The sun was still rising on the west coast of Sinnoh when the blonde had begun his day. Now hardly ready to reach its peak in the sky, it was still no deterrent for the unrelenting heat that was already burning through the cloudless sky. This heat was unbeknownst to Pearl's household, however, and as he moved through his kitchen clad only in his bathing suit he felt a layer of coolness settling over his body.
He worked quickly to fill the cooler with drinks, snacks, and ice as he raided the fridge and cabinets.
Soft footsteps descended the stairs as Pearl's mother entered the kitchen bearing towels and a blanket. She tucked them in a tote bag as she leaned back against the island in their modest kitchenette. Her hazel eyes watched her son check shelves she couldn't hope to reach without climbing on the counters. The clamor of cabinets in his rush as he failed to properly survey their contents the first time filled the chilled air with the distracted mumblings coming from Pearl's lips.
Ok, snacks, drinks… What else?
Pearl checked the cooler again pensively. Cans of soda clinking together and the crunch of thin ice cubes rattling through the spaces between answered his thoughts. Retracting his now reddened fingers, he wiped them on his shorts unsure if they were wet or cold. He looked over at his mother who raised her brows at him inquiringly, facepalming at the realization.
Lunch, you dumbass. We need actual food not just chips.
The breadbox was vacant thus killing the prospect of sandwiches and they had eaten whatever leftovers were in the house for dinner last night. The fridge was opened for the umpteenth time, finding some rice though that was hardly a meal. Aside from produce and other fruits, there was nothing to accompany it to his dismay. He stayed crouching in the doorway of the fridge, drumming his thumbs on the tupperware mindlessly as goosebumps rose on his exposed skin.
"What's wrong, sweetheart?"
"I don't have anything for us to eat for lunch. Do we have anything we could put in rice balls maybe?" He shook the container as he looked over his shoulder to her.
She pressed her dainty fingers to her mouth pensively. Spanning the gap between them, she looked over him into the freezer before nudging him aside to get into the fridge. She opened and closed a few containers, her face gesticulating her slight panic that there may genuinely not be anything lunch worthy. Running over a grocery list mentally, she reexamined the shelves and caught sight of the poultry that was sitting on the top shelf next to the milk in its styrofoam tray. She took it out to inspect it, thoughtfully looking at the clock.
"Well, this was supposed to be dinner but I could make this to put in them for you."
Pearl exhaled his impatience, glancing at the clock himself.
"It doesn't take long to cook, I promise. I can have it done within the hour."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am more than sure, Pearl. Why don't you go watch some TV and I'll tell you when it's ready."
"Fine. But I want to help make the rice balls," he insisted to which his mother smiled.
"Of course."
Turning to enter the living room, Pearl plopped himself on the couch indignantly as he crossed his arms.
A daily morning show his mother watched was playing on the screen. Various news segments interrupted reports on current trends and miscellaneous reports with several interjections of the weather across the region. Pearl watched with mild interest, annoyed to have missed the last segment on the weather for their coast. The air conditioning in his house hindered his judgment of exactly how hot it was beyond his door. He hoped Diamond was faring well with the heat, knowing that his house was more akin to a sauna during the summer months.
He wondered how he was doing anyway. He had an unsettling feeling after their phone conversation. Though he had his suspicions that there was something deeper to his sobbing, he trusted Diamond to be honest with him. He rubbed his cheeks, feeling himself blush at his brash suggestion that they should move in together. It wasn't something that had honestly crossed his mind. Not that he had his doubts that they would eventually, but Diamond proposing it was a surprise. He didn't want to rush anything just yet which vexed even him considering how impetuous he tended to be. That was a milestone he nor did he believe Diamond was ready to take on yet though. Besides, Diamond was still only seventeen and he eighteen, there was hardly a rush. He was just happy that they would get to see each other today.
He returned his attention to the screen.
A young anchor was broadcasting from what appeared to be the boardwalk near Sunyshore City and visibly feeling the heat. Her hair was in a disheveled bun of brunette waves, sweat causing her flushed cheeks to gleam as she breathed what seemed to be very thick air exasperatedly. The people behind her were running across the sand and through the ocean, undaunted by the heat that tormented her and Pearl felt increasingly guilty sitting in his air conditioned house.
"That's right, folks. Reports are coming in that there appears to be yet another mass power outage in Sunyshore City. It is unclear whether or not this issue is extending throughout the east coast or if it is isolated to this city."
Typical.
The camera panned out and in the distance the entrance to the city could be seen. She was valiantly attempting to keep her professional composure but as the passing temperatures for the various cities in the region flashed by the station's logo, he saw that it was over a hundred degrees in Sunyshore.
Holy shit. They're allowed to send people out in that heat?!
"In heat waves like the one much of the region is experiencing it is not at all uncommon for power outages to occur. However, considering the history of this city, it calls to question the true source of the outage and what it means for the safety of the citizens under these conditions."
She walked to position the beach as her backdrop once more, voice maintaining its typical reporter inflections despite the conditions.
