Anything For Love

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or the characters from Pokemon in this story.

Warning: Swearwords

Main Characters Ages:

Misty/Mickey- 18
Gary- 18
Ash- 18
Richie- 18

"…" Talking

'Italic' Thinking/Texting

Chapter 37: Kind Of In A Limbo

** Hotel Room **

Even though its superstitions, with it being near the end of the 'Witching Hour'; some time past two-thirty, she wished to speak to and asked a witch spirit for a spell favor. Some sort of Time-Freeze spell to be exact just to delay the inevitable question. The wish wasn't needed any more as time froze itself the second Gary's expression turn earnestly at her. Weighted down by her deliberation, Gary's question kept bopping around on her mind a bit longer until she finally had a suitable answer. Just wasn't sure how content he would be with it when he hears her out. Fingers twiddling with the covers, she stared straight into his eyes and forcefully cleared her throat.

"—Obviously you have surpassed my ideal male best friend status. I may be crazy and irrational most of the time, especially taking two of sisters' advice. It did help me on figuring out my tangle-mixed feelings." Bashfully looking away, the covers pressed closer to her chest. "Jumping in between the sheets with you wasn't a total whim. Well, the idea was from my sisters. But while you were gone, I was definitely at war with myself." Misty slightly angled her head at Gary's composed physique. "Becoming more conscious of my feelings for you, you totally have done a number on me."

"It's in plain slight that it's a two-way street. You've done more than just a single digit number on me," A forced leer was expressed briefly. "And how you're calmly rambling, I get a feeling there's a 'but' to this, isn't there?" Gary asked calmly, though the way he ran his fingers irksomely through his hair showed differently.

"Yes in a way? Don't get me wrong, Gary. I'm like mentally getting giddy and nervous just at the possible thought of us being together. It's just I can't be in a relationship with you, just not yet. Ash is still in the picture and we both clearly know it."

"Then, what's exactly going to happen with this ridiculous triangle of ours?"

A tiny scoff faintly escaped between her lips. "Not much of a triangle anymore? With what I've done and put Ash through, I don't think he'll be keeping his disorderly feelings for me. Even after by some sort of miracle of forgiving me." Misty pulled her knees closer to her chest. "You know that I can't throw away a decade worth of feelings overboard and instantly terminate every bit of his existence. But I can move forward?" Misty stated with a hint of doubtfulness. Follow by a heavy huff when she threw her forehead in her left palm. "I know I can only have one of you guys and how our current situation is, undeniably I'm leaning towards you. But before anything could happen, there's an unresolved business I need do to with Ash first."

"You're not talking about that one item you want to return to him, is it?"

"It is," Misty eye's fell upon her bag that had the treasure box inside. "Duplica found it and gave it to me when she last visited. I've been trying to find a good time to return and confess to him about my real identity. Clearly that didn't turn out how I picture it. Story of my life." Misty blew hard at her damp bangs.

"You're the one that created it." Before giving Misty a chance to reply, he had silence her lips with his. Slowly pulling away, he brushed the remaining strands. "And somehow you've have drawn me into it." Misty's bamboozled expression; that he found tomboyishly cute, caused him to quickly pull away towards the foot of the bed. If he hadn't, he might have continued on with more than just a kiss. Falling onto his back and throwing his right forearm over his eyes, he exhaled sorely. "As much as I want you to go return that item to Ash right away, so we can figure out our shit. It's not going to be simple. How Ash is, it's best for you to wait until he's back to himself."

"You mention that you've dealt with this before. So how long does it last for?"

"I want to say one lasted for a week and the other was like two and a half weeks? Naturally I was the caused for both, no big surprise there," Still poised of his position; another sigh transpired. "May was the one who managed to revert himself back to normal on both occasion. But I honestly don't know how long it took her to be successful. Ash's anger type is a mixture of Behavioral and Passive-Aggressive. And how goody-two-shoes he is, it's a deadly combo for us."

