Kira has always struggled with confidence, so her friend Jalyn decided to help her build some up by arranging a weekend long sleepover between Kira and Randal

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The noon time sun shined through the windows of Jalyn's house, shining almost dreamily against the framed photos she had on the wall, pics of her and her sister Evie on family trips, of her and her boyfriend Randal on their many adorable dates, and of several fun get-togethers she's had with her friends Cylia, Alexis, Kira and Lilith. It was something the Glaceon couldn't help but take notice of as she entered the living room, still clad in her pajama bottoms and bed time t-shirt since she hadn't planned on going anywhere that day, a bottle of water and bowl of cereal in hand. Seeing all these memories, both distant and recent, it couldn't help but bring her joy. It seemed like just yesterday that she was on the shyer side, less confident in herself when she wasn't with her close friends, her happiness interspersed with bouts of loneliness and wondering about her place in the world. She had grown so much since 3 years ago, having found the love of her life, her confidence, everything she could've ever wanted. Her friends and boyfriend had brought her the most absolute form of happiness she could feel about her life, something that she just couldn't help but smile and nearly tear up thinking about as she ate her cereal, lost moreso in memory than the video she had turned on. It was that gift of self-confidence she had been given by them that really made her think when her eyes settled onto her sweet, adorable Quilava friend Kira in one picture.

Jalyn could see that, even with her friend being happy in the pictures she had of them, that there was that self-doubt, that lack of confidence in her eyes that she had dealt with before. Kira was always so shy, but so wanting to break out of her shell. Any time all their friends got together, particularly when they remained in one of their houses, Kira would tend to show more confidence in how she carried herself, in how she talked, in how she interacted with everyone in general. But any time they went out somewhere in public, Kira tended to hang back, to let her friends do a lot of the talking, and any time she tried to talk with someone new, especially to any dudes she might've thought were cute, she froze up, her tail growing in size and hair turning blue from her strong feelings of embarrassment and shyness, like a fire climbing higher and burning hot enough to turn blue. It had never really been something Jalyn had thought much of, but in this moment of reflection, she saw a lot of her older self in Kira, and it filled her with a deep urge to give her friend the hand they all gave her when it came to coming out of her shell. Finishing up her cereal, she picked up her phone and called the Quilava

Kira: J-Jalyn? Hello, is everything alright?

Jalyn: Hey Kira. Everything's fine, don't worry. I was just calling to check in on you.

Though Jalyn couldn't see it, the Quilava raised an eyebrow curiously as she sat on her couch

Kira: Y-yeah, nothings the matter. Is there something on your mind?

Jalyn: Yeah, there is. Look, I don't think I'll ever be able to thank you or any of my other friends enough for all the help you've given me.

Kira: I'm not sure I understand, what exactly did we do?

Jalyn: With my confidence. I've been thinking back and you gals and Randal, you've all helped me come out of my shell, have given me the confidence to be myself and it's brought me a lot of happiness. I... I really want to do something like that with you too, Kira. I see a lot of myself in you, of those insecurities about yourself, the loneliness you've said you feel when we're not hanging out. I really want to try and help boost your confidence, help you see the fun, hilarious, adorable person we all see in you.

Kira went to speak, but found no sound able to escape her mouth. The Quilava looked around her small abode, her walls barren of any real decor, her TV being the only company she's ever kept there, at the two person couch that's only ever seen her. More than anything, she wanted to be as confident in herself as her friends were, as Jalyn was, but even with this offer from her friend, her shyness was keeping her silent. After a few seconds, she finally worked up the courage to speak

Kira: ...H-how? Y-you've seen me, when I'm not at one of your guys' houses, I'm hopeless. I shut down at the first opportunity to speak, even with you guys there. How do you plan on trying to fix that?

Jalyn: Look girl, don't worry. I have a plan, something I think will help and take you out of your comfort zone just enough to help you get over this anxiety about talking to people you don't know very well outside of work.

Kira: Jay, I-I...

Jalyn: Kira, please let me help. I promise you that it'll be alright.

Kira closed her eyes, her empty fist balling as a tear fell down her face. Her shyness had been almost crippling to her over the years, she wasn't even sure she'd have been able to befriend what were her closest friends if not for having to do a group project with them back in junior high. But she dug deep, her tears not from sorrow or any form of sadness, but of hope.

Kira: A-alright. I-I'll do it, I trust you.

Jalyn: Thank you, you won't regret this Kira. I'll text you the details a little later, give you some time. Is that alright?

