"Wallace," Steven regarded his friend from over the top of a pile of pink envelopes, "You know exactly why I don't like Luvdisc's Day."
Oh my gosh I always forget that you call it Luvdisc’s Day in this universe and it always brings me a sprinkle of joy every time I am reminded. It’s too perfect haha.
Also, I love this nod to Steven’s asexuality here. I can’t remember if it’s in this collection or if it’s in a standalone one-shot, but I do remember a short story where he and Wallace talking about (I think?) Luvdisc day and he comes out as ace to Wallace, and it’s very sweet. This one is a much more lighthearted moment, one where Wallace is already clearly aware of everything but still decides to be a pain in the caboose anyway, as he does. 😂
"Live vicariously? Wallace, you get hundreds of letters like this all the time!"
"I know," the Master Coordinator whined, "That prevents today from feeling as special as it ought to."
Lol what? Wallace, that doesn’t even make sense. 😂 and don’t act like you don’t enjoy all the attention from your admirers, you KNOW you love it, you little diva. I love how full on drama queen he is going here, and he’s not even trying to pretend otherwise. Only Wallace can pull off such an act and still be entertaining instead of simply obnoxious. 😂
"Don't you have fan mail of your own to be reading?"
"I do, but you always seem to get the better chocolates," grumbled Wallace as he reached for the box again.
Lol?? Well okay Steven, I don’t think you have to read all the letters, but you better not be throwing away the chocolates. At least let Wallace and the rest of the Elite Four have them! (Though I doubt there’s any shortage of chocolate for any of them on this day, considering they’re all celebrities in their own right, haha.)
Wallace's eyes widened with a gasp, "Steven Stone, you are not going to let Skarmory shred your Luvdisc's Day mail!"
"Who's going to stop me?"
And that's how Steven found himself stuck at his desk on St. Luvdisc's Day, sifting through a pile of pink envelopes under the watchful eye of a very angry Milotic.
Ahahaha poor Steven. And poor Skarmory, too, he totally got ripped off here and deprived of a day full of shredding things for fun! For shame. Though I guess I can kind of see where Wallace is coming from—he feels Steven ought to at least give the time of day to his hopeful fans, though I’m not sure why it matters since it’s not like they’re gonna know if he reads the letters or not. And it’s extra pointless considering the fact that there’s no chance Steven is ever going to reciprocate, hah. Honestly, I just think Wallace wants to read them all for his own entertainment. 😂 Can’t say I blame him.
"What's got you all wound up today, lass?
I don’t know if you’re really looking for grammar or typo feedback, but just in case you are: there’s a missing quotation mark at the end of this sentence! It seemed an easy enough fix that I was fine with pointing it out. Also, I really love that Drake calls everyone “lass” or “lad.” It’s very charming and so fitting for him.
After a quick glance at her PokeNav, Phoebe seemed to deflate against the railing. She didn't really have any work to be doing once they got back. It was just that tonight was the last episode ever of 'Lovers in Lilycove' and she wasn't going to miss it for the world. Drake didn't need to know that though...
Hahaha oh, we’ve all been there. It’s kind of crazy to think that the idea of missing an episode because it only airs at a specific time is sort of becoming a thing of the past, if it hasn’t already. Teenagers today will never know that struggle. Or the scramble to get snacks on commercial break. Or the panic when you run to a bathroom break and you can hear the program starting again. 😂
They had already nearly run over Glacia who sputtered and fussed over the stack of papers that scattered as they rushed by.
Lololol poor Glacia was in the wrong place at the wrong time. 😂 I dunno why but this description just made me think of a startled, spitting cat. Which feels pretty accurate, not gonna lie.
"...What could possibly be starting now? It's 7 at night on a Tuesday -" He froze as the realization set in. "Oh, this is too perfect."
Lolol HE KNOWS. He INSTANTLY KNOWS. How though?? Is Sidney secretly a fan, too? Or he just knows Phoebe that well? 😂
The final scene faded to black, and Phoebe drew the last tissue from its box.
