Archive of Our Own

An uncharacteristic boldness overtook her- well that wasn’t quite true… It might have been uncharacteristic prior to her return to Paldea 2 years ago with her mother readying herself for a new school environment. Little did she realize the whirlwind of events that would transform her from the day Director Clavell arrived at her house to introduce her to her partner Pokémon Piquillo the Fuecoco and her new neighbor-to-eventually-treasured-rival Nemona… It felt like a blur and yet she remembered every detail so vividly… 

She met so many people in Paldea… Made so many treasured memories with her equally treasured friends: Nemona, Penny, Arven, Koraidon, Piquillo, all of Team Star, Director Clavell, her teachers… Then came the field trip to the land of Kitakami… where she made even more new friends in Carmine, Kieran and Ogerpon…and lost one in Kieran… only to regain that friendship after a little stint at Blueberry Academy as an exchange student and a return trip to Area Zero. 

Sometime after all these events was one more adventure in Kitakami, this time with her Paldean friends in tow. However, what started as a pleasant vacation with a meeting of her two friend groups turned into something straight out of a horror movie. Poisonous mochi produced by the mysterious Pecharunt and force fed to the townsfolk enabled the Pokémon to control their bodies to its will with a telltale dance and continuous recitation of the phrase “Mochi Mochi.” Thankfully, both Kieran and Juliana both managed to avoid being fed the malevolent delicacy, and as a result of their teamwork ensured the Pokémon’s defeat and capture. 

The following weeks were spent with Kieran and the newly recovered Carmine in relative bliss getting acquainted with each other and the land and forming new bonds. Soon enough though, it was time for Arven, Nemona and Penny to return to Paldea. Juliana opted to stay for a little while longer citing some unfinished business investigating the terastal phenomenon present at the Crystal Pool on Oni Mountain by Geeta’s request. While technically true, she had other more personal unfinished business to attend to as well regarding a certain boy who called this land home…

In any case, this bold girl was here now sitting in his bedroom at the side of his futon watching his chest rhythmically rise and fall. He was in a deep sleep. Her face contorted with conflict; she desperately didn’t want to wake him up from his peaceful slumber, but she also desperately wanted—almost needed—to talk. She reached out to touch his hand brushing her fingers against his knuckles. He jolted with a start and awoke. She felt the floorboards shift with his movements and braced herself for the inevitable questioning. Well, this is what she wanted. 

“Hmpf hrrf… J-Juliana?” the boy muttered, groggily rubbing his eyes and turning toward her.

Juliana didn’t answer immediately, but even in the dark she felt his quizzical gaze. Really what was she doing here? She thought to herself.

“I ,uh, couldn’t sleep,” she managed to sputter out. “I don’t know I guess I’m still… ah I don’t know!”

Kieran cocked his head toward her and opened his mouth to reply when she continued,

“B-but I’m ok! Really! I-I…”

But before she could finish, Kieran threw up his hands in a frustrated gesture with such ferocity that Juliana felt the rush of air from where she sat.

“No, you are clearly not!” He shouted. His intense yellow eyes glowered at her through the dark. Juliana flinched at the outburst and upon seeing this, the skin scrunched with tension around Kieran’s eyes relaxed causing his expression to soften as he ruefully said in a soft voice. “Please don’t lie to me…”

Juliana sighed and hung her head down to her raised knees and a heavy silence formed between them. After some time passed, she felt the sudden yet comforting presence of a blanket wrapped around her and when she turned to her right, her friend was right beside her on the floor. His eyes darted bashfully away when he realized he was being watched and he nervously scratched his head as he was apt to do. Of the two, he was surprisingly the one to break the silence. 

“I-I dunno what’s goin’ on Juliana an’ it’d sure help if you told me b-but more than most I understand gettin’ tongue tied so take your time!” 

Juliana clutched the blanket closer over her in the hope that doing so would help her get the words out that she was desperately grabbing for. Where was her boldness now when she needed it?

“Oh! Hold on! I’ve got just the thing! I’ll be right back!” Kieran exclaimed suddenly, hopping to his feet.

Juliana lifted the blanket from over her head to satisfy her curiosity at where the boy who was just next to her was going. She needn’t worry as he hadn’t wandered far, but it was difficult to determine what he was doing in the gloom. Though, she thought she heard the distinct, familiar crinkle of…

“Here!” The boy beamed, eagerly presenting a sweet treat in front of her just as suddenly as he had left her side. Just as she was wondering precisely what it was, Kieran turned on a small electric lantern. She took the proffered little delicacy finding it to be a chewy brownie with a soft marshmallow middle. As she ate savoring each bite, he dumped the rest of the contents from his shoulder bag onto the floor revealing everything from small cakes, lollipops, candy bars and other assorted treats. A veritable smorgasbord!

“Our own little slumber party for two ehehe. I-I’m real glad Grandpa and Grandma let you stay here.” Kieran chuckled rubbing the back of his head. “It’s been cool bein’ able to do stuff like this with you and your friends too!” 

Juliana nodded, smiling as she recalled how not so long ago she, Arven, Nemona and Penny in their time at Kitakami would invite Kieran and Carmine to the community center some nights to watch movies and indulge in copious amounts of sugary and salty snacks. Though not quite a sleepover as Carmine and Kieran left for home to sleep in their own beds. The caretaker always saw to that as he had a rather contentious relationship with the two siblings.

