It's been a while since Ash went outside from the hospital. He was to stay at the hospital till he recovered completely because he had a severe Concussion along with the other injuries and the doctor wanted to make sure that he is perfectly fine before he went back to his home in Pallet Town. As a result of his concussion, one side of his eye is momentarily blind - a temporary side effect which almost gave Ash a heart attack. But the doctor assured him that it will heal in a few weeks, and that there is nothing to worry about.

Speaking of Mewtwo, He continuously apologized to Ash, only to be told firmly that there is no need to apologize as it isn't his fault for anything that happened out there. But the simple fact that he got mind-Control made Mewtwo a little bit more protective of his 'Little Brother'.

PIkachu and Mew didn't leave from his side either, not even an inch except when he had to go to the bathroom, of course. Ash being touched by the concern and worry of his Family, let them do what they want.

Lance also sometimes visited him along with Dragonite. Ash admits that he winched slightly upon seeing the wound . A few bruises and the surgery mark, He sighs and wears his clothes again.

Today is the day he will be released out of the hospital's care and can finally go back home. Ash has already taken off his bandage which only showed a scar and will soon disappear.

"You're done?" Lance asked.

Ash looked up from where he was sitting and saw Lance wearing Casual clothes with his hair tied in a half tie hairstyle. Lance insisted that he would escort him to Pallet Town.

"Yeah." Ash nodded.

"Let's go then." Lance stood up from the couch.

They walk outside the hospital and as expected there is no one who could recognize Lance with his hair down which makes Ash amused. Lance helps Ash to ride his Dragonite to Pallet Town.

"Are you excited to go home?" Lance asked near his ears

"Yeah. You will love my Mother." He answered with a fond smile.

They enjoyed the scenery until they arrived at Pallet Town. Dragonite lowered towards the ground beside Ash's house. They hopped down from the dragon type and walked into the house with Ash who rings the doorbell.

"Yes?" A Female voice asked while opening the door only to squeal loudly when she saw her son,"Ash!"

"Hello, Mama.." Ash embraced his mother.

Delia hugged Ash tightly then cupped his face showing an Eyepatch in his eyes,"When I heard that you are in the hospital. I was worried sick."

"Sorry for making you worried, Mama." Ash apologized and pointed towards Lance,"He brought me home."

"Lance! Welcome!" She hugged the older man who smiled at her.

"Nice to meet you, Delia." Lance greet her

Delia urged them to enter the house, Ash couldn't help but feel nostalgic, it has been too long since he came home, he really missed it. He felt himself crying even if there weren't any tears, upon thinking how much he loved his mom and the house they live in.

" Please sit down, Lance. I will make some tea." Delia said walking into the Kitchen

Lance in the meantime looks around the house, it's a comfy house. He saw a glass cupboard full of certificates and a trophy, which made him walk towards it. Lance widened his eyes, surprised. He knows that Ash is smart, he had spent some time with the kid, he also passed the test with flying colors but he never knew that Ash had even earned a certificate as an Assistant Professor.

"Are you gonna stay in here, Lance?" Ash asked, breaking him from his stupor.

"Oh..Well, If you don't mind."

"What about your League preparation?"

"All finished. How about you?"

Ash sat on the couch,"I don't know. I think I'm nervous."

They talked to each other as they longed to speak to each other during all those times . Delia also asked about Mewtwo's condition and took the opportunity to release the said pokemon from its pokeball. Once she saw Mewtwo, immediately gave him a hug and fussed at him just like how she does to Ash.

At night, Ash and Lance were in Ash's bedroom. Ash kindly offered him his bed and spread his futon so that he could sleep in there. But he finds it difficult to sleep after repeatedly turning around. Ash sighs and walks up to his desk and takes out a handbook about League he read when he was still 7 years old.

He is worried about his Pokemon. He had an awesome team and he knows they are strong enough and that there is no need to worry about him defeating Team Rocket with his Pokemon. But the concern still stands there.

"Ash?" Lance voiced him.

"Ah, Sorry. Did I wake you up?" Ash asked, turning around.

