Chapter 3: Rivals

Yellow woke up to the feeling of warmth on her back and the comfort of strong arms holding her close.

Blinking her eyes open against the light trickling in from the windows of her home, she glanced around, taking a while to remember the events of the evening before. She searched for her pokemon absentmindedly until she remembered they all decided to sleep outside with Red's team, since those pokemon were too big to fit in Yellow's modest home.

They had spent all day in the Seafoam Islands, exploring the cave and its chambers of shining crystals. Giddy and alone, Red had spontaneously pulled her into his body, giving her second, third, fourth, and fifth kisses, not counting the numerous kisses he pressed to her forehead, her nose, across her knuckles. And he was an incredible kisser. Gentle and chaste, yet passionate and eager, his fingers would stroke at her jaw and his touch would make her knees turn weak until she was helplessly leaning against him while his lips worked gently against her own. Then, all too soon, it'd be over. He'd pull away with a mischievous smile before grabbing her hand to lead her into the next adventure.

They were out until the sun began to set and the sky above the ocean turned a hazy red-orange. And they flew and flew in the sky until they came to her home and walked, tired and happy, inside. They talked on the couch until midnight, his gentle hands stroking her skin tenderly, his deep voice rumbling comfortingly in his chest. It was an effective lullaby and she had fallen asleep in his arms, not even thinking for one second to leave them.

She turned around slowly so as not to disturb the young man sleeping behind her. Her couch actually wasn't very wide, but with their bodies so close, limbs crossing over limbs, Yellow didn't mind at all. She nuzzled deeper against his chest, inhaling his scent of sunshine and adventure. She felt his arms tighten their hold around her signaling to her that he was waking up.

A soft, sleepy voice mumbled awake, "Mornin', Yellow."

Ruby eyes blinked sleepily down at her. A slow grin spread across his face. "Wow. You look beautiful in the morning, too."

He leaned down to press a kiss against her mouth when she ducked her head shyly, blushing crimson. "No! I haven't brushed my teeth yet!"

He laughed and contented himself with a kiss to the crown of her head.

It's amazing how something as simple as Red's presence could change her morning routine so completely. How easily they moved around each other as they got ready for the day. Suddenly, there was less room for her in her home. The living room looked more inviting, the kitchen seemed warmer. When she turned around, she had another face to look at, another mind to share with.

Before this, she had her pokemon, of course. But with Red there it just made everything…different. It was a strange sensation.

They cooked breakfast together and the smell of the food invited Yellow's pokemon in. Red's pokemon peeked in from the windows of her home. They laughed and said they'd bring all the food outside so everyone could eat together.

Yellow giggled as she flipped the pancake in her frying pan. "I never knew."

"Never knew what?" Red asked as he cut the fruits in her refrigerator and placed them in a bowl.

"That you liked to kiss so much." She waited for the pancake to cook, then placed it on a plate piled high with other pancakes.

Red was so surprised he almost cut his finger. Heat built up in his cheeks.

"Do you think this is enough?" she asked, suddenly, gesturing to the plate.

He glanced over after fumbling a little with the knife. "Yeah, that should be enough." She nodded and proceeded to turn off the stove. She started on the dishes. He paused before turning back to cutting the fruit. "Do you hate it?" he asked after a beat.

"Not at all!" she said, lighting up in a burst of laughter, "I'm just surprised. In less than twenty-four hours, I've had my first…" she counted silently in her head, "six kisses!" She let out an airy chuckle, as if in disbelief. "I would've never thought since it took me so long just to get my first."

She paused. Then, her voice became quieter as she haltingly admitted, "It will take me a little while to get used to it, though. I've never kissed anyone before…"

Her shy confession made his heart constrict in his chest. Red mentally kicked himself. They haven't even been together for more than twenty-four hours and he's already pushing her? "I'll…slow down."

But she shook her head vigorously. "No! That's not what I meant. I like it when you kiss me! I'm just…worried—" Red paused in his cutting to glance at her, concerned, "—because I don't really know how to kiss, and I don't really know what you like and don't like." She smiled briefly toward him, in what she hoped was reassuring. "But I'll do my best!"

Red didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or kiss her again, deeper than all the other times. Instead, he opted to reach out a hand and place it softly upon her head, ruffling her hair the way he used to; the way he still does. "I'll do my best, too," he said as much to himself as to her, "I don't want to mess this up. You're too important to me."

