Part 2

Set two months after Skye arrives home and covers the beginning of her and Aaron's relationship, further touches on Sylmi and Ruki's, and continues Skye and Ruki's.

It also introduces new characters— one Ruki may like.

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"Well… it's been two months, you know?" Skye sat on her bed one evening in pink pajama pants and a shirt with her phone held to her ear.

"So, you're saying you want to try in person?" Aaron paced slowly in his kitchen, ensuring not to cross lines or Skye's comfort. The last thing he wanted was to taint their progress after they'd made so much.

"I mean, we've talked almost every day since Sinnoh, know a lot about each other, and still feel the same way, if not stronger... I also miss you. What do you think?" Those late-night quiet call and text sessions were amazing after they'd built past a bit of dry and shy, full of grins and giggles, and they'd shared and listened to their favorite songs together, even watching movies. It had gotten flirty occasionally too, but both were too anxious to take it far. They were about past the talking stage but still needed to meet to complete that step entirely.

"I... think we're ready. I miss you a lot too." Aaron felt his chest warm in response to her statement. He'd been afraid Skye would lose interest in him during the past couple of months, but she had yet to, making it feel that much more real.

She grinned, "I feel we should stick to the regions we know best for now, and we've both been to Sinnoh…"

"Which leaves Kalos and Alola," Aaron completed, leaning against the counter, but he didn't know where or how to proceed. He was stiff.

"Mhm."

He caught on now. She was handing him a major decision. It was his turn to lead; it would be his first time, so he wasn't sure how Skye would perceive this. "So, uh, like I told you back in Sinnoh, I've always liked the idea of visiting Alola. It's never left the top of my list, but I don't know if..." he trailed. Aaron didn't want to overexplain something she disagreed with.

It sounded perfect to her. "Yes," she smiled. "Yes. I'd like that. When would you like to set something like this up, though? I don't want to stir your life over there."

The relief in mixture with jubilance was fulfilling. "Name a time."

"Really? But you have school..."

"Don't sweat it. I can skip a semester if need be." Aaron wanted to see Skye again and establish something with her. School could wait and would be there when he returned.

Skye still didn't want to push it and be unmindful, so she'd grant ample time. "How does… next week or two sound to stay a week? On a Monday."

His semester ended in three days. "Next week… Okay, and should I bring Sylmi?"

"Uh, hold on." Skye muted the call. "Ruki!"

After a few beats, he appeared at Skye's door and approached her bed while licking his maw.

"What's that red stuff around your mouth?... Is Mom feeding you berries again?"

"Ni." He sat in front of her.

"Anyway, Aaron is visiting next week. Would you like to see Sylmi again? It's fine if not."

Were they coming here? Ruki didn't know Sylmi well, but he'd somewhat warmed up to him in Sinnoh. Ruki envisioned showing Sylmi around his city and felt a touch of joy stir within, taking a foreign pokémon under his tails and showing him around a bright city. It wouldn't hurt, and Sylmi could make a good friend. He nodded.

"Alright, baby. You can go," Skye dismissed, unmuting the call and watching Ruki trot away. She wouldn't keep him from one of his passions longer than she had to. "Hello?"

"I'm here."

"Sorry. It's a yes for Sylmi. He and Ruki were getting along."

"Great… Where would the ferry drop us off, by the way?" He still couldn't believe she lived in Hau'oli. Aaron had never met anyone that did. It was out of reach of most people's income.

"You'll get dropped off at The Marina, a mile from my place, so just look for that when purchasing your ticket. I know a resort you can stay at too. It's expensive but unique. Look up Hano in Alola."

"I've read about it before. I guess the saving I've done will come in handy. I'll keep in touch so you're updated before I leave." He paused. "So, we're set, right?"

Skye giggled, "yes. We're set."

He couldn't help but chuckle after hearing her. Aaron just couldn't believe this was happening. "I'll see you soon, Skye."

"See you soon, Aaron. Bye…" She set her phone beside her after the call ended and smiled. Skye was giddy and undoubtedly in love after two months of being glued to each other. It had been as if she couldn't go anywhere without carrying her phone around and checking it constantly whenever it vibrated.

She had to hope they'd work out in person, but she couldn't see them failing. They connected easily and had so much fun together.

