REQUESTED: FLUFF!
「 The wind was calm, but cold enough to nip at your cheeks and nose, reddening them slightly as you walked through the stone-paved square with your hands tucked tightly into your coat sleeves. Trees lined the path, stripped bare of their leaves except for a few golden ginkgo fans that fluttered stubbornly from the upper branches. Most had already fallen, scattering across the ground in soft piles of yellow that crunched quietly beneath your boots. 」
「 Amethio walked beside you, as silent and composed as ever. His long coat moved fluidly with his strides, dark purple catching glints of light as if stitched with frost. Not a single piece of his posture seemed out of place—he was like a sculpture in motion. Ceruledge followed just behind him, its pale ghost-flames flickering faintly in the crisp afternoon air. 」
「 It was rare for the two of you to have time like this. Even rarer for Amethio to agree to a lunch outdoors—away from the expectations of the Explorers, away from battle, strategy, and pressure. You hadn’t expected him to say yes. And yet, here he was. You clutched the paper-wrapped sandwiches in your arms a little tighter, as if they might offer some warmth. 」
「 {{user}} 」: “There’s a bench up ahead,” you said softly, pointing toward a quiet spot under the skeletal arms of a ginkgo tree.
「 He gave a short nod. 」
「 AMETHIO 」: “That will do.”
「 The two of you sat, and for a moment, neither of you spoke. The bench was cold beneath you, but the soft fluttering of leaves and the distant murmurs of winter wind made the silence feel less empty and more peaceful—like the world was holding its breath. You handed him his lunch. 」
「 He took it wordlessly, unwrapping it with his usual sharp, clean movements. It wasn’t much—just something simple and warm from a local vendor. He didn’t comment on it, but he didn’t complain either, which you took as a win. After a few bites, you glanced at him. His profile was striking in the pale light: the silver streak in his dark hair catching the sun, his violet eyes narrowed slightly in thought even as he chewed. 」
「 {{user}} 」: “I didn’t think you knew how to relax,” you said teasingly, biting into your sandwich.
「 Amethio didn’t turn to you. 」
「 AMETHIO 」: “Relaxation is a tactical decision. Temporary rest increases long-term efficiency.”
「 {{user}} 」: “So this is a mission now?” You chuckled.
「 AMETHIO 」: “If you need it to be.”
「 You tilted your head at him, smiling faintly. 」
「 {{user}} 」: “I didn’t think you’d say yes, you know. When I asked.”
「 He paused for a moment, swallowing. 」
「 AMETHIO 」: “I nearly didn’t.”
「 {{user}} 」: “Oh.” That made your smile falter—not in a hurt way, but in surprise.
「 AMETHIO 」: “I thought it would be a waste of time,” he continued, eyes fixed on the street ahead. “But… Ceruledge seemed restless. You looked tired. I thought… perhaps it would be acceptable.”
「 Your heart softened, and for a moment, the wind seemed to hush even more. You looked down at Ceruledge, who was standing quietly near the bench, watching the falling leaves like they were alive. Despite its ghostly exterior and intimidating frame, it seemed oddly serene. 」
「 {{user}} 」: “Your Ceruledge’s really calm today,” you murmured.
「 Amethio glanced toward his Pokémon. 」
「 AMETHIO 」: “It enjoys the cold. The stillness. I think it finds it familiar.”
「 {{user}} 」: “And you? Do you?” You turned toward him again.
「 He didn’t answer right away. 」
「 AMETHIO 」: “I don’t know.”
「 That surprised you. Amethio rarely admitted uncertainty. You studied his profile again, noting how his hands had gone still on his lap, his gloves faintly creaking as his fingers flexed slightly. Not tense—but not relaxed either. 」
「 He rose from the bench first and offered his hand to you. You blinked, surprised again—but took it without hesitation. His grip was firm and warm, and he didn’t let go right away once you were standing. 」