As the stars twinkled in the night sky, Blaziken and Danica laid in bed, tangled up in each other's arms. Both were panting softly as a bit of sweat ran down their bodies. But neither seemed to mind all that much. Danica rested her head against Blaziken's chest as he kept his arms around her waist.

"Wow...I just mated...with Danica...!" Blaziken panted in awe. His awestruck comment made Danica giggle as she snuggled in closer to him.

"You sure did. And may I say I've never been happier that you still know Quick Attack." She smiled with a wink. Blaziken smiled back at her and nuzzled his forehead against her's.

"I love you...I love you so much..." he whispered.

"I love you too..." she whispered back.

"Please Danica...promise me you won't ever leave me...if I ever lost you I..." he trailed off slowly. He couldn't bring himself to think about ever losing her.

"I would never do such thing Blaziken...when it feels right…you just know it. And when we're together…oh my Arceus…" she smiled gently. Blaziken smiled back and kissed her lips with a tender passion. Danica happily kissed him back as the two snuggled even closer together. Eventually, their lips separated for air, but their bodies stayed pressed together. Danica laid her head back onto his chest and Blaziken planted a small kiss on her forehead and stroked her hair.

"Sleep well, my beloved." He said quietly.

"You too my love." She replied as she closed her eyes. Blaziken held her close and slowly closed his eyes as well, both eventually letting sleep overtake them. The next morning, Danica was the first to wake up, yawning as she glanced over at the Pokémon who was now in all accounts, her mate. Blaziken was still sleeping peacefully with his arms around her. Danica smiled gently at him and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. Blaziken opened his eyes and began to kiss her back. The two kept their lips locked for a moment longer before pulling away. "Morning my beloved mate."

"Good morning my mate. Wow…that's something I've dreamed of saying for so long.." Blaziken smiled as he stroked her cheek with the back of his talon. Danica giggled and kissed his talon, wrapping her hand around it as well. "I like waking up with you...more than anything I could have imagined."

"Same here..." she nodded. Blaziken smiled and rested his forehead against her's, allowing them both to just silently share each other's presence for a few moments.

"So tell me...what happens now...?" Blaziken finally asked.

"Well, I think we have to tell the others about us..." Danica answered.

"Then, if I may ask, who all is included in "others"? The other Pokémon of course...but who else?" he clarified.

"My parents for sure."

"Will they approve...?"

"I don't see why not. We both know my family has had Pokémon as family members even way back when." She reminded him.

"And what about your fans...?" he asked.

"I suppose it may hurt the ones who are crushing on me. But they need to know I love you. Besides, the odds of me falling in love with a fan I didn't know were pretty slim." She giggled.

"You don't think we'll be putting ourselves in danger? A relationship like this is still not very common. Even if others have done it before. I mean…you still haven't even told Sterling." Blaziken commented.

"I know..." Danica sighed. Blaziken stroked her cheek gently in an attempt to comfort her.

"The last thing I want is to put you in danger..." he assured her.

"I know..." she repeated. Blaziken kissed her forehead as he kept her close.

"I support whatever you want to do. And I'll stay by your side no matter what." He promised.

"Thanks, Blaziken." She smiled softly.

"Alright then. Although, I feel I have to point out a certain Pokémon will be heartbroken when she hears about us." He reminded her, looking down a bit as they both realized who he was talking about. Sure he didn't return her affections, but he'd never want to actually hurt her. And he knew that this would no matter how gently they tried to break it to her.

"...If she's really our friend she'll understand and in time be happy for us." Danica finally responded.

"I hope you're right…" he nodded. Blaziken pecked her lips and the two snuggled closer together when suddenly Danica's phone went off with an incoming call. Danica pulled away and sighed in annoyance.

"Had to ruin our moment..." she muttered. She picked up her phone from the nightstand and answered it. "Hello?"

"Danica what happened yesterday?! Where are you and Blaziken?! We have a movie to make!" Sterling yelled into the phone.

"Sorry Sterling...we just…needed a breather. We ended up going back home..." she winced.

"We gotta get both kiss scenes done today or we're going to fall behind!" He demanded.

"Right...about that I-" she tried.

"Get to set as fast as you can!" he yelled again.

