A/N: Quick note about nicknames. I hope I haven't been too annoyingly obvious about the play on stones/earth and water imagery for Steven and May. May's pokemon nicknames all have some correspondence to water, not really based in any one particular language. Steven's pokemon nicknames are strictly Latin, related loosely to different stones and earth. If you have any questions about names, just ask!

Chapter C: Frustration

Verdanturf was a quiet town cradled between Rusturf Tunnel and Route 117. Because of its place on the foothills of Mt. Chimney, it was often one of the last frontiers of Hoenn's warm, late summer weather. On this particular day, the skies were vibrantly blue. Soft clouds teemed on the horizon. Families and pokemon congregated on the green in the town square. Though May's spirits would generally be lifted by the warm weather and clear skies, today she found herself on the verge of a breakdown.

On a green hill, located far from the friendly town traffic, May was slumped down, in front of a rather indignant looking riolu. It was only a matter of time before one or both of them snapped.

"Please, try to eat something, Rio," May whined, holding a bowl of pokemon food next to the tiny blue pokemon. The riolu's arms were crossed petulantly, with an apathetic expression on his face as he considered his trainer's offer.

Finn, Maris, and Beau the roselia sat nearby, cringing at their trainer's tenth attempt to make nice with their newest member. Even they knew the riolu's attitude wasn't boding well for the progress of their League Challenge.

"If you don't eat, you won't be strong enough to train, and we need to get you up to speed with everyone else," May tried to explain calmly as she inched closer with the bowl of food. May heard Finn sigh from behind, as if to signal his own resignation of the situation. Anger ignited inside riolu at May's presence and Finn's attitude, as he deftly swatted the bowl May was holding out of her hands.

May snatched back her hand, this time with tears brimming in her eyes.

"Rio!" she shouted after the pokemon as he trudged away. The tiny pokemon finally slumped by a tree with his back turned to them, signaling the mental conclusion of their interaction.

After days of holding in and stuffing her anger, May felt her patience and resolve finally break, as all of her emotions rushed out in a garbled cry. She soon felt the arms of her marshtomp and kirlia wrap around her, while Beau the roselia stomped towards Rio, fuming at the riolu's blatant disrespect.

"Don't Beau," May choked out through her heavy voice. The roselia halted at his trainer's command, but not before firing Rio a dark glower.

Even if Beau could have put Rio in his place, what good would it have done? It was no use. May realized that she wasn't getting anywhere with Rio, no matter how much she tried to connect with him, no matter how many concessions or graces she allowed him. He hated her.

It became saliently clear to May that Rio wasn't ready to leave his previous trainer, and that he really didn't want to be in Hoenn either. The thought of tracking down his former owner crossed May's mind, with much guilt and nausea, but he was long gone, off to Mossdeep to perform in a contest. With no pokemon who could fly and with Finn not strong enough to ferry her across the ocean, May couldn't even make it out there if she wanted to.

May's stomach lurched as she realized she was in a position she never thought possible: being stuck with a pokemon who hated her and her team so much that he would rather starve. May felt the arms of her pokemon tighten around her as she cried harder and harder.

The future she had envisioned so surely, so confidently just weeks before suddenly began to fade from her sight - did this mean the end of her pokemon journey and League Challenge? The twin sisters of fear and shame drove May deeper into a spiral, as she thought of what her parents would say, what her friends would say, if she were to quit now. The only hope she felt was in the gentle embrace of the rest of her team – though she knew even they were frustrated with their trainer's lack of confidence and resolve.

"May?" a deep voice rose over the sound of May's sobs. That voice, no, no, please don't be here, not now. May glanced up through her watery eyes to confirm the voice's source: Steven Stone stood at the bottom of the hill, squinting up at May in the bright sunlight. Maris sung happily in recognition of Steven, and even Finn gave a grunt in acknowledgment. May bolted up mechanically from her team's embrace, drying her eyes and wiping her nose. To her surprise, she found her voice again.

"Hi Steven!" she called, and crossed her arms, as if for protection.

Steven's smile gleamed from below, "Stay there, I'm coming up!"

