Sorry for taking long, I get bored with stories or I get writersblock. (Which is the reason I get bored) But I try to remember not to take two years to update!

Chapter 12:

Too Close For Comfort

XOX

"Hey, Paul…?" Great another one of Dawn's questions, which Paul dreads oh so much.

"Yeah, what do you want?" He said gruffly, he didn't seem to care.

"Are we friends?" A bit out of the blue like usual. Dawn stared at him with a straight face.

"I guess we are, why?" He should very well know why, Dawn simply shook her head.

"Just a stupid question I wanted to ask…" 'Stupid, since when did she think her questions were stupid?' Paul thought to himself.

"Are you okay, did you hit your head?" The blue-haired girl shook her head once more.

"I'm fine…" She mumbled this had Paul wondering; what could've happen to that annoying girl?

"You know I kinda miss that pesky girl-" He was cut off by a slap from Dawn.

"Was that all I was, just a pesky girl! Well mister no feels, I hate to break it to you but-" Paul grabbed her small shoulders, pulling her closer.

"Why are you suddenly acting like this? What did I do to make you like this!" She harshly pushed him away, crossing her arms.

"I realized we can't be friends if you're never around! I think soon after we get out of here you; you'll forget me and hate me." Her tone seemed a bit sadden, Paul examined her hurt face.

"Wanna know something? I never hated you. Sure on an occasion I found you annoying but I never hated you." Dawn's frown quickly turned into a smile.

"Are you comforting me, Paul?" She giggled.

"I can't believe you out of all people, you're a really good guy, you know that right?" Paul looked at Silver with the see-I-told-you-so face.

"Well, I can't believe MYSELF. I'm acting so strange towards you. ONLY to you, I'm not sure how you changed me." Dawn looked at him confused.

"I think I'd be attached you soon, if not now… Haven't you noticed my change? I'm talking to you calmly and without irritation!" Paul took a deep breath.

"We can go back to hating the fact we're together…" He glared at her.

"Do you honestly think this will go away in a day!"

"No, but in time we'll go back to normal. Oh, I got it! If you don't want to leave me you can just tell Ash! I bet he'll find it in his heart to let you tag along!"

"I have a better idea, you stay with me."

"Paul, that's not a very good idea… My mom, Brock and Ash could get suspicious; they might think something is going on between us." Paul smirked.

"Let's assume there is something between you and me."

"As in…?"

"That we have feelings for each other." Dawn's face grew red.

"What do you mean feelings for each other, serious feelings or just-" Paul placed a hand over he mouth.

"How about I make this easier and say I like you." Dawn nodded her head.

"So, you like me?"

"Yes. I mean NO! Ah, never mind, forget it!" He grumbled, walking along with Silver, his hands in his pockets. Dawn pouted; she walked on the other side of Silver. He was the barrier between them. He knew what Paul was up to. He wanted to pick fights to gradually become distant from Dawn. But usually resolving those fights will bring them closer. The blue haired girl sighed. Paul was being immature on purpose, she knew… She knew he cared, that made her smile.

"You're such a strange friend Paul." He stared at her with confusion. Maybe she'd still be with him after they get out. Maybe he should stop and let her take him. Maybe he really did want to be her friend.

"Silver, I'll just give up, and I'll give into this. It's not worth the effort anyway." Silver rose an eyebrow, Paul was strange. He nodded.

"You could care less, huh Paul?" That wasn't entirely true.

"I do, I care how gradually close she and I are getting. How this will affect us in the future."

"Why If is doesn't?"

"Maybe it will and maybe it won't, I was being cautious." Paul already knew what he was doing when he got out. He didn't want his 'friend' to know.

"What about me? What if I want you around?" Dawn joined.

"Then stay with me!" Dawn looked away.

"But… I can't, what'll Ash think?"

"Who cares what he'll think, he's not you, right?" She smiled.

"But Ash is my friend and he'll be worried! Why don't you-"

"He's my rival, not my friend," he paused, Dawn nodded her head, shifting her eyes to the ground.

"You did fine without me before…Why would you want me around now?"

"I never said I did, I said I MIGHT! It's not only me what about you, what do you want!"

"Now it's all on me? I want you to decide! I honestly don't care about me! I already know what I'm going to do! I want an answer from you!"

"I DON'T KNOW! I'll tell you when I actually can!" She glared at Silver, she grabbed the collar of his shirt, nose to nose.

"Silver, get out a fire type and let's go ahead! Silver nodded as she let go. He dug into his pocket pulling out a Pokeball. A stream of red light escaped from the center of the ball. A tall, black Pokemon cried out, "TY!"

"He's not mine, but he's the only fire type I have on hand." The flame on the Typlosion's back was very bright, Silver looked at Paul.

"We're leaving you behind; you should use this time to think…" He informed Typlosion to lead the way. The more they walk the more the light would be consumed by the darkness of the cave. Paul stared at his Chimchar, whom seemed worried.

"What's up with Paul?" The bluenette asked, Silver looked away. "Don't pretend you don't know, he talks to you all the time."

"All I know is that he's made his own decision and that he's concerned of how it'll affect you." Her face blushed pink.

"What's his decision?"

"I don't know, he didn't tell me. But he's been showing how much he 'loves' you" Dawn's face was bright red.

"He loves me!" Silver shrugged.

"Probably, hey do me a favor… Don't get made at him whatever he's decided." Dawn giggled; the boy stared at her, confused.

"What make you think he loves me? Paul can't-"

"He's still human and who knows maybe he's loved you before… Paul, as far as I know, really isn't expressive with his emotions."

"Do you think he's just going through a phase?" Silver shook his head.

"No, I think he's just worried what you'd think." He paused looking down at Dawn; she was fiddling with the ends of her skirt.

"What would you think if he really DID love you?" she smiled.

"He's my friend, so I'd think nothing of it!" Silver chuckled.

"Maybe I should get back to Paul; he'd have a lot to say.

"Silver…" She stared.

"Hm…?"

"You're my friend too?" The red haired boy sighed; this was what he was avoiding.

"I guess we are, why?" Dawn rolled her eyes, pointing behind.

"Go to Paul! I don't want you here!" She put her hands on her hips, turning away. The boy snaked his arms around her waist.

"But I want you with me… forever." He breathed in her ear, this made Dawn shiver. "You have me all to yourself why should I go?" He nuzzled her neck. "Do you mind if I kiss you?" She pushed him away, quickly.

"Silver!" Paul laughed along with Silver.

"So, you're telling me that was you!"

"Silver wouldn't ever do that…" The two look-alikes smirked.

"But we would together…" Before Dawn could react to any of this; they grabbed both her hands, kissing her cheeks.

"If you had a choice and we both wanted you…" Paul started. "…Would you choose me or Paul to be with?" Silver finished. The bluenette's face turned bright red, she pushed both of them.

"Stop it, you two are evil!" The boy laughed as she ranted on about them.

XOX

Reasons for M rating: Language and... a debatable subject or chapter. Though I did have a comment saying they couldn't wait for a "Lemon" which one debatable subject but I don't think I have the talent to write one of those ever again. So don't get your hopes that high.