"Sunyshore's shining, shocking star and Sinnoh's sweetheart: Volkner, the resident gym leader, is also a well-known engineer and electrician. Famed for his implementation of solar energy harnessing technology throughout his hometown, he has been both a visionary and an inspiration for advancements in green technology in the region. These advancements have not come without consequence, however, and the bachelor of twenty-seven has caused city-wide outages on numerous occasions while tinkering in his gym."
Pearl huffed in annoyance, less than impressed by the other blonde's accomplishments. Sparing a glance into the kitchenette, his mother was writing out a grocery list at the island while she waited for the food.
Turning back to the television, the camera's angle had changed once more and the reporter was going on about the repercussions of people being subject to extreme heat, citing that they were all very fortunate to have the beach so accessible if nothing else.
He began watching behind her on the right side of the screen as she leaned on the rail. A battle ensued on the sand between a young boy in an inner tube and what could have easily been someone Pearl's age. His orange eyes watched intently, anticipating each party's moves with accuracy causing his lips to twitch in a boastful smirk that he still had it in him after so long without battling.
His attention was yet again broken, however, by the only two people walking on the left side of the screen. It was difficult to make them out from the distance though they were clearly together and looking over their shoulders constantly as if paranoid. They seemed to have caught the attention of the camera man who was heard whispering to the reporter.
"What?" Her face expressed utter shock followed by her whipping around to see behind her. "Oh Arceus, it's him!"
She quickly attempted to primp herself, adjusting her hair and clothes and rubbing her sun reddened cheeks as she turned to run, microphone extended toward the figures.
"Oh, Mr. Volkner, sir! Please, just a moment! Mr. Volkner!"
Wha-? Arceus, you're joking. Of course he's out and about, where else would he be? Fixing the power?
Volkner seemed to seize up upon being recognized, hesitantly turning around as they approached him. The reporter smiled nervously, stuttering on her words as her voice grew sultrier, rubbing her neck as she spoke.
"M-Mr. Volkner, sir-"
"Uh, just 'Volkner' is alright, miss."
"Volkner," she laughed nervously. "And Mr- er, and Elite Four's Flint as well!"
Volkner looked increasingly uncomfortable with the attention, vexing considering he was in the public eye constantly and a celebrity in his own right. Flint on the other hand was laidback and seemed to be in high spirits, nudging Volkner playfully as they exchanged knowing glances.
"That's right, everybody. For those of you just tuning in, I'm here with Sunyshore's very own Volkner accompanied by the Elite Four's fire expert, Flint! Welcome, Roxy with Wake Up Sinnoh! Could we get a statement regarding the recent power outage in your city?"
"I'm working on it…"
"I see. Would you mind giving us all insight as to what caused it and what brings you out of your gym on this lovely, sweltering day?"
Her flirtation seemed to subside at the passive jab at what appeared to be an authority figure playing hooky. Volkner's face shifted from what seemed to be social anxiety reading on his face to guilt and faint amusement. The red head beside him choked back his laughter silently and exchanged glances with Volkner once more, causing the other blonde to blush slightly in what was visible annoyance and embarrassment.
Volkner withdrew a hand from his pocket, gesturing aimlessly as he began formulating an explanation.
"I'm sorry, guys," Flint spoke a little more seriously though still smiling wide, one hand on his chest with the other around his friend's shoulders. "It was my fault, not his. We were in the basement and I must've backed into something while we were-"
"-Thank you, Flint."
Volkner held up a halting hand as he interjected quickly, his cheeks tinting another layer of rose.
"Oh, so you were working in the basement? Could you tell us about your new project or what you were working on, Volkner?"
"Of course." He hesitated before his face flashed what appeared to be an epiphany of sorts and he instantly relaxed. "Oh! I was trying to increase the capacitance of some of our units for the city considering the increased flow of solar energy we have been receiving lately."
Volkner's words were in one in and out the other for Pearl who couldn't follow the technical terms. Whatever a capacitor was, it was important to the way the harnessed electricity was distributed… or something. The interview continued and Volkner and Flint were amusing together Pearl had to admit. They had a chemistry that was hard to deny and it reminded him of his own best friend relationship with Diamond. He smiled slightly at the thought, suddenly feeling less cynical toward the other blonde.
"Pearl, dear, are you ready?"
Pearl snapped to attention, looking away as Volkner and Flint made their exit. He turned the television off as he quickly moved into the kitchen, feeling a sense of urgency once more to get out of the house.
His mother pulled her hair back into a ponytail quickly before looking up at her son beside her. He looked down at her, exhaling his excess energy so he could focus on the task at hand. They started working, Pearl mostly pretending he knew what he was doing as his eyes were nearly glued to his mother's dexterous hands.
"So what was on the TV? You seemed disgruntled in there."
"Huh? Oh. Nothing. They were talking about the sun and… I don't even know, it's really hot out and Volkner caused another power outage."
"Ah. Volkner, what a nice young man he is."
"He's alright."
His mother smiled knowingly though she stayed silent, guiding Pearl's hands with her own to finish his current ball and correct his technique. She retrieved some plastic containers as Pearl finished, popping them open for use.
"You better put on sunscreen when you go out today, Pearl. You probably should before you leave. I put some in the tote."
"Mom…"
"Don't 'mom' me, mister."
She paused, smirking to herself as she started putting the rice balls away.
