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"A New Kind of Christmas" for thelastdayiwashappy
Title: A new kind of Christmas.
Author:![[archiveofourown.org profile]](https://p.dreamwidth.org/b164c54b26e4/-/archiveofourown.org/favicon.ico)
Stern
Rating: T - for one word swearing
Verse: Anime - Advanced Generation series (generation III)
Characters/Pairings: May/Drew, implied Ash/Gary
Summary: When a sudden storm comes to make things hard, May has to find her way into the Christmas spirit.
Pokemod Note: Dreamwidth's limitations didn't allow this fic's original formatting. Therefore, I've also uploaded its .docx file for you to see it as it was meant to be read: HERE.
04:00 p.m. – 20th December
- What you mean “you don’t want to go to our Christmas party”? – May asked her Pokémon, somewhat surprised for the unexpected reaction. So what if they would have to travel a long way till their home back in Hoenn? It was Christmas, for crying out loud! She didn’t – and wouldn’t – want to spend it all by herself.
She looked hesitantly to her now evolved Eevee, expecting some kind of change in its behavior.
But it was in vain.
The light blued Pokémon barely looked at her, turning its head and remaining in silence. The girl just sighed. Her Glaceon wasn’t that blatant when she was younger. All of a sudden she left the room, going outside to the garden, wanting to be alone.
A flowing breeze ran through her brownish highlights, making her body shiver a little, and her head turn to the side… As if trying to hide all those obstinate tears, which insisted in being there at the corner of her blue eyes, watering them and threatening to fall.
- Damn it! It’s not like it’s my fault! – She shouted to no one around, clenching her fists.
Indeed, it wasn’t. Her special training that demanded so. So what if they would have only three days to go back to their home? So what if that was almost and practically impossible? So what if she didn’t make it, she would have to spend the whole Christmas alone? She was May – and she wasn’t known for giving up things without even trying!
Still, the tears started to run down her face and soon she couldn’t stop the flow anymore.
It’s not like she was content with the situation, either.
--
08:00 p.m. – 20th December
- So? – Asked the blue haired girl. – You won’t be coming?
- I didn’t say that, Dawn! – Yelled the other girl, from the other line.
Dawn frowned and her grip on the cellphone tightened. – But that’s exactly what it sounded like, May!
- Glaceon is not happy, that is true. But it doesn’t mean that we won’t be going.
- Well… have you tried to talk with it?
- If I could slap you right now, I would. – Said the brunette, sighing.
- Ok, ok, I got it. You have talked to it. But, well… You know that it shouldn’t be a problem. It’s not like it can stop you from going…
- I know. I just didn’t want things to be like that. We’re companions… I don’t know, I don’t want to just put it inside the pokéball and boss it around.
- It doesn’t seem to me like you’ve got a choice.
May grew silent to that, thinking of those words.
- Yeah, maybe. I have to go now, Dawn. Talk to you later?
- Sure. See ya!
- Take care.
And with that May hung up the phone. She looked down at her Glaceon, thinking thing over.
--
10:00 p.m. – 20th December
- Hey, have you seen my gloves? – Asked a tall girl with curly blond hair, her brownish eyes looking everywhere and suddenly stopping at May. She held a big suitcase on her right hand and looked kind of anxious.
- Huh, blue gloves? With little yellow ducks on it? – May had her hands on her face, sitting quite casually in the stairs.
- Yeah! Exactly!
- I saw them on the central table at the kitchen.
- Oh, thanks so much, May! – The blonde almost gave May a hug out of gratitude. But as it seemed, the girl was in a hurry. – You saved me! – She said, coming back from the kitchen with the gloves in her hands. – I couldn’t afford to lose those. My mom made them for me… - She continued, with a gleam in her eyes.
May felt herself smiling at the mention of the word “mom”. It reminded her of her own.
- Well, I can’t wait too much. I’m leaving now. See ya’ in a few weeks! Have a happy holidays, and a special Christmas!
They hugged and said their goodbyes, soon enough the blonde was gone and May stood there watching the hall again. Empty. Who else was there now? Most of the other people, one by one, were going home. The blonde was the last one to leave. But she was still there. The ones remaining were just the Master Coordinators, those who lived there and probably have the family in town.
“Maybe I’m wasting time?” She thought. Maybe it was already time to go? Still, her Glaceon wasn’t really fond of the idea. She had to do something about it.
--
10:30 p.m. – 20th December
- Glaceon, you here? – She opened her door and found it almost sleeping on the bed, but waking up at her voice. It looked less wary than before and for that she was glad.
She spent some time with it, playing, caressing, until it was time to bring the topic up again.
- So… I was thinking. – She began carefully. – Perhaps we should hit the road tomorrow, I heard we’re gonna have weather! Does morning sound good to you? – Then she gave it a smile.
But it was in vain. As soon as she spoke, her Glaceon stood up and was clearly upset. May could feel it and remained the rest of the night trying to communicate with it.
She almost felt herself crying again when she saw it was… helpless. She felt helpless. And, as sad as it might sound…. She also felt alone. She had her pokémon, and the people around there were really nice and hearty. But it just wasn’t home. She missed her other pokémons too, and that moment she wished with all her heart that the training allowed her to carry more than one. But those were the rules; You train with one, each at a time.
She gave one last look at the pettish Glaceon that almost ignored her as it cuddle up around the blanket, before falling asleep.
She dreamed about her Glaceon back in the happy days, with that little sound that it made when it was clearly happy… Together with her family. Smiling, hugging, and that was all she dreamed about.
--
09:00 a.m. – 21st December
- Oh, my! The weather sure changed!
- Man, that’s awful!
-You kidding me? It’s perfect! A white Christmas, that’s all we could have asked for!
The Coordinators’ voices sounding through the walls woke May up. – Hmm… - She moaned a little before opening her eyes, but when she did it…
All she could see through the window was… White. Not only white as in snowing, but as in “snow storm”. There would be no training outside these days.
- What?! – It was impossible not to jump and run for it; to see with her own eyes.
What was all that snow doing there? Damn, it should not be there! Why? It would make everything so hard! It was a long journey; Now she would have to do it under a snowstorm? Really?
- Argh, but that is so, so infuriating! FUCK THIS! – She shouted, at last.
Suddenly the sound of a door opening startled her, as she looked wide–eyed to it. It was Glaceon coming in with a much satisfied expression on its face. – You like that, don’t you little fellow?
She could almost feel its chuckle. And although it kind of annoyed her… It also was a pleasant feeling that fulfilled her. It was good to see it smile again. Even if it was for the wrong reasons.
--
21st , 22nd, 23rd - December
It was the 22nd already and nothing of the weather getting better. Just as Glaceon attitude. May tried to feel different, but it was just impossible. She wanted to go home and the more close to Christmas it got, the worst the weather turned out. She could feel the troubling feelings bubbling up her stomach; her family grew worried and so did she.
When the 23rd came, she would barely leave the bed. She was feeling empty, and sad, and she missed her family so much! Why? Why? Every day she would wake up and run to see the weather but it was always getting worse. She hugged herself with the blanket and just let the warm tears stain her face.
Tomorrow it was Christmas eve; And she would most likely spend it all by herself, alone.
--
11:00 a.m. – 24th December
The day was there and she was sitting, looking to the Christmas Tree that stood right in the center of the principal room. All she would do was think and listen to music, trying to forget the bad feelings of loneliness that tried to catch her.
All of sudden, she saw her Glaceon walking through the room. It has seemed more active those days than ever, but it would never keep her company. It was as if they weren’t together. She looked how she even remained unnoticed to it. Automatically, she furrowed her eyebrows and looked suspicious when it went just out of the house.
“What?”
Concern shoot through her veins, running hot and alarming. It was dangerous outside! It couldn’t go alone there! She sat up straight and stood up, quickly putting her coat and trying to follow it.
