It's always ironic when two people who are on the opposite sides of the spectrum, end up together in an almost 'perfect' relationship. Of course fights, rants, whining and quarrels are inevitable in all relationships, no exceptions to the quirky ones either. But expectantly, the two usually make it through in one piece. There are many ways of "making it through" though. As the couples vary, so do the techniques in which they solve their problems. Some relationships just sweep it under the rug by overwhelming the ordeal with money, sex, or an expensive gift. Others prefer the sentimental approach, where they sit down all cozy on their couch with a mug of hot coffee, and talk out the problem, attempting to be as civilized as the situation will allow. Then there are those who don't give two shit about what comes out of their mouth or how. They'll be shrieking at each other, their blinding rage pumping adrenaline through their systems, and over half the time they say things they don't mean.

These are generally the three different ways a relationship can work when there's arguments. However, there are those few unique, particular couples who well…simply do all three at the same time. How? Have you met Hikari and Shinji?

"It's not fair that you get to choose where we eat again," Hikari huffed, crossing her arms. She leaned against the window looking at the snow softly fluttering down. Her eyes would catch a large fat snowflake, and they'd watch it fall until it disappeared into the black pavement.

"Well it's my money I'm sacrificing so I at least get the right to choose where I'm going to spend it," Shinji replied crisply. His eyes were focused on the road as he veered a sharp left. He drove cautiously as his tires glided over a thin sheet of ice. Hikari lifted her head. Out the window, her eyes met strings of yellow and white lights draping from each building, webbing their way across the street and attaching themselves to another building. The wired lights criss-crossed above the street, and every other light flickered purposely adding a marvelous shimmering effect. The lamp posts were also strung with these lights, only a silvery blue color. The snow was compacted to the sides of the streets and the edges of sidewalks, so pedestrians could ease their way forward. Even though it was only early November, shop windows were elaborately decorated for the Christmas holiday display. Expensive and sumptuous items for both human and Pokémon sat on pretty shelves or boxes, just waiting to draw in customers.

As Hikari continued to observe the street, she noticed that many of the buildings were labeled with high end brand names.

"Shinji…where are we?" she questioned in awe.

"17th Street Mall," Shinji replied nonchalantly.

Hikari's eyes widened. The 17th Street Mall was one of the most expensive places in Veilstone City! Only people with good money could afford to shop there.

"Why are we in such an expensive area?"

"Because we can be."

This quip remark earned Shinji a soft glare. Transfixed with all the lights and glamour, Hikari simply brushed her boyfriend's attitude aside. However, being a shopping queen she was, Hikari had never really been able to shop at the 17th Street Mall… From the time she started her Pokémon journey about seven or eight years ago, until now, Hikari had only been to this place about three times.

"Are there good restaurants here?" she continued.

"Expensive restaurants don't price their food so high for nothing."

"Do you have enough money? Which restaurant are we going to? How far-"

"Hikari!"

His voice thundered in the small car, and Hikari couldn't help but flinch.

"Just shut up and let me drive us where we're going. And stop asking so many questions," Shinji exasperated.

The coordinator frowned, and again crossed her arms in spite. Fine. If he didn't want conversation right now, neither did she.

…

"So…"

"Hikari…"

"Sorry."

Shinji pulled into the parking lot, killing the engine. However, he didn't immediately jump out of the car. He just sat. His purple hair dark as ever, and its color blended into the shadows behind him. His bare hands were still placed on the steering wheel, and his mouth was still shriveled into a very distastefully bitter-cold frown. An atmosphere eerily emitted from the young man. That atmosphere being taunting, thick and heavy. Something was always brewing in Shinji's mind, so it wasn't a surprise he was so pensive. But this was different. His breathing was slightly unsteady, and his inhales were thicker and more distinct than his exhales. His eyebrows were usually not quite furrowed as they were tonight as well. It was pretty safe to say something was off about the mysterious boy.

Hikari had been averting eyes ever since she was childishly scolded for asking too many questions. From where she hung her head in awkwardness, she steadily turned her eyes to the sharp profile of the person next to her. She couldn't see him completely, due to her blue locks making a somewhat stringy curtain. Also, the light outside was terrible and made everything blurry and somewhat merged together. She tried to be sneaky and hope Shinji wouldn't catch her staring at him.

However, her evasiveness failed her, and once she had both eyes on him, he instantly met her eyes.

They stayed like that for a brief second, before Shinji opened his door and got out.

"This is going to be a long night," Hikari murmured as she too stepped out of the vehicle.

When she got out, Shinji was waiting with an extended hand. She blankly stared at it.

"Are you going to take it or not?"

Quickly, she grabbed his hand. It was warm, and though it was uncomfortable how firmly he squeezed, it hosted an unbelievable sense of safety and protection. So she continued to hold it.

The restaurant was lively yet calm. People were dressed formally, and any Pokémon brought along had a little something extra on them. Such as a bowtie, a headband, etc. Each table had wine glasses placed precisely on stark white table cloths embroidered with flowers. Jazz music softly filled the warm room, and waiters and waitresses bustled about with steaming food balanced on their arms.

"Table for two please," Shinji told the waiter at the desk. The man nodded and lead them to a table right splat in the middle of the place.

