Title: A Live Shadow

Series: Pokémon Black/White

Summary: It was summer and N had started looking at him differently, like Touya just evolved into something new and interesting. N/Touya SLASH

PLEASE NOTE: If you don't want to read slash/romance between two male characters, then please turn back now. Moreover, there WILL BE SPOILERS for the entire game. This story takes place post-game.

CHAPTER 1:

"You're not coming down, are you?"

Reshiram cocked its head and chirped happily. As Touya was quickly learning, there really was no arguing with the legendary Pokémon.

"Mom's not going to be happy…" He sighed and crossed his arms over his chest. "She might even stop making you treats."

That smug look could either be interpreted as 'I am sustained off the energy of the Universe and do not require sustenance' or else Reshiram was contemplating "accidentally" stepping on its trainer.

The whole Reshiram-being-on-the-roof fiasco began right after Mom announced she was going on a brief trip to Nacrene for some specialty goods. While she was gone, Touya was in charge. At first, it seemed like a nice opportunity to relax with his Pokémon and maybe get training in, but then Reshiram decided that flying drills were for lesser beings and took up vigil right above Touya's bedroom window.

After a few minutes of Reshiram (surprisingly enough) not crushing the entire house, the legendary began to fidget - massive, curved claws making quick work of layers and layers of brittle blue tile. There was a certain amount of collateral damage that came with being a trainer, but Touya was really, really not looking forward to fixing the roof in this wicked summer heat.

As he watched the legendary preen its wings and quietly chirp to itself, a realization came over him. Reshiram had been confined in the Light Stone for a very, very long time. This was now a changed world…

"I'm sorry," he said and Reshiram cautiously poked its head out, sharp blue eyes watching him carefully. "I guess I was being selfish. I mean, I want you to be happy. And if being up there makes you happy… Well, we'll find a way to make it work. Okay?"

Reshiram cocked its head, eyes narrowing to thin, blue slits. 'Show me,' the legendary challenged. 'Show me that you understand.'

It took a lot of convincing to get Bianca's Dad to lend Touya his ladder. Maybe looking over and seeing a giant, white dragon on his neighbour's modest two-story was what finally sealed the deal. Touya's t-shirt clung to his back as he hefted the ladder up under his arm and carried ("I better not see you dragging it," Bianca's Dad threatened as he keyed open the tool shed.) it up the little dirt path and then over to where Reshiram was perched - claws hooked over the gutters, the plastic hopelessly mangled.

Calling out Unfezant and just flying up there would have been much easier, he thought as he leaned the ladder against the house, making sure to have it as sturdy as possible, but impressing a legendary wasn't going to be easy. He wanted to show Reshiram that he was willing to work for that trust, that loyalty between a trainer and their Pokémon.

About halfway up, Touya regretted being so impulsive. Maybe part of being a legendary was the ability to not crush things, like roofs. What if he fell through? And what if he accidentally landed on those little Emolga figurines Mom liked? Or, worst of all, what if he was so injured that he couldn't fix everything before she came home?

His foot slipped on the next rung and he just clung on for a moment afterwards, swallowing his fear and the urge to give in and panic.

Reshiram made an inquisitive, warbling noise.

"I'm fine," Touya managed, almost choking on the words. Since when had he been afraid of heights? Flying miles and miles above Unova was exciting. Staring down the mighty torrent of a waterfall was exhilarating. But… But that wasn't just him. He had his team with him, to keep him strong.

He got up those last rungs and then gingerly lifted himself onto the edge of the roof. It was pretty steep, but he braced himself with his hands. Knowing that Reshiram was just behind him, watching him with those critical eyes, made him determined to hang on.

"This was such a bad idea," he admitted, watching his legs dangle over the edge. Still, he felt oddly accomplished.

The view was… Did he always have such a great view? He could see the little lump of island at the end of Route 18, surrounded by an intimidating amount of white caps. And if he looked over his shoulder and squinted, the tall towers of Castelia City were just visible. A wisp of smog rested over them, so different from the clear skies and fresh air of his hometown. Black City was in the other direction; he never understood how such a vast city could be so lonely.

