A/N: Thank you, everyone, for reading and supporting this story, and most especially for your reviews! They keep me going! Here's an extra-long chapter as a thank you :) And uh, it looks like fanfiction messed up the formatting of the chat messages in the beginning, so bold is Cilan and italics is Iris. I hope it's understandable that way, and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon or the picture used as cover (though I did edit it).

Days

The day things get better

Iris

Wednesday, January 15th

Cilan
Last seen today at 5:14 PM

Im doing good [9:55 PM]

1 loss vs 10 wins :D [9:55 PM]

Thanks for asking [9:56 PM]

How are you? [9:56 PM]

I'm doing fine, thank you. [10:09 PM]

That's good [10:11 PM]

Goodnight [10:19 PM]

Goodnight [10:48 PM]

Yesterday

Hi Iris. How are you doing? [8:15 PM]

Hey! [8:21 PM]

Doing fine, no problems here [8:22 PM]

Only wins at the Gym today [8:22 PM]

How are you? [8:22 PM]

I'm doing well, but a bit busy tonight. [8:30 PM]

I'm free tomorrow evening. [8:32 PM]

Thats good [8:35 PM]

Do you want to meet up? [8:39 PM]

Sure! [8:40 PM]

I could come over [8:41 PM]

If you want [8:42 PM]

That sounds good. 8 o'clock at the Gym? [8:45 PM]

Alright [8:47 PM]

See you tomorrow! [8:47 PM]

See you tomorrow. [8:49 PM]

Iris looked at her messages, checking once again if Cilan had sent another message. Nothing new. She read over the last ones for the nth time, feeling as if she had missed something, but no, it really seemed as if he wanted her to come over.

Had she seemed too eager? Or should she have been more enthusiastic? Or-

With a frustrated growl Iris closed her messages again and put away her phone. She was overthinking this. Again. They had kept in contact after they had gone to the doctor, sometimes with a phone call but mostly with short messages; Cilan usually started them, asking how she was. So, it was a good thing he wanted to see her again, she should seize this opportunity, and she was happy to see him again, she had missed him, but what if she did something stupid-

"Alright, that's it, I'm just going to go and we're going to see what's up," Iris said, more to herself than anything else. Still, Dragonite irritably looked up from his sleep and Haxorus let out an agreeing growl.

Iris looked around the Gym, all cleaned up after the battles today (three losses against six wins), and saw how her Pokémon were now relaxing after their meals. She herself had eaten as well, and the dishes were done, so there was really no reason to delay going anymore.

"Yes. Right. Dragonite, let's get ready, we're going to fly to Striaton," Iris said, and when he was slow to get up, she put her hands on her hips. "Dragonite…" Finally he did so, grumbling pro forma, and Iris smiled and nodded. She walked back to the hall to get dressed for the weather, although fortunately the temperature was no longer below freezing.

When she returned for Dragonite she saw that the Pokémon was already impatiently waiting at the big front doors of the Gym.

"Ah, changed your tune, didn't ya?" Iris joked, knowing that Dragonite did love to fly. "Let's get going then."

She pulled her hood lower around her head and tightened her scarf before following Dragonite outside. She mounted the flying type and then they were off.

It was cold out, especially higher in the sky, and Iris leaned closer to Dragonite. Still, she wouldn't let the weather deter her – it had been more than a week since she had seen Cilan, and while she missed him, she had stuck to her mindset of letting him take the initiative.

So, if he only wanted to message her, she would only message, but if he wanted to see her, she sure as hell was going to fly through the cold to get to him.

And wasn't that just pathetic- No, Iris harshly pushed that prideful voice away. She had messed things up, and she was going to fix them. Swallowing her pride was just a small thing.

Iris took a shuddering breath, the air icy cold in her lungs. She tried to stop thinking about what was going to happen; did he just want to chat, or did he want to discuss what was going to happen in the future?

Well, whatever was going to happen, she was going to give it her all. She owed him that, at least. If he just wanted to have a polite relationship, she would accept that, but if there was even the slightest chance their friendship was still salvageable, she would-

Damn it, her thoughts kept going around in circles. Iris kept trying to think of other things, but failed miserably each time, and by the time they landed in front of the Pokémon Center in Striaton City, she was well and truly nervous.

"Thanks, Dragonite," Iris said before recalling him. A light drizzle started to fall during her walk to the Gym slash restaurant, but fortunately it was a short walk and she didn't get very wet.

