Chapter Eight - Comforted
"I've never traveled by ferry before. Don't you think the ocean is beautiful, Hugh?"
"I don't see what the big deal is. It's just water that's been cultured to smell like fish and salt."
Rosa's sapphire eyes rolled as she pressed her cheek into her palm and leaned heavily against the boat's back railing. Water splashed rhythmically against the ferry's sides as the vessel sliced through the warm currents, and occasionally, a few droplets would catch the breeze and cool Rosa's skin. "Would it kill you to humor me for one day? I'm trying to find some joy in this journey, Hugh, and you're ruining it."
Hugh continued staring at the vibrant shades of pink and orange lighting the horizon as he dryly responded, "If you don't want my opinion, then don't ask for it. It's not my job to 'bring joy to your journey', or whatever nonsense you said."
She snorted, but said nothing. Two days had passed since the ferry had departed for Castelia, and Rosa could tell that Hugh was already suffering from cabin fever. He'd spent most of that afternoon walking laps around the ship, challenging every trainer that made the mistake of making eye contact with him. Many of them he'd beaten with a gusto she could only describe as impish, but Hugh had always been a sore loser, even when they were children. The last trainer he'd faced had used a Camerupt that completely devastated his Servine, and he'd been practically spitting fire ever since.
That's what Hugh claimed his problem was anyway, but Rosa seriously doubted it. Even as they watched the golden sun slip below the skyline, she peered at him from the corner of her eye and noted his clenched fists and stiff posture. His hard eyes burrowed into the horizon, wholly focused on the neon colors but sightless to what was there. If he leaned any harder against the steel railing, he'd push it into the sea.
She was certain he was concerned about what would happen when they reached the mainland. She'd told Hugh about her conversation with Mr. Deeoh, but he hadn't seemed particularly interested in Touko. He'd dismissed Stu as an old man out of touch with reality and went back to studying his map of Unova for possible Plasma locations. She wasn't really sure why she'd expected a response in the first place; Hugh cared even less about gossip than she did.
Rosa sighed and drummed her fingers against the handrail as she snuck another glance at him. His stress was stressing her out.
"So what's your plan once we hit the harbor?" Rosa asked, trying to steer his attention away from whatever it was that was upsetting him.
Hugh grunted and tossed her an annoyed look, but he humored her. "Same as yours, I'm sure. Taking down Burgh and his team of bugs at the gym, then chasing those Plasma cowards out of whatever pit they've chosen to hide themselves in. I'll probably pick up some supplies and explore a bit as well though, since we'll be in the largest city in Unova. My mother insists she needs pictures of the art galleries, even though she knows paintings bore me." He absentmindedly adjusted his leather finger gloves. "And Castelia's marketplace is renowned for carrying merchandise from other regions. I want to buy my sister a new Pokemon doll. She still hasn't forgiven me for ruining her Purrloin doll back when Servine was trying to learn vine whip."
The corner of Rosa's lip twitched up into an amused half smile. Of course he'd used his sister's toys for target practice.
His dark eyes narrowed. "But you're only asking because you think something is bothering me, so why don't you just ask what my problem is instead of trying to bait it out of me?"
She blinked in surprise, and he said, "I've know you a long time, Rosa. You really think you can play games with me?"
"I'm not trying to do anything, Hugh." Rosa tucked a lock of auburn hair behind her ear and pushed away from the railing. "But it's hard not to notice that the amount of anxiety you're giving off is scaring the other passengers. Your little tirade today could be seen from across the boat. I just want to know you're okay, that's all."
Hugh scoffed and crossed his arms tightly against his chest. "Tirade? What do you mean tirade?"
"Outburst, tantrum, hissy fit. What I'm trying to say is you're grumpier than usual-"
"I am not grumpy."
"-and it's getting on my nerves."
"You get on my nerves every day. I don't see how you taking a turn at it is a bad thing."
She threw up her hands. "That isn't the point!"
"Did you have a point?"
A surge of frustration caused Rosa's cheeks to flush. Why was he always teasing her? Couldn't he take her seriously for even a moment?
"Enough, Hugh. Fine, I'll ask. What's going on?"
He shrugged and turned away. "Well, I don't really care to tell you now."
Something snapped inside her, and suddenly her hands were balled into fists and she was shoving hard against the upper part of his chest, yelling, "Knock it off, Hugh! Just knock it off! Stop hiding behind that obnoxious, antagonistic sarcasm!"
Hugh's eyes widened at her outburst and he dropped his tense stance, but Rosa was only aware of her own fury and the fact that no matter how strongly she pushed against him, his solid form didn't move an inch. It was inane that he never confided in her, or his family, or his Pokémon, or anyone! Why couldn't he put aside that stubborn pride for once, instead of masquerading behind it?
On the opposite side of the boat, a young couple holding hands had turned their attention away from each other to gnaw at the abrupt scene. The anger bubbling inside Rosa was too powerful for her to feel embarrassed, however.