In an all-white picture, it was pretty easy to spot a small blue point in the middle of it. So, she hadn’t much trouble chasing after it.
- Glaceon! – She shouted, but the wind and the snow blocked her voice out. Still, she tried more times, until it stopped.
She trilled a little, thinking it was an obvious reason why it stopped, but she would never be prepared to what her eyes were about to see next.
Her Pokémon, together with some other wild pokémons – like some Cryogonals and some Vanillites, even some Cubchoos – were all rising up the wind.
With a powerful Blizzard and some of them divided between Hail and Icy Wind, they were all aiming to the sky – not on each other’s. That meant…. That… Were they the ones doing this? That snow storm?
It was their fault?! And Glaceon, the one making the Blizzard, was it… the mastermind?
May didn’t know what to feel. But she sure was surprised.
--
12:00 a.m. – 24th December
So, it was all… Glaceon’s doing? All that? The tempestuous storm, the endless snow? Has it not seen all her tears and stuffed cry? Has it not seen all of her sorrow for the idea of not being able to celebrate Christmas with her family?
So many questions, so many different feelings. She just wanted to close her eyes and pretend it was a lie.
Yeah, so, it didn’t want to go home. But was it necessary to block all the ways to do that? Even the phone calls were hard to do due to the bad weather.
With all that, she found herself back into their big house, as if her legs had automatically moved. The trainers were nowhere to be seen and she just heard the emptiness of those inexistent sounds.
It was all silent. And it was all… Empty.
So, she sat there, and cried.
----
14:00 p.m. – 24th December
- So… You’re finally here, hm?
The bitter sound in her voice wasn’t intentional. But it’s not like she could just ignore it. Her thoughts remained running through her skull and giving her a headache she doubted she could avoid.
Glaceon turned its head to her and watched with puzzled eyes. It made a little sound that expressed confusion. She then met its gaze, smiling in a bitter way.
- It was you all along, huh? Wish I had known it sooner…
Her Pokémon wasn’t stupid. It knew its trainer. It could feel the waves coming from May. It knew something was wrong and it wasn’t the usual sadness of the other previous days.
- But why am I even trying to talk to you? You won’t even TALK TO ME! – Suddenly the girl snapped, her voice rising up as she stood on her foot. – So that’s what you have been doing all along! When I was alone and wanting to have my companion by my side, you were out there playing wild life with your wild friends and making this storm?! Why did you do it? WHY?
The blue Pokémon retracted itself a little; It was startled by the yells filled with anger.
But May didn’t seem to notice. She had begun her rant and it looked like it would go on until the end of it.
- WHY? I WANTED TO GO HOME! – She shouted again, tears running down her face and her fists clenching together. – I WANTED MY FAMILY, AND DREW! –The thought of her crush being there as he has been at those lasts Christmas just made her shiver more with frustration. – And you know what…? I wanted my other pokémons too! The ones that CARE FOR ME!
At that moment, the seconds of the present minute seemed to slow down; And it would only go back to normal after her last scream.
- If you love this snow and your wild fellows so much…. GO LIVE WITH THEM! AND STAY THERE FOREVER! You don’t have to stay with me anymore!
Glaceon’s pokéball fell on the cold and hard ground making a heartbreaking sound.
It only wasn’t more heartbreaking than Glaceon’s eyes.
It didn’t take more than an instant; Like a jolt through the sky, the ice Pokémon ran pass the door with a dumpish and suffered noise, clearly feeling rejected.
One thing was to release a Pokémon. Another was to send it away.
A minute pass before May could breathe and snap out of it. Her eyes went wide and her eyes flooded with water again, almost automatically.
- What have I done?
---
There was no time to waste. She knew damn well what she had done. She had yelled at her Pokémon and shooed it away like it was nothing to her.
God, it meant everything to her!
Its unhappiness made her unhappy and only one caress of it would brighten her whole day!
She would never let it go like that, she would never cast it away! She loved her Pokémon with all her might and just couldn’t afford to lose it like that!
She made a mistake, yes. She shouldn’t have talked to it in that manner. It wasn’t right, it wasn’t her, and it was just… All wrong. But she wouldn’t let it end like that, no.
She ran, ran, and ran; trying to see something, anything, in that endless snow picture. Throughout all those hardy and wet snow flakes, her coat protecting her all it could from the winter cold, but it still wasn’t enough. She could feel the pain of her gelid skin drying in the cold wind like a needle in her fingertips.
“It doesn’t matter.” She thought. Not now. She needed to find Glaceon; And that was the only and one thing that did matter. She would think of the rest later.
She wouldn’t lose it. She couldn’t. She never wanted to shout her frustrations on it like she did… She snapped and now had to apologize, she had to get it back.
She couldn’t lose a part of her heart like that. How would you live… without a piece of your heart?
---
- Glaceon! Glaceon! - Again, she continued to shout. One more time after the countless times she’d already shouted its name. She shouted loud and clear, hoping to be heard. Hoping it would bring it back. – Glaceon! – Once again, looking at the silent landscape, shouting to the white wilderness.
No response again. Her chest started to hurt, the wanting to cry coming over again. But she could not be weak now, no, she had to be strong and keep looking.
It wasn’t really late when she spotted something. She tried hard to see, and then… A vanillite!
Gosh, she tried to run to it and threw herself on the ground; Trying her best no to scare it away but not having a really successful outturn of events. The pokemon was startled and about to run; when a muffled sound of cry came of May’s shaky voice.
- Please… don’t go.
The Pokémon kept its distance, turning and facing her. It looked curious and maybe even a little worried. She understood it was the time to speak.
- Please, I’m just trying to find my Glaceon! It ran away and I’m desperate after it… Have… Have you seen it?
And with that, he made a little movement of understanding as a response to her words, which made May hold her breath as if it was what would decide everything. So, was it one of Glaceon's wild fellows?!
She felt so anxious she could barely stand. But the torture didn’t last long; Soon the little Vanillite turns and runs forward, in a pace not really fast. May felt dubious; Was he running away or showing the way?
Be either or neither, she couldn’t hesitate. In a flash of light she stood up and followed the little Pokémon.
While she was running, she tried her best not to lose sight of it, which was a hard thing to do…
Suddenly, the little Pokémon stopped in front of what looked like a cave’s entrance, albeit its small proportions. It turned its head to her and gave her a significant look… May breathed and decided that it was something she needed to do, there was no trace of doubt in her eyes.
She entered the darkened cave and felt a little relieved to be out of that icy wind. Luckily… A few meters away from the entrance, where the light from outside still reached well enough, all cuddled up onto itself next to the freezing wall, it lied…. That little Pokémon that she could recognize anywhere…
Her Glaceon.
- Glaceon! Glaceon! – The Pokémon, as fast as it was, didn’t have time to jump, although it was startled by the sudden voice and her afflicted tune. On one second it was almost sleeping, nestled in itself feeling cold and sad; On the other, it was in the warm arms of its trainer, being pressed against May’s chest with so much love that it could almost hurt.
May held it close to her, so close, like it could escape again if she didn’t, and once again tears flooded her eyes. But this time, even with all the cold that surrounded them, her tears were hot and warm, overflowed with joy.
- Glaceon, I’m so sorry…
She apologized while she caressed it, and only stopped when it looked at her with glowing eyes.
- I never meant to say any of that… I was just angry, but it wasn’t your fault and I don’t want you to leave never again. I shouldn’t speak to you that way… I promise I will never do it again.
She stopped herself when it moved its head and nuzzled her neck, making a sound that May clearly understood. She would always understand , as long as she gave it enough time and attention. For a while, she just stood there, seated on the ground, embraced with her Glaceon, sharing a moment of peace and warmness. She looked at the entrance, and didn’t feel any kind of sorrow. The Vanillite from before continued there, but at certain point came closer to them both and nestled itself right beside May. She noticed and just brought it closer.
