"But..." You turn away, eyes sliding closed. Your body shakes, the chill of the water seeping into your bones. "I'm all alone now." Your eyes slide closed, and you sneeze and shiver. "My parents are gone. I don't know anybody out here. I can't... I can't live like this," You mutter, shaking within Lucario's paw. "I just can't-"
"You're not alone." Lucario's 'voice' rumbles through the air, his paw curling to hold you. His free paw moves over you, a single section resting on your shoulders, as light as the massive creature can manage. "For all it's worth, you have me." He nods as he beings to walk, his body trailing water as he steps out from the lake, moving you to the shore. "And I promise, I'll be here for you. Whatever may come, I'll protect you."
You cough a couple of times, wiping away a bit of water. "That's... That's not what I need now," Tears starting to drip down your already-soaked face. "I don't want a protector, I want... I want my parents back... I... why didn't you protect them?" Your arm pushes over your eyes, only soaking your face further. "Why couldn't you..."
His finger slides down your back. "I am... Sorry. If I could have, I..." His eyes close as he places you down onto the dirt. "I was not able to save them. It took everything I had to save you. I cannot change that. All I can do now is take care of you."
"I... I can't..." You cough again, your body shaking. Lucario's eyes flick open at your cough, and he crouches down. His massive head approaches you, and you reel back at the sight. His eyes focus on your body and your dripping clothes.
"You're soaked. At this rate, you will catch something. Let me dry you off, at least." His arms move close, his paw gripping you by the neck of your shirt. You push your hands back at him, but he tugs your dripping shirt off before he slides his paw against your sides, lifting you off the ground. You grumble, but you're too exhausted to argue or struggle. You keep still as Lucario lays against the ground, head tilted up by one of the larger rocks. He brings you against his body laying your against his abdomen. His fur presses in, but even as it catches the water dripping from your body, it remains softly and warm. You shift about, your body turning in as you sink against his form. But you twist and turn, unsteady as you shift around in the massive mounds of fur. Your hands move down, searching for some purchase to hold onto. They make contact with his body, and you grab on, holding as tight as you can to the flesh underneath. Lucario flinches for a moment, but he nods down at you. "Are you comfortable now? Warmer now?"
Your eyes turn up from the fur to look back up at his eyes. Lucario takes a breath, your body rising and falling with the gasp of air. You manage a small nod, before your eyes slide closed again. "Yeah. Th... Thanks," You mutter.
The Lucario nods, his stern expression cracking as he looks down at you. "I... understand that this is difficult for you. And I understand that you would... prefer to be with your parents. I cannot change that. But... I will protect you. I want to do whatever else I can for you, too." His massive paw lifts up from his side, and rests onto your back. "I cannot replace your family. But... I care for you. And I will try to take care of you, if you'll let me. If you need more than a protector, then I can try to be... Your friend? Your family? I don't know what it is, but whatever you need..."
You sniffle, shifting in to warm up. You tilt your head up, eyes meeting Lucario's. Even through the concern and hesitation in his eyes, you see the twinkle in his eye. A faint memory stirs, and for a moment, you could swear you remember that same spark, held in the eyes of a little Rilou. You take a breath and push into his fur, hands pressed to his body. Underneath his cozy fur and his lithe frame, you could feel the warmth and strength that he possessed. He was dangerous, that much is certain. But when you see him break into an actual smile, your body fills with relief. You know that he'll protect you, come what may.
You just hope you can trust him to be more than just your protector.
"Okay," You murmur, your voice muffled when you speak.
"I... Are you sure?" Lucario's smile widens. It's hard to picture it with his deep, rough voice and his looming size, but you can see that Rilou grinning at you again. You give a small nod, and a sudden flood of warmth and elation fills your very being. "I... Thank you. I promise, I'll prove that I can protect... That I can take care of you. That you'll never be alone while I'm around." Lucario tilts up, one paw bracing you against his body. When he stands, you're settled against his paw, cradled between his fingers. "I promise."
Your face cracks into a small smile, and you nod in return. "And... And I'll try to trust you."
Lucario stands, both paws clasping around you. His head pushes in, and his nose bumps against your body for a moment, a nuzzle coming from the massive beast. But it only lasts a moment. His head tilts away, his smile fading as he looks around. That warmth around you starts to fade, Lucario's expression growing serious as his rumbling voice sounds out in your mind. "I wish we had more time, but we need to get going, now. It isn't safe here. If you need to rest, you can do it. I'll carry you." His paws lift you up and clasp you close to his chest, holding you like he'd hold a precious, fragile jewel. The world around you blurs as he begins to move, his quick strides carrying you away from the lake in moments. "We can speak again when it's safe."
You nod up at him, and sit within his paws, watching the scenery flash by while he runs. But your eyes can't stay open much more, and your body strains to stay steady. Somewhere along the way, everything turns into a haze, and you drift off to sleep within Lucario's grasp.
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