The Ikarishipping portion of this fic is dedicated to Arysd. It was by reading her stories that I started to accept Dawn and Paul as a pair… :)

This is definitely a jollier chapter than the last.

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December 3rd

Dawn

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Red and Green.

Everywhere that Dawn looked, she saw those colors stand out against the boring whites and browns of the department store. Christmas was in the air and decorations were strung about every possibly place and way. Hanging down from the ceiling was a large wreath, adorned with a deep red bow. At the end of the aisle were two large Christmas trees. They glittered with multicolored lights and the light reflected off of the red and gold bobbles.

Dawn was practically in heaven. Christmas was without a doubt her favorite time of year (besides Valentines Day, of course). It wasn't just the presents and the family gatherings that made her love it so much; the general atmosphere everywhere she went was absolutely fervent and simply joyous. It only added to her already happy and bubbly personality.

Another thing that was great about Christmas to Dawn was the shopping. The atmosphere in all of the stores was probably the best out of anywhere, especially in the malls (though not last minute Christmas Eve Christmas shopping- if that was anything, it was hectic. But Dawn never got caught in that).
So here we find Dawn, walking into a quiet, peaceful department store, all alone. She didn't mind that she was without company; sometimes she preferred being alone while buying things for others, as she had more room to think. While buying clothes, she definitely needed her girls there for their opinions. But this day was strictly a gift shopping day. Ash and Brock definitely weren't the shopping kind of guys, and she knew they'd get bored in a matter of minutes. She knew she'd be much better off without Ash's constant moaning. Though, it would have been nice to have someone hold her bags…

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas…" A festive song was playing over the loudspeaker. Dawn walked down an aisle, observing a large array of perfumes on the shelves as she hummed along quietly to herself.

"…Just like the ones I used to know…."

Hmm, this one smells delicious! Dawn thought as she sniffed a perfume in a pretty orange and pink bottle. And it's cheap, too! Dawn scanned the price tag and then sprayed the sampler her wrists. Oops. Better not get side tracked!

Dawn reluctantly put the bottle of perfume back down onto its shelf and proceeded down the next aisle. She had arrived at the hair products now; she was about to turn around to browse different aisles, since she saw no need to get anyone hair products, but a label caught her eye. "Hair tamer for men" is what it read.

"I should get that for Ash," Dawn mused to herself before she let out a little giggle and set the bottle back down.

Dawn browsed around at random for a while, but nothing caught her eye for anyone. "This is a little harder than I though it would be," she muttered as she bit her lip. But Dawn shook the negative thoughts out of her mind. There's still plenty of time left, and a million other stores, too!

She looked around a suddenly realized that she was surrounded by three pairs of couples. One of the women was trying to ask her husband's opinion on new shower curtains for their bathroom. He tried to make himself look interesting once he realized his wife was asking her opinion. The second couple was ogling over some Christmas decorations.
"Oh, Aaron, look at this ornament! Isn't it so CUTE?" The women simpered, blinking her eyelashes at her boyfriend

"If you want it, Brianna, I'll buy it for you," Aaron replied, staring lovingly into her eyes.

"Oh, I love you so much!" Brianna yelled before she flung herself into his arms.

The last couple, who were the oldest, looked at Brianna and Aaron and shook there heads. "The young couples these days… Too much public displays of affection," said the man disapprovingly.

Dawn stifled a giggle as she watched the three couples. They were all so different yet so alike in the way that it was so obvious how much they loved their partner. This realization made Dawn feel a little lonely all of a sudden- all of these people would have a romantic Christmas. They would all have their other half to spend it with them and love them and make them happy. And all I have are two annoying boys! She said in her mind. But that wasn't true; she loved Ash and Brock very much, though not in that way. Suddenly, looking around at all of the happy couples, she had realized that she wanted to be one of them. She wanted someone to hold her like Aaron was holding Brianna. She wanted someone to give her flowers and kisses and make her feel loved.

Like that's going to happen any time soon, Dawn huffed to herself. I haven't had a boyfriend since Richard back in 5th grade!

