Estimated Reading Time: 27 Minutes

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Melodic Discord

The morning sun seeped through the blinds, coaxing Ness's eyes shut before he slowly blinked them open. Beside him, Tina slept soundly, her breath soft and steady. A smile tugged at his lips. I still feel like I'm dreaming… She's really my girlfriend.

Hesitation fluttered in his chest as he lifted his arm, but with quiet resolve, he draped it around her, pulling her close. Warmth enveloped him as he buried his face against her chest, the gentle rise and fall of her breathing soothing him. He had never craved touch before, never realized how much he needed it—until now.

Time seemed to freeze until Tina stirred, her eyes fluttering open. When she saw him holding her, a sleepy smile spread across her face.

"Good mornin'~," she chimed, her voice warm and playful.

Ness looked up at her, his heart swelling at the sight of her smile. It filled him with a giddy warmth, like sunshine pouring into his chest. He thought she might pull him closer, sink into his embrace—but instead, she gently pushed him away.

"Oh! S-sorry, if I, um… was being too touchy," he stammered, pulling back.

"You're good," she replied casually, stretching before sitting up. "Anyway, I'mma get dressed and hang out with some buddies."

She gathered her scattered clothes from the floor, her tone light, unaffected. Meanwhile, heat crept up Ness's face. The way she pushed him away—so casual, so nonchalant—left an awkward pit in his stomach. He tried to brush it off. She probably just needs her space. I get it…

As she disappeared into the bathroom to do her makeup, Ness took the moment to get dressed. Once he was ready, he knocked lightly on the door.

"Okay, well, I'm gonna go do my daily routine. I'll see you later?"

"Yeah, I'll see ya~," she called back in a sweet tone.

Her voice was bright, but the discomfort still lingered in his chest as he stepped out.

With a sigh, Ness retreated to his room, grabbing a can of Pokémon food and pouring it into Lucky's dish. The Espeon's ears perked up as he ate, but Ness's mind was elsewhere.

It was strange—Sonic wasn't there like usual. Ever since that incident, he'd been avoiding him. Damn it… He totally thinks I slept with Mrs. fucking Pac-man. Ness ran a hand through his hair, groaning. I'll have to clear that up later… but at least I've got some peace and quiet for once.

Shaking off the thought, he went through his morning routine—brushing his teeth, hopping into a warm shower, and getting dressed before heading out to meet Lucas.

Like always, they grabbed brunch at the food court, trays full of their usual orders. Between bites, they chatted about video games, trading theories and strategies. For the first time that morning, Ness felt at ease, the awkwardness from earlier melting away.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Ness glanced at his phone and sighed. "Ah, I have go to work." He stood up, stretching.

"Oh, okay. See you later," Lucas said, waving him off.

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Leafstorm

Ness made his way to work, clocking in as soon as he arrived. Almost immediately, he spotted Leaf, and the two chatted for a bit. She was always easy to talk to, but their conversation was short-lived—she had to get back to the yard, keeping an eye on the Pokémon to prevent any fights from breaking out.

As always, Todd the Cleffa gave Ness a hard time, throwing his usual tantrums and snide little jabs. But Ness had gotten used to the Pokémon's abuse. Slowly but surely, he was earning Todd's respect, even if the little guy would never admit it.

By the time his shift ended, Ness was exhausted. Leaf caught up with him, and together, they walked back to the mansion. Like usual, they grabbed dinner and spent the evening chatting about Pokémon, the familiar rhythm of their routine easing Ness's mind.

Ness: "I'm just saying, Leaf, people seriously underestimate Speed EVs! Like, what's the point of having insane Attack if you're too slow to land a hit? A Garchomp with max Speed investment is a menace, but nooo, everyone wants to stack Attack like a bunch of amateurs!"

Leaf: "I feel like in a single battle that would be worth investing in, but double? No way. There's always Trick room."

Ness: "Ah, I forgot about that move."

Leaf: "You never know when a Pokemon has it."

Ness: "I mean if I study every meta Pokemon, it wouldn't be so difficult to predict."

Leaf: "Every Pokemon?"

Ness: "Ah-ah-ah! Every meta Pokemon. The popular ones like Fluttermane and Indeedee for example."

