Ash and Dust | PalletShipping

Regrets

Ash had never been so confused and could not figure out what had just happened. His childhood friend, rival and crush had just kissed him. "That felt so unreal..." he thought to himself. He made his way downstairs to see if Gary had left, not only had he left, but Professor Oak too. He noticed Gary had left his jacket on the back of the chair. Ash had realised he had an excuse to go and see Gary again, he picked up the jacket and headed for the Professor's lab. He knocked. Gary opened the door, he couldn't face Ash. Before handing over the the jacket, he asked "Gary.. what just happened..?" while he had the chance. Gary was reluctant to reply and was just eager to get his over wear back, he reached for it as Ash tugged it back. "Gary, tell me..." Ash demanded. Gary blushed in embarrassment,
"I'm sorry Ash, please forget that happened. I'm straight, I don't know what came over me, please don't think any further of it."
"Straight? Right." Ash replied, "I'm not handing your jacket back until you explain." Gary had no other choice. He stepped outside and quietly shut the door, so his grandfather wouldn't be able to hear the conversation that was about to happen.
"Ash... looking at you pained on your bed. There was something about it. You looked so cute, gah, that's not that I mean." Gary felt disgusted.
"Do you feel the same.. way?" Ash asked, unsure of the response he was going to receive.
"NO! Not at all!" Gary yelled, "Ugh, I'm sorry for shouting. Ash, we can't be together. I'm straight.",
"Evidently not." Ash wasn't leaving without a proper explanation,
"Ash, it's hard to explain." Gary sighed, Ash waited. "Ash, I loved teasing you when we were younger. I guess you could say there's... something... sadistic about it. The truth is, I've always liked you too, but I tried to stay away. I knew I couldn't be with another guy. My reputation. What my family and friends would think. Ash, I've had the biggest crush on you, when you said you liked me back, I felt full, but still empty because... I can't be with you. I'm sorry I kissed you. Please just forget it,"
"But.. I can't. I'd dreamt of that moment forever," Ash admitted. Gary began to sob, Ash was unsure of what to do. He leaned in for a hug, in attempt to comfort Gary. Gary pushed him away,
"Ash, please. Just forget everything," he begged. Gary slammed the door. Ash returned home, feeling heartbroken.
A week had past. Ash and Lillie were chilling in Ash's room together with Pikachu and Nebby. The atmosphere in the room was cheery, Lillie glanced at the bed, at the spot where she witnessed first base. Lillie broke, "Ash, I saw you and your friend in here together last week..". Ash shakily turned to her, he started to panic and hoped she didn't see what she was about to say. Lillie clocked Ash's distraught, "It's fine." she placed a hand on his shoulder, "I won't tell anybody, I promise," Ash didn't realize how much he valued Lillie as a friend, " I'm sorry I didn't tell you how I feel about him, maybe you could've helped me... I won't keep anything a secret from you from now on." Ash vowed. Lillie faintly smiled,
"So, what's happening with you two?" she asked.
"I wish I knew, when I confronted him he just told me to forget and leave it," Ash replied, lightly shrugging with a half-smirk of sorrow.
"But he feels the same way, doesn't he?" Lillie's curiosity rose higher.
"Lillie.. I .. I don't know." Ash shook his head, "He's scared that his friends and family will think less of him."
"If something happens between you, you don't have to tell his family. Besides, they don't live around here do they?" Lillie implied.
"Well I can't do anything now..." Ash replied.