Title: Waking Up

Part Three

Author: Red Kasei

Fandom: Pokemon

Rating: M

Warnings: yaoi, swearing and a lemon

Pairings: Shishi (Shigeru/Satoshi) or Gary/Ash

The next morning, everything seemed so much better. Ash cooed over the bouquet of orange honeysuckle and jasmine and squealed in positive delight at the take out and coffee. Even though the take out was cold, they ate together in the kitchen; Ash enjoying every bite of the meal. Gary had been very happy to see his friend back with an appetite.

Things improved for them thereon. Ash started returning to somewhat of the boy Gary remembered; smiling sweetly and bestowing his generosity on everyone and everything because of his good mood. The pokemon had returned to being as normal as ever, ready for research, and even some whom were harder to placate by nature were well behaved. Even Squall had started to warm up to the older man.

Both Professor Oak and Tracy had noticed this and though they didn't say anything, they were both pleased. Things were starting to look up in the Oak Residence.

But as much as Gary was thankful for another chance at a real friendship with his old friend and very happy because of it, it was also making him very anxious. He wasn't sure how long he could hold out until he did something very stupid again; something he was certain Ash would hate him forever for.

And it wasn't cruel words or an arrogant attitude. It was worse.

Three months after their little reunion, Ash had an accident. While helping a Squirtel retrieve his ball from the deeper section where the baby could not yet swim in, he got knocked over by a pair of squabbling Maril. It wasn't so bad, until one completely lost its temper and released an Ice Beam. The other Maril dodged, and though Ash wasn't directly hit the ice managed to creep along the water and froze him to the spot.

This caused panic amongst the pokemon in the pond, all of whom went completely wild! By the time Gary and Tracy arrived, Ash was nearing a hypothermic state. A Charmeleon and Flaeron were working on melting the ice, so getting him out wasn't too much of a problem.

Ash, as expected despite Gary's panicking, managed to pull through with nothing but a minor cold. Of course, that quickly changed over night to the flu. Rotten luck it may have been, Gary kept reminding his friend that it could be a lot worse. He could have been directly hit and that would have been the end of the current Pokemon Master. Even Squall was adamant in reminding his master that he was lucky to be there; he continually rubbed his cheeks against Ash's and nuzzled into his belly, forehead and underarms with a vigor that Ash seemed to understand as an affectionate chiding.

It had only been two days since the Pallet's doctor advised a week of solid rest, warm foods and plenty of liquid and already both Professor Oak and Tracy were falling apart. Gary just came to realize how much he did for them when he found his grandfather buried under a pile of papers and notebooks, claiming he had left his tea somewhere under all that mess! Tracy was a little better off, but Ash's near brush with death and his sudden illness worried him greatly and he continually made stupid mistakes because his mind was distracted.

Luckily, Ash's mother was there to help. As soon as she heard that her baby was sick with the flu she was over within a heartbeat. In fact, Gary was certain he hadn't even finished the call to her house when she was knocking on the door. Ash wasn't so keen on having his mother baby him (much to Gary's amusement), but he was willing to do everything she said in order to get better.

"I don't see why you don't just take a little break, dear," she said one afternoon as she was serving him hot leek soup. Gary was fluffing his pillows and propping him upright.

"Mom, we've been over this," he sighed. "I can't take a break. You've seen Professor Oak; I haven't been downstairs but I'm sure he's going half out of his mind trying to find his glasses that are always perched on top of his head!"

Gary sniggered and Ash grinned back.

"But everyone always needs you, dear," she sighed, setting the soup before him. "You don't let anyone take care of you."

"I'm fine, mom," he said, sniffling and wiping his nose with a hanky. "Really!"

"You should really find yourself a nice young lady to settle down with."

"Mom, I don't want to. I'm under twenty; I've got plenty of time."

Delia didn't answer. It was obvious her son's constant brushes with death brought out a lot of doubt in that statement.

But she obviously wasn't going to give up, either.

"What about that lovely Dawn girl? Or Misty, maybe?"

"Mom!" he whined, his cheeks turning pink.

"And if you don't like girls', there's always that nice Richie boy. Or maybe even that other boy who May likes; Drew."

"MOM!" his cheeks were now bright red and he started coughing after his little outburst.

Even though he had been amused with Delia's antics, Gary could not help but feel nauseatingly jealous at the thought of someone else courting Ash. His stomach bubbled and it did not sit well with him, but he repressed the feelings.