Iris pushed open the door and entered the warmth of the restaurant. It was not overly crowded – a normal Wednesday night, if she had to guess. She took off her hood and scarf and walked straight towards the kitchen; she was early so Cilan would undoubtedly still be at work, but she'd just say hi and then wait in the Gym.

Two of the regular employees who Iris vaguely recognized were busy with the dishes, while Cress, Chili and a dark-skinned woman she didn't know were working at the stoves.

"Iris!" A surprised frown appeared on Cress's face when he noticed her, and Chili and the woman looked up at his call. The middle-aged woman gave her a vague smile but Chili frowned and narrowed his eyes at her.

"What are you doing here?" Cress asked as he left the stove to move closer to her. His expression wasn't as openly unfriendly as Chili's, but he didn't seem very welcoming either. It shouldn't have been surprising, but it still made her falter.

"Cilan invited me," she said, doing her best to sound as normal as possible.

Cress's lips pulled downwards before he obviously forced a smile. "Cilan's not here, he's probably at the Gym."

Iris nodded slowly even if it felt like she was missing something. Her eyes drifted over to Chili and the brown-haired woman, and Cress continued with, "That's Kawena Mihill, she started today as a cook."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Iris," she introduced herself, still feeling out of the loop.

Kawena smiled brightly. "Good to meet you, too. You took over Drayden's Gym, didn't you?"

"Yup, that's me," Iris said, surprised but pleased to be recognized. She glanced back at Chili and Cress, but seeing that no more answers were forthcoming and sensing that an awkward silence was about to happen, Iris said, "Well, I'll be off to the Gym then. Thanks, and good luck with work tonight."

She waved to the dishwashers, Kawena and the two brothers, and they chorused their goodbyes in response. Iris's own smile faltered when she noticed that neither Chili's nor Cress's smile seemed particularly convincing.

Iris found Cilan in the Gym, brushing off sand of Crustle's huge shell, and he looked up with a small smile when she entered. The conversation in the kitchen had effectively made her forget about her nerves and it was easy and natural to smile back at him.

Cilan walked towards her and Iris met him halfway. For a moment she stupidly thought he would hug her, but he stopped in front of her and Iris tried to keep smiling.

"Iris," Cilan greeted. "It's good to see you again."

"It's good to see you, too," she responded politely, her nerves returning with the stilted way the conversation felt. "What did you want to meet me for?"

Oops, that came out a bit too bluntly. Still, she was surprised to see Cilan's calm composure disappear and he flushed, his hands moving nervously.

"Well, no actual reason, actually- Just, you know, I thought we could chat, like…" Cilan said, at the end muttering something she didn't quite catch.

"Sorry?"

His flush intensified but he straightened and said, "I said, like we used to. Like we used to chat." He shook his head. "That sounds stupid. I mean, this-" He gestured between them. "This is just- Like we're talking- It's strange, or odd, or- I don't know-"

He seemed to wrestle for words and Iris burst out, "It's my fault."

Cilan paused and Iris took her chance to continue, "Well, I mean, I don't know if this is what you mean, but I feel like I'm constantly walking on eggshells, like I'm talking to a stranger, and I don't want that, you're my best friend-" Oh Arceus, she was talking too much again. But then again, it couldn't possibly get much worse, right? "I mean, I know I ruined it and that you're not seeing me like that anymore and I deserve that and I'm sorry, but I miss you and I don't know how to fix it and I'm trying to act as normal as possible but I'm constantly watching what I'm saying-"

"Iris-"

"-except for now, of course, now I'm just rambling but I'm so, so sorry-" She was tripping over her words and to her horror Iris felt her eyes growing teary- hadn't she cried enough yet? "-and I know that's not enough, but I don't know how-"

"Iris," Cilan said again, but it was his hand on her shoulder that finally made her stop talking. It was the first time since he'd touched her since the would-be wedding.

Cilan breathed in deeply and he looked her straight in the eyes. "I know you're sorry," he said slowly, as if he was weighing his words carefully. "And… you're my best friend, Iris. You'll always be my best friend. And I'm sorry that- that I didn't see, or that you felt like you couldn't talk to me-"

Iris shook her head strongly. "No, it's my fault, I shouldn't have run away like that-"

"No, you shouldn't have," Cilan agreed, and Iris flinched at the hurt in his tone. She looked back in surprise when Cilan put his other hand on her other shoulder. His eyes were earnest and just the slightest bit wet. "Please don't ever, ever do that again. Don't- Don't just leave, but talk to me, Iris, please."

"I will. I promise," she said, nodding.

"Alright," he said. He took a deep breath and repeated, "Alright."

