Skye greeted her parents after she and Ruki got home after an hour-long cruise back to Hau'oli. She told them how their day went— minus her and Aaron's makeout session, of course, and had called him afterward to let him know she and Ruki were home before getting ready for bed.
Skye washed her hands and face for now and left the restroom, walking down a dark hall. She'd shower tomorrow, as she was too tired tonight. "Sleepy?" she asked upon entering her room. Ruki was sitting on the bed and had been waiting for her.
"Nine." A yawn confirmed it. They had a huge day that had taken an unexpected turn for Ruki, and it was one he'd cherish forever. Who knew he'd meet and talk to a very attractive female he crushed on at first sight after failing twice? He still felt anxious while thinking back and couldn't help but feel that he had matured a little from the experience.
"Give me a sec." Skye slipped her pants and shirt off and tossed them in the hamper that was slowly filling, then replaced her top with a casual white tee for bed and pants for pink and white finizen shorts, leaving her in white socks. Skye hung her purse on the closet and took out the ninetales, setting it neatly beside the alolan vulpix. It brought her joy to see her collection coming together. "There." She parted her curtains slightly to let in the moonlight before turning off the light.
Ruki stood and walked to the bottom of the bed as she got on and watched her pull the new sky-blue sheet and blanket down that her mother had changed while they were away.
"Come." She lay on her back and tapped her chest, reaching over to turn on the lamp. The lava one didn't give off enough light sometimes. Her legs were exhausted. She felt relief the moment she was still and stretched them. Skye liked how it felt, though, and wanted more opportunities to walk.
He made his way to her and rested his chest and stomach atop hers, draping his paws over her shoulders. It proved to be their favorite position.
She reached her hands and held his cheeks, then combed his ears between her fingers while he eyed her. His body heat and fur warmed her. Skye still felt so much love for Ruki, as much as she did in Sinnoh and prior, but this was what she meant.
Long-term, Ruki needed to be with his species, and Skye needed to be with hers. It was the only way they could truly be happy, as humans and pokémon couldn't connect or relate in every essential manner. She'd never take that from Ruki and was happy that they both may have found a relationship. "I'm glad the day ended on a good note for us both."
He lowered his head and rested his cheek against hers, nuzzling it. It wouldn't have without her. Ruki was eternally grateful he had such an extraordinary human to always be there for him.
Skye giggled, "how quickly are you gonna grow on me? You've got a date already." She reached and set her hands on his sides, scritching them and watching his eyes go soft, then snaked her arms around his neck. "She chose you, you know?"
Ruki felt his face heat up. There was no date. All he did was compliment her. He did wonder if Vivi had chosen him, though. If he hadn't approached, their interaction would never have happened, but she seemed to have taken a liking to him.
"Her trainer said she reads every poké's aura, and she must have liked yours, which is apparently rare in her case… but I'm not surprised. You're amazing." She pulled him closer and kissed him on his nose. Skye knew what she had by her side. Ruki was unconditionally loving, loyal, strong, soft, and handsome. He possessed enough astounding qualities that most females would be drawn after getting to know him. Skye surely was.
Ruki gave her cheek a lick in return, which never failed at making her smile. He barely had the confidence to speak to Vivi, but if she felt him out, she must have seen through him. Ruki just hoped he could live up to that. He'd be learning as he went.
"You ready to sleep?"
He nodded, sliding off Skye and lying beside her on his stomach to give her space, resting his chin on his paws.
Skye took a breath after his weight left her and reached to turn off the lamp. "Love you," she whispered and pulled the blanket over them, pushing off her socks. She turned onto her side, hugging his body with her arm and closing her eyes. She'd call Aaron tomorrow evening. Skye wasn't sure what to do with his remaining days yet, but it wouldn't end with their kiss.
Ruki closed his eyes as well, feeling her body pressed against his while stretching his tired paws. He couldn't be happier. Life was going well, and Ruki hoped it would stay that way. He'd keep an eye on Skye, but she seemed happy too.
