They were closer to civilization than Black had expected, and the sun was only just beginning to dip behind the mountain range as they emerged over Icirrus City.

Black smiled down at the place he had been so fond of during his stay there, but his eyes still traveled to the tall spire of Dragonspiral Tower. His hand around N's tightened as he remembered their fateful meeting there, when his then-rival had tamed the legendary Reshiram. He remembered the long climb up those stairs, and the sight of N, the boy he had already been deeply enamored with, standing there like a true king with the beautiful white dragon at his back. In that moment he had felt more doubt that he could do something to open N's eyes than ever before. But he had not given up. Not once. And his determination had paid off, as proven by the tall young man standing beside him, who he had just recently held in his arms like a lover.

Looking up at N, Black shared a smile with him. "Come on," he said. "Let's go."

After making it down the many steep slopes, they headed for the pokecenter as Black got out his xtransceiver and began dialing his mother. "Here, could you take care of these for me?" he asked N, handing him his pokeballs. N nodded and walked away to the counter.

As N waited for Black's pokemon to be healed, he looked over his shoulder back at the other boy who was now sheepishly apologizing to the woman on the small screen for taking so long to call. Just like always, Black was bursting with a variety of emotions, most of which were completely foreign to N. But the warmth of them intrigued him, and he wanted to see more. To see them all. To learn their names and meanings and perhaps even find it in himself to emulate them.

The nurse gave the pokeballs back to N and thanked him for coming. Keeping them cupped gently in his hands, he wandered around the center as he waited for Black to finish being berated by his mother.

Looking down at the little multi-coloured balls, N thought about what Black had said. That his father's treatment of him was no different from how the trainers he had been led to believe were many in the world treated their pokemon. He knew he had been a fool to not see the similarity. A pokeball was surely not much different from a room without windows. And the training...

Shaking his head, N put those thoughts out of his mind. Black kept pokeballs and trained his pokemon in battle, but he treated them like family, and truly thought of them as such. Would Black now keep him with the same closeness and care as he did them? He glanced back at the boy who practically beamed through every moment of his life and thought that he would really like that. For someone who had lived in captivity all his life, freedom from everyone was nothing short of frightening. But if it was Black, N felt he could be happier than he had ever thought possible.

"Hey N!" he heard Black call from across the room, seeing him sitting with another boy on one of the benches. N approached them quickly, handing the bag back to him as he stood up. "Thanks so much! Ohh, N, this is my friend, Cheren." Black motioned to the dark-haired boy next to him. "You may remember him from Dragonspiral. We've been friends since we were young children. Cheren's been training with the current champion, Alder. It's pretty impressive."

"It's nice to see you again," N said rather flatly, not quite sure what to read off of the cold boy. Cheren pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and shut his eyes.

"Ahh, yes, I remember you from before. Hello."

The way Cheren spoke to N troubled him. It almost seemed condescending. N remembered him quite clearly from that day; he had been one to attempt to take his father away to the authorities. Apparently, he knew his situation, but still acted so cold. Cheren was not as kind as Black, and it intimidated him.

"As I was saying," Black continued brightly. "N and I will be traveling together now."

Cheren looked at his childhood friend with a knowing expression. "Heading for the pokemon league?"

Black shrugged. "Sure, I guess."

"I am, too." Cheren stood up. "I'll be setting out tomorrow. See you on the road?"

"Yeah!"

N nodded to Cheren as curtly as he was nodded to before the boy left. Alone together again, N relaxed and smiled at Black.

"Shall we get a room, th—" To N's bewilderment, Black cut himself short and turned beet red. "Er.. Let's get to the inn." And just like that, he briskly strode out of the center, leaving N to quickly follow along, wondering what on earth could have crossed Black's mind and made him act so peculiar.

=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=o=

Black threw his bag and jumped onto the bed with a thud, sighing with satisfaction. He had not slept on a real bed in what seemed like an eternity. He was used to tents, so a clean, warm mattress was one of the simple joys in life Black was not always accustomed to.

"Ahh, bed!" he commented, bringing a pillow towards his head and burying his face in it. "I'll bet you haven't seen one of these in a while, huh, N?" N just hummed in agreement, obviously not that concerned.

"I never had a bed as a kid, so sleeping outside isn't that big of a deal." Black's eyes shot open and he looked over at the other boy, flabbergasted.