"I'll talk to you, Cilan, I promise," Iris said. "I won't keep it in, I won't run away, I'll talk to you." She put all her feelings in the words, but she didn't know how to make it more clear to him that she meant it, that she was determined to make this work, that she would give it her all- "I promise, I-"

Cilan gently tugged on her shoulders and Iris easily let herself fall in the embrace, putting her arms around his back and holding him tight. Cilan pulled her closer and Iris took a shaking breath against his chest.

Rationally, she knew it couldn't have been more than a month since they had hugged, but if felt like ages.

"I missed you," Cilan whispered in her hair, and Iris nodded against him.

"I missed you, too." Very much. And this had been her fault, her own fault, she had caused this rift, if only she had said something sooner- "I'm sorry," she muttered.

Cilan pulled back a bit to look at her. "Iris… I- I forgive you, okay? I can't say I've forgotten about it, but I forgive you, so please stop apologizing, alright?"

What? Iris shook her head, even if she felt relief swelling within her like a big balloon. "No, you shouldn't-"

She wanted him to forgive her, she wanted them to be friends again, so why was she protesting? Tears were surfacing against – damn those pregnancy hormones – but before she could say more, Cilan shook his head with a slight smile.

"You'd think I would get to decide when I forgive you, hm?" he attempted to joke, but Iris only shook her head again.

"No, you shouldn't- I don't- you're too nice," she finished in realization, and leaned back against him. Cilan wrapped his arms tighter around her, and Iris let out a sigh that was part contentment and part frustration. She had always known Cilan was the soft-hearted of the two of them, he was never able to stay angry for long, but still-

This didn't mean she was going to forgive herself so easily.

They stood there like that, embracing, for a long time, until finally all the tension had drained out her body. Still, Iris didn't want to break the silence, and Cilan was the one who did so.

"You know, I've been a terribly impolite host. You haven't even gotten the chance to take off your coat- C'mon, let's get back to the house and I'll make you something to drink."

Despite his words, Cilan let her go slowly, and Iris nodded and smiled. "That would be nice, thank you."

Hand-in-hand they walked out of the Gym, which had been abandoned by the Pokémon sometime during their conversation. They found them in the Pokémon area, and while the Pokémon were quietly watching when they walked through, Iris heard their loud cheering and calling when they had left the room.

Cilan only let go when they were in the kitchen and he started preparing some tea. Iris took off her coat, put it over a chair and then started taking out the mugs from the kitchen cabinet.

"Oh my," Cilan suddenly said, sounding horrified, and Iris tensed in alarm. "I can't believe I let you fly through this weather!"

Iris relaxed again and looked at the window Cilan was staring at, where the drizzle from earlier had turned into a right downpour.

"Don't worry, it was dry when I was flying," she said.

This didn't seem to reassure Cilan much. "Still, I shouldn't have asked you to come here. And you should stay the night, you can't possibly fly back through this storm-"

Her annoyance rose as he spoke, but she kept her mouth shut to keep the fragile peace they had just established – until she realized that this was exactly what they had just talked about and how she had promised not to keep silent.

"Cilan," she cut him off. He looked at her and Iris took a deep breath to steel herself. "Just now, in the Gym, you said- I promised to talk to you, so… I'm going to do that now, alright?"

Cilan blinked and nodded, the worry lessening to make place for confusion and curiosity. "Alright."

"Well, I… I appreciate that you worry about me, but- but I can decide for myself whether or not I can fly through certain weather," Iris said, rushing out the words. "I mean, you should just ask me to come over- you're busier than I am and I had more time to travel, and then I can decide for myself if I can do it or not." Damn it, was she doing this right? "Do you- Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Cilan nodded slowly. "I think I do." He tried for a smile. "But that doesn't mean I can't worry, right?"

Iris sagged a bit in relief at his easy acceptance. Then again, what had she expected? This was Cilan, after all. She smiled. "Right. And-" she glanced at the window, seeing how it was still pouring outside, "-and if you're offering, I wouldn't be against staying the night to avoid flying back through this weather."

Of course she could handle flying through the rain, but that didn't mean it was comfortable. Cilan's smile bloomed back in full.

"Of course, no problem," he said, and then his smile disappeared in a hesitant look. "I know you usually sleep on the couch when you're here…"

Ah yes, the bed or the couch, an 'argument' (it was hardly that, it was more of a habit) that always popped up whenever Iris stayed over. With the big distances between their houses, it was not unusual for either of them to stay the night, but Iris's place had a guest room, while Cilan's did not. He always insisted she could have his bed, and she always declined and slept on the couch.