As her Glaceon fell asleep, she just contemplated the bad weather outside, resting against the wall, feeling a little warmer with both Pokémons by her side. The only thing she could think of was…
That if she was to celebrate Christmas like that... If Glaceon was with her, sound, safe, and most of all, happy… Then she, too, was happy.
--
When she woke up, she wasn’t surprised that she’d fallen asleep. Rather, she was surprised by that red rose that stood a few meters away her foot, in the direction of the entrance. She blinked twice and yawned, asking herself if she was still dreaming… Was it there before? That rose looked just like…
- May?
She knew that voice. She would never miss that tone…
- Drew? – But her voice was low, as if she didn’t believe in what she heard. Well, she was right in the middle of nowhere, right? She pondered right as she fell asleep that she would have to figure out a way back, since she lost herself running after the pokémons, and didn’t know if little Vanillite would care to show her the way yet again. Maybe Glaceon knew?
- May? Are you there?
Again that voice, as if mocking her.
- Drew, is that you?
When a man entered the cave, the green hair contradistinguishing with the white picture, the characteristic purple clothes, and another red rose in hands, just like the one standing on the ground, she could do nothing but smile. Mirage or not, it was a delightful one.
He, on the other hand, seemed more startled than happy.
- May, are you ok? – He quickly kneeled down close to her and embraced her with his arms.
That’s when she knew it was not a mirage; definitely not.
- Oh my God, what are you doing here? – It was the first thing she could ask.
- I can ask you the same thing! You idiot! What are you thinking? That you could just run in the middle of that storm? Why?
On that right instant, Glaceon woke up and bit the newcomer.
- Yah! – It didn’t hurt that much, but the surprise of something unseen biting you was quite thrilling. – Ah, Glaceon..? – Drew backed away a little, staring at the Pokémon that stood now right between he and May, next to Vanillite. To that, the youngster only gave a half-heartedly smile, shaking his head. – Jealous as ever, I suppose?
May could not notice, but Glacion was the most jealous of all her pokémons. It was quite the possessive type.
- Really, what are you doing here? How did you find me? - Insisted the girl.
- Well, it wasn’t easy. We are looking everywhere for you since the time we got here and those Coordinators said you were missing. Someone saw a girl running into this direction, and well…. It took us some time! But, finally… I'm so happy to see you’re all right. – He lifted a hand and softly caressed her face, probably without noticing. May wasn’t able to stop the blush that spread through her face.
- W-well… - She looked away. – I'm happy you found me but I still don’t get it. Weren’t you supposed to be in Hoenn?
He let out a long sigh, and stared deeply into her eyes before answering. – There was something missing there.
But May had no clue. – Yeah? What?
And with that he suddenly came into his senses. Retrieving his hand and slightly blushing, he looked away and sighed again. – We should be going. The others have to know you’re fine.
- Others? – She repeated.
--
Ash’s smile was always like a breeze of fresh air. Not the same could be said about the guy beside him, but Gary had his own charms.
- Ash! And... Gary! – She ran to them.
- May, you’re all right! I'm so happy to see that! – Like always, Ash gave her one of those hugs that real friends give each other.
- Yes, I'm okay!
Before she could back away, Ash was hit by Glaceon’s tackle.
- Waah! What was that? – The black haired boy asked.
- It was May’s oh-so-jealous Glaceon. – Gary gave a muffled laugh, trying not to but failing.
May was too happy to care or reprehend her Pokémon. After all, jealousy was a demonstration of love, right? Maybe Drew could be a little more like Glaceon and speed up things a little.
They were back at the Coordinations house, and Vanillite was saying its goodbyes to Glaceon and Drew, after they worked together to find their way home safe and sound, in the middle of the storm. May still had some doubts about they being there, but by the time being, having her crush, her friend… Her almost friend, and her beloved Pokémon, was all she needed to feel in peace.
Everything was going to be okay. And as she looked to her icy pokémon’s smile, she knew it for sure.
--
09:00 p.m. – 24th December
- So, tell me again how you three ended up here. In the top of the hill, running after a friend that you had absolute no idea that had lost herself.
- Only if you tell me the story of how you got lost in the first place.
May smiled to herself for a moment, then settled into the blanket that wrapped around her warming her up, together with the bright fire in the fireplace and the rug that was fluffy and cozy. Drew was coming back with two mugs of hot chocolate and sat right beside her, with a blanket of his own.
Both sighed for a moment, staring to their Pokémons; Glaceon was as sweet as ever, sleeping comfortably in the red fluffy pad, next to Roserade, who slept as well.
Drew broke the silence. – So…?
She glanced at him and began talking, with a brief giggle.
- I told you already! Glaceon and I… Well, we’ve had some sort of disagreement… And I snapped. I said horrible things and it just ran off. But as soon as it happened I realized that I shouldn’t have done that and ran after it. I ended up losing myself. Furthermore, when Vanillite appeared, I just followed him like a blind person, without even looking back.
- And then… You found it, right?
- Right. I found it, Vanillite knew where it was… The relief almost washed me away, it was overwhelming. – She said that with a smile on her lips.
- You two look fine to me, though…
- Well, we made up. I apologized and it seems it has accepted it.
- Ours Pokémon are too kind… And Glaceon loves you very much. It would never leave you, it was probably just sad. – They both had their eyes on the pokémon, and May answered it just a few seconds later.
- I wouldn’t risk it.
- I agree. I would have done the same thing. - And with that, Drew finally let his gaze fall over the beautiful girl next to him. He offered her a playful smile, while she eyed him with a trace of distrust. – Really. – He reassured her.
- What? No “your idiot!” or “what a clumsy” or… Something of the kind? – She teased him
with a smile.
- Oh, come on, I stopped that a little time ago!
- Is that so? – She laughed, clearly not believing him.
- Yeah, it is so! – He slightly tugged on her with his elbow.
- Ok, ok… - She just shrugged, coming back to normal. – Now, your turn. I still have questions.
- Right… Well… - He thought a little, as if remembering. – So, I heard from your family that you wouldn’t be home for Christmas this year… Dawn was looking particularly sad and everyone said they were missing you a lot.
With the mention of her family and Christmas, she felt that little feeling again, but this time… It was so much lighter. As if it bothered, but she didn’t have reasons to get sad, and she couldn’t explain it right. But it wasn’t… all bad. She concentrated then in his answer, encouraging him. – And…?
In that second, Drew averted his eyes and looked kind of embarrassed.
- Well, as you know… I’ve been celebrating Christmas with you and your family since two years ago… And it was always fun. – He paused. – Right?
- Right. – She liked the sound of that, so she simply smiled whole-heartedly. The reason was no mystery… Drew was like a whole new star in their Christmas Tree, poetically speaking.
- So… I was expecting to pass this year the same way. But when I called your home and was told the news…
“I felt disappointed cause you wouldn’t be there”. That’s what he wanted to say, but it was so hard to come out. He was clearly having a little trouble, his eyes never meeting hers and his face turning red.
- Drew, why are you blushing?
- I'm not! - His voice sounded louder.
- Shhh! Don’t wake them up! – She hushed him, looking at the sleeping pokémons.
A moment of silent followed, and Drew internally thanked for the chance. It was an opportunity to calm down and to say the things that should be said.
- Right. – He agreed, glancing at them for a few seconds and then turning his eyes to her once more, his expression more determined than before. – So, as soon as I heard you wouldn’t be coming, I tried to talk to you. Your parents told me the bad weather was also blocking that. Then they told me where you were. It was actually quite a coincidence that I was close by… My plans were to head up to your house in Hoenn, but to come here would actually be quite faster. I was thinking about it when I bumped into Ash and Gary along the way.
- I'm sure they were invited for the Christmas party as well. – She thought out loud. Her family liked to make a big party with a lot of people, all of her friends were invited even if some couldn’t come; “The more the merrier!” they used to say.
