A/N: This fic stands on its own (somewhat) well enough, but is very much a sequel to my other fic A Very Silvery Christmas―even the titles are connected! Things will make more sense if you read that first.

-x-

And a Golden New Year

-x-

PART 1

-x-

After leaving Mt. Silver on Christmas Day the end of the year came fast.

A few silly days in Blackthorn with Silver and suddenly New Years Eve was already upon them. To Gold time had never seemed to pass by as fast as it had during their time training in the Dragon's Den. The moments seemed to all blur together into a colorful mess of playful pokémon battles, eating straight out of lunch boxes, and avoiding Clair. The short-tempered dragon type gym leader had also made it her place to train in the same cavern, but since they hadn't exactly parted on the best of terms―what with Clair's shouting match and Gold's smugness after he'd passed the Dragon Elder's test, forcing Clair to reluctantly offer him the badge―Gold had made it his business to quickly duck for cover whenever he noticed the woman drawing near.

Silver, the sadistic twat he was, seemed to find it amusing, sometimes even going so far as to try and catch the woman's attention on purpose, to make her aware of Gold's presence. Gold found his revenge on their last day in Blackthorn by "accidentally" sending him flying into the lake along with his Feraligatr during their last match. Needless to say, the redhead was far from pleased. However, after retaliating by having Feraligatr dowse Gold with surf, they both ended up laughing it off.

They really were getting along, Silver and him. It wasn't as much of a surprise for Gold as it would have been before everything that had happened during their time visiting Red―finding out about Silver's relation to the long lost champion, listening to his thoughts and learning to understand him better. Even before, he wouldn't have said that he hated Silver―he'd already figured out that much even before his arrival on Mt. Silver ―but neither had he been comfortable saying that they were friends.

All that had changed, Gold mused as they walked down the slope towards New Bark early on New Year's Eve morning. And all it had taken had been a few funny moments of pausing to listen and the willingness to give something in return. When Gold had recounted to Silver his own feelings about his long dead father he'd felt like a connection had been born between them. That finally they could both see each other for who they were, not the picture they usually put up.

It was a strangely intimate feeling, one that would sometimes creep up on him as he watched the other boy and saw the way his eyes would light up even if his mouth was turned down in a frown. Gold's breath would hitch then, his own mouth falling open before he eventually managed to shake it off with a laugh or a shrug.

Something truly had changed, but he was beginning to wonder whether it was taking him far beyond simple friendship and towards… well, he wasn't quite sure yet himself. All he knew was that the thought kept springing up, refusing to die and stop pestering him at the most inappropriate moments. Especially since sometimes when he thought of Silver his mind would conjure a picture he'd rather hoped to forget from a few days ago on the mountain, one of Red and Green in the kitchen, locked in a not so innocent embrace.

Whenever that happened he couldn't stop his cheeks from burning up and Silver would look at him funnily until he found a way to distract the boy. Now that they we're heading together towards Gold's childhood home, where they would soon be reunited with the older trainers responsible for Gold's unfortunate memories, he could only hope he would be spared any further embarrassment and the whole New Year's party would come to pass in a fun and relaxed manner.

Of course, there was no way for him to ensure that by himself. There were quite a few… variables involved.

"So who exactly is coming tonight?" Silver chose that moment to ask, as if sensing his apprehension. "Red and Green, but who else? And what exactly is the plan? I'm not sure I want to go along with everything you have come up with."

Gold stuck out his tongue at the redhead's apprehensive tone. "No reason to be scared," he mock-taunted, causing Silver to flip him off. "But well… my friend Lyra and her parents are coming over, and so is Kris. I told her to bring a friend or two, but I haven't heard if she's managed to persuade anyone into coming. Probably not. Then there's those two, and they're going to bring their friend Leaf. I met her in Pallet and she seemed… nice."

Well that was one way to put it. The girl had practically hauled him all around town in her need to introduce him to as many people as possible, refusing to take "no" for an answer.

