Rare quick upload from me, but PLEASE READ:
This chapter is very M rated compared to the rest, so if that offends you or you're like 11, you should skip over it, lmao.
Dawn
Pretending I hadn't heard was out of the equation. Especially now that she'd stormed out of the room and caught me gawking like an idiot at the door. She stopped dead at the sight of me. I fumbled for something to say, anything to say.
"What was that?" I asked, gesturing to the door, then regretted it immediately. She'd probably hate me for asking her about it, and probably thought I was looking for information to get my own way with Ash. But the conversation I'd heard… I was more worried for her.
"Nothing," she mumbled, already striding past me towards her own room. I probably should have checked that she was okay, but there was his door… And I found myself knocking on it instead. It was a few seconds before he answered, his eyes haunted and dark. I shouldn't have knocked, I should just leave.
"Yeah?" He asked, leaning on one side. At least he didn't seem annoyed that I'd even dared to knock.
"I… I overheard some stuff while I walked to my room. I just wanted to make sure you're okay."
He pushed a hand through his hair and exhaled deeply. "It's all far from fine," he seemed to contemplate something, so I waited for him to speak again. "Maybe you could help me, Dawn."
Something seemed off to me about that, but still I said, "I'd be happy to help."
"I need her to trust me again," he said, and I opened my mouth to interrupt, to tell him that it wouldn't be so easy, but he held up a hand. "I know. I know she won't trust me easily, and I don't want to manipulate her into it, so don't worry." He rubbed at his temples as though a headache had developed. "Look… I still care about her. I can't make her understand just now."
"You're being confusing."
"Will you just talk to her for me? I'll explain to her soon."
"I guess." Convincing Serena that Ash wasn't so bad would be an impossible task, and one that I wasn't sure I even wanted to try. It seemed as though I'd be compromising my own situation, but if I didn't at least try, I'd be an awful friend… I sighed. "What about Lillie?"Ash cocked his head as though he didn't understand. "You know, your girlfriend?"
Ash crossed his arms. "I wouldn't necessarily say she's my girlfriend."
"I'm not sure she'd agree with that, if you've taken her on a few dates." It was my turn to cross my arms. "You have to be a little more empathetic, Ash."
He looked to the floor. "I'm working on that."
What did that even mean? His vague answers were driving me insane, but I couldn't push, not when he was so close to letting me in. Instead, I relaxed, letting my arms drop to my side. "I'll talk to her for you, yeah."
A ghost of a smile played on his lips as he relaxed too. "Thanks, Dawn." I couldn't help but smile back.
May
The slight hope that Serena and Ash would be able to get along well enough for the holiday to continue raised my spirits enough for me to seek her out a few hours later, when the sun had fully set outside. She had been sat up on her bed, reading a book that she clamped shut the moment I set foot in her room. We gathered a bottle of wine and glasses from the kitchen, and sat before the fire on the carpet, already sipping our second glass.
"I've been thinking," she said eventually, lying back on the carpet. Her golden hair plumed around her. "I have to ask your permission for something."
The vagueness of her words scared me a little, but I gestured for her to carry on anyway.
"I want to invite Clemont," her eyes fell on mine as I looked down on her. Well, that wasn't as bad as I'd been expecting. "Clemont's the one that's gotten me through all of this, and now, here, I think I need him again." I could sense the passion, could see it in her eyes, so I shrugged. If Clemont had been there for Serena when I couldn't, then he couldn't be a bad person.
"Of course. I mean, all of the rooms are full, so he'll have to share yours."
She seemed to hesitate at that for a split second, and I got the feeling that it wasn't because she was uncomfortable sharing with Clemont. Grabbing the opportunity, I asked, "So, you seem to be getting on well with Gary?"
She narrowed her eyes at me, and I gave her an innocent smile that she couldn't help but laugh at. "I don't know. He's a nice distraction, but he's such a… Well, he's such a boy."
"You say that like it's a bad thing, but I think you enjoy it." I swirled the glass of wine in my hand, taking a long sip. My face was already beginning to warm, and Serena's eyes had glazed over slightly, as if she'd skipped getting drunk, and went straight to being sleepy.
"Whatever." She was awful at acting. I could see the sparkles dancing in her eyes as she thought about it, staring at the ceiling. She sat up suddenly, draining the rest of her glass and reaching for the bottle, which was dangerously close to empty already. "Don't start shipping it, 'cause it isn't going to happen."
