Auroria Forest – Dawn
Skylar woke slowly, blinking against the soft light filtering through the trees.
His body ached.
His mind swam with fractured memories.
Then he turned his head—and saw Serena curled at his side, still sleeping peacefully.
Memories rushed back.
Her kiss.
Their closeness.
The desperate night they had shared.
His heart twisted with guilt.
He sat up gently, careful not to wake her.
His hands trembled.
"What have I done…?"
He looked at her, guilt flooding his chest.
She deserved better than someone broken.
She deserved better than this.
But as he tried to quietly move away—
Serena stirred.
Her eyes fluttered open, sleepy but bright.
When she saw him awake, she smiled.
"Good morning," she whispered.
Skylar's heart broke all over again.
"I'm sorry," he said immediately, voice raw. "Serena—I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to—"
Serena raised an eyebrow dramatically.
"So… are you saying you didn't like it?"
Skylar's mouth opened.
Then closed.
Then opened again.
He turned bright red.
"I—I—!" he stammered, looking anywhere but her eyes.
"I loved it," he finally blurted out like an idiot.
Then clamped his mouth shut, mortified.
Serena laughed, bright and free.
She pounced forward, wrapping her arms around him and squeezing tight.
"I love you, you dummy," she whispered against his neck.
Skylar froze.
Felt her words sink into his bones.
He had been so afraid to believe anyone could still love him after all he'd failed to do.
But here she was.
Real.
Unshaken.
Still smiling just for him.
His voice shook.
"I love you too," he whispered.
Serena pulled back, her golden hair catching the dawn light.
"Since when?" she asked, teasing gently.
Skylar smiled awkwardly.
And slowly—
A memory surfaced.
Flashback – Kanto Survival Camp
The camp director's voice boomed across the field.
"For the final survival exercise, you'll be paired up randomly!"
Skylar stood with Cynthia beside him, confident as ever.
Until the instructor pointed.
"Cynthia—you're paired with Misty."
Skylar blinked.
"What?"
The instructor grinned.
"You two rely on each other too much. Time to grow individually."
Skylar scowled, but Cynthia gave him an encouraging nod before walking off.
He turned—and found himself face-to-face with a shy girl clutching a Ralts.
Serena.
Eyes wide.
Terrified.
But trying her best to look brave.
The first few days were awkward.
Serena was nervous around wild Pokémon.
Jumped at every noise.
Struggled to light a fire.
Skylar, used to Cynthia's fearless attitude, had to learn patience.
But he did.
He taught her how to tie knots, how to track prints.
And Ralts helped too—bonding with Serena easily.
Bit by bit, she relaxed.
She started smiling more.
Laughing.
Trusting him.
Then disaster struck.
Skylar was gathering wood one morning when he heard her scream.
He dropped everything and sprinted toward the sound.
In the clearing, three wild Poochyena had surrounded Serena, snapping and growling.
Her Ralts stood protectively in front, but they were outnumbered.
Without thinking, Skylar charged.
Growlithe burst from his side, flames blazing.
Skylar threw himself between Serena and the Poochyena.
One of them lunged—and raked its claws across his back.
He staggered.
But stayed standing.
Growlithe and Ralts worked together, driving the Poochyena back into the woods.
When it was over—
Skylar collapsed.
Blood staining his shirt.
Serena fell to her knees beside him, sobbing.
"I'm so sorry—I'm so sorry—!"
Skylar smiled weakly.
"You're safe," he said.
"That's what matters."
Then everything went black.
The days that followed blurred together.
Serena refused to leave his side.
She cleaned his wounds.
Fed him.
Kept the fire burning.
Talked to him late into the night when he couldn't sleep.
And little by little—
Skylar felt something bloom inside him.
A feeling he didn't understand then.
But he understood now.
Present – Auroria Forest
Skylar smiled faintly at the memory.
"I think…" he said quietly, brushing a strand of hair from Serena's face.
"I think I started loving you back then."
Serena's eyes widened.
Then shone with tears.
She kissed him again—softer this time.
No desperation.
No guilt.
Just pure, endless warmth.
They sat together as the sun rose.
And for the first time in what felt like forever—
Skylar didn't feel lost.
He felt found.