Archive of Our Own ^beta

In the effort of honesty, Akari admitted that she hated the Crimson Mirelands at times. The pokemon were some of the more aggressive in the region, her shoes were always getting stuck in the muck, and the weather absolutely sucked.

The sky overhead was gray more often than not, spitting rain only a little thicker than mist and seeping endlessly into her clothing. While it wasn’t the bone-chilling cold of the Alabaster Icelands, her muscles and joints ached under the weight of rain and mud heavy layers.

She wanted a bath. And a warm bed. Order to be determined.

With a sigh, Akari sat down on a moss-covered rock and took a moment to collect her bearings and organize her satchel. She let the sights, smells, and sounds surround her, since her sense of touch was already overwhelmed by wet and yuck .

In the distance, Croagunk cried out with the setting of the sun and subsequent dimming of the gray sky. The Scarlet Bog was filled with many pokemon who didn’t mind the sulfuric smell of the marshy land, while Akari had to pull her head scarf down over her nose more often than not to pass through. Small bubbles could be seen surfacing at times in the murky waters. She could only guess if they were from a pokemon lurking beneath the surface or simply gasses from the swamp.

The sensations were almost too much at times. They were nothing like the future Sinnoh she knew, yet it was difficult to picture all of the surrounding bog–in more or less a hundred and fifty years time span–lost and underwater in her time.

Akari cast her gaze northward, towards the Diamond Settlement.

While far from a geography expert, especially with so much time separating now and the future–Dialga above, so much time –she suspected that the Diamond Clan were the unknowing founders of Pastoria City. She wondered what the clan would think of the Great Marsh, one of the greatest tourist attractions in Sinnoh of the future. Designed for the capture of foreign pokemon, brought to this region only for trainers to catch.

Akari lived the first 15 years of her life in that Sinnoh before the space-time rift tossed her like a ragdoll into the past to a very different Hisui. In a world that caught, trained, and battled pokemon. But one that also understood and partnered with pokemon more readily than those who lived today–in the past. A past that she had now lived an additional eight years in, trying to complete an almost impossible task.

A headache pulsed behind her right eye. It was always the same one that plagued her when she thought too hard on the differences between the past– her present –and the future– her past . She felt pulled in two directions, and at times like she was being split down the middle.

CRAAAAAAAAW!

Akari jerked at the sound of Golbat resonating through the air. The cry sent her hair standing on edge despite the weight of her damp uniform.

The sun had set quicker than she had realized. After too many encounters with aggressive Zubats and Golbats, she had tried making it a point to make it back to the Galaxy Team basecamp well before dark. She and her team had trained endlessly, so most wild pokemon were no better than fodder, but more often than not they were more hassle than they were worth.

Akari felt the shift in the air before her Arc Phone even vibrated, alerting her to a Space-Time Distortion forming. She pulled the device out and glanced at the map to see where the distortion would pop up and how she could avoid it on her way back to camp.

She cursed when she saw where it was projected to appear.

Disregarding the rain still coming down and the muck underfoot, Akari took off towards the Diamond Settlement–which was about to become ground zero for the distortion.

By the time she made it, most of the Diamond clansmen were out of their huts and gathering what supplies they could before their world was turned upside down. There was an almost calm, opalescent sheen to the sky overhead–the calm preceding the storm.

Adaman was in the center of the settlement, shouting orders and looking far more serious than Akari had ever seen him. Normally, he was all airy smiles, broad gestures of familiarity (even with complete strangers she remembered fondly), and impish banter. Now his lips were pulled into a tight line and the cut of his shoulders was sharp with tension. His movements were assured and authoritative. He looked like a Clan Leader.

Eight years of knowing Adaman had done little to curb her childish crush, which had morphed into admiration tinged with affection. Not unlike a Wurple evolving into a Silkoon with the expectations of one day becoming a Beautifly. Except her Silkoon–much like Beautifred–was actually a Cascoon.

Dustox were to be admired for their own strengths and beauty, of course, much like Akari had come to appreciate her and Adaman's friendship. He had been by her side all those years ago when she had been cast out of Galaxy Team. His trust in her skills to calm the red sky had been unwavering. There had never been any doubt to her innocence in his expression while they were in the Commander's office. In turn, her confidence that he would always turn up when trouble found her had grown through the Lake trials to obtain the Red Chain, then survival in the wilds over the years to come.

