Mantineus-Why am I adding onto a completed story? What sort of madness is this? This…Is…Writer's Convenience! Basically meaning that at some point after posting the first chapter(story), I had bouts of inspiration. This is actually the last thing to be written. Funny, huh? XD

(o)(o)(o)

Gold had finished reading over and signing the final page of the large stack of legal documents, Red was there too, both joking about how tedious the whole thing was. But, it was necessary in legally documenting the passing of arms. After all, if the league did not specifically state who the Master was, then anyone could be called such and no one would want to train anymore and their entire economy, not to mention way of life, would be destroyed. In fact, it had been three weeks after their fateful battle and they were just now signing their agreements due to the fact that Red was Master for three years straight, someone thought it best to store the documents in another folder…A folder that was barely ever used.

But that was not what made Gold so sullen. It was what Red had confessed up at Mount Silver. Three weeks with dates disguised as friends hanging out and battling. It was too good to be true. He could finally spend time with Joey with no training to get in the way. If he had only discovered his feelings sooner, he would have dropped out of the training world and really get to know the youngster. But, chances are, it might have upset Joey more that he dropped out of becoming a Pokémon Master than happy of being with a Johto legend. All-in-all, it was too much to give up.

"I know that look." Red said solemnly.

"Yeah, I got back from Kanto and got a boyfriend." He said it in a slight whisper, mostly due to his mood than anything, they were alone in the room.

"Nice," Red said.

Gold still looked sad.

"Hey, cheer up, Gold. Is your boyfriend someone famous?"

Gold shook his head. Joey was not very well known despite defeating every gym leader in Johto with his all rat Pokémon team. Said team were relaxing at their trainer's home in Cherrygrove to his mother's disdain.

"Then you may have a chance of happiness."

"Thanks Red."

The ex-Master smiled and finished his portion of paper work. Mostly about agreeing on being a good sport and relinquishing his title and what not.

Once they were done, a lawyer notarized them and smiled. The deed was done. Standing in the lobby was Blue, his spiky hair, purple shirt and yin-yang necklace had a glint to them from the phosphorescent lights.

Blue had a broad smile on his face when he saw Red. Both beamed at each other. A slight freedom had been given to them and it was all thanks to Gold.

'Thank you.' Was mouthed by the Viridian gym leader as he and Red walked away, bodies close to each other, their arms looking as if clasped, but were not. Though Gold saw the subtle touches each ghosted on the other's limb.

(o)(o)(o)

That night was spent in a surprise party hosted by his mother. Professor Elm had taken some time off of work in order to visit and Joey was there as well. A small party, but Gold liked it as it was. The cake his mother had baked with in the shape of a Ho-oh. She liked the bird and thought it appropriate more so than his cute Togetic, whom often accompanied his 'mother's' mother everywhere.(1)

Professor Elm left first, claiming to need to return to the lab. Joey nudged Gold and Gold told his mother they were going to go flying. His ever supporting mother agreed.

The National Park was desolate at night. But both preferred it this way. They sat at the bank of the river, their bare feet dangling in the water watching as water Pokémon swam in the water, their slippery skin illuminated by the moon, much like the water itself.

The night was beautiful.

Gold sighed. "Joey,"

"Yeah?" The boy was all smiles.

"I just want you to know…Now that I'm the Pokémon Master, it means we'll have less time to be together."

"But we've been through that, before, Gold." Joey said, reassuringly rubbing his boyfriend's back. "We can handle it again."

Gold gave a small smile. "But we can't be seen in public together affectionately. Like now…"

Joey lowered his head, hiding his face that was full of hurt. He got up and stood on the wall that surrounded the lake. Gold looked up at the youngster, his face was shrouded in darkness thanks to his hat, but the moonlight still revealed a wet pool in the corner of his eye.

"Okay, Gold." Joey said, trying to control his voice. "I understand."

Joey made to turn away from the lake and took a step towards the edge of the wall when Gold grabbed the youngster's hand.

"Joey, wait."

"What?" Joey cried, letting his bottled up emotion flow. "You want to be friends now, Gold. I understand. You're above me now! I'm just a little shrimp that isn't good enough for you and you're embarrassed to be seen with me." He got angry. "Which is funny, 'cause you said that I never embarrass you!"

"You don't, Joey." Gold said, never letting go of his hand no matter how much the kid tugged. "That's not it! I'm an idol now. People look up to me and I need to have a certain image. An all around normal boy who loves training Pokémon and a skirt chaser. They fear that things will collapse if the Master is queer." He became silent for a minute. "I like you too much to let you go. But, like Red, I have worked too hard to just give this up."

"I know." Joey said, sitting back down, his feet back in the water, his torso leaning against Gold.

"Red said we might have a chance. But you saw those news reports. They followed him around a lot! He had to hide from his lover the whole three years!"

"Red!" Joey cried out in disbelief. "With who?"

"Blue," Gold whispered. "See now?"

Joey nodded his head. "There's gotta be a way, though, Gold." It then struck the youngster. "Secret messages! Yeah! We can give each other secret messages that will tell the other where to meet and when! We can always change the places and times. We can ever hang around each other like close friends!"

Gold smiled, his tears drying. "Okay, but how shall we do it?"

They talked animatedly amongst themselves, figuring ways to alert the other without letting it be known who was contacting him. They agreed upon the tactics and lingo.

Gold was happier than he had been the entire day. When they dubbed it late enough, the moon was high in the sky. Gold released his Ho-oh and escorted Joey home, a chaste kiss in the dark, and Gold was on his way home.

(o)(o)End(o)(o)