[se] Hjio de la Luna

Date nights had become a normal part of Ruìsāng's life, yet they still felt somewhat surreal to him. It was a change from the past—being with someone where there was no need for games or manipulation, just straightforward enjoyment. The simplicity of it all felt strange but refreshing; these events would be attended together, unless other commitments demanded their presence.

As he prepared for the evening, Ruìsāng ran his fingers through his hair, leaving it to fall loosely around his neck. Despite his efforts, his hair remained as wild and untamed as ever. He then proceeded to wrap the bandages around his hand, a task he had been doing less frequently at home, which was a relief. He was thankful that Vince didn’t view his scars in the same light he did—as grim reminders of his monstrous deeds.

“Just finishing up,” he called out to Vince, making a few final adjustments to ensure the bandages weren't too tight. He sighed softly, patting his pocket to confirm that Lìeyàn’s Pokéball was still there. He never liked to go out without at least one of his trusted Pokémon, and since Hēixié detested her Pokéball, Lìeyàn was the chosen one for the night.

Stepping into the living room, Ruìsāng greeted Vince with a smile. “All ready,” he announced, giving Hēixié a gentle pat on the head as he passed by. He planted a quick kiss on Vince’s cheek before he opened the front door, gesturing for Vince to follow. It was time to head to the northern part of the city, toward the forest.

Ruìsāng couldn’t help but scoff when he was dubbed the beauty queen—something he all but was. His appearance was characterised by untamed locks and flawlessly clear skin, owed more to genetic fortune than any routine, a curious fact considering neither of his parents shared this trait.

With a resigned sigh, Ruìsāng slid into the driver's seat after they made their way downstairs. He mused about eventually replacing the thing, which made a peculiar ticking noise upon ignition. Yet, despite its quirks, the car remained sorta dependable, transporting them northward, close to the forest. There, amidst the hustle, they surprisingly found a parking spot without much trouble.

As they exited the car, Vince's enthusiasm was clear in his smile, and Ruìsāng felt a sense of relief that they were finally making this trip, especially since they had missed the Valentine's Day activities. He made a mental note to persuade Vince to join him for the festival in May, which he suspected Vince would enjoy.

“Alright. Do you want to view it by the lake or find a spot near the river?” Ruìsāng asked, so he could guide them in the right direction. The lake area was more crowded, but would have more ideal spots.

Vince's preference was to find a spot near the lake, and Ruìsāng readily agreed, even though it was going to be busier there. He was confident they could find their own space, particularly if they chose a slightly elevated area that offered a good view and was less accessible to the general crowd, especially those less agile.

However, when Vince playfully suggested climbing a tree for a better vantage point, Ruìsāng couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in amused surprise. “You want to climb a tree?” he repeated, letting a chuckle escape. He wasn’t exactly an experienced climber, but he had sufficient strength to hoist himself up when necessary.

“Find us a tree that doesn’t look like it’ll break the second we look at it, and you’ve got yourself a deal,” he responded with a wink. While the prospect of lounging in a tree wasn't the most comfortable sounding, he was willing to follow Vince. The added privacy offered by the leaves was an undeniable bonus.

As they walked hand in hand toward their chosen spot, Ruìsāng found the experience surreal. It was odd, yet oddly fitting, to blend in so seamlessly with the couples and families around them, as if his life hadn't been irrevocably altered by a deal with the devil, or as if he wasn't holding hands with a man who governed an entire region.

The reality that they were actually going to climb the tree struck Ruìsāng with both amusement and a bit of disbelief, prompting a laugh and a shake of his head.

Yet, seeing Vince's enthusiasm for something as simple as watching fireflies ignited a warm feeling inside him. It was somewhat surprising to see Vince so thrilled about such a small spectacle, but Ruìsāng knew well that some people got really excited over these things. Vince's happiness was infectious, and Ruìsāng hoped to see it more often—it genuinely warmed his heart.

When Vince offered to help him up the tree, Ruìsāng joked with a playful tone, “Will you lift me up?”

Vince quickly made his way into the branches, leaving Ruìsāng to consider their not-quite-a-cat companion on the ground. Addressing the creature with a sigh, he questioned, “So you can’t climb?” confirming his suspicion that it definitely wasn’t a cat.

