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“It’s…I don’t know, Lucas,” The Alolan Vulpix mumbles. His words melt together before they fade into a long, gentle yawn. “What…what kind of Expedition Society adventurers are we? Just sitting here, letting the day waste away…"
It takes all of Lucas’ self control to keep from blurting, you're the kind that’s gonna get some rest whether you like it or not, Lumine—so shush!
“We should be doing something, shouldn’t we? Something fun…” Lumine snuggles his cheek deeper into the fluff of his partner’s shoulder, grasping the blanket wrapped around them tight. The Riolu at his side watches as Lumine’s eyes droop and flutter shut before shooting wide open—but they still shine bright with their usual shimmer, their fierce, affectionate glimmer, and that’s all Lucas needs to see for his concerns to fade. The hearth reflected in the sky-blue sheen of Lumine’s eyes only adds to their rippling golden glow—but it’s not like Lumine’s sparkling eyes had ever needed to reflect a fire to make Lucas melt inside.
“Aww, I’m sorry, Lu. I guess I’m just not ‘fun’ enough for you on my lonesome…” Lucas playfully sighs with a shake of his head. “Maybe I’ll go trade myself in for a nice TV for you to watch? Or I can go find a Lickitung somewhere who’ll be better at giving you cuddles and kisses…” The arm wrapped around Lumine’s shoulder pulls him in closer, squeezing lovingly, and he plants a gentle kiss on Lumine's forehead. Maybe his joke wasn’t the greatest; his mind is still muddled a tad from exhaustion…but he can’t help but feel a little worried when there’s not so much as a chuckle on the Vulpix’s side. Not even a polite smile… A small, tense silence wafts through the air as Lucas glances down, his grin fading just a bit as he waits for Lumine’s response—
“Mm…huh?” Only for it to finally set in all at once about three seconds too late. As if he’s only now registering Lucas’ words, only now registering the kiss. Lumine gasps, blinking hard, and his enormous eyes flash with alarm before they hurry to meet the questioning gaze of his partner. “W-Wha- No! ” He cries, his pale white cheeks turning a shade of brilliant beet red. “That’s not…no! I didn’t mean you were boring me, Lucas; I’m just…just…”
“...Sleepy?”
“...Well…I…ergh.” He groans after a short pause. “Okay, yes…sleeby…” Lucas lets out a tinkling giggle as Lumine lets his head fall back onto Lucas’ shoulder, nestling his fluffy cheek deep into the crook of his neck. It’s a long sigh Lumine lets out, long and content and blissful—but there’s a guilty lament tinging his breath, too. Lucas can almost see it waft through his every action like an ichorous, miasmic smog. He’s certain it’s that same guilt making Lumine’s smile fray at the edges, those same doubts compelling the Vulpix’s paws to wring and fidget together rather than wrap cozily around Lucas’.
“I’m sorry… It’s just noon, and I’m already so pooped. You wanted to go on an adventure today; I know you did, but…I think we’re gonna have to leave it for tomorrow…”
It's a good thing dispelling those doubts is what Lucas does best.
“That’s okay, Lu, I promise!” His paw finds a spot beneath Lumine’s chin to gently scratch him there—and the other rests atop Lumine’s forehead to pet and play with the poofy tuft of billowy, cloud-like “hair” it finds there. “You know I don’t blame you for having a rough night—and I won’t let you blame you, either! That’s my boyfriend you’re being so hard on, and I just can’t let that stand—not even for you.” As much as he’s goofing around, Lucas means it when he says he won’t let Lumine kick himself for this. Lumine knows it just as well as Lucas does—and his smile is radiant with appreciation as he beams up at him.
“Well…okay. Sure. But you’re still a little wrong there, my love,” Lucas tilts his head, confused. “My night wasn’t rough—the entire time, I had you! Going on an adventure with you is the least I should be doing for you in return… But we haven’t even explored a Mystery Dungeon or gone out for supplies or done anything yet, and here I am, wasting our afternoon just…yawning away…”
As if to prove his point, Lumine opens his maw wide, dew forming at the corners of his eyes. It’s more than heartwarming enough, just watching him yawn again and again—but this time, an idea brews within him. Deftly, he plucks a Sweet Heart from a nearby almost-empty bowl, and he places the end of the candy in his partner’s mouth right as it snaps shut. He just can’t hold in another laugh as Lumine’s eyes grow huge yet again. As he lets out a quiet, confused squeak.
