Murderous Intent

“Thanks…for everything…my best friend.”

“Just remember to never lose hope alright?” She patted him gently on the cheek.

It’s what Lucian was to me, and I have to remember that’s why I’m in love with him…”

“It’s why your happiness means so much to me...I would to anything to see you smile and be happy. You’re my sunshine Aaron...” 

“Kiko, your dad was Little Orphan Annie before she was even a thing! You’re right. The sun will come out tomorrow, and whatever the day brings is gonna be something I can handle! If I can handle what has already been done, then perhaps just waiting out this conflict with Lucian will solve everything! All I need to do is find it in me to just…just communicate with him like normal again, because we’ve lost that…75% of all problems stem from miscommunication, Kiko…and I’m but a statistic now. I don’t know how to pull myself out of a shadow of a doubt, but I’m hoping that it’ll come…and I’m so happy I have you until then…”

“I know that it will come Aaron, I have faith in you and I know that you are beyond capable. You’re much smarter than you take yourself for you know.” 

Aaron made a noise in protest and furrowed his brows, somewhat upset by what he already knew. “Hey, hey, hey, calm down. I know that it’s only the end if you want it to be, but Kiko, what if? Just literally what if? Sometimes these unexplained things happen that rip happiness away from the depression-poor youth of Sinnoh and suddenly you’re drowning in debt that you owe to the universe for being so stupid in believing that you could actually attain a happy ending. This is my economic crisis, Kiko; what if this signifies a change that can’t be dealt with? Like death?”

“I know it seems hard and that you feel like you’re drowning...but just hold on...your time will come Aaron just as it did for me...”

“That…literally doesn’t make me feel any better. I mean, I’m not sure what direction this whole ordeal is going to take us, and since I do nothing but coast along the flow of life, this concerns me.” Aaron rolled his head back, popping his neck. “Sigh…what if this signifies the end of our relationship, Kiko?”

Kiko reached over and lightly bopped Aaron on the back of the head, “It will signify the end if you keep thinking like that.” She stated, “No matter what happens you can’t let it burn out like a candle. If you love something truly then you are going to have to fight for it eventually.”

“I…feel worse that you know now. I wonder how many other people know, too…then again, I guess I deserve every bad look or shameful head-shake that may come my way. I haven’t been okay since those Magma guys have come in, and they make Lucian angry. Lucian’s anger freaks me out, and I just told him the first thing I could think of, since he was already pissed at me for not telling him…he…I’m not villainizing him, because what I said was debatably worse, but he doesn’t know what that sentence did to me.”

Kiko pulled away from Aaron and ran her fingers through her hair, which for once seemed to be brushed down pretty well, “I think he was just hurt by what you said to him...and....I think he’s scared too, which is why he reacted the way he did...” A sigh escaped her lips, “In the midst of all this quiet I can feel a storm slowly brewing in the far distance...who knows when it will show up but eventually it will. I think that Lucian knows this as well.”  

“At the time, though…I just wanna try to explain…it wasn’t anyone’s fault I was angry. I was just…mad at myself because Lucian and I had a fight. Our first, I think. And…he said stuff. Actually, I’m the one who said stuff, but what he said was just as bad, even if he didn’t mean it. I didn’t mean it either, I was just…well, I don’t know if I should immerse you into this stupid problem, since you had no part in it…”

“I figured as much...and don’t worry because I already know a lot of what was said. I just haven’t mentioned it because I figured that it was something that needed to be kept between the two of you...”

“I guess it’s been a while since I’ve heard such nice things like that…because I feel inclined to accept the compliment right away. Thanks, Kiko…” Aaron rested his head on her shoulder, sighing. “I…wanted to apologize, by the way…Kinda hoping I don’t have to specify for what.”

Kiko gave a soft sigh and gently ran her fingers through Aaron’s hair, “It’s okay Sunshine...we can just let that all drop with this.” She whispered. 

“Well, there’s no denying you anything, since you’re gonna do it even if I say no. But when do I ever say no to a hug? We’ve just gone in a circle…hug me, I guess!”

Kiko gave a giggle before pulling Aaron close to her and snuggling him, “You’re too cute for your own good sometimes you know that?” 

“Ehe, I said ‘like’ Kiko; ‘like’ is a preposition, I was making a really vast association. It’s a joke. I think. Anyways, I’m glad you’re okay. Me, on the other hand…I’ve seen better days and they were all about seven months ago. Things could be better.”

“You know what....it sounds like someone needs a hug...” Kiko looked at Aaron before giving a small grin and stepping closer to him. 

The teen shifted a little and looked down, feeling a little awkward. “So…how are you?”

There was another small bit of silence before the immortal gave a smile and walked over to Aaron, ruffling his hair, “I’m doing pretty good kiddo. How about yourself?” 

“Also, hey, Kiko.”

“Also hey there Sunshine~”

“Quiet AND rainy. This weather is probably bumming people out. I guess.”

“Probably. I happen to kind of like the rain though.”