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"The Perfect Backdrop for Romance" for Haruka_Malayo
Title: The Perfect Backdrop for Romance
Author:![[archiveofourown.org profile]](https://p.dreamwidth.org/b164c54b26e4/-/archiveofourown.org/favicon.ico)
fluffybun
Rating: T for some innuendo
Verse: Pokemon XY (games)
Characters/Pairings: Calem/Serena
Summary: The Christmas holiday is a perfect backdrop for romance... if Calem can only find his self-confidence and the right timing to confess his feelings to Serena.
Notes: Spoilers for the entire game of Pokemon X and Y. Written for Haruka_Malayo.
December 15
"Good job, Absol" said Calem, patting its white fur as he congratulated it on its hard work. "Especially in this cold weather." He turned to the boy he had just finished battling who had just recalled his fainted Pokemon. "Thank you for the game."
"It's been an honor," said the boy he had just finished battling. "To battle one of the Heroes of Kalos, You're really good," he added. "I really want to be as good as you someday, can you give me some tips?"
"Thank you," said Calem. "Tips? I can give you four."
"Really?"
"One is to bond with your Pokemon whenever you can. Not just training them, let them relax with you. Two, have friends or make friends during your journey. Three, find out what you want to achieve in your Pokemon journey. Do you want to specialize in battling? Breeding? Any specifications? Four-" He paused, an image of Serena flooding his mind. "Find a rival to inspire you to always do better in whatever you do."
"A rival?"
"Someone you don't want to lose to," he clarified. "But even if you do lose to that person, you still want to improve, to be that person's equal. Always." He had always lost to Serena even before she had become Champion, but he always wanted to do better and to let her see it. He wanted to be her equal, for more reasons than one. Something he hadn't told anyone about yet.
After the boy had left, his Holo Caster rang. When he pressed the button to receive the message, Shauna's face appeared.
"Calem, how are you? Um, your mom asked me to call you to remind you to come home for the holidays to Vaniville Town since you might be training and forget entirely. Serena's mom asked me to tell you to remind Serena too, if you see her and I quote, 'get her home'. We'll be waiting for you two here in Vaniville Town! Let's get together sometime during the holidays, okay?"
He shook his head, his face slightly red. "I don't even know where Serena is, how would I know how to find her, much less bring her back to Vaniville by any means?"
His Absol just shook its head. He groaned.
"It's not like I can just march into the Elite Four Headquarters and drag Serena out of there," he muttered, gathering up his things.
"Drag who?"
"Serena, the Champion, the beau-" He blinked, stopping midsentence. "Serena?"
Serena giggled, her Delphox not looking any more dignified. His Absol gave him a wry smile,, one Calem understood to mean 'if you had been paying attention I could have warned you earlier that she was coming near'.
"Hello," she said cheerfully, looking absolutely beautiful in her thick winter coat. "I heard from the Pokemon Center that there was an extraordinary trainer with an Absol that could mega-evolve among other well trained Pokemon in the area and Shauna asked me to find you, so..."
He groaned. Was Shauna making his life easier or difficult? At least he didn't have to make a fool of himself at the Elite Four Headquarters. "Really?"
She nodded.
"Well, she told me that your mom wants you to come home for the holidays. I- We do too," he said quickly, hoping she hadn't picked up on his slip.
Her smile was bright. "I missed you guys."
"... Yeah." He hoped that Serena didn't see how red his cheeks were.
"The Elite Four told me that we'd be able to go home for the holidays since most trainers don't really challenge us over the holidays, so..."
"That's good," he said. "Shall we go? Flying okay?"
"Yeah," she said.
***
"Do you want to take a break?"
Calem looked at Serena, who was slightly shivering after a few hours of flying. "You're cold? You don't have a scarf?"
She gave him a weak smile. "A little. I left it at the Elite Four Headquarters."
"Then we'll stop for today, anyway, it's almost dark. We're near Camphier Town," he said. "There we are," he said, gesturing for both their Talonflame to descend.
"Thank you, Calem" she said, getting off her Talonflame.
"Go inside and warm up," he said, pointing at the nearby Pokemon Center. "I have to get some of my Pokemon from the Pokemon Daycare, I'll be a while."
"Okay!"
He smiled as he walked to the Day Care. His gift for Serena was hopefully ready by now; he had made a special trip to the Day Care in the middle of his Mega Evolution research to deposit two of his Pokemon in preparation for Christmas.
December 17
Two days later, she had invited him to build snow Pokemon with her. There was a contest soon, Vaniville's annual snow Pokemon building contest, and she wanted to practice so that she wouldn't embarass herself there. Snow Pokemon - he had spent enough days as a child making those and he had always participated in the annual snow Pokemon building contest so he agreed.
"Trevor is determined to win the contest," he advised her. "You'll have to do better than him. He takes pictures of Pokemon from different angles to make better snow Pokemon."
"I know," she said. "But pictures can't beat live models, right?" She brought out some Pokeballs.
Calem nodded, he had thought Serena would say that so he had brought a polaroid camera. "But Pokemon models aren't allowed at the contest anymore, after one person brought a Wailord."
She wilted. "Really?"
He brought out the camera. "Let's just find a Pokemon you can make a good snow Pokemon of first, then we'll take pictures."
"Okay!" She brought out some Pokeballs and tossed them in the air. "Come out, everyone!"
