Thanks to all who have read the story, I know my summary is crap but bear with it while I find a better way to summarize this story, sorry about that.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, the important people do and I'm not on f them. They take my money instead ;_;
Well enjoy the chapter :D R&R thanks!
Merry Christmas
The morning of the 24th Red's mother Hanako heard a tentative knock at her door; it was a soft sound, almost shy. She wondered if a small Pokémon was playing at her door until she heard a chiming sound like keys and the doorknob moved to allow a person in.
Red had decided to arrive early in the morning into Pallet Town; he thought it best to greet his mother without the curios stares of the people who were going to gather later, even if it was just Green's family and Blue he wanted to maintain that as an intimate moment between mother and son and there was also no doubt he would receive some scolding too. Also he knew that the earlier he got there the less likely to stumble with Green, Red wanted to delay as much as possible the inevitable meeting between the two. Green was never a morning person and Red hoped that hadn't change over the years.
Red arrived at the front door of his 'old' house, just standing there brought a lot of memories and despite of the happy feeling his heart seemed like it'd burst out of his chest from nervousness. Not even in a Pokémon battle has he felt like this, it was now or never.
At first he just grazed his fingers on the cold wooden door gaining a little confidence to knock softly, he remembered that he still had the keys to his home as he never took them from his backpack; he tested the keys to see if they served to open the door and was startled to see them working, turning the knob to open the door.
When he opened the door he was met with curios eyes that were fixed on the door trying to figure who could be opening that door when no other than the owner had keys. Those curios eyes soon turned onto ones of shock.
Hanako covered her mouth, her eyes wide as realization hit her, tears immediately forming in her eyes. "R-Red?" she said not believing that her son was in front of her, she slowly approached Red, extending her arms. "Oh my god it's really you!" she started crying openly as she embraced her son.
Red returned the hug tightly "Hello mom" was the only thing he managed to say before tears fell from his eyes, he didn't know how much he had missed her until now.
They spent a lot of time chatting about petty things at Red's reluctance to give information about the hardships he suffered while being away, still Hanako was happy because she managed to make Red promise he would stay in Pallet Town at least until New Year. After that only time would tell what Red would decide to do.
Hanako wanted to keep talking with his son but she still had to make preparation for the dinner and she was already running late. She sent Red to take a bath and to get ready for the later dinner. Red reached the door of the room he had occupied in his childhood and upon entering he felt like a small child once again. All his things were there just like he left them, not a single piece out of place; of course his mother had made an excellent job keeping the room clean and in optimum condition, there was even the photograph a staff member of professor's Oak laboratory had taken at Green and Red's request one day before they began their Pokémon journey. Red smiled with a hint of sadness, rubbing his thumb across Green's face.
He set the photograph down and started rummaging through his things to see if something he owned could still be used, founding some clothes that were a little big for him back then but would fit nicely now. He grimaced realizing he hadn't grown that much from his child height. It wouldn't be surprising taking into account that he lacked the proper nutrition when his body required it the most. No doubt Green would be taller than him.
Once in the bathroom Red relished in the amazing sensation of the hot water running through his body, it felt like an eternity since he last had a comfortable hot bath. He started to wonder what came over him when he decided Mt. Silver would be the perfect place to train and stay for as long as he did.
After his long bath Red started preparing for the night to come; he noticed Pikachu sprawled on his bed, apparently the Pokémon had missed too the commodities of a civilized life. The small rodent only moved when he felt his master approaching sensing the nervous aura that betrayed the calm look he sported. Pikachu wondered why Red acted like that when there was no one to fool; maybe his master was the fool trying to convince himself that everything would be alright.
Night arrived sooner than Red had expected, he felt incredibly excited and anxious. He wanted to see Green so badly but at the same time was terrified. He wanted to look at those emerald green eyes and how adolescence had affected the other boy.
Hanako called for him from downstairs saying that the guests would arrive soon and he needed to be there to greet them. Red´s heart started to race, sighting he prepared himself for whatever this meeting threw at him.
The first to arrive was Blue and then professor Oak made his appearance in Daisy´s company. None of them could hide the shock of finding Red at his mother´s house; Blue was more surprised and impressed that maybe she had forced a little sense in that hard skull.
After all the greetings were made and the shock had subside everybody settle in the living room for a small chat with warming tea. Outside it had started snowing lightly.
Some time passed and everyone started to wonder where Green was. Blue sat beside Red "I´m sure he will arrive shortly" she said trying to lighten Red´s glooming mood.
"He knows is impolite to make people wait like this" Professor Oak said disapprovingly.
In his mind, Red was already sure that Green weren´t coming until a knock was heard at the front door. He felt his blood rushing once again making him jump out of his seat, this day had proven to be more difficult with a turmoil of emotions making his perfectly build cold façade crack easily. Blue watched this with an amused expression, feeling sorry for the other guy but confident that all was going to work out alright.
Hanako hurried to the front door, Red following close shielding his body from the doors view behind his mother´s back. He definitely looked like a shy child who hung to his mother skirt not wanting to meet a stranger.
When Hanako opened the door there he was, a tall figure with spiky brown hair, half of his face was covered by a scarf and the rest of his body covered with a large heavy coat dusted in light snow. Red´s heart was stuck at his throat; he feared making a sudden movement and attracting attention to him.
