Desolate [Pokémon Arven x Protagonist]

Arven's Story

A slight breeze was rolling in, so I had to weigh down the edges of the cloth on the table with four stones. I also surrounded the dead bush fire with taller stones to keep the wind and sand on the floor away from the flames. I combed through my hair with my fingers, stopping constantly at newly formed knots. I shook out the sand and brushed off my clothes. I was hoping the wind would die down a little after our time in the cave. I sat at the table and Arven handed me the two sandwiches he had made for Koraidon and I. Surprisingly, I had to take out Koraidon myself, and he sneezed when he did.

"You don't like the sand either, huh?" I hovered the meal at his eye level and he took it ravenously from me, scoffing it down.

"C'mon.... At least bother to taste it before you swallow it right down, would you?" Arven sighed. He let out Mabosstiff and shared his portion. "Would you look at that," he said to his partner. "Someone has a proper appetite now!" I smiled as I began with my lunch, seafood mixing delightfully with the sourdough bread and sour spices. Koraidon stretched, and his arms grew visibly stronger. I wondered what he was able to do now.

There was a bark on the other side of the table, and Arven leapt up on his seat. "R-ruf?" He stuttered. He snapped his head at me. "You heard that, right, Lugosi? Mabosstiff just woofed, right?" I blinked at him, mouth full. I was sure I had heard it as well. Mabosstiff pushed himself up on his front paws and made a low, grumbling noise once more. Arven beamed. "I knew I wasn't imagining things!" He got up from his seat and squatted beside the Pokémon to stroke his fluffy head. "Oh, Mabosstiff! Who's my best bud, huh? Who's the best of boys? You are, yes, you are!" I wrapped my sandwich and set it down in the middle of the table before walking over to the two. "It's been so long since I heard that woof," he told me, teary-eyed. This time, instead of hiding his emotions, he stared at me head-on with complete eye contact. His eyes were so shiny and happy, his tears amplifying the pretty blue hue in his irises.

He brought himself up and faced me, hands on both of my arms. He looked me right in the eyes, completely vulnerable, a huge, goofy smile raising his cheeks and shaping his eyes into crescents. "Ever since I've teamed up with you, good things keep happening." A tear fell down his cheek, and he didn't lift a finger to hide it. I took my sleeve and went to caress his soft face, and as my clothing slid to dry his cheekbones, I felt him fall forward, arms wrapping around my sides and crossing behind my back. He pulled me into his strong, flat chest in a tight embrace, and I felt his pounding heart echoing against mine. I felt my breathing involuntary quicken and my legs weaken as electrifying feelings flooded my entire body and his peppery musk surrounded me. I already knew I was blushing madly, and I didn't even want to hide it because for some odd reason, I had the amazing idea that Arven liked me the way I liked him. I welcomed the feelings and allowed myself to smile like an idiot. I rested my head on his shoulder and brought my arms around his ribs to hold him, too, shutting my eyes to enjoy the moment.

He held me for a while until Mabosstiff woofed and Arven went down to fawn over his recovering friend. I decided to finish the rest of my sandwich by the fire, watching the sand move outside the cave opening. It was a lovely sub and it filled me up, satisfying every craving I had that day. I couldn't tell if it was the Herba Mystica or if Arven was just that brilliant at culinary arts that made each evening lunch so special. I tossed the empty paper towel into the fire and watched it disintegrate in a matter of seconds.

Arven sat close beside me and took a deep breath. "I think I should tell you something." I turned to him to listen. "I, uh...." He struggled to find the words, scanning the flickering ground for ideas. He spotted my empty hand and raised his to try to reach out, but looked at me longingly as if uncertain of what he wanted to do. I met him halfway and pressed my palm against his and tangled our fingers together. I slid myself over so our legs were touching and smiled at him silently, waiting for him to continue. Arven parted his bangs with his other hand. "My mom... works in the crater."