"Does this work, sir?"

"Could we get somewhere more…" Shinji scanned the restaurant, "…private…?"

He said the last word barely over a whisper, and had it not been for the dim lighting, Hikari could've sworn a light blush was brushed on his tan cheeks. The waiter took a second before leading them to a booth tucked carefully into the corner of the restaurant.

"How about here?"

"That's good, thank you."

They seated themselves before they ordered their drinks. Menus were distributed and immediately, trying to avoid anymore awkward moments, Hikari shoved her nose in her menu. What to have…what to have…

Shinji wasn't paying attention to his menu. At all. He simply saw the words he was 'reading', their meanings currently dead to him. Had he not known how to have complete control of his composure, his hands would have been trembling, his throat would have been parched, and his forehead and palms would probably be doused in beads of sweat. The feeling of nervousness was not familiar to him. He knew what it was, and had felt it mildly a few times before, but this…this was absolute overload. It had been the first time in years he hadn't been able to think clearly, and his stomach was wound in strange knots.

He swallowed hard, and tried hard to keep his mind on the menu and not on…that. He could wait, couldn't he? Maybe in a few days, or a few weeks…months…a year… N-No! No! Definitely not. He had already procrastinated this for three months, he wasn't going to wait another three months. It was time. He was ready, wasn't he? Of course he was! Otherwise…it wouldn't have crossed his mind… But what about-

"Are you ready to order?" a voice corrupted his busy thoughts. His eyes shot up from the menu, then looked back at the page.

"Uh…yes," Shinji said, shifting a bit, "I'll have the fried shrimp and rice."

It was the first thing he saw.

"And you?"

"The chicken alfredo sounds good," Hikari decided pleasantly.

The orders were scribbled down and the menus were collected.

The young woman with blue hair lifted her eyebrow in utter mockery, "Since when do you eat shrimp and rice together? You've never been a seafood person."

Shinji could only scowl.

"…Can't I try something different?"

"Perhaps. It just seemed very odd to me, that's all."

Shinji felt his hands being clasped, and he looked down at the table. Hikari had taken her hands and gently grasped his larger ones. They were so bare…Shinji noted to himself. No polish or rings… He continued to watch as Hikari delicately played with his own. Maybe lifting a few fingers, tracing the natural indents with her nail, turning them over…

"Your hands were always so big compared to mine," she observed, smiling playfully.

"Maybe yours are just extra small," Shinji countered, trying to keep his voice steady.

"No, I don't think that's the case."

She frowned a bit, feeling all the calluses and rough patches. He really did work hard…in his years of travel. Conquering all the regions and winning them all at one point. Shinji worked out too. He would go to the gym two times a week and stay for about an hour and a half to two hours at a time. She constantly pestered him to put lotion on them, but he detested the idea, not at all wanting to deal with its slimy feel.

"You know, red goes good on your nails," Shinji commented awkwardly, looking at her perfectly manicured nails.

Hikari suddenly pulled her hands back and stared suspiciously at her boyfriend.

"Excuse me?"

"I…I was just saying when you have red polish on…it looks good."

Still awkward.

"You're sick. You need a doctor," Hikari said half playfully, "Because I've never heard you comment on my nails before."

Shinji tried to smile, but it came out as a strange deformed smirk.

"…I think I'm good."

Hikari laughed lightly and fully. It was such a good sound to hear her laugh. So smooth and…cute… Shinji mentally butchered himself for even thinking the C word. This was enough.

"Oh it's so funny to see you acting so-mmmph!"

Shinji shot up and slammed his lips forcefully against Hikari's. He grasped her wrists and pinned her hands to the table, as he felt her soft and smooth lips make full contact with his. He blushed madly, as he continued to enforce this lip punishment. Hikari's eyes were wide with shock, as her lips were attacked. Within a few seconds, (after fearing she wasn't kissing back), he felt her lips begin to move to kiss back. She closed her eyes, and pressed her lips against his. Though the kiss itself was aggressive, there was a fiery passion present. It accompanied their kiss with a great force, making sure they knew this kiss was not an ordinary one. But one of deep feelings and emotions.

Unfortunately, humans do indeed have to breath in order to survive, and kissing restrains that idea. The two pulled back, out of breath by now, and flustered.

"Wh-what was that…?" Hikari gasped after a few seconds of breath catching.

Shinji swallowed and took advantage of the ice water in front of him. After flooding his throat with water, he decided the best way he could do this was to be blunt.

"Marry me."

And that's all he said.

I love Ikarishipping so much. It's in my top 3 favorite pairings of ALL TIME. Now I know the first paragraph makes no sense in this first chappy. But in the next one or two it will. So don't be like: wtf-this has nothing to do with fighting.

please be patient with me! xD haha I don't know how often i will update. but i'll work on this story as much as i can... an fyi: 17th street mall is based off of Denver's 16th street mall. i love that place! haha now you can stalk me now you know what town i live in! :'D . . .please don't though. that's not nice.

anyways, first chapter. please review! i always love reviews and it inspires me!

until next chapter~

-TC

Pokemon does not belong to me. Pokemon belongs to: Satoshi Tajiri and copyrighted by Nintendo or whatever