A/N: Hello, and welcome to the second installment of Lifeblood. You might be asking yourself: "D: But...I thought it was gonna be a two-shot? Shouldn't this be the second and final one?" Well...-_- I managed to write this, but now I am running low on creative juices. So, I figured I'd at least deliver it, so the wait doesn't increase anymore than it has. I am shifting to the 1st person POV, just because I think it suits this better, and it's how I keep writing it in my head. Oh, and I'd like to take the opportunity dedicate this story to Hazscendo. Without him, his writing, and his encouraging words, this story would most likely never have been wrought. (: Thank you so much, dude. I love you. That's pretty much it. Please enjoy.

Warnings: Same as before.

As I made my way into the Survival Area, I was sole cognizant of the manner in which my hands were trembling, like those of an impatient child, or a spurned addict. And, I knew why; of course I did. I made no bones about how I felt for Volkner. How that kiss we shared after our gym battle was all of which I could think, dream, and breath. In some strange sense, I no longer felt that my body was mine, but his. That every step I took, every trainer I defeated, every time I pleased myself at night when the phantom sensation of his lips and hands and form came to haunt me, was a tribute to him. Ownership, that's what it was. But not the filthy kind one encounters in sleazy magazines, rather, the proper kind. Like paying in full for the object of your heart's total desire, except instead of cash, this transaction was conducted with virtue.

It thrilled me, to be honest; for, there is something so beautiful about naked sublimation. I felt more pride in my existence knowing that I was his, and by the same token, that he was mine. Everything about my life seemed to shift, even though nothing had actually changed. My dream remained the same, I was still the same. But, it was like the world had been painted in brighter shades, because now, there was more meaning. The thought of becoming the Champion stilled exhilarated me. Yet simultaneously, that goal became but a platform to a greater one: life with Volkner. So as Aaron fell, along with Bertha and Flint and Lucian, and as my eyes bore into those of Cynthia's Garchomp in the moment my Giratina struck it down, I didn't see victory, glory, or transcendence. I saw Volkner's face; I saw his smile. That's why my heart swelled, why my lungs couldn't absorb enough oxygen from the air. I didn't feel counterfeit, second-hand. I felt exalted. I had succeeded in the selfish and ruthless pursuit of my own dream. What better to lay at my beloved's feet?

...wait, "beloved"? I chuckled slightly at the term my conscious had attributed to him automatically while I took the pokéballs from Nurse Joy's hands I had provided her moments before, earning an eyebrow quirk from the woman. We never said that we loved each other. And, in fact, I couldn't think of when we didn't. It was like an implicit force between us from the beginning. Leaving the Poké Center and heading in the direction of the Battleground, I smiled widely. I lifted my hands from my sides and deeply inhaled the fresh mountain air, delighting in the breeze that coursed through my fingers. I was finally going to be face to face with the man I loved more than anything, besides life, and myself as a corollary. Such a simple notion, really. But, absolutely monumental when considering the thought and action behind it, all that I had to fight for and be to earn this right. I resisted the urge to cry from joy and triumph; it wasn't necessary, but just that stirring of emotion gave me the pleasure of knowing I could feel so much, and identify its source with unabashed arrogance. "Volkner," I said to myself with a tone of reverence.

I could see him outside the building, his right foot propped against the façade as he vertically reclined. The way his knee protruded so prominently made me wholly aware of the slenderness and summation of all the perfect lines and acute angles his body possessed. A cigarette was poised betwixt the index and middle fingers of his left hand, and he brought it to thin lips, taking an elegant drag that was such just because it was he executing the action. I knew that he knew that I was near, in his presence, and that that was why he extended the length of his intake. The raw sensuality of it, and the fact that he was teasing me with effortless indifference made me sigh, my thighs ache. He tossed the cigarette to the ground with more alacrity than necessary, and walked to the side of the structure that was more private and in shadow. I followed him. Before I knew it, I was pressed forcefully against the wall, my wrists captured by his powerful hands above my head, and his lips dangerously close to mine. Pure energy seemed to pulsate in the centimeters of space between us, our bodies almost vibrating with the threat of action. I looked into his eyes, and my body arched with a poorly stifled moan at the cold cruelty I encountered there. Oh! having the knowledge that it is I, and only I, who can bring him to such unadulterated desire and passion that tenderness and gentility are evaporated. And I smirked, and he bit my bottom lip harshly, which only made me moan again. His teeth poised there, lingering.