The sweetness from the treat and largely from the gesture and subsequent conversation served to disarm Juliana enough to finally articulate what she had been so desperate to communicate. Though one little thing managed to distract her that the glow from the lantern illuminated…

“Oh my gosh! Your hair!” she exclaimed. 

Kieran, in anticipation for some other revelation, simply stared incredulously at her slack jawed and speechless blinking several times. This girl!

“Hu-uh whu-what?!”

Juliana waved her hands in front of her apologetically with a sheepish smile. “I’m sorry it’s just I haven’t seen your hair down in awhile. It’s a bit nostalgic ahaha!” She chuckled putting a hand behind her head.

Kieran raised an eyebrow giving her an inscrutable look. “Well of course I’m not gonna wear my hair up when I go to bed. And look at you, you still got your braid and your hair tied! No wonder you couldn’t sleep that must’a been uncomfortable.” 

Before he fully registered what he was doing, he found his hand wandering toward Juliana and gently clasping the red and white Poké Ball hair tie between his fingers. Juliana eyes widened and a pink flush appeared on her cheeks, but she didn’t flinch away and indeed found herself moving closer. Losing his bravado but not his momentum, Kieran pulled the hair tie off and the braid came undone. An unexpected movement on Juliana’s part resulted in Kieran’s fingers lightly brushing the side of her neck causing her to involuntarily shiver. A wordless moment lingered between them as they leaned face-to-face. 

Kieran, utterly mortified, jerked back and managed to stumble an awkward apology. “Aw man, I-I don’t know what came over me! S-sorry Juliana!”

He turned his face away from her, holding his head in his hands and staring at the floor. Juliana blinked several times grabbing the strand of hair that had once been braided, looking at it and then at him. Some of the boldness that eluded her earlier returned and she gave the boy’s knee a firm tap to break him free of his shame induced trance.

“Hey! Kieran! It’s ok!” Juliana reassured. “Like yeah okay maybe it would have been nice if you asked but I really can’t say I minded.” 

Kieran raised his head slowly, spotting the slight mischievous smirk on Juliana’s face as she gestured to her hair and added. “You’re gonna have to help me redo it in the morning though.”

His face turned red as a Tamato berry at this but he recovered quickly enough. “F-fair enough! But-“ he began his retort.

“Buuuuut…?” repeated Juliana playfully. 

“Buuuuut,” Kieran began just as playfully but then affected a more serious tone. “You need to tell me what’s going on.” 

Juliana sighed grabbing her right arm and sliding her hand up and down it nervously. She looked down toward the floor and up toward the ceiling then directly at Kieran, her brown eyes glistening and then hardening with resolve. She clutched the blanket in both her hands for extra security. And finally she spoke. 

“Alright,” she sighed. “Just… I know you probably won’t like everything I have to say.” 

A pit formed in Kieran’s stomach at this, but he pushed past it managing a somewhat pained reply. “W-whether I like it or not, I gotta know Juliana. You’re my friend and we gotta be honest with each other. So please,” and he leaned in putting his full attention toward her. “Continue.”

Juliana’s lip quivered a touch and she felt tears well up in her eyes, but tapping the well of courage inside her she finally began. “Well… you know how you said you wanted to start from zero and be friends again?” 

Kieran nodded slowly and Juliana continued. 

“I can’t do it!” She blurted out. 

She squeezed her eyes shut tight to blind herself of any possible negative reaction Kieran might have had at that confession before she hastily went on to clarify. “I can’t start from zero I mean. I want to be your friend but-but there’s too much between us to start like nothing happened, besides there’s something-something I feel really guilty about that I think you should know.”

Kieran let out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding in. He rubbed the back of his neck and then waved his hands in front of him, shaking his head back and forth as he responded, “If it’s about everything that happened with the ogr- Ogerpon and Sis, we’ve moved past that already.” 

“Ugh!!!” Juliana grunted in exasperation, fists balled to her temples. “That’s not it!” And at this point her voice trailed off to almost a whisper. “It does have to do with Carmine though.” 

Kieran was silent and still. Juliana breathed a heavy sigh that shook her thin frame and finally began to unleash what had been weighing on her for so long since their reconciliation and subsequent adventure in his hometown. “Before our battle at Blueberry, when I was challenging the Elite Four I would go to Carmine’s room some nights and she would come to mine.” 

A few tears dropped on the wooden floor and a flood of more streamed down her cheeks as she relayed even more. “W-we didn’t do anything more than hold each other b-but I can’t deny that I didn’t want to. I was… We both were… It was hard Kieran! The way you were acting. The tension in the club. The whole school really! I was new. And, like, yeah ok I have an easy time making friends, but Carmine was familiar and the only one who knew everything that happened here in Kitakami. We were drawn to each other…”

“One night in my dorm, she sat me down, took my hand and told me that it couldnt continue like this and that that night was the last night we’d sleep in the same bed. I was mad at first and I cried and I yelled at her…and she yelled back.” 

Kieran was stock still and quiet before then, but at that comment he covered his mouth to stifle a slight chuckle.

