Ash couldn't have been happier! He had just ended Team Flare's reign of terror, and was finally getting a chance to have some fun again.

Ash had always loved going out for a swim and what a better time than now! Clemont himself had even agreeded to join in on the activity of getting wet, which was a first.

Though Bonnie and Serena both thought Shalour Cities beach was much cooler, they obliged in going to Coumarine Cities beach.

The young blonde, by the name of Bonnie, ran around in the luscious clear water. She wasn't giving a care in the world until a massive wave swept her off her feet.

"Bonnie!" Ash called out to the fallen over girl. He ran until he had reached the girl and offered her a hand in help. The young blonde gladly accepted as she was risen to her feet once more. The two had failed to recognize of a certain young man behind them until a light cough was heard.

"Is that Ashy-Boy I see!" The young man commented.

Ash turned in astonishment at hearing the familiar nickname and voice. Which belonged to none other than Gary Oak, his old friend and rival. Gary still reigned superior in height as usual. He wore a salmon shirt and black swim shorts.

Though at times they didn't see eye to eye, they were still as close as can be.

"Gary! What are you doing here?" Ash squeaked out, he was surprised to see Bonnie smiling charmingly at the Oak.

"Well if you must know, I've been doing research on the pokemon in this region for quite some time." Gary replied as he bent over to pat the young blondes head.

"Who might this little charmer be?" Gary inquired.

"I'm Bonnie! It's nice to meet you, Gary. I know your name already because Ash said it first!" Bonnie cherped. She quickly stuck out her tounge in a smile and left to give her friends some space.

Gary had to smirk when he regarded Ash once again. Even though they hadn't seen each other since Sinnoh, Ash still looked the same. Who would've thought that Ash-Boy would still be working on the first chapter of puberty!

"Want to go for a swim?" Ash urged. That way I don't have to drool over you, he almost added.

"Sure thing." Gary replied while he began to remove his shirt.

Gary sure has changed. Ash thought to himself, he fought to hid a blush. The Oak's chest was nice and toned well.

"Ready?" Gary asked, snapping Ash out of his daze.

"You bet!"

The two jumped into the crystal waters, earning a large spash of water. Ash squirmed and quivered at the coldness of the water.

Splash!

Suddenly Ash was underwater. What had just happened? Had he cramped up and hadn't noticed? In actuality, it was just Gary, who was splashing water on him.

Ash sheilded his eye's as Gary continued his action of splashing water. Had Gary always been this way? Had he always been so carefree?

Ash took a deep breath as he too began to splash Gary with water. He hadn't noticed that nobody was there until a pair of slender arms wrapped there way around his slender waist.

From the corner of his eye, Ash could see Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie from their perch on dry land. They were clustered around a barbeque and sat under the shade of an umbrella.

Turning his attention back to Gary, Ash smiled. Thinking back on their past friendship was everything Ash could hope for.

One thing was for sure, Ash was going to cherish these next few day's with Gary.

______________________________________

Gary lay on his back, staring up at the slowly moving ceiling fan. He bored yet had many thoughts running in his mind. One thought caught him in particular. What more could he do to admit his true feelings to Ash?

The day had gone by smoothingly to the Oak's viewing. There were no fights, no rivalry, just plain old fun and relaxation. Of course there was that one moment where he had sprung on the ravenette while they were swimming. He had tackle hugged Ash on the waist, sending the two under water for several seconds. When they submerged, Ash splashed Gary with so much water, you would've though he was using aqua tail or something!

Occasionally the Oak would catch himself staring at his friend then silently avert his gaze to curse himself for doing so. It's not like he thought the Ketchum looked attractive by the ocean or anything - he just didn't want anyone to think he was lost in thought.

The ravenette would never understand how his old rival and friend felt about him. For Gary loved Ash with a firey passion. The way his sun kissed skin seemly glowed in the moonlight, his beautiful smile, his unruly raven hair, and his beautiful chocolate eyes that could make anyone melt all sent the young Oak's heart aflutter. Not to mention his always upbeat attitude on the world and kindess towards everyone he met.

Sighing in frustration, Gary turned on his side. His bed lay opposite from Ash's bed. Clemont's bed lay on Ash's other half, which meant that Ash was in the middle of the two.

