#so apprently i simp for pokemon characters now bc i love this man

[stevesbestgirl]

Meeting Larry:

-He's a professional. So the first time you walk into his gym for a meal, his gaze doesn't linger on you for more than a second. But he notices you.

-When you come in again, he's in the middle of a gym challenge. His focus on his work is usually impeccable, but he steals a glance and sees you cheering for him and his heart does a silly little flip in his chest. He always does a good job- he takes pride in that- but he finds himself trying a little harder to win, knowing you're watching him.

-The third time, he overhears you gushing to the server about the dessert from his table. He casually asks that server for your name later (as if all of the restaurant staff don't already know you caught his eye- they've been giving you coupons so you'll keep coming back).

-Next time you come in, there's a fresh pastry set aside for you, on the house. On your way out, you stop at his table with an apology for interrupting and a shy thank you. He manages to wave it a way as a thank you for your kind words and patronage, but then you smile- right at him- because of him, even, and he feels the flicker of something in his chest he thought was long gone. You made him feel special- like he could fly.

-As you're about to walk away, he knocks over a stack of papers in his haste to slide out of the booth to follow. You stop to help pick them up, biting back a smile at the flush now staining his cheeks.

-He was going to ask you on a date- he really was. But now he's embarrassed himself and only now does he realize how truly lovely you are; why would you be interested in him? He was feeling old and foolish.

-But you smiled at him again, handing back a stack of his papers. He'd have to reorganize them all later, but then his fingers brushed yours as he accepted them and the overtime suddenly didn't seem so bad. And like you were reading his mind, you asked him- only if it wouldn't feel too much like extra work, if he'd like to meet back here for dinner tonight.

-He manages to agree and you hit him with another smile- they're starting to feel like stepping into a beam of sunshine, before you leave with the promise of returning tonight.

-Larry climbs back into his booth and appears, at least to anyone other than the staff, to be working. But seeing him sitting still as a statue, lost deep in though, his staff take it upon themselves to do what they do best- they prep. They take turns covering for each other, one running out into town to pick up flowers, another setting up a booth marked with a little "reserved" placard and little candles, stealing a flower from the bouquet to put in a vase.

-When you come back, the host ushers you in and flips the sign to closed. Inside, the lights are dimmed, but the host guides you to the table at the back and there is Larry. Still in his work clothes, of course. But then he smiles and you realize there's so much more to this man than you ever would have guessed.