A/N: And here we are. Chapter two~ Lovely. Right now I'm at the end of another tensaishipping oneshot. It's something EVERY kid does—it doesn't exclude boys—with a lot of clothes. xD I find it cute, in my opinion, and I'll post it as soon as I finish. There is only a little bit that needs to be done and etc. Afterwards, check for mistakes the best I can and finally post it. I thank those who read Piercing and Tattoos and reviewed! And my other tensaishipping fics! It seriously means the world~
Extra notes: Rushed. I don't like it. Couldn't help it. Ultimate fail again.
Disclaimer: Holy beeping shet. How many times have I gone through this? Shoooo…don't own pokémon, the characters, or music/lyrics.
Chapter 2
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"I know what your feeling it's hard to believe in
Someone, someone who's not there
I know that your waiting 'cause love is worth saving
But only for so long, so long, so long"
x./Default - It only hurts\\.x
The sun has set, leaving the sky colored with an orange array of shades that slowly fell to a purple-dark blue blanket. The puffy white clouds gave a more misty appearance, before long nightfall was brought down on the day, however the movements of the boat caused Ruby to stir. He rubbed the dirt out of the corner of his eyes, lazily scanning the room and collecting all memories of sleeping in a rocking boat. He threw his legs around, unbalanced at first from the constant motions of the drifting waves and the boat, he walked across the room to examine himself in the mirror. His slender digits steadily brought his hat up, revealing his black hair and the two scars that served him a constant reminder of his previous blunder. One finger slid down one scar, highly disgusted how it felt leathery to the touch, without delay he tugged his hat back down in repulsion and bit down on his lip. "I look hideous," he said to no one in particular, cursing himself at the horrendous scars that disfigured that very portion of his head.
A tender knock of the door made him jump; he clamped his mouth shut to muffle his surprised squeak and finally composed himself to ask who it is. Mr. Briney announced the arrival to the small islands, to which Ruby hastily bolted out of the door and to the sandy land. He inhaled deeply to the smell of the ocean water, the sandy coast, the scent of anything but the boat – although it was nighttime he already slept away any remaining amount of sleep left in him. Ruby settled for a room in the pokémon center, his eyes bore into the wooden roof as if expecting for something to happen. The door knocked and Ruby told whoever it was to come in—he did not plan on locking it until he was on the brink of consciousness and drowsiness—his scarlet eyes flickered to the elderly captain holding a letter between two fingers. The boy jumped off his bed, thanking Mr. Briney for delivering the letter he almost left in the boat. Before Ruby could promptly shut the door and lock it the elderly man had several more words to say, "So yer lookin' for Steven? Well, boy, most likely he's searching for some of 'dem rare stone again. He's truly a rock-lover."
Rock-lover? Ruby blinked at the letter in his hand; partially unease at the unknown man's strange adoration to rocks – what is so special about a solid aggregate of minerals...? Ruby shook his head, laughing as he attempted yet again to mold this stranger in his head. He held the letter in the light then quickly drawing it back with his heart racing – the idea slipped his mind he could see most of the of the letter's print when held in the light. The boy maintained a strong conflict about snooping but avoided the thought by simply distracting himself with other concerns… but he saw his name in one of the sentences; Ruby could not shake the feeling off. Baffled by the notion he slipped the letter in his backpack, exhausted through the chord of assumptions why his name would be placed there. He could have sworn both Ruby and Mr. Stone were in agreement: deliver the letter and get a pokénav and Ruby's identity would be sealed from leaking to Norman.
Ruby felt a chill run down his spine, he could already picture the furious expression his dad would wear or other further consequences Ruby felt best to not think of. His pokémon, especially Ruru, sensed its coordinator's fretting state and curled up beside him. Ruby's eyes twitched and his lips formed a crooked smile when Zuzu had nuzzled itself under the crook of the boy's neck whilst the mucus running down its nose. It was far too late in the night to push aside the runny Mudkip, ultimately he slept in peace—and oddly enough more comfortable—for the second time in a row. The following day the sound of Wingulls cawing stirred him awake, his pokémon were huddled around his body, making it complicated to move from his current position and allowing his partners to remain asleep. In due course all of them woke up and were active throughout the time Ruby took a morning shower.
Ruru dug its hand-like stubs in Ruby's backpack, fetching the pokénav underneath the other assorted contents. It searched the map, making low but audible noises to Ruby for him to see. The boy peered over, he gave a gentle pat on the pokémon's head and paced the room – Dewford has only one cave: the Granite Cave. And being the only cave on this small island it would mean Steven has to be somewhere inside, Ruby concluded. He hoped the cave would not bring him any trouble; he would sink to self-hatred if he battled in any possible form. Regardless he returned all his partners in their poké balls and departed from the pokémon center. The set of scarlet orbs surveyed the surrounding area, breathing in a sigh of relief with no sight of familiar faces around that could possibly aid Norman on Ruby's location.
