Three days later…
Touko's POV
"Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked the stubborn man in front of me. Said man huffed at my question.
"Of course I am" he said, fully ready to take on this challenge. I helped my tea green haired boyfriend sit up and swing his legs over the edge of the bed.
"Do you want me to get your cane?"
"No, I—" N started to say as he stood up but stopped once he fell face first onto the floor. "Okay, yeah. That would be helpful" he groaned out. I smirked. Of course it would be helpful. N is such a dope. I walked over to the corner of the room and grabbed the white cane.
"Here. You should have taken it when you first tried to stand up and this wouldn't have happened. You know the doctor said that your legs will be extremely weak for a few days from being overly used then not used at all" I scolded with my hands planted firmly on my hips to emphasize my anger.
"Touko, I'm a grown man. I don't need a piece of wood to help me walk. At least, I didn't want its help" N grumbled. I burst into a fit of laughter.
"Well too bad. It wants to help you. Am I right, little cane?" I teased. N muttered something inaudible. "What was that?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing" N said quickly.
"Good. Now come on. I can't wait to tell everyone about us being engaged" I said excitedly. N chuckled.
"Touko, I still need a shower and to get changed. You might have to wait a little longer." I crossed my arms over my chest and pouted. My eyes scanned N's body. He wore nothing but green boxers. However, I could see the dirt on his body from travelling through the woods five days prior. He really stunk too from sweating a lot because of his high temperature. A random thought occurred to me as I looked over N once more. "How do you plan on getting a shower?" N looked at me in confusion. I sighed. "You can't get a shower by yourself. You'll only be able to use one hand because the other one will be supporting your weight on the cane. You'll have to take a bath."
"I hate baths" N whined.
"You're such a baby" I snorted. N's eyes grew wide, and he looked at me with a puppy dog face. My eyes narrowed at him. "What do you want?"
"Can you give me a bath?" he pleaded. My face grew red.
"No! Like you said earlier, you're a grown man. Do it yourself."
"But Touko, my muscles are still sore, and I'm still tired. You just have to wash my body and hair. I'll wear my swim trunks!"
"N, I—" I began but stopped. N looked so helpless as he stared at me. His legs and body were already shaking pretty badly from the effort he was putting into staying upright and not falling over. His skin was still on the pale side, and his eyes were dull, almost lifeless looking.
"Fine" I agreed. N's face broke into a grin.
"I love you, Touko." He started to hesitantly step towards his dresser, taking each step with extreme caution as he placed his foot forward to make sure it supported his weight. He finally limped to his dresser after a few excruciatingly long minutes. He rummaged through the drawers until pulling out an article of clothing. It was his gray swim trunks. "Now, leave and I'll get changed." I nodded and left. I closed the door behind me.
"If I hear a thump, then I'm coming in there whether you're decent or not to make sure you didn't fall" I called out.
"Yeah, okay" N's voice called back. He was such a careless idiot that I didn't know how I put up with him for eight years. I impatiently tapped my foot against the carpeted floor. Too bad I have my socks on and the floors made of carpet. If I didn't then N would be able to hear my impatience with his own ears. After three more minutes of nonstop tapping, N's bedroom door opened, and he stepped out in his swim trunks.
"It's about time" I said as I threw my hands up in the air to add a more dramatic effect.
"Well, I'm out now so let's get this done and over with so that we can tell your mom our big news." I made a few steps towards N and wrapped an arm around his waist to steady him some more. We both went across the hall and into the bathroom. I got down on my hands and knees and started the bath water so it could warm up. N patiently sat down on the closed toilet lid waiting. I smiled at him and took off my black vest so it wouldn't get wet.
"The tub's full" N announced. I turned my attention back to the water and turned off the faucet.
"Get in" I commanded. N groaned but did what I told him. He sat down on the bottom of the tub and the water reached his waist. I reached past N and grabbed a nearby sponge. I gently dunked it in the water then lathered it up with soap.
