A/N: Huzzah! So last of Drew's POV, like I promised. This one is less exciting than the two and focuses more on emotions and feelings, and all that gooey shit. Anyway, I'm currently watching Uta No Prince and much to my weird fascination, I find it hilarious. People floating into outer space because of an idol band composed of pretty boys singing their hearts out. I might do a fanfic of them sometime.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon or any of their characters. Just havin' a bit of fun with my feels.

Setting: Hoenn, Ever Grande City (anime), Ever Grande Headquarters (game)
Pairing: Steven/May (Hoennchampionshipping), one-sided Drew/May (Contestshipping)
Time: Some years after ORAS
Warnings: Mesh of game and anime

Ages:

Drew Hayden: 15
May Maple: 15
Brock Slate: 17
Ash Ketchum: 13 (yes, I know he's immortal but I let him grow)

In which Drew makes up his mind.

~OOOOOOOOOOO~

"So. Pretty impressive shindig you've got here." Drew said, sinking into the couch.

They were currently inside May's office. Drew was pretty sure regular people like him weren't allowed inside the Champion's office but Ash wasn't done contacting Kanto and Brock was led away by one of the aides, who was an aspiring Pokemon breeder like him.

It helped that she was a pretty girl.

Of course, she was the one who flirted with Brock instead, so while May and Drew were disturbed that the tables were turned, they let him be. It wasn't everyday Brock scored.

May didn't want to leave Drew by himself and while that made him smirk internally, he stamped down that hopeful side and firmly berated himself for feeling so happy that she decided to escort him around. She was just being gracious. He was a guest, and she was in her element.

And so now here they were, inside a most impressive room filled with state of the art technology (all of them by Devon, he noticed bitterly), a beautifully carved mahogany desk in the center, comfortable couches, furniture, and beautiful paintings tastefully decorated here and there. He took a moment to admire the picture of May and her winning team of Pokemon that made her earn her current title, as well as the shiny platinum Champion trophy protected in a glass case.

May chuckled. "Shindig? Really, Drew?"

He shrugged, wiggling further into the cushion. The couch was damn comfortable.

"This office was decorated before I got here. A present from the Elite Four. I only added a few personal touches." she said. She sat on the high-back chair behind the desk, sighing deeply. She looked so small sitting there, and Drew can't help but think that she looked so out of place. She sighed again, placing a Masterball on her desk. "This… I don't know what to do with this."

"That's Groudon, right?" Drew said carefully. He had grown up with childhood stories about the Legendary, some of them pleasant, some of them not.

"Yes." she groaned, tugging her hair. "I need to tell Ash that I'm bailing out of our journey for a few days. I'm needed at Champion capacity. I need to go to the Cave of Origin tomorrow. Latias can help me get there, since Rayquaza's already resting. It will take some time and effort to get Groudon to settle, especially since he's a Legendary and its presence might trigger some natural occurrences within the region. The Masterball will prevent him from falling into wrong hands but…"

She trailed off and Drew hesitated. He coughed once. "Why not hand it over to someone else?"

May looked startled. "Why on earth would I do that?"

"Well you said it would take a lot of work—"

"It's my duty as Champion. Doing a lot of work is supposed to be my responsibility. And that's no reason to give them up!" she said, looking upset that Drew even suggested it. "Groudon and Kyogre trusts me to keep them safe this time! I shouldn't be called a trainer if I lead them wrong. They put their faith that I can handle their power and the responsibility of looking after the region at the same time. And I'll do it even if it keeps me up all day and night!"

A silence followed that declaration and Drew, stunned, gaped at her for a moment. Then he chuckled, shaking his head and staring at the impassioned girl with warm eyes.

Really.

This girl—

No.

This woman… this infuriatingly, troublesome woman was truly a gem. She didn't crave power or prestige. She worried about her new Legendaries, instead of basking over their power. She hated attention, even though it was well-deserved. She was a blend of contradictions, but pure in her intentions. She was hesitant yet sincere, clumsy yet eager, and was unsure of herself yet would readily shoulder any and all responsibility that was thrown at her so as long as everybody else was happy. She would carry the world if it was asked of her, probably with a smile still on her face.

