Oblivion pulled his head back, confused at the sudden movement. Why had Blossom gone to nuzzle him?

"Don't mention it. Can you stand?" He said instead, trying to erase the awkwardness.

"Y-yeah, I think so," Blossom replied, hurt from his rejection.

Oblivion felt an indignant spark well from inside him. Was she... expecting him to let her nuzzle him?

That was weird.

Blossom got to her feet, her injured leg quaking, and she stumbled and fell into Oblivion's flank. He leant into her, swaying her back into balance.

"I'm so sorry!" Blossom gasped, casting a quick glance at Aurora, who looked confused, like she was trying to figure out the Leafeon's game.

Oblivion laughed, covering the attempted flirting smoothly. "You're fine, it didn't hurt."

Aurora flicked her ear. She could see the truth plain as day, and she didn't want Blossom to progress things any further. "Hey... Blossom, was it?" She asked, mustering up her strength to sound calm and friendly. "I need to talk to Oblivion about the yarrow. Could you wait here?" She asked politely, her dual-ended tail flicking back and forth being the only tell that she was uneasy.

Blossom seemed to hesitate for the smallest moment before nodding quickly. "Sure."

Aurora bowed her head, then looked to Oblivion, inclining her head over her shoulder to signal him to follow her. He kept his face serious, but his eyes questioned her.

Nevertheless, he followed when she began walking. Aurora guided her best friend a little ways away amongst the trees, the rough bark bringing slight comfort to the wild Eevelutions. She made sure the two were out of Blossom's earshot.

"So what was the question, Aurora?" Oblivion asked, sensing something amiss. His partner's usual happy demeanour was lacking.

"Not about yarrow, I'm afraid," Aurora replied, staring directly at Oblivion. This was one of the things the Umbreon found he had always loved about his friend; she never shied away from any challenge, whether it be physical, mental, or awkward.

"I think Blossom likes you. I think she's jealous of me," Aurora tested slowly, carefully, as though she was padding into dark waters and wasn't sure how far she was going to sink.

Oblivion hesitated, taken aback for a second, before he regained his breath. He exhaled, answering Aurora. "That's... weird. She's only just met me." His tail swayed, before he spoke again. "What makes you so sure?"

"She's obviously flirting with you," Aurora replied, looking worried. "I just don't like it."

Oblivion tilted his head. "Why not?" He asked.

Aurora took a deep breath, then sighed. "Because... in truth, I like being with you," she answered, her voice calm. "A lot. The thought of her liking you makes me jealous, because I think... I love you?"

Oblivion smiled. He leant into Aurora and licked her between her furry ears, right above her beautiful jewel. "Well, you don't have to worry about a thing. Because between us, Blossom doesn't even make my list of Pokémon I love. And do you want to know why?"

Aurora beamed, her heart beating faster. "Because I'm the only one on your list?" She asked sassily.

Oblivion licked her again, his tongue warm against her furry forehead. "Exactly. I love you too, Aurora."

The Espeoj nuzzled him, and the two shared a smile. 

"I'm glad we had this talk," Oblivion said. "But we should probably get back to Blossom now."

Aurora sighed, slightly annoyed. "Why? We could just leave."

"That would be rude," Oblivion replied. "She's expecting us back. We should at least thay goodbye."

The Espeon nodded. "That makes sense. Let's go."

They turned tail and padded back to their Leafeon patient, who was pacing.

"Ah ah, no pressure!" Oblivion reminded her. He had spent some effort on that yarrow bandage. If Blossom kept this up, she'd have it all undone by nightfall, and the sun had already sunk a quarter more in the sky.

Blossom relaxed when she saw he had returned. "You're back!" She exclaimed, happy to see the Umbreon again. She padded over to him, careful not to place any weight on her back ankle.

Aurora placed a paw protectively in front of him, her tail flicking. "Blossom, you should probably get back to what you were doing before we came along. Your family would be worried, and you aren't doing your ankle any favours." She nodded at the left back ankle, which had the yarrow dressing almost undone.

Blossom shook her head. "Oh, no, they don't need me back until an hours' time," she said. 

Aurora and Oblivion shared a moment's look. "Well..." Aurora began, awkwardly. "Um, Oblivion and I should get going then. We just came to say goodbye."

"No, stay!" Blossom requested. "I hardly ever run into other Eeveelutions!"

Oblivion decided Aurora was being remarkably patient; but even he knew by the more vigorous tail-swishing that the Espeon was beginning to get annoyed. "I'm sorry, Blossom, we really should be going," he insisted. "I can re-do your dressing and then we'll be on our way."

The Leafeon sighed. "Alright," she conceded, slumping to the ground.

Oblivion looked to Aurora, who gave him a small nod. He then neared Blossom, her yarrow dressing already glowing with his blue magic.

Blossom's eyes bounced between the two, eyeing them. "What's an Umbreon and an Espeon doing travelling together, anyway?" She asked.

"We've been friends for a long time," Aurora answered simply.

"Friends?" Blossom echoed. "I thought Umbreons stuck to their own?"

Oblivion focused on the wrappings. "My upbringing wasn't the most conventional," he said, his tone closed-conversation.

Blossom's eyebrows drew themselves together. "That sounds interesting. Care to tell me more?" She asked, looking at Oblivion.

Aurora clenched her jaw.

Oblivion didn't look up. "Maybe if we see each other again." Maybe never, he thought.

"How long is this going to take?" Aurora asked, her tone soft, not wanting to cause conflict.

"I'm done," Oblivion answered, standing up. "Blossom, we'll see you around."

Blossom stood to her feet. "Thank you for saving me!" She extolled. And before anyone could blink, she moved in to press her snout against Oblivion's cheek.

Aurora lurched forward just as Oblivion leered back.

"Hey!" The Umbreon exclaimed in anger, surprised. 

"What's your problem?" Aurora asked a moment later, to believe the Leafeon's nerve. 

Blossom rolled her eyes. "Sheesh, you guys are touchy!" She criticised. "I was just being–"

"You need to back off," Aurora interrupted. "Who do you think you are, trying to touch someone before they say you can?"

All of a sudden, Blossom's demeanour changed. "Shut up!" She hissed, her eyes now dark. She used Razor Leaf, sending a sharp leafblade spinning directly into Aurora's side.

Aurora cried out in surprise and pain, leaping backwards. Shock and fury surged through Oblivion's veins. "Stop!" He yelled as he used his Psychic to envelope the Leafeon in his cyan glow. He suspended her into the air, disabling her ability to attack.

Blossom was growling now, trying to fight the magic.

Aurora grunted from the cut in her side. "It's quite obvious this character is insane," she choked, the wound now bleeding. "Please can we just get out of here?"

Oblivion nodded and moved Blossom far away from them. He simultaneously used his Psychic to dress Aurora's wound, and both of them pelted off the second Oblivion shut down his powers.

They darted through the forest into a clearing midway, the trees allowing precious sunlight through.

"Where do you think you're going?" Blossom purred from behind them, making them stop in their tracks.