“Hee hee…I told you I wouldn’t stand for you beating yourself up over this. This isn’t your fault, and I’ll say that as many times as I need to!" He chirps, squeezing Lumine’s paw tight. “And…maybe you’re yawning, sure. Maybe you’re sleepy. But wasting our time? Absolutely not! Any time I get to spend with you is never a waste—I don’t know how you can even think that when you’re smiling so much! You’re enjoying this as much as I am, Lu; I know you are!”
The Vulpix’s blush flares with an ever more vibrant crimson in response, and his gentle eyes drift away with a playful roll. The embarrassed little groan Lumine lets out while his mouth is still full; the way his fluffy paw falls over the back of Lucas’ to nudge the chocolate further in so he can nibble on it…it’s all so, so cute, and it makes Lucas feel so much warmer inside than the fire flickering before them ever could.
“See? Just look at that huge smile… This one. Riiiight here.” And he gently presses the tip of his paw to a raised corner of Lumine’s mouth. From one corner to the other, again and again. “I’m gonna poke you ‘til you see it, Lu. Poke. Poke, poke, poke.”
“Hee hee, quit it!” Lumine giggles, gently nudging away his arm. “That’s not a fair argument when it’s your fault! I can’t help it if you’re so cute that I smile so much around you!” He laughs as he sinks blissfully into his partner’s embrace. “But…I guess it is kinda silly to think I’m ruining our day when I’m like this, huh? How can this be a waste when I’m so happy that…that I can hardly think straight? When you’re this happy, too? I don’t know what else I could ask for—wanting anything else is…it’s just being greedy…”
“Right! And I think we’ve earned a break, if you ask me. This is the first time we’ve actually slept in in what…five days? Six?”
“Ten,” Lumine groans, letting his head fall onto Lucas’ shoulder. “It’s not like I don’t enjoy our adventures; I really, really do, but…they get a little tiring. Sometimes I just wanna close my eyes…and drift asleep in your arms for the rest of my days. It sounds so nice—just letting go of the world and its troubles and drifting into a long, deep sleep…”
He guides Lucas’ paw pad to the smooth white fur lining Lumine’s chest. Lucas knows exactly what Lumine wants him to do—but he can’t help but knead a tickling sensation into his tummy while he has the chance, grinning as he squirms and giggles under his paw. Lumine aims a just adorable miffed glare his way as he takes a moment to catch his breath—and when Lucas finally presses his paw to Lumine’s heart, he swears Lumine’s serene, gentle pulse is in perfect unison with his own.
“But…if I’m asleep…” Lumine continues with a content hum. “I wouldn’t be able to keep you company, would I? Keep you safe. I’d be so blissfully asleep in your arms, but…I’d be away from you,” He bites his lip. “...Sorta. But that’s why I just…don’t like sleeping in, no matter how tempting it sounds. Even besides it being selfish or lazy of me. That’s why I’d much, much rather explore a Mystery Dungeon with you than sleep the day away, apart from you. I want to cherish every moment I can spend with you—every moment I can be awake and alive with you at my side. Every moment I’m the luckiest, happiest Pokemon in the entire world…”
“Aw, Lu!” He leans over and wraps his arms tight around the Vulpix, nuzzling his cheek into his neck like he’s cuddling the cutest, softest Teddiursa bear in the world. “I feel the same way, the exact same way… But you can’t just…not sleep! How are you gonna keep me safe if you can barely even stay awake? If you don’t allow yourself the rest you need?”
“Mm-hmm…you’re right...” He concedes with a gentle sigh. “But…that’s what we’re doing here, aren’t we? That’s why we aren’t dragging ourselves on another adventure today…it’s because I need this. Because I’ve needed this for a long time. I understand that now…even if I might not like it. But maybe…just this once, I can forgive myself…” The serene melody of his voice is radiant with a dreamy, light tinge—it’s like the comfort of a lullaby, the soothing security of a loving embrace, all at once… He can’t even help but let out a long, indulgent yawn himself. The Vulpix at his side takes notice, and he lets out a gentle chuckle. Not you too, his sparkling eyes seem to be saying.
