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FRIENDS

Silver had never been the type to form close bonds. His sharp, controlling demeanor often pushed others away, making true friendship a rarity for him. But with you, it was different. You had somehow managed to break through his walls. Though he could be critical of your battle strategies, his judgments were never harsh. In fact, he often seemed... softer around you. He would rarely admit it, but he enjoyed your company, even going as far as treating you to meals after a tough battle, all without complaint.

Today was no different. After an intense Pokémon battle, you had emerged victorious, your Feraligatr standing proudly by your side. The air was filled with the quiet satisfaction of your hard-earned triumph. Silver, however, stood still, his gaze flickering towards you. His cheeks were faintly flushed, a subtle sign of his conflicting feelings—pride in your success, but perhaps something deeper that he wouldn’t openly acknowledge.

He gave you a small, almost reluctant nod, his lips curling into a rare, faint smirk.

— "Hmph... Good match."

He said, his voice soft but sincere as he grudgingly accepted his defeat, though it was clear he didn’t mind the outcome as much as he let on. Watching you happy seemed to bring him a strange sense of contentment, even if he couldn’t quite place why.