He awoke hours later to her sitting back against the bed's headrest and watching something on her phone while wearing her headphones. It felt early, and the sun was barely present. Skye was on Tevx by the looks of it, a popular platform for streamers she used off and on that had doubled in popularity over the last few years since the current generation was more inclined to technology. Ruki sat up, the blanket slipping off of him as he stretched.
"Hey." Skye looked at him when she noticed movement and took off her headphones, disconnecting from Magnect. She'd woken up earlier than usual. It was 7 a.m.
Ruki took a few steps and sat beside her while yawning and taking a minute to wake up properly.
She leaned over, kissed his cheek, and then closed the app. "I just started watching." It was a Twilight Princess speedrun from a guy she followed that was impressively skilled at it. She found the gameplay captivating and nostalgic since she used to play that title often and had beaten it twice. It became more and more a distant memory as every year passed. The flow of time is always cruel. "I'm just feeling kind of uncertain..."
Ruki eyed her intently. He still felt great, but Skye obviously had more on her mind. She had for a while now, and he could never be his best if she wasn't.
"I mean, I'm not a child anymore. It brings me nerves, but I'm ready at the same time... I think" Her eyes shot around for a moment. "I might go for a casual life, but I want to be something, and I know Mom and Dad want that for me too… Ah, it gets overwhelming." Skye moved up and lay on her back by the bottom of the bed.
Ruki didn't know how to be of assistance as he couldn't relate to such struggles, but he was here to provide his company. He walked down and lay beside her, resting his chin on her arm.
"I'll be fine. It's normal... I should talk to someone about it soon. Maybe it'll help. Besides, I'm doing great otherwise." Skye didn't want to sit on her concerns. It wasn't healthy to live in the future, but it was difficult not to think about while it closed in day by day.
Skye knew she had to keep herself in the present for the most part and stay level, or else she'd drive herself mad. She'd work to shape her future but wouldn't constantly worry about the outcome, although her parents may make that difficult. She looked at Ruki. "You hungry?"
He lifted his head and nodded. He wasn't thinking about it until she asked, but he was always up to eat, and maybe it'd make her feel better to leave bed. It was a win-win.
She sat up and stretched her arms. "'Course you are. Come on."
Skye kept on her top and shorts, then went down the hall with Ruki after freshening up in the restroom.
"Morning, you two," her father said while sitting at the dining room table with black coffee.
"Morning, Dad." Skye sat across from him and Ruki beside Skye's chair.
He missed sitting in Skye's lap, but that wasn't happening anymore. He didn't want to put all his weight on her. Plus, it'd look silly.
"Where's Mom?" Skye asked.
He glanced at the door. "Out with Ru to grab a few breakfast items. I usually go with Ru, but I guess she wanted air. Good to see you, though. I wanted to talk," he grinned.
"What about?"
He eyed her while picking up and sipping his coffee, then setting it down. "Hm... You seemed reserved when telling us about your day yesterday. Why was that?"
Like he didn't know already. Skye may as well say it. Maybe they'd catch a hint. "I mean… I feel like I can't be myself sometimes, especially when it comes to anything I want to do in life or boys." Skye said that on the quiet end.
He sighed. "Look, I know we can be serious... maybe protective at times in your eyes, but it's because we know where many choices lead. Most run you straight into the dirt," he added. "But I think we're getting better. We had a talk about easing up before Aaron got here. Why don't you find a few friends, maybe other girls to be yourself around too?"
"Eh…" Skye lost her old friends mainly because of her parents, her best one lived in Sinnoh, and it'd be harder to make new ones at eighteen. "I guess I'll have to get lucky. I don't know where to start for that."
He shifted in his seat. "Alright, well have you looked into any universities or job opportunities? That could be a start. There's always a spot open at Pokáre if you want a comfortable spot with us. We'll teach you on the job, and it's smart to keep it in the family when possible.
I would prefer you learn from us when you're ready pertaining to business, accounting, and cash flow to qualify yourself. It's faster and more effecient than a curriculum. School doesn't teach you to think independently. It's a cog in a greater machine geared to keep your head down and fit in. It's useful to build friendships, connections, and find your path if you are still seeking one, but we can try to help you find a promising field that you can later manage rather than work under anyone and try to save money, as that will stunt your growth, unless you know you'll be happy gaining a designated degree working in a dream profession.
