- N - = Nicky's part

- J - = my part

Chapter 005 - Roark and Serena's secret

- N -

Riley chewed slowly, wondering what she'd meant by that – hadn't she found happiness with him? Wasn't he her perfect man? …Maybe she'd realised he wasn't right for her? Maybe she was still looking for someone better?

He was about to ask her what he meant by that before Roark broke in - with more passion Riley had ever seen in the Oreburgh gym leader in a long, long time.

Serena tried her best not to gasp as Roark darted a glance in her direction. Had he called her… a pretty woman? She smiled despite herself – Roark was rarely ever that direct, it was nice to see him excited about something other than fossils.

"He's right, you know," Serena nodded with the redheaded man. "Keep waiting for the right person and the next thing you know, he might've passed you by. I always assert myself whenever I want something."

It was true, Serena thought, she'd been the one who asked to live with Roark, she'd been the only Joy in her family assertive enough to tell her parents she didn't want to be a nurse, she'd gone and done every odd job imaginable so she could pay tuition…

…So why wasn't she asserting herself with Roark?

She stopped when she heard Amethyst's fear of dancing. She sucked at dancing? Really?

"They normally start out with a waltz first – they're easy," Serena promised, slightly amused. "Just follow the music and try not to step on your partner."

She stood up of her chair and extended her hands to her roommate. "Come on, Roark," She bit her lip to stop the goofy smile that was starting to grow on her face. "Show Amy here how it's done – you need the practice."

"This," Brown whispered out of the corner of her mouth at Amy, "is going to be interesting."

- J -

Amethyst blinked, looking at Serena. Even Ms. Joy was giving her advice! She wasn't used to people caring that much about her, so Amethyst couldn't help but smile with sorrow.

"Oh, Serena, he HAS passed by me." She said, blushing. "Believe me. He has..."

The young woman looked down, her purple eyes filled with sadness. She had met a lot of men in her journey, and a few of them even asked her out, but she had rejected them all... The reason was sitting near her.

But Riley didn't seem to be doing anything. Or at least that's what it seemed, because Amethyst didn't dare look at him.

Stephanie's clapping interrupted her thoughts. Amethyst looked at the jovial girl, who was paying attention to Serena. The Joy was lending her hand towards Roark.

"B-but... now?" Roark asked, incredulous.

"Now I know why Ms. Brown says this is going to be interesting." Amethyst thought, amused.

"Well, you see." Roark said. "Now I'm not prepared..."

"But, Roark!" Amethyst exclaimed, a grin on her round face. "Aren't you the one who's going to lead the Dance?"

Roark looked at Amethyst, frowning. Serena was standing behind him, her hands on her hips. He gulped, kind of nervous. Why was he nervous anyway?

His crimson eyes rested on the pink-haired woman that was behind him. Little by little, Roark stood up and approached Serena.

"Ms. Brown, please, be quiet." Amethyst said, trying not to laugh at Stephanie's enthusiasm.

Roark gulped and placed his right hand on Serena's waist.

"Here we go..." Roark said.

They started their small demonstration. Roark wasn't that much of a great dancer, but still he wasn't so brute as his father.

"He's obviously made to mine and research instead of dance..." Amethyst thought, a small smile on her face.

However, although Roark wasn't the best dancer, the gentle way he held her hand and her waist made Amethyst change her mind.

"Aww." She said, her eyes brilliant. "Although dancing isn't my thing, I really wish someone treated me that gently..."

Amethyst turned to Stephanie, looking at her big, brown eyes. The young woman gave the teenager a huge smile.

"Doesn't it make you wish your dance was like that?" Amethyst asked, happily.

Roark stopped and looked at Serena firmly.

"I hope 'the lady' is satisfied now!" He exclaimed.

Amethyst finished her meal.

"I'm done!" She exclaimed.

"Ah, I forgot!" Roark said, putting his hands on his head. "I was so engrossed with the demonstration... Now the turkey will be cold...!"

Roark rushed to finish his dish. Amethyst looked at Serena, with a gentle smile.

"Thanks so much for the meal, Serena." She said, nodding. "It was all delicious!"

Amethyst looked at Stephanie, who was licking her fingers.

"Don't you agree, Ms. Brown?" She turned to Riley, blushing. "Riley?"

- N -

It was hard disliking Amy, not when she was so polite. Plus she had to give the girl props for bravery – not just anyone could look a legendary in the eye and come back alive – and not to mention she'd been there protecting Roark… that took guts, more guts than her tiny body looked like it had.

"Maybe it's time you became a little more direct?" She suggested. "Don't let the next man go – grab him, tell him how you feel,"

Before she could catch her reply, however, Roark had taken her hand. Her Audino pushed the button on the music player, and the familiar First Dance's music filled the room.

