AUTHORS NOTES: Hello again I totally decided to upload two chapters in one day whhooaa! However they're both short so I felt like I owed you more. It's okay though because I really needed to write all my ideas in here before my creative streak went away so it's not filler. This has a little bit of back story, not much but I had the idea for both of them, and I needed to get it out before I forgot it so I continued with both of theirs! I hope you like it and the question still remains, do you want May to end up with Maxie or Archie? I'm just curious to see what people think is going to happen and which pairing they like the best. Or even which fits more. So I got one now, thanks for that I do like your portrayal on fixing Maxie's despair very awesome! Alright, that's all sorry for the long paragraph enjoy the chapter!
Hot water brewed over a tamed fire created by Maxie's Camerupt, his eyes were empty as the fire reflected off their pupils. May had been observing him for awhile, she wondered why he was so quick to collapse. The man was certainly filled with stones, his heart was solid and rigged. She felt the urge to help him, she needed to understand what made him so cold. When the kettle was done boiling she swiftly grabbed some plastic cups, they weren't much but were better than bringing out glass. May settled two bags of herbal tea into hot water for it to steep, she then gently handed one of the cups to Maxie who was still watching the flames.
May turned to face Mary observing from afar, May nodded for them to stay quiet and it covered its mouth as if to giggle. When she sat down next to him he flinched, he was certainly full of stress. Maxie glared down at his tea as the girl gazed at him, she wondered why he tried so hard to avoid her gaze. The Sun was getting prepared to sleep underneath the horizon, its orange glow cast light down upon them. The atmosphere was perfect and May leaned into his shoulder and stared directly to the colorful sky.
May cleared her throat avoiding his gaze, "Drink the tea it will help you calm down."
"Thank you" He responded plainly.
His mental breakdown stopped shortly after it began, what made him crack, why is he suddenly okay? May couldn't help but worry that maybe Maxie was just never okay to begin with. Perhaps he was empty inside and needed something to fill the void, something to chase. Maxie let out a deep earthly sigh, and May waited for some sort of answer to her inner thoughts. When no words came she just locked onto him staring, waiting for him to speak. He continued to avoid speaking, staring off at the sunset ignoring her attempts at grabbing his attention.
Swallowing her pride she cooed softly, "What happened back there, you seemed like you were fine but then you just-"
"I collapsed, I just had a moment" Maxie interrupted coldly.
May knew he was being fake and continued, "I don't believe you were ever okay Maxie."
Silence filled the air and he didn't respond to her assumption, she was sure she was right. His eyes returned to the fire dancing in front of them, the warmth wrapped itself around their bodies shielding them from the wind. Determined May laid her hands on his knee gazing into his eyes hopefully. Maxie returned her eyes looking into his with a sigh, he then proceeded with a small passionate kiss to her forehead.
"You can tell me, please" She begged in a soft tone.
The man sighed beginning to speak, "I haven't broke down since I was a mere child, I had to grow up strong because I lost both of my parents to the ocean. They died in a vicious storm, when I had received the news I was mortified. I solidified myself and separated from the world, I never cried, never smiled. I just did what I had to get through life, I wasn't like other children so I never had time to become socially adept. Now all I find myself thinking about is you, without Groudon or work, I have nothing. When I observed the two of you together I realized it was indeed possible I could lose you, and I remembered losing my parents when they were all I had."
"It can't be easy doing that your entire life, I'm so sorry."
"It's okay, I apologize for these emotional outbursts. It is very unlike me."
"You don't need to be professional with me Maxie, just relax."
May could feel him tense as she wrapped him in a warm embrace. He returned his affections gratefully hugging her tightly within his long arms. It was amazing to finally understand, to finally be let inside, but she felt guilty as to how much he must trust her. She wondered if Archie trusted her just as much, what would become of her when one couldn't be with her. May didn't want to ponder the possibility that they may brutally turn on each other, she wouldn't want to cause them that kind of suffering.
The man glared promptly down at his watch and sighed, "Well my dear I must take my leave, I suggest you do as well your parents would worry."
"I know, I guess so, I have to see you later then?" May responded playfully.
"Yes certainly my dear, don't bother your brains about it."
With that he took his leave setting off into the forest, by this time the sun was almost underneath the horizon. May strolled tiredly over to her Pokemon returning them to their little Pokeballs. After everything was prepared she set off to get home, her eyes adjusting to the new darkness surrounding the land. Her trek was rather quiet in a peaceful and calming way, however she felt afraid. It was almost like someone was staring daggers into her but when she looked there was nobody there.
The leaves crunching below her she walked peacefully near a shoreline that lead into the vast sea. Suddenly a strong rustling of bushes was behind her and she leaped with pure fear. In front of her was a tall dark male wearing a black coat. He snatched her bag quickly tossing it into the water. May let out a screech as she went to dive in after them but the man was not going to let her he restricted her. The grip on her tiny wrists was enough to bruise deep and she found herself howling in agony. Someone had to hear her, anyone, May couldn't be left for dead.
******
A voice hit Archie like a hurricane, could it be? He was training over the ocean letting his Pokemon gain high in their stats. The same voice howled again in the distance and he was sure of it's direction, he was also certain that it was May's cry. His thoughts were put onto a halt and he swiftly acted sending himself forward to find the despairing cries of pain. It wasn't long when he had reached the shoreline, his head spun around violently in the dark he couldn't spot her.
Where was she, where was she, he kept repeating these thoughts in his head. When another scream echoed through the quiet night air he shot his head in that direction and ran as fast as he could. A worrisome thought interrupted his mind as he huffed his lungs full of air at top speed. He couldn't imagine finding her in any sort of jam, he continued to think of every worst case scenario and he pushed himself faster. Once she was in his sights he saw her attempting to battle away a tall dark clothed man.