( Though that doesn't make you necessarily want a Beautifly any less, as Irida–the nosy Pearl Clan leader and her closest female friend–liked to say. Palkia know why. )

Akari and Adaman's eyes locked at the same time.

She felt the usual rush of warmth fill her at the intensity of his russet gaze. For a brief moment, his features softened into surprise, then concern, before morphing back into fierce determination.

“You always seem to arrive in the knick of time, don’t you?” Adaman grumbled, half his face covered by his palm. Akari heard him regardless, despite the distance and growing pressure from the distortion against her ears. Shaking his head, he approached her in several large strides. “What are you doing here, Akari? I thought Commander Kamado had you up north?”

Indeed, the Commander had sent her to search out and subdue a group of Snover and Abomasnow that were swarming the Galaxy Team’s Icepeak Camp. Akari and her Typhplosian made quick work of the matter, then decided to hunt down rumors of a ghost-like fox pokemon haunting the snow and ice filled forests. The glowing red eyes of the alpha pokemon she fought at Lake Acuity during her trials still woke her in a cold sweat some nights, and Akari knew that most tales were based on some grain of truth.

She had been in the Alabaster Icelands for at least a week before the request from Shinon and Anise arrived, stating that their beloved Petilil was ill and could no longer help in making remedies. The need for medicine was always high in Jubilife Village, however, so the duo were requesting for a second Petilil to act as companion to their current pokemon and a back-up in dire circumstances.

The request had Captain Cyllene’s seal of approval, which often meant the matter was urgent and needed her ‘ immediate ’ attention, so Akari trekked from one side of Hisui to the other in the matter of a couple days. From a frigid hell to a murky one.

Now there wasn't time for Adaman to hear all of the small details, though. Nevermind how he knew she had been sent to the Icelands to begin with when she hadn’t spoken to him in almost a full month.

Preparing herself for an argument, Akari squared her shoulders and placed a hand on the pokeball she always kept at her side. From years of working together and mutual trust, she met Adaman's gaze evenly. "Let us help."

The clan leader's lips thinned further and for a brief moment Akari was afraid he would refuse. She didn't know why–her team had proven itself dozens if not hundreds of occasions. He had seen her subdue their equivalent of a god, Dialga. 

(Of course, this was ignoring that she subsequently released both Dialga and Palkia out of respect for the Diamond and Pearl Clans’ reverence towards their deity pokemon. The Commander wasn’t told until days later, with Akari far away and under the protection of both clans in case the need arose again to shield her from Galaxy Team’s wrath. While he didn’t agree with her decision, it was decided that Akari had far more successful experiences in dealing with powerful pokemon and divine beings, so the matter went unchallenged but also almost entirely unaddressed. No need to let the public know that the same girl who had saved them from calamity had also released the same forces of time and space back into the universe to do as they pleased.)

Finally, with a terse nod, Adaman consented. "The clans' guards are escorting the children and elderly out of the village. Everyone else is gathering what they can–food, medicines–in case the distortion destroys the huts."

Akari frowned, pulling her Arc phone to glance at the distortion radius again. "There's no time. We have less than a minute," she warned.

For the first time knowing him, Adaman cursed aloud and spun in the direction of the nearest villager. "Evacuate immediately! Only stop to help another. Don't waste a second more! Leave everything and we'll salvage it in the morning!" 

He gave a sharp whistle and three blurs appeared from his hut. Leafeon, Umbreon, and Vaporeon. They flanked the Diamond Clan leader, still and well-trained, waiting for direction from Adaman as he stared down the entrance to the settlement. It appeared to be the epicenter of the growing distortion.

Akari rested her hand against Adaman's forearm. He glanced down at the touch, though he didn't seem to fully register it.

Arceus , he always seemed so much taller than her. He looked scared now. He was afraid his clan wouldn’t see the morning.

"Let's greet tomorrow together, yeah?" she offered with an uncertain smile.

Her words seemed to jar Adaman from whatever internal debate warred inside his head. He turned to openly stare at her.

Akari felt her face heat up. "What? You've said something similar before–when we fought Dialga. Did I say it wrong or… oof! " Her words were cut off suddenly as Adaman pulled her into a tight embrace.

“Let’s greet tomorrow together,” he repeated, words mumbled into her bandana.

Before she could return the hug, he stepped away. It was hard to make out his expression but she was fairly certain there was a darkening to his cheeks as he looked overhead to the dim swirling lights overhead.

There was a large crack in the air and Akari felt a large swoop of her stomach. 