He spoke carefully, "you can't save your way to success faster than they will print trillions more. It's not viable and would take decades, regardless. You will go further in life and see faster and more long-term financial success as an entrepreneur while investing that money in assets. Entrepreneurship is a bigger responsibility that you may not enjoy every step of the way of, but Skye, ask yourself if you'd instead want to spend the remainder of your life trading most of your time for money until retirement for scraps. An endless back-and-forth commute that's day in and out, and your life will likely be limited because you have an obligation to be at your job. You'll still be making money, so it's not awful, but it's not what you could have.
My parents never gave me this option, so we ensured we gave it to you. There's no issue starting with a job or two because you can gain experience and build good work ethic. College can also grant you more time to figure out and solidify your path, but I'm letting you know you have us, and you have a home with us for as long as that takes."
Oh boy. They were going to start pressing her about that now. Skye could see it coming, but her dad wasn't wrong. She just hoped her parents understood that everyone moved at their own pace in life and was happy on different respective routes. It was nice to get a head start, but nothing was wrong with Skye taking things a little slower and not jumping into the fray.
They'd raised her on good ideals, as her father stated, like not giving her existence to a company that could go bankrupt, lay her off whenever they pleased, or mistreat her, but a starter job she could chill in sounded cool. She'd see where it went. "Not yet. I'm still figuring things out. It's so overwhelming. Like, how'd you both even get your business up and running? Then it blew up... It seems so daunting."
"Good question. It mainly depends on your method. If you pay into a building, logo, staff, legal routes, and more without knowing if the business will be successful, you chance failing and losing all of that money. We started ours initially with very little funding.
We paid someone to create our website, paid to advertise on areas across the web for products we didn't yet have, and over a short period, people started buying into them. If we needed more time to acquire the product, we would delay the order but offer compensation. Once we got confirmation that our idea would work— the classiest PokéCare facility one could shop at that carried the best brands and supplied the utmost care for your companion on all fronts, we bought product and everything else that was necessary.
Our first physical store was on the small side and opened in the inner city. It was over west in a good area, and as we grew with marketing and word of mouth, we were able to open in the mall and soon in other regions. If it had failed, we saved a lot of money we could put into another idea."
"Smart... but it's still scary. Maybe because I'm so new." Skye rested her cheek atop her hand. "To like, everything."
"You're at a massive stage in your life. You could settle with a good successful man, but I'd also want you to be independent and know how to make money for yourself as well so, again, you have options. Your mother stayed home to raise you, although she helped with the business often, but she also knows how to care for herself in that regard if required, and I'd say she's happy that way. Don't be afraid to come to us if you need direction. We'll be more than happy to assist, and you should act, but there's no rush. You will always have stability with us as long as you aid. I think you'll need more than a boyfriend in life, though. I'll say that."
"Ah… I know. Ruki helps me out in that department a lot, though, dont'cha?" Skye looked at him.
"Ni." Ruki tried his best. He couldn't speak or help the way he wanted to, but that never held back their bond. Skye was his best friend, among much else.
Skye was lying in bed that evening with her door closed. Ruki was in the kitchen with her mother while she prepared supper, so Skye used the time to talk to Aaron.
"You two do anything interesting since we left?" she asked.
"Not much yet, but we did go to Royal Avenue. It kept teasing me from the window. They've got a great Megamart there," Aaron replied. He was sitting on the bed's edge in a tee and shorts while Sylmi was curled up near the pillow, asleep.
Aaron came as a tourist, but Skye knew he had come to see her first. She wanted them to spend as much time as possible together before he left. "Sorry we haven't done more. It's kind of difficult…"
"Skye, it's fine, really. We threw this together in a week. Yesterday was amazing, anyway."
She smirked," mhm. I loved it, down to our short make out session."
"You made it amazing." Aaron felt his face get hot. "You're a great kisser..."
Skye licked her lips, biting her tongue. "Hm. You sure? It's not like I've done it before."
"I haven't either, but I mean, you felt experienced." Aaron was being genuine. He didn't know how it could have been any better. He was vastly inexperienced, but anything he did with Skye felt perfect.