Serena tried her best to ignore the wave of excitement that ran up her body as Roark's hand made contact with her waist. Instead, she looked down at her feet, making sure she didn't step on Roark's – she could dance just fine, but Roark's sense of rhythm usually made it feel like she was dancing with a Scolipede.

One two three, one two three…

She kept count quietly in her head, aware of her audience. It seemed Roark was starting to get self-conscious, too – he was oddly in sync with her. Everything from the way he held her hand, to the gentle way he stepped back and forth, he was amazing! Had he been practicing by himself? Serena wondered. Whatever the case was, she'd underestimated his dancing.

His hair bounced lightly as he moved, framing his sharp serious face, probably hardened with concentration. Serena caught his gaze, and for a moment, looked into his eyes – those gorgeous, beautiful dark eyes – and wondered what he was thinking.

She fought the urge to rest her head on his strong shoulders, to breathe in the smell of soap on his chest, to feel completely one with him…

…And like that it was over. The music died down and the world shifted back into normalcy. It wasn't just the two of them anymore, and she became increasingly conscious of the other people in the room.

She hid her disappointment as they stopped moving, Roark looking firmly into her face now.

"I hope 'the lady' is satisfied now!" He exclaimed.

Oh, I'm more than satisfied, she thought dreamily, but then snapped herself together. "That was… pretty alright," She shrugged. "You're getting better at this,"

Better? That had been amazing.

She let him return to his dinner, and watched slightly amused as he wolfed down his meal like a starving lunatic. Mining certainly worked up an appetite.

"It's an old family recipe," She added, nonchalant, but smiling despite herself. "Every Joy knows how to cook – where do you think all the food in pokemon centres come from?"

With her Audino's help, she cleared the table, stacking the used plates in her arms. (And ignoring the Brown girl's protests that she wasn't done licking her plate.) She waited until Roark had finished his meal before tapping him lightly on the shoulder to follow her.

"Excuse us," She muttered to the table.

Shoving Roark discreetly into the kitchen, she closed the door gently shut behind her, checking if anyone could still hear her. Satisfied no one would overhear, she turned to her roommate. The kitchen was dark, and she couldn't make out his expression in the moonlight.

"I… I don't know how to put this," She finally began, "but I've been so worried all day, this is driving me insane."

Anxiously, she played with the hem of her dress. "Roark, how much did you tell Riley? About the whole… full moon… business…?" She searched the darkness for any hint of emotion coming from him. "I know he's a friend, and I know… I know I'm overprotective..." She went to the window and leaned her elbows out of the sill, letting the moonlight wash over her.

Arceus! The skies were so clear, and such a lovely shade of dark blue. The starlight turned the unused machinery in the mine nearby into sculptures, work of art even. She shifted to a side, giving some Roark space in case he wanted to join her in the window. The moon was growing large and white.

"I guess I'm just worried," She added, shrugging. "This is something big, I mean we can't go around parading… your condition… And I don't want you getting hurt by anyone."

She closed her eyes, imagining being bathed in moonlight, trying her best not to worry.

For a brief moment, Riley thought of following them – his backside was already off the chair, and his hand was raised to pick up their aura – but something held him back. He stood in his place, wanting desperately to hear what Serena had to say, but something was much more important.

"Who wants to bet they're making out in there right now?" Brown whispered to the older woman next to her, watching the closed kitchen door. "Ten bucks says they're using tongues,"

Amy.

She was sitting by herself, looking so small, so vulnerable. He'd noticed an expression of longing on her delicate face as she watched Roark and Serena dance. It was still there. She seemed so lost, so… so…

…So lonely…

He wanted to wrap his arms around her, to let her bushy brown hair brush against his neck, to whisper in her ear how he'd never let her be lonely again. But he held himself back – no, he couldn't rush this – what if he drove her away again?

Gently, he rested his hand on top of hers, and rubbed his thumb against it. He'd taken off his gloves when dinner began, and for the first time since they'd met this afternoon, he noticed just how cold she was. He felt the urge to warm her up, to keep her snug and loved and protected.

"Are you alright?" He smiled at her. "You seem a little lost in your thoughts."

- J -

After listening to Serena's advice carefully, Amethyst couldn't help but blush a little. She stirred in her seat, somewhat uncomfortable.

"I-I'm too shy, I'm afraid..." Amethyst stuttered, looking down. "When I'm in front of the guy I like... I... I just can't t-talk properly..."

Maybe that was a too obvious hint for Riley, she thought. But anyway, he already knew she liked him, or didn't he?

Roark wasn't able to perceive Serena's excitement as they 'danced'. He was a guy, he had to be dense, after all. He had enough with being nervous himself.

"Although Roark isn't the best dancer," Amethyst thought. "she seems to be enjoying it."

"She's so graceful." Roark was thinking as they danced, looking at Serena. "If only she was so docile the rest of the time..."

