#ler!corbeau

You had been intertwined in Corbeau’s life since you had a fateful encounter one night during the Infinite Royale. You were a mighty strong trainer, however that one night you and your team got a thrashing more than you'd like to admit. You had run into an alleyway to escape the piercing gaze of other trainers itching to battle, a desperate attempt to heal your Pokemon as well as yourself. You had a couple cuts and bruises — these weren't foreign to you.

However, you got hit with the area of effect of another trainer’s Pokemon attack a bit too close for comfort and that is what caused you to run away and hide. You were feeling dizzy, and the small task of grabbing whatever potions and status condition sprays for your affected Pokemon from your satchel instead felt like you were trying to traverse across Paldea’s massive crater with no assistance. Your vision began to blank, so you carefully hobbled to the nearest bench to sit down.

That's when someone came out of the shadows — someone who, at first, looked like a menacing trainer. How did another trainer find you? This alleyway was deserted a minute ago!

The figure approached, a large Pokemon behind them, though you couldn't tell exactly what it was through the darkness and your brain fog.

You stood up and put on the bravest face you could muster, preparing for a fight that might result in you passing out.

But they didn't do anything — until they dashed towards you once they noticed that your legs were giving out from beneath you, the world feeling like it was falling and breaking apart. All you remember was falling into strong arms, a nice scent hitting your nose, and your head slumping against their shoulder.

When you finally came to, you were laying on a stranger’s couch, your partner Dedenne curled up asleep at your side. Your head was throbbing the moment you opened your eyes, reaching a hand up to touch your forehead. A damp compress was pressed against the skin. Your eyes focused on the new environment, following the ceiling and walls until they laid eyes on someone you didn't know.

That man — who you'd later know as Corbeau — was asleep on a purple arm chair, suit jacket draped over his form, snoring softly. A Scolipede was curled up on a plush bed next to him, claw marks on the wooden floor.

Noticing the bandages on your arms and realised; he saved you.

And from that day forward, you were joined at the hip.

You got to know each other. You learned he was the head of a syndicate in Lumiose City, hosted in a building you had walked past many times before but never took much more notice than a passing glance. Corbeau thought that would scare you off initially, he had mentioned that when you woke up that first morning. But it had quite the opposite effect; it just made you gravitate towards him even more. A man who’s kind yet had a dangerous side? You were practically in love already.

And wouldn't you know it? He started falling for you, too.

It took quite a long time for both of you to become an item; Corbeau feared for your safety, being with someone like him. While the syndicate itself wasn't dangerous technically, they've had many close calls with unruly individuals and clients.

At first, he didn't want you to be seen with him in case even your presence made yourself a bargaining chip for some awful person to take advantage of. But you reassured him you could hold your own, and that he was sweet for caring so much for your wellbeing. And the few times where you had to witness something bad happening but managed to push past it, proved yourself even more to him.

And so, you both became official, the talk of the town inside the syndicate walls. Corbeau wasn't one to display his love out for the public to see, and you weren't either, save for any formal parties you were both invited to. It was the syndicate's little secret.

You reminisced, sliding out of your shared bed, immediately toeing your slippers that you left at your bedside onto your feet. Your body needed a good stretch!

You glanced at Corbeau’s Scolipede sleeping on it’s comfy purple bed, and your Dedenne curled into its side. They had both become close friends from their time together, the sight brought a smile to your face.

Eyes wandering to Corbeau, the man was still asleep, snoring softly. A sound you loved and never got sick of.

You were both usually early risers — eager to get through the day so that you could decompress and chill at night without any lingering duties. But today was Sunday, so you figured Corbeau deserved a good sleep-in. You would have loved to join him, but your mind was wide awake now. Quietly creeping out of the room so no one woke up, you went to go and prepare a nice breakfast in the kitchen, ready to be cooked once Corbeau woke from his slumber.

But an hour passed, and then another… Corbeau was still asleep.

You wandered back into the bedroom, Corbeau in the same state you left him; peacefully asleep, an arm draped over his eyes, purple hair tousled.

Surely he couldn't just sleep the day away, and you knew in the back of your mind, he'd feel awful if he got to miss so much of the day he could've spent awake with you. You figured you'd give waking him up a go.

Perching yourself on the edge of the bed, your hand reached out to card your fingers through his messy hair, then slipped down to his shoulder to give it a gentle shake.

“Wake up, my love.” You drawled, your words like sweet honey.

His eyebrow twitched at your call. Letting out a soft groan, his arm slipped off his face, body rolling over onto his side.