The space-time distortion was on them. Rather than dimming the effects of the distortion, usually an inverted kaleidoscope of colors and sounds, the rain only seemed to brighten the lights and dampen the sounds of the dome. The mist that had settled on the blades of grass reflected the eerily purple dome overhead. Blue-white lightning crackled around them, causing shadows to dance and jump between the huts.

It was disorienting and Akari found herself bracing against Adaman’s bandaged arm. In turn, he glanced in the direction of Lake Valor where his people had fled. Akari grimaced. The Diamond clansmen couldn’t have been more than a hundred paces from the distortion, well within the wandering distance of a wild pokemon from the dome.

Shifting away from Adaman, Akari released Typhlosion and Lucario from their pokeballs in preparation. Her entire team was familiar with these bizarre fields by now.

Task number one: don’t die .

Task number two: don’t let anything out of the distortion .

Lightning struck four times and from the smoke rose four large figures. The largest of them all–an Onix–let out a rumbling screech. Its large tail swung around carelessly, clearly upset at suddenly finding itself somewhere unfamiliar, and almost taking out two Diamond huts in the process.

They needed to draw their attention away from the settlement and in the opposite direction of the clansmen.

“Lucario! Draw it away, towards the gates!” Akari called, grabbing scatter bangs and smoke bombs from her satchel to draw the attention of the other wild pokemon. She had to be careful on where she released them or risk the pokemon trampling the settlement.

Adaman had similar thoughts, pulling a noise maker with the Diamond Clan’s insignia on clear display. “Leafeon, go! Help Lucario. Vaporeon, Umbreon, with me!” He went left and Akari made right with Typhlosion closely on her heels.

A well-aimed Aura Sphere and Leaf Blade were enough to somewhat weaken and severely enrage the Onix, but the attacks did what they were intended to and the large pokemon chased the two smaller to the outskirts of the settlement.

The remaining pokemon–a Drapion and two Tauros–were snapping and pawing angrily at anything within reach. Akari and Adaman faced each other on either side of the angered pokemon.

“They’re called Tauros!” Akari called over to Adaman, who was eyeing the unfamiliar pokemon with clear uncertainty. “They’re as short-tempered as they look and get even faster the madder they get! Their hooves are more dangerous than their horns!”

Umbreon and Vaporeon flanked Adaman, staring down the bull pokemon. Both Tauros stomped and shook their heads to-and-fro, tails whipping themselves into a frenzy. She worried they would charge at Adaman or the huts if they were too worked up.

Akari’s attention strayed too long on the pokemon Adaman faced off against. Her distraction cost her, and her vision whited out for a brief, blinding moment, as a burning pain filled her side. On instinct, she tucked and rolled as Typhlosion let out a blast of fire towards the wayward Drapion that had scurried overtop her in a matter of seconds.

There was little more to do than hiss because any scream would surely hurt worse, pulling at her ribs and the fire that felt like it was spreading through her lungs.

“Typhlosion, use Flame Wheel!” she heaved.

Her Typhlosion, noting her injury, turned and became uncharacteristically enraged. With a plume of purple flames, Typhlosion curled and spun until he was nothing more than a ball of magenta fire. He hit the Drapion full speed, knocking it supine with its short legs scrambling to upright itself. In a flurry, without command, Typhlosion unleashed Infernal Parade on the scorpion pokemon’s belly.

There was a short but anguished cry before the large pokemon lay still.

Akari grimaced but the icy fire spreading beneath her skin kept her from feeling much sympathy. Her time in the past had hardened her far past feeling excessive sympathy when life or death was involved. She placed a hand against her side and felt something warm and wet. She knew better than to think it was only rain dampening her clothes.

Typhlosion hovered closely at her side, his narrow snout nuzzling gently at her bloodied hand. She didn’t have enough energy to shoo him away as he chirped and hummed with concern.

With adrenaline flooding her system, she ignored the pain and turned to Adaman and his pokemon. Vaporeon had created a ring of ice around the Tauros to contain them to a smaller area within the village center. Meanwhile, Umbreon was dodging in and out of shadows, nipping at the wild pokemons’ heels to distract their attention.

There was a loud screech from afar followed by a dull crash. Quickly, Lucario and Leafeon appeared at the village entrance, thankfully looking no worse than they had left having felled the Onix.