She gazed at him from beneath his hand. "So you won't be disappointed in me? Because…because I can't kiss right?"

The thought nearly made him laugh out loud. Disappoint him? Yellow never disappoints. He bumped his forehead gently against hers. "I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be kissing you so often if I thought it felt wrong."

He could feel her breath tickling his skin. Their noses brushed and his lips burned for the touch of hers.

Underneath his hand, Yellow fidgeted. "Um," she began, "S-so…?"

"Hmm?" Red pulled away slightly so he could better see her face.

She blushed and asked, "Can I…kiss you?"

He chuckled. "You don't have to ask, Yels."

She blushed deeper. "Oh. Th-then…"

She leaned forward, stood on her toes and pressed her lips briefly against his. She pulled away far too quickly, her timidity getting the better of her. But Red was patient. He waited and was not disappointed because Yellow leaned in again, brushing against his lips more firmly. Red stood there, stock still, enjoying the feeling of her lips on him. This was Yellow. Yellow of Viridian Forest was kissing him.

He would never ever get tired of this.

Just as they really started to get going, the front door burst open and Pika marched into the house, Chuchu not too far behind, with an indignant squeak.

They pulled apart immediately.

"Ah! Sorry, Pika, Chuchu! We'll be right out with the food soon!"

The pair then gathered the food, hastily placing them on plates and bowls for the pokemon to have better access. Then, balancing the large amount of food and treats in their arms, they went outside to welcome the sunshine and their friends for another day filled with laughter.

"So where is he now?" Blue asked. "I can't wait to tease him! I've been waiting years for this to happen!"

Beside the brunette, a ditto turned into the shape of Yellow's Chuchu, pink flower and all before transforming into a strangely familiar red cap. Ditty revealed its beady eyes at the top of the cap and looked right at Yellow. It seemed to laugh at her.

Yellow chuckled at the endearing display, taking no offense. Thinking over Blue's words, Yellow had to admit that she had been waiting years, too. But now that it's happened it felt more like a dream that she would wake up from at any time. It was sort of scary, like at any moment her happiness would slip away between her fingers.

"He's doing some errands for Professor Oak in Johto," she answered. "He'll be back in a few days."

"And he's staying at your house?" The twinkle in Blue's eye and her raised eyebrow suggested things that Yellow would rather not talk about. Beside her, Ditty transformed into Chuchu again, imitating Blue's expression.

Yellow sighed, exasperated. "Can the two of you not look at me like that? It's a little creepy…"

The brunette pulled Ditty onto her lap, which morphed back into its neutral blob, and laughed brightly, throwing her head back in mirth. Yellow couldn't help the smile that pulled at her lips at the sight. She truly was lucky to be such good friends with her; Blue was one of the most beautiful girls in all of Kanto, and maybe even the world, with her long legs and slender shoulders. She could be a model if she was willing to be tied down to that commitment.

Truth be told, Yellow was glad she wasn't. From her experiences with Red, Blue would probably have even less time to spend with Yellow if she was a model. The thought made her sad.

The two of them basked in the sunlight on a hill overlooking the Forest. Sometimes, Yellow couldn't help but wonder why Blue stuck with her so much and for so long. The lovely trainer was constantly busy, flitting here and there, up to one thing or another. She was exciting, adventurous, cunning, and intelligent. She could do whatever she wanted, be whatever she wanted. Her battling instincts were so well-honed she could very well become Champion if she wanted to challenge Red for that seat. Her knowledge and attention to detail could even give Professor Oak a run for his money if she ever decided she wanted to do research.

It didn't matter where Blue went, she could succeed anywhere.

Yellow, on the other hand, was like a flower, rooted in one spot. She was simple and straightforward, disliked battle, and didn't scheme very well. She didn't have the feminine charm Blue possessed, the intelligence Crystal had, or the love for action like Sapphire. She was…boring, truthfully speaking. Absentmindedly, Yellow reached for Chuchu and hugged the small rodent to herself.

Why did Red even like her?

Blue seemed to pick up on her anxious thoughts because she spoke up, a determined, scolding tone in her voice, "If you're worrying yourself over why Red likes you, you'd better stop right now, Yellow of Viridian Forest."

Was Yellow really that easy to see through? That Blue would even be able to read her mind? "How'd you know I was thinking about that?"