At first I wondered why he hadn't ravaged me yet, why until now he had only taken this action, which was but a lightning strike response to my unchecked challenge. Then I deciphered the meaning. He was savoring this moment, allowing the need to course fully through his body, as if bowing in respect to the strain his body had endured in my absence, to the wait. It was his way of saying "Yes, I know. It has been hard on me, too. But that doesn't matter. For you are, I am here. As we knew we would be, as it always will." I was in such awe of him, that all I could do was to bring my hand to his cheek, allow his savage plain to consume my slim fingers, and caress it. Our foreheads came to rest against one another, and in silence we washed away each other's pain, intensified our desire. No, not yet. It wasn't time for full pleasure, yet. He nuzzled my cheek, and I smiled, feeling his styled blonde locks brushing against me. I returned to the affectionate gesture, both of our libidos now stayed for the time being.

"Lucas...my Champion."

"Yes, yours." I realized now that this was my true dream, taking greater pride in the possessive article than the proper noun as I formed my response. I wanted to belong to a man completely, to earn his love as it should be earned, by living to the utmost of my ability. Becoming Champion was but the means to achieve this, the logical presupposition. He led me into the private club, reserved only for the most worthy trainers in Sinnoh, and we sat at his table. He took my hand in his, bringing it up to his lips to kiss it, then back down to the table where it remained in his adoring grasp. I blushed lightly, and I could perceive in my peripheral vision some of the patrons taking notice, in various degrees.

Riley, with whom I had forged a fine and lasting friendship, lowered the brim of his fedora in stylized approval, by giving us the privacy of his averted gaze. Crasher Wake grumbled and headed toward the bar, mumbling something about "young love". Volkner and I both chuckled at that. Gardenia and Candice, who seemed to be under the impression that by combining their jealous glares they could inflict double the guilt, stood some distance away, murmuring between themselves. I was tempted to kiss my lover right there, but cast the idea aside, knowing that we were both above such things, and that I wouldn't have our first kiss of reunion conducted under such pretenses. Instead, I just looked deeper into his eyes, focusing on the totality of his being, and rubbed the back of his hand with my fingertips.

"I suppose our first order of business will be having a rematch, hm?"

Volkner smirked and snickered, "Glad we're on the same page, love. My team has gotten much stronger, as has yours, undoubtedly. It'll be nice to have a battle just for the hell of it. We are both due for some relaxing."

I chuckled and nodded in agreement, "Yes, that is very true." Between the constant string of battles from Victory Road, the Pokémon League, finishing off Team Galactic, and dealing with Stark Mountain, it seemed oddly pleasant to battle, with no stakes, that is. To just take delight in the capability of the opponent, his strategy, favorite partners, move choices.

"Ya have any objection to just getting down to the nitty gritty?"

"None whatsoever."

"Good."

Though our first match back in Sunyshore was close, this was even closer; yet I still prevailed. Once it concluded, I think Volkner appeared even more proud than before. Perhaps it was because he had held his own so fiercely against the newly crowned Champion, or perhaps that others were present to bear witness to his lover's domination of battling. Riley came over to congratulate me formally, and we chatted amiably for a little while, catching up and all. I had come to regard him as a surrogate older brother, and his praise and care for my wellbeing always touched me. He insisted that the next time we both made an appearance here that it would be his turn to take me on, and I agreed heartily, looking forward to such a time with much eagerness. Then, he took me by surprise and pulled me into a loving hug, while speaking softly into my ear,

"I can see how happy he makes you, Lucas. You truly deserve a man like he. It warms my heart that you two will share a life together."

I blushed, both at his frankness, and his genuine sentiment. Then smiling, I returned his hug, "It means a great deal to me to hear you say that, Riley. I'm so grateful for our friendship."

He pulled away and kissed my forehead, before tipping his hat in farewell. "Take care, dear friend."