 A thin, amused smile appeared on Juliana’s face before she continued. “Then, she hugged me and told me that she didn’t want to get in the way more than she already had between you and me. I didn’t understand at first, but I began to get it as I thought about it more and I agreed to it. From then on, we still hung out, but none of the other stuff. And that’s that.”

After Juliana finished, Kieran began processing everything. He internally writhed with the throes of thorny jealousy that raked him at the mention of time spent with his sister in such a manner, but the wounds were just as thoroughly washed with a flood of shame. He would certainly never feel completely good about it, but he understood why and how such a bond between them occurred. The fact that they would even consider him at all spoke volumes. If they had continued as they were, they would have been completely justified.

Juliana watched him carefully, seeing his face twist and contort with the variety of emotions flowing through him. He was looking away from her then, his face in profile and staring into space. Juliana wasn’t sure if it was just a trick of the light when she saw the sheen in his eyes vanish one moment and reappear the next. 

Hardly able to stand the tension any longer, Juliana asked. “Are you mad?” 

He turned toward her and gave her a small, sad smile. “I don’t know. Yes? No? If you’re askin’ whether I think any less of you an’ Sis then that answer is definitely a ‘no.’”

He leaned his head back. “If anything I’m actually more mad about the cafeteria date with Drayton. Like Drayton, really?! C’mon 
Juliana!”

He was referencing Juliana’s initiation into the league club by way of a “date” with Drayton in the cafeteria. Though calling it a “date” was a bit of an exaggeration. The girl stared back at him incredulously and she feistily spat back. “Hey, first: that wasn’t a real date and second: he was trying to get to you, so there!” Juliana finished, sticking her tongue out at him.

Kieran flicked the back of his hand toward her in flippant dismissal. “Psssh whatever.” It was no secret that the boy had a certain disdain for the upperclassman he had usurped as champion. Still there was a respect there—begrudging though it was—and he had to acknowledge that Drayton did try to help in his own way, even if he questioned his true motives and his methods. 

“Ha!” Juliana gave a hearty laugh and proceeded to wrap her arms around her knees and rest her head there and turn towards Kieran gazing at him fondly. 

Some of his old shyness returned and he fumbled with his words as he spoke further. “A-anyway, you an’ Sis do make a great team. The mask retrieval, the Underdepths, even just last week when you both one-upped that slimy ol’ caretaker.” 

Juliana nodded with a smirk remembering the incident very fondly. While visiting Loyalty Plaza with Kieran and Carmine, the caretaker, who was overseeing some clean up there, had approached her asking if she would be willing to put in a word to her teachers and mother to fundraise for the reconstruction of the Loyal Three monument:
.
.
.

“It would bring in so many touri-“ the caretaker stumbled and then corrected himself. “What I mean to say is, I know the Loyal Three were in the wrong and victimized poor Ogerpon, but the monument has brought so much happiness to the townsfolk it would be an utter travesty to leave it destroyed.” 

Carmine gave him a glare that would have put her grandpa’s Arbok to shame, but the caretaker ignored her and continued with his shameless appeal.  “And so, Miss Juliana, being such an influential presence in your home region, I was hoping you might put in a good word for funding this humble revitalization project.” He ended with a grin that spread from ear to ear.

Caught off guard, Juliana struggled with her words. “M-Mr. Caretaker, I’m so glad you think so highly of me but I’m not sure-“ And at this moment, Carmine swept in, wrapped an arm around Juliana’s shoulders and pulled her to the side out of earshot of both Kieran and the caretaker. The caretaker raised his eyebrow at him and Kieran simply shrugged just as confused at what the two were planning. 

Carmine and Juliana returned to the site of the destroyed monument shortly with Carmine crossing her arms in a satisfied fashion and Juliana smiling and cradling 4 Poké Balls in her arms.

“If it’s all the same to you, I think that these four should have a say on the project more than anyone else.”

And in four flashes of light appeared Ogerpon, Okidogi, Fezandipiti and Munkidori in front of the caretaker and the ruins of the monument. The caretaker’s face blanched, but he stepped aside wordlessly as Ogerpon strutted past him with the former Loyal Three in tow. The other workers cleared the way for the odd party of Pokémon as well. There was much whispering among the people present, both tourist and townsfolk, at the spectacle about to take place. 

The caretaker spoke on behalf of everyone’s curiosity as he asked, “Wait, they’re getting along???” Then rounding on Juliana suddenly, he exclaimed with spectacles askew. “AND YOU CAUGHT THEM?!” His voice raised an octave.

Juliana stood her ground raising her hands up disarmingly and casually answered the questions out of order. “Well, yeah! Long story actually! They’re friends now too! Another long story! Haha! But well… let’s just say it took plenty of picnics and sandwiches! You really should see them when they’re all sleeping in a pile it’s so-“

“Juliana!” Carmine interjected irritatedly shaking her balled up fists and clenching her teeth. At her side, Kieran was trying and failing to hold back a giggling fit. “Cut to the chase!”

“Oh right!” Juliana tapped her head with her index finger and turned toward the caretaker once more. “Anyway, yeah go ahead and ask them what they think about the project!” 

The caretaker gulped and carefully approached the four. The group regarded him curiously, but the man couldn’t help but feel scrutinized. He addressed Ogerpon first as she seemed the least intimidating, ironic considering her previous reputation in these lands. 

