When I called Gary back, I expected him to be mad at me for the sudden hang up and then not answering his attempt to call back. He wasn't mad at me at all though, which really threw me through a loop. His temper wasn't anything like Paul's but he had one. He was less loud than Paul for sure, less aggressive too, but far more snarky. Get him going and a grudge could quite possibly follow you forever.

Honestly, that grudge would wedge itself up your ass and bite you until the end of time. But hey, accidents happen and apparently he got that because he was really calm and let me explain that I had a spat with Paul... not knowing what Paul really did. Choosing to omit how Paul cornered me, Gary was told about the ice pack Paul had been trying to use on me, the explanation I gave being I hit my head by accident. Gary believed me, even worrying. Again throwing me through a loop.

"Is your head okay?" He asked me as soon as I was done explaining. "You don't need to see nurse Joy downstairs do you?"

"Oh, yeah. It's fine." I assured him, rubbing the spot I had hit. "So what did you want to talk to me about? Something about the reserve?"

"Are you busy tomorrow?"

Gary asked me to come see him the next morning at the reserve. Apparently, they were going to be short staffed because of an employee call out, one of staff having come down with foodborne illness. It just so happened that the one who called out was the one who helped Gary tend to his assigned quadrant of the reserve in the mornings. Agreeing to meet him at the laboratory the next morning, I mentally made a note to myself to set an alarm. He wanted me there at nine, and that was way earlier than I'd normally even rouse from bed.

Promising to be up early, I told him goodnight and that was the end of the phone call. Paul didn't come back yet and I went to bed, too tired to deal with anything he would possibly throw my way when he did return. Changing in to night clothes and then setting an alarm for the next day, I shut off the bedside light and settled in to sleep.

Xxxxx

"Chimchar!"

The mattress behind my head felt pressed down with weight as I woke up to a pokemon cry. I blinked groggily, becoming aware of my surroundings. My alarm was going off and I didn't even hear it until just then. The weight behind me shifted and I realized Paul's Chimar was there as it let out another cry. His cries became more frantic, like something was wrong.

He jumped up and down on my bed, making my head move a little with the bounces. I sat up yawning and turned off the alarm that was apparently bothering him. It was eight in the morning, my alarm just going off when the Pokémon hurried over to have me turn it off. Chimchar hopped in my lap and as I stretched. I rubbed his head once done relieving my muscles of tension. Still sleepy, I blinked lazily.

"Morning, Chimchar." I greeted Paul's pokemon, confused but not at all upset that he was in my bed. "What are you doing over here?"

Chimchar pointed with wide eyes away from my head to his trainer's where Paul was sleeping. I looked at Paul, him laying flat on his back as he slept with a scowl on his face. His face scrunched and he shifted a bit, one bare shoulder revealed as he moved. Chimar held a finger to his mouth, signaling me not to disturb him. As if I didn't know not to bother Paul while he was awake, let alone while he was sleeping.

Patting the Pokémon on the head once more I got up and walked to the small bathroom in our room, leaving Chimchar to sit on my bed. Relieving myself, I woke up a bit more. I flushed the toilet and dropped the lid very carefully, washing my hands after. I brushed my teeth and smoothed out my hair as best as I could with just my fingers before spitting the toothpaste in the sink.

Something hit the floor in the room and then I heard scampering. I figured Chimchar got the sudden urge to get off my bed being his jump was so ...hurried. He was energetic and silly, not that Paul cared for that. Cupping water in my hands I splashed my face in an attempt to wake up more. It was too early for my liking. Being up before Paul was crazy for me, I always slept in. Drying my face, I internally groaned.

Fucking Gary. I was awake for him. I couldn't clear the drowsy fog surrounding me and it lingered heavily. Rubbing my eyes I took a deep breath, trying to prepare myself to go and get ready. I finally roused the motivation. As I opened the bathroom door I jumped back a foot, screaming in surprise.

"Well good fucking morning to you too."

I didn't know Paul woke up and he really caught me unsuspecting. For such a tall dude he was quiet on his feet... unless he was mad. If he was mad then he stomped around and didn't give a second thought to slamming doors and such. He hadn't purposely scared me, but his large brooding form standing outside the door was enough to jostle me awake. He looked at me bored, still tired from sleep as well. Stepping aside, he gave me space to exit the bathroom. He walked in without saying anything else.

When the door shut I cringed because that was certainly not the best way to start the day. Paul went to bed angry and woke up angry from what I could tell... which wasn't too different than any other day. Sighing, I walked back to my side of the room as Paul used the bathroom. Chimchar was sitting between our beds on the floor and looked up at me sadly, like he'd been scolded. I presumed Paul had gotten to him already. Kneeling down to the Pokémon's level, I patted his head.

