AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well I am back! *Waves both excitedly but with an exhaustion worthy of enough caffeine to kill me* I finished the college semester about a week ago—ish and have been jumping between writing and relaxing. Sorry for the wait you guys! My brain feels semi fried but I'm recovering from what felt like never ending assignments. I hope the wait was at least worth it. I was super excited to get back in to this. Feel free to let me know your thoughts but otherwise thank you for reading! Still love you all! You guys motivate me like you don't even know. I couldn't ask for a more supporitive group of readers. So thank you!

xxxxx

"Paul, fuck! Take it easy-I said take it easy!"

Bent over the bed and stark naked, my hands were flat along the bed covers as Paul had himself buried inside me to the hilt. The bed had been creaking with his movement, the thrusts moving the mattress. Reggie was downstairs and as Paul rammed his cock in to me all I could worry about was the potential of our noise traveling through the floor.

"Just keep your ass up. Don't concern yourself with what I'm doing."

"Well that kind of hard to do with your freakin'… you know... up my ass!"

"My what?" Paul goaded me, bending down to bite my earlobe. "Go ahead, say it."

"Y-Your cock..."

I couldn't look him in the eye so I kept my sight glued to the navy blue bed covers in front of me. Paul chuckled and the sound sent a chill up my spine, the kind that told me I was either in a heap load of trouble or in for something good.

"You fucking love it."

Between my shoulder blades Paul's large hand pushed me down, pinning me flat to my chest. Ass propped up and still bent over, I had to lay my cheek on the sheets to breath. He held me there, then jutted his pelvis forward with a powerful thrust hard enough to truly scare me. He hit my prostate so forcefully it almost hurt, just almost. That deep sensation was something I hadn't felt before and without any control over it, I yelped.

Paul kept moving, but was more careful about it. My face was warm and I put a hand over my mouth in embarrassment. I'd never yelped quite like that, ever. High, and vocal cords strained. There was no way the sound didn't reach outside Paul's bedroom door at least. I was tense, now completey paranoid of being heard messing around. I knew it was Paul's house just as much as it was his older brother's... but I didn't need Reggie to know what we were up to.

Once I tensed with a hand over my mouth, Paul grunted. He didn't like the sudden withdrawal from the activities taking place. He snatched me by the wrist and freed my mouth , using that same wrist to pull me back up from my bent position on the bed. Manhandling me with ease, he hoisted me up to kneel on the bed. With my knees spread like a 'W" and ass sticking out over the edge of the bed, Paul had me lean back against his broad chest.

"You have a little more control this way." He explained, wrapping an arm across my stomach to hold me in place. "But don't forget who's in charge here."

A buck of his hips and I nearly yelped again, my body leaned back in to him. He brought his other hand to my hip, holding me to him as he was buried deep inside me. The contour of his chiseled V line pressed in to my ass, the dip of my back stuck to the last set of abs protruding from his abdomen. As he held the position, I moaned in arousal. My boyfriend was a sexy thing... large and in charge. There wasn't any other way to put it.

"Wouldn't dream of it."

"Then do as I say and we won't have any problems, will we?"

I shook my head 'no' and Paul caressed the ridge of my collarbone, placing his lips along the side of my face. A dry peck along the rise of my cheekbone and Paul revealed his front teeth. He dragged them over the skin there, feeling as my shoulders tensed in anticipation of a bite. His lips curled in to my skin and he kissed there for a long moment.

The hand on my hip began moving, sliding around to the front of my pelvis. I felt him trace inside the apex of my spread thighs, feeling around the tight skin there. His hips moved, fingers still caressing my collarbone. As my breath picked up, the pad of one index finger circled the rising bud formed on my chest. I shivered as a trail raked up the underside of my shaft, swiping up wetness there.

"This arouses you so much, doesn't it?" Paul's voice came from outside my ear.

"You know it does..." I answered back, fighting off the quiver in my voice.

"Then say it."

There wasn't anything to hide with Paul, but I couldn't get the words out as the pad of his sticky finger rubbed the head of my dick. Pressing in, precum oozed over the digit still teasing me. Paul's finger became slick and shiny with my fluids.

"A-Ah... Paul-"

"Hm? What was that?"