"Okay..." she sighed. Sterling hung up the phone and Danica did the same, tossing her phone aside and cuddling back up to Blaziken for comfort.

"You ok...?" he asked gingerly.

"...Sterling wants us back so we could do the kiss scenes..." she mumbled. An awkward silence passed between them as reality began to settle in again.

"...I can't kiss a girl who's not you Danica...I just can't..." Blaziken said, finally breaking the silence.

"I understand...I can't kiss a guy that's not you either..." she agreed. "A Pokémon mating bond is a sacred one…even if it's just acting, I can't betray you like that." Blaziken held her close, letting her know that he felt the same.

"So what do you want to do...?" he asked.

"...We just have to tell Sterling we can't do it..." she responded.

"Very well." He nodded. Danica gave a nod, but it was clear she was dreading the idea. Blaziken kissed her gently and she kissed him back. After getting cleaned up and ready to go, they both headed the studio together and were spotted almost immediately by Sterling.

"Finally! There you two are!" he called, running over to them.

"Hey, Sterling..." Danica greeted nervously. She felt Blaziken put his talon on her shoulder and somehow his touch gave her the strength she needed. "Listen, we need to tell you something..."

"As long as it's quick because we really need to get to filming." He replied.

"Blaziken and I can't do our kissing scenes!" she blurted out.

"What?!" he gasped.

"We're sorry...but we can't do it. We don't want to kiss someone that we don't love..." she tried to explain.

"Both of you? At the same time? How is this possible?!" he demanded.

"Because…we're in love with each other." Danica finally admitted.

"In love…with each other?" Sterling repeated, trying to process the information.

"Yes…Sterling the truth is I didn't tell you everything about me when we first met…the fact of the matter is that my Great Great Grandfather is a Pokémon…which means a small fraction of my DNA is that of a Pokémon…that's why I can understand them the way I do…and probably a part of the reason I fell in love with Blaziken…" she tried to explain.

"I…I…" Sterling stammered, trying to process this new rush of information.

"I'm so sorry…" Danica whispered. Sterling stood in silence for what was most likely the longest time in his life. Danica and Blaziken knew they had to give him time to come to terms with all of this if he even could.

"But…you signed a contract. We have to get this movie made…" he finally spoke, deciding he had to focus on the movie to work through this.

"I know..." Danica replied quietly.

"So what do you suggest we do…?" he asked. Danica thought to herself for a few moments before she was suddenly struck with an idea that just might work.

"Ask the writers to change the story so that our characters are the ones in love with each other. Think of it. You've always been about taking risks and making scenes and ideas in your movies that have never been done before. The very first human-Pokémon romance story put to the screen? That'd be a huge feather in your cap." She offered.

"Interesting…" Sterling admitted, thinking it over for a minute.

"I know it's a risk, but sometimes risks pay off in a big way. And I've never known you to back away from a challenge." She added.

"...I have to talk it over with the studio." He finally said. Danica gave a nod and Sterling got up and started making phone calls around to the production teams. Danica stood by nervously, just hoping with everything she had that they could pull this off. Blaziken gently squeezed her shoulder to comfort her, drawing her eyes to his.

"It'll be ok..." he whispered to her.

"I hope so..." she whispered back. Blaziken kissed her lips gently as she kissed him back. They both let out a tiny coo when a familiar voice caught both their attention instantly.

"B...Blaziken...?" the newcomer asked meekly. Blaziken and Danica turned around in surprise and saw Gardevoir looking at the two of them in shock. Blaziken winced in realization, knowing that she was now more hurt than he could ever imagine.

"Gardevoir...I'm sorry...we didn't mean for you to find out this way..." he tried to tell her.

"...This is why you don't love me...? Because of her...?" Gardevoir asked, tears pricking on the edges of her eyes.

"...Yes..." was all he could answer with.

"Gardevoir I'm so sorry..." Danica tried. Gardevoir remained silent as her head lowered and tears began to run down her cheeks.

"This doesn't mean I care about you any less Gardevoir...you'll always be one of my closest friends...and if I could truly return your affections I would...but I can't...and I won't force myself to try...I'm sorry...and I hope that in time...we'll be able to be close again..." Blaziken explained.