Skye stood and walked to the living room, and sure enough, she saw her mother giving Ruki lansat berries that they occasionally bought from the berry fields. Skye's mother put the order in under a special delivery whenever they were available since the owners had to order them from overseas. They were rare to come by, considered legendary berries.

Ruki could eat all day, but Skye would have to start watching his intake after his metabolism slowed. She never wanted him to be overweight. "Hey, Mom." She noticed Ru napping on the couch alone. Her father must be in the bedroom.

"Hi, honey," she said while feeding Ruki another small handful. "That's enough, Ruki. You can't have them all."

"That's what I always tell him," Skye giggled, watching his eyes shift to her. "I've gotta talk to you, Mom." She felt anxious about breaking such major news to her mother, but it was better than leaving her in the dark. The sooner, the better.

"What is it?" She looked up from Ruki and rinsed her hands over the sink, leaning against the counter.

Ruki knew what it was already but still wanted to hear this. He sat amid them while licking his maw.

"So… you remember Aaron, right?" Skye asked.

"Of course. You two have been in touch for a while now, right?"

"Yes– and… well, we spoke just now and agreed we were ready to try and take our relationship further. So, we... set up for next week, and he'll stay at Hano Grand Resort."

She nodded and, to Skye's relief, seemed mellow about it, especially when Skye hadn't spoken to her beforehand. "That's a surprise. Do we get to meet him, and should we let your father know now?"

Skye assumed her father would be fine with it, although he tended to be tougher on boys she knew, even when they were friends as if to deter any intentions. She was an adult now, though, so he had to ease up. "Soon… when I'm ready, and I'll bring Aaron by the day he gets here."

"Alright, honey. Just let me know ahead of time so we're on the same page. I'm happy for you." It's sweet that Skye was taking her first steps into love. It was an amazing thing that her daughter deserved to experience, and she had a gut feeling that Skye had chosen a good one.

"Thank you, and I will. Don't worry... Come on, Ruk'," said Skye while walking back to her room. She closed the door after entering and letting him squeeze through. "I'm super nervous about seeing him again. Oh my gosh." Skye sat on her bed and patted her lap. "I know I'll be shy. Should I hug him?"

Ruki hopped up and rested his upper half on her lap, eyeing her attentively. She should do whatever she felt was best. He'd help where he could, but there was only so much he was capable of.

She grinned and ran her hand over his head. "I don't think this would be without you. My first attempt at… what I think is love." Skye lay back and tugged Ruki up, helping him onto her chest. "But…" She gazed at him. "You know I'll never love another soul as much as I do you, right?"

Ruki swished his tails and nuzzled Skye's cheek with his. He felt overjoyed hearing that. He never wanted their relationship to wither due to another presence, but he would never get in the way of Skye's happiness. That meant everything to him.

"Mhm, baby," she giggled and booped his nose with her finger, then kissed it. "How did you and Ru's training go today? You're gonna be world-class one day, learning under his paw. Might have to put you up against a gym." She'd let them out in the backyard earlier today, and they were out there for two hours.

"Nnh." It went great. There was never a dull moment, and Ru never ran out of strategies and tech to teach. Ruki soaked up all he could and always aced the reviews, which made Ru proud. Fighting and winning a gym over would impress both Skye and his mentor, but could he really do that on his own with her? Ru probably could.

"Alright, I know you've eaten already, berry breath, but I'm gonna go make something for me. I'll bring it back, maybe see what's on TV. Stay put." Skye set Ruki aside and left the room, pushing the door on the way out and letting it close halfway.

He walked to the center and lay on his stomach, pondering Sylmi being in his region. They were acquainted enough for Ruki to feel comfortable around him, and it'd feel nice to be in charge of sightseeing this time. Sylmi was among the most amiable pokémon he'd met, and Ruki hadn't had a friend in too long.

He was kind of excited.

Ruki opened his eyes to a dark room other than the soft light her lava lamp gave off and pressed against the walls. He knew the red hue calmed her and helped her sleep, as she had told him before, and it tended to have the same effect on him. He was sprawled out in bed and didn't feel Skye's warmth beside him, so he lifted his head from the pillow and looked around, falling onto the cracked door. Ruki wasn't worried. Skye was surely in the house, but he was curious.

He yawned and stood, taking a couple of steps toward the bottom of the bed, but just as he reached it, he saw the door open and Skye in panties and a shirt shortly after.