"Can't we ask May?" Misty gradually scooted towards the edge and reached down towards her yukata. She froze midway when Gary looked over at her. With her back side exposed, she hastily snatched the yukata and retreat to her original covered position. "Can you look away, please?"

A chuckle escaped but he did what Misty asked by staring upwards at the ceiling. "Are you seriously being shy now? Just to let you know, I have a freshly image of you imbedded in my brain."

"Shut up! That was then and this is now. Totally different atmosphere, so of course I'm a bit self-conscious now."

"You can be so confusing with your logic, especially when you were perfectly fine in a two piece outfit as Lola."

Misty tossed a pillow at Gary's head and threw on her yukata. "So I'm complicated like that, I'm a girl after all!"

With the weight shifted, he took a guess that Misty had stepped off to fully wrap herself. He guessed right when he peeked in her direction after removing the pillow. "Anyways, I don't think May would do any good this time around. Even if she could, she's out of the Kanto region at the moment."

Taking a seat back at the edge of the bed, Misty looked at the scattered clothes. "Of course. So by any chance do you remember what you did to majorly pissed Ash off? Maybe we can narrow it down on figuring out a solution."

"I don't remember the first time. But I believe the second time, it had to deal with May. That was when I figured out Ash had a crush on my sister." Arose into an upright position, Gary looked over at Misty. "Like I said, it's not going to be simple. Got to wait it out."

Keeping her anxiety at a low-key base ended up being a failed attempt. Her eyes gave it away. "Then you're ok waiting a bit longer?" Misty asked quietly.

"I don't have much of a choice."

When it came to Gary, Misty was never fond of the poker-faced response. She could never pick out his tell and it bugged her. Although putting herself in his position, she didn't disagree the feeling he had putted out. A steady minute to themselves and still no follow up response of the matter, she knew it was best to leave it and change subjects.

"Sooo I was wondering, why didn't we just return back to the academy? Surely they would have opened the gates. Were there other punishments besides having our Off-Campus privileges taken way?"

"Rumor has it that the Overnight Guards are allowed to do a reasonable punishment, if they choose too, before reporting to Principal Dean."

"Can they do that?"

"You know how anything goes here at the academy when it comes to punishments. With your situation, I didn't want to take any chances. We've heard that one of the guards he'll make you run a mile or two on the tracks in your underwear." Gary looked away before he caught Misty's dazed stare. Next thing he knew, he felt a weight on his shoulder.

Adjusting her head more comfortably, her lips slightly curled. "You really do look out for me, huh? No doubt about it, I probably wouldn't have managed this far. Thank you."

"True. But this time around I can't take all the credit. It seems like the rest of the gang got ours backs."

"What are you getting at?"

"I got a voice message from Derek saying we haven't been caught yet. He'll fill us in on the whole details. I don't know how they pulled it off, but I'm glad they did. We should return back early morning to be on the safe side." Without disturbing Misty resting posture, Gary slightly shifted his head towards the clock. Little did he know Misty did the same with just her eyes.

"So we're checking out in less than three hours. I guess I'll just sleep when we return."

"Not going to take a nap?" Gary angled his eyes downwards at Misty's head.

Misty giggled and her stare returned back at the open floor. "I don't think I can even if I tried. I'm pretty wide awake and silly to say, I'm pretty hungry."

Gary laughed when Misty threw her face in her palms; due to embarrassment. "You totally have a guy's mindset. I'm pretty hungry myself, especially after what we went through." Another chuckle escaped when he got lightly shoved, as he smiled in her direction. "We can do room service?"

"Nah, it'll probably take forever. I'm fine with what we have in our basket. I just want to eat and lounge with you in bed." Misty had already grabbed the basket and brought it back to the bed. Her mind was set how she wanted to spend her remaining time. Because she wasn't sure how the two will be after leaving the hotel. "But you are your own person. You can do whatever you want."

