Title: Barter
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #29, Barter
Rating: PG-13
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, prostitution, het, lolita

Snow fell quietly, wispy white flakes brushing his cheeks as he stalked through the streets. It was getting late, and he wanted nothing more than to get home. A footstep sounded behind him, and he felt something brush against his cloak. Golden eyes narrowed as he caught sight of a young teen with messy black hair and the most intriguing eyes he had ever seen.

“Yes?” He asked.

The girl shivered in her ragged brown dress, but met his gaze squarely. “Sir, I will take you to my room for a piece of bread.”

The words gave him a start, and he realized that it was not quite a lost child, but a child prostitute. With a sigh, he nodded.

“Follow me.”

Her feet were bare and frosty blue at the edges, and surely she was slowing dying out in the cold. It would be heartless to leave her.

Warmth and food he could provide easily, and she did look quite charming.

His companion perked up at that. Lance walked quickly, his boots crunching against the snow as he strode towards his apartment. Moments later, he palmed the door open, ignoring the gasp of shock and awe.

“First things first,” Lance said critically, “What’s your name?”

“Red…”

“I see. Well, what would you like for dinner?”

Her eyes widened. The man walked briskly between the cabinets, fingertips flickering with power. “You’re a mage?”

Lance nodded curtly, before he decided. Before long, Red was seated in front of a steaming tray of vegetables, biscuits, and chicken soup. The girl happily applied herself to the food as he watched, eyes hooded.

Red ate heartily, before he turned to the man a bit nervously. “Um… what should I call you?” He asked hesitantly.

The redhead half-smiled at her. “You may call me Wataru.”

“Oh, all right. Wataru…”

“Wait,” Lance said, as he began steering her down a hallway. She blinked, before realizing that they were heading into a bathing chamber. Steam billowed from a hot tub, and Red gratefully sank into the water as he followed, stripping off his clothing with a few practiced motions.

For long moments, neither one said anything, before the whore finally worked up her courage and reached out a hand.

He frowned at her, as if he were an adult chastising a naughty child. “You shouldn’t force yourself to do this.”

“But…” She goggled at him. “How else am I supposed to pay you?”

Lance smirked, pulling Red into a kiss. “Well, I didn’t say you couldn’t enjoy it.” He purred, watching crimson eyes widen in realization.

After that, things were relatively simple.

End Fic

Completed 1/10/07

Edited 6/1/09

Bartering is trading for what you want, but without money. It usually only works in small societies and involves a lot of wasted time and it takes many trades to finally get what you want.

I don’t want to study economics! *Wail* Midterm. Grr.