"You're pretty obvious when you're worrying about something. You get that look on your face."

Yellow sighed. Yup, Blue sure was sharp. "I'm sorry. I'm sure Red has his reasons for l-loving me," —she couldn't help but stutter and flush deeply at saying it aloud. It was still new and incredible that he'd reciprocate her feelings— "And I have faith in him and what he feels for me, but I guess it's just hard to wrap my head around it. It just…doesn't make sense."

Blue frowned at her, not liking where these thoughts are going. In her lap, Ditty's blob form started to twitch, as though picking up on its trainer's displeasure. "What exactly doesn't make sense?"

"Well," Yellow struggled to put her thoughts into words. She knew it was just her own personal worries, but… "He's Red. He's the undefeated Champion of Kanto for six years, one of the first Dex Holders, and has saved the world on multiple occasions. Everyone in the world knows who he is and aspires to be like him. But as for me…"

She sighed, shaking her head. "I'm just a girl from backwater Viridian. I don't even live in Viridian, but in the Forest. I could never be a trainer like you, or a researcher like Crystal. I could never do anything incredible like defeat all eight gyms in eighty days like Sapphire did. I barely even travel, unless it's errands for you or Professor."

Blue crossed her arms in front of her, clearly peeved. Even her ditto looked displeased. "Are you done?"

Yellow furrowed her brow. "Blue, are you angry? I'm just voicing my thoughts…"

"Of course I'm angry, Yellow!" she interrupted vehemently. Ditty hopped off Blue's lap and turned into Chuchu, except this time, sparks were flying from its cheeks in agitation. "Is this really how you think of yourself?"

Yellow frantically tried to appease the girl and the ditto at her side. Yellow reached out a hand and placed it atop Ditty, which managed to appease it enough for it to turn back into a blob, but she couldn't say the same for Blue.

"Well, I think I'm a decent human being. My pokemon like me pretty well, I'm sure…"

Blue almost growled, "Hopeless. Absolutely hopeless."

"What are you talking about?" Yellow hated when she did this, speaking in her riddles and not being straightforward.

"You don't even see what the best thing about you is! I can't believe you; you have no right to doubt what Red sees in you."

Yellow furrowed her brow, not liking arguing, and especially not with her best friend. "I'm not doubting him."

"No," she conceded, but her voice hardened again, "you're doubting yourself. Which is worse."

Yellow gasped. "That's not…that's not true!" Is it?

Blue rolled her eyes. "You just spent an entire five minutes putting yourself down."

The brunette stood up, calling for her wigglytuff as Ditty jumped up and pasted itself onto Blue's back, transforming into a backpack for easy carriage. "Think for yourself for a moment, Yellow and ask. Not just Red, but me, Green, Crystal, Gold, Silver. Why do we love you so much? That's an assignment. You better complete it!"

With that, Jiggly expanded and floated into the air, bringing Blue with her. Yellow watched them go.

She lightly kicked a pebble in confusion. "Blue, Green, Crystal, Gold, Silver… Red… Why do they love me so much? How would I know?!"

She sighed. It's times like this when she wished Blue was more straightforward.

Oh, well. The day was still young and it's an assignment from Blue. She better complete it or who knew what the Evolver would do.

"Green, why do you love me?"

The question surprised him so much he nearly sputtered out his coffee. Charizard, which had been lounging on the ground beside the coffee table raised its head toward its trainer. When he deemed his trainer to be safe, he lowered his head again. Chuchu, who was comfortably wrapped underneath the wing of the warm lizard, barely even moved she looked so content.

Green stared at Yellow like she grew another head. "Is this why you suddenly decided to drop in?"

Yellow looked away shyly. "Yes? Well, no. I did want to visit you; it's been a while." She looked back at him with a sheepish smile. "Blue told me I had to find out why you loved me."

He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Is it just me?"

She shook her head. "I have to ask Gold, Crystal, and Silver, too." She sighed. "It's kind of a hassle, but I thought it'd give me an excuse to visit everyone, anyway. And you know Blue. She'll find out if I didn't follow through."

A smile pulled at the Gym Leader's lips briefly. He did know Blue and now he was beginning to put the pieces together. On the ground, Charizard thumped his tail against the floor, eyes open and staring at his trainer.

"Congratulations on your relationship with Red."

Yellow blushed. "Oh! Thank you." She pulled at her ponytail bashfully.

