CHAPTER 2

Hi guys I started this fic yesterday so I hope you like Chapter 2. I don't want to make this fic too long so it will probably have about 5-6 chapters. Hope you like it! Disclaimer: I DO NOT own pokemon. If I did, palletshippng would be cannon and armour shipping hints would not exist ever. EVER! Ahem... Now on with the story...

The pair sprinted into the dining room, Gary a second before Ash.

"I told you I'd beat you Ashy-Boy! You just never learn do you?" Gary smirked triumphantly

"What? No, I totally beat YOU. Someone just can't see a proper winner when they see one, can they?" Ash grinned.

"Oh really Ash. Does this someone happen to be you by any chance?" Gary taunted

Ash looked ready to shoot a comeback to that comment but before he could, Serena's voice cut through the air,

"You guys come on don't be like this, your acting like rivals!"

Gary raised an eyebrow at Ash as if to say Is she for real? Ash just gave him a warning look and sat down while Gary took the seat next to him. Serena looked a bit crestfallen and then Ash realised there was a seat next to her. She might have even saved it for him. He felt a bit guilty but then thought of it as a hint to her that she might not have a boyfriend in a few days time. Then he though, How long are we staying here?

"You can stay as long as you need." Gary's voice snapped him back to reality.

"Did I just mutter my thoughts?" he said in bewilderment. Gary laughed,

"Yes, I think you just did, Ash!" Gary said, flashing a glimpse of that smile Ash had fallen for, "Well, time flies like a Pidgeot when you're having fun (A/N sorry that was major cheesy), it's half past eight almost!" As if on cue Bonnie yawned while everyone laughed.

"Looks like Pikachu needs sleep too!" Ash chuckled as he looked at his best friend, tightly hugging a bottle of ketchup, trying to stay awake but failing miserably.

Clemont smiled, "Ok, let's call it a day everyone, let's go upstairs." Everyone nodded tiredly at Clemont's proposal. As they trudged up the stairs Ash caught Serena staring at him out the corner of his eye, looking sad and confused. Ash wondered why, then realised that once again he was walking in step with Gary and Serena was behind them on her own. Ash immediately was overwhelmed with a guilty feeling. Wow, that feeling seemed to turn up more and more now. He just sighed and glanced in Gary's direction. The brunette was smiling pleasantly, as if he was in some kind of blissful daydream. Ash wandered if it was about him. No, how stupid would that be. Ash Ketchum get a grip, he probably isn't even gay. Ash sighed. Life didn't come with a free, happy love life pass. Love was never going to be easy, gay or not.

"Well...Night Ash." Serena mumbled with a downcast face. Ash mustered his best smile but knew it must look pathetic. Serena kissed his forehead as the others said goodnight too. She smiled weakly and went into her room. Ash turned round as he heard Gary go into his room. Ash followed him. They went about their business of unpacking Ash's stuff and washing when it came to undressing. Gary just took his top off without hesitation and Ash realized he was staring just a moment after Gary.

"Sorry." Ash muttered quickly undressing himself, then realizing he sleeps in his everyday clothes. The raven-haired boy quickly smelled his clothes and decided it wouldn't hurt to ask for some pyjamas.

"Um... Gary?"

"Yea Ash?"

"I don't have pyjamas."

Gary stared for a second before seeming to compose himself.

"I guess you want to borrow some of mine, hu Ashy." Gary grinned "You can if you want, just don't take the eevee evolution chain t-shirt, ok?"

Ash nodded and smiled at him. He got a t-shirt, put it on and got in bed.

"Is it ok if I turn off the lights now Ash?" Gary asked. Ash responded with a yes and with a click, the room was indulged in darkness with just a small glow every now and then from Pikachu's little sparks.

"So..."Gary's voice came out in a hushed tone though the dark, "You and Serena are an item then?"

Ash tensed up at the small specs of hurt tinted though his voice. He sighed sadly,

"Yea, I guess..."

"You don't sound too happy about it. You don't act it either."

"It's just... It's just I do love her, just not in that way. But then again I don't want to break her heart by dumping her."

"What makes you think she would be heartbroken Ash?"

"She just seems so much more confident now than before. But also she might not like the person I love instead of her." Ash immediately regretted saying those words.

"So who do you love Ash?" Was this just Ash's ear, or did Gary sound hopeful?

"Well... You can't freak out at this but... well it's..."

Well then what happens to Ash? Will he back out or will his feeling be returned? I am sooo evil for the cliff hanger, but please review. One review=A internet hug! Thank for reading! I will post Chapter 3 soon.