end.

'I have a confession.' The text read, phone situated in the palm of Gary's hand. He stared silently at the word, analysing each one as if the simple text would explain all. Of course, it didn't but it did succeed in giving him an uneasy feeling. In all the years Ash and him had been rivals but more friends than not, neither one of them had secrets because they'd told each other everything despite the playful hate they acted out. There was nothing to confess, that is, if Ash had been truthful the whole time.

Gary's dark eyes narrowed as he picked up his bag and eagerly headed home to his and Ash's shared apartment. They lived together already, yes. Like brothers, inseparable even if they wouldn't admit that to anyone. Ash even replaced Gary's younger sister by far. He was proud that he could call the other male his friend but now he wad worrying all because of four words. Four simple words that made Gary's stomach churn in a bad way. What could Ash have hidden all this time that he never knew about. Obviously it was bad. Is he only bringing it up now because he has no choice? 

Before he knew it, Gary was at the apartment door, opening it quickly and stepping inside. Subconsciously he must have kicked into a run because only now did he realise his heaving chest and labored heavy breaths. "A-Ash?" he rasped into the cold room, watching as his own breath fogged up a small cloud while wondering why the boy hadn't put the heaters on. "Ash!" The male tried again, closing the door before walking toward the bedroom where he presumed the boy was.

"Ash..?" Gary poked his head through the door. The first thing he saw was a pile of tissues, in fact, a lot of tissues. The small garbage can was full to the brim, overflowing to the floor unless they were settled there by bad aim. Even the bed was littered with the soggy tissues. Gary frowned, something was obviously wrong. He took a few strides to the bed, looking directly at the boy who was shaking with tears and sniffling loudly, dabbing what seemed to be more tissue to his face. 

Even as the bed dipped signaling that Gary was nearby, the younger boy didn't budge and just continued to let the tears streak.  

"Ash..." Gary's voice was softer now but definitely concerned. He reached out to caress the male's back, knowing Ash would need a lot more cheering up than this soon. He just needed to find out the cause of whatever made his Ash cry so that he could whisper comforting words in his ears, just how Gary knew Ash liked it. "Tell me what's wrong." 

Ash didn't reply.

"Come on now, Ash, don't be silly about this." Gary spoke gently still, tugging the younger's arm so he would turn a little but Ash pulled away. With a sigh Gary shuffled a little closer before pulling Ash into his lap. "What's this confession, are you going to answer any of my questions?" Gary asked caringly, swiping the hair from Ash's forehead so he could cool down at least a little. Ash's fragile frame continued to rack even in his best friend's arms.

"Hey, we never keep secrets, right?" Gary prompted Ash to smile, even pulling his brightest dorky smile since he knew it was Ash's favorite. The last time they had been in a similar situation was when Ash had an arguement with his mother, he regret yelling at her completely but didn't think she would forgive him. Gary helped him through that and so he was determined to do it again. 

When Ash was finally calm, Gary pulled back so he could see Ash's face fully. "When you're ready." he prompted in a whisper.

"P-promise you.. won't get m-mad?" The words that Ash struggled to speak just made the older's stomach tighten with worry. "A-and that you w-won't hate me?" Ash waited, silently while clinging to the older. Gary bit his lip, nodding eagerly. Whatever it was, Ash and his friendship would never be at stake. 

"Of course, Ash. Please tell me." 

Ash sniffled, looking down and fiddling with his fingers plus the hem of Gary's - now damp - shirt. "I.. I love you." 

Gary broke into a smile, confused but happy nevertheless. "Ash, I love you too." Obviously he didn't understand and it tugged harshly on the weak strings of Ash's heart. He had to prove the meaning behind his words, not that he was just being friendly like before when they'd said it so thoughtlessly. Well, at least Gary's was thoughtless. A frown settled on Ash's perfect face, he sighed heavily before sitting up straighter and straddling the other's hips. Gary looked up at him, raising a brow as Ash wiped away his tears and sniffles quickly.