Serena had been busy since he had last seen her, he realized as he looked at the Pokemon shaking off snow from their bodies. He hadn't seen some of the Pokemon she had brought out - had she gone to other regions in her short reign as Champion?
"Diglett!"
"Beautifly!"
"Ampharos!"
"Emolga!"
He smiled as he looked at them; they all looked very well cared for, as expected of Serena. "Maybe we should start wth a simple one first. Diglett maybe?"
"All right!" Serena recalled the other Pokemon. "So how will we do this?"
"We should make one each and I'll see what I can help you with," he said.
"Dig, Dig!"
His eyes softened as he watched Serena pat her Pokemon, She was such a good trainer, a good person. He was getting slightly obssessed, he berated himself. It's not like she likes you back, he reminded himself.
"Shall we start?"
***
"There, I'm done" he said after about thirty minutes. He critically looked over his snow Diglett. It wasn't as good as Trevor's would if he had been here, but it was pretty good on its own, he thought. Having been Trevor's friend for years, he had gotten some of Trevor's tricks out of him.
"Really?" Serena peeked from over his shoulder. "Oh, yours looks really nice!"
He smirked. "How's yours, Serena? Let me see-"
"Eeh! Don't look, Calem!"
He grinned as he pried her hands off his face, his cheeks red from the welcome contact. "How can I help you if you hide your work from me, Serena?"
She shielded her work from him. "You have to promise not to laugh."
Calem grinned at her desperate face, a rare sight that many of her defeated challengers would pay good money to see. "All right."
She moved away; Calem blinked as he took in her work. It wasn't so bad but...
"It's too small, Serena." Too small was an understatement. The snow Diglett she had made was actually smaller than a real Diglett.
"But-" Serena looked devastated. "Whenever I try making it bigger it collapses on me."
"Show me," he said. "I'll help you."
She reluctantly started making a ball of snow that was closer to a real Diglett's size.
"No, bigger than that" Calem advised. "One of the judges this year really gets swayed by size, not to meniton his eyesight isn't so good. If you choose a Pokemon that's pretty small you'll have to double its size at least."
"Really?" Part of the ball of snow broke off, causing her face to fall. "It keeps doing that."
"Here, let me show you" he said, his hands taking hold of hers and lifting them off the ball. "You have to roll it a little more, especially if you're making it bigger. You can cut the excess snow later off, but the packing is very important in this stage." He brought out a small sprayer from his pocket. "This is good snow, but if you're having trouble it helps to spray your ball of snow with water so that it won't crumble. Don't worry, that's allowed."
"Really? That's amazing!"
"Okay, then..."
***
December 21
"Let the annual Vaniville Snow Pokemon Making Contest begin!"
Calem took his time making his snow Absol, making sure to refer to his pictures at times. He didn't think he could beat Trevor, but he usually did well each year. He hoped Serena would be impressed with his work.
"Oh! Our reigning champion Trevor is making good timing on his... what do you think it is?"
"It looks like a Aurorus," enthused one of the judges. "A very difficult Pokemon to make a snow version of, especially with its beautiful frills!"
"But take a look at our very own Champion's work! Is that a..."
"It's an Altaria!" The judge looked enchanted. "When I saw the Champion's Altaria during the match that was televised last month, it looked beautiful! It'd be amazing if she can recreate her Altaria in snow!"
Calem smiled. Altaria was a good choice for Serena, with its body being able to be derived from a basic tightly packed ball of snow. Serena also knew her Altaria well, based on comments that she had been using it a lot in her battles lately.
***
"Congratulations on getting third place," said Calem cheerfully, his Absol at his side, His Absol had been amused at the snow Absol he had made, nuzzling him affectionately after it had examined its snow version.
"Thank you," said Serena, patting her Altaria. "It's thanks to you actually, you really helped me out with your tips and your pictures. But congratulations, Calem! Second place! You didn't tell me that you were so good at making snow Pokemon when you helped me!"
"It's just years of practice," he said quickly, feeling his cheeks warm. "Watching Trevor all these years helped a lot."
She smiled back at him. "But your Absol was beautiful," she said, looking at his snow Absol. "Such detail in the fur and how well you detailed its eyes..."
"Not as good as Trevor, though" he said. "He's never done an Aurorus before, but it paid off. But you were great considering you couldn't pack snow properly just a few days ago."
She grinned. "I practiced all the time," she said.
"I know." This was what drew him to Serena, he thought, her determination to do things well even if she had no experience in them. Pokemon training. Mega Evolution. Trainer PR videos. Being a Champion. Everything. He was pretty obssessed, he thought to himself.
A snowball hit him in the face. "Wha-"
He brushed the snow off his face to see Serena a few meters away, grinning at him. "I'll show you how much my snow packing skills have improved!"
"I'll get you for that," he said, picking up some snow and reflexively packing it into a snowball.
She stuck her tongue out at him before darting into the nearby clearing and away from the snow Pokemon.
"Oh, Tierno, Calem and Serena are having a snowball fight!"
"Should we stop them?" Trevor looked anxious.
"No, we should join in" said Tierno, tossing a snowball at the surprised Trevor.
"I'll get you for that, Tierno" he said, brushing the snow off his face.
***
"I've caught you," he said, a massive snowball in his hand as he cornered her. "Serena, you can't escape."
"Eeh? Calem! Mercy?"
