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Disclaimer: I own nothing pokemon.

Chapter 4: Home

Red murmured lowly as beams of sunlight came through the blinds. He rolled over onto his back, feeling the sheets rustle over him. He blearily opened his eyes and lifted himself enough to peer at the clock on the nightstand. 8:21. Normally, he would rise at the crack of dawn to train with his pokemon on the mountain. However, when he was on "vacation," Red found it was surprisingly easy to fall back into his old habits.

Just as he slumped back into bed, it vibrated as Blue climbed onto it, making him groan. It soon turned into a soft moan as she combed through his hair with her slender fingers. She moved closer so that she sat over him. He could feel her hair tickle his back and her breath over his neck. Then she began to lean forward so that her chest pressed against him.

Red's eyes flashed open as his face heated up. He tried to push away the feeling, but part of him didn't want it to stop. Red abruptly pushed Blue off before flipping over and pinning her down by holding her wrists against the mattress. He swore Blue had never looked more ravishing. Her long brown hair swirled over the sheets, and her crystal blue eyes sparkled at him. Her chest heaved upward and he her hand reached up to him, caressing his cheek. Red finally sighed and pulled himself off of her. He turned around and moved to the edge of the bed as he caught his breath. He heard Blue crawl towards him, but he didn't stop her as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He flinched slightly as her hands roamed downward over his chest.

"Think you're ready?" she asked.

Red didn't even react at the question. "For what?"

"To go home." Red breathed heavily, and he felt her hand squeezed his shirtfront.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Even Red caught onto how ridiculous his refute sounded.

Blue sighed. "Because you feel for once that you don't belong there." Red looked away. "You know it's the truth. You barely slept. You were tossing and turning nearly all night." She felt Red's body tense beneath her fingertips. "You can't lie to me, Red. You're denying the fact that you're frightened that Ash will be here for a while. His being here threatens your family life. You don't have to bottle it up, you know. I thought this was going to be a fresh start."

At her words, Red slacked and slumped forward. His fingers threated through his hair as his head hung down. Blue moved so she could cradle his head to her chest and stroked his sinuous neck. Kissing him gently, she moved her lips over his ear.

"You don't always have to act so strong, you know. You put a face on and show off someone that's not you. But it's ok if you're weak. You don't want to show your weaknesses, but you're slowly covering up who you really are." Blue grasped his chin and pulled his face so that he looked directly into her eyes. "But I accept who you really are. And so does Green, Yellow and all of our other friends. You don't have to be strong for them. You don't have to be strong for anyone. And that's ok."

Red saw the moisture in her eyes. Then he felt something hot run down his cheek. He touched the spot and was surprised to see water on his fingertip. He couldn't remember the last time he had opened himself up, exposing the raw weakness he housed deep inside him. But, as he soaked up the moment, he felt glad that Blue was there, and only here.

It was 1:27 when a clean doorbell sounded through the Ketchum household. The sky outside was clear and cloudless, but it was not blue. Instead, it was tinted a medium gray, and the sun seemed to be smothered.

Mr. Mime was the closest to the door, being busy sweeping in the foyer. "Mime?" He looked up at the sound and peered towards the door. Seeing the shadow in the door window, he hurried towards the door and opened it. "Mime!" His eyes widened at the sight of the person in the doorway.

"Mimey, who is it?" Delia called from the kitchen. She stepped into the foyer and saw who it was at the door. "Red!" She gasped. She stepped forward and immediately embraced her son, holding him close.

"I'm so glad you're back!" she exclaimed, pulling him into the house.

"I was here three months ago," Red said lamely, as his mother dragged him along.

Delia waved off his comment dismissively. "But this is the first time I've had both my sons at home at the same time!" she said excitedly, already fixing him something to eat. "I know it's all under complicated circumstances, but…after all these years!"

Red couldn't help but give up his efforts in maintaining causality and slumped into a chair at the table. Delia swept by and put a bowl of pokefood on the table. Pikachu eagerly jumped onto the table, and with a squeal, began to chow down. With a long sigh, Red pushed is elbows onto the tabletop and leaned his chin atop his clasped hands.

"I have to admit, I was relieved when Ash told me he was going to see Brock and Misty today. I tried calling you yesterday, but-"

"I'm sorry about yesterday. I just got tied up at Prof. Oak's lab," Red apologized sincerely.

Delia came by and rugged his shoulder comfortingly. "It's fine, honey. No need to apologize. I know how much you love your pokemon." She set down a plate in front of Red before taking a seat opposite of him. "So, I gather you stayed with Blue last night?"

Red felt his face heat up at her question, making her laugh. "You act as if you're Ash's age." Red scowled, disliking being compared to his younger brother. Delia leaned forward and put her hand over his. "I gather from how often you've been visiting that things are going well?"

Red didn't answer her, preferring to stare at his plate. Silently, he picked up an onigiri, taking a small bite out of it. He didn't mean to sound rude, but for some reason, he felt perturbed by his mother's question. Delia, however, seemed to enjoy teasing her eldest son, something she did not get to do often.

"Tell me, is she going to be my new daughter in law?" This caused Red to nearly choke on his food. He squinted as he managed to swallow, replaying the question in his head. It made him dizzy.

Delia laughed once more. "To think that the great champion of Kanto is distressed by the affairs of the heart," she giggled. Seeing Red's pale face, she reached forward and touched his cheek. "Don't worry, honey. What will be will be."

Red looked into his mother's eyes and found a renewing strength deep within them. A smile cracked upon his face, making Delia's heart lighten.

"Someday though, I do want to have dinner with the two of you." Red sighed, running his palm over his face, but nodded resignedly.

A calm silence filled the room. It was not uncomfortable, but peaceful. Red leaned back in his chair, slowly letting his eyes droop closed. He could hear the Pidgeys outside, tweeting sweetly, and the light tinkling of the wind chimes outside. It was so relaxing… The soothing atmosphere was soon disturbed when the phone rang. The video screen blinked on, and Delia, knowing whom it probably was, gestured for Red to be quiet as she went into the kitchen.

"Hello, Ash," she greeted, looking at the familiar, grinning face on the screen.

"Hi, Mom!" Ash returned, followed by Pikachu waving at her.

"What is it you're calling about, honey?" Delia asked curtly.

Ash blinked before answering. "Oh, I'm gonna stay with Brock tonight, so I won't be home until tomorrow afternoon."

"Alright. Thanks for notifying me," Delia said warmly.

"Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Take care, Ash. I love you."

"Love you too, Mom."

As Delia set down the receiver after Ash signed off, she turned to face Red. "So it seems that Ash won't be back tonight," she stated. "If you want, you can stay here tonight."

Rred scratched his head nervously. "Wouldn't that be a little weird?"

Delia waved him off. "You've stayed here before. Just because Ash is in town… I'm sure it won't be an issue. Ash's room is your room too, you know."

Red shrugged, rolling his neck. "Ah, I guess," he said reluctantly.

Delia clapped her hands together, a grin coming across her face. "Great! It really will be like having you home again." She came around the table and hugged him from behind, placing her head on his shoulder. "I'm so glad you're here."

Red let her embrace him with her warmth, soaking it all in. He knew how much she wanted for him to settle down in Pallet Town. He still had his resisting thoughts, but then he realized how much he wanted it too.