"No. Gary." Ash spoke firmly. "I love you, Gary." he bit his lip nervously, "I love you, I love your dorky grin, I love your eyes, your face, your lips." He paused, staring directly at the latter feature. "Oh God, I love those." He then continued, "I love your strong body and the way we fit together perfectly. Your bigger hands around my skinny ones. Your everything. Gary Oak, I love you." 

Gary just stared, mouth agape as Ash listed what he loved. How long had he been thinking such a way? It would be a lie if he said that he didn't find Ash just the slightest bit attractive. Ash started to regret his words the second he finished, seeing the reaction he knew he would. Confused, unclear, disgust. Ash's heart shattered more than when he was sobbing it out. Hiding his face in Gary's chest, the younger continued sobbing hysterically. He'd ruined everything now. Gary stayed frozen in place and only made a move to grab Ash's wrist when he tried to move away, Ash feeling he shouldn't provoke more awkwardness by sitting there. 

Now Gary Oak wasn't gay, but there was a possibility that he just might have returned those feelings. 

It was true, and even himself had bet he would become so jealous when Ash got a lucky girlfriend. Because Gary promised to always be there for Ash, he was his and vice versa.

"Ash," It came out in a lower tone than expected, causing a shiver to rack Ash's thin frame. Gary tightened his grip on the male and pulled him back, not saying anything more but pressing his lips to Ash's. He didn't want the male to be upset anymore. Ash's eyes widened a little but he quickly regained himself and pressed his lips harder against the older, he had to prove he was being truthful about such serious feelings.

For Gary it was hard to accept the fact he was kissing his best friend, who he'd seen nothing more of than just a friend for so long, he never thought it would ever come to this. In a way though, he was completely fine about it, more for it. Instincts had kicked in and before Ash could even make a move to deepen it, Gary had already gone through with his own intentions. 

Again, it was Ash's turn to widen his eyes. He never expected this reaction, hence the tears, the tissues, the moping. Gary climbed above the younger, lips still attached to Ash's and he didn't plan on moving them for a long time. After all, it seemed they'd unlocked some kind of hidden feelings that he was still untangling. Ash didn't complain but instead, pulled the older even closer by his unmarked neck. 

Gary thought it was just to make Ash happy - and it was, at first. But now he sort of didn't want to let go of the male. He didn't want it to end like this. If Ash had been feeling such a way for so long, how long had he been unconsciously returning them. All this time he must have been sending so many mixed messages with his playful teasing here and there. Just by being there he was probably hurting Ash, how could he have been so blind?

As they kissed, Ash felt Gary's fingers roaming his body, a little shyly but gently. Just how he imagined Gary would be with him. It was perfect, he had been accepted. He hadn't been rejected, called names or even lost a friend. He got Gary. He got what he wanted.

"Ash?" Gary's lips parted from the younger, suddenly Ash turned his head away immediately conscious and unsure those actions were true or out of guilt and pity. "Ash, look at me." Gary asked, reaching his hand out to swipe away the male's dark hair. He tilted Ash's head so that the male was forced to look back at him. "I love you... I... I really do." Gary replied surely. The younger was suspicious, it had gone along so easily that he bit his lip, hard enough to realise that in fact he had imagined it all. 

Looking down in his hands there rested his phone, a message across the screen; 'I have a confession...' his thumb hovering over the send button, reciever, Gary. Ash just shook his head, throwing his phone across the room and hugging his legs to his chest, tears streaming like they had since the morning, just after the older had left. If he had imagined it all going so perfectly, then obviously in reality it wouldn't follow.

He'd jinxed himself.

Seconds later he heard a buzz, Ash's heart stopped. Had he accidentally sent the message? 

"No!" Ash yelped, diving for his phone, heart racing. 

Across the screen there was a message, sender; Gary. 

Message reading; 'I have a confession.'