'It's not like you're doing anything about it,' his conscious reminded him. It was true; he hadn't said anything about their past or why he was such a dick in the first place, but Ash didn't want to know. He was happy enough knowing that Gary didn't really hate him and that they were friends again. He didn't want to ruin it by dragging the past back into it.

He did make himself very useful, though. He helped Ash to the bathroom whenever he needed to vomit, and changed his wet, snotty handkerchiefs for him despite the younger boy's protest. He fluffed his pillows for him, got him juice whenever he asked for it and, on occasions when Delia wasn't around, got a cold cloth to sooth his feverish skin. Ash had often protested; insisting that he had more important things to do than look after a pasty skinned and sweaty kid in bed, but Gary always dismissed it. It was especially easy to do with a bowl of ice water and a cloth. As soon as that cold cloth touched his hot skin, he would sigh and anything else he had to say would be lost in that little bliss.

Gary knew he should have listened to Ash. He should have stayed away and only come by when necessary. But he couldn't help himself. A part of him wanted to make it up to the boy for being an asshole for nine years, to show him that he really did care. But another part of him, a fairly large part, wanted to put its proverbial foot in the door. To show him that he could care and provide for him and that he didn't have to do everything by himself. To show him that there was someone who would fuss over him when he was ill, or listen to him when he was feeling upset, depressed or out of sorts.

He knew he shouldn't have, but it was too late. Twelve years too late.

Wednesday afternoon found Gary in the kitchen, cradling a mug of strong coffee in one hand and his head in the other. Ash's health was improving quickly and Delia had declared that her son would be able to get back to what he loved doing within a day or so. It had only been over a week, but during that time he hardly left the younger boy's side.

And it was the beginning of his undoing.

"Gary? What on earth are you doing sitting like that? You're not getting sick, are you?" Delia queried, giving him a once over just to make sure.

"I've fine, Mrs Ketchum," he said. "I'm just a little tired." He yawned. "I fell asleep by Ash last night as I was reading to him and I only woke up a few hours later. I was still dirty and in my lab coat, so I had to wash first and all that before going to sleep in my own bed."

"You poor dear," she fussed. "Here, let me make you a nice lunch to pick you up a little."

"It's okay, Mrs Ketchum…"

"Nonsense! I insist!"

She was already taking out a number of vegetables and meats out the fridge already, and she had that look Ash had warned him about when they were still kids. She had that gleam in her eye that declared that no matter what anyone said, she was still going to do what she wanted. So he resigned himself and gave in.

"Thanks, Mrs Ketchum."

"It's not a problem!" she declared, yanking out a frying pan and setting it on the stove. "After all you've done for my little Ash, I should be thanking you!"

"I don't do much. You make him his food…"

"Yes, but you keep him company. You read to him, make him take his tablets, carrying him to the bathroom when he's sick and you even change his snotty hankies! Not even I can stomach that, and I'm his mother!" Gary chuckled at that.

"Yeah, well, I guess when you've been constantly rolling around in the dirt with him as a child, a snotty hanky is bliss compared to snot streaks on the sleeve of a jersey."

"Don't remind me…"

He laughed aloud.

"You know, I'm glad to see you two getting along so well again." She said. Gary frowned at the sudden change in tone, but listened on. "I remember when Ash came home, crying and telling me you hated him…how it made my heart ache.

"I know you were kids, and I don't know what happened and neither do I care. You were both children and I'm sure it was over something very silly. But I cannot tell you how much it hurt to see my baby heartbroken. And only at seven years old, too!"

Gary froze, his stomach turning to lead.

"H-heartbroken?"

"Oh dear!" she covered her mouth and quickly returned to frying the bacon. "I shouldn't have said anything. Just forget it," she laughed, obviously trying to cover up the little slip. "It's unimportant and in the past…"

"Mrs Ketchum," he paused and sighed. "What happened all those years ago was my fault. I got too cocky and rude and…very stupid. I knew I hurt him, but only now I'm actually beginning to see just how much. Please tell me; I really want to make it up to him."

She sighed, her breath coming out in a shaky exhale.

"I…I'm not sure if you could, Gary."

"Please, tell me at least. I was a really bad friend and…I guess hearing what hurt I've done to him is a sort of punishment as well as reminder. I don't want to do it again."

Delia turned and looked at him thoughtfully. He was struck for a moment at how different she looked; how much older she was. Ash was like her in many ways, except for his eyes. They were always open and easy to read; he was a boy who wore his heart on his sleeve and shared with anyone who needed a bit of love. Delia, on the other hand, was careful. She may have been open and cheerful, but she had the look of someone who had learnt a few lessons the hard way.

