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Cynthia woke to the smell of the ocean. A fresh breeze blew through the open window, and when she drew the curtains back the dancing waves sparkled in the bright morning sun. She leaned on the window sill to watch Wingull and Pelipper spin and tumble through the blue sky, and let out a contented sigh. They didn't get views like this in Celastic Town.
Most of her Pokémon were far too large to fit in even a spacious bedroom, but Glaceon lay curled up on the bed. Her ears twitched when Cynthia ran a hand over her cool fur, and she cracked open one eye.
“No training today,” said Cynthia gently. “Not this early, anyway.”
Glaceon licked her hand with an icy tongue, and curled up again. Cynthia smiled. It wasn't often that she got some time off, and since her host had already assured her that her only job for the week was to enjoy herself she had every intention of making the most of it. Her Pokémon had been working hard, and they deserved a break.
Old habits died hard though, and she started to get dressed instead of returning to bed. She was just tying her hair back when another smell reached her nose, one that set her stomach rumbling embarrassingly loudly in the empty room. Glaceon glanced over at her, and Cynthia gave a slightly sheepish smile.
“Breakfast?”
Glaceon paused, torn between sleep and food, before yawning and stretching herself out. She flowed off the bed in one smooth movement, and waited just long enough for Cynthia to collect the rest of her Pokéballs before padding downstairs.
It was much cooler downstairs. The house had clearly been designed to take full advantage of Hoenn's tropical climate, and it made a refreshing change from the more temperate weather in Sinnoh. The patio windows had been thrown open, revealing a number of Pokémon scattered around a garden that was more than large enough to accommodate even an Aggron and a Claydol with ease.
A clatter of pots caught Cynthia’s ears a moment before she rounded the corner to find Steven bustling round the large kitchen. For once he was dressed casually, in a blue shirt and light trousers, and he looked up at her approach and smiled.
"Good morning. Sleep well?” Glaceon barked, and Steven bent to scratch behind her ears. “And good morning to you too, Glaceon.”
Cynthia smiled back. "Better than I have in months," she admitted. Maybe Bertha had had a point when she said it was time for a break. She peered round at the assortment of pans and ingredients on the counter. "Can I help with anything?"
“Absolutely not,” said Steven firmly. “You’re on holiday, and you’re my guest. Please, just sit back and relax.”
Cynthia held up her hands in surrender. "All right, all right." She hopped up onto the nearest barstool, and picked a glowing glass of orange juice out of thin air. "Thank you, Metagross."
Metagross gave a satisfied hum from their position in a sunlit corner, and levitated a handful of eggs over to where Mawile was balanced on the counter. Steven caught her eye and leaned in towards her.
"They're both much better at cooking than I am," he confided. “I just like feeling useful.” He glanced at her belt. "Your Pokémon are more than welcome anywhere too, by the way."
Cynthia smiled and looked down. "You heard him everyone."
The kitchen then got very crowded very quickly. There were a few brief moments of chaos, but soon Glaceon was sitting snugly on Cynthia's lap with Roserade on the stool next to them. Spiritomb had floated up towards the ceiling to observe the cooking process, while Garchomp and Lucario squeezed their way out into the garden with Togekiss. Cynthia coughed.
"Perhaps not one of my better ideas."
"I think we can fairly safely blame that one on me," said Steven. He tilted his head towards Metagross, nodded, and twisted awkwardly to grab the rice off the heat.
Unfortunately he also caught the bottle of oil on the counter with his flailing elbow. Roserade sprang from her stool, but Mawile's enormous jaws shot out and caught the jar before it hit the floor. The Fairy-type set it carefully back on the counter and gave his trainer such an unimpressed look that Cynthia had to bite down a giggle. Steven's cheeks tinged pink.
"Ah, thank you. I’ll just get out the way, shall I?”
Mawile gestured very firmly with his jaws, and Steven set the rice down and moved back to the seat next to Cynthia's. "See what I mean?" he murmured.
Cynthia just about managed to keep a straight face as Mawile turned back to his cooking. "I think I get it." She patted his shoulder. "We can't be good at everything."
Steven pulled a face, but there was no hiding the pride in his voice as he watched Mawile dance around the kitchen, with Metagross’ psionic assistance. “I suppose not.” He looked down and gestured at the one full Pokéball remaining on her belt. "Don't they want to come out?"
"It's Milotic," Cynthia explained. "So unless you've got a pool..."
She trailed off as she remembered just who she was talking to. Steven raised an amused eyebrow. "Wallace visits every other week. Of course there's a pool." He coughed. "You just can't see it behind Claydol. Milotic can use it whenever she wants."
"Thanks," said Cynthia. She released Milotic, remembering to aim out into the garden this time, and the Water-type slid into the water with unconcealed delight. Steven watched with a smile.
"It's not like it's any trouble. Armaldo is the only one who gets any use out of it normally.”