"Isn't it?" I asked, smirking at her. I was sure my own eyes would be sparkling with mischief. She huffed a laugh and shook her head, not as a response, but at me. Before she could answer, Drew appeared at the door, taking in the two tipsy females sprawled before the fire. He cocked his head slightly.
"I see you've made up," he said, entering and sticking his hands in his pockets.
"We have," Serena answered before I could, leaning into me slightly. "So you can stop giving me those looks now!"
Drew rolled his eyes, but smiled anyway. "Sorry about that."
"I was just winding Serena up about Gary," I spat before Serena could stop me. She turned and gawked at me. "Cute, don't you think?"
"May!" Her eyebrows furrowed and I laughed.
"Very cute," Drew replied, sitting on the sofa now, his legs very close to my shoulder. I lent into him, groaning in tiredness as my head landed on his knee. He tensed for a second, then relaxed. Drew cleared his throat. "I can tell he likes you."
Serena scoffed. "Which part of me?" She asked, giving a pointed look down at certain parts of herself. I bit back my laugh and felt Drew's leg shake slightly as he laughed himself.
Then, as though he'd been summoned, Gary appeared at the door, leaning against the doorframe in his usual manner, smiling at me for a second before his attention completely and wholly focused on Serena, who was almost finished her third glass and looked as though she might fall asleep on the spot. She didn't smile when she noticed him, but something about her changed, and she shifted, sitting in a more attractive position. I silently wondered if he'd been looking for her.
"My invite get lost?" He joked from the door, looking to me now. I shrugged, drinking from my glass. He pushed off the doorway and strolled in, falling onto the sofa opposite my own, a few feet from Serena. She watched him intently, as though she were studying him somehow. "Naps really aren't as good as they're made out to be." Indeed, his hair was ruffled as though he'd woken from sleep and wandered down here. It would explain the shirt and shorts he'd clearly quickly shoved on. Serena, still wearing her pyjamas that included a pair of rather short shorts, pulled her legs up and wrapped her arms around them. I wondered if she were embarrassed that she was wearing them, or that they were covered in little Fennekins.
As if he'd read my mind, Gary turned to Serena and smirked. "Cute pyjamas."
"Shut your mouth," she half hissed, half slurred, but his smile only deepened and Serena could do nothing to hide the colour that stained her cheeks. "I'm tired."
"I think someone needs to go to bed," I suggested, nudging her gently with my foot. She smiled sleepily, wobbling slightly as she tried to stand. Gary rose, taking hold of her elbow and helping her up as she stumbled like a Deerling on ice. She laughed at herself and waved him off.
"I'll go to bed then," she muttered. She smiled to me. "Goodnight, May. Goodnight, Drew."
"Goodnight," I said, and added, "invite him whenever you like."
She nodded, and began to walk out, almost tripping over the edge of the rug. Gary sighed, wrapping his arm around hers, and escorted her out of the room, saying something that had her howling with laughter. Drew placed a hand on my shoulder, and I lifted my head off his leg, suddenly very aware of how little space there was between us now that we were alone in the room.
"You sure it's okay to let them go off together?" He asked, genuinely concerned. I patted his knee gently, perhaps slightly awkwardly.
"I'm not her keeper. And Gary's not that bad. They'll be okay."
Drew shrugged, relaxing a little. I rose, plopping down on the sofa beside him, still holding the glass of wine, and we carried on talking.
Serena
My head was spinning. I'd barely eaten all day, so perhaps the wine had been a bad idea, but after the first glass, it had seemed like such a good one. Now, though, I knew I needed to go to bed. Needed to sleep before I drank more and said something stupid, or threw up on someone. Not to mention I was already stumbling just trying to get to my room. Gary had his arm wrapped around my own, helping me walk up the stairs. I could feel the muscle of his arm beside mine, rubbing against it, and it sent a heat searing through me that I hadn't felt in a long while. I pushed the feeling down, afraid of it.
We reached the top of the stairs, and Gary said something, perhaps another joke, that I didn't hear. The roaring in my ears that accompanied the heat that had plumed all throughout me was too loud. I tried to drown it out, tried to listen, but there was nothing but that incessant roar. My breathing became heavier, legs less steady, as something in my chest cleaved open, my heart opening up. I'd go insane if I ignored it. I really would go insane.
"Serena?" Gary was saying, lifting my face by the chin slightly to face him. I must have ignored him for a while. He was scanning my face, searching for the cause of the silence, my stillness. "You okay?"
