really," decided Froslass. "You're not sure what's wrong, and now you told us—"

"Right, I can't figure it out on my own," bemoaned Alakazam. "I'm pathetic."

"Greninja mentioned something about you hating yourself more than you let on during practice, but he wasn't kidding," observed Delphox. "But that's besides the point, because it's not about you, not entirely."

"Huh?"

"It's Machamp." Delphox shrugged. "We don't know him like you do, so you need to understand why he feels so inferior to you."

"But I don't get it either! He shouldn't feel that way, because I'm such a mess and he's so perfect!"

"Clearly, he doesn't see it that way at all." Delphox patted his stick against his palm and shook his head. "During that big love confession you two shared, he mentioned something similar, what with the whole not being deserving of you."

"He…he did mention that," recalled Alakazam. "Oh, I'm terrible for not noticing."

"You should get over hating yourself so much," nonchalantly chimed Froslass. "Nobody's actually perfect."

"Machamp is close enough, I've learned." Alakazam folded his arms. "He may not be quite into the broader subjects that I blabber on about, but he's patient for it, and he's put up with me for all this time."

"Haven't you put up with him?"

"Huh?"

"It goes both ways, like everything in relationships," reaffirmed Delphox. "You're telling us that Machamp put up with your insecurities in these past two weeks, or almost such. How about you? What have you put up with him?"

"I…need to think about it." Alakazam shrugged. "I don't feel like I put up with his faults at all. I barely notice them."

"Isn't that the problem, then?"

"…Oh no…"

"There you go!" Froslass perked up again. "You should go over that with him when you guys get back together!"

"Yes…yes, I need to," realized Alakazam. "Thank you both."

"You're welcome." Delphox blinked and glanced past Alakazam, looking at Mewtwo. "Uh…sorry. Didn't mean to ignore you either, Mewtwo."

"It is fine." Mewtwo smiled. "I am glad that you were able to help Alakazam with his relationship to Machamp. They have a very strong bond, as we have had proven."

"Gelid roses!" Alakazam jumped up. "I'll bring him some later. Thank you, Mewtwo!"

"This helps?" Mewtwo tilted his head, but nodded and smiled again. "You are welcome."

"Great. Now that we've settled Alakazam's nerves, let's stress him out again and blast him away with spells!"

"Seriously, Froslass?"

"Come on, it's the best way to get back into things!" She laughed and spiraled into the air. "It's such a rush, let's go!"

The other mages sighed before rising and hurrying over to face off against Froslass.

Later in the evening, Alakazam ambled back to the soldiers' corridor, holding a small bouquet of blue roses. He slowed upon reaching Machamp's room, and opened the door. He stared inside, and gazed at Machamp, who was sprawled out on the bed, face against the pillow. Without a word, Alakazam silently entered and carefully closed the door.

"If you're trying to be quiet, you don't have to," came Machamp's muffled voice. "Your heart's been hammering since you were down the hall."

"Sorry." Alakazam frowned. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"Wasn't sleeping."

"Oh, ok." Smiling, Alakazam walked to the bed and sat down on the opposite side. He turned to glance at Machamp, who rolled away from him. "Um…long day training."

"Yeah."

"Did you do well?"

"Pretty much."

"That's good."

The pair waited in silence for a bit. Alakazam sighed and placed the roses on the end table. He brought his legs onto the bed, and hugged his knees close to his chest.

"I'm sorry." Machamp blinked, and turned his head to Alakazam. "When we were younger, I was great at reading you. I could tell the instant you were upset, and you'd think I had read your mind without telling." Alakazam softly chuckled. "And I'd have to insist that I hadn't, that it was because we were friends for so long, that I learned how to tell when you weren't really smiling or felt worse than you let on."

"Uh…ok?" Machamp turned away from Alakazam again. "Don't know what that has to do with anything, but it sounds nice."

"It was nice." Alakazam shakily exhaled. "But now, I've wasted a whole day trying to figure out what was bothering you."

"Nothing is."

"That's a lie, and we both know it."

"Fine, I'm a little moody." Machamp shrugged. "Just tired from training."

"This started before that," contended Alakazam. "Earlier, just before we left."

"Oh, that." Machamp rolled back over, softly smiling at Alakazam. "I was just pouting about not being able to stay with you."