With four pokemon now corralling the angry bull pokemon, it was easy to distract and confine them. Adaman was surveying the worst of the damage done to the settlement. From what Akari could see, at least one hut would need to be assessed structurally before its family could return, and several torches had been smashed beyond repair.

Then as suddenly as the wild pokemon had appeared, lightning struck through the dome, taking the Drapion, Tauros, and presumably Onix with it. The pressure change of the domb dissipating around them almost made her knees buckle, but Typhlosion easily caught her weight against his back.

Distortions were unpredictable at the best of times and disastrous at the worst of times, though it seemed that the majority of the Diamond Settlement managed to escape the aftermath.

With the adrenaline dying in her system, Akari was starting to feel very ill. Her chest stung with every breath and her stomach churned worse than the time Rei had attempted to remake Beni’s potato mochi. She made to sit down and Typhlosion sunk to the rain-drenched ground with her.

She reached out to stroke his dark coat but couldn’t quite seem to reach. Typhlosion gave a gruff of concern when she fell into him in a failed attempt to rub his head.

The world spun for a brief moment, then she found herself on her back facing the dark sky. There was rain hitting her face and blurring her vision. She tried rubbing at her eyes to clear the water but found that the edges stayed fuzzy.

Why am I laying down? she wondered blearily.

“Akari!”

Suddenly, Adaman was leaning over her, his tricolor hair flaring around him. His sharp eyes were wide as his hands fluttered over her supine form, coming to rest where she was still holding her side. He wore a large frown and there were smudges of dirt against his cheek and brow.

“Are the huts okay?” she asked. The words reverberated through her chest and caused a dull ache.

“ What? ” Adaman looked at her as if she’d just suggested that the Pearl and Diamond Clans join into a single clan.

“The huts,” she repeated. “I was worried they’d be trampled. I don’t want anyone to have to sleep in the rain.”

There was a deep line between the Diamond Clan Leader’s eyes. His expression was a sharp contrast of alarm and amusement.

It honestly looked funny and she told him as much.

The sharp angles of his face softened as he let out a wet chuckle. “You can tell me how funny I look as much as you want after we get you the healer.”

“I’m fine,” Akari assured him even though she couldn’t quite muster the strength to sit up. “M’just tired. Need to sleep for a bit.”

Alarm rose again in Adaman’s features, the remaining torches along the settlement periphery casting deep shadows across his face and warming his caramel brown eyes.

Arceus, it had been years since she had tasted caramel. Maybe Beni could make some if she gave him the recipe. Beni could make anything taste good.

“He probably could. I’ve had Beni’s food many times, though nothing beats the mochi he made for the Harmony Festival,” Adaman answered as if reading her mind.

“No, you’re talking aloud,” he countered, reaching forward to scoop her into his arms. Typhlosion let out a worried trill and flashed a few fire balls that Adaman just waved away.

His movements were gentle, almost tender. He gently shushed her when the movement pulled a pained whine from her chest. She was so tired. Couldn’t she just let her lay there? The rain wasn’t so bad anymore. 

“Come on, Akari. I need you to stay awake,” he jostled her gently.

Her head lolled onto his shoulder. She noted that his haori jacket was soaked through from the rain. It was cold against her cheek.

“Akari,” Adaman said more sharply–pleadingly. “Keep talking to me.” He sounded like he genuinely wanted her to stay awake and talk.

Adaman usually did all of the talking. It was one of his more charming features. She could always rely on him to fill the awkward silences during meetings with Commander Kamado. But he never asked her for favors like this, so she did as told.

Most of what she told him probably sounded like nonsense to his ears–and probably hers too if she had been coherent enough to remember anything she said. She spoke of tales of advanced technology and distant places in a far-off future. Pokemon that had yet to be discovered or brought back to life.

In what could have taken minutes or hours, Adaman paused to shift her weight and the shuffling jarred her side and she wanted to cry. Maybe she was crying, her face was wet and cold.

“Shh, shh. I’m sorry, hold on. Come on, Akari. Stay awake for me.”

Akari tried to snark back ‘anything for you’ but her tongue and lips felt sluggish. She was too tired for the alarm ringing in the back of her mind to do anything more than cause her heart rate to speed up. Or maybe that was the blood loss. She was still bleeding, wasn’t she?

The last thing she remembered was a warm room, the smell of cedarwood and citrus, and a sense of security before the black overtook her vision.

When she came to, Akari was acutely aware of something curled up over her shins under what had to be mounds of blankets.