"Don't I always?" Gary stated and got hit by an apple after Misty rested against the headboard. Relocating to the other end of the bed and on the other side of the basket, a smirk crept on his face. "Fair warning, lounging around might not happen. I might have another appetite for something else besides what's in the basket."

Openly picked up on the indication, Misty chewed her apple calmly. May it be a joke or not, she didn't mind it at all. "If it happens before I take my shower and bind myself afterwards, than it happens."

Gary almost choked on his apple. He was only joking and unable to read Misty's expression; he wasn't sure anymore. "Is that an invitation?"

"Should I write you a note of the open invitation for you to get it?" Misty flashed a smile before hiding it behind another bite of her apple.

Evidently it wasn't confessed or shown; the two were truly relieved that they were able to be their casual selves. Even after the compelled talk. Gary's smile matched Misty's before he too took another bite of his apple. His focus went straight ahead towards the black screen of the television. Seeing their serenely reflections in it, he wanted time to freeze. Inability for it to happen, he intend on making the best of what remaining time he had with just Misty.

** FLASHBACK TO EARLIER – Academy's Entrance Gates **

The minute hand on Richie's watch struck fifty-five when he and Sparky ran through the gates. Cutting it close before the curfew; a victory dance was made next to Lorenzo; the nightshift guard. The dance got cut short when his surname was called out. A ludicrous grin appeared when Lorenzo mention he had dodged another bullet. Richie waved and started walking in the direction of the dormitory, only to turn back around when he heard 'just one more' from Lorenzo. He was curious if his assumption was correct. Hearing Gary's surname, he really wondered what went down after his call with Gary. Feeling that he owes him, he thought of an alibi and hoped it'll fall into place.

"Are you sure you didn't missed him when he returned back? Because he and I were racing who can return first. He called me a bit ago gloating that he won," Richie flipped open his cell to show the phone log. "He's probably back at the dorms with Mickey, or Derek and Luke."

"He's not with Mickey. He's been excused elsewhere."

"Sooorry, I didn't know. Like I said earlier, he's probably slipped on by with the crowd. With the festival happening, you're telling me that everyone wasn't coming and going?" Richie could tell he had stumped and riled Lorenzo. Even so, that didn't stop him piling on the alibi. "Besides, this is Gary we're talking about. Do you really think he'll have his Off-Campus privilege taken away?"

"You got a point. But we're going to make sure."

Lorenzo pulled his phone and called the other nightshift guard and asked him to make a stop by at the dorm. With nothing left Richie could do, he just confidently walked away and mentions that Gary is 'here'.

Sometime a bit later top floor of the Third-Years' dorm, Seth made his way down the hallway. After had heard from a few dorm mates that they believe Gary's around the dorms, they all mention he's most likely in his room or with Derek and Luke. Just a few doors down until Gary's, Seth checked with Derek and Luke first. Their door was ajar, as he stood at the door frame and knocked loudly. Derek appeared the door with a raised brow.

"Is there something wrong, Seth?"

"Gary's with you guys, right?" Seth asked firmly.

"Yeeeah?" Derek answered uncertainly and stepped off to the side to let Seth scan the room. "Althooough, he's currently in the bathroom puking his guts out. We think he might have gotten food poising from one of the festival food booths."

Seeing Umbreon in the room, chilling with Espeon and Vaporeon, he kind of believed the story. About to question if Gary was actually in the bathroom, he heard a few faint heaving coming from the bathroom. Next thing he knew, Luke rushed and threw his face downwards in his waste-bin and started vomiting. "Uhh, seems like Luke got the same case. Do you guys need the nurse?"

Derek shook his head. "Nah, this isn't the first time food poising has happen. We still have some dimenhydrinate from last and some home remedies that would do the trick. And if don't mind me cutting our conversation short, I need to aid the comrades."