Swallowing my entire length with his hand, Paul began stroking me with long, firm squeezes from tip to base. I'd lost my breath, the sound of my voice caught in my throat for a grueling three seconds that stretched on forever. Hot, wet kisses were suckled along my neck as I stretched it back in pure reflex to the hot tingling consuming me from both the front and back. Buried so deep inside me, Paul had me trapped under the influence of his throbbing cock and my own. The hand he had wrapped around my cock may as well been around my vocal cords.

"If there's something you want to tell me you should get on with it before I lose my patience. "

Hips moving in a motion deliberately meant to kill my will to live that moment, Paul scraped his teeth where he'd been kissing.

"P-P-Paul..."

Slowly he began sinking his teeth in to my skin, the pressure increasing showing me he wasn't scared to break skin if need be. The dull edge of his front teeth could easily mark me up... and he had them right on my neck. Where I didn't want any marks. Of course I couldn't speak but I mustered the will to try. Only incoherent gibberish came out.

"Talk to me." he coaxed, teasing growl for a voice. "There's something right on the tip of your tongue, isn't there?"

There was something on the tip of my tongue, literally. Paul released my cock and brought a finger to my gaping mouth. Down the center of my tongue he dragged it, smearing my own essence across it and right down to the tip. My mouth salivated upon contact, my taste buds reacting to the new taste that was myself.

Paul had caught me off guard with that but I kept my mouth open for him. A clipped moan slipped from my throat, almost garbled as Paul added a finger and continued thrusting in to me. He played with my mouth and I closed my lips around his fingers, sucking around his knuckles. He loved it, I could hear it in his groan.

"You're not getting off that easy." he warned me. "Talk."

Fingers in my mouth, Paul pushed my head back to rest on him so I'd be looking up at him. In a burst of defiance, I sucked his fingers harder using my tongue to curl around them. With a steady stare on Paul, I disobeyed him. I fucking disobeyed him and the ballsy move shocked even me. Butterfree flooded my stomach at the glint glossed over Paul's intense coal stare. Smoke wafting within them like fire had been struck to light the coal and set it ablaze. I got him good... and I was in huge trouble.

"You want to play that game, huh?"

His thrusts paused as he pulled his fingers out to grab me by the chin. Mouth right above mine he held my face, forcing me to crane my neck over my shoulder. As he went to speak, he stopped at the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs. For me everything stopped, but for Paul it had just begun. A smirk so devious it could put the devil himself to shame came across Paul's lips and all the color drained from my flushed face.

Reggie was walking up the stairs and Paul began fucking me with a pace I wasn't ready for. Paul's fingers out of my mouth, I had nothing to occupy it with. I bit down on my lip, straining not to make any noise as Paul thrusted away behind me. His thrusts got stronger as Reggie began walking down our side of the hallway. Paul had me kneeled on his side of the bed, meaning I faced the direction of the door.

I couldn't help but notice the door wasn't locked.

"Sounds like he's gonna come knocking, a shame that door isn't locked." Paul patronized me lowly. " I guess you forgot to do that when you came running in to see me with that hundred-watt smile and tight ass of yours. Huh?"

"Oh my god. Paul, no-"

"You best better get talking then."

Reggie's footsteps were getting closer and if Paul held true to his threat then once Reggie came knocking, Paul wasn't going to say anything in warning for him not to come in. My heart hammered so hard inside my chest it was overwhelming. My diaphragm shook as I struggled to force myself to speak. Because now, Paul was purposely interfering with that.

"Paul, I love it- AH!"

"Love what, Ash?"

A hard thrust forward and color returned to my face, red filling the apples of my cheeks and bridge of my nose. Teary eyed and whimpering under my breath, I trembled as Reggie came dangerously close towards the door.

"I love you inside me-"

"Love my WHAT inside you?"

"Your cock!"

I whispered harshly, squeaking as the cartilage of my ear was nipped. Hot breath blew inside my ear canal with Paul's dick pressing on my pulsing prostate like a joy buzzer. Sweat formed across my whole body, Paul's skin dry as bone in comparison to me. He kept moving, showing no sign of being pleased with me. Knowing what he wanted to hear, I whined low in my throat and clenched around him as pleasurable humming built inside me dangerously fast.