- Yes, they were. But, hear this; I told them you were kind of stuck here due to bad weather, and that I was coming to see you… And they wanted to tag along!
- Really? Wow… That’s… Nice. – She felt herself smiling subconsciously.
Drew narrowed a bit his eyes; He sure didn’t like his girl smiling like that for other boys, regardless that they were just friends.
Well, at least, that’s how he looked at it.
May was his girl. She just wasn’t completely aware of it.
- So, as I was saying… - He managed to get her attention back. – As soon as we got in the city, I could establish communication with this place. And, well…. I asked about you. They said they didn’t see you this entire morning, that maybe you hadn’t left your room… I found it weird.
As soon as we got here, the couple of Coordinators said you were missing, they were looking everywhere for you. – May kept her gaze on him. – Well… I don’t need to tell you much more than this, right? – He paused for a second, his eyes fixedly meeting hers.
She blinked, thinking about his words. The idea of Drew coming to meet her by himself, just because he wanted… Was something exciting and made her want to smile. So, the thought of him running around looking for her was just… Incredible.
Slowly, almost without realizing it, his voice tuned down, sounding slow and nice, as he approached her more and more. – I ran after you as soon as I heard that. – He lifted his hand, touching her soft skin as he stared into her blue eyes. – I couldn’t even bear the idea... Of you being lost… I just…. My legs started moving on their own.
May felt her heart skip a beat, and suddenly regain rhythm in a quicker pace. Her cheeks turned slightly red, but she couldn’t avert her eyes. Not when he looked so deep into her owns. His smell inebriating her, his touch making her quiver and shut her eyelids.
- You know… - She whispered, leaning forward and more into his caress. – I wasn’t actually scared, but I was worried about the way home. However… - She opened those blue eyes and met once again those green of him. - When I saw your rose… A part of me just warmed, and smiled prematurely, like if it was my subconscious saying to me… That everything would be okay.
- And do you know… That I remember of you, each and every time I look at those roses?
None of them could be heard if it wasn’t the proximity. But with that, she opened her eyes a little bit more. – Really? It’s kinda… hard… to believe.
- Are you serious? – He arched one eyebrow.
- Well…
- I'm being honest.
She stopped and just stared again, feeling her chest warm up. He took that as a chance to continue.
- May… You’re passionate, and extremely beautiful. – He paused for a second. - You’re delicate on the surface but actually pretty tough in other ways. – Another pause, as he took the time to gaze her lips. - You smell incredibly fine and enchant people around you with your vividness and spirit. –He continued, backing to her eyes. - You like the color red, and your clothes… When we met for the first time, they were mostly red. – A relaxed smile manifested in his lips, as if offering something. – You are the personification of a rose, May. – He finished with a whisper that barely echoed through his voice. - For me, at least…
And, for the first time, after a long time of waiting, they locked their lips.
Eyes closed, noses touching, and lips proclaiming love.
--
10:30 p.m. – 24th December
- So, tell me again about the first time you saw me… - She teased, looking up at his chin, as it was possible since she was leaned against his chest, with his arms holding her close. Both of them now sharing one bigger blanket, while he had his back leaned at the sofa.
- No, I told you that less than 10 minutes ago! Come on, you’ve got to give me something too!
– He smiled amused at her, looking down.
- But I gave you something… - She reached his face, brushing her lips against his lips. – I gave you plenty of kisses! – And then she laughed.
- Well, not that I'm complaining about it… - He followed her with the laugh, but then suddenly his eyes fell upon the sleeping figure curled up in the blanket. He made a thoughtful expression.
- Huh? What is it? – She noticed, looking the way his eyes were heading.
- I was thinking… That we were pretty reckless right now! Look how close Glaceon is! I'm lucky that it didn’t wake up or anything.
- Eh? And why is that? – May seemed confused. Drew just looked unbelieving to her.
- May… You know that Glaceous is tremendously jealous of you, right? It would not just sit there as we made out!
She couldn’t help but blush. – W-well… I know that it is kind of…
- No, not “kind of”. It is really possessive. – He then thought of something. – Is that why you two had a quarrel?
- Hm?
- His jealousness? Did it misbehave or something?
- Oh, no… Well… - And on that right moment, she thought about it too. She looked over there, staring at her Pokémon as it breathed steadily in peaceful and gracious sleep, thinking for the first time a reasonable explanation for everything.
Was it jealousy? That’s why it didn’t want to go home? That’s why it caused the storm?
- Did I tell you it was Glaceon, and other wild pokémon together, that made this snowstorm? - She asked in a low voice, not moving her eyes.
- What? No! Was it?
- Yes, it was. Also, it didn’t want to go home for Christmas since way before that. I couldn’t understand, it was always such a sociable Pokémon…
- Didn’t want to go home? – He repeated, more to himself . – Well… It does fit. After all, there would be not only your other pokémon, but your family and friends too. All of them would demand some of your attention. – Drew paused, to see if she followed. She looked at him and gave a nod with her head, then he concluded. – Perhaps it just didn’t want to share you.
Maybe it liked the way things were… With the two of you here, bonding and spending time together.
May stared at Glaceon again, and, well… It fit. Every little piece of it. She felt a smile coming, and then a jolly laugh followed right behind.
- So that’s what it was? Oh, so silly! I would never stop paying attention just because other people are around!
- Well, I think he knows it now. – Drew also smiled. He could see the way those two were connected back then, when he found them inside the cave.
- I wish I could just wake it up right now and… - When she made a mention of moving, he pressed her arms around her more firmly, which caused her to look at him, puzzled. – What?
- Don’t do that. Not now. – Seeing her still intrigued face, he made it clearer. – I want to stay like that a little longer… - Lowering his tune again, he finished it with a kiss on her forehead.
Her response was a laugh that he loved to hear, a gaze of mutual understanding and a new kiss initiated.
--
11:55 p.m. – 24th December
As time went by, suddenly it was late, and they were tired. It didn’t take much time for them to be lying on the carpet. It has been a day full of adventures. She sighed, making herself more comfortable against him and upon the cozy and thick rug, the blanket and the fire taking care of the temperature.
She was almost closing her eyes when a sudden thought ran through her mind.
- Where are Ash and Gary?
- They, huh… - If she hadn’t been all tangled up with him, she would have seen his uneasy expression.
- Coming to think of it, why were them travelling together? I thought they were like rivals.
- Well, they…
- And Ash said he missed me. Where’s he now?
- You see, May… - He began, seeing that she was still oblivious to it. – They both have to get their own time too.
- For what?
Yeah, he could have slapped himself, but he settled with just a sigh. Had Ash never told her?
- May, they are a couple. Just like… we are now.
She blinked once, twice, and felt realization falling upon her like a stone – but a light stone.
- Oh... OH. Okay. – She blushed a little due to her cluelessness. - Well, I guess we can meet them tomorrow morning. – And she laughed with him, as she snuggled more against his chest and felt his arms hugging her affectionately.
If Ash was happy, that was all that mattered to her. Just like… Glaceon. And she could tell it was happy. She could sense it. As everyone else began to fall asleep in that Christmas Eve… She sworn she could sense every inch of that glowing energy that surrounded them.
Glaceon’s steady breath, Roserade slightly snoring, the sweet movement that Drew’s chest made while he slept and breathed calmly, the warmness of the room… Everything looked like an enchanted Christmas tale. She felt in peace.
The fire slowly came to die, and its reddish glow dimmed. May could notice that the snow outside ceased at the same pace.
With the slightly better weather, she could speak with her family and wish ‘em all a merry Christmas. And the thought of not being there, well… It didn’t make her sad anymore. Cause she was having a different type of Christmas. One surrounded by loved ones and so filled with happiness, just as any other, or perhaps even more.
The storm that troubled her heart earlier left that night, with all of her worries and sadness, leaving behind only the feeling of warmness in her heart.