Securing the creature under one arm, Ruìsāng carefully stepped onto the lowest branch, grabbing another above him with his free hand. Skillfully, he ascended to the next branch, managing to climb higher without needing to use his other hand. Now at a sufficient height, he gently tossed the creature toward Vince, ensuring it wouldn't risk falling to the ground. With a few more moves, he joined Vince at the same level, settling into a more comfortable position before casting a glance downward.

“I have to admit,” he began, a soft smile playing on his lips as his eyes twinkled with a hint of nostalgia, “I haven’t climbed a tree since I was a child.”

As the Amigou was placed on Vince’s lap, Ruìsāng scrutinised the creature’s paws after Vince mentioned its inability to climb—something supposedly evident from its paws' structure. Ruìsāng observed them closely; they appeared normal to him, perhaps a bit short, but nothing that would outright prevent the creature from climbing.

His concentration on the Amigou's paws was so intense that he barely registered Vince wrapping his arms around him. Startled, he looked up, then quickly relaxed, leaning into Vince with a soft smile. The comfort of Vince’s embrace in their chosen spot was perfect, and he could safely say he was happy here.

However, their quiet interlude was briefly interrupted when Vince posed a question. Ruìsāng let out a laugh once he realised it wasn’t aimed at him, but at a Cutiefly in his hair. “It seems like you attract them even now,” he commented playfully. As he tried to catch a glimpse of the creature, he felt watchful eyes on him, but when he turned to look, there was nothing to see.

Just then, the atmosphere around them shifted as murmurs rose among the crowd, and it seemed like the Illumise and Volbeat had arrived, their bodies twinkling like stars against the night sky.

A kiss brushed against Ruìsāng’s neck, and Vince whispered that he had him, prompting a soft breath to escape Ruìsāng's lips. "I know," he replied, shifting slightly to lean into the embrace, revelling in the fact that they could enjoy this simple closeness in public, at such an ordinary event. It felt normal. Like they could have this.

Vince mentioned that Pokémon seemed particularly at ease around him, eliciting a soft hm from Ruìsāng. "Not just Pokémon," he replied. Forming bonds with people had never come easily to him, but with Vince, he felt an undeniable sense of safety and comfort—no wonder Pokémon felt similarly drawn.

As murmurs filled the air, Volbeat and Illumise darted overhead, their luminescence casting hundreds of tiny lights across the night sky above the lake. Suddenly, another glow caught their attention—Vince pointed out the Amigou. Ruìsāng's eyes widened in surprise as he scanned for the creature.

"I didn’t know—" he whispered. No one had ever mentioned that these creatures evolved. A sense of relief washed over him as he realised the transformation was minimal—their apartment was crowded enough as it was.

Ruìsāng couldn't help but scoff softly in response to Vince's comment, though his demeanour softened into a pleased hum as Vince pressed a kiss against his neck. “You know what I mean,” he retorted lightly. Being at ease with Vince was a given—something Ruìsāng had already made abundantly clear. However, such comfort was rare for him with others. Vince had been an exception to the rule from the start.

His attention to the cat was minimal; Ruìsāng had never been particularly interested in Pokémon beyond his own, expecially Hēixié and Lìeyàn. Yet, catching a glimpse of Vince’s intrigued expression and the spark of curiosity in his eyes, Ruìsāng found himself sharing in that interest, if only for Vince’s sake.

Playfully, he nudged Vince with his elbow, a light chuckle escaping him. “Pay attention, or you’ll be sad when you miss out,” he teased, nodding towards the flickering lights around them. In his culture, these lights were considered profound symbols of love—a sentiment that he was beginning to appreciate more deeply.

Ruìsāng had never before enjoyed things like this. He’d considered himself incapable of love, someone not destined to be loved. He’d enjoyed quick flings, moments of passion, but nothing that ever made him feel worth more than his body.

With Vince, things were… different, but terrifying. He still felt like he was hiding a part of himself, like he’d never be fully accepted if he revealed it. He wasn’t sure if Vince loved him for his flaws, or if he’d simply been too blind to see them.

But, for now, he leaned into the other’s touch and smiled as the sky was lit up with all the lights. And maybe, just maybe, he could believe that this could last. For today, for tonight, for tomorrow, and for however many tomorrows until it’d come crashing down.