Chapter 7

May leaned against his, her back arched and on her tiptoes. Gary's mind ceased all rational thinking, simply concentrating on the hot embrace. He could feel May's breath caressing his face as he tightened his grip around her waist, gently lifting her up a little for ease. He crashed his lips on her small ones, desire pulsing through his veins. She automatically wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down as close as possible. Hungrily, their lips moved in sync, like an undeclared symbol of love. The lack of oxygen burned his lungs, alerting his brain that he would have to pull away soon. Reluctantly he obeyed, listening to May's heavy breaths, her heart thudding rapidly. The smell of fresh flowers intoxicated his senses as he buried his face in the crook of her neck, panting as though he had ran a marathon.

"I should have done that sooner," he breathed. A shiver ran down her spine as she felt his warm breath on her skin.

"Definitely," she smiled, her body still heaving from their kiss.

Instantaneously, Gary's propelled from his bed, his eyes wild, his hair unkempt and his body shaking with shock. Sweat glistened lightly on his skin as he ran a hand over his hair, bewilderment encasing him like a suffocating blanket.

"What just happened?" he whispered, his voice hoarse.

His eyes darted around the room, as if it would provide him some sort of explanation. Across the room, May was sleeping, the duvet moving slowly as her small form took calm breaths. His stare transfixed on the dream-catcher dangled innocuously above the bed-head. For some reason, this made him relax. He looked at the alarm clock: it was only four in the morning. Slowly he lay back on his bed, his mind less dicombobulated.

It was just a dream. A harmless figment of his subconscious. Gary looked at his clenched fists, uncertainty tainting his exhausted features.

Then why did it feel so real?

"I think you're right," May mumbled, munching her breakfast.

Gary idly stirred his coffee, not really in the mood for a decadent breakfast like May. "Hm?"

"The dream-catcher is nothing but a pretty thing," she replied, disbelief in her voice. She swallowed the last bit of toast in her mouth. "I've not had a single romantic dream! It was obviously some fib for someone like me to buy." She sighed in disappointment, pouring some orange juice in her glass.

The café was small and convenient for May and Gary, who wanted to avoid mobs of people. Especially since their attending the fashion event a few days ago in Jubalife City was now considered a so-called "first public appearance as a couple" by the masses. After the journalists vying for a statement and flashes of cameras blinding them, quiet times were scarce and greatly appreciated. The cafe was on the top of the shopping plaza, overlooking the busy roads of Veilstone City below. They sat outside, basking in the pleasant warmth. Gary stared into the black liquid, his brooding face reflected back. The waiter said black coffee was strong, but it wasn't strong enough to wake him out of his clustered thoughts, frothing in his mind.

"So what do you think?" May suddenly asked excitedly. He looked at her with a vacant expression, too distracted by his own thoughts that he forgot that he was supposedly conversing with her.

"About...?"

"Do you wanna test the idea? The dream-catcher didn't work for me, but it could for you! Like an experiment, you need more- what's that scientific word you say?"

"Variables," he replied, drifting out of reality again and ruminating over the incident that occurred last night. The dream was almost palpable, realistic. He could still remember the softness of her hair, the closeness of their bodies...

"Yeah that! What so you say?"

"I already dreamt we kissed," he accidentally muttered under his breath.

"What was that?" Gary shook his head at May's suspicious face, an innocent smile successfully fixing his slip-up. He watched as she started talking again loquaciously. He foccussed on her instead, not listening to her monologue, enchanted by her. May assisted him in his journey for months now. They had grown closer emotionally. Sometimes they would even act like a couple when no cameras were around. It was almost natural; the hand-holding, the casual flirting and hugs that lasted way too long. At this point, Gary didn't even know what May was to him; a friend or a girlfriend? One thing he knew for sure was that his plan to pretend to love her was spiralling out of control.

"I got a call from everyone," May said, cleaning her mouth with a napkin. "Ash was asking me if you and I were dating."

The new information pulled Gary out of his musing, raising a surprised brow. "What did you say?"

"I said yes and I felt bad because he sounded so happy. And Dawn is currently planning our wedding."

Gary laughed loudly. That sounded like something Dawn would do. "Explains a lot why Ash randomly asked me if he could be my best man. He must be thinking I'd propose to you." The concept of proposing to May didn't feel ridiculous though, funnily enough. "Anyone else?"

"Misty, Solidad, Zoey, Brianna and..." May blushed, piquing his interest."My parents want to meet you."