"It turns me on, I love it." I gasped, heart pounding and nerves gone haywire. "Paul please-"

My eyes were glued to the door and I could see Reggie's shadow begin to shift under the door. Adrenaline filling me to the brim, I hyperventilated as my peak began to approach. The sound of Reggie's footsteps right outside the door grew perfectly clear and my release shot from me. My mouth opened and Paul clapped his hand over it, muffling me. Lips outside my ear, he shushed me. I could hardly contain myself despite how embarrassed I was. Paul grunted and his hips shot forward, rocking against me as he came.

His heat filled me and to my surprise, Reggie never stopped at our door. He just kept on walking by. His chattered on to whatever pokemon he had with him. His footsteps went on down the hallway, a closet opening as he rummaged through it. My eyes were wide as I panted, leaning back in to Paul's chest that was damp with my perspiration.

"Fuck..." I sighed out loud, tired and relieved. "That was close."

"Pft." Paul retorted, dissmisvely.

"…?"

He pulled out and I crawled forward towards the center of the bed. Paul sat down on the bed and reached for the box of tissues. I saw a mischievous gleam in his eye, like he found something funny. Or like he'd gotten away with something. I blinked in a puzzled sort of way then heard Reggie talking.

"Let's get this vacuum downstairs, guys." He cooed to the pokemon out there with him. "Gotta finish cleaning. Come on."

The closet door Reggie had opened was shut and he walked down the hallways past out door again. Down the stairs he went with the vacuum and seconds later it was turned on. The whir of the vacuum went on, coming through the walls as Reggie carried on with some housework. Not once during any of that had he stopped at our door.

With realization I whipped my head around to face Paul. He nonchalantly held out the tissue box for me to take. I took it from him and whacked him in the chest with the cardboard.

"That was- that was-" I sputtered "...That was complete-"

"Completely hot."

"Paul!"

I huffed, not being taken seriously with my rosy complexion and glossy eyes that screamed 'just got my rocks off'. I tried whacking him again but Paul caught the tissue box mid swing and dropped it back to the nightstand. I was pulled in to Paul's lap, his hands holding me by each wrist.

"You're too cute. Mad and shit, come here."

Paul kissed my mouth and I tried wiggling my hands from his grip. He let go as I tried pulling away and as a result I wound up falling back in to the bedspread. Paul crawled over me, trapping me with an arm placed on either side of my torso. I put a knee up to thwart him but all my boyfriend had to do was swipe it away with swift bunt of his own knee. Kisses peppered up my collar bone to the base of my neck, Paul tracing his mouth to my jugular.

"Baby, I was just messing with you. I knew Reggie wasn't going to come and walk in on us."

"Well I figured that out a little too late." I grumbled. "I was terrified. I really thought he was going to walk in."

"I'd never let anyone else see you like that."

Resting one arm above my head, Paul leaned his weight on it and cupped the side of my face with one hand. Stroking my cheekbone with his thumb, Paul kissed me on the mouth. It was firm and possessive, his tongue forcing itself past my lips. The force of his kiss pushed my skull down in the mattress, my legs being spread further apart by Paul's knees.

"You're mine." Paul mumbled lowly against my lips. "Don't you forget that either. Like hell I'd let anyone see you like that. I'm not one for sharing."

Paul continued kissing me and I brought my hands up to hug him. There was something so scary about the way he spoke about me, possessive and making no attempt to hide it. But it made me feel so safe and wanted... still, my shock to his territorial tone showed through my expression. Paul stared back at me, expression level and his lips just shy of forming a scowl.

"There shouldn't be a problem with that."

I shook my head and brought him back down to me, then placed my mouth on his chastely. One peck turned to two and soon I was opening my mouth for him, welcoming the weight of his body upon mine as my legs seemed to spread upon their own will.

Xxxxx

My training under Reggie was to start the next day he told me before Paul and I left for the night. After going home for the night with Paul, I woke up the next morning as Paul's alarm went off bright and early. The bed creaked as he rolled over and leaned a long arm over me. Grabbing his dex, he shut off the alarm and kissed the top of my head. I rolled over in to him and wrapped my arms around his waist to bury myself in to his chest.

"I have to get up."

"Five more minutes, Paul..."

