Authors note: Hey all! This is pretty short as I'm preparing for the ending! Please enjoy this fluffy episode and prepare yourselves for the eventual end of this fic! (sorry it's taken so long!)

Chapter Fourteen

Something definitely wasn't right; Green knew that much. Yes, Red had always been overly affectionate with him throughout the years, but ever since that one night that he told him he loved him, the boy had acted strangely.

He won't ever leave his side, insistent that he went wherever Green did and conveyed visible signs of distress otherwise. The emerald-eyed boy couldn't understand why. Was Red's mental health deteriorating at a rapid rate or something? One cold night, Green was once again sleeping over at Red's house, and that was when he decided to ask his friend about it. Obviously, he made a note to choose his words carefully just in case he made things worse.

"Red...?" The raven-haired boy looked over at his friend as they got ready to sleep, pulling on their pyjamas.

"Yeah?"

"...is everything okay?" He blinked, confused.

"What do you mean?" Green sighed softly as their eyes connected. He didn't want to upset Red or make it seem like he didn't like his attention. He just wanted to know why.

"...ever since that night you told me you loved me, you have been acting weird. I just... I've been worried about you." Crimson eyes trailed to the floor in sadness as he fidgeted with his hands in his lap. How could he even begin to tell Green what was raging in his mind? How he needed to make sure that his friend stayed safe and didn't get sick? He would just assume he was crazy.

"I-I... I like being with you." Green flashed a bright smile and sat back down on the bed opposite his friend. As he ruffled up raven hair playfully, he continued.

"You doofus, I like being with you too. But, I know it's more than that..." Then his voice lowered. "...you can talk to me, Red. I won't judge you." He sighed heavily as a frown scarred his countenance.

Would it really be okay to tell him?

Wasn't it forbidden to mention the future?

"I'm just... scared..." He admitted quietly, trying to keep his voice steady. "...I don't want us to change... I don't want you to change." Green seemed taken aback by his friend's words. Change? Was he giving off the impression that he was changing?

"Red, I haven't upset you or done anything to hurt you, have I? If I have, then... I'm sorry, and I'll try-"

"N-no...!" He cut him off, crimson eyes hard in conviction. "...Green you... you just have to promise that no matter what I say, you'll believe me... and listen to me, okay?" Small fingers reached out and grabbed onto his friend's hand tightly. It was a small gesture that assured the other that it was okay and to keep them both grounded together.

"Of course... I promise." Taking a shaky breath and a moment to gather his thoughts, Red decided to word it in a way that hopefully wouldn't cause any concern.

"...have you been feeling... off lately?"

"Off?" Green repeated, blinking. "In what way?"

"Like... headaches? Sickness? Dizziness?" As the words tumbled out of his mouth, Red observed Green's face, noting how his mouth twitched and his eyebrow moved ever so slightly.

Something was wrong; he knew it.

"I-I... well, I get headaches sometimes, but don't we all?" Fingers gripped his hand tightly.

"...Green... please... just tell me..." The emerald-eyed boy scraped his teeth across his bottom lip slightly as their eyes drowned in each other. Just what did he mean by this? Did he know something about it?

"...if I get up suddenly, then I get dizzy, yeah... and occasionally I'll wake up feeling sick, but my immune system has always been a bit weird." Red frowned in sadness as he bowed his head weakly. Tremors started to wreak havoc through his smaller frame, alerting the older boy. Within seconds, he was being pulled against a firm chest, and warm arms were around him.

"Gr-Green... please... y-you have to... go to the hospital..."

"Hey now... don't talk like that. I am fine, okay? No need for you to worry about me." Fingers gripped the back of his pyjama top.

"N-no... you don't understand...!"

"Red, honestly, just... calm down. I am perfectly fine, and I'm not going anywhere, so you don't need to worry." His chest heaved as his eyes fused shut. Tears began to fall down his cheeks and dampen Green's top.

Why wouldn't he listen? Did he have to tell him the truth?

