As the sun's soft orange rays spread over the landscape of the obsidian fields once more, and life began to stir all around, Lucario remained, for the third day in a row, alone.

Having spent a troubled night of sleep in a tree, and having been awake for some time now, he contemplated his choices and the turn his life had taken as of late. Images of his fight with his former friend flashed in his mind, but not as vividly as the words and actions of the human he had protected. A sense of betrayal ran cold in his veins like a poison, wounded pride and lost words having made it impossible for him to go back to see his human. "His" human? He cursed himself for thinking this way, still. Cursed himself for having taken to them uncharacteristically quickly, and cursed himself, also, for the resentment he felt, a resentment he knew to be unnecessary, but that he couldn't ignore.

It was no hatred or anger. Shame played a bigger role in his reluctance to meet again. His well-intentioned act of protection, which he had taken too far, now left naught but a bitter taste in his mouth. He noted, not without some irony, that the pride he had always arbored with his clan was yet again being a thorn in his side.

The songs of Starlies rung hollow as a deeper part of him lamented the fact that the human hadn't looked for him. Or rather, he hadn't seen them yet. He chased away those thoughts and looked on at the warm hues spreading across the horizon, and the calm lake that moved gently, not far from him.

·:·:·:·:·:·:·:·:·:·

The first day, I hadn't gone out. The trouble I was in with the elder meant I had to lay low, at least for a day. I had spent it fidgeting, overthinking and stressing out. Thinking of nothing but Lucario. Replaying every moment of the fight, remembering every ill-advised words I had told the alpha. Feeling the deep pit of despair from coming so close to death that still remained when the emotions and images flashed before my eyes.

The second day, the unbearable anxiety forced me into action. I took some food, some traveling clothes, and went out into the obsidian fields. Looking for him. Aimlessly wandering across plains and forests, sometimes sheepishly calling out to him and being met with nothing but the sounds of loneliness. Fruitlessly I called out, until I had to head home, exhausted, my shame and remorse too much to bear.

I did not sleep much. But on the third day after the incident, I left again. Packed some food, again, got dressed appropriately, and went out walking.

The guards stopped me at the door. Questioned why I was leaving again.

"Going out for a walk."

"For several hours, like yesterday ?"

"Why not ?"

"Please don't play dumb with us. You're putting yourself in danger."

"I like long walks. That's all. See you later."

I ignored the further inquiries and frustrated words that were thrown my way and walked on. The sun had barely begun to rise in the sky, but guilt and stress had not allowed me to get any more rest. The air was fresh and smelled of morning dew, and the wind carried a calm silence that should have soothed me. Onward I went, to a spot I had not checked the day before, stupidly. I headed far down into the fields, near a lake, to a set of trees I knew too well.

I sat down where I had once captured him. An oak tree, with a large and tall foliage, thick scarred trunk, which stood near the lake, facing the rising sun. I hesitated for a moment. Listened to various pokemon sounds, to the sounds of water gently moving across the lake, the current forming the smallest of waves across the surface.

"I don't know if there's any purpose to my being here," I began with quiet words. I stopped, wondered whether it was stupid of me to talk to nothing. Decided it didn't matter.

"I don't know where to find you, Lucario. I looked everywhere for you yesterday, and for all I know you could be far from here by now. So I'll just... talk like this. I hope, and I know this sounds stupid, that my words will reach you wherever you are. Maybe you went back to your clan. Maybe you hate me so much you left and never will look back. I'm terrified that that is the case."

I paused. The violence and remorse that charged every word were almost too much even for myself. I breathed. The last thing I wanted was for my words to be full of anger, even if that anger were directed towards myself.

"No matter where you are, I'm not worried for you. You can handle yourself, I could tell. No matter what happens to you, you'll be fine, and that brings me a lot of comfort. I had never seen a pokemon fight so furiously, so powerfully. And it was all-"

Words became stuck in my throat as tears welled up, which I fought back as soon as they appeared. Refusing to allow myself a moment of weakness I had not deserved, I kept control and the slight waver in my voice disappeared instantly.

"...it was all for me. All for me, and I never said thanks. Never even got the chance to show you how grateful I was. Instead, I scolded you. Lashed out. I can't even begin to imagine how you felt in that moment. Here you were, saving some weak human's life by risking your own, probably breaking several pokemon codes or rules or whatever in doing so, and getting nothing in return. Having to flee, with my words to accompany you and the wounded Lucario you had just defeated for me."

The lapping of water covered up my somewhat shaky breath.

"I'm sorry, Lucario. I'm so sorry. I should've thanked you."

Silence, once more. Heavy, sad, cruel. Something, anything ; I grabbed my bag shakily and brought it to my lap, opened it, taking out a little bamboo bento box.