“Dear ogress,” the caretaker bowed. “Ehem, and her esteemed companions.” He gestured quickly to the other three who stole surreptitious glances at each other then at Ogerpon and rolled their eyes. “How do you all feel about restoring the statues here that have been destroyed to their former glory. It really would mean a lot to the people of Kitakami.”

The four huddled together in a circle turning their backs to the caretaker and discussing amongst themselves occasionally peering in the man’s direction. He tried to affect a cool air but his fidgeting hands betrayed his anxiety. The group turned toward him once more and spoke.

“Pon pon ponyo!” Ogerpon chirped.

“Yip-yip yipeeee!” Fezandipiti trilled.

“Grrrrific!” Okidogi barked.

“Mmmm-kay!” Munkidori grunted.  

Ogerpon then pulled her Teal Mask from her cloak as well as her thorn spiked Ivy Cudgel, Fezandipiti spread his wings open wide and lashed his long luxurious tail feather, Okidogi flexed and cracked his knuckles and Munkidori raised his claws to his head invoking his psionic powers. The blood withdrew from the caretaker’s face and he trembled and quaked fearing for what might happen next. 

Kieran, still standing with Carmine and Juliana a few feet away watched the scene unfolding with growing concern. “Should we do something? It looks like it’s gonna get nasty.” 

“Shhh Kiki just watch!” Carmine chastised growing antsy and excited. She dragged both of them closer to her in the crook of her elbows and leaned them forward to get a better look. Juliana wore a bright excited smile, eyes fixated on what the four Pokémon were about to do. Seeing this, Kieran decided to trust the process.

What happened next was the four Pokémon turning away from the caretaker and demonstrating their feelings about the project in no uncertain manner. Ogerpon lifted her cudgel and swung down hard on the remains. Fezandipiti stomped and flapped. Okidogi slammed his fists. And Munkidori lifted the remains with his mind. Anything even remotely recognizable was no more. They turned toward the caretaker yet again panting with exertion but glowing with self-righteous triumph. 

“Ahem!” The caretaker coughed both out of nerves and the dust that arose from the Pokémon’s activities. “Point well taken! However, we will still need to replace it with something, but we’ll make sure to consult you when we come up with ideas.”

Ogerpon, Okidogi, Munkidori and Fezandipiti  nodded both at each other and the caretaker seeming satisfied with this arrangement. Kieran stared amazed and found himself cheering with the others who were present. 

Carmine gave him a nudge with a smug smirk on her face. “See Kiki!”

“Wowzers! Never thought I’d be rootin’ for the Loyal Three!” Kieran exclaimed wide-eyed. “Though Sis, I think you’ve been hangin’ around Drayton too much. This plan has him written all over it.” 

“How dare you compare me to that toothpaste-haired bozo!” Carmine spun upon her brother and shook with anger, veins popping from her forehead. “As if I couldn’t come up with an excellent idea without his influence! I’m just as clever as he is, if not moreso! Please!” 

“WAH Ok ok i get it!”

.
.
. 

Juliana and Kieran laughed heartily as they reminisced about the event. Wrappers scattered about on the floor as evidence of their intermittent snacking. Juliana let out a large yawn and a few moments later Kieran followed suit. 

“Phew!” Juliana let out an exhale and rubbed her eyes sleepily. “All that confessing and reminiscing wore me out, but I feel so much better now!” And she proceeded to flop backwards across the futon dramatically. 

Kieran remained seated where he was gazing at her fondly for several moments. He was snapped out of his reverie when he remembered something important. 

“Wait…” he began. “Does Sis know you were gonna tell me all this?” 

Juliana pulled herself up to a sitting position and faced Kieran once more answering him. “Oh yeah of course! We talked about it. She didn’t know WHEN I was going to tell you and that I was going to sneak into your room  to do it, but y’know haha!” 

Kieran raised an eyebrow and huffed out a chuckle as he smirked at her. 
“You’re a bold kid Juliana!” 

“A-anyway!” Juliana continued, a bit bashful from his comment. “Don’t worry about telling her you know. I’ll tell her I told you. Unless you want to of course. Up to you! She’s your sister after all.”

Kieran winced at the prospect. He didn’t want to tell her himself and he didn’t want to put it all on Juliana either. It was going to be awkward in any case, but he thought maybe if they did it together, it wouldn’t be so bad, and he expressed to Juliana as such. 

“I-I think it’d be best if we both told her, y’know? I just want it all in the open and us on the same page so we can all move on.”

“Alright!” Juliana clasped her hands together. “We’ll settle it all in the morning. I’m sooooo tired!” And she flopped back onto the futon once more. 

Kieran smiled but a few moments later the realization that Juliana would be sleeping in his room and right next to him on his futon in his grandparents’ house with his sister a few doors down caused his heart to race. The prevailing stillness in the room and throughout the house enabled Juliana to hear his rapid heartbeat that called attention to his anxieties. 

“Kieran…” Juliana began gently. “I can go back to my room if you want.” And here she began to falter as her voice wavered. “I-I forgot where I was for a moment. I just… I just got so comfortable I…”

Comfortable he thought. She was comfortable here with him? Why, it made him feel all funny and tingly inside just like the first time she referred to them as friends! Now he really didn’t want her to go. He had to figure something out though, but before he could think, he blurted out louder than he intended, “Don’t go!”

