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-The Wait-

December of 2037. Midnight. Opelucid City, Unova.

Skye had always known that Unova winters were supposed to be cold. However, with four inches of snow below her feet, and freezing sleet falling from above, she was starting to realize that they were colder than she thought. Her cheeks were stinging from the freezing air that blew against her and Briar as they stood outside of some comic book store in the middle of Hearthome. The people waiting in line around them, however, didn't seem to be fazed by the weather conditions in the slightest.

Letting out a long sniff, Skye rubbed her nose with her gloved hand, grumbling, "I can't believe you talked me into this…"

Briar shifted his gaze towards his friend, before focusing his attention back on to the store window. "I couldn't go alone," he explained, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "I didn't want to look like some kind of loser."

Skye's jaw slacked and she looked up at him disbelievingly. "You're waiting out in the snow for the midnight release of a toy, and you're worried that standing alone would make you look like a loser?"

Briar's face flushed, and he looked at Skye defensively. "S-shut up!" he protested, scrunching his shoulders. "It's not a toy, it's a—!"

Skye rolled her eyes, exhaling tiredly. "Littleroot Crimson Ranger, volume 6, 12 inch, collector's edition figurine," she drawled, mimicking the exact words that had been coming out of Briar's mouth for the past week. "I know."

Briar reeled back in surprise, but then smirked, raising a brow. "I'm surprised you remember, considering remembering long things like that isn't exactly your best asset," he said smugly, eliciting a scowl from Skye.

"Of course I remembered!" she snapped, crossing her arms and turning away from him. "You've only been going on about it all week–so obviously it's important to you or something. I'm gonna remember stuff like that."

Briar raised his brows, but then laughed lightly, and then gave her a gentle nudge. "I know. And thanks for coming," he said, and Skye glanced back at him curiously. He smiled, giving a small shrug. "I know this type of thing isn't really your scene so… I appreciate it."

Skye blinked a few times before grinning and punching Briar in the arm. "Hey, if it means that much to you then of course I'm gonna go! Even if it means standing out in the snow in the middle of the night," she said, flashing him a smile. "It's what friends are for, right?"

Briar stared for a moment as a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. But before he got the chance to say anything, Skye perked up, pointing forward eagerly. "Oh, look, they're opening the doors!" she enthused before moving forward with the line. "Let's get you that figure, huh?"

Briar sighed faintly as his smile spread wider. "Right!" he agreed, following behind her. "And maybe after we could go get some late-night cocoa."

Skye spun around on her heel, her fight lighting up at the offer. "Really? Your treat?"

"I never said that."

"What!?"

Briar snickered, as the two walked through the doorway and into the store together. "Just kidding!"

...And so it continues!