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Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum.
Ingo sat outside of Jubilife, unsure if the noise was his heart or the drums of the festival behind him.
Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum.
He shook his head, ignoring the soft pang in his heart as he heard people cheering behind him. "To Akari! To Rei!" They sang, before the music somehow got louder.
"To Ingo! To ■■■■■!" A forgotten crowd sings. "For saving Gear Station!"
Ingo's head shot up, and he let out a shuddered sigh. The music slowly became nothing but background noise, but it still thrummed in his ears. It was becoming almost uncomfortable, on the wrong side of bearable.
Standing up, he dusted himself off. He figured it would be quieter on the beach. He had not seen anyone pass by, so he guessed he would be by himself. Not that the prospect wasn't anything new, but… maybe he had hoped someone would have noticed his disappearance.
Little did he know, someone had in fact noticed. As he walked along the trail towards Prelude beach, a figure encased in shadows watched him go. A soft sigh escaped the figure, and as they stepped into the moonlight, their identity was revealed.
Volo watched Ingo walk away, his arms crossed. He had noticed that Ingo had been gone for the majority of the evening, but hadn’t had the chance to check on the Warden. Ingo had always been an enigma to Volo, but not in the way that Volo hated the questions that surrounded the man clad in black. Ingo always seemed to enjoy his company, anyways, which really helped when his curiosity got the best of him.
Ingo spoke to Volo like an equal, and showered his companions with praise for seemingly no reason. Volo didn’t really know why the Warden did it, but he knew his Pokemon appreciated it greatly. Volo also very much found Ingo’s team interesting, especially the strange saucer-like Pokemon that clearly wasn’t from this time. Ingo admitted that he had a feeling that the Pokemon, Magnezone he called it, was important. Volo didn’t have much of an opinion either way, but seeing how Ingo took great care of his companions, caught or not, was what had drawn Volo in. All the talk about exciting new Pokemon died on his tongue whenever he noticed Ingo watching him intently.
Their conversations were very lopsided, Ingo wasn’t much of a talker. He nodded, and gave him small noises of confirmation or a quiet “I see” whenever the blond explained anything. Volo found he could talk to Ingo for hours, and never feel bored.
Volo realized belatedly that Ingo was already out of sight, and hurriedly followed after him. He never noticed it before, but the shorter man was very fast on his feet. He wondered if it was a remnant from his old life.
Ingo exhaled softly, and adjusted his hat on his head. Slowing to a stop, he looked up at the clear sky above. He wondered if the people from his scattered memories got to see the same stars that he did. It was a beautiful sight, he hoped that if anyone looked up from wherever they were, they could spot the twinkle of the stars in the sky. Ingo turned his gaze back downwards, and continued on the path. The crunch of the path beneath his feet, and the sharpness of the air he breathed reminded him that winter would be approaching soon. It also reminded him that he was distinctly alive .
Finally reaching the beach, Ingo scanned the area. The dock seemed promising, but he also… really didn’t want to sit on the edge of it. There was no real reason why, he just didn’t want to. Instead, he wandered onto the sand and sat down. Shuddering softly, Ingo stared out at the ocean in front of him. The water crashed against the shore, and he wondered how far it would go. Stopping just short of his shoe, he scooted back a bit. He did not want to chance the water reaching him properly. As he did. He heard a noise behind him.
He spun around, pale eyes trained on the path towards Jubilife. He slowly reached for the Pokeball that housed his Gliscor, mouth drawn in a tight grimace. Near the shed, what Ingo gathered was a person leaning against the door.
“Heyy~” Came the familiar voice of Volo. “You look lonely over there, would you like some company?”
Ingo stared at him in confusion, but the man was already making his way over. While Ingo wasn’t going to turn the man away, he would have liked Volo to at least wait for his reply. Instead, Volo pulled a blanket out of his bag. Ingo blinked, and Volo just smiled widely as he unravelled it and placed it in the sand.
“Care to join me, Warden?” Volo inquired, sitting down on the surprisingly large blanket. “Free of charge, too!”
