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He had awakened with a tense jaw and a tight chest. What time was it? Still early, if Satoshi referred to the light coming through the window - that specific light between night and not yet morning. He had an... Unpleasant dream. He was feeling a bit uneasy... And yet comfortable, as he noticed the presence by his side. Goh was still sleeping next to him. They probably had fallen asleep as they were talking and watching silly videos, yesterday. Goh's face was relaxed, against the soft pillow, and, as he was trying to not remember the details of his nightmare, Satoshi found himself caught in the vision. Suddenly the unpleasant dream was a simple blur, and the boy in front of him was a much more interesting view to study, and he tried to focus on it. Anyone could notice his delicate features, but now Satoshi was taking the advantage to really look at them, half distracting himself from his own mind, and half... The caramel skin, his thin, perfectly arched eyebrows that were always so expressive... Satoshi kinda liked it when he frowned while analysing something, or looked perplexed at something he did - or even furrowed them in disapproval. He liked how Goh’s emotions, as much as he thought the contrary, were easy to read on his face. Satoshi's eyes stopped a bit on his slightly open, slightly wet lips - a mesmerizing vision.
His breathing was faint, barely audible through the silent room, and as he was watching Goh, remains of his dream were fading away, and a feeling of calm and peace replaced slowly the uneasiness. He felt... Relaxed. Safe.
It was funny, he realized absentmindedly. When he was travelling before, he would never stay too long in an empty, quiet room after waking up.
Quiet was too loud.
The call of adventure outside, too exciting.
But here and now - and everytime he was awake before Goh, actually - he did enjoy it. The world not yet awake, everything and everyone so still, Pikachu's warm little body pressed against his back.
It felt warm, cosy. It felt right. He didn't mind staying like this, cuddled close to each other, like a little bubble of their own, the world outside not quite a reality yet. The world could wait.
For the time being, that was a little world on their own, here, in this room, in this bed. Sure, he could get up and go for a run, like he usually did in the morning, especially after a nightmare. But he just wanted to stay here. His body not far from Goh's. His face mere inches away. The first rays of light piercing slowly through the windows, listening to the pokébirds chirping as day was rising, and his heartbeat adjusting to Goh's soft breathing. Slowly, even before thinking about it, his fingers reached for Goh's hand and slipped on his palm. Goh's delicate fingers loosely curled around his own, in his sleep, and Satoshi closed his eyes. It grounded him, and he let a content sigh escape, refraining the need to get closer,and to press his forehead against Goh's.
Was it something friends would usually do? It's not something he used to do with his other friends, for sure. But every time Goh's hand was in his own, it just felt right. It had happened quite a lot, through their adventures, and it had become a familiar touch for both of them. With time, it did happen more and more outside of necessary moments, though. Or at least, less urgent, death-defying situations. As if lately, anything could become an excuse.
And he couldn't explain how, or why, but the more he was with Goh, the more everything seemed to fall into place - even though he would be unable to define what was everything, exactly. He just knew that, whenever he was with Goh, the feeling of loneliness would faint greatly, disappear, even.
He felt so grateful to Lugia for having brought him this precious friend.
His... friend.
No.
Why did friend not seem quite right for Goh? They were friends. One of the best friends he ever had, actually. But as much as he cherished his friendships, more than anything, the word seemed... not quite enough for Goh, for what they had. Or at least, it was enough, but there was more.
His friend.
His research fellow partner.
His adventure companion.
His confident.
His... His Goh.
It did feel different from the rest of his friends. How he could be relaxed when they were together, never feeling any pressure around Goh. Not to be a rival, not to be the better fighter, not to be the leader, not to be the freaking Chosen One. He could just... be.
Goh shifted a bit in his sleep, and before Satoshi could decide if he should let go of his hand or not, he opened his eyes, his long eyelashes flustering as he tried to adjust to the soft light.
"Uh...good morning." Goh didn't seem awake enough yet to mind the fingers intertwined with his, it seemed, because there wasn't the tiniest blush on his cheeks.
Selfishly, the trainer kept holding on to his hand.
"Good morning." There was a little knot in his throat, realizing he was probably the one blushing a bit right now - even though he didn't quite understand why.
"Did you wake up a long time ago?" Goh inquired, squeezing his hand.
"Not really. I..." he let his words die, and Goh just caught something about a dream in his mumbling, connecting the dots.
"Is it fine, now?" he asked gently.
The tone was concerned, yet inviting. Do you need to talk about this? Goh was offering him a safe place, as often, yet wasn't pushing him. Besides, right now...
"It is." Satoshi breathed out, closing his eyes and imperceptibly moving closer, seeking his grounding presence. He took the moment in for a few seconds, focusing on the warmth that was Goh's hand in his, his fingers slightly twitching, as if hesitant to initiate a more intimate gesture, before opening his eyes again.
Goh was facing him, sleep still in his blue eyes, not saying a word. Satoshi was feeling entranced by this piercing gaze, and they stayed a while like this, looking at each other, the world still around them.
Satoshi’s eyes traveled once more to Goh’s lips - why -, stopping on the dark little cut that was not totally healed, and the trainer raised a hand, not quite cupping Goh’s face, but the tip of his thumb caressing his lower lip.
“It’s still there...” he whispered, as Goh’s heart (who was a bit more awake, now) got caught in his throat, barely daring to breathe as Satoshi’s fingertip brushed the little wound.
Maybe now...
"Hiba!!"
The sleepy complaint made the two research fellows jump in surprise, their hands separating, as Hibanny climbed on his trainer's flank, requiring attention. The little bunny crawled into Goh's arms with a pouty expression, obviously upset to have lost his place during the night,demanding hugs and pets; and, with a sigh and a little laugh, Goh indulged, gently scratching his belly and kissing his fluffy head until Hibanny's frown turned upside down.
Satoshi sat down in turn while refraining a groan, trying to come back to the moving world. Thankfully, Pikachu had awakened too with all the fuss, stretching with a "chaaaa" as Satoshi petted his back.
"Pikapi!" he chirped before climbing on his trainer's chest, rubbing his cheek on his chin, and he returned the gesture with glee, like every morning, grateful for the distraction.
And as the world was in motion again, the four of them started to fall into their usual morning routine - because, as their day will roll by, they'll probably find nothing but unexpected twists
and turns, a crazy adventure probably, and unplanned surprises. And as much as they both enjoyed the excitement the life as research fellows would bring, they also were grateful for having all these mundane, domestic little moments to share, before stepping out in this big, beautiful world and all its craze, their relationship steady and strong and constantly blossoming, growing into...
“You’re here?” Goh, an amused look on his face, snapped his fingers in front of Satoshi’s nose, who had stopped his gesture of zapping his backpack midway. The trainer blinked, before setting back on his usual, beaming smile.
“Yeah. Let’s go!”
Something was happening. Something good.