“Mmm…” A hum came from his throat. He wasn't awake quite yet.

Your fingers moved from shoulder to the base of his neck, tracing the skin and feeling the goosebumps form. “As much as I’d love to lay in bed all day with you, I think I'd feel lazy if I did,” you leaned down to whisper into his ear. “Are you ready to get up? I've got everything ready for a wonderful breakfast.” You tried to entice him with the promise of food.

His shoulder scrunched up from your warm breath hitting the skin on his ear. He rolled again, opting to lay on his stomach in his sleepy state. The blanket shifted, tangling him slightly, dragging down his form. Some of his yakuza tattoos kept hidden on his back began to peek through.

You had never seen Corbeau’s tattoos in great detail. You only ever saw them in dim lighting, or tiny slivers if he unbuttoned the very top of his dress shirt, or if you managed to catch him dressing to start his day. Never have you had the opportunity to see them like this, all for your wandering eyes to explore.

Pulling the blanket back a tad more, you could see the sprawling artwork that covered the entire expanse of his back and a fair bit of his arms just before his wrists. You could spot some familiar details — the face and hood pattern of his Arbok, the blue scales of his Gyrados in honour of his previous mentor, the red and blue flower petals of his Roserade, and the purple and grey with a touch of magenta segments and horns of his Scolipede. The different elements representing his Pokemon were all tied together with black and grey lines and patterns.

It was beautiful. Intricate.

Not only were you looking with your eyes; but at this point your hands as well. Fingers trailed and grazed along the artwork, gliding across his soft skin as if it were butter. From his shoulder blades, down to his spine, resting on his lower back where the waistband of his pyjama bottoms began.

Your hands explored the expanse of space, until Corbeau shifted and you heard an unfamiliar noise.

“Mmm… hehehe…”

Did he just giggle? In his sleep??

And after you heard that supposed noise, Corbeau began to stir and wake up.

“...hmm?” Corbeau hummed, morning voice croaky. He sat up on his elbows, craning his head in your direction. A smile tugged at his lips at the sight of you. “Good morning, darling.”

“Were you giggling in your sleep, Corbeau?”

He eyed you, cautious with his answer. “I'm not sure… was I?” A genuine question with a tilt of his head.

“You were, I was looking at your back tattoo and tracing my fingers along it…” Voice trailing off, your brain put two and two together. You had a devious look on your face — one he didn't notice as his trusty pair of glasses were still on his nightstand. “Are you perhaps… ticklish, Corbeau?”

A bead of nervous sweat formed on his forehead. “O-Of course not, that would be ridiculous,” he laid his arms back out, head resting against the pillow. He made a swift attempt to change the subject. “In any case… let me have just five more minutes?”

That was less of a question and more of a statement, his eyes drifting closed. You gasped in fake disbelief.

“Back to sleep, after I've been longing to spend my Sunday with you? Not a chance, ‘Beau.” Your hand that laid on his lower back sprang into action, fingers walking up his spine until they reached their destination at the back of his neck. You could feel even more goosebumps prickling his skin.

Your fingers scribbled lightly at his neck, and those familiar sounding giggles reached your ears. You smirked, leaning down to whisper in his ear.

“I think you're lying~”

Hand moving down to trace his shoulder blades and tattoo lines, even more giggles could be heard from the sleepy man. He didn't try to fight back or roll away, he took it in stride.

“You’ll hahahave to try harder thahahan thahahat!” He says this, yet he wasn't holding his own terribly well. He buried his face in the pillow, muffling his boyish giggles.

Your heart thumped at the absolutely adorable sight before you, he was just too sweet. Wandering hands reached for the side of his ribs, and that's when his voice raised an octave.

“Wahahahait!!” Corbeau rolled over, hands outstretched to make contact with your wrist, but you were much too fast for him.

As if you were holding a Quick Claw, your Extreme Speed and nimble fingers darted down to his lower tummy, just above his waist line and below his belly button.

If he wasn't wide awake before, he certainly was now.

Corbeau cackled.

“AAAHAHAHA!!” Corbeau usually didn't laugh, so this was a welcomed sound. Music to your ears. You giggled from his reaction.

His head was thrown back, nestling into his soft pillow, hair becoming even more of a mess than it already was. This time, he managed to reach out and grab hold of your wrists, though curiously, he didn't shove your hands out of the way…

“So, what do you think? Your lazy butt will get out of bed, and we'll have breakfast. I assume you'll accept?” You were cutting him a great deal here.

To your surprise, he didn't answer the way you thought he would, not exactly.