I turned to look for Volkner and happened to do so when Wake clapped his back with characteristic zealotry. The expression on my boyfriend's face was priceless, and I chuckled, even more when he sent a glare my way.

"Volkner my boy! You sure have gotten strong! I'm so pleased to see you out of yer slump. I told them all it was just a teenager being a teenager, but everyone these days is so serious!" The imperious man laughed with a bellow that could dislodge rafters, "You'll have to let me test my team's mettle against yours sometime! Type advantage be damned!"

Volkner laughed, a tad awkwardly, but I could tell he liked Wake and appreciated his words, as misconstrued as they were. "That would be awesome, Crasher."

After we healed our partners at the Poké Center, we walked hand in hand southward, in the general direction of the Fight Area. While we were taking the more prolonged route to my new villa, there really was no hurry, and it was such a beautiful day, with the perfect ratio of cloud cover to sun to breeze. We released our Luxrays from their pokéballs and they bounded and tussled playfully with one another, the pair having bonded from their initial battle, and even more during this one. His actually defeated mine, this time. There was no bitterness or any resentment between them, however. If anything, the experience only deepened their mutual respect. Every now and again his would nip at mine's ear or neck, and mine in turn would swat at the other's face coyly. Volkner and I turned to each other with every instance and would share some light laughter at the antics of our smitten friends. His would turn back to us, with one ear raised and an all-too-human expression of puzzlement, as if to inquire with a whiny tone, "Whaaa~?" I suppose outsiders would find it cliché that our pokémon would fall for each other, as their masters did. But, I found it pleasing, lovely even; the thought that his dearest Electric companion, and the first companion I caught on my own would find love together.

And thus, it almost saddened me to return them to their dwellings when they were forging such joy. But, we had to cross the water route that separated the Fight and Resort Areas, and there was no way my Empoleon could support all four of us. Just having Volkner and myself on his back tested his strength. I had concern, too, that we would encounter a seafaring pokémon, and cursed myself for thinking in that manner when a Tentacruel invariably attacked us. However, a swiftly executed and well aimed Drill Peck was enough to discourage its affront. As always, Empoleon performed adroitly, and we arrived on the opposite shores safely. That is not to say that we remained dry; our clothes were sufficiently soaked from when the jellyfish crashed into the waves due to the force of our offensive maneuver. I frowned apologetically at Volkner, doing my best not to find the state of his hair amusing,

"Fortunately it isn't much farther to the villa."

His whole demeanor and expression echoed "wet Persian", as did his adorably whiny response, "Yeah, whatever..." I just took his hand in mine once more and led us onward, wincing slightly with the awful sound of our waterlogged shoes squelching.

We took of our shoes and socks and left them outside, then I unlocked the door and let Volkner enter first. The spacious abode wasn't entirely furnished, but I had made sure the essentials were there, as well as a few decorative touches to reflect the taste of its owner. He took it all in and smiled faintly, pleased it would seem with my aesthetic choices, before facing me once more with a darker countenance, one etched with latent desire that could no longer be chained.

"It's not healthy to stay in wet clothes, ya'kno. How would I look as a boyfriend if I let my mate get sick?"

"R-Right..." I felt my cheeks heat up when he approached with a feral prowl and relieved me of my hat, my jacket, undid my belt buckle. He paused, placing my hands on his lapel, directing me to mirror his actions. I stood on my tiptoes, sliding his own jacket off as best as I could, then fumbled nervously with his buckle. He steadied my small grip, guiding me patiently through the movement, and it was soon loosed. He lead me toward the bed, with a slow respectfulness one attributes to walking through a hallowed place.

"Raise your arms, Lucas." I complied, and he pulled my shirt off my body. He repeated the action on himself, figuring I would struggle too much because of the height difference, and the way the cloth cleaved to his skin. I found myself licking my lips from the sight of his bare, ideally toned chest. It was neither too pale, nor too tanned, and utterly devourable. I caught him regarding me the same, with hunger and intensity. I looked away, blushing again. Then, the pants were lowered, absent, and in a heap on the floor.

"The underwear, Lucas." Flushing deeper still, I pulled his boxers down, and he kicked them away. While I gaped at the sight of his impressive endowment, he extricated me from mine. I trembled slightly as I felt his hands glaze my thighs, and felt as well a vague sense of fear for the first time.

