Let's play "guess how much smut Rin edited out of this chapter?" If you want to read my terrible lemon for some reason, just send me a message. And I'm back from hiatus! Chapter 10 was a hard one to write! As always, thanks for the reviews. I appreciate every one! Also, damn Riley, you scary.
Chapter 10: We Missed The Sunrise
Riley
Once, a very long time ago, a warrior came in possession of a sword.
Now the earth was very young and no one feared death—those who killed did it only to eat, and man and magical creature lived together in peace. Some chose to live side by side with humans, and others shied away, but it was a pleasant time.
Arceus was awake, and he watched his creation grow every day—
Mew, who brought forth the other magical creatures—
Palkia and Dialga, who shaped space and time—
Xerneas and Yveltal, keepers of life and death—
Meloetta, Celebi, Shaymin, Uxie, Mesprit, Azelf—
And then there were Groudon and Kyogre.
Groudon and Kyogre, keepers of land and sea, grew to resent one another, and their hearts grew black with greed. They wanted their creation to be more important, and so they fought, taking many innocent lives in the process.
Up rose Sinnoh, up rose Hoenn and all the other lands—but at what cost?
We all know the story of how Arceus sent his student Rayquaza, lord of the skies, to banish them into a long sleep, but before he came there was the knight and his sword.
Groudon had lain waste to young Aaron's kingdom, and one day he took his father's sword and his squire and set out to slay Groudon, not out of hunger, but of hatred for the beast.
And slew him he did.
But in his anger and despite warnings from Arceus himself not to get involved, the squire died in the process and the first recorded act of human cruelty stained the lands red with blood.
In that moment when the first drop of blood seeped through the earth, cruelty awoke in the hearts of all of mankind, and Arceus was angry.
He appeared before Aaron and restored Groudon's life, but he did not have enough power left to bring back the squire. As the magical creature of land sauntered away, Arceus said:
"Human, why didst thou ignore me?"
And Aaron hung his head in shame.
"Why did you spill unnecessary blood?"
Aaron could not speak.
And Arceus' eighteen magnificent plates glimmered in the moonlight, and in that moment he looked very frightening indeed.
"Under normal circumstances I would have to take your life to restore those you ruined, but as your squire begged me to spare you, I shall honor his dying wishes. Thou, Aaron, art a sinner—and you have brought forth the misery of the world. From now on, may you be cursed to feel the sadness and pain of others. May you never bask a moment in blissful ignorance, and may thy children and all descendants thereafter suffer your fate."
And in that moment, Aaron could See all. He felt the thrumming of the earth and the blackness of mankind, and he loathed it.
"But I am not that cruel. This Sight of Aura I have bestowed upon thee—you can turn it into a gift if you see fit. Oh, but you shall grow tired eventually. And since it is Groudon you grieved, may thy curse only be lifted when you or your kin sacrifice what they love most to it. Now go forth and bear the sins of the world, my son, for they are what you have wrought."
And Aaron threw down the sword.
And Arceus wept.
That is why today Aura exists, but of course, that's only an obscure folktale known to a select few…
Morning shines its glorious rays through the window and the rain is gone. I feel like I've been to hell and back but it's all right.
He's with me now.
My arms are wrapped around him and his brilliant hair drapes across me. I can feel the pounding of his heart, listen to every breath he takes, and the world is in slow motion. The only thing relevant—that I can focus on—is his sleeping form.
Being so close to his loving Aura… I…
My god, what am I doing?
I can't get him out of my head.
He's not the most attractive person in the world and he's awkward and inexperienced in life… and yet…
I brush some red hair aside and kiss his cheek, letting my lips linger on his soft skin. In the glow of the sun, the poor miner boy is radiant. My kisses grow hungrier still and I make my way down his neck, stopping at his collarbone. He's kind and sweet and beautiful all the way through…
Why can't I control myself?
I want to lie here forever.
With him.
I'm going to take him to Mauville and Lavaridge and we'll go to the hot springs and explore the deserts and the volcano. I'll find a fossil for him and his smile will light my world. I'll stay with him at my apartment in Mossdeep and take him to the beach and eat hummus with him all the damn time… and I'll teach him about Pokémon and see him get his Tyranitar and be there to witness him when he accepts the title of Champion. I'll be there to support him through fleeting moments of happiness and tear-streaked nights and I know he'll do the same for me.
We'll be so happy together it'll be another dream.
Be still, my beating heart…
Classic. Lucario hops up and balances himself on the bedpost. Undoing your own harebrained scheme by falling in love with your victim, eh?
I don't know what you're talking about. I try to stay calm so as not to rouse him, but I can feel anger gnawing at me. I'm not falling in love with him.
Uh-huh. Why didn't you take him last night?
What do you mean?
You know, take him. As a mate. He scratches behind the ear with his hind leg and stares at me intently.
I don't want him.
I know some things about humans. Kissing means love, right? You kissed him in his sleep and almost kissed him on the lips before the battle yesterday. Why are you so stubborn? Why are you so frightened?
Frightened?
You can't hide a thing from me. You're terrified of acting on impulse. That everything you've worked for up until now could be a waste. And also you're selfish and insecure and a coward.
"How dare you!" I snarl. Roark stirs, and I calm down, taking a deep breath.
It's funny, watching you try to control all these feelings you're having. Why don't you throw away this plan and love him? It'd be more productive. Healthier, too. I think he'd make a very good mate for you. He'd teach you a thing or two about humility.
Hitting below the belt first thing in the morning? I'm just trying to make him happy before…
His funeral?
Damn you! Why are you convinced I'm going to...? You know what, stop getting in my way! Why don't you understand what I'm going through?
You said it yourself, master. I'm just a Pokémon. I wouldn't understand these sorts of things.
Oh, are you still bitter over that? Go lick your wounds elsewhere, mutt.
I feel very sorry for Byron and the miners and his friends and everyone else who loves and depends on him. He's not a piece of trash, Riley. He's someone with hopes and dreams and a life beyond your selfishness. You have no right to take it away.
Get the hell out of my affairs... What are you trying to do, with you sending out Absol yesterday and playing your mind games and god knows what else! Oh, don't play innocent with me. I know you sent her out to warn him about what's going to happen, and I doubt he believed my cover-up.
Okay, you got me. I just did that because I have yet to find a way to contact him myself.
This is already painful enough. Stop it…
No! Don't fight your problems with violence. Take his hand and let him help you. Take him. The tension between you two is so thick I can stab it with my paws.
