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She was never one to snap so easily.
And yet, she’s only human in the end.
Slim fingers tapped impatiently on her lap. The bench that she sat felt hotter each passing minute, yet Kotone was either too stubborn or too annoyed to move away. Pink lips pursed and popped apart every few minutes. Eyebrows knitted closely on her forehead. Cheeks flushed faintly in a mixture of heat and hurt.
Did he forget? He couldn’t obviously forget. Maybe something was holding him back? Maybe he was rushing from somewhere far? Maybe, just maybe, he’s planning a little surprise for her?
The latter sounded fake. Too fake.
Woe thickened as the sun set high above her head. Lower lip jutted out slightly, Kotone dropped her head and woefully fiddled with her fingers.
He forgot. He had obviously forgotten.
And why should that surprise her? It wasn’t as if she was his top priority. As much as their feelings for each other were mutual, Kotone should know by now that his ego was as high as Mt. Silver. As much as she knew he loved her, the brunette should drill it in her head that Silver would rather bite his tongue than admit his true feelings out loud.
As angry as she was with him, sometimes Kotone rued the fact that her emotions were too strong when it came to him.
He forgot… Acceptance formed like bloody shards, piercing a broken heart and puncturing deep inside its beating flesh. Of course he forgot. She should be used to this by now. It’s Silver we’re talking about. But still, tears pooled inside such dazzling, gleaming hazels. Blurry vision blinked back the desire to cry pathetically in the park, Kotone sucked a fistful of air before finally stomping to her feet. “Fine then.” Sourly mumbling to herself, she clenched her teeth and spun one heel to the side. “I’ll just celebrate my birthday with my Pokémon.” Her heart twisted. “At least they care about me!” It twisted into tight knots.
Hands slowly clenched into fists, she stomped one foot forward-
“And just where do you think you’re going?”
Anger burst into shock at the sound of his voice. Mouth gaped open, Kotone spun around and almost stumbled a single step back at the sight of her despair. “Silver!” His name spurted out without a thought, the brunette clenched her teeth and huffed harshly through her nostrils.
Calm.
She had to be calm.
A long, heavy breath was inhaled and kept briefly inside her lungs. “You’re late.” Words slipped out as she opened her mouth, hazel eyes remained focus on the boy who looked nonchalant and frankly, ignorant.
That formed a crack in her heart.
“Yeah, yeah.”
The lazy wave of his hand and the blunt tone of his response only made the crack bigger.
Unaware of the heartbreak he had caused, Silver slipped both hands into the pocket of his jacket and looked to the side. “I’m here, aren’t I?” Simmering silver eyes spotted a few kids running around freely in the park. “Geez, the reason I was a bit caught up was because some stupid trainers wanted to challenge me.” The obvious twitch of a smirk graced his mouth at the memory. “You should’ve seen the look on those poor brats’ faces.” A chuckle slipped between soft lips. “They were holding back tears.”
She was holding back tears.
Every word, every syllable that she heard, everything from the cocky chuckle to the single scoff, all of it whammed and shattered her heart until it disintegrated into thick, grey dust. Standing just a few feet away, Kotone had had her head down. The hat she usually wore wasn’t present, but a part of her was thankful that the bangs were able to shield her face from his notice. Tiny hands curled into tight, hard fists. Trembling toes curled firmly inside the soft pads of her shoes.
Why would he care? Even if he remembered, why would he even care about her birthday? It’s not like she mattered greatly to him. It’s not like he prioritized her above anything else.
Still, to have that reality haunting upon her, Kotone found it stupid to let it be a reason for her to breathe improperly.
“So…yeah.”
The nonchalance in his voice felt like knives that scraped and ripped her insides. Tears were getting heavier in her eyes. Sobs bubbled and pushed behind pursed lips. She gulped once, twice, trying heavily to hold back the cries in her throat. Taking another slow, deep breath, Kotone widened her eyes and slowly, agonizingly exhaled through her mouth-
“Geez, you don’t have to make a big deal out of it.”
Wow.
Drip…
Just as Silver realized he had spoken so dumbly without thinking, fear struck right in the core of his heart to see tears dripping down the ground that she stood.
Time seemed to have stopped around them. Air thickened greatly until breathing became an impossible task. Colour drained from the redhead’s face, he clenched his teeth and parted his quivering lips. “I-I um…Kotone I-”
It was too late.
“Forget it-!” Voice strained and cracked by the sob in between, Kotone furiously wiped the thick tears with her wrist before spinning around. “I should’ve kn-own b-etter!” Shame ran deep the more she sobbed. “I s-s-should’ve known you w-wouldn’t-” It hurt. “-c-are about me-!” It hurt so much.
As she cried, fear had basically swallowed the colour of his face. The pain his hands twitched and hardened his teeth. Each curl of his fingers only add to the injury of his heartbreak. “Ko…Kotone…” Voice shaken yet trying its best to sound calm, Silver finally took one step forward. “Kotone listen-”
“Shut up!” One arm swung a gap between them, Kotone finally faced him, wide hazel eyes shooting hurtful glares at the stunned boy. “Shut up, shut up, just-” Stomping one foot toward him, “-shut up!” Kotone spun her heel and marched away.
