There is a reason why Lance is playing with Ash…

Chapter 11: Confession

Ash could not take the secret.

It was only two days, and yet his conscience tortured him continuously. Even as he looked at Catelyn playing with her dragon types, he felt a shameful yearning for the feel of arms around him.

Not hers, either.

No, it might have been just rutting, but it felt so… right.

Was this what the love guides meant by soulmates?

And yet… yet… he could not bear to leave the poor girl. There were strings tying him to her as well, threads of friendship and possibly even love that could not be easily broken.

So what could he do?

If he stayed, he would burn with shame every time she looked at him innocently.

If he left, she would be heartbroken.

It was not an easy decision to make. But he had to tell her.

She deserved to know what kind of a person he was.

And then, she could break off the engagement, but… he felt like he would hurt her either way.

Of course he would!

What kind of person does this to their fiancée?

Or even to a friend…

He had to speak out his feelings. No choice.

Ash took a deep breath and walked over to Catelyn. She looked up from grooming her Gyarados.

“A problem, Ash?”
“Y-you could say that… you know how I’ve been getting flashbacks of the past?”
“Yes, why?”

She hid a smile, as she had been the one who was letting selective memories return. With Lugia’s aid, of course…

“I-I have feelings for someone… she… I mean he… is very much like you, but…”

“But it’s stronger than the ones you have for me.” It was not a question.

Ash nodded miserably.

“Have you acted on these feelings?”

“W-well… I-I… didn’t mean to… but I fell…”

“Fell?” Catelyn looked confused.

“I-I mean…” Ash coughed. He tried to speak, but he couldn’t. it was just like when he was stuck after the volcano incident!

Catelyn waited politely while Ash turned several different shades of blue.

“Well, if you want, we can talk later.” She reassured him. “But don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll come to your senses and realize I’m the one for you.”

“But that’s not it.” Ash whispered wordlessly to himself.

Why would you want me? I’m tainted, I’m impure, and…

Why do you still care?

Are we friends? If so, how?

Can you forgive me?

Please? I don’t need you to love me back, but forgive me?

Please don’t hate me…

I… I don’t even deserve your forgiveness. If you stay with me my coldness will break you.

So please, just leave me. Pretend I’m not here!

Let me die…

Ash was definitely not in a better frame of mind that night. They were still stuck in the haunted hotel.

Yes, the accommodations were nice.

But… he was scared.

Yes, he, was _scared_.

What if Lance showed up again? Ash shuddered, remembering the warmth and the sweetness, before forcibly tearing himself out of the fantasy.

It could not continue.

He had to stop it, somehow, somewhere, some way…

Ho-oh, help me…

< Now this reminds me of a very similar situation. Only it’s like a role reversal. >

Lugia looked at Honou. < Yes, doesn’t it? >

Ho-oh narrowed his eyes. < Your Chosen isn’t planning this, is he? >

Lugia looked innocent. < No… >

< DAMN YOU LUGIA! >

< It’s a perfectly fair test, you know. >

< B-but! He’s not ready! >

< Then she’ll wait for him to grow up. >

< I hope my Chosen knows what he’s getting into. > The rainbow phoenix sighed.

Ash sat on his bed, vowing not to fall asleep.

He could not do it.

After barely an hour, the shawls of slumber caught him and he fell fast asleep.

The feeling of soft kisses raining down on him woke Ash up.

Ash stared, horrified, as Lance purred, lust flickering in his golden eyes like flames.

“No!”

“You don’t want me?”

“Stop this!” Ash pleaded, as Lance’s arms wound around him. “Please…”

“Are you sure?” Lance asked, as he placed another kiss on the boy’s lips and started draining off his energy through that means.

“No… stop…” Ash said, feebly, trying to push him off. “Please…”

Lance smirked, and pounced – only to hit a barrier of Thunderwave.

Ash panted, pulling himself to his feet. “This can’t go on! I’ll kill you myself! You’re destroying both of us!”

“Dark Thunder-!”

A heavy weight slammed into Ash’s head, knocking him out.

“Well,” Lance said, looking at Ho-oh. “I think I’ve proved my point.” Despite being paralyzed, he seemed rather calm.

Ho-oh glared, but turned his attention to healing his second Chosen. < I think it was unnecessary. >

< Think what you will, guardian. >

< My fire child is weak already. I take care of him since Serebii obviously does not. >

Lance just waited for Ash to wake up. Flicking his fingers, the paralysis disappeared completely.

End Chapter