"...I didn't know you could take control like that."
"It... was a heat of the moment thing. I didn't do too much, did I?"
"No…" Skye didn't know she enjoyed feeling vulnerable to that extent. Well, she knew she liked being on the bottom for sure, but it may go deeper. It now had her curious to explore more potential kinks she didn't know she had— other than the one including Ruki, which Skye kept tucked away as deeply as she could. "I'd love more of it, if anything. Did you... get hard during it?"
Aaron was blushing behind the line. He didn't expect that question. He'd never dirty-talked, but he and Skye had gotten close a number of times, especially after that romantic film she picked that they'd watched together. It never went further than cuddling or kissing, though. Them being in person and having made out made things a lot steamier. "I, uh, did. V-Very... and you meant like soon, right?" He wouldn't have asked for sex on their first time meeting as a supposed couple. He wanted to show Skye that he loved her, but if she wanted it, he wouldn't object.
Aaron dreamt of her often and imagined even more. Skye was possibly giving him the chance to experience something so intimate with the girl of his dreams during his first visit. It'd be his first time, too. He'd be stupid to decline.
"Soon, mhm." She could giggle at his fluster. Knowing she'd turned him on got her all giddy inside. "Obviously, it'd have to be just us two. I could have something in mind to plan that out, but it may be blatant to my parents… I don't know, but I think we're ready. Do you? I want you."
He felt the same way and could shiver hearing those words in succession. They'd met in person at Sinnoh, bonded for two months over calls, and were in person again. He wasn't even sure if or when they'd see each other after this week. "I do. I want you too, Skye."
"Skye!"
She lowered the phone from her ear for a second. That was her mother. Dinner must be ready. "Ah, we can talk about this later. Can I call you tomorrow afternoon? I need to think about how it'll play out…"
"Sure. Call me whenever. Enjoy your night."
"You too. Night." She hung up, smiling while sliding her phone under her pillow.
After dinner, Skye took a much-needed hot shower and was in a rose-colored pink tee and shorts after drying off. She entered her room and sat on the edge of her bed, slipping on white knee-high socks she'd left on the blanket. Ruki was likely napping on the couch with her mother, which was rare, but he tended to doze off on a full stomach.
Skye wanted fresh air with everyone asleep, including her father and Ru in their room, so she walked down the hall to the living room.
Sure enough, Ruki was curled up on the couch, and her mom was asleep beside him, lying against the cushion in the dark. She stopped and grinned at the sight. Skye loved how close of a family she had, even with its issues. This applied to her relatives, too, at least most of them on her mother's side. Her father's side had more of an element Skye wasn't fond of, and it included a lot more dysfunction than what was common with a few exceptions.
During holidays, like Tapu Quadran, one that lasted for four days to praise the individual guardians of each island in Alola, both sides came to Alola, and Skye and her parents went to other regions to honor their family's holidays as well. Skye loved it when she was younger as long as no drama broke out and hung out with cousins and whatnot while Ruki went off with everyone's pokémon, but she could do without it nowadays and enjoyed it less.
It was unlike her to be antisocial or avoid blood relatives, but she felt who she was diminish with every year since she was sixteen years old, and Skye would hate to become bitter or detached by her early twenties.
She turned and made her way to the front door, slipping on her shoes and getting it open without making too much noise. When she was on the steps, she sighed and sat on the first one after closing it.
Skye was just in time to catch the tail-end of the sunset as humid nightfall cast upon Alola, coloring the sky a rich, fading orange that pressed against small clouds in the sky. Warm breezes blew her hair aside while she watched people and vehicles lining the streets and sidewalks with rush hour traffic, and above were occasional back-and-forth flights dropping off or leading tourists to their home region.
Street lights lining the pavement turned on for the night, buses picked many up from stops heading home, and taxis did the same with those standing at curbs and waving them down. Couples, joggers, and cyclists passed by.
People shopped at marts nearby with children or pokémon, students in uniform and backpacks from the private academy, some in groups and others glued to their phones, were walking home or boarding buses after hanging out at the beachfront or Shopping District after school. The boys' uniforms were similar to the girls. They wore dark red jeans and white dress shirts with black or white sneakers.
