Chapter 8: Closer

Things have been pretty normal since Claire told me how she felt. I wasn't sure if I should've told Calvin, but I did, and he didn't seem to care. He even said he respected her being able to tell me despite knowing I wouldn't return her feelings. We never mentioned it again, and we made it through Christmas, and New Years with no issues.

It was Spring now, and we only had a month or so left in our semester.

The Championships had just taken place, with our school taking home the Championship trophy. There was an announcement made, and we had gone to the Gym to see what it was about. It wasn't mandatory, but it didn't come as a shock to me that a lot of people showed up to support the team.

Calvin and I were sitting in the bleachers, and he had an arm around me as per usual. I had grown more comfortable with his public displays of affection, mostly because I told myself that people didn't care.

Though I'd be lying if I said that that little tingle in my ribbons...that off feeling I mentioned before, wasn't starting to nag me. I paid it no mind at the moment, since Coach Allier had finally walked out to the middle of the gym, and tapped the microphone with his wing to get our attention.

"Thank you everyone, for coming. I appreciate you all showing up despite your schedules being so busy, having to prepare for exams and all. But we aren't here to talk about that.

On behalf of the Mare Battle Team, I would like to thank all of you, the student body, for supporting us once more this year. The team would not be where it is today without your continuous support.

Though the battles we take part in are purely for sport, part of the reason we partake in these battles is to defend our reputation as the number one school for battling in Sinnoh, our honor as a University, and you guys' team spirit!

Even if you guys don't participate in the battles yourselves, I've seen how most of you fought your own personal battles, whether it be your studies, your personal issues, or otherwise, truly, our school has some of the strongest individuals I've ever seen in my entire career.

You guys are the reason the team trained as hard as they did, and fought as hard as they did, and I believe, if anything, that deserves a nice and hearty round of applause!

Give it up for the Mare Battle Team, for winning us the Championship! And to our MVP Calvin Thunderhook, for winning the final battle, and cementing our victory, as well as for remaining undefeated for the entire season, something no one has done here before!"

The crowd erupted into roaring cheers and clapping, as a small spotlight shined on Calvin and I. I shied away a little, but Calvin only pulled me closer, and gave me a comforting smile. It told me I had nothing to worry about, and that he was happy to have me by his side during a big moment of his. So I smiled too, and he raised a fist into the air, and everyone cheered for him. I smiled too, because I was happy for him.

Soon enough, the coach spoke up again. As the crowd settles down, Calvin sneaks a kiss on my cheek, and whispers that he's sorry in my ear. This warms my heart a little, and I paid attention to what else the Sirfetch'd had to say.

"Alright alright. Settle down. I have one more announcement to make.

As we all know, the Springtide Dance is next month, right after your exams.. This year, as a gift to everyone, it's being sponsored by the school directly. There's no need to buy any tickets. You all have supported us enough. Everyone should focus on winding down, and enjoying themselves. That's all from me! Good luck with your studies!"

Soon enough. Everyone pools out of the gym, and Calvin and I make for my dorm room. As we're walking in the campus, we pass by the food stalls. Calvin nudges me, and smiles.

"Hey, wanna grab a bite?"

I nod, and we walk to a nice sandwich shop. The line was long, but we decided to wait anyway.

After a while, Calvin nudges me again, and gives a mildly worried look.

"You alright? You've been quiet since we left…"

I only nod, and give him a reassuring smile. I debated if I should tell him about how I've been feeling.

"Yeah it's just…how do you deal with the popularity? You don't seem to care about it at all."

Calvin looks at me, confused and chuckles a bit.

"What do you mean? You know I never cared about that stuff."

He nuzzled my cheek softly, and I couldn't help but smile, but didn't waver.

"Well, you could have as many friends as you want now. You have some influence here now, but you always opt for my company. Sometimes I can't help but wonder why…"

Calvin laughs a bit, then smiles at me.

"You know Miles, you're the smartest person I know, but what you just said was really dumb haha!"

He flicks my forehead, and I flinch a little.

"Ow! What the hell?"

Before I could say anything else, he pulled me in close and quieted me with a kiss. I blushed heavily and melted a little.

He smiles at me, then hugs me.

"It's 'cause I love you, you dummy. No matter how popular I get, no matter how much "influence" I have, that'll never change. I prefer to be with you."

