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Ash walked through the forest of Melemele Island with Pikachu, Torracat and Lycanroc while Rowlet peacefully slept in his backpack. Rotom Dex was at home, watching the recorded Detective Laki episodes it had missed during the Manalo Festival. But Ash didn't mind because he was happy to spend the time alone with his Pokémon and his thoughts. As Pikachu started to play tag with Torracat and Lycanroc during the walk, Ash's thoughts drifted to Poipole. It had been three days since he said goodbye and missed the floating poison type. He missed Poipole's cheekiness, its giggles, its paintings, everything.
"I miss you so much, Poipole," he said softly as he felt Poipole's Beastball in his pocket with one hand while unconsciously scratching his arm with the other. "So much."
Ash stopped suddenly as he felt something grab the back of his shirt. He looked behind him to see that Lycanroc had stopped playing with Pikachu and Torracat and was currently holding the back of his shirt with his mouth.
"Is something wrong, Lycanroc?" he asked. "Why aren't you playing with Pikachu and Torracat?"
"Lycanroc," Lycanroc grunted as he released Ash's shirt to gesture in front of them. Ash turned to see that he was about to walk into a tree. Ash blushed and chuckled sheepishly.
"Thanks, Lycanroc," Ash said as he turned back and kneeled in front of Lycanroc to hug him. "Sorry, I wasn't paying attention. I was thinking about Poipole."
Lycanroc nodded as he let Ash hold him. He missed the cheeky Pokémon as well.
"You guys mean so much to me," Ash smiled into Lycanroc's fur. "All of my Pokémon. I love everything about you, especially raising and looking after you."
"Lycan," Lycanroc growled happily as he rubbed against Ash's neck.
"Pika!"
"Torracat!"
Ash and Lycanroc looked in the direction of where the calls were coming from before Ash stood up and ran towards the cries, Lycanroc close behind.
"Please don't be Team Rocket, please don't be Team Rocket," Ash begged as he ran. As he saw Pikachu and Torracat standing near the edge of a cliff unharmed, he sighed in relief.
"Thank goodness," he said as he slowed down. "I thought Team Rocket had gotten hold of you two. What's wrong?"
"Pika pika!" Pikachu said excitedly as he pointed down the cliff. Ash kneeled and peered over the edge. Sitting on a ledge, too terrified to move, was a little Noibat. Its eyes were closed tight, and its wings were wrapped around its body.
"Oh no!" Ash cried before taking off his backpack and lying on his stomach to try to reach the frightened Pokémon. "Don't worry; I'll get you!"
He reached out his hand, but he couldn't reach Noibat. Slowly, he moved forward on his stomach, getting closer to Noibat. As he did, Torracat and Lycanroc held on to the bottom of his shirt so he wouldn't fall.
"I'm almost there!" Ash called as he stretched his arms. "I've almost got you!"
Suddenly, Ash's shirt ripped in Torracat's and Lycanroc's teeth, causing Ash to fall.
"Pika!" Pikachu screamed as Ash slipped over the edge.
As Ash fell, he reached out and managed to grab a tree that was growing on the cliff near the ledge. Pikachu, Lycanroc and Torracat sighed in relief as Ash swung across the branches until he stood securely on the ridge.
"I'm alright," he called to his Pokémon before kneeling in front of the Noibat. "Hi there, my name's Ash. I'm going to help you."
"Noi," Noibat whimpered as Ash picked it up and hugged it tight to comfort it.
"Don't worry," Ash smiled as he held Noibat in one arm. "Just hold on tight, and I'll get us up the cliff and get you to the Pokémon Centre."
As Ash reached up, he cried out in pain. Ash frowned and looked at his arm. There were long cuts on his arm, and he was bleeding. He tried to switch arms, but it was too painful to hold Noibat with his injured arm. He looked up to see Pikachu, Torracat and Lycanroc looking at him in concern.
"I'm okay," he called. "I've hurt my arm, so I can't climb up safely with Noibat. Find some help. I'll wait here with Noibat."
After nodding, his Pokémon disappeared while Ash sat down with Noibat.
"Did you fall?" Ash asked. "Let me look at your wings."
Noibat looked at Ash before stretching its wings out. They were covered in thorns.
"Oh, you poor thing," Ash sighed. "I'll help you get them out."
Carefully, Ash slowly started to remove the thorns so he wouldn't accidentally tear Noibat's wings. Soon, Ash had gotten the more prominent thorns out.