I squeeze Roark tighter and avert my eyes from Lucario. He IS helping me. You really don't understand humans. I'll put it in terms animals can get—I can't have sex with Byron's son. I'm like twice his age. I let him ride on my shoulders. I taught him how to tie his goddamn shoe! And you think I should've tried to get in his pants after he told me he was molested? That's sick.
Sex is sick but murder's okay? Now I'm starting to think I don't want to understand humans after all.
It's not murder...
Keep telling yourself that. Face your demons on your own. He loves you madly and you're going down the same route. Lucario jumps off the bedpost and slinks away. What happened to you? I always knew you were a coward, but to think I once saw you as my best friend… you know, the only thing keeping us together now is that Poke Ball. I think I'm starting to hate you.
The feeling is mutual.
I want you to let me die instead.
I told you, I couldn't let you do that.
Think of what you're doing. You're making a huge mistake.
He disappears into the bathroom. Roark stirs, and finally awakens, eyes flittering open. His gaze softens as he sees me and he strokes my cheek.
"Hey," he whispers with a slight smile on his face.
"Hey. We missed the sunrise. I'm sorry."
"That's okay. As long as I'm with you I feel like I saw it anyway."
"Listen, about those things you told me last night…"
"Yeah?"
"Remember that none of that is true at all. Whether you're gay, straight, or whatever, you're a person of upstanding moral character."
"…"
"What's wrong?"
He shifts about nervously. "Say, hypothetically speaking, if I actually let that one guy do those things to me…"
"What are you saying?" I sigh and clasp my temples. "Dear god, Roark…"
"I said it was hypothetically." He stares daggers at me, all warmth melting away in an instant.
"… Of course. Of course it's hypothetical. If you did, I still wouldn't think any less of you. You know I love you very much. But I'd tear that man who took advantage of you to shreds…"
"Oh…" He chews on his own lip, blushing. "You love me?"
"What, you didn't know that already?" I ruffle his hair. "You're like a son to me."
Silence. His look of hope gives way to hollow disappointment.
"Oh."
"What's wrong?"
"… Nothing."
I feel bad for him. But I just don't love him romantically. These feelings must be from stress. Yes, that's it. This whole ordeal is taking a great toll on my mind and body.
But stress has never made me feel terrified before.
"Look, is it really okay that you told me all that last night? Are you sure you'll be okay?"
"I should be asking you the same thing."
"Ahaha, that's a good comeback. Yes, I'm going to be just fine. Actually, talking about it made me feel a lot better. And I didn't have any more nightmares after that, so whatever you did must've helped!"
That's right, Roarkie. When I went to sleep last night, I didn't dream about my father getting blown to pieces right in front of my eyes again. I dreamed about you. I dreamed about tearing your clothes off and tying you to the bed and fucking you senseless…
Holy shit, I AM sick.
It's all right, Riley. As long as you don't act on it you're not disgusting, right? It's okay to be in lust with him as long as you don't harm him, right? Right?
Right?
The fact that he's this close to me is enough to turn me on. God help me.
"I feel the exact same way." He closes his eyes and beams. "I think that having all that BS bottled up inside me for so long was wearing away at me. Like acid. I'm not sure what possessed me to do it, but I'm glad I finally opened up to you." His blush returns, but softer this time. "You're not gonna tell my Dad, right?"
"Why not?"
"Because if he knew about all this stuff… I think it would destroy him. He's not as tough as he looks, Riley."
"I know that. And I'm not going to tell. That's a promise. Remember, you can talk to me about anything, you hear? Anything."
"Ditto. Anyway, what's there to do today?"
"Oh, nothing much. Just traveling."
"I see. Then can we lie here just a bit more?" He grins, and suddenly he pounces on me so that he's on top of me. "It's so nice lying with you here in the sun that I… mmm…" As he playfully tackles me, he brushes against my throbbing erection. His jaw hangs loose a bit, his blush grows more pronounced, and he struggles to breathe. "Oh, my…"
"S-sorry!" I apologize. "It's not what you…"
"No, it's okay." A shudder passes over him, and then he's straddling me, panting with lust, and I can see he has a boner of his own to show as well. What happened to the cute Roarkie who can't even admit his feelings to me? Looks like when he's in the mood he's a completely different person. I can certainly see where he gets his frisky reputation… "It's… natural." He grabs my shoulders and starts gyrating against my groin, and it feels so… damn… good… "Oh, God," he moans, full on embracing me as he pleasures me.
"B-bathroom!" I choke out suddenly, and I push him away from me, running into said room. I close the door behind me and gasp for air.
In the corner, I hear a Lucario's throaty chuckle.
What's that about you not wanting him?
Get the hell out. I push him out of the bathroom.
What are you going to do?
What do you think?
How funny. Yesterday Roarkie was the one in this position, and now here I am walling myself in the bathroom out of fear.
I don't what it is I'm terrified of exactly… There's no reason to fear Roark Pierrot. I mean, what's he going to do to me? Spread his legs for me?
… I really need to get ahold of myself.
It's Byron's son, I remind myself, be a gentleman, but don't get too attached.
And yet, against my better judgment—I find I'm starting to no longer care.
Maybe I'm not frightened of him. Maybe I'm frightened of myself.
I have… fallen so far. Have I really become so perverse that my life revolves around him? I've known since I first laid eyes on him that our fates would be entwined to the bitter end. But like this?
Why do I have to read his Aura? Wouldn't it just be easier if I didn't know his feelings for me? Why does he love someone like me in the first place? A lonely, pathetic person like me…
It's a strange and horrible thing, love is.
And the worst part is, when somebody loves you, you can't help but love him or her back. Just a little.
It must be nice for him, not knowing how far I've slipped through the years. He can keep idolizing me until the day he dies, and I'll never let him know better.
I thought this mission was going to be easy.
Never mind.
I've come too far.
No turning back now.
I was born alone, and I'm going to go out alone. There's no room for anyone else in my life.
Still, to harbor these dark feelings toward him… It's fine as long as I don't act on them… right…?
And lead me not into temptation.
I take several deep breaths and flush the toilet just to keep his suspicions down (it probably didn't work), and steel myself, exiting the bathroom. He's lying across the bed; still, back slightly arched as he positions himself toward the sun.
And then I was led into temptation.
Maybe I'm going to need the bathroom for a bit longer. I look down at him with a slight frown; he's fallen back asleep, and I lie down next to him, holding my spinning head-
-I'm violently jerked awake by the noise of silverware clattering to the floor, along with a loud "FUCK!"
I roll over, and immediately wish I hadn't. My head is still pounding, and I sit up immediately, feeling the light springiness of a bed with one less person on it.
Where is that Roark?
I scan the room; coming to rest at the sink where he's haphazardly washing a spoon he dropped. Noticing me out of the corner of his eyes, he turns around and stumbles with his words.
