Disclaimer: My name's certainly not affiliated with Pokémon –not unless I want to be sued .
Story: Ash was happy and in love at 19 years old, and seemingly done journeying. He had a loving boyfriend and he was about to become a gym leader. So why did everything have to go wrong? Why did everything hurt and became messed up?
Set after Alola.
Spoilers: I don't think so.
Warnings: Various triggers. Please read at own risk. Semi-graphic violence, language, gaslighting, unhealthy relationship, emotional manipulation, emotional/verbal/physical abuse, controlling behavior...
Pairings: Ash/OC

All the Lies That's Been Said
Speak Softly (Tell Me You're Awfully Sorry)

"I'm sorry for last night," his boyfriend said softly once again. "I wish you wouldn't upset me and make me react like that."

Ash didn't say anything, but nodded and grabbed onto his shoes.

Do you get treated with disrespect and put down?

"Don't do something embarrassing like you always do," Tom told him, frowning as Ash finished getting ready to leave. "You tend to act like an idiot when you get overexcited. And make sure not to say something that'll make you look dumb! You tend to make dumb comments a lot."

Ash gave him a weak smile. "I'll try not to."

Does your partner expect you to be with them all the time or to "check in" with them to let them know where you are?

"Call me when you get to headquarters."

Ash nodded tiredly. "Okay."

Tom sighed. "Please try not to make me feel so angry and jealous, alright? Everyone's always hanging over you. It really does upset me."

Are you constantly made to feel guilty?

He felt slivers of guilt prick him and he nodded again. Ash picked up his backpack and kissed Tom quickly, trying not to rush out of there.

Sometimes Ash was just really tired of having to walk on eggshells all the time. But he wanted to keep the peace between them and he wanted Tom happy. Tom loved him and he loved Tom. So he just had to deal with it for now, and he was sure that soon everything will just settle between them and they could be simply happy again without none of this thing that kept happening.

He just had to keep believing that.

Mind blank, Ash kept up a steady pace that let him be in the League's headquarters in record time, knowing he'd left Pikachu behind and that the electric pokémon was going to be very upset with him when he came back. He put on a smile and went to look for the conference room again, finding it more easily this time. He entered and was surprised to see everyone there for a second time.

"Wow, everyone's here again," he beamed at everyone.

"Morning, Ash!" Brock greeted, finally having arrived, before stopping short at the sight of Ash. "What happened to your face?" he asked, frowning deeply.

Ash made sure not to falter. "I had a nasty fall yesterday. I ended up hitting my face and head."

"Ouch," Lt. Surge said while Misty (having also finally appeared) scoffed and rolled her eyes. She gave Ash a smirk. "You're such a klutz, Ash. Geez, you haven't changed at all."

Ash made sure to smile, even though he felt hurt. He brushed it off –it was true and Tom said so all the time. He was overreacting.

"Come on, Ash. We'll have you sign everything here and then you can have brunch with us," Lance called him over.

"Brunch?" Ash asked in surprise, before inwardly berating himself for such a dumb question.

"Yes –you left so suddenly yesterday that we didn't get a chance to keep you a little longer and catch up," Erika smiled gently at him.

Ash rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment, wincing when his fingers grazed his head wound.

"I guess, let me get started then?" he said sheepishly and was then cheerfully led over to some papers. He passed by a stoic Giovanni, who was scrutinizing him closely and making Ash feel uncomfortable.

He started to go through the documents quickly, but Lance made sure to go over each paper thoroughly, giving each explanations and pointing out everything clearly. It was still a relief to finish all of them, and he let his cramping hand rest.

"Congrats, Ash!" Brock gave him a hug. "Welcome to the League!"

"Thanks! I'm guessing your schooling finished?" Ash grinned back at his old friend.

"You got that, right," Brock laughed. "I'm still a gym leader though, but I'm slowly taking shifts in the Pewter Hospital. My dad switches off with me when I'm at the hospital."

"Wow," Ash said impressed. "You've certainly been busy."

"Busy is an understatement for you," Misty cut in, coming closer. "Boyfriend, huh?" she asked, frowning a little.

"Yeah, we met last year while I was in Alola," Ash said, biting his lip.

"Well, he's…cute," Misty uncomfortably said, before quieting and her frown becoming more pronounced.

"Isn't he? Well done, Ash," Erika said teasingly, gently taking Ash's arm. "Don't hog him, you two. Besides, you spent years on the road with Ash. Let the rest of us get some time in, hm?"

Erika thankfully pulled Ash away from that uncomfortable conversation, with Brock tactfully getting the hint and drawing Misty away. Erika gracefully started to lead him over to where the food was.

"Don't mind her," Erika said regretfully. "She is just a little miffed that you're taken."

Sabrina spoke up quietly, as Erika stopped near her with Ash. "And of your choice of a partner."

Ash shifted unhappily.

"Enough of that shit," Lt. Surge interrupted, reaching for the apples near them. He tossed one to Ash, who caught it in surprise. "Whatever the fuck he wants to do, power to him. He's got good taste. Better taste if he'd picked me," the blond gym leader winked at Ash over his shades.

Ash's cheeks flushed and he laughed lightly, but he was feeling a bit flattered. He immediately pushed the feeling down.

Just then, his phone rung and he froze. Crap, he'd forgotten to call Tom when he'd gotten to the building.

"I'll be back," Ash said hurriedly, taking out his phone. "I have to take this."

He left the conference room and answered his phone.

"About time," Tom growled and Ash flinched. "What took you so long to call me? Hell, I was the one who had to call you!"