"Right, you do that." Seth quickly left the scene to avoid any nausea feeling himself. Making his way down the hallway he called Lorenzo to confirm that Gary's with Derek and Luke.

Derek shut the door when he heard what he needs to hear from Seth's phone conversation. Turning around to throw a thumb-up at Luke's spontaneous fake vomiting, he started laughing instead. Turns out that Luke actually did vomit. The sound of another person puking had triggered his mindset to puke himself. Demanded desperately to turn off the audio clip from their smartphone, Derek laughed even harder before he rush doing so. Beside that set back, the two couldn't believe they managed to pull a fast one on the guards after receiving a phone call from Richie minutes ago.

Meanwhile in dorm room three-one-zero, after a meek greet-exchange Richie and Sparky kept to themselves to let Ash and Pikachu be. Well, that was the initiative plan. His spirit of inquiry got the best of him. Before hitting up their closet, he unloaded his belongings on his study desk and took a quick glance at Ash. Lying in his bed with his foot slightly elevated in a new foot brace, reading a study book. Rummaging through the closet for a change of clothes, Richie made it oblivious on getting Ash's attention by a few snarky tongue clicks.

"—So, were you late meeting up with Mickey because of your doctor visit? Or were you just embracing the new douchebag persona?" Richie nonchalantly asked and slipped a tank over his bare upper body.

Lowering his book to eye the back side of Richie, Ash snorted. "Both and what's it to you? Why the sudden interest of my activities? You've let me be all day."

"It's a bit hard to ignore the first slighting of my best friend beyond the point of no more Mr. Nice Guy."

"Why does it seem like I'm the bad guy here? Am I not allowed to be angry or be an ass when I've been rightfully wronged?!" Ash heatedly sat up and stared at Richie's profile.

"You got every right to be. It's just, that if you don't," Richie went against what he wanted to say. "Nevermind."

"It's just what? I want to hear what lucidity you got going through that wondrous mind of yours."

Richie's head turn and squinted eyes played out like a dramatic slow-motion scene. If this were someone else using such a haughty tone, his fist would have met that person's face. Ever since the get-go he had set his mind on letting Ash fully expresses his current self. A fair trade for all the times he put his best friend through when he was on lack of sleep. His facial expression returned to normal when he recalled the similarities the two shared. Thanks to rekindling with Terra; in general, and gradually being released from his suppressed hatred-anger towards 'love', he didn't want Ash to fall victim to that kind of mind-state. A tiring and hindering place to stuck at and definitely a place he does not ever want to revert back to.

"What I wanted to say earlier was that if you don't revert back to your usual self soon, you might lose something sort of importance."

"Like Mickey? I'm fine by that lost."

"I was referring to you. You might lose a part of you or adapt to a façade to fill in that void." Richie felt Ash's piercing stare on his every movement back towards his bed. Taking a seat at the edge, the two got into a small staring contest.

"What, are you somewhat an expert?"

Richie chuckled and fell onto his back. "Funny how patronizingly you asked that. Remember awhile back I told you that I'll tell you about my disappearances when the time is right? Well, I think now is probably the best time to start telling about Terra…"

Either it was because of his desolate mind state or the fact that it's Richie; he didn't want to believe the story he got fed. Since their first encounter in Cerulean City, after his mother gave him a pair of sold out tickets to the underwater ballet show, there always has been a girl involved. On the other hand, he reconsidered his opinion momentarily. He has never heard Richie speak so zealous and neurotic of a girl. After Richie stated that he was coming along tomorrow to meet Terra, he agreed without any protest. A change of scenery seems ideal to take his mind elsewhere.

Nothing much to say, the conversation ended at that. Ash resumes his reading. It wasn't the same after Richie's return. Beforehand when he parted ways with Gary, he had no thoughts or concerns of 'Mickey' or Gary's whereabouts. Thanks to Richie for mentioning Mickey's name earlier, he couldn't help but wonder now if he'll get the satisfaction of knowing their Off-Campus privileges got taken away.