A Shinx stepped out from behind the tree and, upon seeing a human, jumped back, ready to attack. But as territorial and agressive as these pokemon can be, this Shinx's anger melted when they saw the sadness emanating from the human. They walked closer, curious.

"I... I brought some onigiri. You know, the meal you saw the other day ? I never got to make you try it. I made this batch for you, even though I knew I wouldn't see you. It sounds so stupid now."

This time, small tears filled my eyes. The quiver in my voice came back, and I couldn't completely suppress it this time. The Shinx came closer and I barely noticed them, as my vision blurred slightly from the tears and I took out an onigiri from the box.

"I... I wish I could share it with you. I wish I could... I wish I could see you again. I miss you. Is that dumb ? I barely know you, but there's nothing I want more than to spend time with you again. I wish I hadn't been such an idiot. I-"

The little Shinx suddenly looked up, let out a little cry and ran away, cutting me off. I looked at it flee, puzzled, just as a large shape landed gracefully right next to me, where the Shinx had fled.

I gasped and tensed up, looking up, into the eyes of Lucario. My heart stopped, or beat faster, I couldn't tell, as he walked in front of me and crouched, the morning sun shining on his back. I blinked. Like seeing a ghost, my entire body froze and my mind lagged behind, unable to process what I was seeing. I didn't even have to question it. I knew it was him.

He took my hands in his, with a gentleness that surprised me, holding the onigiri between us. He looked down at it, then at me, once again gazing into my eyes. His expression was soft. No smile, but a pensive look washed over his face.

It was the total lack of agressiveness that pushed me over the edge. Tears began to roll down my cheeks and my small hands trembled in his large, soft ones, the relief of seeing him, combined with the anxiety built up over days, finally washing over me.

"I'm... I'm sorry, Lucario..."

"I know. I heard."

His deep voice rang in my mind, a voice I thought I'd never hear again, and warmth filled my entire being. His presence soothed me, his softness touched me, and brought forth more tears, assuaging my worries, bringing out all my guilt.

"I was so worried. I thought y-you- ... you hated me. I'm sorry. I'm so dumb, aren't I ? I must sound dumb. I couldn't bear the thought of not having said thanks, I-"

Lucario squeezed my hands ever so gently, just enough to wordlessly convey feelings of warmth, of patience, of kindness. It silenced me, and I just lost myself in his eyes, seeking his approval and his reassurance.

"I know."

He let go of my hands and moved over to my side, sitting with his back against the tree, right next to me. Emotionally exhausted from a combination of being overjoyed and wracked with guilt, I did what was only natural to me at the moment and rested my head against his shoulder, wrapping my arms around his left one, sheepishly embracing him as he took one of the onigiris I had made him and began to eat. I squeezed him tight, rubbing my cheeks softly against his warm fur, relief making every muscle in my body relax, when I hadn't even realized how tense I had been for the past three days. His presence, as the sky began to go from orange to yellowish in front of us and illuminated our tired bodies, felt like entering a warm bath. My eyes closed on their own. In a barely noticeable way, Lucario leaned against me slightly as well, accepting me with him.

·:·:·:·:·:·:·:·:·:·

Lucario ate slowly. The rice was chewy and its texture unfamiliar to him, so different from anything he had ever tasted. It was salty and the filling offered a combination of flavors that befuddled and amazed him.

It took him two bites to realize this was the first thing he'd eaten in three days. It took him another to realize his human was quickly falling asleep.

Even looking back, it was difficult to pinpoint one emotion among the whirlwind he had felt while listening to the human's speech, perched up on his branch. Anger at first at the sight of this person he resented, which quickly faded into relief, just to know they had come looking for him. A combination of sadness, joy, guilt, when hearing the teary apology. Forgiveness, ultimately, when he saw the touching offering of food. He had considered leaving, just to gather his thoughts. But his heart soared in emotions he didn't yet try to understand, emotions that could not wait. And so he had joined the shaky, sore sight of a human he had hoped to meet again.

For now, he simply wished to enjoy the company he had craved, and tried not to question it. He felt at peace with them. And he didn't want to know why he arbored such feelings towards a being whom he'd have considered his enemy even a few moons back.

He looked at their face, tranquil, drowsy. A lock of hair had fallen onto their face, which he softly brushed aside. He realized that it wasn't a matter of wanting or refusing to understand his emotions. He simply didn't. Much like the first day they had met and his attempts at keeping the human warm had caused them to be visibly flustered, he wondered how it was that humans showed affection, and how a Lucario's actions might be interpreted, what he should and shouldn't do, what any interaction meant. While he knew of one symbol of affection that both Lucarios and humans shared, embracing someone and caressing them was not one of them. In that sense, he should not have been as touched as he had been by that night-long huddle. He suspected their auras had somewhat merged from the physical proximity, but it couldn't just have been that. Even now, after having been close for only a moment, his body had become warmer and his heart beat more steadily, more heavily.

