Elias wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but Cogita's body felt almost feverishly hot.
When she pressed up against him, it was as if he'd been dropped straight into a soft, smoldering furnace.
Even his usually ice-cold body began to feel an unfamiliar warmth rise within it.
Heat spread outward from his chest, making him restless and parched.
He swallowed hard and tried shifting slightly—but Cogita's long legs didn't budge.
Her slow, even breaths brushed against his ear, soft and deliberate—or maybe not.
Either way, each exhale sent a shiver racing through him.
Elias: …
Any exhaustion left from fighting Yveltal was long gone, burned away by Cogita's proximity.
"Cogita, Diancie's still in her Poké Ball," he reminded her, trying to sound steady.
He could already guess her motive—some petty revenge for him spending days alone with Diancie.
If he talked her down gently, maybe she'd go back to her own room.
But Cogita didn't respond. Her breathing had already evened out.
Elias's mouth twitched. He tried shifting again—no luck. She still clung to him like a vise.
If she meant to keep him pinned like this all night, it was going to be agony.
Not that the sensation itself was unpleasant—her body radiated heat, soft and yielding like a cloud pressed against him.
A faint, heady scent lingered in the air.
Under other circumstances, he might not have minded being her pillow.
But with Diancie's Poké Ball resting just a few steps away, he couldn't move without risking discovery.
He'd have to lie perfectly still like this until morning.
"If you try using your psychic powers to teleport away," Cogita suddenly murmured, guessing his thoughts,
"I'll pick up Diancie's Poké Ball and shake her awake."
Her breath tickled his ear again, neatly cutting off his only escape.
What Elias couldn't see was that Cogita's own face was flushed crimson.
Her heart was pounding so hard it almost hurt.
She really had fallen asleep earlier—until his voice woke her.
When she opened her eyes and saw his unguarded back, something electric jolted through her.
After a brief internal debate, she'd stayed put.
It was already late, she reasoned. If she went downstairs now, she might catch a cold.
A perfectly reasonable excuse.
Settling deeper into the bed, she tightened her grip around him, feeling a rush of satisfaction.
She'd wanted to do this for ages.
If only Diancie weren't so close, she might've dared to go further.
Cogita licked her lips, exhaling softly against his neck.
Then—she froze.
Elias's psychic energy suddenly coiled around her, holding her still.
What is he—
"Nngh—!"
His energy prodded lightly at her waist, and a sharp jolt shot through her.
Her eyes flew open.
"Wai—ahh!"
She wriggled helplessly, biting back a sound as her body went rigid.
A flicker of satisfaction crossed Elias's face.
He'd guessed correctly—Cogita was ticklish.
...
Elias lay sprawled face-down on the bed, completely spent.
Despite "resting" all night, he felt even more exhausted than before.
He hadn't slept at all. If anything, he was more awake.
At least Cogita hadn't escaped unscathed either.
With Diancie so near, she'd been forced to squirm in near silence, her muffled protests barely audible.
By the time dawn broke, she'd stumbled out of bed, trembling, and headed downstairs to shower.
Remembering her flustered reactions, Elias couldn't help smiling faintly.
He actually felt refreshed now.
Stretching lazily, he sat up and began planning his morning.
There was time before Diancie woke, so he'd make breakfast—and review the books he'd brought from Diantha's place.
Another busy day ahead.
---
[After getting up, you saw no sign of Cogita—she seemed to still be showering.]
[You prepared Pokémon food and a normal breakfast.]
[Strangely, Diancie still hadn't come downstairs…]
---
Creak—
The door opened, and Cogita stepped into the courtyard, towel in hand, drying her damp silver hair.
The moment her eyes met Elias's, she stiffened, then quickly turned away.
Last night had been too much.
For a while, she'd genuinely thought she might die in that bed.
"Cogita, this breakfast is for you," Elias said evenly, handing her a plate.
She accepted it with delicate fingers but shot him a sharp, accusing glare before glancing around.
"Where's Diancie?" she asked, brow furrowing.
At this hour, the little princess was usually already awake.
Had she found out something?
Cogita's suspicion grew—and right then, the sound of a door slamming echoed from upstairs.
Diancie stumbled down the stairs, face flushed with fury.
"Cogita! What did you do to Elias's bed?!"
Her voice rang through the entire cottage, trembling with outrage.
Judging by her tone alone, she was furious.
---
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