xxxxx
After their late morning encounter Ash dressed and left the room to go about his day. By the way Gary arched an eyebrow Ash could tell he was curious as to where he was going but he chose not to disclose the information. Soon noontime rolled by and the scheduled trainers reported to the arena stadium to battle. Ash's new acquaintance, Brendan, was up against a friend who came from the same small home town as the brunette himself. The girl whom Ash was not familiar with smiled sweetly at her opponent.
Sitting down on the lower level closest to the battle allowed Brendan to see Ash up in the stands. With his trademark fist pump and smile, Ash cheered on Brendan as he chose his first Pokemon. Brendan's skills in battle amazed Ash who watched with baited breath as Brendan's Groyvle took down the opponent's Mudkip. Every so often Brendan would glance up at Ash grin at the teen's enthusiasm and support.
The battle ended with Brenden being the winner and Ash was besides himself watching as the opposing pokemon fainted in defeat. Thrilled, he turned to look at Brendan who locked eyes with him and winked.
"May's Pokémon is unable to battle! Brendan wins!"
The audience erupted in cheer at the announcer's proclamation, yet Ash didn't join in. Instead, he sat stunned from Brendan's sly gesture. Brendan chuckled before offering a sideways grin and walking off the battlefield. When an intermission was announced to precede the next battle, Ash took the opportunity to visit the concession stands.
"What to eat, what to eat..."
The crowded area where food and memorabilia were being sold offered various options of food to choose from, making the decision that much more overwhelming. Locking eyes on a nearby ramen stand, Ash decided a bowl of soup would do nicely for a quick lunch. A hand clamped down on his shoulder just as he'd made the decision.
"Hey, Ash!"
Ash turned, faced with Brendan who greeted him with a hug, large blue eyes shining. A detail Ash just took in for the first time was the dimple Brenden had in his cheek.
"Thanks for watching me today. It means a lot."
"Heh." Ash mumbled, suddenly shy for reasons he was unsure of. "No problem. I love the battles."
"That's cute." he teased.
The blue-eyed male smiled and Ash's stomach fluttered. Trying to ease the feeling, Ash fiddled with hem of his shirt. The distraction did little to help, the source of his problem still smiling at him with that dimpled grin...
"What are you up to?"
Ash shrugged, leaning back on the balls of his feet for a moment. He gestured towards the ramen stand he was planning to eat from.
"Was just getting some food before the next battle..."
"The stands here aren't that great. Let's go get some real food." Brendan insisted. " I know a place."
"The battles-"
Brendan disregarded the worry, eager to get Ash out of there.
"They'll show the highlights later." he assured him, grabbing his hand. "Let's go."
Xxxxx
The pair ended up leaving the tournament and made their way to a nearby diner. After being seated in a booth Ash picked up his menu despite already knowing what he wanted to eat. Trying his best to avoid the way Brendan's playful eyes would stare at him , Ash kept focused on the food choices. Staring intently at the menu as if he were visually impaired, Ash didn't notice the waiter who waltzed up to their table.
"Hey, boys~" the blonde greeted in an arguably flirtatious manner, coming up besides Ash and leaning down to get eye level with him. "Are we all set to order?"
"Sure, I'm having the beef udon. Extra veggies." Brendan responded without missing a beat. "Some hot chilis if you have them. Please and thank you."
The fair-haired teen kept his attention on Ash whom was struggling to calm his uneasiness. The waiter was awfully close.
"And, what would you like, Cutie?"
"I'll have a chicken ramen bowl." he croaked, clearing his throat." ...please."
"Your throat sounds dry, Honey. I'll go get you two some water. Sit tight and I'll put your order in."
The waiter collected their menus then sauntered off cheerfully, leaving a slightly embarrassed Ash in his tracks. Now with nothing to hide behind, he had to face his lunch partner. Clearing his throat once more, he awkwardly glanced up at Brendan praying the waiter would be back with their lunch soon.
The blue-eyed brunette chatted comfortably and kept the conversation flowing in an effort to pull Ash out of the shell he had started building around himself. Doing his best to follow along, Ash entertained the conversation.
"How are you liking the accommodations at the poke center? It's like a resort. It's amazing there."
"I love it. It's great. " Ash agreed. " The rooms are smallish but eh, not the end of the world. They have to have enough rooms to fit a lot of people, I guess. Probably why they enforce roommates for the tournament rentals..."
"That roommate of yours is something else, I gotta say..."