"Okay," Ash said. "I've got the larger thorns out, but we'll have to get you to the Pokémon Centre so Nurse Joy can get the little ones out."
"Noibat," Noibat said softly before cuddling into Ash's chest to say thank you. Ash smiled as he rubbed Noibat's ears.
"You remind me of my own Noibat," Ash said happily. "He's living in Pallet Town with Professor Oak, and he evolved into a Noivern. I bet you will evolve into a strong Noivern one day too."
"Ash?"
Ash looked up to see Gladion peering over the edge.
"Gladion, what are you doing here?"
"Pikachu, Torracat and Lycanroc found me," he said. "Are you okay? Did you fall?"
"Sort of," Ash said as he stood up. "I found this Noibat on this ledge. But I've hurt my arm, so I can't climb up with Noibat."
"Okay, well, do you think you can give me your hand?" Gladion asked.
"Take Noibat first," Ash said as he held Noibat above his head. "Then help me up."
Gladion nodded before lying on his stomach, reaching his arms down. Ash stood up on tiptoe and handed Noibat to Gladion, who shuffled back a little to safely place Noibat away from the edge so it wouldn't fall again.
"Okay, Noibat's safe," Gladion said as he leaned down again, reaching out his hands. "Give me your hands, Ash."
"Will you be okay pulling me up?" Ash asked as he reached up on tiptoe again.
"Everyone's got a hold of me, so it'll be okay," Gladion said. "Just give me your hands."
Ash reached up as far as he could until he finally got a hold of Gladion's left hand. Once Gladion wrapped his hands around Ash's wrists, he and the Pokémon pulled as hard as they could until Ash was safely back on the cliff. Once Ash was up on the cliff, he sat on his knees, breathing deeply while Gladion lay on his stomach, the Pokémon lying on his legs panting.
"Thanks very much," Ash smiled as he placed a hand on Gladion's shoulder. Gladion pushed himself up with a smile.
"It's alright," he said. "What happened?"
"Noibat was on the ledge frightened," Ash explained as he reached across to pick up Noibat, who was sitting next to Pikachu. "I tried to reach it, but I slipped."
"And it looked like your shirt got torn," Gladion said.
"That's not important," Ash said as he stood up with Noibat. "We need Noibat to the Pokémon Centre. It's hurt!"
"Okay," Gladion said as he returned his Pokémon before climbing onto Silvally's back. "Come on."
"Right," Ash said as he grabbed his backpack before returning Lycanroc and Torracat to their Pokeballs. "Come on, buddy."
"Pika," Pikachu said as he took his place on Ash's shoulder before Ash climbed up behind Gladion.
"Hold on tight, both of you," Gladion said.
Ash nodded as he wrapped one arm around Gladion's waist while the other held on to Noibat.
"Silvally," Gladion said gently. Silvally nodded with a grunt before taking off with a gallop.
After a while, they reached the Pokémon Centre and ran inside.
"Nurse Joy?" Ash called.
"Is everything alright?" she asked as she stepped out from behind her desk.
"We found this Noibat," Ash said as he handed it to Nurse Joy. "It had thorns in its wings. I got the larger ones out, but I didn't want to take out the little ones just in case I tore its wings."
"You did a great job," Nurse Joy smiled. "Don't worry. I'll look after Noibat."
"Thanks, Nurse Joy," Ash smiled in relief as she walked away.
Gladion slipped off Silvally's back before turning to look at Ash.
"Let's sit and wait," he suggested.
Ash nodded as he slipped off Silvally's back and walked over to the couch. After returning Silvally to its Pokéball, Gladion sat next to Ash, who was scratching his arm.
"You said you hurt your arm?" he asked, holding his hand out. "Stop scratching it, and let me see."
Ash placed his arm in Gladion's hand to reveal the long scratches, cuts and dried blood. Pikachu jumped into Gladion's lap before leaning down to lick Ash's wounds. Ash smiled.
"Thanks, buddy," Ash smiled as he scratched Pikachu's ears with his uninjured hand.
"You certainly did a number on yourself," Gladion said as he placed Pikachu on the couch before standing up and walking over to a water fountain. After pulling some paper towels off a nearby table, he wet the paper towel and walked back to Ash, kneeling before him and gently pulling Ash's injured arm towards him.
