Title: Polyglot
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #12, Another Language
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. Zensho-verse

Warnings: Shonen-ai

Red speaks three different languages. Japanese, English, and something that sounds mostly like Pikachu-speak. He’s getting better at the latter, and he practices with Raichu, who teases him mercilessly, when he has lessons with her. Red doubts that he’ll be fluent in all one hundred and fifty pokemon languages, but he can at least try to learn some.

Lance has it a bit easier – he speaks the language of the Dratini chain, so his dragons understand him perfectly well. He’s supportive though, and brings Red loquat and honey syrup to soothe his sore throat when he practices too much.

Red likes this, and appreciates it, and thanks Lance, in his own way. There are precious few entertainments one can peruse, forced to stay at Indigo Plateau until defeated, so Red adapts.

Lance reads him classics, and Red finds himself actually liking some of them. He starts trying to translate Little Red Riding Hood and other common folk tales into Pikachu language.

It’s good practice, and it’s interesting.

Red brings Lance toast with blackberry jam made from blackberries he picked with Jigglypuff and Raichu and finds him half-asleep over a dictionary. He smiles and shakes the older trainer awake, kisses him on the cheeks, and pours tea.

The toast is slightly burnt – Charizard needs to work on controlling her flames – but the Dragon Master makes no comment.

Lance gives him a grateful smile.

They are both learning to speak the language of love.

End Fic

Completed 10/27/07

Fluffy! ^^