Speaking of the Shopping District, it was lit up and busier than ever, with tourists throwing money at restaurants, souvenir shops, and the arcade. Skye could see its bright glare and feel its excitement from where she sat. It closed at 10 p.m.
The beach and crashing waves ahead provided a sight anyone could gaze at for hours, and most people away from the tourist action farther west were inside for the night, so there weren't as many congregated at the shops or in the sand to block the view. She tuned out the beeping and watched pikipek peck at the sand in the distance and pelipper dive from the sky, hunting the ocean life.
Skye looked east at the tall, confident Ten Carat Hill as well with a scarlet sky above and around it to create more natural beauty.
It felt nice to be alone sometimes. Skye spent most of her time with Ruki— almost all of it, and she didn't mind in the slightest. He was the best company she could ever ask for, but she also needed some to herself. She and him usually spent an hour so together on these steps after dinner to watch the strips' lights and society run.
She rested her back against the door while her mind shot around. Skye pondered what her father had told her earlier about having friends, jobs, and school. She was extroverted and loved having people to know but needed to focus on herself, especially if she wanted to take the route of entrepreneurship.
College was easier, but what would she study? Ugh, Skye had a ton of research ahead of her and would surely have to go to her parents for assistance. She needed a huge and promising career to satisfy them, especially because of their massive business.
They expected big things from her, and rightfully so. However, Skye wanted to be happy in a path of her choosing. She would also love the independence to come after her restricted younger teen years, but as her mother had said, this was a new stage full of crucial decisions to make— some of the most significant she'll ever have when setting up her future.
Coming of age daunted her but simultaneously excited her. She had to grow up and felt she was ready to transition, but it also felt confounding. Everything was about to change permanently. Skye had to take the hugest step to settle into and find a sense of belonging in a brand new world, perception, and a just as new her. She would be leaving so much behind, a lot of which she would miss dearly.
Skye would leave behind everything she knew and would never be able to turn back. It would all exist in distant memory. It felt like she was standing on the edge of a cliff while gathering courage to jump into the unknown.
And Skye never thought she'd be as alone as she was going into it. She didn't want to be a loner. It would drive her crazy. Skye still had chances to make friends and connections. She was still young, but gosh.
Aaron being in the picture so soon only complicated things, and the worst part is that Skye knew it wouldn't turn out well, bringing him to her region while she lived with her overly strict and disapproving parents. She saw the red flag and should have kept him away while keeping him close, but that wouldn't have lasted long.
Then again, Skye having to worry about bringing a boy home that wasn't rich or came from a family that was is a red flag in itself. She shouldn't have to hide Aaron, especially at eighteen. Skye knew he was right for her from the day she'd met him. Why couldn't her parents think so too? He was in school and supporting his mother. He carried himself well and was well-mannered. What more could they possibly want, some seemingly perfect, stuck-up guy from a family of trillionaires?
He probably wouldn't even treat Skye with nearly as much respect and show love through giving her his credit card. Not to generalize, but if that were the case, it wouldn't feel authentic to her. What she had with Aaron, that did.
Skye didn't care to chase a guy solely because he had money or an exotic car, as she'd seen women do hundreds of times in several instances while growing up in Hau'oli. Maybe that was the more intelligent decision and was also present in nature.
Female pokémon were attracted to the most dominant, socially, and territorially successful male in an area or out of a pack because the alpha offered the best protection and could provide the most for her and their litter as a mate if he chose her.
So, was there a long-term benefit to dating a more average and unestablished guy like Aaron, who may or may not see success in life? It was a gamble, and there were variables all around. There was a possibility that they could struggle financially in the future and live in depression, and about anyone in Hau'oli, including her own parents, would laugh at or be disappointed in Skye for choosing pathetic, humile Aaron and lessening her worth over a stable and comfortable existence.
Call her stupid, but she didn't care. If she met said rich guy and he had a likable personality and was respectful, Skye would go for it. That could have come to be if her parents had let her date earlier, but now, she found what she found and had what she had. Skye wasn't letting this go.
