Pokémon: Forever Wounded

A Spring in his step

(Autumn is an OC by @AceTrainerCarmine that I have express permission to use. In her native OC, Hidden Treasure, she is dating Kieran. However, in this one, she is his best friend. Rory is @CrystalzArtz's OC. The picture is of Autumn. Furthermore, there are differences between FW characters and their original ones, as it's a different universe, where they have experienced different things. The picture of Rory is by  CrystalzArtz also)

Autumn walked in, and without question, without asking why, leaned in to the mentally and physically injured Kieran, and hugged him. Kieran was still crying out of control, and Autumn knew that that sort of crying leads to people getting colder. She leaned in, knowing the internal body temperature of a dragon-human like herself was just a bit higher than that of a pure human like Kieran. She practically squeezed him. Dragon humans were known for their physical stregnth, and Autumn had been underestimated by a bully more than once. Didn't end well for them. While Carmine tortured Kieran's would-be killer for answers, Autumn hugged Kieran. Florian watched, wishing he could be as good of a friend, that he could be that good of a person to Kieran.

Autumn breathed slowly, knowing that subconsciously, Kieran's breaths would correct themselves to synch with hers. Autumn was smarter than her grades would suggest, particularly in the field of biology. Pokémon were her specialty, but that didn't mean she didn't know a thing or two about humans. She remembered one of the few things she remembered her mother saying to her:

'Friendship is always tested when it's your turn to comfort.' 

She wished she had learned the dragon art of healing. She had always failed every time she had tried, and she always showed a lack of interest in it. She didn't like the idea how it drained the user's stamina. She stroked the hair of Kieran, the 'onion bulb' as Rory called it, which had caught on among his friends. Everyone gave Drayton a death stare when he used it though. 

Autumn waited until Kieran's breath had stabilised, before checking to see if any of the nurses would force her out. They weren't even looking. She saw Kieran's gash, and frantically checked the room until she found a bandage, which she applied to him.

"Now tell me what happened," Autumn said, gentle, but firm. 

Kieran was making small breaths, and quiet murmuring. Autumn, who shared his autism, understood how he felt. She sat down on the bed, as Kieran laid down. 

Autumn smiled, her Paldean accent and her rather mischievous way of pronouncing words sounding warm to Kieran, "Are you alright, Kiki?"

Kieran breathed raspily, and coughed. Autumn sighed. 

Kieran nodded.

"I know that's not the truth-"

"But I don't wanna lean on ya, I don't wanna lose ya as a friend, and I hafta move on."

Autumn nodded, "You do. You do have to move on Kieran, but that doesn't mean bottling up every feeling you have. Florian forgives you Kieran, just like you forgave him-"

"It's not just about what happened two and a bit years ago, Autumn."

"Of course it isn't. So tell me about it."

"You're goin' through your own-"

"Shut up and tell me."

"But I can't tell you- if I shut up-"

Autumn giggled, "no, I suppose you can't." 

Kieran giggled as well, which gave Autumn some hope.

"It's just that-" Kieran sighed, "I'm pretty pathetic, just cryin' over everythin' that hasn't gone my way. You all probably hate me, and you have a reason ta-"