“That’s all I’ve wanted to hear from you the entire morning, Lu! You do need this, and I wouldn’t have it…” Another yawn rolls over his words—but he doesn’t try to stifle it. He just lets himself yawn, a wave of sleepiness gently rolling over his being from top to bottom. “...any other way…” Lumine feels so strong in his arms. His every toned, understated muscle is relaxed yet ready at a moment’s notice to leap into action to defend Lucas—but at the same time, he’s so fluffy, so delicate, like his porcelain frame could shatter if Lucas squeezes him too hard.
Lumine’s lithe features are so graceful and modest, like they were sculpted by the most masterful Smeargle in the world—but he’s no statue. Nor is he made of marble. Lucas can picture the rigid immutability of a cold, stony sculpture, its unfeeling, sterile stagnance—and Lumine’s nothing like that! He’s imperfect, changing, pulsing, and warm, so warm. He’s fragile and delicate, and he needs so much care and love to maintain. But all that just makes him all the more precious to Lucas. He’s so warm and soft to hold because he can go cold and rigid—he feels so strong because he can break. He feels so alive in his embrace because Lucas could lose him.
So Lucas is always careful to hold him just securely and cozily enough to keep from crushing him. Just the way he knows by heart Lumine likes it. And he’s sure, so sure it’s exactly what Lumine wants—adorable as they are, he doesn’t even need to hear Lumine’s blissful hum or feel his appreciative nuzzle to confirm it.
Lucas just adores it when they’re this deeply, so entirely in sync. When they're so completely attuned to the other. It makes a wave of blossoming, fluttery warmth flow from Lucas’ head down to the soles of his paws. It feels like an intricate dance they’re making up as they go along, a gesture and a response, a slip and a catch, a twirl and a bow; it feels like their breaths, their laughs intertwine and harmonize in an instinctual duet even when they’re making up the melody on the spot. For a moment, he knows someone inside and out; for just one eternal moment someone knows him inside and out—and it’s just as much a blessing to be understood as it is to be loved. Or, well…he’d like to think so, at least.
Some days, the Vulpix’s ears droop and the stormy ocean of his eyes dim, lost in thought, and Lucas can tell instantly he wants his space. A quick loving hug and a seat a few feet away in case he wants to talk. Or a seat at his side and an “I’m here, Lu—if you want anything, I’m here.” That’s all Lumine needs from him; that’s all Lumine wants from him—and that’s all Lucas holds himself to, even if it feels wrong not to comfort him further. Even if…even if he feels like he should be doing so much more as his boyfriend. As one of the few Pokemon in the entire world Lumine feels completely safe around and opens up to.
But then there’s days like this—days when it’s Lumine snuggling up to Lucas so happily, so shamelessly. Sitting down at his side and curling his huge, fluffy tails around them like billowy clouds gently enveloping them both in its mist. Days when the Vulpix’s snow-white fur bristles with a needy anxiousness and he peers, antsy, over Lucas’ shoulder to see what he’s working on, to count down the moments until he’s free. Lumine always tries to be so subtle about wanting cuddles, especially in public—it’s always so cute to watch him bite his lip and motion towards home with a furtive nod of the head. Like it’s a social death sentence to just say “let’s go home.” But…”stealthy” or not, Lucas always, always sees right through him when he’s craving physical attention—and he can never be happier to give him what he wants.
And if what he wants is to cuddle the day away with him…how in the world can Lucas say no to that?
But…it’s not always like this, he’s quick to remind himself. It shouldn’t always be like this. They understand each other better than they do…themselves, really, but they’re still separate people—there will still be moments when Lucas just doesn’t quite know what to say or do. And he cherishes that! He can’t be happier to think hard about or just…ask Lumine how he can help him best, and he cherishes that.
He’d much, much prefer that he ask Lumine if he wants time for himself rather than assume he'll be fine without it. He’d much prefer that Lumine is willing to actually take that alone time when he needs it rather than pretend adventuring or snuggling with him wouldn’t tax on his already drained social battery. It’s not out of laziness that Lucas holds himself back from showering Lumine with affection when it wouldn’t help—it’s not out of apathy that Lumine doesn’t force himself into cuddling with Lucas when he doesn’t want to. It’s not out of a lack of love that they give each other space sometimes. It’s the opposite.
