Curiosity`

//Leaf stepped in and turned to him. What was that on his lips? Blood? He was upset, biting his lip like that always meant he was upset.// Silver, come inside and sit on the sofa. I'll get you a cold compress and a cup of coffee. I-In the mean time, I'll go and fetch your pokegear. And if you're not inside, I'll make you. //She tried to throw him a less anxious smile, but it didn't work particularly well. Leaf turned on her heel and rushed up the stairs. 'Come inside, come inside, come inside.' She mentally chanted. She didn't like the idea of him on her front step, bleeding and icy. She still had his jacket on, too. She needed to give that back to him. Leaf stumbled into her room and ripped open her top draw. It was sitting there, staring at up at her. She wanted to lie, say that she lost it so he had to come back every day and ask for it. But he'd get sick of that and wouldn't come back. Leaf grabbed it, smoothing a thumb over the cool surface. She remembered how long he had been gone, how lonely she had felt, and how these items were there, always there, to remind her of him. Leaf kicked her shoes off and rushed back down the stairs.// Silver? 

//The air was chilly, refreshing. It blew her hair back off of her face and gave her a moment to think, a moment of small peace. But even then, it wasn't really there. Silver was there, rolling round in the back of her mind. She couldn't get over the misery she'd caused him, caused them both. The weight in her chest grew a little heavier and moved a little higher. It was all a little too much right now. After such misery before, she wasn't sure she knew the right way to deal with all of this. The ride was short, shorter than expected. She lingered on the back of the pokemon for a long moment before reaching down, grasping his hand and sliding off of it. She wanted to say something, anything, but the words just didn't seem quite right, didn't seem to fit. Besides, what could she say to the man who gave her everything and asked for nothing?// 

Smiling can put even the unhappiest people in the best mood! And what kind of coffee do you drink, anyway? One day, I'll get a real smile out of you!

Almost, not quite! But hey, practice makes perfect! Have you had a coffee yet, Cheren? 

Fire laughed along with her. “Nah, not dangerous at all! ‘Sides, you got me!” He nodded happily, grinning like a fool. “Like I said Leaf, not to worry. I’ll totally catch ya. Klutz or not a Klutz.” He scratched his cheek, thinking about the scenario a bit. “Though, now that I think about it… I might end up just falling down with ya. Haha! Whoops.” The young man continued leading the way into the city, eyes glancing around for familiar streets and stuff. He didn’t want her to think he didn’t have any sense of direction. 

You haven't seen me on ice! Man, everyone gave me grief for it last winter! //She laughs, bringing her hand to her mouth to stifle the giggles. This had been the happiest she'd felt in so long. Leaf didn't remember the last time she'd really laughed alongside someone else like this.// Well, we can land on each other then, huh? It'll be fun! //Leaf looked around herself, getting her bearings. She was glad he knew where he was going, she had no clue how to get to anything like an ice-rink. Hell, she didn't even know one existed.// 

//Leaf attempted to smile a little more warmly. She felt chewed up inside, miserable -- but it was a different sort of miserable. A knowledgeable miserable. Then, he released a pokemon and she shaded her eyes a little to cope with the excess light. Then she spotted the bright white pokemon and her hand suddenly felt a lot less warm. Then she realised Silver had let go. Had he been holding her hand all the time? At some point, she was sure he'd have let go, shoved it back in his pocket.// Beautiful. //Silver had achieved so much. That was enough to bring a warm smile to her face. Leaf stepped forward and put a hand to the pokemon.// Thank you... For keeping him safe for me. //She didn't raise her voice above a bear whisper. Leaf owed this pokemon in a way she couldn't really begin to explain. She heard him speak and reached up, grasping his hand and pulling herself up along side him.// Alright, let's go! 

Even so, we still have dreams, right? We can at least escape there; even if only for a little while. //Dreams, right now, were her only saviour. In that place, she could escape the things that surrounded her, the turmoil and the misery. But right now was not a time to dream -- she had to keep her head out of the clouds and on the reality that was enveloping her. It bothered her that Silver kept such a pained look on his face. She knew how much this was troubling him, and it made her feel all the worse about causing this pain for him. Leaf glanced up at the sky, unable to keep a focus on his face. She kind of wished she could dissolve right now, escape the pained looks.// Don't look at me with such eyes. You look all sorry for no good reason. //Leaf managed to throw him a smile and gave his hand a comforting squeeze.// I'm fine to fly, don't worry. Things have changed a lot. 

