Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon.

Author's Notes: So sorry for the long wait! My big exam is coming and I mean like, REALLY BIG! Terribly sorry! But guess what? I've come up with two updates at once! ^^ I hope that's enough to make up for you guys ;~; Thank you for the support, too!
For those who are still confused, the main thing in this story is it's about flashbacks of May and Drew's travelling days, all from May's paper hearts. It's a kind of diary she kept in her Johto journey.

Well, without further ado, enjoy!

CHAPTER 10 – Two isn't Always Better than One

"It's so much fun! We should do it again sometime!" Drew heard May exclaim joyfully when she and Brendan arrived to the Pokémon Center in the late afternoon. He couldn't help but wonder what they did that May thought was so much fun. And he silently mulled over the fact that May had never once said those words to him.

The greenhead was reminded back to the conversation he and May had, back in Kanto, about May having a crush on someone. She didn't tell Drew who that person was, and at that time, Drew honestly thought it was Drew whom she really meant, only she was probably too shy to admit it. But now that she's being so attached to Brendan, his thoughts went a different way. Her former crush... Could it be Brendan whom she really meant that time?

His negative thoughts ran rampant on him as he regretted making the decision to not follow them earlier this afternoon. Well, in a way, he needed to be away from them because he couldn't stand the surge of jealousy that attacked him full-on when May hugged Brendan. Although when he was away training at a small grass field, the thoughts never left him and continued to echo in his mind.

"Hey Drew," May called, obviously not noticing the darkness of Drew's expression. She clutched Brendan's arm and dragged him across to face Drew with a big smile on her face, "Come here, Bren. Meet Drew, a rival of mine."

For God's sake, get those hands off that guy, May!

May grinned at Drew and gestured, "And Drew, this is the friend I told you about, his name is Brendan."

"Nice to meet you, Drew." Brendan smiled, "I've seen you on TV, you're a talented coordinator."

"I am," Drew said stoically, trying to divert his mind away from the fact that May and Brendan were being so close. He considered about acting friendly to please May, but he didn't have enough patience to do so. His jealousy was too powerful. All he could do was to try to act like he'd never seen what they did in the harbor. Not only if she ever found out he'd get an earful, but she might think he's a stalker. Or a psychopath. Or worse, she might not even trust him anymore.

"Way to be humble, Drew," May remarked sarcastically, but Drew didn't respond. It was then May noticed Drew was pissed off for some reason she didn't know. What was wrong with him? He's acting weird.

"Let's have dinner, I'm starving!" May suggested cheerily, despite the eerie atmosphere. Brendan grinned and nodded, though he noticed Drew didn't seem to like his presence. Is Drew jealous? Is Drew her boyfriend? But May didn't mention anything about Drew's relation to her aside of he's her long-time rival. Maybe he likes May, eh?

"I'm not hungry," Drew replied and folded his arms across his chest.

May grew suspicious of Drew's attitude. "You can just order drinks," she countered.

"I'll pass," Drew waved dismissively and turned to leave.

"Geez, what's wrong with him?" May rolled her eyes, but she quickly grinned with the ol' May's Awkward Style at Brendan and said, "Then that makes two of us then!"

Both May and Brendan decided to have their dinner in a dessert café near the Pokémon Center, but before that, they also decided they'd go to their respective accommodation to take a shower and freshen up. They had already spent the whole afternoon catching up, but May felt like it was just not enough. She still had so many stories to tell, so many experiences to share.

As she marched down the hallway cheerily, she thought of her funnies moments and most exciting contests she planned to tell Brendan. But to her surprise, when she arrived at the hallway to her room, Drew was standing there leaning against the door with his hands crossed over his chest. May wondered why he was there waiting for her, but she thought it might be good because she wanted to demand a full explanation for his 'killjoy' attitude this afternoon.

Drew's body rose from his leaning position.

"You didn't tell me your 'childhood friend' is a boy," He voiced out before she says anything and eyed her, which she found a little accusing.

May eyed him back defiantly, "I didn't say it would be a girl, did I?"