He can’t ever forget that…that there was a time when they weren’t always so honest with each other about their needs. When the warmth they offered each other was built upon assumptions rather than understanding—when it had come at a price. They’d let that precious warmth smother their thoughts, their understanding—they’d let it shackle Lumine with his own selflessness and blind Lucas with his own confidence. And it nearly consumed them both as a result. Its unchecked blaze nearly set the Destiny Knot binding the two together aflame. And both of them—both of them were to blame.
The contrast in his partner when he wants contact and when he doesn’t—it…it wasn’t always as clear to him. Lucas has never been one to mask his feelings like Lumine, but it’s still been almost eerie how easily Lumine has read him from the start. His ability to take one glance or even hear one breath from Lucas and instantly discern his every need has been incredible —
But so too was his skill at hiding his own to meet those needs.
It…it was a bit ironic, really. By stifling his own hopes and wants to fulfill Lucas’, Lumine was depriving Lucas of one of those hopes—to understand Lumine. To help him.
It started as Lumine just biting his lip and staying silent as Lucas cheerfully dragged him on expedition after expedition—even when he could barely put one trembling, exhausted paw in front of the other. Then it became the “I’m fine”s and the “don’t worry about me”s even when the voice that uttered them could barely leave his throat without giving way to a choked sob. And then even on those days when it’s so, so clear that something's bothering him and all he wants is to be alone, he’d shove it all down to cuddle with Lucas before Lucas could even hint that he wanted affection. He’d wrap his arms tight around Lucas and beam up at him, scratching him so gently, so lovingly behind his fluttering ears. Just the way he knows Lucas likes it.
And it used to work on him—that’s what hurts about it all. Lucas would never catch any of it at first. He’d think there was nothing at all to catch; he’d think he’s imagining things—he’d blind himself to the subtle rigidity in Lumine’s clammy paws as he rubbed the back of Lucas’ head. To the way his fur would stand up on end uncomfortably with each forced contact. And…and to the way his sky-blue eyes would well with a heavy murk beneath its pyrite, garish warmth.
It’s all so clear to him now—but it used to slip right past Lucas’ notice. There were so many little hints he would miss, so many signs he would look right at and fail to see—but he would still be so sure that he knew everything there is to know about Lumine. He’d probably thought he understood him ten times better than he does now. Arceus, he’s so ashamed to even think about it.
He’d be so content to just giggle and snuggle happily at his side, letting the warmth and the bliss shut out his every thought. He’d be so oblivious, so completely taken in, just like the Pokemon who sneer under their breaths how cold and detached the Vulpix always acts. But it was never his warmth he was hiding from Lucas—it was his pain. His doubts. Everything that Lucas wanted to help him with, everything that he wanted Lucas to help him with—he buried it all out of sight. Snuffed it, smothered it like a Sheer Cold to a flame. Over and over, Lumine would grin and bear it all for his partner—and over and over, Lucas would just grin.
With each passing day, Lumine's skill at hiding it all from Lucas would grow—but so would Lumine’s secret hope that Lucas would see through him someday. And so would Lucas’ confidence that he was seeing through him. The hesitation in his paws, the anxiety buzzing from his every strand of fur—every day, Lumine would become more and more adept at stifling the signs, but so too would they grow more and more intense. More and more prevalent. From the start, Lumine had wanted Lucas to see all of it. Only for Lucas to dismiss it all away. For him to assume Lumine would just call him overbearing and overthinking things if he brought it up—for him to fear that Lumine would be right.
So the cycle continued; so the spiral plunged. So the burden grew; so the pressure built. Gradually, the grinning stone mask stitched over Lumine’s tear-streaked cheeks would grow a little more steely, a little more real —and it would become littered with a few more desperate cracks. Frustrated cracks and chips from his own bleeding claws. Every day, he would suffocate himself in the shackles he hoped Lucas would rescue him from. Every day, he would forge the dark stone prison of his own making—the prison Lucas thought he had broken down long ago. But it was never the prison that was broken, no.
It finally did hit Lucas that…that it wasn’t just in the Mystery Dungeons that Lumine was so willing to sacrifice himself for him. It finally hit him how blind he had been.
He just wishes it hadn’t taken a scrawled note, an open pair of scissors, and not a moment too soon to show him.