"Arms first." N raised an arm, and I grabbed it. I ran the sponge gently up and down N's arm. Suds covered his pale flesh. I repeated the same process with his other arm and legs. Afterwards, my eyes scanned the bathroom for an empty cup to fill with water. I spotted one and got up to get it. I filled it up with fresh clean water from the faucet before dumping it on N's soapy limbs. N stared straight ahead the whole time with an emotionless expression on his face the whole time. I smiled as I noticed the light blush dusting his cheeks. I lathered up the sponge again and ran the foamy object across N's chest and back. This time I could feel myself blushing a little. I glanced up at N for a millisecond to see his blush increase too. I rinsed him off again then dumped water over his unruly hair. His hair immediately plastered to his face and decreased in volume. N jumped at the sudden splash of water in his face and squeezed his eyes shut.
"You could have warned me" N whispered softly.
"Sorry" I said. I really didn't mean to surprise him. I thought he saw me raise the cup above his head, apparently not. He must have spaced out. I reached past N again as I grabbed the shampoo and conditioner bottles. The shampoo made a squirting noise as it came out of the bottle. I smiled to myself. I began to rub my hands together and grabbed N's green locks. I gradually worked the product into N's hair going from the bottom to the top. Once I reached his scalp, I lightly massaged it with my fingers to get the dry skin off his head. N tensed up under my touch but almost immediately relaxed afterwards.
"That feels soothing" N murmured happily.
"Does it?" I joked.
"Mmhmm" he hummed. I finished shampooing his hair a little while later and rinsed it so it was free of shampoo.
"I just have to do the conditioner, and I'm done."
"Mmhmm." I shook my head back and forth. Sheesh, he would rather have me give him a bath all day than do anything else. The conditioning process went a lot quicker than the shampooing since my fingers easily slipped through his hair without getting caught in knots. I love conditioner it makes your hair tangle free and really soft and shiny. For the last time, I filled the empty cup up with water and rinsed out the conditioner. I grabbed the plug and yanked it out of the tub to let the water drain.
"Stand up. I'll help you so you don't slip and fall" I instructed. N slowly stood up but kept quiet. I handed him his cane, and he grabbed it, clutching the thing in his right hand. That left me with his left side. I curled my fingers around his bicep to help keep him from slipping. N lifted his foot over the edge of the tub and placed it on the ground. He did the same with the other and safely made it out of the tub. "Let me get you a towel." N didn't say anything, he just looked at me. I walked over to the towel rack and grabbed two towels. I draped one over N's shoulders and used the other one to dry N's hair.
"I could have done that" N said so softly that I almost didn't hear him.
"Don't worry about it. Besides, I need you in tip top shape for when we go see my mom. I want you looking your best and be at your full strength" I stated. I continued to dry N's hair until it started to fluff out a little. Good. I grabbed the brush on the sink and started to drag it through N's long hair. It barley hit any knots or tangles, so I was happy. "You can use that other towel to dry off your body before you get dressed. I'll be in the guest bedroom if you need anything." I pressed a kiss to N's cheek before leaving him on his own. I grabbed my vest on the way out and put it back on. As soon as I went onto the guest bedroom, I grabbed my pink bag and started to pack up my things. Packing took me about ten minutes. I slung the bag over my shoulder and walked out of the room. At the same time, the door to N's room opened up. N looked my way and gave a little wave. He was back into his normal attire.
"Are you ready?" N asked.
"I've been ready since you got up" I replied with an eye roll and smile. I walked back to N's side and wrapped and arm around his waist like earlier to help him walk better. We slowly made our descent down the stairs until we reached the bottom. I could feel N's body tremble with effort, and his muscles tried to stay strong.
"Can we stop to check the mail on our way over to your house?" N asked hopefully. I rose an eyebrow in question but shrugged and let my curiosity, to why he was so eager to get the mail, fade away. N limped to the door, and I tried to keep pace with him and not pass him up. We both walked out of N's house and reached the mailbox in a good ten minutes. N was so slow. N opened the mailbox and peered inside. Joy overran his features as he pulled out a small cardboard box.
