This is one of my favorite ships, and I've always had the idea that Silver wouldn't be too comfortable with the standards usually given to relationships by society.

This chapter was requested by

Enjoy.

"Is that the champion's boyfriend?"

"The one tagging along behind her?"

"I don't think so, they've barely even held hands, let alone kissed the entire time they've been here."

"If I were her I'd ditch him right away, why keep him if he can't commit you know? He's probably only going out with her for popularity anyway."

"Hey, don't mind them." Silver took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, he shouldn't pay them any mind, but he couldn't help it.

"Yeah, sorry." he mumbled, calming himself. He was here to have a good time with Kotone, he didn't need other people to ruin that for him, or for her.

He knew it was natural for everyone to know who the champion was, she was so well known that most people talked with her like they were old friends, but that's just the kind of person Kotone was. She could make friends with anyone if she wanted to.

She made friends with him didn't she? And that was a feat all on its own.

What Silver hadn't expected, was for everyone to know who he was. He guessed it was probably because he had spent a large portion of his journey battling with the brunette, but people constantly looked down on him.

"Isn't he the son of Giovanni? Who'd ever go out with the son of that creep?"

"He could've forced her, it wouldn't surprise me, I heard he's really volatile."

Silver scowled, these people were getting on his nerves. Not only were they beating down on him, but they were slandering Kotone's name, and it was seriously getting on his nerves.

He felt a warm hand slide into his own, he stole a glance at his girlfriend and she smiled at him, "Is this okay?" she asked, careful to hold his hand loosely before he responded.

Silver nodded, he wasn't big on physical contact, especially in public, but there were times that it felt nice, like now. He liked the occasional hug, and when they had privacy he even sat close enough to her that they were touching.

He didn't get why it was such a big deal. It's not like he didn't love her, he really did, more than he'd admit out loud at the moment. Societal standards of what a couple should be bothered him though. He didn't feel comfortable with it just yet.

Kotone locked their fingers together and swung their arms lightly back and forth, and Silver began to wonder.

Does she want more out of our relationship?

Even though he wasn't particularly fond of the thought, did she want to move on to things couples did, like cuddling more often and...

Kissing?

He cuddled with her sometimes, and at times he was uncomfortable with even that level of contact. He didn't know how he would feel about kissing, but he didn't really like the thought.

But if she wanted that, was Silver ready to provide?

He didn't want to disappoint her, and he certainly didn't want her to think he didn't love her. Was kissing a requirement to show that type of affection? Is that why people did it? To show how much they cared?

"Hey Silver, are you okay? I was going to ask if you if we could go to the clothing store next." Kotone asked, pulling him from his thought filled daze.

"Of course, if you want to." he replied. The entire reason they had come to Goldenrod was so that Kotone could look at some of the shops. Despite loving to battle, Kotone also had a thing for shopping, which Silver didn't mind as long as it wasn't too crowded.

It wasn't too bad today, but it was certainly more than he had expected, especially considering it was midwinter. The streets hummed with conversation, but not so much it was overpowering, and Silver was fine with that.

They entered the clothes shop, Kotone's chocolate eyes lighting up at the array of winter clothes before her. She looked like a kid in a candy shop, eager to try everything.

Silver smiled, he honestly loved this side of her, which was another huge contributor when it came to Silver's motivations to go shopping. He got to see her face light up in joy, and that's all he needed.

But is it the same for her?

The question flashed in his mind as she went to find a dressing room, she already had several outfits with her and he could tell it might take a while.

He sat on a seat just outside the dressing room, he didn't mind the wait, not really, but he didn't know if he could tolerate the people around him currently.

"Oh my god, how are you and Jimmy doing?" a woman said in an exaggerated tone, to which Silver rolled his eyes.

"That guy is a total loser, he didn't even have the guts to kiss me." another woman responded.

"Girl, you don't need a wimp like him, good riddance I say." Silver was relieved when they had finally left, they were way too loud for his liking.

But that same question hit him again as he recalled their conversation, along with a question he didn't want to even fathom.

Does she want to leave me?

"Silver! How does it look? I chose the one I liked best out if the ones I had, but I wanted your opinion." she smiled and spun in the outfit in front of him.

It was a beautiful blue, wavy dress that reached her ankles-just high enough so she didn't trip on it- and long sleeves. Blue was Kotone's color, Silver knew that, and the dress fit her well, but he already thought she was beautiful. She'd look great in anything she wore, and this was no different, she looked gorgeous.