I opened my mouth to speak, but only a heavy breath came out, and suddenly I was reaching up, taking his face in my hands, and pulling it down to my own. Our lips met heavily, perhaps a little awkwardly, but quickly shifted, and I was running my hands through his already messy hair. He opened his mouth gently, welcoming the kiss, kissing me again, and I melted. I felt the kiss all throughout me, feeling as though I'd lifted from the ground, feeling nothing but the contact, and that heat, which was greater now, gathering…
Gary moved away suddenly, a hand staying on my cheek. I wanted to move forward again, for him to push me back against the wall. Even then, seconds after the first, I was picturing kissing him again, deeper this time. I moved to kiss him again, but he put his free hand out, stopping me.
"You need to sleep, Serena," he said gently. "I should take you to bed." He slowly moved his hand down from my cheek to my arm. The length of the touch alone made me shiver, but I let him guide me the few feet to my door and hold it open for me.
When I stepped inside I turned back, my eyes inviting, my blood still singing, the rush of the kiss still coursing through every part of me. "You can come in."
Gary gave a humourless laugh and stayed by the door. "I don't think that's the best idea when you're not sober." I looked away, suddenly embarrassed, suddenly regretting the first kiss I'd had since…
Gary leaned down, stealing another short kiss, and another, then kissed my cheek softly. "I'll see you tomorrow though. Get plenty rest."
I stepped back, and as he closed the door, I felt as though the door to my heart had closed again.
The nightmare jolted me from a groggy sleep. It took me a moment to remember where I was and sit up in bed, shaking off the sour feeling that the dream had left. My head was surprisingly clear after last night, and the memories came flooding back quickly, making me cringe, curling up on myself. Gary. I'd kissed Gary, and invited him into my room, and he'd been sensible enough to say no and force me to sleep, but… It was the first nightmare I'd had since I'd started to feel better. What that meant, I wasn't sure.
I just knew I didn't want to face him again today.
I figured lying in bed was the least productive thing I could do, even if my plan was to avoid him, so I went to shower instead. Every minute in the shower felt like it washed off parts of the night before that had left me feeling dirty. The feelings he'd given me… Well, they were normal, but not for me. Not anymore. Yet…
I padded out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around me, my wet hair sticking to my shoulders. I slumped onto the bed, not caring if I'd wet the sheets. A knock at the door sent me shooting back up, almost dropping the towel. I rushed to tie it so I could at least open the door without it falling to the floor.
When I answered the door, I kept myself angled behind it, simply sticking my head through. Gary grinned a sparkly, toothy grin back at me, looking as fresh as ever, looking as attractive as ever, and my stomach dropped. So much for avoiding him, then.
"Feeling better?" He asked, glancing to the door, where he no doubt knew my body was hiding, barely covered by this towel. My cheeks heated, and I wished I could slam the door shut on him without looking incredibly rude.
"Marginally." I looked away. "Let me get dressed real quick."
Gary flashed another grin. "Really? After the invitation last night, you're still bothered?"
He was joking, of course, but my face heated further, both from embarrassment and from the memory of his hand sliding down my arm, and the cursed thoughts that it gave me. This was not good.
I sighed, swinging the door fully open. Gary started, surprised as much as I was by my own decision. He let his eyes wander, but not for as long as I'd expected before his eyes fell back on mine. If he felt anything, he was doing a good job of hiding it. Maybe he was scoping me out, trying to figure out what it really was that I wanted.
"Laugh, and I'll close the door and lock it on you," I hissed, and turned, walking back to the bed. Gary followed, closing the door gently behind him. I hoped nobody had secretly witnessed him coming in here. I hoped nobody would be looking for him and realise he was here with me, and the door was closed.
He perched on the edge of the bed as I pulled open my wardrobe and pushed through the dresses I'd brought, trying to focus on picking one while my thoughts betrayed me. He was right behind me, watching, saying nothing.
"That one," he said pointedly. "The blue and white one." The one I'd wore on the first day. I shrugged, pulling the hanger holding the dress out and tossing it on the bed. Then realised I needed to pick underwear too, but he was sitting there, and I sure as hell wasn't about to open my drawers while he watched.
He must have noticed I was hesitating, and laughed. "I'll look away."
I turned, placing my hands on my hips, studying him. Why was he here? Did he want to talk about last night, or did that mean nothing to him? Was he simply here to torment me? I wasn't even sure what answers I'd want to those questions. After Ash… I hadn't let anyone in. The thought of it happening again made me shudder.
