It took a whole week for me to get over the earlier and rather awkward incident. I avoided him at first, slipping by him awkwardly or pretending to fall asleep quickly and then lay awake for hours. I suppose I was still mad at myself for doing it though, so easily losing control of the situation. But I guess it could have been worse. Thinking about this, I got up from the coach and meandered to the window, looking outside and seeing the New Years fireworks fly into the sky and explode. It was the late afternoon so they were difficult to see against the bright sky. N still found it fascinating, he hadn't really experienced fireworks. At first he was tremendously scared. They began going off late morning, and it took N completely by shock. He thought it was more thunder and lightning, and he had bolted to a hiding place. It took me hours to coax him out and convince him they were only fireworks. He didn't really like the loudness of them going off, but he did think they were pretty.

Currently he was perched on the couch, petting Simon. He still looked a bit on edge. He and I were home alone, since Cheren went out with White and Bianca and some other people for a party. They invited me, but I knew N wouldn't last outside the apartment. And I was right. Heading out on the deck, I was met with freezing cold air. Underneath the deck seven floors down was the street, which was crowded with people. With all the people and explosions I knew N would be uncomfortable leaving the apartment. I also knew he couldn't stay home alone, so here I was.

After awhile the cold was too cold, so I headed back inside. I promised N we could watch the fireworks together on the deck since they looked better at night, and the sun was beginning to go down it wouldn't be long now. I was back on the coach again, texting White. Apparently she and Bianca were in the process of getting Cheren super drunk. And it was working. I snickered at the thought of a drunken Cheren stumbling around.

"Black, you really should let Simon get more exercise. He's going to forget how to fly if he's kept cooped up!" N commented as he stroked Simon's bald muzzle.

"Him forgetting how to fly will be because every time he tries he runs head-first into something." I shot back, but grinned as I leaned over and ruffled Simon's feathers.

"You're just jealous because you cannot fly." N replied, giving me a look.

"Apparently neither can he."

"We should go out onto the balcony. It's not too cold outside tonight. Besides, your pokemon could really use some fresh air." N told me, standing up and tugging on Simon by the wing. DJ Fresh, Smugleaf and Squishy seemed thrilled at the idea, but Vincent stayed where he always did, hanging from the ceiling.

"N, it's freezing out there." I groaned, shoving my phone in my pocket. But a few minutes later I was curling up in a blanket on the deck with N and four of my pokemon. I was sipping cocoa, and I felt like a little kid. For my birthday my mother sent me small gift package, which consisted of a scarf, letter, and some food (including the cocoa). She even sent N something; a beanie hat, which he took a liking to wearing. In fact he was wearing it now; it was made of yarn and was mainly a greenish color with patches of other colors. It matched his sweatshirt and hair quite nicely. I never really wore any of the lame bits of clothing my mom gave me, but N insisted I wear the scarf. I suppose I shouldn't take my mother for granted; I don't even think N had one. If he did, he never mentioned her.

"Black these firework things are so pretty." N told me, his eyes wide in awe. "I just wish they were not so loud."

"You get used to it after awhile." I replied nonchalantly, taking another sip of my hot beverage.

I felt N lean towards me, I looked over and he was staring curiously into my mug. "Black what are you drinking?"

"It's… Hot chocolate. Like chocolate milk, but hot." I replied, taking another sip.

"I never heard of it before." He said.

"What a deprived being." I muttered under my breath, then held the mug out for him to take. "You can, er- try some of it if you want."

N took the mug, giving it a hesitant, curious sniff before drinking some of it. "Hot- hot!" He exclaimed, shoving the drink back at me. "B…but it's good." N finally said, licking his lips.

"Isn't it? It makes me feel like a child again. Long days playing in the snow… then coming inside and my mom made me cocoa while I watched my kid's television…"

"Is… is that what most kids do?" N asked me curiously.

"A lot of them. My friends did similar things like that." N looked a bit sad as he turned away to gaze at the fireworks. I sighed, "You never did that as a kid though." I didn't even need to ask, and I expected his reply; which was a slow nod.

"Well, you'll have to do that, huh?" I said, leaning against his shoulder nonchalantly.

"What?"

"Next time it snows, we'll go to the park or some shit like that and have a good time, for nostalgia's sake. We can take the pokemon and challenge some trainers for fun. Then we can come home and sit around with hot chocolate and watch lame children's shows." Actually it didn't sound like a bad idea.

N turned and stared at me with a strange look on his face. Then I heard him chuckle.

Him. Chuckle. N Harmonia chuckling what is this? I thought in alarm. "What is it?"

He didn't chuckle for long, but when he stopped he grew serious again, "Black, you do not have to try so hard for me you know. I realize how much you have been doing for me, but I contribute nothing. It's not the way life works."

I opened my mouth, but I knew he was speaking the truth. He didn't do anything. Cheren tried to tell me this more than once. "Well. I guess we'll find something."

There was a long silence, then I heard N ask a question that tugged at me heart. "…Black how long can I keep living with you?"

"Wha-what do you mean?" I nearly chocked out, turning to face him "Do you not want to live here anymore?"

"Black, I originally came to your house because I was hurt, I was in need. But I had not expected to be… staying this long with you." He replied, stroking Smugleaf's head.

"N, where would you go? You told me yourself you didn't have a place to stay."

"I do not-"

"Then where do you think you'll go?" I interrupted him.

