Before that, a trip to the PokéMart.

You arrive at the PokéMart with $1100 to spend. You know you told Blue you don't have any money on you, but he doesn't need to know the truth.

This PokéMart opened recently as trainers leaving Pallet Town were far more **** than they'd like. Naturally though, since Pallet Town is isolated this PokéMart in particular has hiked their prices up dramatically. A Potion here costs $500—no wonder Blue needs the cash." You laugh at the thought of tonight, and wonder if there's anything you could get to help you. Your eyes fall to the Escape Rope. They're useful for getting out of a bind... but you'd bet they're also useful for getting in a bind. You grab one just in case, along with a Potion. You want another Potion, but you need $200 for Blue. You could just ignore his plight, but you suspect you'll have more to earn from paying him tonight.

$700 lighter, you head home quickly to prepare for 6 PM tonight, removing your hat and shoes as you close the door. You appreciate the cold floor against your feet, steeling yourself for the chaos about to ensue. You've formulated a general plan, it's just a matter of acting it out now. You feel a little bad for it, though. If there was any chance of him forgiving you for what happened in the forest, it would disappear after tonight. Yet, you don't need his forgiveness, right? He tried to make you his... his... Well. Two can play at that game, you decide. You eat dinner with your mum, and mention having a guest coming over this evening. You avoid mentioning who or why, but you ask her to let you answer the door.

At 6 on the dot, you hear a knock at the door. You make no movement, to your mother's surprise. It's a small thing, but you suspect making Blue wait on you after you warned him to not be late will, with everything else planned tonight, cement your place over him in this relationship.

After a brief pause, you hear another knock. You wait a little longer, before opening the door slowly. "Oh Blue! Why didn't you knock" you say, with a big smile plastered on your face. Blue clenches his fists, but says nothing. Good start.

You invite him into the dining room, where your mum is sitting. She gets up to make tea for you two. Blue turns to you and quietly, through gritted teeth, asks "Can we just get this over with? Where’s the money?".

You smirk. As you thought, Blue's pride wont let him ask infront of your mother. Perfect. You act a little taken aback by his haste. "Blue, don’t be so impatient. It’s rude to leave before tea, you know. My mum went through all this effort—what kind of guest just snatches what they came for and bolts?" Like an actor on a stage, as if on cue, you tilt your head, feigning concern, "Besides, you came begging for my money, Blue. The least you could do is show a little gratitude."

Blue begins to retort "Bu-" but you interrupt him, raising a finger to your cheek, pretending to contemplate as you say "Or... do you really not want my help? I mean, I could just keep it, if you’d rather struggle all the way to Viridian with no Potions. I wouldn’t want to **** you into anything, Blue~."

As if following stage directions, your mother comes in with three cups of Ginger tea and hands one to each of you. You thank her, and, noticing Blue lost in his own thoughts, nudge his leg and scold him for not thanking your mother. You adore the confused look he wears as he hesitates, scrambling to collect himself. He straightens up, grasping desperately for any kind of control, and confidently compliments your mother’s tea.

After some small talk about your starter Pokémon—initiated by your mother—you steer the conversation toward your battle. You drag out every detail of your strategy, savoring each second as Blue squirms. He keeps trying to change the subject, but every failed attempt only fuels his frustration, his panic creeping closer to the surface. Finally, before you can state your triumph in this morning's battle, he asks "Amber, It's getting late. Can I have that $200 you owe me?". You love how he tried to weasel his way out of being needy, but he's truly foolish if he thought you'd let him get away with that.

As if perfectly timed, your mum speaks up and says "Amber owes you $200? From what I heard, you were the one who lost the battle?"

You watch as Blue stiffens, his ears burning red as he darts a glare in your direction. You flash him an innocent smile, feigning ignorance once more. "Oh? Did I misunderstand, Blue? I thought you were asking me for money, not collecting a debt."

Your mother chuckles, oblivious to the silent war being waged on her very couch. "You know, Blue, It's important for you to learn how to be gracious in defeat while you're young. And you, Amber."

Blue exhales sharply, his grip tightening around his cup as he swallows whatever retort was on the tip of his tongue. You sip your tea, relishing the moment.

He calms himself down, before asking again for the money "Tch... Can I please just have the $200, it's getting late and I need to get some sleep."

You take a long sip of your tea and make eye contact with Blue. You drag it out, before slowly setting the cup onto the table. "You know, Blue," you begin, with a false, saccharine, mockingly sympathetic tone, "it’s getting late... but I’m not sure you’ve earned that money yet.". You take an exaggerated slump into your chair and look up to the ceiling, and continue "I mean... I won this money fair and square, and I need supplies too. Plus, I don't have a wealthy benefactor who will give me money later on, I really need to be careful with every penny... Is it worth my time and money to give you this 200?".

You spy Blue from the corner of your eye, his face darkening with worry at the implication you're making, but you continue once more before he can interrupt. "Besides, did you really think I'd just hand over money like that? You're going to need to do a lot more than ask for it, Blue. A lot more than that."

Those words hang in the air, silently, as you lean forward and take a sip of tea, re-establishing eye contact with an innocent smile.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure you're taken care of. But for now? Why don't we just enjoy the evening a little longer, hm?".

Blue tenses, his grip on the teacup tightening just enough for his fingers to tremble. His jaw clenches, and you can just tell he's biting back a retort. The hesitation, the frustration—it's delicious, intoxicating even. Just this morning, you wouldn't have believed you had it in you, and yet here you are, like a puppeteer pulling the strings so meticulously, watching everything go exactly as planned. Watching his pride and desperation wage war behind his auburn eyes, his lips pursed with barely restrained irritation... It's exhilarating... almost euphoric. Finally, he exhales through his nose, steady but tense. When he speaks, his voice is quiet, carefully measured—**** under control. "Fine." he leans back slightly, crossing his arms, though the stiffness in his posture, the way his shoulders refuse to relax doesn't go unnoticed. "If that's how you want to play it."

He doesn't leave. You knew he wouldn't. Instead, he glares at the teacup infront of him, desperately avoiding eye contact with you. He's waiting. Waiting to see just what kind of game you're playing, just how much further you'll push. "Just don't take too long," he mutters, his eyes still disconnected from your unwavering gaze. "I don't have all night."

You suppress a grin. He may not have all night, but you sure do.