Or rather, she was about to.
“I’m sorry!”
She stopped.
The apology, albeit loud and clear, registered far longer into her startled brain. Black pupils shrunk slightly inside a gleam of hazels. Shoulders jumped once at the sharp sound of his voice. With a single blink, Kotone faced him once again, vision seeing nothing but guilt and discomfort in the rival.
Did she hear him wrong? She might have heard him wrong. Maybe someone else was apologizing to someone else nearby and she heard them. Maybe, just maybe, her desire to hear that single word was so strong, it finally formed into verbal reality that confused her mind.
Or maybe, as she gawked at him nervously looking away and his hands tucking harder inside the pockets of his jacket, Silver was actually apologizing to her.
Pink lips parted open, though words were replaced by short gasps of air. The word finally clicked in her brain, yet the reality of it was still enveloping the trainer. Silence stitched Silver’s mouth. Faint shades of red dusted his cheeks.
Sorry.
He actually said ‘sorry’.
And judging by the tone, by the voice, by the look of it, he was actually sincere.
Her lips slowly pressed closed. Her lips shyly quirked a small smile.
While shock silently simmered in her, Silver had tried his very best to ignore her intense stare. Anxiety pumped his heart to a faster beat. Embarrassment burned his skin right to the tips of his ears. The more he clenched his fists, the more he bit back a hiss. Dull nails carefully pulled away from his scarred palms, Silver mentally counted to three before deciding whether to approach the conversation or just bail entirely-
“Silver.”
Quickly. He needed to decide quickly.
Due to the distressed screams in his mind, Silver almost jumped on the spot when he realized Kotone had stood right in front of him. “Geez-!” Shock huffed out sharply, white teeth seen clenching inside a tight scowl.
And yet, she was unfazed.
“I forgive you.”
Her voice. Her smile. Her forgiveness.
All of it doused down a flicker of a flame that could barely roar ablaze.
Instead, a pout pulled his lower lip. “F-Fine…” Instead, submission twinkled in a pair of brilliant silvers. Hands still firm in his pockets, Silver took a deep breath as he looked at her. “So…” He damned himself for feeling so timid around her lately. “Are we cool?”
He damned himself for melting every time at the sound and sight of her laugh.
“Very cool.” Rosy red tinted her cheeks, Kotone sheepishly reached out for his right arm. “But…you were still late.” Hazel eyes blinked so adorably, Silver swore he could actually die from the heart-throbbing sight. “So, I think you owe me a birthday treat.”
He never did take his hands out, but Silver did scoot closer. “I think I can do that.” Pale pink lips shakily mustering up a smile, the redhead gently inclined her to wrap her arms around his right arm. “I’m feeling a bit generous today.” That smile twitched to a cheeky smirk. “And since it is your special day, I think I have time to spend it with you after all.” Confidence slowly building up at more lovely sounds of her laughter, Silver coughed before walking to a small café in the park.
Happy.
As she walked by his side, his body close to hers, his presence warming her heart, Kotone felt utterly happy.
“I’m sorry!”
And to hear a sincere apology from him for the very first time, she was silently ecstatic; this might be a great development to their budding relationship after all.
—
One year had passed.
One year she had listened to his ‘honest’ apology for the 45th time.
“I’m sorry!”
And it was in that span of one year she started to doubt his sincerity.
“Look!” Right hand furiously ruffling his long crimson locks, Silver shot an annoyed glare. “I’m sorry, alright!” The same hand quickly tucked inside the pockets of his pants, he then scoffed bitterly at her indifference of a reaction.
Now, Kotone wasn’t usually the one to show a temper tantrum. That’s Silver’s forte. But alas, she was only human. As much as she loved him, as she much as she believed – liked to believe – that he loved her, nothing could ever prevent her heart from breaking into a million pieces.
“Wait at the park.” He said.
“I’ll be there in 10 minutes.” He convinced.
Excitement first bloomed her heart when she waited. But as the sun slowly set to rest, as the night sky gracefully loomed above her, that excitement began to dim to pure heartbreak and resent.
It was bad enough he was half a day late.
“It’s okay.”
Kotone was still very, very bitter that he never picked up her calls.
“It’s okay.” The tone of her assurance becoming less convincing the second time, she crossed her arms tightly and pressed her lips to a straight line. “No biggie. It’s not like you were a day late.” How long had she been with him to be so used to his menacing scowls. “You were just-” White teeth gritted harshly. “-6 hours late.” A hiss slowly slipped through clenched teeth, Kotone looked to the side and deafened herself to the sounds of his loud groans.
“I’m sorry!”
46th time. “‘Sorry’…” This was the 46th time. Hazel eyes blinked back tears that were threatened to trickle down. “You could’ve at least called…” Sorrow and anger jumbled twisted painfully together around her beating heart.
While for Silver, anger and regret loomed heavily upon him. “I said I was sorry!”
47th time. “Enough-”
Unfortunately for Silver, he didn’t hear her.