My boyfriend snorted and shook his head before settling down. Dragging a finger over my hair, he played with the tufts of bedhead I sported that morning. Still half asleep I mumbled to myself sleepily, my arms growing limp on Paul.

"My brother is expecting you at Noon." He informed me, smoothing out my hair with little success.

"What time is it now?"

"It's almost eight."

Making a noise in understanding I didn't make a move to get up. Paul curled his arm around me and held me close, watching me as I drifted between falling asleep and holding on so I could enjoy my time with him in bed before he had to get up for work.

"You'll fall asleep like that." He warned me, some amusement in the gravely morning voice of his.

"It's your fault... your chest is warm." I reasoned, stifling a yawn between his pecs. "It makes me sleepier."

"Sure, let's play the blame game."

Paul pinched the tip of my nose between two fingers and wiggled it back and forth a bit. I swatted his hand away and he chuckled. Kissing me again on the head he began getting up to go take a shower. The light from the bathroom shone in the darkness of our room, the light spilling out from the corners of the door while the showerhead turned on. About ten minutes later the bathroom door opened, letting light in that cast over the foot of the bed.

With a towel wrapped around his waist Paul went to the walk in closet and flicked the light switch in there. His hangers clacked as he picked what he needed for the day, zippers and buttons being set straight alongside the rustling of clothing. The closet light was shut off and Paul came out, walking over to my side of the bed. Something on the nightstand was picked up.

"I'm setting your alarm for ten just in case."

A few clicks and Paul placed my dex back on the nightstand. As it was put back, I opened my eyes sleepily. Paul leaned down give a kiss goodbye on the forehead, reminding me to leave the house half an hour early to be on time for Reggie. He was expecting me at Lunch time.

When Paul left I fell back asleep only to be woken up not by the alarm Paul had set for me, but by something poking me on the nose. Alain's Shinx sat in front of my face, chipper with his tail curled up high. His paw came down on my face again, booping me on the nose. I blinked a few times, then as I woke up I began wondering how he'd gotten in to the room. Paul never left the bedroom door open while either of us was sleeping. Ever.

"Shinx, buddy... it's kind of early. How'd you get in here?"

The Shinx proudly curled it's tail around as if to tell me he'd done so on his own. Looking at the door, I saw it was open just enough so that Shinx could waltz in. I shook my head and pat the cat pokemon on the head before sitting up to check the time. It was just shy of ten in the morning, about quarter till ten. Yawning, I put my dex down and made my way to the bathroom.

Brushing my teeth and showering, I walked out to find Pikachu and Shinx having a conversation of sorts. They both paused when I walked in, then carried on as I went to the closet. As I finished getting dressed Pikachu poked his head in, my hat in his hands. I laughed and took it from him, putting it on my head.

"Thank's buddy."

"Chu!"

Pikachu and Shinx followed me downstairs as I went to find something to snack on. Shinx latched himself to my shin and Pikachu trailed behind me. Taking a banana off the counter, I peeled it and took a bite. Alain walked in with his guitar slung across his back. He waved to me with two fingers, opening a nearby cabinet for a thermos that he began to fill with coffee Paul had left in the coffee pot.

"I don't know much about coffee since I don't drink it but wouldn't a fresh batch taste better? That must be cold by now. Paul left over an hour ago."

"I'm gonna add some cream to it then ice it." He explained. "Paul knows me pretty well. Which is why he leaves the coffee out to cool off. I've drank it like this for years."

"Oh...my bad."

Alain set the empty coffee pot in the sink and shook his head, signaling me not to worry. He gestured to the fridge and asked me to grab him the creamer. I got it for him, handing it over. Alain spotted Shinx on my shin and began pouring some creamer in to his thermos.

"Shinx, it's a little early to be bugging people isn't it?" He questioned the cat, setting the creamer down.

"I don't mind. He's just being friendly."

"Don't I know it. He really likes you. You must have that special 'aura' thing that old woman talks about."

"What?"

"The old woman, you know. Your grandma. Maggie is her name, right?"

I nodded and Alain went over to the freezer for some ice. One by one he plopped the cubes in to the thermos and shut it before swiveling it around to chill it. He glanced to the clock and said he had to leave for work soon. Curiously, he looked at me.

"So why are you up so early? You get a job or something?"