He still isn't dressed.
"Did I wake you?" he stutters. "I mean, you've only been napping there about thirty minutes, but I didn't want to disturb you…"
"No, no, it's fine." My eyes dart to the bathroom, door still open from where I had rushed in half an hour prior. "The extra sleep is nice and all, but it can be too much of a good thing!"
"Well, I brought you a muffin from downstairs. They had double chocolate chip today. That's your favorite, right?"
"That's correct." He trips over himself as he runs from the sink back to me, shoving a pastry wrapped with napkins in my hand. "Ah, you did well bringing me this. I will accept your offering and maybe consider cutting you a break from training today." I'm still mortified over my outburst from this morning, but I unwrap the gift to make it look like nothing is amiss. "That was a joke," I add after a beat. "You're not getting out of training even if an alien suddenly bursts out of your chest."
"You're mean." A few moments, and then he shifts about uncomfortably, lowering his voice as he tries to find the words he wants to say. "Look, about this morning…"
"It's still morning. What about it?"
"When I, you know… when I was on top of you and… stuff. I didn't mean it in a way that was, you know, umm…"
"Sexual?"
He stiffens and gets goosebumps, biting his lip. "Uhhh…"
"It felt good, didn't it? There's no need to be ashamed of those sorts of feelings. After all… it's natural."
"I-I…" He gets more and more flustered by the second. "I can't tell if you're messing with me or if you're just a pervert!" he snaps suddenly, embarrassment turning to defensive vitriol. "I bet you think I'm a faggot too, right?"
"What—wait, what? I'm not assuming anything!"
"Are you kidding me?" he snarls. "You've been making quips and suggestions about it ever since we started this trip, and I am sick of it! The rumors you've heard about me in Oreburgh… they're not true, all right? I'm not a fag."
He looks like he's about to break down again. I raise an eyebrow.
"Lean into me, Roark. No—I want you to be at eye-level. Yes, that's it." I stare him down. "What are your opinions on gay people, Roark?"
"Well—I…" he stammers. "I think they're weird, but I don't think they can really help bein' gay…"
"What are your parents' opinions on gay people?"
"Why are you asking me this?"
"This is an important question."
He sighs in resignation. "Dad's never said anything about it, but Mom thinks they're unnatural degenerates who deserve to be lynched and burn in hell. So he probably thinks the same thing."
"That explains a lot."
"Explains what?"
"Do you hate gay people too?"
"I… No! Of course not!"
"Do you think they ought to be treated badly?"
"No… hell no! There's no reason to treat anyone badly, period."
"Well then, if that's what you think…" I suddenly smack him on the head, just hard enough to make him flinch.
"Ow—what was that for?"
"The usage of slurs or otherwise hateful language will not be tolerated in my vicinity, do you get that?"
"I'm not being hateful…"
"But you said the word 'fag' in a negative sense. Now, they might sound like just words to you, and in some contexts maybe they're empowering, depending on who you are—but words like that are what bullies and bigots use—and they destroy people, do you hear me? I'm sorry you were brought up in a way that you think you can say those sorts of things and think it's harmless, but it's not. Put yourself in other's shoes."
He pulls back and glowers at me. "You don't have to preach. I know what you're thinking. 'Poor, ignorant redneck.' What? That's what everyone in the League calls my Dad and I behind our backs. We're white trash because we had to live in a trailer and no one in my family has ever gotten past the tenth grade and we piss in an outhouse and we're too stupid and lazy to get a real job and also we're probably incestuous. Yeah, yeah."
"Roark, I didn't mean…"
"And here you go, rubbing your oh-so-sophisticated Oxford Law Degree in my below-the-poverty-line face while I scramble for some invisible carrot dangled out in front of me, laughing 'oh, the lower caste is so charmingly rustic' as I flail about. Yeah, go ahead and say I don't know shit, while I bust my ass every day hauling heavy fucking rocks so you can power your… home tanning salons, or whatever it is rich people have. And I'll be digging out those rocks for the rest of my life until my lungs are black and my body crumbles away like peat. But do I ever get a thank you? No. I only get 'poor, ignorant redneck.'"
His lip trembles, and he tries furiously, anything to keep himself from cracking.
"This isn't about how wealthy you are," I tell him.
"I may be poor, I may be a redneck, but I sure hain't ignorant. I'll have you know that I know how much those words hurt, since everybody in Oreburgh has apparently forgotten my name when they're not talking to me and I'm just 'fag,' 'twink,' 'that Gym Leader I heard sucked some dude's dick for ten dollars,' 'oh, did you hear about the Gym Leader? His own mama kicked him out of the house for being a homo,' 'Guys, guys! Roark's sleeping with that nancy of a Gym Leader from Sunyshore,' 'I wish that forewoman wouldn't flaunt her lifestyle so much. If she weren't the Gym Leader and the only good safety supervisor we've got, I'd beat the crap out of her!' 'Yo, that's an insult to women. Call that tranny by its proper name!' 'Roark's an embarrassment to Oreburgh. They shouldn't let fags in the League.' Do you really think I'm liked down there? They only pretend to like me. They put on fake smiles when I'm around and call me 'Oreburgh's Diamond in the Rough,' which actually means 'Oreburgh's Deeply Closeted Future Prison Bitch.' I can't stand it anymore, you know? It's not true… it's not true… IT'S NOT TRUE!"
He wails and bursts into tears, rubbing them away with his shirt. "You've never gotten death threats, never gotten your property vandalized, never known what it's like to only have fake friends. I work so hard for them, but they just…"
"Roarkie…" I hold him, and to my surprise, he doesn't push me away. He just sobs into my shoulder. "Please, don't. I didn't mean to upset you. Neither of us are exactly emotionally stable right now, but I didn't mean to insult you. I didn't think it would set you off like this… I came on too harsh, especially after last night. Just… don't cry."
"It's okay," he gulps, coughing and struggling for breath, "I just needed to rant…"
"No," I tell him firmly. "It's not okay. You are not okay. I am not okay. Nothing about the way things are right now is okay."
"I… just want to jump down a mine shaft and drown. Every night I go to sleep hoping I won't wake up again…"
"Please…"
"I told you last night I wasn't gonna try anything again, but I don't know… If everybody wants me to disappear, then I'll just…"
"Roark Reuben Pierrot!" I snap at him. "If you dare commit suicide I'll kill you!"
He stops, pulls away from me, and cracks a smile, trying to keep himself from laughing. "D-Department of R-Redundancy Department," he chokes through his tears. He's a mess.