"What? Shit, N, I'm sorry... I had no idea. Sleeping on the floor must've been awful."

"Yes. Black... I don't trust Cheren."

Black almost laughed at the bizarre sudden change of topic. Either N was avoiding the conversation, or he had been thinking about the other for some time now. He should've figured, after the awkward introduction between the two of them.

"Now, now," he placated. "I know Cheren can come off as cold and snobbish, but he doesn't mean to. He's been my best friend our whole lives. I trust him, so you can too, ok?"

N pressed his lips together, obviously not convinced, but he nodded. He was not sure exactly what rubbed him the wrong way about that boy anyway, so he doubted he would be able to explain it to Black. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he fiddled with the menger sponge tied to his belt loop, wishing the nagging feeling in the back of his head would leave him alone.

Stretching leisurely, Black rolled over and nudged N with his foot. "You want to take a hot bath or shower first?"

N stiffened. "First?"

"Before we go to sleep, unless you're hungry or want to watch tv or something."

"Actually, I... do you have any more of those sweet rolls?" Blacked chuckled and pointed to his bag.

"Yeah, I should have a few left. Can't promise they still taste good."

N bent over Black's messy bag and took out a wrapped pastry. He settled back onto the bed and smiled when he open the package, the sweet smell of jelly delighting him. N took a bite and shrugged his shoulders as he relished the taste.

"Mmm, so good!"

"You can have the rest of them, N. I'm kind of sick of them, to be honest. My mom packed me way too many." Black yawned and nuzzled his head deeper into the pillow. "What did you eat while you were traveling, anyway?"

"Mostly berries, some fruit. I really like sweets! Honestly though, I did miss people food... it's certainly a lot more tasty."

The two boys sat in silence for a bit as N munched on the remainder of his snack, then going through Black's bag to find another. He stopped, however, after the first bite, suddenly looking very reflective.

"Black, does everyone have their own gift to show someone they love them? You said you loved me earlier, but you didn't make me any sweet rolls."

It was physically painful to keep from laughing, but Black managed admirably. "You're right, people do give gifts to the one they love. What would you like me to give you? Unfortunately I don't know how to bake."

N pointed towards Black's crotch.

"That."

Black sat up instantly, attempting to change his perspective on what he was seeing. He must've seen this from the wrong angle. Surely, he was pointing at something else.

"W-What?"

"That," he repeated, so clearly pointing between his legs. No, no, surely there was a misunderstanding here...

"Black," he said clearly, unwavered. "I want your cock."

Black sat there, jaw hanging slack as he stared at N. Was he dreaming? Was N joking? As if in direct contrast to his shock and disbelief, his pants began to feel too tight at the sound of N's voice saying something like that. "...Wh...What do you mean...?" He had to be misunderstanding. There was no way N could have said it intentionally.

Now N looked a little confused. "I mean just that. I want your cock. Inside me. Is that... not a loving gift...?" Uncertainty came over his face, and his formerly steady eyes glanced away.

Taking a deep breath, Black rubbed his face, having come to the conclusion that this was indeed happening. "I... Well, um.. If you mean ..s-sex.. then yeah, it is... But.. err.. Are you sure? I mean... you want to right now...?"

"You don't? After earlier when you were hard down there... I thought that you wanted that?"

Wishing he could just bury himself in the bed and die, Black struggled to keep his composure. "That's... Well, yes... but are you ready? After the way you acted when I kissed you..."

"I've given it a lot of thought." N explained. "And I decided that... I would like to know more of your touch." He looked over at Black, cheeks just slightly flushed and his eyes filled with a most needful light. "I want to feel you inside me."

Black was not sure when he had moved, but in the next moment he had N in his arms and was very nearly ravishing his lips. N opened his mouth and Black eagerly slid his tongue inside while he pulled the other fully onto the bed with him. Reason was lost.

Black couldn't get enough of the boy beside him as their lips met passionately, N's skin tasting so sweet on his tongue. He frantically unzipped his jacket, throwing it to the side, and began removing N's shirt. He was desperate for more contact. He almost needed to feel more skin against his own, as if it were all that mattered at this point. After removing both layers of N's shirt, Black turned over and settled on top of N's now naked chest.

God, he had been waiting for this for so long... unrestrained sex with the boy he so urgently loved...