Juliana looked at him wide-eyed, nodded her head down slowly and said with relief in her voice, “Ok I’ll stay the rest of the night here. I-it’s just your grandparents. Will they say anything?” Juliana asked with concern. She didn’t want to break their hospitality and jeopardize her friendship with Kieran and Carmine by doing something they might deem untoward in their own home. They seemed like open-minded people, but she was nonetheless hesitant to take such a risk with them. 

“I think if I explained it’d be fine.” Kieran shrugged, not entirely convinced. “I-I can sleep in another part of the room so it won’t look so bad and you can have the futon for the night!” He added quickly. 

Incredulous and taken aback, Juliana shot straight up and exclaimed with a hand on her chest. “I’m not kicking you out of your own bed. You take the futon!” 

Kieran shook his head furiously, pointing at her. “You’re the guest so you take it! It’s just for one night!”

Juliana growled in frustration. 

Kieran growled back. 

The two stubborn souls were at an impasse and an uneasy silence pervaded the room as they sneered at each other. A sudden flash of light coming from Juliana’s waist snapped them both back to the present for but a second before they continued as a little ogre resembling an orange shrub appeared in front of them. Caught in the middle of their gazes, Ogerpon turned her little horned head to-and-fro staring at both of them in turn, her star blossom pupils widening with curiosity and then constricting immediately once she saw their glares directed at each other over her head.

She bared her small fangs and let out an exasperated roar, “GRRRAOOO PON PON!!!” 

This is what served to break up the tension between the two teens and all their attention was upon the little ogre who stood between them tapping her foot indignantly with her cheeks puffed out. Though many times their ages, she appeared quite youthful and had a childlike quality about her at times. Even now as she tried to chastise them as a parent might, her mannerisms and her stature at this moment were petulant. Kieran and Juliana could not help but laugh. 

“Haha Amiga!” Juliana chuckled. “You really surprised us! It’s just as well though. Maybe you can help us with something?” 

Amiga turned directly toward Juliana and peered suspiciously at her, but nodded her head in agreement nonetheless, giving a tentative “Poni…”

Juliana kneeled and clasped the prehensile ends of Amiga’s cloak in her hands. “Thank you Amiga.” And then she asked her. “What do you think Kieran and I should do? Should he or I sleep on the futon tonight?” 

As Amiga took her time to think, Kieran looked on at the two marveling at their bond. Juliana had a certain way with Pokémon that Kieran admired and even envied, though not quite as strongly as before. It had seemed to him that she could instantaneously gel with any Pokémon, but he found the “instantaneous” part to be untrue upon the encounter with Pecharunt and from her descriptions of her battles with the former “Loyal” Three. Still, once under her care they had trust in her. He suspected this is what enabled her to bring former bitter enemies like Amiga, Okidogi, Munkidori and Fezandipiti together as friends and teammates. She seemed to him to be the glue that held her friend groups together.

Come to think of it, Ogerpon—now Amiga—hadn’t had a nickname before… He wondered what had changed. Juliana did usually nickname her Pokémon—a notable example being Abanico her Koraidon, also known as her “ trusty steed” as she affectionately called them—but it felt like it had taken her longer to commit to a name for a Pokémon who had become so dear to her. Before he could ponder upon this seeming discrepancy any further, the subject of his concerned thoughts was right before him staring at him with her cute orange face and tugging him upright from his sitting position. 

Amiga escorted him the very short distance to the width of the futon and in a show of strength and restraint promptly but gently flipped him onto it. 

“What the-“

But before he could finish his exclamation, he felt a soft thump beside him and when he turned over, Juliana’s face was right in front of his. He felt the heat rise to his cheeks as he felt her breath on his face. His eyes darted to Amiga who stood above them briefly and when observed, turned around and sat at the foot of the futon like a little guardian statue. He turned to Juliana again. 

“Why did she do that???”

Juliana shrugged and answered him cryptically but not without humor. “The ogre has strange ways Kieran.”

Kieran pursed his lips in response to this. That didn’t answer his question at all. In fact, it lead to even more questions from the boy. 

“So, like… is she just gonna stay there for the rest of the night? She’s not gonna return to her ball? Wait… why did you have her ball on ya in the first place?!” 

Kieran had asked this last question in an accusatory tone that caught Juliana off guard and she averted her gaze from him. This simultaneously inspired a confirmation of his suspicions and a sense of guilt. He was already this deep. He might as well be straightforward. 

“Did you not trust me?” There was a bitter sadness to his voice and he felt hot tears blurring his vision.

Juliana felt as if she had taken a heavy blow to the chest when he said this. Nonetheless, she was unsure of what exactly he meant by that. Not trust him? Not trust him about what exactly? Her confusion, palpable on her face, led her into a line of questioning of her own. 

“Kieran… I-I don’t understand… What do you mean by that? Not trust you?”

This served to incense him. There was frustration in her voice but it was impossible for him to know that the frustration expressed was directed at herself for not being able to figure out the cause of his distress concerning Amiga’s appearance. He found himself shuddering and shaking in an attempt to dissipate the rage he felt and so that he could properly form a response. Suddenly, he felt the calming pressure of two slender hands on his shoulders. Part of him wanted to swat them away, but the other part that didn’t won. It was late and he was too tired to put up any more of a fight. 