As she slowly began to fall asleep, her last thought was…
This was, actually, a very, very happy and special Christmas.
And the smile on everyone’s faces while they were asleep was living proof of that.
Author:
Rating: T - for one word swearing
Verse: Anime - Advanced Generation series (generation III)
Characters/Pairings: May/Drew, implied Ash/Gary
Summary: When a sudden storm comes to make things hard, May has to find her way into the Christmas spirit.
Pokemod Note: Dreamwidth's limitations didn't allow this fic's original formatting. Therefore, I've also uploaded its .docx file for you to see it as it was meant to be read: HERE.
04:00 p.m. – 20th December
- What you mean “you don’t want to go to our Christmas party”? – May asked her Pokémon, somewhat surprised for the unexpected reaction. So what if they would have to travel a long way till their home back in Hoenn? It was Christmas, for crying out loud! She didn’t – and wouldn’t – want to spend it all by herself.
She looked hesitantly to her now evolved Eevee, expecting some kind of change in its behavior.
But it was in vain.
The light blued Pokémon barely looked at her, turning its head and remaining in silence. The girl just sighed. Her Glaceon wasn’t that blatant when she was younger. All of a sudden she left the room, going outside to the garden, wanting to be alone.
A flowing breeze ran through her brownish highlights, making her body shiver a little, and her head turn to the side… As if trying to hide all those obstinate tears, which insisted in being there at the corner of her blue eyes, watering them and threatening to fall.
- Damn it! It’s not like it’s my fault! – She shouted to no one around, clenching her fists.
Indeed, it wasn’t. Her special training that demanded so. So what if they would have only three days to go back to their home? So what if that was almost and practically impossible? So what if she didn’t make it, she would have to spend the whole Christmas alone? She was May – and she wasn’t known for giving up things without even trying!
Still, the tears started to run down her face and soon she couldn’t stop the flow anymore.
It’s not like she was content with the situation, either.
--
08:00 p.m. – 20th December
- So? – Asked the blue haired girl. – You won’t be coming?
- I didn’t say that, Dawn! – Yelled the other girl, from the other line.
Dawn frowned and her grip on the cellphone tightened. – But that’s exactly what it sounded like, May!
- Glaceon is not happy, that is true. But it doesn’t mean that we won’t be going.
- Well… have you tried to talk with it?
- If I could slap you right now, I would. – Said the brunette, sighing.
- Ok, ok, I got it. You have talked to it. But, well… You know that it shouldn’t be a problem. It’s not like it can stop you from going…
- I know. I just didn’t want things to be like that. We’re companions… I don’t know, I don’t want to just put it inside the pokéball and boss it around.
- It doesn’t seem to me like you’ve got a choice.
May grew silent to that, thinking of those words.
- Yeah, maybe. I have to go now, Dawn. Talk to you later?
- Sure. See ya!
- Take care.
And with that May hung up the phone. She looked down at her Glaceon, thinking thing over.
--
10:00 p.m. – 20th December
- Hey, have you seen my gloves? – Asked a tall girl with curly blond hair, her brownish eyes looking everywhere and suddenly stopping at May. She held a big suitcase on her right hand and looked kind of anxious.
- Huh, blue gloves? With little yellow ducks on it? – May had her hands on her face, sitting quite casually in the stairs.
- Yeah! Exactly!
- I saw them on the central table at the kitchen.
- Oh, thanks so much, May! – The blonde almost gave May a hug out of gratitude. But as it seemed, the girl was in a hurry. – You saved me! – She said, coming back from the kitchen with the gloves in her hands. – I couldn’t afford to lose those. My mom made them for me… - She continued, with a gleam in her eyes.
May felt herself smiling at the mention of the word “mom”. It reminded her of her own.
- Well, I can’t wait too much. I’m leaving now. See ya’ in a few weeks! Have a happy holidays, and a special Christmas!
They hugged and said their goodbyes, soon enough the blonde was gone and May stood there watching the hall again. Empty. Who else was there now? Most of the other people, one by one, were going home. The blonde was the last one to leave. But she was still there. The ones remaining were just the Master Coordinators, those who lived there and probably have the family in town.
“Maybe I’m wasting time?” She thought. Maybe it was already time to go? Still, her Glaceon wasn’t really fond of the idea. She had to do something about it.
--
10:30 p.m. – 20th December
- Glaceon, you here? – She opened her door and found it almost sleeping on the bed, but waking up at her voice. It looked less wary than before and for that she was glad.
She spent some time with it, playing, caressing, until it was time to bring the topic up again.
- So… I was thinking. – She began carefully. – Perhaps we should hit the road tomorrow, I heard we’re gonna have weather! Does morning sound good to you? – Then she gave it a smile.
But it was in vain. As soon as she spoke, her Glaceon stood up and was clearly upset. May could feel it and remained the rest of the night trying to communicate with it.
She almost felt herself crying again when she saw it was… helpless. She felt helpless. And, as sad as it might sound…. She also felt alone. She had her pokémon, and the people around there were really nice and hearty. But it just wasn’t home. She missed her other pokémons too, and that moment she wished with all her heart that the training allowed her to carry more than one. But those were the rules; You train with one, each at a time.
She gave one last look at the pettish Glaceon that almost ignored her as it cuddle up around the blanket, before falling asleep.
She dreamed about her Glaceon back in the happy days, with that little sound that it made when it was clearly happy… Together with her family. Smiling, hugging, and that was all she dreamed about.
--
09:00 a.m. – 21st December
- Oh, my! The weather sure changed!
- Man, that’s awful!
-You kidding me? It’s perfect! A white Christmas, that’s all we could have asked for!
The Coordinators’ voices sounding through the walls woke May up. – Hmm… - She moaned a little before opening her eyes, but when she did it…
All she could see through the window was… White. Not only white as in snowing, but as in “snow storm”. There would be no training outside these days.
- What?! – It was impossible not to jump and run for it; to see with her own eyes.
What was all that snow doing there? Damn, it should not be there! Why? It would make everything so hard! It was a long journey; Now she would have to do it under a snowstorm? Really?
- Argh, but that is so, so infuriating! FUCK THIS! – She shouted, at last.
Suddenly the sound of a door opening startled her, as she looked wide–eyed to it. It was Glaceon coming in with a much satisfied expression on its face. – You like that, don’t you little fellow?
She could almost feel its chuckle. And although it kind of annoyed her… It also was a pleasant feeling that fulfilled her. It was good to see it smile again. Even if it was for the wrong reasons.
--
21st , 22nd, 23rd - December
It was the 22nd already and nothing of the weather getting better. Just as Glaceon attitude. May tried to feel different, but it was just impossible. She wanted to go home and the more close to Christmas it got, the worst the weather turned out. She could feel the troubling feelings bubbling up her stomach; her family grew worried and so did she.
When the 23rd came, she would barely leave the bed. She was feeling empty, and sad, and she missed her family so much! Why? Why? Every day she would wake up and run to see the weather but it was always getting worse. She hugged herself with the blanket and just let the warm tears stain her face.
Tomorrow it was Christmas eve; And she would most likely spend it all by herself, alone.
--
11:00 a.m. – 24th December
The day was there and she was sitting, looking to the Christmas Tree that stood right in the center of the principal room. All she would do was think and listen to music, trying to forget the bad feelings of loneliness that tried to catch her.
All of sudden, she saw her Glaceon walking through the room. It has seemed more active those days than ever, but it would never keep her company. It was as if they weren’t together. She looked how she even remained unnoticed to it. Automatically, she furrowed her eyebrows and looked suspicious when it went just out of the house.
“What?”
Concern shoot through her veins, running hot and alarming. It was dangerous outside! It couldn’t go alone there! She sat up straight and stood up, quickly putting her coat and trying to follow it.
In an all-white picture, it was pretty easy to spot a small blue point in the middle of it. So, she hadn’t much trouble chasing after it.