"…and I don't want to seem like I'm overly worrying or that I think you can't handle it, but wouldn't you rather sleep in a bed with your… current condition?" Cilan broadly gestured to her still very flat stomach. "You know I really don't mind sleeping on the couch," he assured her.

"Thanks, Cilan," Iris said but she shook her head. "I appreciate it, really, but I'll sleep on the couch for now. I promise I'll rethink it as soon as I've got a bit of a belly to show, alright?" she offered what she hoped could be a compromise.

He opened his mouth as if to protest, but then nodded. "Alright. I know you can take care of yourself."

Iris smiled widely. "Thank you. And I know you mean well."

"So… time for tea?" Cilan held up the two empty mugs and Iris nodded. The water had been heated during their conversation and he poured it into the mugs.

For some time they sat at the kitchen table and enjoyed their tea, their conversation comfortably drifting from how each of them were doing, to both of their Gym battles, to Iris's new Gym, to their Pokémon, and so on.

They had just finished their second cup when Iris remembered, "Oh, and I just met your new employee, uh, what's her name again- Kawena, when I came in earlier. She seems nice." Having just seen the woman for about two seconds, Iris couldn't say more about her. But it was good they were hiring more employees, she always thought the brothers were too busy, even with the help they already had.

Iris frowned when she saw Cilan's strained smile. "She's very nice, certainly."

"But…?"

Cilan shook his head. "No buts, she's very nice. She just started, but she seems a promising addition to the team."

Iris relaxed a bit. "Well, yeah, I think it's good you're getting more people to work in the restaurant, you three are always too busy."

Cilan shifted uncomfortably in his chair and wouldn't meet her eyes.

"Alright, what's up?"

Cilan straightened and looked back at her. "She's my replacement. Well, part-time replacement. I'm still working part-time, but I intend on stopping with the restaurant."

"What?" That didn't make any sense. Cilan loved working at the restaurant. He and his brothers had been working there for years, starting back when they were young teens and it had been their parents' business. He loved it. "Why?"

"I didn't have the time anymore. Three jobs... it was too much." He was trying to sound flippant, as if it was nothing, but Iris wasn't buying it for a second.

"You love the restaurant," Iris said. After a moment, she added, "Right?"

"I do, I do," he quickly said. "And that's why it's better this way."

Iris frowned again. "How do you mean?"

Cilan's cheeks turned a bit red. "Well, I've been constantly late, and things keep going wrong because I'm distracted. I'm making it more difficult for Chili and Cress and they've been picking up enough of my slack. This is better for everyone."

"Not for you," Iris quickly said. "And besides, you've had a lot on your mind, they should understand-" She stopped mid-sentence when she realized Cress and Chili couldn't possibly know about the pregnancy. They would understand Cilan being distracted about her, but- "They don't know about the baby!"

Cilan's eyebrows creased. "Well, no, or maybe, I think they might suspect…"

"Well, then we should tell them! It would be unfair if they made you stop because they don't understand-"

"Iris, it was my decision," Cilan cut in decisively.

"Because you feel like your performances weren't up to par because you were distracted," she argued.

Cilan didn't say anything and Iris felt her rightful anger turn doubtful.

"Right?" she asked.

"Yes, it's partly that…" Cilan said slowly.

Iris crossed her arms. "Look, I promised to talk to you instead of keeping it in, you should follow your own advice."

Cilan opened his mouth, closed it again, and his gaze dropped to the table. "You're right, my apologies." He breathed in and looked at her again, his hands tightening around the empty mug. "My tardiness and mistakes are definitely part of the reason, but another part is that if I quit the restaurant, I will be able to devote more time to my work as a Connoisseur."

Iris nodded, encouraging him to go on.

"And… as we're going to have a baby this summer, I thought it would be wise to have more savings." He averted his gaze again and shrugged a bit. "And as much as I love the restaurant, working as a Connoisseur pays more."

Iris was silent as she let that sink in. She didn't agree, she wanted to protest; he shouldn't have to give up something he loved just to make more money.

"I love being a Connoisseur as well, Iris," he said as if he was reading the thoughts from her face.

"Well, yes," Iris said slowly. "And it's your decision, of course, but…" Talk, they had just promised, and Iris tried to analyze what she was feeling and how to put it into words. "I feel bad that you have to stop at the restaurant because you feel you have to make more money. Especially for something that's half because of me. And I understand where you're coming from, really, but I still feel bad about it."

Cilan smiled a bit, the tension fading from his body. "Thank you, Iris. But I assure you, I'll be fine."