And that, Drew mused, was the reason why he loved her.

"Then I'm sorry for hinting that you should leave them." Drew said sincerely. The revelation that he truly did care for May didn't make him feel terrified or confused. In fact, he felt calm. "I just thought that it would take a lot out of you, so I was worried for you."

May blinked rapidly. She sputtered, "You're worried? For me?"

"Of course." he said matter-of-factly. Getting up from the couch (he made a note to ask May for the manufacturer, it really was excellent), he sauntered towards her and ruffled her head gently. "Couldn't have you out of the game this early, right?"

May looked bewildered at the gentle touch but she smiled, realizing he was talking about their rivalry. "Don't bet on it."

"I'll hold on to that promise then. Take care of yourself, okay? Don't stress too much." Drew said softly, poking her cheek. "The Elite Four love you. Heck, the whole region loves you. So do us a favor and make sure you're alright all the time."

May cocked her head, smile still on her face. "Okay, what was in your lunch? You're acting weird. Less bitchy."

"I'll have you know that the beef stroganoff had nothing to do with me acting less bitchy." he said pompously. He just realized his feelings for her, that was all. And since she was his object of affections, no matter how clueless she was or how one-sided his feelings were, he had to treat her better than he did before.

Maybe this was what feelings did to you.

Made you more sensitive to other people's emotions.

He snorted inwardly. Sexist though it may be, he sounded like a woman.

"If you say so." May said, the bewilderment still in her voice but she did look pleased. Then her voice turned sickly sweet. "But I do hope this has nothing to do with me being Champion and you trying to butter me up."

"No, nothing like that." He paused and tapped his chin in faux contemplation. "Although… I may have a favor…"

"Drew!"

"Joking! I was joking!"

They were too caught up in laughing that they didn't notice the soft knock on the door, nor the click of the opening knob. It was only when they heard a cough that they swiveled their heads towards the sound.

May stood up, like a Deerling caught in headlights. "Steven! Wallace!"

Steven Stone and Wallace Mikuri stood a few feet away. The Devon heir's face was unreadable as he stared at May, while the Contest Master was alternating his look from May to Drew, then to his stiff best friend. Then he looked back at the two youngsters then back at Steven, a wicked smile forming in his mouth.

That smile meant trouble, Drew just knew it.

"May! Drew! We hope we didn't interrupt anything," Wallace waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Drew wanted to bang his head. Yep, trouble indeed.

May reddened at the obvious implication, while Steven looked stonier.

Ha. Stonier. Drew snorted, earning a curious gaze from May.

Later, he mouthed. He really liked this new camaraderie between them.

"Nothing like that, Wallace." Drew nodded genially, a polite smile on his face. "We were just talking about what May should do about Groudon." He said, gesturing towards the Masterball still lying innocently on the desk.

May looked confused but she nodded. Drew smirked. She was probably still bewildered that he was being so agreeable.

"That," Steven's voice broke him out of his musing. The Devon heir's smile was chilly. "Is classified. So is this room, actually."

Drew was about to retort but May beat him into it. "I let him in. He knows about the Legendaries already, as well as my other travelling companions—"

"—which you certainly didn't have authorization to approve." Steven countered swiftly.

May bristled, eyes hard. "I did. The Elite Four and the League cleared them. They're wearing Clearance Passes."

She nodded pointedly at the red wristband Drew was wearing and the green-haired boy was treated to the piercing gaze of the Devon heir. Green met steel blue. Steven's stare was sharp and unyielding, but Drew just smirked. It seemed like it displeased the older man further, since he wrenched his stare away from him and turned it to May instead.

"They are still uninvolved. This is completely irresponsible of you, May—"

"They are my travelling companions!" May, who was pretty calm when they first arrived, suddenly burst out. "And I trust them wholeheartedly!"