As Steven ascended the hill, May noted again the formal way he dressed and the dark palette of his clothing - this time, he carried a large briefcase in his hand. The same odd stone coruscated on his lapel as he walked in the sunlight. And though he had raced up to meet her, he halted a few feet in front of May, maintaining a cool physical distance between them, to May's dual relief and disappointment. While she didn't want him to notice her red eyes, she wondered sadly if that distance could ever, would ever, diminish.

"I had a hunch that you were here! At first, I spotted a marshtomp and kirlia at the top of this hill, and you're the only person I know with these two pokemon. Sure enough, it was you," he gushed brightly. May's eyes fluttered at his uncharacteristic cheerfulness, and she tried hard to match his good mood, but her eyes and nose were still red from crying.

"Y-yeah, you guessed it!" May cheered awkwardly. Steven's smile fell a bit, noticing the strain in her voice and her guarded body language. As if he took pity on her, he continued the small talk pleasantly and didn't inquire about her obvious distress.

"What brings you to Verdanturf on this late summer's eve?"

"Oh, you know," May trilled, "just training. We're gearing up to challenge Lavaridge Gym soon, once we're strong enough," she blathered. Steven nodded knowingly, his eyes darting to Finn at May's feet.

"I see. Flannery's gym shouldn't be a problem for you, with Finn at the helm. But, perhaps this little guy should stay behind," Steven said, referring to Beau. The roselia responded with an airy, dignified look as Steven studied the small pokemon. May chuckled fondly—Beau the roselia was her most dignified, reserved pokemon and did not overly share his affection, with her and especially with newcomers.

"This is Beau," May said, clearing her throat, "I think I might've mentioned catching him when we were in Slateport last month."

"Oh, I remember," Steven murmured, "it's nice to meet you, Beau. My, what unusual coloring you have..." Steven's voice trailed off as he crept closer to Beau. Indeed, the roselia's dual roses were striking shades of violet and dark navy, almost midnight, instead of the usual red and blue. Beau perked up his chin at the compliment.

"Yeah, someone told me it was rare for roselias to have these colors."

"Exceedingly rare," Steven's eyes flickered up to correct May. She blushed again and shrugged.

"Good fortune, I guess. We just happened upon each other in the wild," May smiled down at her pokemon, who returned the gesture coolly. Out of her own vanity, she hoped that the roselia would retain his coloring, if she decided to evolve him in a few years—he was simply beautiful to look at, and she was proud to call him hers.

"Have you caught any other pokemon since then?"

May's grin faded at his question. She resisted the urge to look at or draw any attention to her pouting pokemon over by the tree. She felt her cheeks prickle as she tried to think of a way to deflect him.

"Yes. I caught a plusle near the bike path after my battle with Wattson."

"Inspired by the electric type?" Steven smirked. May forced out a laugh.

"Yeah, I suppose." Steven cocked his head.

"May I meet her?"

May frowned and shifted uncomfortably. Though his level of interest touched her, she felt panicked at the thought of confessing to him. She tightened her arms around herself subconsciously, for security.

"That's the thing, I, uh," May began shiftily, "I ended up trading her."

May winced as she heard Rio sigh discontentedly near the tree. But Steven didn't seem to notice.

"Oh, that's wonderful to hear. Trading pokemon is a great way to build camaraderie and foster connections between trainers and pokemon. What pokemon did you receive?"

May inhaled deeply, and turned towards her riolu, still sitting by the tree.

"A riolu, named Rio," May nodded in his direction. Steven followed May's gaze, and sighed to himself in recognition, as if something seemed to click for him.

"Ah, I understand now," he murmured quietly, as if making an observation.

"Understand what?"

"Why you were crying."

May's eyes shot wide and she felt her cheeks pinken.

"I-I wasn't crying," she stammered defensively. Steven pursed his lips at her, amusedly.

"Just allergies, then?" he teased. May's nostrils flared sharply at his presumption.

