Chapter Text
A boom like thunder shakes the cavern walls. Julie winces.
White light, blinding in its brilliance, fills the room. They all cover their eyes.
Beams of energy explode from Terapagos, going every direction at once.
He stares in horror, one arm in front of his face, as one hurtles towards him.
Carmine screams his name in horror.
“KIERAN, RUN!”
Julie runs at full speed towards him.
Faster-
Miraidon roars in alarm and begins to run behind her.
Faster-
The beam draws closer. Time flows in slow motion. Her legs feel like lead.
Faster, Arceus dammit-
She has to save him. It can’t end like this. It won’t end like this, not today.
She has so much to tell him.
That she’s sorry for hurting him, that she wants him to be ok, that she’ll leave forever if it would make him happy.
And if it makes any difference, that she loved him, and had loved him for a long time now.
He notices her, and for a split second their eyes lock.
She knocks the wind out of him as they collide and fall to the cavern floor.
Miraidon growls as it takes the full brunt of the beam. Its eyes glow eerily as it absorbs the Terastal power. Arcs of energy leap across its metallic body.
It snarls and snaps at the giant Pokemon before it, ready for a fight. But first, it glances over at its trainer.
She made it just in time.
He looks up at her in shock, golden eyes wide.
“You saved me.“ His voice is soft with wonder. He sounds like he did when they first met. It makes her heart ache. She’s missed him so badly.
She breaks down with relief, hugging him tightly. She sobs into his shoulder, letting all of her pent up emotions roll down her cheeks. She has no words, but she hopes the message comes across to him:
You’re worth saving. You always were.
I love you too much to let you die.
He holds her tightly, feeling something warm blooming anew in his chest. It feels familiar. It’s how he felt that day they talked for hours about kaijus over sandwiches and sweets. But it feels stronger now. Brighter.
He really does love her, he realizes. He couldn’t snuff out that spark even if he tried – and he’d certainly tried to for the past six months. Thank goodness he’d failed.
He loved her. He could be at peace with that truth and not feel ashamed about it anymore.
And maybe, if she thought he was worth all this, she loved him too.
He smiles for the first time in months.
“Thank you.”
**
Julie squinted against the morning light. It was a beautiful spring morning, and she was in her bed, far from the cold stone floor of Area Zero.
It had been a long time since she’d had that dream, she realized. The last time she’d dreamt of that day had been before the wedding – the first one, that is. That’d been a while ago now. And better yet, she wasn’t starting her day in tears; this was the first time she hadn’t woken up crying after having that nightmare.
She smiled to herself. Today was going to be a good day.
Another realization struck her. There was one more reason that today would be extra special.
She rolled over to admire the sleeping man beside her. She bit her lip to keep from giggling; Kieran’s bedhead was impressive this morning. He’d pouted when she called it “Mareanie hair,” but she’d meant it in the most affectionate way.
His lips were parted ever so slightly as he slept. She couldn’t resist waking him up with a kiss this morning, especially when he looked this cute.
She leaned over and kissed him gently. “Morning, sleepyhead.”
Kieran mumbled softly, but didn’t open his eyes. “Mornin’.”
She brushed a lock of hair from his eyes. “Happy anniversary, my love.”
He smiled drowsily. “That is today, isn’t it?”
“Yep.” She snuggled closer to him. “We’ve been married two whole years today. Can you believe it?”
He put an arm around her and kissed her forehead. “Mhm.”
“You’re not sick of me yet, are you?” She grinned cheekily.
His response was immediate. He held her close and kissed her long and slow.
“Never.”
A soft coo came from the cradle by Julie’s side of the bed.
“Someone’s awake,” Kieran said softly. He peeked over Julie’s head to see Himiko yawn and stretch. “Good mornin’, itty bitty.”
“She gave us a present,” Julie remarked as she scooped up her daughter from her crib. “She finally slept through the night.”
Kieran was stunned at the realization. He’d gone for three months now on an intermittent sleep schedule – he’d been too tired to register the fact he’d gotten a full night’s sleep. “Wowzers, you’re right.”
Julie kissed Himiko’s chubby cheek, pretending to nibble on her. “You give the best gifts, don’tcha?”
The baby cooed softly, a tiny smile forming. Then, for the first time, she laughed.
Julie and Kieran looked at each other in surprise.
“Did she just-“
“Yeah, she did.”
They grinned at each other. This was another moment they’d treasure for years to come.
Speaking of treasure, Julie thought, that dream had reminded her of one more important thing.
“Hey Kieran,” Julie said quietly, watching Himiko grab at her ponytail.
“Yeah?”
“Y’know how the academy kids do the treasure hunt every year?”
He nodded, wondering where she was going with this. “Uh-huh.”
“Did I ever tell you what my favorite treasure was?”
He thought about it. “No, I don’t think you did.”
“Guess.”
He grinned slyly at her. “All the friends you made along the way?”
She rolled her eyes and laughed. “I mean, yes that’s important but – ow, baby, let go of Mama’s hair – guess again.”
Kieran gently eased Himiko’s grip from Julie’s hair. “Let Mama go, little miss.”
“Thank you. What’s your next guess?”
Kieran smiled. “I think I know, but I want you to say it.”
This man could get anything he wanted out of her with that smile, Julie thought. This moment only proved that point.
With her free hand, she ran her fingers through his hair. She kissed him as deeply as she had that first time under the fireworks.
“You.”