"No mercy," he said. "That last one of yours that hit me really smarted, Serena. Shouldn't have taught you how to pack snow so well if you were going to hit me with snowballs."
"I already knew how to pack snowballs at least before you taught me to make snow Pokemon," she protested.
He laughed. "Well, this is what's waiting for you" he said, his hand with the massive snowball inching closer-
"Bombs away," cried Tierno from above them. They both turned to see a massive amount of snow falling towards them. Without thinking, Calem instantly drew her close to him, an arm around her waist and turned around to shield her from the brunt of the snow.
"Oof," he said. Snow hurt when that much fell on people suddenly.
"Calem, are you okay?" Serena said, brushing some snow from his hair.
"I'm fine, though I think I'll get a bruise" he said. "Serena, you okay?"
"Yes, but-" She hesitated. "You shielded me from most of it, Calem."
"Yeah," he said. "I wonder who thought of that plan. It was effective."
"Shauna," said Serena decisively. "Definitely Shauna."
He agreed. Shauna was more sly than she let on when she wanted to be.
"Calem, thank you" she said, brushing more snow from his clothes away.
Her featherlight touch on his body was making his heart beat fast. "It's no problem," he said, daring to brush some snow from her hair. "Serena, I-"
Plop. A snowball hit him on the head. From above? He looked up to see a grinning Tierno suddenly get cuffed by a frowning Trevor and an apologetic Shauna looking down at him. He groaned. Of all the times...
Serena looked up. "Hmm?"
"I guess they were just wanting to seal their win," he said. "Come on, let's get out of these wet clothes."
"Okay," she said softly.
***
December 22
"You didn't tell her then? Calem! That was like a golden opportunity! I mean, you were both walking home and all-"
"Yes, it was," said Trevor calmly as he tapped some keys on Calem's computer. "I'm surprised you didn't take it, Calem."
"But you ruined the better moment, Tierno, by dropping that snowball on Calem's head earlier" chastised Shauna from Calem's beanbag.
Calem shook his head. He knew nothing could get past Shauna.
"Really? What? Were you telling her then? I'm sorry, Calem."
He shook his head again. "It's all right, Tierno." It wasn't like he was sure that he could have said it at all in that moment, even if it was a good moment. It wasn't sure that Serena liked him back anyway.
"But there are other opportunities, Calem, you can just tell her then! It can't be hard, you're neighbors and can see each other everyday!"
His face burned with frustration. He could challenge Serena any day to a Pokemon battle but this was so much more different. All his cockiness was gone. "It isn't that simple, Tierno."
“Use your Kalosian tongue,” said Tierno with a grin. "She won't be able to resist you."
“Eew, Tierno” said Shauna.
“What? No! I meant that he should sweet-talk her! Calem can be a charmer if he wants to! I think.”
Trevor shook his head. “If Calem could do that he would have done it already.”
“Don’t listen to them, Calem” said Shauna, shushing the two and giving him an encouraging look. “Just tell her properly then ask her out on a date, that’s the best way!”
Shauna could usually be trusted about this kinds of things. Calem sighed. "Thanks, Shauna."
"We'll help" she said, Tierno and Trevor nodding vigorously.
"I know," said Trevor. "If Serena invites us to something, we have to pretend we're busy so that they'll be alone."
Shauna nodded. "That's a good plan. Didn't you say there was a new shop that opened in Lumiose City, Trevor?"
"Yeah, the place that sells good Hot Chocolate. My mother loves it."
Shauna smiled at him. "Serena really loves Hot Chocolate! Why don't you take her there?"
***
December 23
It had taken an hour of staring at his Holo Caster with his Pokemon giving him various looks ranging from encouragement to pity, but he had finally succeeded in inviting her out for Hot Chocolate at the new shop in Lumiose City, per their
suggestion. Maybe he could tell her on the way home then.
He noted the glum look on her face as they walked into Lumiose City. "What's wrong, Serena?"
"I invited everyone to come with us after you called me," she said despondently, "But I couldn't reach Tierno or Trevor or Shauna. I wanted to treat them to the Hot Chocolate too."
Calem sighed. He knew why all of them weren't answering their Holo Casters. "Let me try. You go ahead and get a spot for us five." After Serena had gone, he fired up his Holo Caster.
"Calem," Shauna answered immediately. "How is it going?"
"We didn't answer Serena's calls" said Tierno.
"Even though she was quite insistent with them," said Trevor.
He sighed. He really had good friends, but he didn't want Serena to be sad. If she really wanted to see the three of them... "Just come already."
"But Calem! This is your chance!"
He shook his head. "She was sad that she couldn't reach you guys. I want her to be happy today."
Trevor shook his head. "But-"
Shauna pushed Trevor out of the Holo Caster's viewing range. "All right, Calem, if you say so. We'll be there soon." He supposed the three of them were in Trevor's house, near the store.
Later, when Calem was back home and in his room, he received a call from Shauna.
"I'm sure you have a gift for Serena, right? Why don't you take it to her house after Christmas dinner? Then you can tell her properly after."
Calem mulled it over. It was better considering what his gift for her was. Hopefully he didn't lose his nerve...
***
December 24
Calem's family had just finished eating their Christmas dinner when he heard knocking at the door. His mother stood up to answer it.
"Where do you plan to train after the New Year, Calem?"
"I suppose I'll go back to Anistar City," Calem said. "Nothing decisive yet."