"You look great." Silver said in a low voice, averting eye contact. His face had grown as red as his hair and he heard Kotone giggle. Saying cheesy things in public was embarrassing, he didn't know how she did it, he had a hard enough time saying those kinds of things when they were alone.

"I'm glad you like it, I think I'll buy it." she said returning to the dressing room to change back. He saw her smiling face and decided to shake all doubts from his mind.

She would tell him if anything was wrong, she was always the person to speak her mind.

"Do you want to head back?" she asked him, "I rented a movie. We could watch it together." she finished, flashing him a glimpse of the movie.

"I know you're not that into romance movies, but please!" she pleaded and he looked at her with a quirked brow.

"Fine." he sighed, unable to compete with her begging face. He supposed he could sit through one romance.

"Thank you!" Kotone hugged Silver's arm and he looked away red faced, grumbling.

...

"Do you love me?"

"Of course I do. I live you more than the heavens themselves."

"How will you let me know?"

Silver practically gagged as he watched the couple in the movie swoon over each other on the beach.

It was the climax of the movie, the man had finally confessed his live for the woman, but she was still having doubts. In an attempt to tell her how much he loved her, he swept her off her feet into a kiss.

Silver felt that same pick in his heart as he watched the man lift the woman in his arms, kissing her. The woman seemed so happy, so loved, and it almost felt like the movie was mocking him. He had tried all day to keep his mind off of it, but it wasn't working.

He looked to Kotone who sat on the other side of the couch with huge teary eyes. Her legs had been splayed out over Silver's own, but now she had huddled up in her ball of feelings and Silver chuckled.

Soon the credits rolled and she looked at him, his face still drawn up in a smirk. He was surprised when a pillow sailed across the couch and nailed him in the face. Without thinking he retaliated, throwing the pillow back, initiating a small pillow war between them.

Chuckles and excited squeals filled the air, and Silver found himself sitting next to her, a little out of breath, but not too much. It was the same with her, she leaned on his arm, both of them still giggling with traces of laughter.

As if to ruin the fun they had just had, the question flared again, and he doubted the happiness he had thought they had just shared. He shook his head again, she was happy, she was laughing. So why did he still feel tense.

As he looked at her, the love and adoration he felt rose to his throat, but so did the tension and fear.

Not the one to talk things out, Silver leapt over her, pushing her back against the couch, and she yelped in surprise. His harsh eyes stared straight into hers, the fiery red of his irises fueled by determination.

He leaned forward, trying not to think about it too much, he got close and closed his eyes.

He felt hands on his cheeks and his chest flared to life, begging him to back away, but he felt he needed to do this for her. He was uncomfortable. He was hot. His blood was boiling. He couldn't take it.

Abruptly, Silver backed off of her, opening his eyes again to the concerned face of Kotone, her brown eyes shaking with worry. Silver felt immediate guilt, he backed away. She thought he didn't love her. She was hurt. He had hurt her.

"I'm so-" he was cut off when the girl gave him a harsh flick to the forehead.

He winced and was about to retort when he remembered the situation, he had deserved that, that and so much more. Why couldn't he do such a simple task, something so seemingly trivial to everyone else?

"Don't say you're sorry." she said, still holding his cheeks, the hand that had flicked him returning to its original position, "What's wrong?" she asked.

The worry and curiosity in her eyes told Silver that she actually hadn't understood why he was acting this way, it wasn't as if he had told her.

With a sigh, Silver looked at her, and then looked to the floor, "I- Do we? Um. Is it bad that we don't kiss?" he finally asked, gathering his courage, "It's not that I don't love you, I really do, but I don't feel comfortable, and I'm trying really hard to make you happy, but I guess I'm kind of a sucky boyfriend in the end, huh?" he confessed, the end trailing off into a low grumble. He felt frustrated. He probably looked frustrated, but he couldn't help it.

A sharp sting in his forehead brought him back when he realized she had flicked him again.

"You idiot." she said, "I never want to make you feel uncomfortable. You know I love you too, and if you don't want to kiss, we don't have to. Kissing doesn't define us, after all we've been through you should know that." she told him in a soft tone.

Silver knew that she loved him, but it took his breath away every time she said it. The most amazing person in the world harbored the same feelings that he had for her, and it made him want to cry.

This time it did.

Silver wasn't one to cry in front of people, he often bottled up his feelings, but here he was, sobbing in Kotone's arms.

"I'm sorry. I love you." he said.

"You too."