Happy Ikarishipping day everyone!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon, although I think if someone sued me I'd feel sorta honored. (Not really please don't sue me)

The first time Dawn sees Paul sitting in a contest hall, she figures it must be a fluke. There's no way this purple haired boy is there to see her, he didn't even know she was going to Hoenn, and he's never shown interest in contests even once!

Still, his gaze is focused from where he sits in the back row, and as Dawn starts her appeal she suddenly feels a flow of adrenaline at finally getting to show him what she's made of.

Dawn's appeal goes well, and she easily wins the contest. Unfortunately, Paul is nowhere to be found afterwards, and she wonders if she imagined him being there.

The second time Dawn sees Paul at a contest, she makes sure to beat him outside so they can talk. He can't just show up whenever he wants without saying hello.

She lingers in the lobby of the contest hall, standing just inside the exit. People are streaming past her, and for a split second she thinks he might have escaped. Then she spots his purple hair bobbing through the crowd. His head is tilted down and he seems lost in thought.

Dawn raises her hand shyly to wave, but he briskly walks past her and out the door. He probably just didn't see her, but it stings nonetheless. Dawn turns to follow him out, quickly losing hope that he's actually there to see her.

"Hey Paul!"

Calling out works, and Paul freezes mid step, his back straightening as he turns sharply. "What do you want?"

Paul's eyes are as clear as ever, and Dawn crosses her arms at his snapped comment. "Aren't I allowed to say hi?"

Paul shrugs, sliding his hands into his pockets slowly. "If you want."

"I also was kind of wondering why you were coming to contests, I never saw you at any in Sinnoh." Dawn takes a step closer to Paul, raising her eyebrows in an 'I'm on to you' kind of way.

Paul's expression is a grim line, but Dawn thinks she sees it flicker upward ever so slightly. "Not like it's any of your business, but I'm studying the battles." Paul's eyes meet Dawn's, and for once she feels like he's looking at her instead of through her.

"Did you enjoy the contest today?"

Another step forward and Dawn realizes the crowd has thinned, leaving the two alone outside the hall. Paul nods once, glancing down to break eye contact. "It was interesting."

This is the highest praise Dawn has ever heard from the strict trainer, "Next time you should come backstage afterwards, maybe we can talk about battle strategy or something…"

Paul shrugs once nonchalantly and turns away, apparently deciding their conversation is over. He waves over his shoulder briefly, and Dawn watches him go with a soft smile on her face. She'll never understand him, but for now, this is enough.

The third time Dawn sees Paul at a contest, he's leaning on a wall outside the contestants changing room, waiting with crossed arms and a smirk.