But if he was even asking himself these questions, what did it say about his feelings ? He shook his head, frustrated. Pesky, confusing. He was used to fighting, endless training, competition and rivalry ; there was no time to be mellow and soft with his peers.

...Yet when he gazed into this human's face, holding onto his arm tenderly, sleeping against his fur, he felt an intense possessiveness that he had never experienced before. He knew now that it was far from the protective instincts towards a pet, or a family member, or a friend. So what was it ?

He asked himself that question repeatedly, to avoid an answer. To avoid the implications. The human was small, and weak, and fragile. It was only natural that he wanted to protect them. It was a good use of his skills. Protection kept him sharp. Protection, protection, protection... That's all it was. The instinct to protect, which was nothing like weak emotions that burden and confuse.

He picked up another onigiri. Hunger was muddling his mind somewhat. Three days without food was far from the worst he'd ever done, but the lack of energy didn't help with the cyclical thoughts he was experiencing.

He'd have to ask questions about what humans are like, he concluded. How they express their affection, and what human affection is. Just to be on the same page, he quickly added for himself.

·:·:·:·:·:·:·:·:·:·

I opened my eyes after moments of silence had passed. I must have dozed off slightly, as the sun was higher in the sky, and Lucario had finished eating. Most onigiri were gone from the box. I squeezed his arm slightly, and shifted to lean against him a little further, and heard him rouse. It seemed like we had both slept for a little bit.

He turned his head to look at me. We both looked sleepy as hell, eyes half lidded and moving a little slow. I giggled first, and he answered with a soft smile.

"You look ready to fall back asleep," he said.

"Oh, please. You also slept, didn't you?"

"For a spell, perhaps. By the way, is my arm really all that comfortable ? The position you fell asleep in looks like it would hurt your back."

I shifted some more and realized he was right. I hissed, pain shooting through my lower back and hips as I struggled to straighten back up, letting go of his arm.

"Owwww... Yeah, you're right."

"My apologies. I did not want to wake you up, you seemed so peaceful."

"No no, you're fine..."

I sat down normally now, back against the tree. He had leaned towards me a little more, slight concern crossing his face before he saw me smile, amused by this instantaneous reaction.

"Lucario... I'm fine, it's just a little back pain," I continued with as soft a voice as I could, taking one of his hands between mine. I caressed it gently, and it seemed to make him freeze. "I... I know it sounds like a little much, but this did truly feel like the best nap I've ever taken."

"How so? You hurt your back," he questioned, despite having somewhat relaxed from my caresses on his paw.

I didn't reply right away. I knew I needed the right words to answer this question and I looked at his hand some more, my thumb drawing a half circle following the base of his spike.

"I... missed you. So much. That night we spent together was incredible, even if it was the last thing I expected from meeting an alpha. But I think I owe you an explanation."

His ear twitched.

"Sleeping together like this... You didn't seem to really know what it meant for a human like me. Physical proximity like this, especially with half my clothes gone, it... Ugh, how do I explain this ? It's not usually something you do with someone when meeting them for the first time...?"

A look of intense guilt quickly washed over Lucario's face.

"I made a mistake, then," he began. "I apologize. I hope it did not offend you. I'll make sure never to-"

"No, no! Sorry, god, this is hard to explain," I interjected, half panicking. "It's... This kind of physical proximity is usually a sign of intense affection between two humans. You seemed not to know what it meant, and I feel like I took advantage of you for not telling, and I'm sorry. But... it felt so tender," I quickly added, my eyes darting up to meet his, "Your fur was soft, and you seemed kind, and gentle, and your voice sounds so soothing, and I... I..."

I lost the words to explain, scared I might go too far. I hadn't tried to face my feelings until now, for the taboo nature of them. My heart was racing and my hands shaking around his. He lowered his eyes, pensive, and... was... that a blush...?

"Intense affection... I see," he began. "I, in some way, was aware of that, I think. But you needed warmth, did you not ? Did I not serve my purpose that night ?"

"You... you did ! But I um, I wasn't really that cold... I just... I wanted to hug you. I'd never been this close to a pokemon before and you just... you're so tall, your fur is so soft and warm. I'm sorry, this explanation is deeply stupid..."

"My fur is... soft?"

He looked straight into my eyes again. His expression was hard to decipher, but he seemed deep in thought, hanging onto every one of my words, as if trying to make sense of it all.

"Yes. Incredibly so."

"And you wanted me to hug you because of it."

"Um... among other reasons...?"

"Those being that you thought I was kind ?"

"Y...yeah... When you put it like that it just sounds so childish, but... Yes."

"Even when I nearly attacked you upon appearing?"