Touya lost track of time. Reshiram was a comforting presence at his back, the heat radiating off its form making his clothes stick even more. A slight ocean breeze tickled his nose and ruffled his hair, reminding him of surfing along the coast, dodging wild Pokémon and trainers alike. His first time surfing was on an irritated Ducklett who was determined to make him swallow as much sea water as possible. It was funny to think that all that was only a couple months ago…

"I… I should probably go down now." He turned to Reshiram, who only ruffled its wings in response. He had never seen the legendary so content.

Getting down was something of a challenge. When his foot first nudged the ladder, he suddenly visualized it tipping over and leaving him stranded with nothing but his irritable companion. Taking a deep breath and convincing himself that wasn't going to happen, Touya carefully made his way back down the ladder. Every movement felt jittery and unstable, but he kept his head down and stayed focused.

He jumped off onto the hard ground and took one big step back. Sweat was getting in his eyes, and he used his balled-up hat to wipe it off.

Things didn't look much different than before. Namely, Reshiram was still on the roof. But now, Touya couldn't help but smile. While the midday sun beat down on the townsfolk and made them wilt and stagger around, Reshiram looked so noble, like a statue craved from marble. Sure, it was still intimidating to be here, on the ground, looking up at an otherworldly and mythical creature, but maybe, if he just tried, they could understand each other.

Then Reshiram raised its head, upper lip peeling back to reveal pointed, barred teeth, and growled.

"Hey. What is it? Reshiram…"

Those blue eyes locked on him, imploring for him to understand but Touya didn't-

There was the crunch of footsteps on the dirt path and a familiar voice said, "You… You can't help but impress me, can you?"

Slowly, he turned around. Whatever greeting or apology or explanation he had planned instantly vanished when he saw him.

"N?"

Had N always been so…? Well, it felt like he couldn't stop looking at him. Every little detail from the way his bracelets fell to the slight quirk of his mouth just compounded until all was too much to take in.

And N wasn't saying anything either.

Reshiram's growl had lowered to a quiet rumble that Touya could feel rather than hear. He quickly signaled for the legendary to stand down before turning back to N.

Between the heat, the legendary at his back, and the contemplative expression on N's face, he really didn't know what to do. "I'm surprised to see you," Touya finally said, resisting the urge to fidget.

"As I imagined you would be," N responded, eyes sliding shut. "My being here… It's strange, isn't it?"

"No! Well, I mean… It's not bad or anything like that," Touya said a little too quickly. "We actually don't get many visitors here in Nuvema Town..."

"This place is very peaceful." Eyes remaining shut, N raised his arms from his sides, heavy bracelets clicking together. "There aren't many places like this left in Unova anymore."

"W-why do you think that is?" Touya blurted out.

"Human beings," N began, smiling to himself, "think that they can become closer to one another just by occupying the same space. We humans… We are blinded by loneliness." Then his eyes opened and his expression fell. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to push my ideals on you at a time like this."

"D-don't worry about it." Touya rubbed the back of his neck, winching when he felt the beginning of a sun burn. "I really don't mind listening. You… You always give me something to think about," he finished awkwardly. Of the two of them, N really was the charismatic one.

There was only silence for an agonizingly long moment. The brim of N's cap was tilted down, a dip of dark shadow hiding everything above the curved line of his mouth.

Finally, he looked at Touya. "I remember your Pokémon telling me about Nuvema Town. Although I've traveled so far away, the urge to see this place never really left." He reached for one of the tall flower stalks growing by the path, fingertips just grazing the side. Those flowers were seen as a weed to everyone in town and, chances are, Touya's Mom would have him pulling them out by noon tomorrow, but N… He saw something in them.

"I have to take the ladder back, but maybe after… I mean, there's lemonade in the fridge if you want any." Touya almost smacked himself for sounding so pathetic. Couldn't he just get one decent sentence out around this guy?

Part of him expected to be teased or laughed at for the suggestion because…seriously? Lemonade? But N, perfect and distant and ethereal N, only smiled and said, "Sure. I'd like that."

A/N: You know when you have a scene in your head and you just have to write it down? That's pretty much this whole story.

Also, first person to point out the impossibly of Reshiram being on the roof wins. My only defense? They make good houses in Unova… Really, really good houses.

As always, I appreciate any feedback you guys can offer!