"I´m so glad you manage to make it!" Hanako said happily. "I´m sorry Mrs. Hanako" he said "The meeting with the league took longer than I expected and when it ended I couldn't use Fly all the way here." He removed his scarf a light flush in his cheeks from the cold. A small furry Pokémon chose that moment to poke her head out of Green´s coat and jump out of it. Green chuckled removing the large coat. Red was paying close attention to the scene in front his eyes; he had imagined Green´s voice a little deeper but the voice he heard was soft, manly but soft and it was a pleasant sound. Green was definitely taller than Red and his face has matured into a beautiful sight, Green´s small chuckle sent shivers down Red´s spine.
Eevee went to where Red stood curios of the strange scent the Pokémon caught. Green followed the little animal´s movement and Hanako stepped aside to reveal the figure that was behind her. Red panicked but it was too late to run away instead he tried to compose himself and remain stoic. Blazing fire and vibrant green eyes met for the first time in years. Green´s mouth fell open making a good imitation of a magikarp out of the water, Red would have found this comical if he weren't dying from nervousness. Green stepped forward raising his hands to reach for Red "R- Red?" Green said hesitantly. Red didn't find the strength to move away from Green not knowing what the other boy intended, as far as Red was concerned he could receive a punch to the face.
Seconds later he found two hands cupping his face, he was surprised to say the least. Red felt his body shiver not only by the cold contact of the hands over the warm skin of his face but because the gesture seemed tender in Red's opinion. Red's height only managed to reach past Green's lips so he had to look up to meet Green's gaze. "I can't believe it's really you" Green said with a little quiver in his voice.
Soon after Green said those words Red found himself embraced in a tight hug. All day long Red was on the receiving end of shock gazes, this time he was the one shocked by Green's action; he wanted to return the hug but his body didn't seem to heed his orders.
"I'm so relieved to see that you are ok" Green whispered at Red's ear, the red eyed boy felt his world spinning, he forgot how to breath or where he was right now, all that mattered were Green's words and actions.
All the presents with the exception of a serious professor watched with tenderness the two boys. It felt like an eternity before Hanako cleared her throat; "Well…" she said tentatively "now that we are all reunited why don't we go to the dining room?" She said with a smile trying to break the silence that had settled.
The two boys felt awkward not realizing they were being watched by the others and a blush crept to both faces. Red was relieved that his face was hidden by his ever present cap. Green released Red and picked Eevee in his arms, laughing nervously.
When they were all moving to the dining room blue approached Red who was still rooted at the spot and whispered "Told you he missed you" winking mischievously feeling satisfied and ecstatic at the result. Red's lips curved into an imperceptible smile. He would have to thank the stubborn girl later for playing part in the happenings of the day, for now he wanted to bask in the feeling Green's embrace left.
The dinner was a pleasant one, happy and joyous marred only by the occasional scolding from professor Oak to his grandson Green, who just ignored the old man. From time to time the boys would steal a glance from one to another, not feeling comfortable to start a conversation in the presence of the others in spite of sitting next to each other. Green wondered if Red held a grudge against him, the boy hadn't respond to his hug nor he had pronounced a single word since he arrived.
When dinner was over all began to wish a happy Christmas to each other and made a toast. After that the girls helped Hanako clear the table and soon they were all back at the living room resuming their conversations from earlier.
Green excused himself saying that he needed some air to clear his head from the booze of the toast and exited the house, earning another disapproving look from his grandfather; he left Eevee behind who had been playing with Pikachu.
Blue took this opportunity to nudge Red inciting him to follow after Green; the boy was reluctant but did as he was told and left the house as well. Outside Red saw Green brace himself from the cold; he approached silently debating what he should say to the other. "Cold?" he blurted out before he could stop himself, his voice sounding a bit coarse startling Green, he regretted immediately his words wanting to crawl to the nearest hole for making the stupidest comment over the obvious.
At first Green was surprised to see Red talking to him, he had assumed the other didn't want anything to do with him but was pleased that maybe that wasn't the case. He chuckled over Red's comment sending once again a shiver down Red's spine. "Yeah.." was Green's response to Red's outburst and they stayed beside each other in comfortable silence for a while.
Green was the first to break the silence "Red?" he said shyly. The red eyed boy raised a questioning brow, waiting for Green to continue with whatever he had to say.
"I'm sorry for everything" sadness and regret tainted Green's voice and Red could see in the emerald eyes the apology was humble and sincere. Red marveled at the maturity Green's features displayed making him more attractive each passing minute and he didn't know how to respond to that, he never expected the arrogant boy he met years ago would be the one to apologize. He wanted to say it was alright, that he didn't need to apologize for anything, that both made mistakes that led to hasty decisions and hurtful actions. But he couldn't find his voice to say all of that, instead he just shook his head and Green seemed to understand all that was implied in the gesture.
"Guess Christmas miracles do happen" Green said turning toward Red, with a smile that Red thought could melt all the snow around them and a new light in his eyes. "I'm just happy you decided to return to us even if just for a while" He hugged Red again.
"Welcome home" Green whispered in Red's ear.
Red flushed and this time he managed to return the hug whispering into Green's chest "I'm back"
