Chapter 8: memories

Hey I know it's been like forever but hopefully I can write more. Like usual please comment and thank you for still reading even though it's been so long!

I'm sorry for the HUGE DELAY!I will try to be better at it :(

A little outside of Pallet Town was a small tavern hidden in the woods, it gave off a dark gloomy atmosphere, and the same could be said for the people inside. Sitting at the bar was a tall lanky man with wild brown hair. Outside it was becoming day light, and world renowned researcher Gary Oak had just finished his twentieth beer. The researcher attempted to stand up from the bar to go home; satisfied that he had successfully drowned out his sorrows for that night. The brunette took two steps before falling on his ass, he was so wasted and depressed that the scientist didn't even attempt to get up. Everything just went downhill for the researcher ever since that night when he finally claimed the trainer as his own. Gary never thought his dream relationship would have been so short lived.

*About 5 years ago*

Gary stumbled out of Ash's house, avoiding flying objects Ash's mom was throwing. He ran into the nearby forest, falling limp next to a large tree, and started to sob hard. Why did this have to happen? Everything just felt so perfect, the boy he'd longed for since childhood was finally his, and just like that taken away! Gary pulled his knees up to his chest and rested his forehead on his bent knees, letting the tears just fall.

The next two weeks after that night, Gary tried everything he could to see Ash. He even went as far as to kidnap the boy, bad idea. All it resulted in was a ridiculous restraining order issued by his mom. Before Gary knew it, a month had passed, and after that he never saw Ash around pallet town again…..It was as if the love of his life had fallen of the face of the earth. Apparently, the trainer had gone on another journey far away. More than likely it wasn't by will, but it didn't matter because the restraining order made it so he couldn't follow the love of his life. Three years after the incident all Gary did was cry and barricade himself in his room. He rarely left the sanctuary of his home much to his grandfather's chagrin. Everyday Gary hoped that one day he'd wake up and his Pokemon master would be there in bed next to him, those shining brown eyes staring back and that goofy smile he's come to love plastered on the younger's face. That small bit of hope was the only thing keeping the researcher from completely breaking down and doing something drastic.

After the first three years passed Gary finally decided to leave his home and start working on research again. However, he still couldn't function normally because everything reminded him of the missing trainer. One day at Professor Oak's lab Gary was helping out his grandpa by preparing pokemon for the upcoming tournament. It was always a hassle preparing all the pokemon that trainers would want to switch out for the competition, but with both of them on duty it went along smoothly up until a certain raven haired boy called. Gary was practically juggling pokeballs because of how many he was trying to carry from the storage to the transfer room when the video phone started to ring uncontrollably.

"Grandpa, Get the phone!" Gary yelled his hands currently occupied. Professor Oak ran from his computer monitor to the phone answering it out of breathe.

"Hey Professor, how you doing!" A cheery voice rang throughout the lab. Gary turned to the source of the voice completely forgetting what he was doing. The boy on the screen winced and sweat dropped as he heard a loud crash in the background of the call. Professor Oak looked to where his grandson was scurrying to pick up all the dropped pokeballs mouthing 'you ok?' to him. With a nod Gary picked up everything and placed them in a bin sighing because now he had to figure out whose pokemon was whose. "Ummmmmm, is everything okay Professor?" Ash questioned legitimately concerned about what make that horrible noise.

"Yeah, everything is okay. How are things going on your journey?"

"It's going great can't wait for the tournament, by the way could you send me some of my pokemon?" Ash asked.

"Of course that's what I'm here to do" the professor responded a bright smile on his face. Gary walked over after the incident and stared at the screen completely loosing himself in the beautiful image before him. There he was, the boy that stole his heart and disappeared for the last four years. To Gary he still looked the same, gorgeous. He just couldn't turn away from the screen he was completely hypnotized and stalked closer to the monitor like a zombie. He felt his palms sweat, his face heat up, and his heart throbbing with both pain and excitement. Gay stood behind his grandfather now visible to the one on the screen. Than something unthinkable was uttered from the cute trainer.

"Hey Professor who's that?" Ash innocently asked finding the boy behind the old man somewhat attractive. Startled the professor looked at the trainer feeling rather puzzled by the question.

"That's my grandson Gary, don't you remember?" Oak questioned looking back at his grandson to make sure he was okay. He knew about the incident involving the two young boys, and fought with Delia to let them see each other.

"Really? I had no idea you had a grandson! How old is he? Can we be friends?" Ash asked excitedly. Right when he heard that Gary's heart sunk, it was that horrible feeling you get when you lose something. But to Gary that feeling was a thousand times worse because he lost the one person he really cared about. Taking a deep breath and pushing the oncoming tears back Gary plastered a smile on his face.

"I would love to be friends, and I'm the same age you are! Grandpa talks a lot about you so it's like I already I know you." Gary responded still fighting off the pain in his heart.

"Awesome! When I go back to Pallet Town we should hang out!" Ash yelled getting excited to make a new friend that lived by him.

"I would like that," Gary responded making sure to savor every moment he had with his, dare he say it….ex boyfriend?

"Okay see you in a year! Oh and Professor don't forget my Pokemon. Thank you and see ya!" with that the call ended and the screen went black, just like Gary's heart. Gary couldn't handle it anymore and broke down there in the lab screaming and crying his heart out until he passed out. Somehow he ended up home which is where he woke up. For that last year Gary became a hermit again, doing nothing but crying. He would drink but there was no booze in the house, and he didn't have the strength to venture outside. At least he'd be able to see his "friend" soon, just a little longer and maybe he could get him to fall in love with him again…..

*Present Time*

So there Gary was stumbling home through his alcohol induced state. It was a good two hours until he found his way in front of his house cursing as he feebly fought with his keys to get the door open. Finally, he got inside and collapsed on the couch passing out there for the night. Tomorrow was the day the he would be re united with the pokemon guru, which was why Gary had drank all night. Even though his heart practically thumped out of his chest to see the other, it still stung with sorrow because Ash wasn't his anymore.

*The Next Day*

Gary woke up with a pounding headache around 4 o'clock in the evening. Rolling onto the floor he groaned in pain clenching his throbbing head, grinding his teeth, and crawling to the bathroom for pain medication. The brunette splashed water on his face and swallowed some pain pills and drank some of the water from the sink to sober up. He dragged his aching body through the house and looked at his calendar….

"SHIT!" He screamed when he noticed the date, today was the day Ash came home! Gary ran into the bathroom and took a fast shower, brushed his teeth, and combed his hair. He took time picking out his outfit wanting to make a good "first impression" on Ash. He wore tight fitting black jeans and a nice blue button up shirt. While he was running out he also grabbed his signature yellow and green necklace, he hadn't wore it since he last saw the trainer; since every time he glanced at the jewelry it brought back painful memories.

The researcher raced to the lab figuring the younger boy would be there to catch up with the professor. Gary knocked on the front door trying to calm his panting. When the door opened Gary almost choked on his breath at the site in front of him.

"Hey, you must be Gary!" The shorter boy exclaimed with a bright smile and reached out his hand. Staring at the hand Gary grabbed it and shook it; the simple touch made his skin tingle and warmed his icy heart. For once in the last five years Gary had finally woken up in a world where the trainer was there. He could once again look into those shinning eyes and maybe one day feel the other's smooth tan skin under his fingertips again.

Yay! They get to see each other again! I hope that Gary can make his Ashy fall in love with him again.

Find out what happened to the trainer in the next chapter and see what happens when they see Ash's mom again, and a visit from Misty. All that coming up soon!

Once again thank you to eveyone who is supporting me! XD you're all great!