Title: Thief
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #14, Steal
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

Warnings: AU, shonen-ai, shota

Lance tightened his grip on the boy’s wrist. “Thought you’d rob me and get away with it, did you?”

Radiant ruby eyes drilled into his defiantly. * Interesting… *

“You nobles stole from us first! The taxes are so high that my family is starving!”

Lance narrowed his eyes, before asking his next question. “Who is your family head?”

“Father and Uncle were both sent to the Eastern Front to fight for Kanto!”

“Well, as I am not native to this region, I hardly say that the state of affairs is my fault.” Lance was beginning to wish that he’d stayed in Johto. “However, letting children starve is despicable.”

He drew a purse out of his cloak and handed it to the boy, who blinked in confusion.

“Y-you’re giving this to me?”

“I would have if you had just asked.” The Lord said dryly.

Red flushed in shame. “… Oh…” He said in a small voice.

He’d be able to pay off the landowner and buy some food, at least enough for a few weeks.

Who was this man? And why was he doing this? Was it a trick?

But the silver and gold were real enough…

Satisfied, Lance walked away.

Three years later, he spotted a familiar face when the King of Kanto came to visit. Fascinating…

Red shyly blushed when their gazes met. His father Drake had saved the King’s life in battle, and become a Lord.

Now, they were of the royal class, no longer peasants. The reward had been of a small estate and much gold, enough to pay off their debts.

Alas, his uncle Giovanni had died in battle and not come home, leaving his cousin Silver an orphan.

His mother had given birth to a baby girl named Yellow. She would live as a Lady, in the lap of luxury.

Sometimes, being the eldest sucked.

“Lord Red.” Lance gave a curt bow to the young lord.

The black-haired noble flushed under his scrutinizing gaze, tugging at his lace sleeve. “I never thanked you.”

“It is not necessary.”

“Yes it is.” Red flushed. “You saved my family. We might have starved otherwise – me and my siblings.”

“Your father won much glory in the war, did he not?”

“Yes, but…” Red fidgeted. “I still wanted…”

Lance hid a smile. What a naïve child. “You should not mention such things so openly, Lord Red.”

The teen resembled his name now. “Well… in any case, thank you…”

“Or the consequences may be disastrous.” With that, Lance leaned forwards and kissed the startled child.

Beautiful.

He gathered that squirming bundle of gilt-edged velvet into his arms, mesmerized. Those eyes were magnificent, as jewels…

Red didn’t even think about struggling. He just gazed up at Lance, dazed.

“My, my. Have I stolen your heart?” The man teased.

“Perhaps,” Red breathed.

“In that case, we are even, are we not?” He purred, as he began steering Red in the direction of his chambers.

Red just nodded, and made no protest.

End Fic

Completed 11/2/07

Purposely not giving Red’s age! He’s probably 13-ish at the beginning of the fic, or around there…

Red: *Blush*

Lance: You are such jailbait!

Phantomness: *Nods*