His mother peeked in the room. "Calem, you have a guest!"
"I do?" Maybe it was Shauna, though she had already given him his Christmas present.
His mother gave him a teasing smile. "You should freshen up, Calem!"
He groaned inwardly. Well, it wasn't like he expected his mother not to find out about his feelings for Serena. He rose to get to his room. At least his present to her was ready.
Going back down, he saw her in the living room.
"Hi," he said, feeling shy. He didn't remember Serena ever visiting his house before. "Merry Christmas."
She gave him a shy smile as she passed him a beautifully wrapped gift. "Um, Calem, this is my present. Merry Christmas!"
He grinned as he took it, sure that he was blushing. "Thanks. Can I open it?"
"Sure!" Her smile was so bright it was hard to look at her. "Um, be careful, okay?"
He felt its weight. It can't be, he thought, looking sideways at Serena who looked at him impishly. "You didn't-"
"You should open it!"
He carefully peeled off the tape and removed the wrapping paper. Opening the box, he was greeted with... a Bulbasaur? And was it holding a-
He looked at Serena, who beamed at him. "I thought you might want to train another Pokemon that can mega evolve, so..."
"Thank you," he said, patting the Bulbasaur who cheerfully greeted him. "I'll train him well." Inside, he was elated. Serena had given him a gift. Moreover, she had given him a Pokemon that could Mega Evolve and its Mega Stone...
"Serena, the Mega Stone..."
"I know," she said, smiling at him. "Maybe someday we can have a match? Mega Evolution against Mega Evolution?"
"Of course," Calem said, wondering how much she had paid for the Mega Stone. The last time he had checked the only place one could get the Venusarite without stealing Professor Platane's, the price was exorbitant. He'd bring it up later when she wasn't so on guard. "As much as you want."
His mother came in then, a tray with two mugs of hot chocolate in her hands. "Calem, oh, is that a Bulbasaur? It's cute! Serena, you must be cold without a scarf."
Serena blushed. "Oh, I forgot it at home."
"Excited to give Calem his gift? Well, this will warm you up," his mother said before winking at him. "Calem, make sure to walk her back after you've visited, okay?"
"Yes, Mom" he said, embarrassed at how his mother could clearly read his emotions for Serena. Still, it was kind of nice to know his mother approved of Serena. But of course who wouldn't like Serena, the beautiful Champion of Kalos? But he had met her, maybe even started liking her when they were still just children who had started out on a journey together.
"Anyway," said Calem, after he had watched her take a sip of the hot chocolate. "This is my gift for you. I was going to run over with it after dinner, but you beat me to it."
"Oh, thank you" she said. "Can I open it?"
He smiled. "Yeah. After all, it's kind of similar to your gift."
She opened the box carefully.
"Froakie!"
Her eyes widened. "Calem?" The blue Pokemon cheerfully hopped out of the box and into her arms, before hopping down to talk to his new Bulbasaur.
He scratched the back of his head. "Shauna said you were really happy when she gave you a Chespin, so-"
She hugged him then quickly, his arms reaching out to steady her. His cheeks were burning. "Calem, thank you!"
"You're welcome," he said, his arms tightening around her. "Serena, I-"
"Yes, Calem?" Her voice was breathless.
"I-" He stopped as he heard something fall from inside the dining room. Damn, he thought, his parents were probably listening in on them. "I... I'll walk you home."
"Oh," she said, exhaling as she pulled back. Was that disappointment on her face? He wasn't sure; maybe it was a trick of light. "Okay, yeah, it's getting late." She scooped up Froakie after placing its Pokeball in her bag.
"I don't want your Mom to worry," he said, pulling his extra scarf off a rack after putting on a coat. "Here, put this on."
"Calem? No, I'm fine, it's just a few steps away."
"Serena, just put it on. Can't have the Champion getting cold especially when she keeps forgetting her scarf," he said teasingly.
"All right," she said, putting it on. It was strangely soothing to see his scarf lovingly tucked around her neck. Calem shook his head. Love had made him sappy.
As they walked the few steps to her house in silence, he looked up at the sky. She might care, he thought. Next year, I'll tell her. Next year, we'll spend Christmas together for real if she says yes.
They had finally reached her doorstep. "Thank you," she said, unwrapping the scarf from her neck. "Your scarf's really warm."
He took it back. "You're welcome," he said. "I still have to repay you for that Mega Stone - I know how much it costs for those who haven't got an in with the shopkeeper, you know."
"It certainly didn't cost that much," she said with a smile that warmed him more than his coat and scarf. "Goodnight, Calem. Merry Christmas." She reached out to hug him again and he hugged her back, reveling in the fact that his parents probably weren't watching this time.
"Goodnight, Serena" he whispered in her ear and her shiver made him smile. Maybe he did have a chance. He supposed he would sing sappy Christmas songs for the rest of the night and all of tomorrow, but he honestly didn't mind.
December 26
The day after Christmas, he was greeted with a cheerful Serena on the Holo Caster after lunch.
“Calem, let’s go to Lumiose City! The pudding in this new shop, it’s supposed to be good!”
“Ah, okay. Do you want me to tell the others?”
She pouted. “No, let’s go, just the two of us.”
He couldn't believe what he was hearing. “W-What?”
She looked up at him with her eyelashes fluttering. “You don’t want to?”
