Girrrl and I changed the title because apparently "Thinking of You" was a Katy Perry song. We're not cool enough to be associated with pop culture, so I did the usual pick-a-random-word-and-title-it-accordingly. So, we have "Guarded!" It will become more and more appropriate as the story goes on. Okay, I'll shut up and get on with the third chapter.

N led Black to a place of thick foliage where a large hollow had been pressed into a mass of vines and tall grass, creating a perfect nest that actually looked fairly comfortable.

Motioning Black inside, N sat down with him and began pulling at his clothes once more. "You really should get out of these, now. Wet clothes are uncomfortable."

"R..right.." Thankfully his arousal had weakened now, so Black was able to strip down to his boxers without feeling too self-conscious. "So how long have you been here?"

"Not long. I wander around quite a bit." N noticed how Black continued to stare at him with an expression he could not decipher and looked away quickly, feeling uncomfortable with the rapt attention he was receiving.

"Black... what is it that you want from me?" he whispered.

"What?"

N met Black's wide eyes firmly. "Why did you come looking for me? Do you wish for me to pay for what I have done?"

Black blinked rapidly. "What? No! I don't think you did anything wrong, N! You had honest, good intentions. It wasn't your fault that you were lied to."

N flinched slightly. "All I wanted..."

Black reached out and put his hand on N's shoulder. "I know. I don't blame you. For any of it. I just wanted to know that you were safe. I... I wanted to see you again."

Blue-green eyes glistened as tears welled up, threatening to spill over onto his cheeks. N rubbed his eyes quickly, sniffling, attempting to hide his emotions from the boy speaking to him. But Black could read him so easily.

"I'm sorry, Black, I didn't mean to accuse you of anything... I just... am not used to being cared about like this. Even my father hasn't come looking for me. He'd have the means, I know he could if he wanted to, but... even that hurts..."

Black reached forward and embraced him, pulling him closer than he had before. N fought so hard to keep his emotions in check, but the wetness Black felt on his shoulder proved he was only so strong.

"Stay with me." Black murmured before he could think about what he was saying. "Or I'll stay with you. You don't... you don't deserve to be alone."

"Why...?" N questioned softly. "Why did you have to shatter everything? I could have defeated anyone but you. Why did you have to be stronger than me without having been raised to be a hero? You were just a simple boy!" Before he became too worked up, N took a deep breath. "To tell you the truth, Black... I'm almost glad it was you. In the end, I don't even know if I wanted to be king anymore..."

"Oh, N..." Black closed his eyes. "I'll take responsibility. For crushing your dream and forcing you off your throne. I'll show you that this world is a wonderful place."

N looked down at him, into the eyes that had caught his attention from the very first moment he had seen them. "But why? I have nothing, am worth nothing. What use am I to you?"

"You don't need to have a use, I just want to make you happy." Trying to reason with N really was difficult, even when he wanted to understand. "Just trust me."

N paused before speaking again, contemplating possible consequences of his choices. Something about Black was soothing to him, something he had not felt with another human before. Considering his past hardships and mistrusts, every logical answer to this was to refuse. But that feeling - instincts, he figured - nagged at him to give him a chance. Give those who have hurt you one last final chance to prove their worth. He almost couldn't say no; the bitterness that had begun eating at him was troubling and N did not like his new-found sense of hatred towards people. Even surrounded by pokemon friends, he still felt a pang of loneliness...

"Okay, Black. I trust you."

Grinning happily, Black nodded.

"The sun's really setting, now." He observed as a chill raced up his spine. "I have a blanket we could use.. What's wrong?" As he was pulling the thick fabric out of his backpack, Black noticed that N seemed to be trying to convince his large Darmanitan of something.

Turning back to the trainer, N sighed. "Usually my friends sleep with me in here and we keep each other warm, but.. They say they don't want to do that with you here. I don't really understand their reasons, either."

"Oh.." Black glanced around the various eyes peering at him. "My pokemon could.."

"Yours say the same." N pointed to Black's Stoutland sitting nearby. It obviously was not going to budge from its spot.

More than a little confused, Black shook his head. "Well we have this blanket at least. It should be enough to keep us warm." He was about to toss it over them when he realized how damp N's clothing still was. The thought of sleeping with him while they were both half-naked was enticing, but Black was more concerned about his health.

"N, you should take off those wet clothes, too. I don't want to sleep with a wet blanket. Plus, you could catch a cold!"

The green haired boy brought his hands to the edge of his shirt and began lifting, but promptly stopped for a moment. His eyes, still slightly puffy from crying, showed some sort of deep thought processing and emotion Black couldn't quite make out. N released his grip, not breaking his distant eye contact with whatever he was staring at.

"I'm sorry, Black," he said softly, voice barely above a whisper. "I'd... just really like to keep them on. They're not that bad, I promise. It won't get the blanket wet. Please don't worry about it."

Black considered protesting until he realized how tired he had been from the entire ordeal of the day. He shrugged and laid down, tossing the blanket over himself. N slowly reclined, taking his own corner.

"Suit yourself," Black stated as he rolled over on his side. "Good night, N!"

N smiled, although Black could not see it. He too rolled over onto his side, suppressing a chill that threatened to wrack his body. Even with the blanket on, he was still cold. But he was more comfortable this way.

"Good night, Black." The boy had nearly forgotten the last time he had said such a thing to another human.

"Sweet dreams!" the other child said jokingly with a chuckle, although there were hints of sincerity in it. N's smile deepened.

"You too."