"Black I cannot keep being a burden to you-"

"You're not. Listen to me N, you're staying." I growled at him. "I'm not losing you again." Then I slapped my hand over my mouth. What a fucking cliché thing for me to say! I thought to myself in alarm.

"Losing me?" N echoed, and then he looked away thoughtfully. We stopped talking after that, I figured he was thinking something to himself. As for me, I don't know why I just spewed all that stuff. But it was true, I didn't want N to leave again. I couldn't put a thumb on it, but every time I thought of him leaving my chest tightened painfully.

Looking out onto the horizon, the fireworks began lighting up the sky, flashing all the colors of the rainbow. I wish I was as warm as the fireworks, at the moment I was beginning to feel frozen. N seemed fine though, he stared out and watched without a problem. I suppose he was more used to the cold and outdoors then I was. Putting my now empty mug down to the side, I untangled myself from the blanket only to put my arms around N from the side. I felt a sudden compulsion to do this, and to put my head into his neck. The thought of him leaving suddenly made me feel… possessive?

N shifted uncomfortably, and I told myself not to go any further. He needed it to go slow. So while he watched the fireworks, I closed my eyes and breathed in his scent. It smelled very… outdoorsy. Wait… Was I sniffing him? The hell is wrong with me? I didn't move away though. I wasn't concerned anymore with my painfully obvious feelings for N I somehow developed somewhere.

Trying not to think awkward thoughts, once I felt N relax I reached up and kissed his cheek. He again moved uncomfortably, and I could feel his cheek get hotter under my lips.

I would have kept going to his lips, but I was interrupted by a loud screech. My arms withdrew from him and I whipped around to see Simon cawing wildly and lifting himself into the air. He was staring across the street into the alley way, screeching like crazy as he flew towards it. He was lost in the darkness, and I leapt up, leaning against the balcony railing and calling for him to come back. Then I heard a final screech, then it was silent in the alley.

"Scrafff…."

"I do not know why Simon took off, DJ Fresh." N said in panic, leaning against the railing as well. "Black, what-"

"We need to go over there." I exclaimed, whipping around and running into the house and to the front door. I was followed by N, and DJ Fresh, Reuniclus and Smugleaf. I shut the door, forgetting to lock it as I soared down the hall and down the stairs. Once out into the open, I followed the street until I was in front of the alley Simon had went down. I was panting heavily, but I pushed my way into the darkness. As my eyes adjusted to the lower light, I looked around. "Simon?" I called my Archeops's name. There was no reply, and my panic grew.

"Is he in here?" N came up behind me, looking around as well.

"Pprrdddd…." Smugleaf growled.

"He says he can smell Simon." N informed me and I nodded, inching my way deeper into the alley.

Then I heard a low, pained moan-ish growl coming from around the corner. I raced forward, and then stopped dead at what I saw. Simon was lying on the ground, soaked through the feathers. His body was also covered in deep slashes the bled profusely, and his limbs were splayed out awkwardly.

"Simon!" I was at his side in a flash, putting my hands against his feathers. The water was warm, so I assumed it was a Scald attack. I looked around the dreary alley, looking for Simon's attacker, but it was pretty much empty. N crouched next to me and lifted Simon's head in his arms, muttering words of encouragement before he turned to me.

"We need to get him to the Pokemon Center." N insisted. I nodded, reaching down to pick the giant bird up. But my hands were shaking. They were shaking horribly. I had a bad feeling about this whole thing.

N put Simon's head down, then wrapped his arms around the giant bird's body and lifted him up off the ground, bloody water dripping to the floor. I began flailing, I didn't know what to do, I wasn't used to pokemon being so hurt! Normally it was just some scratches and bites and maybe a burn, but Simon was in terrible shape.

"Come on, Black." N told me, flashing me a serious stare. As we rushed to the Center on foot, he completely ignored everyone. People stared wide eyed at him, but he just had his eyes focused. He was in saving-pokemon mood; nothing could get in his way at this point.

Once we were at the Center, they put Simon into intensive care. I paced around, worried to frazzles. My pokemon seemed concerned as well, and seeing me all riled up wasn't helping the situation at all. Who attacks Simon? What caused Simon to fly into the alleyway across from the apartment complex anyway? So many fucking questions; and no one to answer them. I bashed my head into the vending machine that was in the lobby in frustration, causing stares from several people.

"Black." N spoke up, "You need to settle down." Now that Simon was being cared for and safe, N was back to his usual mood. But there was a strange look on his face- apprehension? I sat down next to him, rubbing my head. Wonderful, a headache.

"Do you have any idea why Simon went into the alley? And who attacked him?" I asked.

He looked away with a frown. "No. I do not…"

I opened my mouth to ask something else, but then I heard a beep. Nurse Joy came in through the doorway and came towards us. "Simon is alright now, he just needs rest now. You can take him home in the morning." She told us kindly.

"Oh… what a relief." I sighed, but then I looked at her curiously. "Do you know what happened to him? Like, what did that to him?"

"The cuts on his body… Well I c ouldn't recognize an attack that makes gashes like that. But I did find something interesting in his claws- Audino can you go fetch that?" She asked the pink pokemon who came up beside her. The Audino nodded, trotting away. He came back a moment later with something in his paw. He handed it to nurse Joy, who showed it to me.

"It's… Blue fur?" I asked, plucking the hair from her hand.

"It belongs to a Pokemon, though I'm not sure which." Nurse Joy replied with a frown, "Sorry."

"It's fine…" I replied, staring at the bits of blue fur, and I couldn't help but wonder… What did it mean?