My body...it was that of a child. I was so much slighter than he, with little to no muscle development, no remarkability. Not to mention the fact that our...organs were of such disparate size. Such thoughts had never struck me before, ironically enough; or perhaps, fittingly enough. Without clothing—entirely pretenseless—I couldn't avoid our age gap. How could he find me desirable, now? Shouldn't he be revolted, not only by my wanton acceptance of his advances, but by my underaged form? I hated the doubts that flashed through my mind like hazard lights. I knew he loved me, for the contents of my soul, how they were reflected in my actions. He didn't think of me as a child, though metaphysically, and physically, I was. He regarded me as a mental equal, relished the maturity I possessed that betrayed my lack of worldly time. I didn't understand why tears were traversing my cheeks; I wanted to be loved in every way by this man! And yet, I felt disgusted at the possibility. Disgusted at myself. At some point he must have sat down on the bed and drawn me onto his lap, because the next thing I remember is clinging to his immovable form, burying my nose against his firm neck. I could feel his hands moving circularly upon my back, endeavoring to sooth my sobbing tremors. I could feel his breath against my ear as he tenderly shushed me, cooing sweet nothings into it.

"My Lucas, my beloved Lucas, why do you cry this way? Isn't this what you want as well?" I nodded weakly, unable to form intelligible words. "Then...I don't understand..." Though I was unable to see his face, I detected the frown that must be drawn there. "What's the matter?"

"Don't...I make you sick? The way I look..."

"Don't talk like that." His tone was cold now, and I almost recoiled at the sudden change.

"I'm sorry, I..."

He eased me out of my tight hold on him and tilted my chin up, so our eyes could meet. "I have never given voice to the bond that ties us; it seemed unnecessary to me, bromidic even. That phrase is so misused, so brutishly handled..." He paused, closing his eyes before they flew open again, blazing with passion, "But...I love you." He strengthened the grip on my chin. "You know it. I can see the mental struggle you are bearing right know because of it. Don't you know that one can't say that piecemeal? It's absolute. Either it's meant in totality, or it's the cruelest of insults. I love your mind and body. Both are beautiful to me. I don't give a fuck about convention, what other's find to be acceptable. I make my own standards, and I live by them unapologetically, mercilessly. To me, you are just Lucas. My admirable, unstoppable Lucas. Age isn't an irreducible primary. It is a measure. A measure, which in our case, is useless."

My crying had long since ceased, I didn't notice. I don't think I was even aware of my breathing, which had also ceased. So utterly intent was I listening, integrating every word he uttered. Once he had finished, I allowed it all to sink in fully. There was no flaw to his argument, no evasion, no cop-out. Just logic and truth. I realized that he was completely right, and I felt acutely ashamed of my outburst. I nodded in reply to him. Anything more would be inappropriate, yet I had to convey that I understood. He smiled gently, caressing my cheek lovingly. I leaned into, sighing lightly.

"There is no preconceived pace at which me must progress, sexually. Only as much as you are comfortable. That's it. Don't get me wrong. I'd take you know, if you permitted me. But, that's just it. If you permitted me. I do not steal, do not take that which is not rationally given. My pleasure is pleasing you. I think we've gotten pretty far, today. You've never seen another man before, have you?" I shook my head. "And it is clear that one has never seen you. Let's stay like this, for a while. Get used to each other's bodies. And when you're ready, we'll go as far you you wish, yeah?"

I smiled and nodded, "Yeah." He chuckled and kissed me gently, and I wrapped my arms about him. Our lips moved against each other in blissful wetness, and I moaned softly, having missed this sensation so much. He eased us back, and pulled me close. I could feel the draught of sleep taking hold, and darkness encircling my vision.

"Sleep, Lucas. Sleep."

A/N: I know I know, I'm cruel having it stop there. Hehe. But, I figured one of them had to display some degree of cognitive dissonance at the progress of events, and since this chapter is from Lucas' POV, it only made sense for him to do so. I hope to have the next chapter out in about the same amount of time...but, classes start on Monday. So my process might be slowed.

Please R&R if you feel so inclined! ^^