RedxGreen: Flutter

"Play for me."

Green blinked, frowning a little and nudging Red over to look at him. Red's smile only widened, and then he laughed, tugging Green closer to nuzzle his hair. "C'mon, Green, don't look at me like you're confused. I said play for me."

He laughed as well, then rolled his eyes in mock annoyance, burying his face in Red's shoulder. "...But I'm comfortable," he whispered against Red's skin.

It wasn't a lie; spending a lazy afternoon with Red curled up into him like an extra blanket had to be the single most comfortable position he could be in.

He felt a sharp finger poke his side, and then Red's weight shifted off of him. He blinked again just before Red leaned in to steal a quick kiss. "Play for me."

He opened his mouth to reply, but Red was already pushing the covers off himself, letting Green enjoy the somewhat rare experience of seeing Red naked for all of about six seconds before the Champion was tugging his clothes on. Green sighed to himself, sheepishly scratching his head before sitting up to follow him. "...I guess I don't really have a choice, then, do I?"

–

Green hadn't always been musical. He'd been playing all his life, but his playing an instrument was nothing musical for him; it was just another thing he'd been forced to do ever since he was old enough, and he'd detested it. He hated the piano. He hated how short his fingers were compared to the length of keys. He hated his instructor. He hated being stuck playing the same stupid classical arrangements by the same stupid dead guy over and over. It was boring, it was pointless, and he cursed himself for having a talent for it, because it meant his family was going to keep forcing it on him.

As soon as he was old enough to become a Trainer, he put his real passion first, abandoning the wretched instrument and taking up raising and battling Pokémon. It was much more fulfilling for him, being able to exercise a talent for something he enjoyed.

...Then again, it'd taken having his hard work as a Trainer slammed into the dirt and his dreams crushed to make him realize what a snotty, self-absorbed, outright sociopathic little brat he was.

Not that he'd have to start from scratch again – hardly. His defeat at Red's hands had been the reality check he'd needed to to figure out what he really wanted out of his life. And, as it happened, he'd found he was perfectly happy not being Champion. He didn't have to be the best when he was still pretty damn good. He had fun, he got good challengers, he still loved what he did, and, hell, he even became Viridian's Gym Leader. He had friends in the few people he could tolerate, he had a boyfriend in Red, and he had his place among the ranks of the world's best trainers. Not bad.

–

"You should wash up first."

Red was grinning – trying and failing to hide his amusement. Green could only roll his eyes. "Red, do you want me to play for you, or not?"

Red was still grinning when he jerked his thumb up, gesturing in the direction of the washroom. "Don't be lazy. You'll get distracted, and then you won't have time before you have to go back to Viridian."

"Lazy" happened to be Red's personal favorite way of describing him, and if there was one way to get Green to do something, it was to challenge him to prove Red wrong.

"Fine," Green snorted before turning around, setting off to find an appropriate change of clothes. Before he got far, he felt his wrist held in an iron grip, and spun around to find Red right behind him. He opened his mouth to ask what the hell he was on, but Red stopped him, his grin softening into a smile.

"...And I'd like to join you."

–

Green wasn't sure how he'd gotten the thought, but, one day, procrastinating from his duties as Viridian's Leader once again, he'd found himself back in front of the piano. Aside from the fact that he hadn't touched the thing in years, nothing seemed to have changed – except for him. His hands were bigger, his reflexes better, and he, himself, more mature.

What the hell, he'd thought, turning over the sheet music his sister had been using earlier.

He'd begun playing again, at first to pass the time, and, gradually, just because it was fun. Hypnotic, even. He was playing the same stupid notes composed by the same stupid dead guy millions and millions of people before him had played, yet he still felt like he was creating something. There was movement in the sound, now. He could close his eyes, relaxing and still concentrating as he let his fingers do the work.