Drew licked his lower lip. He didn't quite like her attitude now, she was being more stubborn than usual. Could it be Brendan caused this? He had to admit he wasn't quite fond of this guy, not for May's change, but for his inkling earlier about Brendan being May's former crush. He also sensed Brendan might be carrying a torch for her. The way Brendan's eyes stared right into her sapphires somewhat ignited Drew's suspiciousness. And not just that, the greenhead also noticed Brendan's blush when May grabbed his arms. He was not sure if May noticed, but with all her excitement and hyper-ness this evening, he thought she didn't. She was never too noticing, unlike Drew. Drew had always been very observant and suspicious regardless of whom the person was, it was already his nature. No matter how many times May said Brendan's just a childhood friend, he couldn't easily let it sink as the truth. There must be something behind it, something deeper.

"Are you jealous?" May straightforwardly questioned. Drew's eyes went stiff for a while, but instantaneously recovered into the usual state in a millisecond.

"No."

"Fine then." She said, though deep inside, she doubted his answer. She'd love to force him to admit but she didn't want to argue with him so she let it pass this time.

"Where did you go with him?" He enquired, trying not to seem probing.

May, however, raised her right eyebrow in a skeptical manner, "Why do you want to know?"

If they had been in a relationship, he'd have answered 'because you're my girlfriend' but the fact that they were not was bricking him. He obviously hated this, she knew his concern for her was more than just a normal concern but it was as if she played stupid just to tick him off. But he wouldn't give her the satisfaction; he wouldn't let her know he was concerned, or even... jealous.

"I have the right to know," Drew answered carefully, his eyes not leaving hers. He would never admit he cared about her to the point he just wanted to have her by his side all the damn second.

Now May's both eyebrows furrowed, "Really? We don't have any special relation that gives you that right."

And to hell he'd never admit her words had just crushed his heart entirely.

However, Drew tried to stay calm. He didn't want to repeat their bickering. For once, he wanted them to be peaceful.

"I am your-" Drew paused for a while, licking his lips before stating, "Friend."

"Yeah? Friends do not demand a full-detailed report on what each other does from day till night," May remarked mordantly, feeling a little ticked by Drew's attitude.

"Friends protect each other," he stated sternly, wanting her to get the message across, which she didn't.

"Not in this way!" she finally yelled, losing a sheer bit of her patience. The brunette quickly subsided herself down, though. She knew Drew was just concerned about her, though she felt he was taking it a bit too far. He didn't respect her personal space.

"I have the responsibility to keep you safe," he countered calmly.

May sighed. She knew there was no way she was going to win this argument with Drew. No matter she always got back to him safe and sound, he didn't seem to stop treating her like a child. She knew he just felt obligated to be a gentleman and do his job to keep her away from any danger, but she didn't like his protectiveness. And the true reason why she didn't agree to go into a relationship was that she wanted to be free, but he didn't realize that.

To say that she hated relationship was not correct. She wanted one, and actually liked it. It's just her love of freedom was just more than her love to be in a (constricting) relationship. She didn't want to be tied down by a bind, let alone Drew's bind. Somehow she had guessed he was the jealous type, judging from how he got mad at Harley for the things the purple haired guy had done even before she'd known Drew's feelings, and how he seemed to have a kind of resentment of her male friends including Ash.

"You don't have to feel like I'm your burden or responsibility, Drew, 'cause I am not," she narrowed her sapphires at him, "You're not a babysitter, not a guardian, not my father."

"I don't feel burdened by you," Drew retorted, "It's my job to keep you away from danger."

"Danger? What danger could Brendan possibly cause?" she glared at him, "Drew, you have to accept the fact that not everything can be under your control! I am not your robot, I don't think I must report all my movements to you." A short pause, "I also need some space to breath."

Drew swallowed tightly. There was a quite unnerving silence hovering in the air when Drew pulled himself away for some deep thinking. So there was the dilemma, he wanted to have her by his side, but he also wanted her to feel comfortable with that. He wouldn't want her to do something she didn't like at the first place; however the truth to him, was she didn't like it. She wanted freedom, and that was not something he could give to her this time. He felt he'd given her enough freedom when she was travelling with Ash and the others some time ago, and now it was the time for him to enjoy his time together with her. But by the look of things, it seemed May and Drew didn't have the same concept of travelling together.

