Hello there!

This story was one of the first one-shots that I wrote up, so I figured it should be the first that I include for this series. It's pretty short, and from some years ago, but I think it's still cute.

Characters Featured: King Nidoking, General Rhydon

Genres: Hurt/Comfort, Romance

Timeline Placement: Prior Events - X - Bluebells Are Forever - - - Melting Gelid Roses

Anyway, let me post it below already. Enjoy reading!

Alone on this throne, Nidoking quietly mused over the relentless images that plagued his mind. Her grace, which showed whenever she strolled around, the beautiful dark blue dress gliding across her lighter blue body. She had soft and dark eyes that carefully studied not only him, but also the kingdom. The sweetest smile his wife could muster for almost anyone, especially for him.

Gone.

Never more could she offer him sage advice. Whenever something tore at him, sending him into a berserk frenzy, she could have calmed him. No longer. Her soothing voice, lost. All of the patience she could hold whenever they faced odds that would practically cripple him, drained. Everything she had that he couldn't take in, the ways she tried to teach him in, when he was slowly learning her more every day.

Stopped.

Nidoking grasped his head as everything flooded back to him. It wasn't swift, nor merciful. Sweat poured down her face. Heavy inhales, which she exhaled as breathless panting. Hot. Cold. Wincing from however the doctors treated her. Forcing a smile and courage whenever her husband walked in. Letting her charade fall apart whenever she couldn't see him. Crying. Her tears. His.

Time hadn't healed him.

Yet, she left her final words were written to him, delivered after her death:

"My Beloved Nidoking,

Do not despair. Yes, by the time you read this, I will be dead. It's not quite the end I had pictured for myself, but I suppose it's meant to be that way. But that's neither here nor there. I know you. You will obsess over this, and my words cannot stop you for the immediate aftermath. Mourn me, as I can imagine you will. Though our time was short, I cherished it as deeply as you have. Don't, and I mean it, don't let this stop you, nor tear you apart. You have a kingdom to run, and people that love you still. Other monarchs will think you've weakened; your subjects will probably lose hope. But don't you dare ever give in to that. Wear the crown with pride; continue to do your best for your people every day. Be open to the changes that will open around you. Rediscover the old things and people you thought you knew. Lead with strength, wisdom, and kindness. And please: love again. You will have many years still ahead of you; don't spend them alone. Do this and honor my memory. It's all I can ask. As long as you do your best, that's all I'll need to know.

Love always,

Your Queen, Nidoqueen"

She hadn't been able to speak to him on her last days, so that would have to suffice for him. It didn't.

A pounding sounded from the door across the throne room. Nidoking pulled his hands from his face and glanced up. It opened and he watched his general, Rhydon, storm into the room and pressed the door closed behind him.

Shaking his head, the general locked the doors behind him, and then rushed across the hall, nearly forgetting to bow as he passed the room's center. Soon, he was up to the thrones, one occupied, and the other vacant.

"Your Majesty." Rhydon bowed again.

"Are they still calling me such?" Nidoking's voice broke out, distant, but still filled with mournful sorrow.

General Rhydon jerked his head up. "Why wouldn't they?" He pushed himself to his feet, observing his king. The ruler was slumped over the throne, his dark and heavy eyes vacantly fixed across the room.

"Let's not lie about it, Rhydon." Nidoking lightly shook his head, just barely steadying his voice. "It's impossible for you to have not heard the whispers grown to normal conversations. They claim that I'm so ill fit for the throne these days. People want to see a new ruler, one that isn't broken." He sighed. "Who would you put here?"

"No one!" Rhydon barked with a sudden surge of anger. "Let the fools talk all they please. There is no one better suited for this throne than you!"

"Why do you lie to me?" Nidoking turned his gaze to Rhydon. The ferocity behind his bright red eyes was a bit daunting. "They're right, by now."

"They're not!"

"Who could possibly believe such?" Nidoking shook his head again. "I've missed opportunities for negotiations with the other kingdoms. Trades failed in part because of me."

"You're not expected to tend all of them."

"And what of the streets? Still filled with rioters, bandits that surged from the forests?"

"We'll need to get stricter with our guards, our watch."

"How about with the town events? The ones without the king, without their usual banners and traditions?"

"People adapt to change."

"Please. Not even my soldiers and servants can look me in the eyes."

"Then what am I doing?!" Rhydon roared. His eyes were locked onto Nidoking's. "I'm here. I'm looking at you. And do you know what I see? My king."

"Your broken leader."

"A strong ruler that will recover—"

"One that has taken too much time to do so, still lost within—"

"My friend."

Mouth still open, but words lost, Nidoking blinked. He straightened himself up as he focused on Rhydon's softened scowl, his buried concerns surfacing.

"Is that what it takes?" The general was quieter, though still above whispering. He stepped up the steps and leaned down before the king. "Do you truly need reminders? I'm at your side throughout your life and yet you still think that I would ever lose faith in you?"

"Anyone else would have. Just go outside and ask."

"Their opinions don't matter to me." Nidoking opened his mouth to argue, but choked on the words as Rhydon grabbed his hands. "You matter. Nidoking, we've been friends since we were young. No one can tarnish our bond. Not even you on your worst days."

"Why not?"

Rhydon squeezed Nidoking's hands. "Because I know you. Others may be unsure of you, but not me. I've seen your strength in your decisions and how you hold firm to your believes. You're encouraging when others doubt themselves and have the wisdom to guide them. Not enough people get to see it, but you are most certainly kind to those you come to know."

"I don't deserve your praise." Nidoking looked away from the general.

"If you don't, I don't know who does."

"Anyone else. You just need to find them."

"No one else will deserve the praise that I can give you because only you have earned that from me."

Returning his attention to Rhydon, the king observed his general, raising an eyebrow.

