Under the Skin
Chapter 21
"KEEG! GO LONG!"
Keegan looked up at Gary's cry to see a football hurtling towards her. She jumped up from the blanket that they had been sharing to sprint backwards. She jumped up and caught it, drawing it to her stomach.
"Gary, you're an idiot!" She cried, throwing the ball back at him.
"Yeah, I'm your idiot!" Gary answered, winking just before he caught the ball. "To do with as you please!" He threw the football again.
"Does throwing you in an asylum sound al right?" Keegan asked, catching the ball.
"Now why would you do that?"
"'Cause you're crazy!"
"About you!" Gary's voice floated over the field that half of Pallet was in. Keegan had to admit, he wasn't half bad at singing.
"Yea, you're crazy about something, but it ain't me!' Keegan laughed. They spent the next half an hour throwing the ball back and forth, throwing comments along with the ball.
It was Pallet Town's annual fireworks display that night. It was normally held at the end of June, so having it in mid July was odd. However, people were happily lounging in the shade of the few trees or umbrellas that would be taken down closer to twilight. Those with infants or small children were arriving, so Keegan and Gary paused their game to greet Ash and Misty. Isabelle, now 6 and a half months old, was cooing happily as her mother lifted her from the carrier. She as crawling now, and liked to be on the ground, resulting in a very short time of bows and frills. She was normally dressed up in a pair of overalls and a plain colored t-shirt.
"Well, we were right about one thing, she has a lot of energy and a thing for Pokemon." Misty said as Keegan lifted the giggling girl into the air. "She naps with Pikachu all the time."
"I hope you have pictures, I'd love to see them. It's gotten surprisingly busy over at the labs." Keegan said, placing Izzy, as she had been called since day one, on the ground.
"Oh yeah, it usually does. With all the new trainers wanting to get out there. Not to mention Oak is getting flooded with research papers that couldn't make it during the winter." Misty said.
"Pi-cha!!" Izzy cried happily, spotting Zephyr and Pikachu sunning on a small hill. Keegan and Misty followed her over where the pikachu cuddled with her. Ash and Gary stood beside the spot where Ash had spread his families blanket, laughing about Ash's latest opponent. Gary was holding his sides, practically in tears as Ash described the trainer.
"Okay, so, not only does he have on those stupid, Technicolor striped pants, and curly platinum blonde hair, he has on the PINKEST shirt even a gay guy wouldn't touch. And trust me, I know one who saw this guy. He's as gay as you can go without being a woman.
"Anyway, he also had a pair of hideous lime green sunglasses, and YELLOW SHOES of all things, yellow!"
"You are killing me Ash!" Gary howled, sitting on the ground. "I have to see this guy for myself. Got any video footage?"
"I might, I'll see if I can get my hands on any."
"So, what did his party consist of?" Gary asked after he calmed. "Or do I even want to know?"
"Prepared to die laughing?"
"Yes!"
"Okay, they were all shinies, right? He had a Butterfree, Mr. Mime, Snubble, Skitty, Yanma and Whooper."
Gary started rolling on the ground, laughing hard enough to cry.
"Honestly, if this guy is straight, he sure don't look it. And if he's gay, he's the shame of their society." Ash laughed.
"Okay, so was he like, easy as cream pie, or what?"
"Actually no. His Whooper was about to evolve halfway through, but he stopped it. The pokemon were quite powerful and very loyal to their trainer. But I'm sorry, I wasn't letting a joke like that take me out!" Ash laughed.
"I agree. Who won the match for you?"
"Pikachu. He went with me that time, so the guy was all flattered that I actually used my prized pokemon in a fight against him. Pikachu and I both had a hard time holding in our laughter until the guy was out of the room and earshot."
"I bet." Gary gasped, wiping the tears from his eyes and sitting up. A shadow fell across his lap, making him look up. He smiled brightly at Keegan who was looking a bit confused.
"Okay, Ash, what are you doing to this weirdo?"
"Killing him by way of laughter." Ash grinned.
"Oh, this is a good story." Misty smiled, coming up with Izzy. "Ash, can you tell her? I know you just got done with it by the look of Gary."
"Sure, why not? I'll listen." Keegan said, sitting down.