"There." I place a hand on his shoulder and force a smile as well. "I like it when you smile. It just breaks my damn heart hearing the adorable little boy I practically raised talk like this. So won't you please smile? They say that even if you have to force it you'll start to feel genuinely happy inside."
"I…"
"You and Byron are the classiest people I've ever met. You are not trash, and I'm not going to assume anything about your sexuality until you say what it is. You can identify as a Corphish for all I care and I'll still love the fuck out of you. They might not be your friends, but I am. And I will keep repeating that having you in my life is the best thing that has ever happened to me and you are wonderful and I love you until you finally love yourself and forever after. Listen, we are two incredibly broken, fucked-up people, but we can put each other back together. If nobody else will be, know that I'll always be here for you."
"I fell in love with another man," he chokes, so quietly I can barely hear it. "The thing that really burns is, I AM gay. I've known it since I was little. But I couldn't admit it until now."
"Roarkie…"
"I just don't know why it's so obvious, though. What did I do wrong? Please don't tell Dad…"
"You know I'd never do that. Does anyone else know?"
"You know Dr. Kenzo, the head paleontologist at the Oreburgh Museum?" he sniffs. "He knows, and so does his family, but that's about it."
"Does Dr. Kenzo treat you well?"
"He's the only one who does. But he's not from Oreburgh, so that's to be expected."
"Well, you have at least one other person to help you. It's not easy, being so young and LGBT. But there are so many people out there like you. You are not alone. This… man. He must've been something special."
"That… doesn't even begin to describe him."
"What happened?"
He looks away from me, and for one split second I can finally read his Aura in full. Sadness. Melancholy. The slightest hint of hope and joy that refuses to die beneath his suffering.
"I knew we could never be together, so I gave up."
"Oh… Why ever did you do that?"
He clutches his hands to his heart, staring off into the distance. "Because he's already in love with a woman."
That's terribly sad—
Wait.
What?
What?
If I had a drink this would be the part where I spat it out in shock. Am I not the one he loves?
"Are you still in love with this man?" I ask aggressively, leaning forward.
He shrinks away and nods.
WHAT?
But he just confirmed what I thought he meant.
I'm… not the one he loves.
I know I should feel relieved that I don't have to walk a fine line with him anymore, but instead I feel… rage? Sadness? Jealousy?
What kind of Aura am I giving off, I wonder? Lucario hasn't spoken to me since.
I search my mental reserves, trying to figure out why I misinterpreted how he felt for me. How was I so stupid and selfish that I thought I was the one he was head over heels for? Maybe I'm worse at Aura than I thought. I never thought of myself as a genius, but certainly not an idiot...
But who else could it be?
Perhaps… perhaps it's that Volkner.
I get it. He loves Volkner, but he broke his heart, so he's acting maliciously toward him to stave off his true feelings…
I don't know how this'll affect my plan now that our relationship dynamic's completely changed. Do I have to make him fall in love with me now?
Yes, that's it.
With him so close within my grasp I need to snare him for good. I'll sweep him off his feet and he'll give me what I want. This is only a minor setback… yes, that's why I'm feeling upset…
He's mine to use and mine only.
And if I can't have him, no one can.
"Riley…?"
"What is it?" I shake myself out of my stupor.
"What d'ya think I should do?"
"I think you should…" I take a deep breath, and suddenly my eyes narrow to little slits. "You should move on. Find a man who'll love you."
"… Oh."
He clenches his fists and walks away from me, cold and rigid.
"Where are you going?"
"Shower."
"Are you all right? Do you need to talk any further?"
"… I'm fine."
He locks the door behind him. The shower turns on.
He cries in the shower.
My god, he's like glass. I didn't know he was this easy to hurt.
He sinks sometimes, I remind myself, but when he does he kicks like hell to get back up to the surface.
He'll be fine.
It's better telling him the cold, hard truth now than have his heart broken by that Sunyshore Gym Leader again.
From now on, I'm going to be his world.
And then my Xtranceiver rings.
Byron.
"This is Riley," I answer, steadying the shaking in my voice. "Byron, it ought to be a mortal sin to call so early in the morning."
"Gwahaha!" comes the happy, ignorant laugh from the other side. He really doesn't know a thing, does he? "Does that mean you're getting more sleep now, Fannin?"
"I wouldn't say that…"
"You know, maybe that Darkrai that comes to Canalave every year decided to pay you a special visit and that's why you're having all these nightmares!"
"Ahaha, maybe I should go to Cresselia's shrine then? Don't worry about me. I've had these spells of night terrors before. It'll all be over soon. Anyway, what do you want?"
"I just wanted to see if my boy wasn't being a lousy safety inspector."
"And you couldn't call him?"
"You think he'd tell me he was doin' a lousy job?"
"Good point. But I think you'll be pleased to know you've raised the best possible son."
"Thanks, Riley. That means a lot to me."
"He's such a hard worker, and he's improved a lot with his battling."
"Nice to know you were able to teach that rock head something."
"Eheh, well, he's taught me a lot of things as well."
"Like what?"
I glance toward the bathroom and my heart sinks. "Well, Byron, I'd say he's taught me a lot about myself. He's such a good boy—no, I shouldn't say that. He's a man now."
"Don't stretch it. He ain't quite a man yet. Where is the little squirt? I want to talk to him."
"Eh…" I freeze up, tongue-tied. "This isn't really the best time."
"Why not?"
Should I tell him?
Roark would never forgive me, but it seems his safety is at stake. I know there's something about him being threatened and there's something about him being suicidal and something about him being gay, and I know I can only go so far with helping him. If I did tell Byron, he could help stop his suffering. I promised I wasn't going to let him suffer.
"It's because he's in the shower."
The words come out, and I know they've just branded me a coward. I already knew I was, but now I can feel the icy burn of it all.
"Oh, that makes sense. You made me thought he'd died there for a second, gwahaha!"
"Uh-huh…"
"So is he out of the rut now? Is he back to being his old self?"
"Well, I…" I have to say something, no matter how little. I know. I can tell Byron what's going on by being as vague as possible. Arceus knows I hardly understand the situation, either. "Well, to be honest, I see why you're worried about him now. He works so hard, and he never does anything for himself."
"You think his heart's gonna stop again or what?"
"I just… Have you ever considered coming out and visiting him in Oreburgh?"
"Why are you darting around like this?"
"It's a yes or no question, Byron."
"Well, I have, but it's not like I need to."
"I just don't think his neighborhood is very safe. What if he gets in trouble?"
"So, you saw his apartment. I was worried at first, too, but Roark has the scariest Pokémon in Sinnoh. Nobody would mess with him."
"Is that so?"
"What's gotten into you?" His tone becomes serious. "Did Roark tell you something I don't know?"
