Fireandiceshipping Oneshots, Headcanons, n' Short Stories!

Longing

A series of headcanons detailing how Hawlucha and Greninja handled being so far away from one another for so long.

- Greninja had to reason with himself constantly in the days following his decision to remain in Kalos. He would often lay awake at night wondering if the Zygarde really did need his help the way they said they had– and even though he knew Kalos' salvation was a worthy cause for which he was staying behind, he often wished he'd chosen instead to listen to the aching of his heart rather than act upon the needs of the region.
- Despite having grown up as a loner, Greninja did in fact get very lonely while performing his duties when just days ago, he'd been surrounded by loved ones. Although he and Squishy would reminisce about their travels alongside Ash, Clemont, Serena, and Bonnie, they had little else in common beyond their desire to protect the region and their fondness for their companions.
- Squishy made several efforts to get to know Greninja better throughout their work, however, if only to lessen the strain of his loneliness. He asked frequently about Greninja's teammates– but after a time, he learned to refrain from asking about Hawlucha too much for it seemed that every time he did, Greninja would become unexplainably somber and for prolonged periods of time. (That's not to say he didn't get sad when his other teammates were mentioned, however!)
- Greninja often found himself channeling his inner Hawlucha whenever he had to mediate conflicts between forest-dwelling Pokémon. In a way, he believed it kept himself and Hawlucha connected despite the distance.
- Eventually, with enough time, Greninja became willing to talk more about his relationship with Hawlucha to Squishy. He was surprised to learn that Squishy was wholly unaware of the nature of his and Hawlucha's bond and was quick to educate him on all the nuances that come with falling in love with your best friend.
- But it is through his Hawlucha raving that Greninja really finally comes to terms with his love for Hawlucha. And he also finds that vocalizing and being vulnerable about the notions of his heart is incredibly therapeutic, as well.
- Greninja sees Hawlucha in everything. In fields of flowers he can spot each hue that makes up Hawlucha's feathers. He can just barely make out the shape of his winged frame soaring beneath the clouds when he looks up at the sky. If Greninja craved a spike in morale, all he'd have to do was simply think of Hawlucha.
- In the days following the conclusion of Greninja's duties in Kalos, he is aware of the fact that he ought to find out about Ash's whereabouts, or at least learn of his Kalos teammates' whereabouts. He recalls Pikachu telling him of Ash's hometown of Kanto and remembers him mentioning a laboratory that all of Ash's Pokémon stayed at when their journeys alongside him had concluded. Heading there is a no-brainer for Greninja.
- Goodra, whom Greninja had made a point to visit if ever he desired a taste of home, is happy to let Greninja recuperate in the wetlands until he's ready to make his next move. Greninja confides in Goodra about his endless pining for Hawlucha, and Goodra believes Greninja's next steps should be obvious. Find Hawlucha in Kanto and profess his love!
- Greninja informs Goodra that he's already planned to do such. All Goodra asks is that Greninja tells the other Pokémon that he says hello and misses them dearly.
- Initially, Z2 was considering asking Greninja to live permanently in Kalos to protect it should another disaster crop up, but Squishy (being that he wished to reunite with Bonnie himself) reasoned that depriving Greninja of his loved ones even further would be cruel. Z2 is understanding.
- Hawlucha was despondent in the weeks following Greninja's departure and was unusually reclusive upon first arriving at Oak's lab.
- Talonflame was the one to talk sense into him. He reasoned that Greninja wouldn't like to see Hawlucha so unlike himself and that it was wiser for him to live in the now. He reminded him that they were all struggling to come to terms with Greninja's departure, and that Noivern in particular needed a guiding hand to help him adjust to life in Kanto. Hawlucha recollected himself, having resolved to remain strong for Noivern.
- Hawlucha raved about Greninja to any Pokémon who would listen; his stories of Greninja's feats drew awe from nearly all of Ash's Pokémon— and Sceptile, Infernape, and Charizard in particular were always willing to learn more about this mysterious powerhouse of a Pokémon. Hawlucha wound up befriending the three of them rather quickly not just because of his expansive knowledge about Greninja, but also because his obvious fondness for the frog made him the subject of quite a bit of friendly teasing.
- Talking about Greninja so frequently— and with such reverence— helped Hawlucha cope with his absence and somewhat filled the Greninja-shaped hole in his heart.
- Not unlike Greninja, Hawlucha sees Greninja in everything. He can barely make out the shape of Greninja's shadow darting amongst the trees surrounding the lab, and he develops a deep appreciation for all things water.
- Greninja finding his way to Kanto is... a tumultuous process. Taking various modes of transport and having to act as the companion Pokémon of several different trainers proves to be an... interesting experience, for sure. And then Greninja finally comes across the fabled lab of Professor Oak, perched atop what would quite literally be his final hill to climb.
- Deciding it would be better not to draw attention to himself in an environment of unfamiliar Pokémon, Greninja tries to seek out someone he knows. (Hawlucha, preferably.)
- Fortunately (and unfortunately) Greninja comes across Lucario easily, who is surprised to have sensed him of all Pokémon through his Aura. Greninja is pleased to see that the younger Pokémon has been able to kick back and simply be a kid within the lab, and Lucario is a little embarrassed that his would-be mentor is so easily able to pick up on how relaxed he's been.
- Greninja is at first tempted to ask if Lucario has met Noivern, but a more pressing matter urges at his heart and he is quick to inquire about Hawlucha's whereabouts. A clueless Lucario is happy to take Greninja to him.
- Greninja is so overcome with emotion the second Hawlucha comes into his view that he forgets restraint, lurching forward to wrap his arms around the fighting-flying type... and he soon enough finds himself consoling a sobbing, nearly hysterical Hawlucha while he tries (and fails) to bite back tears of his own.
Elsewhere, Ash is overcome with a sudden feeling of joy. Hm.
- Greninja is promptly swarmed by Talonflame and Noivern, too, and he's just so incredibly thrilled to be back with his family he can hardly find words.
- The night following their reunion, neither Greninja nor Hawlucha can sleep at all. They simply lay awake, holding one another and chatting about all that comes to their minds. And when the sun does finally peer over the horizon, Hawlucha is content to simply curl up in Greninja's embrace as sleep finally finds them both.
- At no point in the days following Greninja's arrival at Oak's laboratory are Greninja and Hawlucha ever apart. In fact, it isn't long until Hawlucha's expanded the size of his nest so that Greninja can rest comfortably within it alongside him.
- They never really exchange any big "I love yous" when Greninja comes to Kanto— to them, they're not really necessary. But the first time it happens, it's on Hawlucha's tongue as he curls up against Greninja for another night of fitful sleep. He hasn't even realized he's said it until he feels Greninja draw him in even tighter to echo his words.
- Inwardly, Greninja swears he'll never part from Hawlucha—or the rest of his family— ever again. He doesn't think his heart would be able to take it.