Juliana patiently waited, grateful that the gamble she took proved fruitful. Perhaps she shouldn’t have, but she took it a step further by pressing her forehead to his,  taking deep breaths and waiting for him to follow her example until both suitably calmed down. There was a pressing awareness of how precarious and intimate their position was. If someone in the house had walked in, this would be difficult to wave away and explain as something entirely innocent, even though it was. 

Kieran was the first to pull away from Juliana’s face though he still allowed her hands on his shoulders as a stabilizing presence. Finally able to speak but still trembling a little, Kieran quietly muttered an answer to Juliana’s questions. 

“I-I thought you brought her cuz ya thought I was gonna hurt you over what you told me about Sis…” 

Juliana covered her mouth to stifle a gasp and her eyes widened in silent shock. First, she felt terrible for not considering that interpretation. She felt just as tactless as the time she accidentally kept Amiga on her team for her championship match against Kieran. She remembered his exact words:

“You’ve got some nerve… Bringing out the ogre NOW of all times!”

Second, she felt bad about recurring ugly feelings that had managed to return regarding the little ogre at the foot of the futon. Flashes of resentment toward her would flare up from time to time as she was a reminder of what she thought she had lost with Kieran. In her worst moments, Juliana even considered releasing Amiga. And yet… she deeply cherished the time spent with her and the memories they made together. From the first time meeting her at the festival to now, they played, battled and made new friends… It wasn’t always harmonious, but even with the guilt she was glad that she had chosen her even if there had been times she wished things were different.

She sighed deeply looking to Kieran once more before she replied. “Kieran… I didn’t bring her to be my bodyguard. I… didn’t even consider that you would physically hurt me…”

At this, Kieran released the tension in his shoulders and they slumped. Eyes still glossy from the tears he shed earlier, his expression was soft as he looked at Juliana ruefully and extremely guilt-ridden. “Aw man… That was… I didn’t mean…” And he sniffled unable to speak any further.

Juliana waited a moment and continued with her explanation. “While I didn’t think you would hurt me, I-I was still really nervous to tell you and needed moral support even if it was just bringing her ball. And if it went badly and you didn’t wanna be friends anymore…” 

Here she paused taking a long breath and wiping away stray tears. 

“If you didn’t wanna be friends anymore then you could have had the chance to say goodbye to her.” 

Kieran felt utterly deflated and curled into himself. He let his impulses get the better of him again and assume the worst of intentions of someone who was only looking out for his best interests. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! He thought.

He hadn’t realized he had verbalized this thought until he felt Juliana shake him from his stupor.

“You’re not stupid! I understand ok!”

A dawning realization hit him then and he sheepishly said to her, “Heh, guess startin’ from zero’s pretty impossible for us huh?”

“Yeah… I don’t think it was a bad idea necessarily though… “ Juliana shrugged. “I think it gave us a chance to build a better foundation than the one before.”

She proceeded to lean on her elbow, cheek in her palm facing him. “If there’s something I’ve learned, it’s to not hold anything back from friends both human and Pokémon. I first learned it from Abanico. When you depend on someone to transport you from one side of a bottomless gorge to another, well you kinda have to have that trust and openness!”

Both snickered at this, then Juliana went on. 

“Then through our battles I learned it with Nemona, then Arven as he opened up more and more about Mabosstiff and his mom, then with Penny when she revealed herself as Cassiopeia to both me and Team Star. And finally…”

Kieran leaned in.

“I learned the consequences of holding back from you. I’m sorry…”

“That’s why it was so important for me to come to you tonight.”

Kieran closed his eyes. He was overwhelmed, but in a good way this time. He felt cherished, valued and much loved. It had been a long night but one worth staying up for. He nearly found himself drifting off to sleep from the relief and euphoria when he remembered something from earlier.

“Hey Juliana… Sorry for almost dozin’ off on ya there. But, there’s something else I’ve been wonderin’…” 

With eyelids heavy and droopy with sleep, Juliana stretched and yawned, doing her best to give Kieran her full attention as she too was exhausted from the night’s events. 

“Yesh Kiki…” she groggily slurred. 

Kieran felt his heart flutter. She had never used a nickname for him before. A nagging, ungrateful part of him perhaps wished she had come up with a different one than the one used by his sister. Maybe with time. Even so, hearing her say those particular two syllables to refer to him made him utterly giddy! 

“Well, Jules… er Juli…Gah!” he stammered, struggling to reciprocate the gesture with a nickname of his own for her. He liked “Jules” as a more masculine counterpart to his more feminine “Kiki” (plus, he thought her eyes shined just like jewels especially when she smiled). He thought “Juli” was a cute option too and it sort of sounded like “July”—the peak of summer—the season in which they met. Decisions Decisions. Here I go overthinking again, he thought. 

“What’s wrong?” Juliana tilted her head toward him with concern. 

“I-it’s just… You called me Kiki…” he answered rather bashfully stroking a stray strand of hair.

She became alert then, all previous grogginess gone. “Oh! I didn’t realize! Did you… not want me to call you that?”

He shook his head vigorously. “No no! I erm really liked it and um was tryin’ to come up with something for you but I couldn’t decide between Jules or Juli ehehe.”