"...Yeah, actually."

"Your husband finally caved. Good for you, wow."

I rolled my eyes at Alain calling Paul my husband, my dark complexion doing me a favor by also hiding the light blush blossoming across my cheeks. There was something so incredibly nice about the word 'husband' being used to describe Paul... just the thought of it was enough to make me flush. That was a long way ahead though. Alain's use of the word was just to get a rise out of me, however.

"We're not married. Stop calling him my husband."

"Like you wouldn't say 'yes' if he asked to be. Please." Alain dismissed, smirking at the undeniable proof now staining through my cheeks. "Once he pops the question you're gonna be his little housewife and do whatever he wants."

"… what's your point?"

Opening the thermos again, Alain took a sip and nodded a few times. With sincere curiosity, he crossed his arm and fiddled with the thermos held in his hand. Looking me confidently in the eye with his icey blue stare, he posed a question.

"I know Paul, he has his eyes locked on you. It's really just a matter of time 'till you're his little blushing bride and whatnot. That being said, I can't figure out what's taking him so long. Why the wait?"

"I don't know?"

"There has to be something."

"Paul and I have only been together since summer... thats hardly a few months."

Alain rolled his eyes at that.

"Paul doesn't give a shit about social shit like that. If he wanted to marry you when he came home from work tonight he would."

"That's a two-way agreement..."

"Well I doubt if your knight in shining armor asked for your hand on the spot that you'd tell him no. Don't even try to tell me I'm wrong. "

Again, my face was warm. Shrugging my shoulders I looked away from Alain.

"Why do you care?"

"You two are living in my house. I like to stay current with what's brewing and what not. Paul's always had the sincerity of an open book with his good intentions and shit. He's just masked with a dark cover, doesn't talk much. Hard to figure him out. He's changed a lot though. I can't trace that back to anything but you."

Alain's eyes went to the clock again and he clicked his tongue inside his cheek.

"I gotta head out. Chin up, Ash. I mean no harm." Alain assured me. "If anything I'm rooting for you."

"Thanks Alain... I appreciate that given that you once-you know, nevermind. Just thanks."

It was quiet for a second and Alain mulled over the thoughts pacing around his head. Debating whether to speak, he took a moment. When he did decide to speak, it was after looking at Shinx.

"I never meant any harm with Paul those years back... I was lonely. And he just has a heart all his brother's whether he accepts that or not. If you look real deep past their personalities and whatever, they really are the same person. It's hard not to want him. "

"What stopped you from wanting him then?"

"I want someone else more. Much more."

Alain adjusted the guitar case on his back and Shinx let go of my shin to tell Alain goodbye. He crawled over and Alain picked him up, pecking the blue cat's nose before going to work. The cat followed him all the way to the door. When I left after him later on, Shinx tried following me out. Nudging him back inside with my foot how Paul had shown me to do, I left. But not without hearing the sad cry from the other side of the door. Pikachu's ears drooped.

Xxxxx

When I arrived at Reggie's I was half an hour early. I heard him in the backyard so instead of ringing the doorbell I went around back. The Pokemon were helping him gather berries and Pikachu jumped from my shoulder to go join in. Except, instead of going to gather berries my Pikachu went up to the basket sitting in the grass and took one from it. Happily bringing it to his mouth he took a big bite. Reggie looked over to his right from his crouched position in front of the berry bush and laughed.

"There you are, now where's Ash?" He asked Pikachu.

"Pika!"

Pointing in the direction I was walking, Pikachu alerted Reggie to my presence. Reggie's face lit up and he waved to me. I waved back and approached, apologizing for Pikachu getting in to the berries.

"Oh nothing wrong with it. That's what the berries are for anyways." Reggie stated before looking down at Pikachu with a doting grin. "Is it good?"

My Pikachu nodded enthusiastically and finished off the berry in one more bite. The other pokemon came in, sniffing around the basket.

"Go ahead guys, have one." he told them, seeing as they were all peckish. "Just one though, lunch is being served up soon."

The Pokemon all rejoiced and took a berry each. Reggie looked at me and smiled.

"You're gonna help me with that. We'll have some lunch too then we're gonna get to work."

Smiling back, happy and optimistic, I agreed.

"Sounds great."