He paused his speech to hop down a small ledge, watching in amusement as his trusty Typhlosion clambered down far more carefully than his trainer. They were making excellent progress down the hill in the crisp morning air and would be arriving in New Bark before noon. Plenty of time to catch up with his mom, properly introduce Silver to her, and help with all the preparations before the guests would start arriving.

"The party starts at six, about, so we'll have plenty of time to chill until then. Y'know, help my mom out and stuff." Gold smiled to himself, trying to picture Silver in their home, carrying a stack of plates or something while following his mom around.

Silver, for his own part, scowled softly. "I didn't agree to become a servant."

Gold chuckled. "It'll be fine, Silver. Trust me. Besides, mom rarely even lets me do anything of importance―she prefers to keep the reigns in her own hands."

Silver cast him a vary look. "If you say so," he relented. There was a worried edge to his expression, but somehow Gold guessed it had nothing to with whether his mom would put Silver to work or not.

"Hey," he said, nudging the boy gently with his elbow. "What's bugging you really?"

Silver made a discontented noise, side-stepping out of Gold's reach. "Nothing," he said. After a few beats, though, he continued. "Or… damn. It's just―"

He cut himself off, biting his lower lip. Gold frowned. Now that he thought about it, he had been a bit apprehensive since they'd decided for real that they would both be going back to New Bark for the New Year's. And if he wasn't worried about meeting Gold's mom, then maybe it was something to do with the location then?

That thought made something in his mind click.

"Oh," Gold breathed. "Are you… worried about going back to New Bark because of, y'know, Professor Elm and what not?"

Silver blew out a long breath through his nose. With his face cast down, avoiding eye contact with Gold, he gave a jerky nod. "I can't not be."

Gold was at a loss of words, then.

It wasn't like he'd forgotten about Silver's past and his previous less than proper behavior the last time he'd been in New Bark around the time Gold had set off with his first pokémon. It was true that back then Silver had broken into Elm's lab and stolen a baby Totodile simply because he'd been too proud and, perhaps, too afraid of mockery and rejection to come out and simply ask for one. But Silver had changed since and the boy walking beside him down the rocky slope was a completely different person―still learning, but willing to accept his mistakes and apologize.

Wait a minute― apologize. That was the key!

"Hey," Gold started out small, grinning softly. "You know what you should try?" Silver said nothing, but made a small noise to acknowledge that he'd been listening and to prompt him to go on. "Taking the first step."

That got a reaction out of the sullen boy. He snapped his head up, eyes wide and disbelieving, and stopped dead on his tracks. Behind the two trainers Gold's typhlosion let out a confused growl, wondering why they were stopping. "What? You want me to… turn myself in?" He asked, voice swaying slightly with how obviously betrayed he felt.

Gold immediately raised his hands, pacifying. "No, no, no… that's not what I meant at all!" He scratched the back of his neck. "I'm just saying that… well, I know the professor better than you, and I'd say he's a pretty easygoing guy. All around friendly. And I'm sure that if you went there yourself and apologized and tried to explain things, he'd forgive you immediately."

Silver still didn't look totally convinced, but there was a spark of recognition in his eyes―something that revealed he could actually see the sense in what Gold was saying.

"You think?" He asked.

Gold smiled reassuringly. "Yeah, definitely."

Silver held his gaze a moment longer before resuming walking. "I guess we'll have to see."

Gold followed him with a fond grin.

-x-

Upon their arrival in New Bark the sun was shining brightly and there was a thin coat of snow on the ground. Gold could barely contain his glee, jogging down the path to his house with Silver and Typhlosion trailing after at a slower pace. On the last leg of the journey they'd agreed to first stop by at Gold's house, drop their bags and let his mom know they'd arrived, before braving the way to Elm's lab. Silver wanted to get the whole apology thing out of the way sooner rather than later, come what may. Gold thought it was a good idea, all in all. And besides, he had planned on visiting Elm anyways, before the party.

Right before he reached the front step of his house the door swung open. Grace Himawari stood in the doorframe with her hands perched on her hips, smiling brighter than the glittering sun. She looked exactly as Gold remembered her―warm, amber eyes, a single mole on her left cheek and dark hair looped into two buns, held back with a red bandanna.