"Okay," she said, carrying on with her task. "Do you really want to know?"

"Please?"

"When Ash first met you, he declared that you were his best friend. It was funny, hearing that coming from a two year old, but children are children and my little Ash was funny in his own way. He was very attached to you, you know? It didn't surprise me, though, as he attached quite easily to people.

"But what did surprise me was how you attached yourself to him. You looked out for him and you two got along very well. Everyone in Pallet knew the two of you together, and whenever Ash used to come with me to the shops he would always ask to get something for the two of you, even though you weren't there.

"Ash had fallen in love with you. I don't think he even realized just what it meant, but he happily babbled on like a child in love. Everything about you was perfect; even when you annoyed him or whenever the two of you fought. He wanted to share anything and everything he could with you and he even declared that the two of you would be together forever." Gary swallowed hard; an obstructive lump forming in his throat.

"I thought it was a childish thing. But I was also worried. It couldn't have been healthy for him to focus all his attentions on you, and I asked him about other friends. He said you were different. He had other friends, but you felt like more. I asked him about liking girls', and he said they were okay.

"But when I asked him about how the two of you were going to spend the rest of your lives together, he…he smiled and said that he was going to be your wife."

The world started to buzz in Gary's ears. He couldn't have heard right, could he?

"I thought it was just my little Ash growing up. In a few years, when he's a teenager, he'll completely forget about all of this. I even thought he would forget about it after he came home, crying and telling me that you hated him.

"But I don't think he did. For weeks after your parting as friends, he wrote apology letters to you and fretted and asked me what exactly he had done wrong. You have no idea how mad I was at you at the time, Gary Oak. My baby was fretting and getting anxious and teary-eyed all because of you. I had to send him to a counselor who told me he was having an emotional breakdown. My Ash! An emotional breakdown at seven years old!"

Guilt soured in his gut and at the back of his throat, but he daren't interrupt.

"And I still don't think he's over you. He strove to become the Pokemon Master, not just because it was his dream, but because he had hoped it would change your mind. By the time he was taking on the Elite Four, I had finally given in and admitted that his young heart knew more than I did about who he loved and who he didn't, and I was determined to set him up with someone better!"

He winced at her declaration of someone better.

"So, I asked him about other possible girlfriends and boyfriends. I even managed to sneak in a few blind dates here and there, but Ash was always oblivious to the fact that they were dates and not…outings. I had pretty much given up.

"And then you show up. And you take of my baby all over again and…I'm just so happy. Losing Pikachu made a huge, traumatic impact on his life and he hasn't allowed anyone in since. He won't even let me touch him without flinching or knowing that I'm going to do so.

"And…oh, bother! I'm rambling!" she took in another deep breathe and let it out slowly. "I'm just very happy that you're here. That you're looking after him. Because I believe that he still loves you, but after so many years he probably doesn't remember. He reacts positively towards you, though, and that's how I know.

"He needs it. Ever since whatever happened when you were young, he's been very wary of letting anyone as close as he did you. Misty and May have tried asking him out, but he evades them. I don't think he wants anyone else but you, Gary."

She set the plate with bacon and avocado wraps in front of him, looking him straight in the eyes. His throat felt tight and his mind was reeling off a litany of profanity that was directed toward himself; mainly for being so selfish and stupid. But he was also panicking. He didn't know if she knew about his feelings towards all this, or if she was looking at him and searching for the answers. She wasn't angry with him, that much he was certain of. But he wasn't sure if she was waiting for some sort of acknowledgement or if she was waiting to hear what he intended to do about it.

"M-m-mrs Ketchum," he squeaked, feeling very mousy even though he was a full head above her. "I…I-I don't know what to say. I mean, I never knew so…I just…"

"Just tell me you'll take care of him."

The steady look she gave him said it all. She wanted it as a promise and to made sincerely. There would be hell if he lied and seven levels of torture if he didn't uphold it.

"I will." He was surprised at how easily the words came from his mouth, and he meant it.

Delia smiled at him, eyes wrinkling and beaming so happily. He had obviously made her day and he was somewhat pleased with himself. And the bacon and avocado wraps were rather delicious, too.

Now he realized that his childhood love wasn't unrequited. Ash had been in love with him far longer than he had and he had duly accepted it for everything that it was. That, in itself, was a blow to his pride, but he overlooked that as his little raven had proved time and time again to be more intuitive between the two of them.