"...I...I need some time to myself...I'd like to go to my pokéball please..." she whispered through her tears.

"Okay..." Danica replied. She took out Gardevoir's pokéball and returned her to it. Blaziken sighed sadly, never wanting to hurt anyone, let alone one of his best friends. He gently wrapped his arms around Danica in a hug, stroking her back a little as she returned the hug.

"I'm always here for you." He whispered to her.

"I know you will…" she whispered back. As they slowly released from the embrace, Sterling ran over to them, suddenly looking very happy and catching Danica off guard. "So? What did they say...?"

"They love the idea! The first movie to feature a couple like this in real life will probably boost the ratings like crazy!" he exclaimed, catching the couple off guard.

"Really?!" Danica gasped. Sterling nodded excitedly.

"But we need to work fast to get it out on time with the changes." He explained.

"Okay! We will! Oh, thank you, Sterling!" Danica smiled.

"Of course! Now let's hurry!" he replied.

"Wait! Does this mean that you and I are…?" her voice trailed off but Sterling smiled at her.

"We're fine. Promise." He nodded. Danica and Blaziken both smiled appreciatively and the three of them quickly headed for the set. Once the rest of the crew was on board, the rest of the day was spent with Blaziken and Danica reshooting all the romantic scenes of the movie. It took well into the evening, but of course, neither of them minded. It gave them a lot of time to be together and make out. They worked all day finally got the movie back on schedule and afterward, headed home for the night.

"I can't believe we finished all that in one day!" Danica giggled.

"It was a lot but I'm glad we're back on schedule." Blaziken agreed with a sigh of relief.

"It gave you and me a lot of time to be together. I'll never complain about that." Danica said as she winked at him.

"Absolutely." Blaziken smiled. As they arrived back at the house, Blaziken opened the door for her and they both went inside. After closing the door behind them, Blaziken walked behind her and pulled her into his arms. "So what should we do with the rest of our evening?"

"Well, I can think of one thing." Danica replied in a hushed and seductive tone.

"Oh? And what's that?" he asked, playing dumb to tease her. Danica smiled and she stood up on her toes and kissed him. Blaziken kissed her back and lifted her up by her waist, allowing him to deepen the kiss. Danica softly moaned as they both spread their lips open and began a fierce tongue battle as they moved towards the bedroom. The next morning, Danica was once again the first to wake up and found herself against Blaziken's chest, who was still sleeping peacefully. Danica smiled at him and as if on cue, Blaziken slowly opened his eyes.

"Morning." She greeted.

"Good morning my angel." He replied. Danica kissed him and he reciprocated and pulled her body closer as he did. Eventually, they both slowly pulled away for air, but they kept their heads close together, enjoying each other's presence. "You're so beautiful...Can I just hold you like this all day?"

"Sure thing." Danica giggled. Blaziken smiled at her answer and held her close, nuzzling his head against her's. The two laid in bed together for a while longer before eventually getting up to enjoy their day off. It was pretty uneventful until the afternoon when Danica decided to take a nap. While she slept, Blaziken snuck outside looking to talk to the other Pokémon. Once they all noticed him, they all came over out of curiosity.

"I know you all already know about Danica and me from the filming we did yesterday. And first and foremost I just wanted to thank you all for being so supportive." He started. Everyone gave their smiles and nods of approval. They had noticed the especially close bond Blaziken and Danica had even from the very beginning. So hearing that the two of them had taken the next step wasn't much of a surprise to anyone. "Even though she's mostly human, she's shown an amazing understanding of just how important a mating bond is to a Pokémon. So I want to repay that effort with one of my own to respect her human heritage. But I need everyone's help to do it."

"What are you looking to do?" Tropius asked.

"We're going to set up the most beautiful wedding ceremony she's ever seen." Blaziken smiled.

"Awesome! She'll love that! Count us in!" Linoone grinned.

"Thank you, guys. Let's get to work. Tropius I need you to put the lights up on the trees." Blaziken said.

"No problem." Tropius replied as he took some string lights up into the trees.

"Bellossom, we need the most beautiful flowers you can find to line both sides of the main aisle." Blaziken continued.