Sharp claws scraping against the wooden flooring could be heard from behind the bed. You heard it, and so did Corbeau. Time for a counter attack!

“SCOLIPEHEHEDE! H-HELP!!”

Scolipede awoke from its slumber thanks to all the noise both of you were making, and hearing its trainer’s plea for help, sprang into action.

With swift movements, it rose from its comfy bed, making way to your direction. It came up to your side. You curiously gazed at it, fingers still prodding Corbeau’s tummy, until Scolipede wormed its head under your chin. It began to gently shove you off the bed, nuzzling you along the way.

To your surprise, the nuzzling really, really tickled.

“Scolihihipede! Nohoho!!” But your words were all for naught — the large centipede Pokemon pushed you gently into the corner of the room with its tickly attack. Scolipede’s attack was super effective, to the point where your knees wobbled and it brought you crashing down to the floor. It found that using its horns very gently on your tummy is a critical hit. Laughter bubbled from deep within your chest. “I-IT TIHIHICKLES!! CORBEAU!!” Arm outstretched, you called for help.

A devilish, intoxicating smirk on his face — which was a bit hard to see as tears of mirth began budding in the corners of your eyes — Corbeau plucked his glasses from his nightstand and perched them on his nose, pushing them up with a finger. He rose from the bed, waltzing over to the corner of the room where you were being rudely targeted.

He crouched down onto his knees and took in the sight with a laugh. “All’s fair in love and war. I don't think you've quite learnt your lesson yet,” Scolipede hit a particularly ticklish spot on your tummy with its horns, causing you to kick out your leg, a slipper flying off and nearly hitting Corbeau. When he saw this, a lightbulb shone brightly in his mind. “Thanks for the idea.”

Corbeau grabbed onto your ankle, fingers touching down and tickling your bare foot. Scolipede’s targeted attack continued. Combining these both together… you squealed.

Your laughter was explosive and contagious. Corbeau chuckled alongside your loud laughter, and Scolipede chirped happily. Even your Dedenne woke up from the ruckus and cheered from the sidelines. Scolipede poked and prodded at wherever it could reach regardless of your thrashing, and Corbeau’s precise fingers proceeded to worm their way under your toes.

“NOHOHOHOHAHAHA!!” It tickled so bad! Hand slamming on the ground and slapping the wooden floor, you signaled your surrender.

Corbeau released your foot from his downright evil clutches and whistled to his Scolipede, which immediately stopped its lighthearted assault. Both perpetrators backed up to give you space.

Your legs curled up to protect your body, lungs expanded to suck in as much air as they could after it was all ripped out and stolen from you. Your back rested against the wall, residual giggles pouring out of you.

Corbeau gave you a smile, one of warmth that melted your heart, one that was sweet enough to maybe forgive him for his tickly attack — though, you deserved it.

Standing up straight, his hand of offering reached out towards you. “We’re clearly both wide awake now. Shall we go have breakfast?”

You sucked in a breath, an attempt at calming your racing heart as you took his offer, dragging yourself up to your feet. You stood up a little bit too fast, your chests bumping. You both paused for a moment, then giggles erupted and smiles grew wide.

Resting a hand on his chest, your eyes took the full view of where his tattoos wrapped from his back to the front of his pecs, the head of his Arbok and Scolipede imprinted with bold lines.

Your finger traced the skin, a huff of a chuckle leaving your love’s nose. “So, when we're you going to tell me about these?”

A warm arm wrapped around your side, a hand resting upon your waist. “How about I tell you all about them over our meal?” He leaned and planted a kiss on your forehead.

Nodding in agreement, both Corbeau and you as well as your Pokemon sauntered out of the room. The sun was shining brightly, awaiting your arrival in the kitchen.

When Urbain had a run-in with the Rust Syndicate – borrowing money but then being left with a massive loan paired with interest no one would even have the funds to pay back – you were frightened of their crew. Being from a small town in Sinnoh, you didn't know a scary group like this even existed in Lumiose.

Going to their building and speaking with their boss, Corbeau, was threatening enough as it was. When Corbeau asked you and your friend to do some ‘jobs’ around the city, you couldn't even imagine what he was going to make you do. Surely he saw how strong you were and was going to get you to do some dirty work, to beat his most nasty enemies up and that would be payment enough, right?

Well, that's what you were expecting. Instead… you just did a bunch of helpful deeds? Community service? Cleaning the sewers of Mega Crystals?!