Kira: Y-yeah... Jalyn?

Jalyn: Yeah?

Kira: Thank you.

Jalyn smiled, touched by hearing the raw emotion in her friend's voice

Jalyn: Anytime. I'll talk to you later. Bye.

Kira: B-bye.

Once she hung up the phone, Jalyn immediately called up one person she knew would be perfect for helping her out with this plan: her boyfriend Randal. It didn't take long for him to pick up the phone

Randal: Hey babe, what's the haps?

Jalyn: Hey Snowcone, I was just... wait, what? "What's the haps?" What've you been getting yourself into?

She giggled as she could hear the Alolan Vulpix let out an airy chuckle

Randal: Sorry, been playing more of that Strong Bad game again. What's on your mind, sweetie?

Jalyn: I've done a lot thinking this morning and I really need to thank you. You and my friends have done so much to help me with my confidence issues ever since we met, you've helped me really become happy with myself and my life.

Randal: Aww, you don't need to thank me for that, you've done much the same for me.

Jalyn: That help is why I'm calling rather than texting. I need your help.

Randal: Is something wrong?

Jalyn: No, nothing's wrong per-say, but I need some help with Kira, and I need someone I trust completely and that she isn't particularly familiar with. And is a dude.

Randal: And I fit the bill? But we've met before, a few times. You've even had her, Cylia and Alexis over before.

Jalyn: Yeah, but she didn't really interact or say that much to you. She's still shy around you, like she is around everyone. Is anyone else at the house?

Randal: Mine? No, actually. Umi's spending the weekend at Duncan's place, gonna be doing some special dessert recipes and such, and Raena's out with Anais and Talia on a modeling shoot for the next week. Why do you ask?

Jalyn: Perfect. Do you think you would mind having Kira spend the weekend there?

Randal was taken aback, though that wasn't something Jalyn could see since they were on the phone

Randal: I don't mind, but why, what do you have in mind?

Jalyn: It's a weird ask, but I want to set up a friendly, almost "date weekend" between you two. I'm sure you've noticed, but Kira has a pretty big problem with self-confidence, especially around guys, and you're one of the kindest and most confident guys I know. I want you to spend as much time as you can with her, try to get her comfortable enough to open up and see that there's nothing for her to be nervous about when talking with someone new.

It took Randal a few moments to really process everything she was saying, but after a second or two, he finally responded

Randal: Sure, I'll do it.

Jalyn: Awesome! Thank you Snowcone, I owe you for this~

A few hours later, Jalyn and Kira showed up at Randal's house, the Quilava blindfolded to make sure she wouldn't know where they were until they were indoors. Her tail flickered in the breeze, getting relatively tall, showing her clear nervousness and shyness about the situation

Kira: A-are you sure about this, Jalyn?

Jalyn: Of course I am, Kira. Don't worry, you'll be fine. You've got this, girl!

The Glaceon rubbed Kira's shoulder, making her blush and smile as she tried to psych herself up like she did before. She could hear Jalyn open the door and felt herself being led inside, finally able to take off her blindfold once she heard the door shut behind her. When she opened her eyes, she was taken aback by the somewhat familiar sights of a house she swears she had been in before, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. That was until she saw someone walking towards her and Jalyn from the top of the bi-level stairs they were standing on. It was Randal, Jalyn's boyfriend. Immediately Kira began to blush, always having found Randal to be as cute as Jalyn built him up to be, and someone she was incredibly nervous about being around. She always choked up around dudes the most, and it was worse with Randal. Not only was he her closest friend's partner, but with what few times she had interacted with Randal, his friendly banter and kind smile he'd give showing her that he just wanted to be friends and get to know her made her shut down even more, another layer added to her not wanting to potentially ruin what could be a potential friendship. It was a vicious cycle for her, where she wanted to be friends with someone, but couldn't bring herself to open up or even say much in feat that she would blow it. But here she was now, standing face to face with the Vulpix, the situation she was in dawning on her more with every passing second

Jalyn: Hey Snowcone! You've already met Kira before, and I know you've heard this already, but I want I need to properly fill Kira here in.

The Glaceon turned towards the blushing, quiet Quilava, seeing the shyness and nervousness take hold of her. She put a hand on her shoulder and looked in her eyes

Jalyn: Kira, I've been around you enough to know your lack of confidence and shyness is most prevalent around guys, so Randal's agreed to help you with that. He's one of the most confident and kind people I know, and I know that once you get to know him, he'll be able to bring out the confidence I know you have deep down in you to the forefront. You two will be spending the weekend here together, hopefully going some places in a day or two once you get comfortable. I know you can do it; you're the sweetest little thing I've ever laid my eyes on. And hopefully after this weekend you'll be able to see that too. If you need anything, I'll be spending the weekend downstairs here, but I know you've got this, ok?

