[Pokémon] Happiness

[Hayzel]

Chapter 1

Sighing, Hayzel took a seat at the edge of his savior's bed and watched as the other squeezed between a small refrigerator and the wall of the hallway to enter the main part of the room. Grinning madly, Carter flopped down next to the blond and laid a red and white checkered blanket in his lap. "Sorry it's so tight in here Hayzel. I can't even let Charger from his ball," the sand brown haired man said as he gestured over to his prized Pikachu's ball.

"It's…it's okay," the other said weakly as he draped the blanket over his shoulders and scooted back against the wall. Carter stood up then kneeled down and began to adjust one of the legs on the bed, giving Hayzel the opportunity to take in the room in its' entirety. It was small, something you'd picture when you'd think of a room underneath a staircase. There was a small door that you had to duck to enter followed by a tiny hall with the mentioned refrigerator and a set of drawers to the left that lead to the tiny room with a sink, bed, and a curtain that blocks the doorway into a bathroom. The bathroom was a bit bigger than a closet. Right when you walk in there is the toilet and without any sort of blockade was a small pipe fixed to a shower head hovering over a drain.

Noticing this Hayzel's cheeks began to flush, remembering the incident from earlier. He was washing his hands in the bathroom sink at the mansion and had gone to exit the room. The room was l shaped so that if the door was left open, you couldn't tell it was a bathroom. Unfortunately, Carter didn't know Hayzel was in the restroom and began to go down the hall and had already undone his fly in preparation. Upon his exit, Hayzel turned the corner and got an eyeful, causing a very awkward moment between the two. "Carter…are you sure you want me here? I don't want to take up your space…"

Looking up at the blond through his sandy brown hair, the man simply laughed and shook his head only to return to adjusting his bed. "You don't need to apologize. I told you I wanted you to stay. It's no problem to me at all. Unless you're uncomfortable here, I could get you a room at the Inn."

"Ah..no. This is fine," the other said quietly. Truthfully, he felt uncomfortable letting Carter do so much for him. After all, the man was responsible for getting him the job restoring the mansion. In Olivine, their home town, Hayzel had grown tired of being a burden to his half-sister, the Gym Leader Jasmine. The boy getting very sick in unclean air, she gladly took him in at thier father's request. On the day he decided to leave, his sister retired his childhood companion, an Ampharos that used to light the Lighthouse, and then set off on his own.

Carter had grown up on Moo Moo farm and had grown restless of the simple life of the farm. Grwoing up, he had more interest in building things for the Pokemon than taking care of them. Known for helping restore the burned tower in Ecruteak he was asked to do a job in Vermillion City which he eagerly accepted as a way to break free from his farming duties.

Serendipitously, the two ended up in the same Cabin on the S.S. Aqua. At first Carter just stared at Hayzel a bit. The latter nervously asked him if there was something wrong. Still smiling, the other simply just shrugged his shoulders and said, "I was captivated by your eyes." causing Hayzel to turn beet red, and become unable to focus on anything else that was said. Somehow during that period, Carter had talked Hayzel into working with him on the mansion.

Once they arrived in Vermillion, Hayzel was given a tiny apartment from Lt. Surge as a favor to his sister, much to his displeasure as he wanted to become a little more independent. Unfortunately, today it was blown up during the gym leader's training, thus leading to their current situation.

"Err..Hayzel? You're sort of staring off into space."

"Ah…I'm sorry…" Hayzel mumbled as a light shade of pink began to show in his cheeks.

Laughing the other stood up pulled the string to the light, making the room pitch black. "You don't need to be so apologetic Hayzel. Relax a bit more," his disembodied voice rang out followed by the sound of clothes being tossed onto the floor.

Taking advantage of the darkness, Hayzel slid out of his shirt, leaned over to lay it on the floor followed by his jeans. After waiting a moment and hearing Carter bumping into things, the boy felt him slide into the covers and settle. They laid there in an uncomfortable silence, unsure what to say for the moment "So…you said your sister was Jasmine? Must be pretty cool to have a gym leader in the family," Carter said in a hopeful tone, trying to spark a conversation.

