Mistakes - A Kalos/XY AU

Why Don't You Hate Me?

Once the four humans (Alain was off "discussing" things with Lysandre, and trusted Charizard in the group's care) helped to get Greninja back to his room, the siblings wanted Ash to have some alone time with his Pokémon. Ash, however, requested for Serena to stay. He said it was only so Greninja could see Braixen, but Clemont and Bonnie knew. Especially Bonnie, whose smug grin was a dead giveaway.

And now, here they were. Charizard keeping watch outside the room, and Ash and Serena sitting next to Greninja's bed while he lied there, Braixen snuggled into his chest. She technically shouldn't be giving him physical contact yet, but Arceus be damned she's waited long enough for him to wake up. Greninja wasn't gonna complain either.

"Now Greninja," Ash began. "Mind telling me what were you thinking getting out of bed as soon as you woke up?"

The frog rolled his eyes.

"I've been in this room for way longer than necessary. You and I BOTH know that."

"You haven't walked for a week and a half, bud. You should have waited."

Greninja sighed before moving a hand to stroke the top of Braixen's head, eliciting a soft purr from the fox.

"Alright..." he said. "You may have a point."

"He definitely has a point, Greninja." Braixen added. "You could barely stand when we saw you in the lobby."

Greninja huffed before turning his head away from the three of them, attempting to hide his embarrassing blush.

"Tch," he remarked. "Sure, Braixen. Take their side..."

Ash and Serena both softly laughed as their two Pokémon cuddled with each other.

For Ash, however... things just felt right again. Greninja was back, and in a surprisingly good mood considering what had happened to him. It was as if he had never gotten hurt in the first place.

His idle banter with Braixen. His constant reassurance that he was fine and just needed to adjust to using his body again. His voice, which was a slick combination of serious, yet lighthearted and fun.

He never realized how much he truly missed Greninja until he nearly lost him.

'Is this... what Charizard felt?' He thought.

Outside the room, said dragon listened in to the four. He offered to take guard duty, so no one would disturb them while they talked with Greninja. Greninja needed this. He needed time alone with those he cared for most.

It didn't matter, however. Charizard knew he was lying to himself. He was making excuses. He just didn't want to be in the room yet, since he wasn't ready to.

The dragon had been dreading this day ever since  they first got here. How could he even attempt to apologizing to Greninja, especially considering he's the one who put him here in the first place?

More uncertain thoughts crept into his mind. Would Greninja hate his guts for what he did? Would he try and return the favor the first chance he got?

Charizard didn't have any answers, and he wasn't sure he wanted them.

—

Even though it had only been 45 minutes, Charizard felt as if he had been in this spot outside the room for a lifetime.

His thoughts on finally talking to Greninja again hadn't improved, no. Instead, they got worse.