"You really need to though. I'm sure Diamond doesn't want to kiss a crawdaunt later don't you think?" She nudged him with an elbow playfully, her wide smile just barely too big to pass off the intended smirk before she started laughing to herself.
Pearl's jaw dropped, his face instantly burning a deep red as he walked away from the counter, hands gripping at his hair on the sides of his head. He stood several paces away from her facing the wall in his embarrassment as he felt his blush spread to his ears.
"Oh… my Dialga, Palkia… and Arceus, mom. No. Why would you even say that?"
She laughed lightheartedly as she finished packaging the rice balls, looking over at her son with folded arms.
"I reserve the right to tell my child how it is, don't I?"
Pearl shook his head, still beat red as he turned around to pick up the tote bag and cooler.
"Whatever…"
She smirked up at him, her son returning the expression as she motioned for him to lean down and kissed his cheek.
"You have a wonderful day, sweetheart. Stay hydrated and make sure Diamond wears sunscreen, too."
"Thanks, ma."
The news certainly was not lying. Pearl could feel every pore spilling his life force out of him as he made the short trek to Diamond's house. There wasn't a cloud in the sky or a breeze through the heat soaked air and Pearl feared he would find his boyfriend had died of heat stroke by the time he got to the door. It was certainly a great day to go to the beach and Pearl reluctantly acknowledged he would be applying sunscreen throughout the day without question.
He reached for the door knob, giving it a twist only to find to his surprise for the first time in his entire young life that the door to Diamond's house
Was locked.
He stared in disbelief at his hand on the burning brass, trying once more only to prove that it was indeed locked. Blinking several times, he sheepishly knocked wondering what he had missed that anyone would feel the need to lock a door in Twinleaf, especially when Diamond was surely expecting him.
When no one answered right away, his impatience and confusion drove him to knock more urgently.
The door at last opened, revealing Johanna who looked like she had seen better days. She looked surprised at first but her face transitioned to a questioning look that Pearl could have sworn was tinged with discontent to see him.
"What are…" she shook her head, looking utterly confused. "What are you doing here?" She sounded genuinely surprised though it came across as snide all the same.
"Um, hi Johanna. Nice to see you, too." Pearl narrowed his eyes at her tone, more confused than ever. "And I'm here to see your son. We're going to beach, is he ready?"
"Beach? He never said anything to me about it," she retorted indignantly.
"Hm, well we're going," he held up the cooler and tote bag with a shrug.
They stood in sweltering silence as he looked down at the shorter woman who was watching him with an odd glint of what seemed to be a mixture of annoyance and maybe even fear in her cerulean eyes.
He would be right to think that. Johanna zoned out to her own thoughts, trying to figure out where the disconnect was when she had come to believe she had gotten through to Diamond. What could she do to keep him away, locking the door certainly hadn't worked and they were still communicating around her regardless. Unless she could find a way to ensure they would only be friends she didn't want them together.
As they stood in silence Pearl had an ominous feeling that something was seriously wrong. He wondered if it was perhaps the heat for a moment. They had never had an issue before so he couldn't figure out what was going on. He narrowed his eyes at her, all else aside he had to sigh in frustration at further delay to see Diamond and get out of the sun that continued to beat down on him.
He cleared his throat. "Are you going to invite me in?"
She snapped back to attention, huffing in utter irritation as she turned around and walked into the kitchen leaving the door open for Pearl to do as he pleased. He scoffed as he entered the house, starting to feel hints of anger as he shut the door behind him, following suit. She stood at the counter, strumming her fingers on it much like the disgruntled lashes of a glameow's tail as she drank a glass of water. She tried to figure out what to do about the situation. Her son had clearly gotten caught up in a mess that she was determined to pull him out of though the blonde wasn't going to make it an easy task.
Pearl opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by the sound of Diamond's voice.
"Pearl?"
He rounded the corner with a bright smile, the sound of his voice melting the tension in the blonde's shoulders. He smiled back, reaching out a fist to which Diamond bumped back to momentarily satisfy their need for touch in a platonic way. His smile faltered soon after, however, and they exchanged a tense look, the blue eyed boy becoming puzzled as he turned to his mother.
"Mom? How long has he been here?"
"You didn't mention you were going to the beach, Diamond."
She turned around, cup in hand as she looked on at the boys with the same strange look from earlier. She tucked some hair behind her ear as she awaited some sort of response though all she managed was a quirked brow from the blonde.
Turning his attention to Diamond, he had an almost vacant expression on his face though it seemed bitter as well. He looked off to the side at nothing in particular as he crossed his arms.
"I'm going to the beach with Pearl, mom," he mumbled unceremoniously.
"Really, dear? Not inviting anyone else? What's her-"
"-We're leaving."
He groaned, swallowing the lump in his throat as he grabbed the tote bag from Pearl and turned to go. Pearl looked at Johanna for some direction at her son's behavior. Finding none, her eyes flashed panic as she stood away from the counter she was leaning on.
"W-Wait! You're not going without food. I haven't made anything yet."
"Oh, don't worry! My mom and I made some rice balls and I have the whole cooler packed up for the day." The blonde sounded proud, holding up the cooler with a smile to put her at ease.
