Touring
#31 of All They Knew
"I missed you, Skye," Aaron said, eyeing her face as she pulled away.
"I did too..." She slid her watch onto her right wrist and took Aaron's hands into hers, giving them a gentle squeeze before releasing them. "Let me show you my city."
Aaron looked past her for the first time at Hau'oli's structures. "Please do."
They exited the Marina beside each other and took a right, with Ruki and Sylmi trailing closely behind.
"We'll go to the shopping district first. You ever tried malasadas?" Skye asked.
"No, it's like... bread, right?"
"Fried, Ruki has an addiction to them," she replied.
Skye wasn't wrong. Ruki had his ears perked and was listening closely at the mention of his favorite food item. Sylmi would like them too, Ruki was certain of it.
They continued east toward the center.
"You're lucky to live here... seems like paradise every day." The humid-like air, palm trees, and overall warm setting of Hau'oli granted the city a steady cozy environment. Aaron kept his eyes on the people and surroundings for a while.
"Wait until you're at the resort later. I've only stayed there once in my lifetime, but I'd love to again," Skye said.
"Well... if you're comfortable, you can visit Sylmi and me there." Aaron offered carefully as he didn't want to overstep too quickly.
"What do you mean? Of course I will." She looked at him. "Did you forget why you're here?"
"No... you know, I just..."
"I know, I know." Skye subtly giggled. "You're sweet, Aaron."
Ruki swished his tails, brushing them against the side of Sylmi's body as a prompt to follow before speeding ahead as they slowly approached the populated shopping district.
"They'll be fine," said Skye. "Ruki knows where the shop is."
--
They entered the square within five minutes and walked a few stores down, seeing someone exiting the quaint Malasada Shop and holding open the door for Ruki and Sylmi.
"That's adorable," he chuckled. "That bread must be irresistible." Aaron pushed open the door once they arrived and held it for Skye.
"Thank you." There was a short line behind three people Ruki already sat behind with Sylmi. The store strived to appear welcoming with yellow walls adorned by mixed paint designs.
Ruki's eyes were currently on an alolan vulpix on the floor beside their trainer ordering at the front counter, mainly because that used to be him months ago. A part of Ruki still couldn't believe it.
Sylmi looked up at Ruki, then back to the vulpix he was staring at as it and its trainer left the store.
That's when the vulpix noticed Ruki and curiously stopped some feet in front of him, seemingly nervous. It hadn't seen a ninetales up close and received a mellow enough vibe from Ruki to feel safe.
"Luma, come on!" its trainer called, and the vulpix slowly stepped away, exiting the store.
"Interesting exchange..." Skye said, glancing back at the door but turning to Aaron again. "How many do you and Sylmi want?"
"Oh, that reminds me. I'm paying this time," Aaron said.
"No, it's-"
"You paid in Sinnoh, Skye. Let me." Aaron grinned slightly.
He was right. "Ah...all right. You can."
--
They ordered five as Ruki wanted one for later, and once they were out of the store with Aaron holding the bag, Skye deliberated on where next to take Aaron. "Hey, are you tired? I know you've been on that cruise for a day or two," she asked.
"A bit, I got a good amount of sleep."
"Well, we could sit at the beachfront some miles down. It's near where I live."
"Of course," Aaron stated quickly.
Skye continued east past the many stores lining the center toward the exit, Ruki and Sylmi still wandering ahead.
Ruki realized he likely wouldn't have time to show Sylmi his favorite spot. Maybe it was for the best as it was the first day. Still, he showed him a few of he and Skye's frequented stores along the way, and they came across a few good smells sourcing from multiple restaurants.
Sylmi stayed close to him during the entire walk, eagerly looking about and pointing out whatever caught his eye until they arrived.
"Lot of people here," Aaron said. He wasn't used to seeing populated beaches. At this one were many pokémon and children in the water and people lying under umbrellas on blankets.
"I know... it's usually like this. We won't sit close to the water," said Skye, walking nearly a mile inward before sitting in the sand.
Aaron sat on her left, giving a bit of space, and Ruki and Sylmi sat in the sand to rest some feet ahead.
Skye looked at her watch on her wrist. "It's touching you took care of it," she said.
"I kept it on my dresser and cleaned it every week... The only extension I had of you- and speaking of watches." Aaron reached into his other jacket pocket and took out a white watch he bought, a bit bulkier than Skye's. "Matches your color scheme, doesn't it?"
"Aaron..." she giggled quietly, eyeing it. "Put it on."
He did, sliding it onto his right wrist.
Skye switched the wrist hers was on and gently took Aaron's hand, intertwining their fingers. Their watches touched.
Aaron slightly tightened their grip and looked at her. "It's not weird, right?"
She shook her head. "It's super cute. I love it." Skye looked at him as well, slowly running her thumb over the top of his hand for a moment. "We should eat. I know Ruki wants his malasada."