Leaf: "Honestly, that sounds like fun! I would totally love to study with you~"

Ness: "Really? I mean, well I guess I shouldn't sound too surprised. You're the Pokemon Trainer."

Leaf: "Haha! I was about to say… 'why're you so surprised'?"

Ness: "Hahaha! S-sorry, it's just usually when I start to invest my time in specific topics such as these, most people tune out."

Leaf: "That's how I feel too! I just get so passionate when I talk about Pokemon."

Ness: "Finally, someone who gets me~ Haha!"

Leaf felt her heart swell. She had never clicked with someone like this before. She and Ness could talk about Pokémon for hours, completely losing themselves in the moment. (You own it, you better never let it go! You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo!)

The more they talked, the more she felt herself falling for him. And what was even crazier? For the first time, she was actually starting to believe he might feel the same way too.

The way he'd sneak glances at her chest when she wore that revealing dress, or how his face would turn bright red whenever she smiled at him—it was becoming more and more obvious that Ness liked her back. She'd catch him blushing, his nervousness almost tangible, and it made her heart flutter every time.

Unlike Nate, who was incredibly bold, Ness was more reserved—shy, a nervous, nerdy wreck who needed a little push. But luckily for him, she was a bold girl. She was more than happy to show him that the feeling was mutual, and there was absolutely nothing to be afraid of.

Ness: "I guess we can schedule a time to go to the library and check out a book... blah blah blah... Hmm, but I'm not sure what your schedule is like. I'm sure you're like me and blah blah events... blah blah... We'll definitely schedule this, so we're both prepared... Oh, but if you don't want to come, I can just blah blah... We can still blah blah together after work..."

Leaf: "..."

Ness: "So, what'd you think?"

Leaf: "Wha? S-sorry, I spaced out."

Ness: "Essentially I said we can either schedule a date to go check out a book together, or I can just do it."

Leaf: "Oh! I would love to go with you."

Ness: "Cool! When should we go?"

Leaf: "We can right now."

Ness: "Right now?"

Leaf: "Yeah, why not."

Ness: "Okay."

The two tossed their trash and headed straight for the library. Ness's eyes lit up the moment he saw the towering shelves lined with books. Hardly anyone cared about browsing the library like he did, so having someone genuinely interested felt like a dream.

Without thinking, he grabbed Leaf's hand and eagerly pulled her along, pointing excitedly at the shelves.

Leaf: "!" *Blushes*

Ness: "Look, there's the Pokémon section~"

Leaf: "Wow! I love it!"

They dove into the books, flipping through pages with enthusiasm. But time wasn't on their side—the library was closing soon. Luckily, Ness knew the section like the back of his hand, so it didn't take long to find a Pokémon stat-building guide. With the book checked out, they left together, heading to Leaf's room to hang out for a bit.

As they stepped into her room, Ness plopped onto her bed without hesitation, already flipping through the pages of the book. Leaf couldn't help but smile—he was comfortable around her now. She remembered when he used to fidget nervously, shifting his body every few seconds like he couldn't quite settle. But now? Here he was, sprawled out on her bed, completely at ease, like he belonged there.

She sat down beside him, leaning in to glance at the book. Ness eagerly pointed at Mimikyu, his eyes shining with excitement as he started rambling about its stats.

"There's a Pokémon that knows Trick Room. Maybe I should get one, haha~!" he mused, grinning.

Leaf chuckled, resting her chin on her palm as she watched him talk. It was cute how easily he got lost in the world of Pokémon stats—like a kid in his element.

Ness: "This Pokémon is highly dependent on its Attack stat, making nature selection crucial. Ideally, an Adamant nature would maximize its offensive potential, though in certain strategies, a Jolly nature could be preferable for increased speed."

Leaf: "I thought you wanted to go with raw power."

Ness: "Raw power for Mimikyu is preferred. But if I caught one with a jolly nature, I can set up with sword dance."

Leaf: "If you were to get an adamant one, what moves would you train it?"

Ness: "If I were to train one, I'd definitely teach it Shadow Claw and Play Rough for solid STAB coverage. What's your take on it?"

Leaf: "That's what I was thinking too. I was testing your intuition~"

Ness: "Ah, testing to see if I knew my stuff. Well, did I pass~?"

