Gradually their chair begins to decrease in momentum as his legs dangle motionless, until it only subtly sways from the gentle push of the breeze. Angelo unlatches his hands from the safety railing, although the arm that had wrapped around Stormy remains in her personal space, draped instead over the back of the seat in comfortable closeness.

[break][break]
For a moment they sit in silence, appreciating the view from the peak that overlooked Slateport beach; ocean aglow with the reflection of festival lights and the moon dancing upon the waves.
[break][break]
“Yeah. It is,” he says quietly, eyes fixed on the point where water and sky meet, his mind momentarily adrift with the quiet, rhythmic lapping of the tide.
[break][break]
Angelo turns to her then, mirroring the smile. Whatever contemplation he’d had barely a whisper.
[break][break]

“As your self-appointed best friend, we have to hang out more often.” He proposes, leaning back in the seat before tilting his chin up towards the inky sky and its dulled, city starlight. “You free next weekend? We can go flying for real. Or maybe go somewhere; I haven't seen all of Lavaridge yet. You like hiking?”[break][break]

A blue gaze falls to Stormy, looking relaxed and free herself; artificial fairy lights reflected in her eyes. He’s glad, she said she’d been busy with work, right?





[break][break]

+ Stormy Silph

“Cool. We’ll do both, then. Just don’t forget about me again.” [break][break]

The smile on his face fades ever so slightly when he catches sight of Stormy’s expression; warm with a fondness that feels earnestly pointed at him. It’s then that Angelo realises how close they’re leaning against one another, the woman taking over ocean blue eyes until the rest of the festival momentarily swims in a mixture of blurry lights and crackling music over the speakers. [break][break]

It wouldn’t take much to kiss her, he thinks. And he supposes that he could lean forward, press his lips to hers and entangle his fingers in brunette hair, if he wanted. Only Angelo finds that he can’t quite close the gap between them, the space that separates suddenly thick with the scent of salty, ocean air. Freezing him in place with an obstructive, sharp thought. [break][break]

He could kiss Stormy if he wanted. [break][break]

But it's not her he wants to kiss... [break][break]

Angelo’s stomach twists, but it’s not from the sudden lurching of the ferris wheel as it begins to descend. [break][break]

Blue eyes are somewhat glossed over when he turns his attention down to the approaching ground as well. He’s grateful for the sudden sensation of Stormy’s fingertips, small and delicate, gripping onto his; giving him a source of solid, warm comfort as a chill soaks through his jacket. His calloused hand squeezes in return, the woman a momentary anchor to his unsettled thoughts. [break][break]

“C’mon, let’s hit up a few games. I can’t leave until I’ve won you that ugly Torchic plushie,” Angelo nods towards a stall with said prizes lined up – their eyes noticeably unlevel even from here – when they hit the ground and leave the ferris wheel behind. [break][break]

He keeps hold of Stormy’s hand as he pulls her along, smile just the slightest practiced – wanting to distract himself with his friend’s company, to bask in her easy presence, for a little while longer.



[break][break]

+ Stormy Silph

Warmth winds around his waist, holding him tight and keeping in stride. Angelo doesn’t hesitate to detach his hand from Stormy’s, instead draping an arm over her shoulders in a familiar embrace as he leads them towards the stall with the ugly Torchic plushies. Fully intent on keeping his promise.[break][break]

“Who needs a full wallet when you’ve got raw skill,” he says with feigned confidence, flashing Stormy a humorous grin. Angelo hopes it doesn’t actually come to blowing all his change on some stuffed creature that probably costs more to buy than it was to make – she hadn’t said she didn’t want it, after all. [break][break]

Turns out skill, pretend or not, just isn't enough. [break][break]

After more turns than he would have liked and his pockets feeling considerably lighter, Angelo puts the water pistol in the shape of a Clawitzer down on the stall counter a little more enthusiastically than he should; adrenaline rushing more than it should over a festival game, too. “Fucking finally! Yes!” [break][break]

The Torchic toy is a little bigger than he expected – it also looks more of a red shade than orange, too – but he passes it over to Stormy with a proud smile anyway, like he’d just secured her the jackpot. Victorious. Focusing on the ‘battle’ had taken his mind off things a little. [break][break]

“Here, you better treasure this guy for the rest of your life.” He says jokingly, hands making the tiny chic wings flap. “And maybe you could name it after me. Honour my heroic sacrifice.”



[break][break]

+ Stormy Silph

He’s already pumped up from finally besting a children’s game after some tense spending but Stormy’s energy is infectious; Angelo laughing as she starts jumping gleefully into the air, giving her a mock bow with a hand flourish that Remiel Calcifet would not be proud of.[break][break]

“I’ll leave it in your capable hands, then, Storms.”[break][break]

Holding it out to her, warm fingertips suddenly brush against his. It’s a completely innocent bump, unintentional; yet ocean blue eyes are drawn down to hers, unable to deny the slight spark as fingertips pull at his collar. A held breath is released against Stormy’s cheek, an ugly Torchic plush squished between their bodies as the sensation of warm – too warm he notes, although he doesn’t know why – lips tickle against his skin. [break][break]

His hands remain gripping the misshapen prize when she pulls away, not chasing after the heat she left on his cheek even though his eyes follow her; a moment of surprise that flashes through them swallowed by a careful yet affectionate smile. [break][break]

“I’ll take that as a thank you…” Angelo muses as he straightens his spine, finally passing the Torchic off to its new owner.




[break][break]

+ Stormy Silph