--
They stayed for a little over an hour, and Sylmi especially enjoyed his snack, so much that Ruki gave him his half. It was something he'd never do on a regular basis, but it was Sylmi's first time in Alola, and Ruki had another malasada to eat later.
It was almost noon, and Skye wanted to show Aaron more of Hau'oli, but she realized how tired he looked. "I think you should go check in to the resort, Aaron. You'll be in Alola for a week. We'll have much more time to spend together," she said while they walked back toward the sidewalk.
"Right... I'm just really enjoying our time now," he replied. "Can I at least walk home with you?"
"Mhm, but you'll be staying longer if my mom sees you." Skye turned right, walking toward her house a mile down.
"That's fine. I'm sure they want to know who you'll be hanging out with," Aaron said.
"Yeah, especially my father."
Ruki made a mental note not to jump into Skye's bed once inside as he was sitting in sand. He learned his lesson from Sinnoh.
When they reached the residence, Skye had Aaron stand back while unlocking the door, and after opening it, only her mother was present at the dining room table in a casual blue tee and gray pants.
"Oh, Skye. Back early?"
She nodded.
"Is he there?" her mother asked quietly.
Skye nodded again, grinning and beckoning her over.
Ru watched from his usual spot on the couch, not interested enough to hop down.
Aaron timidly approached once Skye stepped aside, and her mother stood in front of the door.
"You're the one she was talking about so much?"
Skye knew that was coming. She attempted holding back an inevitable blush.
"Aaron, isn't it?"
"Yes... ma'am, it's nice to meet you." He reached out his right hand and gently shook hers.
While this was happening, Ruki quietly slipped past into the home and prompted Sylmi to follow, which he did.
Skye was currently more focused on her father coming from down the hall. He wore jeans and a black button-up shirt he must have thrown on, and he definitely saw Aaron. Anxiousness filled her spirit.
Aaron's as well, as his demeanor didn't seem as warm as Skye's mother, not that he expected it.
Meanwhile, Ruki was busy showing Sylmi around the house, Skye's room first.
Sylmi briefly looked around and lifted the blanket with his ribbon to check under the bed. This was almost as boring as Aaron's room, but he saw a better one while walking down the hall. Without Ruki, he exited and curiously walked back down, turning left at Skye's parents' bedroom, but Sylmi was instead unexpectedly met by a lycanroc.
"And, you feel safe around him, right, Skye?" her father asked.
"Yes, of course... very." She nodded.
"Well, if she likes you..." He extended his arm. "Then, I do too... as long as you mean no harm. She doesn't deserve any disrespect."
"Of course not, sir... She's amazing." Aaron sighed quietly, relieved, and shook his hand as well.
Ruki hadn't realized Sylmi's absence at first, but he left the room and saw Sylmi frozen by Ru's glare. He shouldn't have let Sylmi stray off.
"Vee..." Sylmi attempted what he did with Ruki and raised a ribbon to shake, but Ru clearly wasn't interested.
"Nih." Ruki approached and nudged Sylmi's hip, walking toward the living room, and fortunately, Sylmi caught on and quickly followed while not looking back.
"Well, the next cruise to Akala leaves in about thirty minutes. You're best off leaving now since you have to buy the ticket as well," Skye's mother told Aaron. "And I think your pokémon is inside with Ruki." She looked back and saw them both sitting in front of the couch.
"Mom, can they stay for a few minutes? I want to talk to Aaron for a sec..."
"Sure, honey, just let us know," she said, closing the front door.
Skye took a breath and turned to him. "You were tense, weren't you?"
"Completely, I've never been in that situation, but it went well, right?" Aaron grinned.
"Mhm..." Skye took his hand in her left and subtly pulled him closer. "I think they like you so far."
Aaron realized very quickly what she wanted, and he did just as much. He placed his left hand on her hip and brought her closer as well, leaving them inches apart and staring into each other's eyes. Aaron was able to close the distance within the moment, their lips connecting.
"Mh..." Skye closed her eyes, savoring their heated kiss under the afternoon sun, and she raised her free hand, gently placing it on his cheek.
Aaron instinctively leaned against her hand, deepening their kiss and closing his eyes as well, relishing her soft lips against his.
She broke it moments later, as she didn't want them to be caught. "I've wanted that for a while now..." Skye rubbed his cheek with her thumb before letting her hand slip away, grinning slightly and maintaining eye contact.
Aaron released her hip, still eyeing her face. He had a lot to say, but it was reduced to him cherishing Skye's beauty and voice, that she chose him, and that she just kissed him for the first time. His heart only craved her more.
"You should go before it's too late," she said. It was the last thing Skye wanted, but this was only the start of the week.
"Right... When do you think we'll see each other again?" he asked.
"Call me tonight."