Gold's breath hitched in his throat without warning, a sudden warmth spreading over his cheeks as the emotions washed over him. How freaking embarrassing would it be to break down crying just by the sight of your mom, he thought as he fought the pressure behind his eyelids accompanied by the urge to do just that.

It had been too long. Too long since the last time they saw each other.

"Well," his mom said, voice wavering slightly to betray how affected she too was by this reunion. "I hope you're not going to simply stand there, dear?"

That was all the initiative Gold needed to run into his mom's arms, hugging her with all his might. He had grown considerably during his journey and his mother had never been too tall to begin with, so he was now much taller than her and easily strong enough to pick her up and swirl her around on the front step as she laughed into his shoulder.

"Put me down, silly," she cried and Gold complied, gently setting her on the step. "And let me look at you… you're really coming onto your own, aren't you? More of a man than a boy, already. And so handsome!"

"Mom please…" Gold mumbled, happy yet slightly self-conscious under her inspection.

Grace simply chuckled, pinching his cheek softly. Then she looked out behind Gold, seeming to finally notice Silver standing there like an awkward voyeur next to Gold's typhlosion. Her smile softened, an interested gleam settling in her eyes. "You must be Silver, then? Gold mentioned you would be coming along."

"It's nice to meet you," Silver muttered with a curt bow, the words and gesture coming out as if he wasn't sure he was using them correctly. Gold would've expected no more from him, knowing how unused Silver was to friendly, well-meaning interactions like these. It was clear he was trying, and that was enough.

"Likewise," Grace replied amicably, taking a step back inside, leaving the doorway open. "Come inside, both of you. I'm sure you're hungry after the trek." Then, as an afterthought she added: "But I'm afraid your other friend needs to go inside his ball now, Gold."

Gold laughed and called back his typhlosion.

After the long walk they really were more than happy to settle around the table, Gold with a vague sense of nostalgia and Silver obviously trying to find his bearings in the unfamiliar yet welcoming situation. To celebrate Gold coming home Grace had prepared her specialty dish: Cinnabar volcano burgers with a side of apricorn salad. Although it wasn't something they'd typically eaten on a New Year's Eve in the past, Gold almost felt his eyes water because mom had made his favorite. He savored the taste, doing his best to take his time despite the urge to wolf down the burger as fast as he possibly could. Silver, on the other hand, looked kinda thrown off by the offered food, nibbling cautiously at it as if afraid somebody would come and snatch his plate away any minute.

Gold, sitting opposite of him, kicked him in the shin under the table. "Stop being weird," Gold said, mouth half-full. "Just eat like you normally do."

Silver pulled a disgusted face, snapping at Gold to finish chewing before he opened his mouth, but began taking larger bites and eventually seemed to relax more or less completely.

Other than that the lunch table was filled with Gold and his mom's chatter about what they both had been up to. Silver didn't really butt into their conversation, unless Gold specifically egged him for a comment, opting to stay silent and listen. It probably helped him get a handle of things faster, because once Gold's mom cleared the table from the plates his offer to help with the dishes sounded almost entirely natural.

Grace, though, just waved him off with a laugh. "Thanks, but I can manage," she said. "You two run along to Elm's, like you mentioned. I hear he's going to Ecruteak for a short holiday with his family, and they're probably leaving as soon as he's finished putting his equipment away. You need to be off, if you're planning to catch him before he leaves."

Silver nodded meekly, while Gold beamed. "Thanks, mom," he called out, pulling the redhead along towards the door. "We'll be back to help you afterwards!"

"That better be a promise!" Grace's voice rang out from the kitchen as the front door slammed shut behind the boys.

Gold released his Typhlosion once more as soon as they were outside. The beast growled happily, butting his head against Gold's hip. The boy shooed him away gently, offering Silver a weary grin. "You ready, then?"

"I guess," Silver replied, expression twisting into a mild grimace. "As ready as I'll ever be."