He pulled down his cap to hide his blush and quickly took her hand, “Of course I do!”
He'll tell her today, he promised himself as they ran in the snow. It'll work out.
And it did.
Author:
Rating: T for some innuendo
Verse: Pokemon XY (games)
Characters/Pairings: Calem/Serena
Summary: The Christmas holiday is a perfect backdrop for romance... if Calem can only find his self-confidence and the right timing to confess his feelings to Serena.
Notes: Spoilers for the entire game of Pokemon X and Y. Written for Haruka_Malayo.
December 15
"Good job, Absol" said Calem, patting its white fur as he congratulated it on its hard work. "Especially in this cold weather." He turned to the boy he had just finished battling who had just recalled his fainted Pokemon. "Thank you for the game."
"It's been an honor," said the boy he had just finished battling. "To battle one of the Heroes of Kalos, You're really good," he added. "I really want to be as good as you someday, can you give me some tips?"
"Thank you," said Calem. "Tips? I can give you four."
"Really?"
"One is to bond with your Pokemon whenever you can. Not just training them, let them relax with you. Two, have friends or make friends during your journey. Three, find out what you want to achieve in your Pokemon journey. Do you want to specialize in battling? Breeding? Any specifications? Four-" He paused, an image of Serena flooding his mind. "Find a rival to inspire you to always do better in whatever you do."
"A rival?"
"Someone you don't want to lose to," he clarified. "But even if you do lose to that person, you still want to improve, to be that person's equal. Always." He had always lost to Serena even before she had become Champion, but he always wanted to do better and to let her see it. He wanted to be her equal, for more reasons than one. Something he hadn't told anyone about yet.
After the boy had left, his Holo Caster rang. When he pressed the button to receive the message, Shauna's face appeared.
"Calem, how are you? Um, your mom asked me to call you to remind you to come home for the holidays to Vaniville Town since you might be training and forget entirely. Serena's mom asked me to tell you to remind Serena too, if you see her and I quote, 'get her home'. We'll be waiting for you two here in Vaniville Town! Let's get together sometime during the holidays, okay?"
He shook his head, his face slightly red. "I don't even know where Serena is, how would I know how to find her, much less bring her back to Vaniville by any means?"
His Absol just shook its head. He groaned.
"It's not like I can just march into the Elite Four Headquarters and drag Serena out of there," he muttered, gathering up his things.
"Drag who?"
"Serena, the Champion, the beau-" He blinked, stopping midsentence. "Serena?"
Serena giggled, her Delphox not looking any more dignified. His Absol gave him a wry smile,, one Calem understood to mean 'if you had been paying attention I could have warned you earlier that she was coming near'.
"Hello," she said cheerfully, looking absolutely beautiful in her thick winter coat. "I heard from the Pokemon Center that there was an extraordinary trainer with an Absol that could mega-evolve among other well trained Pokemon in the area and Shauna asked me to find you, so..."
He groaned. Was Shauna making his life easier or difficult? At least he didn't have to make a fool of himself at the Elite Four Headquarters. "Really?"
She nodded.
"Well, she told me that your mom wants you to come home for the holidays. I- We do too," he said quickly, hoping she hadn't picked up on his slip.
Her smile was bright. "I missed you guys."
"... Yeah." He hoped that Serena didn't see how red his cheeks were.
"The Elite Four told me that we'd be able to go home for the holidays since most trainers don't really challenge us over the holidays, so..."
"That's good," he said. "Shall we go? Flying okay?"
"Yeah," she said.
***
"Do you want to take a break?"
Calem looked at Serena, who was slightly shivering after a few hours of flying. "You're cold? You don't have a scarf?"
She gave him a weak smile. "A little. I left it at the Elite Four Headquarters."
"Then we'll stop for today, anyway, it's almost dark. We're near Camphier Town," he said. "There we are," he said, gesturing for both their Talonflame to descend.
"Thank you, Calem" she said, getting off her Talonflame.
"Go inside and warm up," he said, pointing at the nearby Pokemon Center. "I have to get some of my Pokemon from the Pokemon Daycare, I'll be a while."
"Okay!"
He smiled as he walked to the Day Care. His gift for Serena was hopefully ready by now; he had made a special trip to the Day Care in the middle of his Mega Evolution research to deposit two of his Pokemon in preparation for Christmas.
December 17
Two days later, she had invited him to build snow Pokemon with her. There was a contest soon, Vaniville's annual snow Pokemon building contest, and she wanted to practice so that she wouldn't embarass herself there. Snow Pokemon - he had spent enough days as a child making those and he had always participated in the annual snow Pokemon building contest so he agreed.
"Trevor is determined to win the contest," he advised her. "You'll have to do better than him. He takes pictures of Pokemon from different angles to make better snow Pokemon."
"I know," she said. "But pictures can't beat live models, right?" She brought out some Pokeballs.
Calem nodded, he had thought Serena would say that so he had brought a polaroid camera. "But Pokemon models aren't allowed at the contest anymore, after one person brought a Wailord."
She wilted. "Really?"
He brought out the camera. "Let's just find a Pokemon you can make a good snow Pokemon of first, then we'll take pictures."
"Okay!" She brought out some Pokeballs and tossed them in the air. "Come out, everyone!"
Serena had been busy since he had last seen her, he realized as he looked at the Pokemon shaking off snow from their bodies. He hadn't seen some of the Pokemon she had brought out - had she gone to other regions in her short reign as Champion?
