Frowning at the magazine Iris had brought her, May couldn't help but glance apprehensively at Steven and Wallace who were standing across the room. Whilst the former had a perfectly impassive mask, May knew that he was stressed and disappointed in her. She could tell by his refusal to even glance in her direction, an action very unlike his usual behaviour. For once, though, the man's best friend also seemed dissatisfied with her, his lips pressed in a subtle frown as he glanced past her.
'What's this?' May frowned as she stared up at her Unovan friend, pursing her lips in confusion. She saw pictures of herself and her cousin over a four-page spread, with her laughing at him and his arm around her shoulders. As far as she was concerned, they were sharing an amicable afternoon after she'd left Drew in a less than happy state. The afternoon was seared in her memories, especially given the replacement pokédoll she'd been given by the man.
'That's the so-called proof of the rumoured relationship you have with your cousin. I'm sure I don't need to remind you that Dawn will be calling you as soon as she sees this, and Misty is possibly going to kill you for hurting Leaf and keeping this from her. I saw her earlier and Brock had to restrain her and get her out of the room. We could avoid it while it was isolated to the Coordinating magazines, but now it's coming out in the general sphere, too,' Iris muttered as she glanced at Brendan, who was headed towards Steven and Wallace in a clear attempt at damage control. His ruby eyes glancing in her direction and the grim set to his lips told her as much.
She had no idea how she would have survived this long without the man's support.
'What's happened has happened, if the media want to be misguided and not check their facts, that's not my fault. Besides, Gary and I will face it however he sees fit. With everything going on around us, we want to maintain what privacy our whole family has at this stage. You're forgetting that this isn't just about me and him, it affects everyone and I want to make sure that things go as smoothly for them as I can,' May muttered as she glanced at the friends she could see in the room. She noticed the grim expressions on all their faces, and hoped that she could do something to appease them.
Staring at her sneakers, she continued, 'besides, we know the truth, and that's good enough for me. How everyone else chooses to react to this is up to them.'
'What about your friends, and Drew? Don't they deserve to know the truth? I mean, Cilan, Brendan and I know because we noticed you were gone from Dawn's event, but not everyone will listen as readily as we did. We're all still your friends and you're keeping a pretty big piece of information from them,' Iris frowned, placing a hand on May's shoulder.
'By the way, I'm still not sure how Dawn hasn't had her Mamoswine freeze you for skipping out on her big day. Arceus knows that I would've felt her wrath pretty quickly,' Iris scowled at the Johto woman, who grimaced in response.
'Gary told Brendan about it before then, but the others, even though I love them and am grateful for my friendship with them, don't matter in this. What matters is that I'll only tell anyone else when everyone in my family is happy with it. I can't just go behind their back and hold a press conference, that's not fair on them. My mum and, well, I suppose I should call him gramps too, they didn't ask for this. Right now I need to keep this under wraps so they can reunite without any further issues and for that I need to keep it as quiet as possible so the media don't find out about it,' May frowned, her sapphire orbs glancing around the room with apprehension.
Licking her lips, she continued, 'we've spent our whole lives estranged from each other and I value the time I have with them now. Besides, I'd like Max and I to see my grandfather and Gary and Daisy to see their aunt and uncle before I start telling everyone who they all are to me/'
'Is that all too much to ask for?' May asked with a slight pout as Steven said something to Brendan and headed towards them, the black haired man pouting slightly in distress.
'No, it's not… but are you sure?' Iris hurriedly asked as the Hoenn man came to an abrupt halt before them, his eyes dark as he watched May's expression become filled with guilt.
Whatever was going through Steven's mind, she knew the man was not happy with her.
'I thought I was one of your closest friends,' the Hoenn man scowled as he glared at May, his eyes filled with a resentment she'd never seen directed at her.
Slumping her shoulders, May muttered, 'Steven… you are one of my closest friends. Whatever the media says, you know how they like to spin things. Trust me, please, I'm not seeing Gary. You of all people must see that all of the rumours are false.'