“Look, Kotone!” Both hands now furiously ruffling his hair, Silver gawked at the silent trainer. “I was caught up, okay! I-I was-!” He froze momentarily, guilt tugging his mouth to a tight scowl. “I just…something came up!” Dull nails dug into the skin of his palms again, and he regretted greatly as pain shot through his nervous system.
She didn’t give any immediate reaction. He started to panic.
“Sorry!” was all he could muster at the moment. “I’m really, really sorry!” was all he could lash out from the top of his brain.
And God, the more he said it, the more she felt anger dissolving what’s left of her grief.
“E-Enough…” Her voice rattled weakly as she looked down. “J-ust…e-enough…”
Though silence hanged heavily around them, Silver could barely make out the words – sobs, God, she was sobbing – that came out of her mouth. “K-Kotone?” Immediately fear lulled out of his trembling mouth. “Hey… Hey Kotone…?” Immediately his scowl withered down to a frown.
She didn’t respond. He started to panic.
“Hey…” Right hand slipped out of his pocket and stretched towards her, Silver cautiously moved one step forward. “Listen um…” His widened eyes began to twitch and squint slightly. The flaring gleam in a pair of silver eyes dimmed softly. “Come on, Kotone…” Sharp gaze realized the shake in her hands. A fistful of air was kept tightly in his lungs at the sound of faint sobs.
Fury still boiled in him. Though that fury now was mostly focused on the trainer himself.
Kotone was still still as a stone.
Fortunately, she wasn’t motionless for so long.
“Come on, Kotone!”
Unfortunately, the last straw that caused her to finally move were in the words of: “I said I was sorry!”
“Shut-” Finally, she cocked her head upwards in his direction, “-UP!!”
To see her react in such a brash way, Silver couldn’t help himself from stumbling a few steps backwards. Concern was quickly washed away by shock. Fear spread throughout his body at the sight of her furious glare.
“I’m done!”
Everything happened too fast for Silver, for that sentence alone felt like an excruciating punch to the stomach.
“I don’t w-w-ant to listen to this anymore!” Right hand swung between them, Kotone breathed harshly and shortly between clenched teeth. “I’m done!” Dark pupils shrunk like dots at the sight of him. “I’m done, I’m done, I’m done! Just forget it!” Overwhelmed by sorrow, the brunette stomped hard onto the ground before turning around.
“J-ust-! Leave me alone!!” Head whipping left and right, she ran away.
Or just about to, anyways.
Their world was spinning too fast.
“I’m done!” Silver felt his heart being pierced and punctured into swirled mush.
“I don’t w-w-ant to listen to this anymore!” He felt oxygen being robbed entirely from his lungs.
“I’m done!” Silver irises shrunk. “I’m done, I’m done, I’m done!” Pupils followed suit. His body stiffened. His breathing ragged. “Just forget it!” Pale lips parted slightly, revealing white, chattered teeth.
Kotone wait- He didn’t want her to be mad at him. Ko-Kotone please- He didn’t want her to be sad because of him.
“Just-!”
Stop-!
“Leave me alone!”
Don’t leave me!
The moment he saw her spinning around, the moment he saw her back facing him, Silver almost burst out a short, terrified scream. His mind numbed from fear, he had lost all constraint and reached out for her. His heavy heart pounding harshly in his ribcage, he quickly wrapped both arms around her shoulders.
Their world screeched to a startling stop.
One gawked openly with stunned shock splashed on her face. One hid his face shamelessly with lips trembled against the skin of her neck.
His arms tightened around her, though grip more than once loosen as his steps began to falter. “Pl-ease…” he frailly whimpered. “Just…” Head slowly shaking left and right against the right side of her neck, “please…” Silver took a deep, broken breath before trying his best to hug her close.
As horror rattled him completely, shock had stiffened her body from head to toe. Both arms bent forward. Slender fingers crooked and parted. The beat of her heart echoed loudly in her ears. The beat of his heart pounded gently against her back.
“S-Sil…” His name chattered and broken by parted pink lips, Kotone slowly slid her gaze to the right.
She felt his mouth tremble. She felt something wet trickle. Oh how she loathed herself to melt at the soft brush of his kisses. Oh how she hated herself to stifle a whimper at the feel his arm sliding and snugged around her stomach.
“S-orry…”
Oh how she despised herself to be so forgiving.
Tears pooled in a pair of hazels, Kotone took a slow, deep breath and fluttered her eyes closed. “Hmm,” was all she mustered, yet to Silver, that was all he needed to feel relief washing over him.
He never did let go. Not yet. As an act of gratefulness, he peppered more and more kisses to her neck, to her right shoulder. “I love you…” His meek confession peeped between shaky breaths, Silver placed a long, lingering kiss to a ticklish spot between her neck and shoulder.
Kotone only grieved silently.
She was so sick of his apologies.
But alas, she was never sick of him.
—
Another year had passed after the bitter incident. Their relationship had their ups and downs. They cherished their happy moments. They learned from their sad ones. Kotone knew Silver had some emotional baggage. She knew he needed time and space when it came to showing and proving his love to her. In time, all his apologizes were just words to her, but the trainer knew he meant each and every one sincerely.
She just wished she kept that feeling in the hardest of times.