His eyes rested directly on the sand, his shoes sinking down on the grainy minerals whilst several splashes of water wetting the ends of his pants – he cursed under his breath: so much for getting them clean! Ruby entered the room with his furrowed brows, already the day failed to go his way and the darkness of the cave was unimaginable. He was surrounded by the shroud of darkness—Ruby almost considered letting Ruru shine light somehow but resisted since the light my attract several of the pesky pokémon lurking inside—so he relied on his sense of touch to guide him through the passages. The endless labyrinth leads him to nowhere, eventually he felt like he has only been walking in circles.
"Eww," he wryly muttered, "I think I'm starting to sweat."
Only it was actually considered normal after walking in endless loops in a particularly warm cave, he would have given up earlier if he hadn't lost himself so deep inside. With another step forward he could feel the certain point under his foot was highly unsteady and after taking another cautious step the ground beneath him collapsed. He popped his head from the rubble, rubbing his aching head and sulking that his clothes might be smudged with dirt. Ruby brushed the dust off his clothes, wincing to the jolt of pain around his foot. Damn! I think I twisted my ankle, he assumed the conclusion but dragged his foot to resume the search for Steven.
He could have sworn the path has gotten shorter despite falling deeper down. Ruby followed the trace of light; he fell into awe at the sight of a streaming waterfall glistening from an open air shaft.
"Are you alright?"
Ruby jumped, startled from the voice that broke his concentration on the waterfall. As he turned he thought the waterfall's beauty was far beyond radiant until he saw a man with light blue hair—Ruby could not figure how to describe his hair color that matched the set of eyes—and his sun-kissed skin tainted by several smudges of the rocky dust but it still made the man all the more captivating. He walked over to Ruby; in turn the boy took a step back.
Steven frowned, "I mean no harm." he said, raising his hands to lower Ruby's peculiar hostility.
Ruby felt his ears growing warm, "Who are you?" he asked.
Instantly the man perked, his vibrant smile glowed like his bright-blue eyes. One hand returned back to his side, the other was placed on his chest as he introduced himself. "Steven Stone," he mentioned, paused, and continued, "but I would feel assured if you could tell me if you were injured or not. Aron and I felt something collapsing."
Aron? Ruby peered down, noticing the small iron-bodied pokémon sending the boy a friendly vibe. His sense of pokémon contest-like personality sparked as he immediately scooped the small iron creature. "You're so cu—ouch!" he flinched, the painful ache in his ankle pulsating through his body and his nerves felt like they were dying. The weight of the pokémon and his weak ankle brought the boy to drop to his knees; Aron began to fret and poked Ruby with caution, echoing its voice of concern.
Steven crouched down to Ruby level, carefully lifting the ends of Ruby's pants. Ruby felt a chill running down his spine: he could smell the man's scent, the tips of his blue hair brushing against Ruby's cheeks, and the cold fingers touching his injured ankle. The boy's heartbeat pounded in his ears, causing him unable to hear Steven's conclusion of the injury but he did hear when Steven asked him, "Can you tolerate it enough to stand?" The boy only shook his head, he showed the apparent pain when tried to lift himself up.
Steven sighed, scratching the back of his head and looked back down at his pokémon – who strangely disappeared from his side. "Aron?"
The small creature brought back in its mouth a fire stone, some of the rocky dust still left on it but in spite of that Steven smiled. Patting the pokémon on the head on a job well done he held the red stone in his hand and stuffed it inside his pocket. "With this there should be no more hesitation to get out." Steven announced, turning back to Ruby with a questionable glance.
Ruby shied away from the stare. He blinked in realization and brought his backpack to his chest, he dug his hand further and brought the letter out. Ruby grinned widely, "Here, this is for you."
Steven raised his eyebrows in surprise; he took the letter and ripped one side open. Drawing one paper out he smiled, "Great, I knew I count on my father! Wait…there are two letters?"
His scarlet eyes were brought to the ground; he remembered his name featured from the projection of the light onto the letter. Ruby peered up, trying to analyze Steven's reaction to the paper. For a brief moment he took his eyes off the paper, his blue eyes gazing into Ruby's scarlet orbs and muttered, "Norman's son, huh?" Ruby eyes widened at the mentioning of his father's name sent his mind in an instant state of panic. Could it be possible that the man in front of him will expose where he is to Norman? Steven read on, letting out a sigh of exasperation as he folded the paper together with the other, stuffing both inside the envelope.
"He's gone insane. A kid? Really now…" He shook his head, as if disapproving whatever he read on the letter.
Kid?
Ruby's eye twitched and sourly thought, Adults are no better, you know. They're just kids but grown up.
Steven stretched a hand out, offering Ruby some assistance but was quickly slapped away; Ruby grits his teeth and heavily scowled at the man. "Never mind, I can get up myself."
Steven flinched at Ruby's sharp tone albeit fully aware of Ruby's swollen ankle that will prevent him from standing for an extended period of time, he knew he had to help Ruby whether he wants it or not. Steven sighed with a smile—What a stubborn kid, he admitted—and looped one arm around Ruby's slender waist, the other underneath the boy's knees and cradled him close to his chest to prevent any instance of flailing or falling. Ruby could just feel his cheeks were glowing with a dark red blush and the warmth crept to his reddening ears.