"I….I have three gym leaders in my family…my mother, Clair, my grandpa, Pryce, and as you said Jasmine," Hayzel said softly, their faces running through his mind slowly.

"Ah…that's where you get those eyes from."

"What's that?"

"Clair is well known for not only her battle skills, but her appearance as well. She is ranked one of the most beautiful women in the Johto-Kanto area. You seem to have inherited her eyes, though…I find yours to be more alluring." As he blushed profusely from the comment, Hayzel felt Carter's arm drape lazily around him in sort of hug like gesture, "It must be tough for you…having that sort of pressure."

Hayzel's cheeks instantly began to heat up as he rested his head against the other's shoulder, somehow feeling it was the natural response."Ye..yeah…it's…why I came here. Sort of like running away…I don't think I'm…good enough to be with them. Amphy is the only Pokemon I've ever had…and I didn't train him myself…"

Carter's grip tightened around the boy after he finished his sentence. "You shouldn't feel obligated to be something you don't want to be just because your family is. No one said you had to be a great trainer. I grew up on a farm, and now I'm running my own contracting business. Yes my parents wished I could have stayed to help them, but I rather help others by giving something to them directly than be stuck on my own. Hayzel, you need to find what makes you happy and go with that."

"I…I…" nothing came to his head accept Carter's last sentence. Letting out a sigh, he curled up a bit, careful not to bump into the other. "I don't see how that can work…"

"It's worked for me. I'm doing what I love. I live comfortably, yes, even in this small room, and now I have…well…that's a secret. For now at least." He smiled down at the other, even if he knew the other couldn't see it. From the moment he had laid eyes on the other, he knew Hayzel had something special within him, though he couldn't say what. But whatever it was, he wanted Hayzel to see it for himself. "Good night Hayzel."

"Good…goodnight," the boy replied breathlessly, still trying to absorb Carter's words.

They turned softly, trying to find the best way to lie together in the small bed. Finally they settled in, Hayzel up against the wall and on his stomach while Carter lay against him, his arm slightly around the other's waist and the bulk of his body against the boy's back. Comforted by the man's warmth and the secure feeling of the other beside him Hayzel drifted off into a deep sleep.

Feeling the blond's breaths become longer and his muscles relax, Carter tightened his grip around Hayzel and drew the boy in close. He could smell the hint of lavender and vanilla coming from the other, most likely from shampoo or maybe remnants of the other's clothes, causing a memory to blossom forth.
When he was younger, an earthquake happened while he was visiting the light house. The lights had gone out within the tower and a few ghost Pokemon had decided to play around. As he wandered through the lighthouse, he heard someone crying and followed the noise to a small kid who was crying in a corner while a Haunter made scary faces at him. Using the flash light he scared it away and went to the kid's side. Looking up at him with scared teary blue eyes, the boy clung onto Carter and refused to move or let go until the lights came on.

Something about the other…made him feel like it was his job to guard the other, like a knight. Silently, he sat there with the flash light and scared the ghost Pokemon away while holding onto the young boy. When Carter wasn't shinning his light he was trying to stop the other from crying. He couldn't bear to see the other's beautiful blue eyes so sad, it felt…wrong to him. After a long while, the boy fell asleep in his arms causing him to do the same.

Before he knew it, it was the dead of night he was on the top floor of the light house under a blanket while a great yellow Pokemon glowed silently while petting Hayzel's head with concern. Noticing Carter awake, the big Pokemon got up and handed him a berry from a small basket and then picked him up and pushed him into the elevator that took him safely to the bottom floor. After that, he never saw the kid again. Of course, he was unable to go back due to being grounded for not coming home. Still, he had always wished to see the other again.