KA-CHAUWW!! Thunder roared violently in the dark skies. Many people and Pokémon had sought shelter and comfort. Puddles formed on the hard ground and mushy soil. The violent wind howled viciously, blowing anything in its path. And given that it was night time, the cold weather increased tenfold, scraping anyone’s skin with its brutal, delicate brush.
And yet, nothing could ever compare to the icy chill in her heart.
Desiree only looked down at her trainer in sheer concern. Countless of times she had softly whimpered to Kotone about finding warm shelter. But even if the trainer did understand her, Desiree knew Kotone could oftentimes be as stubborn as hell. Hell, even her being out of her Pokéball to become a makeshift roof was a decision entirely her own. If it weren’t for Mewtwo who had taught his teammates on how to pop out of their Pokéballs, the shiny Gyarados knew she would have a hard time doing so.
Kotone only stood in silence. Shivers rattled her body for the past hour. The tiny hairs on her skin prickled painfully at the chilly caress of the wind. And yet, she stood there, motionlessly, a standstill in one place.
“I’m coming!” His voice echoed mockingly in her head. “I’m almost there! Just give me an hour and I’ll be there!” His promise scraped and stomped every shattered bits of her heart.
She wondered if she was a fool all this time. She wondered if this was some sort of punishment from God above for all the sins she’d accidentally done. She loved him with all her heart; she really did. Through all the trials and tribulations the two had gone together, Kotone should have anticipated that this moment was bearable and expected for her.
It was expected. But it was deeply, horrifyingly unbearable.
It hurt. Her small hands slowly curled into tight, rough fists by her sides.
“Kotone!”
It hurt too much.
The moment he saw her figure, Silver run hastily until he almost tripped forward. “Kotone!” Gasping for air as he stopped right in front of her, the redhead then gawked in sheer shock at her condition. “Geez, Kotone! Where’s your umbrella and jacket?” Even the thought of having none of them brought him to shivers. Right hand gripping the handle of his own umbrella, Silver brought the red paper bag close to his chest with his left arm.
She didn’t give a single response.
Her head still dropped low until locks of brown hair slid to the side. Her fists pressed firmly on her sides. Although the Gyarados was shielding her, she was still soaked from the waist down due to the wind’s harsh blow. Shivers pricked and pierced every inch of her body, yet Kotone stood perfectly still; the only movement from her was sharp nails digging deep into the skin of her palms.
Silver knew he was in trouble.
He knew it was his fault. He knew, he knew, he knew. And he was terrified to the very bone to see her like this.
“H-ey.” Voice cracked slightly from the fear that bubbled within, Silver inhaled slowly before straightening his posture. “Look, I know I was late.” Ego rattled poorly at every second between them, he held on to what’s left of his dignity and hastily continued, “I…I uh…” Unfortunately, both his dignity and ego wavered and withered, leaving nothing but fear and guilt twisting around his heart.
The paper bag was pressed and clutched hard against his chest.
Say something! Say anything! “You should’ve brought an umbrella, you know.” Shit not that! “I-I mean-!” Pitifully trying to redeem himself from such a disgusting time for a joke, Silver swiftly shook his head and hissed between clenched teeth.
She still didn’t move.
Panic bloomed between that fear and guilt. “Look, Kotone…” Frown curved wider and teeth chattered from the cold and in shame, Silver took another deep breath and nervously opened his mouth, “I’m sor-”
Pap.
The apology was silenced completely once Kotone pressed both hands onto his mouth.
Silver eyes widened in shock. Pale lips parted at the feel of cold palm. He gawked silently at her head that was still dropped forward. He gawked silently at the feel of her hands, her body shivering so wildly.
“Don’t.”
The chilly tone of her voice was far, far colder than any wind that blew past him.
“D-on’t…”
Her hands trembled terribly, palm actually brushing up and down his gaping mouth. Silver eyes were wide as they could be, silently gawking and focused on the trainer.
Ko-Kotone-?
“I-I-” Her stern voice cut off his train of thought. “I j-just…” Though thunder roared madly a few feet away, all he could hear was the rasped, choppy sound of her breath. “I-have ha-ad-” Finally Kotone looked up, “-enough!”
Not once in his life had he seen such hatred in a pair of hazels.
He never wanted to see it ever again.
“Am I nothing to you?!” The last thread of her patience snapping into two, Kotone slid one foot forward. “Is our relationship some sort of a joke?!” Hands still pressed to his mouth, the Pokémon trainer clenched her fingers roughly before stomping once. “I’m ti-ired!” Voice strained in a mixture of sobs and screams, Kotone clenched her teeth and shakily looked at the ground.
The redhead was at lost for words. Any expression and response were portrayed in the gleam of his eyes. His grip on the umbrella was tight. His grip on the red paper bag was tighter.
“I’m-tired…” Tears trickled down to where puddles of rain had formed. Even the low purrs of her Gyarados made her stifle a piercing scream. “I-” She gulped once. “I-I’ve b-b-een waiting…” Lower lip quivered pitifully, Kotone sucked a fistful of air. “I wait-ed and waited… I tru-usted you and w-wai…ted… I a-actually thought you would cha-ange…” Each breath that she took became raspier and more uneven. “I a-a-actually thought…you lo-” Hic. “-me.”