Already knowing how to feed the pokemon, I measured out the food and filled the pokemon dishes. Fresh water was set out by Reggie and as the pokemon ate he had me check off how much of their food each was eating. Some of the babies Reggie still had in his possession had poor appetites, only eating about half their food before toddling off. Growlithe came over and helped with that, eating up all the scraps.

"What a glutton." Reggie chuckled as I shoo'd Growlithe away once he'd resorted to licking the now empty dishes. "He loves food."

"He sure does. Good thing he runs around all day or else he'd be the chunkiest Growlithe ever."

"I doubt you'd have any trouble loving him if he had a pudgy belly."

Shooing Growlithe didn't really work because he came back towards me and started jumping around like he wanted to play. I agreed with Reggie though, Growlithe was cute. If he overate too much and gained weight it would make his puppy face irresistible. Thankfully he wasn't chunky, giving me the willpower to shoo him away as he tried playing.

"Hey, hey! I'm working." I scolded him.

"Oh you can play with. I'm going to make our lunch now. You can play while it's cooking."

Done with the clipboard I put it aside and Reggie whistled for Growlithe's attention, telling him to go fetch a toy. The puppy pokemon bolted from the kitchen and came back with a rope in his mouth. On one end there was knot which Growlithe held in his mouth playfully. I wound up playing tug of war with Growlithe as Reggie cooked up some ramen with all the fixings and garnish.

When it was time to eat, I went to the kitchen sink to wash my hands. Growlithe followed me all the way across the kitchen floor, rope in his mouth whining with ears drooped down. I apologized to him and he whined more, tilting his nose down and raising his eyes to look at me.

"I can't play anymore right now. Maybe we'll play more later? Is that better?" I consoled him.

"Oh he just pulls at your heartstrings, doesn't he?"

Placing a kettle of tea on the table, Reggie smiled down at Growlithe who had followed me as I sat down. He plopped down by my feet, grumbling in defeat. Resting his head on my sneaker he stayed put, the rope still held in his mouth protectively.

"He's so cute."

"Growlithe tend to be cute. Puppy faces that they have and all. But they're increibly loyal and obedient." Reggie explained to me. "They make good pokemon for battle, especially once they evolve. But as babies they can be a little aloof sometimes... as you see for yourself."

Growlithe on my foot was more than enough to confirm what Reggie had told me. He was nothing like his meaner, bigger brother whom had been taken by the trainer. His loss, really. The trainer missed out on a great pokemon.

"I think it's kind of mean the trainer didn't take him because he's small but at the same time I happy he didn't. Growlithe is so sweet. That trainer wouldn't have been very nice to him."

"That is very true. That trainer would have been an impatient type."

"It must be important to match Pokemon with the right kind of trainer."

"Right you are. You're going to do great here. I already know it."

That afternoon Reggie gave me a course on pokemon grooming, going in detail on which shampoos to use on what type of pokemon. Brush types and techniques, ect. I got a crash course to get me started, Reggie showing me what to do whilst letting me practice on various pokemon.

"I know you've helped me brush the pokemon before but we're gonna get in to some of the real nitty gritty. I want to get you proficient in grooming so you can take care of this for me while I focus on training you and caring for the pokemon." he explained, instructing me how to prepare a bath for a pokemon. "It's a trade off of sorts. If I'm training you then I need one less thing to do in it's place. Only so much time in the day. But this will all be worth it and pan out. I have no doubts."

With what was basically a little kid pool set up in the grass outside, Reggie prepared a bath. The water was warm and he placed the shampoo and conditioner, amongst other products such as detangler, next to the bath. He nodded approvingly at the set up then announced all we needed was a pokemon to have me practice on.

Sure enough my Pikachu came running over and curiously looked in to the pool. Smiling I went to pick him up. Pikachu squeaked, blanching when he realized he had been volunteered. Wanting nothing to do with it he began wiggling and trying to get away. He jumped from my arms and ran to hide behind Reggie.

"Aw c'mon, Pikachu... I need to practice."

"Pika pi!" He argued back, ears down in a clear show of apprehension."Chu..."

"Please Bud?"

Giving my Pikachu and crestfallen look, I convinced him to get in the water. Reggie almost snickered as Pikachu did what looked to be the walk of shame towards the tub. Looking in, he looked back at me and sighed.