Leaf: "You did~"

Ness: "Hmph~! Of course. I might even know more than you~"

Leaf: "Psssh! No way."

Ness: "I don't know, you don't seem to be adding stuff to the table."

Leaf: "What do you mean by that?"

Ness: "I'm not hearing you ramble, that's all."

Leaf: "I'm being respectful. You don't like to let others talk once you're in the zone, ya know."

Ness: "That's not true."

Leaf: "Oh please. I know you."

Ness: "You know me? Haha! Okay."

Leaf: "It's true. I know that every time you get nervous you say 'haha…' that exact same tone."

Ness: "Okay, but that one's obvious."

Leaf: "You also scratch the back of your head too, usually a follow-up after the 'haha…'"

Ness: "I do?"

Leaf: "You don't even notice?"

Ness: "No."

Leaf: "And everytime you feel confident or like you've won, you always tilt your head slightly and go 'hmph~!' with a cocky smirk."

Ness: "I don't do that."

Leaf: "You did it earlier."

Ness: "I did?"

Leaf playfully nudged his shoulder, a teasing grin on her face. "Ness, you're hopeless," she chuckled.

He blinked at her, momentarily confused—then, as the realization sank in, a laugh bubbled up from his chest, and he joined in, their laughter filling the room with an easy warmth.

Leaf: "I can list more too."

Ness: "Stalker."

Leaf: "Pssh! I feel like you're the stalker."

Ness: "What? How?"

Leaf: "The creepy horny games you play says it all."

Ness: "Pssh! Okay… yeah suuure."

Leaf: "Hahaha~"

Ness: "You're not so innocent yourself y'know. You like those games too~"

Leaf: "Why you gotta call me out like that."

The two erupted into another fit of laughter, their voices echoing through the room. Ness doubled over, clutching his side as the ache from laughing too hard set in.

"Ow, my side—ow, my face—hahaha!" he wheezed, barely able to catch his breath between laughs.

Leaf wiped a tear from her eye, grinning. "I know, I'm hilarious."

Ness: "Oh my god. What were we even talking about?"

Leaf: "Pokemon stats."

Ness: "Right. Let's keep going."

Leaf: "Wait, Ness."

Ness: "Huh?"

Leaf: "Before we get back into it. I wanna let you know something."

Ness: "What's that?"

Leaf: "I just… you're such a fun person to be around. I really enjoy hanging out with you everyday. I love the fact that we get to be our silly selves, no matter how dumb we look. I've never felt comfortable with anyone besides you. Not even Red could match our friendship. I feel like our bond is truly something special, Ness."

Ness: "W-wow! I-I-I don't know what to say."

Leaf: "Do you feel the same?"

Ness: "I do! Sorry, I'm just happy to hear those words. Lately I've been getting backlash from the internet, and even my friends."

Leaf: "Lucas?"

Ness: "Not him necessarily. It's mainly Toon Link. In the past, we were friends, but I stopped hanging out with him one day. It just happened, and he still resents me for it. I can tell."

Leaf: "I'm sorry to hear that. It'll take time to heal. Just keep trying to hang out with him."

Ness: "I do every Thursday."

Leaf: "Oh that's good!"

Ness: "But we're never alone. We're in a group."

Leaf: "Get some alone time with him."

Ness: "I want to, but also… I really don't want to, y'know."

Leaf: "I get that actually."

Ness: "We just don't click anymore. I can't really be friends with someone who doesn't share the same interests I do. I can do small talk, but actually hanging out is a different ball game."

Leaf: "That's fair. But you should make that clear, so he doesn't continue being hurt."

Ness: "You're right. I should. Thanks for this conversation. And thanks for complimenting me. It means a lot."

Leaf: "Of course!"

Leaf's heart pounded as she stared at him, his voice fading into the background as he continued his passionate ramble. His deep brown eyes flickered with enthusiasm, his hands animated as he explained stat distributions. She had always loved listening to him nerd out, but right now, all she could focus on was how undeniably handsome he was.

Should I just go for it?

Her fingers twitched with anticipation. He likes me—I know he does. So what's stopping me? Her imagination ran wild, picturing the moment he'd go completely off guard, the way his cheeks would flush, how he'd stumble over his words in that adorable, nervous way.

