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It was cold out. Much colder than usual. People could barely hear themselves think over the sound of the wind blowing around them. Everyone was either inside, or bundled up in several layers of clothing running necessary errands. They had to walk against the wind, some even getting knocked down to the ground by how fiercely it was blowing. It didn’t snow too much in Johto, but when it did, it was horrible.
Ethan watched from his window, seeing people struggle to get to the PokeMart. He turned to his friend, who was bundled in blankets. He smiled fondly at him, staring for longer than he probably should’ve, which caught Silver’s attention.
“What.” he scowled.
“Bet you’re glad I convinced you to stay here tonight, huh, Silv.” he sat down next to his friend, Silver scooted away from him in response.
“You didn't ‘convince’ me to stay here, you begged me to. I only agreed because I wanted you to shut up. And don’t call me that.” Silver did also just want to be around Ethan, for reasons he hated to even think about, but he’d rather die than say that out loud.
“Aren’t you still glad you’re not out there in the cold?” Silver didn’t respond. He didn’t like saying thank you, or expressing gratitude at all, really. That was okay, though, Ethan didn’t mind. Ethan didn’t mind a lot of the things Silver did. “..and why can’t I call you Silv?”
“It’s weird. We aren’t friends.” he rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. They were absolutely friends, but Silver had never called someone a friend in his life, why change that now? He wouldn’t benefit from it.
“Then what are we?” Silver didn’t answer. He just looked to the side, avoiding eye contact as much as he could. He thought about the question. What were they? Rivals, obviously, but that didn’t really feel right. He couldn’t say friends. He didn’t know how to answer without making himself sound like a total loser, so he didn’t.
Ethan scooted closer to him, he scooted away, repeat until he’d fall to the floor if he scooted any farther. Ethan smiled at him. That big, bright, obnoxious smile. It used to make Silver’s blood boil. But at some point that anger turned into fondness, instead making his heart beat a bit faster. Again, he’d never admit this. His plan was to wait out the feelings until they inevitably faded. Waiting it out wasn’t a great plan, however, because as time went on, he only fell further in love. Much to his dismay, Ethan also got progressively more affectionate as they became ‘better friends’. Doing things like hugging and holding hands was just normal friend stuff according to Ethan. Silver didn’t consider them that.
Ethan backed away, standing up off the bed. “Want some hot chocolate.. Or something?” Silver nodded, and Ethan went downstairs.
Ethan had made it his goal to confess today. He’d be damned if he didn’t do it, no matter how scary it may be. He was gonna make them hot chocolate, and then march right in there and profess his undying love for Silver immediately. Or, he could confess in a way that wouldn’t make Silver rather want to be out in the cold than stay here, that was probably a better idea.
He grabbed two mugs, filled them with milk, and put them in the microwave. He gave himself a small pep talk while they were heating up, before grabbing them out of the microwave and stirring the hot chocolate mix in them.
He went back upstairs, seeing Silver patiently waiting. He sat the mugs down on the bedside table and got back on the bed, sitting next to Silver and leaning on him. “Hot chocolate’s done,” he smiled. He wrapped his arm around his friend, and Silver tensed up slightly.
“What are you doing?” he probably sounded harsher than he meant to, because Ethan immediately retreated and apologized. He almost wished he didn’t. Almost. He just scoffed and turned away. Ethan apologized again. It made him feel bad, a little.
“I didn’t mean to make you upset” Ethan frowned, inching back a bit. This made him feel worse. He sighed, and turned back around.
“It's fine, ‘m sorry for being mean.” he mumbled. This was new for him. He’s used to being.. an asshole, and, really, he still was. Ethan nearly cried, in a good way. Anytime Silver was even slightly nice, it made his eyes water a little. He grinned at Silver, lunging at him and practically tackling him into a hug. Silver didn’t know what to do, He hugged back without even thinking, which made Ethan even happier.
“I love you, Silv” he was honestly preparing to be shoved off and yelled at immediately. He wasn’t.
“I love you too.” Silver responded without even thinking. Once he realized what he said, he backed up, weakly pushing Ethan off of him. “I mean.. No. I don't.. I..” he still couldn’t admit it, even if he knew his feelings were reciprocated, and even if he literally just admitted it out right. Ethan’s eyes widened, his mouth slightly agape, before he grinned once more. Silver continued rambling, denying his own very, very obvious feelings.
He was promptly shut up when Ethan leaned in, pressing his lips against Silver’s for just a second. Silver could barely process what was going on, inching back slightly. His heartbeat got faster and his breath got heavier, he felt like he was shaking, almost. He didn’t know how he should’ve reacted, but he felt like his reaction was wrong. He shouldn’t be too worked up over it.
“Sorry, was I too forward?” Ethan laughed softly. He brought a hand up to cup Silver’s cheek, feeling how hot it was almost made him laugh again. Silver’s breath caught in his throat.
“N..no. it was.. Okay.” he breathed out. He never, ever, stutters. He’s never been as taken aback as he is right now.
“You’re pretty, y'know that?” Ethan smiled. His voice was full of nothing but pure love and admiration, Silver’s breath hitched. “Sorry. Can I kiss you again?” he leaned in ever so slightly.
“...yes.”