"Space to breath." he repeated, seeming to try to process the condition, "Fine."

Fine? What does he mean?

He absolutely hated this moment. He hated when things didn't go his way. He hated when he was not in control of the situation. He was an idealist. He wanted everything to be perfect. But of course, not everything would go how he wanted it to, something just had to screw it up. The woman he's trying to protect, was abstaining, was hindering his protection, and he couldn't do anything about it. He couldn't do anything than to give in to her request now.

"I'll give you what you want." He uttered and briskly left. Drew's words left her silenced as she watched him scramble into his room.

Now what did he mean by that?

"Do you think Drew hates me?" Brendan asked whilst slicing his Persim berry cake. He and May had finished their main dinner and were now eating their dessert, and that topic suddenly came into his mind. The red-eyed trainer stared as May's expression saddened a bit, but then she grinned sheepishly at him.

"Oh, he's always like that when he's tired!" she lied, "He's been training a whole day, so I'm sure he's just exhausted and you know right, those times when you just want to sleep through the evening and ignore all people?"

Brendan hummed thoughtfully, "I know, I know."

"So, yeah, maybe that's the case," May forked her cheese cake, "I get it if you're not accustomed by that since you've just known him, but I'm already used to it since we're traveling together."

"Really?"

"Yeah," May put the cake inside her mouth, "He doesn't hate you, I promise."

"Good to know," Brendan said and resumed his eating. He had always believed in May's words, but this time, he couldn't help but doubt. The eerie feeling when Drew's eyes glaze over his own rubies just screamed hate in all senses.

"Bren?"

"Huh?" He blinked, then his cheeks heated up upon seeing May staring at him with her head tilted slightly to the side. She's so cute.

May pursed her lips before saying, "Don't think too much about Drew, okay? He's usually grumpy to new people he meets unless it's a girl, y'know, guys are like that,"

"Well..."

"Oh, don't get it wrong! You are not that kind of guy, I know," May quickly corrected, "But Drew maybe is."

"Does he like you?"

... A brief silence.

"Drew?! No!" the brunette denied, a trickle of unseen sweat running down her forehead. Why did Brendan suddenly ask that question? Had she and Drew been obvious or too close? She didn't remember them being too close today, in fact, they were distant. Nevertheless, Brendan's straightforwardness was only natural. He had been like that and she knew already. So why was she reacting so weird? It would only give the impression that she liked Drew.

"I see," Brendan finished the last bite of his meal, quietly feeling contented of her answer. "Why don't you travel with me instead?"

"Eh? What?" May was dumbstruck by his words, her hand that was reaching for water halted in the middle of the process.

"Err, forget it," Brendan quickly chuckled in a sheepish manner, "I was kidding."

"Oh."

Well, as predicted, a gush of awkwardness washed through while both tried to not be awkward (which was making things more awkward). May grabbed her drink a little too carefully and sipped it, while sincerely considering Brendan's words. Brendan was a fun yet careful guy, there was nothing that opposes the idea of them traveling together except for the difference in their goal. Brendan was a researcher and an aspiring Pokémon Master, while May was a coordinator.

Brendan was at first worried about Drew's cold attitude towards him but then he rejoiced when he realized that meant he got to spend more time with May alone. It was not right of him to think so, but, he was glad Drew's refusal actually had a good effect for him.

"So..." Brendan spoke up, trying to get rid of the obvious awkwardness in the air, "Tomorrow is your next contest, isn't it? What time will it begin? I want to watch you perform live while I'm here,"

"Yes, it is." May answered, "The registration closes at ten thirty, so the contest will begin at around eleven AM. You have to be in the audience seat before it begins, though, since it might get crowded."

"Rest assured, I'll book the front VIP seat, so I will certainly get a seat," Brendan grinned.

May gaped. "Huh? Really? You have to pay to get the front VIP seat!"

"That's not a problem, I have my savings ready," he replied with a wide smile.

"Brendan, you don't have to do that," May said lightly, "You better keep your savings for future use."