"This might sting," Gladion warned him as he cleaned off the dried blood. Ash hissed a little at the stinging. After the dried blood was gone, Gladion inspected the wounds.
"Well, good news," he said before unzipping his bag. "It doesn't look very deep, and there are no rocks or thorns inside."
After pulling out some antibacterial wipes, Gladion gently rubbed Ash's wounds. Ash hissed again but smiled when Gladion blew on the injuries to soothe the stinging.
"Thanks, Gladion," Ash said in a grateful tone as Gladion pulled out a bandage and started to wrap Ash's arm. "How do you know what to do?"
"Mother," Gladion answered as he tied the bandage around Ash's wrist. "Always got scrapes when I was younger. You're lucky you didn't break something."
Ash grinned sheepishly.
"Never broken a thing in my life," Ash admitted. "Gotten burns, cuts, grazes and bruises but never broken anything."
Gladion rolled his eyes before zipping up his bag again and sitting next to Ash.
"You're a brave idiot," Gladion smiled.
Ash shrugged.
"I know."
"Ash?"
Ash and Gladion looked up to see Nurse Joy walking toward them, holding Noibat in her arms.
"Noibat is doing fine," she explained. "I got the thorns out, but the wings will need some time to heal. It will also need some help flying again."
"Happy to help," Ash said as he took Noibat in his arms. "What do you think, Noibat? You want to stay with me until you're ready to fly again?"
"Noibat," Noibat happily said.
"Hey Gladion," Ash asked. "Thank you for helping me."
Gladion shrugged.
"It's alright," he said. "Is it okay if I walk you home?"
"I'd like that," Ash smiled with a slight blush as Pikachu jumped onto Ash's shoulder.
"Okay," Gladion said as he and Ash walked outside after saying goodbye to Nurse Joy. Once they were out, Ash released his Pokémon.
"Hey guys," Ash said. "Noibat will stay with us until it's ready to fly again, and we will help it. How does that sound?"
Torracat and Lycanroc made noises of excitement. Ash grinned.
"Let's head on home," he said. "Hey, Gladion, why don't you let Umbreon, Lycanroc and Silvally out to walk with us?"
Gladion shrugged before releasing Umbreon, Lycanroc and Silvally. As they walked along the path towards Kukui's house, Gladion watched Ash gently rub Noibat's ears until it fell asleep in his arms.
"How did you do that?"
"I hatched a Noibat when travelling through Kalos," Ash said, smiling at the memory. "He evolved into a Noivern and now lives in Pallet Town with my other Pokémon."
"Wow," Gladion said. "How many do you have?"
"Check the front pocket of my bag," Ash said.
Gladion slowed down and walked behind Ash so he could unzip the front pocket. After reaching inside, he pulled out a photograph. After zipping up the pocket, Gladion looked at the picture. In the photo, Ash was surrounded by Pokémon and smiling happily. Gladion smiled.
"You caught all these?" he asked.
"Yep," Ash grinned. "They're my friends."
"Wow, I recognise some of these Pokémon, but some of them I don't know," Gladion admitted.
"Show me which ones you don't know, and I'll tell you who they are," Ash said happily.
As they walked, Ash told Gladion who was who, what type they were and which region he had caught them. Soon, they reached Kukui's house. After walking inside, Rotom flew over to tell Ash all about the Laki episodes but stopped immediately when Ash signalled to Rotom to be quiet as he placed Noibat on the couch with a blanket. After putting it down, the rest of the Pokémon curled up around the little Pokémon, keeping a close eye on it. Ash and Gladion smiled.
"You want some tea?" Ash asked as he took off his backpack and unzipped it, allowing the sleeping Rowlet to roll out. Gladion nodded as he took a seat on the opposite end of the couch, still watching the Pokémon.
"So, what's going on?" Rotom asked. "What happened to your arm? Why is Gladion here? Why did you bring home a Noibat? And why is it injured?"
"I found Noibat injured on a cliffside," Ash answered as he prepared the tea. "I hurt my arm because I fell trying to help it. Gladion's here because he helped me and Noibat is here because we're going to help Noibat fly again."
"How are you going to get Noibat to fly?" Rotom asked in confusion as Ash carried the teacups over to the coffee table. "You're a human. You can't fly, and frankly, with the amount of time Rowlet spends asleep, I doubt you can get Rowlet to teach it."
Ash gave Rotom a funny look as he handed one of the cups to Gladion.
