Title: The Opposite of Faith
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Ash/Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #33, The Opposite of Faith

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, suicide, implied adultery, fanon

 

            “You lied to me,” He says quietly. His hands are folded neatly in his lap, and his eyes downcast, but that does not make the words any easier to bear, no matter how humble the speaker looks.

            He stares at him, ruby eyes tracing over night-black, lean muscles beneath, beautiful, and he feels something twinge in his heart but he cannot answer.

            “There is only one path left for me now.” He says, as he sets the vial down on the mahogany desk between them. Light sparkles over a tiny bottle, and inside perhaps a drop, two, of some rose-colored liquid.

            “Why?”

            His smile is bitter as he unstops the glass. “Because it hurts too much otherwise.” He lifts it in an ironical salute, swallows.

            For a moment, nothing, before he smiles, blindingly sweet, and crumples.

 

            The other is still in shock, and it takes him a moment to get his composure before terror snaps him into motion and he almost vaults over the desk in his haste. He feels for a pulse, but finds none, and the only consolation is that golden eyes are closed so he does not have to face their accusing stare.

            Only then, does he cry, and as the tide breaks in his chest, the tears run down his cheeks.

 

            Sometimes, it is better to be dead and forever loved, Lance thinks, as he watches Red preside over his funeral. It’s certainly a grand one, and though there are plenty of rumors over its cause, they put it down to stress and that’s as good an excuse as any. He turns to glance at the other occupant in the carriage, who laughs, and shakes her gray head, watching with fire-red eyes.

            It is all right for now.

           

            “Do you hate him for it?” She asks.

            “Yes.” Lance says honestly. “And I wish for him to suffer as he made me suffer. He’ll find happiness again, no doubt, but it will never be pure again.”

            “He is tainted now.” She says thoughtfully. “Such a pity.”

            He agrees, and as Red kneels before his tombstone and cries, he feels a strange sense of vindictive satisfaction.

            Now I know you love me…

            How fitting.

 

End Fic

Completed 11/8/06

Red:  *Cries*

Lance: That’s what you get for cheating on me!

Phantomness: *Nods*