"Let's go then, get it done with," Gold said as he began walking. "The problem's not gonna solve itself."

"I don't need you to tell me that, stupid," Silver retorted without any real bite behind his insult.

It was less than a ten minute walk from Gold's house to Elm's lab, the route familiar and comforting to the boy. These were the houses he'd run past as a kid every time he'd wanted to bug the professor about his latest findings. These were the steps he'd traced when he'd marched on to get his first pokémon nearly one full year ago, shaking with nervous energy and excitement.

Gold could still remember it like yesterday and he had a feeling he wouldn't be forgetting the events of that day in the near or far future either. Most likely it was a memory that would remain bright and clear to him until the day he died―the way he'd stumbled on the lab's steps, being in a hurry to get inside, the way he'd barely even had the wits to greet Kris and introduce himself to the girl who would also be gaining her first pokémon from Elm that day, and how his eyes had widened and his chest had felt like it would burst when Elm had presented him his partner, the cyndaquil Typhlosion had still been back then, for the first time.

The boy smiled to himself, lost in remembrance. There were other things too―little details he found hard to forget from that day. The coffee stain on the hem of Elm's lab coat, the crimson nail polish his mom had worn when he'd run back to say his good byes and―with a startle, he realized―the look in Silver's eyes as he'd passed him, full of longing and something dark and fragile that had never caught his attention back then, but now seemed to shake him to his bone as he recalled it.

Maybe it was strange that he could bring all these little things back to his mind in such vivid detail, especially when it came to the bits and pieces concerning the redheaded boy now walking next to him. He had talked with him briefly that day, on his way out of town when Silver was still lingering around Elm's lab and Gold's curiosity had gotten the better of him. Back then he'd vowed to forget the whole interaction, deciding that some people were just rude and there was no helping it.

To his surprise, he now found that he never had forgotten. Every word Silver had said was etched on his mind, echoing in his ears as they walked. What a contrast they made, he thought, when compared to Silver's words to Gold as of late. Not that Silver was exactly polite now, either. More like his edge was softer and not meant to hurt, but to slightly poke at him. To keep him on his toes.

While he'd been musing these thoughts they had arrived at their destination. Silver stood silently, staring at the building. Gold, suddenly unsure what was expected of him, felt his own hand twitch. He kinda wanted to reassure Silver some more, to place his hand on the boy's shoulder, but he wasn't sure whether he should.

The decision was made for him when Silver opened his mouth: "I'm going in."

His voice was calm, nervousness and other distracting emotions steeled. Gold felt a pang of something―pride, fondness, sympathy?―in his chest. He reached out his hand and caught Silver's sleeve before the boy could walk off.

Silver met his eyes with a slightly questioning look.

"I'll wait for you," Gold said, voice certain.

What he meant was: no matter what, you've got me.

Silver made a soft, unguarded noise in his throat, quickly averting his eyes before he swirled around and faced the lab once more. Gold swore his cheeks were tinted red.

"Thanks," he said softly, perhaps softer than Gold had ever heard Silver talk before, and disappeared inside.

-x-

About fifteen minutes after Silver had disappeared inside Gold begun to think that he should've gone along just so he would've had some idea of what was going on. And, to be honest, also because he was getting kinda bored, having nothing to do but play with Typhlosion on Elm's yard. And even that was hard, considering his partner's sheer size and the limited space. Luckily just a few minutes later Professor Elm's oldest aide, the man Gold primarily knew as Lyra's father, stepped outside and grinned in recognition upon seeing Gold and his pokémon. The two chatted for a while, Gold doing his best to recount his journeys in a lively and colorful way―mainly to keep himself occupied. If he didn't he'd no doubt end worrying over Silver and the conversation happening inside.

Eventually the man had to depart, saying that he'd see Gold later when the whole family was coming over for the big party. Gold waved and told him to ask Lyra to come by earlier if she could be spared. He chuckled and promised he would relay the message.