"Paul wake up on the wrong side of the bed again, Buddy?"

Chimchar nodded and I felt bad for him. His trainer was not a very nice person to others, and that carried over to how he treated his Pokémon too. I rubbed Chimchar's head and opened my dresser to get clothes for the day. As I laid out some pants, Paul came out of the bathroom. His footsteps were now very heavy and brisk, not a good sign at all.

Coming up with something to say was never easy with Paul, small talk included. After the events the day prior, trying to find something safe to say was impossible. Plus it was dangerous and futile, like trying to un detonate a bomb without the knowledge of how to do it. One wrong move and BOOM, that's it. Say goodbye to both your livelihood and mental health. Both of which I was running very low on.

As he made it to his bed he walked by Chimchar on the floor, not caring that he'd accidentally bumped the poor Pokémon. Chimchar scooted over quickly, looking up to make sure his trainer wasn't anymore mad than he clearly already was. Paul was always pissy or disgruntled in one way or another, but this morning there was a very foreboding vibe. One that I knew was technically my causing.

Getting a shirt and clean undergarments from my dresser, I laid them on my pants on top of my bed and shut the drawer. The digital clock on my nightstand said it was about a quarter past eight. I would have preferred to shower but didn't think I'd keep my promise to Gary if I did take the time to freshen up. Figuring I'd probably be getting sweaty on the reserve anyways, I didn't dwell on my limited time that morning.

Clothes gathered in my arms, I spared a glance up in Paul's direction to gauge his approachability. Verdict was not good as when I made eye contact with him, his mouth tightened. With my clothes I wandered off to the bathroom to get changed. I was dressed quickly and came back out, ready to get my shoes, gear and go.

My sneakers were first, I slid them on and laced them up, mentally talking myself down from the paranoid voice in my head telling me Paul was standing behind me or something. Sneakers on, I then got my backpack. After putting on my hat, I bent down to pat Chimchar before leaving. I flinched as Paul spoke though, his voice cutting through the silence.

"So, where are you running off to this early?" he asked, his voice still heavy with lack of use from sleep. "Your ass is usually dead to the world at this hour."

"You're not the epitome of a morning person either Paul, clearly."

"I asked you a question."

First thing in the morning and Paul was already on a steady climb to his usual attitude. A couple more hours awake and he'd be right where we'd left off last night. Choosing to not stir him up by retorting back passive aggressively, or with some well deserved attitude, I just answered him.

"I'm going to see Gary, Paul."

"You two a stupid thing again?"

"Gary's not stupid...and it's too soon to tell"

It was lie on my part because I knew what getting wrapped up with Gary again meant. Gary knew what he wanted, he knew how to get it and he had a hard time taking "no" for an answer. He wanted me and he reeled me back in to his web. Again. But Paul didn't need to know that. It wasn't his business, regardless if he had some attraction to me or whatever it was he had going on.

"You're really going there?" He questioned, like I was a big dumb ass. "Honestly?"

"Yup." I answered calmly, patting Chimchar goodbye. "See you later."

xxxxxx

The road to the reserve was empty as I navigated, remembering the path Gary had showed me. As I walked the voice in my head just screamed at me. The feeling I had in my gut was just too familiar. I felt like I was walking in to a trap, one that I already knew the hiding spot to. I'd fallen in so many times and climbed out with more difficulty than the last. .Time. But I was walking back up to that damn trap, with hopes the landing may possibly be lighter this time.

The doorbell was just a white button mounted next to the door frame but it glared at me intimidatingly. I didn't want to ring it, but I did. I had to. Reaching forward, I pressed it quickly before I lost my nerve, hearing the ring echoing inside the large entrance to the building inside. A few minutes later and the door was opening, revealing Gary.

"You're early" he remarked, smirking with some sort of satisfaction. "I'm surprised."

"Me too..."

Gary let me in and guided me to a sectioned off room. I initially thought I'd be working with him out on the reserve, not the laboratory, but didn't say anything. It didn't matter either way, I'd help inside or outside. He scanned a key card to enter the room and motioned for me to stay close behind him.

"So... what am I helping you with? What's this room for?" I asked Gary, looking around with disappointment at the lack of Pokémon present. "Where are the Pokémon? I don't see any."

"This room in particular is a hatchery. There are incubators in here, I'll show you."

There were multiple incubators along the back wall, only one of which was in use. Six eggs were nestled inside. A chart was attached to a clipboard by it, information such as dates, temperature and various notes marked on it. Gary picked it up, beginning to fill out information for the observation log.