But she looked on with a vacant look that masked the pooling fear that she was losing her son and that he was throwing his life and the life she had wanted for him away. All for him, a boy with money who could take him far away- away from her, if her son so desired. She knew she had to do something. She wasn't sure what she could do yet but she'd think of something.
"Johanna?" The blonde interrupted her thoughts, a look of concern etching his face. "You ok?"
"Huh?"
"I said I took care of the food, we're good to go."
"What did you make?"
"Riceballs?" He gestured with his hand.
"He probably won't like them. I'll make something else-"
"-In all due respect, ma'am," he interjected, scoffing lightly "I think I know what your son likes."
"No you don't."
She looked horrified for a moment, opening her mouth to speak but closing it just as fast. He glared at her suspiciously before she drowned in the last of her water.
"I'm sorry," She breathed. "It's fine. It's the heat. I'm sure you do, just have fun… wear sunscreen…"
They each glared at each other briefly, the expressions melting away as the blonde left the kitchen. She watched as he grabbed her son's elbow, escorting him out of the house with stern steps as neither of them looked back at the distraught and aggravated woman they left behind.
Yes, she had to do something about them, she just wasn't sure what.
"You know what I'm going to say, don't you?"
Diamond sighed, "I do."
"She's acting like a bitch," they said in unison.
"I know, try to ignore it."
"No," the blonde huffed. "Do you think she has heatstroke?"
"Hah, yeah we should be so lucky."
Pearl narrowed his eyes at his boyfriend's uncharacteristic cynicism, especially toward his mother whom he was usually reluctant to admit was overbearing. Pearl knew she was known for probing and often made Diamond uncomfortable by asking questions that he only described to Pearl as 'out of line' or 'stupid.'
"What has she been saying to you?"
Diamond hugged his arms to his chest as they walked, looking over the opposite shoulder from Pearl.
They passed the threshold of Twinleaf onto Route 201, the forest bursting to life as they passed through in tense silence. In his anxiety the blonde suddenly became extremely aware of everything from the way Diamond was breathing improperly, only his upper chest cavity working to bring in scarce oxygen, to the way the unruly grass enticed itching sensations on his legs and ankles. He was really only upset because Diamond was clearly unhappy and shutting him out, he didn't care about how Johanna treated him.
"Dia, just tell me."
"Pearl, I don't-"
"-She upset you last night didn't she?" His voice flared his anger for a moment.
When Diamond was unable to look in his general direction he took it as a silent affirmation, scheming for a moment what could have happened before he noticed they had nearly reached Sandgem in total silence. He looked to Diamond with a worried expression, feeling a divide between them that was becoming increasingly unsettling.
"Dia, er, Diamond?"
He sighed, leaning his head on his boyfriend's shoulder in surrender at the blonde's guilty tone.
"I'm ok, Pearl. I just don't want to talk about it right now, ok?"
He snaked an arm around his waist, planting a kiss in his thick hair. "Alright."
The boys made their way through the town under the unrelenting rays of the sun. Sandgem Town was an inconspicuous suburb, certainly more populated than Twinleaf but quaint all the same. The ice in the cooler shifted against tin cans and plastic, water droplets forming on the outside of the container. They felt themselves perspiring, too, to their disdain. Diamond wiped a hand across his forehead, massaging his shoulder gently where he could feel he was more than likely burning even after being out for what couldn't have been more than a ten minute walk.
As they approached the back road to the beach they exchanged side glances at the crescendo of children's screams and shrill laughter, adult voices filling the spaces between.
"Well, shit."
They looked on at the sheer amount of people that were somehow managing to fit on the already small beach that Sandgem claimed. People of every age were running and kicking and building and battling and splashing between the rows of sunbathers and parents. This wasn't at all what they would call ideal and they wished they had more beaches on this side of Mt. Coronet. They stood idly, Pearl annoyed at the granules of sand that had found themselves in his sandals without him even stepping on the beach somehow.
Pearl smacked his lips thoughtfully.
"Lake sound good?"
"Lake sounds fine, dear."
The boys turned heel to escape to their hide away hand in hand. More people seemed to be coming from the northern entrance of the town, most likely looking to go to what might as well have been the only beach on this coast. A couple approached them as they were nearing the center of town. They were well dressed, Diamond guessing they were socialites from the city, and while older than them not considerably.
"Yes, boys! Bet that beach is crowded today, eh?"
"You have no idea," Pearl answered.
"You don't say? Well, listen," he leaned in close. "I hear there's a lake nearby, do you know where it is?"
"Actually, we're not from here either." The boys exchanged a simple look, Pearl squeezing Diamond's hand as a signal of sorts. "I'm afraid we wouldn't know."
The man raised his brows, nodding vigorously. "Of course, a rural area like this is no place for young people. Where are you from?"
"Hoen."
"Hearthome."
The boys looked at each other incredulously at the other's bluff, having answered at the same time with two places that couldn't have been more different.
"How exotic," the woman answered, looking at Pearl longingly at the prospect of a new region.
"Well now, you certainly are far from home! How do you like it here in Sinnoh?"
"It's a nice place, colder but very pretty."
Liar, Diamond squeezed his hand, shaking his head.
"Well, sorry we couldn't be more of a help, sir."