"Alright," she seethed, "I admit it's been hard couple of days, but I'm really not in the mood for your teasing-"

"I'm sorry," Steven blurted, gesturing widely, "I didn't mean to be rude or pry, but would you want to talk to me about it? I… I might be of some assistance," he offered warily, with a kind grin. May felt her cheeks prickle with a mix of emotions that she couldn't discern in the moment. She wanted to stay and talk with Steven, although not about the obedience problems of her own pokemon. But she knew that she needed the help, or any outside perspective from someone she could trust. The three pokemon at her legs looked up at their trainer imploringly, as if they even wanted her to take Steven up on his offer.

"It's a long story," May finally said. Steven smiled graciously.

"We seem to have the time."

"Fine," May sighed defeatedly, "just... give me a moment," she said, as she turned to the pokemon at her feet with their pokeballs. They looked sad to leave their trainer's side in her time of hurt, but they relented to her wishes. After they settled warmly in their balls at May's waist, she trudged towards Rio, who jumped up defensively at her approach.

"It's time to go back in your ball, Rio," May started, pointing the ball at Rio. Anger flashed on the pokemon's face as it was recalled into the white light of the ball—though she felt guilty, the pokeball was the only measure of control May still had on her riolu. She stared down at the ball in her hands. It seemed to burn hotly, as if Rio's very frustration and aversion was making the ball warm to the touch. She heard footsteps crunch in the grass, as Steven approached her from behind.

"So, you traded your plusle for a riolu, and now your riolu can't stand to be in your presence?" Steven murmured. His tone wasn't teasing as it had been before. It was as cradling and gentle as the summer breeze that touched them.

"Yeah, but you don't have to word it like that," May whined miserably. Steven chuckled again.

"Well, what exactly has been going on?" he pressed, leaning forward to catch her gaze. May frowned.

"It's really not that big of a deal, and I'm handling it myself. Besides, don't you have something more important to do with your time?"

"Like what?" Steven frowned, and May mirrored. Her eyes glanced down at the briefcase, still clutched in his hand.

"Like research for Devon, or whatever it is you do."

"I can take an afternoon off, I know the owner after all," Steven said with a wink. May snorted.

Steven stared at her expectantly, as if he was waiting for her to open up to him. She huffed again at his unspoken insistence, and then launched into her story from the past few days.

"Well, last week on the way to Lavaridge, I met a trainer from Sinnoh, and he offered to trade me his riolu for my plusle. He's only interested in raising cute pokemon for contests, and his riolu was on the brink of evolving, and apparently lucarios don't place super well in the cute division. He had made Rio hold an everstone, but Rio was really unhappy as he wanted to make his final evolution."

"That's unfortunate for the riolu," he commented quietly. May shrugged.

"I agree, but he really isn't a bad trainer. He is just very particular about his pokemon. Anyway, when he found out I was a competitive trainer, he asked if I'd be interested in a trade."

"Were you sad to part with your plusle?"

May nodded, "A little at first, but we hadn't been together for that long, and she was really quite taken with him, so I didn't feel that bad. And at first, Rio was fine too, and I thought he was taking to me warmly. It was only until after we traded, and Sergio left when Rio started to act out. He's been really disobedient and spiteful towards me and Finn, especially."

Steven hummed thoughtfully, though he didn't speak. May took another staggering breath, feeling her frustration and despair bubble over as she told him more and more of her woes.

"And now, we've just been stuck here for the past few days because he refuses to eat or train, so I don't know how much longer either of us can take this. My team is getting frustrated, with Rio and with me, for giving him so much time. I figured the fresh air of Verdanturf would put all of us in better moods, but it's just hopeless. I think it's over-" May's voice broke. She bit her lip and quickly turned away from Steven to keep from crying afresh.

"Wait, what's over?" Steven frowned. May adverted his searching gaze and tried to focus on the laughably blue skies above.

"My journey," May lamented, "I've been traveling for sixth months, and I've only won two badges. I'm so behind, and I have no idea of what I'm doing... My mom told me to just give up the League Challenge and do contests instead," May whimpered, as her emotions and thoughts began to spiral.

Steven's frown deepened even further. "Do you want to do contests?"

"No!" May sighed, exasperatedly.

And at that, Steven did something May never expected: he laughed, deeply, and truly, and from his gut.