"Rotom, I taught Rockruff Rock Throw and Litten Flame Charge," Ash said as he sat down. "And I've hatched, raised and taught a Noibat to fly before. I can do it again."
Rotom sighed.
"That is true," it said.
"So, how will you help it learn to fly again?" Gladion asked, feeling curious about Ash's plan.
"Well, before, I had Fletchinder and Hawlucha helping me when teaching my Noibat," Ash said thoughtfully. "And the first thing we did was teach him how to glide along the currents of the wind. Are there any places on Melemele with a constant wind blowing?"
Gladion shook his head, causing Ash to frown again. Gladion also noticed that Ash was scratching his bandage. Gladion frowned, feeling both concern and relief. Concern that Ash was scratching at his injured arm and relief that Ash couldn't irritate the wounds because of the bandage.
"Okay," Ash said as he looked at Noibat, who had now woken up and happily talked to the Pokémon. "You know, Nurse Joy didn't say anything about it being recently hatched. Hey Rotom, looking at it, how old would you say Noibat is?"
Rotom flew over and took a few pictures of it before running an analysis.
"Searching, searching, searching," Rotom muttered before it dinged. "Judging by its size and the fact that it's not using Super Sonic every few minutes, I would say that this Noibat is roughly a few months old. So that means it's old enough to look after itself."
"So, I don't need to teach it," Ash said. "I just need to help it build up its strength."
"So, how are we going to do that?" Gladion asked.
"You're going to help me?" Ash asked in surprise but delight.
Gladion nodded.
"Sure, I want to see what you're going to do with Noibat to help it fly again," Gladion smiled before his face turned serious, making Ash feel uneasy. "I'm also worried about you."
"Why are you worried?" Ash asked as he unconsciously started scratching his bandage again.
"Because you won't stop scratching your bandage," Gladion said as he held Ash's hand to get him to stop. "Frankly, if I didn't put that bandage on, you'd be bleeding again."
"Oh," Ash blushed, embarrassed that he wouldn't stop scratching and that Gladion was holding his hand. After pulling his hand away, despite not wanting to, Ash folded his arms tightly across his chest in an attempt to stop scratching.
"Ash hasn't stopped scratching since Poipole decided to stay in its world," Rotom informed them.
"It doesn't matter," Ash said quickly before standing up. "Helping Noibat is what's more important. Do you all want some fruit? I picked some up from Anela this morning."
As Ash walked into the kitchen, eagerly followed by the happy Pokémon, Gladion reached up to grab Rotom's arm and pulled it down.
"Rotom, is it possible to access the Aether Foundation database from here?" he asked quietly.
"Yes, downstairs. Why?"
"Because I want to learn more about Poipole's time with Ash."
***
While Ash fed the Pokémon fruit, Gladion followed Rotom downstairs and logged in to the large computer with his mother's account. After finding Poipole's file, he opened it to look at different pictures and videos before reading the information in the file, paying particular attention to the information on Poipole's ability to express emotion through drawings.
"I guess Poipole is very different from Nihilego," Gladion said as he watched a video of Poipole drawing lightning bolts on concrete.
"If you mean when it comes to emotion and communicating, that is correct," Rotom said. "At first, it was drawn to Pikachu and electricity. It was also quite the prankster, but over time, it matured and cared a lot about all of us, as we did for it. Look over there."
Gladion turned to see what Rotom was gesturing to. The wall was covered in drawings of what looked like Ash, Kukui, Burnet and the Pokémon, along with dozens of lightning symbols.
"Poipole drew all those?" Gladion asked with a smile.
"That's right," Rotom said before showing Gladion a picture of Ash in front of the drawings, hugging Pikachu and Poipole with a big smile. Gladion smiled.
"What's that symbol mean exactly?" he asked.
"That it loves, really loves us," Rotom smiled before it turned sad. "Ash won't come down here anymore. Pikachu comes down here, but Ash refuses to step into this room. The professors and I are worried about him because he won't talk about it. We've gotten even more worried because he won't stop scratching, and sometimes, he wakes up bleeding because he scratches himself in his sleep."
Gladion looked at Rotom in shock.
"Then I'll try to get him to talk," he decided.
"Good luck with that," Rotom said. "Ash is very stubborn and won't talk if pushed."
"Gladion!" Ash's excited voice echoed through the houses. "Gladion, where are you? I just got a great idea!"
