#poor mon just wants to lie on the couch and watch his shows

[softquietsteadylove]

I really love every AU you have written so far! And I have to thank you for keeping every one of them somehow alive because reading every new prompt is just saving the day!!❤️❤️

May I ask for a Pokémon AU prompt? Thenas Pokémon are telling Gil that he should have a nice dinner date with Thena so they are helping him, asking her for a date.

Just them and their Soft, funny and beautiful moment. (You decide if there will be a kiss^^)

"Gallade."

Gil nearly spit out his bite of food, instead aspirating and choking on it. He thumped his fist on his chest a few times before he finally managed to swallow it properly. He stared at the pokemon leaning against the kitchen counter, just...looking at him. "Excuse me?"

"Gal," the psychic/fighting type shrugged. Gil had heard him just fine, there was no mistake. It had said what it said. "Gallade."

"Uh," Gil stuttered, his face flushing at the deadpan request - really it sounded more like an order - to ask a certain Ace Trainer out on a date. "What...brought this on?"

But Gallade still didn't rise to Gil's flustered reaction. It did lean off the edge of the counter, looking over to the sliding side door, where Thena was mixing Dragonite a bowl of special, personalised pokechow. Teddiursa was watching her do it, in a phase of being fascinated with every process he witnessed. "Lade."

Gil blinked at the very simple statement of Thena's happiness. He supposed he could see what her pokemon meant. She wasn't always the most expressive person in the region, but certainly Gil could always tell what she was thinking or feeling. And yeah, maybe recently it had been easier to read a clear lightness and happiness off of her. And yeah, maybe she seemed to be in a pretty good mood, even after long days in Victory Road or when he got in late and literally woke her up from waiting for him. And yeah, maybe it was really cute, and made him really happy to see her so happy.

"Gal-Gallade."

Gil just wasn't sure if it could really be said that he was the reason for that happiness. Was he happy that Thena was happy?--of course! But to say that he was the reason for it. Gil nodded his head at the low patio on the side of the house, where Teddiursa was watching over Thena's shoulder as she pointed out the elements of Dragonite's specially tailored and nutritious meal. "You don't think that has something to do with it?"

Gallade smiled, its fondness for its new teammate and little brother showing through. It might have accepted Teddiursa as a mere presence at first, but even he had to admit that the little cub fit right into their family.

Gil looked at Gallade again as it basically argued that Teddiursa was far from the only reason for his trainer's recent spike in happiness. "Noticed what?"

"Gallade, Gal-Gallade," he continued, moving his hand(?) in a very human way as he chatted with Gil. They had known each other for a long time, after all--before Gallade was even a Gallade at all. It had known Gil all this time, and been able to notice that he and Thena clearly were bonded. But it was more recently that the bond seemed to 'change' as the pokemon phrased it.

"Change how?" Gil frowned, although Gallade was quick to assuage his worries. Gil hadn't really thought about their relationship being all that different--certainly he hadn't noticed any big, dramatic shifts between them.

There were some...significant events, sure. But maybe the repercussions from them had set in more slowly than he had really realised. From Teddiursa's arrival, to them becoming 'Mama' and 'Papa' to the little cub, to the Beware incident and beyond. And of course there was that one time...

"Gallade," it said more firmly, pulling Gil out of his thoughts. This wasn't about him thinking about things too hard. This was about him and Thena finally acting on feelings everyone could clearly see they had.

Gil scoffed, "we do not."

"Ninetales."

"Not you too," Gil sighed as the fire/psychic type walked over to them. Her tails swished as she settled in the kitchen to be part of the discussion that was making Gil feel more and more ganged up on. "I don't-"

"Nine."

Gil blushed. Well, sure, maybe he did have some feelings for Thena that were not...entirely friendship based. But surely that just came with the territory of someone's best friend being perfect in every way. Friends could be friends and also be smart, and beautiful, and talented, and a great trainer, and sweet, and caring, and humble, and devoted, and mindful of the environment, and a good mother, and-

"Gallade!"

"Look," Gil held up a hand to both the stubborn pokemon staring him down. "Even if I did have feelings for Thena--which I'm not saying I do!"

Gallade actually rolled its eyes at him (the nerve).

"That doesn't mean she has those feelings for me."

"Nine?" the fox pokemon looked up at Gil, utter disbelief - and maybe some amusement - on her muzzle. Her tails swished on the kitchen floor letting him know how unconvinced she was. "Ninetales."

It was hard to argue with a part psychic type that could read the occasional mind. Not that Thena's mind needed reading, as far as Ninetales was concerned, her trainer's adoration of Gil being so obvious (apparently).

"Ninetales-Nine," the pokemon continued, utterly remorseless about telling Gil all about Thena's increased thoughts of him, her eagerness to see him at every possible opportunity, even her new habit of sighing every few minutes. And that was nothing to say of her increased heart rate whenever he was around.

"Gallade," it interjected, trying to argue a more action based approach. No matter the evidence presented, it didn't matter unless one of them actually did something about it. And Gallade was through with leaving it up to his trainer to make the first move for herself. "Lade."

She still hadn't entirely forgiven him for the stunt he pulled that one time.

Gil blushed again, looking out at Thena, chatting with Dragonite so he wouldn't have to eat outside alone, or cram himself into her modest little kitchen. Teddiursa was sitting in her lap, happy just to be in his Mama's presence.

Gallade poked Gil in the cheek, just to make sure the ranger was aware that he was, in fact, smiling like a fool.

"Ugh," Gil swatted the hand(?) away, "yes, thank you, I get it."

"Gallade."

"I don't know," Gil sighed at the persistence of their conversation. He looked over, now finding that even Froslass had joined them. For all he knew, the ghost had been there the whole time, invisible to his human eye. "What if...what if it doesn't work? What if that's not how we're meant to be and I...ruin it?"

"Froslass?" the sensitive ice/ghost type frowned, tilting her head at him.

"What if," Gil paused, leaning on the counter and dropping his head, "what if I ruin the best thing in my life?"

"Gallade?"

"Of course she is!" Gil barked in response, raising his head but still stuck looking at Thena outside, bathed in midday sun with the mountain wind tossing her hair around. "How could she not be?! She is the best part of every single day I have! Days I don't see Thena are--are awful! They're the worst--they don't even count as days! They just one long, miserable stretch of time!"

The three pokemon let him go on.

Gil let out a laugh, unable to stop now that the ball was rolling. "You think I can have a good day without that?!"

He held out his hand, pointed in the direction of Thena, her head tossed back in laughter.

"Impossible! I'd rather be on Garbador duty for a month! I could have the worst shift of my Arceus forsaken life!--and if I get to see Thena smile, then everything's fine! I know my job isn't easy. I love it, and I'm happy to do it, but it's not like I can be happy every single second I'm at work."

"But being with Thena?" Gil slammed his head down on the counter, letting out a kind of muffled shriek into his hands. The pokemon startled faintly but still didn't interrupt. He raised his head, leaving his chin on his hands as he looked at her. "It's what I was meant to do."

Arceus and Celebi and all the legends in between: the ranger was done for.

Gil groaned as he felt a cold hand(???) pat him on the shoulder, "thanks, Froslass."

"Fross!"

Gil picked his head up, looking at all three pokemon trying to encourage him. "Are you sure?"

"Froslass," the ghost tapped his shoulder again and pointed outside at her trainer.

Gil wasn't sure what she was trying to convey to him--he didn't have any ghostly powers for him to know what they were saying. But he did watch as Thena talked with Dragonite, now making the large dragon type laugh and flap his wings in delight. She gestured for him to lean down, swiping some crumbs away with the scarf around his neck. He let her happily, his tail swishing around.

Just like Gil had known Gallade as a shy little Ralts, Thena had been there when Dragonite had hatched as an itty bitty Dratini. She had even held Gil as he'd cried tears of joy after hatching his first egg all on his own, outside of work.

"Fross," the ghost nudged him, telling him to keep watching.