It wasn't anything great – just a teenager playing an instrument. But Green enjoyed it. There was a lot of things he'd never considered before, even with his supposed talent. Music was about a lot of things – rhythm, melody, tempo and measure spoke for themselves, but aside from reading sheet music, there was little about it that was visual. It was much more about sound and feeling than anything. It couldn't be preserved or kept when it was played the way it was, and he couldn't explain it, but the music he played seemed to carry an actual weight to it, seemed to be an actual, tangible object until he finished the piece. It was so temporary, but expressed so much.

Then again, he'd always been overthinking things. He tried to be deep, but knew he was really only making an emo loser of himself when he talked about those things around anyone besides Red. That was the beauty of playing – he didn't need to say anything stupid, deep, or meaningful. He just played. He wasn't being the insecure shit he was, and was still getting across what he needed to.

It became a hobby. Not his life's passion, the way raising Pokémon was, but a good way to relax when he needed to. Instead of bitching, shouting, and blaming everyone else for his failures, he could play.

For the most part, he kept his hobby a secret. He didn't like keeping his personal and social life together, so he never played to entertain the few friends he let into his house. He'd occasionally mention it to a buddy, or use it to brush off someone who was trying to impress him with their musical knowledge, but, like with friendship in general, he didn't feel the need to share it with anyone.

His Pokémon were almost always around when he played. Leaf loved listening to and watching him play (and, much to his annoyance, insisted on talking the whole time), and his sister and grandfather were often around to hear. As far as human audiences, he didn't have much of one outside of the Pokémon stadium, and he was just fine with that. The exception, of course, was Red, the exception to just about everything in his life.

He didn't mind if Red wanted to listen.

–

He was still toweling off when Red was finished pulling his cap on. Red was by no means a speed demon – much unlike a boy from Sinnoh who Green had once met, but Red was no-nonsense in his routine: quick, efficient, and focused. It was that same attitude that had won him the Championship, no doubt.

Red slipped out of the bathroom nonchalantly, and Green took the chance to examine himself in the mirror. He hadn't planned on their shower being especially intimate (as intimate as they could get, anyways... They weren't nearly ready for that), but, with Red, he'd learned to expect the unexpected. Predictability was a rare luxury in Green's life.

His boyfriend had never been aggressive or even rough, but sometimes he bit too hard or sucked too long without realizing it. Green never minded the pain, but the obvious red-and-purple splotches and bruises on his neck were more than a little embarrassing to sport. ...Not that Red marking him up wasn't supremely sexy, but it made him an easy target for his grandfather's teasing, and awkward inquiries about his as-of-yet nonexistant sex life.

"Shit," he mumbled. Looking over the ravaged skin, he could tell he was going to have some obvious marks for a few days. Now he had to awkwardly ask his sister if he could borrow make-up and go through a WHOLE other routine...

"Green? Are you almost done?"

He sighed, deciding it wasn't worth it to keep making a fuss about it. "Yeah, be right out."

Red was waiting for him next to the piano, the same as he had numerous times before. He smiled warmly, and Green swallowed, trying to convince himself he was imagining the flutter in his stomach and the way his heart seemed to be beating harder in his chest. It's just Red, he thought to himself. If you can mess around with him in the shower no problem, why are you blushing over this? Stupid! You're acting like a girl!

He smiled back, almost shy in the way he approached him. He took a seat at the piano bench, and he swallowed when Red's smile widened. Red pulled a nearby stool closer and sat down, still watching Green as though fascinated.

He didn't say anything – he didn't need to.

Green took a deep breath before reaching up to adjust the sheet music he'd left up. It didn't matter what he played, really. They'd still enjoy it.

He lifted the cover off the keys and began to play.

–

Red watched, mouth drawn back in a simple, content smile. It was different like this, being alone with Green: No Pokémon, no onlookers, no judges, no battles. They were completely to themselves.

He'd never heard Green play before. He'd caught a few notes from listening through the door before knocking, or catch Green humming the same piece his fingers had played not long before, but for how curious Red had been, and for how many months they'd been together, Red had never been there when he played.