“Why would you charge me for sitting on a blanket, Volo?” Ingo asked while standing up to accept the offer. He distantly remembered hating the feeling of sand getting stuck in his clothes, so maybe this was a blessing in disguise.
Volo’s grin widened as Ingo sat down, and the blond shrugged playfully. “Money’s tight, you know?” They both knew it was a blatant lie, but Ingo didn’t care enough to call the man out on it.
“I should be the one saying that, being a Warden doesn’t exactly pay well.” Ingo grumbled quietly, shaking his head.
“Aw, I’m sorry my dear Warden. Had I known how tight money was for you, I would have-”
“I have not exactly bought any wares from you, Merchant.” Ingo sighed softly, unable to be angry or annoyed with the man. “If you wish to offer me free things more often, I would love to approach you for more business related discussions.”
“You give me enough crystals and trinkets that I think you deserve free things!” After a moment Volo adds, “For free!”
“For free, you say? How nice of you. I may take you up on that offer.” Were it not for the soft chuckle that escaped him, or the smile in his voice, Ingo thinks it would sound genuine.
“Will you now?” Volo leaned forward, wagging his finger and grinning. “Maybe I should make you pay, so you don’t get spoiled.”
“Why are we talking about this again?”
“Blankets I think?”
They both laughed heartily, Ingo leaning forward a bit as he did so. He didn’t see the soft look in Volo’s eye as the tall man watched him, but he felt like that was for the best. When Ingo sat upright again, Volo just shook his head. They stared at each other for a moment before pointedly looking away. Ingo wouldn’t say it had gotten awkward, definitely not. Maybe he was thinking too much about it, which he did tend to do. It was a problem, didn’t he know it, but he also didn’t typically overthink around Volo.
Maybe he was having an off day.
His attention was pulled back towards the blond as he cleared his throat, and instantly he focused on the man instead. “Is everything okay?”
“Ah, yes. I am just… wondering why you wanted me to pay after saying I could get stuff for free. Especially after you emphasised the free part.” Go back to the old topic, smart move.
“Well… Actually, that’s a great question.” They eased back into a more comfortable silence, which Ingo was grateful for.
Ingo focused on the ocean again, calmed by the lull of the water moving up and down on the shore. He could hear his heart beating in his ears, as if he were flustered. He didn’t particularly feel flustered, but then again he didn’t know himself that well anymore. Maybe he was, and he was just numb to it. Aaand there he went again.
“Hey, Volo?” He called into the night air.
“Hmm?” He could feel his companions gaze on him.
“Thank you for… sitting with me.” He settled with that, unsure of how else to explain his thoughts or feelings.
“Anytime! I do not call you my favourite Warden for nothing after all.” Volo let out a breathy laugh, one of his hands patting Ingo lightly on the shoulder.
Speaking of, “Why am I your favourite Warden? I am certain that I am probably the least interesting of the bunch, outside of my amnesia and general inability to socialize normally.”
“Well, first of all, no one else sits down and watches Pokemon with me. You are a wonderful conversation partner too, by the way. You know your way with Pokemon, and you know how to make everyone feel welcome. None of the other Wardens notice when I’m, you know, not doing great. That goes for most people, actually, but I don’t expect them to focus on the merchant selling them wares for their ailments or Pokemon.” Volo waved his hand, as if he didn’t care. Ingo knew the man enough to know that he probably cherished Ingo for that reason alone. “And also because you keep finding geodes and giving them to me. Why can’t I ever find geodes? I bet there’s nobody in all of Hisui who could find trinkets the way you do, Warden! Truly a marvel!”
“I essentially live in caves at this point, and when it’s cold out I like to explore deeper inside. Gliscor likes foraging through caves with me, so most of the stuff I find is typically because of him.” Pushing the praise unto others, it was an Ingo specialty. Volo, however, didn’t look impressed.
“... What?”
“I don’t think, in all the time I’ve known you, that I’ve ever seen you accept a compliment.” Volo commented on it like it was nothing, but Ingo pointedly focused on the waves crashing on the shore.