Thankfully the young inventor had retired early to bed. He had spent way too much time in the sun and had gotten a sunburn. As for the ravenette, he lay awake in his own bed, watching an episode, of a show called, Steven Universe intitled; "Log Date 7 15 2." The episode was about a green theme colored gem named Peridot, who had given her tape recorder to her friend the Steven a.k.a Steven Universe. Currently the episode was on a part showcasing the compatibility of each character of the Peridot's favorite show.

Getting up from his bed, Gary joined Ash on his bed. Gary sat behind Ash, poking his foot. This startled the ravenette for a moment, but he soon calmed down and returned his attention to the t.v. The episode ended soon afterwards which finally granted Ash a sleepy state of mind.

Gary in an attempt to help Ash fall asleep also laid down next to Ash. They stared into each other's eye's for several moments until Ash fully closed his to defeat of sleep.

Gary ran his free hand, his right one which wasn't under the ravenette, through Ash's soft, raven hair. A blush dusted the Oak's face when an idea popped it's way into his head.

Slowly and carefully Gary inched closer and closer to Ash. He placed his lips to the soft one's of Ash's. The Oak let his lips linger on his sleeping friends for several moments before pulling back. Tears formed at the corners of eye's which threatened to fall at any minute as he moved off the bed, careful not to wake his sleeping friend.

"Good night, my Ashy." Gary silently said as he covered Ash with a blanket.

Then returning back to his own bed, Gary touched his lips. A faint taste of sweet energeticness had lingered there. Gary couldn't help a small smile that found it's way to his lips.

If only Ash knew about getting his first kiss. Gary thought to himself as sleep finally took it's toll on him as well.
______________________________________

Does Gary like me? Am I really in love with Gary? Ash pondered on his bed.

The last thing the ravenette did last night was receive his first kiss. Who had kissed him? None other then Gary Oak! His best friend and past rival. Embarrassment flushed across the z's of the ravenette's face.

Having enough of his own thoughts, Ash jumped off his bed. "Forget this! I'm going to take a walk!"

Walking over to the door Ash examined the weather. Surprisingly enough, the weather had taken a turn to snowing. The once clear waters were now frosted over creating an icey platform.

Sighing, Ash turned around to get his winter clothes. After a few moments of yanking on his winter jacket, Ash opened the door to leave.

"Going somewhere?"

"G-Gary!" Ash stuttered in surprise at seeing Gary besides him in winter clothes as well. "I was just going for a walk."

"In that case, can I tag along?" Gary asked.

Swallowing a lump in his throat, Ash nodded politely. Though the ravenette wanted to stay away from his friend for awhile he agreed.

"It's freezing!" Ash whinned as soon he began to walk. He was shivering under his jacket, but kept a cool composer. He could hear a slight chuckle come from Gary.

"It is snowing after all Ash!" Gary smirked, which only widened when Ash ruffeled his nose.

A thought found it's way to Ash as they passed by a pokeball shop. But what would Gary think if he asked such a silly question? Decideing to risk it, Ash elbowed Gary's side.

"Gary, do you still have.... your end of the pokeball?"

A faint color flashed across the latter as he reached an arm into his jacket. He picked out a red half of a pokeball that was attached to a string. The pokeball half looked much cleaner than tje last time.

"You've still been wearing it?" Ash questioned.

"Of course. I wear it for good luck." Gary commented warmly. Also as a reminder of you, Gary said that last part to himself.

Ash blushed when Gary plucked the red league hat off his head. The cold rushed to his hair, making him tense.

"Gary! Give me my hat back!" Ash practically yelled. Even though there were no people around this early, Ash did his best to keep quiet.

"No way! I'm cold too and need something warm to wear on my head, besides these earmuffs." Gary retorted as he placed the hat on his head.

Ash puffed out his cheeks as he jumped to reach for his hat. To no avail did the shorter ravenette grab his hat back.

"That's it!" Ash growled. He was cold and mildly still confused of his feelings. With a finally puff of cold air, Ash leaped onto Gary.

