Chapter 8

Pulling away from Brendan, May felt a stab of panic, her cheeks as red as the sunset. They'd known each other for so long, been through so much… what had she been thinking?!

She couldn't just lose Brendan now.

The kiss, well, kisses, had been perfect. In all the years she'd crushed on him, she'd never once even dared hope that this was possible. She wanted, no, needed more. But she couldn't just lose him now. She needed Brendan more than she needed anyone else. He'd always been there, she couldn't imagine living her life without him still being there in some way, shape or form.

She had to make that clear. Brendan couldn't just disappear on her now.

With a glare, May hissed, 'don't get me wrong, Birch, this better not change anything!'

Visibly bewildered, Brendan's eyes narrowed and May internally floundered, realising she should have chosen her words better.

Before she could clarify, he scowled, 'what do you mean?! You kiss me and then shove me right back in the friend zone?! Am I that bad?!'

Shaking her head, May sent him a nervous smile, poking her fingers together before she voiced her real concern, the thing that had been keeping them apart for years, 'what? No! No! I was planning on us being friends forever, so I don't think I can lose you now because of how we both feel. Brendan… our families are best friends, w-we need to be sure.'

With how much Brendan had said, she knew she should be more honest too, far more honest, and not just to Brendan.

If they were doing this, they had to make sure that it wasn't something they'd regret.

Glancing at the man, she could see a mix of confused incredulity on his eyes, his lips parted in disbelief.

Lowering her head, she continued with a nervous laugh, 'besides, seeing you with all those others hurts, you know? They were all so beautiful and you looked so happy with them. I want what's best for you, so if I'm not good enough...'

Glancing up at him, May clamped her mouth shut, wondering if she was saying too much.

In response, Brendan rolled his eyes before interrupting her, 'May, you shut up. I don't have the time, nor patience for your shocking lack of self-confidence.'

Floundering, May sent him a furtive glance before his warm lips once again pressed into hers, the familiar scent of petaya berry as warm and comforting as the man himself, his arms tightening ever so slightly around her.

Wrapping her arms around him, May couldn't believe her luck that of all people, Brendan was kissing her.

Touching her back with his hand, Brendan's lips captured hers, warm, soft and moving at a pace that she could keep up with.

Letting out a hiss of pain, May tried not to wince at the pain that shot through her body as Brendan's hand tightened on the small of her back.

Instantly, Brendan pulled back, his ruby eyes searching hers, adjusting his position so he wasn't pressing any of her cuts.

Pulling him back to her, May didn't care what he thought, she needed more. They'd been waiting too long for this and she wasn't just going to stop.

When he pulled away from her, May almost asked why.

'May, hang on,' he whispered his voice thick with emotion, one of his hands cupping her cheek with a surprising delicacy considering how well she knew the man.

Instead, he shifted his position so they could cuddle, his ruby eyes intent on her sapphire, far more serious than she'd seen them in recent years.

Opening her mouth to ask what he was doing, she clamped it shut when Brendan's hand stroked her cheek. Looking at his face, May saw the small smile on his lips, his eyes filled with a passion she'd never seen directed towards anything but pokémon battling and research.

With a firm stare, the man assured her, 'I've got no intention of going anywhere or being with anyone else, so come here and give me a cuddle before we both freeze death.'

Upon hearing his words, May reached for his face, trying to see if he had a fever.

Brendan had never been one to worry about cold, that had always been May's doing (mostly because she forgot to wear proper clothing, but she'd never admit that to Brendan Birch of all people! Like now, he'd usually save her by packing something for her).

'Are you cold?' May asked, trying to gauge if he was sick.

Had he forgotten his usual camping blanket he had in case of emergency?

In all the years she'd known Brendan, she'd usually been cold before him. If he was worrying about the cold, May knew they had better, more efficient options available.

Frowning, May offered, 'we could let our Blaziken out if you're cold? Do you need me to look in your first aid pack for a blanket?'