Brenden's voice dropped, his voice low enough to be considered prying. He watched Ash whom looked back nervously.
"Oh, you mean Gary? Yeah... but like I told you before he's just kind of rough around the edges. " Ash assured him, fiddling with his napkin. "He's mean but not always...yeah, not always."
Brendan watched how Ash's eyes dipped to the table, the edge of his napkin being torn in his restless fingers. The change in body language immediately caught his attention. Ready to ask Ash about it, he was interrupted by the perky young waiter who appeared with two glasses of water. Placing them in front of the two, he touched Ash's arm then scurried back to the kitchen.
"Food will be right out."
Ash drank half his glass as casually as he could without looking completely nervous. Peeking out from behind the glass raised to his mouth, he saw Brenden smirk followed by the feeling of a shoe trailing up his inner leg.
Nearly choking, Ash struggled to swallow the water as to not spew it everywhere.
"You okay, what's wrong? You almost dribbled on yourself." Brendan teased quietly as to not draw any attention from diners a few booths down. " That cute waiter got you worked up? I know cute boys do that to me."
"What? N-No!" Ash stammered, caught off guard by Brendan's unexpected sexual reveal. "You nudged me."
Brendan simply pressed the issue, smiling so coyly.
"So, you don't like cute boys?" he questioned, eyes fixed on Ash's reddening face.
"I-I I didn't say that..." Ash insisted, "Why are you asking anyways?"
Brendan didn't get the chance to answer him as the fair haired waiter pranced up with their bowls of food. Encouraging them to enjoy, he turned around and set off to bus the empty booths. Ash used the opportunity to eat his food and take a break from Brendan's antics. They ate in comfortable silence and finished their food with minimal issue. Brendan's foot lingered a little close for comfort near Ash's calves but otherwise was well behaved.
When their waiter returned to offer the check he was pleasantly surprised when Ash and Brendan requested separate bills. Brendan left his payment inside the booklet and claimed his copy of the receipt normally. Ash opened his booklet and removed the receipt, shifting his eyes to where their server had disappeared in to the kitchen with a cart of dirty dishes. Realizing something was up with Ash's receipt, Brendan reached over and plucked it from his hands.
Call me anytime, Cutie 787-8897
"Ooooo" Brendan mockingly teased Ash with a childish tone.
Ash leaned forward to reclaim the receipt, settling his tab.
"Do you want to head back to the center?"
"We've got the whole day ahead of us." Brendan mentioned, motioning Ash to follow him out. "Let's go do something fun"
Xxxxx
Brendan had dragged Ash off deeper in to the city for some daytime activities. After spending the rest of the afternoon hopping around between shops, local attractions and various Pokémon memorabilia stands they were shocked to see Evening settling in. The sun was setting and soon shops and attractions began lighting their signs and windows. Deciding to continue their outing they wandered around until happening upon a nightclub which was bustling with people.
"Hey! That looks like a good time!" Brendan exclaimed, nudging Ash's side. "We should check it out. That's the club my roommate was telling me about the other night."
"Wait, how old are you?" Ash asked warily. "I'm only nineteen..."
"I'm eighteen. What's the problem?"
"Don't you have to be twenty one to get in those places?"
"Not this one. Just have to be twenty one to drink legally"
Despite Ash's reluctance, he was tugged towards the line in front of the club. It didn't take long for the line to move and soon enough they were behind the rope awaiting their turn to get in.
"ID please." a fairly muscular man asked the two, arms crossed and wearing a tight black t-shirt with 'staff' across the front in white lettering. "Eighteen and up, only. "
Both males pulled out their pokedex and allowed the device to recite it's programmed information, identifying them both as adults. After nodding in approval, the bouncer lifted the rope and permitted them to enter. Brendan lead Ash to a couch towards the back and ordered him to stay put before wandering off.
"Wait for me right here, Ash. Okay? I'm going to be right back." He yelled over the music. "Don't move."
Techno music blared around them, accompanied by strobe lights. Ash took the time to look around at his surroundings and was mildly surprised to see a mixture of same sex couples along with hetero couples dancing and lounging around the facility. That wasn't something he saw too often.
"This is pretty inclusive..."
One particular pair caught his attention. A pair of males, one slender and blonde with wispy flipped ends and the other athletic with a passive face and straight chin length purple hair. The two were out seated on a love seat across the room, flirting openly. The blonde ran his hands over the other's thighs saucily while smiling coyly as they spoke. The man with purple hair glanced away from his partner and caught Ash watching, not at all upset he gave a slight wink and leaned in to whisper something to his blonde companion.