Phoebe is ABSOLUTELY the type of girl to bawl her eyes out at movies and shows. (I can’t point any fingers, I’m that girl, too. I’m a giant crybaby. Freaking—I cry while reading fics!! WAY more often than I care to admit. 😂) I’m glad that Sidney and Glacia didn’t interrupt her show, at least—THAT would be mean. Let her have her girl time and enjoy her dumb sappy show! Lol
"Oh yeah, it's right there in the background," said Sidney with a grin, before turning his attention to the stunned ghost-type trainer with tear streaked cheeks. "Just remember this moment the next time you want to bring up that sunburn picture."
HAH I freaking love it. Knowing that this is specifically revenge for her sunburn picture makes this ten times better. I can’t say she didn’t have it coming sooner or later, in that case. 😂
And both Elites beat a hasty retreat down the hallway, blackmail safely in hand.
I’m sorry but. BUT. Glacia?? BOOKING IT down the hallway right along with Sidney??? That image is TOO good and I like to think she maybe even let out a giggle here. It gives me so much serotonin to see her indulge a little and be a tad immature to get back at Phoebe. 😂 Stop it, I love it so much.
Steven squinted at the meeting agenda he held in his hand and wondered why it suddenly was so hard to make out the words. Concentrating on the blurry mess in front of him, he was vaguely aware that at some point his hand had balled tightly around the paper, and he quickly released his grip and smoothed the crinkled document flat against the tabletop.
Oooh I already KNOW this is going to be good. I’ve found that I really enjoy reading headache and migraine whump, especially because the latter just involves a lot of tasty tropes like being unable to walk straight, staggering around and leaning on surfaces for support, etc, and that stuff is my bread and butter.
His gaze shot up, embarrassed at his lapse, but he immediately regretted the action, the room beginning to lilt unsettlingly to the side. A hand flew up to brush at his temple with a wince.
Mm yes GOOD. >:) I mean…poor Steven, I truly do feel bad for him, but the whump. The whump is good. >:) Also…I have to say, I’ve never actually had a real migraine, I don’t think? I’ve had some really bad headaches, but never bad enough to affect my vision or anything like that. I’m curious if you’ve had them and if this is reflective of your experience? I’ve always been curious about how accurate these descriptions are to the real thing. I don’t know too many people that get migraines very often, save for my mom. Maybe I’ll have to ask her about them, for…science. (Lol I swear I’m normal. Mostly.)
the scraping of a chair against the hardwood felt like someone had taken a rock pick to the backside of his eyeballs.
Oh ooof this is a very good description. Also fitting—of course he would compare this to a rock pick, of all things. But man, this paragraph definitely got a sympathy wince out of me.
It had been over an hour since Glacia last saw Steven at the meeting, and when he hadn't turned up in his League office, or the study, or the infirmary, or even the rooftop, she began to grow worried.
Somehow it just feels so fitting and meaningful that it is
Glacia who picks up on the signs and does something about it. Not that the others don’t care, of course, but if Steven was decent enough at hiding the level of his discomfort, they probably didn’t think they had any reason to worry. But Glacia saw right through it, and I like to think it’s because she has experience masking her own emotions and discomfort so often, she knows how to see the signs in someone else, even when they’re doing their best to hide it.
Steven lay on his side with his knees drawn tight to his chest. His shoulders shook with tension at every breath and even in the dim room she could see how white his knuckles were as he grasped at the fabric of his disheveled shirt. Every so often he would shift and squirm, one hand releasing its death grip on his arm and reaching up to tug on a lock of hair.
Awh this made me sad. :( There’s something about being in so much pain that all you can do is grab at your hair that just tugs at my heart. It’s a sign of real helplessness, I feel. Really shows just how utterly and hopelessly miserable he is, and man, my heart goes out to him. I know my mom has said as much about migraines; that there’s only so much you can do, and the rest you just kind of have to muddle through. I am…so so glad I do not suffer from these. Yikes.
