fandom: pokemon
characters: prof. juniper, dr. fennel
theme: regression
title: -
rating: k
warning[s]: angst
notes: a continuation of the last drabble.
Ever since that day, they both pretended it never happened. Aurea, the instant she realized what had happened. Fennel, after the professor told her nothing happened.
That day, a light dimmed in the dream researcher's eyes.
And the professor pretended not to notice.
To the normal observer, they were still friends. There was no tension between them whenever they spoke. They were casual. They could be research partners when time called for it.
But their friends knew. Their fellow researchers and scientists knew. A careful observer knew.
The relationship was strained. Every action to maintain the facade was forced and exaggerated. Everything they spoke was rehearsed within their own minds, if not a quick answer.
It gnawed on Aurea's conscience.
It was her fault that they were stuck in this sort of situation. Her decision had been hasty.
"I -"
The scientist turned, staring up at Aurea. Her brow knotted with innocent confusion.
Aurea could feel her throat run dry. If she wanted to patch things up, this was the time to do so. She couldn't keep lagging behind.
"I want t-"
Again, she was interrupted. This time by one of her assistants, needing her help on something rather pointless, literally dragging her away from Fennel.
The scientist laughed, watching her friend attempt to struggle out of the man's grip. She had a feeling what Aurea was going to say, but didn't want to get her hopes up.
Not this time.