Thena turned her attention to Teddiursa, as the little cub began its part of the conversation. Her smile was bright as it talked and gestured out parts of its story.

Gil loved that smile.

"Froslass."

"Maybe," Gil inhaled, looking at Thena and drifting out of the kitchen as he was drawn to her inexorably. "Maybe you're right."

Gallade's jaw dropped--that was it? He had been trying to convince the ranger and their trainer to act on this for months - although it felt like literal years - and that was all it had taken? The ghost that had joined their team only two months before Teddiursa was the one to convince him?!

"Ninetales," the second-longest standing team member offered in condolences. She picked herself up and wandered back to her bed by the fireplace, content that at least something was going to happen after all this.

Gil slid the patio door open and shut it behind him. "Hey."

"Hey," Thena smiled, twisting around to look at him and tucking one of her legs into the other at the knee. "Teddi was telling me about a herd of Bouffalant in the valley."

"They're migrating," Gil smiled, sitting himself down with a chuckle. For as worked up as he had let himself get mere moments ago, he felt a lot calmer now. Looking at Thena just had that effect on him, maybe. "We're spending the next few days making sure they don't invade the Tauros' space too much as they all settle for the spring."

Thena looked down at their little bear, "would you like to go see them down in the valley tomorrow?"

"Teddi!"

Gil watched the little bear bound up Thena's arm to her shoulder, nuzzling his fuzzy cheek against hers. She picked the bear up to tickle its tummy, relishing in its laughter. And when Teddi laughed, Thena laughed.

"I have the day shift."

Thena looked at Gil, at the sudden declaration and the way he'd said it. "That's good."

"And," he inhaled, trying to keep his focus while Thena looked at him, the wind at her back, the sun on her cheek, the valley slightly out of focus behind her. "Since I'm off nights this week, what about...dinner?"

Thena let out a faint laugh, trying to discern where he was going with this. "Well, you're the one always reminding me to eat it, so I'm sure we could-"

"No, I mean," Gil leaned forward, pulling her extended leg to slide her closer to him. He held her eyes, encouraged by the way her pupils grew wide and her breathing hitched. "Dinner...just you and me."

She blinked at him, her lashes fluttering, breathing quickened. A faint flush rose in her cheeks, "you and me?"

"Me and you," he smiled. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all.

"O-Okay."

Gil wound their fingers together, pulling her closer despite Teddiursa in her lap and Dragonite sitting behind him with its jaw dropped. He let his lips move against Thena's naturally--almost too naturally for being 'just friends'. He pulled back with a grin.

"It's a date."

[shinymooncolor]

It’s Thursday, I’ve got a long weekend - so here’s a new sweater weather chat!

@lumosinlove is the mastermind behind these hilarious characters. I just play around and pretend my life is half as exciting as these guys’ lives are.

@wxlfstxrx and @siriuslyqueer are my best bro’s and always support my crazy ideas with no hesitation. 🙏🏻

If you have prompts - let me know! 👀

Sweater weather chat #4

Dumo panics. Celeste is disappointed. Tyler’s mom is thirsty. Logan has heard too much. Leo is scolded. Kuny is hungover. Nado has been dumped. He is also the king of nicknames. Walker brags. We spend another Sunday in the bat cave. I want to live there now.

———-

Wednesday, 4.32 pm

Nadotheman: @talkiewalkie I’m now at a record 8200 viewers for my live workout. 💪🏻👀

Talkiewalkie: whatever. I’m still more ripped than you.

Russiangod: I read blog. I think old ladies like

Tylerthemighty: my mom asked for your number. 61 y/o divorcee. Her book club wants to come to next match. I gave them tickets 🤓🤓🤓🤓

Eliascookie: 😂 thirsty housewives

Prongstar: nado got them old ladies. Sure you could learn a thing or two!!

Nadotheman: I am epic and my sexual encounters are epic

Russiangod: 5 minutes epic? Americans are strange

Siriously: savage

Nadotheman: fuxk off Evwhiny, Not my fault you’ve struck out for three fucking months. Remmy gotta worry about that wrist of kun(t)y’s

Fruitloops: leave me out. Also @prongstar stop changing my name.

Fruitloops changed their name to remuslupin

Prongstar changed remuslupin to fruitloops

RussianGod: not three month. Ur mom here last week. Show her good time.

Timmyforrealz: 😂😂😂 fucking got you there Nado.

Nadotheman: I hate you all. And he didn’t fuck my mom he’s scared of her. Bitch

DumoDad: language. And fruit loops is cute.

——-

Saturday 11.27 am

Dumodad created a group.

Dumodad named the group: grabby teen boy alert.

Dumodad added: talkiewalkie, newt-leo, carbo’hara, loganTremblayzzz, nado the man, RussianGod

Dumodad: first of all. This group does not exist. You know nothing. Celeste must not know anything.

Newt-leo: dumo you alright?

Dumodad: No! drove Adele to the mall. She said she was going out with friends. When I got home Celeste says it’s a date. She is 14?!?!?! My baby is in the mall with a perverted football player called Chuck? Someone has to go to the mall. NOW. I will give you my 1954 Stanley cup game puck. I cannot leave. Celeste has me under strict supervision.

CarbO’Hara: were already at the mall. @nadotheman got dumped so we’ve gone to watch a movie.

Nadotheman: I was not dumped. I ended things. I don’t get dumped.

RussianGod: she said sex was fine. She not call back. You were dumped also she winked at me when she tied shoes. Also u want buy her stuff. She just using u. Better off no girls. Poor baby Nado.

Nado the man: traitor. I didn’t sleep with that fan you took back to the hotel in philly or tell on you. So what they’re using me? I get more action than the rest of you babies combined. (Not you Dumo, don’t think I haven’t noticed those scratch mArks)

DumoDAD: I married well. Go back to rescuing my girl from that deprived creep. A footballer. Of all the idiots in that school and she chooses a footballer. Merde.

Logantremblayzzz: NO! DONT TALT ABOUT THAT he’s like my dad 😫😫😫

RussianGod: grow up. Where u think 4 baby come from? 🍆🍆🍆

DumoDAD: go back to looking for my daughter and leave my (active) sex life out of it

Talkiewalkie: @russiangod you dog!! Roadie one nighter. I’m so proud. Also go dumo!!!!

Nado the man: she was hot. No idea how he got her. Also @talkiewalkie like you’ve ever had the balls for a one nighter

Talkiewalkie: @nadotheman back off man, you’re just a baby compared to my epic sexual history

Nadotheman: @talkiewalkie huh you didn’t even play the v-card until you were 17

Talkiewalkie: @nadotheman not true. That was my first fan. V-card was my JUNIOR prom with the head cheerleader (she was totally a senior)

Dumodad: @walkietalkie no one cares you lost your virginity in the back of a Buick. My daughter is out there with a BOY. ALONE.

Talkiewalkie: @dumodad wrong username and it was a CAMRY and she was a SENIOR

LoganTremblayzzz: were at the mall. Finn and Leo scouting food hall. I’m covering first floor. @nadotheman any luck on second floor?

RussianGod: someone having sex in the bathroom

Logantremblayzzz: @newt-leo @CarbO’Hara behave. Also don’t leave me out.

Newt-leo: she’s in the food court. Also @russiangod they’re not having sex they’re fighting

Dumodad: IS HE TOUCHITN MY NAB GIRLv

Newt-leo: stress texting? Calm down they’re just talking

Newt-leo: okay he’s got his arm around her

CarbO’Hara: abort abort she saw us

—-

Saturday 11.54 am

Adele: MAMA! Leo and finn and kuny are stalking me. You promised not to tell dad. Charlie is terrified and he wants to leave and he didn’t ask me to prom

Mama: sorry mon Cherie. Your dad is in big trouble. Please call me

——

Saturday 12.01 pm

Carb’OHara: @russiangod just got scolded by guard for sitting without a tray and Adele is yelling at him too 😂😂😂😂😂😂

*pic of kuny sitting looking guilty while tiny Adele is shouting*

Dumodad: gentlemen. Why is my daughter calling me, crying cause you scared off her date? I don’t care what my imbecile of a husband has told you. You are all going home and you are all going to think about this. And NO DESSERT FOR ANY OF YOU. I am sorry you got dumped @nadotheman. @talkiewalkie don’t brag about losing your virginity in a car.