"Thanks Buddy. I'll do my best."

I picked him up and put Pikachu in the water but not before double checking to make sure Reggie hadn't made it too warm. It was fine and I followed Reggie's instructions, pouring shampoo over my hands and lathering up Pikachu's fur while being mindful not to touch his cheeks.

"If this Pikachu wasn't so used to you I wouldn't let you practice on him. Electric types aren't the best to use when starting out. I can imagine you'd understand why."

Pikachu's cheeks zapped a little, static coming from them as a drop of water hit one. I chuckled nervously and Reggie assured me I was doing great. By the time I got Pikachu all rinsed off and conditioned, he'd begun to relax in to the bath. I rubbed conditioner in to his fur and he shut his eyes, smiling.

"Cha~"

"See you're a natural." Reggie praised me, impressed with my technique. "I didn't even have to correct you or step in."

Pikachu's bath finished without a hitch... until he decided to shake off his wet fur on me. I sputtered, putting my hands out as if it would shield me. I'd managed not to get myself too wet while washing Pikachu but there I was, my clothes speckled with water now. Reggie had an outright laugh at the expression on my face.

I shook my head in exasperation with my Pikachu. I went through the trouble to bathe him and he repaid me like that. Reggie handed me a towel to dry him off, explaining he would show me how to use the blow dyer and such another day. Pikachu vocalized happily as I made sure to dry him off very well, hugging him in the towel after. I pecked Pikachu's head and laughed at the disgruntled face he gave me.

"That's a rude face to make when someone kisses you, Pikachu."

"I'm sure he's appreciative in his own way." Reggie consoled me, digging in his apron pocket for something. "Well regardless, thank you helping us out. Why don't you take this for your trouble?"

Reggie pulled a pokebean from the pocket and held it out for Pikachu. He went right over and sniffed it before taking it from Reggie and plopping it in his mouth.

"Food is definitely the way to win him over... speaking of food winning him over. Here's Growlithe."

Growlithe came over and sniffed at Reggie's hand where Pikachu's pokebean had been. Reggie grinned and tapped the pokemon on the nose, chiding him.

"Uh-uh. If you want one you're letting Ash give you a bath."

Without further ado Growlithe leaped in to the tub with a big splash. I was covered in water as Growlithe began jumping around and rolling in it. On top of the shock, I was flabbergasted at the fact a fire type just leaped in to the water without any apprehension.

"He doesn't have a lit flame on his body so he can handle water just fine." Reggie clarified, getting over the chuckle set upon him by my impromptu rinse. "… You don't look too pleased though."

"I think I'm going to need a rain coat next time."

"I'm sure we could arrange it."

Washing Growlithe was not easy at all. He was too excited at the idea of getting a treat afterwards. By the time he was washed, conditioned and dried off, I was completely soaked. Happy with himself, Growlithe went over and got his pokebean, chewing it contently with loud smacks of his mouth before his tongue lolled out to the side.

"Are you proud of yourself?" I questioned him, blotting my wet shirt with the towel.

Growlithe came over and put his paws on my chest, tail wagging and eye gleaming. I relented my annoyance and pat him, getting licked across the face after. Reggie stood up and gathered up the products we'd used.

"Well I think you did great today, we can wrap it up for now. Tomorrow is a new day as the old expression goes."

"Thanks for this Reggie, I'm happy for the opportunity. "

"So am I."

I assumed Paul had worked some influence on Reggie for him to accept me as a trainee, but Reggie denied that. As he stood a few feet away from me dumping the water out of the tub on to the grass, he looked over his shoulder at me.

"I thought it was a great idea to take you on. I felt like you had a place working with pokemon but I didn't want to impose on you any ideas or pressure. When Paul asked if I'd consider having you work for me I kicked myself for not having thought of it first."

Reggie carried the empty tub to the back of the house, near the sliding door I stood at. He propped it against the wall.

"But that's Paul. He's always a few steps ahead."

"Yup, that's him. I wish I was like that, feels like I'm always lagging behind a step."

"You and Paul will balance each other out. That's small stuff."

Going inside the back sliding door, we were greeted by Shinx who crawled forward so Reggie would pick him up. Reggie picked him up and appraised the cat pokemon's shiny eyes.