May's eyes went wide as the sound of his laugh filled the air around them. As her initial shock waned, May felt angry, like he was patronizing her. Did he find her emotions and pain humorous? Did he think she was weak for crying? She immediately regretted opening up to him in the first place, and she wished she could push him away.

"What's so hilarious?" she muttered darkly, wiping her nose, and subconsciously shifted further away from him. Steven continued to laugh, as he rubbed his eyes.

"I'm so sorry, May. I'm not laughing at you. Just the image that popped in my head of you in frilly contest regalia-" Steven started laughing harder now. She was reminded of the last time she made him laugh on their bike ride to Mauville, this time noting the way his smile touched his eyes, making them crinkle happily. Though Steven's presentation was almost always reserved and collected, May realized that this rare display of emotion was a privilege to behold.

His mounting laughter wore down her walls, as she eventually broke too, surrendering to the humor and ridiculousness of her situation at last.

"I just can't keep clean for that long to make it big in contests. They probably wouldn't let me on stage," May offered, and Steven laughed even more. She blushed under his grin and gaze, as he regained his composure and his laughter died down.

"Okay, listen," he cleared his throat, "when you're a trainer, you will certainly hit valleys. Everyone does—even if they seem like they have it all together-"

"Even you?" May blurted. Steven faltered from her question but looked at her kindly.

"Of course."

May frowned. Nothing about Steven looked like he'd ever been through a valley. In addition to his immaculate presentation and composure, Steven's face didn't seem to reveal much personal suffering. His eyes, though sometimes full of expression and life, didn't concede any lines from hard years or from sorrow. But then again, May had no reason to doubt the sincerity of his word.

"Valleys like these can be difficult, and they can make you wonder why you set out in the first place, but they can also be purifying, formative, depending on the way you approach them. And if you don't go through the hard stuff now, you won't be prepared for the harder trials down the line when they come. You're going to be a better trainer, better friend from this."

"I know, but I just don't see this getting better. He really hates me," May whispered and looked back down at her running shoes. Though she had recently cleaned them, they looked muted next to Steven's.

"I know it feels that way," Steven murmured, "but it will get better the more you train. Traded pokemon just have it harder than others, May. They have to live with the fact that, no matter how great or horrible their previous trainer was, they're someone else's pokemon now. They have to get used to new team dynamics, new routines."

"Yeah," May sniffled, wiping her nose. Steven smiled brightly.

"Don't despair. Just be patient and consistent with him and try to welcome him as best you can. He'll come around to you."

"What makes you so sure?"

Steven considered May in that cool, assessing manner again. She resisted the urge to look down from his gaze or fidget with her hair.

"I mean this when I say that you have very special bonds with your pokemon, from what I've seen of you and your team. And your relationship with your riolu will be no different. In time, he will realize how great you are and you both will move forward from this. I am sure of it."

May's heart quickened at his words and compliment, though she secretly wondered if he was being sincere, and what grounds and experience he had to judge her relationships with her pokemon.

"I suppose," May sighed.

"You will," Steven insisted again, this time leaning closer to May. She tried not to blush again under his gaze and approach, and hurriedly tried to change the subject to something lighter.

"So," she cleared her throat, "what are you doing in Verdanturf?"

Steven's back straightened at the question—the care and tenderness in his voice was gone, and it was as if he shifted into autopilot.

"Business," he said reticently, as a tight line formed at his lips. May frowned—she wondered why he felt the need to hide something.

"What business?" she pressed.

"My father asked me to come down here and clear a pedestrian path through Rusturf Tunnel, but when I arrived, the path was already cleared."

May's eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed bright red. Steven started to chuckle.

"Well, by your presence here and guilty expression, I figured that you had something to do with it."

"Yeah," May laughed sheepishly, "I came here yesterday, and when I saw the path was blocked, I just had Finn take care of it. It wasn't a problem."

Steven rolled his eyes. "You keep putting me out of work!"

"Why is it always your job to take care of things like this, anyway?" May countered. Steven frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you showed up to Slateport when Team Magma arrived, and now you're here for similar reasons."