Green took another sip of his coffee. "How long have you waited? Five years?"

Yellow shrugged, reaching for her tea, which he was sure had cooled down enough. "Feels like forever, but… Well, I'm really happy now."

He nodded, watching her as she brought the mug to her lips. "You deserve to be happy," he mumbled. He doubted he had ever been more sincere about a statement than this.

Yellow grinned, a bright thing that made the room seem brighter. "You know, even though everyone thinks you're scary, I know for sure that you're one of the nicest people I know."

He snorted. "Speak for yourself."

But she shook her head vehemently. Leaning forward with determination, she declared, "I'm certain I'm not the only one!"

Green doesn't usually smile and he's not usually nice. But, right now, with one of his oldest friends sitting in front of him with a bright smile and confident expression, he just couldn't help it. He put his coffee on the table, leaned forward and gave her a grin to rival hers. "That's just one of your charms, Yellow."

He leaned back, his grin devolving into a light smirk. "And there's your answer." Charizard let out a low grunt as though in agreement.

Yellow looked confused, but he just laughed and changed the subject.

Crystal was sitting at one of the computers in Oak's lab, typing away furiously at a document. She looked really concentrated so Yellow had a hard time announcing her arrival to the hardworking girl. Even Chuchu, who was normally much more willing to insert herself into all types of situations, just stood on her hind legs and stared at black-haired girl, head cocked to the side.

Yellow stood just feet away from the seated girl for a good fifteen minutes. Her and Chuchu would exchange glances, until the small rodent wandered away to start pawing and sniffing at some of the tech that littered the lab. Yellow wasn't worried; Chuchu knew the stuff in the lab was really important.

Another five minutes passed. Yellow wondered if she should see herself out and try another time, when Professor Oak loudly entered the lab.

"Crystal, I'm back! You can take your break now! Oh! Hello, Yellow! Wonderful to see you!" the pokemon professor greeted her with all the stature that was becoming of an esteemed professor.

"Hello to you, too, Professor," Yellow greeted politely. He greeted Crystal before heading into his office on the other side of the lab.

It was then that Crystal looked up from her work and exclaimed, "Yellow! I didn't see you there! You should have told me you were here!"

"Oh, I was only waiting for a few minutes," she lied.

"What brings you here? An errand for the professor?"

"No, an errand for Blue."

Crystal sighed, suddenly looking much less excited, "What does she want now? Don't tell me she's roped you into trying to get me and Silver together, too?"

Yellow started. "You and Silver? What?"

Crystal blushed when she realized that Yellow hadn't known, after all. "Um. Never mind!"

The Viridian girl cocked her head to the side in confusion and said bluntly, "I thought that you and Gold were going out."

Crystal's face turned redder than a tamato berry. "Wh-where did you get that crazy idea?!"

Yellow frowned innocently. "You're not? Oh, and I was so excited. Gold thinks of you so highly."

The pig-tailed girl looked at her senior with an expression on her face that could only be seen as hopeful. "R-really?"

The blonde tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Well, yeah. That's what he tells me every time I visit him. He always asks after you and Silver, but he seems particularly interested in you. I figured it was because the two of you were going out."

A gorgeous crimson dyed Crystal's cheeks. Yellow couldn't help but smile. She really does have beautiful friends.

"Well, we're not going out," she mumbled, a frown crossing her face.

Yellow panicked at Crystal's sad expression and misunderstood. "Oh, but I think you and Silver would be a great couple, too! I mean, you're such good friends and stuff…"

Crystal looked at her senior with a fondness in her eyes that made Yellow feel a little better. The researcher giggled affectionately before moving to bring Yellow into a hug.

"Thanks for trying to make me feel better. So, what did Blue bring you here for?"

"Oh, right!" Yellow exclaimed, remembering. "I have to ask: why do you love me?"

Crystal looked at her in confusion. Yellow was quick to explain.

"Blue told me to ask you, Green, Gold, and Silver why you all love me. Don't ask me why because I don't know either."

The researcher laughed, relieved. "Well, that's easy enough! I was a little worried I wouldn't be able to help you if it was something weird or…more Blue-like. Anyway, the reason I love you is because you're you!"

Yellow didn't understand.

"I mean, you're honest, you're kind, you're helpful, you're willing to fight for the sake of others, and you always remember to protect what's most important. You're loving and good and…"

Yellow was getting uncomfortable with all the compliments so she interrupted. "Um…I think that's enough."