"You had been trapped in a ball for days! The other Lucario nearly killed me the other day, and he didn't even know me. Yet you listened, and treated me with far more respect than I deserved. Honestly, you-"

Lucario wrapped his arms around me, his spike glowing and flattening into a safe shape, as he pulled me, gently, into a tender hug. I let out a small gasp, my face flushing bright red, hands in the air and unsure what to do with them, my face almost fully lost in his yellow fluff. His scent reached my nose, that of fur and the slight musk of a male, an entrancing scent, while his arms fully wrapped around me and he nuzzled his head between my neck and shoulder.

"L... Lucario...?"

I questioned myself for a moment, but there was no doubt I had been very clear about what physical contact meant for humans. Intense affection. I had said that, right ? Heat rose in my body from powerful emotions bubbling up, the biggest of which was confusion.

The pokemon let go, putting his hands on my shoulders and looking into my face. I was bright red, wide-eyed, lower lip quivering the slightest bit.

"I... Hm. This is... how humans hug, right ?"

"Y...yeah..." I replied with a weak voice, still looking at him with a distant, overwhelmed expression.

"Well, I swear to protect you, little human. I shall repay the kindness you showed me when you set me free from your cursed ball."

"R-repay the kindness... Sure..."

An awkward moment passed. Even through my extremely flustered state, I could tell he was struggling to find words, hiding being a stern, official, grandiose façade. But the façade cracked quickly, and he looked away, then back at me, then down. I was almost certain now of seeing a blush on his fuzzy cheeks.

"Um... Lucario ?"

"Yes?"

"Could you... hug me again ? And maybe not let go this time...?"

His ears twitched and lowered while both our flushed faces became moreso, painted with the awkward expressions of budding feelings. I couldn't see myself, but my cheeks were burning, my mouth was dry and my body was on fire, so it was a pretty good chance that my face was bright red.

He nodded. A little clumsily, but still tenderly, he squeezed me to him again. This time, I wrapped my arms around him too. Rubbed my cheek against his chest, as if trying to bury myself in his fluff entirely, trying to lose myself to it, trying to cling to him hard enough that we would never be apart.

He returned the squeeze. His head atop mine, he seemed to want the same thing. Hiding me against his body while I completely stopped moving, wishing for time to freeze forever. The soft sound of water was the only thing that accompanied us, warm rays of light illuminating our tangled bodies.

Three powerful words flashed into my mind in this moment where my heart burst with emotions, and I opened my eyes halfway. Oh, oh no, I thought. Not these words. I felt the intense urge to say them, and squeezed the pokemon harder in an attempt to brush them aside. Enjoying every second of this. None of us letting go. I could even hear the quiet, almost inaudible sound of a tail wagging slowly, brushing up against the grass and bumping once or twice against the tree.

The words the human had said swirled in Lucario's mind. Words he'd never heard before. Words he didn't even know could be applied to him. He embraced them tightly, learning about this, too. About hugs, about humans, about himself. It wasn't so bad. Comfortable, even.

He'd protect them forever. Be it with his arms or in his arms. He'd protect this human till his last breath. This much he knew.

Softly, he whispered.

"Human?"

"Mmh?"

"What's your name?"

"...It's Leo."

Our whispers were quickly carried by the soft breeze and we were once again left alone with ourselves. Thought gave way to raw emotion. I couldn't know what he was thinking. Yet I knew to fully enjoy this moment. I felt his hands grip at my shirt and body, possessively holding me, and I gave in to that possessiveness, revelled in it. I'll be his if he wants me to, I thought. Gladly. Happily.

Leo, Lucario thought. What a soft name. His human. His Leo.

We ended up lying down together, with me atop his larger body, my hands on his chest. I was utterly unaware of anything that wasn't him. Our eyes closed, we quickly resumed the little nap we had ended earlier. Cuddled up against one another in a way that felt so much more meaningful than the first time. I could hear his heart beat next to my ear.

Lucario had never thought that human affection would feel so intoxicating. His arms would never have let Leo go even if he wanted to. And he didn't. Never in a million years would he have thought he would enjoy lying down with an human in his embrace. Yet here he was. And in his mind rang one word, clearer than any other : mine. Mine. Mine. Mine...

·:·:·:·:·:·:·:·:·:·

Hours later, we had woken up in the shade of the tree.

I had been gone for hours, the sun shining high in the sky. We had to part ways.

"I'll see you again, right ?"

"You will. I hate to leave you in your poorly protected wooden box alone. I will find my way to you."

"Lucario... Thank you. Please come soon."

These three words flashed into my mind once more and I grew frustrated with myself, desperately attempting to ignore these feelings. I held his hands, looked up at him and smiled, before turning around and leaving, hurrying back to the village.