Sighing, he looked down to Hayzel. A beam of moonlight had found its' way into the room and brushed against the boy's soft white face. "Could you be…" he whispered softly to his sleeping friend. "…the one I've been looking for." Sheepishly he rested his head back on their shared pillow and drifted towards sleepy, whispering, "I love you," with his last conscious breath.

 

[Hayzel]

Chapter 2

"Hey watch your step there Hayzel," Carter said frantically as he quickly through his arms around the other's waist to prevent him from falling into a hole in the floor. Gently he began to slide down the wall, the other secure in his arms as two hammers and a crowbar fell from Hayzel's grasp and down to the first floor.

"Oh, Sorry…I forgot that was there." Blushing, Hayzel freed himself of the other's grasp and brushed himself off. "I can't believe how much stuff is in this house! I don't think we'll ever be done."

Carter laughed a bit and started to take off some loose paneling from the wall. They were working in an old dining room that was filled with old china and cooking supplies that had to be sorted through and either given away, sold, or given to low income families. Hayzel had barely finished an eighth of a room when the chandelier collapsed and broke the hole into the floor, thus creating the death trap that he seemed to forget about every time he walked by.

Silently Hayzel sorted through the dishes as Carter busily worked alongside Link, his Magneton, Charger, his Pikachu, and Seeker, his Venamoth. Together, they removed the paneling around the room as the other went from box to box, making sure each set of dishes were being sent to their proper place.

Having finished the room long before Hazel was even halfway done with the boxes, Carter took a seat on one of the stools and watched him do his job. Getting a bit restless he stood up and began to help sort the dishes, "Hayzel, would you like to leave early today?"

"Can we really do that? There is so much to do," Hayzel said as he continued to sort dishes, blushing every time their hands bumped together.

"I'm the boss here. I think it's okay if we gave ourselves a break every once in a while. Besides, you've been working extra hard, I've had help. How about I take you out somewhere as a treat?"

Looking up at him Hayzel began to shake his head and step away. "You are already doing enough for me. That is too much."

Laughing, the other stood up and led him out of the room and headed toward his truck. "Stop being so shy and come on."

They drove along the streets of the city with Hayzel being silent as always. He could never find the right words when he was alone with Carter, though the other seemed to have no problem. After a moment or two, he pulled up into a small parking lot and led Hayzel to a small restaurant with hardly anyone in it. The room was painted a dark mahogany with little white Christmas lights in small trees next to every table, making it quite hard to see anyone that you weren't sitting with. Leading Hayzel to the back corner of the room, he took a seat in a booth and picked up a menu.
For what seemed like an eternity they sat there. Aside from ordering drinks and some food, it was just the two of them, sitting in complete silence with Carter gazing at Hayzel while the latter tried to pretend not to notice.
The waitress having set down their salads, Hayzel quickly reached for his fork, desperate to do something that would make him feel less awkward in the situation. To his dismay, Carter caught him by the hand and looked into his eyes with a foreign solemn expression. "Hayzel…do you have a problem with me…"


Flustered, the blond tried to take his hand back gently, but it remained in the other's firm grasp, "Carter…no it's just that…I'm not used to how you treat me…it's embarrassing for me…"

His grip on Hayzel's hand grew a bit tighter as he continued to stare into the boy's eyes, " Hayzel…I never see you smile…I can't stand it."

Unable to find a response, Hayzel sat there and looked at him. Not that anything else the other said was less surprising, this seemed different. Often when he'd make a comment he'd have his trademark smile beaming at him but this time, h wasn't grinning, it was a concerned look, almost sad.

"Hayzel, since I first saw you , I knew there was something special." Carter's face began to reflect the magenta of the walls. For a while he had rehearsed on how he was going to admit to Hayzel how he felt, but the execution was starting to be more complex than the initial plan. "I can see it in your eyes…Listen, I…I want to make you smile. I want to see you happy, and I want to be the person who makes you that way."

