A/N: Everyone keeps asking me for comashipping, so here's some for you. Was based off a prompt yadda yadda.

Different Strokes

He'd had the decency of dragging him a few feet down the hall of the pokemon center before actually throwing his arms around Paul, his greeting one big bear hug that trapped his arms to him, not that he intended to move them from his sides anyway. Those few seconds gave him time to recognize Ash from the fluff of black hair, if his grip hadn't given it away. A new hat and jacket and a few inches of height didn't disguise the boy's constant need for a haircut, a judgement Paul only felt justified in making because he had the sense to comb his own longer style.

"Oh, it's you," he grumbled when Ash finally let go and took a step back to look at him squarely, his hands never leaving his shoulders. He just laughed, and for a split second a smile pulled at the edges of Paul's mouth, the familiar sound cutting through his tough facade. It would have lasted too, if he hadn't become annoyed the next second by the realization that Ash had dared to go and get taller than him some time between their last meeting and this one.

"Drop the tough act," Ash teased, shaking his ex-rival's shoulder. "Unless you're trying to say you didn't miss me."

"I did," he begrudged, "I just don't feel the need to get all mushy about it like some people."

Ash glanced back down the hallway, letting go of Paul's shoulders and letting out a light sigh as he adjusted his hat. They were out of sight of all but one corner of the lobby, and otherwise had no company; even Pikachu was still checked in with the Nurse. Just the same, he waved Paul on down the hall toward the Center's bunk rooms, putting a corner between them and anyone who might notice.

When he moved to close the space between them again, Paul met him first, delivering the sort of rough yet brief kiss he'd missed in their months apart. There was a spark in the contact, one that made Ash grab at the chest of the older teen's jacket to keep him from getting too far away, made him lunge for another kiss and surprise himself by scowling into it the same as Paul had.

The sizzle in his veins was almost enough to make the long wait to earn it worthwhile. When Paul only grabbed at his sleeve instead of pulling away, he realized it probably was what made it worthwhile for him. No matter how fond of each other they'd grown, there was a limit to how much interaction with anyone Paul could handle.

They practically threw each other apart when a door down the hall creaked open, each leaning against opposite walls well before the occupant snuck past on their way to the bathroom.

"I suppose I've got some time to catch up in," Paul said once he was sure they were alone again. "Unless you've got some of your damn friends waiting on you."

"Nah, I'd rented a room for myself tonight," he grinned, nodding toward a door on the opposite side and striding toward it.

"Figures. Guess I'll just have to split the rate with you, then."

"I'd like to see you make me."

He shook his head and gave a slight huff at the taller boy's innuendo, brushing past him and unshouldering his bag onto the floor. "I don't really care what you do," he informed him, tossing his jacket onto his bag, "as long as you shut up."

After all, there were far better uses of Ash's mouth than sappy rambling.