** A Quarter Till Six in the Morning – Two Blocks Away from the Academy **

Gary and Misty encounter a person they didn't expect early morning. Let alone outside of the academy. From the way Brock was bundled up; with Togepi inside of his coat, it seems like he's been waiting for the two for quite some time. Without a word of explanation, Brock just muttered for Mickey to follow him. No protest was made. If she did, there will be more hell to pay on her end, especially when 'overprotective big-brother' mode was clearly visible. Before parting ways, Misty held out her phone towards Gary. It wasn't rocket science to figure out what she wanted him to do. No words were exchanged, just a mere wave and nod. Gary knew Misty's in good hands. He had a hunch that Brock's the one who covered for her last night.

Misty lightly squeezed Togepi close to her chest while her legs fidget uncontrollably against Brock's sofa. During the way back to his studio, it had been complete silence. Pretty much indicating someone is going to get an earful behind closed doors and it wasn't going to be Brock. Wanting whatever lecture coming her way to be done and over with, she called out his name in the direction of the kitchen. Right on cue, he turned around with the fakest smile and made his way towards the coffee table with the tray of drinks and snacks. A hard swallow echoed through the living room. She really had no idea what's to come and it was killing her.

Brock steadily took a seat on his loveseat across from Misty and took a slip of his tea. If it were possible he would have love to see the actual sweat bullets. But in all honesty, there was no lecture coming, he just wanted to torment her. Just for old time sakes how he use to during their Gym Leader days and meetings. Seeing how hard Misty was trying to hide her petrified jitters, he could no longer continue on. Well after one more stunt and he'll let her off the hook. Giving out the sternest look he could mustered, she stiffed up like some military recruit in boot camp. He broke out in laughter, causing more confusion for her.

"—You owe me big time."

"Wait. What? There's no—"

"No lecture. I just wanted to give you a hard time before giving you the actual down-low."

Misty exhaled loudly and slouched against the sofa restlessly. "Here I thought you were going to tear me a new one or something."

"This academy made you lost what little feminine you had, you know that?" Brock shook his with a smile, as he received a raspberry. "Anyways, you're hiding out here with me for the day. I covered for you last night. I told Dean that you are running an out of town errand with me and you'll be back before the eight o' clock curfew." A dragged out sigh occurred before he took a bit of his biscuit. "And here I was going to enjoy the last day of the festival. But nooo, I'm stuck indoors with—"

There was no remorse of hitting Brock in the mouth with a biscuit. She couldn't stand the jokingly 'guilt trip' he was giving her joke. The way he does it just irks her and makes her want to ring his neck. But mentioning 'joking aside' she asked how he knew she had past the curfew. Getting the explanation of not being able to get a hold of her cell, he went looking for her personally at the academy. Also he had a hunch of something fishy about to happen; especially the aberrant vibe Ash gave when the two talked yesterday evening.

Ash has been one of the few academy students he got along with during his time of employment. Both can claim they became very close friends, just on a different level status. When time allows it, the two would hang out for an hour or two after class session. Yet since Misty's enrollment, the two have lessened their hang outs and he was perfectly fine with it. When he found out Misty's reasoning for attending, he secretly supported the idea even more. Wanting his little 'adopted' sister to be with someone kind, he definitely pushed Ash first in line. Putting all sentimental all aside, there was something nagging the back of his mind of what he encountered this morning.

"I didn't expect to see you return back with Gary. Weren't you waiting for Ash yesterday?"

Misty eyes shifted tensely at the mention of Gary's name. Without to her knowledge she squeezed Togepi more than she should have. "Yeeeah about that. Before we get into that part of the story, there's something I would like to talk about it and get another opinion. And whom better than my doting big brother that I'll be spending the whole day with." Misty let out the cheesiest smile. Minus the intimacy factor with Gary, she set on confessing to Brock of her current situation. She didn't care if any judgments were sent her direction for falling for two guys. Valuing and taking in all scolding, advices and opinions given to her past years, she needed Brock's once more.