It’s been…a long, long time since then. And things are different now, thank Arceus. For both of them. Sometimes Lumine will still fall into that trap, will try to stomach it all down for Lucas’ sake, but Lucas isn’t having any of it. He’ll dispel those doubts and illusions before they can begin to take shape; he’ll swear to him that it’s okay if they wait until the next day to snuggle. And sometimes, Lucas will catch himself forgetting to check with Lumine first before taking him on an adventure or forget to ask him first before cuddling up to him. It’ll be Lumine telling him “let’s wait until tomorrow” or “I don’t know if I’m up to it” or just…”I’m sorry—no.” And that’s all Lucas needs to hear from him. No.
But the most important difference is that they’re talking about things, they’re really talking about things—and it’s a difference he can’t be more grateful for. Even if it doesn’t feel right to say “no” to the Pokemon they vowed to do anything for. Even if it’s disheartening or disappointing for a moment to hear it from them. He wants that uncomfortableness; he wants that disappointment—he can’t be more grateful for it. Because at least they’re being honest with each other—at least they’re remembering that they matter just as much as their boyfriend. And, yes, maybe that honesty comes with its own little “downsides.” Maybe they’ll lose a few hours of sleep. A day’s expeditions and adventures.
But…he couldn’t have cared less last night as Lumine shook him awake, sky-blue eyes shining with desperate tears. Whispering through choked sobs that he couldn’t sleep. That he felt afraid, lonely, hollow; that he didn’t know why. That his thoughts were getting to him and that he just couldn’t deal with them alone. That he was so, so sorry for waking him up.
But Lucas had never been so happy to miss some sleep in all his life.
Worrying about the morning’s duties or the day’s chores or anything but the wellbeing of his boyfriend had been the last things on Lucas’ mind that night. There were far, far more important things to do—like sitting beside him and staying awake with him until it was almost light out. Squeezing his paw, grounding him, and helping him breathe. Reminding Lumine that he’s safe, that Lucas loves him, that he deserves that love no matter how much his mind tries to say otherwise.
There was nothing in the world more important to him than setting out a heaping bowl of Lumine’s favorite chocolate in the world—Sweet Hearts. Wrapping a fluffy blanket around him tight and lighting a fire—glowing, flickering, and alive, so alive. It was true that they’d never needed a fire to make each other melt inside—but it’s never been enough for Lucas to just melt his partner. It all meant nothing if he wasn’t happy, too. If he wasn’t safe.
The openness they afford each other, the warmth they press into each other’s paws—maybe those all sound like such small things. Maybe it sounds so obvious that Lumine would confide his insecurities into him. Maybe it all sounds like a given. But Pokemon keep forgetting that even givens can be taken away—anything can when it’s being taken for granted. So, no, it’s nowhere near a small or stupid or obvious thing to ask him if he’s alright or listen to his troubles. To squeeze Lumine tight, just the way he needs it, and plant a kiss on his forehead. To remind him that he’s here. That he’ll always be here.
How can these things be small when they’re saving his partner’s life?
So…he supposes what he's trying to say is…
“…Thank you, Lumine.” Without a thought, without a sound, he cranes his head down to press his lips to the slumbering Vulpix’s forehead. “Thank you…with all my heart.”
It’s only when Lumine stirs that Lucas realizes he’d said that aloud.
“Mm...huh?” Lumine mumbles, lifting his head sluggishly from Lucas’ shoulder. Lucas’ eyes flick to his partner’s face just in time to watch him let out a long, serene yawn—dew forming at the corners of his clenched, beautiful eyes before he rubs them with a balled-up paw. Lumine affectionately beams as he turns his full attention to Lucas, tilting his head curiously. “What was that, my love?”
“S-Sorry! Were you asleep? Did I wake you? You were probably asleep…” He can feel his cheeks flare with a flustered warmth. It’s not that he’s ashamed or embarrassed about what he’d said—he’d meant every word, after all. But…couldn’t he have meant every word after his exhausted, sleep-deprived boyfriend got some rest?! “I didn’t mean to disturb you, I promise; it just…slipped out…”
“Hee hee, that’s okay! I’ve been awake this whole time—if anything, I was trying to keep quiet because I thought I’d wake you. I thought you were the one who’d fallen asleep on me, even with your eyes wide open… ” Lucas blinks with a start. For once, he’s…not quite sure how to react. Had he really spaced out that badly…?
