The podium Ash was standing confidently on was rising into the arena. As it rose, his smoldering gaze was focused on his opponent. He was standing tall, fists clenched and ready to battle. Gary was watching him in the crowd. Among him were his grandpa, Ash's mother, Brock, Misty, May and Max. They were all cheering like crazy as Gary just sat there, arms crossed, keeping his cool and keeping his eyes focused on the black haired boy in the stadium. Ash's opponent sent out his first Pokémon, a Glaceon. Ash winked at Gary as he threw out his choice, Quilava.

Glaceon's first move was Ice Shard.

"Quilava! Flame Wheel! Now!" Ash shouted.

Quilava immediately did as she was told and blasted a ball of flames in the direction of Glaceon's ice shards. They melted immediately.

Glaceon was coming at Quilava with a quick attack, but Quilava dodged it.

"Quilava! Eruption!" Ash demanded.

Glaceon didn't stand a chance. One shot, and the Pokémon was down. This is too easy. Thought Ash.

The battle continued, with Ash knocking out the next four of his opponent's Pokémon with only two of his down.

His opponent's last Pokémon was a Venusaur. Ash chuckled under his hat, and then threw his Poke ball in the air. He watched as the stream of red released Charizard.

With a loud roar, Charizard got in position to battle.

Venusaur's first attack was poison powder, which didn't seem to affect Charizard. Ash commanded him to use wing attack. Venusaur was slightly damaged, but still managed to fight. When Charizard was hit with razor leaf, as Ash demanded he use flamethrower.

It was over. Venusaur must have been at least 20 levels below Charizard because it fainted within seconds.

Ash won the match. He was a little too excited. He danced around in circles as Charizard gave him a funny look.

"Good job Charizard! Return!" Ash shouted as he held out Charizard's poke ball.

After shaking hands with his opponent, Ash made his way out of the stadium and immediately to the Pokémon center to heal up his Pokémon real quick. Pikachu was there with the rest of his Pokémon he had brought along with him. After Nurse Joy healed his Pokémon, he grabbed all his poke balls and placed them in his back pack. Pikachu jumped on his shoulder as he exited the center.

He walked down the hallway, making his way to the lobby where he was to say goodbye to his friends.

They were all there, excited and congratulating him on another year of success. The time had come, and he needed to say goodbye to his friends as they needed to get back to their own lives. He gave them each a hug and promised to call each of them once he got home.

Gary, Professor Oak and Delia were all waiting for Ash up in his suite. The four of them would all drive back to Pallet Town in Ash's car, since he was the only one who had brought a vehicle.

He quickly packed up his suitcase and allowed his mom and Professor Oak to go down to the lobby first, leaving Ash and Gary alone in the suite.

"It's gonna feel weird sleeping in our little room after being in this big ass room for a week" Ash told Gary.

"Don't worry Ash; you'll be back next year. Time will fly by. And I will be right there with you, cheering you on. Mentally of course" says Gary.

Ash lets a little laugh escape his mouth as he looks around the room. It really was huge; he just never really took the time to look around.

"So you got everything?" Gary asked.

"Uh, yeah I think so."

Ash had only packed one suitcase. He dragged it to the door and placed it in the hallway. He waited for Gary to follow, then he shut the door. Turning around to grab his suitcase, he was greeted by Gary, holding his hands on Ash's waist. He lifted one hand to Ash's hat then turned it around. He leaned down and lightly placed his lips against Ash's, just barely kissing him. He was waiting for Ash to do his part. Of course, he did and he dove into Gary's kiss, dropping everything he was carrying.

Ash's arms wrapped around Gary's neck in an instant. His fingers toying with Gary's hair. The kiss turned slightly aggressive, but more passionate than anything. The need for oxygen went unnoticed until they both broke free, catching their breath.

"I really am proud of you" Gary said softly.

Ash's stomach twisted with guilt. How was he ever supposed to tell Gary the truth? Ash never wanted to lose him. Ever. His heart wrenched at just the thought of Gary leaving him.

…

Once back in Pallet, Ash had dropped his mother off at home and the Professor back at the lab. Ash and Gary drove back to their little home at Ash's gym.

