[ Slowpoke Business ]
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In today's society various criminal organizations that were distributed all over the world existed, as if their primary purpose was to intimidate the majority of the population. Every region had at least one of them which dominated over certain areas, while places like Hoenn and Alola even had two to boast.
Being a member of such a group wasn't exactly something to brag about in your opinion, especially when a great part of people would think that something was wrong with your morals. Despite it all, you were a member of Team Rocket, a concern that reigned the underground business of both Kanto and Johto mainly, but had even a smaller scale of its representatives spread throughout the whole globe.
If someone were to ask, you would openly admit that you weren't precisely proud of the work you did for the organization. Though there were worse ways of making a living, so the guilt wouldn't consume your psyche for too long even when being aware of all your wrongdoings.
It had only been a few months since you officially joined Team Rocket, but you already had the mindset of a veteran in what concerned a specific selection of things. At the very top of the food chain was obviously Giovanni, the leader who was known for his coldheartedness and strive to prevail no matter the circumstances. Under his direct command were four admins: Archer, Ariana, Proton and Petrel.
Ever since meeting them, it had become your personal goal to climb up the ranks and stand on equal grounds as them. But truthfully speaking, it was only one individual in particular you were interested in catching up with, in order for them to view you as their equal. That person was none other than Proton.
Today would have been the best occasion to prove your worth to the turquoise-haired executive if only it weren't for the content of the business you were sent to take care of. Giovanni had put Proton and you in charge of one of his smaller-scale operations which involved obtaining a crazy amount of money quite in a small amount of time — easily but in a cruel manner.
The tail of Slowpoke were known to be worth a fortune, and where else would one find an entire horde of dopey Pokémon if not the Slowpoke Well near Azalea Town in the Johto region?
You found it evil enough to steal Pokémon from their precious trainers and sell or trade them for valuable items, but you had somehow always managed to see those operations through to the end. Cutting off Slowpoke tails was an entirely different story though — that was practically the same thing as cutting off a person's finger or ear.
While you and Proton were making your way through the peaceful town of Azalea, thoughts of insecurity filled your mind, causing your body to move more hesitantly. You were certain that a ton of people would agree with you — that wanting the person you had feelings for to view you as someone reliable was something normal and understandable — but you really had to examine your conscience if that meant taking something this far.
"[Name], you alright? You're shaking like a leaf. Getting cold feet?" Proton asked in a certain provocative tone, throwing your train of thought off course. Having caused your gaze to meet his, you couldn't help but frown slightly at the taller male, especially when you were driven to look at his mischievous smirk. "I'm not. It's just cold, that's all."
Using the frostier weather as a pretext, you countered the turquoise-haired young man, crossing your arms above your chest. Your excuse wasn't all that bad actually, and you had to admit that a few chills had raced down your spine several times since making your way to your destination due to the temperature. The reason of that was most likely the autumn wind, and the fact that you were wearing your short-sleeved Team Rocket uniform didn't really contribute to anything.
Seeing how your body trembled occasionally, Proton couldn't help but feel sympathy. "We're almost there, so hang in there for just a while longer." He said kindly for a change, slipping out of his dark grey jacket and throwing it over your shoulders. A dust of pink color covered your cheeks as you turned your head slightly to the side, enough to lock eyes with his. "What's this? You're being awfully gentlemanly for someone who's on their way to cut off Slowpoke tails."
"Only to you, of course. I'd totally let Ariana freeze to death if it ever comes down to it." Ending his comment with a chuckle, he tried hiding the way he had so bluntly flattered you. A warm, fuzzy feeling spread throughout your entire body after hearing that, and it wasn't because you were wearing Proton's jacket. Of course, your pride wouldn't allow you to show the taller man the more vulnerable state you were in, so you replied jokingly, just like he had initiated this little exchange in the first place. "She'd literally step on you if she heard you say that."
"For your information, I don't let just anyone do that. Though I wouldn't mind if the heels drilling holes in me were yours." Proton smirked suggestively, inching closer to you as he put his arm around your waist while walking, pulling you closer to him. Flattery was one thing, but this entered the territory of flirting — some would even go as far as to label it polite dirty talking if that even was a thing — so you couldn't prevent your cheeks from reddening quite visibly.
"I didn't know you were into that kind of play." You said facetiously, trying your best not to stutter since you had just barely recovered from his surprise attack. Proton didn't seem to notice how your closeness and his words were making you feel embarrassed and instead continued flirting in jest. You on the other hand had to push him off of you gently at some point, because otherwise you felt like your heart would have exploded, exposing all of your emotions to the executive in the act.
