"Elias!"
Ignoring the pain coursing through her body, Latias twisted herself free and darted toward the flas.
The blast radius hadn't been particularly large, but the sheer force of the explosion was undeniable.
At the center of the blast, a massive crater had been blown into the ground, and the nearby trees leaned precariously from the shockwave.
The air was thick with the acrid stench of scorched earth and burnt debris.
Latias and Milotic stumbled their way toward the burning wreckage, but all they could see was an endless blaze, shrouding everything in smoke and fla.
"Miu!"
Milotic let out a soft cry.
She flicked her tail, summoning a wave of water to douse the flas.
But she didn't dare unleash her full power—afraid that a stronger move might harm Elias inside the fire.
Yet, the gentle splash of water barely made a dent in the raging inferno.
The flas licked hungrily at the air, spreading further.
Latias spun in frantic circles, desperate.
Summoning the last of her strength, she wrapped herself in a [Mist Ball], creating a protective shield.
Then, without hesitation, she lunged straight for the fire—
But just as she moved, a hand shot out from the flas—
And grabbed her wrist, firmly holding her back.
"Latias!"
She gasped, her body tensing in shock at the unexpected touch.
But the mont she saw who the hand belonged to—
Her face lit up with joy.
"Latias!"
With a soft cry, she threw herself into Elias's arms.
Elias had finally erged from the flas.
But he was a complete ss.
His clothes were ripped apart, revealing skin covered in gashes and burns.
Tiny fragnts of shrapnel had torn into his skin, leaving thin streaks of blood running down his arms.
And the psychic barrier that had shielded him from the worst of the explosion—
Was cracked all over, like fragile spiderwebbed glass, barely holding itself together.
One touch, and it would likely shatter into dust.
Holding Latias in his arms, Elias's eyes darkened.
His reckless emotions had clouded his judgnt.
He could have just tortured the poacher, left him for dead, and walked away unhard.
But his anger and frustration had driven him to kill the man up close—
And he had paid the price for it.
If the bomb had been any stronger, he might have died in the fire.
Though he didn't regret it, he realized sothing—
This level of recklessness would only make Latias worry.
Maybe next ti, he should think twice before taking such risks.
As he pondered this, Milotic slithered up beside him, her serene blue eyes filled with concern.
At the sa ti, the joy in Latias's heart slowly faded—
Leaving behind a bitter heaviness.
She had to leave.
Slipping out of Elias's embrace, she took a small step backward.
The mont he didn't say anything, her face went pale.
Elias hates lies.
How was she supposed to explain herself now?
Maybe, in his eyes, she was no longer the caring 'mom' he had always known.
Maybe now, she was just a Pokémon who had deceived him for years.
"E-Elias…"
"I… I'm sorry."
"I—I'll leave now. I won't… bother you again."
Latias fidgeted, nervously rubbing her fingers together.
Her eyes darted away, as if afraid to et his gaze.
Elias, exhausted, said nothing.
Instead, he simply watched her—his expression carrying a hint of amusent.
Watching his "mom" panic like an idiot almost made all these injuries feel worth it.
Just as Latias was about to break under his silent stare, nearly bolting in panic—
Elias suddenly took two steps forward.
And from behind—
He pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Cause trouble and then try to run?"
"A mother who abandons her child—"
"Where in the world does such a convenient excuse exist?"
His voice was low and steady, his breath brushing against her ear.
A faint heat tickled her sensitive skin, making her shiver.
Latias's mind short-circuited.
Her thoughts tangled together in a ssy, chaotic blur.
She thought she understood what Elias ant—
But at the sa ti, she was terrified she was just misinterpreting it.
Did he… really an that?
Or was this just her wishful thinking?
But before she could make sense of anything—
Elias's body suddenly slumped downward.
Latias panicked and quickly reached out to catch him.
Once she steadied him, she finally noticed—
His psychic exhaustion had taken its toll.
He had already fainted.
Yet even unconscious—
His arms remained tightly wrapped around her, refusing to let go.
"Elias!"
Frantic, Latias hurriedly used [Healing Pulse], letting its gentle energy soothe his wounds.
Elias was right.
Because of her, he had gotten hurt this badly.
She had to take responsibility.
She couldn't just leave him like this.
At that mont—
It finally clicked.
She had a reason to stay.
And so—
A bright, determined smile spread across her face.
She was taking Elias ho.
To their ho.
Milotic, who had watched the entire exchange from the side, sighed inwardly.
So close…
If things had played out just a little differently, I could have been the one he called "mom."
But given Elias's serious injuries, she decided this wasn't the ti to argue.
Instead, she silently stepped forward to help.
Together, the two carried Elias back ho.
---
A few days later, in a townhouse in Alto Mare…
Golden sunlight stread in through the glass windows, casting soft shadows throughout the room.
At the boundary of light and shadow—
Elias, still wrapped in bandages, sat comfortably on the bed.
His mouth opened slightly, letting out a soft, drawn-out:
"Ahhh—"
Clearly waiting to be fed.
Sitting beside him was Latias, holding a bowl of hot porridge.
Seeing Elias's expectant expression, she carefully scooped up a spoonful.
She blew on it gently, then tested the temperature with her tongue.
Only after making sure it wasn't too hot did she bring the spoon to his lips.
"…How does it taste?"
She asked, a little nervously.
She still didn't trust her own cooking.
She had wanted to just buy food, but Elias strongly refused, demanding that she be the one to make it.
After multiple disastrous attempts, she had finally managed to make a bowl of porridge that at least looked edible.
But what if it tasted awful?
As the warm porridge slid down his throat, Elias's eyes narrowed slightly in satisfaction.
Was it better than a restaurant's porridge?
Definitely not.
But if he had to rank it in his heart—
This bowl of porridge was number one.
"It's delicious, Mom~"
He intentionally dragged out the last word.
Just as expected—
Latias's face flushed bright red.
Seeing her adorably flustered reaction, Elias felt completely satisfied.
But before she could scold him, Latias hesitated.
Her amber eyes t his.
"Elias… my brother wants to see you."
---
T/N: bout to et Uncle
...
If you're reading this, then you've wandered all the way to the end. I'm impressed. Stories are like wine—ant to be savored, not rushed. So if you took your ti? Thank you.
Of course, the real thanks goes to WiseTL—the one who turned tangled words into sothing beautiful. I just got asked to wrap things up with a ribbon. Hopefully this counts!
If you enjoyed the journey and want to support the person who made it possible, you can find them here:
👉 [patreon/WiseTL]
Go on. Be generous. They've earned it.
Until next ti—read well, rest often, and maybe co visit at the Hostess of Fertility soti.
– Syr ✨
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