After a fated battle and winning, you realised Corbeau wasn't as intimidating as you thought he was. The way he said certain things definitely made it seem like he was scary, and his appearance and being the head honcho of an underground organisation would frighten off anyone. But all in all, he was a pretty cool guy.

Except for when his patience and reputation was being tested.

You were originally helping some of the syndicate grunts you befriended with some jobs they needed to get done around the city. They needed an extra pair of hands, so they were relieved when you volunteered to chip in. Once it was time for a break, you and the others were hanging around the plaza next to the syndicate headquarters, goofing off.

However, being silly with the grunts and letting loose, you forgot that on the surface, this was meant to be an intimidating organisation. You weren't aware that there was a very watchful eye on you, noticing that the city passerbys walking past tilting their heads in curiosity with smiles hidden behind hands.

And then, yourself and the grunts you were with began to get a buzz in their pockets from their Rotom phones.

Everyone's phones flew out of their pockets, the grunts reading a text. However, you got multiple texts and a call waiting to be answered. Your phone was set to silent before this, so you never saw the earlier texts.

Your eyes widened. It's Corbeau?

“Dang, it's the boss!” One of the grunts nervously piped up.

You pondered why all the grunts around you suddenly looked so nervous as you answered the phone call.

Corbeau’s tone on the other end was intimidating, but extremely clear.

“You. Office. Alone. Now.”

…he hung up…

A chill ran down your spine. You've heard him be scary, but never that scary before.

And the grunts seemed to agree with you. As they quickly dispersed as if they were never there to begin with, one of them piped up.

“He sounded so serious!!”

Another replied. “They're totally gonna kill ‘em for that!”

Uh oh.

Oh well, you had no choice. You had been summoned, might as well make your way over there.

Your heart felt like it was going to break out of your chest and hit the concrete beneath as you made your way over to the Rust Syndicate building. You made an attempt to gulp and swallow your nervous feelings while you stepped into the elevator, but the nerves refused to be shoved in the corner.

Once the elevator doors opened, your skin turned ice cold.

Corbeau was sitting on what he proclaimed was the ‘comfy sofas that clients can't pull themselves away from’, one leg balancing across his knee while his back was hunched over, elbows resting on his leg and head under his balled fists.

“Please, have a seat.”

Knees wavering just a bit, you made your way over to the opposite end of the table, plopping down on your own sofa.

“Corbeau, I can explain—”

“Do you think of the Rust Syndicate as fools?” Corbeau interjected.

“No, no I don't. I—”

Corbeau swung his propped leg down, leaning back into the sofa. “You do understand that, while the Rust Syndicate has basically brought you in as if you were a member of our own, we still have an image to uphold?”

“Of course I do! I just figured the guys deserved a break, and are allowed to goof off every once and a while.”

Corbeau breathed a sigh. “Look. We're meant to help and reinforce Lumiose City, but we're also meant to be feared. We can't be seen as weak. As silly as you made my crew look out there. That can only happen behind closed doors.” Corbeau pushed up and adjusted his glasses as he spoke.

Your words began to falter, so you tried to talk back instead. “See, I get it. But it's a little bit hard to take you guys as seriously once you see the other side of the coin.”

Corbeau raised an eyebrow, eyes narrowing. “So, you don't see anyone here as a threat anymore? Including me, hmm?”

“No. Especially not after that human ladder incident.” You attempt to hide a chuckle, but it slipped past you.

“That's extremely bold of you to say,” he leaned forward once again, folding his hands together. “After jumping off the roof of that building three times, making myself and my crew bust our backs and shoulders for you… and you come into my building and say that? Was it amusing enough for you?” He quizzed.

You snickered, covering your mouth. “It's all in good fun, isn't it?”

“Having a bit of fun at my and my crew’s expense, are we?” Corbeau mused, paired with a glare. His patience was wearing very thin.

“Sorry… Hehehe, I don't mean to,” Giggling while you spoke, you waved your hands. “How about we start over this whole conversation?”

But Corbeau shook his head at your offer, and in that instant, you felt your blood run cold. He rose from his chair, circling the coffee table to stand in front of you. He looked a whole lot taller and more intimidating when he was looking down at you like this…

You spluttered nervously, failing at back pedaling. “Waitwaitwait, Corbeau,” you continued to wave your arms in a protective – and rather silly – manner, the rest of your body afraid to leave your seat. And he was right, these sofas were comfy… but you digress… “I apologise that I doubted the Rust Syndicate, I… I assume you guys are more serious than you seem.”

He just shook his head, leaning his body weight with one hand on his hip. “You're not getting it, clearly. Perhaps I need to teach you a thing or two about how the syndicate works. Especially after your little stunt. Making me look like a fool, eh?”