With a glare she knew all too well, Brendan retorted, 'no, we can't; stop being thick!'

Perplexed, May was about to ask why when the man pulled her to him, cuddling her and nuzzling his nose into her neck, 'I don't think either of them would be able to keep quiet and Orlando is still up there. Besides, I just want you.'

As if on cue, the younger Birch could be heard yelling for them, his voice filled with a desperate anxiety that May hated to hear.

Worried for her friend, May whispered, 'shouldn't we answer him?'

On the one hand, she wanted to assure her friend they were ok. On the other, she really didn't want to go anywhere just yet, not with Brendan's arms still loosely around her.

This all felt like a dream and May definitely didn't want to wake up.

Shaking his head, Brendan replied, 'with your sprained ankle we're not going anywhere until things are more visible. The sun's setting up where Orlando is, but down there everything will already be dark, Besides, I don't want to deal with his jealousy right now. I'll message him cause we both know you've got no charge.'

As the man typed a hurried message on his Xtransceiver, May's mind was racing far too fast for her to dispute the charge fact. Besides, her Xtransceiver had a depleted battery as soon as they'd stepped foot on the path to Mt Chimney, and arguing about that would be pointless.

She'd gone through more than enough for a night.

Even then, what had Brendan meant about jealousy? In all the years she'd known Orlando, she hadn't ever seen him be jealous about anyone.

Blinking, May asked, 'jealousy?! Who's jealous, and of what?'

Pocketing the device with a snort, Brendan sent May a disbelieving glance.

Responding with an incredulous one of her own, May was about to demand he answer as Orlando suddenly started yelling, 'Brendan you touch a hair on her head and it'll be the end of you! You're lucky it's getting dark, otherwise I'd be staying up here searching for you both!'

Frowning, May wondered why Orlando was being so protective, especially since Brendan was always saving her. Even in his angriest state, May had never once doubted that Brendan had her best interests at heart.

She was about to ask Brendan, but he was already cuddling her, grinning, 'sometimes I wish you weren't quite so thick... But then, you wouldn't be you and I wouldn't have you any other way.'

Feeling her cheeks warm, May focused on Brendan's familiar shirt. He was warm against the cold wind.

Glancing up at the man, who she'd always cared far too much for, her heart pounded in her chest.

He'd looked so pale when he'd first started helping her, his hands trembling.

How had she not noticed?

Lifting her hand, May hesitated. He was looking at her, his ruby eyes on hers, his expression gentler than she'd ever seen it before.

Trying to stop her arm from trembling, she placed a nervous hand on Brendan's face, stroking his cheek with her thumb.

Was this really happening?

Before she could question it, Brendan was kissing her again, saying between kisses, 'I'm... not... letting... you go... anywhere... Without me.'

Snuggling into his body, May grinned up at him, 'I wouldn't have it any other way.'

A/N:

This is still ongoing haha, I'm thinking of letting this go on until they catch up with the parents (wonder how that's going to go!)

For anyone interested, I'm in the process of setting up a Pat (are) Eon (hoping this comes through since FF seems to hate that word, but you know that thing that all those content creators have? Starts with a Pat, ends with an eon and is linked mushed together with an r in the middle) for my original works. I'll be doing sneak peaks of my FF on there too, but it'll come on here as per usual (once I get some teething issues sorted, ah technology will always dislike me! I'm hoping to get started uploading my things on Monday/Tuesday, depending on where you are in the world) You can find me on there /ls2l or by the name LSS Russell

I'll still be uploading my fan fiction as per usual on here, but wanted to give anyone who's interested in reading more of my work a chance to do so (and I've been itching to get some of my 10 own original works out there. Y'all have no idea how many stories I've got going on in my head hahahaha)

Like always, I'm super grateful for everyone who takes the time out of their day to support me, whether that's by reading my work, reviewing, favoriting or following, it all means so much to me. I've found the spark that brings joy into my life again, and it's all thanks to everyone who's reading my work that that's happening. I can't thank you enough :)