"Hey. Did I wake you?" she asked while walking and sitting beside him.

Ruki shook his head and yawned. It was more so the lack of her presence. It was staggering how lost he felt without her sometimes.

"I was gone for like a minute. I had to use the restroom." Skye kissed his ear. "Are you sleepy? I wasn't able to get much."

He was, considering he had just woken up, but Ruki didn't mind staying awake if she couldn't sleep. He shook his head again.

"Well… I was thinking about repainting my nails for next week. I was gonna do it in the morning, but I could now." Skye didn't want to keep him up, however.

"Ni." He swished his tails. It'd be nice to stay up with her, and he'd get to watch the activity. Ruki enjoyed seeing her do things.

"Okay." Skye got up, flipped the light on by her door, and closed it. She went to her dresser and pulled out its top drawer, sifting through it until finding her nail filer, a small bottle of light pink nail polish and remover, and a plastic bag of napkins she took one from. Skye looked back and eyed Ruki, then grabbed a pink-handled brush with rough white bristles and a comb from beside it as well, taking everything to the bed and sitting on her knees. "Scoot."

He moved to the center and saw Skye follow and sit beside him. "We'll pretty you up first." She set her items down and held the brush in her hand.

"Nine!" He was thrilled already. Ruki had loved getting brushed ever since he was a vulpix. It felt amazing enough that it used to nearly put him to sleep.

"Shh, baby," she giggled. Skye knew he liked it. It's why she didn't brush him too often. She wanted some novelty to stay present. "Sit in front of me and turn around."

He moved and sat with his back facing her, turning his head to glance at her.

Skye scooted closer and raised the brush to the back of his neck, pressing the bristles into his skin and stroking down in short strides. She ran into a couple of kinks, which she tugged at gently until they came undone, then ran her other hand over the affected areas afterward to smooth it over.

Ruki's eyes were soft, almost shut. He often shivered as the bristles massaged his skin and as she ran her delicate palm over his fur. It warmed him inside and out, and he subtly leaned back into every stroke, feeling her gradually reach and travel over his sides and lower back.

"You're gonna be all sleek and kinkless," she grinned and pulled at more matted spots, moving to his tails after spending a couple more minutes on his body. Skye held and separated a few while studying each. "Mh," Skye grimaced. "This part might hurt a little." They were tangled in several areas and desperately needed tending to before they worsened. She hadn't cared for his coat and tails in over a week.

Ruki looked back briefly and flicked his tails. He could handle it. He wanted to look his best, and his tails were valuable to him. He knew they'd been tangled and had been biting at them toward the end of the week. He should have brought the fact to her attention.

Skye shifted since her leg started falling asleep and sat on her rear, spreading her legs underneath as she was on her knees. "Let's tackle this then." She swapped the brush with the comb and started with his eighth and ninth tails on the right end that were tangled together, holding them and combing over the fur, starting from the top. It didn't take long for it to get caught in a tough knot, abruptly stopping the comb.

Ruki felt it and braced while looking back, knowing what came next. He watched her lips firm and her tug with force, wincing and hearing his fur tear. "N-Nh," he whimpered, flinching upon feeling a sharp and sore sensation flare in both tails. Since when were they that taut?

"Jeez." The knots were tough to get through, but she straightened them out after enough combing and struggle. "Sorry, baby. They're coming apart." Skye still had seven more tails and many knots to fight. She wouldn't wait more than a week between brushing sessions again. Once every few days was ideal, but she hadn't brushed him in Sinnoh either. Luckily, they hadn't gotten this tangled, and she had brushed them the day after they got back. His coat and tails especially were high maintenance.

After a tedious fifteen minutes of pain and tightly intertwined fur, Skye had undone the final knot. Loose fur was all over the blanket around him, which she'd clean afterward. "Whew, finally." She set the comb down and parted every tail, seamlessly running her fingers through, then stretched her arms and fingers. "Face me. I have to get your chest."

Ruki stood and stretched his legs, swishing his sore tails before turning around and sitting, eyeing her face. After enduring all that, he was tired and glad it'd be over soon. His tails had never been matted to that extent.

Skye picked up the comb again and leaned in to kiss his head before pressing it to the thick tuft on his chest, pushing it through his fur and matted areas while watching him wince. She held his cheek with her free hand and leaned in again to kiss his nose for comfort, tugging at small kinks she came across and hearing him softly huff.