He paused, nonplussed. He took a sip of his coffee, buying his time to formulate a response. He cleared his throat as May looked at her lap, bashful. "In erm...Hoenn, right?"

"Yeah."

"When?"

"Well, Dad says he wants to meet you as soon as possible," May said."And he's also sent plane tickets...for us."

"Already?" An awkward moment passed by as Gary took another long sip of his coffee and May playing with the hem of her top.

"He's not going to kill me, is he?" he joked, though the fearful look in his contradicted his tone.

"No." May giggled. "If he was my mom would have stopped him." Gary froze, seriously considering the fact that his life was jeopardy. May smiled at his horrified expression, leaning over the table with an amused twinkle in her eyes. "Don't worry. Dad won't actually hurt someone I care about."

"I'm touched," he quipped with a smirk, lifting his cup to his mouth again. He could feel the caffeine racing in his body as the bitter, hot liquid slid down his throat. The rush energized him too much to contemplate on his overcrowded thoughts squashed in his head.

"You'll get to meet my close friends, Wally and Brendan! And my brother Max will probably faint once he meets you. He kept convincing me to come home with you!" May told him vivaciously.

"I suppose I can come, since I sent Professor Rowan my paperwork when we were in Eterna City," Gary said as May's smile grew bigger. "I haven't been Hoenn in a while, it'd be a nice break."

The news of the the couple flew even to other regions after circulating around Sinnoh. The flash of a photo or a paparazzi hiding inconspicuously behind an object, poised to catch them together became normal. In fact, on the contrary, it was fun, like a game. It had become a competition between the two on who could catch the most attention from the media. Gary was currently in the lead, with more news on him for being the one "initiating" their relationship. May couldn't help it, secretly feeling self-conscious whenever he stared at her with a seductive tinge in his eyes. It's pretend! she'd scold herself, but that didn't stop the butterflies fluttering non-stop in her stomach

"And since, this is Petalburg City, AKA my city, I'm going to have a chance at beating you. Wait and watch, Oak!"

"In that case, I'm gonna have to step-up my game," he smirked the stupid sexy smirk that made May think of unholy things. She looked at him challengingly, poorly controlling the sudden spike of passion inside. Gary looked ridiculously attractive with it, and May berated herself to stop fantasizing. It was alluring how he could could be a well-mannered, intelligent gentlemen one minute and then a unpredictable flirt that made her feel instantly weak the next.

"So when is the flight?"

"Next week. It gives me time to focus on my contest techniques. Then we act like-"

"We're soulmates," Gary said quietly. May nodded, the candestine meaning behind his words invisible to her. She assumed he was merely finishing of her sentence. Internally, Gary's emotional conflicts increased in their intensity. He felt a connection to May that he'd never felt with anyone before. Sure he had girlfriends in the past (he's dated more cheerleaders than he can count to be honest), but did May feel the same? At times he believed she did. At times, he believed she wasn't even pretending in front of the cameras. At times, he believed that the affection dazzling in her eyes when she looked at him was not a lie.

May jumped out of her seat in excitement, almost knocking her chair over in thee process. "I can't wait to tell my parents!" May grasped Gary's hand, pulling him out of his chair.

"Where're we going?" he asked, trying to balance the coffee cup in his hand as May lead him inside the building.

"I need to buy presents for friends and family in Petalburg!" she cried. "And I need help choosing so you're coming with me!"

Gary Oak considered himself to be a person of pride. Not the pride that oozed arrogance, but the pride that inspired healthy confidence and fiery determination. A pride that gave him dignity in what does and how he carried himself. A pride that refused to fall down into the abyss of pessimism. A pride that gifted him patience in moments of extreme frustration. A pride that made him cautious in moments he'd be immaturely overconfident. A pride that walked with him like a loyal companion.

So when he nervously clutched the strap of his backpack, he reminded himself of his pride. As he strode on the dimly lit streets of Petalburg City in the dead of the night, he reminded himself that he was a proud person who treasured his achievements and good traits. And when the looming fear of meeting May's parents pricked his mind, he reminded himself that his pride would protect him like a shield. May reassured him that Norman would not hurt him, but he still had his doubts. Especially since the man was a freaking gym leader.

The flight from Pastoria City was delayed a few hours, much to May's dismay. As a result, the aeroplane landed in Petalburg City airport while Hoenn was under the the dark layer of night. Street lamps shone brightly as residents were fast asleep in the homes. The silver moon sailing in the wispy sky.