Lance sat on his bed,"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just, there is too much to think about. It's like my mind is racing with thoughts. " He answered

Lance didn't answer that, he walked down from the bunkbed taking the futon and spread it next to Ash's own, who raised his eyebrow. He just grinned.

"Let's sleep together." He said curtly.

Ash widened his eyes slightly in surprise until Lance dragged him close to his futon. Ash internally squeaked and looked at the handsome face of the Champion.

"Go to sleep. Tomorrow, we need go to Prof. Oak's Lab." He whispered to him.

"Y-yeah." Ash responded.

Ash wrapped his arms around Lance's chest and let himself wander into dream land.

XXXXX

In the Morning, Ash got woken up by someone shaking his shoulder, making him whine and snuggle closer to the warmth. He is still dozy but he heard someone chuckle.

"You need to wake up." A voice said.

Ash blink open his eyes slowly and looks up. A pair of ruby eyes looked at him with a flicker of amusement, He finally realized what he was doing, blushed profoundly and scrambled away from the Champion.

"S-Sorry. I-I. Toilet!" Ash fled into the toilet leaving an amused Champion alone in the room.

After making sure everything is okay, Ash walks into the dining room and sees Lance along with his Mother who have been serving breakfast. It seems Lance has already started eating breakfast. He sure took a while out there.

"Good Morning, honey." Delia greeted him.

"Good morning, Mama. Good Morning, Lance." Ash greeted them back and sat on the chair.

"Good Morning, Ash." Lance acknowledged him midbite.

They ate breakfast and after that Ash fed all his Pokemons including legendaries, in the backyards.

"I heard you were going to Prof. Oak's lab, to enquire about the league." Delia commented.

"Yes. Speaking of the Professor. Um, Is Gary already back?" Ash asked.

She smiled and nodded. "Yes ,he came back a few weeks ago , around the time you were at the hospital and is now training for the league in who knows where."

"I see."

Ash was relieved that Gary wasn't in town. He didn't quite like the boy, he always tried to bully him, a jerk and everyone in town knows that Ash is a lone wolf therefore they left him alone but that is okay for Ash because he has Pokemons as friends, as family.

"Let's go, Lance."

"Yeah. I'm eager to meet Prof. Oak."

They walked into the Professor's House on the Hill. Ash rang the bell and waited for the professor to open the door.

"Ash, Welco- What happened to your eyes?!" Prof. Oak asked once, opening the door pointing at his eyepatch.

"Ah. I have a severe concussion and yeah, it makes me blind for a few weeks." Ash shrugged.

"I see. I heard everything from Delia. Your safety is most important after all."

Ash chuckled. "Thank you professor and Ah...meet Champion Lance."

Prof. Oak and Lance shook their hands and the Professor ushered them inside. They sat in the Living Room.

"So, Gary isn't in the Town." Ash said first, breaking the silence.

"Yeah. He went to train for the League, ''You came late after all."

Ash nodded at that. It is true,he was behind his initial schedule due to the fiasco with Team Rocket and the hospital stay.

"You see. Gary has 10 Badges while you have 8 but at same time you had secured the exam badge from the Admission Test. It was remarkable. There were four trainer's who started their journey but you and Gary were the only ones to successfully attain all badges for the indigo conference. I'm very proud of you ."

"What happened to the other two?"

"They both had an excellent start ,I must say but they lacked the skill."

Lance nods in understanding,"I can comprehend that ."

"That's too bad." Ash whined while drinking his tea and gently patted Pikachu's head. "But, It's the Pokemons that need to take the credit though."

"You're right." Prof. Oak nods in agreement."In any case, I'm glad you're here. It's time for you and Gary to participate in pokemon League ."

"Where is it held ?"

"At the Indigo Plateau." Lance answered,"There are around 256 competitors. Trainer's compete all the way to reach the finals. Each losing trainer is placed accordingly. The top trainer earns the title of Pokemon league champion and get's a chance to battle kanto's elite four."