While he spoke in his soothing voice, your eyes constantly found their way down to Proton's gloved hand. You were satisfied with only looking at it longingly, until your urges had gotten stronger than your rationality, causing your body to act on its own accord and grab his hand in the end. Grinning rather satisfied, the turquoise-haired male raised a brow at you. "What's this?"
"I told you, it's because I feel cold." Honestly speaking, the excuse you used this time was as pathetic as your first one, but the both of you were keeping this entire thing playful, so you didn't see the harm in it. Quite on the contrary, actually: You were so indescribably grateful for your silly behavior the moment Proton tightened his grip over your hand. Having regretted your gesture for a mere instant seemed like a distant memory now. "Right. I'll just pretend neither of us is wearing gloves, then."
"Oh shut it. I know you're secretly enjoying this." You laughed, bumping your elbow against his side, your heart melting the instant he flashed you his toothy smirk. "Damn right, I am."
* * *
The two of you had soon reached the Slowpoke Well, having walked hand in hand the entire way while chatting about the most random of things. You had only realized it once you had arrived in front of the well that all the odd subjects Proton had brought up were a way to distract you from the actual, cruel task.
"Ladies first." The turquoise-haired young man so gallantly said, placing his right hand on his torso as he bowed and pointed toward the entrance of the well with his other hand. You rolled your eyes before raising a brow at him, reflexively crossing your arms above your chest. "Shouldn't a man take the lead in this kind of situation?"
"I normally would, but I'm pretty sure I'd get a full-view of what's under your skirt if I went down first. Do you really want that?" Proton retorted just as shamelessly as he had flirted with you on the way here, his blunt comment causing your cheeks to rise with heat. "W-Whatever, guess it can't be helped. I'll go down first."
Just like you had said you would, you descended the stairs that led to the interior of the Slowpoke Well, Proton following after you closely. The sunlight almost didn't reach to the bottom at all, the chamber being dimly lit as the water attempted reflecting whatever glow it could. The pink dopey Pokémon cooed peacefully as they leisurely dragged their bodies across their habitat.
Once your feet touched the firm ground, you scooted over a tad in order to allow Proton to land right next to you. You had never liked walking in front, so you let the taller young man lead the way deeper into the well. The group of Slowpoke didn't pay much attention to you, and even if they did, their reaction always came much later.
"Hey, Proton? You're not really going to cut their tails, are you?" You couldn't help but blurt out the question that had been tugging at your chest this whole time, reaching your hand out as you did so. Your fingers had grazed against the fabric of his dark grey shirt before eventually latching on to it entirely. The turquoise-haired male was forced to stop in his tracks and threw a look over his shoulder, only to see you glaring daggers at the ground. "That's what we were ordered to do, so obviously, I don't plan to get on Giovanni's bad side."
"Is that really what's important to you? Doing this just seems inhumane..." You muttered, furrowing your brows the instant the team leader's name was pulled into the conversation. Theoretically speaking, the admin was right, no doubt about it. But it wasn't a logical thesis you wanted to get out of him, it was his true sentiments. And instead, you were presented with a question that could have been perceived as an insult. "Well, we're not the heroes in this tale. Why did you join Team Rocket if you knew you wouldn't stand doing these kinds of things in the first place?"
"It's not like I ever really had a choice. And besides, I started to think that working here might not be so bad after all, if I got assigned to the same missions as you." You retorted, not minding to hide your true opinion on the matter despite it practically spelling out your feelings to the young man. Proton couldn't prevent a snicker to leave his mouth as he slowly proceeded to walk, involuntarily shaking off your hand. "You're too soft."
"I'm not. You're just too cold." You countered blatantly, not caring in the slightest if your comment would irritate him or wound his emotions. Though knowing Proton and his personality, those measly words wouldn't so much as scratch his iron wall. The male stopped anew once he found himself in front of a larger group of Slowpoke, squatting down in order to pick one up. "This isn't about feelings, [Name], it's all about business."
You silently let your eyes rest on his figure while you were delivered with the admin's apparent philosophy. Your heart rate had begun increasing the moment you saw him fish out a large pair of scissors from the belt that fastened his work trousers. With his fingers firmly in control over the handle, he played around with the tool, opening and closing the blades as if to test you. You knew his objective was to provoke you and to get you to show your true colors the moment he flashed you his signature smirk, and yet you fell right for it. "Proton, don't do it."
