Here's chapter three! Yayness. Now this chapter will show Ash's past and let Paul and family learn more about him. I figured this is a vital part of Ash and Paul getting to know each other. So here ya go.
Favor For A Friend? 3: Ash's Past
"So Ash, tell us about yourself." Steve said as the waiter who had taken their orders left to place the order. At 5:45, Paul showed up at the Pokémon Center where Ash was at a table, planning out strategies for the Sinnoh League. Ash and Paul then walked in silence back to the house, where Reggie, Steve, and Laura were waiting for them to leave for dinner. Ash quickly dropped Pikachu with Brock and Dawn at the guest house the group left for the restaurant. For the first few minutes, Reggie told his parents about how the business was going, while Paul and Ash stayed silent. The waiter then came and Steve decided it was time to learn about son's boyfriend.
"Um, what would you like to know?" Ash questioned.
"Well, how have you liked traveling so far? You've been on the road I guess about five years now, like Paul has." Steve asked.
"Oh well actually I've been on the road for almost seven years now, but I love it." Ash answered.
"Seven years?" Laura questioned. Steve, Reggie, and Paul all looked surprised as well. Paul masked his surprised by taking a drink of his tea.
"I thought trainers started off when they were ten." Steve said.
"They do." Ash replied. He then realized what the family thought and laughed. "I'm sixteen. I'll be seventeen this summer." Ash told them. Paul instantly choked on his tea, and started coughing. Ash sweatdropped.
"Sorry, wrong pipe." Paul said when everyone gave him concerned looks.
"Did you know Ash was older than you?" Laura asked her son.
"Um, yes, of course." He lied. He had absolutely no idea Ash was older than him. All he knew about the trainer is what he observed and what he had learned today. He had never taken the time to get to know who he was or what he did in his past. Paul had actually thought Ash was younger than him. He certainly looked like he was.
"Well we apologize, Ash. We thought you were the same age as Paul." Laura said.
"Oh it's quite alright. I know I look a lot younger than I am. It's no problem." Ash told them.
"So what have you been doing the past six years?" Steve asked.
"Well, I started off traveling in Kanto for the Indigo League and after that I headed to the Orange Islands, then Jhoto, then Houen, and finally went back Kanto for the Kanto Battle Frontier before heading over here." Ash told them.
"Really? You've been a lot of places." Laura said. Ash nodded.
"Did you participate in all the leagues in each region?" Steve asked.
"Yes sir." Ash replied.
"What places did you get?" He questioned.
"Well, in the Indigo League, I made it to the top sixteen," Everyone's, including Paul's, eyes widened. "I then won the Orange League and got the champions trophy, then I got in the top eight in both the Jhoto and Houen Leagues, and I won the Kanto Battle Frontier." Ash said.
The whole family dropped their jaws. Ash flushed under their gaze. Paul couldn't believe it. Ash had amazing reputation. "Well, that's quite a reputation you have there, young man." Steve said. Ash nodded. "How in the world did you get all those victories behind you?"
"Oh, well, lots of training." Ash said. "When I went to each region, I caught new Pokémon each time, so I haven't been working with only one specific team throughout my career. And when I came here, I left with only Pikachu and Aipom, who I ended up trading to Dawn since it preferred contests. I've caught a whole new team for each region I travel through and mainly focus on training that team while being in that specific region." Ash explained.
"So I guess your Pokémon are all at Professor Oak's lab in Pallet then." Laura said.
"Yes, except for the few I've let go and the couple I'm letting train with a few other people for right now." Ash answered.
"What Pokémon do you have, Ash?" Reggie asked. He was very curious to what Pokémon helped Ash get such a reputation as a trainer. Paul was also very interested.
"Well, back at Professor Oak's lab, I have a Bulbasaur, Kingler, Muk, Heracross, a shiny Noctowel, Totadile, Cyndaquil, Bayleef, Snorlax, Torkoal, Glalie, Corphish, Donphan, Swellow, and Sceptile. Oh, and of course all my Tauros. I also have a Squirtle who is the leader of the Squirtle Squad in Jhoto region and a Charizard who is living in the Characific Valley, also in the Jhoto region." Ash listed off his fingers.