"You trust very many people."

"And you trust very little—"

Wallace looked utterly fascinated, darting his head from the arguing pair back and forth, like he was watching a particularly riveting game of ping-pong. Drew just shook his head. They were acting like an old married couple and Drew was particularly glad he managed to bail before he got in too deep. There was still a part of him that was bitter, that would care for May as his first love, but it seems that May's taste in males ran towards the older variation.

He could accept that.

So as long as pretty boy took care of her.

So far, he wasn't doing a good job.

"—and I don't think you have a say in this anymore." May sounded calm again. "You may be the former Champion—"

"—really?" Drew blinked.

Everyone stared at him.

"Sorry. The identity of the previous Champion was also a mystery so this is a surprise." Drew said politely as he could.

"He didn't want double attention, being both the Champion and the Devon heir. Much like May here." Wallace chirped. Then he took on a face of surprise that didn't fool Drew one bit. "And oh, Steven! You haven't met Drew yet, have you? He's an utter gentleman, a dear friend of May's."

Drew thought that Wallace was laying it on real thick. He was absolutely ghastly towards May during their first few weeks of meeting, and Wallace— according to his niece Lisia— was usually the first to get any news from the wandering Champion. He should know how Drew was to May when she first started out.

It was clear what the Contest Master was trying to do.

He was making Steven jealous. Through Drew.

One on hand, intriguing thought it may be, he didn't appreciate being used as a leeway. On the other hand it made the older man jealous, and it was pretty clear there was tension between the former and current Champion. Hell, he could sense the hostility aimed at him coming from the pretty boy heir.

Hmmm… Choices, choices.

"Steven Stone. Devon heir, Champion of Hoenn. May's mentor." The last word was stressed.

Oh, it was on. He may have offered the switch but he pulled the trigger.

You're the ex-Champion. Ex-mentor. Drew wanted to say, but he knew no one would appreciated his words no matter how true they were.

The man's hand was outstretched, his face one of complete politeness. But there was an undercurrent of tension that Drew didn't miss.

"Drew Hayden. Coordinator. May's current rival." he said as he grasped Steven's hand. He could feel it twitch when he intoned the last word and his grip became almost painful. Drew had enough manly pride to clasp his hand just as firmly.

Wallace was making gorilla noises at the back, snickering. Then he quirked his brow when Drew returned to May's side. "I meant to ask, Drew. Your surname. Are you related to the House of Hayden by any chance?"

The change of topic caught him by surprise. "Er… yes. The main family."

"Oh, wonderful! That means we're related. Your mother would be my second cousin." Wallace smiled.

He blinked. Huh. Well, you learn something every day.

May swiveled to him. "You have a peerage?"

"Why May, I didn't think you knew what a peerage is." he teased.

"Idiot." she shot back, although it was devoid of heat.

He chuckled. "First of all, my family has a peerage. Not me. And that's only because my family was rich and stayed rich for centuries. Nothing noteworthy about that."

"Oh." May said. She smirked. "Well, at least now your asshole-ish nature can be explained, Mr. Snobby-Pants."

"Excuse me? I find it utterly plebian that you resort to such childish names." Drew sniffed. Then he snorted. "And besides, my attitude before was quite tame. You should attend one of the galas of the upper crust. You'll realize was the word snobby really means."

"Oh, I have. Don't think I haven't. As Champion I've attended enough of those to last me a lifetime." she perked up. "I guess this is why you accepted my secret status as Champion so easily. Well, aside from the yelling and gaping." she teased. "Not many people know you're from an ennobled house, is that right?"

"Smart." he complimented.

"I try." she said drily.

"Ahem." Wallace coughed, his eyes twinkling. "As riveting as this conversation is, I believe the Steven has some information he has to relay to May. Alone. "

Steven had been completely motionless during his banter with May but Drew could see his hands curled into fists. His face was blank, but the stormy look in his eyes made it obvious that he was seething in jealousy.

