Title: Hobbies and such
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Metroshipping (Wallace x Ruby)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #163, Addiction
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: Future fic, friendship more than a shipping, really

He’s addicted to fame – how could he not be? He’s standing there with mike in hand, a devil-may-care grin on his face, white hat perched on top of his short black hair, while Coco preens next to him, pink hearts still spiraling in the air around them. She’s purring, as the announcer pins yet another Master Rank Cute Ribbon to her furry cape, the little pom-poms bouncing like a cheerleader’s.

Wallace watches with an indulgent smile, proud of how far along his protégé has gotten.

It’s a few years later when he hears the news of Shinou, a new region, with more Contests, so he packs up, and Wallace takes him there via aircar, admonishing him (only a little) not to show off too much. They touch base in Hearthome City, and Ruby dashes off to the Poffin house, eager to learn a new skill. After all, if these little cakes can make his pokemon even more beautiful, he’s all for it!

Wallace follows at a statelier pace, and arrives to find Ruby clothed in a pink fluffy apron, furiously stirring berry batter. The woman at the entrance makes eyes at him, but he tactfully ignores it as he glides to his apprentice’s side.

Ruby flashes him a bright smile, flipping a finished Sweet Poffin into the air and catching it. “Want a taste?”

“Why not?” Wallace agrees, and they sit at the long table nearby. Ruby beams, and Wallace chews thoughtfully. He’s not sure if it’s making him cuter or not, though it certainly tastes scrumptious, but Ruby is already adorable. Ruby, he’s nodding furiously, listening to an old woman at a nearby table speak about the different contest categories in Shinou while taking notes.

Wallace wonders briefly what he’s unleashed, and he can see Ruby’s eyes sparkle in fascination as she mentions dress-up and accessories and dancing, seeing the wheels spinning behind mischievous claret.

He thinks they’ll be staying in Shinou for a while, but he doesn’t mind. The Elite will contact him if anything comes up, and it will be relaxing to think about nothing but contests for a while.

That night, Ruby hugs him tightly with a bright grin, and says that tomorrow, they should make Poffins together, and Wallace kisses him goodnight, perfectly chaste – for now – before they fall asleep in each other’s arms.

Six months later, Wallace gets a call from Norman, asking him how Ruby became an idol, and what he’s doing in Shinou, and Wallace just laughs.

End Fic

Completed 6/5/07

Metroshipping = absolutely adorable. ^^ And in my humble opinion, Ruby would love Shinou’s Contests… come on, dress-up and dancing? ^^