Your eyes widened, silent. What was he going to do?? Does he actually look rougher than he seems? He wasn't going to hurt you, was he? Your mind flooded with scenarios.

You were very lucky that he, in fact, had no plans to hurt you at all. As if he could do that to you, someone he's quite fond of.

But that didn't mean you'd get out of this room scot-free.

Corbeau’s hands darted down, immediately attaching to your sides and giving them a ticklish squeeze. You yelped in surprise and dissolved into unavoidable giggles, making an attempt to grab at his hands.

Tickling, of all things?!

A smile spread across Corbeau’s face at your receptive reaction. “Ah, good. I wasn't sure if this would work or not. But you seemed like the ticklish type.” He mused aloud as if he wasn't tickling you right now.

All you could do was squirm about like a wriggly worm, new laughter erupting from you when Corbeau switched from squeezing to skittering his fingers.

“Wahahait— Corbeau!!” Your pleas fell on deaf ears. You had no way of getting out of the chair, his form blocking your escape.

He hummed in satisfaction at the laughter he managed to wrangle out of you once his hands moved up to your ribs, massaging his fingers into the bones. He got quite a loud shriek out of you from that one, causing you to curl your legs up to try to protect your upper body. But he was persistent.

“It's nice to hear when someone changes their tune, wouldn't you agree?” A chuckle rumbled from his chest. He kept switching spots – he knew what he was doing. He pulled shrieks from you when his fingers toggled your lower ribs, he drew out bubbly giggles from lazily skittering against your sides, and wrangled loud belly laughter when his hands latched on to your stomach. You couldn't keep up!

Your voice going up a few octaves every time he switched places, you shook your head. “CORBEHEHEAU!! Thihihis is sohoho meheHEHEAN!” You complained, although… you weren't opposed to this. You were actually having a bit of fun, despite how silly this all seemed. Was this how the Rust Syndicate got their way with clients that were hard to crack?

Corbeau grabbed hold of one of your wrists that was trying to latch onto his hands, pulling it high above your head. With an evil glint in his eye and a smirk on his face, his other hand wiggled up from under your arm all the way down to the bottom of your side.

This was driving you crazy!

Especially when he noticed a sliver of bare skin right above your waistline that you exposed accidentally from all your thrashing. He dug right in with nimble fingers, causing you to burst out in loud laughter, which then fell silent. You didn't even have the energy to wriggle or kick your legs out anymore.

Corbeau knew that by this point that you'd need a breather, so he stopped, a smug look on his face as he paced back to the sofa he was sitting on, looking over to you. “Still think we're as silly as you think we are?”

You took a moment to respond, greedily sucking air into your empty lungs, giggles still laced in your voice even after the ordeal was already over. “I… hehehehehe, I wasn't expehehecting thahahat…”

He closed his eyes, leaning back into the sofa chair. “It's the best tactic to ‘persuade’ someone… Or, in your case, knock a person down a few pegs.”

“Thihihis… this juhuhust makes you guys seheheem even less scahahary…” you wiped a tear from your eye, one that formed from all of your laughter.

Corbeau opened his eyes, his smug smile melting into something more endearing. “The Rust Syndicate would never hurt anyone, but even the most hardened people seem to crack when we do that,” he mused, rising from his seat to go and make both of you – mainly you after you just laughed your guts out – some well deserved tea. “However, I noticed something.”

Your ears perked up, a puzzled look crossing your features. You tilted your head, awaiting his response. He rounded the sofas, placing a hand on the corner of yours. He turned his gaze to you, an all-knowing smile on his face.

“You liked that, didn't you?” He just had to tease you, just a little bit.

Your mind was at a stand still, trying to understand his words. It took you a good few seconds to register, your cheeks burning bright red once you realised.

“N-No I did not!” You talked back.

“Despite being a silly persuasion tactic, most people plead and beg for it to stop. Or even try to get up and run away from it. You did neither. Speaks volumes about you, huh?” Smugness was dripping from his words.

You shook your head, at a loss for words for a moment. Your cheeks felt like you were hit with a Flame Burst from a Chandelure. “That's so not true!” You tried to argue back.

A laugh rumbled from his chest, his glasses sliding to the end of his noise when he hung his head forward. He leaned his head back, pushing up his glasses with a finger. “Now, there's no need to be shy. It just makes you even more interesting… and cute.”

He punctuated his comment with a wink. He walked off, stepping into the elevator to go down and personally make you both some tea.

You were stunned.