Archie's pulse quickened as he was reminded of distant memories deep in his childhood, he couldn't stand idly this time. His blood being boiled by his fury he tackled the man down away from his little scamp. Not giving any time for him to speak he shoved his body onto the ground pounding his fists into the strange mans face. Archie wasn't going to let someone of his stature hurt her in any way. The man was brutaly mutilated by the time Archie was finished, the tall male terrified limped away terrified of Archie's menacing behavior.
Turning to face May to make sure she was okay he noticed her face was painted with fear. The girl attempted to dive into the water almost immediately after the event but Archie quickly ran to stop her, he knew the ocean at this time was getting close to freezing and she was not wearing the proper gear. In his embrace the young girl thrashed and screamed, tears flowing down her cheeks, he wondered why she was so frantic.
Trying to calm her down he cooed, "May you can't go in the water it's too cold, what's wrong?"
"My Pokemon, my Pokemon are down there. He threw them into the ocean!" She cried furiously.
"Oh goodness scamp, don't worry Sharpedo will get your bag, it's alright."
Rubbing away her own tears she snuffled, "Really?"
"Yes, it's okay I've got you."
He gently released his Sharpedo into the deep sea giving him a command to follow. Once the Sharpedo bolted under the surface he calmly picked May up into his arms. She wrapped herself around him still shaken from the past events, he stroked her soft brown hair softly whispering to her. Archie sat along the shoreline with her in tow, he held her close to assure her safety as she shivered. After no time Sharpedo resurfaced tossing the bag at them with a joyful growl, Archie caught it effortlessly and handed to May.
The girl swooned happily hugging he bag tightly as she counted the Pokeballs to make sure they were all present. To their relief everything was safe and almost in synchronization they sighed happily. May's eyes glowed as she yipped, "Thank you so much, I don't know what could have happened if I lost them!"
"I don't know what would have happened if I lost you!" Archie cried embracing her tightly.
She gazed up to him meaningfully, "Thank you again, I'm just so relieved."
"No problem little scamp, it's past dark though so we should get you home. I can't stand people like that..."
"People like what?"
Archie swallowed lightly, "People who try to hurt others for pleasure, I almost lost my mom to someone like him."
She nodded staring at him with sparkling eyes, she was enveloped in his story now and he wished he had kept his mouth shut. Trying to shake off the subject Archie took her little hand in his leading her to her home. He wasn't about to let her walk around alone after that, he always believed in her strength and willpower but the unexpected can and will happen sometimes.
Speaking up again he made sure he made a point, "I realize you're a strong trainer love, but please don't wander around alone in the night."
"I won't... Can you tell me what happened in the past... With your mother?" She squeaked kicking the dust as she strolled.
He rolled his eyes, "Okay you nosy little butt!"
She giggled back at him sending a grin across his face, he loved it when she smiled. Scratching his beard he told his story, "When I was a little boy dad wasn't around much, so it was always me and mom. Believe it or not I was actually a timid little thing, but everything changed one night when a man like the one ye' saw today broke in. I was mortified, didn't know what to do and I froze when he attacked her; but I couldn't watch her hurt for very long. I guess something snapped inside me and I was never afraid of much after, been kind of impulsive ever since."
"I like that, it's cute to know that you were a shy little boy once!" May replied with a giddy grin.
Archie shot her a sarcastic glance, "Little scamp, please, look at you!"
"Hey!" She squeaked at him throwing playful punches at his arm.
"Oh please continue it tickles!"
May continued to punch him lightly, he just stared at her chuckling at her childish advances. It seemed like only minutes passed when they finally reached the entrance of Littleroot Town. Archie grinned at her in a playful way but she stared off at the town with an expression of sorrow. He really had been getting better at reading emotions because this time he was able to understand she was reluctant to go home.
"Come on little scamp it ain't that bad?" Archie smiled nudging her side.
The girl only gazed up at him with wide watery eyes making him feel a searing guilt. The little monster was trying to play the pity game with him, but he knew better and just gave her a knowing smirk. Seeing as her attempts at making him guilty failed she pouted crossing her thin arms in the red hoodie she still wore. Archie gave her a small peck on the forehead trying to make her feel more comfortable or willing, but it happened to do neither.
"What is it, you know you have to go back tonight at least?" He cooed in confusion.
May gave him another glare, "I just really don't want to."
"What can I do that will make it easier for you?" Archie pushed this time kneeling to her height.
Without saying another word she crashed her lips to his and he flinched in utter surprise. Why did she always have to be so unpredictable? Giving in to her stubborn ways he tightly concealed her in his embrace as he kissed her with passion. May slowly withdrawn with her arms wrapped around his neck, she let out a silly smile her face blushing brightly. Letting go of him he followed her actions and released his light grip around her back.
"I'll see you soon?" Archie asked before letting her leave.
May nodded happily, "Definitely, I'll let you know how things smooth over with my parents tonight though first!"
"Yeah, I bet they aren't going to be very pleased with how late you are."
"Indeed, I'll catch you later! Love yah'!"
The young trainer dashed off towards her home with a bounce in her step. Archie didn't move as he was wary to make sure she made it back safely. He found himself trailing off and staring at her hips as they swayed with each step, he quickly attempted to slap that thought out of his brain. It took a few moments for her to disappear behind the buildings and he hoped she made it back safely. Turning tail he whistled a joyful tune making his way home, he wished he could spend all the time he could with her. He was so broken before, so exhausted and bored, but ever since she came into his life he felt a blissful glee about himself. She was absolutely perfect!
******
END CHAPTER