Ash burst through the door, suitcase dragging behind him and Pikachu on his shoulder. Pikachu immediately jumped to the ground and wandered off to find some food.

Ash huffed as he dragged his suitcase up the stairs to his bedroom. He threw his suitcase on the bed, unzipped it and began unpacking. He didn't care where he was putting anything; he just wanted to get it over with.

Thoughts rushed through his mind as he threw his clothes into his drawers. He knew he had to tell him, he was just so terrified at the outcome. Once his suitcase was empty, he tossed it into the closet. He then walked over to the bed and collapsed. He could hear Gary's footsteps coming up the stairs.

He walked into the room and observed Ash's drawer, which was stuffed full of unfolded clothes.

"That was fast" chuckled Gary, who walked over to take a seat next to Ash on the bed.

Ash propped himself up so he was face to face the brunette sitting across from him.

"Gary, you love me right?" Ash questioned randomly.

"What are you talking about? Of course I do… I always have" Gary assured him.

"So you'd love me even if I was a giant fuck-up?"

Gary's face turned into a confused expression. "Ash, what is this about?"

Ash could feel his eyes tearing up, but he choked them back. He wasn't about to let Gary see him cry.

"Gary, something… something happened… at the Indigo Plateau" Ash breathed.

"Like what?" Gary was getting impatient.

"Gary please don't get mad. It wasn't my fault and I barely even remember it happening. I love you and I never want to lose you." Ash cried.

"Just tell me."

Ash took a deep breath. He couldn't control the tears anymore. He tried so hard to hold them back, but he just didn't have that kind of control over his emotions.

"I might have… kissed someone" Ash admitted.

He could see the glance in Gary's eyes. He didn't know what to make of it. He's never seen him like that before.

"What do you mean you might have?" Gary said in a monotone voice.

"I don't remember much, I was really drunk… there was this party and… my ex was there-"

"Your ex?" Gary cut him off. "What the fuck was you ex doing there?"

"I don't know! I haven't seen him for 3 years! I never wanted it to happen, I pushed him away. Gary I'm so sorry…"

"When did this happen?" Gary demanded.

"A few days ago..."

"So it happened before I came back? So you fucked me after you fucked around with that creep?" The tone in Gary's voice was deepening.

"Nothing else happened besides a kiss! I promise you!" Ash's voice was steadily deepening as well.

"How would you know? You were drunk." Gary retorted.

"That's not fair! Gary, I would never do anything to hurt you; I love you more than anything. That piece of shit took advantage of me!" Ash's tears disappears and Gary could hear the anger in his voice.

"What exactly did he do to you Ash? Tell me everything. I want to know." Gary's voice went monotone again.

"I don't remember everything. He kissed me, but I pushed him off before he could do anything else."

Gary sat in silence for a few seconds. He didn't know what to make of this. He pictured Ash with another man, he couldn't stand that image. He didn't want to.

"I… I'm going to the lab" Gary blurted out as he got up off the bed.

"What… what do you mean?" Ash asked.

"I just… need some time alone for a while…" Gary said as he started down the stairs.

Ash desperately followed him. The tears in his eyes were resurfacing as Gary grabbed his coat.

"I'll be back later." Gary declared as he pulled on his coat.

"Gary, can we please just talk…" Ash pleased.

"No, I… I can't talk right now. I need some time to think. By myself." He turned around and headed towards the door. He felt Ash's hand on his arm in protest. He was about to swipe it away but he stopped, and turned around to see Ash's eyes filling with tears.

"Please don't go." Ash whispered.

Gary looked away. He couldn't stand seeing Ash like this. He needed to get out of there.

"I'll see you later, Ash." He told him as he pulled out of Ash's grip and walked out the door.

Ash just stood there motionless, staring at the door. His eyes were filled with tears, on the verge of falling. He blinked once and they rolled down his face. It wasn't long before his cheeks were soaked. His legs gave in and he fell to his knees. He felt weak, like his body had been reduced to ashes. He could feel his heart break within his chest. This was his worst nightmare come true. His breathing quickened as he began to panic. What was he supposed to do without Gary? He buried his face in his hands and sobbed uncontrollably.

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