"What? Why would you think that?"
"He adores you. You two have always shared a special bond."
"Uh-huh. I'm sorry I brought it up. I just don't think he should be living in that part of town. Have you spoken with Marilyn lately?"
"Hah! Are you crazy? I'd rather eat my own tongue! Why?"
"Just curious."
Roark steps out of the shower, looking even more morose than before. I hold the Xtranceiver out to him. "Your father's on. Would you like to talk to him?" He freezes up and sniffs back tears, but he grabs the phone from me and curls up in bed with his towel swaddling his body.
"Hi, Dad." His voice perks up and he feigns cheerfulness. "Uh-huh, I'm having a great time. Riley's been really nice to me. Uh-huh. Yeah, I got a Larvitar. Did I tell you that? I've already won against two Gym Leaders here! No, they're hard. The Hoenn League isn't a joke. Yeah, Riley made me battle for like five hours straight. What? He's going easy on me, you say? Well, I'd better get back to work. See you in a couple months. Bye." He hands it back to me as quickly as he took it, and then covers his head with the towel and rolls over so he looks like a sad little Swadloon.
I can feel the cheer just deflate from his body, and I know he's so done with everything.
"He seems to be doing pretty well!" Byron admonishes me. "You're worrying about nothin'! Now, keep him out of trouble. I've got a challenger waiting for me. Talk to you later!"
"Bye."
I put back the Xtranceiver, and Roark pokes his face out from his surprisingly voluminous towel. He has boxers on underneath. Of course they have dinosaurs on them. "You didn't tell him anything, right?" he asks, and shrinks right back into his cocoon.
"Of course I didn't. Your secret's safe with me. Come on." I tug at a flap of cloth. "You're really worrying me. Why are you acting like this?"
"I just… I'm tired of feeling so defeated all the time."
"Hush. You're sounding a lot like I did last night. It's embarrassing me."
"S-Sorry." I manage to coax him out of his shell and tilt his chin up so he looks me right in the eyes. He chews on his lip and a rosy tint appears across his face. I still can't believe he's not into me. "Sometimes I just want someone I can snuggle with and hold... That… that came out really gay, didn't it?"
"Yeah, you're gay all right." I sit down next to him and wrap my arm around him. He leans into me and lays his head across my shoulder. And before I know it, I'm holding his hand, drumming my fingers through his. "I really miss the days when I'd always be able to hold you like this. I get so jealous of Byron sometimes. He had this wonderful son…"
"You know, I don't think of you as a father." He nuzzles into me. "But you're way more than a friend to me."
"Uh-huh… Roarkie, can I ask you something?"
"Yeah."
"Are you not going to break down again?"
"No. I've gotten my shit back together."
"How often do you think of…" I force out the next few words, "… ending it all?"
"It's pretty much constant," he murmurs, trying his hardest to stay strong.
"And how would you do it?"
"I've got… lots of pills, and knives, and a gun… But I think maybe I'd like to die by just going up to the top floor of the mining museum like I'm gonna look at an exhibit and then jump over the safety rails. Die amongst the fossils, you know."
"I see. I wish I could understand you. I wish so hard I could understand your Aura… I want to help you…"
Wasn't I thinking just the opposite earlier? I swear, this boy is driving me mad…
"Riley, I just need time to think about this man and what he means to me."
"Mmmhmm…" I stroke his hair, and he comes out of his shell a bit.
"I think I've made up my mind."
"Eh? About what?"
"You gave good advice. As long as the man I love is happy with his person, then I'm okay too. I think maybe I'd like to keep on living because his happiness is beautiful… and I want to be there to see it."
"Do you know how much I love you more and more with every word you say? I can't deny it anymore… I wish you were my child instead." But that's not right. I don't want him as my child. I just… want him. I know why they call him "Oreburgh's Diamond in the Rough" now. At first it doesn't seem like there's much there… but you get to know him a bit and you know for sure he's someone you want to keep around forever. He would make a fantastic husband… a loving father… a loyal friend… someone to spend your life with.
For once, I question my ethics.
"This man has no idea what he's missing out on." I give him my most sincere smile. "I know for sure that someday you're going to make the boy of your dreams very, very happy."
He isn't crying anymore. In fact, he seems much happier than he was before. "I'm so glad you're a part of my life. I wish it could just be you and I, all alone together, with nothing to get between us…"
I press him close to my chest and nuzzle the crook of his neck. I can't plant kisses across that beautiful porcelain skin like I did while he was asleep, but I want to so much. His body relaxes entirely, and he lets me do what I want, cooing softly whenever I do something he likes. "Why not?" I whisper.
"Eh?" He looks up at me with eyes like an October sunset. He's feminine, but strong. His face is a little plain and his ears too big for his head, but he's such a beautiful person on the inside that it shines all the way through. "What are you saying?"
"I didn't know that only four years could make such a difference…" I lay him down on the bed, looking his gorgeous body over from head to toe. "But now I realize how much I needed you. I don't want to miss a moment with you ever again. Why don't we leave the country and leave no address? I'd be very happy just living off alone in the wilderness with you the rest of my life…"
I don't know what I'm saying anymore. He seems to steal my breath and transform my words.
His eyes soften, and he strokes my cheek. "You know I'd like that. But I can't."
"Hmm? Why not?" I catch my fingers before they softly stroke his fantastic abs. A thin line of red pubic hair trails from his belly button down to his groin, and I salivate.
"Because I need to protect the miners, silly." He offers a gentle smile upward, and I can't help but return it. I'm grinning like an idiot but he's infectious, and emotion wells up past my heart through my entire being. "I forgot to brush my teeth." He pats down my chronically disastrous hair and wriggles out from under me. "You've made me… happy. I'm glad I got to talk to you."
"Same here…" The bathroom door clicks shut once more and I sit there a moment, awestruck, but suddenly pounce on the pillow where he lay before, embracing it, rolling around with it like an excitable puppy, trying to take in every bit of his scent I can. "Roarkie…" I gasp. "Stop teasing me, you awful boy…"
Aww, that's sweet. Out of nowhere, an incredibly snide tone. This is the craziest case of reverse Stockholm Syndrome I've ever seen. And so the monster falls in love with its prey, thinking they can ever have a life together.
I'm not in love, Lucario…
Your Aura says otherwise. And what an incredibly twisted Aura it is! I think you're becoming so obsessed with him you've lost sight of your original plan.
He licks his paws and gives me a mocking look. I narrow my eyes at him and fish for his Poke Ball. "All right," I snarl out loud, "You win. I love him. He's everything I want, and yet I don't have him yet. Do you know how mad that drives me?" I shake, not with anger or ferocity, but because I feel I'll snap any second. "That terrible, beautiful boy should be mine and mine only, but it's like he's mocking me… Lucario, you know I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't love him."