She was nothing to him; she should’ve realized that from the first time he met her.
“You…never did…” But she was stubborn. “You…You never…” And she was now paying the price.
Rain poured heavier. Thunder cracked louder.
Kotone… The more she spoke, the more terrified he became. Kotone wait-
“I’m…tired…”
Something sharp pierced right between his heart. Kotone what’re you-
“You never cared about…m-me…” Her breathing became slower.
His breathing became harsher. Kotone no I-
“You never….” Tears trailed down his cheeks. “You never…love me.”
Tears pooled in his eyes. Kotone please-p-please wait I-
“We’re OVER!”
KACHAUWW!!!
Their world stopped completely.
Silence fell deep between them. The atmosphere thickened tenfold around them. One still looked down to the ground as if the back of her head was being pressured by something unbearably heavy. One still stared forward, empty and broken gaze now hidden by crimson bangs.
After long, heavy, agonizing seconds, Kotone felt heavy rain pouring down on her; even without looking up, she’d realized that the umbrella had been slowly dropped and released to the side. Her hair was soaked in seconds before Desiree frantically shielded them both. But Kotone couldn’t even care about her health or look right now. Her broken heart and tangled mind was too focused on the man that stayed silent in front of her.
Silent.
He was silent.
He didn’t scream. He didn’t scowl.
He didn’t apologize.
Her breathing became choppy again.
Couldn’t bear to even take a glimpse of his face, Kotone finally pulled her hand away and slapped them to her thighs. Vision temporarily blurred by thick tears, the trainer spun her heel and made a mad dash for it. Upon realizing that she was running away in the pouring rain, Desiree watched the two trainers in distress before floating as fast as she could to her trainer’s direction.
Kotone hated herself for being so crestfallen at the fact that he didn’t chase after her.
—
It had been 8 hours since the horrible fight.
It had been 8 hours that Kotone sulked in her bedroom. The bed that she lay was soaked and hectic. The sheets were a crumpled mess. The pillows were seen closer to the walls instead of being near the headboard. The poor trainer sprawled pathetically on her bed, right cheek numbly pressed to the mattress and hazel eyes red and burning.
All six of her Pokémon had been out of their balls the moment she reached home. All of them were in a state of panic and concern over her. Some tried to cheer her up and purring loudly and whimpering like a baby Pokémon. Some even tried to make funny tricks in hopes that it would trigger a smile on their beloved trainer’s face.
Sadly, none of them were effective.
And, especially much to the Typhlosion’s dismay, they all knew there could only be one way to make her happy again.
Unfortunately, that source of joy didn’t even bother to call her.
It was her fault. She did ask for it. Kotone always knew he was growing tired of her. Hell, she should’ve figured he never even liked her in the first place. She was just helping him so that he wouldn’t be put to blame for all this.
But it hurt.
It hurt too much.
Loving someone shouldn’t cause someone this much pain, she lamented. It had been a solid 8 hours and she heard nothing from him. A part of her still grieved that maybe this was what he wanted all along. The other part was downright furious at her, him, each other really for being so stupidly stubborn.
But no matter which part, Kotone bitterly knew all of her loved him.
“Damn it, Sil-ver!” Voice cracked after a good hour of staying silent after endless hours of crying out loud, Kotone fisted the mattress and pushed herself up. “Damn you, damn you, damn you!” Without a single thought, she snatched her Pokégear off the table next to the bed and roughly tapped the ‘Contacts’ icon. “Just because I asked for the breakup doesn’t mean I stop LOVING you!!” Furiously she scrolled downwards for his name. Hazel eyes burned like fire once her thumb stopped at the word ‘Silver’.
Screw dignity.
With teeth gritted hardly in her mouth, Kotone tapped the name and pressed the Pokégear close to her ear.
After the second ring, a tiny part of her was beyond glad that he picked up.
There were so many things she wanted to say to him. There were so many things she wanted to yell at him. Screw it if he hated her more for being such a bitch. Screw it if her foolish actions only made him grow more and more annoyed at her.
It hurt like hell, but she couldn’t give a damn anymore.
However, just as Kotone parted her mouth to give a rant of a lifetime.
“Hello?”
All desire to do just what she wished a few seconds ago vanished in a blink once she heard a woman’s voice on the other line.
—
“SILVER!”
Her heart stopped for a moment to see such a weak, pale man in bed.
“Silver!” Again she cried his name. Giving not a single care that she was causing a temporary ruckus in the hospital, Kotone rushed to the bed.
“His Pokémon brought him. He was unconscious and soaked to the bone, probably because he had been standing under the rain for so long. Judging by the test results, he’s caught pneumonia.”
The nurse’s explanation haunted her until she couldn’t find the will to stand. If it wasn’t for her Pokémon’s help, Kotone knew she might have just been a bundle of numb tears on the floor in her room.
Thankfully, he was awake. And to make her even more grateful she could shed tears, Silver managed a weak twitch of a smile.
“Y-ou’re…here…”
God, it felt like needles puncturing every corner of her heart to hear his faint, wheezing voice.
