An over sized paw came to rest on his chest as a young boy felt his face eagerly become assaulted by a large pink tongue.
"Growlithe!" the child protested, yet still failing to contain a fit of giggles as the large canine tore into him with affection. But the boy wouldn't be defeated so easily; grasping two handfuls of white fur from his Pokemon's mane, he managed to wrestle his assailant that was easily twice his size onto the floor beside him.
Already knowing that he had the upper hand in this routine one on one-half sparring session with the Lirant family's only six year old, Growlithe submit as the boy jumped atop his striped orange and black furred body and Growlithe promptly rolled onto his back so he could receive his also routine belly-rub. Having expended a majority of the meager amount of stamina he had, the boy re-purposed the Growlithe beneath him, burying his face into Growlithe's mane and substituting him for a pillow and blanket. This action Growlithe didn't mind, as it had become the norm having been with the boy shortly after the young human's birth. It had been quite the experience watching the Little Lirant grow from being a terror of nights and clean diapers to the silhouette of a man he was shaping up to become today.
To that end, Growlithe didn't mind in the slightest however his young master treated him. Especially when the boy reached up to scratch his ears and neck, eliciting a muffled, "I love you." from within his mane. Growlithe replied by licking at the top of the boy's head, and as routine dictated, the boy's face hastily rose before-
"Growlithe, don't lick my hair!" another protest from the human.
The boy cast him a glare as he could see the slightest traces of a smirk on Growlithe's face in reply. Rebelliously, he returned his face to the inviting warmth of Growlithe's mane.
"Rixen!" another human's voice called from the next room, this one was female. In response to his summoning the boy's head snapped promptly.
"Yes, mom?" his head cocked to the side as he listened further.
His mother appeared in the doorway, donned in clothing that one would wear for a mountainous hiking expedition. Her face glowed as she saw her son and Growlithe locked in eternal combat.
Rixen felt the warmth as she cast a smile at him and his sparring partner; a slice of the sun she granted him before she continued, "Your father and I are going to work now; are you going to come and say goodbye?"
Both of the children hopped from the floor to give their farewells and safe returns at the entryway to their house.
Mr. Lirat stepped in through the doorway before being greeted for farewells by his son in the form of a hug.
His father's attire matched that of his mother's, and he gingerly stroked his son's hair before pulling him up and into his arms.
"Have fun at work, daddy!" Rixen held his face against his father's chest. He could smell it. Rixen breathed in the pleasant brand of cigar that lingered on his father's clothes. It soothed him, helped him identify this important figure in his life.
"I will, son," he gave Rixen a kiss on the cheek before turning towards his wife, who granted Rixen one as well.
Once Rixen made it back to ground level, he gave his parents one last hug before he saw them out.
"We'll be back by evening, okay, sweetheart? There's a few snacks in the fridge in case you're hungry." his mother waited for the usual nod before closing the door and locking it behind her.
Today was the last day of the week Rixen and Growlithe would be left alone: Friday. The upcoming weekend forecast a picnic and stargazing in the mountains! Rixen beamed a smile at Growlithe, marveling in the thought. Unable to contain his excitement he threw himself at his best friend, latching on to Growlithe's muzzle.
Growlithe's eyes crossed on the small human in front of him before resigning with a huff as he felt the human grip for all he was worth. Instead of trying to pry the dainty Lirat from his maw, Growlithe rose from his seat, lifting the boy from the floor as Rixen tucked in his knees to accommodate the height difference as he squealed in delight.
Growlithe rolled his eyes as he began the trek to his bed by the heater, he assumed his young master wouldn't mind napping either until the more sizable masters returned. Maybe if the human actually let him bathe him for once would Rixen realize just how much they were bonded.
But due to his age, Rixen wouldn't be able to understand such things. He would never begin to fathom his deepening bond between human and the Pokemon he so desperately clutched to. All the same, he would never comprehend the shadows in his parent's promise to return by nightfall. He would never be able to understand why he could never bring it within him to forgive them for not taking him on their planned venture that weekend.
Rixen would never understand why they had said those things to him.
Why they had lied to him and Growlithe.