Caught by surprise, she blushed then, fiddling with the loose strand of hair that Kieran untied earlier in subconscious emulation of him with the only difference being she occasionally also twirled it around her finger. This was not lost on Kieran who twirled his own lock as well. 

“Well, you can call me whichever, I don’t mind either way.” Juliana giggled jovially. 

“Heh alright!” Kieran smirked. Then, he remembered the topic at hand once he realized he had gotten distracted yet again. “Oh right speaking of nicknames! Og- er Amiga didn’t have a nickname before. When did you decide to give her one?”

Juliana closed her eyes deep in thought. This lasted for enough time that it seemed to Kieran she had fallen asleep. He was considering reaching out to awaken her when she reached in her pajama pants pocket and pulled out a Poké Ball presenting it to him. Amiga’s Poké Ball. He had never taken a close look at it before. The top half was a verdant green with a golden circle in the top middle flanked by two red markings that resembled inverted tear drops on each side. The bottom was white typical of a common Poké Ball with the top and bottom halves bisected by a black line and the button mechanism to enlarge or shrink the ball as well as release or return the Pokémon inside. 

A Friend Ball.

“I named her the Paldean word for ‘friend’,”she began, tossing the ball up and down as she spoke. “I always had the name in mind for her, but I never felt right calling her it until recently. I guess… I felt like I was being unfair to my other friends as if I was calling her my definitive friend over everyone else.”

“What changed then?” 

“Well,” she started, deftly catching the Friend Ball one final time as she did. “A lot actually. Amiga was pretty good at fitting herself into the team for the most part. It was easy for her to make friends with a lot of the Pokémon I had caught. But I think what really made me finally commit was the incident in Loyalty Plaza when I saw her, Binky, Hugo and Bishi-er Nishikikouji working so well together independently from me.” 

“Binky, Hugo and Nishikikouji?” Kieran gave her a quizzical look and then realized. “OH! Okidogi, Munkidori and Fezandipiti? You named them too!” 

“Yep!” Juliana beamed. “Finally figured out fitting ones for them.” 

“And…?”

“Pecharunt?” Juliana finished for him. “Doro.” She said bluntly. 

“Wowzers! That’s one loaded name!”

“Figured it fit a body snatcher from the East.” Juliana said with a wry smile. 

“Oh! Doesn’t it also mean ‘hard’ in Paldean?” Kieran mused, a finger to his chin. “Ha! Just like a peach pit.” He added with a dazzling smile, proud of himself for remembering some of the Paldean he learned.

“Well…” Juliana began to correct, suddenly a bit embarrassed not for his sake, but for her own. “‘Duro’ is the word for ‘hard’ but they sound so similar that I’m a little ashamed I didn’t make the connection myself haha!”

“Ah!” Kieran shrunk into himself a little, both due to being mistaken and Juliana’s praise. He shook the shame off and inquired some more about the Subjugation Pokémon she had caught. “Is Doro finding their place on the team?”

Here Juliana frowned furrowing her brow, a troubled look in her eyes. “Not quite… I mean I just caught them and it took a long time for Amiga and the Loyal Three to fully get along… Amiga has an especially strong reaction to Doro with a vehemence I didn’t see with Binky, Hugo and Nishikikouji. And Doro refuses to associate with them for whatever reason. They get along with Abanico though! I do have to make sure they don’t eat Doro’s mochi though ahaha!”

“There seems to be a history between the five of them but I’m not sure what. Unfortunately Pokemon-human communication is still kinda limited in some ways.” She sighed resignedly.

“Whatever happened it’s possible they might not ever fully get along…” speculated Kieran. 

At this comment, Juliana’s face expressed such despair and heartbreak he almost felt tempted to retract it, but that would be doing a disservice to the relationship of trust they were trying to build again. So instead, he added, “But! I’ll do my best to help you whatever way I can Jules! Promise!” 

And he offered his pinky to her. Her eyes moved up slowly to meet his and she raised her hand extending her own pinky in return, making a wordless agreement as they intertwined their fingers with a firm shake. 

Conversation ended there. The two were beyond exhausted but still needed to figure out sleeping arrangements. They had nearly forgotten the presence before them despite her being a major topic of conversation when both were startled by a POP! then a fizz, followed by a tangy, sharp and fruity aroma wafting throughout the room. There were several gulps followed by a satisfied sigh. Wrapped around the end of Amiga’s cloak was the neck of a bottle of-

“Sake!” Kieran found himself nearly screaming out as he clutched both sides of his head. “Wowzers! We are beyond in trouble! Alcohol AND sleeping in the same room. We’ll be accused of debauchery for sure!” 

Juliana could not speak as she had doubled over clutching her stomach to keep from laughing too much. Kieran simply stared at her blinking his eyes rapidly and nearly tearing his hair out. Amiga turned her head around to see what the commotion was about and found Kieran with his hands held palm up looking from her to Juliana beseeching her to do something. She tilted her head toward the girl assessing her to be fine and turned her attention back to her bottle of sake, taking one final big swig and emptying its contents.  What she did next Kieran did not expect. 

“OPON!” She made a swinging motion as if to smash the bottle on the floor.

“Nononononono!” Kieran jumped to his feet ready to leap towards her. 

And her eyes twinkled mischievously as she swiftly arced the empty bottle upwards and inwards into the recesses of her cloak. Kieran fell to his knees in exasperated relief. He looked to Amiga who was swaying  to-and-fro happily as if nothing had happened and shifted his glance which turned into a glare at Juliana who had largely recovered from earlier. 

