Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Satoshi Tajiri, Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. Sailor Moon belongs to Naoko Takeuchi and Kodansha. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*

Notes: () for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks. References to 'Renewal' and now, back to Lance!

Warnings: PWP, yaoi

Chapter 9

It was much easier to have compassion for Pokemon than for humans. Pokemon were more truthful. They did not lie. If they were injured battling, it was accepted as a fact of life without drama. They bore their hearts in plain sight. So, as he moved between them, calling on Viridian's power to aid him, with Red at his side, he was content.

He had atoned for Cerise, but it was more than that. Here, they had forgiven him, and so, it was not guilt that motivated his work, but compassion.

How strange it was, to feel it on such a large scale. Was this, then, what it meant to love the Pokemon, all Pokemon? It was easy to forget, when one was focused on duty, just what to do.

He wore the white robes still, because now he was a healer with his whole heart. The hood hid his face, his golden eyes and bloody hair, and that was also for his protection. Although Bruno's stronghold had fallen, there were still many humans roaming the world. One glimpse might be all it took to stand before a bloodthirsty mob, clamoring for his head.

"Lance," Red called.

He looked at his friend. "What is it?"

Red was trying to untangle a Barboach from a discarded fishing net. He frowned, and then went to help, bringing out his knives. Some of the rope burns were so deep they had become infected, so although he healed the Pokemon as best as he could, they would need to return to the caves to complete the work.

Red held Barboach while Lance found the jar of herbal paste he was using and cleaned the wounds. They could release him in a few days.

Lance checked on a Hitmonlee with a leg splint, and then a pair of Spearow that had run afoul of a Gloom and were still recovering from blindness-induced Stun Spore. Satisfied that they were on the mend, he was about to leave when Red hugged him.

"What are you doing?"

"I…I want…" Red blushed.

It took him a minute to realize what Red was talking about. Yes, they had kissed, but that was about the extent of any experimentation that had gone on. Red had been too young, and work had kept them both extremely busy. But as he glanced down at the teen, he could see the physical evidence.

"Why now," Lance asked. "We still have work to do."

"I know," Red blushed again. "But I thought maybe tonight… it has been two years since you rescued me, Lance-chan."

Had time really flown by so quickly? He could not remember, but it was as good of a reason as any. He did not think that Red spoke out of love, but copulation was not wholly unpleasant. Indeed, he felt his groin respond, and he hastily pushed Red away.

Red looked down for a moment, and then saw the bulge. He blushed, but then looked determined. Lance was shocked as Red led him over to their bed and then began to strip him. The two robes were easy, but underneath, he wore his skintight black bodysuit.

"You said you loved me, and I said I loved you too." Red looked at him. "I'm old enough now."

"Yes," Lance agreed faintly.

Red peered at him, looking puzzled. There had to be a zipper somewhere, but where? He checked the neck first, and then the back, with no luck.

Lance sighed. "Here," He guided Red's hands between his legs, until he felt the head of the zipper. Red gulped as he realized just what was going on.

He was determined to go through with this. He slowly pulled out Lance's hard length. His eyes widened when he saw it, but other than that, he kept calm.

Lance hissed as Red kissed the tip. "You don't have to…"

"I want to!" He protested. He reinforced his statement by licking his way down the shaft, then up again. He knew what to do. He had seen Pokemon mating often enough, and if he was old enough to fight and die then he could do this. Hell, Yellow was younger than he was and from what he had seen her and Misty do, this wasn't even worth mentioning.

Lance leaned back and stopped talking as Red sucked him off. There was really nothing he could do at this point, so he might as well enjoy. Finally, he could hold on no longer. Red swallowed instinctively, trying not to taste it.

"Well," He drawled. "Do you want me to do you?"

Red looked slightly dazed.

He waited, patiently, before Red focused on him. "N-no…"

"No," Lance was puzzled. Surely Red was in need as well? He ought to reciprocate.

"No," Red repeated. "That's not what I want. I want you to mate me."

He felt something twinge inside. Of course he had plenty of experience, and he knew how to please Red, but it would not be right. Here Red was offering him his heart and he had no idea how to deal with it.

He could show affection, and he could heal, but Red needed more than compassion. Red needed someone who would love him with a full heart, instead of a few broken pieces. Red deserved better than him. It was wrong to keep Red here, away from humanity. There were still humans living in Houen, if he remembered correctly, and other distant islands.

He had to let him go.

Red looked at Lance, waiting for his response.

Lance was hiding something. It frightened him, but he was not going to leave. Love was more than pretty words.

He wanted to give Lance everything…

"I'm only a broken piece," Lance told him. "I can't give you the love you give me."

"I don't believe that," Red replied. "And I will take whatever you can give."

"You deserve better," He stated.

Red rolled his eyes. "No, I don't. In case you forgot, you saved my life and took care of me. You can't make me not love you."

Actually, Lance could, but he decided not to bring that up. It did not look like he would be able to talk Red out of this, anyway. His fear drained away, and he kissed the younger boy.

Red eagerly kissed back, and then they helped each other out of their clothing. They managed to find some coconut oil that would work well enough as lubricant, and after the first few awkward fumbles, Red was purring as Lance made love to him.

Lance was gentle, and he made sure to prepare his lover. It did feel weird having his fingers there, but Red decided to deal with it. After all, soon Lance would be inside of him and that would probably be bigger.

He just tried to keep breathing. The coconut oil smelled good, though, and he felt weird, like he was getting a muscle ache, but not too bad.

"Lovely," Lance purred in his ear, and he blushed again. He was doing a lot of that today. Oh well! Lance seemed happy, though, and he wanted to make sure it was that way.

Lance chuckled quietly as he finally took his Mate, holding him close. Maybe Red was right. Maybe it did not matter all that much. They did not have to compete with who gave the other more love, right?

He felt Red's hair tickle his nose, and he sneezed.

"Hey!" Red protested. "What are you doing?"

"Just relax…" He coaxed, teasing him with a few more kisses. Red pouted for a second, but nodded. Soon, they got into a comfortable rhythm, and after that, there was only pleasure. Afterwards, they stayed in bed, not wanting to move. It was warm, and Red cuddled.

Lance was calm for once, and at least, this branch of the timeline was safe. It would be difficult to leave, but there were still many more soul shards out there.

He would stay for a few more days, he decided. After that, his alter should be more than capable of making sure Red stayed. And he still had to find the real Red, who was out there somewhere…

End Chapter

Completed 6/3/13