Her skin was sticky with what she knew to be fever sweat. She didn’t feel chilled to the bone, and if anything, she felt almost too warm, indicating that any fever she had must have recently broken. Now, she just felt sore all over, but the worst of her pain seemed to be the ache in her side.

Flashes of the space-time distortion flashed behind closed eyelids. She had to open her eyes to orient herself, feeling her heart rate and breathing speed too quickly at the memory.

“ Leeeaaaahhhn .” There was a shifting of weight on the bed and Leafeon’s face peered down at her. It looked at her with concern.

Akari gave Leafeon a smile and pulled one arm free of the blankets to give her an affectionate pat. “Hey girl. It’s good to see you, too. Sorry to wake you. I’m fine, see. Go back to sleep.”

Leafeon seemed to have no trouble following the order. With a quick sniff to assess Akari’s status, the verdant pokemon ambled back to the foot of the bed and proceeded to curl up and close its eyes.

With some difficulty, Akari managed to pull herself into a sitting position. She had to pause frequently to catch her breath and change tactics to prevent her side from pulling and burning terribly, but after a couple of tries, she was able to prop herself up against the wall.

A quick glance–if Leafeon’s presence and the strong scent of cedarwood and citrus hadn’t been dead giveaways–told Akari that she was in Adaman’s hut. She had been inside a dozen times or so in the past eight years, particularly when helping the Diamond Clan leader with a request or when they discussed joint ventures between Galaxy Team and the Diamond Clan.

The space was tidy and well-kept, which still surprised Akari at times knowing Adaman’s eccentricities. She had expected organized chaos the first time she stepped into his living quarters, but instead it had been almost barren of character. Few personal items, like a model house from the future.

During a particularly late night where they were trying to figure out a way to handle a swarm of Stunky and Skuntank that were making the pass into the Crimson Mirelands unnavigable by new merchants, Akari had asked Adaman why he didn’t display any of his own things.

He admitted that he didn’t possess many items of frivalty. Everything he had served a purpose.

If it makes you happy, she had countered, then it has a purpose, doesn’t it?

Her question had made him pause, and he had been uncharacteristically quiet for the rest of the evening.

Her words must have hit a mark, though. Over the past few years, decorations and trinkets–usually small but sometimes larger–slowly made their way into Adaman’s home. Dried berries that weren’t known for any medicinal properties but just smelled nice when hung. A Luxray mask from the fifth anniversary of the Harmony Festival. A decorative fan with Mt. Coronet–and the space-time rift–painted on delicate washi paper.

A few items even surprised Akari when she saw them, like the Pokedoll she had carved into the rough form of an Eevee one day. Adaman had found her carving it. She tossed the doll at his head when he asked if it was a Bidoof. He had caught it one-handed and laughed joyously, telling her she was never getting it back. She hadn’t realized that meant he was keeping it.

Akari scooted closer to the edge of the bed and let her legs dangle. She suddenly appreciated the Diamond Clan’s furniture so much more than Jubilife Village’s. It reminded her of her old bed in the future.

Bracing a hand against her side, she slid out of bed with only a slight hiss. Leafeon lifted her head, letting out what sounded almost like a chiding warble before settling back onto her paws.

Arceus, Akari probably looked like a mess. She certainly felt one. There was a mirror in the far corner, and she walked carefully over to it.

A simple grey yukata wrapped around her frame. It was too small to be Adaman’s (and it didn’t smell like him), so it likely belonged to one of the women in the village. Her face was pale with dark shadows under her eyes, likely from the blood loss. Slate eyes were pulled to her own hand wrapped protectively at her side in the mirror.

Akari pulled half the top of her yukata to the side to look at the damage but it was well dressed, giving no signs of the wound hidden beneath. Her entire chest had been bound in bandages, extending down to almost her waist. The dressings looked pristine, likely fresh, and she could barely make note of the dark bruising that extended just past the bandages.

“Baba just changed those, so please be careful not to move around too much or we’ll both hear it from her,” came a voice from behind her.

Akari startled, pulling the yukata around herself tighter before turning around to face Adaman who was closing the door behind him. She hadn’t even heard him enter. He was looking away, likely trying to give her the semblance of privacy.

“Please give her my deepest regards and thanks,” she replied, shuffling her bare feet against the wooden floor.

