Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or any of the characters, they are the property of Tajiri Satoshi and Nintendo. If I did, it'd be a certainty that Tracey and Cilan would meet.
Notes: This is an AU-fic, so there are no Pokemon. This is a Starchshipping fic, which means it's a romantic relationship between Tracey and Cilan, thus making it shounen-ai. If you don't like that, then please leave now. If you do, then I hope you enjoy!
Chapter Eight: Welcome Home, Cilan!
The next night, Cilan was to return from the pre-birthday celebration with his brothers. Tracey had made certain over and over that his sketches were impressive enough. He couldn't help finding something wrong; he was an artist after all, and artists were always their own worst critic. It had taken some scolding from Misty and reassurance from Ash for him to stop looking for imperfections.
He was sitting in the living room, just patiently waiting for his beloved's return. He heard the doorbell. "Just a second!" He made sure his gift was well-hidden in the bedroom, then hurried to the door and opened it. "Cilan!"
"Hello, Tracey. I seem to have left my key here." Cilan smiled widely, a grin matching that of the artist standing before him.
Tracey wrapped his arms around him.
Cilan dropped his bags and returned the gesture. "I'm home."
"Welcome home." When the embrace was broken, he moved out of the doorway so Cilan could enter, then he picked up Cilan's bags and carried them into the room.
Cilan and Tracey sat in the living room, just talking about what had happened during their time apart. Tracey laughed as he heard about Cilan and Chilli forcing Cress to sing at the karaoke bar.
"By the way..." Cilan rose from his seat and stepped over to his bags. "Here, I got you some souvenirs." He knelt by one and opened it. He pulled out a paper bag. He returned to his spot beside Tracey and handed the bag to him.
"Thanks, Cilan." He accepted it and opened it. He pulled out numerous items.
"The sea lion statue is from the Aquarium, the set of pencils is from the art museum, the songbook is from the karaoke bar and the wristband is from the amusement park. When I saw the sea lion, I felt calm, just as I do when I'm with you. I know how much you love to make sketches, so I got the pencils to help ensure you'll always have one if needed. There were some great songs at the karaoke bar, and I'd like for you to sing them with me someday. Finally, the wristband is for support for those days you're pushing yourself with your sketching."
Tracey's smile softened. He knew most people, when getting souvenirs for someone, would just go oh, they'd like that! and be done. But, everything Cilan brought back for him had a meaning behind it. He returned everything to the paper bag and set it aside for now. "Thank you so much." He wrapped his arms around his beloved and felt the embrace being returned. He let out a sigh of contentment. "It feels pleasant being able to hold you again. I'm glad you're home. I missed you so much."
"I'm glad to be home again, Trace." He leaned into the embrace. "Hey, Tracey?"
"Yeah?"
He started blushing. "Do you want to be more intimate with each other tonight?"
Tracey blushed lightly. He knew what Cilan was asking, he was just surprised. "Do you want to?"
"I do. I feel ready."
"So do I." He broke the embrace and took Cilan's hand into his. "It will be more comfortable in bed."
Cilan smiled, his blushing fading. He rose from his seat and allowed Tracey to lead him into their bedroom.
The sunlight filled the bedroom. Tracey was the first to stir. He opened his eyes and gazed at his beloved. He saw the glow from last night was still there. He smiled gently and kissed Cilan on the forehead while stroking his hair lovingly.
Cilan stirred as well. His eyes fluttered open. He smiled as he caught sight of his beloved. "Good morning, Tracey."
"Good morning, Cilan. How did you sleep?"
"Peacefully. How about you?"
"The same." They shared a chaste kiss. "Happy birthday, my love."
"Thank you."
Tracey rolled over and opened the drawer of his bedside dresser. He pulled out a wrapped package. He sat up and handed it to Cilan.
Cilan accepted the gift. "Thank you." He opened it and found a sketchbook. He opened it and saw different images of him and Tracey throughout the years.
"We have been best friends since the day we met. We went through a lot together. We were by each other's side, whether good times or bad. I captured each significant event, from the day we met and onwards."
Cilan came across the secret sketch. "Am I allowed to open this?"
"Not yet. That hasn't happened yet. Once it has, you can open it."
"What is it?"
"I can't tell you until it has happened."
"Will it happen?"
"I'm hoping with all of my heart that it will."
"Tracey...thank you so much for this. I know how you get to be with your sketches, so to receive a book of them from you...words cannot express just how happy I am right now."
"I love you so much, Cilan."
"I love you too, Tracey, more than words can say."