"No trouble at all, my boy. Enjoy your stay in Sinnoh!"
"Yes, thank you!"
The boys quickly made for the western exit of town, sighing in relief that they would hopefully have the lake to themselves. When they were decidedly out of ear shot, Diamond at last spoke.
"Enjoy your stay in Sinnoh," he repeated mockingly.
"Thanks, babe," he kissed him on the cheek amusedly.
"Hoen, really? Isn't that a bit far?"
"Hey, my mom is from there. That counts for something," he shrugged, nudging Diamond with an elbow. "And what about you, huh? Hearthome?"
"What of it?"
"Well, why there?"
"It's a nice place, I liked it when we went and it was just far enough away from here."
He nodded thoughtfully as they continued on. "It is a nice place, isn't it?"
Hand in hand they made the all too familiar trek through the wooded path to Lake Verity. The brush extended onto the path, finger-like strands of grass and bush branches extending their reach from the forest toward their feet. The calls of pokemon playing in the sunlight that peered through the cracks in the trees in the almost green hued forest could be heard frequently. Starly flew from their hiding places as they came too close and off into the treetops.
They wove their way through, Pearl whispering his caution frequently as he led his boyfriend at last to the clearing at the lakefront. The water gleamed in the sunlight and the comforting scent of pine and flowers filled the air.
They were home.
Pearl set down the cooler and helped Diamond set up the blanket. Diamond took out the sunscreen and towels, setting them aside and looked over his shoulder. Pearl was sitting undoing the velcro on his sandals to remove them. He gazed fondly at him, an overwhelming sense of relief to be alone with him after what felt like one of the longest nights of his life. He began zoning out, thoughts zipping through his head as he seemed to stare at Pearl.
The blonde turned his head to face him, sticking his tongue out playfully at his onlooker, smiling wide after.
Diamond shook his head to attention, crawling over to him to sit beside him. Pearl took his face in his hands and kissed him. He sighed into it contently, his tongue taking a brief tour of the blue eyed boy's mouth before he broke the suction of their meshed lips. Diamond smiled wide though a bit shyly as he brought a couple fingers up to brush his lips. Pearl shook his head at him, stealing the sunscreen and affectionately pushing Diamond onto his back.
"You're not burning yet are you, Dia?"
"My shoulders feel a bit warm but I don't think I'm burned yet."
"Good," he responded with a nod crawling over him now and sitting on his lap. "We'll cover all the bases though, just in case."
He began dotting Diamond's torso with dots and smiley faces, Diamond rolling his eyes.
"Pearl, that is such a waste."
"There are two bodies here, Diamond. It's fine." He contoured where abs ought to be on his boyfriend's stomach smiling cheekily. "You look better already!"
"Gee, thanks," he rolled his eyes.
Once they were both appropriately protected from the sun, Diamond went over to the water's edge to peer into the depths of the lake. There was a near immediate drop off and he couldn't imagine how deep it was to be able to house gyarados. He frowned at the thought. That would be horrifying to have one make a guest appearance.
Pearl watched Diamond bored as he stood idly bent over, admiring his ass though that kept him only momentarily entertained.
"What are you looking at, Dia?"
"Do you think there are actually gyarados in there?"
"Um, obviously," he shook his head. "You think I would've dragged you here all those times if I didn't think there was a red one in there somewhere?"
"Actually I do."
Pearl rolled his eyes, swiping his bangs out of his face and attempting to get them behind his ear before they fell back in place. The water beyond Diamond looked a dazzling blue and he wondered to himself if he could fish out a gyarados. The atmosphere was too calm for such a monster though, it was hard to envision such an ambient place with pokemon playing so innocently to be interrupted by a ravaging gyarados. He took another sip of his soda, shaking the thought away and setting it down as he stood up slowly.
Diamond continued to stare into the water, trying to see past his reflection to see if he could see anything. Nothing seemed to be down there at all surprisingly.
"I don't see anything at- OH!" He flinched, jolting straight up as his hand found itself on his chest. "Arceus, that scared me! It was just a magikarp." He laughed at himself with a relieved sigh. "I thought it was a-"
"GYARADOS!"
Pearl came up behind him, shouting as loud as he could, causing Diamond to flinch upon being startled before being pushed into the water. He came up coughing and panting as he slicked his hair out of his eyes, glaring at the blonde before rolling his eyes at his boyfriend's guffaw. Pearl held his stomach as he tried to stifle his laughter into his hand.
"I," he cleared his throat. "I-I'm sorry, bro."
"Yeah? I can totally tell." He scoffed, holding out a hand. "At least help me out, bro."
Pearl nodded, still smiling wide as he firmly took hold of his hand only to be yanked into the lake as well. Diamond waited as the blonde emerged in a similar fashion, finger combing his hair out of his face. He smirked at Diamond, holding his hands up in surrender.
"Touché."
They both laughed, Pearl pecking him on the lips before slipping under and swimming off a ways. He popped up a distance away and let the water raise him up as he lay on his back. He felt the heat of the sun warm his exposed skin, the water itself not feeling nearly as cold as it would have on a different day. It was pleasant all the same and his orange eyes looked up at the wonderfully blue sky as he often had the ceiling in his bedroom, trying to find something where there was nothing. He played with his breathing, sinking and rising as he inhaled and exhaled.