Fortunately, it wasn't nearly as bad as his tails, so it only took a couple of minutes, but Skye felt like a terrible owner and as if she'd neglected him all week in this aspect. She'd learned her lesson. "Alright, baby." She sighed and put the comb down. "Thank you for sitting through that." It was nothing new, but Ruki's obedience always impressed Skye, and she was grateful for it.

She looked at her nail polish and yawned. "My turn, I guess." She didn't feel like painting her nails anymore after brushing Ruki. Her arms were tired, but she might as well since she'd laid everything out.

Skye usually did her nails when happy, so Ruki knew Aaron meant something to her. Then again, she was only ever around her pokémon and didn't go out much nowadays. Occasionally, Skye did it for herself and seemed slightly cheerier afterward, which Ruki loved to see.

"I'll just do my hands tonight; then we can sleep." That was a good middle ground. She first filed her nails, spending almost a minute on each finger before setting it down and unscrewing the bottle of polish remover. She poured some onto the napkin she held and dabbed it on each nail before she'd apply the polish.

Ruki studied the process. He never had much of a clue what Skye was doing, but it always kept his attention. Could pokémon use that too? He'd never seen it on any or in fashion contests, but he wasn't completely sure how they worked either.

"You wanna lie in my lap?" She finished with the prep and remover and closed it, tapping her thigh.

He stood and took a step toward her. Ruki didn't want to interrupt but would get as close as she allowed.

Skye held his front legs while avoiding contact with her nails and guided his upper body onto her lap, draping his paws over her thighs.

Ruki looked up at her, eyeing her charming grin while she patted his back.

"Don't move. I'm gonna start." Skye rested her arms on him and unscrewed the nail polish. The cap had a built-in brush, which she held in one hand and brought her other up to apply to her nails, starting with her pinky.

Ruki kept as still as he could, resisting the urge to look up and watch her face while resting his chin on her upper thigh— but he heard something he hadn't in a long time. It made his ears move subtly toward the melody and made him shiver against its familiar tenderness. He heard Skye humming. Her voice washed over and soothed him plenty, and he couldn't help but tilt his head up to look at her.

It caused her to stop and raise her hands to avoid getting polish on Ruki's fur, but with her eyes on him this time, she continued her tune, keeping a high pitch. After several moments, she stopped to catch her breath. "You miss that, hm?" Skye continued brushing her nails.

Ruki recalled her humming to him and while busy in general when he was a vulpix, and she sometimes used to hum him to sleep with a lullaby. Unfortunately, it all faded for the most part as she got older, and he now heard it every once in a blue moon.

Within the next twenty minutes, Skye was finished and had let the polish dry. She'd cleaned the blanket of Ruki's fur as well. "How'd I do?" She looked at her nails before showing them to Ruki, who was sitting beside her.

"Nin." He swished his tails and yawned. They were bright and reflected her personality. Plus, Skye had to have done an excellent job. She was Skye.

"I know. I'm sleepy too. Bedtime." She placed a hand on his head, letting it slip as she stood to turn the light off. Afterward, she returned to bed and rested her side on the blanket and cheek on the pillow.

Ruki walked and lay by her, letting Skye pull his side to her chest while shifting to help her. Her arm was over his back, her upper thigh and calf resting over his waist. He closed his eyes and stretched his legs, enjoying how close she held him and her leg atop him, granting extra warmth.

Ruki hoped this relationship worked out for her. She was excited about it, and it was about time Skye connected with another person again. Ruki knew he kept her company, but he couldn't talk to her, and she couldn't relate to him, which saddened him. That disconnect would always be present, so Ruki couldn't be all that he wanted to be for her.

He knew it was draining her year after year of being alone. Ruki kept her lively and smiling, but just how long would that last?

"Night, baby," she whispered and held him close.

Before falling asleep, Skye's mind took her back to Sinnoh. Who knew she'd make a friend on a week-long vacation and pursue a long-distance relationship with him, and on her first time leaving home at that?

Maybe it was destiny. She was surprised they had yet to run into a single bump, but that was over the phone. In-person would be a true test, and a part of her feared it. Skye didn't want her first relationship to fall apart. Not only would it turn her off from the idea for a while, but she'd put a lot of time into Aaron, and he was a boy her parents had a decent chance of accepting.