I looked down with a smile. I was happy to hear him say that, but for some reason that nagging feeling wouldn't go away. But there'd be no point in telling him what it was if I couldn't explain it myself.

"And sorry, I didn't know about the spotlight, or the MVP thing. I know you don't do well with crowds, but…I'm happy you were there."

He hugs me tighter, and I could feel him purr a little and I sigh.

"It's fine. I don't mind the attention, I was happy to be there for you Cal."

He smiled at me, then nuzzled my cheek before letting me go.

At the mention of any sort of attention being brought from his popularity, I flash of memories from High School shot from the nagging in the back of my mind, and into the forefront. My feelers started to tingle, and a single sentence was enough to make me realize what I'd been worried about.

Something's going to happen again…

I immediately shook myself out of that headspace. I knew it would only make me worry and stress me out unnecessarily. And I knew it would make Calvin worry too, if I told him.

As we waited in line, Calvin started to get a little more affectionate, having wrapped his arms around my torso, and rested his chin on my head. That was enough to help me keep those thoughts in check, and we moved on like normal.

In a matter of weeks, and coming as no surprise to me, Calvin got more popular. It was like High School all over again, except people were being less harsh to me, and being more frank.

The fact that Mare University took home the Championship title again made the local news, with Calvin being named the MVP plastered all over the place. I knew battling was a big thing here, but I didn't think they took it that seriously.

I was happy for him, but the amount of students from school that walked up to us in public almost seemed surreal.

We'd be on a date, or walking around campus together, and someone, or a group of other students would walk up to us, and ask to take a selfie, or ask Calvin to hang out with them, like go for drinks and such. He didn't mind taking pictures or greeting people, but afterwards he would always get right back to what we were doing, as if it didn't happen.

It made me question how he really felt about it. I never once got a hint that told me he wanted to go and sit with them instead of me, or that he was upset he couldn't go get a drink. I knew he didn't drink much, but he did partake every once in a while.

There was one instance though, where it actually upset him, to my surprise.

We were on our weekly date, this time at a movie. We were about to take our seats in the theatre, when a Glameow spotted us.

"Oh my gosh, is that Calvin?! Hii! Do you mind if I sit with you?"

He merely smiled at her.

"Excuse me, but as you can see, I'm here to enjoy some quality time with my partner, so I'd appreciate it if you respected that."

He was about to turn to leave when she spoke up.

"That's your boyfriend? Don't you think you should be with someone whose fur is a little less faded?"

I saw him glare at her, and only sighed.

"He's perfect the way he is. And I much prefer him to a stuck up pest like you any day. Now please, leave us alone. Thanks."

He grabbed my hand and we left in silence. We went to sit somewhere else, I didn't bother to look back at her.

As we took our seats in the theatre, I only looked down. Calvin noticed and leaned his head on me.

"Don't worry about what people like her have to say. I'm like you just the way you are."

Honestly I couldn't have cared less what a stranger had to say about my fur or my looks. I knew my fur was a little faded in color, and didn't care, I was fine with how I was. It was the fact that someone felt the need to criticize me because I was with Calvin, when they otherwise wouldn't have, that bothered me.