"Hm." Iris was silent for a bit, chewing on the inside of her cheek in thought. "I have a solution, maybe."

Cilan cocked his head.

"I'll find a second job, and you'll stay at the restaurant." She spread her hands. "That way I will be making the money you could otherwise make as a Connoisseur, and perhaps I'll even make more!"

Cilan looked conflicted, a frown on his face and his lips pressed together, but longing shining from his eyes. "I don't know… I don't like you having to work more…" He quickly held up his hands in defense. "I don't mean to say that you aren't capable, just that I don't like that you would have to…"

Iris nodded. She understood what he had meant the first time, but she appreciated the explanation anyway. "And I don't like that you have to stop with the restaurant," she shot back easily, though she smiled to take the sting out of her words.

Cilan pursed his lips and tapped his chin while Iris tangled her fingers in her hair, considering the stalemate.

"How about a compromise?" she offered as another idea came to her. "I find a part-time job, you stay part-time at the restaurant."

Cilan continued looking thoughtful for a few more moments, but then sighed and smiled. "Alright, I suppose that is an agreeable concoction."

"Good." Iris smiled. She had no clue what kind of job she could do, but she would find something, she was sure.

There was some silence as they both got their thoughts back in order.

"Do you want some more tea?" Cilan finally broke the silence. "Or would you rather go to bed early?" It was almost ten o'clock.

"No, some tea would be nice."

While the silence was not uncomfortable, Iris also felt the sense to bring up a new topic, so she asked about how his Connoisseur work was and from there their conversation flowed naturally again.

They had almost finished their tea when two pairs of footsteps sounded on the stairs and a few moments later Cress and Chili, still dressed in their restaurant attire, appeared in the kitchen.

"Are you still here?" Cress's question was one of pure surprise and his expression reflected that.

"Uh, yes," Iris said, because how else could she answer? She looked at Cilan, not sure how to explain why she was still here and unwilling to assume more than he had intended with his words.

Chili and Cress both followed her gaze and Cilan shrugged.

"Well, it's terrible weather, it's only logical she's staying over," Cilan said as if it was the most normal thing – which it had been, before. "We're friends."

"Friends," Chili repeated and then looked at Iris. He nodded once. "Alright. That's good."

Cress, too, relaxed his tense stance and even smiled a bit at her. "Good."

"Right," Chili said. "Well, anyway, I'm calling shower first!" Whatever tension remained was broken with that and Chili hurried to bathroom, while Cress let out a defeated sigh.

"Fine," he said to Chili's retreating back. The blue-haired brother turned to the fridge and grabbed a sandwich from it. "I'll be in my bedroom," he said, nodding at Iris and Cilan.

They heard the bedroom door close, followed a few moments later by the sound of the bathroom door, and then Iris said, "We should tell them soon."

Cilan nodded immediately. "Yes, we should, and we will. But… tomorrow, maybe?"

"Tomorrow is fine," she agreed. She did not feel equipped to handle another emotional conversation today. "Can we go visit the Pokémon area? I can leave Dragonite to spend the night there."

"Of course." Cilan put away the mugs while Iris finally took her coat off the chair and put it in its proper place in the hallway.

She waited for Cilan there and then they walked down the stairs as Cilan explained what training he had been doing with Crustle. Iris smiled at the familiarity of the situation, feeling like she could float down the stairs.

"Iris?" Cilan looked at her questioningly. Iris snapped back to reality. "Are you okay?"

She could only answer honestly. "I missed this."

Cilan's smile was tinged with sadness but he said, "I did, too."

A/N: Thank you for reading! Oof, that was a massive chapter to write. I think it's one of my longest so far. Actually Iris and Cilan weren't going to make up yet – almost, but not yet – but here it just seemed to flow naturally so there it is. Cilan just can't stay angry for long. Of course that doesn't mean that everything is just peachy now, but I think the worst is over. And then the chapter just kept getting longer because the work situation had to be addressed, and actually this was also going to have the pregnancy reveal for Chili and Cress, but no way they would do that after this rough night haha. Sorry for cutting that, but there will be more reveal chapters, I promise.

So, anyway, thanks a lot for reading and let me know what you thought about this chapter. It wasn't easy to write but I think I'm satisfied with it, and I would love to hear your opinions!

Thank you!

Recommendation:

Harry Potter: Alis Volat Propriis by MaryRoyale. FFN. A surprising one-shot about an unusual pairing, namely Blaise Zabini and Millicent Bulstrode. Very well written and with a happy ending, for those who want to know :P

Recommendations are welcome!