But it didn't make things any easier for him. Gary had yet to get over that little hurdle that had kept from being honest about his feelings in the first place; namely his pride as a man. He had always prided himself on being able to get everyone around him hot and flustered, be they male or female, and he took even greater pride in the fact that he could keep them coming back despite the lack of attachment. Ash had been a blow to that in that it was Gary who couldn't keep his mind off him. He didn't have to do much, if anything at all, to make his heart race, his palms sweat and his mind conjure up a million different positions he would love to try out.

Yet, he was determined to get over that. It hadn't been fair to Ash to suffer because of Gary's insecurities and he was going to make up for all that. He knew he didn't deserve him, but if showing him everyday for the rest of his life that he truly did love him and he had been a fool to let him out of his sight for that moment was what he had to do, then he'd do it.

He had a very simple plan. He was going to go upstairs, present Ash with a bouquet of lilies and forget-me-nots and ask if he would like to go on a date when he was feeling better. It allowed him the space to back off if he felt Gary was being outrageous and gave him the freedom to say what he wanted without things being complicated.

"Hey, Ash?" he knocked on the door. There was a shuffling inside.

"Hello?"

"It's me, Gary." He paused and swallowed hard. "M-may I come in?"

"Sure!"

Ash was reclining on the bed. In his lap was a book; he had been reading. Gary, at first, thought he had disturbed him and his anxiety rose slightly. But on seeing the boy's face light up at the sight of him, he found some strength to carry on through rather than dump the flowers, turn tail and run.

"Hey, Gary!" he chirped. "Have you been busy? Both Professor Oak and Tracy says they haven't seen you in a while."

"Silly Ash," he smiled. "I was with you the whole time, remember?"

He blinked.

"You were? All this time?"

"Yes, but don't worry about it," he quickly said, quelling the protest he knew was going to come. "I wanted to. I had a feeling you didn't want your mom to baby you like you're about to die, so I decided to help out a bit."

Ash's blushed and Gary was sorely tempted to kiss those rosy red cheeks.

"Y-you really didn't have to. And flowers, too?" he yelped.

"I thought they might cheer you up. Your mom says that you can get out of bed in a few days and I had the feeling a few days would be a bit too long for you."

"Aw, shucks! You know me too well!"

He took the bouquet from him, smiling in utter adoration at the simple arrangement. Gary's heart thumped rapidly as he watched the childish face eye the flowers, tenderly touching the blossoms before putting it down on the side table.

"You think you can get me a vase? I don't want them to die before I'm out of bed."

Gary chuckled, but did as he was asked. On his return, he watched with even greater fascination at the loving way he handled the arrangement. It made his heart swell and his stomach knot. He really didn't deserve someone like him.

"There!" he chirped. "All so pretty! Thank you so much, Gary!"

He smiled, equally happy that he could brighten his day.

He sat on the edge of the bed, right next to Ash, and put his hand on his shoulder. This was it; he was going to ask him out. Nothing complicated; just movie, or dinner and a walk. Nothing fancy or seductive; they were just going out.

But as soon as his hand came into contact with the exposed skin on Ash's neck, the words that were went to come out fizzled out of existence. All his mind could focus on was how soft his skin was. It felt the same as it had when he was a child. Both were silent as his hand wandered up his neck. Ash shuddered slightly, but they both ignored it. His hand cupped his cheek, holding his face in place as he looked deep into his dark eyes. They were as he remembered it; dark pools of ink that somehow radiated happiness instead of sucking it in. But despite that happiness, there was a small streak of pain; of harsh lessons and realities that had left their mark and wouldn't be forgotten.

Gary's hand moved down. He was vaguely aware that it was trembling slightly as it cupped under Ash's chin. His thumb gently pressed down on full pink lips, fascinated at how lush and plump they were. His mind had been far gone already when he touched the boy, but it went right over the end when the lips parted and closed softly over his thumb.

Before he even realized what was happening, Gary found his lips pressed against Ash's and holding him flush against him. Of course, seeing as Ash wasn't fighting against him, his mind didn't bother coming back down. If anything, Ash was kissing back just as fiercely. Lips parted and soon slick tongues were battling for dominance; Gary's winning easily enough due to his greater experience.

As tongues curled and twined, he prowled forward, pushing the boy back to lie back on the bed. A muffled groan of pleasure indicated to his lust-fogged mind that everything was still okay, and he proceeded to let his hands get in on some of the action. They slithered down Ash's sides, gently stroking and coaxing new kittenish sounds from the body below him. They rubbed his belly and circled his belly button, causing hands that were twining through his hair to tighten and flex in pleasure.