Wallace was right. He had it bad.

Geez, he should tone down his hostility. May might not sense it, but Drew—who was the target of his ire—definitely could and Wallace enjoyed poking the sleeping dragon too much. As much as he liked seeing Steven so ruffled—hey, he was stealing May from Drew— he didn't fancy inciting a feud between House Hayden and Devon Corp.

His mother would have his head.

Drew wanted to shake the guy. Or get a punch in. Why wouldn't Steven Stone make his intentions clear? May was just there. He was mature and old enough to—

Oh.

His eyes widened.

Oh.

Well.

Yes.

There was that.

Why he didn't realize this sooner, he'll never know.

That would be against moral standards, would it?

The people of Hoenn might see it as like that, wouldn't they?

Although it would depend on the gap…

Drew barely felt his… well, uncle steer him out of the office and into the corridor. His mind was still on his revelation and he wondered why he didn't realize it sooner.

~OOOOOOOOOOO~

"How old is he?" he said out loud. Wallace led them to a hallway devoid of people, the hum of the air conditioner pleasantly cool.

Wallace raised his brows, leaning into the wall. "So you figured it out, hm? Twenty-two. This October."

Ouch. A… seven-year difference. Yep, that would make anyone stay away.

Wait…

"He was twenty… And he fell in love with a thirteen year old girl?!" Drew said incredulously, his voice getting more and more high pitched.

"We know." Wallace huffed. "Oh, don't give me that look. Of course we know how much of a problem it was. How Steven knew how much of a problem it was. He had no idea of who she really was until Norman talked about his thirteen-year old daughter, how smart she was, how mature, how utterly brilliant. Back then, Steven had no idea she was Norman's daughter. Or that she was only thirteen. Back then…" Wallace raised one brow. "You have to admit, she doesn't really look fifteen right now."

"Whatever." he grunted, forcing that thought away. Fine, yes. She looked… developed for a fifteen year old, alright?

"Next we know, Steven was drowning his sorrows about being a cradle-robber." Wallace paused. "Okay, not really drowning his sorrows—guy has composure of steel—but he left the weekly meeting so fast it was like a swarm of Beedrill was nipping at his heels. Then he barricaded himself inside Headquarters and didn't come out until Groudon and Kyogre was wrestling each other and May was forced to be referee."

"That's why he left." Drew said. "For Sinnoh."

"Mmhmm… Was pretty obvious to the rest of us that the boy is enamored. Even to his father." Wallace sighed. "But he's punishing himself for falling in love with a girl so young—"

"—and so not legal—"

"—that he tried to stay away. Not that it helped much." Wallace snorted. "Just a hint of competition and he's spitting mad. Never seen him that furious till now. Which reminds me…" he glanced at his green-haired nephew. "…you have feelings for her as well, don't you?"

"Doesn't matter."

"Oh, it does. Believe me it does." Wallace said sagely. "I did tell you May is hard not to love. Why, if I was younger and she was less spoken for—"

Drew elbowed him on the ribs. Wallace chuckled.

"I did, alright?" Drew breathed out, running a hand through his hair. "But Stone's not the only one so obvious about his feelings. I've only known May for a short time so I'm not as invested, but I do know her well enough to realize that she's looking at him like—"

"Like he's the Minun to her Plusle."

Silence.

"Alright, not the perfect metaphor—"

"That was terrible."

"I still think it's fitting—"

"Never do that again."

Wallace pouted.

"So what's his grand plan?" Drew crossed his arms. "Stay away hoping that he'll get over her and hoping that she won't get a guy while he's away?"

"Pretty much." Wallace said. "It's stupid but Steven's stubborn. They both are. They won't give. He's insistent on leaving again, and she's still angry about him leaving without any explanations."

"He left without explaining?"

"He left a letter."

"Like that's any better." Drew snorted. "I'm half-tempted to take her away. He's not doing a very good job of it. Not that it's completely his fault, but couldn't he just confess, ask her to wait, and come back when she's old enough to prance on sunshine and rainbows, the end, happily ever after, blah, blah, blah?"