"Oh... Yeah, I just remembered. Ash, I have received some amazing data." Prof. Oak pointed it out.

Ash stiffened at that "Right. Let's go outside ,to the ranch. I shall show you my New Pokemons there."

They got to the ranch and Ash released the legendary beasts - Entei, Raikou, and Suicune. He even let out his other pokemons so that they could roam freely. Later he took the three pokeballs from his Necklace and released the weather trio. Prof. Oak raised his eyebrow and Lance gaped at the weather trio.

"Hey, Everyone. I would like you to meet Prof. Oak. He is a trustworthy person." Ash said and rubbed Moltres's head which earned a delightful squeal.

"A-Ash. How did you get the weather trio?" Prof. Oak asked.

"Well, Moltress came after I defeated Blaine in his Gym. He came to battle me to test me then the other weather trio came to me and I caught them."

Lance, who heard it, gave a bark of laughter."As expected of you."

Ash tilted his head confused while Prof. Oak walked towards the Weather Trio of Kanto introducing himself. He observed the legendary birds who decided to curl around Ash in a protective way.

The whole day they stayed in the ranch along with Lance who had decided to stay with him. Ash lets himself enjoy the moment, the cool breeze engulfing him and Lance who was sitting right beside him, enhanced the comfort of the atmosphere. There is a comfortable silence, peace around them until Ash breaks the silence.

"You know, This reminds me of my childhood."

"Oh?"

"As long as I remember, I was always lonely except my Mama and Prof. Oak. I had no friends around my age, except Pokemons but that was okay for me. The town people understands that, therefore they left me alone."

"What about that 'Gary' person?"

"He is more like a rival, I never got along with him. He is too passionate and I am calm so we're not quite good friends, we're only acquaintances."

Lance nods, letting the young man beside him to talk about his past . Until the sun almost set, they stayed at the ranch and later walked back home together. Ash waved the professor goodbye and thanked him for talking about the League Participation.

In the night, Ash overheard Lance talking over the phone , telling the person calling that he will be back in 2 Days. Ash for some reason doesn't like that,, but he can not be selfish, so he closes his eyes. When dawn comes, he will act like usual.

"Say, Lance. Do you mind coming with me?"

"Where?"

"To my secret place."

Lance follows Ash out from Pallet Town towards the Rocky Mountain Path, which is 7 miles from the Town. They walk in comfortable silence except the times Lance asks him why they cannot fly to the Mountain.

"It's a good exercise and it's the Mountain where I go to practice sometimes."

"You are? You're only 12 years old!"

"And yet there are people who climb when they are still 7 years old."

Ash and Lance finally arrived at the mountain cliff. They cannot see the road anymore but Ash knows that there is another road but it's quicker this way.

"Are we gonna climb?"

"Of course. Let's go."

Ash begins to climb first followed by Lance. He understands now why Ash insisted him to wear a simple T Shirt and sports pants. Ash climbs with ease but Lance is struggling, he rarely climbs. He couldn't complain so he follows Ash's lead until Ash grabs one of his arms and pulls him towards the top of the cliff.

Lance sat on the ground panting heavily."How-How could you do this?"

" By practicing everyday. Turn around and come have a look."

Lance humed in confusion and turned around only to gasp in surprise at the scenery in front of them. He slowly stood up beside Ash. He never expected to see something so beautiful near a rocky mountain.

"It's pretty."

"Yeah. Pretty."

"This place is really important to me. When I like to be alone, from the town or any other matters , I used to come here. And today I wanted to share this scenery with you."

"Ash.."

"You're gonna go back tomorrow Morning, aren't you?"

"You know."

"Yeah. I heard your conversation last night. Well...You are busy so I wasn't that surprised. You stayed all these days, that's more than enough for me. So...Before you go back to Johto, I wanted to share this view with you."

Lance doesn't know what to say, it was like he was in a daze ,he stared at the scenery. Ash sits beside him in silence. They only have a little time to spend with each other . Lance didn't have the mind to just leave him but he needs to go back to Johto, it's his duty as a Champion and he can't back off

They stayed like that for the rest of the day . Content in each other's presence , there was no one in the Mountain to disturb them until Ash's aura spiked , making him flinch.