This action startled the latter boy. He caught his friend, one arm wrapped securely around the ravenette's waist, lifting the boy off the ground, the other arm, trying to keep balance. Ash on the other hand had one arm drapped around the latter's neck and the other reaching up into his friend's hair. Their faces were a mere centimetres apart, noses touching. Ash's face was now warmed by the darkening blush forming. Gary on the other hand looked as though he was going to die of embarrassment at any moment.

"G-gary I- I..." Ash tried to speak, but ended up sounding like a squeaking mess.

"Ash.... I.... L-love you." Gary whispered as he closed the gap between them. His lips gently moved on Ash's trying to get a response.

Ash stared frozen in shock. His mind seemed to grow fuzy with a new emotion. He soon found himself bringing his free hand down to join it behind Gary's neck with his other hand. He acted almost instantly when Gary asked for entrance into his mouth. At first the ravenette squirmed at the feeling of his tounge being touched by another, but soon adjusted to the new feeling. Their tounges soon danced together in harmony. When the need for air grew too great, Ash pulled away, a string of saliva connecting them still. Somehow during the kiss Gary had managed to place Ash's hat back on it's rightful owner, backwards.

Ash's flushed face buried it's way into Gary's warm torso. Tears streamed down his face in pure bliss. "I love you too Gary."

______________________________________

Ash's heart beat fast in his chest. The warmth of Gary's hand made Ash feel brave enough to walk infront of civilians of the Coumarine City streets. A gentle squeeze was given to the ravenette's hand as they neared back to their shared vaction room.

Suddenly overcome with emotion, Ash flung himself on Gary. He had his arms wrapped around the latter's neck. Gary looked down into the beautiful chocolate orbs of Ash's. A mixture of emotion was pouring it's way through.

Slightly taken aback Gary wrapped his arms around the slend waist of Ash. "What's wrong?" Gary asked in the most soothing voice possible.

"How can I love when I'm afraid to lose you again!" Tears threatened to fall down Ash's face, but were held back.

Confused, Gary moved his left hand under Ash's chin, lifting his head up ever so slightly.

"What do you mean by being afraid to lose me again?"

A stiffelled grunt was sounded when Ash pouted his cheeks. Gary managed to hold back a laugh at his friend's immaturity.

"I mean, after you left Sinnoh. I've missed you sooo much. I was afraid that I had lost you after I didn't see you in Unova. Your were like my hero in Kanto, Jhoto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh. But then.... you just stopped coming."

Gary quickly cupped to sides of Ash's face. He stared souly at Ash with an expression of seriousness.

"I didn't know that you cared so much for my attendance back then. But I can guaranty you this, the next region you travel to next, I'll be going with you. There's no possible force that will keep me away from joining you on your next journey."

The ravenette stared speechless at his friend. Did his ears decive him? Did Gary Oak just announce he would be joining him to the next region?

"Y-you really m-mean that!" Ash said as he nuzzled his check against Gary's palms.

"I do." Gary replied with the kindest smile.

Something about Gary's smile reassured Ash that Gary truly meant what he said.

"I can't wait until then." Ash declared happily.

A few kisses found it's way around the ravenette's face. This was going to be a beautiful relationship that would only blossom into the following region.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Gary! Guess what I got chu!" Cheered Ash. The pair were sitting on Ash's bed in their shared vacation room. Clemont was out with Serena and Bonnie to go buy a few things, leaving Ash and Gary to have some more alone time.

"Chu? Since when do you say chu?" Gary joked. He looked around the room for a moment before looking back to Ash, who held a kitkat in his fingers.

"Is that a kitkat?" Gary questioned. He took the chocolate candy and examined it.

Ash looked happy and was about to get off the bed when Gary shoved one half of the kitkat into his, Ash's, mouth.

The ravenette blushed instantly when Gary joined him on the other side of the kitkat.

Smirking, Gary closed his eyes. He took a small bite and waited for Ash to do so as well. Awkwardly Ash took a bite. He expected Gary to take another small bite, but was surprised when the Oak took the remaining chocolate into his mouth to close the gap into a kiss.

Ash moved back once Gary pulled away. His face was as red as a tomatoe!

"G-gary!"

"Love you, Ashy-Boy."

"L-love you too, Gary."