Baba was the Diamond Clan’s oldest member, their medicine woman, and a master in many of the healing arts for both human and pokemon. Akari had saved her great granddaughter one day from a rampaging Ursaring. Now, every time she came to the Diamond Settlement, Baba gave her at least half a dozen sweet cakes. Adaman complained loudly and enviously every time.

Adaman glanced back at her, heaved a sigh, then strode over to lead her back to the bed by the arm. “You know Baba would only take offense,” he had his ‘Not Impressed’ face. “She considers you family, and to Baba, nothing matters more.”

Akari flushed and sat down on the bed under Adaman’s insistent, guiding hand. “She still terrifies me sometimes,” she replied honestly.

Adaman chuckled, though it lacked some of its usual levity. “Me, too.”

There was a heavy pause. Akari felt the weight of Adaman’s gaze but she kept her eyes down, only occasionally glancing to where his bandaged hand held her elbow.

It felt awkward, and things never felt awkward with Adaman.

Suddenly, Adaman broke the silence. “Damnit, Akari,” he cursed, the second time in as many days. At least she thought it had only been two days, now realizing she had no idea how long she had been unconscious. Regardless, Adaman never cursed. “We weren’t sure if you would make it.”

From under her lashes, she glanced up at Adaman, but he was still staring at her hand braced against her ribs. She hadn’t realized she was still holding them. She let go, not even letting out a hiss of pain from the change of pressure, and tried to reach for his hand still clutching her arm.

Adaman broke contact before she could reach him, and she let her hand fall to her lap uneasily. He ran the hand through his hair, one of his more nervous ticks.

“You were poisoned, and you had lost so much blood. Baba had to give you antidote three times before it took. You’re never so careless. Why were you so careless?” he asked, almost a demand, his voice started to lower with his ire.

Akari knew Adaman and his rare tempers. They were few and far between, often associated with Melli–who could be a complete ass at times. He never burned hot, though. No, Adaman would get as ice cold as the Icelands, his words as quick and sharp as a Seviper.

Instead of rising to his demand, Akari all but ignored the question. She recognized it for what it was, bait for an argument, because she and Adaman both knew that she would be so careless. Their entire history spoke to that fact.

She had learned a thing or two fortunately from watching Melli interact with his clan leader, including how to avoid the worst of Adaman’s moods. By deflecting his attention with something else he cared about deeply. 

“Is the clan alright?” Her voice was hoarse, but she made sure to speak clearly and calmly to let Adaman know that she would not tolerate his goading.

The man in front of her seemed to puff up before flagging considerably with a defeated sigh. His hand continued to run through his hair, almost knocking it out of its updo entirely. “Everyone is fine,” he replied, then paused with a considering expression before continuing. “Emri sprained her ankle but it was after the fact. She took off running after a Togepi and slid down the embankment at the lake.”

Unthinkingly, Akari frowned, her surveyor’s mind never stopping. “But Togepi aren’t typically found outside Cottonsedge Prairie here. They can’t make it across the river.” She would know, it took her forever to find and study them long enough for Professor Laventon’s satisfaction.

With a groan, Adaman plopped onto the bed next to her, disturbing Leafeon who trilled unhappily before hopping down and going to the window to bask in the sun.

It was quiet again, but this time the more comfortable silence that she and Adaman had from time to time.

Now that he was calm, Akari felt she could answer his previous question. She steeled her nerves.

“I wasn’t intentionally being careless,” she told him, picking at loose threads on the blankets. She had a hard time looking him in the eye. “You and the Diamond Clan have taken such good care of me, even when the Galaxy Team had turned me out of Jubilife Village all those years ago. Sure, the decision was turned around, but there was no guarantee. They knew–you knew–that if the Commander found out, it could be disastrous for your clan. You all just…didn’t care.” Her bottom lipped wobbled for a moment before she bit it, then continued. “And now when I come to visit Baba gives me treats and Mei, when she’s here, drinks tea with me. Emri’s mom, Toma, made me a shawl last year with the Diamond Clan insignia, and I wear it when I’m in Jubilife because I miss them.

“I came running as soon as I saw where the distortion would be. I’d do anything to protect their home–your home–because it feels like mine sometimes, too.”

Her eyes stung with tears, heavy with pent-up emotion, and Akari knew at least a few escaped.

Before she could swipe them away, Adaman placed his hand against her cheek, thumb brushing the tears away.

“Akari,” he started and stopped just as suddenly. His voice was unsteady, and he spoke her name like he was having a hard time getting the words out around it. He spoke with a wistful tone she was unfamiliar with.

