Lyra and Silver got to spending much more time together. They started openly acting like a couple despite claiming to just be friends. There were some days that she forgot they weren't established as an item yet and Silver never reminded her about it. She sat on her bed and stared out of her window one night while she thought about him. She wanted to know why he hadn't asked her to be his girlfriend yet. She prayed and hoped that he eventually would. She felt strange about asking him and she wished he would just give her what she wanted. She sighed softly while she stared at the moon and secretly made a wish to herself. She finally found the strength to pull herself away from her window and go to sleep.

The next day the two friends were together again. She snuggled up close to him while they sat in front of the shrine in Ilex Forest.

"Celebi is said to be a really amazing pokemon," Lyra said.

"I heard. I never really thought to check it out though," Silver replied.

Lyra nodded before she stared at their hands. He squeezed her hand and she could only think about how unfair it was that he wasn't budging with the labels. She sat up and composed herself.

"Silver," she said as she cleared her throat.

"Hmm?"

"Um why… uh, um, why haven't you asked me to be your girlfriend yet?"

He looked at her for a moment and he nervously rubbed the back of his head. He tried to search for words to respond to her question but instead he remained silent. She crossed her arms and glared at him when he took too long to form a response.

"Silver!? Do you just think I'm something to do and you don't really like me!?" She asked.

"N-no! No, that's not it at all! I just um…, I'm just scared okay?"

"Scared of what? Emotions and getting involved? But you're already involved with me!"

"No, I'm scared of how you think of me. I'm scared that because of Team Rocket and everything with my dad means you think less of me and it's not fair to you that I have that kinda baggage. I don't think it's fair for anyone to have to date someone who wakes up every morning knowing that he's the son of a fear mongering, megalomaniac asshole. I want more for you, Lyra, and I can't lie that I love and enjoy your company and I wish I had the courage to ask you to be my girlfriend. I don't want to see you with another guy because I adore you so much and you make me really happy but you're better off without me. Maybe…, if I didn't have the family I did, we could possibly work out."

Silver didn't realize how upset he had been over this fact he created in his head. He rubbed his eyes and tried to hide the fact that he had gotten emotional. Lyra hugged him tightly.

"But Silver, you're different and I don't think it's fair to assume that I don't want to be your girlfriend because of that. I do and I know you're not like your dad. Sure you can be a real jerk sometimes but that's okay. I don't mind."

"Yeah but…"

"Just give me a chance. If it doesn't work out then you can say I told you so."

"Um…, but don't people date for keeps? Isn't the intention to spend the rest of your life with that person? You know, dating, engagement, marriage?"

Lyra stared at him and couldn't hide the smile on her face. She nodded slowly and grabbed his hand.

"Well usually yeah. But people have multiple relationships in their lifetime and they break up until they find their human. Usually anyway."

"But I don't want to break up with you."

She sniffled and rubbed her eyes. He raised an eyebrow at her and she continued to hold back her tears.

"Are you upset?" He asked.

"N-no, just flattered. I don't think you're anything like your asshole dad. I don't think you're anything like Team Rocket. I think you're Silver and I love and appreciate you for being who you are. Don't you think you deserve a chance at being happy too?"

"Well…, I mean I want to but I don't want you to be unhappy."

"The only thing making me unhappy is not being your girlfriend."

Silver chuckled. He shrugged his shoulders and figured since she was being so pushy about it that he would give in. He wanted her and it made him feel special that she was returning his feelings.

"Well in that case, Lyra, will you be my girlfriend?" He asked.

She jumped on him in a flash and was tackled to the ground. He was surprised by her strong reaction and he found the girl kissing his face multiple times.

"YES, SILVER, YES!" She shrieked excitedly.

"Jesus, Lyra," he choked out while she squeezed him.

She kissed him again and felt proud of herself for finding the courage to bring it up to him. It felt strange to look at who was once her rival as her boyfriend now. She always dreamed of kicking his butt for being such a bitter, arrogant jerk but now she just wanted to bring happiness and joy into his life.

"Okay um, favorite sweet?" Lyra asked as she lied on her back and stared up at the ceiling in Silver's bedroom.

Silver was laying next to her and it was late at night. He thought for a moment and turned his head to her.

"Mainly cookies cause they're fast and easy to eat. You?" He asked.

"I eat a lot of cake but if I'm being honest do crêpes count?"

"Sure."

"Okay those are good. I don't exactly have a favorite though, I'm kind of a piggy when it comes to food."

"Heh yeah. You always like to eat."

"Well who doesn't?"

"I forget to eat sometimes. I guess I brood a lot and I'll forget to do things."