"These are Eevee eggs, they should hatch any day now." He explained, checking the thermostat on the incubator before jotting down a note. "These don't need any further tending to. I just need to log this and we'll head outside to do some actual work."

"Oh, okay. What are we gonna do?"

"Feed some Pokémon."

xxxxx

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

Looking down at the not so friendly face of a Raticate, I was very hesitant to reach my hand out and feed it. It's teeth were the longest I'd ever seen and it eyed me with equal apprehension. Thing is, I wouldn't ever hurt a Pokémon. This Pokémon didn't appear to have the same mentality towards an unfamiliar human such as myself, however.

The rest of the Raticate treated me just fine, eating when I set out their food. They were docile enough that got to pet them and a few ate from my hand. This Raticate though did not seem as social or well mannered. I tried approaching but backed off whenever it bared its teeth at me. That's when I questioned Gary.

"He can smell fear, you know" Gary taunted, holding the bag of Pokémon pellets as he stood a few inches besides me. "Careful now. That one's a biter."

"And you're making me feed him because...?"

"It's fun watching you squirm."

Too nervous to tear my eyes off the Raticate, I spoke to Gary without looking at him.

"I hate you."

"You weren't saying that yesterday when you had your dick in my ass." Gary teased, proud of himself. "Now feed Raticate, he's hungry. Isn't that right, Raticate? You're starving, huh?"

The Raticate glared me down as I crept forward and very slowly set the bowl of food down for him. Once it touched the grass, I stepped back immediately. The Radicate scarfed down the food and looked up at Gary and I before running away in to some tall grass. Collecting the food dish, I glared at Gary.

"Oh relax, I was kidding about the biting. He's harmless." He dismissed, taking the food dish from me and walking us over to the jeep. "I wouldn't ever actually put you in danger, you big doofus. That Raticate is just a big show off. "

"Still not funny. "

Setting the food and bowl down In the back, Gary picked up his clipboard and checked off a box. He skimmed over the list and set the clipboard back down, giving me a sidelong glance. His eyes were twinkling mischievously and he shut the back of the jeep with a big smile.

"I'll make it up to ya. I'm good on my promises, you know that." he assured, waving me to the front of the jeep. "Let's go feed the rest of this quadrant and then we can head back. "

By the time we were finished, I was admittedly tired. And just as I suspected earlier, I was sweaty from the work. Gary was too and chuckled at how sweaty I was from lugging food back and forth for the Pokémon. It was Summer so of course I was sweaty, we'd been working outside! Off the reserve and back at the laboratory building he led me down a staircase... to his room.

"I don't think I would have gotten all those Pokémon fed on time without your help."

"Don't mention it..." I answered it, taking off my hat to fan myself with it. "Jeez, I'm still sweating. Is that all your work for today? Just feeding the pokemon?"

"I have to file the reports later. Doesn't matter when so long as it gets done on my part. "

I was still fanning myself with my hat, feeling far too warm as Gary spoke. He approached me and snatched my hat from me, tossing it to his bed against the wall. He had his hands on my stomach and tugged my shirt from inside my pants, pulling the hem up over my navel.

"Woah hey-"

"You look so warm, I'm just trying to help." He interrupted me, biting his lip as he popped open the button to my jeans. "Why don't we go freshen up? I have my own bathroom so let's go take a shower."

My eyes were drawn to the door behind Gary, where the bathroom he spoke of was. Being sweaty and tired I wasn't exactly excited at the proposition. A shower was so needed though. Taking Gary's hands off of me, I requested to shower alone for the sake of actually just wanting to shower. He pursed his lips at me disappointed but waved me off to the bathroom.

"You're no fun. But fine, go ahead."

I left my sneakers outside the door and when inside I pulled my shirt up off my body and dropped it to the floor. My socks were peeled off and with the button to my jeans still undone I pulled them down. The door opened just then and I flinched, just in my briefs.

"Brought you a towel, Ashy boy." The brunette chimed as he barged in. "Here you go."

Gary handed me folded up towel and I took it from him, clearing my throat awkwardly. He didn't react. He openly took in what he wanted to and then gestured to my dirty clothes on the floor.

" I can throw those in the wash for you, hand them over."

I gathered up the dirty clothes and gave them to him, waiting for him to make his exit. He stood there, though. He held his hand out and I shrugged, shifting my eyes unsurely. I didn't know what he was waiting for.

'What?"

"Underwear, Ash. If I'm washing your clothes then I'm washing all of it. Hand 'em over"

"oh...okay."