"What's your point?" he said, almost defensively. The slightly dark tone of his question startled May a bit, and she immediately regretted asking it.

"I-It just seems like you're doing jobs for the local authorities or Gym Leaders...and not for a researcher," she muttered, adverting his gaze. Steven considered her amusedly in silence, a secretive smile playing at his lips.

"Well then," he said finally, "you should take your own advice, Miss May, and stay out of trouble." Before May could retort, Steven held up a finger, his eyes widening in remembrance.

"Hold on," Steven said, fumbling around in his pockets.

"What is it?"

"I just remembered that I have something that will make your life easier."

He then produced from his trouser pocket a gleaming silver bell, held up by a crimson red ribbon. He handed it out to her, and as he did, the bell chimed with a sound so pristine, so full, that it sounded like light and wind.

"Here."

May cupped it tentatively in her hands, unsure of what to do with it, let alone what it was. "Erm, thanks?"

"Do you know what that is?" Steven asked with an arched brow. May shook her head.

"It's called a 'soothe bell.' The sound is supposed to put your pokemon at ease, which will in turn make them friendlier towards you."

"Does it work?" May's frown deepened as she considered the silver bell.

"Very much so. It's helped me soften even the toughest of steel hearts," Steven said, with a strange, secretive glint in his eyes. May looked at him funnily and wondered if he trained more steel pokemon in addition to skarmory, though she decided not to press him further about that.

"So, do I put it on his neck or do I play it when he's around?" May asked. Steven chuckled.

"Here, call him out of his pokeball."

May's eyes widened. He couldn't be serious? After everything she had just told him about this unruly pokemon, she couldn't imagine anyone wanting to meet him. But the expectant expression on his face said otherwise, and his eyes darted to the pokeball at May's waist.

"I don't know about that."

"Don't worry. He won't disobey me," Steven said simply. He was so sure, so confident. She was almost envious at how sure of himself he was. But she did as he asked.

When she called Rio out of his ball, the tiny aura pokemon stretched sleepily, before he shot May a dark scowl. His eyes widened at Steven's presence, as the silver headed man towered over the tiny pokemon.

"Hello, Rio," Steven greeted, "your trainer has a gift for you that she would like you to wear."

Rio frowned deeply at May and Steven and backed up slightly. Steven nodded to May.

"It's a bell for you to wear over your neck," May explained as she knelt down to tie the ribbon around her pokemon. But Rio resisted, swatting her hand away with a growl. Steven clicked his tongue chidingly.

"Listen to your trainer, Rio," Steven reprimanded. Both May and Rio's posture stiffened at the sudden, harsh command. Warily, Rio bowed his head to his trainer just enough to allow May to tie the bell around his neck.

The bell thumped against his blue fur, chiming softly and filling the air with its soothing, crystalline sound. The riolu looked down at the new object that hung around his neck with confusion, but to May's surprise, his harsh expression softened, and his defensive stance relaxed a bit.

"Very good," Steven observed.

May turned to Steven, eyes wide and mouth open unabashedly. How was he able to command Rio's respect so instantly?

"What?" Steven frowned, noticing the incredulous expression on May's face as she stared at him openly.

"How in the world did you do that?" she marveled.

"Do what?" he asked, nonplussed.

May laughed humorlessly. She found it hard to believe a man of his intelligence, age, and maturity knew not his effect on others, let alone her own pokemon.

"How did you successfully command him to obey like it was nothing? Especially after I've spent hours trying to command him, and he refuses to obey so much he spurns the food I offer him?"

Steven smiled tightly at May, but to her surprise, he looked a bit embarrassed – as if he had been robustly complimented in front of a group of people by a parent or teacher.

"Well, I don't know how. It probably just comes with age and experience. You'll get there in time," he said.

May's spirit fell at Steven's unwitting slight about her age. Though May sometimes forgot the extent of their age difference, it was clear to her in that moment that Steven had not. Something about that realization made her sad. He's twenty-five, May. It's never going to happen so get over it.

"Yeah," May sighed, as she tried to shake off her thoughts and insecurities, "how did you even find this?"

