Disclaimer - I do not own the Pokemon series, Pokemon: Horizons, or any of its games, characters, spin-offs, seasons, designs, or concepts. I'm merely just a follower of the new series and a big fan of Friede/Liko as both individual characters and as a pairing.

Please note - Because the show never distinguishes the ages of its characters, for the sake of this story and the ship, I'm envisioning Liko, Roy, and Dot to be around 16 or 17, and Friede, Mollie, Murdock, and Orla to be somewhere around 22 or 23 to make things a little more comfortable in terms of the genres and the romance being explored here. If you don't approve of or support the idea of Bodyguard!Shipping, this fanfic may not be for you.

After a certain point, the narrative may also veer off into AU territory, and explore a different direction, depending on what happens in the Pokemon: Horizons series and where the writers choose to take it, but for now, references to certain episodes, battles, and scenes remain the same as we have seen thus far.

Needless to say, this fic will contain **SPOILERS** from the series, so read at your own risk.

Lastly, thank you so much to those that are curious enough to check this out! So, without further ado… here you go!

- - x - -

His golden gaze watched as the two younger trainers stood on opposing sides of the floating arena, a knowing gleam in his eyes as Sprigatito and Fuecoco battled. With Mollie as referee, he preferred to watch from the sidelines, reflecting on the owners of the two pokemon in question – the one with the type of energy that could outshine a thousand suns, and the one who carried herself like the soft light of a pulsating star.

It was still hard to believe that they'd chosen to travel with him, to live with him and the rest of the crew on the Brave Olivine, and remained after the type of danger they'd been faced with recently. But, as he understood now, it had been no coincidence. Both Liko and Roy had showed they had what it took to uphold the airship's namesake, and each had a role to play in a bigger story that they all were still trying to figure out.

The newest additions to the Rising Volt Tanglers were really beginning to come into their own, and were learning something new everyday. He couldn't help but be reminded of himself in some way, remembering when, he, too had been searching for his own identity, and trying to understand himself and the expansive world of pokemon.

Hell, even if he had a few years on them, he was still learning right alongside them. Everyday, they all seemed to learn something new. And, it never got old. Never was there a dull moment.

Especially not with the indigo-haired girl around. Her treasure seemed to hold a lot of secrets, and a lot of power. Unfortunately, that also came with a lot of enemies, like the Explorers, who were becoming quite crafty with their methods and recruits lately. Liko had recently just had her memories erased by that 'Hide-and-Seek' Remote Trainer, and had the magical amulet stolen from right under her nose. That situation could have gone a lot worse, and she could have really been in real trouble. A part of him blamed himself for not keeping a closer eye on her – afterall, it was his duty to be her bodyguard.

But, he was also aware that, sometimes, he couldn't always be there to look after her, and neither could the rest of the crew. She needed to get stronger, to be able to defend herself, on the rare occasion that she became separated from them again. At least, it seemed like Liko and Roy got along well, and even Dot had warmed up to her. It seemed like the three of them – the programmer, the cheerleader, and the observer– were becoming closer, and they had formed a unique bond. Almost like the Three Musketeers.

It was remarkable how Liko had the uncanny ability to understand the feelings of others, and was capable of bringing them all together, bringing the best out of people, in her own kind and supportive way. It was one of the many things he admired about her.

He just hoped she would never discover his feelings for her. Not that he knew, entirely, what they were.

As the pokemon battle between the two trainers came to an end and the academy student was declared the winner, he couldn't help the proud smile that immediately spread across his lips. "Great job, Liko." He encouraged her, and her turquoise hues met with his for just a moment, flashing him a genuine smile of her own and a nod of thanks that made everything worthwhile, before turning back to celebrate her victory with her partner pokemon.

Murdock appeared beside him then, a spatula in his hand, decked out in a long, white apron, covering a hawaiian shirt and beige shorts. "It's time for breakfast, everyone!"

Roy's features suddenly brightened at the sound of food. "I'm so ready! I'm starving!" The boy with the caramel complexion exclaimed, who had previously been hyping himself up from his loss. His Fuecoco perked up as well, and the two energetically nodded at each other before barrelling off the battlefield and towards the kitchen.

Liko laughed at her friend and his pokemon, turning to her own. "Are you ready, Sprigatito?" Her cerculeans waited for the green feline's responsive and happy 'Mew!' before she followed the scarlet-clad boy. She smiled, feeling content with her Sprigatito stepping in stride alongside her. "Let's go eat!"

After Liko, Roy, Mollie, and all of the pokemon had disappeared into the eating quarters, lured by the comforting smells of their first meal of the day, it was just Murdock and Freide left, standing outside. A secret hung in the air, an unspoken knowledge lingering between them as the sun continued to rise.

"You know… you can't stare forever," He told his best friend, breaking the moment of silence, the implications of the remark hidden behind another meaning. While a serious tone laced his words, the hint of a joking grin played on the chef's lips as he turned on his heel, and away from the white-haired man.

The commander gave his best mate a charming grin, reading in-between the lines of his friend's statement, and carelessly placed his arms behind his head. "I don't know what you're talking about, Murdock," Freide replied in a light and playful tone, his timbre taking on a slightly dismissive note. His golden gaze turned upward as a curt breeze wafted through the air, reminding him of the bacon and waffles waiting in the kitchen. After a beat, he assumed what was left of the breakfast could potentially be getting cold, and began to head inside. It was also a good excuse to try and drop the unneccesary subject. "C'mon. Cap and the others are waiting on us."

Murdock chuckled at his friend's attempt at a diversion as he trailed behind him, also not wanting to keep everyone else waiting too long. "Okay," he concluded, "But, don't say I didn't warn you," He knew full well that Freide knew exactly what they were talking about, and what was being hinted at. But, the chef also knew that the commander liked to feign ignorance whenever he didn't want to face something head-on.

Despite the caring man's good intentions for his friend, the airship's best preparer of food knew that Friede was stubborn, and, even if Murdock meant well with his insisting remark about the commander's little crush, he also knew that Friede had always been the type to dismiss even the slightest feelings for someone, and would rather deal with it himself. If it wasn't for the fact that the cook knew the white-haired man almost as well as his favourite frying pan, he would be just as blind about the situation, and just as in the dark as everyone else on-board.

Except maybe Ludlow. As lost as the old fisherman seemed, he was wiser and more perceptive about things than he looked.

"I just don't want to see anyone get hurt," Murdock finally admitted quietly, waving the spatula in his hand a bit guiltily, to Friede as they tracked down the hall towards the eating quarters.

"Relax," Friede assured Murdock with boundless confidence, "No one will ever know." Thankfully ending the conversation, the commander pushed open the doors to the dining area of the ship, where he took his natural seat near Cap and Orla, all calm and collective smiles as he began to dig in.

If you say so. Murdock inwardly sighed, collecting his plate and putting on an eager face for the kids. He couldn't help but feel like something was bound to go wrong.

But, maybe… maybe he shouldn't doubt things. Maybe he should trust that Friede could handle himself. The white-haired man seemed unphased – under the impression that, as long as they were all friends, and working together, as long as they all focused on the goal at hand, and they continued to help each other, it would be fine. As long as Friede's feelings were never found, like hidden treasure, there was nothing to be worried about.

Maybe Friede was right. Maybe it was better to just let things take their natural course… whatever that ended up being.