"I'll be right there!" Gladion called back as he quickly logged out of the Aether Database before heading upstairs, where he was greeted with Ash's glowing face, causing him to smile too.
"Is everything alright?" he asked.
"Everything is great!" Ash beamed. "I've figured out how to build up Noibat's strength."
"Really?"
"Yeah," Ash grinned as he stepped forward and placed his hands on Gladion's hips. Gladion blushed, cursing in his head how pale he was while Ash gently moved Gladion to a section of the room.
"Okay," he said before lifting Gladion's arm and straightening it. "Hold very still, okay?"
Gladion nodded as Ash went into the kitchen, about two metres away from Gladion.
"Okay, Rowlet," Ash said as he held out his arm. "Come here."
Rowlet looked at Ash before flying over from the couch and landing gracefully on Ash's upper arm.
"Well done," Ash smiled as he tickled Rowlet's stomach. "Now, I want you to fly over to Gladion and land on his arm gently, okay?"
Rowlet hooted in acknowledgement before flying towards Gladion and landing on his outstretched arm. Gladion's arm wobbled a little because he was not used to having flying types rest on his arms, but he held firm.
"Great Rowlet," Ash praised. "Now come back to me."
Once Rowlet flew back to Ash, Gladion dropped his arm and walked over to Ash, who was praising Rowlet, much to the flying type's delight.
"What was that for Ash?" Gladion asked as he leaned on his arms against the bench.
"This is how we build up Noibat's strength," Ash said happily. "Noibat practices by flying to us at small distances. Then slowly, we make the distances a little bit bigger each time. Eventually, Noibat should be able to fly perfectly again."
Gladion smiled.
"Sounds like an excellent idea," he said.
"Do you all want to help too?" Ash asked the Pokémon, getting cheers and grunts in response.
"Great!" Ash grinned. "Then we'll start tomorrow after we take off the bandages."
Gladion kept smiling, but his stomach started to flip and twist with anxiety. What would happen if Ash took off his bandage?
****
Over the next week, Gladion and his Pokémon came in the mornings before Ash went to school and waited for him to come home from school on the steps of Kukui's house. He also kept Noibat company during the day while Ash was at school so it wouldn't get lonely. Every time Gladion saw Ash, he was greeted by Ash's brightest smile before the two would work with Noibat to help it build strength in its wings.
First, Noibat, Pikachu and Rowlet would play a light exercise of a hopscotch game across Silvally's and the two Lycanroc's backs. At the same time, Torracat and Umbreon would run circles around the group, ready to catch Noibat if it fell. Afterwards, Noibat would practice flying between Ash and Gladion while trying to land gracefully on their shoulders or in their hands. They continued this activity until they got tired, finishing the sessions by sitting down behind the house to rest. While the Pokémon slept, Ash and Gladion sat together quietly, talking about life and anything else that came to their heads.
Over the week, whether during training or when they sat together, Gladion would sneak looks at Ash's injured arm, checking to make sure that Ash hadn't reopened his wounds or gotten them infected. A couple of times, Gladion saw that Ash had scratched open a few of his more minor cuts. But he hadn't opened the largest one yet, much to Gladion's relief.
"Why do you keep staring at my arms?" Ash suddenly asked one day as he watched Pikachu and Umbreon cuddle Noibat in their sleep.
"W-what do you mean?" Gladion stuttered, embarrassed that Ash caught him staring. He thought he was being subtle.
"When you're worried, you stare at me," Ash said in a deadpan voice. "Especially when you think I'm not looking. Most people think I'm dense, but I'm not. So why are you staring at me?"
"I'm worried you'll scratch open your largest wound," Gladion sighed, his head falling back against the house. "I've noticed that when you're anxious, pressured or sad, you scratch your arms. Rotom told me you've been sad about Poipole. You don't talk, you don't go downstairs because of the drawings, and you're scratching yourself in your sleep. I'm worried about you, Ash."
Ash sighed as he stared straight ahead, feeling tears.
"I miss Poipole," Ash admitted as he scratched his wrists. "I miss it so much. Helping Noibat learn to fly again is helping a little, but I'm scared that when Noibat leaves, I'll break down and not let it leave. That's not fair to Noibat."
