Ah, fresh air... Summer, I love summer… pity I have Calculus

Started 6/25/04

Disclaimer/Notes: See previous chapter

This fic has a lot of references to ‘Atlas Shrugged’, since I’m reading it.

Fic Timeline: Post ‘Pokemon Special’

Chapter 4

“No,” He managed to choke out.

Lance frowned. “What is the matter then?”

“I…I…” He turned, fled. “Don’t follow me!”

He flew away on Aeroy as fast as he was able to.

Why are you so worried? Are you worried he will not like you?

“No, that’s not it.”

The press? They are worthless.

“That’s not it either.”

Aerodactyl frowned. You should just tell him that you love him straight out.

“But I’m not worthy!”

Ah, so that’s it…

The fossil dragon settled down, stretched his wings. You are perfectly worthy. Much more so than most people…

“But I’m not good enough!”

You cannot single-handedly save the world, Master Ash. We both know that. Look in your heart. What do you really see?

See?

Red closed his eyes, focused. What did he really see? He saw…

Pain.

Love.

Loneliness.

Despair.

But there was no guilt or shame.

You see?

“I… think I am beginning to.”

Much of life is acceptance. Are you ready to return now?

Yes. Acceptance. He climbed on, and he accepted, as they flew home. He accepted that he loved Lance, that he was doing his best for pokemon, and that he could only do so much and that was his pride, not his shame.

Amen.

What more could be said?

Lance was waiting when he climbed off and without restraint, flung himself into the older boy’s arms.

“Red?”

“I love you.” He declared, and he waited for the world to damn him for saying so. He waited for the seas to crash upon his head.

He didn’t expect Lance to smile, whirl him around, and then kiss him senseless.

“… Lance?”

“Silly little one, I love you too. Don’t be afraid.”

And he wasn’t, really.

He smiled brightly, rivaling the sun, as they kissed again.

I really do love you, Lance thought, as he watched the boy sleep. He brushed a strand of unruly black hair out of his eyes.

I will not leave you.

Together, we will find some way to beat the world at its own game of self-destruction. Perhaps it is time…

We will open the gates to the Dream Realm, and we will be safe. The world will take care of its own, or not, but it will not affect us.

That is what guardians must learn to do.

No matter how hard it is…

No matter what lies ahead, duty calls.

That is all.

At least we got love this time…

End Fic

Completed 7/9/04

I’m trying really hard not to write lemons. I thought this was a noble attempt.

Pika-chan: *hugs Phantomness*

Phantomness: I’m just tired... and dizzy… and Calculus is killing me…