"Actually, I meant the part where you called me too good for you."

Machamp's smile dropped quickly, and he stared into Alakazam's dark eyes. His face fell entirely, and he heavily sighed, as he uncomfortably shifted his body.

"Can you explain that to me?"

"What's there to talk about?" Machamp gave in with finding a comfortable new position, and sat up to stare at the door. "It's what we already know."

"Really?" Alakazam released his legs, crossing them and his arms. "Because I don't think I know much about that at all."

"Come on." Machamp's body deflated. "You don't have to lie to me. I'm not good enough for you because I'm not on your level."

"In terms of what?"

"Lots of things." Machamp gripped the bed sheets, twisting them in his hands. "I'm not as smart as you—"

"Please, that hardly—"

"That's just the beginning." He glanced behind his shoulder as Alakazam paused and slowly nodded. "Ok, well…you're too smart for me, and I try to keep up with you some days, but really, I hold you back." Wincing, Machamp's upper arms gripped his head. "I've held you back for all of our lives, because you've followed me where I wanted to go." He shook his head, and grinded his teeth for a moment, but then twisted around, facing Alakazam. "Don't you ever wonder what you could have been? Your knowledge is so immense, and you could have gone anywhere with that. Don't you regret following me all this way?"

"No." Machamp flinched at Alakazam's immediate response. He sighed and gazed into Machamp's watery red eyes. "I never really imagined being able to go many places. When I was younger, I was too afraid to be alone, and I thought I would end up on my own, if I even survived." He smiled to Machamp. "You were the best thing to come into my life, and you loved me in a way that I had never known." Edging forward on the bed, he closed some distance between himself and Machamp. "Following you, in the end, was what I wanted."

"That only makes me feel worse, you know." Machamp lowered his head. "What if you had gotten close with others?"

"I tried." Alakazam shrugged. "No one made me feel as great about myself as you did. You still do that for me, even at the cost of your happiness."

"But it cost you all of your options to follow me."

"What options?" Alakazam shook his head. "There are a lot of brilliant mages out there, scattered into many different roles. My options were to find something that was expected of a quiet mage with no friends, which would be far less fascinating than traveling out here, mind you, or follow my friend and my partner." He grinned to Machamp. "Or did you forget about what we were planning on doing beyond the Empire, when we find a way to do so?"

"No, I didn't." Machamp smiled slightly, but it faded quickly. "But who knows when we'll be able to? We're to serve Emperor Empoleon possibly until the day we die, or otherwise when he no longer requires our services."

"Then we wait." Alakazam scooted closer again. "Our journey has only just begun."

"It's progressed a bit."

"Oh, sorry," mocked Alakazam. "I forgot to count all of the days that we weren't dating."

"Hey, those hold water."

"Hm, well, I suppose they shaped us to what we became today," relented Alakazam. "Anyway, what else is bothering you?"

"That's…that's it."

"Machamp…"

"Fine. I'm, um…I don't know." Machamp shook his head. "Being the brute between us, being the brute of this army, it just…sucks."

"Brute?"

"General Abomasnow calls me that."

"That's obnoxious of him." Alakazam shook his head. "But, he's always been kind of a hardhead, so—"

"It's not just that, even though it reminds me of feeling like dumb muscle," elucidated Machamp. "It's…well, it's that being my best quality."

"Strength?"

"No. Well, yes, but also because my physique is what attracts most people."

"That again," recalled Alakazam. "It bothered you miserably back when we were still Machoke and Kadabra. I thought you had put that behind you."

"Not at all, and it might be worse now," admitted Machamp. "Before, I had a lot of unwanted attention and too many folks considered me so attractive that they forgot I had actually feelings."

"So, earlier," realized Alakazam, as he brought his hand to his forehead, "when I was talking about checking you out—"

"No, no, that's fine," insisted Machamp. "We're dating, so that's…it's ok."

"Is it?" Machamp blinked as Alakazam hugged himself. "I mean, we play around about how our appearances attract one another, but am I too into it? I don't mean to come off as shallow—"

"You don't," persisted Machamp. "You never have, because you're always going beyond a physical attraction with me." He shook his head and lowered his shoulders. "That's why…that's why it made sense for you to be so angry with me, thinking about that other male. You were so sensitive to my feelings, and I was so caught up over what could be rather than strictly focusing on what I had."