Ash suddenly felt hands gently holding his wrists. Ash then realised that he was so caught up in his anxiety and sadness that he hadn't noticed that Gladion had moved in front of him and was holding his wrists. Gladion looked in his eyes before leaning down to kiss his wrists and palms. Ash gasped at the sudden but sweet gesture.
"It hurts me when you're hurting Ash," Gladion said to him between the kisses. Ash blushed before he started to cry.
"You help too, Gladion," Ash admitted. Gladion looked up and released his wrists before he reached up to wipe his cheeks gently.
"I'm here for you, Ash," Gladion smiled softly. Ash smiled before letting his head fall on Gladion's shoulder.
"Will you let me stay like this for a while?"
Gladion wrapped his arms around Ash's back and let Ash cry into his shoulder.
"As long as you need."
***
A few days later, Ash walked back to Kukui's house with Pikachu resting on his shoulder, exhausted after the day at Pikachu Valley. As he walked along the beach, Ash lit up when he saw Gladion in the distance with Noibat on his shoulder and the Pokémon by his side. Gladion waved before turning his head to say something to Noibat, who flew over to Ash and landed gracefully in Ash's arms.
"You can fly perfectly again," Ash said happily before running towards Gladion.
"Noibat has been waiting for you so it could show you what it's achieved," Gladion smiled before turning serious. "Are you okay saying goodbye?"
Ash smiled softly as he hugged Noibat while Pikachu jumped down to tell everyone about his day at Pikachu Valley.
"Will you be there with me?" he asked.
Gladion nodded with a smile. Suddenly, Noibat looked up to the sky, talking excitedly. Ash and Gladion looked up to see a group of Noibat flying above them.
"Bat!" Noibat said happily. "Noi! Noibat!"
Ash smiled as he opened his arms.
"Are they your friends?" Ash asked. Noibat nodded before flapping its wings to fly up to the group, talking to them happily. Ash, Gladion and the Pokémon watched happily.
"Bye, Noibat," Ash called. "Look after yourself."
Noibat turned and looked at Ash before flying down, giving Ash and Gladion a kiss and the Pokémon nose rubs to say thank you and goodbye. Ash and Gladion smiled as Noibat flew back to the group.
"Noibat!" Noibat cried as it and its friends flew away into the sunset. Gladion looked at Ash, who kept watching the group.
"I think I've figured out why I was so sad," Ash smiled.
"Really?"
"It's because saying goodbye to Poipole was so sudden," Ash answered, looking down, so his hat was covering his eyes. "I knew that I would have to say goodbye to Poipole eventually because Lusamine and Burnet were looking for the Ultra Wormhole it came out of. But I thought I'd be able to say goodbye properly and not leave it so soon."
Gladion stepped forward and pulled off Ash's hat before handing it to Pikachu, much to Ash's shock. He then pulled Ash in for a hug, causing Ash to smile.
"You'll see Poipole again," Gladion smiled as he rubbed Ash's back. "You saw Solgaleo again, so I'm certain you'll see Poipole again."
Ash smiled as he nuzzled Gladion's shoulder.
"I just hope it doesn't take a disaster for you to see Poipole again," Gladion joked, causing Ash to giggle into Gladion's shoulder. Laughing, Ash lifted his head and took a step back before looking at Gladion with a blush.
"I want to say thank you too," Ash admitted shyly.
"What for?"
Ash bit his lip before looking at the Pokémon.
"Would you all mind going inside?" he asked. The Pokémon gave him a funny look until Pikachu started talking to them. With a nod, the Pokémon followed Pikachu to the house until Ash and Gladion were alone on the beach. Ash bit his lip again before stepping forward and quickly kissing Gladion's cheek. Gladion blushed, his stomach flipping.
"That's for saving me at the cliff," Ash said shyly before kissing Gladion's other cheek.
"That is for comforting me and helping me heal and this," Ash finished by giving Gladion a gentle kiss on his lips. "Is because I've fallen more and more in love with you every day since I met you."
Gladion smiled as he placed his hands around Ash's hips.
"Okay," Gladion said. "Well then, here's my answer."
Gladion pressed his lips against Ash's. Ash's eyes closed as he sighed into the kiss while Gladion pressed his tongue against Ash's lips. Ash opened his mouth as he wrapped his arms around Gladion's shoulders while Gladion's hands moved to Ash's back. They kissed passionately for a few minutes until Gladion released the kiss, gently rubbing his nose against Ash's with a smile.
"I love you too," he murmured before pulling Ash into another kiss.