In a way Gary was thankful for the empty streets. May had told him the locals always threw some sort of gigantic welcoming party when the daughter of the Petalburg gym returned. After the seven hour ride, he was suffering from jet lag, not wanting his throbbing headache to exacerbate with the roar of a cheering crowd. May was a few ahead of him, pointing to random directions while narrating stories about her beloved city. She was so immersed with it, she probably didn't know how far back Gary was as she raced ahead. He walked at a normal speed, only catching some words that flew from her mouth.

"And that's the park where mom used to take Max and I when we were children," she said, gesturing to the play area across the road. She looked to her right, belatedly realising Gary was not near her. "What'cha doing over there, Gary?" She stopped, waiting for him to reach her.

"You were the one running off," he replied with a playful tone.

"Sorry. I'm just so excited to be back."

"You really miss Petalburg City. "

"I love travelling but my home will always be my special place. After all, my family is here." She put her hands on her hips. "Speaking of family, they will love you!"

"And your dad?"

"Yes! Don't worry, Gary."

The coordinator sprinted through the gates of her home, knocking impatiently in the door. After a minute, she frowned. "Do you think they're sleeping?"

"They do know we are coming today, right? "

"Yeah," May answered looking pensive."I talked to them in the Pastoria City pokémon centre."

Suddenly a light switched on in the house, light emanating from a window upstairs. Concerned muffled noises and quick stomps down the stairs echoed from inside. Lights flickered on downstairs as the door creaked open. Max stood, his hair sticking up in all directions, slouched in his slakoth PJs. He rubbed his half-lidded eyes behind his large glasses.

"May?" He said, unsure of whether she was his sister.

"Max!" May knelt down, engulfing him in a bear hug. He squirmed out of her tight hold. Yep, it was definitely good ol' May strangling him with her sisterly love. He took a breath of relief as she released her grip around him, allowing him to breath normally again.

"Who are you?" Max asked suspiciously, squinting his eyes because his vision was slightly hazy from sleep.

Gary crouched low, putting his hand out. "Gary Oak, nice to meet you Max. May's told me quite a bit about you."

"G-Gary O-O-Oak?" A terrified expression morphed on his sleepy face, his ears popped up at the name.

"You okay buddy?" Gary was genuinely worried about the younger boy as his wide eyes glued to his face whilst deathly silent. It was also a little weird.

"Max is starstruck by you," May commented with a smile. "How cute." Max suddenly fell on the floor, his expression frozen in place.

"Maxie!" A woman's voice rang as hurried steps approached closer. Caroline, wrapped in a purple night gown, glanced at her daughter, shock colouring her face. "May, honey, you're back!" She pulled May into a warm hug and then Norman after.

"Dad, it's so great to see you!"

"So what happened to your little brother?" Norman asked, staring at the unconscious boy on the floor. His eyes narrowed as they landed on Gary. He gulped under his stare.

"Max got starstruck by meeting his favourite celebrity," May laughed, pointing to the boy beside her in a exaggerated manner. "Gary Oak!"

"I wouldn't say I'm a celebrity," he said modestly. "It's nice to meet you, sir."

"So you're Gary Oak," Norman said with an observant look. "It's nice to meet the boy whose stolen my daughters heart. I'm watching you." His sharp voice unnerved Gary.

May bushed brightly. "Dad, please stop embarrassing me!"

"Its lovely to finally meet you, Gary," Caroline greeted with a motherly smile. "Come inside, please."

"Thank you, Mrs Maple."

Gary threw his bag on the floor, sitting on the bed. For a guest room, it was pretty large. Heck, it even had an en-suite and a small balcony, giving a perfect view of the family's enormous garden where their pokemon slept, played and trained. He could see a vigoroth curled up around a large branch of a tree. The wallpaper was white with gold striped and the room immaculately clean. A small bookcase caught his attention, skimming the spine of the books with his inherent curiosity. A knock was heard on the door.

"Come in," he called distractedly.

The door opened quietly as May entered with a smile. "How's ya' new room? Like it?"

"Better than plane seats for sure."

May sat on the bed, touching the with soft sheets as he leaned against the wall. She folded her arm, biting her lips in thought.

"It's a nice place," Gary began causally, a little confused by her odd behaviour.

"We have breakfast at nine in the morning," May informed. "Then after that the people have prepared a small ceremony for us in the city square."

"How the hell do they know we've arrived? Do they have spies or something?"

"Maybe," she shrugged, not a single hint of a joke could be detected in her voice.

Gary leaned his head back with a exasperated sigh. "Do you have a secret service following you to make sure you're safe?" he asked sarcastically.

"I used to." May laughed, the sarcasm missing her by a mile.