He glanced at the family and sweatdropped at their expressions. Laura looked at Reggie. "Are all those Pokémon good Pokémon to have?" She asked her eldest.
"Yes, some are very rare." He said looking at his mother. He then turned to Ash. "You caught all of those in the wild?"
Ash nodded. "Yea, some were hard to catch, and some just wanted to come with and train with me."
"Wow." Steve said. He then remembered what Ash said. "What do you mean by all your Tauros?"
"Oh, I have thirty of them." Ash said sheepishly. "I caught them at the Safari Zone in Kanto sort of by accident. The whole herd just runs around at the lab." Ash explained.
"Wow. You certainly have a lot of Pokémon." Laura told him.
"Well, they aren't the only Pokémon I've caught. I've let some go so they would be better off."
"What Pokémon are those?" Reggie questioned.
"Um, I let my Butterfree go so he could be with his mate, I let my Pidgeot go so he could protect a wild flock of Pidgey and Pidgeotto from a flock of Spearow and a Fearow who attacked them. I also let my Primape stay and train to be a P1 Champion, and I let my Lapras go back with his family. I gave my Beedrill to a friend because she liked yellow and black stripped Pokémon and I was traveling with a friend of mine who is afraid of bug Pokémon so I figured it was perfect. I also let my Gliscor train with the air master up in the mountains here in Sinnoh." Ash told the breeder.
"Wow. You let all of those powerful Pokémon go?" Steve questioned. Ash nodded.
"I think a Pokémon should be happy. I trained them for a while and I grew to love them, but I believe if they can be happier somewhere else, who am I to stop them? I know I'll be connected to each of those Pokémon until the day I die, and even though I miss them, I'm glad I could make it to where their life is extremely happy."
"Aw, that's so sweet. You've certainly got yourself quite a catch here, Paul. You better not blow it." Laura told her son.
Paul's eyes widened as Ash's face went bright red. "Um, of course not, Mom. Never going to happen." He said with a fake smile.
"How is it that you actually fell for Paul, anyways?" Steve asked jokingly. Paul rolled his eyes.
Ash laughed a little but answered truthfully. "I know Paul's not the guy everybody thinks he is. I know there's more to him than that, and that the arrogant front he puts up is just a façade." Ash explained. Paul was taken a back. He looked at Ash and saw only truth on his face. There was no lying or pretending in that answer. He was surprised. How did he know?
"So what do your parents think of this relationship?" Laura questioned.
Ash and Paul looked at one another, panicked. "Well, I haven't, exactly, told my mom about it yet. Like I said, we didn't want to tell a bunch of people since we weren't sure how it would work out since we are rivals."
"Oh, so, were planning on telling them?" Steve inquired.
Paul came up quickly with a lie. "Of course." He said. Everyone turned to look at him. "If it came to be that we would be together after the Sinnoh League, Ash was going to take me to Pallet to meet and tell them then. That was also the plan for telling you guys as well." Paul told them. Ash smiled at Paul. Things were obviously getting easier for the younger trainer.
"And you think they would approve of Paul?" Steve questioned.
"Oh yea, my mom would most definitely approve. No sweat." Ash replied.
"And your father?" Steve asked.
"Oh, um," Ash glanced at Paul and Reggie, who both were looking at him, and then looked back to the parents. "Well, my dad's dead. He was murdered when I was almost nine, so I really can't say." Ash said quietly.
Paul and Reggie's eyes widened and they looked at each other. "Oh, I'm so sorry, Ash." Steve said. He glanced at his wife. "We didn't know."
"Oh, ha, it's ok. He was killed for something he believed in and I know that would have been the only way he would have wanted to go, so my mom and I got comfort out of that. And I'm totally cool with it now. It was hard to get over but I'm ok." Ash explained, not wanting to hurt their feelings. He hid the pain in his eyes and lied straight through his teeth. He would never be over his father's death but he would never show it either. He couldn't let his mom know…..he really didn't want to go back into therapy.
"Well I'm still sorry."
"Don't be. It's quite alright." Ash told him with a smile. Steve smiled sadly at Ash. Just then, their food came and broke the awkward silence.