Before Ash could begin his internal panic, Brendan returned, giving him an excuse to quickly look away. He held two glasses of frosty white and red liquid, each garnished with wedges of fruit. Ash was handed one and blinked confused. Looking up for an answer, Brendan had already taken a sip and licked his lips of the sweet elixir.
"It's a spiked Shirley Temple. It's fruity, try it."
"But we're not old enough! How did you even-"
"Live a little!"
Deciding he didn't want to be a wet blanket, Ash drank. A few sips in and he was pleasantly surprised. He had heard alcohol had a bitter and distinct taste, but he couldn't taste anything else besides the ginger ale mixed with cherries and fruit juice. Naively assuming that the beverage was not strong, he finished it fairly quickly. Brendan also downed his. Due to being a first timer and relatively petite, the effects took hold quickly on Ash
Brendan not as much.
Ash felt tipsy and giddy as he gave in to the feeling. Brendan was no stranger to drinking and felt nothing but a happy buzz. Ash took the wedge of fruit on his glass and nibbled at it, smiling at the taste as he finished it. Brendan plucked the fruit off his own cup and offered it to Ash, pressing it up against his lips.
"You can have some of mine." he offered, scooting closer to Ash.
"T-Thanks Brendan..."
Biting in to the fruit, he retracted away from Brendan's hand and the brunette popped the rest of the fruit in to his mouth. The actions surprised Ash, but he said nothing and just assumed that his new friend was very comfortable with him. A finger poked him in the side suddenly and Brendan was then leaning in to his personal space.
"So, what do you think? This place is nice, right?"
"Well yeah, I guess... Not really doing anything." Ash mumbled. "We're just sitting here listening to music."
"Let's dance then!"
Ash's sore back side came to mind but as he started to protest the suggestion, Brendan had already pulled him from the couch and dragged him to the dance floor. Ignoring Ash's hesitance to dance, he encouraged him to join in. The music blared steadily though the speakers sending vibrations through the air.
Trying his best to ignore the nagging ache, he danced with him. The dance floor filled steadily and soon Ash felt the full buzz of the atmosphere and booze. Loose but still cognitive, he got in to it. Colors washed over the room in bright spastic bursts from the lights and Ash felt lost in it all. The tender soreness he felt from behind was certainly not getting any lighter though.
His movements gave no indication of his discomfort. A nearby grinding couple bumped Ash and knocked him off balance briefly, Brendan boldy reached an arm out and swiftly brought Ash closer to him. Brendan's body heat seared through his clothing on to him and left Ash's skin feeling a familiar rush. Not thinking, he gave in to it.
The way Brendan's hands held Ash firmly felt wonderful. His friendly inviting energy was addictive and comforting in a way Gary wasn't.
Gary
An insistent buzzing in Ash's jeans caught his attention and he attempted to free himself of Brendan's grabby hands to check his pokedex.
"It's probably my roommate-" Ash explained as he pulled away.
But, he was reeled back in... with a kiss.
Brendan's tongue slipped in to his mouth and tasted the remnants of a Shirley Temple. Unable to resist or deny that he enjoyed the feeling of Brendan's mouth on his, he allowed the kiss. He got a thorough taste of the brunette's tongue. After feeling the ridges of what he thought had been all his teeth, he tried pulling away. He gasped for air as if all of it had been sucked from his lungs.
In the overhanging colorful lights, Ash saw a smirking Brendan.
"I bet Gary never kissed you like that."
Color drained from Ash's face. The reality of what just happened settled in, along with the weight of Brendan's loaded comment. Removing himself completely from Brendan, he bolted. He found a unisex singular bathroom and entered it but forgot to lock the door behind him. Away from the loud music and flashing lights, the fog clouding his senses lightened up a bit and was replaced by a subtle ringing in his ears.
The bathroom was well kept and had beautiful marble tiles and counters. White fluorescent lights rested on top of the mirror and the air smelled of air freshener. Cold water splashed on his face while he bent over the sink. Feeling like a complete idiot for running, he internally cringed. So Brendan knew about Gary. And Brendan was a little more than just friendly...
The creak of the door opening caught Ash's attention and he looked up to see Brendan entering. Shutting the door behind himself, he locked it securely and leant against it, expression of concern plastered over his features. He no longer looked so openly flirtatious, he looked worried.