Saturday 2.43 pm

Logantremblayzzz: shit! Celeste is furious. Dumo is def sleeping on the couch. Oh fuck. She’s grounded him 😂 this is hilarious.

RussianGod: 😛

Logantremblayzzz: don’t have to worry about baby #5. He’s in the dog house for a month 😂😂😂

Dumodad: she wasn’t kidding. I’m banished to the couch for the foreseeable future. Don’t think you’re not in trouble, Logan. She wants to talk to you now.

RussianGod: nice knowing u Logan.

DumoDAD: 😬🙏🏻🥺😫

—

Saturday 3.44 pm

Celeste: Leo, I am very disappointed.

I expected this from the others but I thought you were better.

Leo: I’m so sorry!!

——-

Sunday 11.34 am

Kuny: my head hurts. I need food

Nado: it’s your own fault dumbass. Chucking vodka like it’s fucking water. Not gonna feel bad for ya

Kuny: I was homesick. U not feel bad today?

Nado: nah I can handle my liquor, you sad excuse for a Russian. What if I told your fellow countrymen you’re currently whining like a baby...

Kuny: I drink better than u. No one believe that.

Kuny: need water pleas. Also want fries

Kuny: pleas i pay.

Nado: stop texting me, I’m trying to watch a movie. Also you’re disturbing my sexting go away

Kuny: who u sext? Girl from bar? Pretty one or scary one?

Nado: I’m not telling you and maybe it’s both. Also quit texting me. Can’t keep this clever dirty talk up when I have to deal with your whining.

Kuny: I can help

Nado: you’re not helping me fucking sext now go back to sleep you big baby

Kuny: stupid also don’t wank with door open

Nado: then go fucking close it you ungrateful dick. Also you know wank but sergei and I had to sit there and help you fucking answer interview questions. Your little game of pretending not to know English is sad. Also your whole “baby face Russian giant with cute accent” bit is getting old.

Kuny: my accent is cute and I know wank cause walker told Me. Am not ungrateful u are. I not tell team lots of things

Nado: oh don’t even go there.

Kuny: I thought u busy sexting

Nado: u fucking ruined it ok. Are you clothed? I’m coming in there now.

Kuny: not naked also u lie about sexitng girls. He he. now bring me food. And Diet Coke.

Nado: ungrateful fucking hungover Russian waste of space. I hate you.

Kuny: u love me. Bring more blanket for room we can make fort and see Disney. I like little green eye

Nado: ordered some French fries and shakes now. In season. So naughty. Also We’re not watching monsters inc again. You’ve got a weird obsession with that film. Moana or the Scottish one.

Kuny: rude. Ok. Just bring food and blanket.

——

“You’re such an ungrateful roomie, scoot over you big lump. You’re hogging my blanket”

“No am not. U love me - DONT TOUCH MY CURLY FRIES”

“Funny you can speak English when people are stealing your food. Stop yelling. I don’t love you. I tolerate you”

“Shut up. Funny chicken, look like peanut When he drink”

“I’m telling him you said that”

——

Did they build a massive blanket fort in their epic cinema/game room? You bet. Does drunk Leo look like the chicken from Moana? I think he does.

[jovialyouthmusic]

Uneasy Lies the Head

Followup to Charlotte’s Choice, a Royal Romance AU Fanfic

8 Savannah

Drake finds Savannah, but why did she leave Cordonia and what part did Anton have in it?

Drake didn’t know where to begin telling his sister about Anton. The revelations of the last few minutes were more than enough for him to cope with, without divulging how mistaken she was about Lord Severus’s intentions.

‘Savvy’ he said gently ‘I can’t begin to imagine how things have been for you since you left. Please believe me, I never wanted you to feel you couldn’t come to me and tell me your troubles. We need to regroup, work out what to do next.’ He looked at the table set for dinner – that might be a start. ‘Are you hungry? We could send for something to eat.’ Savannah shook her head.

‘No, I don’t think I could eat a thing. I could do with a drink though – a glass of wine perhaps.’ She answered. Kiara nodded and set about contacting room service. Bastien left, letting him know they would leave a guard on the door. Drake dared not drink, though he craved a glass of whiskey. Savannah was obviously uncomfortable in her cocktail dress, and Kiara promised to lend her something more casual while she stayed to talk to Drake. She returned after a few minutes with a pair of jogging bottoms and a sweatshirt, and Savannah went to get changed.

Kiara lingered, and put her hand on Drake’s shoulder.

‘I am so pleased you found her, mon ami. Be gentle with her, she needs to adjust to seeing you again’

‘And I need to adjust too, Kiara. Thankyou for your help, I’ll take it from here. I expect I’ll see you tomorrow.’ She nodded

‘But of course. I will travel back with you. I hope there will be an extra passenger in the car.’ Drake nodded, and Kiara left as Savannah came back in again, looking more like the sister he remembered. She had taken off her makeup and let her hair down, which had been put up in an elaborate style. She came to Drake and hugged him. He held her tenderly, glad beyond measure to have found her, but not looking forward to having to disillusion her. They separated and she sat with her glass of wine.

‘Tell me how things are in Cordonia’ she said ‘I was sorry to hear of Constantine’s death – do you know who was behind it all?’ Drake felt a stab of pain, and his face must have showed it, as she looked concerned.

‘Savvy, what have you heard? When did you last see Anton?’ She blinked.

‘Just after the coronation.’ She said, matter of factly. ‘He came to visit for a day or two and told me the news. He told me he’d attended the social season as a formality, he hadn’t expected to be picked. I was so surprised when he told me you’d been entered on the list – and Charlotte picked you? Is it going to be a marriage of convenience? I know she’s more like a sister to you’ Drake swallowed.

‘Savvy, it’s not like that at all. Don’t you watch the news?’

‘I saw Anton had been accused of some terrible things – but it’s not true, he’s just not like that’ she said innocently. ‘Bastien must have had some wrong information, surely’ Drake closed his eyes.

‘Brace yourself Savvy, you’re not going to like what I’m going to tell you’ he said.

‘I’m listening’ she said in a small voice, shrinking back into herself.

‘Savvy, Anton has not been honest with you. I know for a fact he tried very hard to win Charlotte’s hand in marriage – I saw first hand how he manipulated and plotted against her and the King.’ Tears started to his sister’s eyes.

‘But – but he told me he’d marry me’ she said ‘Only the other day, he – he proposed to me.’ Drake groaned. His poor sweet innocent sister had been taken in by Severus. What he intended to do once he had married Savannah he could only guess. He was surprised he hadn’t already used her as a pawn in his power games.

‘Savvy, he hacked into the national TV transmitter and demanded Charlotte resign or acknowledge him as King and become his Queen – has that news not reached you?’ Her face was flushed now, and a single tear trickled down her cheek.  

‘I – I didn't believe the broadcasts so I stopped watching – he told me it was all lies’ Drake looked at her with compassion.

‘No Savannah, he’s the one that’s been lying. He entered as a suitor with the full intention of becoming consort. When he realised he wouldn’t succeed, he plotted to assassinate the King. I was at the coronation – Charlotte was about to name me as consort when the King was shot. Anton took her away – he kidnapped her, Savvy’ Tears flowed down her cheeks freely now, but Drake went on.

‘I followed Anton – he was going to take the Princess out of Cordonia, force her to name him consort or perhaps kill her. Thank god we didn’t find out because I stopped him.’