Kira took in those words and shook her head, her body shaking like a leaf but putting on the bravest face she could. Jalyn smiled at her and brought her in for a hug before heading off downstairs

Jalyn: You've got this girl, remember that. You're in good hand.

As Jalyn disappeared down the stairs and around the corner, Kira looked over at Randal, the Vulpix offering her the same kind smile he always had

Randal: C'mon, let's get you settled in.

The Vulpix beckoned Kira up the stairs and, after a shaky breath, she grabbed her bags and followed, walking down the hall to a room with an open door. In it was a nice looking bed and TV set up with a computer under it. It actually reminded her of her room at home, her TV hooked up to the brim with game consoles and a PC, all of which had controllers on the nightstand next to her bed. It was a nice splash of familiarity to a place she was pretty new to, even if it likely wasn't intentionally like that, almost like a sanctuary she felt she could escape to if she felt her confidence on the brink. Which honestly wasn't that far from where she was now - even with Jalyn's encouragement and knowing that she wasn't far, her being pretty much on her own in an environment she wasn't familiar with alongside a cute, kind boy - it was a bit much for her. Her train of thoughts was interrupted by Randal's voice, causing her to jump even though his tone trying to be as soothing as possible, the Vulpix leaning against the door frame with his legs crossed over one another

Randal: Do you want me to get you anything? You’re my house guest after all; I'm here to serve your every whim as best I can.

Kira tried her best to catch her breath, her mind going a million miles a minute looking for a response. The part of her that shows when she's with Jalyn and her other friends had a low-key joke to make, while the rest of her was caught between choked up silence and a bog standard response. Given her current state of adrenaline, it wasn't hard for her to pick which option to go with

Kira: O-oh, uh... m-maybe a water would be fine, or a Dr. P-Pepper...

Randal: Doc Pep? I see you've got taste. I'll be right back with it and let you unpack. And again, if you need anything else, just say the word. Every whim, remember?

As Randal turned to leave, Kira returned her focus to her bags, letting a long breath of relief escape her mouth. Before she could catch herself, she muttered under her breath but aloud just the same the joke she was planning on making

Kira: Given what Jalyn's told me, if the beds not comfy, I may need to use you as a seat.

She wasn't even aware she had said it aloud until she heard Randal chuckle aloud, having hung back when he heard her start talking

Randal: Nice one. That'd be an offer I couldn't refuse~

Immediately Kira's hair turned blue as she blushed a deep shade of crimson, horribly embarrassed that she had said that aloud. She looked ready to run away, to try and find someplace to hide, her mind immediately turning to thoughts of her blowing another chance at friendship until she felt Randal's cool hand on her shoulder. She turned to see his face, an expression of concern and amusement mixed together plastered on it

Randal: Woah woah, no need to get embarrassed. We're friends Kira, you don't need to worry about joking around or saying anything like that. Besides, it was a pretty good joke too. Wasn't expecting to hear that out of you haha.

Even with it being a relatively normal amount of reassurance, it still hit closer to home than normal for her. Maybe it was because she wasn't as comfortable around Randal, maybe it was because she wasn't even that familiar with him outside of the stories Jalyn and Cylia would tell about him, but it sunk in more for her. Maybe she could allow herself to bring out more of who she was when she was alone...

Randal: It's almost tempting to make your bed lumpy now haha. But I'll be right back, grab that pop you asked for.

Randal gave her a warm smile before leaving, something she returned until he rounded the corner. For the moment, alone with her thoughts, she felt alright, good even. Like maybe she had been overreacting, that... what if he's just being nice because she's Jalyn's friend? What if he really doesn't like her? Whatever positive thoughts were once in her head were becoming clouded by her insecurities and anxieties. Even as she tried to reassure herself that it wasn't true, that seed of doubt her lack of confidence planted had taken root and it shook her to her core. Was he really just doing this for Jalyn? And nothing else? What if...