She pointed to the soothe bell that was still being considered by Rio. Just as he did before, May's question made Steven pause thoughtfully. Though this time, he didn't try to evade the question or shift into autopilot.

"My mother gave that to me when I started raising pokemon, a long time ago," he said simply, though he seemed to study her expression as he spoke.

As Steven's light blue eyes went to hers, May's face burned brightly at the confession. His mother? A gift from his mother?

Unlike the previous gifts she had received from the Stone family, May felt, for some strange, imperceptible reason, that this wasn't one she could accept on good conscience. She hoped, with a dull ache, if it was possible that this was a romantic gesture. If it was, did he do this with a lot of women?

"Your mother gave this to you?" she chorused.

He nodded once, with a small smile. May frowned.

"Oh."

"Is something the matter?" Steven's smile faded at his question, and May's stomach lurched at the sight. With dread she realized how much she hated to disappoint him.

"No, but… I can't accept this, Steven," she sighed, avoiding his eyes.

"You have an aversion to my mother or something?" he teased dryly.

"N-no that's not what I mean," she spluttered, "I just mean that you probably shouldn't give me something like this."

"Why ever not?"

"I don't know," she chuckled nervously under his amused expression, "It just seems too sentimental for you to be giving it to me. I might lose it."

"How do you know what in my life has and doesn't have sentimental value?" he countered simply. It was May's turn to get defensive from the question, but before she could make another point, Steven quickly diffused her.

"Nonsense, it's mine to give to whomever I choose, and besides – she would've wanted a trainer to make the most of it. If you feel that strongly about losing the gift, you can return it to me when your riolu no longer requires it."

She bit her lip in defiance, holding his gaze and her ground. The riolu stood looking up between his trainer and Steven, an odd expression on its face – almost like amusement. But nothing about Steven's steely expression and posture indicated that he would cave first, and May didn't want to end the day like this.

"Alright fine, but only until Rio's done with it," she mumbled, smiling shyly. Steven's posture seemed to relax at May's acceptance of the gift, and he exhaled deeply.

"I will be waiting until you no longer require it, then," he said, smiling down at her.

May blushed, looking up at him with squinting eyes. Behind them, the breeze picked up, carrying with it the honeyed smell of pecha trees. The golden sunlight hit Steven's face and eyes, and it was as if the blueness of his eyes popped against the soft sky. His features, though carved and defined, were somehow soft under the fading daylight. She found herself imaging what it would be like to run her hand down his face, to his silvery hair.

And then she caught herself - she had been staring a second too long and it was now obvious. Steven shifted as May coughed and quickly looked away. She hoped and prayed that she hadn't been found out.

"Shall I accompany you back to town?" he asked kindly, to her surprise.

"A-are you sure?" May stuttered. Steven threw his head back in light laughter.

"You know, one of these days, you should stop second guessing me when I offer to do something."

May sighed in relief at the banter – if Steven had noticed her ogling, he at least took pity on her not to acknowledge it.

"Old habits die hard, but sure, that would be nice," she conceded. To her further bewilderment, he offered his arm. But Steven seemed like it was the most ordinary gesture in the world as he stared at her blankly. She nodded and recalled her riolu in a flash, before she took his arm. Her cheeks prickled hotly as she tried to quell her vacuous thoughts at the otherwise kind gesture.

"So," May's mind raced to find a normal conversation topic, "where are you off to next?"

"I'm heading back to Rustboro to update my father on the Tunnel, and then Fallarbor Town for a short spell."

"Oh? What's in Fallarbor?"

"I'm researching volcanic ash and meteorites."

"Wow. Scintillating."

May's tease was followed by a sharp nudge from Steven's elbow.

"Hey!" May shrieked.

"You're the one patronizing me!" Steven countered lightly.

"I'm sorry!" May laughed. "I just find it humorous that you'd travel all that way to look at dirt and rocks, when you could probably find that in Mossdeep."

"It's volcanic ash and meteorites," he corrected petulantly, "And I don't just go there to conduct research - I train in Meteor Falls as well."

"Why there?" May frowned, looking up at him.

"It's the only place that offers my team a real challenge," he said simply, a secretive smirk playing at his lips. May rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically.