- Glaceon! – She shouted, but the wind and the snow blocked her voice out. Still, she tried more times, until it stopped.
She trilled a little, thinking it was an obvious reason why it stopped, but she would never be prepared to what her eyes were about to see next.
Her Pokémon, together with some other wild pokémons – like some Cryogonals and some Vanillites, even some Cubchoos – were all rising up the wind.
With a powerful Blizzard and some of them divided between Hail and Icy Wind, they were all aiming to the sky – not on each other’s. That meant…. That… Were they the ones doing this? That snow storm?
It was their fault?! And Glaceon, the one making the Blizzard, was it… the mastermind?
May didn’t know what to feel. But she sure was surprised.
--
12:00 a.m. – 24th December
So, it was all… Glaceon’s doing? All that? The tempestuous storm, the endless snow? Has it not seen all her tears and stuffed cry? Has it not seen all of her sorrow for the idea of not being able to celebrate Christmas with her family?
So many questions, so many different feelings. She just wanted to close her eyes and pretend it was a lie.
Yeah, so, it didn’t want to go home. But was it necessary to block all the ways to do that? Even the phone calls were hard to do due to the bad weather.
With all that, she found herself back into their big house, as if her legs had automatically moved. The trainers were nowhere to be seen and she just heard the emptiness of those inexistent sounds.
It was all silent. And it was all… Empty.
So, she sat there, and cried.
----
14:00 p.m. – 24th December
- So… You’re finally here, hm?
The bitter sound in her voice wasn’t intentional. But it’s not like she could just ignore it. Her thoughts remained running through her skull and giving her a headache she doubted she could avoid.
Glaceon turned its head to her and watched with puzzled eyes. It made a little sound that expressed confusion. She then met its gaze, smiling in a bitter way.
- It was you all along, huh? Wish I had known it sooner…
Her Pokémon wasn’t stupid. It knew its trainer. It could feel the waves coming from May. It knew something was wrong and it wasn’t the usual sadness of the other previous days.
- But why am I even trying to talk to you? You won’t even TALK TO ME! – Suddenly the girl snapped, her voice rising up as she stood on her foot. – So that’s what you have been doing all along! When I was alone and wanting to have my companion by my side, you were out there playing wild life with your wild friends and making this storm?! Why did you do it? WHY?
The blue Pokémon retracted itself a little; It was startled by the yells filled with anger.
But May didn’t seem to notice. She had begun her rant and it looked like it would go on until the end of it.
- WHY? I WANTED TO GO HOME! – She shouted again, tears running down her face and her fists clenching together. – I WANTED MY FAMILY, AND DREW! –The thought of her crush being there as he has been at those lasts Christmas just made her shiver more with frustration. – And you know what…? I wanted my other pokémons too! The ones that CARE FOR ME!
At that moment, the seconds of the present minute seemed to slow down; And it would only go back to normal after her last scream.
- If you love this snow and your wild fellows so much…. GO LIVE WITH THEM! AND STAY THERE FOREVER! You don’t have to stay with me anymore!
Glaceon’s pokéball fell on the cold and hard ground making a heartbreaking sound.
It only wasn’t more heartbreaking than Glaceon’s eyes.
It didn’t take more than an instant; Like a jolt through the sky, the ice Pokémon ran pass the door with a dumpish and suffered noise, clearly feeling rejected.
One thing was to release a Pokémon. Another was to send it away.
A minute pass before May could breathe and snap out of it. Her eyes went wide and her eyes flooded with water again, almost automatically.
- What have I done?
---
There was no time to waste. She knew damn well what she had done. She had yelled at her Pokémon and shooed it away like it was nothing to her.
God, it meant everything to her!
Its unhappiness made her unhappy and only one caress of it would brighten her whole day!
She would never let it go like that, she would never cast it away! She loved her Pokémon with all her might and just couldn’t afford to lose it like that!
She made a mistake, yes. She shouldn’t have talked to it in that manner. It wasn’t right, it wasn’t her, and it was just… All wrong. But she wouldn’t let it end like that, no.
She ran, ran, and ran; trying to see something, anything, in that endless snow picture. Throughout all those hardy and wet snow flakes, her coat protecting her all it could from the winter cold, but it still wasn’t enough. She could feel the pain of her gelid skin drying in the cold wind like a needle in her fingertips.
“It doesn’t matter.” She thought. Not now. She needed to find Glaceon; And that was the only and one thing that did matter. She would think of the rest later.
She wouldn’t lose it. She couldn’t. She never wanted to shout her frustrations on it like she did… She snapped and now had to apologize, she had to get it back.
She couldn’t lose a part of her heart like that. How would you live… without a piece of your heart?
---
- Glaceon! Glaceon! - Again, she continued to shout. One more time after the countless times she’d already shouted its name. She shouted loud and clear, hoping to be heard. Hoping it would bring it back. – Glaceon! – Once again, looking at the silent landscape, shouting to the white wilderness.
No response again. Her chest started to hurt, the wanting to cry coming over again. But she could not be weak now, no, she had to be strong and keep looking.
It wasn’t really late when she spotted something. She tried hard to see, and then… A vanillite!
Gosh, she tried to run to it and threw herself on the ground; Trying her best no to scare it away but not having a really successful outturn of events. The pokemon was startled and about to run; when a muffled sound of cry came of May’s shaky voice.
- Please… don’t go.
The Pokémon kept its distance, turning and facing her. It looked curious and maybe even a little worried. She understood it was the time to speak.
- Please, I’m just trying to find my Glaceon! It ran away and I’m desperate after it… Have… Have you seen it?
And with that, he made a little movement of understanding as a response to her words, which made May hold her breath as if it was what would decide everything. So, was it one of Glaceon's wild fellows?!
She felt so anxious she could barely stand. But the torture didn’t last long; Soon the little Vanillite turns and runs forward, in a pace not really fast. May felt dubious; Was he running away or showing the way?
Be either or neither, she couldn’t hesitate. In a flash of light she stood up and followed the little Pokémon.
While she was running, she tried her best not to lose sight of it, which was a hard thing to do…
Suddenly, the little Pokémon stopped in front of what looked like a cave’s entrance, albeit its small proportions. It turned its head to her and gave her a significant look… May breathed and decided that it was something she needed to do, there was no trace of doubt in her eyes.
She entered the darkened cave and felt a little relieved to be out of that icy wind. Luckily… A few meters away from the entrance, where the light from outside still reached well enough, all cuddled up onto itself next to the freezing wall, it lied…. That little Pokémon that she could recognize anywhere…
Her Glaceon.
- Glaceon! Glaceon! – The Pokémon, as fast as it was, didn’t have time to jump, although it was startled by the sudden voice and her afflicted tune. On one second it was almost sleeping, nestled in itself feeling cold and sad; On the other, it was in the warm arms of its trainer, being pressed against May’s chest with so much love that it could almost hurt.
May held it close to her, so close, like it could escape again if she didn’t, and once again tears flooded her eyes. But this time, even with all the cold that surrounded them, her tears were hot and warm, overflowed with joy.
- Glaceon, I’m so sorry…
She apologized while she caressed it, and only stopped when it looked at her with glowing eyes.
- I never meant to say any of that… I was just angry, but it wasn’t your fault and I don’t want you to leave never again. I shouldn’t speak to you that way… I promise I will never do it again.
She stopped herself when it moved its head and nuzzled her neck, making a sound that May clearly understood. She would always understand , as long as she gave it enough time and attention. For a while, she just stood there, seated on the ground, embraced with her Glaceon, sharing a moment of peace and warmness. She looked at the entrance, and didn’t feel any kind of sorrow. The Vanillite from before continued there, but at certain point came closer to them both and nestled itself right beside May. She noticed and just brought it closer.
As her Glaceon fell asleep, she just contemplated the bad weather outside, resting against the wall, feeling a little warmer with both Pokémons by her side. The only thing she could think of was…
That if she was to celebrate Christmas like that... If Glaceon was with her, sound, safe, and most of all, happy… Then she, too, was happy.