"What is it?" I pondered.
"It's a surprise" N chuckled before shoving the box into his pocket and dragging me towards my house. We both went inside upon arrival and sat down on the couch. Mom must have heard us because she came down not even a minute later.
"Oh Natural, dear. How are you feeling? I'm sure Touko took extra special care of you" Mom chirped.
"I'm doing great, thanks Mrs. White" N responded.
"Touko told me about how the doctor visited you yesterday. I hope you can start walking properly soon. You look really drained."
"Yeah, I am pretty tired, but I can pull through" N said back with a weak smile. I gently pulled on N's sleeve and looked at him.
"Can we tell her?" I whispered.
"Sure" N said. I stared at her intently. My mom looked at us curiously.
"What is it?"
"Mom, N and I have something to tell you" I said so quickly that I had to catch my breath. I couldn't contain my excitement. N placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Breathe" he instructed.
"Oh Arceus, I knew it! You're pregnant, aren't you?" Mom blurted out. She looked panic stricken for a second before her face went serious, and she coldly stared at N. "Natural, we talked about this. You weren't supposed to go that far with my little girl until she was older" Mom scolded. N's face turned all shades of red from embarrassment. My face started to heat up too.
"Mom, I—" I began.
"Oh no. You don't have to defend him. I know this is a two person job, so this is equally your fault for not being responsible. But if you are happy with this, then I will help you with anything you need. I really can't say that I'm particularly mad at you; I'm actually quite thrilled to have a grandchild but—" Mom ranted.
"Mom!" I shouted. Mom looked at me. N looked like he was about to die from embarrassment. I could feel his body weight start to press against me. If I wasn't there to keep him sitting up, then I think he would have fainted by now.
"Yes, sweetie?"
"I'm not pregnant" I bluntly stated.
"You're not?"
"Nope."
"Then what is it you wanted to tell me?"
"Touko and I are going to get married!" N practically screamed out. Everything went silent. I glared at him. Way to just throw it at her.
"Married?" Mom questioned.
"Yes, married" I clarified. Mom's face turned from one of confusion to even more confusion.
"When?" she asked.
"In a few years, maybe when I'm eighteen" I answered. N gazed at me lovingly, and I gazed back. Mom's expressionless face turned into one of glee.
"How wonderful! What a nice surprise! I didn't know you had it in you, Natural?"
"Huh?" N said dumbfounded.
"You always had so much trouble with your feelings for Touko that I didn't think you'd ask her until a few more years, but this is just as exciting."
"Gee, thanks" N said sarcastically.
"So where's the ring?"
"N didn't get a chance to get one yet. You know, he's been bed ridden for a few days."
"Actually," N said, "I've got it right here." N shoved his hand in his pants pocket and fumbled around looking for something. N's face lit up with happiness as he withdrew the small cardboard box out from his pants. "Ah ha! Got it!"
"That box?" I said. "Is that why you wanted to go check the mail?" N nodded. He opened up the small package to reveal a small velvet box.
"I ordered it after you went to sleep the other night and had it shipped to the house the other night. You know, express delivery?" N explained. "Take a look." N snapped the lid of the ring box open to reveal a small silver band with a big black diamond in the center of a circle of white diamonds; a few white diamonds went down the sides of the band too. I gasped and my hand flew over my mouth. My mother's actions mimicked mine.
"It's beautiful" I said, with tears in my eyes.
"Would you like to try it on?" I vigorously shook my head as N slid the piece of jewelry onto my ring finger. It fit perfectly.
"I got the black and white diamonds because it fits your personality. It's sort of like the walls of your room at the Pokémon League."
"You remembered?" I said in awe.
"How could I forget? But you know? Not everything is black and white with us. We have some seriously messed up lives" N said seriously. I couldn't believe he just said that with a straight face. I couldn't help but laugh. N's face broke into a smile. He started to laugh along with me. We did have some pretty messed up lives.
A/N: Black diamonds are so pretty. Don't judge me. Comment or leave questions if needed.