//Leaf interlaced her fingers with his; an automatic reaction. Right now, she needed to know that the warmth in the palm of her hand was real, was hers. That he was solid and would not dissolve like water running through her fingers. Then, she had to remind herself that it could not stay this way; that although hers for tonight, when she let go of his hand that would change. He wouldn't be hers any more, not like this. But tonight was long enough.// C-Clefy, c-catch up! //Her voice was hoarse and strained from all the previous crying. It almost stung to talk, and it burned to think. The pokemon rushed up to them and she returned it to the pokeball.// S-Someone once told me that if I caught a falling star, I could make a wish, and it'd come true. //Leaf stepped a little faster, tightening her hand again.// I wish I could go back to the start; I'd like to do things... differently. I'd... want to change it so you could be happier... so that this mess, it would never have had to start in the first place. //She felt tears threatening to well up in her eyes again. Why did she have to let go? Why did she have to do the adult thing? Tonight, Leaf just didn't want to grow up.// 

//Leaf wrapped her arms around him, gripping him like a drowning sailor to a life raft. He was the only thing keeping her feet on the ground. Her fingers remained knotted in the material. Leaf felt sick to her stomach for doing this, for putting them both in this position. His arms enveloped her, drew her into him. Silver managed to comfort her, even when the both of them were shaken to the core. This stung, so much more than he had expected it too. Her body leant into him completely. She felt so damn helpless. Leaf felt his face press against her hair, and then soft words. No, he was so wrong.// You're so wrong, Silver. St-Strength isn't what you can, or can't do. Trying makes you strong. Surviving, even stronger still. //Leaf lets out a long, low breath.// You speak of cruelty, but wasn't I the one who kissed you? I... did this to myself. //Leaf squeezed her eyes shut.// I-I know what that void feels like. It's like, it'll never be filled. Like no one can fill it but that one person. And you're right, no one will ever fit in quite the same, no one will fill the gap completely. I... know I could never fill the gap in your life like... her. S-So, I'm okay with filling it up a little. //Her hands finally relax, releasing the material.// But for tonight, I don't want to be alone. Can't we just be two warm bodies who've collapsed into each other? Who've found... solace in each other? I'd just like to fall asleep beside you, Silver. I miss the times when we could do that, and no one would hate us afterwards. God, why did we have to grow up? 

You mean something that requires balance? How dangerous! //Leaf laughed, walking in step beside him. She felt so comfortable around him, so natural. He knew just what to say to make her smile. Leaf brushed some hair back off of her face with her other hand.// You'll have to catch me if I fall, okay? I'm a bit of a clutz on ice, y'know! //She squeezed his hand gently. It was nice to feel the warmth of another hand in hers. It was so very comforting. Leaf turned her head to glance at him.// Aha, hold your hand, huh? I feel so very honoured, dear Fire! 

Oh, Leaf...

//Leaf’s hands clenched into fists.// How can you say that!? Life goes beyond anything you could imagine! You stand here, telling me it doesn’t matter if that one life gets damaged, but what if that life was someone you cared about, huh!? //Leaf stares at his face, bewildered and slightly agitated. What a selfish human being…!// I will bow to those who deserve it. Hell, I’d give my life to those who need it; but to you? You’ll get nothing from me. You can snap my neck and hang me from the rafters before that happens. It’s not that I think you’re the same, it’s that you’re all just as selfish. You’d never got out on a limb for anyone but yourself! It’s… disgusting! 

That doesn't shock me. I doubt you even have a heart. //Leaf snorts in distaste and stiffens when he leans in. This man was so assured he could break her down, destroy her. Hah! If only he knew, if only he had any idea. She was particularly comfortable with how close he was, his breath on her skin was off putting.// Red, Fire, Green and I have taken you down before. What makes you think we won't again? We're so much better than you. You'll see. You can't break me down; you won't break me down. //Leaf was caught off guard when he shoved her back. What a jerk! She stumbles and catches herself quickly.// Ironic is an understatement. //She folds her arms across her chest stubbornly.// I have no need to run. However, you might want to take a head start.

Oh, Leaf...

//Leaf’s nose crinkles up and she leans back, away from him.// I detest you. I detest what you stand for. //She pushes her hands against his chest, her eyes narrowing.// What? Should I fear you? Should I run from you? Should I be shaking right now? All I see is a loathsome beast, rocking back and forth in the shadow of his superior. I can see nothing nice because you present nothing nice. //Leaf turns her head away from him.// You’re all the same; all tarred with the same brush. I’ll fight against you for as long as I live, got it memorized?

//Leaf's hands clenched into fists.// How can you say that!? Life goes beyond anything you could imagine! You stand here, telling me it doesn't matter if that one life gets damaged, but what if that life was someone you cared about, huh!? //Leaf stares at his face, bewildered and slightly agitated. What a selfish human being...!// I will bow to those who deserve it. Hell, I'd give my life to those who need it; but to you? You'll get nothing from me. You can snap my neck and hang me from the rafters before that happens. It's not that I think you're the same, it's that you're all just as selfish. You'd never got out on a limb for anyone but yourself! It's... disgusting!