These characters are not mine, and neither is Pokemon in general. So please don't think I'm doing this for any reason beyond fun and entertainment purposes...
Eight little words, none larger than two syllables, sent his state of reality into a warp shift bent on hell. Satoshi stared ahead blankly at Shigeru, and the words played over and over in his head.
'Because I had to let go of you...' Shigeru had said, and what was worst was that Satoshi could hear the sincerity in his voice. It still rung free and true in his mind.
And then he began to laugh, harder than he had ever laughed before, in his entire life. Shaking the laughter soon blended with tears and Shigeru got up from where he sat and dragged Satoshi from his seat.
"Come on, get up..." Shigeru murmured and Satoshi was so helplessly lost in emotion, he could do nothing to resist him. He dragged him then to the bathroom, and made him stand with his hands on the sink.
"Close your eyes." He ordered and Satoshi did, and he wet a paper towel and wiped the tears away. And then Shigeru found himself alone with his thoughts. I hadn't meant Kasumi not loving you, he thought sadly. I meant something completely different...
Satoshi began to topple and then Shigeru caught him before he could fall to the ground. He was silent as he clung to his rival turned unlikely savior. "What hotel are you staying at?" Shigeru asked, thanking the fact that he knew Tokiwa well.
Satoshi mumbled a name and Shigeru nodded. "All right." He pulled him from the bathroom, paid for what they had ordered even though neither would be touched, and led him out into the cool night air. Satoshi was quiet at his side.
"Feeling better?" Shigeru asked. Satoshi nodded at length.
"A little." He murmured softly. That is more than anything, than nothing, Shigeru mused silently.
They made their way silently down the darkened streets, Satoshi clinging to his arm like a lifeline. Shigeru prayed that no one would find them thus. It would not look right, and Satoshi had enough to deal with as it was...
He needs someone, Shigeru thought. He needs someone and that person doesn't want him... He sighed and turned the corner. The hotel Satoshi had named loomed before them.
"Can you make it from here?" Satoshi was silent as Shigeru asked the question, and even then he spoke nothing at all. Shigeru sighed again. "Key card?" He asked and Satoshi blinked and then reached into his pocket. He handed him the key and Shigeru thanked him softly.
This was more trouble than he would have wanted, but at least he could help.
Together they made their way into the building. The lady behind the front counter eyed them both with and odd gesture. Shigeru sighed and looked at the key card. Room 513. He led them both to the elevator, and Satoshi went along, meek and quiet. Shigeru sighed and hit the button.
He hit the button for the fifth floor and looked at Satoshi. Satoshi, whose gaze was rooted firmly to the carpeted floor. Shigeru sighed softly and shook his head. He's dealing, I suppose.
"Thank you." The soft words shocked Shigeru nearly out of his skin.
"What for?" He asked in soft reply. Satoshi looked up at him and his dark eyes were a wide window into the depths of his anguished soul.
"For helping me." He replied succinctly, and then looked back towards the carpet. Shigeru found himself unable to reply, and then to doors slid open for the fifth floor.
This time it was Satoshi that led them towards their goal. His steps were simple and controlled, and he let them come to rest in front of a simple door. Shigeru read the number and then slid the key card through the slot. The light flashed green and the door popped open. He pushed it open and Satoshi dragged him in.
The door closed and Satoshi let go of him. Shigeru sighed. "Well, I should be going now..."
Satoshi paused and span around. "Don't leave!" He begged, and then he looked away. "Please don't."
Shigeru swallowed the emotion in his throat and then nodded slowly. "Sure, Satoshi..." At that, Satoshi smiled and looked at him.
"Thank you, Shigeru... Again."
"It's nothing..." Shigeru murmured and the entire attitude behind their relationship seemed to shift. At least for now, the rivalry could be put behind them. Satoshi shuffled through the room, and Shigeru sat down on the couch. He closed his eyes and relaxed, and questioned himself on the sanity of it all.
At least Satoshi seemed better. It had been a short time, though... "I'm going to take a shower. I hope you don't mind sharing a bed... There's only one and I don't want to sleep on the floor..." Satoshi babbled on merrily. Shigeru blinked and stared at him. Satoshi blinked right back. "What?"
"You want me to sleep with you?"
Satoshi laughed and nodded. "Exactly!" Yes, Satoshi had changed. He'd gone from bone dry depressed to the edge of insanity.
Shigeru blinked again and sighed. "Are you sure of what you're saying?" He asked softly. Satoshi cocked his head to one side.
"Of course I am." Satoshi mused. "There's only one bed. It's not like we'd be doing anything beyond sleeping..." At that Satoshi had the decency to blush. "I mean, I've had my fill on backfiring emotions tonight, thank you kindly!"
Shigeru started and looked at him in shocked. "What do you mean by that?" He demanded.
Satoshi sighed and looked at his foot. "I had a crush on Kasumi for eight years, Shigeru. Because it's far more likely that I'd have my chances with a girl, than with a guy. Are you happy now?"
Shigeru didn't know what to say. He tried to say something, anything at all, but nothing would come. Satoshi turned away. "Aren't you going to laugh at me?" He asked in a soft sulking tone.
Shigeru stood and walked towards him, his steps even and controlled. "Why would I laugh?"
Satoshi hmphed and turned on his heel, to find Shigeru inches away. "J-just... I outed myself rather nicely right then, don't you think?" Shigeru nodded at that.
"Hai... you did... I never knew... well, who is it?" He asked. It was a simple enough question. And all Satoshi had to do was answer it. And that would be it. Case opened, case closed. Of course, Satoshi wasn't up to that.
Satoshi's cheeks darkened considerably. I can't let him find out... It's bad enough that I went all weird because of Kasumi. But now... "I can't say."
Shigeru rocked back on his heels. There was only one thing on his mind at Satoshi's unwillingness to tell who it was. Of course, that wasn't exactly a bad thing. Not at all. "If you don't tell me I'll assume you mean me."
Satoshi went quickly from bright red to pale. "It's not you!" He squeaked.
"Then who is it?" Shigeru asked simply, crossing his arms over his chest. Satoshi was silent for more time than he would like, and what he said sent Shigeru's reality tumbling through the rinse cycle. And then he began to laugh.
"I thought you said it wasn't me!" He gasped between his laughter, trying to calm himself. Satoshi was still pale.
"I can't make up my mind, I guess."
At that, Shigeru grinned wickedly. "Let me make it for you, then." He said softly. And then he pulled Satoshi close and kissed him.