Diamond tried various strokes as he attempted to get out to where Pearl was, lacking the technique necessary to properly execute them. He waded near the blonde who peeked out of an eye over at him with a smile he happily returned.
"We should get an inner tube."
"You'll look like those beach kids on the east coast," Pearl reclosed his eyes, contenting himself to float.
"I guess so," he nodded thoughtfully swimming back over toward the shore. "Float over here instead!"
Pearl sighed, sinking into the lake. He pushed past the water toward where he saw Diamond's legs, bubbles disrupting his vision occasionally before he resurfaced. He repositioned himself on his back while Diamond held onto the grass to stay afloat with less work.
The sun was high overhead, a little past the highest point, and pokemon were starting to quiet down for what could be assumed to be a lunch hour of sorts or the heat enticing them to rest instead of play or battle. A light breeze picked up, sending rippling waves through the water gently. Pearl's body moved with them, floating toward the shore. He reached out and held on with one hand though continued to laze away, opening his eyes to look at Diamond.
"Remember that one time you got lost in the woods here and my dad and I had to come find you?"
"How could I forget?" Diamond rolled his eyes with a light smile. "We should've held hands or something. I mean, I really should've known better. You would get distracted at the slightest thing and just dart off."
"You make it sound like I have ADD or something," he scoffed crossly.
Diamond pinched the bridge of his nose, finding it within him not to comment. They stayed silent for several moments, Diamond picking at blades of grass idly.
"Were you scared?"
"Hm?"
"When you realized I was gone," Diamond specified. "Did it scare you?"
Pearl grew somber at the thought, remembering too well how scared he was when he had to run home and get his father, scared further that he would be trouble. In hindsight he supposed he would be frightened now if Diamond were missing.
"Yeah, I cried when I told my dad I couldn't find you." He sighed, nudging Diamond with his foot to lighten the mood. "Gotta keep my eye on you so you don't wander off on me."
Diamond looked over at him and smiled pensively. "Yeah, I guess you do."
He pulled himself out of the water, adjusting his swim trunks from where they clung to him.
"How's lunch sound, babe? We've been swimming for a while."
He helped Pearl out of the water and they dried off some and sat on the blanket. Pearl insisted Diamond sit while he set everything up nicely. He smiled nervously as he opened the tupperware with the riceballs.
"I hope these are okay, your mom didn't seem to think they would be," he frowned slightly as he handed him one.
"Please," he rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Anything you make I'm going to love. And of course rice balls are my favorite."
Pearl eagerly awaited Diamond's first bite and the blue eyed boy tried to restrain his smile as he bit into it. It was actually pretty good and he was impressed that Pearl had made it even though he knew his mother had helped him. He nodded his approval to the blonde who breathed a sigh of relief with a wide smile.
"Nice work, Pearl."
"Really?"
"See… for yourself," he spoke between chews.
Pearl began eating his as well, his boyfriend laughing at the surprised face he made that he had actually made something edible. They continued eating, looking out at the lake before returning their attention to each other.
"So…"
"You didn't get to badger me into watching Proteinman Omega last night," Pearl smiled halfheartedly. "I missed having you next to me."
"I missed you, too. I'm sorry we missed date night." Diamond's smile faltered as he averted his gaze away and then gradually down at his hands. "It's going to be harder now that we're home though."
It wasn't something that Pearl thought would have to be so hard although considering how his mother was taking it he no longer felt the need to keep it a secret from her. He toyed with his rice ball, pulling off individual grains of rice as he contemplated his follow up, unsure if it were ok to venture the question once more.
"Your mom give you a hard time about everything yesterday?"
Diamond shrugged, giving a hardly perceivable nod.
Pearl swallowed. "Did you tell her about us?"
"No," he shook his head. "I'm not ready to tell her and…"
"What did she say to you?"
"N-Nothing, she just says things and…"
"They're 'out of line'?"
"Yeah. I don't know. I just don't see myself telling her."
"Don't you think you're going to have to eventually?"
Diamond shrugged as Pearl moved closer, sitting so Diamond was positioned between Pearl's bent knees. He claimed his hands as he knocked foreheads with him lightly. He felt safe like in Pearl's grasp he could breathe. He didn't want him to know how much the things his mother had said were affecting him. He especially didn't want him to know that she had even gone so far as to bring up Missy. No, it was better if he just didn't know.
"Did you tell your mom?"
"Not exactly," Pearl began to blush lightly. "She sort of guessed. She probably guessed it honestly when I was fifteen and came home without you and cried all night like a girl before I ran off by myself."
He grimaced, taking a hand from Diamond's to pinch the bridge of his nose for a moment.
"Oh, Pearl," Diamond kissed him lightly.
"It's fine. She's ok with it though and she's already teased me about it a few times."
"I'm glad she was open about it."
"Yeah, but you know you don't have to tell your mom alone when you do. I could come or my mom, too."
"She's not going to take it well. I'd rather just not."
Pearl averted his gaze down at their hands, wetting his lips as he squeezed his hands reassuringly.
"What if we did move in together, Diamond? Or what if we eventually…"
"Hn?"
