Her ears felt hot, and so did her breath, so she stopped breathing. Willed herself to look at him, hoping he wouldn’t notice the glossiness to her eyes. She didn’t blink. Couldn’t. Too risky.

There was a barely audible sigh of relief when his hands dropped away. One of her own went up to hold an elbow, comforting herself.

“Um.” Hungry? What was hungry? Her brain was flatlining. “No; that’s okay. I ate before I came over, so...” A lie.

She finally took the glass off the table and took a sip, attempting to be as normal as possible. Pick up the pieces, and make it work.

“Yeah. Tell me about her, then. She must be really special, to make you commit!”

It wasn’t something she’d expected to hear from him for a reason. Her brow furrowed at some of the children, and when one of them sent her an odd look in return, she averted her gaze, realizing how unfriendly she probably appeared. Oops.

Her eyes found King again, and her mouth skewed a bit.

“Hm. Maybe. But you want my thoughts, Wayland?” He hadn’t asked for them, really.

She gave them anyways.

“You’re a crazy fuck, and you make dangerous decisions—like today.” Sage shrugged, smirking. She was just kidding. Mostly. “It was a good call, but...”

Then, she shook her head, and looked out into horizon, briefly wishing she hadn’t left her Corphish chips behind.

“Maybe you’re not missing much. Maybe you’re better off without, y’know? Like me.”

And maybe she was an asshole. She’d be an honest one, at least.

Well…

Action.

Cacturne and Donphan had been there, at the tail; at every turn to help. Well-trained. Sage was there too, calling shots as needed, expertly. Doing what was necessary.

In the end, she too bore the marks of their entrance and victory, and stared at all whom they’d saved. Job done.

Her Pokemon had been returned; not entirely socialized outside of combat.

At his side, she surveyed the outcome. They were lucky, she felt.

“Why?”

It was worth a lot. It was a question that was roused, despite the touch, and the welcoming inside. How could doubt not be seeded?

She would evade it, as always.

Maybe.

He pulled her in, and she choked. She thought of Delta, and guilt. Closed her eyes into valley of his shoulder, and hung there a moment, breathing.

“Always.”

She shut off.

What he’d said before didn’t matter. Clearly, time changed things. That was fair.

What she wouldn’t let it change was her love for him. When she knew so little about herself, there were some things she couldn’t afford to let go of—no matter how much they might hurt. The way she’d always longed for him had become part of her identity.

If she was meant to bear it alone, she would carry it like armor.

'That’s all we’ll ever be.'

He came closer, looking her in the eyes, and for a moment, just for herself, she imagined it was an alternate scenario. One where he held her closer again, and perhaps kissed her forehead.

“Of course.”

What other answer could she possibly have for him?

Her jaw clenched to hold a reassuring smile.

Sagira nodded, and they were down towards their targets after the blur of his team.

They arrived at the bottom, and she was careful to take cover and let him lead. Her pokemon were released from their capsules with her, hidden: Donphan and Cacturne, awaiting orders.

Her eyes peered at a few kids, all feelings even through the practiced hiss of her breath. She looked back to King. Mere seconds passed.

Her stare hung, and time stopped. It took her with it, dragging towards abyss she’d known, but rarely looked towards. She willed herself not to acknowledge it. Turn away. Don’t look down.

But it stared at her this time. It had stood up to her level, and it shook her.

She suddenly realized that her heart didn’t write the story of the world.

“Oh.”

But like always; like those times the abyss had looked her in the face, she had to recover.

Finally, her eyes left him, and fell to the glass he’d sipped. Hers still rested, full on the counter. Perhaps never to be touched.

“Well… of course you are. You’re a catch. How couldn’t you be...”

Her heart beat, at least. She could feel it. 

“No... that’s great, Matias.” While her grip on him had softened in shock, it was only moments before it tightened again. “I only hope you’re happy. You deserve it.”

She swallowed, and blinked. Looked at him. It was more apparent now why he was at a loss for words. She was a fool, and he didn't want to hurt her. And she didn't want to give him a reason for concern.

“It doesn't change things. I'm here.”

In whatever way; she always would be. Still, there was nothing else.

“You're my friend before anything.”

No. He was just worried; but they would always have each other, right? She’d promised him countless times. She was here, now. She wouldn’t leave him again.

Her head shook, and offered a smile she thought might be reassuring.

“Maybe; but I’ve made so many. What’s one more?”

She squeezed his hand, momentarily unable to keep a grin from her face.

’I…’

“I love you. So much. I always have.”

He thanked her. Sage gave a light sigh and stared at him briefly, mouth flat, but eyes softening with understanding.

“Yeah.”

Looking over her shoulder, she decided she’d had her back turned too long. Plus, she was in his way. So, she stepped aside, allowing him to pass and lead.

“Okay. Yours outrun mine. They’ll support when we get down there.” 

She reached to her belt for capsules.

“You’re not going in alone. I won’t have your death on my hands.”

“Ready when you are.”

As well as she knew him, he was unreadable in that moment.

She let the water sit on the counter. It couldn’t possibly quell the thirst that lingered. Love had been a barren desert without him.

“I wanted to be with you. It never feels right when I’m not by your side.”

Taking a leap, and never thinking for a second that she’d trip, she reached a hand across the counter for his again.

“I’ll fight with you to the end, Matias. I’ve learned that I can’t bring myself to do anything else.”

If they saw them--which, barging down towards them like such would ensure, as well as raise alarm. Those were her thoughts, at least.

She looked briefly across the ground, as though an answer for how she should behave in such a situation might be there, sitting for her, close enough to grab like a bag of chips.

Again, she shook her head. Maybe she was his back-up, today. The man was on some greater mission. It wasn’t that this didn’t anger her. It, of course, wasn’t okay. Sage merely preferred to be more calculating. It was the possibility of hostages that she’d been concerned about in the first place. They hadn’t been expecting this.

But she couldn’t stop him.

She breathed, then nodded.

“You know I’ll follow you.”

Sage hadn’t known the same sort of childhood—but she’d certainly known the struggle of a wayward youth and lack of control. Being moved around, and forced into situations which made her uncomfortable.

She wasn’t easily sent into such panic and rage. She was grounded, and kept both her feet in front of him, planted firmly. While King was much bigger, her will and resolve was just as strong.

Until he broke it with some look in his eye.

Her fingers drew back with the lightest shove and she shook her head. “Fine. But we have to think it through. You can’t just go barging in there like that.”

“If you have a plan, tell me first. Don't just leave me behind. I'm your partner, not your back-up.”

She answered honestly. They’d known each other from such a young age, that there was little truth she didn’t naturally give him. “I could see that.”

“Still, really nice.”

Taking the glass, she mirrored across from him, leaning on marble as well. Hearing that he was glad to see her felt like a blanket after a long night in the cold. Years, even.

She was still beaming, but eventually her eyes began to search his, as though pre-emptively attempting to decide what his reaction might be.

Here goes.

“I re-enlisted. Here, in Hoenn.”

To be with you.