"That's my girl." Gary grinned, finished drying his face. Ash smirked and launched into his tale again. By the time he was done, Keegan and Gary were collapsed onto each other, laughing. Misty wasn't spared either although she had heard this story enough.
"Thanks for that Ash, keep that one." Keegan giggled. Shoving Gary as he gave her a one armed hug.
"I plan on it." Ash chuckled.
"Come one, Keeg. Lets leave this happy little family to themselves and go bug Daisy about some food."
"Ooo, sounds life threatening." Keegan laughed, joining Gary as he stood. "Lets go." Ash and Misty watched them go, smiling when Keegan and Gary's hands joined.
"They are still in denial, aren't they?" Misty asked.
"I dunno, I think Gary is coming around. He's stopped flirting with the other girls. And notice, that was also the time that they started holding hands." Ash pointed out. Misty smiled, dragging Isabelle back to the blanket.
"I think you might be right, now that I think about it." Misty said. "Were they on Oak and Daisy's blanket?"
"Nope." Ash smirked. "Gary mentioned that he and Keegan were going to have their own." He watched his best friend and Keegan slap a high five and begin to load up on snacks. Misty laughed and shook her head. Just when you thought you had Gary Oak all figured out, he turned around and surprised you.
"There." Keegan said happily, placing several bags of chips and a few bottles of juice down on the blanket. She plopped sown with a sigh and watched as Gary sat down slower, placing his armful next to hers. "Almost dark." She commented, looking out towards the ocean.
"Very good, Keegan!" Gary smirked. "Now, what do we call it when it gets all dark outside?"
"Gary, you ass." Keegan said, smacking his arm. "You would NOT make a good teacher."
"That's why I never went to college for it." Gary smiled. He leaned back, using his arms as support. Neither he or Keegan pointed out that she placed her hand on his. They simply watched the commotion at the center of the field where someone was getting ready to launch the large number of fireworks.
Keegan grabbed a bottle of juice just before the sun set completely, and took a swig, feeling her heart racing. She had no idea why though. Zephyr, Eevee, and Umbreon were laying in a content heap at the foot of the blanket, talking quietly to each other. She didn't take her eyes from the lanterns at the 'Fireworks Pit' when she felt Gary scoot closer, under the guise of grabbing his own bottle of juice.
"You aren't very stealthy, you know." She said instead, drinking some more.
"Wasn't trying to be." Gary smiled, taking the cap off and holding the bottle in his left hand, letting is right move behind Keegan to rest on the blanket. Keegan did the same, although with her left arm.
"Quiet." She commented at the hushed voices all around them.
"Usually is." Gary said. He stole a glance at the albino next to him and smiled. She was getting antsy. She'd never seen fireworks before. She was wearing blue jeans and the shirt he had gotten her for Christmas, he'd been right in getting the small, even though it was still a tad big on her. He was surprised that she remained so small despite the months of three square meals a day. Must be a high metabolism. Gary thought, looking towards where the lantern lights had suddenly gone out.
"Here they come, Keeg." Gary whispered, wrapping his arm around her back. She nodded as there was a faint flash of red, then a shrill whistle as the rocket headed for the skies. Gary mentally counted down, smiling when it burst, sending colors across the inky midnight blue of the sky above them. Keegan gasped and jumped, then grinned broadly as more went off. Gary smiled down at her, watching her face as she watched the fireworks. He was glad it was so dark when she turned to him, because he was blushing something awful at the sight of the reflected light in her eyes.
Hardly without thought, Gary leaned down, making Keegan freeze momentarily, but then meet him halfway. The hands not supporting them met over their laps as they parted, smiling gently.
"I think I found my favorite brand of fireworks." Gary whispered, laying back on his elbows. Keegan smiled, leaning against his chest.
"For once we agree." She said.
Author's Comments
Okay, this chapter was A LOT of fun. I'm half tempted to try and draw that guy Ash was talking about, and i'm thinking about actually bringing him in. i don't know though ^^
and FINALLY! Gary and Keegan kissed ///
to freaking cute, i hope it wasn't cheesy.
gyaaa, i'm so exited! things are strting to move along a little faster, so hold onto your seats!