Crystal stopped with a bright laugh. "Do you understand now?" she asked, teasingly.

Yellow, whose face was flushed from the compliments, answered sheepishly, "Yeah, I guess…"

Crystal hugged her and went back to work.

Gold laughed for a good ten minutes when Yellow asked him the question. Togebo was roosting next to its trainer, covering its mouth with glee as though joining in Gold's merriment. The pair struck Yellow as being particularly offensive. What were they laughing so hard about? Yellow and Chuchu stood there with confused frowns.

"Are you done yet?" she asked before mumbling sort of to herself and sort of to him, "Maybe I should just go and ask Silver…"

"Waitwaitwaitwait!" Gold cried before Yellow had a chance to take out her butterfree. He wiped a few tears from his eyes before saying, "Sorry, Yellow. I just think Blue's hilarious!"

Yellow crossed her arms, exasperated. "I'm not getting you at all!"

Chuchu was clearly not impressed when Togebo spread its wings and flew circles around the three of them, letting out crooning sounds of mirth.

Gold burst out laughing again, prompting the togekiss to land beside him. Gold's hand automatically went to the bird pokemon's head.

The Breeder tried to explain in between bursts of giggles. "HA! Well, Blue had you do this because obviously…" He took one look at Yellow's expectant face and shook his head, letting out a few more chuckles. "Actually, I think I'll just let this take its course."

Togebo nodded its head as though in agreement. The pokemon pounded Gold, wing to fist.

Yellow felt like throwing her hands in the air. She shook her head. "I think I'll just leave." She called Pisuke.

"Wait!" Gold called after her. "Before you go, make sure you tell Red that he has one hell of a girlfriend and if he doesn't watch out, I just might steal you away for myself!"

He winked and smiled suggestively at her. Togebo ruffled its feathers in merriment. Yellow's face turned so red steam might have blown out her ears. Gold burst out in another fit of giggles as Yellow took Chuchu in her arms and ordered Pisuke to carry her away.

Gold and Togebo watched her leave. He didn't stop laughing for another few minutes. When he finally calmed down, he wiped away the tears that were gathering in his eyes and let out a deep breath, trying to hold down those last fits of chuckles.

He turned toward the togekiss who looked expectantly up at his trainer. "Damn. That girl is seriously the best."

Togebo crooned happily.

"Blue told you to ask me this?" Silver asked, his face looking highly disturbed. His arms were crossed over his chest. His back was leaning against the wide tree trunk that held the entrance to one of his many secret bases. He had invited her inside, but Yellow politely refused.

Yellow nodded. She was starting to get tired of this, but Silver was the last one so she might as well see it through. She knelt down when she saw Weavile approach her. Greeting him, she ran a hand over the crown atop its furry head. Weavile closed its eyes in contentment. Chuchu sniffed at the creature in greeting. The solemn pokemon nodded briefly at the rodent before reveling in Yellow's touch once again.

Yellow couldn't help but laugh. Weavile was so much like its trainer. Focused and guarded to a fault, but once you peel back the layer of intimidation, it was just a big softie.

Silver was silent for a long time before Yellow piped up again. "So, what do you think? Why do you love me?"

Weavile withdrew from Yellow's touch and padded obediently to Silver's side. They both fixed their gazes upon her, one silver as metal, the other red as blood. If Yellow wasn't so used to them, she would have thought they looked intimidating.

Maybe it was the way the sun set was shining down over the mountains or the way the twilight shadows stretched across their faces, but Yellow thought their gazes seemed almost…fond.

"You'll be telling all of this to Red, won't you?" It was a statement more than a question, but Yellow considered his words, anyway.

"I didn't really plan on it, but I guess it would come up naturally when I see him."

The redhead nodded before taking a breath. "Alright, I'll answer your question."

Yellow looked at him expectantly.

The young man uncrossed his arms and the difference it made in his posture was almost like night and day. Suddenly, he didn't feel so guarded or suspicious or intimidating anymore. Even the tough-as-nails weavile at his side seemed to lighten up.

"It's because no matter how much time has passed, you still remain the same as when I met you all those years ago. You're constant and always, like the forest you come from."

Her heart warmed at his reply, which was the most straightforward one she got all day. And it came from Silver, so she knew he meant it. She didn't know what to say.