"Well, that would be dandy but he thinks May doesn't have any feelings for him."

A beat.

"You're kidding."

"Nope. A hundred percent sure."

"Is he blind?"

"I considered taking him to the eye doctor."

Drew face-palmed. "This is a mess."

Wallace laughed. "You don't say. I've had front row seats since the beginning and believe me, this is better than any reality show. Steven… well, the boy has issues. He's humble, to the point that he thinks people flatter him because he's the Devon heir and nothing else."

"Is he blind?"

"I already answered that."

"Just because he's the Devon heir?" Drew waved his arms. "I'm a hundred percent straight but the guy's face—"

"—is utterly gorgeous. So is the rest of his body." Wallace winked.

"And he's not half-bad." Drew said grudgingly. "I know the Devon Corp. gives a lot to charities, especially those he started himself. And he's not stupid either… Well, he's being stupid right now."

"Like I said, the situation in complicated." Wallace said. "And was made more complicated when you came into the picture. Now, I don't play favorites but—"

"—you want what's best for her. And she adores him." Drew said. "Even if she's mad at him right now. I get it."

Wallace face was sheepish. "I'm sorry."

"Nothing you have to be sorry for." Drew waved the apology away. He sighed. Well. He never stood a chance now, did he? "What now?"

"Now, you're in the know." Wallace said. "Which makes me much more relieved. Someone has to look after her."

Drew gave him the stink eye. Just because he gave up doesn't mean he appreciated being deemed as a non-threat. "How many people know?"

"Oh, not many. The Elite Four. The Gym Leaders, except Norman. If he knew, Steven would be six feet under and he'd be in jail." Wallace hummed. "The Frontier Brains. I'm pretty sure some of the Nurse Joys and Officer Jennys. That Brendan friend of May's. Professor Birch and his wife. I think her brother Max, you know him? Funny enough, Maxie and Archie knows as well. That Champion from the other region, Nate. Selena, too. And Iris. Oh, and Cynthia, lovely girl. I think Volkner too, that one time she straightened him out, so some of the Gym Leaders of the other regions. Pretty much the former Champions as well, they've been Steven's colleagues so they have an idea. And—"

"That's not 'not many'." Drew said. "In fact, that's too many! Why hasn't this gotten out yet?!"

"The same reason why not many knew Steven or May was Champion." Wallace laughed at the tick on his jaw. "Those who knew were tight-lipped."

"Okay." Drew sighed. "Do you plan on doing something?"

"Right now? No." Wallace said, surprising Drew. "It's up to them right now. Not much we can do when one of them is out of the region in denial and the other goes around wandering and moping."

"What if she gets taken away?" Drew said carefully.

Wallace snorted. "Then she gets taken away. I may love Steven as a brother but if he still refuses to act after a few years, she'll find comfort in someone else. May's not that clueless. Sooner or later she'll realize that he's deliberately avoiding her and she'll jump into the wrong conclusions. If he's not there to straighten her out then he doesn't deserve her."

A long silence followed that proclamation.

"And if I take her away?"

Wallace gave him a sad smile.

"You already know my answer to that."

~OOOOOOOOOOO~

The sun was finally setting.

Ash and Brock stood uncertainly at the bay of Headquarters, getting ready to leave. May was scheduled to stay for Champion duties for a few days so they were on their own for the moment. A boat was waiting for them, captained by a cheerful old man named Mr. Briney.

"And I already called Mom about Max. He wanted to wait for you at the Center so…"

"We'll fetch him, don't worry about him." Ash said, adjusting his cap. He held out his arms for Pikachu, who was cuddling May for a last hug. After a few more rubs the electric Pokemon jumped in and took his usual perch at his shoulder.

"So we'll be expecting you after a few days?" Brock said, hefting his backpack. It was filled to brim with herbs and fruits that only grew around the island, shown to him by that pretty girl named Belle he exchanged numbers with. The amount of unknown plants with fascinating properties excited Brock as a Breeder. He couldn't wait to start experimenting.