The silence stretched on for a moment, before Ingo finally looked back at Volo. He was staring at Ingo, but Ingo couldn’t tell what he was thinking. He hoped he hadn’t angered the man or something.
“What, Glameow got your tongue?” Volo laughed, and Ingo just shook his head.
“I cannot deny that, no.” He tried not to feel embarrassed at being called out. “I.. I do not know how to accept compliments.”
Volo seemed to realize something, slowly, and he looked out at the ocean as well. Ingo followed his gaze, pulling his knees up to his chest. Ingo let Volo think, closing his eyes and basking in the silence around him.
Ingo didn’t realize how much time passed, but he also found that he was comfortable enough that he didn’t particularly care. He was pulled out of his almost-sleep by a hand lightly shaking him. He struggled awake, blinking blearily. In his vision, he saw the soft smile that Volo was giving him.
“Oh… sorry. I wanted to leave you be…” He muttered quietly, yawning.
“Don’t be sorry, you silly Psyduck. I just missed your eyes.” They both stared at each other for a second, Volo’s face slowly turning red. It pulled a small laugh out of Ingo, and Volo quickly looked away.
“N-no I’m-” Ingo held back a laugh, reaching out to grab onto Volo’s arm. “I’m sorry for laughing, Volo, I swear-”
Volo looked back at Ingo, mouth drawn in a thin line. Ingo thought he looked cute, and then he stopped. He stopped and he stared, and now they were just staring at each other, and Ingo couldn’t look away, and they just Stared.
Volo opened his mouth as if to say something, but instead, he just leaned back and covered his mouth with his hand. Ingo felt like he should break the silence, but his words died on his tongue.
Volo leaned in again, and Ingo didn’t understand what was happening until he felt the press of lips against his own. It was only for a split second, but Ingo could only stare. He didn’t process what was happening, just staring slack jawed at the blond in front of him. He was pulled out of his stupor when Volo slid off of the blanket and just stood there, covering his mouth once again.
“Sorry.” Volo muttered, shuffling a little bit further from the blanket.
“Why are you sorry?” Ingo gathered himself, leaning towards the man.
“I kissed you without asking, all of this is just a strange..” Volo trailed off as Ingo stood up.
“I was not… against the kiss.” He admits, carefully grabbing Volo’s hand.
They stood there for a bit, Ingo holding onto Volo’s hand with both of his own. Ingo had been so focused on Volo’s feelings, as minimally as he admitted anything, that he hadn’t actually thought about his own. How did he feel about Volo, really? Obviously, he cared immensely for Volo, but… did he feel any other way for the blond?
As Volo stared at him, his only visible eye wide, Ingo realised something. He did care for the other man, but it was more than that. As his eyes met Volo’s properly again, he felt a strange fuzz in his heart. He wasn’t quite sure how to place it, and he knew this wasn’t the first time he had felt like this. Volo had made Ingo feel like this several times before, and Ingo had never really stopped to think about it.
“I love you.” Ingo blurted out, keeping eye contact with the taller man.
“You- I mean, me?” Volo, as eloquent as he was, had been rendered speechless.
“Yes. You.” Ingo laughed, ignoring the warm feeling spreading on his face. “Nobody else.”
Volo shook his head, laughing himself. “I hope there’s no one else you’re in love with.” Ingo just shook his head softly,
“Can we… sit down again? My knees are killing me.” Ingo asked sheepishly.
“Oh. Oh! Of course, dear Warden. After you.” Volo bowed, and Ingo rolled his eyes as he sat down on the blanket once again.
"My apologies for all of that, I do not know where or how we ended up there." Ingo hummed, pale grey eyes watching Volo as he sat down as well.
"Haha, that makes two of us." Volo chuckled softly, resting his chin on his hand. “But, I think in the end it was necessary. I don’t want to leave feelings up in the air for longer than they already were.”
Ingo pushed down his confusion. This was an ongoing thing? How long, exactly, had… He didn’t feel like knowing the answer to that question, he would just feel bad.
“Yes, I agree.” He nodded to Volo’s words, pretending that he didn’t space out for a second. Volo would get a taste of his own medicine in that regard.