Gary rolled his hips, thrusting his hardness into Ash's thigh. He wasn't too surprised to find it hard with muscle, but he was very pleased to find a hardness poking him right back.

He pulled away and his mouth resumed its motions as he nipped and licked his way down Ash's body, savoring the soft cries as he lapped at the salty tasting skin as his hands tucked under the waistband of his shorts and shimmied them off. Ash whimpered as his hot length hit the chilly air, but Gary was smitten. He had seen a few other penis's before, but he had never seen one as attractive as Ash's. It was pale and medium in all respects. But what fascinated him about it was how red the head was. In some perverse way, it reminded him of a cherry on top of vanilla ice cream, and he wanted to taste it. The precum drooling out the tip wasn't helping matter, either.

Without second thought, he closed his mouth around the member, relishing in the sharp gasp and the tensing below.

"G-G-Gary!"

He hummed, tongue gliding underneath and flicking at the head whenever he came up. The gasps turned into heavy panting and before he knew it, there were streams of hot seed shooting into his mouth. To Gary; it was delicious. He swallowed every drop, even suckling the cock clean after it was finished ejaculating.

Raising himself up, he took in the debauched appearance of his friend. Eyes were squeezed shut tightly and his cheeks, neck and chest were flushed a lovely rosy colour. He could feel his knees quivering around him and his chest heaved with every breath.

He couldn't wait. The sight was too much.

"Lube."

"Mmn?"

"Do you have any lube?" he growled, yanking off his shirt and pants. "KY jelly, lotion; anything that can lubricate?"

"Mao...I think…there's Vaseline in the drawer…"

He growled as he shucked off his underpants; his thick cock purple at the tip and demanding satisfaction. He yanked open the drawer and rummaged about, all the while keep his eye on the boy below him. He found the jar and spun off the lid. Dipping two fingers in, he scooped up a liberal amount and went straight for Ash's entrance. He hoisted his legs above his shoulders, exposing his rosy entrance. Ash was still coming back to earth, so the change in position wasn't noted under he felt something cool press against his anus.

"G-Gary! Wha…"

"Trust me."

And he did. Gary's heart started swelling up again at the fact that he trusted him so completely despite the fact that it could all be a one-time thing. But he wasn't going to let that happen. He knew this wasn't going to be a one-time thing.

He pressed his fingers and slid in deeply, watching Ash's face the whole time for any signs of pain. At first, Ash's brows furrowed at the intrusion. He wasn't sure what to make of it. Gary slowly dipped his finger in and out, allowing the body to get used to the feeling. As soon as Ash was relaxed around his single finger, he slipped in another. He grunted, but said nothing more. A few slippery thrusts, though, and Ash started to rock with the fingers. A third finger was added, but this time there was only a slightly paused before he was pushing back.

"Oh, Gary…"

Nostril flaring and pupil's dilated, Gary drank in the sight as his crush fucked himself on his fingers. His cock was swollen again and bobbing with every movement and he found he could not stop his hand. It was only when Ash gave a very loud moan and his length twitched did he come back to his senses.

He slipped his fingers out, ignoring the whimper and slathered his cock as much as he could. He crawled back over him, keeping his legs over his shoulders and exposing him. Ash froze when he felt Gary's head nudge at his entrance, already feeling the vast difference in size. But his panicked look disappeared when Gary looked down at him and gave him a sincere smile; full of love and trust.

"If it hurts, tell me and I'll stop," he promised. "I won't hurt you, Ash."

"I know, Gary…"

He slowly entered, gasping at the sheer heat that he was being sheathed in. Ash tightened on him now and again, but after a couple more reassurances, he was fully seated in him. The heat was so intense, and even though he wasn't moving, the way Ash's velvet walls massaged him was enough to make him come by just being in him! But he stilled and waited for permission to carry on. It was given with a nod and a sweet smile.

Gary felt he really didn't deserve him.

At first, the pace was slow. He rolled his hips slightly so he thrust in shallowly, allowing the boy to get used to the feeling. But soon the pace picked up, and it wasn't helped with Ash's whispered insistences to go faster and to give him more. Before either of them knew it, Gary was pounding Ash into the mattress; his chest against the other's with his head buried in the crook of his neck. He could feel Ash's short fingernails digging into the skin of his back and arm and it heightened the arousing sensation.

"Gary! Oh…ooh, Gary!"

"Ash…"

"Please…more…more…I…!"

