Work Text:
Harmony relaxed in an armchair, panting, smiling. She’s just finished her first Z-A Royale night escapade with her new team — MZ. She was tired, but also so satisfied. She lost some battles, she won some battles. But most importantly, she got to know her pokemon and her team better.
Harmony looked at her team, chatting in the lobby, giving an update to AZ.
Naveen and Scraggy, even though Naveen was not fond of battling, were quite a chill team and did a good job guarding the rear. Harmony also really liked Naveen’s bag — it had a big transparent pocket in which he displayed his collection of small Canari plushies. Maybe he could make one for her too. She would put pokemon plushies there. She had one already — a gift from Urbain, who wanted to give her a plushie matching the pokemon he gave her.
Harmony bit her lip and looked at Lida, trying not to stare at Urbain.
When Lida battled, Harmony couldn't help but look in awe at her new friend’s smooth moves. She was so attuned to her pokemon and such a pleasure to cheer for. If Harmony didn't want to do well in Z-A Royale so badly, she should be content just watching the flanks while Lida battled, looking so cool and full of energy.
Lida noticed Harmony looking at her and smiled cheerfully.
“Doing the Z-A Royale takes a lot of energy, so…” Lida said, touching her belly, “I'm hungry!”
“The pantry's contents are yours to use, as ever.” AZ nodded, kindness in his voice. “Though I myself will retire for the night.”
“Kyururu.” His Floette spinned around gracefully and followed AZ to his room.
“Sounds like it's time to show off my chef skills!” Urbain decided, taking off his jacket.
Urbain. Harmony was surprised how amazing it was to battle with him at her side. They understood each other without words, sneaking around, jumping, and supporting each other. They even found two trainers happy to do a double battle — and it was the most fun battle of the night.
And they won. Then they hugged, overwhelmed with adrenaline, and Naveen told them to get a room. Which resulted in multiple jokes about all of them literally living in a hotel. And as Harmony laughed, Urbain winked at her.
She was still not over it.
“Would you make me something normal, please?” Naveen complained.
The continued conversation stopped Harmony’s train of thought. She stood up and joined the rest, her heartbeat and breathing finally slowing down after a night of battling.
“I'm good with literally anything as long as it's ready soon.” Lida shrugged, forever easygoing.
“This will be my first home-cooked meal here.” Harmony added, excited that Urbain offered to cook. “So anything you want to make will be amazing.”
“Er.” Naveen shook his head. “You may want to be more specific, or else... Well, you know what you'll get,” he added, glancing at Lida.
“Don’t listen to him, Harmony,” Lida said. “Urbain’s croissant curry is amazing!”
Harmony choked.
“Urbain’s what—”
˚⋅˖⋆❀☆⋅° ♡ °⋅☆❀⋆˖⋅˚
“Bon appetit!” Urbain proudly exclaimed as he invited the team to the table.
Harmony took a seat and admired the dishes presented. She was so excited for this late night dinner. First of all, it was her first dinner with the team and, second of all, Urbain prepared everything himself. Could he be even more amazing?
On the table, there was tea, of course. A big pretty teapot and teacups for everyone. There was a salad made from fresh vegetables and a plate of beautiful tartlets.
And right in front of Hamorny, there was something. A tall pile of sauce covering a tower made from rice, with a paper MZ flag at the top. All that surrounded by three croissants.
“Is this... curry?” she asked. “And these really are... croissants?”
“Exactly! And it’s as amazing as Lida said.” Urbain sat down, all smiles and excitement.
“Warned you,” Naveen whispered.
“It's my original creation: croissant curry!” Urbain continued. “I made it to be the hotel's sought-after signature dish. It pairs Lumiose's delectable croissants with the Galar region's legendary curry to bring out the best in both!”
Harmony looked at the little paper flag. The MZ logo was handwritten with a green marker. It was cute and perfect. It looked like everyone in this team was an artist, Urbain included.
“That scent sends my appetite into overdrive,” Lida said, smelling the hot dish. “I could eat your cooking forever, Urbain.”
“I reject that monstrosity altogether.” Naveen frowned.
Harmony noticed that on his plate there was a nice big sandwich. So Urbain actually made him a separate dish, huh. This was so nice of him. Harmony would make Naveen eat what everyone else was eating or make a sandwich himself.
While they quibbled, Harmony took one croissant and dipped it in the curry sauce. She tasted it carefully.
“You say that every time, but you seem to polish off anything I cook.” She heard Urbain say. When she looked up, Urbain smiled at her. She quickly got back to eating.
“I-I was just raised better than to let food go to waste.”
“Okay, okay. I know the truth.”
Harmony kept eating and felt tears forming in her eyes. Lida noticed first.
“Are you okay, Harmony?” she asked.
“Is it the cursed curry?” Naveen followed.
“No.” Harmony shook her head. “It’s just… It tastes exactly like the curry I had in Galar years ago. This is perfect. It’s just… so nice and comforting."
Lida smiled. Harmony bit her lip and looked up. To her shock, Urbain was blushing, his cheeks a pretty rosy shade.
“Well… I’m glad you like it,” he said in a sheepish voice.
Harmony cleared her throat. She was getting too emotional over this. Yes, her new friends were amazing and the night was too. But while the curry was perfect and transported her back to Galar, she had some negative feedback on this dish too.
“Though I think,” she said, wanting to save face and not look like a crybaby, “it tastes better separately.”
“But then it's just croissants and curry, not croissant curry…” Urbain moaned.
“Then, maybe,” Naveen smirked, “you should add croissant bits to the curry and—”
“Huh.” It looked like Urbain was actually considering the sarcastic idea. Then he turned to Harmony again. “And what about the presentation? It’s supposed to look cool, like Prism Tower with our flag at the top.”
“It does look cool.” Harmony nodded, her happy tears replaced with a happy smile.
“You’re just saying that because you like him,” Naveen took another bite of his sandwich.
“You also like him!” Lida pointed at him with her fork.
“But I just like him,” Naveed answered, unmoved, “Harmony likes likes him.”
“Is that so?” Harmony chuckled, imagining Lida throwing her fork straight into Naveen’s face.
“Can you all just eat?” Urbain, visibly flustered, decided to put a stop to this conversation. “But for real, Harmony, I'm glad you showed up here.”
“Yes! Big same!” Lida clasped her hands. “Having you around makes me feel like things might work out OK for us.”
“I'm glad to be here…” Harmony admitted, a bit shy all of the sudden. “I really am.”
“I can't wait to see everything you're capable of!” Urbain said, making a small toast with his teacup.
And then there it was. He once again winked at her.
Harmony bit her lip.
“And I can't wait to show you,” she answered.
Naveen cleared his throat and checked his phone.
“I think I’ll finish my sandwich while watching Canari’s stream.” He stood up. “And you two should just—”
“Get a room!” replied a three-person chorus.