 The bandages on his palm rubbed–but not unpleasantly–against her skin. Akari found herself leaning into the touch. It wasn’t their normal interaction, leaving sparks shooting beneath her skin. There was a notable shift in the air. Her grey eyes looked up to meet his warm brown gaze.

“Adaman?” she responded, leaving the unspoken question open and in front of them.

He didn’t say anything for a long moment, and Akari found herself suddenly very tired. Physically tired from her wound, but even more tired of holding such a tight rein on her admiration and affection for this man.

Slowly, keeping her gaze on his, she turned her face to that her lips were pressed against his palm and placed a chaste kiss there. Adaman took a sharp inhale and his eyes grew dark. Still, he held himself in place, like he was afraid that if he moved she would run from the room.

Akari resisted the urge to snort. If she wasn’t smart enough to run from frenzied nobles or alpha pokemon, she would hardly flee from whatever this was. She had just told the man that the Diamond Clan felt like home, and there had been no disagreement. He had said her name so reverently, and Adaman was normally never at a loss for words.

Stealing herself, Akari decided she was also tired of waiting and would take matters in her own hands. And if she ended up making a complete fool of herself, there was an entire continent she could hide on.

“For someone who is always on about not wasting time…” she spoke, her words no more than a hushed whisper, “...I think you need to remember to enjoy the moment, too.”

Her words seemed to pull Adaman closer. His eyes were locked on her lips. “Oh?”

Akari nodded, a shiver of anticipation wracking her frame. Adaman didn’t seem to miss it, his hand sliding up and back slightly to thread through her hair. “I think that if you come here, you’ll find at least one pleasant way to pass the time.”

With an aborted laugh, Adaman suddenly pulled her close and pressed his lips against hers. Akari immediately closed her eyes upon the contact, but she could feel the large grin spreading across his lips. They were dry and a little chapped–probably much like hers–but warm and soft. She hummed into the kiss and smiled in turn.

After several blessedly long moments, they pulled apart. Adaman didn’t go far and placed his forehead against hers, his hand still tangling through her slate locks. Akari did open her eyes now and met brilliant brown ones crinkled in joy with a broad, toothy grin to match.

He looked so smug with himself, she couldn’t help but take a small crack at him.

“About time,” she teased, snickering as he pulled away to groan and bury his face in his free hand. His other hand had shifted from her hair to rest against the back of her neck. Her chest warmed pleasantly at the touch.

“I swear to Dialga, you are a menace,” Adaman groused with a deep chuckle.

He still wore a smile, but Akari knew that a kiss didn’t constitute commitment or anything more than physical attraction. Certainly from a man who was a clan leader and likely had his choice of partners if he so desired. Not that she truly felt that Adaman would ever really use those who admired him in that way. She had known him for eight years now and had never seen him court anyone or take a lover.

She ducked her head, suddenly feeling hesitant, but needing to know. “I’m your menace, though?”

Her intent had been to come across flirtatious, confident. Instead, her naivety and uncertainty sounded loud in her ears and weighed heavily in her gut.

To her surprise, an equally uncertain and almost shy smile graced Adaman’s expression. “I mean, I probably could have stopped dragging my feet about it for over a year now. I’m just sorry that it took almost losing you to realize. Dialga knows that Mei and Arezu have been giving me flack for not courting you yet,” he drawled, that lazy smirk making its way across his lips. “The Clan more or less recognizes you as a member. So I mean, yeah, I think that makes you mine.”

Akari’s face flushed at his choice of words, which seemed to be his intent from the wicked grin that he flashed her.

With a huff, she tried to shove him away. He used her momentum to carry her forward instead, deftly spinning them so he was falling onto the bed and pulling her on top of him. Surprisingly, despite the sudden movement, Adaman cradled her well enough that her injuries were hardly jarred.

“Come on,” he whispered into her hair. “You need to sleep. Close your eyes.” 

He had settled her into the crook of his arm. His free hand stroked up and down her back, mindful of the bandages beneath her yukata. The ends of his tri-color hair brushed her forehead with her head propped on his shoulder. While his bed had smelled of him, the unique cedarwood and citrus scent was strongest at the curve of his neck.

Akari melted into the sensations. She felt warm and safe, and her eyes grew heavy. Before she could help it, she felt herself drawing nearer and drifting off into slumber.

The last thing she registered was a brief pressure against the crown of her head as Adaman placed a gentle kiss and breathed three small words there.