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When Ash opened his eyes the next morning, he groaned in pain. Hearing the groan, Pikachu sat up and looked at Ash worriedly.
Sometimes, I hate Team Rocket, he thought as he kicked off his blanket, trying to escape the heat combination of the blanket and the rising sun currently shining through his window.
"Morning!" Rotom's shrill and cheerful voice rang through the air.
Ash groaned again, rolling over onto his stomach and burying his head under his pillow. Pikachu, who was sitting on Ash's stomach, quickly jumped to the ground to avoid being crushed by his trainer.
"Come on Ash!" Rotom cried as it hovered above the pillow over Ash's head. "It's time to wake up!"
"Please stop yelling," Ash begged as his head throbbed.
"But Ash, I'm not yelling," Rotom said in confusion as it lifted the pillow off Ash's head so it could look at him properly. "And you have to... wait, are you okay?"
"I just need a minute," Ash said as he turned his head to face Rotom, sighing as he felt Rotom place one of its arms gently on his forehead. "That feels nice. Would you put your other arm on the back of my neck, please?"
"Ash, your temperature is rising!" Rotom said in alarm. "I'm going to find the professors."
Ash moaned as he felt the cool metal of Rotom's arm leave his forehead before rolling to his left, forgetting that his left arm was his bandaged arm. He hissed in pain before moving back to his right.
Had to get bothered by Team Rocket yesterday, he thought bitterly as he closed his eyes, hoping his headache would fade. Had to get attacked by Mareanie.
"Ash?"
He opened his eyes to see Kukui, Burnet and his Pokémon looking at him in concern.
"Are you okay?" Burnet asked, gently placing her hand against Ash's face.
"Headache," Ash said, enjoying the feeling of Burnet's cool hand on his hot skin. "And I feel hot and my arm hurts."
"I think you might be reacting to the bite you got from Mareanie yesterday," Burnet stated as she stood up. "I'll get you some medicine."
As she turned to go down the ladder, Kukui took her place to help Ash sit up and feel his face.
"She's right, Ash," the professor nodded as his hand moved from Ash's forehead to his cheeks. "I think you might be getting a fever. Have you ever had reactions like this to poison-type Pokémon before?"
"I have had reactions to a couple of poison-type moves," Ash admitted. "But nothing like this."
"Well, Mareanie poison is liquid due to it being a water type as well," Kukui said thoughtfully as Burnet came back with some tablets and a glass of water. "Ash, maybe you should stay home today."
Ash's eyes widened as he quickly took the tablets and swallowed them with the water, shuddering and hiccupping from drinking too fast.
"No please," he begged as he put the glass down. "I've been looking forward to this field trip all week. Please, I want to go to school."
Kukui looked at Ash with worry. "Ash-.”
"Please Professor," Ash pleaded.
Kukui sighed. "Okay," he decided. "You've taken some medicine to help you but if you get worse, you're coming straight home."
"Yes sir," Ash said respectfully as he got up to get ready for the day.
***
As Ash finished jogging into the school with his Pokémon and Rotom, he started to feel dizzy. He leaned heavily against the post near the school's entrance, breathing hard.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked in concern as the rest of Ash's Pokémon crowded around him, looking very worried about their trainer's appearance.
Thankfully, he had decided to dress in light loose shorts and a cotton tank top rather than his usual T-shirt and capri trousers. He also decided to forgo his hat. But he had decided to jog to school with everyone, hoping that exercise would help clear his head and focus more. Unfortunately, it seemed to achieve nothing but exhaustion.
"I'm okay," Ash panted, fighting to smile at his Pokémon so they wouldn't worry. "I just need a minute."
"Maybe jogging today wasn't a good idea," Rotom pointed out worriedly. "Not while you're like this."
"I'm fine, really," Ash insisted, trying to take some deep breaths while reaching into his bag. He sighed in annoyance when he realised that he had forgotten his water bottle.
"Alola!"
Ash looked up to see his friends walking towards him. He gave a weak smile as they got closer.
"Hey guys," he said as they stopped in front of him.
"Ash, are you alright?" Lillie asked in alarm.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Ash tried to smile. "I'm just reacting to the bite I got from Mareanie yesterday. I'll be okay."
"Are you sure, Ash?" Kiawe asked in concern as he placed his hand on Ash's forehead. "You're very flushed and you feel very hot."
"It's because I jogged here hoping to help my headache," Ash explained. "It didn't help. I also forgot my water bottle. Do you guys have any water?"
Lana quickly reached into her bag, pulling out a plastic water bottle before holding it towards Ash, who took it gratefully.
