Guardian Angel (Tanya)

[latani]

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Finally, he was opening up. Coaxing out the reason behind his mood was enough to give her a modicum of relief, although why he was feeling that way as another story. She stayed quiet, letting him explain, while her eyes seemed to cloud over with an undefinable emotion. "I'm sorry," Tanya murmured, feeling her heart break for young and present Ivan. That kind of loss, at such a young age... it was almost unbearably hard. And yet... "You were both young and hurt, Ivan. No one should go through what you did. But Tammy... she's probably never known for a moment what it's like to feel unloved. Two big brothers to protect and care for her. She's lucky to have you."

Ah, if only she had the gift of eloquence; maybe then she'd do a better job at trying to cheer him up. Motivational speaker she was not, but seeing anyone hurting was enough to bring out that soft side she'd hidden away as a kid. To stand up for herself when she'd experienced bullying, Tanya had turned to toughening herself up emotionally, so that his words wold have no effect. It had formed what she called her core of steel, what kept her going through trying times. But in a situation like this, it called for a more tender touch. Physical affection was something she also wasn't accustomed to bestowing, though a hug had seemed like the right thing to do. And Tanya could almost feel him relax slightly in her embrace, bringing out a small smile.

Until, of course, another sneeze threatened to spoil the moment and had the redhead pulling back slightly. "Gah, Hyacinth really knows how to set a mood," Tanya muttered darkly as the ticklish feeling passed. Still in close proximity to Ivan, she looked up when he said her name, green eyes curious. Maybe he was simply going to thank her, despite her horrible attempts to cheer him up, but the last thing she expected was him leaning in. It was a gentle, sweet kiss, but she blushed furiously, the hue a few shades darker than the colour of her hair. For a moment, Tanya wasn't quite capable of speech, but his low oath brought her back. "N-no! I mean, it's not... not like I didn't like it or anything..." she stammered, cheeks heating once more.

(There's a word for what you are.) Maybe Ivan wasn't the only one who'd been noticing the subtle shift of their relationship. Being close to anyone was something Tanya considered remarkable, given her unfortunately tendency to scare people off when they saw what lay beneath her usually easygoing personality. But close friendship with a guy... she didn't know what that entailed. Certainly not feeling like she was constantly tripping up, making a fool of herself, when she was normally so composed.

[Kataya]

And the only solution was to stand and fight

He was likely still questioning his stupidity as Tanya seemed to be attempting to process what it was he had just done? Did he regret it? Now that he thought about it, no. He had been, he was sure, subconciously wanting to do that for a while, but he hadn't been letting himself. He did however step back to give her a little bit of space. He was sure no one wanted to be crowded after something as sudden as that. 

She declared that it hadn't been like she didn't like this kiss, and he felt his face heat up a bit more than it already was. "Well...it was sudden so I'm not blaming you." He said calmly as he could. "I guess what I've been wanting to say is that I really..." Though he wouldn't get to finish that statement as one of the Pokeballs on his belt cracked open, and materializing on the ground before him was none other than his Meowth, Mai. "Oh no.." he mumbled. He knew exactly where this was headed.

<<Miss Tanya, I ask that you step away from my Sir Ivan! I hadn't been sure why I had been feeling such a disturbance, but now that I have found my way out I finally see what it is! You--You must not make my Sir Ivan's heart race like that! You--ah!>> She was cut off as something scooped her scruff up within sharp teeth. Diva lifted her with a flat expression. <<Come, you intolerable Cat.>> She barked in a muffled way before turning and heading towards the other side of the garden. 

<<Put me down you brute! I wish to protect our master!>> Ivan facepalmed as his Pokemon continued hissing even as she was carried away. Taking a deep breath, he turned back to Tanya. "what I'm trying to say is I--" <<Sir Ivan do not give in to temptation!>> "I..." <<You must fight!>> "I mean to say..."<<She musn't control you!>> "Can't say this in the same place with Mai around, is there somewhere else we can go?" He asked finally, following an exhasperated sigh.

and my body was losing all the satellites  

MADE BY CHIASM OF GS

[latani]

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The moment hung between them, neither one sure of how to break the silence. Tanya was still struggling to sort out her thoughts and calm her racing heart, blinking out of this state when Ivan took a small step back. Part of her wanted to say it was alright, that he didn't have to move away, but a small voice in the back of her mind protested against it. Almost unwanted, a memory rose up and brought her back to elementary school, recalling the incident in the sandbox where she'd shoved the boy who would become her bully out after he'd shoved her first. A girl's small voice, teasing, 'He pushed you, and you pushed him. My mommy said when a boy does that to a girl, it means he likes her. So you like each other, Tawny!'

This made her frown. Like him? She'd hated that boy, and the feeling had been mutual. (Like him... oh. Ohh.) Intelligent as she was, she was slow on the uptake... but then again, reading books would have never prepared her for this. Tanya focused on him again, trying to keep any further colour from rising on her face as he talked, feeling rather shaken by this revelation. Oddly enough, Ivan seemed almost uncertain as he talked, much like she was. Almost like he was admitting something secret, until Mai's timely appearance ruined whatever he was about to say. Tanya had met the cat once before, back during the eventful day in Union Cave, and was surprised when Mai appeared to be admonishing her.