After that it was just Gold and his increasingly stressed thoughts. He paced on the front porch for some ten more minutes, before he decided he couldn't wait any longer. He was going in, no matter what he would interrupt by doing so. He took a deep breath, knocked twice loud and sharp and pushed the door open.

"Silver?" He called. "Professor Elm?"

There was a muffled surprised sound from the backroom and the professor's head popped out of the doorway. "Oh, Gold! Good, you're here. I was just thinking I should come fetch you."

"Um," Gold mumbled, walking to the back of the lab with Typhlosion following cautiously on his heel. "What's going on?"

"Well," the professor drawled. "Your friend Silver was just introducing to me his wonderful Weavile. Did you know they're rarely seen in Johto because the sneasel breed distinct to the Mt. Silver area had previously been incapable of evolution. They were missing the gene, you see. I actually wrote my doctoral thesis on this―well, along a few other things―and I can lend it to you if you'd like, although I guess it would be way too advanced for someone your age." He paused to frown, as if counting mentally how old that was, exactly. "Anyways, after I had published my thesis, I suggested to the League's pokémon habitat preservation reserve that they should bring sneasels from Sinnoh, see if the gene would catch onto the new mixed generation. And apparently it worked!"

"I'm… I'm glad to hear that," Gold replied, bemused. "But never mind that, professor! Is everything alright?"

The man's expression softened, his enthusiastic grin weaning into a small comforting smile. "You mean with how your friend walked in to tell me he was sorry for stealing my totodile? Yeah." The professor sighed. "Of course I wasn't happy about it at the time, but… well. Silver showed me how that tiny little creature had grown into a proud, fine looking feraligatr. And they both seemed so happy with each other―no reason to take away that happiness now. What's done is done, like I told him, and everyone makes mistakes. No reason to dwell in the past."

Gold felt his face break into a wide grin. "You're… seriously the best, professor. Thanks."

Elm laughed. "No reason to thank me," he said. "Now come in here and let me look at your pokédex!"

Gold rolled his eyes theatrically. "Fine, but don't expect it to be like Kris'. You know she's far better at this research thing."

He called Typhlosion into his ball―wanting to avoid any chance of confrontation between the fire-type and Silver's pokémon―and let Elm hold the door open for him as he slipped into the small backroom of the lab. Silver was there, sitting on a chair with Weavile standing by his feet, looking still a bit apprehensive but also clearly relieved. It might've been just a figure of speech, and a clichéd one at that, but he really looked like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, what with how easily he seemed to be holding himself, all poised and confident.

As he noticed Gold he gave a small nod and the barest hint of a smile. Gold gave him a thumbs-up in return. And if his heart beat slightly faster than it had before, he was simply happy to see everything had gone well. It had nothing to do with how utterly enamored he felt seeing that soft emotion in Silver's expression, the feeling of things finally going the way they should. Nothing at all.

They spent some ten more minutes in the lab with Elm quickly and efficiently going through all the data Gold had recorded with his pokédex. Admittedly, it wasn't much, but still more than Gold had actually thought. He'd been kinda swept in by battling and the league challenge, whereas Kris had more dutifully filled her dex and compiled the research she'd been sent out to do. Elm admitted he'd been prepared for that from the start and was glad enough to have helped one promising young scientist towards the right track.

While he was saying that there was a strange tone in his voice and his eyes darted towards Silver, thoughtful. Silver himself didn't seem to notice, his attention taken by Weavile twirling by his feet. For his part Gold suppressed the knowing grin that threatened to split his lips. Elm had apparently gotten to his head that he may gain a new assistant yet, one far better than the one Gold had made.

Well, he might not be wrong. Silver had keen eyes and a sharp tongue, one that could actually prove useful to him if he only learned how to direct it towards the right kind of audience.

Finally the professor seemed satisfied by having retrieved and saved all data from Gold's dex and returned the device with a serious gaze and a not too subtle jerk of his head towards the other boy in the room. Gold bit his lip and nodded. If the professor wanted him to pass over the dex to someone who might potentially put it to better use, he certainly would.