Hayzel looked down , unsure how to respond. Over in over all he could think was "could he really feel that way?" Still unable to make a response, he went into autopilot and began to just talk. "I'm nothing special Carter…I'm not smart, strong or good looking, I'm just average. There is no reason for you to feel like that…"

Giving out a great sigh, Carter began to eat his food while Hayzel sat silently and full of guilt. After paying the check the two drove us back to the apartment, unable to speak to the other.

Not knowing what to do Hayzel sat on the bed and watched Carter as he stood in the doorway and stared off into the abyss. In truth, if he felt that he could be happy for Carter he would. But his feeling of inadequacy ruled him completely.
Carter sighed and came back in then reached into his closet then placed a small sleeping Togeii on the bed before the other. Hearing an old tale about the Pokemon, he got one for Hayzel in hopes it could bring the two together. Taking a seat behind Hayzel, Carter wrapped his arms around his chest and looked up at the ceiling. "A proverb claims that happiness will come to anyone who can make a sleeping Togepi stand up…and only those who have a good heart are able to do so. I want you to make it stand up. I got him for you because I know you have a good heart…"

"Don't be silly Carter...That's just a superstition " Hayzel said looking back at his friend, making eye contact for the first time since dinner.

"I'm serious…at least humor me. If you prove me wrong I won't bother you about this again…"

Sighing, Hayzel turned his attention to the sleeping Pokemon and carefully poked its' shell and watched it wiggle. "What if I…what if I do it...then what…"
"I get to kiss you."
Hayzel's face immediately broke out with a red undertone. "Fine…but I told you. I'm nothing special, it will wake up…" Taking a deep breath, he gently lifted its arms up and raised it to its toes. Expectign it to wake up or fall back down he let go he turned to Carter, not making eye contact "See. I couldn't do it."

Laughing a bit, Carter pointed past him to show that it had continued to upright. After a moment or so it gently fell to its feet, undisturbed. Stunned, Hayzel sat there and watched it. After a moment or so it let out a soft "Pree" and rolled over to snuggle into the boy's lap. Fixated on the small creature, he began to pet it gently as it quietly snoozed against his lap, making small purr like noises. Noticing it's contentment at his touch, a small shy smile crept across the boy's face.

"There…that's what I've wanted to see." Carter said as he wrapped his arms around Hayzel's waist and then leaned back. "You have a beautiful smile, just like I thought.."

"I.. uh…thanks…"

Grinning down at the other, he ruffled Hayzel's hair and got up to turn off the lights and prepare for bed.
Quietly the blond sat there…conflicted about what he should say. Letting his emotions take hold, he sat the Togepi safely out of the way, stood up and hugged Carter from behind. "Thank you….thank you for worrying about me and helping me all the time…I'm sorry…I just have trouble expressing it. "

Turning around he hugged the other back then slid into bed without saying anything followed by Hayzel.

"Hayzel…"

"Yeah…"

"You still owe me that kiss." Shifting the covers around, he moved Hayzel over a bit then gingerly, rolled him back, letting the other rest his against his bare chest and intertwined their legs together. "I thought…it might be a little more comfortable this way."

Blushing once more, Hayzel hid his face against Carter's chest and listened to the quiet murmur of his heart beating as he felt the other's arms wrap around him. The boy's mind became still as each breath he took lured him into sleep, only to be interrupted by Carter tilting his chin up slowly.
Pressing his lips against the other's, he felt Hayzel tremor slightly followed by the boy's hands slowly sliding up his chest to grip his shoulders. The other kissed him back clumsily, moaning slightly due to being sensitive to every movement Carter made. Breaking the kiss the older male looked down, into the other's face. "You're so cute when you blush."
Blushing harder, Hayzel dug his face into the other's shoulder. "Don't say things like that…it's too dark too see me anyway.
Laughing, Carter smiled and closed his eyes. "Good night…"

"…good night."