I took off my underwear, sliding them down my legs and giving them to Gary. He dropped it in the pile of dirty clothes in his arm and turned on his heel to leave, closing the door behind him. The shower was easy to figure out and I managed to get a comfortable temperature without accidentally scalding or freezing myself first.

It was weird, taking a shower in his guest room. I felt so out of place in the unfamiliar shower but the smells of Gary's soaps and shampoos were anything but unfamiliar. He bought the same stuff for years and it wasn't the first time I'd been in the position to use them. I'd taken far too many showers using his products. Far, far too many.

When I was done with my shower I dried off as best as I could, wrapping the towel Gary left for me around my waist. Rolling the excess fabric, I tucked it in at my hip to keep the towel up on it's own. In the room Gary was missing and I stood, unsure of what to do. His voice came from somewhere outside the room just then.

"I'll see later on, Professor Rowan. I'll have the paperwork done tonight. "

A man praised Gary then footsteps approached and the door to the room was being opened. In stepped Gary. He gave me a quick smile, shutting the door behind himself. He leaned back against it as it shut, his hand still holding the door knob. I reflexively looked over the room trying to spot my clothes before realizing...

"So, how long is the laundry gonna be?"

"I had it on quick wash and just moved it to the dryer, should be dry in about twenty minutes. It'll be a wait."

Gary raked his eyes down the skin of my chest to the dip of my waist, lingering there for a moment before leaning back off the door. He walked towards me and I readied myself to take hold on my towel but he walked past me to the bathroom. His fingers brushed my ribs as he passed, tickling the skin there.

"I'll be out shortly, get comfortable."

My ex was not a stupid person. He left me in his room, naked and trapped. His clothes were too small for me to wear and we both knew it. I could just picture the smirk on his face as he closed the bathroom door behind himself, leaving me to pitter patter in his room with nothing but a towel on. What he wanted was for me to sit down on his bed, but the voice in my head screamed at me to avoid that.

He had moved my hat from his bed to his desk In the small room and I considered sitting there instead, but I didn't think a damp towel on an old wooden chair would be the best combination. So I stood around for a bit, eventually settling myself to lean against the wall. Gary kept his promise, and emerged from the bathroom about ten minutes later.

I wasn't in plain sight when he walked out. He leisurely scanned the room, turning his head to the left and spotting me. I was still against the wall, not as invisible as I would have preferred to be just then. His green eyes twinkled in sadistic humor for a second as he walked past wearing a towel on his thin hips.

"You look cold." he observed, opening a drawer for some underwear. "I suppose standing around in a towel will do that to you, I mean you're practically naked."

I averted my eyes as he dropped his towel and stepped in to his underwear, knowing the little hip-wiggle he was doing as he slid them over himself. His saucy sachey followed him as he approached me, his bare foot kicking away his towel for a moment. I heard it slide across the floor and then fingers were curled in to towel around my waist.

"Are you cold?" He asked, pseudo sweetly. "You'd be warmer without this wet towel you know."

"I'd be warmer with my clothes, Gary."

"Your clothes aren't ready though...they're...not ready."

The hand not curled in to my towel slid up my stomach to my pectorals and he rubbed over one very delicately, moving it up higher to rest on my shoulder. His eyes were level with mine and he batted them flirtatiously, scheming already in the works. He touched his bare chest to mine, mine noticeably colder than his as he felt it pressed upon his own.

"Your skin is so cold." he drawled out, bringing his mouth closer to mine.

His head tilted just an inch to the side as he focused on my lips.

" If only you had some clothes."

He kissed me and I didn't fight him. He unrolled my towel and let it fall, kicking it away as he had with his own. Pushing me back closer to the wall behind me, my ass hit the wall and his fingers were searching. He slid them back down from my shoulder, over my pectorals. Past my stomach, lower lower lower until the tips of his nails were scratching the dip of my pelvic bone.

I wasn't in the mood but he just knew how to manipulate me. His tongue licked around my mouth, and he moaned against my tongue. He wiggled his hips in to my thigh and within seconds I was sporting a stiff one, which he grabbed with arrogance. His stroked me and I groaned as he kissed me. As I began to kiss him back, he pulled away and dropped to his knees.

Something that chapped my ass was when he did that. Pulling away from a kiss as I began to reciprocate it. He knew it too. I glared at him and he grinned cockily, pinning my hips against the wall as he took me in his smug fucking mouth. He sucked at me harshly, no warm up at all. I struggled to keep my eyes open but when I managed to peer down at him his green eyes were just as smug as his damn mouth was.

He hadn't changed at all.