I should do it.

She took a breath, steeling herself. No reason to hesitate now.

Ness: "If I invest on health, then it'll be able to tank-

Ness's entire body tensed as Leaf suddenly grabbed the back of his head and crashed her lips against his. His mind went blank, his breath hitching in his throat. For a split second, his body froze, unable to process what was happening—then, panic surged through him like a jolt of electricity.

With a sharp gasp, he shoved her away, his heart hammering wildly against his ribs. His wide, terrified eyes locked onto hers, his breath coming in rapid, uneven bursts.

"What are you doing?! What are you doing?! What are you doing?!" he stammered, voice cracking with alarm. His hands trembled as they hovered in front of him, as if trying to ward off something dangerous. The warmth of her lips still lingered on his, but instead of excitement, all he felt was overwhelming shock.

Leaf's heart dropped. That was not the reaction she expected.

"I—" she opened her mouth, but no words came out. Ness was staring at her like she'd just done something horrible, his face pale, his breathing uneven.

"I thought—" she tried again, forcing a nervous laugh. "I thought you liked me."

Ness swallowed hard, his hands gripping the book so tightly his knuckles turned white.

Ness: "Y-you—wwhat!"

Her stomach twisted as she stared at the floor, unable to meet his panicked gaze. She had imagined this moment so differently—had pictured him with wide, flustered eyes, his cheeks dusted a rosy pink, his hands fumbling as he tried to process what had just happened. Maybe he'd stutter out her name, maybe he'd look away shyly, but he'd be happy.

But that wasn't the case.

His cheeks were pink, but not from bashful excitement. His expression wasn't nervous—it was shaken. Upset.

A cold weight settled in her chest. Did I misread everything? Her hands clenched into fists on her lap, her mind racing through every interaction, every glance, every smile. It had all seemed so clear before, but now… now she wasn't sure of anything.

Ness: "You… you like me?"

Leaf: "Y-yeah…"

Ness: "Like more than a friend?"

Leaf: "Yes."

Ness: "Leaf…"

Relief and excitement crashed over her like a tidal wave. Her heart pounded as she took in the sight before her—Ness, completely flustered, his face burning red as he averted his gaze. His hand shot up to cover his mouth, brows furrowed in pure, overwhelmed embarrassment.

There it is.

That was the reaction she had been waiting for.

A giddy warmth spread through her chest, a surge of serotonin flooding her system. She had caught him off guard, and it was adorable. Seeing him like this, so shy and unsure, made her want to kiss him again.

Ness, though, couldn't believe what he had just heard.

She likes me. She actually likes me!

The words echoed in his mind, looping over and over as if his brain refused to process them all at once. He had never even considered the possibility that he could be an option for her—someone as bold, confident, and downright amazing as Leaf. Yet here she was, confessing her feelings like it was the most natural thing in the world.

A strange, almost dizzying happiness bubbled up inside him. A cute girl just admitted she likes me! Not not just any cute girl, one who I get along with really well! His heart pounded so hard he swore she could hear it, butterflies fluttering wildly in his stomach. He bit his lip, trying to suppress the giddy grin threatening to take over his face, but it was no use. The corners of his mouth twitched upward, betraying just how thrilled—no, ecstatic—he really was.

Ness felt his breath hitch as Leaf's fingers curled around his arm, her grip light yet intentional. His eyes darted to her face, and what he saw nearly knocked the air out of his lungs—her wide, flustered expression, eyes shimmering with anticipation, lips slightly parted as if afraid yet determined.

"!"

A startled gasp escaped him as he instinctively jolted at her touch, his heart slamming against his ribs. His entire body tensed, his brain scrambling to process what was happening.

"I want you to be my boyfriend," she said, her voice soft but unwavering.

Ness could only stare, heat rushing to his face as if his entire nervous system had short-circuited. His mind blanked. His hands felt clammy. Did she just…?

Leaf: "I think we're perfect for each other. We can be ourselves. Not many people have what we have. Sometimes I picture us walking around the beach, barefoot in the sand collecting seashells together. We bike together and let the world take us wherever. Sometimes I even think of taking you to the Pokemon world and showing you everywhere I went. I can see us getting lost on Mt. Moon, and enjoying shopping at Saffron City. I wanna go adventuring with you, Ness. I wanna be with you every step of the way. I dreamt of us getting romantic too, and it feels right. We would be a dream couple who would never get bored of each other. Doesn't this all sound nice?"