Gold and Silver left Elm's lab with a few final words, wishing him and his family a pleasant trip. Together they headed back towards Gold's home, this time with Weavile sneaking at their feet. After a minute of walking in silence, Gold bumped against the redhead.

"What?" Silver snapped, but his voice wasn't unkind. More like resigned, if not the slightest bit amused.

"You okay?" Gold asked. "I'd assume so, since everything seemed to go just fine, but― I'm just checking."

The boy made a noise at the back of his throat, something between an annoyed grunt and a close-mouthed sigh. "Yeah," he replied quietly. "Everything's fine."

Gold watched his face for any little tell saying otherwise, but was glad to find none. Silver was undoubtedly tired from the whole ordeal, but the relief for having it over with was very much real.

"That's good then." The black haired boy grinned. "You'll be able to enjoy the party as your most charming, sarcastic self without this worrying you." Silver snapped his head, making a face. Gold laughed. "See?"

The other boy just hmpfed, but his lips were turned upwards.

"What's next then?" He asked, choosing to ignore Gold's words completely. "Cooking?"

"Yeah, or cleaning," Gold grumbled. "But it'll be over soon enough."

Silver hummed and the rest of the way was spent in comfortable silence.

-x-

They arrived right into the middle of Gold's mom's New Year's cleaning frenzy. But despite Gold's fears, they weren't made to assist in the cleaning. Instead the woman instructed the two boys into the kitchen where their task of baking mochi rice cakes awaited. Gold had frankly never been too good at baking. He only managed well enough to keep himself alive when his mother wasn't around. Or more like, when he wasn't around his mother, like he hadn't been for the past year while traveling. It wasn't like he could've picked up proper cooking skills in the forest.

Silver, though, turned out to be surprisingly talented. And more importantly, he even had enough patience to spare Gold some tips and suggestions. The tone of his voice was different from when he sometimes snapped at him during their battles; the (probably) well-meaning advice sounding more like insults. Now, it was milder, soft and careful, laced with an emotion that somehow made Gold melancholic.

"You're really good at this," he commented when the pile of mochis was already building up steadily. He chose to word it like that to give Silver the chance to brush it off without indulging in Gold's curiosity. Really he just wanted the boy to―

Silver hummed, patting the batter in his hands. "I used to bake with… with my mother." Gold paused, turning towards the redhead. Silver had never mentioned his mother before. The boy didn't spare him a glance, his eyes staring forward at something Gold couldn't see, as he went on. "Simple things mostly, and I was young so I guess I mostly just made a mess back then, but… the memories stuck."

He let out a worn out sigh, concentrating in the process of molding the mochi for a moment. Gold waited.

"She… died when I was nine," Silver confessed quietly. "Cancer. She had basically took care of me alone before then, even though in name she was Giovanni's wife. He… wasn't interested in raising me, but after her death he kept me out of some strange sense of duty towards her. I guess he actually cared about my mother, somewhat." The boy took a deep breath. "Anyways, it all happened before things went down with the Rockets and real objectives of my father's business was brought to daylight. And I guess I'm glad she never had to witness that, but… I can't help feeling like things would've gone differently if she'd lived. Maybe not."

"Maybe not," Gold repeated, comfortingly. "Giovanni is a right bastard after all. But… I'm sure she was a great woman."

Silver grunted. "Yeah."

They both fell silent at that, lost in their own worlds. Gold thought of the boy beside him and all the pain and sorrow he'd gone through just to be standing there, in Gold's kitchen on a New Year's Eve, making mochis. It was staggering really, that Silver hadn't completely lost his faith in everything―that he wasn't beyond salvation. It had probably been close, he realized when he thought back on the boy he'd met on a very faithful day, some eleven months ago. His eyes had been fierce, then. Harsh and closed off in a way Gold had never seen before, but beyond all that he had glimpsed into a frightened soul in need of a friend.

Suddenly he was so glad that Silver had decided to steal that totodile.