"Well, one day maybe we'll decide to make our relationship a little more… permanent, you know?"
They looked into each other's eyes, Diamond's eyes expressing his shock and overwhelmed feelings at Pearl's suggestion.
"Pearl…" He whispered.
"I'm just saying 'what if'. But if and when, you will need to tell her. I don't want you worrying yourself so much in the meantime about how she'll react. There's no rush."
Every thought he had entertained last night about possibly leaving him for his mother's sake died as Pearl reminded him why he loved him so dearly. He felt his heart pounding in his chest as they looked at each other. His fiery eyes and his blonde hair, his thin body with his lanky limbs, every detail of Pearl captivated him, he was in love. Even the hesitations in Pearl's cheeks where he almost had his mother's dimples knocked him out. He was perfect. How could he have doubted what they had?
"Dia… Diamond," he whispered, bringing a hand to rest on his cheek. "I love you."
Diamond brought them into a kiss. He poured every ounce of himself into it, hanging onto Pearl's shoulders like a clinging child. Perhaps that's exactly what he was at that moment. But as Pearl brought himself to lie on his back, Diamond felt as though he had more control than he actually might have had as he assumed the dominant position.
Now Pearl had his fingers tangled in his damp mop of inky black hair as his other hand felt up his chest intently causing Diamond's heart to really beat wildly. Their lips pulsed against each other, Pearl trying to channel his boyfriend's anxious motions into something more languid and sensual as he brought his tongue to brush across the back of Diamond's teeth teasingly.
Diamond wasn't sure who was really leading any longer, his head spinning from a rush of emotions and hormones from Pearl's every motion. He wasn't sure who was moaning or gasping when he finally decided to pull away.
He looked down into his orange eyes as he gazed up with a panting, sexed look of longing. Diamond sighed, leaning down to kiss his forehead.
"I love you, Pearl."
They spent some more time swimming but with the breeze starting to pick up at the signaling of the late afternoon they decided to lie together, folding the blanket to sandwich them in. Pearl had an arm propped behind his head, Diamond resting on his chest as he caressed his shoulder. He sighed contently, wishing he could just fall asleep with the feeling of Diamond's thick lashes flicking against him and his arm outstretched around him. He brought his leg to rub against the one Diamond had situated between his legs affectionately as he looked up at the deepening blue sky.
"Do you feel better?"
"Mm, yeah," He mumbled drowsily.
He looked out across the lake thoughtfully, reflecting on the past twenty-four hours.
"You know, you never told me what your dream was about."
"Which one?"
"From your nap yesterday."
"Oh! Yeah, it was crazy. I was here at the lake and you were there, too. But it was dark and a bit hard to see."
"No stars?"
"Not that I remember. I just remember we were standing looking out at the lake and then I saw us as kids off to the side. I could hear all my younger self's thoughts and my heart was beating like crazy, it felt like I was having a heart attack or an anxiety attack, something like that. I just wanted to hold your hand so bad, I wanted to touch you and when I did it knocked the wind out of me- the bigger me not the little one. And then I looked at you and I must have looked like a mess because you smiled at me like you do when you wake me up before I'm ready. Just sympathetic and nice."
Pearl talked with his hands, looking out at the sky like his words could paint the images across the violet laced canvas. Diamond listened intently, trying to make sense of it all as he watched the blonde's hands move.
"So what had you so worried about it that you called to check on me?"
"That part's next. See, no one said anything but you started undoing your shirt and then I moved in and started undressing you instead. We went to kiss but there was this huge crack of lightning and it made everything almost white and startled us. Then it was just really windy and there was all this smoke. I held you so close and then it was just awful."
Pearl grew somber, clutching Diamond securely in his grasp. Diamond could hear his heart racing and he began to worry himself what happened after.
"What happened?"
"We got struck by lightning, just this huge bolt right in between us and we both got knocked back. It hurt so bad I thought I was dying but I heard you voice so I got up as fast as I could. I saw two hands reaching out of the smoke so I reached out and grabbed them but they weren't your hands, it was a girl's and I tried to see through the smoke but all I could see were three dark figures."
"Who were they?"
"I don't know, two were taller than me- well, one wasn't much taller than me actually, and then the girl who the hands belonged to was shorter than me. It was just really weird and… I was really scared."
"I'd imagine so. But it was just a dream, sweetheart."
He climbed over the top of Pearl, finger combing his dampened and curling hair out of his face. Pearl hugged him tightly around the waist as he looked up into his blue eyes, looking grayer now that the sky was starting to lose its color.
"I know it just gave me a weird feeling. When I woke up I got up calmly enough but I couldn't shake this feeling that something was wrong, like you were upset."
"How did you know?"
"I haven't the slightest clue," he caressed his hips, running his hands over his ass gently. "But that was the dream. It's starting to get late though, it's going to be dinner time soon."
Diamond hummed in agreement, they had spent the entire day at the lake and now the sky was becoming a blur of colors.
"I don't want to go home," he was mostly thinking aloud but as it slipped his lips, he didn't care much.
"Then stay with me."
"I can't," Diamond frowned, knowing that he would further complicate things at home if he stayed the night so soon. "But maybe we could kiss a little."
"Mm, only a little?"