Was that it?

"Y-you... might feel fine now... b-but it'll get worse... please Green... trust me... I-I beg you...!" The emerald-eyed boy became alarmed when the figure of his best friend collapsed into tears in his arms, sobbing loudly. The noises excruciated his ears and made his heart beat faster within his chest. This wasn't another episode- no, this was much more than that. Red was genuinely distressed.

"...will it make you feel better if I go to the doctor?" The raven-haired boy nodded against his chest as fingers stroked through his hair soothingly, trying to calm him down. If it would help ease his overexerted mind, then he would do that. After all, routine check-ups weren't necessarily a bad thing.

"Okay, I'll go to the doctor then for you." Red's arms coiled tightly around Green's waist.

"Thank you... thank you so much...!"

"...you can come with me if you like?" Again, the boy nodded, inhaling deeply through his nose. As they just sat on the bed, allowing darkness to shroud the room, they embraced for some time until the tremors that ran amok through Red's vessel had finally subsided.

"Is that why you have been following me all this time? To make sure I didn't get sick?" Green asked, as finally Red pulled his head away and wiped at his eyes. They were sore and puffy, but he didn't care. The last thing he wanted was to lose Green, especially now he had the chance to put all the bad things right.

"Y-yeah... I've been so scared..."

"You are the silliest person I have ever met." Green teased, smiling. "...but I wouldn't change you for the world." A small smile teased Red's lips as he beheld his friend's image, healthy and happy. He needed to imprint that permanently into his memory. It was one he definitely didn't want to forget ever.

XxX

It was a rarity to have such intense snowstorms in Pallet Town, but overnight the quaint town had become enveloped in a blanket of fluffy white snow. Red couldn't remember the last time he got to go and play in the snow, but when the cold substance hit his cheek, causing it to redden, he couldn't help but laugh.

Green smirked as he knelt down, preparing to attack the more petite boy with another snowball. If there was one thing he was good at, it was aiming, and Red was at his mercy. The crimson-eyed boy dashed out from his hiding spot behind the town sign and ran towards the wall of his house.

"Too slow!" Green yelled as the slushy ball connected to the back of his head, wetting his dark hair. Red's laughter echoed around them as he paused to gather his snowball and aimed back at his friend. They were covered in wet and cold snow but unbelievably happy. Both laughing so hard their insides ached.

"...st-stop...! I give up...!" Red cried, trying to get his breath back as another snowball smashed against his leg, dampening his jeans. Green yelled in victory, puffing out his chest to gloat.

"Just as expected! No one can defeat the mighty Green!" Whilst off guard, he jolted when he felt a snowball smash into his face, wetting him thoroughly. Red laughed, watching as his friend furiously wiped the cold substance from his flushed cheeks.

"Gah...! I'll get you for this!" They chased each other around the garden, but Green was faster. Quickly, he grabbed Red in his arms, and they both went tumbling down into the snow, giggling loudly. They were both cold and wet, but they didn't care. It was so lovely to just relax and have fun like this. Red had forgotten how beautiful Green's laugh was.

"Hahaha! That was fun!" He cried happily, smiling. The emerald-eyed boy panted heavily and gently rested his head on his friend's chest. He needed to get his breath back for a moment. Running after Red like that had really taken it out of him.

"You're a sneaky thing! Hitting me when I wasn't paying attention!"

"Well... it was the only way I could get a hit on you!" Green raised his head and smiled at seeing Red's face so happy and full of life. It was an innocence that he wanted to keep and preserve forever. As he continued to stare, he found himself spacing out a little as a dumb ache furrowed into his head.

Damn, had Red hit him that hard?

"Green...?" Red asked quietly, sitting up a little and helping his friend up. The emerald-eyed boy was frowning and appeared somewhat in pain. Had he overdone it with the snow?

"...it's fine... don't worry."

"...are you in pain?" Crimson eyes sparkled as he beheld his best friend's countenance. Green touched his forehead, noticing how his skin felt hot to the touch. Had it merely been just from that snowball?

