Title: Poetry
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Ash/Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #48, Poem
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: Shonen-ai

Red chews on the tip of his pencil anxiously as he scribbles. The eraser squeaks and makes wet grayish smears as he harshly wipes out the words.

He can’t do it.

Why is it so hard to do?

All he has to do, really, is write a poem to Lance. It doesn’t even have to be love poetry! But as he wracks his mind, he can’t even think of a limerick or haiku.

This is really pathetic!

He hears footsteps, and quickly shoves the paper into his vest. Lance walks in, stifling a yawn.

“Hi, Red.”

“H-Hi!”

“Is something wrong? You seem exceptionally nervous today.” Lance peers at him quizzically, and he flushes.

“It’s nothing…”

“I see. Well, I got you this.” Lance hands him a pretty package, and he unwraps it, seeing a box full of chocolates, little rosettes filled with – he grins, as he tastes – caramel and cherry.

“I’m sorry.” He says, around a mouthful of chocolate.

“What for?” His lover looks honestly perplexed, and Red sighs as he pulls the crumpled piece of paper out of his vest and proffers it.

“I tried to write you a poem, I really did, but...”

Lance shushes him, and kisses him, and he sighs.

“Red, it’s the thought that counts.”

“Still, it doesn’t even rhyme!”

“But these are your true feelings, right?”

“Yes…”

“Then don’t fret.” Lance grinned, and kissed him.

Red tasted chocolate and cherry and caramel, and he nodded. Maybe Lance was right. It was his heart that mattered, not presents, though he wished he’d worked harder. Oh well.

“Besides,” Lance adds, as he flops onto the bed, “I’m sure you can make it up to me if you really feel guilty.”

For a second Red stares at Lance in abject horror, before he starts to smile.

Lance is right. Why should he be guilty? He did try his best.

But now it’s time to have fun!

He bounces on the bed after Lance, and beams.

End Fic

Completed 9/17/06

Poetry is like fanfic! Inspiration comes and goes…

Red: ^^
Lance: How fluffy *Hugs Red*