“Silveeer…” Utterly shameless in blubbering in front of him, Kotone hopped to his side and squeezed his left hand. She stifled a cry to feel such a cold touch. She held a sharp breath to see such a pale colour on his cheeks and lips.
God, she wanted to hug him so tight right now if it meant never letting him go again.
It took his entire team of Pokémon to slowly walk and flew out of the ward for Kotone to realize that they were all out of their balls. They were giving them space, she figured. So Kotone quietly but swiftly took out her six Pokéballs and handed them to the loyal Feraligatr. The water starter feeling grateful for her and her team’s company, he nodded once at the sad attempt of a smile before carefully walking out of the ward.
Once the door was closed, she immediately turned to the redhead’s direction at the cold touch of his hand.
“You’re here…”
God, she was trying very hard not to cry out loud right now.
“Hmm…” was all she could attempt at the moment. Scooting a bit closer, Kotone brought one leg up and turned to properly face him. “I’m he-ere…” Voice wavered by the mixture of her sobs, Kotone took his left hand – God, it killed her to see so many bandages on his hand – and placed it upon her trembling lips.
He was beyond weak, but he managed to dig up what’s left of his energy to move his left hand so that he could cup her cheek.
God, he always loved her warmth.
“You’re here…” Again he mumbled foolishly. Gulping weakly, Silver breathed out a faint chuckle at the sight of her openly nuzzling his palm.
God, she was too much for his heart.
“Sil…ver…” His name slurred out slower than before, Kotone pressed a long kiss to his palm. “Oh God sweetie, I’m so sor-!”
Silence caught her once she felt a cold thumb brushing her mouth.
“No…” His reply croaked, Silver shook his head slowly. Cringing vividly at the sharp pain in his body, he looked to his right and reached out for something on the table beside the bed.
“Here…” Grip loose and shaky, Silver weakly dropped the paper bag on her lap.
Stupor enveloped her next. “I–What?” Hazel eyes blinked once, twice, thrice. Realizing that he wasn’t going to give an obvious answer, Kotone then shakily reached out for the paper bag that was soaked and a bit crumpled.
“Open it…” He quietly – shyly – requested.
For someone who had been gulping nonstop, her throat now felt ironically dry. Without another word, she slowly, nervously opened the wet bag and slipped one hand inside.
Hazel eyes were as wide as they could be once she touched something exceptionally soft.
Oh how Silver wanted to laugh out loud to see his ex-rival sport such a hilarious expression. “Ugh…” Too bad he was in too much pain to openly relish it.
As his left hand limply dropped and caressed the side of her waist, he only watched in anxious silence once she took out the item.
Well, she was surprised as hell; that was for sure.
A beautiful brown scarf draped on her hands. Its material was the softest of cotton. Its touch was the perfectly light and fluffy. Despite the paper bag that held it was soaked and crumpled, the scarf wasn’t that terribly wet; in silence, Silver was most utterly glad that his Crobat managed to dry it with the rapid flap of his powerful wings.
Still rendered into speechless stupor, Kotone spread the scarf open. It was at least five inches longer than her arm’s length. Soft ruffles were stitched on each end. And as if she wasn’t surprised enough, Kotone almost gasped to see something on the right end of the scarf.
Pulling it closer for better inspection, the trainer once again was at lost for words to see a poorly-shaped heart stitched on it. Two black dots were sewn on the heart with just minimal distance between them. Eyes, she soon realized after two baffled blinks. Kotone then saw a single black thread right under those black buttons. Compared to the buttons, the thread looked like it had been hastily sewn. It jagged a little on the left corner, so what Kotone assumed to be a smile made it looked like the heart was cockily grinning instead.
“I… W-What is this…?” Voice squeaked like a scared Mareep, she finally faced the sick trainer.
Her heart fluttered at the sight of a fragile smile.
“It’s…for you…” God, he actually didn’t know where to start. Pain struck his chest at the manic beat of his heart. Agony stifled his groans at the feel of pure heat burning his cheeks. Bringing his right hand to his trembling mouth, Silver meekly looked away and mumbled, “A…b-birthday gift I…made…” If he wasn’t in so much pain, he would kick himself from the embarrassment, “for you…”
He was on roll for baffling her today.
Upon realizing that Kotone was too bewildered to speak, Silver hesitantly continued. “I uh…I actually w-wanted to surprise you.” He gulped heavily. “Ever since your birthday came up, I…I honestly didn’t know what to give you.” He chuckled bitterly. “You basically have everything you ever wanted, Kotone…” Something, it hurt him when those words came out. “S-So I…” Taking a long breath to calm himself down, he looked at his right hand.
“I figured the best birthday gift I could give you to show how much…how much I love you was a handmade gift.” Slowly his hand curled into a fist. Silver silently flinched at the numbing pain in his palm. “Plus, it’ll be a bonus since I can surprise the hell outta you with my knitting skills. Heh…”
The scars in his hands were nothing compared to the scars he had given to her heart.
“Didn’t realize knitting could be so much harder than I thought.” Eyes closed and head faced forward, Silver frailly placed his left arm over his eyes. “Which was why I took some lessons. A-And which was why…I kept being so late on our dates and had to postpone your gi-ift…” He bit the insides of his mouth to feel warm tears in his eyes.