"Popplio and I were doing balloon practice this morning so I bought that for Popplio," Lana explained as Ash drank deeply from it.
"Sorry for taking your water Popplio" Ash said as he finished drinking.
Popplio smiled before moving over to nuzzle Ash's ankle.
"It's okay," Lana smiled, waving her hand. "I always have spares."
"Are you sure you're going to be okay Ash?" Mallow frowned.
"Yeah, Professor Burnet gave me some medicine earlier," Ash smiled. "I'm sure it'll kick in soon. Let's head inside."
Everyone nodded as Ash walked into the building with his Pokémon, staggering slightly, before looking at each other.
"I don't think he's going to be okay," Mallow admitted. "He looks very sick."
"Well, he might be okay if he takes it easy," Sophocles said. "I've reacted to a Mareanie bite before. If he's taken medicine for the pain and stays hydrated, he should be fine. The main thing is he shouldn't let himself get overheated."
Kiawe quickly looked up at the sun shining brightly. "Well, if he stays inside and doesn't train as much, he'll be okay," he said thoughtfully. "I just hope today doesn't get too hot. It won't be good for him if the air is still and heavy."
***
As the morning classes started, Kiawe's concerns came true. The morning got hotter and there was no cooling ocean breeze which didn't help Ash's situation at all. Slowly, as the classes continued, he started to get worse rather than better. By the time recess rolled around, he was so hot and dizzy that he was struggling to focus. His headache returned with a vengeance due to the rising temperature but Ash fought hard, trying to focus on the lessons and resist the urge to lay his head on the desk and sleep.
"Okay, class," Kukui announced cheerfully. "We're going to take a short recess before conducting our field research class. Today, we'll be studying nocturnal Pokémon. Usually, you can only see these particular Pokémon at night. However, we're going to visit a couple of caves in the forest behind the school that Pokémon call home. Your assignment will be to find a nocturnal Pokémon and then observe what it does. Once you've all found one, we'll come together and discuss what you've observed. Okay, everyone?"
"Right!" the class said before standing to push their desks together for lunch like they always did.
As Ash stood up, his legs tingled and his eyes rolled back before he collapsed to the ground.
"Ash!" the kids cried out in alarm as Kukui rushed forward to feel Ash’s forehead.
"Ash! You're hotter than a Blast Burn!" he gasped. "Why didn't you tell me you were getting worse?"
"I didn't realise," Ash murmured as Lillie got Snowy to use Powder Snow on her handkerchief before placing it on Ash's forehead. "I thought maybe I was getting sleepy from the medicine Professor Burnet gave me. I'm so tired."
"Burnet gave you non-drowsy," Kukui told him as he felt Ash's arm through his bandage while Ash's eyes closed. "Yeah, I think your bite is infected and it's given you a fever. I need to get you back home somehow."
"Maybe I can call my brother to help," was the last thing Ash heard Lillie say before his vision went black.
***
"Ash?"
Ash moaned as he heard a gentle, familiar voice, but he didn't open his eyes. He moaned again as he felt fingers run through his hair.
"Ash, I need you to wake up," the voice urged. "I'm not strong enough to walk and carry you at the same time and Silvally is outside."
Silvally? If Silvally's here, did that mean...?
Ash slowly opened his eyes to see Gladion looking down at him with a soft look on his face. He blushed, secretly hoping that his face was still flushed so Gladion couldn't tell he was turning red.
"Wow," Gladion whistled as he touched Ash's cheek with the back of his fingers. "Lillie's right. You're burning up."
"What are you doing here?" Ash asked, leaning his head heavily against Gladion's hand. It felt so cool and soothing against his hot face.
"Lillie called me and asked if I would take you back to your place," Gladion told him as he helped Ash sit up properly.
That's when Ash realised that he was lying against his Lycanroc.
"Thanks, Lycanroc," he said, standing only to rock a couple of times on his feet.
He was about to collapse again when Gladion stepped forward and caught him in his arms.
"I've got you," he smiled as he placed one of Ash's arms around his neck while Kiawe stepped forward to place Ash's other arm around his neck.
"Thank you," Ash sighed as his head fell against Gladion's neck. "What about my Pokémon?"
"Let's just get you outside first so I can get you back home," Gladion said. "Lean on Kiawe and me. We'll be outside soon."
"Okay," Ash said as he walked with the two boys until everyone was outside where Silvally was waiting patiently. Quickly, Gladion climbed onto Silvally's back before holding out his hand to Ash.
"Do you think you can lift yourself to sit behind me?" he asked.
