Disclaimer: I don't hold any kind of ownership over pokemon. I think that's pretty obvious.

For my table "TIME", which I took from the LJ community: 10iloveyou

#09. Years.

Summary: You don't get to decide how much time you have, but you can decide who you spend it with.

NOTE: I haven't read ORAZ.

Ruby always knew they were and odd couple. He knew about the tricky and bumpy destiny ahead of them; ever since the incident with Salamance, something inside of him told him that they were going to have a harsh time. He also knew how much he liked her and how bad it would be if he ever let go of her.

What he didn't knew, or even expected, was Sapphires being able to understand it. She was skilled, experienced and knew her way around stuff she is use to. However, being curious wasn't in her, so there was no way for her to dig deep in something out of her area of expertise. Sapphire was simple, and practical, but not a fool, nor stupid. There's a difference.

What Ruby thought to be complicated (because it was), Sapphire wanted to solved it as soon as possible. She knew it was complicated, but for her was easier to start doing something than not doing anything.

That's why she always asked and asked, in every chance she got, about what happened at Mirage island. She wanted to get done with it, to be free from the nervousness, the anxiety and to be at peace with him. She didn't wanted a relationship, she didn't wanted him to confess, she just wanted a "yes" or "no" because she was simple as that.

But he couldn't answer, he never did.

And suddenly, she stopped asking. He didn't mind, he liked it though. But it was weird not having her at his neck every time he refuse to answer or when he evaded the question. So he asked why, he had too...

"I've been wondering..."

"Yes?"

"Why did you stopped asking me about the island?"

Sapphire turn around, and looked at him.

"You wouldn't answer, ever."

"Ok... and when did you realize that?"

She shrugged.

"When I realized it didn't matter anymore." The look she received from him, push her to elaborate more in her answer "what I'm trying to say here... someone told me once, that what matter the most was what people do instead of what they say. And it's true."

"How come?"

"You don't remember what I said, I get that. But after so many years it's obvious that I'm not here alone" she replied. "We could have grow apart and yet here we are... so... there's no point in keep up with that question after all this time."

She turned around again, her back at him so she couldn't see the blush on his face. Because again, Sapphire in all her simplicity could realized something so deep that for him was so complicated.

She realized she didn't need a "yes" or "not", but only his presence with her.

That was enough and all.