"You... must have hit me good..." He joked, only Red wasn't in the mood for jokes. He frowned and moved closer, using his own hand to touch Green's head, feeling how heated the skin was beneath his fingers. Was he getting worse? It had only been a day.

Surely it couldn't be?

"Green... maybe we should get you checked out..." Emerald eyes rolled.

"Don't be silly, I'll be fine. Just need to sit down and rest for a bit, that's all." Red shook his head defiantly.

"You said we would go to the doctors, so... maybe we should now?"

"Red... honestly... I'm fine."

"B-but you're not fine... you're hurt... you need-"

"I SAID I'M FINE!" Red jumped suddenly at the harshness of Green's voice and ended up falling back into the snow. Crimson eyes flared in shock, and then tears began to form. No... was he changing already? The snappy personality had happened last time, and then the general spite... it had all led to Green being hospitalised.

Was it futile?

Were all his efforts for nothing?

He felt his body tremble as crimson eyes looked at the ground. Green's unforgiving voice crucified his fragile heart and mind, repeatedly replaying until he couldn't think straight. Flashbacks of the past bombarded his brain, flooding his body with pain. The anguish that he had tried hard to bury deep within, to try to forget it even existed.

"Red...?" Hands were on his cheeks suddenly, and the rage of flashbacks ended within seconds. Tears dampened his cheeks as crimson eyes melted into emerald. Green didn't seem angry anymore; he seemed sad- hurt even. Did he regret shouting?

"... I'm so sorry...! I never meant to shout at you... Arceus... I am really sorry." Red swallowed hard, trying to focus on his friend's warm touch on his face or even on the small details on his countenance. He tried to ignore the threat of imminent doom that continued to jeopardise his mental state of mind.

"All I wanna do is save you... a-and I'm scared that... no matter what, I won't be able to..." His chest heaved painfully as more tears cascaded down his cheeks. Green noticed and tenderly wiped them away with his thumbs.

"Hey... don't speak like that. You don't have to think like that, Red." His lips quivered in sadness as crimson eyes fused shut.

"... you're dying... a-and..." He inhaled shakily. "...I can't save y-you...!" Green's eyes widened as the smaller boy broke down. What did he mean he was dying? Nothing was adding up here. Was it all just a fabrication made up in his mind? As far as Green knew, the Aspergers didn't make him act this way. Maybe it was something more than that?

"I'm not dying, Red, I promise you. I am not going anywhere." The emerald-eyed boy tried to reiterate his intentions, but it fell on deaf ears. Red shook his head slowly.

"...n-no matter what I do... it's n-not enough..."

"R-Red..." Gently, Green's forehead rested against his friends as his eyes fluttered closed. His words were full of pain and anguish, which made him feel unsettled. It was as if Red knew of a future that didn't bode well for him and was trying to fix it somehow.

"...pl-please... we need to... g-go to the Doctors..." Green frowned as he watched Red continue to break down in front of him, his own heart pulsating pain throughout every fibre of his vessel. His instinct was screaming at him to listen to Red, even if he was blowing things out of proportion. It was better to be safe than sorry.

"Okay... let's head back to the Lab and get my Gramps to take us there." Crimson eyes sparkled as they melted into emerald. Was he going to listen to him? Was there actually a slight chance of salvation? A weak smile tugged at his lips, and his arms wrapped tightly around Green within seconds.

"Th-thank you...!" He prayed that there was something they could do. That Green wouldn't end up getting sick, and he would end up living a happy and fulfilling life. Red also prayed that he could be part of that life, being beside him every step of the way.

XxX

Professor Oak seemed taken aback when his Grandson insisted they go to the Doctors to get him checked out for his constant headaches, but he complied nonetheless. It was just a routine, nothing more- that was what he kept telling himself. Red accompanied them, refusing to not be by his best friend's side.