So you're putting him out of his misery like an old pet? How kind of you. And the good news is, he's suicidal anyway! Isn't that great?
"Stop it… stop playing your mind games with me… Remember who's the master here…"
'Master.' That's how you fancy yourself, eh? You always have to be in control of everything. You're just like him.
"Like who?"
Your father. Lick, lick. Intense red eyes. Those psychology reports you listen to over the radio are very fascinating. For one thing, I didn't know insanity runs in the family.
Are you insinuating something? I struggle to maintain hold of the mental link.
You're around the age when old Patrick Fannin went crazy, right?
"Stop it!" I shriek, and swipe out at him, only stopping myself before I make contact. He gives a throaty Lucario laugh and hops off the bed.
First you're going to hit me like he would hit me, and then you'll take out your hurt and anger and pathetic sexual frustration on that poor child, and before you know it you're robbing his grave and cuddling his corpse like it was still alive.
Don't be so grim! How do you make up awful things like that?
I grit my teeth, and press the hatch on my Poke Ball. "Lucario, return." I don't let him get another word in edgewise. I just watch the trail of red beam him back in, smirking with satisfaction as the hatch clicks shut. "See? I'm not like him. I would never lay a hand on you. I hope you don't mind going without breakfast, though. Dogs that bark too much should be put in their place." Feeling rancor and pure maliciousness, I casually chuck the ball in my open training supplies bag with the rest of my team. "And also," I smirk, even though he can't see it, "just because I'm a big, scary monster doesn't mean I can't enjoy playing with my food. Just a little."
"Okay, the bathroom's free—"
Roark comes out of the bathroom and stops in his tracks, immediately catching my gaze. I feel every bit the monster Lucario says I am, ravenously eyeing this beautiful, delicate creature in front of me. There's nothing I want more than to break him, have him serve me without question.
Controlling others is what gives me a rush.
"You know, you look beautiful." My breath is heavy and my words hungry. It's so hard to remain moral with this wild and perfect young man I want so much. I know all I have to do is continue what we started this morning, and then he'll be mine.
He is my darling, he is my angel.
He is my property.
"Uhh… thanks?" Roark shifts about awkwardly, obviously intimidated by me. "I don't know if I should happy that I'm 'beautiful,' but hey, I'll take what I can get."
"Hey, Roarkie…?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you sure I'm not a bad person?"
"Oh… is that what's wrong?" He gives me a confident smile. "I'm one hundred and ten percent sure. Where's Lucario, by the way?"
"In his Poke Ball, of course."
"Oh…"
"What's wrong?"
"It's just that you never keep him in…"
"He was distracting me from the perfection that is you."
"Riley… are you all right?"
I get up and pin him to the wall. I love feeling the heat of his body and how it goes up whenever I play with him like this.
"I've never been better. You know, I changed my mind. I don't want to go training today. I want to have fun with you."
"Ahhh…"
I grasp his waist, and he wraps his legs around me so I can pick him up. Our groins are touching, and we both want it so much. He's like pudding in my arms; he's already surrendered, given his full consent with just a look.
Oh god, we're actually going to do it. It isn't a dream this time. We're actually going to…
But just like that, I set him down and back off.
I just can't get over the fact it's Byron's son.
"Roarkie, what were you…?"
"I… I… I'm sorry. It's like my body can't help it."
Oh, I know what you mean.
"Get a hold of yourself, boy. I'm going to give you some time to calm down as I get dressed. Just because you're young and hormonal doesn't mean you can come on to anyone you want."
"I… okay…" He casts his head down, and I gather up my clothes, walking to the bathroom. "I'm sorry."
I know I should feel bad for him since I was the one who advanced in the first place, but at the same time, it feels really good. I don't have to work hard to make him love me. He's practically my little love slave, bending himself to my will.
His mind, and soon his spirit, his… body… his… irresistible… body… will be all mine.
His submission turns me on like crazy, and… well, let's just say I don't spend the next twenty minutes getting dressed.
When I come out he's fully dressed. He's wearing the same old work sweats, but something seems different, like his hair is combed down just a bit more, his boots a tad more polished.
Of course, that could be my imagination.
He gives me a sheepish look and chews on his lip. He has a habit of doing that when he's nervous. Fascinating. His bags are all packed, and I get on to mine, neither of us saying a word to the other.
"Is it not normal?" he asks after a bit.
I lock my suitcase and raise an eyebrow. "What do you mean by that?"
"You know… I mean, I bet you think I want to d-date you now or something…"
"Oh." I give a hollow chuckle, trying futilely to lighten the mood. "Homosexual behavior is found all throughout nature…"
"… Gay Pokémon?"
"Yes. Gay Pokémon. Why don't you just focus on what feels right for you, all right? You know, Steven would probably be a better person to talk to about this than me."
"Steven Stone?"
"Yep, that's him. Steven's actually bisexual. He could help you with these…"
"How do you know this anyway?"
"Dear, we were roommates in college. I learned more about him than I cared to know! He was the president of the LGBT club, if I do recall."
"So even though he comes from an important family like the Stones, he's openly…?"
"Hoenn is a little different from Sinnoh. But really, I can call Steven up for you. I'm sure he wouldn't mind. When I went to lunch with him, he said he really liked you."
We exit the room with luggage in tow and check out. Through the streets we go, ready to catch the ferry back to the mainland.
"Steven's a bit out there, but he's really a very nice person. I bet he'd just love to get to know you more!" I ramble on and on. Even I don't care what I'm saying, but I try anything in my power to get back to my normal self, anything to dispel that wild animal I became this morning. I swear, that Lucario's no good for me. It's his screwing with me why I'm feeling like this. Sure, I like Roarkie—maybe a little too much—but I don't love him. Oh Arceus, if I fell for him that would be the mistake of a lifetime.
It's amazing, that a Pokémon is able to taunt and make up lies and use his imagination (and what a grisly imagination it is!), but at the same time he can't realize why I need Roark specifically for this mission. It would be fascinating, if he weren't pissing me off quite so much.
I don't know why the creature that's supposed to be my best friend is doing everything in his power to make me miserable. Guilt-trip me. Make me have second thoughts.
After all, why should he bite the hand that feeds him? Yes, I decide inwardly, he should be more grateful for all I've done for him. Was I not the one who hand-fed him milk with an eyedropper when he hatched a runt? Was I not the one who entertained him as a Riolu by playing pretend as Sir Aaron and Lucario on Iron Island for hours on end? Was I not the one who trained him to be strong enough to take on the Elite Four?