"Well I guess we should dig in." Steve said, changing the subject. Laura asked Reggie to pass the salt and while the three elders were distracted, Paul took Ash's hand in his own and lightly squeezed. Ash looked at him and was surprised to see a sympathetic look on his rival's face. The raven haired trainer slightly smiled to cover the sadness in his eyes, but Paul could see straight through it. He knew that look far too well. He used it to cover his own pain.
For a moment, the two stared at one another, almost connecting, until Laura stepped in. "Paul, would you be a dear, and let me use your steak knife?" Laura asked, her voice cutting through the moment.
The two trainers looked away from each other and at her. "Sure Mom." He said handing his knife to her with the hand not holding onto Ash's. He then realized it was still there and quickly let go of Ash's hand, who just lightly blushed and shrugged it off.
After dinner, the group headed back to the house where a sudden issue came up. "So, I expect you two sleep together." Steve said to the 'couple' as the group entered the house.
Ash and Paul looked at one another panicking. "Yes they do. It's very sweet to look at." Reggie said with a smile. Paul glared at his older brother when his parents turned to look at the breeder. Ash face-palmed. 'What have I gotten myself into?' He thought.
"Ok, well, it's fine by us. Just no funny business going on boys." Laura joked to the trainers. Paul wanted to strangle his parents at the moment for embarrassing him so much in front of Ash. Then a thought occurred to him. 'What do I care? Why do suddenly give a crap about what he thinks about me?' He thought.
Ash flushed. "So, I think we're going to turn in. It's been a long day." Steve said.
"Yes it has. We will see you kids in the morning." Laura said. The three nodded.
Steve and Laura hugged their sons' goodnight and then turned to Ash. "It was very nice meeting you, Ash. I can't wait to get to know you even better." Steve told him, holding out his hand.
"You too, sir." Ash said sincerely, shaking his hand.
"Goodnight you three." Laura said.
"Goodnight." They chorused. Reggie, Paul, and Ash watched with smiles as they walked into their room and closed the door. All three dropped the fake smiles and sighed.
"Well," Reggie whispered to the younger boys. "You guys have gotten off to a perfect start. It looks good."
Paul nodded. He was about to say something to Ash but went silent when he saw the expression on his face. Reggie noticed the sad look as well. Ash noticed their stares and put a smile on his face. "Well I think I'm going to go out to the guest house to sleep too. We've been tired from traveling today."
"Um, Ash, I just told my parents you two slept together. You'll have to sleep with Paul." Reggie said.
Paul groaned and Ash knew he wasn't looking forward to that. "Ok, why don't I just get my sleeping bag and sleep on the floor in Paul's room? Make it easier for the both of us."
Paul liked the idea, but didn't. He didn't want Ash to have to sleep on the floor. 'Wait a sec, why the heck am I suddenly caring about him? This is ridiculous.' Paul thought.
"You shouldn't have to sleep on the floor." Reggie said.
Ash waved his hand. "I've been sleeping on the ground for six years now. Trust me, it's completely fine." Ash told them.
"Well, if you're sure." Reggie said. Ash nodded.
"I'll go get my bag and Pikachu. I'll be right back." Ash told them. They nodded and he walked out.
Paul sighed. He couldn't believe he was actually starting to care about Ash. He felt pathetic. "I can't believe Ash's father is dead. He seems so happy all time…..you think he'd feel sad most of the time instead." Reggie said after a few minutes.
"Yea, it is pretty weird. I can't believe he has such a reputation. I never knew he went to all those leagues…I can't believe he's older than me. He doesn't seem like he is does he?" Paul replied.
"Maybe a little. I actually suspected he was. He seemed to be pretty wise."
Paul arched his eyebrow. "Wise?"
Reggie rolled his eyes. "I mean it seemed like he had been through quite a lot; more than just fourteen years of things." Reggie explained.
Paul was going to say something else but Ash walked back in. The two brothers looked at Ash as he entered, a very sleepy Pikachu in his arms. Ash noticed their stares. "What?" He questioned.
Reggie shook his head. "Nothing. Paul, take Ash to your room and get him set up for the night."