This continued for some time, Rosa beating uselessly and Hugh wordlessly allowing it, until the fight drained from Rosa's system and she collapsed into him, exhausted. She buried her head into her friend's broad shoulder, refusing to look at him as she mumbled, "I'm worried about you, you idiot. Can't you see that? Ever since you lost Pidove, I've been worried sick that you're not okay. But you never say anything. We're friends, aren't we? How am I supposed to help you if you never say anything?"
She wasn't crying, but her fists were balled in the front of Hugh's shirt, and she was trembling. Such a ridiculous thing for her to do, but she found she didn't care what he thought of her at that moment.
A gentle weight pressed on the back of Rosa's head, stroking her tangled hair, and she realized it was Hugh's hand. He brushed his fingers through the long strands, causing her skin to crawl up the back of her neck, and she relaxed under the soothing gesture. His other arm wrapped around her waist as he pulled her into a hug.
Rosa's eyelids closed tightly shut. He hadn't held her like this since elementary school.
"Sorry Rosa." Hugh sighed, his tone repentant. "I didn't mean to make you worry so much. I forgot how sensitive you can be towards other people. I've just been getting too far into my own head about that Team Plasma member with the Stoutland, and it's been making me anxious. I'll tone it down."
She scoffed into his jacket. "I don't want you to tone it down, I want you to actually talk to me. Talk to someone. Have you turned Pidove's death into a man hunt?"
Hugh exhale noisily and pulled away, leaving her cold. He withdrew to the boat's railing and gripped the bars in his strong fingers, but Rosa wasn't about to let him shut down.
"Hugh?"
He stayed quiet.
"Hugh."
The teenager dropped his gaze towards the water lapping at the side of the boat. "I have to find him, Rosa. That Pidove meant the world to my grandfather, and to me. We've been together since I was eleven years old, and she kept me company all through high school. Even when I became a battle-hungry wreck, and no one else could stand me."
He laughed, but it was a bitter sound laced with embarrassment and regret. Rosa exhaled at the memory. She'd forgotten about the version of Hugh that cared more about battles than people. It had happened a long time ago.
"A lot of people think I should just let it go and catch another one, but training with my Grandpa's Pidove as a kid inspired me to be a Pokémon trainer in the first place. Pidove may be a common species of Pokémon, but that doesn't erase their individuality and make them disposable. Without her, I would have been really lonely."
He crossed his arms on top of the railing and rested his chin on his wrists. "Pidove trusted me to look after her, and I completely failed. All I can think about is if I catch her murderer, maybe she'll rest peacefully. I owe her that."
Rosa walked around to the left side of him and rested her forearms on the bars. Shadows from the setting sun danced across Hugh's face, but she could still see the pain in his eyes. It wasn't difficult to put herself in his frame of mind. The idea of losing her hot-headed Dewott, or sweet Anna, or any of her Pokémon made her cringe.
"You can't blame yourself for what happened, Hugh." She said softly. "There was nothing you could have done differently. We'd have both been doomed if Beau hadn't shown up when he did. You know that. But Pidove died trying to keep her trainer safe, which you are. That's what she cared about, and if given the chance, I'm certain she'd do it again. I completely agree that that slime ball of a man belongs in a jail cell, but locking him away isn't going to make it easier to forgive yourself."
He shrugged. "Maybe not, but I'd certainly feel better."
"There's no redemption in revenge, Hugh. You're chasing Plasma for the wrong reasons."
"Good thing I'm not looking for your approval."
Exasperated, Rosa leaned into his shoulder and shook her head. "You're even more stubborn than I am. I swear, one of these days, that hard head of yours is going to get us in trouble, and then you'll have to learn to think reasonably. But if tracking down that rubbish man is what you want to do," She halfway smiled. "Then I support you."
He rolled his eyes and grunted, but Rosa felt the troubled atmosphere surrounding her friend fall away. His discordant emotions weren't gone, she knew that, but Rosa hoped they'd been made bearable, if only for a little while.
They didn't say anything for a few minutes. The two just stood there, shoulder to shoulder, watching the last rays of sunshine fall below the sea. A crisp breeze stirred the air and further tangled Rosa's hair, but she didn't mind. The wind and rolling spray of water felt wonderful.
"I think it's about dinner time." She said as the horizon became dark and stars overwhelmed the sky. "The ferry should be serving lasagna tonight – one of your favorites. Do you want any?"
He shook his head, and she shrugged and stepped away from the rail towards the front of the boat. "I'll see you in a bit, then."
"Rosa?"
She turned and met his solemn gaze. "Yeah?"
"Thanks."
Her mouth twitched into a tiny smile. "You're welcome."
A/N Very, very short chapter, but one I enjoyed writing. You know, emotions are tough. I spent all week trying to nail down this chapter, but how do you properly portray the emotions of two struggling teenagers? I still don't know if I got it quite right. The next chapter will be fairly lengthy to make up for this tiny baby chapter, I promise. Have a lovely day, guys!