'Really? Do you care to explain why you look so happy when he gives you the Marril doll? Tell me, other than your time with me, or with Drew, do you remember ever being as happy as you are with him?' Steven arched an eyebrow at her, his tone filled with jealousy, though May did not detect it, too caught up in the abnormality of this confrontation.
His actions alone surprised her, not that she would comment on them. They had both gone their separate ways years ago and May wasn't going to react to his words if she could help it. It didn't mean that his words didn't sting, but she had given the tabloids more than enough simply by spending time with her cousin. Whatever reason Steven had for resenting her spending time with Gary, she knew he'd feel quite foolish by the time the truth came out.
'Firstly, I think you'll find that I am as happy with Brendan, Orlando or Ash, especially when I haven't seen them in far too long. Besides, Gary was doing his best to cheer me up, and he did. You should know that from personal experience, Steven. Please don't be this vindictive person, it's not like you. It's not the person I still love,' May responded in a calm voice as Iris hesitated visibly, her maroon eyes glancing around the room for a distraction.
There was a pause in which Steven's lips pressed in a thinner line.
'Are you certain there's nothing going on between you two? I know you can be very clueless, May, and I'd hate for Gary to take advantage of that. You may not be as aware of his reputation as I am,' Steven questioned, his eyes flickering to Iris, who was doing her utmost best to appear engrossed in her hands, appearing to have given up on locating a suitable distraction.
'Trust me, he's no more likely to hurt me than Ash, Orlando or Brendan would. In fact, judging by how close those they are to him, I'm sure he's got additional motivation to treat me better than most,' May smiled back at him, placing a reassuring hand on Steven's upper arm, her sapphire eyes imploring him to believe her. He was worried for her, and May wished that she could tell him the truth, but with their desire for her to be Champion, she couldn't trust him with it, not yet.
She sorely wanted Steven to forget about whatever concerns he had for her and Gary, especially with everyone else focusing on it. She wanted to just enjoy her time with one of her closest friends without having to worry about public perception. She'd never had the time to really enjoy her time with Steven, especially given who he was. Even if their relationship was taboo and they spent most of their time avoiding being seen in public, May truly cared for and relied upon the man.
'You seem certain of that,' Steven responded curtly with narrowed eyes, appearing unaware of Brendan as he reached them, appearing to have given up on appeasing Wallace as he held his Xtransceiver in his hand.
Steven's sour expression was enough to tell May that he was not going to forgive and forget her current liaisons with her cousin, no matter how platonic it was. The mere fact of the matter was that he didn't believe that May and Gary were truly platonic, and May had no way of convincing him without telling him the truth.
She wasn't ready for that, and, after Steven had shown her what lengths he would go to for her to be Champion, May wasn't sure she could trust him with this information.
'Steven, please. I know I can be a bit naïve, but I also know that Gary's interests lie elsewhere, as far away from me as possible. Whatever is going on between Gary and myself, it's not what the media is spinning it to be,' May shrugged, her voice catching in her throat as she realised that once again someone was disappointed and frustrated with her.
She barely saw Brendan grimace at them as he tried to subtly gain May's attention. His ruby eyes were filled with regret as he held his Xtransceiver in his hand, his lips pressed in a line as he glanced from Steven to May, aware that he was interrupting something.
'May,' Iris whispered, nudging her friend, who hadn't noticed the man's presence, too intent upon the realisation that she had upset Steven.
The Johto woman, who'd spent the majority of her life in Hoenn, followed Iris' gaze before beaming at her childhood friend, 'diaper buddy!'
'It's Norman,' the man grimaced in response, his ruby eyes worried as he held out the device, avoiding her gaze so as not to see her tense up with worry at her father calling him.
Immediately, she took the Xtransceiver he was holding out for her, and, in a small voice, she asked, 'dad? Why are you calling Brendan and not me?'