Glacia shivered as she took in the Champion's sorry state. She was no stranger to the feeling of having such a beast inside your head, trying to force its way out.
Ahh, this explains even further why she was able to tell when the others could not. She knows this pain and knows the signs, which is probably why she was so much more concerned and proactive, too. Bless her, honestly. Mom friend to the rescue. 💛
"When he stirs, have him take these," she directed the watchful pokemon, "I know you're doing your best, but the pills will help."
Metagross hummed in understanding before delivering another soothing pulse of psychic energy to its trainer.
Aw bless Metagross for doing everything it can. You can just feel its worry and helplessness when Glacia walks in, and how desperate it is for her to help give Steven some relief. It’s nice that it can at least help a little with its psychic powers; seems like even a psychic Pokémon as powerful as Metagross can only do so much for a human migraine, but still.
Satisfied she had done all she could, Glacia slipped a book out from her travel cloak and settled into the lounge chair in Steven's living room. She would wait it out, if only for the fact that when Steven was finally released from the demon's hold, he wouldn't be waking up alone. It was what her mother had done for her all those years ago, and Glacia knew it would make all the difference.
Oh gosh this is just next level tenderness? 🥲 She had no obligation to stay, and had no way of knowing if Steven would even want her to—he has his Pokémon, after all, and it’s likely he has weathered these migraines alone before. But she keeps him company anyway, just to show she cares, to show he’s not alone, and that he has some solidarity in this type of suffering. I love Glacia so dang much; these stories have really endeared her to me more than anything else has. I feel like I finally
know who she is as a character and as a person for the first time.
Juan's eyebrow quirked as his mentee stepped through the doors of the Sootopolis Gym.
Oh!! Juan! Hello! :D Juan is an often overlooked character, since he only appears in Emerald, but I’ve always liked him. He’s got a classy flair that I like a lot, so it’s a very pleasant surprise to see him here!
He had worked hard in his own right, becoming a Master Coordinator as well as a Gym Leader, and now he sat atop the Pokemon League as its Champion.
Ooh nice, Champion Wallace! I haven’t seen much of Champion Wallace in your writing yet—this might actually be the first time I’ve officially read anything with him in this station? Not that his Champion rank has much to do with this little short story, but still.
Gorebyss, Luvdisc, and Corsola quickly began to flock toward the water-type specialist, and to Juan's surprise, Wallace frowned at the attention he was attracting and quickened his pace.
Ahahaha the way I INSTANTLY knew what was wrong with his outfit because of the specific Pokémon mentioned here. (And thanks to the prompt too.) His whole outfit is pink, isn’t it. 😂
as Juan settled into the chair behind his desk, Wallace began to nervously pace the space in front of it.
This time Juan chose to speak up first. "Where did you pick up that unsightly habit?"
Three guesses as to where he got that habit from, Juan: Steven, Steven, and uhh, hmm…Steven.
"What exactly have you noticed?" Juan prodded gently, although he had a faint inkling of where this was headed...
Lol a “faint inkling,” as if it wasn’t immediately obvious as soon as Wallace walked through the door. I love that he kinds of sits back and lets Wallace put the pieces together first, lets him bring up whatever is bothering him without immediately going “hey yo your outfit is pink.”
Wallace used his free hand to brush back the edges of the cloak, revealing an outfit of pink from head to toe. Somehow his normally pristine white attire had turned a ghastly shade of rosé.
Ahaha and there it is. Also, the phrase “a ghastly shade of rosé” sounds so much like it could have come directly out of Juan or Wallace’s mouth and it made the narration just that much better for it. 😂
The memory came rushing back, how he'd been feeling lazy a few nights ago and simply reached into the dirty clothes pile without looking or even bothering to turn on the lights.
And there it is. 😂 Hah, I mean…this really is a giant mood. Sometimes, it really do be like that. I can’t say I’ve never done this before and
also come away with my share of pink clothes. The struggle. Happens to the best of us, Wallace.
