Title: In Retrospect
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Metroshipping (Wallace x Ruby)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #60, Dress
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks. Special-verse

Warnings: AU, cross-dressing, shonen-ai

Summary: Norman attempts to muster some enthusiasm for Ruby’s hobby. He really wishes he hadn’t.

The Petalburg City gym leader warily glanced around, as if expecting a news reporter to jump out of the bushes and question him. The problem with being a gym leader was that the press followed you everywhere, no matter what. He nodded to the receptionist as he walked into the Contest Hall, not quite sure how he felt. Finding a seat in the back of the relatively crowded auditorium, he took a deep breath and waited for the Contest to begin. Ruby had mentioned that he was coming to Lilycove today, so he was no doubt participating in the Master Rank contest, garnering more attention.

Norman settled himself down to wait, as the MC came on and announced that the Master Rank Beauty contest would begin in a few minutes. Moments later, four contestants stood there. Norman rubbed his eyes, before frowning. Ruby wasn’t among them, though he did see Wallace and his Luvdisc, Elizabeth, standing on one of the platforms, along with a cheerleader. Norman deflated slightly, disappointed. However, he resolved to stay and watch. He’d already flown all the way here, so there was no sense in leaving.

It’s quite different from what he’s used to, but at least all the pokemon shown are in decent condition, and he applauds quietly when Wallace wins handily. Luvdisc has come through for him once again, and he does wish the Sootopolis Gym Leader would apply his skills more to battling, but he thinks he is beginning to understand a little about this other world.

Only… there’s something about that girl that seems ridiculous, which is odd, because Norman’s quite sure he doesn’t bother with those silly frivolous cheerleaders, all dressed in frilly white and blue.

“Lovely, lovely, Mikuri~!” The girl calls, waving her pompoms, her mane of long black hair bouncing up and down as Wallace smiles indulgently, takes a bow, and the cameras flash.

That’s when it hits him, and his heart almost stops.

… Ruby?

What is the boy doing?

Norman’s not quite sure how he makes it outside without running into anyone or anything, and he’s halfway across town to the port so he can get out of here before he does something he regrets, but what he’s thinking about most is how can Wallace let Ruby get away with something like this?

He’s going to have a long talk with that gym leader…

“Did I do well today?” Ruby preens, as Wallace just shakes his head, smiling, as he drives towards the hotel. Ruby’s cute, too cute sometimes, but Wallace doesn’t mind taking advantage of it. He parks quietly as they walk up to the room, and after the door closes behind him, he grabs the little minx and kisses him to make his feelings on the issue quite clear.

Ruby just beams, eyes aglitter, when Wallace pulls away… and the rest of the night is quite fun indeed, though Wallace pales when he gets a phone call from Norman the next morning.

End Fic

Completed 5/20/07

Metroshipping is fast becoming my new favorite. Meh, Originshipping’s good for angst, but Metroshipping is damn cute! And I like jailbait *nodnod*

And I have a chemistry final tomorrow I should be studying for but I feel delusional so I’m writing fic instead!

Dude, this was fun. Way fun to write! Angst can get you down after a while… but fluff can make you *happy*!