“R…Really?”
“Mm-hmm. You’ve been so quiet… I don’t think I’ve seen you move a muscle or even blink in the past ten minutes or so—not even when I was calling your name. It…had me pretty worried, if I’m being honest…it isn’t like you, Lucas.” He presses Lucas’ paw firmly between the fluffy warmth of his own two pads. His eyes swirl with solemn concern as they peer deep into Lucas’ crimson pools, scouring protectively for the slightest sign of guilt or worry so he can quell it. “Whatever’s bothering you…do you want to talk about it? Do you want to move somewhere else? Do you…want me to move somewhere else…?”
“NO! I could never, never want that, Lu…being without you is the last thing I want right now, trust me,” He cries without a second thought. Lumine’s gaze softens with relief—but it stays fixed questioningly on him, beckoning him to continue. “I’m sorry to worry you—but I’m not bothered or uncomfortable or stressed or anything, I promise! I’m fine; I’m better than fine—I couldn’t be happier! I’m just…just…”
“...Sleepy?”
“Mm…not quite. …Okay, kinda. But, no, I was just…thinking…” Now it’s his turn to rest his head on Lumine’s lithe shoulder—his turn to nuzzle his cheek into the soft plushness of his neck. “About you, Lu. About us. About how lucky I am to start every day by opening my eyes and finding you happy and safe…and still at my side. This is all I could ever ask for, cuddling with you like this and seeing you every bit as content as I am…I’m so happy with how far we’ve come together. So…before I forget. Before we fall asleep…”
Like an instinct, Lumine squeezes his paw to keep him anchored to reality. To remind him that he’s there—that he’s listening to his every word. Lucas smiles appreciatively and takes a long, shuddering breath before going on.
“I…I wanted to thank you. For letting me fall asleep in your arms…for letting me do the same for you. For waking me up last night and letting me know so I could stay up with you. For…for just letting me help you, Lu! I’m finally, finally learning how to help you, and it means so much to me…so much more than I can say…” He can feel his entire body tremble with wave after wave of surging emotions—he can feel his eyes beginning to sting gently with tears.
Good.
“Getting to share a dream with you…getting to understand you…getting to live at your side. It’s all because of you. I’m always so grateful for everything you do, everything you’ve done for me, and I’m finally able to show it… Thank you, Lu.” He swallows. “Thank you…for letting me love you.”
Now the tears flow one after another. Drop after shimmering golden drop streams from the corners of his eyes. But he doesn’t make a move to blink them away. He finds no need to brush them away shamefully with the back of his paw. So often, Pokemon see the marks tears leave as some sort of ghastly scarlet imprints—they sneer at them like glaring, flashing neon labels reading weak or oversensitive. But…they’re the opposite. They’re proof of his strength because he’s never been afraid to be sensitive. These marks aren’t the scars that everyone makes out to be so repulsive and permanent—they’re so beautiful because they’re so temporary.
So…he just lets the tears flow. He barely even notices they’re there.
At least…until he feels a warm, soft paw pad wipe away a single, solitary drop. His own paw pad. Gently, slowly, Lumine takes his paw off of Lucas’ wrist, the wrist he’d guided to wipe away the drops—and he reaches up to nudge away another tear himself. Finally, Lucas opens his eyes, the crimson eyes he knows must be rimmed at this point with a veiny, branching redness—and Lumine’s misty pools don’t recoil at the sight of them. They only melt further.
“Of course, my love…you don’t have to thank me for that. I could never let anyone love me but you. Because no one…no one…could love me like you do. You taught me that no one else deserves to,” His paw finds a place cupping Lucas’ cheek—and his warm, glittering eyes find a home dancing with Lucas’. “It’s just like you said—we’ve come so far together, and I’m so proud of you. Of us. I-I really was sorry that I was making you stay awake and take care of me…but at the same time, I'm so relieved that you were here to keep me company the whole night long. I’m so glad that you threw the whole day away just so you could keep me company now. It’s everything I could ask for, and so much more…”
“So thank you, Lucas. For loving me so, so dearly…for understanding me better than I ever could. Thank you.”