Wallace nodded fervently and hurried off to change, wary of the flock of pokemon that still waited for him outside the office doors.
Hahaha the way you described the Pokémon—flocking, entourage, etc—just makes it so much funnier, like they’re little magnets or mindless drones honing in on him. 😂 who knew pink was such a powerful color!
Prompt #41: A lot of people expected to Drake to resent Steven for becoming Champion.
Oooh, I love this prompt! A very fun idea to take a look at the former Champion who has, for all intents and purposes, been “demoted” after who knows how many years at the top. (Actually, do you have an answer to that? How long has Drake been Champion until Steven beat him? The narration here makes it sound like it was for a good long while, which would make Steven’s victory even bigger news than usual.)
"Drake, what's it like to be a former Champion?"
"How does it feel to be bested by someone under half your age?"
"With Lance still the reigning Champion in Johto, you're the first Dragon Master to fall from the Championship position, what does it mean for the future generation of Dragon type trainers of Hoenn?"
Bruh, these questions are brutal. Some of them are just downright disrespectful! I shouldn’t be surprised, I guess—reporters are pretty infamous for having no shame. But wow, implying that the future of dragon trainers could be at stake because Drake lost after so many years? Asking what it’s like to be a “former Champion” just seems like it’s rubbing it in, too. Good thing Drake could not possibly care less about all of that, lol. Even if he once did, he’s probably so used to it by now that it stopped ruffling any feathers a long time ago.
No, he wasn't bitter, or disappointed, or past his prime. Well, maybe that third one, but he'd be the last person to actually admit it aloud.
Haha, that’s the spirit. How very like him to admit to himself he’s never gonna say that out loud. He’s the definition of young at heart.
The same determined gaze he'd known from his friend's brief time at sea. But for all the fierceness it held during battle, it melted away in an instant, almost too eager to please and more inquisitive than anyone had a right to be. If anyone could do the region proud, it would be Joseph's kid.
Ohoho? Is this implying that he and Joseph Stone are old friends? And that perhaps Joseph was a sailor, briefly?? Is that what I’m getting out of this here??
Love seeing Steven described through Drake’s eyes, too. I’m not sure how young you headcanon Steven to be when he takes the title, but he sounds extra young through Drakes eyes, and I like that. He’s a young man to the world, but to Drake, he’s an inexperienced yet bright-eyed and determined kid. Also lol at the “almost too eager to please” line. Idk, it just shows the age and experience difference between them, but not in a condescending way—simply a comparative one. Seeing the way Drake approves of “the lad” despite his youth and inexperience warms my heart, especially the way he goes “nah, I’m not done yet, that kid will need some guidance and I’ll be happy to help him out.” No bitterness, no embarrassment at being beaten by someone much younger—if anything, he’s pleased, proud, and impressed. Drake is so down to earth and willing to go out of his way for others. I love him. Grandpa of the Elite Four. 💛
Thanking his lucky stars that social media wasn't really a thing back in his heyday, he clambered aboard his vessel and fired up the engine as camera shutters clicked left and right.
Hah, yeah that’s a good point. Being in the public eye was probably SO much easier and simpler before social media ever existed, and that remains true for the real world, too. Not that it was ever an easy gig, lol, but social media sure does add a whole new layer—or ten layers, really—of pressure and scrutiny that just didn’t exist before.
"...Looks... good..." he grated out as he watched the way the spoon slowly sank into the purple goo, and he felt his eyebrow twitch.
I’m dying. 😂 This whole story is SO funny to me, I think I’ve considered writing something almost identical for Wes and Rui—so naturally, I’m eating this up. (Pun very much intended, though I will never eat whatever Sidney’s having. Hard pass.) The eyebrow twitch is too good. 😂
With a deft flick of her wrist, she dunked the pipi-whatever-it's-called in the purple gunk and popped it in her mouth. Still chewing, she talked around her mouthful.
"C'mon, you have to at least try the poi. It's a staple dish here!"
