Illusions of Heart; Touko x N

Chapter Fourteen: Fin

Cheren and Bianca's wedding was a beautiful ceremony. I don't think I've ever seen Cheren so happy, and I made sure to tell them that when I gave my speech. I rambled on and on, and even threw in a couple tears. I was really happy for them, and was glad to see them starting another chapter of their lives together.

N had a really nice time at the wedding. He didn't know a whole lot about marriage, so that led into an interesting conversation. Bianca and Cheren were quite amiable with N too. I hadn't really seen them interact before the wedding, other than when Cheren invited N to his bachelor party. I was glad to see they had accepted N into our group friendship, and could see us being together for a long time.

I didn't see much of Touya that night. He wasn't avoiding me or anything, in fact he made sure to check in with me, to make sure I was doing all right. At the end of night, he came over and gave his goodbyes. A few tears may have spilled on both ends, but he seemed good.

After the wedding, things calmed down. I continued going to the doctor for my weekly check-up, but it didn't take long for them to fully release me from their care. Bianca and Cheren were in the Alola region for their honeymoon for a few weeks. When they came back, they planned a small dinner with N and I at their new, quaint house in Aspertia City. Touya wrote me letters every week, and made sure to call once or twice a week to check in too.

N and I's relationship, on the other hand, blossomed. As we learned more and more about each other, we grew closer. Maybe not so much physically (although there were a few times...), but mentally I could feel us bonding. We connected in ways I never imagined. Somehow the cruelty Ghetsis had showed us both, brought us closer together and helped us to understand each other better. That, and teaching him how to care for my Pokemon really helped bring us closer together. With the injuries I sustained, I wasn't allowed to involve myself in major activity, so I figured I might as well use this as an opportunity for N to bond with my Pokemon. Through this, I think he not only understood me better, but understood Pokemon trainers in general better too.

One of my favorite memories with N, was a couple months after I was medically cleared for Pokemon trainer travelling again. We left my parent's house in Nuvema Town, and traveled back to where I first met N the second time - Nimbasa City. It was late at night, and the city lights were shining brightly. From the Ferris Wheel, which N insisted we go on, the city looked so alive. When N grabbed my hand, and enclosed it in his own, he reminded me of something.

"Hey Tou, do you remember when we went on here together all those months ago?" I laughed at N's question. How could I forget?

"Oh yeah," I smirked, "I remember that day clear as glass."

"Oh," he pursed his lips. "That's a shame, I kinda wanted to give you a reminder."

"A reminder of what?" I played the innocent card.

"Of this," he smiled, happy to see I went along with his smooth plan. His lips found their place on mine, like matching puzzle pieces. As we continued, I was suddenly glad the Ferris Wheel had tinted glass. I had climbed onto N's lap, giving myself the rare height advantage. He held me close by the curve of my hips. Before our lips could touch again, I held his face in my hands and silently stared into his eyes. I always did love his eyes, and at this moment they seemed to be sparkling. Maybe it was the reflection of the Nimbasa lights, but I liked to think it was love. I leaned down to meet N's lips again, and granted him a little more access to my mouth than I usually allowed.

"We should get married," N announced, pulling his face away from mine. I let out a small whimper, not wanting to stop, but when his words hit me, I laughed. I didn't even realize his seriousness until he tilted his head confused.

"N, that's not how marriage works."

"But, you said that marriage is when two people love each other and want to-"

"I remember what I said," I interrupted abruptly, face heating up. I thought about the idea of marriage a little more, and came to a conclusion. "We've been officially together almost six months, right?" N nodded. "Ask me again in six months. I don't want to rush into things quite yet." N gave a soft chuckle.

"You've got to give me another lesson on what marriage is," he admitted hopelessly. I laughed.

"I guess I do," I sighed. With that, he continued where we left off moments before.