Gold really didn't know all that much about Silver's past, just the main events, and this conversation only proved it. But with a sudden burning need, he realized he wanted to learn it all. He wanted to be the person Silver could trust with all his pain and vulnerability and know that he wouldn't be judged for it.

"Y'know," he muttered, not looking at the boy to not come off too strong, too intimidating. "If you wanna, you can talk about her to me. Or anything really."

Silver let out a shuddering breath. "Yeah," he said again. There was a tentative sort of certainty in his voice, one that had been missing before. "I'm starting to realize that."

Gold smiled, chancing a quick glance at the other boy. There was a pained look in his eyes, but he was smiling too.

It was okay. He didn't have to open the dam now. It was enough to know he could.

The calm reverie of the moment was broken when the doorbell chimed suddenly.

"Oh," Gold yelped. "That would be Lyra!"

He grabbed a towel, brushing all the flour from his hands, and ran to open the door. When he got there, Lyra was already inside, taking off her shoes. She gave him the widest, whitest, most beaming grin he'd ever seen as a greeting.

"Hiya, Goldie!" She called hopping out off her shoes and throwing her arms around the boy.

Gold laughed and, in an imitation of his earlier reunion with his mother, spun her around twice―just because he realized he could. Lyra had always been petite, but he had grown more during the past year than he'd even realized. She felt light as a feather in his arms.

"It's so good to see you, Ly," he mumbled against hair. "It's been way too long!"

"That would be your fault, dummy," she chided playfully. "You're always saying you're too caught up in your training and never have the time to visit."

He laughed again and scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "That might be true," he admitted. Then he grinned, pulling her along. "C'mon, Silver's in the kitchen, working all by himself."

"Oh?" Lyra asked, curious. "He's here? I never realized you―"

She wisely swallowed the rest of her sentence before they rounded the corner.

Silver, holding what appeared to be the last of the dough, nodded politely. "Hello."

His tone was maybe a bit emotionless, but at least it wasn't hostile. Gold grinned and let go of Lyra's arm in order to hop over to the boy's side, shaking him slightly by his shoulders. "Look at him," he told Lyra. "This year we have the best mochis this household has ever seen, all thanks to this guy!"

Lyra grinned wickedly. "Well, I'd say that it's not that big of an achievement if I wasn't seeing the finished product with my own two eyes."

Gold yelped indignantly in protest. Silver chuckled. He and Lyra hadn't really interacted with each other before, but apparently anyone who could put Gold back in his place got a positive mark in his book.

They finished the baking process and set to feeding Gold and Silver's pokémon, Lyra having left her own Azumarill in her mother's care for now. Gold and Lyra happily chatted about the things that had happened since they last saw each other. It really had been long, more than a couple of months already, because Lyra had never properly followed Gold and Kris into Kanto, only visiting him once in Celadon. Silver was happy with offering a word here and there when Gold asked for his opinion, and joining Lyra more than once in her teasing of Gold. All in all, it seemed they were getting along splendidly, despite Gold's initial fears over their clashing personalities.

Well, to be honest, he assumed people thought he himself and Silver were worlds apart in terms of personality, and they still got along really well. Or well, now they did, anyways.

Christmas had really brought along many changes.

"So," Lyra said when they'd returned inside from feeding the pokémon, her voice suddenly both graver and more mischievous than it had been. "I actually have an idea about tonight."

Both Gold and Silver raised their brows.

"And what would that be?" Gold asked.

The girl leaned forward conspirationally. "I say," she whispered, "we convince your mom and my parents to go spend their own night at our house. That way, we'll have the whole house to ourselves, without the adults breathing down our necks."

Gold whistled, impressed. "Good thinking, Ly!" He grinned. "Although, I don't have a clue how we're gonna achieve that." He paused, thoughtful. "Maybe I should just ask."

"That's a terrible idea," Lyra deadpanned. "She would just ask why and nothing you could think about on the spot would be enough to convince her. Gold, you need a plan. A battle strategy!"

Gold pouted at her. "Well, what's your suggestion then?"

"Well, I was gonna say that my parents suggested it." She frowned. "Although, I guess she'd find out the truth as soon as she went over there."