Silence became her reply.
“I’m a moron…” Voice turned to a whimper to hide back his sobs, Silver held a breath and released it in a shaky, slow manner. “Here I am wanting to make you happy and show you how much I love you but all I did was make you cry and sad-”
“I’M SORRY!”
As if the sharp tone of her scream wasn’t startling enough, Silver practically wheezed to feel pressure suddenly weighing on top of him. Quickly he swung his arm away and looked down, only to gape dumbly at the sight of his crying beloved.
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m-” Hic! “-sorry!” Over and over and over again she apologized on his chest. Quivering hands clutching the front of his hospital gown, Kotone slowly shook her head left and right. “Oh God, I’m so, so, so sorry, Silver!” As fast as she was to plop onto him for a hug, she was just as quick to look up and snivel uncontrollably.
“Please forgive me!” She was blind all along. “Please, please forgive me, Silver!” She should have never doubted him from the start.
To see crystal clear tears trickling down flushed cheeks. To see those plump, pink lips quiver adorably. Hell, to see such a hilarious expression on her face, Silver wanted to both laugh and cry.
He always hated seeing her sad.
“Please…” His left hand moved to her face. “Kotone, p-please, dear…” Cold, bandaged fingers gingerly wiped away her tears. “Don’t…cry…”
His body felt very heavy.
“And I-I’m…” His eyelids felt heavier. “I-I-” Head dropped deep into the soft pillow, Silver wheezed weakly. “Sor…ry…”
With that, his eyes were shut.
“S-Silver…?” Her world halted completely. “Sil…Silver…?” Immediately she fumbled up and towards him. “Oh…Oh God, Silver?!” Trembling hands gripping his shoulders, Kotone started to shake him.
He didn’t move a muscle.
No… “Silver, please wake up!” No, no, no- “Please-!” -NO, NO, NO!!! “PLEASE!!”
He was still as stone. His lips were pale as they could be.
Tears dripped down to such dry cheeks, Kotone wheezed and gaped in sheer panic. “No—God NO!!” Hands squeezing his shoulders, she whipped her head left and right and screamed at the top of her lungs.
It was his 100th apology.
—
“Mr. Silver’s…dead?”
Tears trickled down her cheeks before the older trainer before her could answer. Deep brown eyes twinkled with tears. Smooth, tanned skin began to flush from the sorrow.
Thankfully, before she could wail and cause her Incineroar to pop out of his Pokéball in a state of panic, Kotone quickly corrected, “A-Actually, he just fainted!”
Well, that ceased the girl’s crying.
Feeling quite embarrassed that Kotone didn’t state that first, she sighed slowly. “When his and my Pokémon heard my wailing, they called for a nurse. After a few minutes of basically drowning in my fears and sorrows, the nurse soon reported to me that he’d just fainted from food poisoning he had before meeting with me.” God, her face still burned brightly every time she was reminded of that humiliating incident.
It was just as shameful when Silver knew about it.
Still, a smile was poorly stifled by the light nibble of her teeth. Cheeks flushed red at the thought of her husband, Kotone giggled once before mindlessly tracing right cheek with slender fingers.
“Well,” Shyly wiping her tears away, the girl stood up straight and flashed a bright smile, “I’m just really glad he didn’t die!” Now feeling quite embarrassed herself to be bawling in front of a stranger, she gave each cheek a soft tap.
God, Kotone thought, she kinda reminds me of me.
She almost laughed in sheer amusement at the thought of the young trainer being with someone cranky and bitter as well.
“Won’t that be funny…” she mumbled to herself, a small smile curling the corners of her mouth to see such lively zest on the young trainer. Chin comfortably rested in the palm of her right hand, Kotone then lazily looked around the glorious view of Hau’oli City.
“Kotone!”
No matter how many years it had been, her heart would always, always flutter at the sound of his voice calling her name.
Her smile grew wider in a blink, she turned around and basically flashed a white smile at the sight of Silver waving at her. “Well, I think my darling Skitty has finished checking in.” Hands pressed on the small table between them, Kotone stood up and nodded once at the adorable trainer. “It’s been a delight to meet you, Mizuki!” Her ponytail whipped lightly from the joyful bob of her head, Kotone watched as Mizuki stood up from her head.
The two giving each other a simple bow, Mizuki then stood up straight and clapped once. “I hope you enjoy your stay here in Alola!” Slim fingers cupped together, the petite trainer grinned joyfully before adding, “If you and your husband ever need a tour guide,” Right hand then raised up in a form of a salute, “just know that I’m always up for the offer!”
God, she was a delight.
“I’ll make sure to remember that.” Clutching the strap of her handbag close, Kotone curled her sweet smile to a cocky grin. “And who knows? Maybe next time we meet,” Spinning her heel to the side, the Pokémon trainer gave a little wink, “we’ll have the chance to battle the first ever Champion of Alola.”
Oh how her heart burned to see such a smirk.
“I’ll be waiting, ma’am.” Thrilled by the idea of a fiery Pokémon battle as well, both trainers waved each other goodbye before going on their separate ways.
—
He always loved seeing her come into his arms.