“I can’t see most of your Pokémon enjoying it,” Cynthia admitted.
Armaldo was the only one who wouldn’t sink like, well, a stone. Steven chuckled.
"It's usually more decorative than anything else," he agreed. "Wallace's friends like it though."
Cynthia nodded as she watched the assembled Pokémon. She had known Steven long enough, and battled him enough times, that their partners were well acquainted with each other. Both Garchomp and Lucario were perfectly at ease among Steven’s team, and Togekiss was taking everything in with great interest. Milotic rose long enough from the water long enough to let out a contented trill, and Cynthia felt long-held tension drain from her shoulders.
“Thank you for this,” she said quietly. “I don’t think any of us realised how stressed we were getting.”
“I know the feeling,” Steven admitted. “And it’s a pleasure to have you here.”
Cynthia smiled at him. Reserved Steven might be, but the sentiment behind the words was completely genuine.
They chatted easily until Mawile decided the food was ready, and Metagross and Spiritomb used their Psychic abilities to carry the whole lot out into the garden. Despite the early hour it was easily warm enough. Steven and his Pokémon had prepared more than enough food for everyone, and for several minutes there was silence but for the sound of contented munching.
“This is really good,” said Cynthia, once her initial hunger had been satiated. She smiled at Mawile and Metagross. “My compliments to the chefs.”
Mawile waved in acknowledgement, and Steven patted Metagross’ leg. “Thank you,” he said.
Metagross leaned into the touch, and Mawile swung his false jaws round for an appreciative rub. Not to be forgotten, Aron scrambled round and launched himself into Steven’s lap, and Cynthia had to laugh as the impact sent her fellow Champion tumbling backwards into the grass. Steven sat up with a groan.
“Thank you too, Aron,” he mumbled. He settled back down on the mat and gave Cynthia a rueful smile. “He’s enthusiastic at least.”
Aron gave a satisfied chirp and dashed off again. Cynthia watched him go with a smile. “He reminds me of Garchomp, back when she was a Gible.”
Garchomp raised her head from her eggs with an affronted grunt, and Cynthia was quick to reassure her, “In the best possible way, of course.”
Mollified, Garchomp returned to her food, and Cynthia winked at Steve. Her friend hid his own smirk in his glass. Cynthia shook her head and turned back to her meal.
A few minutes later they were all finished, and Steven had very firmly refused to allow Cynthia and her Pokémon to help clean up. Cynthia had surrendered the battle, this time, and took the opportunity to check her Pokétch. She might be on holiday, but it was always a good idea to keep up to date with what was going on.
It was never a good idea to check the gossip columns, but Cynthia had always been a little too curious for her own good. One look at the top story was enough to make her groan.
“Cynthia?”
Naturally, Steven chose that moment to sit back down and shoot an enquiring glance her way. “Something wrong?”
Cynthia hesitated, but he was going to find out sooner or later. She sighed and tilted the screen towards him. On it was displayed a photo, one that had been taken the previous evening, and quite clearly showed Steven holding the front door for her. Steven took one look at it and rolled his eyes.
"Because of course if a woman spends the night at a male friend's house they have to be sleeping together," he muttered. "There’s absolutely no other possible explanation."
Cynthia snorted. "None that make for a good story anyway." She skimmed through some of the comments and raised an eyebrow. "Apparently we make a hot couple."
Steven pinched the bridge of his nose. "My apologies."
"What are you apologising for? You didn't take the photo, or write the article." She stood up and stretched. "I've had far worse written about me."
It was one of the drawbacks to being the regional League Champion. Steven sighed.
"Me too, but it's still frustrating. They do the same thing whenever Wallace visits, and Phoebe and Roxanne.” He grimaced. “Or any of my friends, really. It’s getting tiresome.”
Cynthia grimaced. “According to the Sinnoh tabloids, I’ve been involved with everyone in the Elite Four and half the Gym leaders of Sinnoh. And everywhere else in the Home Islands, now that I think about it.”
Steven shook his head. “I just wish I understood what was so fascinating about who’s sleeping with who.” He paused, and snorted. “Actually, I don’t. I just wish they would stop it.”
That was one sentiment that Cynthia had absolutely no argument with. Metagross let out a rumble that Cynthia felt through her shoes, and Steven smiled.
“I know,” he said quietly. He shook his head again and looked back at Cynthia. “Anyway, as Metagross has so helpfully pointed out, it’s a lovely day and there’s no point in letting anyone spoil it, so would you like to accompany me on a completely platonic trip to the beach?”
Cynthia smiled and reached down to give him a hand up. “I think that would be lovely. I’m assuming said trip also includes a battle?”
Steven’s grin was all the answer she needed. Garchomp leaned towards Metagross with a fanged smile, and the Steel-type’s answering hum was equally anticipatory. Cynthia put her Pokétch away, frustrations with the press already forgotten.
It was going to be a good day.