Roark was a serious man who took seriously all his work and stuff, but even he sometimes needed some fun, and Serena was so strict... However, that strict face of hers made her seem like his perfect woman. Somewhat.

"But why am I thinking about these things?" Roark thought, perplexed.

And that was when the demonstration ended. Roark rushed to finish his meal. Amethyst was right. It was so tasty!

"Aaah!" Roark exclaimed, satisfied. "True! This tasted so amazingly well, Serena!"

Roark cleaned his mouth with a serviette.

"I'm used to your awesome meals," He said. "but this time you really overdid yours- Eeh? What happens, Serena?"

Shocked because Serena grabbed him for his shoulder to take him away, Roark couldn't help but feel surprised. Maybe she wanted to dance again!

Serena took him to the kitchen. It was all in semi-darkness, what made Roark feel somehow nervous. Again.

What did she want? Roark gulped while he waited for Serena to talk, or do something.

"She seems... nervous." Roark thought, looking at the pink-haired woman.

As soon as the Joy asked her question, Roark felt relieved. So it was just that? He was worried that something could have happened to her.

"Oh, don't worry." Roark said, a gentle smile on his face. "I never told him anything. I told you not to tell anyone, remember? Then, it would have been ironical if I told someone, don't you think?"

However, although Roark was relieved that nothing bad was happening to Serena, his expression turned more serious. That was a very important matter for him, and they shouldn't treat it lightly.

"I guess you're saying that because someone mentioned it while I was absent, am I right?" Roark said, seriously. "Well, you must have done a good job if they didn't mention it anymore, but you know, NEVER, EVER talk about that issue, okay?"

Maybe he was sounding repetitive, but it was something he had to clear up.

However, Roark felt a bit sorry for Serena when he looked at her. She seemed still some nervous, but also kind of in a daze looking at the moon.

The light of the moon was reflected on her face. She looked so angelical when she was calmed...

"Well, maybe you're worrying too much." Roark said, approaching Serena. "But I'm also being too repetitive with this matter, so we're at peace."

A warm smile crossed across Roark's face as he approached Serena. He put his hands on her shoulders. Her blue eyes were reflected in his dark crimson eyes.

"Just avoid this matter as much as you can and leave it up to me." Roark told her, firmly.

They stared at each other for a few minutes, in silence.

"Well, shouldn't we go back with our guests?" Roark said, tilting his head. "We have still to talk about what we're going to do with them tonight. Will we let them stay here?"

Amethyst noticed Riley's desire to follow Roark and Serena.

"I didn't know he was 'like that'." Amethyst thought, incredulous.

Stephanie's words interrupted her thoughts.

"Ten bucks says they're using tongues."

Amethyst blushed hard. She was so dumb when it came to love issues.

"Ms. Br-Brown!" The chestnut-head said, embarrassed. "Don't...! Don't say that! So what if they are? I mean... They're adults..."

She bit her tongue. Amethyst was sure that Stephanie was thinking she was retarded. Her mood changes were so drastic, after all... Anything related to love or 'something else' simply made her blush. Amethyst was so ashamed of that. She was 24, dammit!

Something made her flinch. Amethyst automatically stopped listening to Stephanie's words and looked at her right. She would have never figured Riley would be holding her hand...

"R-Riley...!" Amethyst thought, her eyes totally opened and a hard blush on her face.

He had noticed. Totally. She was sure of that.

"Oh, i-it's n-nothing... Riley..." Amethyst muttered, slowly. "I was just thinking... about... some things, hehe."

Amethyst blushed even more as that silly laugh came out from her mouth. She looked directly at Riley's eyes, and it was there when she remembered she was madly in love with him. It had been like that since she was sixteen...

"I-I..." Amethyst stuttered, in a daze while she found herself lost in Riley's deep blue eyes. "Did you enjoy the meal, Riley? It was so tasty~!"

Unlike a few hours before, Amethyst didn't move her hand. It felt so... warm. She had totally forgotten about Stephanie. And everything.

What a silly moment, wasn't it?

- N -

Serena looked at Roark in the moonlight, and saw the moon reflected on his glasses. She admired the way the light caught his red hair and highlighted his chiselled profile. He looked like a statue, with his long straight nose and those sweet gentle lips… What she'd give to put her lips to his face, just to show him she'd be there for him.

It did her good to know he hadn't been stupid enough to tell anyone else, not to mention it put her mind at ease, finally. Oddly enough, it made her feel special – the only other human being that knew his secret. She had him all to herself there, and that was an incredible feeling.

"Just avoid this matter as much as you can and leave it up to me."

She looked at his eyes as he turned to face her; those gorgeously sad dark eyes that made her feel weak in her knees.