Ash moaned as hot warmth spread between them, seeping between their bellies and hips. Gary would have reveled in the notion that he had made Ash orgasm without touching him, but as soon as he came, his muscles tightened around his cock and the heat became practically unbearable! He pistoned fiercely before coming with a strangled gasp; vision blurring and a strange high pitched noise ringing in his ears. When his orgasm was finished, everything just seemed to come back to earth and he sunk heavily against Ash.

"Mff…heavy…" he whined.

"Sorry," he panted, rolling off and slipping out. They both lay side by side, Ash cradled in Gary's arms; catching their breath.

It was only then that he realized what he had done and his stomach bubbled hotly in regret.

He had came to Ash with the intention of asking him out on a date! He was going to ask him out so they could get to know each other again and, hopefully, rekindle whatever love they had in the past! Sure, he had hoped that at some point their relationship would become more and it would eventually lead to hot, rampant sex. But this?

Gary was ashamed. He hadn't the slightest bit of control over his raging libido and he was ashamed. He knew that it was only Ash with whom he had no control over, but he believed that in order to prove his sincerity he ought to have a certain amount! He hadn't even gotten to ask the question and he had already fucked him!

He was so engrossed in his thoughts that he didn't notice that he had started shaking. But Ash had and turned worried eyes onto him.

"Gary? What's wrong?"

"God…I'm sorry!"

The boy stiffened in his arms, but didn't move back.

"Sorry about what?"

"About…this. I didn't mean to…well, I wanted to and I was hoping we'd get there eventually, but this…I didn't think…" he stopped and took in a deep breath. "I'm sorry this happened. I…I had really only came in here to ask you out on a date."

Ash's eyes widened. He had initially thought that Gary was feeling guilt for having sex with him because…well…he was another notch on his belt, but because they were friends he felt bad about it. But this changed the perspective of things and Gary could see the wheels in his mind turning.

"You…y-you were going to…ask me out?"

He nodded.

"I wanted to…ugh! Why am I having such a hard time admitting this?"

"It's okay," he assured. "I'll wait. I'm listening."

He smiled.

"I know, Ash. And you make even more difficult when you say things like that." Black eyes blinked owlishly and he laughed, feeling a little more at ease with Ash's confusion. "Ash, I love you. I always have, since we were kids. The only reason I was ever a dick to you in the first place was because I was scared."

"But I loved you, too, Gary," he stated with a frown. "And I wasn't rude."

"Yes, but you're a better person than I am." He reasoned. "Besides, I don't think you wanted to start touching me in places that we were taught were private, did you?"

Ash's cheeks flushed and Gary could not help but grin wolfishly.

"You thought about me like that?"

"Ash, I wanted to do things to you; adult things. At ten years old, I wanted to touch your little cock and kiss you all over." Ash gave a whimper and his cheeks were aflame. He obviously liked the thought. "But you were only seven and we were both boy's, so it scared the hell out of me."

He watched as Ash slowly nodded, understanding at last.

"So, the day I gave you that Valentines; you panicked because you loved me but you were scared?"

"Pretty much."

"But how come you still hung around me? I mean, not as a friend, but you insisted that I was your rival. How come you didn't just push me away and stay away?"

"Because…well, I guess even though I was scared of my feelings for you, I wanted to stay close to you. You know, in case anyone else ever tried to hurt you or take you away from me."

Ash smiled happily, if not a little sleepily.

"Aw, you big ol' softie!"

"Only for you, Ash."

He giggled but it was soon cut off with an enormous yawn. Gary was amused with the fact that despite everything that had happened to him there were still traits that just wouldn't disappear.

"Okay, Mr Oak," he said, snuggled deeper into his arms. "After I'm better, we can go on a date."

"Really? Even after this?"

He was slightly taken back by the stern look, but noted it had a hint of playfulness in it.

"Especially after this, Mr Oak, especially! Don't think you can get away from me after one good romping session. It was quite enough to convince me to stay with you for ever and ever, but not enough. I need some affection as well as good sex."

Gary grinned at the teasing and hugged him closer.

"Then I'll be sure to work extra hard to make sure I satisfy you, won't I?"

Ash giggled and nuzzled against his cheek, stealing a kiss as he did so. As soon as he settled down, he dozed off, leaving Gary to wallow in some of his thoughts. He knew he didn't deserve this; he didn't deserve Ash. But now that he was given the chance to prove that he did care; that he did love Ash and he didn't want him with anyone else, he was going to work to keep him.

'Christ,' his conscious muttered, but thankfully for the last time. 'It took you fucking forever to wake up!'

End.