"Well you should probably stop doing that. Or get a little watch and set like alarms every fifteen minutes just in case you get lost in thought. Also when you don't eat it makes you cranky."

"Yeah I know."

"How do you sleep?"

"I tend to sleep fine. I don't usually remember my dreams at night so it's not like I get bothered by nightmares or dreams. I wake up and when I try to remember what I was dreaming about it's just blank. I probably do have bad dreams sometimes cause I'll occasionally abruptly wake up but I can't tell you what it's about."

"Huh that's so weird cause I usually remember mine."

"I also probably forget to eat just cause I get lazy."

Lyra chuckled and shook her head.

"We're very different," she said with a wide smile on her face.

"Yeah, but maybe that's a good thing. It'd be pretty boring if we were exactly the same. Besides, I wouldn't want to date me. I can't stand myself sometimes."

"Aw, Silver."

She rolled over and hugged his side tightly.

"Just cause we're a couple doesn't mean you have to always snuggle with me," Silver said as he noticed she had gotten far more grabby than she used to be.

"Yes it does."

"Lyra."

She held him tighter and rubbed her head on his chest. He grunted in annoyance before giving in and putting his arms around her.

"See, you do love me," she said with a cheeky smile on her face.

"Yeah and?"

Her smile was big and bright. She adored how much he opened up and how he used his fragile feelings to tease her and managed to still be rude despite feeling high on air.

"And that means you're okay with my grabby-ness," she said playfully.

"I might be."

She continued to chuckle at his natural attitude. She hoped she could spend a long time with him. She didn't much care for the future and she was glad her present involved him and she hoped it would stay that way. Silver stared up at the ceiling and took a deep breath.

"What time is it?" he asked.

"Very late."

"How late is very late?"

"Like nine o'clock late."

He sat up and rubbed the back of his head. He averted his eyes away from her and started to think of a way to approach his next question. Lyra watched his body language and knew he was about to ask something of her. She raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms.

"What?" she asked.

"Err…, well if you want you can spend the night," he replied.

"You want me to sleep on the couch? If we stayed in the same bed my mom might get the wrong idea."

Silver's eyes widened and he stumbled over his words while Lyra burst into a fit of laughter. She nudged his shoulder and waved her hand.

"I'm just kidding. It's a joke. Yes I'll spend the night with you."

"O-okay fine, but if you want me on the couch then I will."

"No, I want to sleep next to you, goof-ball. Besides there's no wrong idea since I'm your girlfriend right? If shit happens then it happens."

Silver choked on his spit and shook his head. Lyra stood up from the bed and stretched herself out.

"C'mon," she said as she offered her hand.

"What?"

"We're going to the store. My mom taught me to be responsible and I got some cash on me. Let's go," she said firmly as she pulled him up.

He raised a curious eyebrow and followed her. She grabbed her hat and jacket and hurried out of the house. Silver followed her closely behind and wasn't sure what was happening but he wanted this girl to take him for a small adventure.

"Why are we going to the store?" He asked as they ventured through the small town.

"To get stuff, and I need pajamas," she replied.

"You could wear one of my shirts and save some money."

"So you can see what color my panties are?" She asked teasingly.

"N-no! I wasn't thinking that! I was just trying to be helpful."

"I'm kidding. I don't care if you see my butt."

Silver felt flustered by her words and he had occasionally grabbed her butt a few times but that didn't mean he was ready to see it in all its glory. He took a deep breath and tried to calm the butterflies fluttering around in his stomach. He swallowed his spit and felt his face turning red. The store eventually came into view and he squeezed her hand as they entered the building.

He followed her in anticipation as he watched her grab different items. Each item became more and more concerning to him. A toothbrush, toothpaste, a brush, and eventually she grabbed some pajamas. They were innocent enough, a button top and a pair of shorts, he was fine with that. He felt his heart jump into his throat the moment she dragged him into the feminine hygiene aisle. She grabbed a box of tampons and he nearly died inside. His face would turn a deeper red while she stopped and tried to reach another product. He felt like his entire world shifted and he nearly tripped over herself after she turned towards and asked him a question he wasn't ready for.

"What do you think would be the comfortable fit for you?" she asked as even he noticed a slight quiver in her voice.

Her delicate finger pointed at several different types of condoms.

"Uhh…, err, I-I don't know I've n-never…," he replied nervously.

"Let's try this then and if it doesn't work we'll go for something else next time, okay?"

"Ehh…"

He watched her grab a box and she showed him. He felt like he was going to pass out. He simply nodded and he watched her shrug and guide him out of the aisle. Dear god, the boy thought, she's serious.

"For the future, y'know?" She assured him casually.

