#in all honesty i wasn't sure if I could make Kurai's bracelet any other color

[axewchao]

Bro, we need more Dalex and Darkrai moments, like, YESTERDAY

In which the runaway god receives his very first gift.

~~~

"Kurai! I'm back!"

The excited voice and hurried footsteps made Darkrai turn his head away from the clouds he'd been watching for the last few hours. The little human, who called himself Dalex, was running up to him with an unusual glint in his eyes. A strange rattling could be heard, though the god couldn't tell how the boy was making such a sound.

Sitting up with a stretch, Darkrai acknowledged Dalex with a nod and leaned back against their 'special' tree. "So you are. How was 'camp' today, little human?"

"It was good! We learned about bug Pokémon today! The other kids were too scared to hold this really big Wurmple, but I wasn't!" Dalex puffed out his chest in pride, making his eldritch companion chuckle.

"Very brave of you, little human. Bugs are a common fear amongst mortals, from what I have gathered. Though, such a fear is not without reason."

"'Cause, uh..." Dalex kicked his foot as he tried to remember the camp counselor's words, "'Cause Wurmple knows Poison Sting, right?"

"That's one reason, yes."

Dalex hummed, then shrugged, "But that Wurmple wasn't scary! She was really nice! She let me pet her and walk around with her and even sat on my head for a while!" The boy giggled to himself and bounced in place, the rattling sound hitting Darkrai's ears once more.

Now the god's curiosity was piqued. "What was that?"

The boy stopped, the noise stopping along with him. He titlted his head, "Huh?"

"That sound. Were you collecting river rocks again, little human?" Mortals and their urge to collect shiny things... Darkrai doubted he would ever understand the appeal.

Dalex gasped, eyes widening. "Oh, right! I almost forgot!" The boy suddenly grinned, reaching into his pocket. "I have a surprise for you!"

Darkrai raised a brow. "A... surprise? What do you mean, little human?"

"I made you something! Hold out your hand!"

Darkrai blinked, unsure if he should humor the boy or not. Whatever it was, it rattled, was made by the child, and was most likely small enough to fit in his claws. He tried to create a mental list of what the 'surprise' could be, but said list was left empty.

...Well, if the little human made it, then surely it was harmless, right?

"...Alright, little human. Let's see this 'surprise.'" He held out a claw, which Dalex steadied with his free hand.

"Oh, and close your eyes real quick!"

What. "What."

"Please?" Dalex's eyes were pleading, with a small hint of nervousness. Was he afraid that Darkrai wouldn't like this 'surprise'...?

"...Alright." Darkrai sighed, closing his eyes.

He could hear the rattling once more, and felt a number of small, round objects wrap around his fingers. The things were pushed down to his wrist, briefly tugged upward as if testing for something, then let go.

What was...?

"Okay, open 'em!"

Beads.

A set of shiny, purple beads, strung together into a bracelet. The beads reminded him of gems, but the lack of any detectable essence made it clear to the god that they either lost their power long ago or, more likely, were fakes. 

Regardless of the answer, seeing them filled Darkrai's chest with... something. He wasn't sure what it was. He was so stunned by the feeling, he couldn't look away from them if he tried.

"You... You made this for me, little human...?"

Dalex nodded, "Uh-huh! The grownups taught us how to make 'em!"

"I see... And what purpose do these beads serve?"

The boy giggled, "It's a friendship bracelet, Kurai! I wanted to make you one 'cause you're my friend! I got the prettiest beads I could!"

Friend. The word left the god speechless.

It was an absurd thought, really. The child had no idea what Darkrai was truly capable of, the terror he could and would always wreak on mortals at their most vulnerable, whether he wanted to or not. It was this fact that made Darkrai insist that Dalex never take a nap in his presence, lest the innocent child suffer.

By every stretch of the imagination, Dalex shouldn't have taken such a liking to the god, let alone offer him a gift.

And yet... he did anyway.

Darkrai recalled the Wurmple Dalex mentioned a few minutes ago. Unlike with Darkrai, the boy knew that the bug could've poisoned him at any moment, yet was still the only one amongst the children willing to reach out to the creature. He found the experience enjoyable, even, which was saying something given that humans his age were often terrified of such things. They were often terrified of a lot of things.

If... If he knew what Darkrai truly was... would he still...?

"D'ya like it, Kurai?"

Kurai nearly jumped, but managed to gather himself at the last minute. He looked up from the bracelet to Dalex, hoping his lack of a mouth didn't keep the boy from seeing his smile.

"It's... lovely, little human. Thank you."

~~~

Key Item — Friendship Bracelet A bracelet made of shiny purple beads, symbolizing the friendship between you and your little human. It's the first gift you've ever received, and you vow to take care of it.

...Okay, I confess, from the moment I decided that Dal would mistakenly call Darkrai "Kurai," I knew, I knew that eventually I'd start calling the damn guy "Lord Kurai." Kinda like how the Nobles in Legends are called "Lord" or "Lady," basically.

Don't be surprised if I start doing that the next time we see him =w=