N whimpered as Black's hands roamed his chest. He could feel the erection straining against the boy's pants and began to fumble with the button and zipper. Though he was still just as frightened as he had been when they kissed earlier that day, he forced the feeling away and focused on the surprisingly gentle passion robbing him of his breath and senses.

'Black promised he would not hurt me.' He reminded himself as he pulled the other's cock free, swallowing the loud moan he was rewarded with. As he let his fingers explore Black's hardness, the boy broke away with a gasp and buried his face in N's neck.

"Oh, my god, N..."

The green-haired boy felt a thrill run through him, and he smiled. Black's hands distractedly grasped at his sides and shoulders, and his hips thrust into N's hands. N closed his eyes. He could do this. He could give himself to Black without regret. He knew deep down that the other boy meant no harm. It would've been so obvious to him in the beginning... right?

All doubt faded when N looked up into Black's eyes, filled with a longing he had never seen before. It seemed so genuine and devoted. Not a glint of malice.

"Please N," he heard him say, running his hands against N's pale chest, over raised patches of bone and scarred flesh. "Please... let me love you..."

"Black..."

The younger boy began rubbing his own erection against the other and N cried out. Craving more from him, Black began kissing the crook of N's neck, being careful not to thrust too hard against the other's pelvis. He had to take this tenderly. There would be plenty of other opportunities for maddened sex, he assured himself. But this had to be slow, almost soothing. N had to learn to trust him.

N lay still as Black climbed off him long enough to remove the last of his clothes before returning to his side for another heated kiss. His fingers curled into the pillow when he felt the other begin to pull down his own pants and boxers, eyes shutting tightly.

Noticing N's trepidation, Black worked slowly as he took off his clothes, spreading kisses along his stomach and trying not to think too much about how many more scars he was finding in the process. Once the last of their clothing was tossed off the bed, Black gently rubbed N's slim thighs, watching his face for any sign that he wanted to stop.

N's eyes opened, his face turning several shades darker red when he noticed how intently – how devotedly – Black observed him. Beginning to tremble slightly, he spread his legs apart and nearly gasped as a wave of excitement rolled over him at the way Black moaned.

"Black, please..." he begged, bringing his hands between his legs and brushing over his entrance. "I want you... here..."

The younger boy descended onto the other's cock without a word, gripping the base and slowly pulling back his foreskin. A jolt of pleasure shot up his spine and he whimpered.

"Not until I attend to this a bit first," vowed Black before taking the head into his mouth. N bit back a scream of delight.

Both boys were so inexperienced; Black had never even touched another's member before, and this was the first time N had felt a mouth surround his cock. But somehow, in their mutual immaturity, it had worked so perfectly. Black bobbed his head to gentle jerks of his wrist, gauging his effectiveness to the way N squirmed and mewled in pleasure. Seeing him this way was so perfect to the other boy; he had waited so long to hear his cries of passion, watch his body squirm from sheer sensory overload. It was enough to nearly push him over the edge.

One of N's hands left the pillow and tangled in Black hair, his legs coming up to drape themselves over the boy's shoulders. N was gasping his name, hips bucking up in an innocent attempt to feel more of the gentle suction which was sending his mind reeling into complete disarray.

"I ca–! I can't hold on!" N sobbed. "Black..! I'm going to..!"

Pulling away, Black struggled to catch his breath. If they did not slow down he wasn't sure if either of them could last long enough to do this properly. N keened unhappily that he had been denied release as Black nibbled and sucked on his inner thigh.

"Please, Black... I can't wait much longer...!" N cried, losing all poise and shred of dignity as he begged him. Black would've been awestruck had it not been for the growing need he felt growing within him that forced all other thoughts out of his present mind. This was so different from the N he had comforted just hours earlier, the frail boy who had sobbed so helplessly into his chest.

N turned over onto his stomach and propped his bottom in the air on his knees.

Hissing as again Black had to force himself to rein in his desire, he knelt behind N and pushed long green hair over one shoulder so he could taste the skin of his scarred back.

"We should.." he mumbled between kisses. "Get something to use.." Another kiss. "To, ah.. make this easier..."

"Make what easier?" N pressed himself back into Black's hips.

Black moaned and grinded against him, sending them both far off track for a few moments. "So that I don't hurt you.." Black gasped as another wave of pleasure nearly had him thrusting inside. "We need.. l-lubrication..."

"Wha..? Oh.." N took one of Black's hands and brought it up to his mouth, taking in a couple fingers and sucking on them.