Dawn walked away from the happy couples, trying to shake off the whiny feelings. I've got no reason to be upset, she told herself firmly. I'm so young- I have at least ten years to find love like that!

"No need to worry," she told herself confidently, the optimistic smile reappearing on her face. Dawn pushed the lonely thoughts out of her mind and continued browsing around the store.

Dawn was looking at some necklaces on display at the jewelry counters when she noticed a familiar purple head out of the corner of her eye.
Is that Paul? She wondered, cocking her head to the side. What's he doing looking at jewelry?
"Looking to buy some jewelry for a special girl, huh?" Dawn said coyly as she walked up to Paul.

Paul turned around slowly, glaring at her. Dawn kept smiling; it wasn't like she had expected any better reaction from him. "What, are you hoping it's for you?" he shot back, mocking her. "Never in a million years."

Dawn felt like he had just delivered a blow to her stomach- or rather, somewhere in her chest area. What's this weird feeling I'm getting? And why am I getting it? She wondered in her head.
Dawn felt her face fall slightly for a second, but she immediately regained her composure. She couldn't let Paul see what she had just felt, whatever it was.
"I was just asking, jeez Paul, no need to get offended," Dawn finally replied, keeping her cool.
Paul's face didn't change in the slightest. The hardness remained and so did the steely glint, as well.
"Soooo, out doing some Christmas shopping?" Dawn asked lightly, trying to make the conversation less awkward.

It was a few seconds before Paul replied. He just sighed and turned a little more towards her direction. "Do you ever mind your own business?"

Dawn, affronted, dropped the smile from her face. "I was just making conversation." She felt the heat climb up and onto her face. Why am I blushing?!

"Whatever," Paul replied, turning away and looking at the necklaces on display. "If you really want to know, yes, I am. And I'm buying a necklace for my mother, not some stupid girlfriend, for your information."

Dawn tried not to get offended again. She had to remind herself that that was just how Paul talked to people. Also, she was lucky he was even talking to her at all. Once, she had run into him at a Pokemon Center, and she happily yelled out to him in greeting. He had just looked at her and then walked away, glaring, as always, not even acknowledging her.
"Well, that's… nice," Dawn smiled, struggling to find something to say.

Paul just stifled a tiny nod as he continued to stare down at the array of necklaces. Dawn noticed his brows were furrowed as if he were in deep concentration. She then realized he was probably having a difficult time choosing a necklace. After all, this wasn't a boy's area of expertise- especially one like Paul.
"Need some help choosing a necklace?" Dawn offered brightly, bounding a step closer to him.

Paul recoiled slightly as she neared him. He looked at her a second or two before replying, contemplating. Finally, he came to a decision. "Fine," he snapped, looking away. "Normally I don't need help from a pipsqueak like you, but…" he trailed off, unable to explain himself.

"But I'm a girl, and know all about fashion and jewelry?" Dawn offered, winking.

Paul regarded her in slight disgust as he replied, "I guess."

"Perfect!" Dawn stared down at the necklaces with him, excited by this new challenge. "Alright, so I need details about your mother. Does she normally wear jewelry? What color is her hair? And her eyes?"

"Why the hell do you want to know that?"

Dawn sighed. "If you want me to help you, you'll have to answer my questions." When Paul didn't respond, she continued. "You see, we'll need something that compliments her features. And if she doesn't wear jewelry lots, you don't want to get something too flashy," she explained.

Paul seemed slightly overwhelmed for a second. Dawn was sure that this was complete news to him. Boys are so ignorant, she giggled to herself mentally.
Paul regained his hard features. "She's got purple hair like mine, though a little darker. Her eyes are blue. Like… yours."

Dawn smiled at his observation. "Does she wear jewelry lots?"

"Once in awhile."

"Alright, let's have a look now."

Dawn peered around at the necklaces for ten minutes. Paul trailed helplessly behind her, torn between amusement, disgust and complete and utter boredom. He seemed relieved when Dawn finally grabbed his arm and dragged him to a necklace that she claimed was "perfect". Though, he wasn't relieved at the fact that she had grabbed his arm. He yanked it back quickly and muttered, "Don't touch me."