--
When she woke up, she wasn’t surprised that she’d fallen asleep. Rather, she was surprised by that red rose that stood a few meters away her foot, in the direction of the entrance. She blinked twice and yawned, asking herself if she was still dreaming… Was it there before? That rose looked just like…
- May?
She knew that voice. She would never miss that tone…
- Drew? – But her voice was low, as if she didn’t believe in what she heard. Well, she was right in the middle of nowhere, right? She pondered right as she fell asleep that she would have to figure out a way back, since she lost herself running after the pokémons, and didn’t know if little Vanillite would care to show her the way yet again. Maybe Glaceon knew?
- May? Are you there?
Again that voice, as if mocking her.
- Drew, is that you?
When a man entered the cave, the green hair contradistinguishing with the white picture, the characteristic purple clothes, and another red rose in hands, just like the one standing on the ground, she could do nothing but smile. Mirage or not, it was a delightful one.
He, on the other hand, seemed more startled than happy.
- May, are you ok? – He quickly kneeled down close to her and embraced her with his arms.
That’s when she knew it was not a mirage; definitely not.
- Oh my God, what are you doing here? – It was the first thing she could ask.
- I can ask you the same thing! You idiot! What are you thinking? That you could just run in the middle of that storm? Why?
On that right instant, Glaceon woke up and bit the newcomer.
- Yah! – It didn’t hurt that much, but the surprise of something unseen biting you was quite thrilling. – Ah, Glaceon..? – Drew backed away a little, staring at the Pokémon that stood now right between he and May, next to Vanillite. To that, the youngster only gave a half-heartedly smile, shaking his head. – Jealous as ever, I suppose?
May could not notice, but Glacion was the most jealous of all her pokémons. It was quite the possessive type.
- Really, what are you doing here? How did you find me? - Insisted the girl.
- Well, it wasn’t easy. We are looking everywhere for you since the time we got here and those Coordinators said you were missing. Someone saw a girl running into this direction, and well…. It took us some time! But, finally… I'm so happy to see you’re all right. – He lifted a hand and softly caressed her face, probably without noticing. May wasn’t able to stop the blush that spread through her face.
- W-well… - She looked away. – I'm happy you found me but I still don’t get it. Weren’t you supposed to be in Hoenn?
He let out a long sigh, and stared deeply into her eyes before answering. – There was something missing there.
But May had no clue. – Yeah? What?
And with that he suddenly came into his senses. Retrieving his hand and slightly blushing, he looked away and sighed again. – We should be going. The others have to know you’re fine.
- Others? – She repeated.
--
Ash’s smile was always like a breeze of fresh air. Not the same could be said about the guy beside him, but Gary had his own charms.
- Ash! And... Gary! – She ran to them.
- May, you’re all right! I'm so happy to see that! – Like always, Ash gave her one of those hugs that real friends give each other.
- Yes, I'm okay!
Before she could back away, Ash was hit by Glaceon’s tackle.
- Waah! What was that? – The black haired boy asked.
- It was May’s oh-so-jealous Glaceon. – Gary gave a muffled laugh, trying not to but failing.
May was too happy to care or reprehend her Pokémon. After all, jealousy was a demonstration of love, right? Maybe Drew could be a little more like Glaceon and speed up things a little.
They were back at the Coordinations house, and Vanillite was saying its goodbyes to Glaceon and Drew, after they worked together to find their way home safe and sound, in the middle of the storm. May still had some doubts about they being there, but by the time being, having her crush, her friend… Her almost friend, and her beloved Pokémon, was all she needed to feel in peace.
Everything was going to be okay. And as she looked to her icy pokémon’s smile, she knew it for sure.
--
09:00 p.m. – 24th December
- So, tell me again how you three ended up here. In the top of the hill, running after a friend that you had absolute no idea that had lost herself.
- Only if you tell me the story of how you got lost in the first place.
May smiled to herself for a moment, then settled into the blanket that wrapped around her warming her up, together with the bright fire in the fireplace and the rug that was fluffy and cozy. Drew was coming back with two mugs of hot chocolate and sat right beside her, with a blanket of his own.
Both sighed for a moment, staring to their Pokémons; Glaceon was as sweet as ever, sleeping comfortably in the red fluffy pad, next to Roserade, who slept as well.
Drew broke the silence. – So…?
She glanced at him and began talking, with a brief giggle.
- I told you already! Glaceon and I… Well, we’ve had some sort of disagreement… And I snapped. I said horrible things and it just ran off. But as soon as it happened I realized that I shouldn’t have done that and ran after it. I ended up losing myself. Furthermore, when Vanillite appeared, I just followed him like a blind person, without even looking back.
- And then… You found it, right?
- Right. I found it, Vanillite knew where it was… The relief almost washed me away, it was overwhelming. – She said that with a smile on her lips.
- You two look fine to me, though…
- Well, we made up. I apologized and it seems it has accepted it.
- Ours Pokémon are too kind… And Glaceon loves you very much. It would never leave you, it was probably just sad. – They both had their eyes on the pokémon, and May answered it just a few seconds later.
- I wouldn’t risk it.
- I agree. I would have done the same thing. - And with that, Drew finally let his gaze fall over the beautiful girl next to him. He offered her a playful smile, while she eyed him with a trace of distrust. – Really. – He reassured her.
- What? No “your idiot!” or “what a clumsy” or… Something of the kind? – She teased him
with a smile.
- Oh, come on, I stopped that a little time ago!
- Is that so? – She laughed, clearly not believing him.
- Yeah, it is so! – He slightly tugged on her with his elbow.
- Ok, ok… - She just shrugged, coming back to normal. – Now, your turn. I still have questions.
- Right… Well… - He thought a little, as if remembering. – So, I heard from your family that you wouldn’t be home for Christmas this year… Dawn was looking particularly sad and everyone said they were missing you a lot.
With the mention of her family and Christmas, she felt that little feeling again, but this time… It was so much lighter. As if it bothered, but she didn’t have reasons to get sad, and she couldn’t explain it right. But it wasn’t… all bad. She concentrated then in his answer, encouraging him. – And…?
In that second, Drew averted his eyes and looked kind of embarrassed.
- Well, as you know… I’ve been celebrating Christmas with you and your family since two years ago… And it was always fun. – He paused. – Right?
- Right. – She liked the sound of that, so she simply smiled whole-heartedly. The reason was no mystery… Drew was like a whole new star in their Christmas Tree, poetically speaking.
- So… I was expecting to pass this year the same way. But when I called your home and was told the news…
“I felt disappointed cause you wouldn’t be there”. That’s what he wanted to say, but it was so hard to come out. He was clearly having a little trouble, his eyes never meeting hers and his face turning red.
- Drew, why are you blushing?
- I'm not! - His voice sounded louder.
- Shhh! Don’t wake them up! – She hushed him, looking at the sleeping pokémons.
A moment of silent followed, and Drew internally thanked for the chance. It was an opportunity to calm down and to say the things that should be said.
- Right. – He agreed, glancing at them for a few seconds and then turning his eyes to her once more, his expression more determined than before. – So, as soon as I heard you wouldn’t be coming, I tried to talk to you. Your parents told me the bad weather was also blocking that. Then they told me where you were. It was actually quite a coincidence that I was close by… My plans were to head up to your house in Hoenn, but to come here would actually be quite faster. I was thinking about it when I bumped into Ash and Gary along the way.
- I'm sure they were invited for the Christmas party as well. – She thought out loud. Her family liked to make a big party with a lot of people, all of her friends were invited even if some couldn’t come; “The more the merrier!” they used to say.
- Yes, they were. But, hear this; I told them you were kind of stuck here due to bad weather, and that I was coming to see you… And they wanted to tag along!
