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There’s something about seeing a single soul that can so easily open the floodgate of emotions.
For Gary he’s used to keeping to himself, head in the air and smirk almost always on his face in the presence of others. Arrogance is what came naturally from him, even after getting knocked down a peg it’s something that never really shook from him. Yet it’s always Ash that bites back, always a fire in him even when he makes the smallest comment about him.
Another reason as to why he adores him.
So when he runs into him at Pallet Town again there’s a lot of emotions that run through him. The last time he actually saw Ash was back in Sinnoh, only ever seeing him through the news or mentions of him in almost every call to Oak. Real subtle gramps.
He doesn’t expect Ash to crash into him (quite literally), hugging him like his life depended on it once he realized who he just encountered. Well, researching Pokemon can wait, he thinks, there’s far more matters to attend to now.
“Didn’t think I’d run into you back here again, Ashy boy,” He says, tone teasing but he can’t hold back the genuine smile that blooms on his face. It’s a complicated task trying to maintain himself now when Ash was determined not to let him go, arms so tight around him he feels a little lightheaded. “Finally settling down in Pallet Town?”
A joke really, but Arceus the thought is highly appealing. It was so hard to find Ash anymore, always off to one region or another, never staying in one place for too long once he got word about something new, refreshing and exciting for him to go seek out. But getting to see Ash without having to hope he’d be back put a beat in his heart; so many months spent wanting to see him and always finding himself a little bit more in love anytime he actually got the pleasure of running into his childhood friend again.
“Thought I’d stay for a little bit,” Ash still remains to hold him, always having lingering touches between them, but the warmth of his breath against his neck causes him to shiver. “I didn’t think I’d run into you here again.”
“Could say the same about you,” There it is again, that little spark of hope, just being able to spend every little second with Ash again before they have to part ways. “Where’s Pikachu at?”
Gary felt a wave of disappointment rush through him as Ash pulled away, though he was still in his space as if this was a usual thing for them. Thinking back on it, it kind of was.
“My mom’s been spoiling him ever since we got back,” Ash rubs the back of his head sheepishly; fingers idly running through his fluffy raven hair, another rare occasion to see him without his hat. “Thought I’d get some fresh air before she found more chores for me to do while I’m here.”
“Working you to the bone already?” Gary arches a brow, amusement in his tone. “Gramps has been the opposite.”
Being stuck at his computer all day and pulling all-nighters researching legendary Pokemon around Kanto had run him down to the point he had to have his own grandpa tell him to go out and get some fresh air. It was so hard to focus on proper care when he got so engrossed with his research, he’s sure Ash can relate when it comes to training.
“Now that you mention it I was actually on my way back to the lab,” Ash pipes up, though for some reason or another there’s a hint of a blush dusting his cheeks. Huh. “I had no idea you were here until today.”
“So you came rushing over to see me? I’m flattered,” Gary grins playfully, noting in delight how darker Ash’s face gets. “Did you miss me?”
“Maybe,” Ash mumbles, catching Gary off guard. Well now, isn’t that cute of him to admit. “But I know for a fact you’ve missed me too.”
To point an accusing finger at him made him want to laugh, loving how easy it was to get Ash so worked up, actually feeling that rare sense of glee to see a pout on his face. Still, he wants to push the conversation, both thrilled and intrigued to see where it leads. “Is that so?”
“Well, yeah!” Flustered, Ash continues, boldly poking a finger against his chest. “I know for a fact you always ask about me! Mom says she can’t count the amount of times you’ve come to visit.”
“Gramps has me run errands for her sometimes,” He shrugs. Which is true, but he can’t deny the disappointment he tended to feel anytime Ash wasn’t home. “I can’t believe you’re using your mom as a fact source.”
“Professor Oak always has a lot to say about you too,” Now that makes him pause, although keeping up his casual demeanor with a hand on his hip and an arched brow. It doesn’t help that his heart begins rapidly beating, the fact that he forgot that sometimes Ash tends to check up on his gramps whenever he has the time. He wouldn’t sell me out, would he? “Like one time you were tempted to take a ‘break’ from your work and thought about signing up for the Alola Pokemon League just to see me.”
Alright, so he did sell him out. Should he be surprised by this?
Ash pauses, inching closer and Gary doesn’t dare back away. He never has, and never will, no matter the competition he’d always stand firm when it came to his old rival.
“Then there was that time in Kalos where I jumped from Prism Tower to save Pikachu. I really got an earful from my mom and professor Oak, but what really stuck with me was hearing about how worried you were,” Gary frowns at that, his cool demeanor starting to break over something anyone would be concerned about. “I was surprised to hear it reached Kanto, but hearing you were fretting over me is what really shocked me.”
“Why wouldn’t I be worried? You’re so—so damn reckless, always jumping without thinking, do you know how frustrating that is?” Gary stresses, almost seething by the sheer memory. He’s pulled a lot of stupid stunts in his life, but that one really took the cake. But as frustrated as he was now, he can feel himself deflate because Ash was with him now, alive and breathing, still looking like a breath of fresh despite all he had been through. “Arceus help me, if you’re going to be reckless at least don’t be extreme about it—mmph!”
For once Ash actually listens to him, but not in the way he expected, cause he sure as hell didn’t expect his lips to be on him. The sudden kiss surprises him, wide eyes staring back at tightly squeezed ones, as if Ash never kissed for the life of him. Gary almost wants to laugh, the concept so cute to him, but he has to rest his hands on Ash’s shoulder to keep them from stumbling over, moving his lips against Ash’s own eager ones. There’s a breathless sigh of relief, whether it’s his, Ash’s or both, he can’t really focus on anything right now except the smile that matches his. He almost begins to feel lightheaded from the kiss and the fact that this was actually happening.
“This is the one exception where I don’t mind you acting without thinking,” Gary laughs breathlessly as he breaks the kiss, feeling his face gush with warmth, not entirely minding when Ash’s face was probably as red as his was. “Then again, I’m sure you must have thought about it before.”
“Only if you admit you’ve missed me!” Ash hits back and Gary finds himself laughing, still in disbelief over the entire situation. If a dumb little fight led to this then he wouldn’t mind having more with his Ashy boy. “Come on, be honest!”
“Okay, I might’ve missed you,” Gary hums, looking at Ash with pure fondness and soaks in how radiant his smile is. Acreus, I missed that look. “A little.”
“A little?” Although asked in bewilderment, his smile never wavers. “Are you sure about that?”
“A lot.” Gary admits and before Ash gets too giddy over trying to tease him, this time he pulls him into a kiss, noting in satisfaction at how Ash’s eyes widen despite having just kissed him not even a minute ago. When neither one could find the words to say at least now they could rely on actions, and for once he was thankful by how spontaneous Ash could be.
As long as he had Ash by his side that’s all he needed to finally be content. Not to mention he’s sure the two big gossips in their lives would be overjoyed to hear about their new relationship.