"Hey. You alright, Ash? You look spooked." Brendan worried, closely watching Ash wipe his face. "You good?"
Ash continued to splash his face and rub his eyes.
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine... just need to sober up a little." Ash responded, wiping his face urgently. "I really need to sober up."
"That won't help much."
Having had his face in the sink, Ash didn't expect Brendan as he approached from behind. The brunette's pelvis bumped his rear and he flinched momentarily. He tried blindly getting up but a hand pressed in to him comfortingly. Reaching over, Brendan took some paper towels from the dispenser and offered them to Ash who was trying to wipe water from his eyes.
"Here." Brendan offered, placing the paper towels in his hand.
Ash wiped his face and binned the wadded up paper towels.
"You wanna tell me what happened back there?" Brendan inquired. "I didn't mean to scare you. If I came on too strong... I could tone it down."
"It's not that simple..." Ash argued, avoiding eye contact.
Brendan raised a brow.
"I'm listening."
Clearly unable to escape the interrogation, Ash fessed up. He rubbed his arm guiltily, having nothing to actually feel guilty about.
"Bringing up Gary made me nervous. I didn't know anyone knew about us." Ash confessed, panic flooding him again." How did you know? I didn't say anything did I?...Oh my God- did you hear us? Your room is next to ours-"
"It's obvious to me that something is up with you two. If more people paid attention, it'd be obvious to them, too."
Brendan tried to reassure Ash that everything was fine. He wasn't going to go spreading anything around,
"But you said it's obvious."
"Only because your roommate gets a possessive attitude whenever I'm around." Brendan explained, looking at Ash with worrying eyes. " What, is he your boyfriend? Sure doesn't act like one... if he's your boyfriend then you really need a new one. Just saying."
The word "boyfriend" set off bells and whistles in Ash's tipsy head. Brendan was right, they weren't boyfriends. Gary spent two days literally fucking with him but nothing else. The two times they met outside the room afterwards, Gary was a cold passive jerk like always. Slowly the realization settled.
"...he's not my boyfriend" Ash stated, mostly for himself. "He and I just had a fling the last two days I guess...it's nothing."
Brendan stared down Ash seriously before closing the space between them. Holding his shoulders firmly, he leaned in and pecked him, whispering against his lips.
"You deserve better than that." he told him, "Let's get out of here. You've had enough. You're shaking like a leaf."
xxxxx
Brendan left the club with Ash in tow, hand holding his protectively. The brisk night air hit Ash, doing little to clear away his lingering buzz. Being lead back towards the pokec enter, he tried his best not to show signs of intoxication. His pokedex began vibrating once more and he stopped in the middle of the sidewalk to inspect it. Opening up the device he scrolled to the notifications, it was Gary calling.
Snapping the device shut he put it back in his pocket and followed his companion back down the street because he was so dizzy. Once at the poke center, Brendan's biggest concern was getting Ash back to his room undetected by Gary. Not at all in the mood for the snarky brunette's attitude he scoped the halls before leading Ash down them. The coast seemed cleared so Ash was hastily coaxed in to the confines of Brendan's bedroom... aware that Gary may or may not be next door.
"Where's your roommate?" Ash asked. "You said you have one, right?...I think you said that, at least."
"He's at the club. That how I got the drinks. He has connections."
Ash made himself comfortable on the end of Brendan's bed. Sitting down, he gathered himself and regained his center of balance. His thoughts were clear but everything around him felt vaguely slowed down. The air was heavier and he felt lighter.
"Oh. "che sighed ditzily "I don't think I should drink anymore."
Brendan found Ash's sudden proclamation cute. Ash, who was swaying just a bit, held Brendan's bed sheets. His face was flush with booze, eyes glassy with the inebriation.
"Why's that?" he questioned, curious for the reply.
"I feel kind of spacey...and plus I did some crazy stuff. I shouldn't do crazy stuff. "
Brendan shook his head amused before chucking his shoes off. He slipped off his white cap, running his fingers through his own hair. Glancing at Ash, it was clear the guy was as spacey as he claimed to be. Bending over he slipped Ash's sneakers off in an attempt to make the other more comfortable.
"Crazy? You were tame." he corrected. "I've seen crazy."
"I don't consider drunkenly making out with a friend in public to be very tame."
Brendan pulled Ash's face close to his, eyes smoldering with interest.
"Maybe we can play nicely this time... in here."
xxxxx
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