Gasping, Black continued grinding their hips together, biting his lip hard as he struggled to keep from losing control. When at last N released his fingers, he leaned back and gently traced his entrance, loving the shuddering reaction he received. Very carefully, he pressed one digit inside, his eyes falling shut as N mewled. Slowly he pumped it in and out, stroking his lover and stretching him, adding another finger so he could scissor them both.

"Black..." N begged, his hips rocking to the motion of Black's hand. "Please... Now..."

"Are you sure?" Black asked breathlessly. "I don't want to hurt you.."

N made a sound like a sob and shook his head. "You won't... Please... Do it... J-just be gentle..."

Black aligned himself with N and pushed himself in as slowly as he could manage. N's body tensed as he cried out softly, but did not make any indication that the other boy should cease. Every inch he painstakingly gained made Black's cock twitch from sheer gratification and novelty, having to focus more on not injuring the body beneath him than his own pleasure to prevent himself from coming there and then.

At last, he reached the hilt, and Black stopped.

"N, are you okay?" N opened one of his tightly shut eyes, small tears lining the bottom lids and mingling within his eyelashes.

"Yes... I'm f-fine..." he stammered, his body still getting used to the intrusion as he attempted to force himself to relax. "Y-You can move, now..."

"You sure?"

"Mm.." N nodded.

Letting his forehead rest between N's shoulder blades, Black slowly pulled almost entirely out before going back in. They both let out long, low sounds of pleasure, muscles relaxing as pain and nervousness melted away.

Black's pace continued to pick up speed as he nipped and kissed along N's spine. With one hand he reached down and took hold of the other's cock again, rubbing it quickly and relishing the screamed reaction.

This was the first time N had felt this way beneath the touch of another; Black was so deliberate with his motions, inexperienced but still so... respectful. As he felt nothing but pleasure from his fluid thrusts and seemingly skilled hands pumping him, N could only become unrestrained in his entirety. The way he moaned, the way his hips thrust back against Black's body... it was so unconscious, so thoughtless. He could focus on nothing but their two bodies, entwined so delicately and yet so passionately. He could only cry out for more, writhe under the form above him, seeking more... more stimulation, more sensation, more... comfort...

Black was by now almost completely out of his mind. All that mattered was N; his voice, his body, the smell of his skin and the tightness of him around his cock. Which one of them was sobbing? How long had they knelt there on the bed, lost in each other? What belonged to Black and what belonged to N? None of those questions mattered, and Black did not care to look for answers. Everything was perfect right now in this moment. Just so long as he could keep thrusting into that warmth, just so long as N kept screaming his name, just so long as this never ended...

As skin met skin in frantic slaps, Black now pumping like there was no tomorrow, he put his hand on N's clenched fist and weaved his fingers between the other's. Black bent down and kissed and nibbled every span of skin along the older boy's shoulders as he could manage. He was so close now; all he needed was more of N, now, more contact, more of his senses taking in every possible stimulant he could reap. Black bit down on his bony shoulder, and N screamed once more.

"Black... hah, I... I'm going to-!"

"Do it." Black panted in his ear. "I want to feel you come for me."

With a ragged cry, N's body spasmed beneath Black, who felt his cock throb and release onto the bed. He kept stroking it, drawing out N's orgasm as much as he could. Just as N fell forward, Black succumbed at last to oblivion, thrusting hard and deep as he came. For a moment he hung in pure pleasure, letting his head fall back and relishing the sensations shooting through his nervous system. Then he finally came back down and nearly collapsed on top of N.

Using the last of his strength, he carefully laid down over the slender boy's body and moved green locks aside so that he could see his flushed face. N's cheeks were wet with tears, but a dazed smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

Grinning, Black nuzzled his hair. "I take it you liked your gift?"

N nodded sleepily, a small giggle escaping him. "It was a good gift."

"I love you."

Opening his eyes, N looked up at Black. After a moment of searching for something in the other's face, he smiled again, apparently having found what he wanted. "I love.. you, too?"

"That's good enough." Black allowed. "One day you'll know for sure."

Another tear rolled down N's cheek, although neither of the boys paid any mind. Black wrapped an arm around the other boy and pulled him close as he laid on his side. Black nuzzled his head in N's hair for a moment, wanting to feel him against his cheek one last time before falling asleep.

"Mmm... good night, N..." he whispered.

"Good night."