"I'm not some bride, put me down!" Ruby wailed, weakly pounding his fist on Steven's chest, his strength began to vanish from growing heavily self-conscious.
"What I meant is my father's ludicrous idea, trust me…you don't want to know."
"I-I don't care! Lemme go you—you—"
"'You' what?" Steven asked, his voice laced with amusement as he turned his head and witnessed Ruby's face delving into a darker shade of red. On impulse he kissed Ruby on his forehead, he suspected his father's idea might not be too insane. He thought at that very moment the child in his arms looked so adorable that he just had to kiss the boy, nothing more and nothing less. Steven's lip twitch in a grin, it kept Ruby quiet and all his resistance depleted as he remained settled in Steven's arms. The blue-haired beckoned his pokémon to follow, the trio walked through the cavern in silence until realization dawned on Ruby. He twirled his fingers together, not daring looking straight at the set of oceanic-blue eyes, "Promise me you won't tell my dad where I am," he swallowed the lump in his throat, "please."
Steven nodded, "I promise."
Ruby failed to calculate how long it would take to exit the cave, his eyelids were growing heavy and he slept cradled in the man's arms, one arm dropping to the side and lagging in the air – the sight—from the dim light provided near the exit—made Steven chuckle lightly that such a fiery soul could fall asleep quick. Beyond the path he could see a brimming light exposing the rocky passage completely at the end of the cavern, signaling the exit is just up ahead. When he stepped outside the rushing smell of waves simply enthralled him, the winds swept past his blue fringes, and finally he brought his attention to the sleeping child. The dirt smudged the corner of Ruby's lip, under his eye, and a little near his nose – for such a troubling personality he would admit Ruby is a beautiful child.
Until now he become conscious of the hat on Ruby's head, he titled his head in befuddlement – yes, it suited him but he was curious of the boy's appearance without it. As curious as Steven grew he felt it would be best for Ruby to take off the hat off himself. Maybe he got a bad haircut or he really loves the hat? Steven absentmindedly walked to the pokémon center, deeply absorbed on the possibilities of Ruby's reason for the hat.
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Ruby groaned. His body felt the comfort of a soft bed, fluffy pillows, a warm blanket, the icy numbing sensation on his ankle, and the smell of soap—Ruby shot up, careful not to move his injury, his eyes inspecting the familiar room. The boy blushed, clutching the blanket tightly as he brought it underneath his nose. Steven appeared freshly showered, the white shirt he wore absorbed most of the wet droplets on his body and exposed several patches of his skin.
Ruby's heart skipped a beat, he always washed before he went to bed, he despised the idea of having outdoor germs and sweat on the bed he slept in – clearly Steven might have assumed Ruby's sense of hygiene because he felt his neck was still damp with water, not sweat. Nor was he in his regular outfit but rather in his pajamas.
The man's expression brightened seeing Ruby awake, "Good to know you're finally up! I never expected you to be a heavy sleeper," Steven mentioned, he took a seat on the corner of Ruby's bed. "Are you feeling okay? You're looking a little flushed…" Steven told him worriedly, he stretched his hand out and placed it on Ruby's forehead. Swiftly Ruby slapped it away.
"I'm fine! Don't…don't touch me."
Steven propped his chin on his palm, snickering with a whimsical tune in his voice. "I thought ahead, I assumed you wouldn't want to sleep with sweat drenching your pillows," he mused on, chuckling at a reasonable volume, "you have such a small body, try eating a little more."
Ruby screwed his eyes shut. He saw my body, he touched my body.
The scarlet-eyed child threw his blanket over his head, blushing madly. "What's your problem? First you look down on me as a kid, then you k-kiss me, and now you washed—touched—ugh, y-you know! And I'm a guy if you haven't noticed!"
There was prolong silence filling the air, invading the atmosphere in a tensing pause and awkwardly Ruby cleared his throat, he presumed he said something wrong but what in particular he was not sure of. His cheeks still were warm so he decided against throwing the blanket away from his face, his mouth opened to say something but Steven beat him to it.
"I know."
Ruby felt deprived of energy to budge from his spot or fling the blankets off his head to see the initial facial features of the blue-haired man when he said that – a voice filled with a mix of regret, recollection, but acceptance as well. Ruby drew the blanket down; he scratched the back of his head and covered up his nervousness with a placid laugh. "Shouldn't you be on your way now? I mean, there is no other reason to stay here with me."
Steven raised a brow, "What are you talking about? You're coming with me."
Ruby lazily rolled his eyes, "I see. Well, then off you-" he paused in his sentence, his scarlet eyes wide, "I'm going…with you—wait, what?"
A/N: This chapter came out horrible. Really. I wish I had the energy to improve it but I'll leave it as it is. I'll try to do better for the next chapter 'cause for the next is a little insight on Steven's rapid acceptance. If you don't know what I mean, just you wait. :)