"Tell me why."

"What?"

"Rhydon, you're so adamant on singing such high praise of me, in spite of my recent failures." The king's shoulders slumped. "What for?"

"W…Would you expect any less from a friend?" The general shook his head. "I owe it to you, to keep you here and keep you going."

"You're still not explaining this to me." Nidoking sighed. "What makes you so resolute in defending me?"

The general hesitated and glanced away from the king for a minute. He turned back and blushed, unable to maintain eye contact with Nidoking. Slowly, Rhydon sighed and released Nidoking's hands, shifting away from the throne.

"Because I've felt the same way for you every day since we were growing up. Because I…love you."

Jaw dropped, Nidoking blinked. His eyes wavered as he studied Rhydon, who dropped his head again, still flushed. Their hearts hammered and they shuddered slightly from the revelation.

After a long two minutes, Nidoking managed out, "W-Why now?"

"I…I'm not sure. Before, while growing up, I couldn't tell you because of status differences. Then Nidoqueen came here and once I knew you loved her, I decided that I would never tell you. But now, I…with you in this much pain, I wanted to either alleviate it or redirect it."

"Redirect…?" Nidoking shook his head. "Rhydon, I would never! You know me, and you know who I've been with, that I'm no straight arrow!"

"Oh, I know you don't mind that, but I figured you might…that this wouldn't be the most appropriate time, I suppose." Rhydon sighed. "But, it's been months, and I'm willing to try anything that will break you out of your…stupor, if you will."

"Consider it shattered, and well done."

Apprehensively, Rhydon chuckled. After that, the pair gazed at one another, still unsure where to go from here or what else to say. Face still burning and heart racing, Rhydon shook his head.

"Uh…well, I do have other…things to tend to. Will that be all, Your Highness?"

Silently, Nidoking nodded.

"Very well."

With a bow, Rhydon stepped away and briskly walked to the center, nearly forgetting to bow again. He spun around and hurried out of the throne room's door, leaving the king to contemplate what had just unfolded.

Night fell. Nidoking sat quietly in his bed, vacantly staring into his darkened room. There were desks and wardrobes that lined the walls, potted flowers, curtains, windows, but he couldn't focus on anything in particular. He tightly grasped his covers, and leaned back against the pillows behind him.

Slowly, the door creaked open and a slight light shined in. Nidoking watched it expand, and then become covered with a shadow, before disappearing once more. Looking up, he watched bright red eyes study him.

"You…summoned me, Sire?"

"Lock the door, please."

Uneasily, General Rhydon turned and locked it. He pivoted back around as he waited for the king's orders. Nidoking rolled his eyes.

"Don't just stand there. Come."

With a nervous nod, Rhydon approached the bedside. Nidoking patted the bed's empty space beside him. Rhydon gaped and rapidly shook his head.

"No, Sire, I can't."

"Then you'll be standing for quite some time, and that will make us both uncomfortable." He patted the bed again. "Please. Lay down, or sit, at least."

Releasing a heavy breath, Rhydon sat down on the bed and refused to turn for a moment. Nidoking tugged his shoulder and the general slipped backwards, falling onto the bed. Quickly, he brought his legs up, poorly salvaging his clumsiness, much to Nidoking's amusement.

"So graceful."

"Hush up."

Nidoking laughed as Rhydon threw his head back on a pillow, blushing brightly. Eventually, Nidoking stopped and scooted back, gazing at the general.

"W…What did you need, Sire?"

"Right." Nidoking coughed. "Before, you needed to leave, but I wasn't through with our discussions from earlier."

"Oh…that." The general tensed up and raised his shoulders. "W-Was there more that you needed to know?"

"Yes, plenty."

"Ah." Rhydon sat back up and shuffled around in the bed, staring down at his legs.

"Forgive me, but I…it feels like I don't know you anymore." Rhydon's shoulders slumped and he lowly nodded. Nidoking lifted the general's chin. "That's inexcusable on my part. So, I'll need to learn again and understand better going forward."

Gently, Nidoking moved his face up to Rhydon's and pressed their lips together. Rhydon's eyes widened as his king kissed him, and held it for a minute. Slowly, Nidoking pulled away from his general and stared quietly as Rhydon studied him.

"So, shall we get started? There's a lot to go over, and…well, I suppose we have the nights ahead to work with, but I'd like to make up for lost time sooner." He smiled. "After all, I'm sure there's more that we can explore." They blinked before Nidoking burst out laughing. "Choice words while we're in bed!"

Rhydon joined in on the laughter. "Honestly, I've come to expect it around you."

"Have you, now? My reputation precedes me!"

They laughed a little more before quieting down again. Rhydon lowered his arms around Nidoking, who inched closer to the general. Slowly, Rhydon leaned back and looked to break away from his king.

"Sire, it's late. I…I should go."

"Please don't." Nidoking held tightly to Rhydon. "I…I don't want to spend tonight alone. And…I haven't laughed since…since…"

He glanced away, only to have Rhydon move forward and kiss him. They moved closer together and shut their eyes, pressing their lips into one another for a minute. Lingering, they broke away and sat quietly on the bed.

"There's not a lot for you to learn, really." Rhydon grinned. "You catch on quickly."

"Perhaps, but…this is a different side to both of us." Nidoking nuzzled his head against Rhydon's. "And I like it."

Together, they laid back and softly murmured to one another, reminiscing their childhood days. As Rhydon explained how he discovered his feelings, Nidoking nodded and attentively listened. Hours passed before the two slowly succumbed to their exhaustion, falling asleep within each other's arms.

That's all for this one. It's bittersweet! I posted originally that the idea of this was canon, though perhaps not exactly the way it unfolds. Maybe it could use a cleaning or updating, but for now, I'll leave it as is.

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it.