"I'm sorry," Ash said. "I'm so sorry, Tom. I forgot. I was just in a hurry and –"

"You're such an absent-minded idiot! I tell you to do one thing and you can't even do that. You're so stupid sometimes, I don't even know why I bother with you. Arceus damn it, look what you did –you made me upset again and now I'm angry. You're always making me angry, Ash! Do you want me to be angry?"

"No! No, I don't want you angry. I'm sorry. I'm forgetful and I made a mistake. Please don't be upset," Ash started to plead.

"Damn it, Ash. I swear you want me to be angry and upset at you all the time. Sometimes I think you want me to hurt you."

Ash took a deep breath. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

Maybe Ash did deserve to be hurt and mistreated. He was always doing stupid stuff and being dumb, and he was always doing something that made Tom upset. He could never do anything right for Tom. Ash was the one in the wrong, always being a screw up.

"I'll check in with you soon," Tom said sharply. "Don't forget to check your phone."

He hung up on Ash and Ash closed his eyes, lowering his hand that held his phone.

"I'm so stupid," he muttered.

A throat cleared and Ash straightened up in shock, turning to see Giovanni by the closed conference doors and looking at him strangely.

"Problem?" Giovanni asked coolly.

Ash shook his head, watching the other with the same wary eyes he watched Tom with.

"I'm fine," Ash said wearily. "Everything's fine."

He pocketed his phone and reluctantly went towards Giovanni, who surprisingly opened the doors for him.

"After this, you should accompany me to my hotel. We have much to discuss if you are to take over my gym for most of the time, while I am absent."

Ash shrugged, feeling emotionally numb right then. He missed the frown Giovanni had as they entered the conference room again.


The hotel they were entering was not cheap by any means. It made Ash cringe inside to enter it, feeling unworthy and disgusting to be in such a place. But he followed behind a silent Giovanni, who hadn't spoken a word to him since collecting him from the meeting. The elevator ride was tense and Ash ended up, as had been usual since Tom's call, checking his phone for any new messages. There was one and he hurried to send a message back.

"You've been checking your phone periodically," Giovanni noted, suddenly talking. "Is there something important you need to do, or someone important you need to talk to or see?"

"No," Ash said quickly, too quickly.

Giovanni gave him a steady stare that made Ash want to fidget. "I find that hard to believe," he finally said, scrutinizing Ash again. "I believe there is something very 'important' you have to do in order to please your significant other."

Ash bristled. "What are you talking about? There's nothing wrong!"

"I never said anything was wrong," Giovanni pointed out. "I only said you had to do something important to please him."

Ash flushed red in embarrassment. "But you-but you, um, implied!"

Giovanni nodded, conceding to that surprisingly. "Perhaps. But that doesn't mean it's not true, especially with your reaction."

Their talk was cut short as the elevator stopped and they entered the Imperial suite that Giovanni entered casually. The older man glanced back at him patiently and Ash hesitated one more second in the elevator before coming in.

"I just got overexcited. I act like an idiot when I'm overexcited," Ash muttered.

"Hm," Giovanni said, heading over to the desk in the study that was actually part of the suite. He opened a drawer and grabbed something, before heading over to Ash. He thrust the container at Ash.

"It's an herbal cream. It'll soothe the bruise on your face. That he probably gave you," Giovanni said, adding the last part just as Ash accepted the cream, nearly dropping it from what had been said.

Unable to control his expression, a look of fear crossed Ash's face, before he did his best to wipe it off and try to look nonchalant.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Ash said shakily.

"Abuse victims tend to deny the abuse and protect their abusers," Giovanni said blankly. "I'm not going to push. I know it'll just upset you and make you deny it even more. But you know how to contact me or one of mine. You don't need to go back to him or stay with him."

Ash looked at him in surprise, having not expected this. But…

"I love him," he said in resignation. Why was it resigned? "He loves me."

Giovanni gave him a long look before sighing. "Come over here. We need to talk over details about the gym and schedules."

Ash sat down by Giovanni on the couch heavily, a hopeless feeling sinking into him.


He entered the Pokémon Center with lead feet, dragging them slowly. Pikachu immediately came for him, chattering angrily until he noticed his owner's state. The bruise, tense posture, the reluctance lining Ash's every movement…

"Pi pika pika pi?" Pikachu rubbed his cheek against Ash's leg. "Chaaa~"

"I know, Pikachu. I think it's better you stay outside of the room again tonight," he quietly told his pokémon partner.

Pikachu's ears flattened. "Pika…"

Ash bent slightly and rubbed Pikachu's head, before he went to go see Tom in their shared room. Every step felt heavier and heavier, and he wanted so badly to turn around.

Are you constantly dealing with mind games?

Does your partner act possessive and/or jealous of you?

Does your partner lose their temper over little things all of the time?

Does your partner refuse to take responsibility for their actions?

Does your partner hurt you?

He took a deep breath and opened the door, entering into the room and trying to think of how much he loved Tom and that he shouldn't be acting like this, like he was so afraid (but he so, so was) if he loved him so much.

But it was Ash's fault, so he needed to stop acting and feeling like this and actually act like a good partner to Tom.

Because he wasn't being a very good partner. You're not supposed to be scared of the one you love after all.

Love isn't supposed to hurt like this.

Started 7/17/17 – Completed 7/17/17

A/n: Aaaand that's the second part. One more part to this and then done. I hope people liked/felt sad about the chapter? XD Yeah…I hope people will review please! I'd really appreciate it.