Another Week
#30 of All They Knew
"Ugh, I just wanna sleep..." Skye turned onto her other side under the covers, facing Ruki, whose chin was resting on his paws while eyeing her. "Why don't you go sleep on the couch? I don't want to keep you up all night." It'd be midnight soon, and they had to be up by 9 a.m.
Ruki only moved closer, nudging her arm with his nose. Skye should know he wouldn't leave her side under any circumstance, especially when she felt apprehensive.
She brushed her hair out her face and placed a hand on his side. "I can't show up with bags under my eyes, and I'd rather not have to put on makeup..." Skye grinned. "Tell me everything's gonna go fine tomorrow."
"Nin." He leaned over and gently licked her hand to reassure.
Her grin turned into a small smile. "Yeah, you're right. I'm just afraid of failure... but I've spent time with him in-person already." Skye sighed quietly. "Okay... time to sleep for real." She rested her cheek against Ruki's furry chest, curling up and draping her arm over him. "Night... love you," she spoke softly.
--
Like deja vu, Ruki awoke to an empty bed. He outstretched his paws, quietly yawning. He heard the shower running outside the bedroom, which he assumed Skye occupied. Ruki eventually sat up and hopped onto the floor, where he was able to stretch properly. Upon him approaching the doorway, he smelled something sourcing from the kitchen. Skye's mother was likely cooking, and Ruki's curious nature and desire to eat urged him to check it out, so he did. He walked down the hall and entered the living room, sniffing the air until reaching and sitting on the kitchen floor.
"Hey, Ruki," Skye's mother said, her father standing beside her. "Skye is showering right now. She'll be out soon. Did the aroma lure you?"
"Nine," he replied, a nod following.
"Well, I saved you an egg if you'd like, hun."
Ruki stood, his tails happily swishing several times.
She handed him a small fried one off a plate on the counter, which he took in his mouth.
At that moment, Ruki saw the restroom door open down the hall, and Skye promptly emerged with a white towel around her waist. His ears perked, and he trotted after her while chewing. He arrived quickly, but not in time as the door was closed in his face. Skye must have assumed he was still in her room.
She walked to her bed and picked her phone up but heard scratching on her door. Skye suddenly realized Ruki wasn't in her room and went to open it for him. "Sorry, baby," she said, closing it behind him.
He walked inside, swallowing the rest of his egg and sitting on the floor while licking his maw.
Skye dialed Aaron's number and let it ring while walking to her dresser. "Hello?"
"Hey, Skye?" he replied, sitting up on the ferry's bed.
"Yes, I'm gonna leave soon. When do you think you'll arrive?" Skye asked, sifting through her drawers.
"About fifteen minutes. Don't rush; I'll be waiting at the Marina for you with Sylmi." He grinned.
"Perfect, Ruki and I will be there on time. See you then," said Skye while grabbing slim white jeans and a long-sleeved lace-up v cut rose-colored tee, and a new pair of panties and a bra. She tossed her phone across the room onto her bed. "Be back."
Ruki watched her quickly exit the room using her clothes to cover her chest. He was elated. Ruki hoped he'd be able to show Sylmi around his city properly. There wasn't much to Hau'oli worth showing off, but Ruki had no idea how the day would play out.
Meanwhile, Skye was in the restroom ensuring she looked physically presentable. She slipped into her jeans and pulled her shirt over her head, then stood at the mirror and pulled its drawstrings, so the lacings tightened against her bare chest. "Hm..." Skye pulled the shirt's ends down, letting it fall slightly over the front of her jeans. "This works," she muttered, gently pulling her hair down in a few areas before opening the door. "Ruki!" Skye called while walking down the hall toward the living room. Her mother was finishing up in the kitchen, and her father sat at the table. They looked to be conversing but stopped once Skye entered.
"Leaving, honey?" her mother asked with a warm grin.
"Mhm..." Skye nodded, shooting a few nervous glances at her father, who sat quietly at first but must have felt the tension.
"Just be safe, Skye," he said.
Ruki sat behind Skye, watching the exchange.
"And have a good time, of course," her mother added.
Skye walked over and embraced her mother for a moment, then did the same to her father. "I will... for both. Thank you. We'll be back in a few hours." She walked to the front door and unlocked it, then slipped into her white leather boots. "Bye," Skye said before exiting with Ruki.
"What do you think?," her father asked.
"I don't think there's much need to worry. Skye's never liked a boy this much in her life, and from what she told me, he must be special to her," her mother replied.
"Okay..." Skye said. "We'll be there in five minutes, just in time." She glanced down at Ruki as they headed west toward the Marina under gentle sunlight. She took a short breath, wiping her shirt down.
Ruki had to trot to keep up with her pace.
--
As they closed in minutes later, they saw the ferry come to a halt by the dock, populated with many others awaiting loved ones.
"Perfect," said Skye, shortly catching up with the crowd and kneeling off to the side with Ruki. It'd get hectic once everyone started exiting the ferry.
He sat, watching the ocean to pass the time while leaning his upper body against Skye's leg. The wait lasted ten minutes, the sun's gaze slowly harshening.
Skye stood as the platform was slowly lowered, and the moment it was, everyone started exiting the ferry. Although in a mostly organized manner, it was hard to scope an individual out of the crowd at first glance. Her heartbeat sped up while Skye attempted seeking Aaron out, and when half of the people dispersed after several minutes, she finally saw him step down the platform. He wore the same white and black styled jacket she remembered from Sinnoh and black jeans with matching running shoes. Sylmi stood beside him.
Their eyes met, and Aaron stopped for a moment to admire the girl from a distance he hadn't seen in two months, dressed adorably enough to burst his heart as usual.
This brought Skye and especially Ruki to Sylmi's attention, and unlike his trainer, made a quick beeline to Ruki.
Skye bit her lip, her chest tight, even more so once he began walking in her direction while grinning subtly.
Aaron shortly stood in front of her, and it took everything in him not to pull Skye into the tightest embrace he could muster. Instead, keeping his eyes on hers, he reached his right hand into his jacket's pocket, his left held out by hers.
Skye gave him her hand, and he opened it, setting an intact pink watch in her delicate palm and slowly closing it. "Mh..." She smiled, nearly emitting a giggle, and brought up her arms, tightly hugging his waist and resting her cheek against his chest with a light breath, her eyes closed.
Aaron did the same, holding her sides and savoring the warmth she granted, inside and out. It felt surreal to hold Skye close once again, nothing short of bliss.
Ruki watched the heartwarming scene play out in front of him, grinning. He looked down a moment later and saw Sylmi sitting with his ribbon extended. Ruki raised his paw, and they shook.