"Cocky much?"

"Well, it's true," he turned to her with a smirk.

"Hmm, I'm afraid I'm going to need some proof to take your word for it. Maybe next time I see you, we can have a battle?"

"I don't think so."

May snatched her arm away and looked up at him, only this time to scowl darkly.

"Why not?" she laughed without humor. Steven smirked at her secretively, as if he was pitying her again.

"Because you're not ready," he said with a shrug.

"That's not true!" May protested, feeling with annoyance that familiar sense of frustration set in again, after he had finally helped her through it.

"How would you know? I've been a trainer for almost ten years now – give me some credit, too," he chided, though with a tone of mirth. May opened her mouth to retort, but this time, Steven quickly interrupted her.

"How about this: I promise you, that once I feel that you are ready, I will accept your challenge and will agree to battle you."

At this point, they had reached the green center of Verdanturf's quiet town – the sun had already begun to set, and families and pokemon had become sparse as they turned in for dinner and the night. Steven's promise hung in the air as May mulled it over with a frown and crossed arms. His expression was mirthful and kind, and May felt that even now, she couldn't remain frustrated with him for long.

"That sounds fair. I will hold you to that," she sighed. Steven smiled brightly.

"I sincerely hope you do, May," he murmured. Silence fell between the two for a moment as Steven was the first to slow their walking pace to a stop. May knew in her gut that once they had reached town he would take off, and yet somehow, she still felt disappointed. He glanced up at the low sun and sighed.

"Well, I should get going now. I've kept away from my responsibilities long enough," he said.

"Yeah, I should also turn in, it's getting late," she mirrored, feigning disinterest. Just as she was about to offer her goodbye, Steven suddenly reached for her arm, catching her gaze as he pulled her close, closer than ever before.

"May," he said softly, "you need to go easier on yourself. You are an incredible trainer, and you will get through this challenge with your riolu. The only thing you need to work on are these high expectations and standards you place on yourself. I'm sure the next time I see you, your whole team will be closer and stronger than before."

May's chest clenched as he spoke. She wanted to tell him just how much his words, the gift, and his time, had all meant to her. But the words couldn't form coherently in her mind, so she could only offer him a simple thank you.

"Thanks Steven. When do you think we'll see each other again?" She asked hopefully.

"Well, you seem to have an impeccable sense of timing – probably sooner than both of us are expecting," he said with a wink. This time, he didn't call out his skarmory, but with a final bow of his head, turned and walked towards Rusturf Tunnel, gait purposeful and strong.

As May watched him leave again, something inside of her ached longingly. It was the same feeling as before when she had watched him fly away from the gates of Mauville: only this time, the ache was stronger, sharper.

Through these brief interludes of conversation and closeness, May felt as if she was wearing him down, bit by bit.

But today, her own desire for him surprised her and made her burn hotly in shame. If she had learned anything from their time today, it was that, whoever Steven was, Steven was experienced and talented, and the years and time that stood between them was nothing if not significant. Unlike her friends, like Brendan or Wally, Steven was a man – he was sure of himself, purposeful and poised. Today, he made it clear to her that, no matter how magnetic and beautiful she found him to be, he thought of her as young, juvenile. The stolen glances, the vacuous daydreams about his features – she realized that she needed to stop, or at least be better about concealing it.

At that, May sighed and marched towards the Pokemon Center. If she couldn't ever be his, she resolved to be, at the very least, his friend. And as a friend, Steven Stone was still very much a mystery to her.

As she walked, May felt a sense of determination and resolve return to her belly at the thought of one day battling Steven. She felt her three of her four pokemon hum excitedly at her waist – Rio the fourth pokemon, though usually quiet and cold, was growing warmer, stirring. May smiled and looked to the cotton candy sky. She thought of the adventures to come – of unexplored caverns, of intense battles, of roaring oceans.

Whenever, if ever, that day would come, she hoped that she and her team would face that challenge with magnanimity and grace, and that they would be able to demonstrate to Steven the things they had learned on their journey. But for the time being, she had to win over her newest pokemon first, and a well-earned sleep awaited them.