#afroballs

He shouldn’t be doing this, but Cyrus is an expert at doing things he shouldn’t be, by now. He used to love to run. One of many simple pleasures he was denied as a child, the words exercise intolerance thrown about with equal force from his parents and doctors alike.

He shouldn’t be doing this, but nine years spent in the distortion world followed by weeks holed up in the tiny cottage outside Sunnyshore has left him aching for... something. The ache has always been there but the burn in his muscles and the cold air on his face takes it away, if only fleetingly.

He pushes on. The sea air of Route 222 stings at his eyes as he runs past the fishermen, just setting up for the day. They don’t look his way but Cyrus wouldn’t have been concerned if they had, anyway. It isn’t as if anyone will know to recognize him after ten years away, even here where he grew up. The thought might have been sad if Cyrus were anyone else, but he holds no attachment to the town, the people, anyone he had known before--he tells himself this. He runs until there’s nothing to focus on beside the burn in his calves and the increasingly erratic heartbeat in his chest and the fact that he can’t get enough oxygen.

Cyrus barely registers that his knees have hit the ground until he’s there, propped up on his elbows in the tall grass, desperately trying to take in air, catch his breath. Useless. What good does pushing himself to his limits do if he still comes up short, every time? This is just another footnote in the long list of disappointments that’s made up his life this far.

Flint: Hey challenger! Wanna see my awesome balls? Challenger: Um????? - sticks hands into afro and pulls out a couple of Pokeballs with seals on em- Flint: See? When I release my Infernape, he’s gonna be surrounded by purple flames! Ain’t that supremely awesome!?!?

Later on:

Drinks all of the coffee: Definitely Volkner. Flint’s seemingly endless energy comes naturally while Volkner requires a pick-me-up every morning in order to function somewhat half-decently.

Brings up adopting a pet: I don’t think either of them, but Flint’s used to Volkner bringing in the occasional stray Electric-types he stumbles across, most of which are Shinx.

Kills the bugs: Volkner. Bug-type Pokémon give Flint the heebie-jeebies.

Cooks the meals: I want to say it’s about half-half. Flint’s a way better chef than Volkner could ever hope to be though and so he often lets Flint do most of the cooking.

Starts getting into holidays way before they should: FLINT. Volkner catches him humming Christmas tunes under his breath in early September and gives him an odd look.

Initiates the couple selfies: Flint again. Volkner secretly likes taking pictures with him, though.

Forgets the birthdays and anniversaries: Neither. I think that since they’ve known each other for years and years, they’ve memorized each other’s birthdays and other important dates.

Always ends up with too much junk food after grocery shopping: I think both of them, but Volkner more so. He’s got a secret sweet tooth and likes to store up on chocolate and candy.