"On it!" the little Grass-type exclaimed before she ran off to get the flowers.

"Linoone can you make a topiary archway over the alter with your claws?" Blaziken added.

"I sure can." He nodded, running over to the topiary bushes on the far end of the yard and beginning to cut and shape them.

"Castform can I count on you to deliver the invitations to her family?" he asked, showing her wedding invitations he had one of the crew members pick up yesterday during filming.

"Of course." Castform nodded as she took the invitations in her mouth and then flew off.

"And that leaves me to cook." He finished, heading inside to the kitchen. Linoone looked at him through the window and called out to him.

"Hey! What about Gardevoir? What is she going to be doing?" he asked.

"She...still needs time..." Blaziken replied quietly.

"I see…" Linoone replied, sensing what happened from Blaziken's tone.

"I can't ask her to help with my wedding...it would be just insult to injury...I can't do that to her..." Blaziken explained further.

"Makes sense..." Linoone agreed. Blaziken took a deep breath to keep his calm.

"I just have to try not to hurt her as much as I can." He finished.

"I know you wouldn't." Linoone nodded. Blaziken returned the nod as he continued cooking and Linoone continued making the topiary archway. Everyone worked hard for a few hours until around sunset, Danica began to wake up. Once she opened her eyes, she became confused when she found Blaziken not beside her in bed.

"Huh...? Blaziken?" she asked, looking around the room. As she did, she finally noticed a note left for her on his pillow. She picked it up and read it to herself.

"Sorry I couldn't be there when you woke up, but I had something I had to do. And I promise you'll like it. If you put on something nice and come out to the backyard I'll explain everything. Love, Blaziken." The note read.

"Hmm...Okay. I'll play along with this." She told herself. She headed to her closet and put on her favorite dress and heels. She headed outside and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the scene before her. Lit up by the sunset, she saw the most beautiful sight she'd ever seen. The trees were lined with twinkling lights, rows of flowers in full bloom create a walkway through the yard that ended at a large rosebush topiary. She saw her parents, Darkrai, and her other family members on one side of the walkway, and her Pokémon on the other. And at the end of the aisle, Blaziken stood tall, looking at her with a smile on his face. "Whoa...!" Blaziken offered her his talon and she walked down the aisle to him. Once she was in reach, he took her hands in his.

"So? What do you think?" he asked.

"It's so amazing..." she said, left nearly speechless by the display everyone helped put together.

"Listen...I know we just got together...but I've never been so sure of anything in my life...I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. I want to be there when you're sad. Celebrate your triumphs with you, and start a family with you. You're the most important thing in the world to me and nothing will ever change that. So..." he got down on one knee and looked into her eyes. "Danica Hvam...will you marry me?" Danica teared up and after only a moment, her answer comes out, soft but clear.

"Yes." Blaziken smiled in pure bliss and pulled out a wedding ring for her. Danica's eyes widened as she recognized the ring as one that was passed down through her family for generations. She looked to her mother who smiled and nodded to her, confirming that Caitlin had given it to Blaziken for her. Blaziken slipped the ring onto her finger as Danica happily cried. He nodded to a nearby priest who stepped forward.

"I believe that's my cue. Shall we begin?" Blaziken and Danica nodded as they kept their hands intertwined. "Dearly beloved, we're gathered here today to join together Blaziken and Danica Hvam in holy matrimony. The bond of their love is clear. Their commitment to each other is undeniable. Their vows to each other already spoken. If anyone objects to this union speak now or forever hold your peace." Not a sound was made across the yard in disapproval. Only smiles graced the faces of those in attendance. "Then we shall proceed. Do you, Blaziken, take Danica Hvam, as your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

"I do." He smiled.

"And do you, Danica, take Blaziken as your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?" the priest continued.

"I do." She also smiled.

"Then I pronounce this couple man and wife. You may kiss the bride." He finished. Blaziken pulled Danica into a passionate kiss. Danica happily reciprocated as their friends and family applauded. Blaziken slowly pulled away from the kiss and smiled at his new wife. Danica smiled up at him as well, neither one able to look away from the other right now. It was just too perfect.

"I love you, Danica."

"I love you too, Blaziken."

To be Continued...