Previously...

"I'm going to try to sleep since I'm exhausted. Please try to get some sleep too, okay? You deserve it," May said kindly.

"Thanks. Good night," He said gratefully.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

When morning came, May was surprised to find she had woken up before Drew. She couldn't blame him for sleeping in though. Yesterday had really bore down on him. May sat up in her bed and pulled her knees to her chest. She imagined that their traveling from now on would be a lot more risky with the arrival of the agents. The poor guy was probably stressed out of his mind.

Even in his sleep, his face was tense and scrunched up, his troubles following him. Knowing what she did now, it made sense how standoffish and guarded he was when they first met. He probably didn't want to get close to anyone in case he was brought back.

Suddenly, something dawned on her. It was strange how her feelings towards him had changed over the few years she had known him. When she first met him, she hated him. He was such a stuck up arrogant jerk on the surface.

Then he became her jerk rival, someone she strived to beat and be better than. When they started traveling together, things got confusing. He wasn't her rival anymore, but he wasn't exactly her friend. They were kind of just partners.

But now, even though it hadn't been that long, (they didn't even have any ribbons yet!) she had started considering him a friend somewhere along the lines. After he told her about his past, and after yesterday, as she looked towards him again, she realized that she had gained an overwhelming feeling of respect towards him.

It was brave of him to run away to do what he loved, despite the consequences. He never stopped running. He was determined to live his way while he had the chance before being forced into a life he didn't want. She didn't realize she was still staring at him until he stirred and began to sit up. May quickly snapped her head away from him and set her chin on her knees.

"Oh, you're up," he said surprised. His voice was scratchy from sleep. "What time is it?"

"Um, almost 10," May said, checking her PokeNav.

"Sorry. You been up long?" He asked.

"Nope, only a few minutes. After yesterday, I figured you probably needed your sleep, so I didn't try to wake you up," May said.

"Thanks. We should get ready and go eat," he said as he grabbed his bag and headed into the bathroom. After both of them had gotten ready, they headed downstairs to the eating area for breakfast. After getting food, they sat down in a booth next to a window.

"I'm sorry about yesterday," He muttered, apologizing.

"You have nothing to apologize for," she smiled brightly. He looked at her with his eyebrows raised.

"Nothing to apologize for!? May, it's my fault they're here in the first place! I can handle them on my own, but I shouldn't have dragged you into my mess," Drew said in frustration.

"It's fine! It's my fault you're traveling with me in the first place so let's just call it even, okay?" May reasoned.

"I don't know what they would even do to you, if they would hurt you, or drag you with us, or let you go, but I've got the feeling that it wouldn't be good," he sighed before running a hand through his hair. "Listen... I've been thinking... about going home," he said quietly. She felt her eyes widen.

"Drew!" She said in disbelief.

"After this Grand Festival I mean. I'm getting older and I have a feeling the older I get, the more desperate they will be to bring me back. Even recently, they've started to get more persistent and aggressive," he explained.

"But-" he held up a hand to stop her.

"It has to end someday. This delusion. From the start, I knew I would have to go back," he smiled grimly.

"I don't want that," May confessed quietly. Drew looked up at her, shocked.

"You're my rival, contests and Grand Festivals wouldn't be the same without you! It just wouldn't feel right," she said. He shrugged.

"But most importantly, you're also my friend! When you go back, I'll probably never get to see you again! I know, it's selfish, and you have no choice," May said.

"Well, we shouldn't focus on this too much right now anyways, it's pointless," he sighed. She nodded, but still, she didn't want to drop it. It was important. But he clearly didn't want to talk about it anymore.

"Hey! Coincidence seeing you two here!" A familiar voice called. She turned her head to see Brendan cheerfully walking towards them. His grin was a stark contrast to their somber mood.

"Oh, hey," May greeted half heartedly. Brendan's smile fell slightly. He noticed the tense mood around them.

"Everything okay?" He said, looking back and forth between them.

"Yeah, just tired. We had a long day yesterday," Drew answered. Brendan frowned.

"Well anyways, how was the contest?" He asked, slipping into the seat next to May. She probably imagined it, but Drew looked annoyed at him.

"We lost," May answered. Brendan recoiled.

"What! Really?" He asked, surprised.

"Our teamwork still needs work, and we went up against twins that were super in sync," Drew provided. Brendan put his hand to his chin and frowned.

"I'm sorry. Are you guys going to the Azalea Town contest?" He asked. May nodded. Brendan's face lit up.

"I'm headed there for my next gym battle against Bugsy! We should go together since we're all going to the same place!" He exclaimed. May shot a look towards Drew. She wasn't sure Brendan coming with them would be a good idea after yesterday. The agents were definitely still in the area. But with an unfamiliar face, they might not strike. It seemed Drew was also on the same wavelength. But still, they were both clearly hesitant, something could happen.

"Sure, why not?" Drew answered. Brendan looked surprised that it was Drew who agreed first and not her. It would make sense, he didn't really know Drew that well.

"We'll meet you in the lobby after we pack up," she said. Brendan nodded and let her slip past him. She and Drew then went up to grab their things.

"You sure about this?" May asked worriedly.

"I'm surprised you didn't agree right away, he's your friend right?" Drew said.

"Exactly, so I don't want to put him in danger," May sighed as she grabbed her bag.

"Well, in any case, it would have been extremely rude to turn him down because we are going to the same place. We had no good options there but to have him along and hope that nothing bad happens," he said, holding the door open for her. They walked downstairs and May met up with Brendan while Drew gave Nurse Joy the room key back.

"Ready to go?" Brendan asked cheerily as Drew came up to them. The both nodded silently and followed him out of the Pokemon Center.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

-A/N-

I hope you guys enjoyed it! Brendan is temporarily on board so things are going to get interesting! So, I lied in the last author's note, saying that was all I was going to give away about Rose Garden. Well, I have something to show you guys.

Here's the cover!

Drew took me probably about 7 hours to draw!!!! And it's the first time I tried that coloring style. Not everything is clear from a distance which is depressing so feel free to take a closer look! Also! In case there's confusion, those are flower petals. 

Soooooo that means that this is a Hanahaki fanfiction! 

I found out about them very recently and knew I had to do one! That's why the setting didn't matter and I left it to a vote!

I Ever since I found it, I've been so upset that I never knew about it before! It's now probably my favorite trope and I would literally write a Hanahaki fanfic for all of my favorite ships! Like! I have so many ideas, but I don't just want to write Hanahaki fanfictions XD. Anyways, don't be surprised at some point if most of my stories are Hanahaki, cause I have so many possible ideas. I have a problem! If you've never heard or read the trope, you're in for a treat! Anyways, that's all! Until next time!

YouDontKnowShipping