Gosh I don’t know how you do it, but you manage to describe the most delicious sounding food and the most horrific foods. We went from golden brown zeppoli to…this. 😂 And it sounds like a downright violation of the Geneva Convention. Love the way Sidney immediately forgets what the dish is called (so did I, to be fair) and just can’t bring himself to deal with it. 😂 Phoebe is ONE HUNDRED PERCENT trolling him here and I’m living for it.
He couldn't chicken out now, not when he'd told her he was a casual fan of Alolan cuisine. It was a bald-faced lie, but he had really wanted to impress her... But it was just so slimy...
Yeah, Sidney! Your manliness is on the line! Or something, idk man. I can’t believe he lied to her about enjoying Alolan food…to Phoebe. An Alolan. 😂 (Or at least, someone who is of Alolan descent.) Very smart move there, my guy, truly brilliant.
Also, this seems to imply they are…at a resort somewhere? Is this on that same Alolan vacation, perhaps??
Phoebe, who had been watching him with interest, suddenly burst into laughter. Chopsticks discarded, she wiped a tear from her eye.
Yeah there it is. 😂 This is such a Rui thing of her to do. I still need those two to meet in an RP or something, they’re two peas in a pod ahahaha.
He still might not know how to pronounce it, but anything sounded better than the stuff he just ordered in an effort to impress Phoebe.
Haha I do find it very cute that he’s trying so hard to impress her. Even if it’s by…pretending to like food that he knows nothing about. 😂 What a moron. I ship these two so hard dangit. Their dynamic is so perfectly up my alley (shocking, yes, I know.)
Standing on the deck of Drake's boat, Steven suddenly felt very, very naked. Not that he actually was naked, but the pair of swim trunks he was currently wearing covered a lot less of him than he was accustomed to.
Oh PLEASE tell me he’s wearing those stupid Metagross patterned trunks we see him wear in the anime. 😂
…aight, I’m not gonna be porting over quotes from Archive of our Own after all. Not because it’s particularly difficult, because it’s not…I am just too lazy. 😂 I’m sorry! But I will still be just as thorough with these chapters, I promise!
So, continuing where I left off…ahh this one was very sweet. At first, I had my doubts—“Doesn’t Wallace know that Steven can’t swim? Also, if someone doesn’t like water, isn’t the ocean the worst place to get them used to it, because of all the waves and motion and whatnot??” The fact that Steven wouldn’t even go into tide pools that were deeper than knee height is pretty telling: this guy hates being in the water. But I actually didn’t realize he
literally couldn’t swim until he said it out loud. Then it all made so much more sense, especially upon the realization that Wallace had no idea.
Also, lol, leave it to Steven to not own up to this very crucial fact until he’s literally standing on a boat in swimwear. 😂 Steven, my guy, why didn’t you say this way sooner.
Wallace’s response is just too perfect, though. He’s firm, but not forceful, and he is not going to let the issue drop, because knowing how to swim, even if only poorly, can literally be the difference between life and death. It’s an important skill!! Especially when one is a Pokémon trainer and they’re more likely to be in the water or traveling across it than the average person. Steven
needs to learn this for his own good, and when Wallace says he would never forgive himself if Steven drowned—in the
very type Wallace specializes in—it hits so hard. That really would be the cruelest way for Steven to go, at least for Wallace, who would definitely hold himself entirely accountable for it.
But even with how strongly he feels about it, Wallace is just so, so good. He goes at Steven’s pace, no matter how slow it might be, because all that matters to him is that he’s trying and that he’s learning at all. The constant reassurances that he’s right there and not going anywhere, the affirmations of safety, all of it—they’re so tender and caring and make my heart full.
This actually hits close to home for me, because my best friend since childhood doesn’t know how to swim, and I’ve tried this exact process with her. I’m no swim coach, though, so we never got very far. 😂 Honestly though, this has motivated me to text her and ask/encourage her to finally and properly learn. It’s just too important of a skill to not know—you never know when you’ll need it!