"What's wrong?" He asked, and I realised I had literally shivered, staring off into the distance. I shook my head, clearing it.
"Nothing."
He stood then, quickly walking the few steps between us, and my blood began to boil again. He leaned down slightly, his breath tickling my cheek. "Look... We don't have to talk about last night, if you don't want to. We don't have to talk at all." His tone sent another shiver straight down my spine, and it took all my effort to just stand there and not melt into him. "I understand." He stood up straight again, his face more serious now. "I understand that it's hard for you to open up after what he did, and I have no idea what last night was, but…" He trailed off, looking away now, as though he were actually embarrassed too. "You're a really nice girl, and I like you, and it doesn't have to be any more serious than that, if you want. Or it doesn't have to be anything, I don't mind. I mean we're here for a while, nothing wrong with some fun." He started, as if he thought he'd said something insensitive, or perhaps a bit forward. "I mean, not necessarily any particular kind of fun-"
He was rambling. Smooth, cool Gary was actually rambling, and couldn't look me in the eye. I laughed, and the sound filled the room, halting him. He studied me, in shock that I'd laughed. I covered my mouth to stifle it. "Sorry," I chuckled. "It's just, you're so flustered." I smiled, the tension I'd felt falling away. He understood, and I considered his words. It doesn't have to be more serious than that.
Well, that would do.
I leaned up into him, brushing a kiss on his jaw, and he loosed a breath, putting a hand on my waist. I was so tired of being hung up over Ash; so sick of worrying about him, of hiding myself away, that even the touch was a relief. I was so angry after the argument he'd started yesterday, I didn't care what he thought, or what he did. Gary's hand brushed down my waist, past the towel to my slightly damp skin. I peeled away from him, pacing back over to the bed. Gary's usual cool look was back as he threw himself back on my bed, throwing his head back on the pillows. I stayed sat on the edge, laughing lightly.
"Seems you are capable of being embarrassed." I smiled. He shook his head and closed his eyes.
"Me? No. I wasn't embarrassed." I simply laughed at him again, and he opened one eye to shoot me a mischievous look that made my thoughts wander again. I bit my lip as I considered. The curtains were still closed, and the hour was still early, so the room was dimly lit at best. I angled myself, crawling up onto the bed, leaning over him, and bent down, kissing him. He groaned slightly, reaching up to put a hand in my wet hair, his fingers running through it. I bit back the moan that almost escaped from that touch alone. The towel fell away, and I didn't reach for it again. When I pulled away, and he noticed the change, his eyes sparkled, almost glowing. The heat was pushing at my core again, too much to ignore, but... this time I was sober. This time, I knew what I was doing.
Gary moved suddenly, flipping me over, knocking the breath from my lungs, a hand on my bare waist, sliding slowly towards my inner thigh, making lazy circles, and I undulated slightly, going crazy at the touch. He kept kissing me, even as I reached to unbutton his dark shirt. I wanted him to move his hand further, to touch me, and my quiet moans said as much.
He pulled away for a moment to say, "the lock," and nod towards the door.
I pulled him back down again, claiming his mouth. "Fuck the lock," I murmured against his lips, and his answering groan was all I could focus on. I prayed no one would come looking for either of us as Gary's hand finally wandered where the heat had gathered and I jolted as his hand ran over the sensitive spot, unable to contain the loud moan this time. His hand slid further, and I felt him grin against my lips as he felt the proof of the warmth I'd been feeling there, only for a split second until his fingers slid inside, and I gripped his back, moaning again. He ran his tongue over my lips as he moved, the feeling almost sending me over the edge already. I grabbed for his belt, fumbling to unbuckle it and remove his jeans.
I wanted him, and hadn't been so sure of anything in a while. When he finally removed his hand and buried himself inside me, I dragged my nails down his back and moved with him, crying out as it sent me over the edge and we carried on, losing track of time completely.
Dawn
It was a little cold today, so I dressed in a sweater and jeans, and even left my hair down to flow over my shoulders and down my back. Still pulling my socks up, I left my room, leaving the door open. May's door was open too, and Ash's, and Paul's, but Serena's was closed at the end. Strange, since she was usually up by now.