Green had been there for him when he was diagnosed with Asperger's, so he was definitely going to return his generosity and was prepared to aid him in any way possible. The emerald-eyed boy was nervous, fidgeting in his seat while they waited. Red had subconsciously linked one of his hands with Green's, fingers entwined.

It was a small gesture, but one he hoped would prove that he was there for him and wouldn't let him go through this alone. A shaky breath escaped the boy's lips as he glanced at the clock. Professor Oak sat beside them, casually reading a newspaper. He had no idea about any of this. None of them did.

Red frowned as his mind drifted to the past, to memories of when Green hurt him and said such horrible things. If he got better, then all that wouldn't happen, and I would have changed the future. Was it a good thing for him to do this? Kurt had mentioned that the whole process was extremely dangerous, but Green needed him to do this.

When the Doctor appeared and called Green's name, Red went into the room with him, not letting his hand go once. Throughout the examination, he remained at his side, hoping his presence would make the emerald-eyed boy feel somewhat at ease.

But when the Doctor mentioned about Green needing to see a specialist, that nervous disposition returned, and Green's whole body trembled with anxiety. Had Red caught this in time? Would they be able to save his friend's life? He hoped that all his efforts would actually pay off and not that it had all been for nothing.

"...a specialist...?" Green repeated to himself while they sat in the whitewashed room. His eyes were downcast to the marbled floor. Red frowned a little.

"Green... you will be fine. I promise."

"How did you even know?" He asked softly, turning to face the younger boy, whose countenance expressed concern. He couldn't tell him the truth, could he?

"I-I... had a dream about it..." It seemed plausible, and the emerald-eyed boy seemed to take his words at face value, which was a relief. He sighed heavily, head drooped.

"Arceus... will I have to go to the hospital?" Red shrugged.

"I don't know... probably. But you'll be okay."

"You won't... leave me... will you?" Green muttered, feeling pathetic. Red used this time to gently squeeze Green's hand in affirmation. There was no way he was abandoning the one person who helped make his life bearable, the one person who was like gravity in his own world.

"I'll be there. I promise."

This all felt like some sort of weird nightmare, as if none of it was real. All events over the few weeks seemed all fabrication, but Red knew everything was real.

Seeing Green in the hospital once again brought all those toxic memories back with a vengeance, and many a time, he had to excuse himself just to get his composure back. At least this time, Green didn't seem weak or at death's door. He was still pretty lively and curious about all the tests the physicians did on him.

An MRI scan of his brain found a slow-growing tumour. A grade 1 pilocytic astrocytoma. According to the physician, they could easily see the border between the tumour and the normal brain tissue, so at least operating was possible this time.

They mentioned that if this had been left untreated or undiagnosed, it could have quickly become life-threatening. Green's face had become pale when they spoke those words but seemed eternally grateful that the prognosis was favourable.

As Red sat at his bedside in a plastic chair, he could feel his heart thunder within his chest. They could actually make him better this time! It wasn't life-threatening, and Green would be okay! A small smile tugged at his lips as he rested his head against the wall, staring at the ceiling in thought.

Thank Arceus that Green had listened to him and trusted him when it mattered. They had hope for once, and Red was prepared to hold onto it with both hands and never let it go.

"...if I hadn't listened to you... fuck I could have died..." Green lamented as his eyes stared straight ahead. "...Red... I owe my life to you." The raven-haired boy shook his head.

"N-no... just get better so we can go on our Pokemon journey together." The emerald-eyed boy smiled softly at the thought. He had never given it much thought and assumed they would go their separate ways, but a journey together sounded much more fun.

"That sounds like a plan. Yeah, let's do that." At that moment, Red had never felt so much joy. Those words elevated his heart, and slowly but surely, all the negative memories faded from his mind.

The ones of Green saying hurtful words, the one when he was traumatised in the Pokemon Centre when he kept himself away on Mt. Silver with no friends, and finally seeing Green dying in hospital. They were all being erased, allowing a new future to be written.

A future that they could decide together.