He leans in and presses a kiss to Lucas’ lips. Golden, pulsing, fleeting, and alive. So alive. The warmth that surges through him, that washes over him from head to toe—it’s so familiar, so soothing, but it’s unlike anything Lucas has felt before. It’s…more intense. Deeper, somehow…if that’s even possible. So much more wonderful, and he doesn’t know why. He can almost see it shining bright with a certain shimmer—a fierce, affectionate glimmer.
And then it hits him that it’s Lumine’s own warmth his boyfriend’s giving him. His own radiant essence. That’s why it’s so special. So pure.
That’s why it’ll stay a part of him long, long after it fades away.
They finally pull away, catching their breath as one and sharing an overjoyed, beaming smile—and there’s so much more connecting them than the string of saliva that lingers between their lips.
“Hah, we…should really do that more often…” Lucas gasps. “When you’re up to it again, of course…” His partner gently holds out his paw and catches the remnants of Lucas’ shining tears as they fall from his cheeks—Lucas gingerly wipes away the trails they left. And their twirling, dipping eyes never, never leave the other’s.
This…this is all Lucas has ever wanted. He knows it this time, knows he’s not blinding himself this time—this is all he could ever ask for. For someone to love him, to understand him…and then to share that blessing right back. To share it with someone who needs it, who adores it every bit as completely as he does.
There really is nothing else Lucas could ask for now that he has him.
“Before we really do fall asleep…can I ask you something, Lucas?” Lumine murmurs as he slowly returns to his spot at Lucas’ side. As their arms intertwine with one another and their paws take a loving hold of the other’s. Lucas nods with a long yawn, resting his head in Lumine’s fluffy, poofy tuft of hair. “You don’t have to use the restroom or anything…do you?” Lucas just…blinks. His total inability to tell if Lumine is just joking or if he’s trying to tell him something is…it sends a pang of worry jolting up his spine, to say the least.
“Um…no… My breath wasn’t that bad…was it?” He holds his paw to his face and breathes into it, his snout twitching as he sniffs the air audibly—and that makes Lumine just explode into laughter.
“No, silly! That kiss was wonderful—you tasted wonderful, hee hee. We should do that more often…” The Vulpix pulls him back into a cozy, snug embrace—it’s hard to believe they ever moved from it at all. “When we’re up to it.” He grasps the blanket that fell from their shoulders and throws it back around them, wrapping them tight in one fluid motion—the billowing softness of his snowy tails curls protectively around them like a soothing ethereal mist.
It’s as if Lumine’s announcing to the world that they’re not to be disturbed—it’s as if they’re miles away in the sky, a sea of clouds separating them from the adventures, from their troubles. Looking down on their worries from on high…it really is clear how small they all are. How temporary. For just one fleeting, eternal moment, they’re aloft and alone on an entirely different planet together, and they couldn’t be happier. They’ve earned that much—just one blissful moment to themselves.
“I’m just asking because if you need to get up or anything … do it now. Because I don’t think I could be dragged away from you before long…I’d sooner die than let you go. Not ‘till tomorrow. So speak now…or forever let me hold you.” At that, Lucas just can’t help but snicker, almost doubling over—but Lumine just grins playfully up at him. There’s not a hint of embarrassment on Lumine’s face as the Vulpix stares up at him so shamelessly, so confidently. You heard me, his shimmering eyes seem to be saying.
“You’re such a dork, Lu…even more so than me. And that’s saying something…” He happily sighs. They feel so secure, so safe, bound together in the other’s arms. So cozy and understood and alive. “But…you’re my dork. My beautiful, adorable dork… I’ll never, never take you for granted ever again…I’ll protect you with my life. I swear it.”
“I’d…I’d like that…” Lucas glances down just in time to catch Lumine’s eyes finally fluttering shut. “You may now…sleep beside your fragile, needy boyfriend.”
“Hee hee…I do. Er, I will. Er…oh, whatever…” He leans down to peck Lumine’s forehead right as Lumine slowly cranes his neck up to kiss him in return—and neither of them bat an eye as their lips instead meet once again. And as they pull away, the same heavy wave of warmth and sleepiness and gratitude envelops them both. It flows through their every relaxed muscle, their every blissfully sluggish thought, like a golden, gentle mist. They draw in the very same breath, their lips moving in perfect, perfect tandem:
“I think what I meant to say was…”
“I think what you meant to say was…”
They giggle—and then they speak.
“I love you.”