Layne didn't know how long it had been. But what he did know, was that hot water never felt so soothing. As soon as he was guided to the spring, and placed one foot in it, he felt relieved already. Granted, his wounds would take longer to heal, but he wasn't worried anymore almost. He felt almost at peace.
As he slowly slipped into the water, he let all the air out of his lungs, and submerged himself. His body sunk almost like a rock, deprived of air. Layne did this sometimes, though it only lasted about three seconds, when he would come up for air. As he did so....he let all the pain he felt from the long walk and the attack, melt away.
As he took in air again, his collar inflated. and he let himself drift. The spring was deep enough to where he didn't touch, and could let himself drift. Time was lost to him now.
He breathed in.........
...and smiled. Autumn was over him. Her smile, with the way the sun hit the back of her head, was perfect. Layne must have dozed off, because the sun was setting, and he was on the beach. It wasn't the first time he did this. The sand, the air.....it was all so perfect, he would just sleep on the beach, or just nap on it.
Autumn finally said, "Rise and shine, Mary Sunshine."
Layne scoffed and chuckled at the same time and sat up and watched the tide coming in. Autumn sat with him. Layne didn't think she got the same feeling he got when near water or just being near or in water, but her company made it that much better, and perhaps she knew that. They had only known each other for about 3 weeks now, and he already felt her company feel that well. Perhaps he was just overthinking. Never-the-less, she made him happy when she came and gave him company. He was happy he wasn't alone. Layne sometimes wished he knew what made her happy.
He hadn't asked her.
"Autumn...you know I love your company here, right?"
Autumn giggled, and said, "Of course, Layne, silly. Why ask when you know?"
Layne pulled himself up further. His feet were now in front of him, and his tail(s) curved along the sand. "I was just contemplating something."
"What's that?" she asked getting closer.
"What is your equivalent to the sea?" Layne asked.
Autumn looked at him confused. "What do you mean?"
Layne adjusted his goggles and popped his neck. "Well I mean, you come and give me company on the beach or on Sharpedo's Bluff. But do you have something that just fills you with happiness on the same levels as the sea does?"
Autumn pondered the question and looked up and smiled. "Yes. And I think mine's bigger." she said playfully.
"Bigger?" Lyane asked.
"Have you ever watched the sun set, and watch the stars come out?"
Layne shook his head. "Can't say I have."
"Layne, the ocean is a wonderful thing, but when I see the night sky...and how big it is......"
Layne chuckled. Autumn continued though,"I want to be the first pokemon to see it all. I want to go up, and touch the stars."
"Sounds challenging." Layne said.
Autumn looked over. "You didn't seem all that.....convinced."
"No no, it has nothing to do with that. It's just a big goal."
"Wouldn't you want to see the depths of the ocean, and all that, Layne? See how underwater pokemon dwell sometimes?"
"I would, but probably won't..."
Autumn looked at him, "Why? What's stopping you?"
Layne smiled. "Nothing. But I would help you get to the stars first." And with that, he lay back down and smiled. "The first star's already greeting us. Why don't we wait for them to greet us?"
Layne opened his eyes. Even memories of Autumn were starting to worry him more about her safety. He would find her, and he would do whatever it took to save her if she was in any trouble.
Layne felt the strength return to him, and he opened his eyes. He stepped out of the spring, and stretched. His bruises and cuts were still there, and he still felt sore, but he was going to go check on his partner.
As he went in the direction he was in, someone stopped him and must have recognized him, because they said, "He's going to be fine, he just needs rest."
Layne translated that as, 'it would be best not to disturb him.'
Layne put up a paw, and said, "I know, but as his partner, I have a right to see him and make sure he's okay." With that, he continued to his partner's room. And when he saw him on the bed, Layne almost felt a wave of relief go down his spine. He still looked like the beat up kid he fought with, but that was a good thing.
Chunk too had a strong spirit. Like Pyro. Pyro was on his way home, he didn't know what Chunk would decide to do, but Layne was hellbent on staying until he found Autumn. Layne pulled up a chair and sat next to Chunk's bed, and rested his head. Several thoughts floated through his mind, and he drifted off again......lost in thought....
