Secrets Told

Thanks to licoricejellybean and Defiant Vixen for reviewing! I never thought I would end up making this story so long but I'm really happy with the way it's turning out – thanks so much to everyone who has been reviewing, I really appreciate it!

Chapter Ten: Interruption

"What do you want, Ash?"

The harshness of Gary's voice startled Tracey, especially since the younger boy was still leaning over him. Even though Gary was looking at Ash, Tracey could clearly see annoyance darken his eyes and could easily feel the other boy's body tense.

Gary's hands were still resting at Tracey's waist and Tracey took the opportunity to run his hands along Gary's arms to lightly rub his shoulders until he looked down at him. When he finally did turn his gaze to the older boy below him, Gary was surprised to find his boyfriend glaring up at him. It wasn't exactly the glare that surprised him; Tracey had been becoming less passive since Gary had moved back to Pallet quite some time earlier and the result had turned into something like a game to the couple. Gary was growing used to the occasional glare from his lover – in fact, the sporadic glares and comments that came with them tended to turn him on; one reason why Tracey usually kept them behind closed doors – but the nature of this glare caught the brunette teen off guard. This was a genuine glare, not a playful one, not one of Tracey's calm please-stop-being-a-pain glares. The surprisingly hard look in the young man's eyes clearly told Gary to stop while he was ahead.

As much as Tracey hated to give Gary the harsh look that he had resorted to, he knew that it was one of the few ways to get him to back off when his attitude became too much. It wasn't the first time he had resorted to it and it certainly wouldn't be the last, but that didn't mean that Tracey had to like it. It just wasn't in his nature to be aggressive; it didn't feel right when he forced himself to be more aggressive – the exception being the somewhat-playful aggression with his boyfriend, or the type of aggression that seemed to turn into foreplay…

"Gary, I think Ash and I need to talk for a few minutes," Tracey said calmly but firmly. The younger boy opened his mouth to argue but was silenced as Tracey placed a finger against his lips.

"I wanted to apologize," Ash spoke up from the doorway, seemingly having gotten over his shock of finding the couple in a rather compromising position.

Tracey spared his friend a half glance as Gary gave an amused snort. He swallowed whatever sarcastic comment he had at the tip of his tongue when Tracey glared at him once more.

"I believe Darren and Brandon are waiting on you, Gary," he said pointedly. A glance towards the open door finalized the apparent request and Gary sighed, realizing he had passed a line that he hadn't noticed he was toying with. He muttered a quiet apology as he stood and left the room, pushing past Ash in the doorway while Tracey sat up and straightened his clothing. "Sorry about Gary –"

"Don't worry about it," Ash interrupted with a small shake of the head; he knew Gary too well to care anymore. He stepped into the bedroom, closed the door behind him, and took a seat at the desk in front of the window. Tracey raised his eyebrows slightly, it seemed as though Ash had matured a bit if he wasn't getting annoyed with Gary's behavior. He had to admit to being impressed with how quickly Ash had come around, after all, it had been only perhaps a half hour since he had fled the kitchen. "I know how he is," he continued as if to explain. "I just kind of wish I knew what you see in him; I mean, Gary is Gary…"

"Ash, no offense, but after that reaction in the kitchen, I don't really think you're one to question my love life. Gary isn't the same spoiled brat that he used to be when you two were rivals – if he was, then I wouldn't be with him. He doesn't try to control me like you implied, it's actually nothing like that. He's one of the sweetest people I know, it's just that he only shows that side of him to the people that mean the most to him. I know him better than anyone else does." Tracey paused at that and glanced at the closed door as though sensing that someone was listening in. "I'm going to sic Marril on you!" he called in a warning tone, only to hear an exasperated sigh followed by retreating footsteps on the other side of the door. Tracey turned back to Ash and smiled at him. "And I have a sixth sense for his eavesdropping. I don't think even Professor Oak can tell when he's listening in."