"This is the future use," Brendan laughed, "Don't worry, May. It's not a lot. I've recently won a few hundred in the Kanto Game Center,"

"Oh," May giggled, "I remember you saying how badly you wanted to try and compare the games there with the ones we have in Mauville."

"Exactly," Brendan agreed and they laughed together. At first, Brendan was worried about Drew's cold attitude towards him. It seemed like Drew didn't want to be around Brendan. What did he do that caused Drew to stay away? Did Drew's family have a feud on Brendan's family? But then he rejoiced when he realized that meant he got to spend more time with May alone. It was not right of him to think so, but, he was glad Drew's refusal actually had a good effect for him.

There was an awkward silence when Drew and May boarded on the same elevator. May was getting back to her room after her meal and Drew was too, getting back to his room after walking around the park to clear his mind. Both coordinators knew it couldn't stay like this forever. They were travelling together and awkwardness was not really helpful for their relationship–or rather, partnership—as May would rather call it.

"Umm," May spoke first, "So, are you joining us for tomorrow's breakfast?" she asked coyly, her fingers twiddling with the hem of her shirt.

Drew took a deep breath, "No, I think. I have some errands to run."

"Okay..." May said, though wondering what errands he could possibly had to run.

"Drew,"

The called guy didn't say anything, but rather he turned his head just a little to her side to show that he heard her call. May pursed her lips when she spotted Drew's eyes were staring at the empty space around the elevator door.

"You don't hate Brendan, do you?" she spoke again, tentatively. Drew bit the insides of his cheeks. What should he answer? "He asked me about it on the dinner," May explained, "He's afraid of that. Well, he can be a bit insecure sometimes. But... Drew, I hope you don't hate him. He's my best friend, and I don't want my friend to hate my other friend."

Friends? Was that what they are? Drew bit the insides of his cheeks. For God's sake, they kissed! He didn't get it! It was either May was in denial, or she was leading him on. Both options seemed unlikely. Then, if those were not the reasons, what was? Drew exhaled a short breath. For the first time in his life, he couldn't figure her out.

"Drew?" called May, who was still getting none of his reply. Drew stood there without movements, though he knew May was still waiting.

Did Drew hate Brendan? Drew couldn't really say he did. But he had to admit he had some resentment towards that jet-haired trainer for his closeness to May. After all, his suspicion about Brendan possibly being May's former crush had yet to disappear. And he had this small thought that came from his instincts that Brendan might be having a crush on May.

"I don't," Drew replied, quietly pondering if what he just did was right.

"Really?" May thought silently.

"Fine," she uttered, "So if you don't hate him... What's with the strange attitude? Are you jealous of him?"

Drew's eyes averted downwards.

"No."

"Really?"

"Really." Drew stated, his eyes rising up to meet hers. When they met, May smiled and stepped forward to hug the jade-eyed guy.

"E-eh," he unconsciously stuttered, blushing quite hard upon feeling warmth overcoming his body. He was honestly surprised. That was not the action he expected May would do. After all, she was the one who ordered him not to take any step out of the friend zone. Despite that, he embraced the brunette back softly.

"Promise me, Drew," May muttered, closing her eyes.

Drew raised his eyebrow though May wouldn't be able to see it, "Promise what?"

"I want you to promise me, you will not get jealous of Brendan,"

What?

Drew was riveted. How the hell could he possibly promise her that? He couldn't control what his heart chose to feel!

So what should he do now? He could disagree and be honest because he disliked deceiving himself. On the other hand, he didn't want to hurt May. In addition, there was a contest they had to attend the next day. She couldn't afford to be distracted. He could just lie. But... was it that easy to lie? Was it that easy to pretend not to feel something you feel so clearly it hurts?

"I –I promise," Drew finally voiced. His mind and heart were battling whether this choice was correct. He chose the denial.

"Good," May smiled elatedly and let go to face the green-eyed coordinator, "I love you, Drew."

Never had he guessed that just by hearing those words from May could make his heart leap thousand miles to the sky. He had made the correct choice. Hearing those words were enough proof that he did the right thing.

"I love you too, May," he muttered before closing the little gap between their lips.