Beneath Your Mask. (Allister x Reader)

X.

Moments had passed, as Allister and the two small Pokémon continued to stare onto the commotion that was taking place.

The grounds have become quiet, with only the slight sound of rustling leaves being heard.
It was an odd tension; hard to explain, but... it was cut short, as the ghost pokémon turned towards Allister simultaneously.

He jumped slightly in place, startled by the sudden attention.
Their stares were blank; it was difficult to read what their choice was.

"S-so..?" He stuttered quietly, taking a step towards them as he fumbled with his hands. He could only hope that everything went well.
"..What are your thoughts on her?"

Small murmurs from the ghost pokémon were heard, before they all eventually nodded their heads in agreement.
Signaling that it was indeed a pass.

Allister never thought seeing an agreement would make him feel so much relief; he placed a hand on his chest as he breathed a quiet sigh. "Oh. . . 'm glad to hear."

Muffy also looked relieved on the other hand- as they leaned against the claw of Mimikyu. But, it was short lasting- before the little phychic type seemed to puff out their cheeks and stand up straight.

'How dare you do that to my trainer!'

Small squeaks and meows left the Meowstic in a seemingly angry manner, as they turned around and started to paw at Allister's leg- which obviously got his attention.
If Muffy could talk like a human, that is what she would be saying.

'Go say sorry! Right! Now!'

"Um..." Allister, clearly confused- knelt down and pat Muffy's head, much to their dismay. But Muffy could only grab ahold of his finger, before quickly pointing at (Y/N): who was visibly still surrounded.

"Oh. . . Oh!"
Almost immediately Allister stood back up with a slouch, embarrassed.
(Y/N)'s reactions to what had happened hasn't been necessarily the positive response he was used to seeing from her...

Muffy nodded their head as they placed their hands on their sides, looking away with exaggerated sass before walking off to do something else. Mimikyu softly squealed before following the Meowstic with attitude towards the ruins.

-----×-----

(Y/N) stood there bewildered, looking around at the five ghost types when she had realized that they have... accepted her.
Though she was obviously freezing, she pursed her lips and dug her heel into the ground.
They pose no threat to her anymore, but it didn't fail to get a nervous laugh out of her.

"I-I promise I won't cause any trouble. . . Thank you for letting me stay!"

Her thoughts just got the better of her in this situation, as she had realised that everything was okay. Looking down at her hands, she watched them tremble before making a move to clasp them together to attempt to warm them up.

The five pokémon seemed to nod, before slowly dispersing from surrounding her, which finally gave (Y/N) the much needed breathing space.
But as quick as they have dispersed, someone else was quick to make their way back towards her.

Allister.

Taking notice of his approach, (Y/N) clenched her hands together as a smile had formed over her lips. "Oh, Al'! I'm still in one piece, thank Arceus..!"
She laughed softly, before her smile faded while she lifted her hands to rub them together: trying to warm them up and slow the obvious trembling.

"(Y-Y/N), I... 'm sorry I had to put you through that. I-I didn't realise the risks, before... Before I. . ."
Almost instinctively after his voice drifted off, Allister took ahold of her hands with both of his own: running his thumbs over the other's hands to help warm them up.

His touch was gentle. (Y/N) felt her face warm up as well before her gaze fell over his mask. But he flustered quietly, looking down at the ground in order to ignore her stare.

". . .Before I left your side. I am sorry..."

There were a few seconds of silence between the two. (Y/N) blinked her eyes, before she cracked a small smile- her hands lacing with his own. "Hey, it's okay..! Nothing bad had happened... You don't have to worry so much, silly." Nodding her head, she signalled that she was indeed alright despite the troubles.

This caused the boy to finally raise his head to look at her-- feeling a wave of confusion, of the sort. "Ah. . ."

Allister was awe-struck. (Y/N) was always quick with forgiving him despite his mishaps-- at least what he would consider mishaps.
Yet, he pursed his lips and took a moment to look at their hands-- before he quickly withdrew his back in a fluster. "I-I mean... What kind of friend.. would I be.. if something did happen..?"

Folding her arms together after their hands were no longer connected, (Y/N) had her head turned as she looked around the area; taking notice of the sudden appearance of many ghost pokémon for the first time. And of course, the sight of Muffy and Mimikyu... Playing in the grass with a few of them.
She smiled, with a small sigh of equanimity as she turned back to Allister.

"I don't know. But you'd still be one of the best."

He froze. Standing there quietly, he silently contemplated with himself until he felt his hand being taken into hers once more. This time, it held warmth. And this time, he looked at her.

"Look! Even if you're shy, and reserved.. You're the type of person that's kind and very hard working. I mean-- You're a gym leader! We're the same age, and I'm just a trainer out of many who was endorsed for this year's league!" (Y/N) took a breath before she continued with a twinkle in her eye, "...For someone like you, I think those traits make a pretty good friend."

With laced hands, (Y/N) smiled at his masked face before gently pulling him with her to walk. As she looked away humming; not even thinking twice on what she just said, Allister had stumbled on his first few steps.
He was in awe on what she just said.

What the heck was this..?
He looked down at his one, free hand for a moment. It trembled slightly for a few seconds; before it was clenched in his newfound determination.
He made a choice.

"(Y-Y/N)..." Allister had stuttered quietly, feeling an overwhelming warmth fall over him. The two of them had slowed to a halt, as the girl turned around to look over at him with her usual grin. "Yes?"
Her smile almost immediately faded, replaced with an awe-struck gaze...

It was a look of relief, nervousness, and trust. Raven coloured hair fell over his features. A small smile, shining violet eyes that held a spark of happiness...
Lowering his hand slowly, Allister held the mask between his fingers.

"Thank you..."

-----×-----

Edited 11/29/22