♔ Absence makes the heart grow fonder

[singularjustice]

Characters: singularjustice and vatheon
Location: Plaza
Time: Mid-day
Style: [ Action for the lazy girl. ]
Status: OPEN.

[ A roar like that of a jet engine starting up sounds throughout the Plaza. Near the coral comes a flash of fire, and then a wall of heat that makes the ever present streams of water sizzle.

A snarl came from the giant dragon from which the flame

Comments

1 / 2

[pristinestar]

[... He knows that voice. He knows that voice. Maybe even all too well.

From inside the Welcoming Committee's walls, he could hear that familiar echo slide through his ears. For a moment, all Red can do is freeze.

So, N did come back... Of course, as an initial reaction, a warm feeling envelops Red. His dear one is here. He's back.

But at the same time, Red's wary of showing himself. With his wounds, these bandages; In and out. He's already slowly healing. He's already accepted the loss of both Green and N, so why? Why now?]

[pristinestar]

[. . .]

[Despite all these internal conflicts, Red's desire to see and feel N again... It surpasses all of it. He steps out bravely from the Welcoming Committee, facing the plaza before him now.

... It's not a guarantee that N will remember him again, however. What will become of today?

Quietly, Red starts to smile, and with his usual welcoming tone, as a Greeter:]

Hey. Are you all right?

[singularjustice]

Red!

[ N turns towards the other trainer with a smile, though it quickly disappears as he looks at him. ]

What happened? Are you okay?

[ He instantly invades Red's personal space, gingerly taking his hand and trying to inspect all the bandages. ]

[pristinestar]

[N seems to remember him. For a split second, Red's eyes water slightly. But he quickly blinks them to prevent the water from forming further. His heart immediately feels that warm ease. But he has to focus.]

-No, don't worry... I'm all right.

[They're nothing serious. Aside from body pain, there aren't any threatening injuries. He gazes at N reassuringly, trying to calm the other boy.]

There was just a little misunderstanding. It'll be fine.

[More importantly...]

[Red returns the hold on N's hand, squeezing it a little as his smile only gets softer.]

Come on. We should get everyone dried up properly.

[singularjustice]

A misunderstanding? What kind of misunderstanding?

[ N squeezes Red's hand, but doesn't drop the subject, looking worried. ]

[pristinestar]

[He stays still for a while longer, eyes trailing off to the side for a second.]

It really was just a clumsy mistake... Let's talk about it later, okay?

[Whether N liked or not, Red will quietly pull the boy with him now. It's a priority to get N and his Pokemon settled down.]

[singularjustice]

...okay...

[ N does not seem entirely happy about the idea. He chews his lip as he lets Red lead him, his team following. Luckily, Reshiram seems to have calmed, the fire in her tail dying down. ]

[pristinestar]

[Instead of returning to the committee's office, Red decided to take N straight home. It would be better for the two of them, too.

It took a few minutes of walking. They were eventually inside the living room.]

How are you feeling, N? [Not nauseous, he hopes.]

[singularjustice]

I'm okay... kind of tired, like when I first showed up here.

Though I'm worried about you. You don't look well.

[ There is a thing called tact. It and N are complete strangers. ]

[pristinestar]

[He'd actually be worried if N didn't act this way. In a way, it is also a relief to hear that despite what it actually meant.

Because, it also meant that N is definitely all right.

Red lets out a faintly amused smile, then moves a gentle hand up to pat the other boy's head.]

... I can't lie that it doesn't feel nice. But trust me.

[He'll be just fine. He's strong after all, isn't he?

He quietly assists N to have the boy sit down at the couch, then hands him a large towel that he can use for himself and the Pokemon.]

Wait here. I'll get a change of clothes for you.

[singularjustice]

[ N sits, a frown still on his face as he finishes drying himself and then works on the Pokemon as he waits for Red to return. ]

[pristinestar]

[It didn't take that long. Just as Red left Green's room intact before, he did the same for N's room. He returns with a clean set of clothes and offers it.]

I'm sorry for worrying you...

[singularjustice]

You don't need to apologize.

[ N changes quickly, no thought given to privacy or shame. ]

[pristinestar]

[I- Whoa, whoa. While Red has changed N's clothes before when he was out, he wasn't actually looking when he did. He quickly turns around while N changes, feeling his face heat up for that second. Ah, geez.]

[...] [He'll just wait until N finishes changing for now.]

[singularjustice]

[ Was that a problem? Red is acting weird. N just cocks his head at him after he is done. ]

Are you all right?

[pristinestar]

[Heh... Such a clumsy boy. Red can't help to smile a little.]

You shouldn't let your guard down, you know?

But, if you're only like this to me... I guess I don't mind.