Chapter 13
After saying our quick goodbyes, I rushed Lance out of the house. I practically shove him out through the doorway and run toward the kitchen. Checking the temperature, and the amount of Pasta left, I had just enough to make the perfect dinner with Quil. I light up some scented candles, and set up the kitchen table as fast as I can, with all the decorations of a decent restaurant. With a wipe of my brow and a nod of reassurance, I go fetch Quil. He's waiting for me in my room. He's just sitting there, his fists clenched as tight as they can possibly be. He's almost shaking, with an intense expression of panic mixed with anger. I sit down next to him and look at him with an expression of worry. "Quil…? You okay…?" He stood there, silent. All I could hear were sharp inhales and exhales. I lay my hand gently on his fist, and with that, he already begins to calm down. With a shaky sigh, he looks at me and shakes his head. "S-sorry. I was worried and… Upset that you're supposed 'Best friend' was almost about to take you to prison."
"Listen, it wasn't any sweat off my beak, I handled it all."
"If I haven't left those damn feathers anywhere none of this would've happened… I'm so stupid…" He lowers his head and stares at the ground.
"Hey, c'mon now." I take my hand and gently grasp his chin, directing his gaze back to me. "It's not your fault, these types of things are natural. You didn't do anything wrong. And I'm going to be alright." I gave him a reassuring kiss on his forehead, and he smiled. "I have no idea what it is with you, but just that instantly calmed me down."
"You know, some might call it love, Quil." He chuckled and held my hand within his. I returned his loving smile. As he stood up, he took my hand and slid off his hood. "So, how about we finish our date, Hun?"
"I wouldn't want it any other way, Quil."
As we're returning to the kitchen, I get the strangest feeling of being watched. I halt in my path and shut all the curtains from every window. I take one final look through the last window in the living room and see a Pidgeot. That's strange, those aren't native to Alola… I disregard it and slide the curtains shut. I trot back to Quil's side. He wraps a wing around me, laying his hand on my waist. Was this a sign of our growing intimacy? If it is, or isn't, I couldn't be any happier. Once we arrive at the kitchen, Quil pushes my chair and gestures me to sit down. "Aw, the Pokemon is being a gentleman!"
"Oh, hush, Ethan. Just trying to be polite." I chuckle and sit down. He pushes my chair back in and goes back to his side of the table. We both share a sweet smile as we pick up our forks. I finally get to enjoy a peaceful afternoon with my Quil, alone. Eating, talking, and loving each other. I finally feel at peace with myself, nothing could make this day any better. As we ate and talk, I decided to bring up the Pidgeot. "Hey, Quil, I saw a species of Pokemon that wasn't native to our region. You think there's a region that you'd like to visit someday?" Without hesitation, and with a beakful, he answers, "Mm- Unova. For sure. Those big cities? That is definitely something I'd love to see. Not to mention all those famous actors and Pokemon? If we were about to take a trip, I'd be all in!"
"Then how's about we plan a trip to-" All of a sudden, I hear another knock at the door. I groan. Irritated, I yell, "WHO IS IT?!"
"It's Michelle!" You have got to be kidding me.
"Quil, stay in the kitchen. I'll deal with this." He rolls his eyes and crosses his arms. I can already tell he's fuming. I stomp my way over to the door and open it. There's Michelle, with that Pidgeot. I saw earlier outside the window, right on her shoulder. It glared at me as I gulped. I composed myself and sighed. "What do you want?" She rested her hand on her hip.
"That's no way to talk to a lady."
"It's also not proper visiting a friend's house without calling or planning."
"Oh, calm down. Also, like my new Pidgeot?"
"It's giving me an intense look… Where did you even get him?"
"Global Trade Station. Traded him for a perfectly bred Popplio." Woah, looks like she's fully into the competitive meta for Pokemon.
"So is that Pidgeot also perfectly raised?"
"Yup, perfect listening to commands, it's moves, everything." I look at it, and it stares back.
"You better watch your back, little man." My eyes widen, and I gulp again nervously. With that, I heard the noise of a ghostly rope being pulled. That noise was all too familiar to me. I turn, and it's Quil, charging a Spirit Shackle right at Michelle. And he's… Back to his normal Decidueye body? Before any other sudden moves, I hop right into his point of view and obstruct his aim. He lets down his arrow and walks back into the kitchen. I sigh and turn toward Michelle for one final time. "Michelle, leave. Now."
"Ethan, what-"
"MICHELLE, I'M NOT IN THE MOOD, GET OUT!" I shouted. I was practically out of breath with just that yell alone. She just gave me a look of shock and walked right out, closing the door behind her. I walk toward the couch, and sit down, slouching a bit while I rest my shoulders on the coffee table.
"Quil, get out of the kitchen, please…" He slowly hobbles his way out, showing a face of dejection.
"Ethan… I'm… Back to normal…"
"What made you transform?"
"I had the intense need and feeling to protect both you and our relationship… I think me going on the offensive changed me back to this…" He sits down next to me and buries his face in his wings. I sat there in silence for a moment. Then it hit me. "Quil… Maybe this is a good thing."
"Yeah fucking right, what do you mean…?" I run upstairs and start rummaging through my bedside drawer. There, I found my old Pokedex. I ran back downstairs, and held it up toward Quil, camera facing him. A light blinked green, recognizing him and showing his stats, moves, and abilities. I nod and stuff my Pokedex in my pocket. "Can you turn back, Quil?"
"I don't know…" I sat back down with him and took his wings in my hands. With one swift movement, my lips and his beak connect once more. His eyes widen, and a pink and red glow envelop him. I retreat for a moment. When the light subsided, there he was again. That tall, hunky avian I managed to fall in love with. He blinked, looked at his body, and began laughing with triumph and joy. "I'm… I'm back! Holy shit, that worked?!" I take out my Pokedex and scan him once more. The light blinks red three times and shows no data. "So the Pokedex doesn't recognize you when you turn anthropomorphic… Strange.." Before I can begin thinking anything else, he sweeps me off the couch, and into his arms. "W-Woah, Quil! Slow do-" And thus, we share another passionate kiss. I couldn't help but smile at the fact that he felt so happy when he turned back. He retreated, and sigh happily. "Oh, what a relief…"
"H-heh, yup... Oh! Shoot, almost forgot about my idea in the midst of that kiss." He sets me down and tilts his head. "Idea?"
"You and I are going to attend the next Pokemon World Tournament in Unova!"