His face grew impossibly hotter as his imagination ran wild, completely beyond his control. What would it even be like?

Leaf, always dragging him into new adventures, grinning as she pulled him by the wrist into the unknown. He could see it now—her excitement contagious, the two of them navigating through rough battles, standing side by side as an unstoppable duo. She'd push him to try new things, to see the Pokémon world in ways he never had before.

Then, a new thought hit him. A warm breeze, the sound of crashing waves. A tropical island in the Kanto region, just the two of them relaxing after an exhausting battle. Leaf handing him a chilled tropical drink with that confident smirk of hers. And then—oh no. His mind betrayed him further, picturing her in a cute bathing suit, standing under the sun, golden sand beneath her feet.

Ness squeezed his eyes shut, shaking his head violently. What am I thinking?! His hands shot up to cover his burning face. Get it together, Ness!

Leaf: "See? You're thinking about how great we would be together too!"

Ness: "N-no, it's…"

Leaf: "No?"

Ness couldn't help but notice how easy it was to be around Leaf. She didn't drink or do any drugs, so he didn't have to constantly worry about her health or safety. That alone was a relief. She was independent, confident in who she was, and it was refreshing. With Leaf, everything felt natural. Conversations didn't feel forced. There was no pressure, no expectations.

And of course, she was cute—really cute. Like, when she wore that black dress, it made his heart race. There was something about the way it hugged her frame, the way she walked, the smile she wore so effortlessly that made him feel… something. But he immediately pushed those thoughts away. No, this was wrong. It wasn't like him to let his mind wander this far. He couldn't just get distracted by how beautiful she was. She wasn't Tina.

Leaf was perfect, in a way that Tina could never be. Tina was rough around the edges, troubled, but in a way, that was part of what drew him to her. Tina had layers—flaws and cracks that she wore proudly. She didn't hide from who she was, even if she wasn't always easy to understand. She didn't need fixing, but she was a puzzle, and he found himself wanting to solve it. With Leaf, everything just seemed... too comfortable. Too perfect. How could someone like her not be hiding something? Something real?

Sure, they got along well, but they only had one thing in common: Pokemon. Tina and him shared more. They both skateboarded, both drew, and thanks to her, he'd gotten into music—a world he'd never even considered before meeting her.

There was something about the way Tina pushed him, challenged him, that made him feel alive. With Leaf, everything felt like a one-note, and maybe that was the problem. Maybe Leaf wasn't even being real. Was she just matching his energy to make him comfortable? Or was she showing him a side of herself that wasn't quite true? No one just clicked like this.

But the reality was, Ness was already dating Tina. It wasn't even a question. He couldn't entertain the thought of being with Leaf, not when his heart was so wrapped up in Tina. The fact that he'd even considered it—looked at Leaf as more than just a friend for a second—felt messed up. He shook his head, trying to force the thoughts from his mind. He couldn't let himself get caught up in the fantasy. He needed to stick with his heart, stay faithful, no matter how tempting it might be to daydream about what could be.

It had only taken him by surprise because Leaf was the first girl, other than Tina, who had ever expressed interest in him like that. He wasn't used to it. The idea of a girl—especially one as cool as Leaf—liking him felt powerful for a moment, but that was all it was. A fleeting moment of power. Thankfully, he was able to shake it off before his lizard brain took over. He had something real with Tina. That was all he needed.

Ness: "Leaf I…"

Leaf's eyes sparkled with excitement. She could see it—hesitation. His lips parted slightly, his brows furrowed just enough to show the inner conflict raging inside him. He's thinking about it. He wants to confess. I know he does! Her heart pounded against her chest, adrenaline surging through her veins.

I can't let him back down now. I have to push him just a little further.

She scooted closer, tilting her head in that playful, teasing way she knew made her look irresistible. A soft smile played on her lips as she gazed up at him, her voice gentle but insistent.

Leaf: "Ness… do you have a crush on me too?"

Ness: "I… I'm sorry. But no…"