Chapter 44: Seedlings
Oh. My goodness. While this might be one of the shorter entries, it’s instantly earned its spot in my top five favorites, I think. Just the image alone of Aggron being hunched on all fours, face RIGHT up against the dirt to inspect every little detail, and quietly rumbling to himself fills me with SO much serotonin, it’s actually absurd. I have such a deep and powerful NEED to see this animated now?!
And then? The cute little shocked snort because—GASP!—there’s a sprout!! I just can’t. 😂 The way he waters it and then immediately hunches back down again to watch the water soak in really did me in. It’s so PRECIOUS and I love him so much. 10/10 I would hire Aggron to garden for me any day of the week.
It’s adorable that Steven tries so hard not to laugh and break Aggron’s concentration, and then he resigns himself to defaulting to Skarmory for his training session anyway, because he respects Aggron’s hobby too much to interrupt it. And?? The fact that he went out of his way to make a garden just for him? 😭 that’s so SWEET, UGH.
Now I want to know if Aggron has preferences for what types of plants and berries to grow, and what those preferences are. I wish he were real purely so I could grow little plants for him. 💛 Aggron deserves the world. (Also I got a funny image in my head of a wild Aggron getting into a BIG OL SCRAP with a wild Tyranitar because the latter trampled his garden. Lol.)
Chapter 45: An Unexpected Encounter
Okay I have to admit, I’m not
usually a big fan of the body-swapping trope. It often delves into weird and uncomfortable territory for me. But this? This was freaking
excellent. It was absolutely delightful and I really enjoyed it.
First off, the use of the five senses in this particular entry really made it shine. The smells and textures when Phoebe awakes in a room that isn’t hers, then the cold metal of a ring on her hand, then the descriptions of Metagross’s presence—ooh it makes the whole thing so
vivid. And then! We get actual direct speech from Metagross, which never happens!!
The way Metagross instantly knows it’s not Steven in his own body was so telling—he knows Steven
so well, and it’s not just because he’s a psychic type. He is so familiar with Steven’s mental and emotional responses, all it takes is one response from Phoebe for him to know something is wrong. And that shift from gentle to ferocious protector is chilling. Oooh it’s so good. You do NOT mess with Metagross’s trainer, and that message comes through here loud and clear through Metagross’s responses.
The best part of all was the paragraph while Metagross helps to switch Phoebe back. There is SO much to unpack there, from the pure loving gentleness with which he does it so as not to injure Steven or Phoebe, the way you can feel just how much he cares for and treasures his trainer through this act, and how, just before Phoebe is sent back, she gets to see her first unfortunate encounter with Steven through Steven’s own perspective.
The closure that it offers her is so touching, and by the way she breaks down into tears of relief afterwards, you just know this was killing her inside. She was probably still struggling with so much guilt and had no idea how to approach Steven about it, or if he’d even
want to talk about it given how awful the experience was. She was so haunted by this (hah), and it’s really lovely to see her get that confirmation that neither Steven nor his team hold anything against her and her Pokémon. I wonder if perhaps this is part of the reason why the spirits made the switch—hoping that she would get some relief and closure on the matter by literally seeing things through Steven’s eyes.
This whole entry is just so soft and tender on multiple levels, and I love it for that. It’s a breath of fresh air to read a series like this where everybody just so sincerely cares about each other. 💛
Chapter 46: When in Kalos
Ahaha another short but sweet one where the dialogue is just too perfect. Steven making jabs at Wallace will never not be funny to me. I love seeing sarcastic, mildly snarky Steven. I want to see more of this side of him. I wonder if this is a subtle callback to the one-shot where Wallace was sick and Steven couldn’t tend to him because he was in Kalos?
Had to chuckle at the “Steven ignored the question with practiced ease” line. You’d think Wallace would know better than to ask by now, but maybe it’s a matter of tradition at this point. 😂 Still, I admit even I was a little dismayed at the fact that Wallace wouldn’t let them venture to Glittering Cave. I have never played a Kalos game so I don’t even know what that location looks like in-game, but come on! The name! It sounds freaking incredible!!
