This is just some random thing I wrote last semester while waiting for my classmate. It's not much, but ehh, here it is.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story.

21. Temporary Caretakers

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Ruby let out sigh, his warm breath escaped from his lips as it curved into a sincere smile. He felt something warm spreading across his chest as a soft chuckle later escaped from his lips at the sight.

It was certainly not the first time he had seen Sapphire's feminine side, really.

After all, she was a girl, his girl, since their first meeting during their childhood.

Though, Sapphire had changed after that certain incident in their childhood just so she could protect the people she loved, she had still managed to keep her cute and feminine sides. Those parts of her personality were some of the qualities he loved about her.

Oh, Arceus. He truly loved her.

He changed for her... just so he could not lose her... and she changed for him... just so she could protect him.

They changed for each other, and they couldn't ask for a better partner than each other.

He could write a thousand speech, a thousand poems, a thousand essays, a thousand stories... just to tell every bit of his feelings for her.

He may sound exaggerating, but he would do it in case anyone doubted him.

"See? Takin' a bath isn't that scary. Ya just need to let go of yer anxiety."

Ruby swallowed hard, doing his best to stop his fast paced heartbeat.

Today was definitely one of the days where he couldn't help but to stare at her with awe.

The way she treated the Alolan Vulpix with such generosity, patience and compassion were enough to make him feel blessed and thank Arceus or any legendary Pokemon out there.

The Alolan Vulpix that their senior Green was taking care of in behalf of their senior's friend, Diantha was quite a handful, according to the Viridian City Gym Leader.

It was quite stubborn and hated taking baths. It often gave its caretaker a headache.

He tried to be patient and understanding to the little guy, but after turning his hat into a Popsicle, he gave up being that Alolan Vulpix's caretaker.

Sapphire didn't give up, however. She told her fianceé that she could take care of it while he was busy defrosting his hat.

He couldn't just leave her, of course. He admit he was anxious about the Alolan Vulpix's tricks at his future wife.

He had to stay for her.

He had to make sure she was safe from the little guy's mischief.

Although she could take care of herself, his strong feelings for her and his constant desire to assure her safety were the qualities that made him stay.

He released a sigh, plopping himself on the chair and letting his back, the fabric of his casual attire, brush the sofa.

He watched her give another pat on the ice-like baby fox as she later stood up to approach him.

His smile returned once she sat beside him, releasing a heavy sigh in relief. "Are you okay? You wanna sleep?" He asked, muttering the words behind her right ear. His left arm snaked around her waist, and pulled her closer, closing the mere centimeter gap between them.

Sapphire jerked her head, shaking it on both sides. She let her fiancé pull her close to him as her left arm travels on his chest, gripping the fabric of his shirt. "It's quite a handful, but one just needs patience. I'm surprised ya gave up already."

His guilty blood-like eyes met her sincere ocean-like eyes. He released a sigh. "It... It froze my hat. You know how important it is. A frozen hat means my fashion statement is ruined. And—"

Before he could continue his next statement, however, Sapphire's fist made contact on his chest, making the charmer cringe in pain.

"Ow, Sapph?"

Sapphire's lips curved into an irked pout, her fangs sticking out from her top lip.

Ruby's fast heartbeat returned at her cute reaction.

So... cute...

Although he knows she punched him in her weakest strength but her weakest strength means it's one percent below her actual strength, it really didn't matter. Her cute reaction was enough to remove the pain on his chest.

"Idiot." was the only word she could respond, making his heart beat faster.

Ah, she said that word, the word that she would exclusively say to him. He couldn't help but to make him release a soft chuckle. That's Sapphire, and words couldn't perfectly describe how strong his still growing feelings for her. Although it could be translated into three words, but he knew his feelings for her translated more than just those three-letter word.

"I love you too."

*hides somewhere* Kinda sucks? I don't know... but I hope you like it ^^'