'You weren't answering and I just saw it on the news. Is it true? Are you with Gary Oak?' The man's voice questioned in her ear, sounding strained.
'What? No, the media is looking for lies again. Don't worry, I know about Gary. He told me, and I told mum when I last spoke to her. Haven't you been home again?' May grinned in the phone as glanced at her companions in an apprehensive manner.
'Oh thank Arceus! So you know about your grandfather?' The older man questioned, his voice relaxing in her ear.
'Yeah, Gary told me,' May responded as she took a few steps away from her companions.
'Then why is there all this information about you two being together on my BuzzNav? Have you seen the things they've written?' Norman spluttered, and May could just imagine the bewildered expression he was sending Kenny in their Gym, who was probably trying to keep busy whilst remaining near her father.
'Because the media still thinks that a man and a woman can't be friends without making a big deal out of it. We think it's better to let everything die down a little and let everyone catch up properly before we start telling anyone what's going on,' May responded with a small smile as she saw Gary and Daisy enter the room with her brother, the man's arm around his sister as Max walked alongside them, in deep discussion.
'Are you sure you shouldn't tell them? This could really damage your reputation,' Norman muttered doubtfully, wanting to support his daughter but respecting her enough not to overstep any boundaries.
'We've told the truly important people—our family. As for our friends, they should know us both better than to jump to conclusions. I'm sure that you know where my interests lie as surely as they do, dad. If they think my emotions can be so easily swayed then that says a lot about what they think of me,' May said as she saw Steven pouting at Gary, though Max left their cousins to greet the man with an eager friendliness May knew all too well.
Her brother had always admired the Champion, especially after the man had helped May in Hoenn, even if he had been the one to request tasks from her that put her in the situation in the first place.
'Just don't get hurt, princess,' Norman muttered back, his voice slightly strained, and May could already imagine how worried he was. No matter what age she was, she knew that she would always be his little princess, as surely as she was the princess of Hoenn.
'Don't worry, I've got Max, Brendan, Orlando and Steven here, not to mention my friends from other regions. I'm sure they're all as keen on keeping me safe as you are, if not to the same extent,' May grinned back as she saw Lisia enter the room, looking far from happy as she walked towards her uncle and pulled him out of the room.
'Do you think Gary remembers that it was his father who gave you that doll you loved so much when we left Johto?' Norman muttered, surprising May.
'He did?' May questioned as her eyes flickered to Gary's as he glanced at her over Daisy and Brendan's heads, his expression filled with a concerned curiosity that instinctively made May send him a feeble smile in response.
'Yes, it wasn't long before we had to leave for Hoenn,' Norman grimaced, and May could hear the strangled intonation, and new he was trying to hide the strain he felt at the memory. She could only imagine what it meant for him to recall the memory of the departed couple.
Hearing Kenny talk in the background, it took May a moment to realise what he had said. Feeling her heart drop, she frowned, 'you've got a challenger, don't you?'
'Yes, we've had a lot more challengers since you've been Gym Leader here. Kenny and I are having a hard time keeping up, and I've had to really invest more time in my team. You've done well with this Gym, sweetheart. I'll see you soon,' Norman sighed into the device, and May knew that he wanted to keep the conversation going for longer.
Clearly he had missed her, and she felt guilty at the realisation that she had neglected her family again.
'Don't worry, I'll be careful. Love you,' May grinned before terminating the call, hoping the others didn't see how distressed she was feeling at having upset her father.
'No way!' Ash's disbelieving voice called out, sounding eager as it filled the room around her, pulling her focus away from her emotions about her father.
'I haven't seen him in ages! Are you sure Red will be here? Gary! Have you heard?' Ash's voice beamed, surprising the others as he charged in, his eyes searching for his childhood friend, whose amused gaze was on him.
