(A/N): I honestly don't remember the last time I updated this...has it been a couple of months, a year? I don't know. I'm losing inspiration for writing this story, to be honest, despite knowing how it will end and the direction I want this work to go in. Sorry. This chapter is short, poorly edited, and mainly dialogue between the main characters. It focuses on developing the relationship issues between them.

Thank you to StarScarlett for reviewing the last chapter, your review had really made me happy, even though it took me forever to actually update this story since you posted your review...sorry about that. Hope that you enjoy this chapter, even if its just a little bit.


Standard Disclaimers Apply.


Dawn hummed cheerfully to herself as she returned to the Pokémon center, newly won ribbon in hand, Piplup by her side. Winning her next ribbon had been child's play, and luckily, the next place that Paul had to challenge for a gym battle was where the next closest contest is to be held. Walking into the center, about to call Paul on her poketch, she came across the oddest sight in the room she and Paul had rented out. Paul was trying to coax his Froslass to eat some berries, and it was the most hilarious thing she had ever seen. Paul hadn't noticed her yet, and he was apologizing continuously to his Froslass, trying to appease her with another treat when the berries were not working. The Froslass snootily eyed the moomoo milk offered to her before deigning to accept it, drinking it as she were pitying Paul. Dawn couldn't help herself, she burst into giggles at it all, and Paul turned positively pink, whipping around to look up at her.

"Dawn! W-When did you get back?" he awkwardly cleared his throat, wondering how much she had seen of his bonding with Froslass.

"Oh, just a few minutes ago. It's been a while since I last saw your Froslass. Are you going to partner with her for your gym battle?"

"Ah, uh, yeah…"

Dawn pouted. Did he already challenge the gym?

"Did you already challenge the gym? I like to watch my friend's battles, you know."

"Sorry, you were busy training for your contest, so I just…"

"You still could have told me!"

Paul sighed, rubbing his temples. It was starting to feel like him and Dawn were fighting more often.

"Yeah, you're right, sorry. I'll be sure to tell you next time. I won the badge at least…"

"Was it a challenging battle? I'm sure you won it no problem, with your skills as a trainer."

"Actually…the battle was kind of tough, in all honesty… Froslass wouldn't listen to me."

Dawn blinked in surprise; Paul was admitting to something being difficult for him? The old Paul she knew would definitely have not done that…

"Is that why you're bonding with her now…?"

Paul slowly nodded, looking up at Dawn with a face of hope, that he might be able to open up to her about the experiences he's been through the last three years. Dawn, however, was invested in Paul superficially; she was still learning to read him, and his emotions, and how Paul functioned overall as a person.

"Yes… My brother actually raised me with the importance of treating Pokémon with love and care, but…after seeing how Reggie had given up so utterly after his first defeat at the battle pyramids, I was so disappointed in him that I just…decided that I wouldn't be like him at all, and lost sight of how much a Pokémon needs its trainer's love and care. I lost a lot of my Pokémon's trust when…," Paul looked back up at Dawn to see if she was listening, but her nose was scrunched up in remembrance of how Paul used to treat his Pokémon when they had first met in Sinnoh, and Paul misunderstood, and he immediately clammed up. "Anyways…I'm trying to make it up to Froslass here. I thought oran berries were your favorite, Froslass…"

The ice-type took pity again on her trainer and his plight of a superficial lover, and gave him a chilly hug, which Paul didn't mind, returning her small heart-felt gesture. Dawn bit her lip, honestly not knowing what to say to him, wondering why he cut his story off short.

"I…I'm here for you, Paul. I'll help you with whatever you need."

Paul held in his sigh, and couldn't help but be disappointed with her response, turning his attention back to Froslass, feeding her an oran berry and gently brushing the top of her hair, which pleased the ghost-ice type very much. He was disappointed, but…what did he even want Dawn to say, anyhow? Ask him about what he went through? Sympathize with him, tell him that she was just as deeply in love and suffering? Paul didn't know what he wanted her to say.

"Thanks, Dawn. I think, for the moment, I just want to get out and stop thinking about the gym challenge and training and whatnot. Let Froslass and Weavile spend some time outside their pokeballs. Your next contest is today, right? I'd like to watch you. You're an excellent trainer yourself, in all honesty."

Dawn was flattered, and smiled awkwardly, unsure how to tell Paul that she already had completed her contest.

"Thanks, Paul! But, um…"

Paul frowned, picking up on Dawn's emotions instantly, "You already did the contest. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I, well…you had your training, and – "

"You still should have told me. I would have dropped it go see you at the contest hall."

"But your gym challenge is important, and it would've been boring to you, it was a sad fight this contest, I won it too easily."

"That's not - ," Paul sighed, after scrutinizing Dawn's stubborn expression, "Okay. Fine. Whatever. Next time, tell me."

"I will. Only if you tell me when you do your gym battles, though."

"Fine, I will."

Dawn sniffed, "Fine."

Paul shook his head, "Fine."

Froslass rolled her eyes as the mood of the room dropped, helping herself to oran berries while Paul was busy topping Dawn in their silent feud. Froslass was of the opinion that her trainer could do quite better than this Dawn girl, quite honestly.


Wellp...that was short. And yea. Even though they've acknowledged each other as soulmates, their relationship now depends upon the question: do they truly love each other, or are they just together because they have soulmate tattoos for each other? Until next time, lovely readers. (Whenever that might be...really sorry...)