‘You – perhaps you misunderstood’ she sobbed

‘No Savvy, he told me exactly what he intended to do. Why would I lie to you? I’m your brother. Bastien will tell you the truth too, he’s got solid evidence if you don’t believe me’ His sister had curled up into a ball, crying hard. He went over to her and she uncurled, to throw her arms around him and sob. He hadn’t got the heart to tell her more, instead changing to more positive news.

‘Savvy, come home with me. I promise you I’ll look after you this time. I love Charlotte with all my heart and she wants to see you back too’ She calmed slowly and sniffled as he stroked her back.

‘You – you love Charlotte? It won’t be a marriage of convenience?’ He laughed softly

‘No Savvy, we love each other, we just took a little time to realise it’ He rubbed his thumb over her wet cheek. ‘You can stay at the palace, or you can make Valtoria your home – I’m Duke of the duchy now, you know’ Savannah smiled through her tears

‘What would father say, I wonder, to you being a proper Duke?’ she said softly. He rested his chin on her head and smiled

‘I don’t know, but he’d make sure I kept my feet on the ground, remind me that I’m responsible for the happiness of the citizens of Valtoria’

‘He would. I miss him so much, Drake’ She hung her head ‘He’d be so ashamed of me, Drake’

‘He’d understand, sweetheart – and if he were still here maybe this wouldn’t have happened at all. We can’t know these things’ he replied. ‘Will you come back with me?’

‘I – I don’t know. How can we keep all – all this secret? Someone’s bound to find out what I am – how I make a living’

‘We can face it together’ he said ‘I’ll defend you. Anton deceived you, if he’d told you the truth you could have come back and it would never have happened’

‘But it would reflect on you, and why should Charlotte be associated with the brother of an escort?’

‘I’m sure she’ll understand you were forced into it to make a living, and the good opinion of a Queen is a powerful thing to have. Trust me, we’ll face it together.’ Savannah smiled again.

‘It’s been quite a meeting’ she said ‘I’m so tired. Can I stay here for the moment? Nobody will miss me – I’m not working tonight’

‘Savvy, you don’t have to do that any more’ he said ‘Of course you can stay. We have to go back soon though – won’t you come with us?’

‘I – I need to think, Drake. I want to make the right decision’

‘Of course. Will you be alright alone? I can sleep in here on the couch if you like, and you can wake me any time and we can talk more’

‘That would be nice’ she smiled ‘I don’t know how much more I can take, and it would be good to have you near’

‘Okay’ he said ‘I’ll go and get some things. This suite is a lot bigger than my small room’ he grinned. Drake left, nodding to Lewis standing guard in the corridor outside.

It was a few minutes before he returned, and went in to find her standing by the window just as she had been before, this time dressed simply, and when she turned she was glad to see him. They hugged, and she murmured into his shoulder.

‘I’ll miss this place’ she said ‘But I miss Cordonia more. I’ve got more happy memories than sad ones.’ He patted her shoulder.

‘Charlotte and I won’t be the only ones who will be pleased to see you back, you’ll see’ he promised. ‘Now, let’s get you to bed. Do you remember me reading you to sleep after mother left?’ She laughed properly, and it lifted his bruised and shattered heart to hear it. They were on the mend at last.

Savannah apparently slept soundly, as he woke when she came through to the lounge as the morning sun came in through the window. The couch had not been the most comfortable place he had ever slept, but the fact that he was in the room next to his sister helped him to rest better than he had expected. He ordered breakfast for them, for Kiara and the guards, and they all assembled together. They spoke of their plans to return, and Bastien smiled fondly at the young woman that he had looked after as a daughter.

When they had finished eating,  Bastien and Lewis went with Savannah to her flat to help her fetch some things. She told Drake she didn’t want him to see where she conducted her business, so he stayed behind with Kiara. He was going to tell Savannah about travelling to Texas later.

‘Oh Monsieur Walker – do you have the keys to the car? Kiara asked ‘I left a bag in there. Perhaps you could go and fetch it pour moi?’ Drake agreed, as it would mean less time making awkward conversation with her, and took the keys to the SUV into the lift. On exiting into the underground car park, he saw Pascalle coming toward him and greeted him – too late to sense the two men standing either side of the lift doors, one of whom grabbed his arms and pinned them behind his back, and the other dropped a sack over his head. Before he could fight back, he felt the snap of handcuffs and he was bodily lifted despite his struggles, and dropped into what he presumed was the boot of a car. He kicked and hollered, only to hear a harsh voice.

‘He’s making too much noise – knock him out or we’ll never get him out of here’ and at that, he felt a blow to the head and all went black.

He came to his senses again, his head throbbing and he brought his hand up to feel it, only to realise he was handcuffed with his hands in front of him, although otherwise unrestrained, sitting on the floor propped up against a wall. He gasped as someone threw cold water over his face, and he blinked and brought his hand up to clear his eyes. The floor was cold and hard, and the light was harsh, shining into his face.

‘What the hell?’ he started, and heard a familiar laugh. Kiara was in the room, standing over him holding an empty glass, and he shielded his eyes from the light.

‘Be careful what you do monsieur, my friend here has a firearm’ she said harshly, walking away, her heels clicking on the stone floor. Pascalle was in the room too, sitting on a chair, casually holding a revolver.

‘Why Kiara? Why are you doing this?’ Drake asked. She laughed, the sound echoing slightly.

‘Why indeed Monsieur Walker. You could have made this all so much easier if you had not rejected me in the car. All you had to do was show me some affection’

‘I thought I made myself clear’ he said hoarsely ‘My heart belongs to Charlotte’

‘But your body?’ Kiara asked. ‘You gave your body to every lady in Court – except me’ she paused and stabbed her finger at him ‘Pourquoi? Why, Monsieur Walker, did you not give yourself to me? They all noticed you know, all of them pitied me, rubbed it in my face that you spurned me.’

‘I – it was Charlotte’ he croaked ‘She was jealous’ His mind went back to that fateful day.

Drake hated dancing lessons, and if Charlotte hadn’t told him he should make the effort, he would have stopped attending long ago. In the ballroom he felt the looks the other women gave him – those that knew how awkward he was looking with pity and disdain, those who knew first hand or by rumour how eager he was to please in other ways looking with lust and curiosity.

He watched Charlotte gliding effortlessly with Maxwell, but when she caught sight of him and his stupid clumsy feet, she stumbled in sympathy. The dancing master reprimanded her and took over, but again she looked at Drake and missed her step. It dawned on him suddenly that he wished with all his heart that he was her partner, that magically if they danced together neither of them would miss a step.

Charlotte was dismissed in disgrace, and he watched her retreat to the changing rooms in her ballgown. He bowed awkwardly to Kiara, with whom he had been about to dance, no doubt to tread on her toes and kick her in the shin.

‘I think the lesson’s over, please excuse me’ he said curtly, and left to stomp off to the stables. He went in to Sultan’s stall to confide his stupid thoughts and frustrations to the stallion. As always, he felt more comfortable in the stables than he did in the ballroom. After a while he was calm and became aware that Kiara had entered, and she found him quickly despite his effort to hide.

‘Monsieur Walker’ she smiled ‘You left so suddenly, I was looking forward to dancing with you’

‘I doubt if you’d have enjoyed it’ he growled ‘I can’t dance for toffee.’ Kiara came close, putting her small hand on his arm, her touch soft.

‘I have heard that you dance in other ways that are more pleasing’ she whispered, her scent reaching his nostrils ‘I have heard that you give – riding lessons’ She nodded toward the hayloft, her eyes black. How easy it would be to take her up there, but he had a sudden memory of himself and Charlotte huddling together after the death of their parents, comforting each other. He realised suddenly that she was the one he wanted – but she was the Princess, untouchable, inviolate. She was also his childhood friend, and his emotions battled each other as Kiara leaned in to kiss him.

He stood back, taking her hand off his arm.

‘No Kiara, I don’t think so’ he said ‘Please, leave me alone’ Her expression changed in an instant, her lovely face disfigured by a scowl.

