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Pasio was always full of life. Even when it wasn’t for PML somehow Lear would create dozens of festivals, events and other stuff. So, the new festival wasn’t a surprise for anyone. And Hilbert has no idea why Hilda was so smug asking him to go to the square this morning, to see something “very special”. He had no idea until he saw the big Ferris wheel in the centre of the square, slowly circling in front of the skies. Oh.
“You said N was kinda sad these days, so… Would this help?”
“Yeah, definitely… Was it you who gave the idea of Ferris wheel to Lear?”
“Well, I may or may not dropped the hint for Cheren, so…”
“And Lear always listens to him. Smart. Thank you”
N was out of his right mind later. It started with Ghetsis coming back and playing with his feelings once more. And Hulbert hated that he wasn’t there for him at this moment. He left for a few days to the training with Hilda and when he came back everyone was awfully quiet around N. And N wasn’t answering his questions, just smiling and saying it’s already resolved.
And then, later at night, he stumbled into his room, and just started crying, clinging to Hilbert as his life depending on it. Hilbert spend the whole night petting his hair and murmuring something calming, even after N fell asleep. Only in the morning, after being taken to the side, Cheren said that Ghetsis was here and tried to manipulate N to get Zekrom from him. And then, he hurt N with cruel words once again. Hilbert felt sick just from hearing that recap. The only day he left that happened… He can’t get over the idea that it was his fault. Is he was there…
And after this N wasn’t really there. Of course, he was at Pasio, talking and battling around, even spending time with Hilbert, but… but it was fake. His smiles were weak, hollow. He never shined during the battle, doing it mindlessly, automatically. It hurt to see N like that.
So, Hilbert was looking for a way to cheer him up. To give him some good memories from this place, to distract him from his dad. And this cute festival looked like a perfect opportunity.
“N, let’s go for a walk. There is a festival in the central square”
N looked at him with an absent smile, a little nervous.
“Oh… Of course, if you want to. What is the festival about?”
“Oh, something about the regions union. It said that there would be pieces from all regions - curry from Galar, poffins from Sinnoh and even the best Ice Cream in the world!”
“Oh, you mean Castelliacons? From Unova?” N laughed a little. It was a short, but honest laugh. Hilbert smiled widely
“Exactly! So, let’s go before there is a three-day-long line!”
Hilbert specifically didn’t tell N about the Ferris wheel. He wanted to see his pure reaction to it.
And he got it. They were chatting about something unimportant, looking more at each other than around themselves, before finally getting to the square. And then N lifted his eyes and stood in shock. Hilbert quickly grabbed his hand.
“I may forget to tell you about one little thing~”
N laughed, smiling widely and finally happily, squeezing Hilbert hand.
“Was it your idea?”
“No, it was Lear’s… or Lear thinks it his idea”
“So, it was Cheren’s… And let me guess, Hilda gave it to him?”
“Yeah. This is why you are the genius, hm?”
“I’m actually not”
He felt the lips on his forehead and laughed, grabbing n by the elbow.
“Can we get something sweet first? I am actually hungry”
“An ice cream?”
“No, I actually saw Slurpuff Cotton Candy somewhere here…”
They found the Cotton Candy stand pretty quickly and grabbed a big cone of greenish cloud. Hilbert was giggling all the time while the pretty cashier was putting sweets up.
“What’s so funny?” finally asked N
“It looks like your hair! Haven’t your noticed?”
N was silent for the moment before laughing again.
“Well, it kinda is… So, Ferris wheel next?”
They were standing in the line on the Ferris wheel, Hilbert slowly biting into a green cloud, and N looking at him, content. Sometimes Hilbert would raise his hand to let N try a bit of candy. And almost every time he has to clean up N’s cheek from it. Not like either of them was complaining…
And then it was finally their time to get into the small cabin, right next to each other, and slowly get into the air. Pasio, from the height, was even more beautiful. And the higher they get the more were seen. Mountains and beaches, forests and flower fields, sunset and the ocean...
Hilbert felt N’s hand on his when they were on the highest point. He took his eyes from the window only to met with the turquoise ones.
“Thank you”
He said and leaned closer. Their lips met halfway, Hilbert’s hand grabbing N’s shoulders.
Hilbert should thank Hilda once more.