"Come on." You insisted, slowly growing restless, even more so when the executive decided to poke the pointy metal against the dopey Pokémon's flesh. He didn't hurt it in any way, but you didn't know how long that was going to stay the case. You knew that the male carried more than just one pair of scissors, and if he was going to play with fire by leering at you that way, you didn't see why you had to play nice. "There's nothing you can do to change my mind. Orders are orders. Unless..."
"Unless what? I do this?" Your switch had officially been flipped by his last remark, and by taking a few fugitive steps towards Proton, you took better control over the situation. Having caught him a tad off-guard, you managed to get your hands on another of his cutting utensil and swiftly brought it to his neck. The admin blinked a few times before laughing in the end, since he could see through your act the same way he saw through glass. "Threatening me, are you? I don't think I have to remind you that I'm your superior, right?"
"Rank has no meaning here. It's just you and me." You responded cockily, finally mustering up the last spurt of courage you needed to rub a smirk of your own right into Proton's face. By doing so you had hoped to irritate him at least a tad, just the way he had managed to rile you up by acting the same way, but instead, you somehow got him to enjoy the situation even more. "Man, feisty women are so my type."
"You're right though. It is just you and me." The turquoise-haired executive repeated, letting go of the Slowpoke he had taken hostage, allowing it to plop onto the ground. The pink creature's cry was a bit delayed, but soon enough, it glided away towards the rest of the horde it belonged to. "So let's get down to business."
You weren't given enough time to either process his comments or the fact that he was leaning his face towards you, despite the blade still being held against his neck. "P-Proton, wait—!" You stumbled over your words as you tried warning the taller male not to get any closer, since despite the way your position would look to a complete outsider, you had zero intention of actually hurting Proton.
He ignored your pleas and kept pushing through. You even had to resort to your other hand in order to try and put a halt to the man's shifting body by pressing your palm against his strong chest, but even that effort was for naught. In the end, Proton succeeded in doing what he had been wanting, resulting in his lips being pressed firmly against yours.
Your eyelids fluttered apart as your eyes were forced to widen at his sudden gesture. You instantly dropped the scissors, the metallic sounds resonating through the well the instant they came in contact with the stony flooring. Exploiting of your hands not knowing where to rest, Proton wrapped his arms around your slimmer waist, pulling your body closer to his own as he was given the perfect angle to deepen the kiss.
The only real choice you were given in that pose was to put your hands on either of his shoulders which you did without regret. Finally getting the impression that the feeling was sinking in properly, you allowed your eyes to close as you melted into Proton's embrace, tilting your head slightly to the side as you allowed his tongue ingress to your mouth.
He worked it around your wet muscle, causing you to emit one or two lewd-sounding groans. You found dependability in the way Proton so gently held you, despite having acted like a jerk during half of the time with you today. You couldn't help but knead the area between his shoulders and his neck, never once trying to put any kind of distance between your bodies. Your hands kept repeating that motion until you decided to snake them up his nape, until some of his turquoise strands of hair tapped against your fingertips, almost tickling them.
The kiss went on for almost too long — both of you were made aware of it when breathing through your noses wasn't providing you with enough oxygen. That reflexive need was what put a stop to your passionate way of expressing your feelings for each other, driving you to lock gazes once your eyelids no longer fully covered your glimmering orbs.
Instead of a series of vexing words, a toothy grin was what Proton gave you, and despite of it having captivated your attention, your eyes soon trailed more south to his neck where a thin line of red liquid leisurely started spreading lower. "You idiot... why did you do that?" You muttered under your breath, referring to how he could have avoided getting cut if he had waited an instant or two longer for you to remove the scissors form under his chin.
"You're really cute when you try to act all feisty, I just couldn't hold my excitement." The turquoise-eyed admin replied to the statement you thought had gone unheard, only making you frown anew. You ignored his comment, feeling that now that you had gone through something intimate together, there no longer was anything to bind you down. And so, you sticked out your tongue in order to prevent the blood from dripping on his uniform, tracing it upwards carefully so you wouldn't make it painful for him.
Proton didn't take your actions that way though, and instead assumed that you were inviting him for another heated workout — though you didn't mind, if you had to be truthful. The male didn't wait for too long before cupping your chin, leading your eyes right to his before rushing his lips back to your already slightly parted ones.
It became obvious when the two of you engaged in another kiss that you would no longer bother doing what Giovanni had sent you to do, and you could also clearly tell that Proton had renounced on cutting the Slowpoke tails for good. Instead, he had made pleasuring you his new business — one he planned to see through to the end.
[ E N D ]
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