‘You reject me Monsieur? You have never been so discriminating before’

‘I’m sorry – I guess I’m not in the mood. Please, I don’t want to – I’m sorry’ He pulled away from her, and her face contorted again in fury.

‘I will let you be – this time’ she fumed ‘Perhaps another day you will be more accommodating’ She turned on her heel and stormed off.

He breathed a sigh of relief and patted Sultan before leaving also. He had not gone halfway back to the palace before he saw Charlotte approaching, dressed to ride. His heart lifted at the sight and he ran to meet her, stupidly happy to be in her company. She was not in the best of moods and had seen Kiara leaving just before him. She was moving fast and he couldn’t remember his words, but he had followed her. She had stopped and asked him what Kiara had wanted with him, and he had thanked his lucky stars that he had turned her down, otherwise Charlotte might have interrupted them in the act.

He had followed her into the stables, and she had confronted him about how he played around with the ladies of the court. He had wanted the ground to open and swallow him up but had stayed cool. She had softened at last and confided in him that she felt lonely and frustrated, and envious of his sexual freedom. Her father kept her on a tight leash – of course, she was heir to the throne, and had to wait until a far distant social season even to be allowed to consider the advances of chosen suitors. There were rumours that the royal doctor examined her regularly to ensure she was a virgin. He had told her that his assignations were meaningless, that he never gave his affections away. Boldly he found himself asking his childhood friend whether she pleasured herself and her face gave her away, her cheeks turning pink as she carried on grooming her pony.

Then everything changed. His heart went out to her and he almost watched himself as he offered to bring her pleasure without endangering her virginity. It was an eternity before she answered, as he wondered if he had gone too far and ruined their relationship. But she had agreed to meet him the next day and go riding – and he could take her somewhere private and seal their bargain.

He had been so scared of not being able to please her, but she had opened like a flower, woken under his careful hands and fingers and tongue. No other woman had been so open, so ready, so in tune with him. He almost wept with pride as she fell apart, and felt awkward when she offered to return the favour, gently turning her down.

After that, he was eager to please her whenever she wanted – and he had awakened her passions. He could barely think about anything else, and saw her in every woman he saw, talked, touched and pleasured. Her face was always before him when he was intimate with others – he could not stop his other assignations for fear of the King discovering them, and she allowed it. She was an eager student when it came to returning the favour after he had overcome his shyness to let her see and feel him.

He snapped back to the present, to the cold barren stone room, to Kiara confronting him again.

‘So you passed me over because of her? You would have fucked me if she had not disapproved?’

‘I – that’s not what I…’

‘Well monsieur, what the eye doesn’t see, the heart does not grieve over’ she said ‘You had the chance to – how do you say – complete the set.’

‘Kiara, please’ he said ‘It’s too late, I would never betray Charlotte’ She laughed bitterly

‘Still you do not reject me outright, can you not hear yourself It was Charlotte – it’s too late’ she said mockingly. ‘You desire me, or you would be saying Go away, I never wanted you.’

‘Kiara, any man would be a fool to turn you down’ Drake croaked ‘But I am a fool. The reason I’m not saying those things is – I never wanted them either – not one of them. Charlotte was the only woman I ever wanted, even when I didn’t realise it. If I could undo it all, I would. If I could turn back time, I would never have slept with anyone else. Once I knew, I couldn’t stop. Constantine would have me killed if he had known I wanted her, so I had to carry on bedding every woman that came across my path. But it all stopped once I became her suitor. It’s not personal Kiara, at least not on my behalf. I just never wanted anyone else.’ Kiara snarled.

‘If it made no difference who you fucked, why pass me over?’ She stopped ‘Of course, the Princess – she always got what she wanted, while the rest of us bowed and scraped and swallowed our pride to be ladies of the court. Do you know what it was like to not have her approval? I have had to work twice as hard as every other lady of the court to get where I am. Every time I tried to move forward and asked her permission, she was too busy to talk to me, even to write a letter of recommendation. And all because she was jealous that I had dared to approach you – you who fucked every other woman at the palace. Where was the jealousy then? Why did I deserve to be punished? It was sheer misfortune that she focussed on me’

‘Kiara – I’m sorry that you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. I don’t think anything I said would have made any difference. You were unlucky – but look where you are now – you’re an accomplished diplomat, you could work anywhere. Would it really have made any difference if I’d given in to you without Charlotte being jealous?’

‘It does not matter, Cherie, the damage is done, and you will regret it. If you were hoping to keep your sister’s secret, think again. I will splash her name all over the papers, make the name of Walker so shameful that Charlotte will have to think twice about going ahead with the marriage.’

‘No please Kiara, don’t make Savvy suffer. You were friends…’ Kiara’s face contorted again.

‘Friends – with that little mouse – with the sister of the man who was my undoing? Think again monsieur. Who do you think told her not to reveal her shame to you? Who do you think threw her in the path of Anton Severus? That upstart commoner who made eyes at Monsieur Beaumont – no, we were never ‘friends’, I just made sure she would suffer and in turn make you miserable. Did you not notice me trying to comfort you when she left? No, you were obsessed with the Princess and your disgusting trysts.’ Drake gaped at her revelation

‘You - you knew?’ he gasped

‘But of course – all your morning rides, her flushed face when she returned. I noticed, monsieur. Don’t worry, I kept your secret save for one person – Monsieur Severus was very interested in the information. It was a pity he did not take advantage of it and tell the King, or you would most likely have suffered an unfortunate end’ She moved closer to him ‘and that can still happen. Bastien has no idea where you are, so get the idea of rescue out of your head’

‘What do you want with me?’ Drake rasped, his throat dry.

Want – me?’ Kiara laughed ‘Now you are interested in me after all this time. I want you to suffer monsieur, and I want Charlotte to suffer too. I want you to know that you are somewhere she will never find you. I want you to know that she will have to marry someone else to keep the crown – oh yes, that is yet another clause that you didn’t discover. She has to marry within the year or forfeit to Anton’

‘You’re going to keep me – for a year?’ he said incredulously ‘Bastien will find me’

‘Mais non monsieur, I am sure of that, you are somewhere nobody will search or think of searching. I have contacted Anton’s men and they can use you as they will – as a bargaining chip to release Anton, or to dispose of you if she refuses.’

‘She won’t agree to that, no matter what. She won’t give the crown to Anton’

‘I think you underestimate your love – Charlotte will do anything to save you. She won’t know I am involved - shortly I will be ‘released’ by Anton’s men and claim we were both kidnapped and I don’t know where you are – of course I may be able to drop hints that take them in entirely the wrong direction. Suddenly your dear Queen will hang on my every word, treat me like a victim – poor Kiara, she must know something that will lead her to her darling consort’

‘You won’t succeed’ Drake croaked ‘you underestimate Bastien – he will find you out and you will pay for your treachery.’ Kiara laughed

‘I do not think so monsieur – now, I shall take my leave of you. I doubt we will meet again – Pascalle’ She nodded her head, and he and another man stepped forward to haul Drake to his feet and hold him immobile though he struggled wildly. Kiara stood close to him, her breath on his face. His mouth was too dry to spit in her face and he was held too tight to do anything other than turn his head away as she leaned in to kiss him on the cheek.

‘Goodbye Drake, you will regret turning me down for the rest of your days – and it is up to Anton as to whether those days are many – or few’ Pascalle threw him to the floor and kicked him, winding him and the three left the room, the door clanging shut behind them and he heard the door lock.

@ao719 @agent-bossypants @andy-loves-corgis @sleepwalkingelite @boneandfur @blackcatkita @brightpinkpeppercorn @choicescommunity @darley1101 @drakewalkerrosenberg @debramcg1106 @fluffy-marshmallow-heart @goirishsunshine @gardeningourmet @livingthroughchoices @likethetailofacomet @mrs-nazario @mind-reader1 @ooo-barff-ooo@silviasutton1989 @speedyoperarascalparty @zaffrenotes @missevabean @mrsdrakewalkerblog @cora-nova @missameliep @tanelle83 @endlessly-searching-for-you @jlouise88 @drakenazario @tabithacarlisle @furiousherringoperatortoad @notoriouscs @classylady1234 @wickedgypsymoon @carabeth @choices-fangirl @indiana-jr @indiacater @noey718-blog @katedrakeohd @bobasheebaby @annekebbphotography @kennaxval @sirbeepsalot @drakeandcamilleofvaltoria @aworldoffandoms @iplaydrake @drakesensworld @drakewalkerisreal @samcpossum @melodyofgraves @khakie4 @museofbooks

[canisaries]

AGAPE - Part 8: I’m a Great Guy [FINALE]

In this part, Red makes up with Helix and everything is fine. Until.

Also, Agape ends and Canis is finally freed from her shackles. I appreciate you all sticking with this till the end. This was a bit different than the stuff I usually write, and I think I learned a lot of stuff. Also, comments are appreciated, as always.

And, for the final time (for Agape, I’m still gonna write other stuff in the future of course lol), enjoy!

---

The warm air that enveloped Red immediately after stepping inside the house almost forced him to feel relieved. Being outside had been pointless, and he finally got to cease that foolishness and move on to other affairs.

Having made it out of the hallway, he looked at the couch. He could see Fonz sitting there, accompanied by Helix, judging by their chatter between occasional glances at the television screen.

“Hey,” Red called out, to announce his presence.

“Hey,” greeted Fonz. No response from Helix.

Red took a glance at his bag. It was leaning onto the sofa, just where he’d left it. He’d better move it somewhere else soonish, even if it no one had reason to be interested in it.

Red walked over to the sofa, circled around it and sat on the end opposite from the two mon. He looked at the screen. Some kind of celebrity gossip news show was airing. It didn’t seem like the two had chosen to watch it, it appeared more to just be background noise to them.

Red stared at Helix. After noticing Red, the omanyte answered his look with a bashful one. Red smiled reassuringly. There was nothing for Him to be afraid of. Still, He looked away.

“My lord,” started Red. “How was school today?”

Fonz glared at him. Helix looked at Red’s feet.

“I guess it was nice,” He answered.

“Did you learn anything today?”

Red rested his head on his hand. He watched Helix as He pondered his question.

Red saw He was still a bit uncomfortable, which generally wasn’t good, but in a way it was still somehow kind of charming. Red’s smile became more genuine.

“Maybe,” said Helix. He clearly wasn’t sure. Had He been thinking about His situation so much that He hadn’t been able to pay full attention in class?

“Well, what subjects did you have today?”

“Uhh… There was english, math, physi...”

Helix’s speech trailed off as he slowly turned to the screen.

“Is... Is that ShirLee?” He suddenly said.

Red and Fonz both turned their heads towards the television in a rash manner, though Fonz still tried to appear casual while doing it.

Indeed, on the screen there flashed photos of the now-malamar idol. She was lying on her side on a white tiled floor with two empty bottles, one with her tentacle lazily wrapped around it and another a bit further away. SHIRLEE GONE TIPSY TURVY, the caption said. In the background, two daft, irritating voices recapped her story. One of ‘their guys’ had found her passed out flat on her face in a restroom. He hadn’t even recognized her first, but upon taking a closer look, he’d found ‘the scandal of the century’.

“Oh, poor girl...” said Helix aloud, sounding somewhat disheartened, but not too disheartened.

Yes. Poor girl. To be cut down in her prime like that… So unfortunate.

Red tried to feel even a tiny bit sorry for the singer to create the right kind of reaction for the situation, but found himself unable to sympathize with her. He settled for a brief dispirited expression.

Suddenly, Red heard the front door open.

“I’m home,” he could hear a familiar voice say. Abe. He sounded tired.

Red heard his brother drop his backpack, heavy with school books, onto the hallway floor. He’d probably soon pick it up again to move it next to some table to do his homework. Red directed his attention back to the screen and ignored his brother’s presence.

But he couldn’t, for Abe then unexpectedly called his name.

Red turned to him, but didn’t let go of the couch.

“AJ wanted to talk to you,” Abe continued.

AJ? What business did he have with Red? They hadn’t spoken in a while. Not after the whole symbiont incident.

Red stared at Abe’s face, waiting for him to elaborate on the situation. He stared back for a while, apparently trying to convey some nonverbal message, but gave up after Red gave no response.

“He asked me if school was over for me yet. You know what that means.”

Red sighed, glanced at the ceiling and moved over to his brother. Abe dug out his phone.

“You wanna talk to him now?” he asked.

“Sure, why not,” muttered Red, disinterested.

Abe began calling AJ. Soon, Red could hear something from the speaker.

“Hi, it’s Abe. Red’s here,” Abe replied.

Something was said by the other party, and Abe promptly handed the phone over to Red. After Red had taken it, Abe left the room. Whatever they had to discuss, he didn’t want to hear it, apparently.

“Yes?” asked Red after raising the device to his ear.

“Fuck do you mean I’m your boyfriend?” shouted the speaker instantly after.

“What?”

“Look, just because I tolerated you during that whole parasite episode of yours, it doesn’t mean I hate you any less!”

“When did I call you my-”

Red remembered the discussion he’d had in the hotel room with ShirLee.

Oh. Right. That.

He changed his question. “How did you hear about that?”

“You’re not the one asking the questions here! How the fuck am I your boyfriend?”

“Well-”

“Do you even know how much explaining I had to do to Joey because of you?”

“Who the hell is Joey?”

“My boyfriend!”

“You have a boyfriend?”

Red was fully aware that AJ had a boyfriend, but he knew how much that question aggravated him.

“You fucking… Fuck you! Of course I do!”

Red snorted, but decided to answer AJ’s question nonetheless. He probably wouldn’t get an answer to his own otherwise. If at all.

“Listen, AJ. That was a misunderstanding, and it certainly won’t happen in the future.”

“Better fucking not.”

“I mean it, AJ, I already told you I’m celibate. But, again, where did you hear that?”

“What makes you think I’ll tell you, asshole?”

Damn it. Red needed to play it cool, but AJ was really getting on his nerves.

“Just do it,” he growled.

“Fine,” AJ sighed. He seemed tired as well. “Some mon came asking about you.”

“What kind of mon?”

“Hell if I know, one of those foreign ones. She was big and resembled a tentacool a bit.”

ShirLee?

Red quit breathing for a second or two.

Ah, no. Must have been one of her fans. ShirLee had shared a lot of their discussion. She must have shared the whole boyfriend part, too. If a human attracted to coldbloods was such a rarity, the thought of two had to have been overwhelmingly exciting.

“Well, did you tell her anything?” Red asked.

“Of course not! I didn’t want her thinking I was buddies with you or anything. In fact, I told her to stay away from you. Because, you know, I care about other mon?”

AJ’s tone irritated Red, but he was glad to hear his words. He, however, would most definitely not let AJ know that.

“Whatever,” Red muttered. AJ let out a short, hostile humph.

Regardless, Red felt relieved. He’d gotten all the information he needed. Now he was free to talk as he wished.

“AJ,” he began again, in a low, calm voice.

“What now?” AJ groaned in response.

“Just so you know,” Red continued, “Your body was terrible for Him.”

“What the fuck are you even saying?”

“When you housed that symbiont...”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, I don’t care.”

“Quite frankly, AJ, I’m surprised He even survived in your poor excuse of a body.”

“What the fuck kind of insult is that?”

“You’re weak, AJ. If you didn’t have your mon to protect you...”

“We have a contract, remember? Or are you really that stupid?”

True, he couldn’t do anything, even if AJ’s help had so far been minimal. There just hadn’t come a good opportunity to utilize him.

“The deal was to leave you alone for the duration of the contract and a year after,” Red recapped. “You called me, however, so I can threaten you as much as I want. So, with that said…”

Red slowly leaned onto the kitchen table. His breathing slowed down. These thoughts were so alluring...

