NSO Chapter 27

(Day 2, Bonus Chapter)

I don't own Pokemon.

As the two Eeveelutions embraced, in the room at the end of the hallway, a Glaceon and a Lucario were laying on a bed, staring at a ceiling.

"...and I even managed to beat Cleo in swimming! Swimming!"

"That's cool and all, babe, but don't you think that you're being a it too competitive, like during... the... fight..."

Julley's words trailed off into silence, and Zoey turned to look at him in confusion.

"What's up, Julley?"

"I just remembered."

"Remembered wha- oh. Tell me."

-Time Skip-

"And as we were about to finish off Zenith, the machine played some kind of song that made us fall asleep. I guess they did something to make us forget the battle, too. Well, that's all I can remember. Any thoughts, Zoey?"

"..."

"Zoey?"

Now it was the Lucario who turned to look at his girlfriend. The Glaceon was staring into space, her expression unreadable.

"Uh... Zoey?"

"Hm?"

"About the fight..."

"Oh, that? I think we should forget about it. I mean, they must have erased it from our memories for a reason, right?"

"Wow. That's... surprising."

"What do you mean?" Julley shifted uncomfortably at Zoey's words, feeling the air around him getting slightly chillier. Well, he went this far, didn't he? There was no backing out now.

"Well... no offence, but I... kind of expected you to ask me to repeat the part where we knocked out Cleo, and then brag to her that you managed to beat her in a battle." Julley winced as his words left his mouth, realising how insensitive he had sounded. He expected a furious rebuttal from Zoey, and was confused when none came.

Zoey pondered Julley's words for quite some time. She HAD wanted to brag to Cleo about her triumph over the Water-type when it has first mentioned, but the more Julley talked about the battle, describing everything they had done to try and win, the knot of guilt in the Glaceon became more and more evident to her, and she couldn't help but think of all those little 'competitions' she had over the years... with Cleo.

Poor Cleo. How much had her sister gone through, all those challenges, those crushing defeats, and the cold, mocking taunts. So many taunts. And for so many years. And Cleo had put up with her the entire time. Forget Julley being insensitive. She was the real heartless Pokemon here.

Maybe it was time for a change.

"You know what, Julley? You're right. Maybe we ARE a tad too competitive. It's starting to negatively affect Pokémon close to us."

Especially my poor, sweet sister. How did I not notice this until now?

While Zoey was breaking down internally, her face remained cold and expressionless on the outside, leaving Julley unsure of what he should do now.

"So...um... let's just promise to be less... competitive...?" The Lucario asked the question cautiously. He knew he could've easily used Psychic to peer into Zoey's mind and sense her emotions, but he was not going to take that risk again. Not after what had happened last time.

"That... would be nice." Zoey seemed to cheer up slightly, albeit still looking somewhat distracted.

Julley sighed. He and Zoey had worked out most of the kinks of their relationship by now, but the Glaceon's emotions had always been hard for him to make out. The nature of a Glaceon were a lot like their typing- a cold and reclusive attitude. It took a long time for her to warm up to Julley, the Lucario eventually melting her icy exterior and getting to really know her. However, during times of immense sadness or extreme stress, Zoey would rebuild the mental ice walls around her emotions, concealing them from others and reverting into her previous withdrawn self.

And like always, Julley would always help to thaw her out.

Scooting over to Zoey's side of the bed, he approached the Glaceon from the behind, Zoey leaning halfway off the side of the bed, an unexpressive look on her face as she stared on the floor. He placed both paws on the Glaceon's shoulders, nuzzling his head onto a shoulder so one of Zoey's teal dangles were draped over his snout.

"C'mon, babe," he crooned. "Please don't give me the... cold shoulder?"

No response. And Zoey always loved his lame puns. Guess he would have to try harder.

"Zoey, you can't keep concealing yourself like this when you've got worries." Julley's voice was barely a whisper as he spoke into the Glaceon's ear. "Remember what I told you on that night?"

There was a small smile on Zoey's face as she replied. "Pizza is the best food ever?"

Julley gave a small chuckle in relief. The pun had worked after all.

"Okay, I did say that," He admitted. "But what did I say? When we were on the roof? Did you remember that?"

He felt Zoey's head give a little nod.

"Y-you said that we could face anything, as long as we were together."

"And I meant every single word of it. So how are you feeling now, Zoey?"

"Way better. Thanks, Julley." Zoey buried her face into the Lucario's fur, Zoey enjoying his floof, and Julley enjoying her familiar chill. "That memory got me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside again, just like before. I guess it was enough for me to thaw out."

"Happy to help. I'm just glad you're you again. And speaking of something related to warmth..."

"Julley. I told you. It's not for months."

"So... should I be happy, or...?"

There was a sigh from an exasperated Zoey, who threw a pillow at the figure beside her, the Lucario ducking to avoid the flying cushion.

"Let's just get some sleep."

"Okay then. Goodnight, Zoey."

"Goodnight, Julley."