I’m glad Wallace caved (hah, don’t think I didn’t catch that little pun) and agreed to go to the Stone Emporium or whatever it’s called, haha. It’s only fair after Steven went along to the boutique! Give and take, Mr. Wallace. Of course Steven wants to compare freaking water stones from different regions, of all the things. He’s such a hopeless little nerd and I love him for it. And I love that these two put up with the others’ quirks and interests, even if they have absolutely no overlap in said interests. 😂 That’s real friendship right there.
Chapter 47: Champion, interrupted
Aw man, this one was both relatable and not relatable in a lot of ways. 😂 The idea of just wanting some time to yourself to treat yourself to a specific thing, only to get pulled away by one thing after another? Yeah, I think we’ve all been there at least once! It’s the worst. However, Steven has FAR more self-control than I do, and I’d have stayed up late reading that report on the first night, probably. 😂 Though it probably helps that I’m a natural night owl anyway, so staying up late isn’t unusual for me in the first place.
I love the way he’s been keeping away from it as a reward and a motivator to get all his work done—also relatable, and very responsible of him! You know he
really wants to read that report when even the idea of checking out a new stone in Shoal Cave with Glacia doesn’t sound appealing. Speaking of, what exactly was the stone they found? I keep trying to remember anything about a special stone or something in the cave but nothing is coming to my mind.
I couldn’t help but find it endearing and funny that he had to explicitly keep Roxanne from spoiling the report for him, like it was some kind of TV special or a movie or something. 😂 I love that at least he’s not the
only rocks and minerals nerd in the region. I’d love to see these two geek out over their shared interest more often.
And then after all of that, the poor guy instantly falls asleep on the plane! Lol. He’s definitely not gonna have the time or energy to read the report once he’s in Unova, not with the whole tournament thing going on. He must have really needed the sleep, too, if he fell asleep so fast on a plane, of all places. Though maybe he’s just super used to flying by now, given the nature of his job.
And through it all, he still keeps up a good attitude. Bless him. He needs a vacation, lol.
Chapter 48: Valentine’s Day Special II
Okay I know I said I wasn’t going to import quotes from Ao3, but I HAD to import this one because WHAT:
Well, maybe the day Winona broke up him was the worst day ever, but today was a very close second. Sure, they had been on-again, off-again for months now, but the day she called him and said she'd had enough, it hurt. It had been about two weeks since then, and everyone had been nothing but supportive. Steven even had stopped by to coax him out of his doldrums. The cakes and subsequent battle had done wonders for his mood, but today it felt like he was right back to square one. All because of a silly date on the calendar.
What! WHAT! Is this implying that WINONA is the one who cheated on Wallace?! Bruh??? I’m shook. Are we gonna gloss over that? I had assumed it was someone else because her name was never mentioned, but then it mentioned the cakes and the battle Steven offered for him, and that definitely has to be a fallback to that specific break-up. Unless, perhaps, this is just what Steven does every time Wallace is down, and a break-up or other distressing event always results in cakes and a battle? Anyway, I am very curious now and I want details. [pounds table with fists]
The line about no challengers being at the gym gave me some questions too. Do they not do walk-ins? Or does every trainer have to schedule ahead? Honestly, a schedule does kinda make more sense than just being open all day every day waiting for someone to waltz in, but I guess it depends on how many trainers there are and how many one would reasonably expect in a day. I can’t imagine the eighth gym is constantly flooded with trainers all the time, anyways.
The moment when he saw a picture of him and Winona and the way it took all the wind out of his sails made my heart hurt with empathy. Break-ups
suck, man. And they really can just totally derail you with the smallest details or reminders like that.