Dawn's heart thumped hardly at that moment but she didn't register that flood of emotion on her face. She just continued leading Paul to a glass case near the center.

"There," she pointed, indicating a necklace set on a white velvet cushion.

It was positively beautiful; the necklace was a simple triangular sapphire held in a silver clasp that had two small white crystals on either side. The chain was a thin, simple snake chain. The display said it was real silver.

Paul didn't have much of a reaction so Dawn started talking again. "I asked the lady if I could try it on. It looked amazing with my eyes, so if they're like your mom's, this necklace will look good on her. Plus, the blue would go nice with her dark purple hair as well."

"Can I see it on you?"

"What?" Dawn whipped around to look at Paul. His face was serious; though, that was the last question she'd ever expect him to ask.

"Are you deaf? I said, could you wear it? I want to make sure what you said was true. I'm not going to pay that much money unless I know that it's worth it." Paul rolled his eyes nonchalantly.

"Uh, okay…" Dawn replied, confused. She asked the saleslady if she could try it on once more. Soon she was wearing the beautiful necklace and admiring herself in one of the mirrors.
"See how it really matches my eyes perfectly? It doesn't stand out too much on me, since my hair's blue, but it'll really pop on your mom since she has purple hair…" Dawn blabbed on self consciously. She had to admit, the necklace did look stunning on her. Never before had she seen a stone that was almost precisely the same color as her eyes and hair. Even though, like she said, it didn't stand out on her, the necklace balanced her features out in a peculiarly perfect way. The only word to describe it was 'stunning'.

Dawn looked at the reflection in the mirror and saw Paul staring at her through it. She turned around quickly, embarrassed. "Sorry. I shouldn't be staring at myself in it like that. Here, have a look."

Paul narrowed his eyes slightly in thought as he stared at Dawn. This made her even more self-conscious. She fidgeted under his intense gaze, trying hard not to blush.

"It's…nice on you," Paul finally said.

Did PAUL just say a compliment? Dawn screamed in her head. She was so shocked. "Umm, thanks, Paul," she said, unable to stop her cheeks flushing with pink, for some strange reason unknown to her.

"What I meant was, it would look great on my mother," Paul said, struggling to somehow correct his accidental compliment.

Dawn reached behind her head to try to unclasp the necklace. "Yeah, it would." She succeeded at unhooking the clasp and took one last look at herself with it on in the mirror. "Too bad I have to take it off now… I really do love it," she sighed. She turned around reluctantly and handed the necklace to Paul. He nodded in what Dawn suppose was his way of saying 'thank you' and then walked off to pay for the necklace.

Dawn searched along the glass counters, trying to find another one of the Sapphire necklaces.

"Can I help you with anything, dear?" came the voice of the friendly saleswoman.

"Yes, actually. Do you have any other copies of the Sapphire necklace that my friend had just purchased? I just fell absolutely in love with it," Dawn smiled jovially.

The woman's lips turned down a in a sad little smile. "Unfortunately, we don't. That necklace was one of a kind."

"Oh," Dawn said, disappointed. For some reason, she had developed a weird attachment to the necklace, even though she had only worn it for no more than five minutes

"I'm terribly sorry. We have other ones like it though, over here." The lady led Dawn over back towards the container that once held the Sapphire necklace. Dawn peered down excitedly, but she was disappointed. None of them had the same beauty that the one Paul bought had. Maybe she was too set on getting one that looked exactly like that necklace, that her mind had closed up to other options.

"Hmm, those ones aren't exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you though, ma'am."

Dawn smiled placidly at the lady, and then turned away, disappointed. She immediately looked around to find Paul, but he was nowhere in sight. Well, it was typical Paul, to disappear like that without even a 'goodbye'.

Paul, what a guy…Dawn thought, sighing. Her heart fluttered slightly as she stared off into the distance, thinking…

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Wow.
I'm actually SOOO surprised at how much I enjoyed writing this chapter.
Like, blown away.
I was SO not an Ikariship person, but now… I don't know xD It's just so much fun to write!

Tell me how I'm doing, what you liked about the story so far, what you'd like to see, etc. Review! (: