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"Gary did you see me? Did you see the League? I know I didn’t win, but Sceptile and Pikachu and everyone did so good, I think it was the best battle I ever had!"

Gary smiled gently, grateful that Ash couldn’t see him through the phone line. ”Not better than our battle, right, Ashy boy?”

Ash settled down a bit, and gripped the phone cord tightly. ”I mean no but like… battling with you is different.” He reached into his pocket, subconsciously touching the broken pokeball half that Gary gave him.

"Yeah I know what you mean." Gary turned away from his desk, and looked at the broken pokeball on his dresser. "Keep working hard, okay? If I can’t be the world’s greatest Pokemon Master, then you have to do it for the both of us."

Ash’s eyes set in determination. ”I will!”

——

"Hey Ash, I’m sorry I couldn’t stay to watch the League, but my research has taken me back to Kanto. Just know that I’ll be watching, along with the rest of the gang. I just talked to Misty and Tracey and they’re all rooting for you," Gary paused in the middle of his message to smirk, "and your mom told you to make sure you’re wearing clean you-know-what’s. I’d ask her what she meant, if I didn’t already know. But maybe stinking up the stadium can be your strategy." He paused again, clenching his fists tightly in anxiety. Staring at an old photo of the two of them on his desk, he allowed himself to get caught up in missing him. It had only been a few weeks since he last saw Ash, but it was already too long. "I’m rooting for you, still, Ashy-boy." His voice lowered to a near whisper, "Don’t let me down."

——

Dear Gary,

Unova’s full of brand new Pokemon! They’re so different and weird, and nothing like the Pokemon back home, but I bet you already know all about them. My new friends have taught me lots of things, but I miss Brock a lot. Cilan’s cooking is good, just different. I also miss Dawn, and now that I think about it, May and Max too. Spending the beginning of the summer with you and Mist was great, but I needed to go on another adventure again.

I hope you understand. I still wanna go bug-catching with you in the National Park next season. Maybe I’ll get a break and come back just in time. If not, catch the biggest Beedrill in the the trees for me, okay? If I can’t catch the biggest, then you have to do it for the both of us?

~~Remember when you said that to me? I just said it back but different.~~

Okay. Say hi to mom for me!

Bye!

Ash ~~Ketchum~~

——

"I didn’t do as good as I was supposed to." Ash looked down into his lap disappointedly.

Gary pursed his lips in thought, and watched the trademark Ash Ketchum optimism, slowly drain out of his body. His shoulders sagged, and his nose sniffled quietly, and Gary had to clear his throat to alert Ash that he was getting a little too stuck in his head.

When Ash looked up at him, bleary-eyed and sad, Gary offered up his brightest smile, and tugged Ash over into his lap. Ash huffed and wrapped his arms around Gary’s neck, squeezing him tightly and moaning into his neck. ”I’m supposed to be getting better, I can’t believe I did so bad.”

Gary rubbed up down his back soothingly. ”You are getting better Ash. Every time I inspect your Pokemon they demonstrate exceptional health and strength. Winning the Pokemon League isn’t the only mark of a good trainer. There are other, more important things.”

"Like what?" he whined miserably.

Gary smiled, and took Ash’s face into his hands, pressing their foreheads together. ”The Pokemon’s bond with their trainer. The trust, the friendship, the love…”

Ash’s eyes swept down to Gary’s lips, and a part of them that rarely showed was glimmering with old feelings, for his oldest and fondest rival. Gary took the lead, guiding Ash’s chin closer so that their lips pressed together lightly, before turning his head so that their mouths fit better together. Ash’s eyes fluttered closed and he pressed himself deeper into the kiss. Gary was warm, and familiar, and he was also wrapping his arms around Ash’s waist until they two were laying down on the bed, completely and totally immersed in each other.

When Gary pulled away, Ash was blushing, eyes wide with shock and excitement. Gary ran a hand through Ash’s perpetually messy hair, and let it rest behind his ear so he could pull them close together again.

"Maybe stay in town a little longer this time? I don’t know how to help you figure out the rest of your journey, but I can help you feel better when you need it."

Ash smiled, placing his own hand over Gary’s. ”I think all I need is another challenge.” He smirked, “Bet I can kiss better than you.”

Gary laughed. ”There is no possible way I can see myself losing this challenge,” he said, before leaning in again.