"I'll try," Ash said.
He stepped away from Kiawe and placed one hand in Gladion's while his other rested on Silvally's back. He tried to lift himself onto the chimera Pokémon, only to nearly pull Gladion off because he couldn't get his grip. Ash blushed in embarrassment and anger. He felt so pathetic.
"Sorry," he said, quickly releasing Gladion's hand so the blond could fix his position on Silvally’s back.
"It's okay," Gladion smiled as he dismounted. "I'm fine and so is Silvally. Come here."
As Ash moved closer to Gladion, Kiawe stepped forward and interlaced his fingers together.
"Okay," Gladion instructed. "Place one hand on my shoulder and your other on Silvally's back."
"And place your left foot in my hands, Ash," Kiawe added. "We'll both boost you up."
Ash smiled gratefully as he did as he was told, this time successfully mounting Silvally. Once Ash was on, Gladion quickly climbed in front of Ash, allowing Ash to wrap one of his arms tightly around Gladion's chest while Kukui stepped forward to hold the other one.
"Get lots of rest, Ash," Kukui advised while the rest of the class took turns giving Ash gentle pats on his hand.
"I will Professor," Ash promised as Pikachu jumped to his shoulder. "What about Lycanroc, Torracat and Rowlet?”
"I've already returned them to their Pokéballs and put them in your backpack," Kiawe informed him as he handed Ash's bag to him.
"Thank you," Ash said gratefully as he slowly placed his bag on his back before wrapping his arms around Gladion again, leaning heavily against his back.
"There's a first aid cupboard in my kitchen that has medicine in it," Kukui quickly informed Gladion.
"Thanks," Gladion nodded. "I'll look after him."
"Thank you," Kukui said gratefully. "Be careful."
"I promise," Gladion nodded again before looking over his shoulder at Ash. "Hold on to me, Ash. I don't want you to fall off."
Ash hummed in acknowledgement as he rested his head between Gladion's shoulder blades, smiling as he inhaled Gladion's scent. He smelled nice; earthy yet floral.
"Feel better soon Ash," Lillie smiled while everyone said goodbye.
"Bye," Ash said softly as Silvally started to gently trot out of the school grounds before turning in the direction of Kukui's house.
As Silvally cantered, Ash's eyes grew heavier and his grip around Gladion's chest started to loosen.
"Ash, are you okay?" Gladion said in alarm, grabbing one of Ash's hands and giving it a tight squeeze.
Ash moaned in discomfort. "I'm so... tired." he started to slur. "I want... sleep."
"No, no, no," Gladion said urgently as he pinched the back of Ash's hand. "Ash, if you fall asleep, you'll fall off. We're almost there. You just need to stay awake for a few more minutes."
"It's hard," Ash complained.
"Okay, then talk to me," Gladion suggested. "Tell me what happened. How did you get so sick?"
"Team Rocket attacked us yesterday," Ash moaned, fighting to stay awake. "James told Mareanie to attack but I pulled Torracat out of the way. Mareanie ended up biting my arm. I was given some antibiotic tablets but I've never gotten this sick from a poison-type before."
"I see," Gladion acknowledged as Silvally stopped in front of Kukui's house. "Okay, we're here. Listen, if you were feeling ill, why would you risk this heat to go to school?"
"I didn't know it was going to be this hot," Ash admitted as Gladion climbed off Silvally's back. "And I was looking forward to today. Field research lessons are my favourite lessons aside from battling practice and sports."
Gladion chuckled as Pikachu jumped to the ground and moved into Silvally’s vision to thank it. The two boys smiled as the Pokémon cooed at each other before Gladion looked at Ash.
"Put your hands on my shoulders and I'll help you down," he instructed, putting his hands on Ash's hips.
Ash nodded wearily before doing as he was told. Slowly, Gladion helped Ash off Silvally's back before letting him go. Ash rocked on his feet briefly, prompting Gladion to grab his biceps to hold him steady again.
"Are you okay?" he asked gently as he helped Ash take off his bag.
"I'm so tired," Ash yawned.
Gladion nodded again, giving Ash's bag to Silvally to hold before placing one of Ash's arms around his neck again. "I know, once we get inside, I'll get you some medicine and a blanket and then you can sleep."
"Thank you Gladion," Ash smiled, letting Gladion lead him into the house with Pikachu and Silvally following.
Once they were inside, Gladion gently sat Ash on the couch before kneeling.
"You don't have to do that," Ash said as Gladion removed his shoes for him.
"It's okay," Gladion smiled, reaching towards the bandage on Ash's arm. "Let me look after you. Can I see your bite?"