Silver's cheeks turned slightly red, obviously not comfortable with saying things like that. He tried to cover it up with a cough. Weavile looked up at its trainer and she swore she could see him blushing, too. She bit back a giggle.

"I'm glad it was you I ran into when I was looking for my past in Viridian." He forced himself to continue, despite his discomfort. "You never left my side afterwards. That meant a lot to me," he finished.

His declaration surprised her. They hardly ever talked about that incident (and Silver hardly ever talked about sentimental things like this in general) but if he was talking about it now, that meant something in him had healed. Her expression was soft and kind when she looked at him. She stepped forward and wrapped her small arms around him, feeling enamored of the awkward, guarded young man, struggling so much to say the things he never thought he would.

He stiffened under her touch, but she didn't let go. Beside them, Chuchu nuzzled Weavile affectionately.

"You can always count on me, Silver!" she declared after stepping away. Her whole body felt light and happy. She giggled when she saw his dumbstruck expression.

She left not too long afterwards, leaving Silver alone under the shade of a tree with the sun setting gently beyond the mountains. He watched her fly away with Pisuke's wings.

He didn't place much stock on what people said, but when a statement like that comes out of Yellow's mouth, he couldn't help but believe it to be true.

Red arrived at Yellow's house and walked through her front door, surprised to find it dark and empty. "Yellow! I'm back!" he tried. When he didn't hear a reply, he frowned slightly, glancing at the clock in her kitchen.

It was already almost seven o' clock. She was never this late.

He contemplated calling her pokegear to make sure she was alright, but decided against it. Yellow was a strong, capable woman; she can take care of herself. In any case, if anything was wrong, he knew she would call him first.

Taking comfort in that, he decided to start up on dinner for whenever she managed to get back.

He was warming up the pot on the stove when his pokegear went off. He answered it.

"Hey, Red!" Blue said on the other end. "Are you back at Yellow's yet?"

He put in the first vegetables to the pot and started to sauté them when he answered, "Yeah, I am. Why, what's going on?"

"Oh, nothing!" She sounded suspiciously cheerful and Red narrowed his eyes, a bad premonition forming in his gut.

"Blue, what is going on," he demanded.

"Nothing, I swear!" she cried. He didn't believe her. He was about to say so when she interrupted. "It's just, I think you better watch out. Now that you and Yellow are together, all sorts of rivals are bound to pop up!"

Red sputtered, "W-what?! Rivals?!"

"I'm sure Yellow will tell you alllll about it when she gets back!"

"Blue, what the hell are you—?!"

"Buh-bye now!" she sang before hanging up.

Red listened to the beeping of the other line for a moment before pulling the pokegear away from his face and staring at it. Rivals? What in the world is she talking about?!

Does she mean…other guys who like Yellow?!

Red's fist clenched at the thought, threatening to break his pokegear. His heart pounded in his chest, his stomach churning unpleasantly. If that's the case, then this was serious!

He was about to dial Yellow's number when the front door opened and Yellow announced her arrival.

"I'm back! Sorry I'm so late!"

Red burst out of the kitchen. "Yellow! What happened?!"

The blond looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

He pointed at his pokegear and stuttered, "Blue just called and… Well, I… She said that… I mean…"

Her expression turned into concern. "Red? Are you okay?" her eyes slid past him and into the kitchen. "Oh! Are you cooking? Let me help!"

Red remembered the vegetables he was supposed to be sautéing and he headed back in to make sure they didn't burn. He sighed in relief when they didn't. He ran a hand through his hair, feeling frantic. He tried taking breaths to calm himself down.

Yellow joined him, looking at the ingredients he had taken out of the refrigerator. She saw the meat he had yet to be prepared. She grabbed the apron she kept on a hook next to the refrigerator and tied it around her middle. It had a picture of a magikarp on the waist. It looked adorable on her.

She washed her hands in the sink.

"Well, since you're asking, nothing really bad happened today, so you don't have to worry. Blue just gave me an assignment."

Red stiffened. "An assignment?"

"Yeah, you see, we got into a little argument earlier this morning and she told me to ask Crystal, Silver, Gold, and Green why they loved me. I didn't really see the point in doing it, but you know Blue. She would have known whether or not I did it, so I did."

Why they loved her? Love her? Red didn't like the sound of that.