"Well, you never had to."

"Yes, I did, because I wanted to." Machamp smiled. "It's always been the two of us, together forever."

"We used to say that a lot when we were young," reminisced Alakazam.

"Exactly. So, I shouldn't have cared what anyone else thought," murmured Machamp, as he folded his lower arms and scratched behind his head. "I had you. And I have you again now."

"Honestly, you always have had me," confessed Alakazam. "We just…evolved and went through a bit of a difficult period. For a few years."

"That actually made me hate evolving at all," admitted Machamp. "A lot of folks thought me having four arms was freaky enough, and turned some of them off entirely, where they were attracted to me before. It otherwise would attract the wrong kind of attention from others. And we hit the lowest point with our relationship pretty much right after." Machamp frowned and sank down. "I hated the first few months even having a new form."

"I…I'm sorry." Alakazam hung his head. "I didn't mean to make you hate yourself. That's usually just for me."

"It shouldn't be!" Machamp moved forward on the bed. "It's something I blamed myself for, not you."

"But it was all me, in the end." Alakazam exhaled and held his shoulders. "Or, it was both of us, at the end of it all, but I still feel totally horrid about it. We wasted years."

"So, let's keep working on making up for it." Machamp tugged on the bed sheets, bringing Alakazam closer to him. "We have the time now, don't we?"

"Oh, yes, of course." Alakazam crawled up and closed the distance between them. "But we need to use that wisely. We both have hated ourselves for too long, and we need to support one another through that." He pushed up to his knees, touching against Machamp. "So, you tell me whenever anyone else around here gets you down, and I'll either scold them or comfort you, depending on if I can get away with the former or not."

"No, you don't have to—"

"Have to, no. Want to, absolutely." Alakazam smirked. "No one gets to insult my boyfriend and get away with it. Even if they're not doing it intentionally, I'll make them learn."

"Shouldn't I fight my own battles?"

"We're a team, Machamp. We fight together, always."

"Ah, that's…I…y-you're right." Machamp grinned. "You know what, you're definitely right! We said together forever, and now we're really at that point!" He took Alakazam's hands into his own. "I'll tell you whenever I'm at my lowest, so long as you tell me when you're at yours."

"Right, we'll both do that." Alakazam brought his head up to Machamp's and kissed him on the lips, holding it for a moment. He slipped a bit, and they broke apart to make sure he didn't fall. Still, Alakazam smiled to Machamp. "I'll have to be sure to remind you that you're beautiful every day."

"Aw, come on, it's not like that," insisted Machamp as he blushed.

"Why not?" Alakazam stroked Machamp's cheeks and wrapped his free arm around his side. "Everyone else just sees how hot your body is. I get to see everything that goes with it."

"H-how red do you think my face can go?"

"Give me a few minutes, and let's find out."

"Hm. I've got a better idea."

Machamp brought Alakazam's face back into his, and they kissed once more. As their lips and tongues moved against one another's, Machamp gently pushed Alakazam down against the bed. Slowly, they separated, still pecking each other with small kisses before Machamp rose up over Alakazam.

Grinning, he seductively whispered to Alakazam, "Why don't we pick up where we left off?"

"Oh? Do you mean…?"

Quickly, Alakazam flipped Machamp onto his back and against the bed. He climbed back on top of him and smirked down at his boyfriend.

"It was like this earlier, wasn't it?"

"Yeah, I think you got that part right." He grinned back up to Alakazam. "As long as I get to enjoy my view, that's fine."

"And here I thought you'd talk sweeter," murmured Alakazam.

"Don't think I really know how to put it better, I'm afraid." Machamp pulled Alakazam closer to him. "I want to keep my eyes on the one I love most in this world."

"T-that's a good stah-start," stammered Alakazam. He heavily exhaled and leaned closer to Machamp, as their faces neared again. "You were saying…?"

"I love you, Alakazam."

"I love you too, Machamp."

Once more, the two passionately kissed, and stayed close together for the night.

This became one of my favorite pairs out of my story, which is funny, because I thought it was more common than it actually is. Hooray, I love the rare pairs! And these two are especially adorable dorks together.

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it.