“I can’t wait… to feel you struggle with my hand on your mouth… as I raise my blade and-”

“Just shut the fuck up, you edgy piece of shit,” AJ snapped.

Red humphed. He’d totally ruined the moment. “Pansy,” he muttered.

“Rapist-lookin’ ass,” AJ muttered back.

“You should try working out sometime to fix that pitiful body of yours. You look like you couldn’t even overpower an egg,” Red mocked.

“At least I don’t whack it to the Discovery Channel!” AJ retorted. Whatever that meant.

“I’ll kill you one day.”

“Go ahead and try, asshole!”

“Bitch.”

“Fuck you. Goodbye.”

Red could hear the dial tone. Apparently, the call was over. He sighed and placed the phone screen down on the table. Abe would find it.

He glanced at the bag in the living room. It was still there. He walked over to pick it up, voicing a quiet “excuse me” when Fonz looked at him with some suspicion in his eyes.

He made his way upstairs to his own room. The familiar bare walls and bland furniture greeted him as he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

He placed the bag onto the floor and pushed it under the bed. The sheets moved to hide it as it entered the space fully. Red gave it one more push to ensure it was far deep enough and then stood back up. He stared at his bed and decided to lie down on it for a while.

Friday… He had plenty of time to spend with his Lord. Enough to make Him realize that there really was nothing to feel bad about. Enough to remind Him of how loyal he was and how he’d never turn against Him. And he would start right away.

´

“Hey,” he greeted as he leaned on the back of the couch. Fonz and Helix turned to him.

“Hey,” responded both. Good. Progress.

“Is there anything You need, my lord?” asked Red patiently.

“Um… Not really,” said Helix, sounding shy.

Red walked over to sit down on the sofa.

“My lord, it really isn’t a problem,” he said encouragingly.

“Yeah, but, I mean… I just don’t wanna be a burden, that’s all,” said Helix.

“You’re not a burden, my lord,” said Red. “It is a great pleasure to serve you.”

Helix said nothing. He didn’t look as uncomfortable anymore, however.

Red had a brave thought, but wasn’t sure if he dared to act upon it.

“My lord...” he started hesitantly. Helix looked at him curiously. “Would You like me to… hold You, my lord?”

That wasn’t a normal request. Red knew he’d made a mistake. He looked away, beginning to blush.

“...Sure.”

Red looked back in surprise. He… He’d said yes.

Helix stared back with a strange look in his eyes.

Red reached his hands towards Him. He didn’t recoil, so he touched His shell. Red moved his hands around Him and picked Him up. He didn’t resist at all. It seemed like He really trusted him.

Red smiled and held Helix against his chest. Helix looked happy, too.

They’d made up. They were lord and servant again. They were two, but now a bit closer to one.

Red shifted into a more comfortable position. Helix touched his hands and arms with His tentacles. Red’s breathing calmed.

It was like nothing had happened at all.

Red closed his eyes and felt his heart beat against Helix’s shell. Helix felt it, too. He brought Himself closer. He listened to the rhythm to which the blood in his body flowed through his flesh. The pulse of his mortality. Their bodies were truly extraordinary, weren’t they? Helix had passingly mentioned something about wishing to be a warmblood on Monday, hadn’t He. He’d almost got to be one a while ago…

But that wasn’t important now. They were finally back together. Everything was fine. Everything had turned out alright in the end.

“My lord...” he whispered. He surprised himself - he wasn’t planning on saying anything.

“Yeah?” asked Helix in a drowsy voice.

“I l-”

He managed to regain control of his tongue.

“I really care about you, my lord.”

“I think you’re cool too...” mumbled Helix. He fell asleep right after.

It was quiet. Outside, it was pitch black. Fonz, Helix, Abe - they’d all gone to sleep already. Only Red was still up.

He didn’t know why he’d chosen to stay awake for a bit longer. He just hadn’t felt that tired, apparently.

But there he was, lying on the couch, reading one of Abe’s school books. Abe had left it open on the kitchen table. He’d decided to leave the rest of his homework for tomorrow, it seemed.

It was mathematics. Red didn’t understand much of it, but the strange symbols and jargon were easy on his eyes when he didn’t have to decipher them. Above all, it was something to do.

Suddenly, something shattered the silence, startling Red. It was a knock on the front door. Red checked the clock on the wall. 23:31. Who would be out at this hour?

Cautiously, he stood up, put the book away and walked up to the door.

He waited.

Another knock could be heard soon. They must have had an actual reason to be here, whomever they were.

Red made sure his knife was with him. He then opened the door.

“...Hi.”

No.

What?

That wasn’t right. She was gone. She couldn’t be here.

“I-I’m sorry to be troubling you this late, but...”

But there she was, despite everything. Levitating just outside his own house, tentacles huddled together for minimum heat loss in the snowfall. There were no snowflakes on her. Red just now noticed the slight buzzing in his wrist.

“ShirLee,” Red breathed.

“Y-You recognize me?” she asked, astonished.

“I… I saw you on the news,” he said.

“Oh, yeah, that makes sense...”

Why was she here? Why did she have to come here? Couldn’t the bitch just leave it be?

No, no, no. He had to think clearly now. He could still save this. He just had to play friendly. He’d eliminate all doubts from her mind by acting like an ally.

“So… Wh-What brings you here?” he asked.

“I… Well, this might sound crazy, but...”

Red was getting cold. He sighed, but tried to hide the contempt in his breath.

“It’s cold out there,” he said. “You should come in, we can talk inside.”

“O-Oh, okay, sure. Thanks.”

The malamar hovered inside, barely fitting through the door frame. She moved further in as Red closed to door slowly, taking his time to check no one had been following her.

“Yeah, so… If you saw the news, you probably heard about the whole… yeah.”

Red nodded stiffly. He couldn’t yet tell whether she believed the story herself.

“Thing is… I don’t remember anything from that night. Like, I’ve... ”

She paused, looking ashamed, but soon sighed and spoke again.

“Oh, it doesn’t matter what I tell you… No one cares about me anymore, anyway.”

She took a deep breath. With a forced somber expression, Red tried to appear like he felt bad for her.

“This isn’t the first time I’ve had a night like this…” she explained. “You know, drinking. But… Those nights, I’ve still had at least a bit of an idea where I’ve been. Whatever the case, I always feel like I’ve at least… been for those hours. A-And then I can find out where to ask when I want to know what happened. But this time… nothing.”

She didn’t sound like she was lying. It really seemed as if those hours had been thoroughly erased from her mind. Perfect. But...

Why had she come here in particular, then? She’d met him only once before, and she didn’t even know where he lived. Unless… Had AJ lied? If it had really been her instead of just some fans, had AJ told her his address? It had to have been so. There was no way she remembered where she’d been. All Red had done was mention Pallet once, and her memories were gone. She’d just proven that.

“Except...” she added.

Except?

“Y-Your name,” she said. “It’s… Red Akai, isn’t it?”

The word was a spear thrust through his throat. It made him unable to speak. He...

Ah, no, it was fine! She had to have just-

“And I remember clearly that you never told me your last name at the hotel...”

She… She hadn’t heard it from AJ.

“We must have met sometime during that night... So, I was hoping you could shed some light on what hap-”

“Yes!”

ShirLee quickly turned to him, surprised at how abrupt his answer had been.

Red hadn’t really planned to say that. The word came out as fast and as unexpectedly as a reflex.

Apparently, he’d now have to come up with a story. He only had seconds to form a believable lie. He dearly hoped all the details would fit. He had no time to check.

“I did see you that night,” he said, buying himself more time.

“Oh, that’s... great?” she said. “Where-”

“I saw you drunk,” he interrupted her. He couldn’t answer “where” yet, and hoped he could distract her enough to not have to answer it at all.

“Some time after the show, I was walking and I bumped into you.”

“Oh?”