'What was that, Ashy Boy? Did I hear you mention the infamous Red Ketchum?' Gary smirked at the man, his expression filled with a suave confidence that left May wondering if they were really related. He couldn't be further from her and Max if he tried, and May found herself wondering if she really was related to the famous Oak brand. She barely spared a glance for Ash's elated expression as Pikachu squealed his name eagerly, jumping from Ash's left shoulder to his right, appearing too excited to settle.
'Yes! I can't believe it, Red is coming here! He's actually leaving Mount Silver to be here!' Ash grinned at his childhood friend who blinked in response. The younger man chuckled once before he ran at Gary, tackling him into a hug that landed them both on the ground in a heap, legs and arms sprawled all over the ground as Pikachu jumped and rolled before beaming up at a stunned Max.
'What? Red actually left Mount Silver? Why, to beat the pants off of you because I can't be bothered?' Gary chuckled, his eyes filled with a goading glint that May hadn't seen before.
From nearby, May heard a growl before she saw Misty glared at them, 'really? It's good to see you're still as modest as ever, Gary!'
'Don't look at me like that, Red, we both know you're interested in that battle. My money's on the older Ketchum, but then, he's always been the better man,' Gary smirked before sending Ash an arched brow.
Instantly, Ash jumped up, scowling, 'hey, I'll have you know I can beat you any day! I can beat Red, too, just you wait!'
'I'd like to see you try,' Gary chuckled in response, moving to stand up, his actions fluid and suave, more elegant than May could have made hers. It would have made her feel a stab of jealousy if she wasn't just grateful for having a cousin.
'As if you can beat your own cousin! You're that out of practice that I doubt you'd stand a chance!' Ash snarled back, glaring at Gary as his face flushed, and May felt a small gasp escape her as she heard her friend's remark. Why would he bring attention to her and her pokémon?
'I'll have you know that that's easy, otherwise my name won't be Gary Blue Oak! I'll take on any of my family, just you wait!' Gary snorted as Iris cringed, 'oh, why do they have to be such little kids? Who cares if another Ketchum is here? Can't they just sit still and shut up, we have other things to focus on!'
Rather than hear the Unovan's remark, May felt herself stare at Gary in disbelief, finding her legs moving of their own accord, transporting her closer to the duo before she could pause to think.
'Your middle name is Blue?' May grinned up at Gary before seeing his confusion. Ignoring Ash's moody glare, May giggled eagerly before she explained, 'mine is Sapphire!'
'Gary doesn't have a cousin,' Misty frowned in response, glancing from May to Ash to Gary in confusion as the others in the room became deathly silent, appearing too engrossed in the conversation between the trio to continue their own.
'Really? Wow, we have so much in common! Maybe we should hang out some time,' Gary mused with a chuckle as May glanced at Daisy, who grinned back, appearing to have been infected by May's happy bug.
'Don't look at me, my middle name is May,' Daisy chuckled at her cousin, her warm voice filled with amusement as May's eyes widened in shock.
'Thank Arceus you have a normal middle name, Daisy. I was beginning to wonder if you'd had a colour too. What would have been your colour, Gold?' Max cringed at the older woman, who laughed heartily in response.
'Maybe I should change my middle name just for you' Daisy teased with a subtle elbow jab, grinning at Max's subtle flush. With a soft smile, she asked, 'care to share yours?'
'Samuel,' Max grinned, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he ran a hand through his hair, his eyes glinting with a light May knew came from pride.
'No way, May and Samuel? Were Norman's parents Sapphire and Max?' Gary chuckled as Misty growled at the idea of being out of the joke, not that the others in the room appeared too pleased with it, either. Steven in particular was glaring at them, his arms crossed as his lips formed a soft pout.
'No shit, Looker,' Daisy muttered at her brother, who sent her a glare that would have intimidated May if he'd sent it to her.
'What can I say, his ancestors must have been really smart,' Max grinned at the woman, stepping up to defend his cousin, though May wasn't going to let Max have the last laugh.