Paul nodded. "Come on." He told Ash. The raven haired trainer followed him.
After about ten minutes of getting things set up, Paul left Ash to get ready for bed. He brushed his teeth, washed his face, and quickly changed into his shorts. Pikachu was already curled up in his sleeping bag. He decided he'd tell Paul he was finished and Reggie goodnight.
He walked out to the living room where Paul was looking through some pictures and Reggie was watching the news. Reggie noticed him when he walked in. "Going to bed now?" He asked. Paul looked up and saw Ash.
"Yea, just wanted to say goodnight." He replied. He then turned to Paul. "I wanted to tell you I was done too." Paul nodded. He closed the album and put it back in it's place.
"Well goodnight then, Ash. Hope you can sleep alright." Reggie said.
"I'll be fine, thanks."
"Alright, well, thanks again, Ash. This means a lot to us you're willing to help." Reggie said.
"No problem. I'm glad to." He told him with a smile. Reggie nodded. "Goodnight." He waved.
"Night, Ash." Reggie said and watched as Ash disappeared down the hall and into Paul's room. "He's a good guy."
Paul nodded. "He is." Reggie looked at his younger brother. "Well, I'm going to go to bed too." Reggie nodded. "Night."
"Goodnight. Oh and Paul?" The younger trainer looked at him. "Tell Ash thanks. He's doing this for you." Paul nodded.
"I know." He then walked down to his bedroom.
Reggie sighed. "I hope those two will be friends at least by the end of this."
Paul opened the door to his room and what he saw surprised him. Ash was quietly laughing while Pikachu licked and nuzzled him. "Pikachu, haha, stop it, that tickles!" Ash exclaimed in a whisper.
"Chu!"
Paul shook his head. How in the world those two were so close, he'd never know. He walked into the bathroom to change and brush his teeth. When he was finished and came back into the room, Pikachu had settled down and Ash was lying on his side petting the electric mouse as it went to sleep.
Ash felt Paul's stare and looked at him. He tilted his head. "What?"
The mauve haired boy realized he was caught staring. He shook his head. "Nothing." Ash shrugged and lay on his back as Paul climbed into his bed.
The two laid in silence for a few moments before Paul had to satisfy his curiosity. "You're not over your father's death, are you?"
Ash sighed. "I never will be." He turned on his side away from Paul.
Paul looked over at him. "And your mom thinks you are?"
"Everyone thinks I am."
"Why lie?"
Ash closed his eyes. "Because I'm not going back into therapy." Ash told him.
Paul's eyes widened. "Therapy?"
Ash sighed and turned to look up at Paul. "I didn't just hear my dad was killed. I was there. I watched the whole thing. He was protecting me." Violet eyes widened even more. "For months I just blamed myself. I kept thinking that if I hadn't of dragged him to the beach that day or I had done something, that he'd still be alive. I was in a depressed state for about two months before my mom put me into therapy. I never wanted to go…..all I wanted was to get out of Pallet, but I couldn't until I was ten and one night I heard my talking to Professor Oak and she said something about not letting me go because I was too 'emotionally unstable.' So I did what ever I could to make sure I was able to leave. I faked getting better so I wouldn't have to stay. That included lying." Ash explained.
"So, you're putting up a front all the time?"
Ash shook his. "Not all the time. Most of time I don't even think about it. I'm too busy training, having fun with my friends and Pokémon, or helping someone. I'm fine most of time. It just hurts when I have to tell someone about it." Ash told him.
"Like tonight?"
"Like tonight."
Paul actually felt guilty about it. If Ash wasn't helping him, he wouldn't have had to open healing wounds. "Sorry."
Ash shrugged with a small smile. "It's fine. I'll live." He then turned on his side again and put his arm around Pikachu.
Paul looked at the ceiling for a few minutes thinking. Ash sure was more complex than he had ever thought he could be. He sighed. "Ash, are you sure you…" Paul turned and saw Ash was light and steady breathing and knew he was asleep. Paul shrugged, turned over, and went to sleep.
Ok, so I wanted to use this chapter to show Ash's past and show Paul learning about it. I'm hoping next chapter to show some of Paul's past. Then more complications and feelings! Yay! Lol.