He repeated the list Yellow told him in his head. Crystal was fine; he knew the two of them were quite close, similar to Blue and Yellow, but Silver? Gold? Green? Is that what Blue was talking about?

Rivals…

The word sent him bad vibes.

"What did they say?" Red asked, trying to be casual, but his grip on the spoon he was using to sauté the vegetables was death-like. The knuckles were turning white.

Yellow seemed not to notice. "They all said some really nice things so I really don't know what to say. But Crystal said she liked me because I was me, which I didn't really understand until she started complimenting me a lot. It was so embarrassing!"

"And the rest of them?" he asked, feeling impatient.

Yellow rolled her eyes. "Gold just laughed at me." She blushed again. "But then he told me to tell you that you'd better watch out because he might just steal me away from you…" She giggled bashfully. "Crazy, huh?"

Red's grip on the spoon was so strong he felt like it was going to break but he didn't care. That unpleasant feeling in the pit of his stomach came back.

"And Silver was so sweet! He said that he liked me because I'm the same as when we first met. And he said other things like how he was glad he bumped into me when he was looking for his parents. I didn't expect him to say everything he did, but it really meant a lot!"

Red's heart dropped into his stomach. Gold was going to steal her away? Silver was sweet?

Yellow, completely oblivious to his plight, continued. "And Green…"

Green, too?! Suddenly, the word "rival" took on a whole new meaning.

"Green's answer was sort of ambiguous. He said that I was charming or something. But when he said it he had this huuuuge smile on his face! I don't usually see him smile like that! Boy, that got my heart pounding!"

She laughed good-naturedly.

Red looked down at Yellow in horror. Green, Silver, Gold… The words Blue had told him not even five minutes before came back to him.

"All sorts of rivals are bound to pop up!"

But…they were all good friends, weren't they? They wouldn't dare try to... But obviously, if they said all those things they had to know Yellow's charm, right? If they really liked her like that, would he have to…

Red's mind went spinning into overdrive.

Yellow nudged him a little so she could put the meat in the pot. She kept chattering away innocently. "So yeah, I guess today was pretty good. I mean, I still don't understand why Blue told me to do all that, but I can't say I regret it. Not when everyone was so nice to me!"

She grinned widely when she looked up at him. "So how was your day, Red?"

He didn't know what came over him, but when she fixated those clear eyes of hers on him, wearing that cute apron and that adorable smile, something in him clicked. He swooped down and captured her lips in his, dropping the spoon in the pot so his hands were free. His arms snaked around her waist and he pressed her to him. She made adorable sounds against him while he worked his lips against hers.

She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck as much as she could without putting her meat-covered hands on him. Her reaction gave him boundless confidence and he felt like smiling against her lips.

The kiss was intense, but short and Red had to pull away before he did anything he was going to regret.

She stayed in his arms, panting lightly, giving him a look so intense, Red's knees went a little weak. He leaned into her.

He pressed his forehead against hers, closing his eyes to try to get his bearings back. "I feel a lot better now."

Yellow blinked at him. "Were you not feeling well before? I'm sorry I didn't notice!"

He shook his head and nuzzled into her neck. "It's fine. Just know that out of everyone you asked, I love you the most."

Her voice was sweet when she replied, "I know. I love you, too."

He pulled back and smiled when she buried her head in his chest. He was pleased to see that the awful churning in his stomach was mostly gone. Placing one last kiss on the top of her head, he stepped away so he could attend to the food in the pot.

He felt aglow with confidence and so was not afraid to say, "I don't care what Gold or Blue said, no one's stealing you from me if I can help it."

Yellow peered at his face in amusement. "Were you worried about that? You know Gold was just being Gold!"

Red shook his head in defiance. "I won't lose to him or anyone else for that matter!"

The blonde laughed good-naturedly. "What, is this a competition?"

He just repeated himself. "Definitely won't lose."

Yellow still felt like she was missing something, but just smiled and shrugged. "I've liked you for nine years, Red. I don't think anyone will be stealing me away from you any time soon. Or ever, really."

The casual, sincere way she said it pierced Red right through his chest. He glanced at her as she opened the refrigerator to grab some fruit, humming a quiet song. He felt like he just had the whole world open up to him.

He looked down at the pot, pouring the broth in before sighing. I'll lose to Yellow, he thought, smiling. I'll be fine as long as it's to Yellow.