After giving a loving kiss to her forehead, Silver bit back a wider grin to hear her adorably childish, “You’re late.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” Again he kissed her forehead. And before she could come up with any excuse to sulk, Silver gave a peck to the tip of her nose as well. “I didn’t mean to make you wait.”
Her cheeks flushed in sheer admiration. “I know.”
His smile sincere as ever from the very first moment he fell in love with her, Silver softly kissed her lips before tracing one hand down to cup her own.
“So…” Pulling back slightly and obviously feeling unsatisfied from just kissing her lips, Silver casually brought her left hand up to his waiting lips and kissed the back of it. “Where do you wanna go first?”
God, he always loved it when she jutted out her lower lip.
“Hmm…” Thinking momentarily, Kotone then snapped her right fingers and looked at him with such mesmerizing sparkles in her eyes. “I’m hungry! How about we find something to take a bite before we go walk around the city?” Plump, pink lips curled to a cheeky smile, she slid one foot forward and casually pressed her chest against his right arm. “Pretty please, Skitty?”
She didn’t even need to do all that to ask of him; he was going to say yes anyways.
But hey, she loved being spoiled by him. And he loved her a whole lot when she’s being greedy to him.
“Sounds good to me.” Giving her forehead another kiss, Silver finally laughed blissfully before walking side-by-side with the love of his life.
Many years had passed since the first day they met. Their relationship had their ups and downs. They cherished their happy moments. They learned from their sad ones. Kotone knew Silver had some emotional baggage. Silver knew Kotone was trying her best to be understanding and patient. She knew he once needed time and space when it came to showing and proving his love to her. He knew she once needed comfort and validation when it came to trusting his love for her. In time, their trials and tribulations only strengthened their love for each other. In time, they managed to stick together and hold on to a love that bloomed into a beautiful flower.
Just as his apologies were sincere, Kotone knew, his love was just as sincere.
And because of that, she, he, both of them really, were the happiest they had ever been, from the moment fate had brought them together.
—
Sitting on a bench near the beach, Mizuki quietly wiped any excess tears from her face. Though embarrassed at the sudden outburst, her heart still fluttered in glee from the heart-warming story.
“So cute…” She whispered to herself, a smile then gracing her soft lips at the image of the lovely honeymooners. Cheeks splashed faint shades of red at the memory of how cute they looked, Mizuki tapped her face once again before exhaling through her mouth.
“Mizuki, there you are.”
Her heart skipped a beat to hear his voice.
Quickly she looked to the left, seeing no one than the boy who managed to make her heart skip for the past few months. “Gladion!” Quickly she hopped to her feet, hands clasped to her back and smile curled swirls at the corners.
He often wondered when and how the hell he became so smitten with her smile.
“I’m so sorry I’m late.” Sighing once, he casually scratched the side of his neck. “Miss Wicke asked me to look through some documents to sign.” Another sigh slipped out. “God, I know Miss Wicke means well but sometimes I just wanna burn all those documents if it means solving every problem.” They both knew he was joking.
Well, partly anyways.
“Still,” Shrugging once, he placed one hand on his hip and looked at her, “that’s not an excuse to make you wait. I’m so sorry, Mizu…ki…?” Her name slurred into a slow, shocked tone at the sight of glistening deep browns.
“Mizuki…” His eyes didn’t lie. “Were you crying?”
The petite trainer didn’t answer immediately, but she did blink like a dumbfounded fool. “Oh!” Realizing that the corners of her eyes were still a tad puffy, she quickly wiped under her eyes and cupped her flushed cheeks. “Y-Yeah, I kinda was.” Shame once again looming above her, she glanced to the side and nervously laughed. “You see, I was just-”
He pretty much didn’t listen after ‘Y-Yeah, I kinda was.’
“Mizuki, I’m so sorry!” Panic rushed in into the poor young president, Gladion began waving his hands between them. “I didn’t know I was that late! I knew I should’ve called you first!”
To hear such a sudden apology truly started the young champion. Deep brown eyes blinked in silent stupor, Mizuki then frantically shook her head before replying, “No, no! It’s not your fault, Gladion!” Caught in the heat of the moment, she quickly held his hands. “I was crying because of something else. I swear!”
Thankfully, her swift explanation prevented Gladion from being flustered any further.
However, he now found a new reason to be flustered much faster than before.
“O-Oh…” Green eyes lingered to the small hands that cupped his own. Air held tight inside his lungs, he slowly, nervously curled his fingers between hers.
Her hands were soft.
Now, she was quite the hasty and reckless person. Usually, her actions were mostly done without a second thought. Sometimes, it’d be done without a single thought at all.
But given the situation, Mizuki was really thankful for herself while at the same time yelling internally in nervous bliss.
“That’s…” His voice brought her back to reality. “That’s great then…” His voice sent Butterfrees to her stomach.
Pink lips shakily curled an ecstatic smile, Mizuki bit the insides of her cheeks and mustered up all her courage to smile at him. “Thanks for the worry though, Gladion.”
To feel her hands giving his own a gentle squeeze, he couldn’t fight back the silliest smile possible even if he tried.
“No problem…”
END