Chapter Text
Green remembered vividly that first hate comment he came across. Remembered the way it made his stomach bend inward like a wire being crushed.
He must’ve stared at the words on the screen for a full five minutes just to let them sink in—etch themselves into his mind like slow poison.
“Gross, cant believe I used to look up to those fags”
Part of him did found it comical, that a careless, ill-worded comment from some (probably unemployed man in his forties) anonymous user on social media had such unexplainable power over him.
And yet, Green sat there, relishing in the sudden desire to doing his phone clean across the tea table.
“Green.”
There was an insistent tap on his shoulder.
Green snapped out of his daze to find Red hovering over him with just a sliver of detectable consternation.
In actually, this was the third time Red had tried getting his attention. Except this time, Red finally resorted to speaking his name.
“Hm?” Green gave a delayed hum.
Red frowned.
“You’re thinking. A lot.”
“Ah…yeah. It’s nothing.” Green withdrew his gaze a bit nervously. Red’s day-to-day apathy always made him forget just how sharp Red could be if he decided to pay attention. And right now, there’s nothing else—not even Pokémon—that Red paid more attention to than Green Oak.
Because three weeks ago, the world was shocked by the news of Green’s long-hidden romantic feelings towards his long-time rival and legendary Champion Red. And somehow, as a direct result of what Lance called a “veritable PR nightmare,” the two of them simultaneously became an item.
In truth, Green could hardly believe it himself, but somehow, everything fell naturally into place after that.
Or at least, in the island region of Alola, with the cooperation of the island Kahunas and trial captains, the two of them were shielded from public scrutiny and therefore allowed to enjoy a brief “honeymoon,” which they spent mostly lounging around the wilderness of Poni Island away from the prying eyes of society. It felt like genuine paradise then, as they sought out soft meadows tucked away inside craggy canyons or isolated strips of beaches at the foot of drooping cliffs, accessible only with the aid of highly-trained Pokémon. Even now, Green could close his eyes and be transported back to the afternoons they spent all tangled up together in the sand, their lips reluctant to stray more than a few inches away from each other, the sound of their Pokémon frolicking around in the water somewhere in the backdrop.
They were in no rush then, so they were content to let their inexperienced selves idle in slow explorations under the sun. Because in Alola’s warm embrace, time stretched before them languid and unperturbed, towards where the calm ocean horizon met the sky.
Just like a daydream.
But as was the case with all daydreams, waking up was a tragedy.