- Really? Wow… That’s… Nice. – She felt herself smiling subconsciously.
Drew narrowed a bit his eyes; He sure didn’t like his girl smiling like that for other boys, regardless that they were just friends.
Well, at least, that’s how he looked at it.
May was his girl. She just wasn’t completely aware of it.
- So, as I was saying… - He managed to get her attention back. – As soon as we got in the city, I could establish communication with this place. And, well…. I asked about you. They said they didn’t see you this entire morning, that maybe you hadn’t left your room… I found it weird.
As soon as we got here, the couple of Coordinators said you were missing, they were looking everywhere for you. – May kept her gaze on him. – Well… I don’t need to tell you much more than this, right? – He paused for a second, his eyes fixedly meeting hers.
She blinked, thinking about his words. The idea of Drew coming to meet her by himself, just because he wanted… Was something exciting and made her want to smile. So, the thought of him running around looking for her was just… Incredible.
Slowly, almost without realizing it, his voice tuned down, sounding slow and nice, as he approached her more and more. – I ran after you as soon as I heard that. – He lifted his hand, touching her soft skin as he stared into her blue eyes. – I couldn’t even bear the idea... Of you being lost… I just…. My legs started moving on their own.
May felt her heart skip a beat, and suddenly regain rhythm in a quicker pace. Her cheeks turned slightly red, but she couldn’t avert her eyes. Not when he looked so deep into her owns. His smell inebriating her, his touch making her quiver and shut her eyelids.
- You know… - She whispered, leaning forward and more into his caress. – I wasn’t actually scared, but I was worried about the way home. However… - She opened those blue eyes and met once again those green of him. - When I saw your rose… A part of me just warmed, and smiled prematurely, like if it was my subconscious saying to me… That everything would be okay.
- And do you know… That I remember of you, each and every time I look at those roses?
None of them could be heard if it wasn’t the proximity. But with that, she opened her eyes a little bit more. – Really? It’s kinda… hard… to believe.
- Are you serious? – He arched one eyebrow.
- Well…
- I'm being honest.
She stopped and just stared again, feeling her chest warm up. He took that as a chance to continue.
- May… You’re passionate, and extremely beautiful. – He paused for a second. - You’re delicate on the surface but actually pretty tough in other ways. – Another pause, as he took the time to gaze her lips. - You smell incredibly fine and enchant people around you with your vividness and spirit. –He continued, backing to her eyes. - You like the color red, and your clothes… When we met for the first time, they were mostly red. – A relaxed smile manifested in his lips, as if offering something. – You are the personification of a rose, May. – He finished with a whisper that barely echoed through his voice. - For me, at least…
And, for the first time, after a long time of waiting, they locked their lips.
Eyes closed, noses touching, and lips proclaiming love.
--
10:30 p.m. – 24th December
- So, tell me again about the first time you saw me… - She teased, looking up at his chin, as it was possible since she was leaned against his chest, with his arms holding her close. Both of them now sharing one bigger blanket, while he had his back leaned at the sofa.
- No, I told you that less than 10 minutes ago! Come on, you’ve got to give me something too!
– He smiled amused at her, looking down.
- But I gave you something… - She reached his face, brushing her lips against his lips. – I gave you plenty of kisses! – And then she laughed.
- Well, not that I'm complaining about it… - He followed her with the laugh, but then suddenly his eyes fell upon the sleeping figure curled up in the blanket. He made a thoughtful expression.
- Huh? What is it? – She noticed, looking the way his eyes were heading.
- I was thinking… That we were pretty reckless right now! Look how close Glaceon is! I'm lucky that it didn’t wake up or anything.
- Eh? And why is that? – May seemed confused. Drew just looked unbelieving to her.
- May… You know that Glaceous is tremendously jealous of you, right? It would not just sit there as we made out!
She couldn’t help but blush. – W-well… I know that it is kind of…
- No, not “kind of”. It is really possessive. – He then thought of something. – Is that why you two had a quarrel?
- Hm?
- His jealousness? Did it misbehave or something?
- Oh, no… Well… - And on that right moment, she thought about it too. She looked over there, staring at her Pokémon as it breathed steadily in peaceful and gracious sleep, thinking for the first time a reasonable explanation for everything.
Was it jealousy? That’s why it didn’t want to go home? That’s why it caused the storm?
- Did I tell you it was Glaceon, and other wild pokémon together, that made this snowstorm? - She asked in a low voice, not moving her eyes.
- What? No! Was it?
- Yes, it was. Also, it didn’t want to go home for Christmas since way before that. I couldn’t understand, it was always such a sociable Pokémon…
- Didn’t want to go home? – He repeated, more to himself . – Well… It does fit. After all, there would be not only your other pokémon, but your family and friends too. All of them would demand some of your attention. – Drew paused, to see if she followed. She looked at him and gave a nod with her head, then he concluded. – Perhaps it just didn’t want to share you.
Maybe it liked the way things were… With the two of you here, bonding and spending time together.
May stared at Glaceon again, and, well… It fit. Every little piece of it. She felt a smile coming, and then a jolly laugh followed right behind.
- So that’s what it was? Oh, so silly! I would never stop paying attention just because other people are around!
- Well, I think he knows it now. – Drew also smiled. He could see the way those two were connected back then, when he found them inside the cave.
- I wish I could just wake it up right now and… - When she made a mention of moving, he pressed her arms around her more firmly, which caused her to look at him, puzzled. – What?
- Don’t do that. Not now. – Seeing her still intrigued face, he made it clearer. – I want to stay like that a little longer… - Lowering his tune again, he finished it with a kiss on her forehead.
Her response was a laugh that he loved to hear, a gaze of mutual understanding and a new kiss initiated.
--
11:55 p.m. – 24th December
As time went by, suddenly it was late, and they were tired. It didn’t take much time for them to be lying on the carpet. It has been a day full of adventures. She sighed, making herself more comfortable against him and upon the cozy and thick rug, the blanket and the fire taking care of the temperature.
She was almost closing her eyes when a sudden thought ran through her mind.
- Where are Ash and Gary?
- They, huh… - If she hadn’t been all tangled up with him, she would have seen his uneasy expression.
- Coming to think of it, why were them travelling together? I thought they were like rivals.
- Well, they…
- And Ash said he missed me. Where’s he now?
- You see, May… - He began, seeing that she was still oblivious to it. – They both have to get their own time too.
- For what?
Yeah, he could have slapped himself, but he settled with just a sigh. Had Ash never told her?
- May, they are a couple. Just like… we are now.
She blinked once, twice, and felt realization falling upon her like a stone – but a light stone.
- Oh... OH. Okay. – She blushed a little due to her cluelessness. - Well, I guess we can meet them tomorrow morning. – And she laughed with him, as she snuggled more against his chest and felt his arms hugging her affectionately.
If Ash was happy, that was all that mattered to her. Just like… Glaceon. And she could tell it was happy. She could sense it. As everyone else began to fall asleep in that Christmas Eve… She sworn she could sense every inch of that glowing energy that surrounded them.
Glaceon’s steady breath, Roserade slightly snoring, the sweet movement that Drew’s chest made while he slept and breathed calmly, the warmness of the room… Everything looked like an enchanted Christmas tale. She felt in peace.
The fire slowly came to die, and its reddish glow dimmed. May could notice that the snow outside ceased at the same pace.
With the slightly better weather, she could speak with her family and wish ‘em all a merry Christmas. And the thought of not being there, well… It didn’t make her sad anymore. Cause she was having a different type of Christmas. One surrounded by loved ones and so filled with happiness, just as any other, or perhaps even more.
The storm that troubled her heart earlier left that night, with all of her worries and sadness, leaving behind only the feeling of warmness in her heart.
As she slowly began to fall asleep, her last thought was…
This was, actually, a very, very happy and special Christmas.
And the smile on everyone’s faces while they were asleep was living proof of that.