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Pearl laid in his hotel room bed. Diamond was in the next room over. Platinum was on the other side. It was a great room, the beds were comfortable and clean, the temperature was nice, the room was pretty spacious for a hotel, and the view was beautiful.
The room was wonderful, but.. Pearl couldn't sleep. He stared at the ceiling, arms behind his head. It felt as if he'd been there for hours, days even.. He checked the clock. It'd been two or three hours since the three went to their rooms to sleep. Platinum and Diamond never had trouble sleeping. They'd be out cold by now.
Pearl had been trying to sleep since he laid down, but he just couldn't. No matter what he did, he could barely keep his eyes closed. It felt terrible, especially when all that Pearl wanted was to get some rest. He tossed and turned for a few more minutes before he heard a knock on his door.
Pearl wondered who would be up to come to his room at this hour. It could be anyone. He wasn't sure.. Regardless, he sat up and stared at the door. He closed his eyes, sighed, and spoke.
"It's unlocked, you can come in." He spoke loudly so he could be heard. He didn't have the energy to get up. He laid back down as the door opened. From the bed, he couldn't quite see who was there until they walked into the living area of the room. It was Diamond. Pearl turned on the lamp so that there was enough light to see him.
The raven-haired trainer was in pastel, navy blue Pyjamas. They had Pokeball print in white scattered along them. He held a small, purple square pillow with a star on it close to his chest. In the dim light, Pearl could see how dull his eyes were. The poor boy had tears in his eyes, threatening to fall. It hurt Pearl's heart to see his best friend like this..
Pearl sat up once again, moving over to the side farthest from the door. He pat the space next to him, offering to let Diamond sit down. He sniffled, smiling a small smile, before sitting down on the bed. He sat down as if he was going to lay on the bed, but he put his back against the wall and brought his knees to his chest, burying his face in his pillow.
Pearl let him stay like that for a minute. Diamond seemed like he'd cry if he spoke, and the blonde wanted him to calm down a bit first. His friend sighed, stretching his legs out and putting his arms to his side. He looked down at his legs, blinking every so often. Pearl figured he could ask what was wrong now.
"Are you.. Alright?" He spoke softly, prompting Diamond to look at him. The boy's eyes were red, and his cheeks were stained with tears. He shook his head at Pearl's question, looking like he'd start to cry all over again. Pearl's heart ached. He took his friend's hand, ever so lightly squeezing it.
Diamond took a firm grip on his hand, as if it was keeping him shackled to reality. Like he'd drift away and never return were he to let go. Pearl heard him sniffle once more as the dexholder wiped his eyes with his free hand.
"..do you want to talk about it?" Pearl asked, almost softer than last time. Diamond's breath hitched. He looked as if he were about to speak, but he bit his lip and shook his head, turning away from Pearl.
"....It's dumb." Was all he muttered. His voice sounded hoarse, as if he'd been sobbing before he got here. Pearl felt awful. He went silent for a moment, thinking of what to say. He wanted to help Diamond. He really did. Diamond had always been there for him, and what kind of friend, no, what kind of person would he be if he couldn't do the same?
"Oh, Dia," He called the affectionate nickname he'd given his friend years before. He gripped Diamond's hand tighter, looking at him sympathetically. "You can tell me.. I want to listen. I want to help. No matter what it is, I promise I won't make fun of you." He reassured. A tear ran down Diamond's face.
"...Do you promise..? You won't laugh..?" Diamond looked at him once again. His eyes were wide, almost as if he was in disbelief. Pearl nodded, giving him a small smile.
"I would never. I promise." Pearl confirmed for the trainer. Diamond sighed, going a bit red.
"I.. I had a nightmare. I woke up one day and.. I was all alone. I didn't know where Platinum was, I couldn't find Tru or Lax.." Diamond explained. Pearl knew Diamond hated being alone, but he had no clue it scared him. He went to speak, but Diamond continued.
"I couldn't find you, either.. I looked everywhere, and I couldn't find a trace of you. It was like you never existed at all.. I missed you so much.." He cried again. Pearl pulled the poor boy to him. He hugged him, and Diamond broke down. He covered his mouth and sobbed. Pearl rubbed his back, just letting him cry as much as he needed to. Diamond wrapped his arms tightly around Pearl, continuing to sob.