"I can't go home with an erection or a limp, so yes keep it PG."
"No fun," he pouted, rolling them over. "But fine, pucker up, lover boy."
Their lips shared a serious of brisk pecks, gradually deepening their understanding. Pearl broke briefly, taking Diamond's inactive hand and tenderly planting a kiss in his palm, pressing it to his chest before reclaiming his lips. Taking the hint, Diamond let his hands caress his torso freely, circling and tugging gently at his nipples. Pearl escalated the kiss, his tongue reaching to taste every inch of the other's mouth. Diamond started to whimper into the enmeshment, allowing his body to respond at its own will and wrap his legs around the blonde's waist to bring his body down to press into his.
Pearl broke their kiss, smirking down at Diamond with a quirked brow. "PG?"
"Are we ever going to outgrow these hormones?"
"One day, maybe," he kissed him, rocking his hips slowly. "Mm, but I can't send you home with dirtied pants."
"Oh," he breathed as he felt their hips brush. "Y-You're right. Yeah, what should we do?"
Pearl sat them up, thinking for a moment before speaking. "Let's jump in the lake."
"It's going to be freezing," he groaned.
"Exactly," he kissed him sweetly. "Come on."
They each stood up, staring down the water with hesitation.
"So, uh, after you, babe."
"It was your idea."
"You're right." Pearl sighed with a nod, putting his hand on Diamond's back gently. "But if you insist…"
Pearl shoved Diamond forward into the lake, jumping in after with a splash. The lake sloshed at the disturbance, both boys resurfacing shortly after. Diamond coughed, trying to get his overgrown hair out of his eyes so he could glare at his boyfriend. Pearl emerged a stuttering, shivering mess as he quickly pulled himself out of the water.
"'S-s-s f-f-fucking freez-zing!"
"N-No sh-shit," Pearl helped him out of the water, each boy hugging their arms to their chests as they tried to find their towels. "Why are you such a jerk?"
"T-turned you off, didn't it?"
Pearl wrapped Diamond in his towel, kissing his cheek as he gathered their things to go. Diamond looked out at the lake one last time. It reflected the deep shade of purple and rose in the sky, the few stray clouds in the sky also taking on that hue as they drifted. He tried to envision it masked in smoke like Pearl's dream, wondering still what it all meant if anything.
"Ready to go, Dia?"
He nodded, still looking across the lake as they joined hands.
They made their way through the woods, pokemon sleeping amongst the once lively trees. Bushes and leaves rustled with the evening breeze and as they exited the wooded path the stars could be seen as they began dotting the sky. Twinleaf was quiet, lights illuminating the windows of every house as the boys passed through, steps faltering to buy them time together.
They reached the corner of Diamond's house and stood awkwardly waiting for the other to move first. Pearl could see it in his eyes that he was more than a little apprehensive to go. With a comforting smile, he dropped the cooler to free the hand Diamond wasn't holding to wrap around his waist.
"Everything will be fine," he nuzzled his nose, stealing a deep kiss. "I love you, baby."
"Love you, too," Diamond kissed him again. "Call me later?"
"Promise."
They lingered, Diamond surprising Pearl by letting go first and with a sad smile Pearl turned to head back home himself. He waited to head in until he heard Diamond's door close, leaning against his own door as he brought his fingers up to feel his lips reminiscently. The stars flickered in the sky and he thought about his dream and everything that had happened again. No, no stars only overwhelming uncertainty just like when they were children.
Yes, he was terrified.
But at least they were home.
Ciao mie bambole!
This time I really mean the most sincerest of appologies to all of you for my unannounced absence but your patience shall not be in vain because I am officially on summer break from college having successfully complete my first year! Part of the delay in my defense aside from the obvious like a massive load of school work was that I have had some set backs personally which put me in some bad space. Moreover, my flashdrive with the original file for the fic including the original draft of this chapter I had nearly ready to post back in January broke. But I am back and ready to hopefully finish this story this year.
This chapter is practically dripping with foreshadowing, it's really not even funny. As always I will invite you to speculate but will not give any hints as to what's in store. Currently the next chapter is the last chapter before the climax and complete turning point in the story. Expect things to take a dramatic change and be ready to welcome some new characters (no OC's I promise).
I really do like this chapter, it's very dynamic and I invite you to use a site like dreammoods . com to decode Pearl's dream yourself for your entertainment.
Other notes:
What do you all think of the covers? I finally got them done and they can be seen much better on my deviantart page ( MistresBambola . deviantart . com). Which reminds me also, I am currently taking commissions to help pay for school and might I stress that I am paying for it completely out of pocket and cannot take out loans (I don't have a cosigner to do so), so anything helps. For more information, again visit my deviantart page.
Expect the next chapter next week sometime, it is my birthday this Saturday (25th) but I do hope to get some things done on the trip I am taking with my family to NYC this weekend because what else are long car rides for?
As always thank you for your continued feedback in my absence, I have responded to all of your private messages and as many comments as were possible (And thank you Miss Anon- at least I assume you're a miss from your typing mannerisms and choice of words, for your lovely comments, darling. Glad you managed to find the prequel after the fact). I love you all dearly and it truly means the world to me to have you all support my works.
Baci XXX
Miss Salina