To his credit, Ash laughed despite the awkward tension that was still in the air. He sobered after a moment. "I'm sorry, Tracey. It's just so weird – I mean, I've always thought that Gary was the type to find the prettiest girl possible and just kind of flaunt it. Him being into guys is just… It doesn't make sense to me and it kind of freaked me out when it finally sunk in," he admitted quietly.

Tracey found it strange to watch Ash speak so calmly and quietly; the boy was too hyper to act like this! Ash may have thought that Gary's preference didn't make sense, but Tracey couldn't make any sort of sense out of Ash's unusual behavior. It just wasn't right! Tracey couldn't help but laugh softly; this sounded vaguely familiar.

"You know, Ash, that's a lot like how Gary felt about it when he was still trying to get used to it. He had a really hard time with it and that's kind of how we got together," he paused and unconsciously looked in the direction of his boyfriend's bedroom. He could easily recall so many nights sitting up late trying to talk Gary through it all – the boy was far from an open person but there was something about Tracey's personality that had made him break down the walls surrounding him and talk about the things that were bothering him.

"How?"

"I understood what he was going through; I'd been through it, it wasn't as bad for me, but I had been through it. We just hit it off from the beginning as friends and it went from there. We clicked – I can't even tell you how we ended up liking each other; it just happened… It doesn't really matter though, does it?"

Ash was silent for several long seconds before sighing softly in defeat. "No, I guess it doesn't," he agreed. "But, Tracey, Gary can be such a jerk sometimes and you're all the way on the other end of the spectrum –"

"I know that, believe me, Ash," Tracey chuckled. "I know perfectly well how he can be to other people but he's never been like that with me. I wouldn't be with him if he was like that and I doubt he would even be working in the lab if he was," he said reasonably. "Professor Oak doesn't exactly put up with his attitude."

"I guess." His voice was still quiet but there was an undertone of acceptance to his words that warmed Tracey.

It seemed as though Tracey had been right in saying that the younger boy had simply needed some time to get used to the idea and he made a mental note to tell Gary and possibly rub in the fact that he had been right when Gary doubted it. Gary, of course, hated to be wrong.

"What's going on with Pikachu?" Tracey asked, desperation to change the subject suddenly welling up within him.

"He's been kind of aggressive lately… Professor Oak thinks he wants a mate."

Tracey laughed at the uncomfortable expression that crossed over Ash's face. "Isn't he a little old for that though? Usually they look for mates when they're younger –"

The door suddenly opened and Gary poked his head in. "Grandpa always says that pokemon take after their trainers," he announced as though it explained everything.

"Gary!" Tracey hurled one of the pillows from his bed at the door, laughing when the other boy closed the door quickly to avoid getting hit. The door opened again and Gary stuck his tongue out at his boyfriend before closing it once more. "Go back to your room, you nosy pain!" Tracey called and shook his head with another laugh.

Ash laughed at the exchange and looked over a Tracey when he heard a door close down the hall. "What were you saying about that sixth sense of yours, Trace?" he asked teasingly.

"He wasn't there the whole time… Though I think he might be right."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ash demanded warily and Tracey chuckled.

"Come on, Ash; you're eighteen and you've never had a girlfriend! Don't you think you're off to a bit of a late start?" Tracey asked pointedly.

"Hey! I've been training!"

A small, teasing smile spread across Tracey's face. "Excuses, excuses. Are you sure you aren't gay, too? I'm sure Gary would love you being in the same boat as he was when he was your age!" It was okay for him to tease Ash like that, he figured; even if the teenage trainer guessed that he was implying that Gary liked him, few people would ever believe that it had once been true. Ash certainly would never believe it unless Gary flat out told him, which Tracey sincerely doubted would happen.

An expression that was a cross between horrified, confused, and possibly a bit humored crossed over Ash's face and Tracey had to suppress a laugh. He didn't usually tease his friends but there were times when it was just necessary. He spoke up again to cut off Ash's surprised sputtering as he tried to formulate a response.

"I'm joking, Ash; come on, let's go down to the lab. I'm sure you're dying to see your other pokemon."