When I wandered downstairs, I found the group eating breakfast together in the dining room. I grabbed myself a bowl of cereal and a glass of juice, and joined them. Only after I sat and began digging into my cereal did I notice only Serena and Gary were missing. I looked around, to see if anyone else seemed to notice. May whispered something to Drew that had his face turning ghostly for a second.
"Unusual for Serena to be up this late," Misty spoke up from the end of the table, her pop tarts untouched in front of her. She seemed unusually bothered by the fact she'd just pointed out. I looked to Ash, who seemed to just notice who was missing too. His eyebrows furrowed, and he put down his spoon.
"She's probably just tired," May answered, but she was looking away, and Drew was staring intently at her, as though he was trying to get her to look at him. His face seemed to say I told you so.
It was Brock that gave a sly grin at May, leaning an elbow on the table and leaning in towards her. "I see that look."
May looked at him, her mouth opening and closing, and she looked at Drew then, who sighed. "She was a little tipsy last night. Gary helped her upstairs. Haven't seen either of them since."
My eyebrows shot up. Surely Gary wouldn't take advantage of Serena like that, but it was strange that he wasn't here either. Ash was gripping the edge of the table as though he needed to squeeze something to relieve his anger, and his face gave it away too.
"You let her take him up to her room when she was drunk?" Ash asked, gritting his teeth. May scowled over at him.
"Why not? Gary isn't like that. You should know that."
"You're kidding? Gary isn't like that?" Ash's voice was raising now, and nausea had me putting my spoon down in my bowl. Ash was so defensive of Serena…
"I'm sure nothing happened," I offered, but Ash didn't even look at me. He was glaring at May as though he'd jump at her. May opened her mouth, to shout back no doubt, when Serena appeared by the door, yawning and holding an apple. May's mouth clamped shut, and Ash relaxed back into his chair slightly, but was eyeing Serena up and down. Serena's hair was still slightly damp from her shower, which also wasn't like her. She'd usually make sure she looked perfect before she left her room. She must have noticed us all staring, because she froze, glancing around, the atmosphere suddenly very awkward. I looked away, just a second before Gary appeared behind her, dressed but… His hair was a mess too. I dared a glance at Ash, whose eyes were like fire now. I wondered if he'd scream at Gary.
Then Gary stepped forward and placed his hand around Serena's waist, whispering something into her hair that had her eyes sparkling with mischief as she laughed. They seemed genuinely happy, but… This was a show, too. It was undoubtedly a show for Ash, to show him that she didn't care anymore. Whether she did or not… Well, I was selfishly glad she'd picked Gary.
May
It took all my restraint to wait until we'd all split up after breakfast to ask her. I tracked her down as she headed for the stairs, probably to go fix her hair, and walked beside her, grinning like a cat. She scoffed at me and kept walking, ignoring my grin.
"Well?" I asked. Nosey, but she'd expect no less.
"Well what?"
"Don't play dumb." I prodded her arm gently. "You know what I mean."
She smiled then, turning into her room. God, her sheets were a mess. My jaw dropped, and I felt kind of strange even just standing in the door, considering what might have just gone down…
"Yeah," She turned to me as she brushed her hair. "It happened."
My eyes widened as I considered whether I wanted to know more or not. Regardless, my heart soared for her. She'd spent so long in a shell, refusing to open up for anyone, especially romantically in any regard… And yet here she was, and she seemed happy. She seemed renewed. Even if the thought of the thing that renewed her made me squirm. She laughed at my reaction.
"Is he any good?" I asked bluntly.
"May!" She scolded but laughed again. I was about to say it was a serious question when I heard footsteps beside me, and found Dawn approaching, her face white and utterly flabbergasted. She shook her head, as though she couldn't believe whatever she was thinking about.
"Uh," She stumbled, stopping a few feet from me. "It seems Ash invited someone without your permission, uh," she shook her head again and gestured to the stairs. I glanced back at Serena, who'd froze, her brush halfway through her hair. She threw it down on her bed before racing for me. Following Dawn, we hurried to the stairs, but didn't make it any further.
She was stood at the bottom of the spiral staircase, wearing the same white sunhat she'd been wearing in the picture we'd seen. Her skin was as pale as it had seemed in the photo too; her white-blonde hair perfect.
Lillie.
That's probably the closest to a lemon you'll ever see from me.
Also, before I get any angry comments, this DOES NOT mean Serena and Gary are endgame at all. It's only fun and it's only a story, and I'm allowed to use characters to advance the plot, even if they're not endgame relationships. Still, let me know what you think of them together of course.
Thanks!