"Thank you, Roark," She finally said, resting her hand against the side of his jaw, her thumb stroking his cheek. Excitement ran up her veins, this was the closest they'd ever been in weeks. It made her wonder whether this was all a very elaborate dream; this could never be real, not the way he was looking at her.

Half of her expected Roark's face to warp under her hands – fur growing, jaws sprouting sharp teeth – the familiar face she knew transforming into a snarling parody of him. But, here he was, the same as ever. It felt so reassuring, so good.

She hadn't noticed she'd been holding onto his face for well over a minute. She pulled herself back and tried to hide the blush that was growing over her face.

"Y-you're right, we'd better go check on them."

Amy's face was deep red, and flustered beyond belief. Riley drew his hand away – was he rushing it? Had he scared her?

"I'm sorry, Amy, I - AAAUUGH!"

It was the most intense vision he'd ever had. Screaming, he dropped from his chair to the ground, clutching at his temples. Images flooded his mind – a blur of bright colours, wave upon wave of messy indistinct pictures, the sounds of crashing and voices, voices babbling away in words too fast for him to grasp…

What was happening to him? Didn't it usually take concentration for him to see visions?

Another blurry picture rushed past his eyes, the colour so bright it seared his vision. He screamed wretchedly, anything to make it stop. His visions were usually dreamlike and faded, why were they so intense here? The visions came, faster and faster, burning his mind and threatening to exploded his head until…

…Until he recognised what he was seeing.

A rush of bushy brown hair, a purple dress, and the crash of the waves all around them. Sunset on Iron Island... And his Amy was crying.

'I'm flattered,' he heard his voice say, echoing through the expanse of his mind. 'Truly, I am, Amethyst.'

'But it's a 'no', isn't it?' She was forcing back her tears, he noticed.

'Wait until you're older, Amy.' In his mind, he rested a hand on her shoulder, the other reaching out to cup her tiny chin in his hand. 'This isn't the right time… for either of us.'

The image blurred again, fading, gently back into reality. He was looking at Roark's dining room from the floor.

"LUCARIO!"

"Good giant blue dog thing!" he vaguely heard a voice say. His head still pounded, but he was aware of the carpet against his cheek, and the fetal position he was crouching in.

Stephanie Brown was hugging his Lucario, the pokemon's eyes glowing with the effort it had taken it snap him out of his trance. "Whosagoodboy?" The teenager cooed, "Whooosagoodboy? Who's the greatest aura blocking bipedial blue dog in the wuuuurld? You are, Laelaps, you are!"

He tried to talk, but all he could manage was "Aaaaaaami…"

Amy. He smiled. She loved him. Her aura had been that strong, he felt it without even needing to try. How long had she been waiting for him?

Stephanie and his Lucario were already kneeling on the floor beside him, wondering what to do next.

"Aamy," He attempted again. "Amy…"

"You're going to need rest," Another voice said firmly, Riley saw a pair of pink shoes stand by his head. Serena Joy. "No questions – you lot are definitely sleeping here tonight."

"Iii'm okaaay," He forced himself to say. "Never betterrr,"

His brain felt like it had been through a blender and he'd just had a seizure on his friend's carpet. But he meant every word he'd said: He'd never felt better. For the first time since that day on Iron Island, he finally knew Amy still felt the same way about him.

At least, he thought that was what his vision meant. There was only one way to find out if it was true, but that would require asking Amy herself, and he wasn't too sure he had the courage for that. Not yet at least.

"I'm sorry if you made plans for a hostel or anything," Serena added, speaking to Amy. "But it's probably best if Riley rests here for the night – moving him might give him another seizure. But if you like, you're welcome to stay here,"

She felt somewhat self-conscious with being so generous with Roark's home, but it'd help them all to keep a watch on Riley. Besides being a comatose whimpering piece of meat in need of medical attention, there was no telling what he'd find out about Roark if she let him go for the night.

Stephanie Brown recalled the large blue dog pokemon back into its Pokeball, Rodent sniffing curiously at the semi-conscious man. Riley was busy fighting the sleepiness that had come over him.

"Do we get to pick our rooms and all that?" Brown asked, excited.

"Don't get your hopes up, Blondie" Serena crossed her arms. The younger trainer still had yet to grow on her like Amethyst had. "We only have two rooms. Roark has his room and I have mine – and I'll be damned if I let you pick wherever the hell you're going to sleep."

"Darn," she kicked the carpet, her Raticate mimicking her.

"Riley can sleep with Roark tonight, and you girls can share my room," She suggested, "Or, if you need to be with Riley, Amy, Roark can share my room with me."

It was only when she'd finished her sentence did she realise what she's just suggested. Roark? Her? In bed? Together? As much as she'd enjoy that, what would Roark think?

Even the younger trainer had caught on.

"Smooth," Brown rested her chin in her hands, looking smug, "like sandpaper."