The fact that he only seems to be remembering the good times with Winona only makes it worse. It also makes me more confused on whether she
did cheat on him or not or if that was someone else, (or maybe I misinterpreted that one line from the other entry entirely?) because you’d think he’d at least be feeling some notes of bitterness and betrayal if that were the case. But the way this is written, it sounds like a very one-sided break-up. I feel so sad for him. :(
Bless Steven for coming to save the day! I had to giggle at the paragraph where Wallace is like “please don’t be a cave…it’s probably not a cave, right? He’s dressed nicer than normal. Oh but that doesn’t mean anything. Wow my life is so sad that I find caving preferable to what I was doing before.” 😂 There is so much loaded context there, so much testifying to the strength of their friendship despite their many differences, and it got a laugh out of me.
Well, while we’re at it, of course I have to quote the best part of the whole story:
"I didn't think so. All I know is that my best friend needed a reminder tonight that he isn't as alone as he thinks. If that isn't worth putting up with a baseless tabloid headline for the next couple weeks, I don't know what is. So what do you say?"
I??? Love it??? So much??? 😭 It’s just so freaking sweet and thoughtful and Steven, even though he’s uncomfortable with any sort of romantic allegations for understandable reasons, just straight up
does not care what may come of this, because what matters most is that his best friend needs some company and a pick-me-up on this day. He arranged all of this without even needing to ask, because he knows Wallace well enough to know it was going to be a hard day for him. And also kudos to Wallace, for not expecting or feeling entitled to anybody’s time and sympathy, just assuming they would have their own plans and choosing not to be actively resentful over it. He tried his best to salvage the day himself, and he deserves credit for that, honestly.
It just makes my heart so happy. We love a good and healthy and caring friendship—especially one between grown men, because boy you really don’t see that often in media. This warmed my heart so much and now all I want to do is go on an outing with my friends to show them how much I care and how important they are to me. 💛
Chapter 49: A Not-so-television Drama
Lololol I have to admit the timing of this one, coming right after the Valentine’s one, is rather funny. I see why you felt the need to add that little author’s note, haha.
Honestly, being the mediator between two friends in their romantic relationship sounds exhausting. Especially in this case, because it sounds like this happens often—or at least, Steven’s services have been required more than a couple times—and…whew lad. I don’t think I could do it. It would be so stressful and get so tiring way too fast for me. And this is even more stressful because they have to be able to work together to some degree, on account of both being gym leaders! Aaah!
Honestly, an on-again, off-again relationship often sounds like it’s…kind of doomed to fail in the first place. I know that is not always the case, but it is a lot of the time. It sounds like Winona and Wallace just…aren’t actually that good for each other, if their relationship is so frequently tumultuous. It’s probably for the best, for both of them, that she ends up breaking things off with him for good.
Still though, I love that Steven comes to Phoebe of all people for help, and her immediate response is to sit him down for a soap opera. 😂 it’s also pretty telling that Steven didn’t have to name any names for her to know who this was about. Another sign that their relationship is notoriously rocky and mmmmmmaybe not the healthiest.
I hope Steven at least enjoys his, uh, “research.” 😂 He’s probably in for quite a ride. Phoebe should probably still be ready to explain a lot of things to him, though—Steven does not strike me at all like the soap opera type, and I imagine a lot of the drama will fly over his head. Haha!
Chapter 50: Late Nights
Aw, I love that this collection started with a stargazing session and ended with one. It’s such a nice way to bookend the whole series. 💛
Boy do I relate to the staying up all hours of the night to get seemingly endless work done. I had to laugh at Steven berating himself for not being more productive and being like “there’s no point in staying up if I can’t stay focused!” Lol, Steven, there’s also no point in depriving yourself of much-needed sleep if you’re stalling out and not getting much done! You might be more productive if you get a good night’s sleep and tackle the mountain of paperwork during a more sane hour! (Something something I should apply this advice to myself too, whoops.)
It seems fitting that this collection should end with Steven gazing at the night sky and dreaming of future possibilities and endeavors. It leaves off on a note of wonder, of promises of more to come and experience. It’s a beautiful, wonderful world you have painted for these lovely characters, and you’ve made it clear that they all have so much to look forward to in their lives—either individually as they seek to achieve their personal goals, or together, as a team, as an Elite Four…as a found family. 💛