AN: For Little Miss Independence's 100 Word Challenge. (Ugh, I'm going to regret this added challenge.) All fics are "Pokemon Trainer" (AKA Red/Leaf... in my fic) centric, and have a Vocaloid Song to go with it. Not all will have the lyrics in it (thank god). ...I started off with Cantarella... and ended with this. I feel like I should be facepalming. Anyways, how many would be interested if I did some request thingy on my tumblr? (Link's on my profile.) *hears crickets chirping* Um, if I do requests in the end, just send it to me? *shot*

Song: Cantarella by Kaito (and Miku Hatsune)

Pairing: Red/Ike... technically.

Disclaimer: Fanfiction. End of story.

Sighing, Red closed his eyes as he allowed himself to be brought out to the light, where he would meet the person he was "engaged" to. Laughing at the irony, of him not even liking her, he decided to act like an asshole in hopes of disinteresting her.

However, that hadn't worked as he thought it would—the girl was even more determined to get their wedding date moved up in hopes of "settling down" with him sooner. (He also had a feeling that she wanted to get in his bed, but that was beside the point.)

He didn't even want to be with a girl, as sad as that was. He had fallen for his mysterious visitor, the man with the mask, and he wanted to be with him more than anything else. Not only did the stranger's words bring out feelings he thought he would never feel (again), he also reminded Red of the person he had fallen for long ago—Ike Greil.

His heart would speed up with the thought of the mercenary that had been his childhood friend. Ike had been a few years older (maybe three years max), and Red found that he had fallen for said mercenary around the last year that Ike had spent in their house.

Red was certain that those feelings were one-sided—when Ike had left, he had patted Red on the head and told him to take care in such a kind voice. It was such a nice thing to hear, yet it pained him that his feelings would never be requited—he had hoped for his fairytale ending.

It was around the time Ike was preparing to leave that the masked man had started to appear to him. As much as he craved Ike, he found himself craving this man even more. He wanted what the man offered, to be taken away as his "bride", and he wanted it now.

If anything, he would tell the mysterious man of his consent tonight (when he would undoubtedly be visited by said man)—he hoped to get away from this whole ordeal he was going through. It would also help him "heal" (or whatever they called it).

Waiting for his mysterious courter, who had succeeded in ways Red would've never conceived, he fiddled with the end of his shirt. His attire consisted of a shirt that may or may not have been used a few days ago and tights that he (might've) stolen from Link.

Closing his eyes, he could pretend that he wasn't in this oppressive room, the gloomy interior design that threatened to press him down disappeared within his own fantasies. In there, he was in a lovely village, one that didn't expect much of him, and he would be living in a small, modest house with his stranger. He would know the identity of the one who visited him nightly, and they would be within their own blissful world.

The illusion shattered when someone started to speak. Not being able to place the voice, he was about to yell at the person who dared to disturb him when he saw that familiar mask. Holding back a gasp of shock (and maybe pleasure), he instead opted to hug the man standing before him.

In all his glory there was the man of his dreams. Even if Red couldn't see his eyes, he knew this man loved him. That smirk that made Red melt on the inside (and sometimes on the outside too), the caresses, the deep, husky voice—all were too much for him at one time. Now, when he was at his weakest, the man decided to hold him, stroking his hair, whispering sweet words of nothing, and probably smirking (if the tone of his voice was anything to go by.)

Red was tempted to just melt into the embrace, but managed to not lose himself by reminding himself that there was someone in the room next to him. If he gave into his impulses right now, he was certain that the person in the other room would hear something and send someone to investigate (if they didn't investigate themselves.)

"Did you think on it? Do you want to join me," the man murmured into his ear. Red shivered, falling for this man even more. Without thinking, he nodded, subconsciously hoping to be taken away from here—had he been rational at this time, he would've made it a game, made the man beg for him.

"I… I don't want to stay any longer," he whispered, trying to convey all that he felt with his eyes. Even though he had planned on running away with this man tonight (by confessing), he had wanted to drag out this meeting for a little longer.

Before he could contain his curiosity, he asked, "Can I see what's under the mask?" Hoping that the man wouldn't be angered by the question, he waited with baited breath for his answer.

Noticing the man's small smile, he felt a bit easier, but was still worried about his reaction. His fears and worries were unfounded as the man chuckled and said, "Maybe later. Now, I have to take you as my own."

While he thought it was stupid later on, he accepted the man's vial and drank it as instructed. He blacked out quickly, unaware of being snuck out of the huge mansion, of being taken to a "deserted" house. He only awoke to even more darkness, of the masked man leaning over him.

He could see the man's smile, and had a feeling that he would reveal his identity soon. Trying to quell his impatience, he smiled back in response, hoping to encourage the other. Instead, the man smirked, and got off, to his disappointment.

Red wouldn't let him get away with anything, however, and tackled the man to the ground, determined to see what was behind the mask. Quickly using the man's shock to his advantage, he lifted the mask to see Ike's face.

At first, he felt anger because his friend hadn't even told him that he was still in the village, but it suddenly turned to a fierce joy, one that made him feel as if he was walking on cloud nine. Before the other could get a word out, he pulled him into a tight hug, hoping that this wouldn't disappear.

"Ike, you came back."

"As I promised Red."

Laughing, Red was pulled onto the small bed by Ike himself. Waiting for the other to join him, he sat up and asked, "Why didn't you tell me it was you?"

"What would you have thought if I revealed myself?"

Pausing, Red realized that he would've felt betrayed had the other revealed himself immediately. "I would've hated you for a long time, if not forever."

"That's why."

"…I just hope that I don't wake up and find myself with that girl tomorrow."