A slight chuckle escaped his lips; the tone and smile he knew very well. About to hear something drastic she got herself into, he grabbed his tea and leaned back against his love sofa. "Alright, I'm all ears. And as always, I'll try to give you my best advice."

** Later That Afternoon – Celadon City **

Ash and Pikachu have spent most of their time at the Game Corner since morning. At the last minute he bailed out on meeting Terra. He wasn't up to meeting some chick who had lied to his best friend. Sure he knew the reason why but still on the tangent of lying, he boycotted. There was no pleading or convincing from Richie. He had let him be free as a Pidgey in a meadow. Now grown tired of the Game Corner, Ash and Pikachu left and took a stroll down by a nearby dirt trail. Coming across to some challenging trainers, the duo took them on with no hesitation. Sometime later with no more challengers to beat, Ash headed towards the Pokemon Center to get Pikachu and the rest of his team checked up.

Taking a seat in the waiting lounge after checking his team in with Nurse Joy, Ash pulled out his phone. No missed calls or text messages sent. Irksomely staring at it, he pondered why he even cared in the first place. Was he waiting for Misty so he could just ignore her and let it be a slap in her face? Or maybe deep down, he wanted her to plead and fight for his forgiveness like how she did with Gary. All notions were toss aside. The thought of Gary instantly threw him in a foul mood. Being in such a mood again for god knows how many, he grew tiresome. He craved for his old-self but the years of pent up rage caused by Gary, made it hard to do so. Scrutinizing up at the ceiling; he couldn't remember what May did in his 'last couple of episodes' when they were little. Growing more wearily in general, he no longer mused around. The lack of sleep has finally caught up. His mind and body immediately shut down into a catnap when he pulled his cap over his eyes.

** Meanwhile in Viridian City **

After getting Umbreon back and the full details from Derek and Luke in the morning, Gary decided to stay up. Only because lately his sleep routine been shot to bits and to get back on his norm, it's the best method. Fatigue though, trailed closely behind. Sluggishly on autopilot doing his outing with Umbreon and Blastoise at a deep manmade pond, he didn't realize he had made two complete circles of it. One round of the pond is a little over two miles. Taking a seat on the closest bench, he mindlessly stared at the center of the pond. A faint smile crept when Blastoise roared excitedly. Umbreon had finally joined up with him the waters.

Any time he's able to see his Pokémon fully enjoy themselves to their hearts content, he's in his own blissful world. Nothing of any surroundings could pull him away from it. However today was different. Two elders in matching color scheme outfits walked on by, hand in hand, had pulled his gaze in their direction. The elder woman made a comment to her other half of how rare of it to see a wild Umbreon in the waters. The elder man replied it most likely belong to the lad they walked past. The two laughed in unison and shared a quick kiss after she declared her airhead moment.

Gary chuckled at the scene before returning back into his world, this time with Misty in it. Staring down at his purple wrist sweatbands, he smiled like a gushy fool.

** Sometime Later – Celadon City **

Driving out of the city, Ash couldn't comprehend Richie's delighted mood. Still stuck on his one track mind about Terra, he wanted answers.

"How can you be in such a mood with a person you use to hate?"

"Key word, use to. How Terra and I are, well, I don't know. It is what it is and I'm satisfied with it." Richie glanced over at Ash's focused stare for a brief second. "Don't get me wrong, it's not like I've forgotten what she did. But it makes no sense to dwell on the past. I don't know about you, I'm so exhausted after only a few years of being so angry deep inside. How you and I are, you'll be in the same boat. And super nice guys like you, I don't want you down that path."

"It's not like I—"

"I know. You don't have to explain. I've been there and done that. Feel free to do your thing and let it out your system. But keep in mind that I will be a hard-ass and literally, will smack some sense into you if I have too."