"Diglett!"
"Beautifly!"
"Ampharos!"
"Emolga!"
He smiled as he looked at them; they all looked very well cared for, as expected of Serena. "Maybe we should start wth a simple one first. Diglett maybe?"
"All right!" Serena recalled the other Pokemon. "So how will we do this?"
"We should make one each and I'll see what I can help you with," he said.
"Dig, Dig!"
His eyes softened as he watched Serena pat her Pokemon, She was such a good trainer, a good person. He was getting slightly obssessed, he berated himself. It's not like she likes you back, he reminded himself.
"Shall we start?"
***
"There, I'm done" he said after about thirty minutes. He critically looked over his snow Diglett. It wasn't as good as Trevor's would if he had been here, but it was pretty good on its own, he thought. Having been Trevor's friend for years, he had gotten some of Trevor's tricks out of him.
"Really?" Serena peeked from over his shoulder. "Oh, yours looks really nice!"
He smirked. "How's yours, Serena? Let me see-"
"Eeh! Don't look, Calem!"
He grinned as he pried her hands off his face, his cheeks red from the welcome contact. "How can I help you if you hide your work from me, Serena?"
She shielded her work from him. "You have to promise not to laugh."
Calem grinned at her desperate face, a rare sight that many of her defeated challengers would pay good money to see. "All right."
She moved away; Calem blinked as he took in her work. It wasn't so bad but...
"It's too small, Serena." Too small was an understatement. The snow Diglett she had made was actually smaller than a real Diglett.
"But-" Serena looked devastated. "Whenever I try making it bigger it collapses on me."
"Show me," he said. "I'll help you."
She reluctantly started making a ball of snow that was closer to a real Diglett's size.
"No, bigger than that" Calem advised. "One of the judges this year really gets swayed by size, not to meniton his eyesight isn't so good. If you choose a Pokemon that's pretty small you'll have to double its size at least."
"Really?" Part of the ball of snow broke off, causing her face to fall. "It keeps doing that."
"Here, let me show you" he said, his hands taking hold of hers and lifting them off the ball. "You have to roll it a little more, especially if you're making it bigger. You can cut the excess snow later off, but the packing is very important in this stage." He brought out a small sprayer from his pocket. "This is good snow, but if you're having trouble it helps to spray your ball of snow with water so that it won't crumble. Don't worry, that's allowed."
"Really? That's amazing!"
"Okay, then..."
***
December 21
"Let the annual Vaniville Snow Pokemon Making Contest begin!"
Calem took his time making his snow Absol, making sure to refer to his pictures at times. He didn't think he could beat Trevor, but he usually did well each year. He hoped Serena would be impressed with his work.
"Oh! Our reigning champion Trevor is making good timing on his... what do you think it is?"
"It looks like a Aurorus," enthused one of the judges. "A very difficult Pokemon to make a snow version of, especially with its beautiful frills!"
"But take a look at our very own Champion's work! Is that a..."
"It's an Altaria!" The judge looked enchanted. "When I saw the Champion's Altaria during the match that was televised last month, it looked beautiful! It'd be amazing if she can recreate her Altaria in snow!"
Calem smiled. Altaria was a good choice for Serena, with its body being able to be derived from a basic tightly packed ball of snow. Serena also knew her Altaria well, based on comments that she had been using it a lot in her battles lately.
***
"Congratulations on getting third place," said Calem cheerfully, his Absol at his side, His Absol had been amused at the snow Absol he had made, nuzzling him affectionately after it had examined its snow version.
"Thank you," said Serena, patting her Altaria. "It's thanks to you actually, you really helped me out with your tips and your pictures. But congratulations, Calem! Second place! You didn't tell me that you were so good at making snow Pokemon when you helped me!"
"It's just years of practice," he said quickly, feeling his cheeks warm. "Watching Trevor all these years helped a lot."
She smiled back at him. "But your Absol was beautiful," she said, looking at his snow Absol. "Such detail in the fur and how well you detailed its eyes..."
"Not as good as Trevor, though" he said. "He's never done an Aurorus before, but it paid off. But you were great considering you couldn't pack snow properly just a few days ago."
She grinned. "I practiced all the time," she said.
"I know." This was what drew him to Serena, he thought, her determination to do things well even if she had no experience in them. Pokemon training. Mega Evolution. Trainer PR videos. Being a Champion. Everything. He was pretty obssessed, he thought to himself.
A snowball hit him in the face. "Wha-"
He brushed the snow off his face to see Serena a few meters away, grinning at him. "I'll show you how much my snow packing skills have improved!"
"I'll get you for that," he said, picking up some snow and reflexively packing it into a snowball.
She stuck her tongue out at him before darting into the nearby clearing and away from the snow Pokemon.
"Oh, Tierno, Calem and Serena are having a snowball fight!"
"Should we stop them?" Trevor looked anxious.
"No, we should join in" said Tierno, tossing a snowball at the surprised Trevor.
"I'll get you for that, Tierno" he said, brushing the snow off his face.
***
"I've caught you," he said, a massive snowball in his hand as he cornered her. "Serena, you can't escape."
"Eeh? Calem! Mercy?"
"No mercy," he said. "That last one of yours that hit me really smarted, Serena. Shouldn't have taught you how to pack snow so well if you were going to hit me with snowballs."