"Did I do something wrong?" the redhead asked, utterly perplexed. Diva carrying the mewling Meowth away drew even Hyacinth out of hiding, the gentle Meganium peering at Ivan's Pokémon as they passed with wide amber eyes. Despite his Meowth's protests, whatever Ivan wanted to say was clearly important. Enough so that Mai continued to voice her dismay to the point that he suggested a change in location, one that her allergy-riddled state was more than happy to oblige. "W-we can head into the cottage, if that's alright? No one around to interrupt," Tanya suggested, tucking her hair nervously behind one ear. Checking to make sure Mai wasn't going to chase after them, she led them back towards the cottage, stopping next to the open door that led into the living room. "After you ~"

[Kataya]

And the only solution was to stand and fight

 Ivan wondered if Mai would ever get over this fixation she had. Most of his Pokemon and himself were aware of how..weird it was. Most of the time though Ivan didn't say anything about it. But if this continued through her evolution he may have had to. But that was something to discuss another day. When Tanya asked if she did something wrong, Ivan shook his head. "Oh no. Don't worry, she does this a lot." He confirmed as the cat continued hissing at Diva.

<<I have her Ivan, you go ahead.>> The dog confirmed muffidly even if he couldn't understand her. Ivan nodded at her in thanks and followed Tanya. Was now really the time to say something like this? She could just pass it off as his current vuneralbility. But something between them had definetly changed. The real question, was if either of them were ready for it.

Once safely away from Mai, Ivan moved carefully to take Tanya's hands. "Look, Tanya. I...have something important to say." He started, taking a deep breath. "But...now isn't the right time." Biting his lip for a moment, he went on to explain. "I want to say this when you know I'm feeling fine, and it won't sound like something I'm saying in the heat of the moment." He sighed. "For now, you should know that just like you were here for me today, I'm going to do the same for you, no matter what circumstances there are." he continued. "Just...I won't make you wait too long to hear it, today just isn't the day."

and my body was losing all the satellites  

MADE BY CHIASM OF GS

[latani]

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It was hard, keeping herself calm and knowing Ivan had something to say to her. God forbid her heart betray her outward serenity, as if it weren't already racing like a Rapidash. He'd already expressed concern over her onset of allergies out in the garden, and while those were fading, Tanya didn't want to worry him with her irrational reactions to... well, him. Ivan didn't help matters when he took her hands, blinking her eyes quickly; was what he wanted to say something more personal than she'd suspected? But she said nothing, letting him talk and doing her best to not interrupt. (Or spontaneously combust. Because that would really put a damper on things.)

Relief. Followed quickly by a zing of disappointment. "Oh..." Tanya breathed, unsure of how to really react. It was true he wasn't quite himself today, and he'd surprised her out there in the garden. And though her curiosity was great, Tanya wasn't about to push him to admit anything, especially after having prodded him earlier into explaining his downcast mood. "Don't worry about it, Ivan. I understand," she said with a quick smile, giving his hands a gentle squeeze before pulling them away. Tanya walked over to the far table on the other side of the sofa, fumbling with a tissue box momentarily.

Hopefully he wouldn't think she was dismissing him with her quest for a tissue; no, she was just trying to keep her emotions out of her eyes. Her mother had always told her it was easy to figure out her mood just by looking at them. ('Try as you might, cherie, your eyes will always give you away. They're windows to the soul, after all!') And that terrified her, thinking Ivan would notice her disappointment and blame himself. Tanya already gave him enough trouble, if their Union Cave adventure was anything to go by. He'd taken care of her, fixing up her burn, and wound up being knocked out by some abusive trainer. All because Tanya had been reckless.

Ivan had chewed her out for that, for her attempt to downplay how seriously she'd been hurt. It was strange knowing someone other than her parents cared enough about her to be angry that she'd taken such a risk and had all but shrugged it off. Her hand abruptly clenched on the tissue. Was that it? No... surely not. Just reading too much into the situation. "I've already bugged you enough today, so I won't ask you to spill it. I can wait," Tanya said, turning round with a more genuine smile than her last. "If you want to stick around for a while longer, feel free. But my guess is Mai is worried I'll steal you away or something," the redhead chuckled. Poor Meowth had to be almost frantic by this point, knowing they'd slipped out of her reach.

[Kataya]

And the only solution was to stand and fight

Ivan felt as though he had messed up the moment she had gotten up. But he would have understood why. To say something so bold, only to decide it wasn't the time to be said, he would have likely felt the same way. But he had a problem with doing that to her. Her of all people, but he couldn't take back what he said, all he could do was hope the next time he saw her, in a right state of mind, he'd have enough courage to do what he should have done today.

"Tanya. You never 'bother' me. It never bothers me to be around you. Anything I've done for you it's because I've wanted to do it for you not because I had to." He explained, his tone level. Standing up, he smiled lightly at her. "I promise. The next time I see you." Because what he had to say was truly important.

Next time, he'd be a braver man, he'd be sure of what he had to say. "I suppose she is. We should get going anyway." He turned towards the door, he'd get them on the way out. "I'll see you soon, Tanya. Thank you for today, truly." He said before leaving through the back, if only to get his Pokemon on the way out.

and my body was losing all the satellites  

MADE BY CHIASM OF GS