It was the first sign of many issues like this to come.

~~~A few weeks later(Calvin's POV)~~~

I was sitting at home lying in bed. Ever since that little incident at the movie theatre, Miles has been distant, and I'm not sure why. Normally I'd assume it was because someone pointed out his fur, but something told me it was another issue entirely.

I hope he isn't regretting this…

I ran my claws through my hair in frustration, I didn't want to jump to conclusions, but I've always known Miles to be a talker, who would sooner nip a problem in the bud, rather than let it stir inside him.

So I knew that if there was something he was keeping quiet about, it must have been bad.

Especially if he's letting it affect him…affect us… Like it has.

He's been super unresponsive to my affection, which is mostly normal, but I can alway tell that it makes him happy, because his heart always starts to beat faster. Then flows into a calm rhythm, and at that point he smiles at me, and I knew he was happy.

He's also been less talkative, and it was starting to make me worry. What could be bothering him? Was it all the attention I've been getting from other people recently? Was he jealous? Was he mad at me? What if he wanted to break u-

I sighed. I decided that I would talk to him about it. He would be in his last class of the day, his Pokeology Class, so I texted him telling him to head over to my room because I needed to talk to him. He'd be too busy taking notes to reply, but I knew he'd show up.

I waited for a while, and eventually I heard a knock at my door. I got up to open it, and just like I thought, it was him.

"Calvin, I got your text. Is everything okay? What did you wanna talk to me about?"

He walked in, and we both sat on my bed.

"I'll get straight to the point… Miles, do you… is something bothering you? Are…do you really want to stay with me?"

The Sylveon almost looked insulted by that question.

"Of course I want to stay with you…and honestly, I'm still adjusting to all this. What made you think that?"

I looked down a little, and felt my nerves get the better of me. I was worried about what he would say.

"Um…you've been a little apathetic towards me lately, and it's making me worry that all the attention has been getting to you."

I looked him in the eyes, and I could tell I was on the mark. He looked away a bit, before looking back at me.

"Has it? I know it's gotten excessive, and a little ridiculous. It doesn't mean much to me, but…I… I never asked how you were feeling."

He only sighed a bit, then smiled at me.

"I haven't been having second thoughts about us, but all the interruptions and such have been annoying me slightly. I know that's not your fault. It just….it reminds me of High School. Ever since…that…. happened, I've had major stage fright, and have been trying to avoid any sort of attention, and metaphorical spotlights. So much so that my fur changed to a more dull pink so I'd stand out less… But this isn't enough to make me regret being with you. I'm sorry I was making you feel that way."

He hugged my torso tightly and buried his face in my chest. Something was telling me that something was still amiss, but I couldn't figure out what. I hugged him back, pushing my doubts into the back of mind.

He let go, and sat on my bed, letting his feet swing.

"I'm glad we could clear things up … was that all you needed?"

I got up and stretched before looking back at him with a bright smile, having had an idea.

"How about you stay and watch a movie? My roommate is gone for the weekend, so you could spend the night here. I-if you want to, I mean."

He looked away, and rubbed one of his arms.

"I was gonna study tonight….I'm not sure…"

I put my hands on his shoulders, and rubbed my forehead against his.

"Look Miles, I admire your dedication, but you need to relax every so often. Come on, when's the last time we got to wind down and chill in a private setting?"

He looks up in thought.

"That is true…I-"

Before he could finish, I hopped back in bed. I didn't give him a chance to react, and pulled him down next to me, so he was laying on his side, with one of his hands on my chest. I could see his blush, and I chuckled. He fixed his glasses, and smiled sheepishly.

"I will admit, we couldn't do anything like this in public. I guess one day without studying couldn't hurt. But you have to study with me tomorrow to make up for it."

He snickered lightly, and I sighed.

I would've done that anyway you goof…

I grabbed the remote and started scrolling through the movies, before finally picking one. I don't remember what it was called, and honestly it was pretty dramatic. It started out with an Absol who lost his life partner, a Leafeon, to an unknown sickness. It was kinda sad because the Absol couldn't be with him in his final moments, and he lost him over the phone.

"I don't know what's wrong with me…but I don't think I'm gonna make it… *cough cough* I think some blood just flew out of my mouth…"

"Ivan please…just stay with me… I promise, the paramedics will be there soon… just please…"

"Sorry Wesley…I feel *cough cough…hack* I feel myself slipping further with every second…. I don't.. I… I lov…."

"Ivan…*quiet sobs*"

*A thud is heard from the other end of the phone, and then theres only silence. Suddenly, a portal appears near Ivan's body, and a Dusknoir emerges. It hears the sobbing from over the phone, and picks it up.*

" You are the mate of this lost soul. You have my deepest condolences at your loss."

*Wesley is shocked at the sudden voice*

"Who are you?"

"I am an one of the many emissaries of death. Here to grant this poor soul safe passage to the Afterworld."

"I-I see…"