Gold smiled smugly. She stuck out her tongue.

Silver cleared his throat. "Isn't everyone coming over for the night?" He asked. Gold nodded, confused as to where this was going. Silver looked like he was explaining something to a five-year-old. "So just tell her that we need the space to ensure everyone has a spot to sleep in. Your house isn't that big, and there's seven of us even without counting the adults." He flushed suddenly, his expression slightly uncomfortable as he continued: "And if she's worried, just tell her that… my brother is already of age. She'll probably believe that the former league champion is responsible."

Gold felt his mouth drop. Silver's expression was still strained, but not completely so.

"Wait," Lyra piped up. "Your brother is… who, exactly?"

Silver spared her a very fast glance. "Red."

It was Lyra's turn to gape. Luckily though, she had enough sense in her to not make a big deal of it. No matter how theatrical she somehow liked to be, Lyra was immensely intelligent when it came to social situations. At just one look, she could understand that it wasn't her place to press the matter any further.

"Oh," she breathed, willing the shock away. "Oh, okay… Um, I think that would actually work."

Gold snapped back to attention, lips turning upwards. "Yeah!" He exclaimed. "Thanks, Silver." The red head simply grunted in acknowledgement. "I'm gonna go try it immediately. And," he looked around, gaze landing on the two piles of the ready mochis. "I'll bribe her with these."

Snatching the tray, Gold trailed out of the kitchen in search of his mother. He found her upstairs, sweeping the dust of the windowsill in her bedroom. When Gold pushed the door open with his toe, she turned and smiled at him.

"Hi honey," she greeted, soon noticing the tray he was holding, eyes widening. "I can really tell you had some help in making these!"

Gold made a face. "Yeah, go ahead and rub it in my face, why don't you," he grumbled.

She laughed. "C'mon, now. It's no shame to admit to one's weaknesses. We can't all be good at everything." Her expression turned a bit embarrassed. "For example, I may have rushed through the cleaning this year… but at least I'm almost done! Then I can just sit back, relax and enjoy the party."

"Yeah," Gold said with an awkward laugh. "About that…"

Her expression instantly sobered. "Gold." She said his name like a warning. "What."

"Nothing to worry about," Gold hurried to say. He set the tray down on her bedside table. "We were just thinking with Lyra. Her parents were supposed to be coming over, but… well, there's a lot of us. And all my friends are counting on the chance to spend the night. It's not like there's a pokécenter with free lodging here in New Bark."

"Yes," his mother said slowly, but not unkindly. She was intrigued to see where this was leading. "And?"

"The house is gonna be really cramped, is what I'm saying. And since I know you and Ly's parents would prefer a… um, more relaxed atmosphere, we just thought it might be better if you'd go and have your own party at their house." Gold's mom sucked in a breath as if readying her speech, so Gold hurried to add: "And well, since Silver's big brother Red is also coming you don't need to be worried. He's already 18. And so is Green, for that matter. He's the Viridian Gym Leader, y'know."

Grace Himawari laughed. "Oh wow," she breathed. "You really can talk, can't you?"

Gold gave a small grin, anxiously waiting for her next words.

"Well, to be honest, I can't say I didn't expect this," she admitted with an amused hum. "I was prepared to turn you down but… maybe it's time you got your way. You've always been smart."

Gold's grin grew in volume as she responded in kind. "You mean…?" Gold asked.

"Sure," she relented. "The house is yours for the night. But it better be still standing tomorrow, when I come back, or else…"

"Yes," Gold cried out. "Of course! Thanks so much, mom!" He pulled the woman into a tight hug. "You're the best!"

She chuckled, brushing his hair gently. "I know."

-x-

A/N: When I finished "A Very Silvery Christmas" one year ago, I implied that a sequel would follow. And here I am, fulfilling that promise. So welcome, dear readers, to the next installment of the story of Gold Himawari's life, this time with considerably more huntershipping. I hope you'll enjoy reading this at least half as much as I've enjoyed writing it.