#asurising

You did not. I headbutted you and you cried.

“Oh right, how could I forget about something like that. It is totally okay if that happens for two people to partake in physical violence against one another.”

“Gold...”

Of all the things she had expected him to stutter out this was likely the very last on the list. Him admitting to going back to jail for some criminal offence would have been less of a shock than this. But that wasn’t the case and here she was left completely and utterly in shock with no sure way how to answer. 

That word, love, it was never one they had ever spoken about. Sometimes things felt like it could be love, sometimes moments seemed to sparkle a little brighter and touches seemed to linger that much longer but she’d always summed that up to distance and the want to be near. But now.. well now he was forcing her to face up to something she’d never thought she’d have to. Because she never thought he’d ever speak those words to her. 

And if she was to be real, raw, and honest with herself well.. love was there. She loved him. Plain and simple. All his rash actions and gentle touches, all his stupidity and sharp tactics. He was nothing like she’d ever fall for. But here she was, and here he was. And love was no on the table. 

Serena was that one friend that would show up to someone’s house unannounced. This was another one of those cases. It was a surprise that Calem had left the front door open, she didn’t pay much attention to it. Instead, she walked right in with photographs in hand. 

“Hey, Calem. Do you want to see pictures of all the cool places I have been over the last year?” It was almost instant that she noticed that something was different in the room. Was he watching the television? She thought that was just for show! Looking over at the sofa, Serena didn’t recognize the man.

“ gold - chan !! “

Her Primarina held its nose up snootily. “He is loud. He is obnoxious. He is a dirty country boy with zero manners and if I am to speak frankly he is gross. If it weren’t for Moon, I wouldn’t spend another moment around him that I wouldn’t have to,”

His lips pursed together and suddenly his eyes drifted to the side. His pause lingered as an internal battle took place. Judging by the sigh that bookended it, it was a battle he had lost.

“But,” he added. “But it would be...untruthful to act as if I am not a tad bit grateful,” Primarinas gaze went skyward, eyes closing as he recalled the long long journey that had been their relationship. 

“I am unlike the Rotom. I have no ability to speak her language. I am unable to offer guidance nor even use my own tongue to tell her how I feel. The most I can do is stay by her side. Offer a shoulder to cry on, should she need it. Perhaps an ear to listen when a particular human has won her venom,” He gave an exhale resembling a laugh. “Even so, I feel I know her well. And out of all the years I’ve known her, you are the probably the closest thing she has to a friend. Even if she does not act like it. For, staying by her side in spite of how difficult she is and how much grief she has cause you, I will be eternally grateful,”

The prideful pokemon bowed his head in thanks to Gold. “Thank you. For providing what I could not,”