Ash nodded as Silvally gently placed his backpack beside Ash's leg. Carefully, Gladion unravelled the bandage, gasping when he saw the deep red puncture marks with dark angry bruising around the outside. Carefully, he gently pressed a fingertip against the purple skin, pausing when Ash flinched.
"Oh Ash," Gladion breathed. "No wonder you're so sick. It looks so deep. Does it hurt a lot?"
"A little," Ash admitted. "It itches more. I had no idea that a Mareanie's teeth could be so sharp."
Gladion nodded as he pulled out his Pokéballs, releasing Umbreon and Lycanroc before reaching into Ash's bag to release Rowlet, Torracat and Ash's Lycanroc from their Pokéballs too.
"Okay everyone, I need your help,” he requested. “I need to find a blanket, antibiotic cream and medicine. Can you all help me find them? Also, Umbreon, Lycanroc and Silvally, try to keep Ash awake?"
After the Pokémon made grunts of acknowledgement, Ash watched as Gladion walked into the kitchen with Pikachu while Lycanroc, Torracat and Rowlet walked in the other direction to get a blanket, which Ash was grateful for because he was starting to feel chilly. Shivering from the cold, Ash's eyes grew heavier as his head started to nod. As his eyes closed, he felt something lick his face and hands. He opened his eyes to see Silvally's face in front of him while Umbreon and Lycanroc licked his hands.
"I'm awake," he grumbled. "In a way."
The Pokémon nodded but continued to lick his face and hands so he would stay awake. Suddenly he heard a hoot. Ash looked in the direction of the sound to see Lycanroc dragging a blanket while Torracat carried a spare pillow. Ash smiled as he reached for the bedding materials.
"Thank you," he said gratefully as he set the blanket and pillow up properly on the couch before lying down with a sigh, closing his eyes. Immediately, the Pokémon started taking turns nudging Ash's body so he wouldn't fall asleep. "I'm still awake," he repeated. "My eyes are just closed."
"That's good."
Ash opened his eyes to see Gladion kneeling next to him, holding a glass of water and a medicine packet while Pikachu held a tube in his paws.
"Okay Ash," Gladion smiled as Ash sat up. "Take this medicine and then I'm going to put some ointment on your bite mark, okay?"
Ash nodded as he held out his hand. Once Gladion had popped two tablets into Ash's palm, he quickly put them in his mouth before grabbing the glass of water and drinking it to wash down the tablets. As he did, Gladion put the medicine packet on the coffee table before taking the tube from Pikachu.
"I'll try to be gentle," he promised as he opened the tube, squeezing the oily ointment on his fingers before rubbing the ointment into the puncture marks as gently as he could.
Ash hissed in pain while Gladion wince.
"Sorry," he said, putting the tube down before rewrapping the bandage again. "I guess they haven't scabbed over yet because of how deep they are."
"It's okay," Ash yawned as he lay down. "I could feel how gentle you were being. Thank you for looking after me."
"It's okay," Gladion smiled softly, stroking Ash's head. "Rest now. You need to sleep."
Ash nodded, his eyes closing from tiredness and the relaxing feeling he was getting from the way Gladion's fingers were massaging his scalp.
***
"This is all your fault!" Gladion yelled at Ash. "Because of you, Lillie can't touch Pokémon again! How could you tell her?! How could you break your promise to me?!"
"I didn't tell her, I swear!" Ash cried, tears forming. "She wanted to see you and Nebby granted her wish!"
"You should have controlled Nebby better!" Gladion yelled.
"I'm sorry," Ash whimpered. "I didn't mean for Nebby to send Lillie to you. I swear I didn't tell her anything. I'm sorry. Please don't be mad anymore. I don't want you to be mad at me."
"Why would Solgaleo and Lunala choose you to look after an Ultra Beast?!" Gladion scoffed. "You're so irresponsible!"
"Gladion please," Ash pleaded, tears now falling. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to. Please forgive me."
"No, you betrayed me when you broke your promise!" Gladion snapped as he turned away. "I never want to see you again!"
"No please, don't leave me!" Ash begged. "Don't leave me again! I-I like you. A lot. Please don't leave me alone."
"I don't care!" Gladion yelled. "I hate you!"
"NO!" Ash screamed as his eyes shot open. He screamed again when he saw Gladion leaning over him, a concerned look on his face. "Gladion?" he asked in a trembling but hopeful voice. "Am I dreaming or are you still here?"
"I'm here," Gladion smiled, placing one of his hands on Ash's cheek. "I'm right here. Come on, look at me. I'm right here."