"I already knew how to pack snowballs at least before you taught me to make snow Pokemon," she protested.
He laughed. "Well, this is what's waiting for you" he said, his hand with the massive snowball inching closer-
"Bombs away," cried Tierno from above them. They both turned to see a massive amount of snow falling towards them. Without thinking, Calem instantly drew her close to him, an arm around her waist and turned around to shield her from the brunt of the snow.
"Oof," he said. Snow hurt when that much fell on people suddenly.
"Calem, are you okay?" Serena said, brushing some snow from his hair.
"I'm fine, though I think I'll get a bruise" he said. "Serena, you okay?"
"Yes, but-" She hesitated. "You shielded me from most of it, Calem."
"Yeah," he said. "I wonder who thought of that plan. It was effective."
"Shauna," said Serena decisively. "Definitely Shauna."
He agreed. Shauna was more sly than she let on when she wanted to be.
"Calem, thank you" she said, brushing more snow from his clothes away.
Her featherlight touch on his body was making his heart beat fast. "It's no problem," he said, daring to brush some snow from her hair. "Serena, I-"
Plop. A snowball hit him on the head. From above? He looked up to see a grinning Tierno suddenly get cuffed by a frowning Trevor and an apologetic Shauna looking down at him. He groaned. Of all the times...
Serena looked up. "Hmm?"
"I guess they were just wanting to seal their win," he said. "Come on, let's get out of these wet clothes."
"Okay," she said softly.
***
December 22
"You didn't tell her then? Calem! That was like a golden opportunity! I mean, you were both walking home and all-"
"Yes, it was," said Trevor calmly as he tapped some keys on Calem's computer. "I'm surprised you didn't take it, Calem."
"But you ruined the better moment, Tierno, by dropping that snowball on Calem's head earlier" chastised Shauna from Calem's beanbag.
Calem shook his head. He knew nothing could get past Shauna.
"Really? What? Were you telling her then? I'm sorry, Calem."
He shook his head again. "It's all right, Tierno." It wasn't like he was sure that he could have said it at all in that moment, even if it was a good moment. It wasn't sure that Serena liked him back anyway.
"But there are other opportunities, Calem, you can just tell her then! It can't be hard, you're neighbors and can see each other everyday!"
His face burned with frustration. He could challenge Serena any day to a Pokemon battle but this was so much more different. All his cockiness was gone. "It isn't that simple, Tierno."
“Use your Kalosian tongue,” said Tierno with a grin. "She won't be able to resist you."
“Eew, Tierno” said Shauna.
“What? No! I meant that he should sweet-talk her! Calem can be a charmer if he wants to! I think.”
Trevor shook his head. “If Calem could do that he would have done it already.”
“Don’t listen to them, Calem” said Shauna, shushing the two and giving him an encouraging look. “Just tell her properly then ask her out on a date, that’s the best way!”
Shauna could usually be trusted about this kinds of things. Calem sighed. "Thanks, Shauna."
"We'll help" she said, Tierno and Trevor nodding vigorously.
"I know," said Trevor. "If Serena invites us to something, we have to pretend we're busy so that they'll be alone."
Shauna nodded. "That's a good plan. Didn't you say there was a new shop that opened in Lumiose City, Trevor?"
"Yeah, the place that sells good Hot Chocolate. My mother loves it."
Shauna smiled at him. "Serena really loves Hot Chocolate! Why don't you take her there?"
***
December 23
It had taken an hour of staring at his Holo Caster with his Pokemon giving him various looks ranging from encouragement to pity, but he had finally succeeded in inviting her out for Hot Chocolate at the new shop in Lumiose City, per their
suggestion. Maybe he could tell her on the way home then.
He noted the glum look on her face as they walked into Lumiose City. "What's wrong, Serena?"
"I invited everyone to come with us after you called me," she said despondently, "But I couldn't reach Tierno or Trevor or Shauna. I wanted to treat them to the Hot Chocolate too."
Calem sighed. He knew why all of them weren't answering their Holo Casters. "Let me try. You go ahead and get a spot for us five." After Serena had gone, he fired up his Holo Caster.
"Calem," Shauna answered immediately. "How is it going?"
"We didn't answer Serena's calls" said Tierno.
"Even though she was quite insistent with them," said Trevor.
He sighed. He really had good friends, but he didn't want Serena to be sad. If she really wanted to see the three of them... "Just come already."
"But Calem! This is your chance!"
He shook his head. "She was sad that she couldn't reach you guys. I want her to be happy today."
Trevor shook his head. "But-"
Shauna pushed Trevor out of the Holo Caster's viewing range. "All right, Calem, if you say so. We'll be there soon." He supposed the three of them were in Trevor's house, near the store.
Later, when Calem was back home and in his room, he received a call from Shauna.
"I'm sure you have a gift for Serena, right? Why don't you take it to her house after Christmas dinner? Then you can tell her properly after."
Calem mulled it over. It was better considering what his gift for her was. Hopefully he didn't lose his nerve...
***
December 24
Calem's family had just finished eating their Christmas dinner when he heard knocking at the door. His mother stood up to answer it.
"Where do you plan to train after the New Year, Calem?"
"I suppose I'll go back to Anistar City," Calem said. "Nothing decisive yet."
His mother peeked in the room. "Calem, you have a guest!"
"I do?" Maybe it was Shauna, though she had already given him his Christmas present.