"What's wrong?"

"No. It's just my aura that is alerting me to something."

Lance stiffened and stood up,"There is no one, right?"

Ash walks to the side of the cliff showing a one person road. Lance twitched his eyes slightly annoyed upon seeing the road .

"If there is a road, why do we have to climb the cliff?"

"Training."

They walk down the road following Ash's aura trail until he halts upon seeing a massive Onix at this Place along with a shirtless male who seems to be fighting the Onix without his Pokemons.

"Bruno?" Lance asked.

"Bruno of the Elite Four?" Ash asked, to which Lance nodded. He looked at the man,"That Onix is hurt."

As expected, Bruno took something out from Onix. It was a Pokemon that got stuck in between Onix's rocks and was causing it irritation . Once the Pokemon was freed , Onix calmed down again. Lance walks outside from their hiding after the Elite 4 Captured the Onix.

"Oi, Bruno!" Lance called him.

"Lance?" He asked in surprise,"What are you doing here?"

"Accompanying someone." Lance said pointing at Ash.

"Pleasure to meet you, Bruno-san. Ash Ketchum at your service."

"Ash Ketchum? Oh! You're the one that Lance is interested in!"

"Pardon Me?" Ash tilted his head confused.

"Bruno!" Lance chided with a slight flush in his ears. He then cleared his throat and said."Anyways, I didn't know you were in Kanto."

"That was supposedly my sentence. You are supposed to be in Johto. I heard that Team Rocket is disbanded."

"I don't know about that." Lance sighs and grabs Ash's shoulder," he's the one who defeated Giovanni."

"...He is that trainer, huh." Bruno commented, ''Look Ash,I can't wait to see all the achievements you get as a trainer .You have already proved yourself. "

Ash smirked,"I'm sure you're not gonna be disappointed."

"I can see that." Bruno said with a smile and pats Lance's shoulder,"See you later, Lance."

He jumped from the cliff leaving them alone. Ash and Lance decided that it's time for them to return home as well.

The Night has been the same as usual. Lance slept beside Ash , but in the morning, Lance woke up early to pack his things for his journey back to Johto.

" Don't forget to visit Pallet Town sometimes, was really great having you around. '' Delia said while packing up some Muffin for Lance,"Here you go."

"You don't need to." Lance as he took the muffin.

"Nonsense. Eat it on the way back to Johto."

"I will. Thank you."

Lance went out to the courtyard and saw Ash waiting there with his pokemons , he looked downcast . Lance walked towards him and touched his shoulder, Ash looked at him standing up.

"I need to go now."

"I see." Ash muttered and gave the older man a smile,"Let's meet again someday."

Lance walked closer to the younger male and gave a kiss on Ash's lips. Ash's eyelid which got patched up snapped open, when had he closed his eyes? He didn't know but he could still feel a warm and strong hand on his jaw and cheek.

"See you someday." Lance mutters to him and climbs on Dragonite's back.

Ash can't speak, it's like there is a lump in his throat. He stays frozen in place looking at Lance until Pikachu nudges his cheek and Ash's face turns red like a tomato ,he crouches down onto the ground covering his face.

"He is bold, isn't he ." Entei's sudden voice made Ash squeak.

"Oh! You all see it?" He squeaked

"Of course." Moltress rolled her eyes and smirked,"He is bold indeed."

"Shut up." Ash said, rubbing his face.

He looks at the sky where Lance took flight with his Dragonite to Johto. He exhaled deeply , calming his heartbeat. Ash can only hope that they meet soon . But for now he needs to focus on the League.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Hey, Guys. A New Chapter has been update. Hope you all like it :)

Please comment, Like, Vote and Follow my Account

I also has my Account in Ao3 and Fanfiction. Net. Please look at it.

/users/fannyangelina184/pseuds/fannyangelina184

u/13440625/Luin-Gwilwileth

Hope you all have a Healthy and Nice day! Thank you for reading~