*The two are silent, and the Dusknoir puts the phone down, and waits for Ivan's soul to leave his body. It goes to grab it, then eyes the phone one last time.*

"His soul has left his body. I can feel that the love he had for you was boundless. Would you like to hear some of his final thoughts?"

"Um…yes…"

*the soul whispers with Ivan's voice, and the Dusknoir repeats what it says to Wes.

"The love he carries for you is at the forefront of his soul. Usually people's souls whisper about a mixture of people, and aspects of their life. But his are nearly all about you. His one regret is that he didn't get to tell you about the last book he borrowed."

*Wesley wipes a tear and chuckles a bit.*

"That's my Ivan…"

"I more than understand that when losing someone, the more you love them, the longer grief lasts. He wants you to try to live happily, and let your heart be free from grief, as his suffering has ended."

"Thank you…"

"Time is short. On my honor as an emissary of death, you have my word that his soul shall move on peacefully and that his life in the Afterworld shall be full of happiness and joy. You will see your loved one again. Farewell…"

I yawned and smiled softly.

"This movie's kinda cheesy so far huh? A little too dramatic for…Miles?"

I looked down at Miles, who was already asleep. He had nestled his cheek on my chest, and was holding my shirt. He had such an adorable facial expression, I felt my heart warm up slightly. It was rare to see him so relaxed. I turned the movie volume down and rest my cheek on his head, slowly falling asleep myself.

(Sexual Implications ahead, not actual nsfw but it's implied)

A few hours later, I woke up in a flash. My eyes shot open, and I could feel my heart beating quickly. Miles was asleep, still laying on me, and using my chest as a pillow and curled up against my side. I let out a sigh of relief, and let my head fall to the pillow beneath me.

It was only a dream.

I never mentioned this to Miles, but I had had a rather…well um…less than appropriate dream about him.

So when I woke up, I felt a little "excited" which reflected more on my lower half. And Miles wasn't helping. He had positioned himself to where his leg was pressing firmly against me, and I could feel every movement. My face was extremely flushed, and I could feel myself sweating bullets. I didn't want him to wake up and see me like this, so I tried to move him off of me softly. I tried to move his arms first, but he was clinging to my shirt. I eventually got him to let go, and moved his arm softly to the side.

Next was his head. I knew he was a semi light sleeper, so rather than moving it, I tried to slide out from underneath him. But the moment I moved too far, his eyes opened slowly.

He looked up at me, and I blushed harder. A majority of my face was red by that point, and his leg was still pressed up against me, so when he turned a bit, I fidgeted a little.

"Calvin? What are you doing? Are you trying to get your phone out of your pocket? Here…"

He reached down and patted my pants, and then his eyes opened wide.

At that moment, I knew he felt it. He looked up at me in mild shock, and I watched as his pink cheeks turned red like mine.

My eyes shut tight, and my brain ran through a million ways to talk my way into an explanation.

"Calvin...are you-"

I started sweating harder. I'd never talked with Miles about these kinds of feelings for him, and always kept them within the depths of my mind. I'd never really explored them myself, let alone with him. My brain tried to make me form words, but I couldn't.

"I…it was 'cause…we were…I just… I didn't mean to-"

He cut me off with a quick kiss on the lips. I relaxed a bit, and only looked down at him.

"Relax Cal, it's fine. There's no need to be embarrassed…Actually I….I always wanted to well…try doing….that…with you…"

I could tell what he was dancing around, just like I've been doing. I didn't expect him to be so forward about it, however.

I've mentioned before that I've had thoughts I couldn't explain about Miles. They were like this, and I tried to hide them within me.

Truth be told, it all started when Miles evolved in High School. At first, I felt my heart beating quickly whenever I looked at him, but it wasn't the warm feeling. It felt like a fire had been lit in my chest, but it was a stinging and invigorating feeling. It made my face heat up, and I couldn't look him in the eyes for a while. I realized while we were together. That I'd always been attracted to Miles.

"Are…are you sure? We've never done anything like this before…"

I looked to the side, and he climbed on me, and straddled my waist. He held my cheeks, and planted his lips on mine like he did before, then looked down at me and nodded.

"I…I read about things like this online. Because I was curious. So…I don't mind giving it a try if you want to…"

I couldn't find any reason to say no, especially with him sitting right on my lower half providing a sound argument against me doing so.

I only nodded, and felt that scorching flame being ignited in my chest.

"Sure… what better chance are we going to get, if not now?"

I pulled him down into another kiss, smiling as I did so, and flipped us over.

In that moment, I finally indulged my feelings. The feelings I'd kept deep within me. Feelings of attraction, love, wanting of another. I knew he felt the same when he wrapped his arms around me, and gripped onto my back.

In that moment, as we got lost in each other's bodies, I truly felt as if we'd grown, if only a little, closer.

(And for those curious about the movie, I Googled it later, the Absol spends the entire movie trying to warn the rest of the world about the unknown sickness, and educates himself about medicine to cure it, and becomes a world renowned doctor. Typical survivor movie)

To be continued…