'You know, Max, you're right. Those ancestors must have been amazing. It's such a shame that the men in his generation don't seem to have inherited those brains,' May giggled back before shamelessly hiding behind Daisy, knowing that she could not face the wrath of both Max and Gary.
'Why you! May!' Max snarled as he charged for his sister, who clung to Daisy's shirt with unashamed fear, letting out a slight squeak in response, not registering Gary's disbelieving snort at the remark, or Brendan and Ash's disbelieving laughter, filling the room.
'Hey, I just did my nails! Maxwell, you dare ruin them and you'll be sorry!' Daisy roared, her angry glare stopping the man in his tracks. Seeing the man's expression, May recalled the last time she saw him looking quite so upset, and had a sudden idea. With a wolfish grin, she began to whistle a tune, relishing the man's subtle tension in his eyes.
'Na na na na na na na it's all about the evolution of pokémon!' May teased her brother, singing the song she knew he loathed, unable to hide the grin from her expression.
'May!' Her brother roared as she began to giggle, knowing he no longer appreciated her singing to him.
'So you want to be a pokémon Master? I got to be the one the only one who can withstand the test 'n' be the best 'n' I got to strive, keep up the drive, be a Master,' Ash grinned as he began to sing along, displaying some horrifyingly disastrous dance moves that would have made May cringe if she wasn't so excited that he had joined in.
'Not you too, Ash!' Max groaned as Gary chuckled, 'they definitely are the same coin.'
'Mmmm... Somewhat impressive. Now you've reached the plateau, but not yet a hero. Are you ready to meet and defeat... The Elite? Can I expect survival against your Rival? And remember... Gotta catch 'em all!' May sang in her deepest voice, trying to intimidate her brother who sent her a moody glare, not at all amused by the woman's antics as she grinned at him.
'Show me what you've got! Pokéball go... go... pokéball go!' Ash called, his voice elevating as he mimed the action. He was so caught up in the move that he didn't notice Pikachu's ears perking up, the yellow pokémon turning his face to the doorway with eager curiosity.
'May, that was so embarrassing!' Max cringed, hiding his face in his hands as May didn't try to hide the smile from her face.
'I must admit, you definitely knocked that one down… and out. Forever. You butchered it,' Misty smiled, her effeminate voice sounding pleasant and soft, though May noticed she lacked her usual friendliness and teasing inflection.
'Pikaaa!' Pikachu cried before bolting off of Ash's shoulder and out the door, not at all noticing the awkward scenario which was unfolding around him.
'Hey, Pikachu!' Ash called, jumping up to follow his starter pokémon, not sparing a glance for his companions as he scrambled after the electric type.
'Ash!' May cried before running after him, not seeing Misty glare at her retreating back.
'Ashy Boy, hasn't anyone told you to train your pokémon?' Gary snorted in a mocking manner before rolling his eyes and following the duo. From the set of his shoulders and the stubborn manner in which he refused to glance at his sister, it was obvious that he was trying to ignore the moody glare Daisy was sending him.
Watching his sister leave, Max muttered, 'she certainly likes to sing a lot more than she used to. She never used to sing when so many people were around before.'
'I might have encouraged that,' Brendan chuckled before Steven muttered, 'me too. She's got a nice voice when she tries to sing properly.'
Hearing this, Max groaned, 'you don't need to boost her ego for singing, guys! Far out, how many times do I have to tell you that I'm the one who gets the recordings at three in the morning?'
'I'll gladly take that job off of you,' Daisy smiled, winking at the man mischievously.
'What would you do with those recordings?' Max frowned at his cousin, who chuckled and waved it off, pretending to remain unaware of Misty's increasing anger.
'Heard of PokéVideos?' Daisy grinned at the man, causing the blood to run from his face as he thought of his sister's inevitable reaction to it. He definitely had to make sure he was out of the region if Daisy ever made good of her threat.
A bit of a light chapter with lots of family time. Poor May should probably avoid sending Daisy any clips of her singing haha
Any ideas why Pikachu bolted?