Chapter Three
The whole way back not a word was spoken. And personally I'm okay with that. Though I am proud to say that I managed to catch Roark a couple times, stealing sideways glances at me. And whenever I did he'd blush and turn back around.
I gotta' admit, the kid's cute.
Luxio and Cranidos followed us a pace or two behind. They seemed pleased with their work. I know I am. Note to self; find a way to thank those two later.
I lead our motley little crew into Sunnyshore, noticing painfully exactly how bright it was, and how different it felt as oppose to the peaceful dark of the more countryside-ish cities like Veilstone and Oreburgh. Roark, I noticed, was aware of the sudden change, and squinted at the buildings and the solar panels,
"Can it get any brighter?" he asked, shielding his eyes from the glare of a street lamp. I chuckled a bit, and shrugged nonchalantly,
"Probably." I replied. I suppose that could be my next undertaking. Try and make Sunnyshore brighter. With my luck, I'll black the place out again. But that'll be the fun part. Of course…I'm sure my popularity rating would get tossed out the window of a fairly high up building and fall several stories to the ground where it would meet with its untimely splattering demise…maybe I'll just stick to the Double A's and light bulbs for awhile…
Up several flights of stairs gouged out of the rocky slopes overlooking the ocean was my house. A comfortable distance from the glaring city lights, but not even close to being out of the glow. As I opened the door to let Roark in, I became suddenly aware of what a mess the place was. Can we say embarrassing? But it's not like I could have really done anything. This whole sleepover deal came out of scenic nowhere. I walked Roark into the living room and pointed out the phone, the guest bedroom and the bathroom before leaving him to phone whoever in privacy. I go upstairs, back to my room and flop backwards onto my bed. Downstairs I could hear Roark hanging the phone up and sighing, and Cranidos putting its two cents in, only to provoke another sigh, but this one less agitated.
Quickly, I throw my shirt and pants into the clothes basket in the closet and find a pair of PJ bottoms that aren't too dirty and put those on instead. I climb into bed to find Luxio already comfortably sprawled on his side, and I pull the sheets over us and fall back into a doze.
What felt to me like far shorter than I would have liked to be asleep, later I was snapped from my peace by a hesitant knock on my bedroom door. I rubbed my eyes and sat up heavily,
"Sup'?" I called, and the door was eased slowly open, sending a painful stab of typical Sunnyshore light over the floor and straight into my face. I could see Roark silhouetted in it, Cranidos at his feet,
"U-uh…Volkner?" he sounded so small and frightened…like a child,
"What's the matter?" I asked, dulling the no-sleep irritable tone in my voice down to a gentler note.
"I…I was just…wondering…um…how do I put this…" he bit his lip awkwardly. I couldn't help but smile at him. Miles passed cute…no question,
"You can't sleep," I guessed, "And you want to know if you can share a bed with me?" I watched as Roark blushed. I could see it even in the dark.
"Y-yea…but, its…not a big deal…I'll just sleep on your couch or something…"
"No, no, that's alright, really." I say quickly. Like Hell I'm gonna miss an opportunity like this. Though I am rather curious to find what he's gonna wear to bed. I figure usually pajamas…just seems that kind of guy (I can just imagine it…Roark in footy PJs with little pictures of geodude and fossils and the like all over them…and a little Cranidos doll to tie it all together.). He crawls under the covers next to me, unknowingly kicking Luxio out of his spot to join Cranidos on the floor, and I realize—quite happily, that all he's wearing are his boxers. Roark, ever adorable mumbles some embarrassed thankyou to me and I smile before sinking down into my sheets again,
"G'night." I whisper. I'd have probably gone to sleep soon after that if it weren't for Roark poking me. I turn over and meet his eyes, "What?" He opened his mouth to start to say something, but seemed to think better of it and kept quiet, shaking his head,
"Its nothing…never mind." He sat up and hugged his knees to his chest. Now, I know that the 'oh its nothing' excuse never ever really means nothing. And when it does, its for honest-to-goodness stupid things. And I know this is important. I sit up too, putting a hand on Roark's shoulder,
"You sure you're okay?" I say, and he looks up at me and seems to blush,
"Well…its just…I was thinking about before…and…I really don't know why I did that…at all."
"The kiss, you mean?"
Roark nods, wringing his hands nervously,
"I-I just think its s-so strange. First we kiss…then you bring me home…a-and now we're in the same bed…half naked…"
Is that it…Classic new-to-a-relationship anxiety. I'd had it before. And Roark was having it now. I'm glad, at least. Anxiety is fairly easily cured. Much easier to deal with than getting the wrong idea about a guy's feelings or something. I put an arm around Roark's shoulders and speak gently to him,
"What's so bad about that, huh? Its not like I'm gonna' do anything to you. I'm not legally allowed, I'd get arrested. And besides, we both know I'm not that mean."
When Roark turned back around he had the cutest, most innocent look on his face. He swallowed heavily and snuggled closer to me. I start to speak again, but he stoped me before I could and kisses me lightly. When he pulls away I tighten my hold around his shoulders,
"You just unsure about your feelings, or something?" I ask. Hell, I sound like a frikkin' mom talking like this…But Roark nods a bit and I sigh a little, letting him go, slipping out of my bed for only a moment, then coming back with a tshirt, "Here," I said, putting the shirt (which is naturally too big) in his hands, "Put that on, it'll help."
He slowly does, and when he finishes, I realize he's trembling.
My mom instincts on high alert, I wrap my arms around him gently, guiding him down and under the covers again, silently promising him and myself never to let go. And we fall asleep like that…corny, huh?