AN ~ Hello! I do have a chapter this week, lol. Homework's still being annoying, and there's a bit of drama (oh, who am I kidding? I have a crapload of drama right now grrr) happening in my life (why must some people be so arrogant and egotistical as Gary? Hah. And why can't boys just be easier to deal with? First world girl probbsss hah). So I did write this pretty last minute. Sorry if it's a tad bit short and a bit abrupt and to-the-point.

Oh, and yeah, I noticed I have been forgetting to say this: I do not own Pokémon. ): sad day. If I did, I wouldn't have to buy the games for myself. Ok, now that I won't get sued…

Chapter 3 ~ I Can Only Assume

I felt the presence of something warm beside me, and I held it closer. It snuggled into my chest, sighing contentedly. I just assumed it was either Eevee or Umbreon. The warmth from the thing lulled me back into a deep sleep.

My eyes fluttered open in what seemed a short while later, the bright sun once again blinding me. I yawned, and tried to stretch, only to realize that I couldn't move much. What the…? I looked down, and saw Ash snuggled into my chest, our legs tangled in a giant knot. Eevee was in a corner of the bed, pretending to be asleep while trying to not let her laughter show.

"Eevee, shut up." I hissed. I tried to detangle the small boy from me, and I was only greeted with a loud snore and a tighter grip. "Damn," I swore quietly, trying to avoid waking up the sleeping boy. Since I knew that I wouldn't be able to detangle us without him being awake, I took the time to admire the sleeping youth in front of me. He looks so peaceful when he's asleep. Almost with child-like innocence. It's so adorable… But I know he's never going to feel the same about me, ever. But I can always try, right? I smiled to myself, knowing that I would try get my way. That's what stubbornness does to you. Funny things also. My eyes wandered off the sleeping angel's face and towards the ceiling.

"Garryy…. Help…. HELP!" I was alerted by Ash's cries and my eyes snapped down to his once peaceful face, now wrinkled with agitation. "Gary!" he cried again, clearly distraught. I lay, frozen, unsure what to do. Should I wake him? Or should I let the dream pass? But as soon as my name passed through his lips, as a whimper more or less, I had made up my mind.

"Ashy." I said, shaking his shoulder gently. "Wake up Ash."

"No. Five more minutes Cilan. Five more minutes…" he trailed off with a yawn, and his cheek snuggled into my chest even more.

I chuckled. "No, Ash. I'm not this Cilan guy. It's me, Gary, and it's…" I looked at my alarm clock, "Almost 11 in the morning. We slept through breakfast." And I'll be damned, the mention of missing breakfast woke him up faster than a shock from Pikachu could. Unfortunately for both of us, his forehead crashed into the bottom of my jaw with a loud, clean crack.

"Owwww…" Ash whined, not noticing the fact that we were still tangled up together.

"Damn it Ash, that hurt!" I said indignantly. "Oh, and by the way, mind untangling yourself from me?" I didn't hesitate to sound dry at all.

"Wha… oh. CRAP!" Ash looked horrified, a slight pink color filling his cheeks. "Sorry." He muttered, having turned away from me.

"Hah, it's fine Ash. But yes, we did miss breakfast. So get your lazy ass outta bed and get ready. I did promise you we were going furniture shopping today." Ash gave me a terse nod, his eyes trying to avoid mine. Funny. If I didn't know better, I would say that Ash's genuinely embarrassed about the situation, as if he has a crush on me… I shook my head and said, "I claim my shower first."

"How about this one, Ash? It's made out of ash wood. Get what I did there?" I asked, elbowing the smaller boy in the ribs. He just rolled his eyes, and moved onto the next dresser, staring longingly at its oak wood surface. "That one's made out of oak, Ash."

"I know, I like oak wood. Pretty color, and makes for nice looking furniture."

"Thinking about me? Hah, Ash. I didn't know I was that much of an influence on your life," I said, sniggering quite loudly, especially when Ash's face turned as red as a tomato.

"NO!" he practically shouted, glaring at me.

"Hey, calm yourself down." I held my hands up, shaking my head. "Sheesh. If you want that one, we can get it. I think there was a matching night table too." Ash just nodded, falling unusually silent.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I asked, slightly worried. "Are you mad at me for what I said? I was only kidding."

"No," Ash sighed, "It's not that. Just drop it, ok?"

"Mad about missing breakfast?" I teased, smiling. I was given an eye roll and a tongue wag in return. "How about this?" I said. "I'll buy you ice cream when we're done shopping." I gently and hesitantly put one of my hands on Ash's shoulder. "'Kay?" I asked.

"Yeah, thanks Gary." Ash flashed me one of his trademark smiles that made my heart stop. I smiled back.

"Let me go get someone who works here – we gotta tell them what furniture you wanna buy."

"Well, Ashy, that was fun, wasn't it? See, I'm not all that bad. I don't bite." I grinned.

"Suuure." Ash said, smiling back. I snapped my teeth at him, pretending like I was going to bite him. Ash faked a look of horror, grinning like a Cheshire cat the whole time.

"Hurry up, Ashy, I wanna get home." I said, my tone changing from a jovial one to a tired one.

"Alright, alright, sheesh. Quit your whining Gary." Ash replied, rolling his eyes as he threw away his now-empty ice cream cup. We walked back onto the path, wandering slightly as I made my way home.

"Hey, Gary? Since my furniture isn't going to come until tomorrow, am I allowed to sleep at your house again tonight?" Ash questioned, avoiding my gaze.

"As long as you stay in your own bed." I joked, cracking a smile. "Of course you can."

"Thanks." Ash said, turning to face me, and walked backwards.

"If you trip and fall flat on your ass, know I'm just gonna laugh mine off." I said.

"Sooo reassuring." Ash said sarcastically. I moved in front of him to unlock my door, and after that, he butted his way between me and my front door, entering first, still walking backwards.

I wish I could of warned him – before we both knew what the heck was happening, Ash was flat on his back, spread eagle, tripped by a very evil looking Umbreon. I soon fell after, thanks to Eevee. Also, thanks to Eevee's 'ingenious' plan, I fell straight on top of him. In the most goddamn awkward position to date.

"Uhhh…" we both said, avoiding eye contact. My cheeks flared up, and I was sure they were a crimson color.

"Sorry about that… they can be a bit evil at times." I said, not moving a muscle, waiting for him to push me off. I was still someone frozen, thanks to the shock.

"'S ok." Ash mumbled, avoiding my gaze for a second, before something I'd never imagined would happen did just that.

He reached up and gently grabbed the sides of my face, turning it so I was facing him. He exhaled loudly, before his forehead touched mine in a very cute gesture. He whispered, "Your eyes… they're so breathtaking." But as soon as it started, he let go, realizing what he had done, and shoved me off of him. "Sorry." He muttered, quite embarrassed based on the red color of his face, and then bolted upstairs, locking both his bedroom door, and the door that led into his room from the jack-and-Jill bathroom, from what I could tell.

"Well." I said out loud, exhaling a breath I hadn't realized I was holding. Maybe he DOES have a crush on me…

AN ~ Well, there y'all go! I hope that was good enough for you to tide you all until next week. You thought they were gonna kiss for a second there, didn't you? ;) Hah, not yet.

I apologize for the little bits of cursing here and there. I wasn't able to retain myself as well as I liked.

Oh, and about the stubborn comments? That comes from personal experience hah, so that's pretty darn true.
See you, my lovelies, next Wednesday!

*Shameless self promotion* Please rate and review! Oh, and I may start a one shot soon, idk. I need ideas first hah. And a shipping too. :) If you have any ideas, feel free to PM me!

~ Shadows