The thought of being without his friend. the thought of being without his pokemon. The thought of being without pearl. It haunted him. It made him feel sick. He never wanted to be alone, he never wanted them to disappear. He knew it was impossible. They wouldn't just up and vanish, but the idea haunted him. He'd been having these terrible nightmares for weeks, and tonight was the last straw. He couldn't take it anymore.
Before he even came to Pearl, he knocked on Platinum's door. He heard her yawn, which was followed by footsteps towards the door. She opened the door, looking upset, but her expression softened once she saw his tearstained face and red eyes. She gave him a tight hug. She told him she was too tired to problem solve, and he understood.
He was about to leave, but Platinum stopped him. She took his hands, looked him in the eyes, smiled, and told him that whatever was wrong, he was strong enough to overcome it. With that, she went back into her room, shutting the door. Diamond stood there for a moment, shaking. He appreciated the encouragement, but in a way, it made him feel worse.
He felt that he should've been strong enough to get over it on his own. He was supposed to be strong. He had to be. He wasn't. He tried, and he tried, he had been trying for weeks, but things just got worse. He almost choked, holding back a sob as he started walking back to his room. As he went by Pearl's door, he froze.
Pearl was always there since day one. He knew that if he knocked on the door it'd be the same as Platinum. He'd open the door, showing he was fine, and go to bed. He knew it. He knew he should just suck it up and try to go back to sleep, but he just couldn't. So sighing, he raised his hand and knocked on the door.
"It's unlocked, you can come in."
The response was almost immediate. Was Pearl even asleep? At that exact moment, it didn't matter. He slowly walked into Pearl's room, holding back tears. He stood in front of Pearl, in the light of the lamp his friend had turned on. Diamond tried to avoid direct eye contact. He knew it wasn't Platinum's fault, but didn't want to see an upset look on Pearl too..
"Hey, Dia..? I'm right here. I'm here with you, I always will be, alright?" Pearl brought Diamond back to the present. His eyes widened as he looked around. He held onto Pearl even tighter than before. He let out a sob.
"P-please don't leave me alone, Pearl.. Please don't disappear.." Diamond shook. His voice broke, he knew that he'd cry any moment now. He was convinced Pearl would think he was dumb. He was convinced Pearl would make fun of him for breaking down over something so miniscule. He was waiting for Pearl to start laughing.
He never did. He didn't laugh, he didn't make fun of him, he didn't treat him like he was stupid. Pearl treated Diamond like he had a problem. He treated him like his fear was rational. He treated him like a friend.
"Listen to me, Diamond. I'm not gonna leave you. I won't disappear." Pearl moved away from Diamond so he could look him in the eyes. Pearl grabbed his shoulders, making sure he spoke clearly and carefully.
"We won't always be in the same place. Some days, you may not be able to find me. But know that I will always find you. No matter what, we'll see each other again." Pearl promised him. Diamond allowed tears to fall as he nodded. It helped to hear Pearl say that.
Pearl pulled Diamond close again, but it was different this time. Diamond ended up seated in his lap. Pearl leaned towards him as he moved closer. Finally, the two kissed. It was short lived, but heartfelt. They could feel how deeply the other cared about them. Diamond smiled a bit as Pearl wiped his tears away. He hugged Pearl, burying his face in the other trainer's neck, finally relaxing.
Pearl held him, making him feel more comfortable. He felt more sure that if he went to sleep, the ones he cared for would be there when he awoken. His face heated up as he asked Pearl a question.
"Pearl..? Would you.. Would you mind if I stayed with you tonight..?" He whispered, hugging a bit tighter. Just being with Pearl made him happy. He heard soft laughter, feeling Pearl nod.
"Not at all." Pearl, still holding it, shifted until they were both laying down. They faced towards each other, Diamond burying his face in Pearl's chest. Pearl hugged him, smile across his face.
"I love you, Dia.." He planted a kiss on Diamond's forehead, closing his eyes.
"I love you too, Pearl." Diamond whispered in response, shutting his eyes as well. The two shared a comfortable silence. For once, everything felt peaceful. After a while, the two had fallen asleep comfortably in each other's arms.
Neither of the boys had much trouble sleeping that night.