THIS ISNT CANON JUST A HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION

"Milo is unable to battle!"

I bring the Zorua back into my pokeball. I know, I'm not really a battler, but I must admit battling Grant was fun.

He laughs. "Wow, Professor, I really enjoyed that!"

"Call me Eden." I smile, walking towards him. I offer my hand.

He takes it and shakes it. "Thanks for the battle."

"It's my pleasure." I smile and look into his eyes for a moment.

"Wow. Your eyes are... lovely." He says.

"Really?"

"Yeah. They're so... when the sun shines on them, they're almost golden. Like honey."

I feel my face heat up slightly. Why am I so flustered all of a sudden?

I become painfully aware that my hand is still in his. Im about to pull it away and run off to figure out why my emotions are betraying me, but he pulls me towards him. Grant continues holding eye contact.

"Yeah. When the sun moves off, they're so dark and mysterious. Makes me wonder what secrets they hold."

"...secrets?"

"Yeah." He says. "Secrets."

I think of Augustine at home, waiting for me.

I look at Grant's steady smile.

This is all completely wrong. I let go of his hand because I'm worried of what I might do if I don't leave immediately.

"Well, Eden." He says. "The battle was great."

"Yeah." I say. The battle isn't what I'm thinking about right now. "It was."

He moves forward. He's just inches from my face. "Maybe you could come back and tell me some of your secrets sometime."

Fuck it.

"I can tell you one now... maybe?"

"Maybe?"

"Maybe." I feel dread in the pit of my stomach, but something else too. "I think, maybe... you're very attractive."

He doesn't answer for a moment. Panic rises in my throat. Did I mistake conversation for flirtation? Have I completely misjudged this whole situation.

But a gentle smile crosses his lips. "Maybe that feeling is mutual."

"Yeah?"

"Don't look so worried, babe." His smile widens. "Nobody will know."

Grant moves his hands onto my waist. I feel a tingle go down my spine. I haven't felt it in a good while.

He pulls me towards him. His moves are calculated. Like he's been planning this. I remember how Augustine fumbled and blushed and got quiet. I found it sweet, but part of me enjoys the smoothness of this.

"I love to climb." His voice is breathy, in my ear. "I get so hot and sweaty. My mind is completely clear and I can focus on just about anything." I feel my chest tighten. "How about we see if you give me the same feeling?"

I pause. This is a bad idea. A horrible, terrible idea. I think of the heartbreak this would put Augustine through.

But I want it. I want him.

I nod.

***

Augustine woke before me. A week since it happened.

I open my bleary eyes and watch as he scrolls on his phone. His expression is stern. He glances at me.

"Oh, you're awake. Perfect. Now..." he shows me his phone. I read the headline of the news article he's on.

Eden Sycamore-Bell and Gym Leader Grant spotted kissing after a hot and sweaty battle.

Paparazzi. Shit.

"Eden, I know tabloids have a tendency to use clever angles to portray which story they want. I trust you wouldn't do that. I just thought I'd let you know in case there's a huge scandal." He looks at me. I can't keep eye contact. "Why do you look so nervous? Look, darling, it'll all blow over in the next few weeks. Im here, love."

I look past him, at the wall. "It's not angles." My voice is small and quiet. His face twists into confusion.

"Pardon?"

"I kissed him."

He goes silent. "Oh." He finally says. "Did I do something? Im sorry..."

"No, no. You didn't do anything."

"So, you just kissed him? Nothing more?"

I frown. "Well..."

Augustine turns away from me. "Oh. Well." He sighs. "I'd best get ready for work."

"Don't you want to talk?"

"I've never lied to you, Eden. No. I don't want to talk."

I bite my lip. "Augustine?"

He doesn't reply.

"Im sorry. It's the least I can say."

He chuckles sardonically and turns to me. "Let's hope your words mean as much as your affair did."