The song started simply, with a few soft notes that fell together and reminded Red of falling raindrops. Suddenly drawn in by the melody, he found himself feeling more and more at peace, more and more drawn to the face reading the music and not the fingers hitting the keys.

Green knew this piece well, Red had to guess. Occasionally, he'd close his eyes, as though concentrating or focusing on something. Something about that was absolutely marvelous. Green was always tense, always thinking, always ready to jump into action, ready to fight. Green, softly concentrating on playing an instrument, unconcerned with the world around him, and at peace with himself, was one of the single most endearing things Red had ever seen.

It felt almost like a secret between them, seeing Green this way, and seeing more of the young Gym Leader than anyone ever had. They'd always had their secrets, the things they only trusted themselves with, the "them" they were to others and the "them" who they really were.

Not anymore.

The song picked up in tempo, and Red could only listen in wonder. He knew Green could play, but he'd had no idea how well. Red couldn't understand how anyone – much less someone he knew – could be capable of playing something so seemingly complex just by hitting keys on a piano.

He looked back down at Green's hands, unable to understand the complex ways his hands moved, and unable to keep up with how quick and fluid his movements were.

Realizing his mouth had been hanging open, he closed it and smiled again, catching Green's eye and noting the way Green smiled, too.

Green was reading again, eyes scanning the sheet music he probably wouldn't need for much longer. As he started approaching what Red guessed was the last measure, Green started to move as if to turn the page, but Red stopped him, reaching over and turning it for him.

Green looked back over at him, smiling again before nodding and looking back at the music.

Red could only watch, hypnotized by the melody and Green's gentle smile. He continued to listen in silence, reaching over and turning the page whenever he needed.

From something so simple, Red felt like his heart would burst. What he shared with Green was something so much deeper than melodies and songs; it was something he'd invested his whole heart in. Green was... something extraordinary. Red liked him for that, but liked him even more for how extraordinary he became when he was with Green.

Red turned the last page, listening to the notes beginning to soften again, fading out like raindrops and ending something magical, and he took the moment to reflect on how he couldn't deny that he felt a lot more towards Green than "like".

The song faded out, and Red turned to Green, so happy he felt like he was glowing, with how much he loved him.

–

They sat together in silence for a long time, sharing a piano bench and resting on each other. Gradually, Red felt himself moving into Green's lap, nuzzling up against his chest and into his shoulder.

It felt like a long time before either of them spoke.

Green squeezed him again, somehow surprised by the sudden affection. "...You liked that, then?"

"Mm," was Red's articulate response. He looked up, moving so he and Green were nose-to-nose. "Yeah, I liked it. ...But I like you a lot more."

Green laughed to himself and shook his head. "...I like you, too, buddy."

The silence manifested itself again, and this time, they both felt the nervous tension in it. Red suddenly drew back, opening his mouth to speak, and then closing it, looking away.

Green nudged him back, brow furrowing in concern. "...Red? Something wrong?"

Red swallowed again, forcing himself to look Green in the eye. "Green, I..."

Green swallowed as well, trying and failing to convince himself he wasn't blushing. "...Oh. Red, you don't..." He swallowed again. "...You don't have to say anything you're not ready for. It's fine."

Red kept looking him in the eye, and shook his head. "No... Green, uhm... I really love you, you know."

Green didn't answer, but looked back at Red for just a moment, wide-eyed, before crushing him against his chest in a tight hug. He laughed, suddenly so happy he could cry. He squeezed Red tighter, making the slightly smaller boy squeak in surprise. "And if it means anything, I really, really love you, too."

He loosened his grip, letting Red look back up at him. Red just grinned, shaking his head before tugging Green back down to kiss him.

They weren't any good at it – just a couple of awkward teenagers trying to work out a relationship, but they worked perfectly for each other. They had something that was so much more complicated than melodies and songs, but came to them so much easier. Neither knew how love worked, but they were willing to learn.

Red drew back to lean on Green's chest, listening to his heartbeat for a few moments before nudging him to start playing again.