Ash took a shuddering breath as he reached up to touch Gladion's face.
Please tell me you're real, he begged in his mind.
"See?" Gladion smiled as Ash held his cheeks. "I'm right here."
"Oh Arceus, Gladion!" Ash sobbed before sitting up to wrap his arms around Gladion's chest, hugging the blond as tightly as he could.
Gladion grunted as the force of the hug caused him to fall back on his backside on top of Ash's thighs. "Hey, it's okay," he smiled as he rubbed Ash's back with one hand while stroking his head with the other.
"Don't leave me!" Ash sobbed into Gladion's shoulder. "Please don't leave me again!"
"Shh," Gladion said in a soothing tone as he continued to rub Ash's back and stroke his hair. "I'm not leaving."
Ash squeezed Gladion harder as he started to calm down, his pants slowing to steady breathing and his cries softening. Gladion winced as his legs began to cramp due to the position he was in.
"Hey Ash," he said. "As much as I'm enjoying this hug, this position is a little uncomfortable. Would it be okay if I sat down properly next to you? You can keep hugging me once we're in a more comfortable position."
Ash bit his lip, feeling unsure about letting Gladion go before deciding to fall backwards, pulling Gladion with him. Gladion yelped in surprise as he was pulled on top of Ash but Ash didn't care. He just wanted Gladion.
"Um, Ash-," Gladion started to say.
"Don't leave me," Ash pleaded, burying his face in Gladion's neck.
"Oh, Ash," Gladion sighed, shifting them until he was lying beside Ash and they were facing each other.
The two lay beside each other, not speaking or moving until Ash placed his hand on Gladion's cheek.
"Are you really here?" he asked.
"I'm here," Gladion smiled, stretching his arm around Ash's back.
Ash smiled as circles were rubbed into his back. "Thank Arceus," he sighed.
"Ash, what happened?" Gladion asked in a serious tone. "You just started ranting in your sleep, begging me not to leave and to forgive you. What were you dreaming about?"
"The night you yelled at me for when Nebby teleported Lillie to you," Ash admitted with a sniff. "You were so angry with me. You were yelling at me for breaking my promise to you and how irresponsible I was with Nebby and that you hated me."
Ash bit his lip as he felt tears fall again, only to be surprised when Gladion started wiping them away.
"Oh Ash," he sighed. "Of course, I don't hate you. Yeah, I was angry. But later after Mother took us back home, Lillie told me that you hadn't told her you had seen me. She just figured it out. She told me that you told her how angry I was. She also told me you said you thought I was going to use 'Super Fang' on you or something."
Gladion then started to giggle, making Ash giggle too. "What on earth is 'Super Fang'"? he laughed.
Ash groaned in embarrassment. "A Pokémon move," he admitted, his cheeks turning red. "Has anyone ever told you that you looked like an angry Lycanroc or dark type when you're mad?"
"No, you're the first," Gladion snorted, making Ash giggle again.
After a few minutes of laughing, Gladion's face turned soft as he touched Ash's cheek, making him blush.
"Ash, listen," he said. "I'm sorry I blamed you and yelled at you. You were the first person I trusted in a long time aside from Lillie and Hobbes and I jumped to the conclusion that you betrayed me as well. I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry too," Ash sighed. "I should have controlled Nebby better."
"It was a blessing in disguise," Gladion admitted as he stroked Ash's cheek with his thumb. "You and Nebby helped Lillie remember and heal from what happened on that day four years ago. You helped mother learn the truth and, in a way, you helped me confront her about being blind to Lillie's needs. Thank you for that."
Ash smiled as he placed his hand over Gladion's. "You don't hate me?" he asked.
"No," Gladion smiled. "If anything, I really like you and based on what I heard come out of your mouth while you were asleep, you like me too, don't you?"
"Very much," Ash said shyly, feeling his cheeks colour. "You really like me?"
Gladion smiled as he leaned forward. Ash's eyes closed as he felt Gladion's warm lips touch his before opening again as Gladion pulled away.
"I really like you," Gladion confirmed with a smile. "I won't leave you again. When your fever is gone, I'm taking you to the shops."
"Why?"
"Because I'm going to get us both phones so you can always talk to me," Gladion smiled as he started to stroke the back of Ash's neck. "Go back to sleep. You still need to recover."
"Will you still be here when I wake up?" Ash asked as his eyes grew heavy again.
"I will," Gladion smiled. "Go to sleep, my Ash."
"My Gladion," Ash smiled as he curled into Gladion's chest before going to sleep again.