She didn't want to chase what those women did, the ones running after money, fine dining, and being spoiled, all before the man himself. All of that was amazing, but it didn't always last due to those aspects being what they pursued initially, so it built a wall before it started, as they were usually in love with the lifestyle, not the man.
If she were on her deathbed, she wouldn't imagine she'd focus as heavily on how much money she had made, that she could have made more, or that she could have been more successful. She would regret the friends she didn't make, the chances she didn't take, the places she didn't go and things she didn't experience, and not spending that precious time with who she loved while she was here if she failed to.
Skye would never again chase lifestyle to a large extent because that would ruin her, as it did most in this plastic city. A relationship based around materialism wouldn't equate to love nor fulfillment, as it wasn't reality, and it may leave her wanting more of such swell treatment to the point where she went after rinse repeats with guys only of the same status. Besides, she saw success in Aaron, and she would be by his side before he achieved it because she loved him.
All of this made her wonder how she'd be if her parents hadn't essentially cuffed her to her room and Hau'oli. Skye almost wanted to hate them for it, but it wasn't in her. She still loved her mother and father, and at the end of the day, they had to know what was best for her, right?
That's what she told herself. They didn't put her through it for nothing. They cared and raised her to be set on success and free of even the slightest of poor influences, shunning happiness in turn and being annoyingly meticulous about the company she was around and people she interacted with whenever they could, but she hoped they would loosen the collar at least slightly. Life just wasn't as bright and fun as it could be. To Skye, success was important. She'd aim for it, but value was even more.
Now that she truly sat and thought about it and removed the rose-tinted shades that she'd worn all her existence, her depression was a build-up of multiple problems and constant stress in her life. The unending pressure on her mental health only increased with time while additional factors were added and would continue to. Her time in Sinnoh felt more like paradise every day. It changed everything. "I know you aren't here to intervene in our personal lives, Tapu Koko, but I'm asking for it. I sure do need it..." she whispered.
Skye stayed outside and watched the sun until it sank behind the horizon, leaving the ocean as dark as the sky. She was currently in her room and under the covers in bed on her stomach. Her hand rested where Ruki usually slept. Skye would see him in the morning. She didn't want to wake him from his slumber to transfer him to her bed, but she despised sleeping alone. She never had to after the day she'd caught Ruki.
She pulled the blanket up to her chest and turned onto her side. It'd just take a while before she could fall asleep, especially when her mind wouldn't rest. Her lamp wasn't even on. Skye hadn't been in the mood, so her room was near pitch black.
An hour later, Ruki lifted his head to a dark room and didn't recognize his surroundings at first— until he recalled falling asleep on the couch. He must have passed out after that tasty dinner. How late was it?
He, slowly and as silently as he could, slid off the couch not to wake Skye's mother who was lying beside him, then walked down the hall to Skye's room and nudged open her door with his nose. She was still, likely asleep. Knowing how she had felt recently, Ruki wouldn't intentionally have left her alone. He wasn't sure if he should hop into Skye's bed now and risk waking her, but he wanted to lie beside her even in her sleep.
Her lava lamp wasn't on like usual, leaving the walls and atmosphere cold. He approached and stood on his hind legs, his front paws on the bottom of the bed. Ruki then hopped off his hind legs and was now entirely on, but his weight kept his landing from being as stealthy as he'd hoped.
Skye was a light sleeper, so it woke her. "Mh?" She rubbed her eyes and looked down at what she thought was Ruki standing in place. It was still fuzzy. "Ruki?"
"Nine…" He hoped Skye wasn't upset with him for breaking her sleep. He didn't mean to.
Skye missed him. She was glad to see him. "Come, please, baby."
She didn't seem to be. Ruki went and lay in front of her on his side.
"I had trouble falling asleep..." Skye mumbled and leaned in to kiss his neck, embracing it with her arms and resting her cheek just below her pillow against his chest while sifting her fingers through his fur, tracing them over his neck.
Ruki heard her sigh and rested his chin on her head to grant additional warmth, closing his eyes to better feel her touch while she rubbed him. He was still concerned about Skye's well-being and wondered how she felt now, but what mattered more to Ruki was that he was with her. He hoped that cuddling with her was sufficient.