"Pfft," Ash rolled his eyes and stare straight ahead at the road. "Thanks."

A smile and nod shot in Ash's direction. Before giving Ash a chance to say anything else, Richie went back to their original subject. Going off about his activities with Terra, Ash began to see a whole new side. The fact his best friend could be adaptable to his situation with his ex, he knew he probably could do the same with Misty. In a matter of time that is.

** Later that Evening – Third-Years' Dormitory **

Misty looked at the living room's clock and saw it's now a quarter after eight. She's been back since seven-thirty but got pulled into a board game by a few of the classmates. They were in need of one more body to start and she couldn't refuse. She thought of a game plan, though. It failed. Trying to lose on purpose on a board game was hard. After another turn of 'good luck', she gave up. Tired as hell and wanting to crash out on her bed, she abruptly declare her withdraw.

The three let 'Mickey' go as they could see the faint dark circles. They figure he wasn't getting enough sleep since his incident at Safari Zone. Thanking and bidding good night, Misty made her escape and headed upstairs by herself. As much as she missed Togepi and wanted him in her care, she couldn't take him away from Brock. Besides having him on every Sunday, Brock was in a middle of a study with Togepi.

Only a few doors away from her room, she managed to be unseen by Derek or Luke when she passed their door. She didn't want to be held up anymore. Sleep and the urge to see Gary overruled all other activities. After a serious discussion with Brock about her love-crushes dilemma, he voiced his opinions and advice. He didn't care who or how many she had fallen for. He's been in the same boat of liking countless of girls. It just whomever she went with, he better treat her like she's the one and only. For that to happen, she first needed to follow her deepest instinct and let her heart guide her without any fear.

With the main light being on, Misty didn't expect Gary to be fast asleep on his bed with Umbreon at the foot of his bed. A smile crept upon her face. The untidiness gave Gary away that he and her had the same idea of crushing on one's bed without a care. His clothing were scattered all over on his side of the floor, as his belongings spread out across his desk. Quietly placing her bag on her bed, she took another glance at Gary. She felt the same butterflies that tickled her insides silly. It soon got loaded down with a sense of guilt. For it's the same feeling she felt for Ash from time to time. A minute of loathing of the feeling, Misty didn't care anymore. With 'seeing Gary' crossed off her list, sleep needed to be the next.

Along the way of silently grabbing her sleep attire, she flipped the light switch to off and disappeared into the bathroom. On the verge of passing out in the middle of the room, she hurried towards her bed. A slight detour stopped her. Taking one last look at Gary; this time up close, she froze like a statue beside his bed. Seeing the hickey she created caused all feelings during the 'Witching hour' over took her mind and body. What she shared with Gary, she could not deny the fact she enjoyed every bit of it. He had left such an imprint and a bigger one on their second round. Her inner tantrum arose. She still hasn't gotten to experience the joy of cuddling and snuggling up with a love one. With the Waterflower blood flow in her, she was going to get what she wanted. Effortlessly slipping under the blanket and with Gary sleeping on his side, wrapping his left arm over her went smoothly.

Close to being dead to the world; Gary didn't wake up when Misty tightly hugged his arms close to her chest. His body however knew exactly what was happening. Instinctively pulling her closer as humanly possible, he and Misty fell into a deeper and divine slumber.

** Monday Morning – Dorm Room # 320 **

The alarm set for four-thirty went off for a solid minute before Gary became aware of it. Only due to Umbreon's nudges to his mid-back. Alert and confused at why Misty's curled up in his arms, no words escape his lips. Not that he had any complaints on the situation but he still needed to shut off his alarm. Pulling away to do so and being successful, he suddenly got pulled down. Misty sheepishly wrapped her arms around Gary and mumbled in her sleep that they should skip their morning training. Gary chuckle at her sleep talk and the situation they were in. Definitely disliking the limbo status between them but when looking on the bright side, it wasn't bad at all. If being able to wake up next to Misty, the waiting game won't be as ghastly he ought it to be.