"Of course! Wouldn't miss it for the world."

Steven Stone and Wallace Mikuri stood at the side and watched the friends make their goodbyes. They smiled at Ash and Brock, although Steven's face went pinched when Drew sauntered over.

"Are you sure you want to stay Drew?" May turned to her rival.

"Are you kidding? A Legendary Pokemon case is a once in a lifetime opportunity! Wouldn't wanna miss it."

"I don't think you should see it as an opportunity." May chuckled.

"I still think this is a classified case." Steven intoned, arms crossed. He looked more like a sulky child to Drew.

"You weren't considering my involvement with Groudon and Kyogre as a classified case when I was just a new trainer." May said coolly.

"That was different—"

"Ooookay, kids. Break it up." Wallace laughed nervously. "Steven, Drew is here at my request. Haven't heard a while from my family, except for Lisia of course, so it's just Uncle-Nephew bonding time, okay?"

The ex-Champion stayed silent, looking away.

Drew smirked triumphantly.

He had made up his mind. He would never come between Steven and May. It was for May's sake that he would do so. If she chose to pursue the Devon Heir, he would gladly bow down to her wishes. If the idiotic head-in-the-sand pretty boy realized that he loved May and wooed her, then he would graciously step down. Drew loved her, and he wanted what was best for her. And torn as he was to admit it, it was obvious that Steven loved her as well.

But in the meantime, while Steven Stone was away and in denial and May was hurting, Drew would step up. He would be her pillar. Her support. He would be what Steven wouldn't and couldn't be for her, and he would see to it all the way.

No hesitance.

No second thoughts.

Unlike Steven.

And if he manages to make her fall in love with him, far more in love than she is with Steven Stone…

Well.

That would just be a great bonus then, wouldn't it?

"Right, so we're leaving!" Ash said, waving his arms. Brock gave May a hug and clapped Drew's shoulders. He returned it with a friendly handshake.

"It was nice meeting you kids! Come visit again!" Wallace cooed as the two boarded the boat.

"We will! This place was awesome!" Ash called back, a few 'Pika's' in between in his sentence.

Soon, they were just a dot in the waves. For a few minutes all they did was stare at the horizon, seawater lapping at the sand.

"So May, wanna battle?" Drew said breaking the silence.

May looked at him, stunned. "Battle. With you? Your Pokemon. Like… a real battle?"

Drew laughed. "Of course. Unlike you, my Pokemon are dual-trained, both in battling and contests."

Drew meant it as a fact, but May took his wording as a challenge. Just as he expected, May's eyes flared bright and she faced him with a smirk. "Alright then. I accept, oh most venerable Lord Hayden."

May laughed when he looked supremely annoyed. But of course he had a comeback.

"Jolly good then, oh sweet Princess of Hoenn." He said pompously, sounding very much like his father when he was inebriated with too much wine. "Shall we retire at your castle and enact your damsel-in-distress training?"

Her face flamed instantly, hands on her hips. "Oh, it is on!"

She stomped away and motioned for him to follow, eyes narrowed.

With a smirk he followed, passing by a rigid Steven Stone and a sighing Wallace. He gave the Devon Heir an innocent smile, silently daring him to come between him and May. He didn't give the older man a chance to react, brushing past them and taking a hold of May's hand.

"Say May, have you ever thought of having a boyfriend?"

She sputtered.

"Yeah, probably not. You probably scared them all away."

Her indignant reply echoed around the island.

A/N: And yay, I'm finally done with this! I'm glad I got this out of the way. Currently having writer's block over Magical Ouran Memories, which is a shame because wowzers, I got a lot of reviews and stuff.

ATTENTION: I have a poll open on which character you want in a POV for Where the Heart Is so take a pick, okay? So I can work on it as quick as possible. And REVIEW! Reviews are love, reviews are life. :D