His mother gave him a teasing smile. "You should freshen up, Calem!"
He groaned inwardly. Well, it wasn't like he expected his mother not to find out about his feelings for Serena. He rose to get to his room. At least his present to her was ready.
Going back down, he saw her in the living room.
"Hi," he said, feeling shy. He didn't remember Serena ever visiting his house before. "Merry Christmas."
She gave him a shy smile as she passed him a beautifully wrapped gift. "Um, Calem, this is my present. Merry Christmas!"
He grinned as he took it, sure that he was blushing. "Thanks. Can I open it?"
"Sure!" Her smile was so bright it was hard to look at her. "Um, be careful, okay?"
He felt its weight. It can't be, he thought, looking sideways at Serena who looked at him impishly. "You didn't-"
"You should open it!"
He carefully peeled off the tape and removed the wrapping paper. Opening the box, he was greeted with... a Bulbasaur? And was it holding a-
He looked at Serena, who beamed at him. "I thought you might want to train another Pokemon that can mega evolve, so..."
"Thank you," he said, patting the Bulbasaur who cheerfully greeted him. "I'll train him well." Inside, he was elated. Serena had given him a gift. Moreover, she had given him a Pokemon that could Mega Evolve and its Mega Stone...
"Serena, the Mega Stone..."
"I know," she said, smiling at him. "Maybe someday we can have a match? Mega Evolution against Mega Evolution?"
"Of course," Calem said, wondering how much she had paid for the Mega Stone. The last time he had checked the only place one could get the Venusarite without stealing Professor Platane's, the price was exorbitant. He'd bring it up later when she wasn't so on guard. "As much as you want."
His mother came in then, a tray with two mugs of hot chocolate in her hands. "Calem, oh, is that a Bulbasaur? It's cute! Serena, you must be cold without a scarf."
Serena blushed. "Oh, I forgot it at home."
"Excited to give Calem his gift? Well, this will warm you up," his mother said before winking at him. "Calem, make sure to walk her back after you've visited, okay?"
"Yes, Mom" he said, embarrassed at how his mother could clearly read his emotions for Serena. Still, it was kind of nice to know his mother approved of Serena. But of course who wouldn't like Serena, the beautiful Champion of Kalos? But he had met her, maybe even started liking her when they were still just children who had started out on a journey together.
"Anyway," said Calem, after he had watched her take a sip of the hot chocolate. "This is my gift for you. I was going to run over with it after dinner, but you beat me to it."
"Oh, thank you" she said. "Can I open it?"
He smiled. "Yeah. After all, it's kind of similar to your gift."
She opened the box carefully.
"Froakie!"
Her eyes widened. "Calem?" The blue Pokemon cheerfully hopped out of the box and into her arms, before hopping down to talk to his new Bulbasaur.
He scratched the back of his head. "Shauna said you were really happy when she gave you a Chespin, so-"
She hugged him then quickly, his arms reaching out to steady her. His cheeks were burning. "Calem, thank you!"
"You're welcome," he said, his arms tightening around her. "Serena, I-"
"Yes, Calem?" Her voice was breathless.
"I-" He stopped as he heard something fall from inside the dining room. Damn, he thought, his parents were probably listening in on them. "I... I'll walk you home."
"Oh," she said, exhaling as she pulled back. Was that disappointment on her face? He wasn't sure; maybe it was a trick of light. "Okay, yeah, it's getting late." She scooped up Froakie after placing its Pokeball in her bag.
"I don't want your Mom to worry," he said, pulling his extra scarf off a rack after putting on a coat. "Here, put this on."
"Calem? No, I'm fine, it's just a few steps away."
"Serena, just put it on. Can't have the Champion getting cold especially when she keeps forgetting her scarf," he said teasingly.
"All right," she said, putting it on. It was strangely soothing to see his scarf lovingly tucked around her neck. Calem shook his head. Love had made him sappy.
As they walked the few steps to her house in silence, he looked up at the sky. She might care, he thought. Next year, I'll tell her. Next year, we'll spend Christmas together for real if she says yes.
They had finally reached her doorstep. "Thank you," she said, unwrapping the scarf from her neck. "Your scarf's really warm."
He took it back. "You're welcome," he said. "I still have to repay you for that Mega Stone - I know how much it costs for those who haven't got an in with the shopkeeper, you know."
"It certainly didn't cost that much," she said with a smile that warmed him more than his coat and scarf. "Goodnight, Calem. Merry Christmas." She reached out to hug him again and he hugged her back, reveling in the fact that his parents probably weren't watching this time.
"Goodnight, Serena" he whispered in her ear and her shiver made him smile. Maybe he did have a chance. He supposed he would sing sappy Christmas songs for the rest of the night and all of tomorrow, but he honestly didn't mind.
December 26
The day after Christmas, he was greeted with a cheerful Serena on the Holo Caster after lunch.
“Calem, let’s go to Lumiose City! The pudding in this new shop, it’s supposed to be good!”
“Ah, okay. Do you want me to tell the others?”
She pouted. “No, let’s go, just the two of us.”
He couldn't believe what he was hearing. “W-What?”
She looked up at him with her eyelashes fluttering. “You don’t want to?”
He pulled down his cap to hide his blush and quickly took her hand, “Of course I do!”
He'll tell her today, he promised himself as they ran in the snow. It'll work out.
And it did.