Gary's eyes widened, stunned. "Never mind." He yawned, tiredness consuming his limbs.

"The mayor told my parents and I've just found out now," she said, unfazed. "I'm sorta' famous 'round here. It's expected really."

"We have a busy day tomorrow then."

"Another day in front of cameras and a hundreds of people," May muttered. "I don't know how I feel about my life being so open. I get that..." She avoided his stare. "...you and I are not really a couple, but-"

"-Don't worry. At this rate, our acting is so good, we could star in a movie," he quipped, causing May to smile.

She walked towards him, standing beside the bookcase, her eyes fixed on the shelves. "Make sure you have a good night sleep."

"I will."

Gary could never erase what May did next from his brain. It happened so fast he almost didn't register it. May swiftly planted a soft kiss, almost touching the corner of his mouth. It was a contact that made him think back to his dream automatically. But as soon as he snapped back to reality, May was already out of the room. His hand absent-mindedly reached his face, his fingers touching the place her lips had met his skin.

They were alone; the kiss wasn't necessary. May didn't do it out of obligation- no, she did because she wanted to. Gary mouth half-grinned and half-smirked. Maybe his feelings weren't unrequited after all.

He was falling for the brunette coordinator with sapphire eyes who loved making pokebocks, watching him work, exploring secret places together, making him go shopping with her and had a love for all kinds of food.

Gary Oak was falling hard for May.

He took a pokéball from his pocket and threw it in the air, an umbreon forming from the red zap. He stroked the pokémon's head as they watched the moon glow in the night sky.

He wasn't tired any more.

May shut the door of her room and locked it, her form sinking until she sat against the foot of her door, covering her face in hot embarrassment. Why had she done that?! It was a question her heart knew the answer to: she was falling for Gary Oak.

May was falling hard for the pokemon researcher who always captivated her by his vast knowledge. The boy who reawakened her sense of adventure she thought he had long lost. The boy who restored confidence when anxiety asphyxiated her mentality. The boy who could lift her spirits with a simple look in the eye, a simple touch of the hand, a single breath of a word.

And so she kissed him, a light yet intimate touch, a vent of her bottled emotions screaming for an outlet. May didn't think about it. Her heart grasped the opportunity, an action which her logic did not dictate nor would allow. It was her brain that made her hesitate, took control back from her desires, otherwise her lips would have said hello to his. But Gary didn't pull away or show a flash of disapproval.

That had to be a good sign, right?

Maybe Gary Oak was falling for her too. She smiled shyly, pondering over the possibility.

The blue sky faded as a golden glow appeared, the sun setting under the horizon. The luxury Resort Area on Battle Island was an exquisite holiday destination for the most supreme trainers from across the world. A top-class massage parlor, the illustrious Ribbon Syndicate, lavish restaurants and opulent hotels were some of the place's best aspects. Many famous, rich people, such as elite four members, purchased large villas there. It was a popular estate-developing area, clear grasslands destroyed to create enormous mansions, raising many protests from some locals about the harm to the natural pokemon habitat.

Aria watched with admiration shining in her eyes as she watched Drew train his ninetales and roserade near the forest. This work ethic was something she loved about him the most. He was so engrossed in training that sometimes she'd sneak up on him by mistake. She gasped in awe at fireblast-weatherball combination. It was flawlessly executed but Aria saw a displeased look cross his face, leaving her confused.

"That was pretty!" she complimented.

"Yeah."

"Then why aren't you happy?"

Drew glanced at his pokemon, a conflicted look pinched on his face. "The Sinnoh Grand Festival is in two months time. I don't think I've prepared myself as much as I could."

"If by that you mean that you're slacking," Aria said gently, a hand on his shoulder. "Don't. You're gonna be brilliant." Drew's mouth formed a straight line, not convinced by her compliments.

"Plus, other coordinators seem to take slow," Aria continued, "fore example, May went back to the Hoenn region."

"What!?" Drew swung his body around, completely surprised by the news.

"Dawn told me. The designer at Kalos Kouture fashion show, remember her? She happens to be a close friend of May's."

"What did she say?"

Most reviews said they wanted more brunettshipping so I hope i delivered. Writing Gary's POV was a little harder, but I did have fun exploring his perspective. I hope you enjoyed reading this. I know this chapter was more romance than adventure/drama (I intend to make it more exciting in future chapters), but at least I can now build up on this foundation. Keep your ideas coming through and I could weave it in the story. I don't mind if you express anything that you don't like about my current writing/things you want me to improve on.