“Also, is one of your Pokemon okay?” Ingo tilted his head in confusion, glancing to his belt. The Pokeball he knew belonged to a certain Gliscor was shaking. How he hadn’t noticed it until that point, he wasn’t entirely sure. Releasing his companion, the purple winged creature laid itself across Ingo’s lap in a dramatic display. Ingo just let out a fond sigh, petting its head.
“He was probably getting restless. They are nocturnal creatures, you know.” Ingo looked up at Volo, just barely catching the extremely fond look the blond was giving him. “We’re typically climbing back up Mount Coronet by now, so I can understand why he would be restless.”
“Ah, that makes sense. I was suspecting that the festival would be going on late into the night, so keeping to your regular schedule will be harder, if not impossible.” Volo shrugged, but the fact he noticed Ingo’s habit of sticking to a strict schedule was greatly appreciated.
“I hope you do not mind him sticking around, he can be very clingy.” Ingo laughed quietly, looking back down at his companion.
“I can be clingy too!”
“Please don’t.” Ingo pointedly ignored the pout on Volo’s face. Hard to believe this man was probably older than Ingo was.
Then, Volo wrapped an arm around Ingo, pulling him towards the blond. Ingo let out a noise of confusion, but made no attempt to escape the hold. “Get comfortable, Warden, we’re going to stay like this for a while.” This earned another confused noise, but Volo didn’t really seem to care.
And then Volo was leaning backwards, and bringing Ingo with him. Laying down on their backs, Ingo turned his head to look at Volo. The blond, however, was staring up at the sky. Staring at the man for a second, Ingo then followed suit. Just like earlier, he wondered who else was looking at the stars above.
“Remember when you told me about a Pokemon you vaguely remembered?” Volo piped up after a moment, pulling Ingo out of his head before he started thinking too much.
“The… the one that looked like a star?” Ingo looked back at Volo, making eye contact with the other man.
“Yes! That one! After you had mentioned it, I had started wondering. What is out there? Could there be actual Pokemon that came from the stars? Will they bring with them prophecies? Destruction? It ate at me for a while. Maybe out there is a higher power than our Almighty Sinnoh.” Volo had a far away look in his eye as he looked back up at the sky.
“I… never thought about it. It’s possible, maybe, but that’s not what I like to focus on. The future is filled with uncertainty, so I simply allow myself to think about the here and now. And right now, my here and now is with you.”
That pulled a laugh out of Volo. A small, bubbly sound. He shook his head, as if Ingo had said something absurd. “Never change, Ingo. Never change.”
“What! What did I say!”
“It is so like you to do that.” Volo was rolling over onto his side, and allowing himself to just fondly stare at the grey haired man.
“Do what! What am I doing, dear merchant?” Ingo turned to look at Volo again, noticing Gliscor slowly wriggling its way to wedge between the two. Ingo pet its head again, as Volo let out a soft ‘tsk.’
“Well. Whatever you were doing, it doesn’t matter now.”
“What does that mean!”
“I mean your Gliscor just blocked me from kissing you again, the dirty little thing.”
“Be nice to him! He is just a child!”
“He’s the one being mean, my dear Warden!”
Ingo and Volo made eye contact again, before they burst out laughing. The joyous sound filled the air for a few minutes, and finally died down as Ingo let out a quiet yawn.
“Tired?” Volo hummed, wiping a stray tear from his eye.
“A little. I think I could fall asleep right here if I wanted to.”
“Go ahead, I’ll make sure nothing happens.” Ingo blinked tiredly at him, but his vision was far too blurry to see the equally as exhausted look on Volo’s face.
“Okay. Good night, Volo.”
“Good night, Ingo.” There’s a short pause. “And good night, you rotten little creature.”
As Ingo drifted to sleep, he heard a soft hiss from Gliscor in response. If it were possible, he would have smiled in his sleep. He hoped he would get to wake up like this, comfortable and near the person he… he loved.
If he listened, he could hear Volo’s heartbeat as well. That was comforting, and as he finally let go of his consciousness, he listened.
Ba-dum. Ba-dum. Ba-dum.