Her train of thought was again interrupted by a hand extending in front of her, a can of Dr. Pepper in hand, a cup of water in the other. She looked up to see Randal's face, still wearing that friendly, warm smile on it - one she wasn't sure anymore if it was sincere. She took the can of soda and opened it, taking a drink as Randal put the cup of water on the nightstand and sat next to her. The Quilava's grip on the can was shaky but firm enough to nearly cause her fingers to indent it, her incredible nervousness and doubt making her body produce a warm aura, enough so much so as to make her soda room temperature. She looked disgusted, hating the taste of warm soda, nearly tempted to spit it out. Noticing the change in temperature and her expression, Randal reached out his hand

Randal: Here, let me have that can for a second. I think you’re so nervous that your body is giving off a good amount of heat. I've seen this happen with Sid when he gets too... well, horny if I'm being frank. But I have a cure for the warm soda at least.

Randal took the can, his eyes glowing, their color inverting, his pupils and irises becoming solid white as the whites of his eyes turned to the gradient shade of blue his irises usually were. Kira watched as he stared at the can, his grip dripping what looked like flakes of frost down that quickly faded into the air. It ended as quickly as started, Randal's eyes returning to normal as he pulled a thermal drink holder out from his pocket and slipped the can in it, holding it out towards Kira

Randal: Here, that should keep it from getting any warmer.

Kira reached her hand out, again her emotions mixed. As much as her insecurities wanted her to believe Randal wasn't being sincere with her, here he was going out of his way to make her drink the perfect temperature and giving her something to help keep it that way. Maybe he really does care and isn't just putting on a show. It was the truth, even if she had a hard time getting past her insecurities to believe it, but the gesture was enough to let her feel confident enough to let another joke come out in her response, albeit shakily

Kira: W-why do you keep those in your pants?

Randal chuckled again, something she could tell was completely genuine

Randal: You'd be surprised what can fit in these pants... Ok wait, I didn't mean it like that.

For the first time that night, Kira laughed aloud, all those insecurities disappearing for a few moments, leaving just two friends laughing aloud at the accidental innuendo one of them had just made. It was a feeling that felt good to Kira, really good. She hadn't been able to really act this way unless she was around her friends before - which whether or not she realized it because of her insecurities, she still was - and it felt liberating. So much so that, without even realizing it, she began to ask something, something that while small wasn't something she'd have even thought of asking if not for the ice breaker the two just had

Kira: H-hey, I need to know something. You're not doing this just because Jalyn asked you to, are you?

The moment the question left her mouth, she immediately blushed bright red, freezing up again. She couldn't believe she actually asked that, and worse yet, she was worried what the answer would be. The scant second or two between her question and Randal's reply felt like an eternity, something the Quilava felt hard to bear, but eventually the response left Randal's mouth

Randal: Kira, I'm doing this because you're my friend. Jalyn might've asked me, but I'm doing this because I want to, because I like you. We might not have talked much, but you seem like such a fun person to get to know from what I've been told, and I want to help bring that person to the forefront. I've been held back by insecurity before too, it kept me from really being myself when I was a younger, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone, least of all you. You've been living in that shadow of doubt and shyness for too long, it's about time you got to step into the light a bit.

It was both a response she was expecting and one she never expected to hear. The rational part of her knew Randal was genuine and sincere in wanting to get to know her and help her get her confidence up, while her insecure half spun a web of doubt that it was all because he was asked to, not because he liked her. But seeing the look on the Vulpix's face, the sincerity in his voice, his honest response, it told her all she needed to know. Immediately, she reached over and gave him a hug, which took Randal aback and made him blush. He could even feel a few tears run down onto his back as Kira gripped him tightly. The Quilava tried to keep it together, but the sheer relief she felt, the happiness of acceptance was too much to contain. She held on for a few more seconds in silence before she could finally gather herself enough to talk again

Kira: Thank you.

Randal: It's no problem. It's what friends are for after all.

Randal returned the hug, which made a few more tears run down Kira's face. After a good 10 more seconds of the prolonged hug, they finally let go of one another

Randal: Now, how's about we play something? I happen to know from that shirt you're wearing you're a Resident Evil fan, and I got plenty of stuff we could play from that series... assuming that's not a hand-me-down.

Kira smiled, the first uninhibited genuine smile she had given to a guy before

Kira: You don't stand a chance of beating my rankings in RE5. I've been practicing.

Randal: Oh, I beg to differ haha

The pair laughed and headed to the living room to play their game. It would still take more work for Kira to really get comfortable being herself, but she had finally broken down the first barrier, and that was enough to give Kira the courage she needed to keep blossoming into the person she wanted to be, who she was deep down but was too shy before to properly express. That shyness will always be there with her, that much she knew, but the first step is always the most difficult, and she had taken several at learning to cut loose and be herself with the help of her friends