The weekend that followed the events of that fateful lunchtime started off with more snowfall. Ricky had practically begged Vincent to meet him at a local cafe as the chilly morning air made the warmth of being indoors more desirable. As Ricky waited for his friend over his cup of coffee, he thought of what he was going to say over and over. He knew he had to get it right, as he was already on very thin ice with the dark type. The pressure wasn't just on him, however. When Ricky had arrived at Blaze's apartment as instructed, he was told she had a plan, and by getting Vincent to talk to Ricky again, that plan was set in motion. Blaze, on the other paw, had gone to talk to Ruby and get her side of the story. It would be no good having the two dark types meet if they didn't know each other.

Ricky's anxious thoughts were interrupted when he saw Vincent walk in. At first, he turned a cold shoulder to Ricky as he ordered a hot drink of his own. Once he got it, he sat across from the Lucario, looking at him spitefully.
"You're lucky I decided to show up."
Vincent told his friend with venom in his voice.
"Start talking."
Ricky began to say what he had rehearsed in his head.
"Look, I know I did a horrible thing, and I'm sorry."
He was interrupted right after finishing that sentence.
"I trusted you, Ricky. I told you everything about her, and how I felt. I thought you'd help me the way I helped you get Blaze back."
That was a huge blow to Ricky's scripted answer. It blew everything he had out of the water.
"I know, Vincent. I wouldn't have done it if I knew it meant so much to you. What you said to me, that night... I didn't want it all to be for nothing. We still don't know for sure if it's her."
Vincent shook his head angrily.
"You keep using that as an excuse!"
Vincent's temper was clearly rising.
"You could have at least made me aware that she was here!"
In that moment, Ricky realised that Ryan's suggestion was right. He was responsible for this, but if his advice had been followed through, Vincent wouldn't feel so alone.
"It was a complex situation. We didn't want anyone's feelings getting hurt."
Ricky told his friend, who stood up.
"And look how that turned out."
He began walking toward the exit.
"Vincent, please wait!"
Ricky followed him into the snowy streets.
"Just give me another chance! I promise you, no more secrets! I'll do anything! Please, just let me show you I'm sorry. I can't bear to have you stay mad at me."
Vincent stopped and sighed.
"Fine. If you can somehow put an end to this whole thing, I'll forgive you."
That was all Ricky needed.
"Thank you, Vincent. Trust me, I won't let you down."
As Ricky walked home with a whole new attitude, he wondered how Blaze was doing.

"So, you do know Vincent?"
Blaze asked as she sat with the Zoroark, just finding out that dark type had in fact grown up with a Zorua. Ruby looked a little struck to hear that name again.
"Vincent? Well, yes. I haven't heard from him for many years. Before your visit, I feared I'd never see him again. How did you know that was his name? Is that the Zoroark you told me about?"
There was a faint look of hope in Ruby's eyes.
"It is. He really misses you. He told us what happened when you two were younger."
Ruby shed a tear.
"Even if I could put it out of my mind for just a moment, it would come right back again."
She told Blaze, looking at the ground. The Braixen felt deeply pitiful. She decided now was the time to lighten the mood.
"What would you say if I told you he's right here in town?"
Blaze asked the Zoroark, who didn't look any more enthusiastic.
"I'd tell you to stop toying with my heart."
She suddenly began to feel the impact of what Blaze had told her.
"Unless, of course..."
Blaze nodded.
"It's true."
Ruby could've hit the roof with how high she jumped out of her chair.
"Then what are we waiting for?!"
She shouted.
"I want to see him as soon as I can!"
Blaze looked less excited.
"What about your parents? Don't they hate him?"
"They work almost all day in town." Ruby informed Blaze.
"And as for their opinion of him, I can only hope it changed with time. If I can't see him now, which does shatter me, I can wait until tomorrow."
Blaze admired her patience.
"My boyfriend is with him right now. Once he gets back, he can make the judgement of whether or not it's a good idea to see him today."
Just as Blaze finished her sentence, there was a knock at the door.
"That may be him now."
Blaze commented, and surely enough, she opened the door to reveal the Lucario standing on the other side. He walked inside and sat next to Blaze once she had taken her seat again. After getting caught up, he shared his decision.
"I think we should wait until tomorrow. He's still upset now. He could do without further changes in his emotions."
Although they didn't like it, the two females respected Ricky's judgement to wait. They instead made arrangements to meet Vincent the next day.

As Ricky and Blaze left Ruby's apartment, they felt a lot better now that their questions had been answered.
"I'd say that was a good result."
Ricky commented. Blaze nodded in agreement.
"Now that that weight is off my mind..."
She opened her door, allowing her and Ricky in before closing it and pinning Ricky against the wall.
"You still haven't let us finish where we left off before this whole thing started."
Ricky began to shiver from his girlfriend's soft touch as she began stroking his chest. He could also feel his urges taking over.
"I think you've been patient enough, my love."
He replied, getting her to smile excitedly and lead the way to her room. She closed the door behind them both, finally getting what she wanted for so long.

It seemed as though all problems had been solved, and as the two engaged in activities they had put off for a long time, they forgot all about their troubles. After their rather nerve wracking session finished, they remained side by side, feeling closer than before. For the first time in a long time, things seemed to be alright. Such a feeling was one Ricky was desperate to keep, as well as Blaze and Vincent. They both knew that only time could decide such things.

Thanks so much for reading! I'm so sorry this took so long; I started a new story which I'm updating more often. If you're interested, go check out the story, 'was it worth it?', and thank you for your support with that.

Also, thank you for your support on this story, and be sure to let me know what you thought of it in the comments. Thanks again for reading, and I'll see you all soon!