She raised up her hands disarmingly towards him wearing a lop-sided grin. A few stray fits of laughter escaping as she began to explain, “Ki-haha- Ki- Kiki, oh my gosh I’m so sorry! Just know that I did NOT give her that!”

The boy scratched his head with one hand completely puzzled. “Don’t tell me she stole it from Gramps and Grandma!”

Juliana shook her head still smiling. “No no not at all. Um… your grandpa was actually the one to give it to her.”

“When was that?!” Kieran exclaimed feeling entirely left out of the loop. 

“Don’t you remember he was telling us stories passed down by your ancestor about Amiga and one of them involved her pilfering from the village brewery and discovering how much she liked sake?”

“Uh huh,” Kieran nodded. “That’s why I thought she had just taken it.” 

“Right!” And Juliana went on. “You had left after that but your grandpa pulled me and Amiga to the side and asked me if it was ok if he gave her a bottle. And of course I said yes! I… maybe said it a little too enthusiastically though because he made Amiga promise not to give me any.”

“Pfft! Well, he won’t hafta worry about that because she downed that whole bottle just now. She did NOT wanna share!” Kieran said pointing at Amiga with his thumb. 

Amiga turned around and responded to this  with an inelegant belch. 

Kieran covered his face with both hands and Juliana pinched her nose and scolded her doing her best not to reveal her amusement at her shenanigans. “Amiga that was very rude and smelly! You ought to apologize!”

She approached them both spreading her leaves open wide and hugged both of them bringing them together and nuzzling into their shoulders. She uttered a muffled “Pon Poni…” which served as apology enough and they hugged her back. For the fourth, but not final time that night, she took the teens by surprise and she pushed them onto the futon falling with them face first as they fell on their backs. 

Kieran, starting to become more familiar with the ogre’s antics, took a guess this time as to what she planned. He turned his head to Juliana looking over Amiga’s sharp wooden horns. 

“Think this is her way of tellin’ us it’s time for bed and that this is how we’re gonna sleep with her in the middle?”

Juliana let out an amused chuckle. “I think so! I think she’s a bit tipsy too to be honest haha!”

“Wowzers! If all that is what it takes to get her just a bit tipsy, she’s got a pretty high tolerance!” Kieran mused, continually amazed even now at the creature before him. 

“Mmhmm! Probably why your gramps was even willing to give her a bottle in the first place!”

“Maybe…” Kieran mused not entirely convinced. “But I think it’s cuz he’s just got a massive soft spot for her!” He said with more conviction. 

“Like you?” Juliana teased giving him a big wink and a dazzling smile. “Must run in the family!” 

Kieran got momentarily flustered but then spat back, “Not just me! Sis too! Now anyway.” His voice trailed off with that last addition. 

“Amiga, get her!” Kieran suddenly commanded in a playful manner.

Amiga opened her mouth wide yawning exaggeratedly and turned away from him scratching her white flower scut.

“Spurned by the ogre yet again!” Kieran comically groaned and put the back of his hand to his head with a dramatic flourish. 

Juliana shook her head and gave Amiga a pat on the head. She responded by giving a small tired chirp and rolled on her back. In her exhaustion, she got careless when swinging her head and nearly grazed the two teens with her horns.

“Mind your horns Amiga! ¡No nos oger-pongas los cuernos!”

Kieran made a strange noise between a gasp and a groan. “Juliana! That’s bad!” He exclaimed, incredulously shaking his head, recognizing what the idiom meant and also the pun she added to it. 

Juliana simply cackled with devilish relish and both her and Kieran found some socks to put over Amiga’s horns so she would not accidentally impale them in their sleep. Afterwards, Juliana flopped to the left side of Amiga who had sprawled herself out on the futon with her cloak spread like wings in restful bliss. The little ogre was already starting to snore which made Juliana giggle.

Kieran had taken position at Amiga’s right side. He found himself smiling at the two, happy to have them both in his life, even if it wasn’t quite the way he imagined—particularly with Amiga. Juliana returned his smile with a sleepy grin of her own and closed her eyes but not without saying, 

“Goodnight Kiki. And… thank you. So much.”

Kieran blushed at the praise, though he found himself feeling slightly confused. “For what?” 

“For still being my friend after everything.” She said simply. 

“Aw shucks Juli… I’m glad you’re still my friend too.” Kieran said bashfully. And he yawned a deep yawn, sleep beginning to overtake him but not before bidding Juliana a final: “Sleep tight! See ya in the morning!” 

And so they drifted off to sleep facing each other looking across Amiga. A few moments into their slumber, something with a leafy texture reached for both of their wrists from each side pulling them together. They both initially resisted the tugging but Amiga was persistent and they eventually relented as they realized she was doing it for their sakes. In fact, the cheeky little ogre refused to let go of their wrists until she felt their fingers intertwine over her. The two glanced at each other and then at Amiga whose eyes were shut tight the entire time feigning ignorance and they covered their mouths with their free hands to stop from bursting out laughing. This was the fifth and final time she surprised them that night and it was not unwelcome. The two had the ogre’s blessing, so come what may in the morning, they both had a feeling it would all turn out fine.