Misty woke up to a light tingle above her abdomen. Sleepily figuring out the reason for it, her lips curled. Gary's left thumb in a circular moment is what did it. Wrapping her arms over his arm to indicate of her awareness, she bid a mousey good morning and asked for the time. After hearing it was a quart till seven, Misty hasty pulled away and rolled out of Gary's bed onto the floor.

"We're going to be late for class! I need at least twenty minutes to get ready!"

Gary had to hold in his laughter in order to tell her the truth. "—We're not late. I was only joking. It's only past five-thirty. You got plenty of time." Gary snickered and held his hand out towards Misty from his bed.

Still a bit upset, she merely slapped it away and puffed. "You're such a lousy jerk."

"Yeah and you already clearly knew that." Gary got out of bed and prop Misty onto her feet. "All joking aside, we should start getting ready. Did you want to use the bathroom first?"

"Nah, you go first. I take longer than you. Thanks though." Misty flashed a smile before the two parted in opposite directing in their room.

Fully dressed in his spring uniform and set to leave whenever, Gary stayed behind to wait for Misty. That decision was thrown out the door. Misty told him while he was in the bathroom Luke asked for his presence as soon as possible. Protesting against her did no good because she was already pushing him towards the door. He however came to a sudden halt and when asked why the sudden standstill, he decided showed her instead. He had nonchalantly angled his head and lean in for a kiss. Pulling away from the dainty kiss, he pulled something from his pocket and placed a soft material into Misty's hand.

"Do whatever you want with this. Wear it, don't wear, store it away, or whatever. I just want you to have this. I'll see you in class," Gary tousled Misty's shaggy hair before he opened the door. "And don't be late."

Misty beamed brightly. Gary could ruffle her hair a million times and would not grow tire of it. Peeping behind from the cracked door, she watches on as he disappeared into Derek and Luke's room. Her fingers fiddled against the cloth, as Gary's words replayed in her head causing her to deliberate what to do.

** Third-Years' Homeroom **

The morning classroom encounters went how everyone figured. All kept to themselves. Although the human nature in them, they kept tabs of each others behaviors. But once class had begun, the four got into their usual groove of paying attention to the Professor. Besides the awkward, silent treatment atmosphere in the back corner, all seems ordinary to the onlookers.

The classroom was given ten minutes of free time before their training course. Five minutes into it, Gary did this usual thing of staring out the window at the overcast weather. Misty would have normally turn around and talk to Ash and Richie. Instead she pestered Wally in front of her. Ash and Richie still kept to themselves. Well, Richie got tangled in a texting war with Terra. Though in between, he'll look over at Ash for a little checkup. Ash still fiddled with his phone annoyingly with his gaze upon Misty's back. It wasn't long after Richie looked in Misty's direction and when he did, the two like freeze-frame in their position.

Gary and Misty were sporting single wristbands, Gary's distinguishable purple wristbands to be exact. It wouldn't have been a known issue if Misty hadn't subconsciously high-fived Wally after his enthusiastic command. Also when a bit of the wristband was exposed past her cardigan sleeve, she skittishly pulled away and hid it. Upon resting her forearms on her desk, the minimal conversation continued on with Wally like nothing happened.

Nonetheless Richie having to state out the obvious, he quietly asked if he too saw the purple wristband on Mickey's right wrist. There wasn't any kind of response to the question. Ash just stared unresponsively at the backs of Gary and Misty.

A/N#2 (7/27/14) – AFL is coming close to an end, so once again wrapping up with this fluffy, filler chapter. The next chapter will have a bit more action and whatnot.

Thankies and lovies for the last chapter reviews, they are all always very much appreciative.

'What Would You Do' fans/readers out there, as a heads up I will be finally updating a chapter sometime in Aug. Much lovies and ta-ta for now!

Lili Neko