Heh.
Who needs him?
At the end of the day he's an animal, and that's that. He'll never really understand people. And he makes threats to leave me, but he's a pampered pet and he damn well knows it. Put him out alone in the wilderness for five minutes and he won't be able find shelter before hungry beasts tear him limb from limb!
I don't need him.
I have Roarkie, after all, and he adores me. He never questions me.
"Um… Riley?"
"… What is it?"
"I get the big idea. You can stop talking now."
"Oh." I shut up and purse my lips, realizing I've been chatting him up without even caring what I'm saying. "Don't you want something to eat? It's a long time until Mauville…"
"Riley, please. You're acting strange. I know I've been weird with you as well, but there's no need to be worried about me, okay?"
"Darling, how can I not be…?"
"I'm glad you care about me, really, but you have more of a problem currently." He adjusts his glasses nervously. He's a good boy. Awkward and completely out of his element anywhere except the mines, but a good boy nonetheless. "Nightmares and night terrors and stuff… it's not good for you."
"I don't need to be told that twice."
"I wish there was something I could do to help. I mean, it's just that I feel like you're always the one watching out for me, and I…"
"Hush." I offer him a small smile. "You're helping me already."
"But I need to do more!"
"Oh?" That familiar rush of sadism runs through me, and my grin grows wider yet. "Would you do anything to help me?"
"Of course!" He nods vigorously. "I would do anything for you."
"Would you like to see Groudon with me?"
We stop at the pier and Roark gives me a funny look. "What's that got to do with anything?"
"… Nothing. I know you said you didn't want to see it, but I was just thinking, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and Groudon will be asleep so it can't harm you, and well, I'd like to spend that moment with you."
"Well, if it means that much to you…"
I'm glad I put Lucario back in his Poke Ball. If he were here to hear this, surely he would bite me.
"It really would, Roarkie. I just can't get enough of you." On the ship we go, and I take his hand, stroking it slightly as I lead him to a private cabin. He sits down on a chair with his bag clutched defensively to his chest, and I smile, raiding the cocktail bar immediately. "I saw Groudon once as a child. It left a big impression on me. Ever since, I've felt like I was… connected to it in some way, do you feel me?"
I pour the champagne.
He starts up suddenly.
"Shit!" he exclaims.
"What?"
"I forgot to check my gun… I'm going to…"
"Shh…" I wave a dismissing hand at him. "If they couldn't be bothered to check your pockets in the first place, you ought not waste your time with them. Mimosa?" I offer him a glass and smile again.
"I'm too young to drink that…"
"Roarkie, as far as I'm concerned we both need this drink. We've been through a lot. Come on. You only live once."
"You're an awful influence, you know that?" Nonetheless, he accepts the drink and sips. I join him and clink my glass against his.
"I know. Cheers?"
"Cheers."
"You know, back when I was studying in Europe, they didn't really care about these sorts of things."
"Eh?"
"In Madrid they'll hand an eleven year old a glass of sangria without flinching. What a society we live in here… so many petty morals that don't add up to anything, don't you think?"
"Such as?"
"Oh, I couldn't tell you…"
"I can handle it!"
"If you insist…" I lean into him and grin. He has beautiful eyes beneath those glasses. "Hypothetically speaking, supposing there was someone I really wanted…"
"Like as a girlfriend?"
"Something like that… and this person was technically an adult, but they were much younger than me… do you think that would be wrong? For us to be together? Hypothetically, of course."
Yes, a "hypothetical" person.
Like you only sucked a "hypothetical" dick for money, Roarkie.
"Oh…" He gives me a look.
"I knew it. You think it's disgusting, don't you? You think that these rich and powerful men go cradle-snatching because they want one thing and one thing only… all they care for is a pretty little bauble because obviously they're too shallow to love."
"I think…"
"Well?"
"I think that as long as you were both adults, and were both in love, it's okay. I mean, love works in mysterious ways, you know?"
"… I know."
"Are you sure there isn't someone you like?"
I set down my drink and pretend to be interested in a Joltik scrambling across the floor. "Honestly, Roarkie, I'm not."
"I… I kind of thought so."
"Why is that?"
He shrugs. "Sometimes you don't need to be able to read Aura to know how someone's feeling."
"Ah, that's very true! In fact, sometimes I think it clouds my own judgment!"
"Is that so?"
"Oh, yes." I nod. "It's overwhelming feeling everyone's Auras. That's why I don't like being in large company. It's like getting hit with a brick everywhere you turn."
"That doesn't sound very fun."
"I never said it was. It can be hard at times, not that there aren't some upsides."
"Like…?"
I shrug. "Have you ever wanted to get something but didn't want to get up from where you were at the same time? Telekinesis is very convenient for feeding my inner couch potato."
"Ohhhh… Well, I still think it's okay…"
BANG!
I start up suddenly to the sounds of gunshots firing and people screaming. The security alarm blares off and I gasp, lunging toward the door to lock it.
"Hide yourself!" I hiss, leaping into action. I don't know who would want to go shooting up a ferry, but I'm not taking any chances. I reach forward…
Only to find myself eye-to-eye with the two gunmen, staring me down. My mind draws a blank, and I'm unable to summon an Aura shield in my sheer terror. They focus the barrels of their shotguns right at my chest, and they pull the triggers—
Two gunshots, as expected.
But I don't feel any pain or like I've died, as unexpected.
It's when I turn my head and see Roark, brandishing his smoking revolver, hands shaking and eyes blazing, that it all makes sense to me.
"I've got ten more rounds where that came from," he growls, cocking it and letting the two assailants come to the realization that he's just shot their guns right out of their hands. "Now look here, I don't want to hurt anybody, but you do not attack my friend!"
"F-Friend?" stammers one of the gunmen. "Do you have any idea who this person is? You—"
He pulls out a pistol and waves it at me.
"Give back the Orb."
… Goddamnit Steven!
I told him I wanted the Blue Orb with no risks involved. I swear, if I get out of this, I'll flay him…!
"You sure you wanna be doing that?" Roark's voice is icy cold all of a sudden. I don't know whether it's because he's braver than I am or the adrenaline is too much for him, but it makes my hair stand on end.
"You only have ten bullets."
"I only need one to kill the both of you…"
And with that, his icy resolve breaks, and then he's like a raging wildfire, tackling both assailants at the same time and sending them to the ground.
"Don't you dare hurt him! I'll kill you before you can lay a fucking finger on him!" Like an unstoppable force of nature, he pummels the men with the butt of his pistol, strangling one with the other hand. "I'll kill you! I'll beat the living shit out of you! Fuck you! Fuck you! FUCK YOU!"