He nodded again and rubbed his head nervously.

"Can you hold this? I want a soda too. Do you want one?" She asked as she presented him with the tampons and condoms.

His shaky hands reached out and grabbed them while she quickly bent over to grab the soda wanted from the refrigerator. She heard him choking and she looked over her shoulder.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Y-yeah I feel fine, I think I just choked on my spit."

"Haha okay."

He nodded quickly again to reassure her and she held up two soda bottles.

"These fine?" she asked.

"Yeah those are fine."

She smiled at him and traded the items in his hand for the sodas. He gladly took them from her and they ran over to the cashier to check out. Silver watched the cashier put things in the bag and he hoped the cashier wasn't judging them. They didn't seem to respond to the teenagers purchasing these items. He saw the cashier didn't bother to react to any of it. They simply told Lyra her total and she paid. He saw her arm slightly trembling and he knew she was nervous too. He tried to figure out how she was so good at hiding her emotions. He always used anger to snuff out his emotions but she seemed to be acting very cool and casual about things. He admired her self-control and secretly aspired to be like her. She turned towards him and beckoned him to follow her out of the store. She reached her hand out to him and he grabbed it.

When the night air hit their faces and a sigh of relief escaped them both.

"I was so nervous, I tried to play it cool. I've never bought condoms before," Lyra said jokingly as she turned towards Silver.

"Me too. You really want to do that though? I mean we just got together."

"Not right away anyway but I thought it would be nice to keep around. Especially if I start spending the night more often, y'know?"

"That's fair, I'm sorry. I thought you meant tonight."

"God no, I don't think I could. I'd be too nervous."

"Me too."

They both felt relieved to be on the same page. Silver relaxed significantly after finding out she was just preparing for the day they decided to go through with it.

"Then better now than later right? I mean to buy that kinda thing."

"Yeah we can keep it in your room."

"That's fine I don't mind."

They hurried home to get away from the cold. Lyra was ready to turn in herself and they were both feeling a bit hungry. They held each other's hands and quietly made their way back to Silver's home.

Lyra later sat on Silver's bed with a full stomach, brushing her brown hair. She listened to the calming noise of the shower running in the bathroom and figured she'd finish her night routine while her boyfriend was busy showering. She was thankful he allowed her to shower first and her new pajamas were very comfortable. She let out a content sigh and gently tugged her hair. She set the brush down on his nightstand and crawled under the blanket. She let out a loud yawn and practically sunk into the bed. She snuggled very close to one of the pillows and she pulled the blanket over her shoulder. She found it to be a crime about how sinfully soft his bed was.

She heard the shower stop and she opened her eyes. She watched the bathroom door and waited for Silver to come out. The door opened and Silver walked out while towel drying his hair. He looked up at Lyra and a calm smile graced his face.

"Man, I feel slighted. Going to sleep without me?" He teased playfully.

"I'm tired," she replied.

"Me too. Dinner was good."

"Mmhm, I'm always happy you appreciate my cooking. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Silver opened his drawer and found the box of tampons sitting in It. His whole body shuddered in fear the moment he laid eyes on it. He turned towards her and held up the box.

"Lyra," he said sternly.

"If I'm gonna be here a lot then I might as well have those handy for when I stay over and I need some."

Silver sighed and figured this was just something he was going to have stomach and get used to. He always found this subject uncomfortable but he knew it came with the territory if he was going to have her in his life. He also much rather give the girl what she needed than to let her bleed all over his sheets. His shoulders slumped and he turned towards her.

"Alright, that's fine," he said finally.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Scoot over."

"No."

"Jerk."

Lyra burst into a fit of laughter while Silver rolled her over. He crawled into bed and reached over to turn the light off. He only had a few seconds to himself before Lyra snuggled closely to him. He took a deep breath and wrapped his arms around her. She closed her eyes and felt a sense of warmth and happiness.

"I love you," she peeped softly.

"I love you too," he replied.

A/N: To the nice human, AnonymousDragonfly, I wouldn't have thought to finish this chapter which was last edited 8/20/20 if you hadn't left your review which absolutely killed me lmao. Thank you for that I got a good laugh. I always assume people don't read my stuff so I think I can take my time with my writer's block. I promise to get started on chapter 9 and with this chapter I did a quick skim before putting it up but I'm sure I'll find mistakes later that I'll have to go back and change. I apologize for taking so long, my life is very busy and at the time I was working two jobs, dealing with depression and lack of creativity. I just got engaged and finally quit a depressing job and I'm in between jobs right now so I have some free time on my hands which allowed me to even be able to find some motivation to finish the chapter. Thank you so much for your review, it was very effective.