"You look like you're up to something. Mischievous little thing." he cooed, stroking between his ears. "Hm? What are you up to?"

"Paul swears up and down that Shinx is shifty."

"Shinx isn't shifty. He's just very clever."

Shinx purred and played with the end of Reggie's long ponytail that hung over one shoulder. The pokemon didn't look very conniving to me.

"Good luck explaining that to Paul."

"Well he's always thought these two were strange. Or when I had two, I mean."

"...do you miss him?"

Stroking over Shinx's belly, Reggie watched as Shinx batted at the end of his ponytail. He nodded, almost mesmerized by the Shinx for a few seconds.

"I do. I miss him a lot. But I hope he'd doing well wherever he is." He answered me before his eyes subtly widened. "The Shinx... I hope he's okay."

Going silent I awkwardly nodded in agreement with Reggie. He bounced back from his lapse and cleared his throat. My pocket buzzed then and I checked it, seeing it was Paul. He gave a head's up that Maggie would be coming over for dinner and to give Reggie a heads up. I gave the message to Reggie and he was all for it, happy at the knowledge he would be meeting my infamous grandmother.

Already preparing to start dinner planning, he gestured for me to follow him to the kitchen. As he set to work inspecting the cabinets for what he could use later, I sat at the table snacking on some crackers and cheese. Reggie had gathered a few ideas for what he might make before coming to join me. He took some chunks of cheese and popped one in his mouth as I held out a cracker for Shinx to nibble on. At my feet Growlithe was begging, eyes glued to the cracker in my hand.

"It's been really nice having both you and Paul around so often." Reggie announced. " I'm almost sad you two don't live here, but since you've come in to the picture Paul does come around more willingly. And much more often. I hope it stays this way."

"Well if I'm working here then that kind of guarantees it, right?"

"Yes. But it still drives me crazy my little brother won't just stay here."

Paul had already given me his reasons for moving out. I understood why he felt the way he did, but while looking at his older brother I saw someone who was incredibly hurt by said decision.

"Has Paul said anything to you? I doubt he has but..."

Reggie's voice died off hopefully and I had to sit there and contemplate whether to play dumb and live with the guilt, or tell him the truth and risk both hurting his feelings and spilling something Paul had told me in confidence. I hesitated to answer and Reggie then signaled to me it was okay. I didn't have to tell him anything.

"I shouldn't stick my nose around. Paul's never liked that."

"I can't speak for Paul but I think he's just showing his gratitude for you in a non-conventional way."

Intrigued that I had spoken up, Reggie waited for me to continue with my train of thought.

"I'm not going to repeat anything he said, but this isn't anything against you. Paul's never said anything bitter about you to me. His reasons for keeping his distance really aren't to hurt you at all..."

"Whatever they are, I'm sure they're justified. I just miss having him home with me. The house just feels emptier as the days go on."

"I don't think it feels empty here."

"To me it does."

Reggie's face fell, giving me a look at the burden he carried with him.

" I remember having Paul on my own for the first night... I tucked him in to bed. Kissed his head and told him goodnight. I said I loved him then shut the door. I cried the minute I got back to my room. It was only me and Paul against the world that day, and every day that followed." He told me, eyes on the table between us. " I've given everything I can for him and I still don't think I've done enough. Paul has been a part of my life for so long I don't know how to fully rebuild it without him dead and center."

"I'm really confident Paul wants nothing more than for you to learn how to do that..."

"I still see him as my baby brother. I can't ever just let go the way I'm sure he wishes I would. I raised him. I've had his better interest at heart since he was born. I'll never not worried for Paul, and there's nothing I wouldn't do for him."

With empathy to Reggie and how he felt, I expressed that I understood. He appreciated that I had leant an ear to his feelings but excused his abrupt purge. He was just another confession away from tearing up but stopped himself. Keeping composed how he'd trained himself to be with Paul during hard times, Reggie blinked to avoid crying.

"I would never wish this lonely feeling on anyone. Having you and Paul around has be wonderful. If there's anything I want for Paul, it's that he never mourns the loss of his mother. Or anyone else for that matter. He's rebuilt his life around you, so please stay near."

xxxxx