My jaw slackens in horror at the spectacle unfolding before me. He's already kicked one of his opponent's guns to the other side of the room, and his hands and uniform are splattered with blood. His fury is ceaseless, fierce—
Beautiful.
There's something captivating about him that turns me on like crazy.
But my fascination with the gruesome scene turns to terror as I notice one of the men turn his remaining gun on Roark while he's fucking the other guy up.
"No!" I scream, and finally my Aura works for me. A shield blasts from my hands in between Roark and the gunmen, the bullet ricocheting harmlessly off.
From my bag, a glow, and a blue blur jumps on the both of them, snarling and snapping at the attackers. I don't know how Lucario managed to get out of his Poke Ball, but I'm glad he did. I'm only able to pounce on Roark and hold his still kicking and screaming self down as I create a shield for the both of us.
Lucario easily deflects any remaining bullets with Aura Spheres or simply dodges them, fighting just long enough so that a whole slew of people can show up and tackle the gunmen to the ground.
It sure ain't their day, I think to myself.
One security guard releases her Tangrowth to hold them captive. They struggle, but are unable to break free. Taking several deep breaths to steady myself, I thank Arceus that the ordeal's over and let go of Roark, still shaking. He's calmed down a bit, but absolutely pale.
"Oh, god, are you hurt?" one person runs up to him, but Roark shakes his head, still shocked by the situation.
Some people are pacing about nervously; others are on their cell phones to the mainland requesting police help and ambulances; others still are crying and moaning.
"I-I'm fine," Roark stutters after a while. "The question is, are YOU all right? Is anyone hurt… dead…?"
"N-No," stammers someone else in reply. "They fired warning shots and told us to get down, and they went right for…"
"… Me. Got it." I stumble up to Lucario, drawing a handkerchief from my pocket and wiping at his bloodstained fur.
And what about you? Are you hurt? I ask.
He simply shakes his head.
Still giving me the cold shoulder, I see.
"W-Why would they go for you?" asks Roark.
I sigh and grab my luggage with one hand, him with the other. "Get your bags," I whisper between my teeth, and then I turn back to the others. "Excuse me, but we desperately need some fresh air… I feel like I might faint otherwise. Could you all please move aside? Please?" I give one of the security guards a stony look, and hesitantly, they part the throng of people, allowing us through. Still grasping onto Roark's wrist, I break into a sprint until we reach the other end of the deck, abandoned and in disarray.
I release Salamence.
"Get on," I command.
"W-What?" Roark gasps. "We can't leave a scene like… the police need to…"
"Can't you see they're clearly after us?" I haphazardly tether our things to Salamence. I look down at Lucario, who had followed after us. You can either get on or be left behind.
Some hesitation, but he soon obeys and scrambles onto Salamence's back, burying his claws into my coat.
"But…"
"This is a work order. I'm not even kidding."
"I…"
"We can report in to the police later. Right now, safety. We need to wash that blood off of you…"
"Why?"
"Because they can counter-sue you for assault!" I hiss. "I'm serious; that's a thing. We want to get rid of the evidence!" My patience breaks and I command Salamence to grab him with his mouth. He deposits him behind Lucario and I, and takes off immediately. Roark lets out a shocked yell and clings for dear life as we soar through the air at top speed. "New change in plans, Roarkie!" I shout over the roar of the wind. "More assassins will probably be waiting at the pier, and I wouldn't put it past them that they're anticipating we're going to Mauville. So we're taking a slight detour to Oldale Town, all right?"
"Why?" he screams again. "Why would they…?"
"Extremely wealthy and important businessman Hoenn doesn't agree with? Hello?"
"… Oh. Are you saying Devon Corp. sent…? No, Mr. Stone would never…!"
"I didn't say it was Devon Corp.!" I nudge Salamence to go faster. "Hoenn has a lovely little problem with eco-terrorist groups."
"Eco…? Really?"
That's a lie. "Eco-terrorism" hasn't been relevant in Hoenn ever since the Team Aqua/Magma debacle years ago. But he doesn't need to know the truth. He doesn't need to know that those two assailants were actually mercenaries from Mt. Pyre tasked to get the Blue Orb back. The Blue Orb I need to awaken Groudon. The Blue Orb Hoenn considers sacred. The Blue Orb I had Steven procure for me, which he passed to me over lunch a couple days ago…
How Steven let it slip that I was the one in possession of it, I'll never know. God, I could kill him. Like hell I'm going to give him a call once we get to land!
Behind me, I can feel Roark tremble, even through Lucario. I'm afraid he'll go into shock. I glance back at him, and see tears in his eyes. He's still shaking, and I realize he isn't hugging Lucario for safety—he's doing it because he needs comfort.
"Roarkie… I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to get you caught up in this…"
"I-I'm the one who's sorry!" he chokes, wiping at his tears. He only manages to smear blood on his face, and I grimace. "I don't know what came over me… I'm a monster… you probably think I'm a monster…"
I pause and look away from him, shaking my head. "No. I think you're a badass."
"…?"
"You really saved me back there, you know that? You sprung to action right away while all I could do was stand around and gawk. Roarkie, I'm super glad you forgot to check your gun."
He relaxes a bit, breathing still ragged but no longer crying. "Yeah… me too."
"It was a good fight. But don't go around screaming about how you're going to kill people, all right? The cops can hold that against you."
I turn back to him and give him a wink. He manages to smile.
"… How about we start our mini-vacation early? Since we're getting so close to Lavaridge anyway…"
"I'd like that," is all he says.
He needs time to calm down. I understand.
"And Lucario was great, too," I mention after awhile. Behind me, a furry ear pricks up. I'm sorry… I tell him. I didn't mean to insinuate humans were better than Pokémon. We're equal, just different.
That's not what I'm mad about, he finally speaks up. But it's a start.
I know… look, I've been nothing but immature and selfish, and I've been taking it out on you. I'm sorry… I just… I feel so strongly for Roark, but I…
I know.
… I need time to think this through. I don't even know what I'm doing anymore. Look, are you hungry? There's no excusing how I treated you. I'll buy you a nice, juicy brisket and an ice cream to make up for it. You like the peanut butter flavor with the chocolate syrup, right?
An audible growl.
All right, you don't have to forgive me, but please at least eat it.
Fine.
I know bribing him with his favorite foods isn't enough to get me on his good side again, but at least it's something. Right now, my mind is clouded and the only thing I can think about is Roark and how happy I am that he protected me and I… protected… him…
God, what am I feeling for this boy?
We fly the rest of the way in calm air, but my feelings inside are more tumultuous than they've ever been in my life.