“You were acting kind of strange. You wanted to chat. You wanted to know stuff about me… I guess I gave you my last name sometime during our chat.”

“Oh, okay...”

“After the chat… you just walked off. Or hovered, I guess,” said Red. He faked a remorseful expression. “I should have stopped you...”

“Oh, no, no, no,” she rushed to say. “Y-You don’t need to feel bad. You don’t have to feel responsible for this. It’s my own fault for going drinking in the first place...”

There was a brief silence.

“So... you really don’t remember anything?” asked Red.

“No, nothing...” she confirmed. “And it’s really weird, too… I don’t normally drink the brand of beer I was found holding. In fact, I hate it. I must have been really smashed...”

Well, I’m sorry for not being too aware of your preferences, you whore, thought Red. He was getting angry for some reason. Before that, he’d just been afraid.

He looked at her from her fins to her head tentacles. Her light organs were dark. Had they healed correctly, or did it still hurt her to use them? Maybe evolving with them broken had ruined them for good… The thought of it was satisfying, but dangerous. She wouldn’t have wrecked them so badly on a normal drinking spree.

“Well… What are you going to do now?” asked Red, both out of curiosity and to be polite.

“I’m going back to my family in Unova,” she answered quietly. “My plane leaves in an hour or so… but I had to come and see you. I had to know.”

“I understand.”

Red sat down on the couch. He gestured her to sit down too, but she declined. Red decided not to get back up, even if it meant placing himself lower than the mon.

“By the way...” Red began. “How did you find your way here? I can’t remember whether or not I gave you my address...”

“Oh, well, I remembered you mentioning your boyfriend AJ, and-”

Red jerked forward. “Uhh, he’s not really my-”

“Don’t worry, I know.”

“I-I just felt like I had to give a name-”

“Yeah, I understand. You must have been concerned about the privacy of your real boyfriend.”

Close enough. “Yes, exactly.”

“Anyway, I thought his name rung a bell, and I looked him up. Apparently, he was the first openly gay champion of Johto. After that, I looked around online, and by his friends’ posts and all I managed to find his house. At that point, it was pretty apparent he wasn’t really your boyfriend, but it was still worth a shot asking him about you.”

“Did he tell you where I live?”

“No, he told me to steer clear of you, actually… But his espeon friend told me. He even offered to show me the way, but I didn’t take him up on the offer. I felt like I had to do this alone.”

Red nodded. Good call on her part. Red could barely stand her being here, that damned cat on top would have been too much.

He took another look at her. She was wet. Apparently she’d melted and warmed the snow around her outside. She was dripping, even. The droplets on her made their way down on her body, merging together upon meeting. The light reflected off the water made her sparkle. Her lustrous skin was as smooth as ever.

He saw her lavender head tentacles begin to spread out, having warmed up. He could see glimpses of their light blue undersides.

Was the symbol still there? What if she’d found it? If she’d healed it, she would remember everything again in just a matter of hours… But she hadn’t said anything about any wounds...

“Did you notice anything different about yourself when you woke up?” asked Red. “It could give you a clue as to what happened during the rest of the night...”

“Well, my light organs were sore, but that happens sometimes, anyway… I mean, back when I was a...”

She couldn’t go on.

“It’s okay. You don’t have to talk about it,” said Red.

“...Anyway, there wasn’t anything beside the pain in the light organs…” she said. “And the headache, of course.”

“Do you still have a headache?”

“No, it… went away on its own. Faster than usual, but I’m not complaining.”

So she hadn’t used potions. Red could slow his breathing rhythm again. But that still didn’t explain her remembering his name.

“...I’m sorry about what happened at the hotel,” said the malamar suddenly.

“What do you mean?”

Red welcomed the change of subject with open arms.

“I was coming on to you way too hard. I acted really weird… You must have felt really uncomfortable.”

“No, I should be the one apologizing,” said Red. “I acted like an idiot, asking you to end your career and all that...”

He winced internally. He might have just made her make a connection in her mind.

“That was foolish and wrong of me,” he said to distract her. “I wasn’t thinking clearly back then.”

“That’s okay...”

The malamar looked at the clock.

“I guess I should get going,” she sighed. “My plane leaves soon.”

“Are you going alone?”

“Arktos offered me a ride to the airport. He said it was the least he could do after my manager and dad...”

She squinted her eyes and wavered for a bit. Red realized she was holding back tears.

“A-Anyway, I guess I’ll get to see my mom and siblings again, at least,” she said. “I feel like I haven’t seen them in ages.”

She looked straight into Red’s eyes. Red stared into hers. Her black sclerae and yellow irides belonged to a fierce predator, but she was so weak, so helpless. Just like she’d been as an inkay. She looked wild now, but she was meeker than ever…

His gaze moved upwards along her, lured in by the swaying motions of her tentacles. The way they slithered back and forth was almost hypnotic. He couldn’t look away.

“Th-Thank you for taking the time to talk to me,” she said quietly.

“I assure you, it’s nothing,” said Red, standing up. His knees felt stiff. He forced his eyes to focus back on her face, but soon they started to wander everywhere on her body.

She was still wet.

Red’s heart was beating faster. His movements became more tense.

“Yeah, I’ll just… I’ll just be on my way then,” said the malamar. She didn’t seem like she’d noticed anything off about Red.

She levitated herself a bit higher off the ground and began floating towards the hall. Red followed, slowly and quietly.

She wasn’t looking at him anymore.

He couldn’t repress his thoughts any longer.

He wanted to pull out his knife and rip her open. He wanted to see what her insides looked like. He wanted to tear out any one of her three hearts and shove it into her throat and hear what her dying gags sounded like. He wanted to lick her bleeding wounds clean. What would it taste like?

With a trembling hand, he reached for the hilt of his weapon. He caressed its smooth wooden surface with his twitching fingers. Now, do it now, his instincts told him over and over again, before it’s too late.

But.

He couldn’t. His mind listed him all the reasons why it wouldn’t work out, or why it would be a terrible choice even if it did. She was heavier and stronger now. They would hear her screams. They would see her body. They would ask questions. The world would find out. The world would imprison him. Maybe even kill him. He would never make it.

But.

She was right there. He had the element of surprise. Or he could always say he still had something to show her, then retrieve the spores and drug her. He could do whatever he wanted to her in the basement.

But.

She was still famous. The world would notice her absence. The world would find out about her ties to him and the world would ask questions. He knew all that. Everything was still fine right now. If he just waited this out, his plan would have worked perfectly. He’d never have to hear about her again. It would be over.

All he needed to do was be a good boy and wait patiently.

He jerked his hand away from the knife. Why did it have to be so close to him? Resisting it was so difficult, it hurt…

Somehow, however, he managed to calm and relax his hand.

He looked away from her.

But he had to look back.

And he couldn’t take it.

“Wh-What are you-”

The malamar turned around to see why Red had grabbed her by the arm.

“It’s cold outside,” blurted Red. “You should have a scarf.”

He retracted his arm. His fingers stayed bent, resembling talons more than anything belonging to a human body.

He looked at the shelf next to them. He noticed a large plaid scarf. One of Fonz’s. He grabbed it and presented it to the malamar.

“Here,” he said, struggling to maintain a normal voice. “Take mine.”

“Oh, I couldn’t...”

“I insist. I don’t want you to get a cold.”

“...Thank you,” said the malamar, deeply moved. “You’re such a great guy...”

She put the scarf on with her telekinesis. Red was momentarily distracted by the tingling in his wrist, for which he was grateful. He felt like he could think more clearly again.

“Allow me,” said Red, and opened the front door for her.

“Thanks...” whispered the malamar, moving through the door frame, keeping eye contact with Red. Red could smell her as she floated by.

“Take care, alright?” Red added.

“You too...” she responded, turning her back on him and beginning to hover forwards. The snowflakes still avoided her skin, but stuck to her scarf.

“Goodbye, ShirLee,” said Red.

The malamar stopped for a moment.

“Goodbye, Red.”