Letting Hayzel fall asleep before him, Carter blushed and gave the other another kiss before whispering "I love you" and falling asleep

 

[Hayzel]

Chapter 3

Hayzel stood in front of the house, taking time to reflect upon all the work they've done on it. The last few months have seemed to go by in a blur. He couldn't believe how far they had come in restoring the house. For him, it had been all work and no play. Carter was always finding something silly to do. After he finished wiring the main hallway, he brought in a stereo. One day while they were painting with Token, the decided name for the Togepi, Carter spontaneously came from behind and made Hayzel dance around with him. The boy couldn't remember laughing that much in his life.

Hayzel found himself starting to believe in his silly superstition about Token. …though, as they had gotten closer to finishing the house, Carter seems to be distancing himself a little. It's almost as if he didn't want to finish the house.

Letting out a sigh, the boy shook the thought from his head, at least for the moment, and carried Token inside. "Carter! Are you in here," he called out, ascending the grand staircase to the upper level of the mansion.

A muffled voice sounded out in response from deep corner of the upper level. Walking room to room, he poked his head into each room, searching for Carters' displaced voice."I can't find you! Which room are you in?"

This time his voice was slightly more audible, but Hayzel still couldn't make out what he was saying. After a moment or two a large pounding came from the ceiling, causing the boy and Token to jump in fright. Looking up they noticed a small string that lead up to the ceiling.

Hayzel being easily frightened immediately thought it was that it was a spider but after further inspection, he found it to be a draw string to a trap door that lead to the attic. Tugging on it a bit, the door came down gently and Carter leaned over a with a grin."Took you long enough, it's a sauna up here!"

Hayzel blushed a bit, noticing that Carter had pulled off his shirt and was wearing his overalls at his waist. Reaching down for the other's hand, Carter hoisted me up into the attic with him. Unable to get his footing, the boy fell against Carter's chest, making him flush harder and for the first time, he saw him in a full blush too.

Sighing a bit, Carter gently held Hayzel in his embrace and turned his attention beyond the window. As they stood in silence, the last few sun rays for the day brushed against the man's face for a moment before slowly dying out. After what seemed to be a eternity of just the two of them standing there, Hayzel finally broke the silence,"Umm…Carter, shouldn't' we be on our way…."

Finding a safe place to stand, he went tried to lift himself up but was quickly pulled back into the other's embrace."Hayzel…I finished…we don't have any more to do now…'

Perking up, the boy gave the other a soft smile, "That's a good thing right? It means we can go home?"

Carter resisted facing Hayzel and tried to find the words he wanted to say. He desperately wanted the other to go off with him, somewhere far away. He knew that returing to Olvine would only undo the progress he had made with Hayzel"I have..another project in Azalea. Will you accompany me there?"

"Oh? Another project?"

"Yeah…an old friend needs a favor. Think you could come with me? It is on the way…sort of."

"Of course. I haven't been to see Azalea in quite awhile and I don't want to go home alone. It will be fun. Maybe will see Bugsy!" Hayzel smile quickly faded, remembering that his childhood acquaintance had a rather…obsessive love for Bug Pokémon, where as he feared them.

Giving Hayzel a small smile he picked up his work materials and led Hayzel out of the mansion and home to pack. As he made his way to the truck, he peered up into the sky and watched as a star flew by overhead. Closing his eyes he made a wish that Hayzel would stay with him and be happy forever.

______________________________A Week Later___________________________

Storm clouds hung low over the quiet town of Azalea, sending large thick rain drops upon it. Hayzel and Carter had decided that they'd spend their last day exploring the Slowpoke Well and unfortunately on their way back to the Cutting Master's house they got caught in the middle of the storm.

Hurriedly, Hayzel ran through puddles towards a small roofed in picnic area followed closely by laughing Carter. "Heh. Just our luck Hayzel, at least it held off till we got out of the well, otherwise we'd probably have drowned."

"I guess it could have been worse…but I still don't like being wet in clothes you know…" the other said as he twisted the front of his shirt in an effort to ring it out. "Least we don't have to deal with these random rain storms once we're back in Olivine. Not that I mind them, I just rather not be in them."

Carter's face immediately changed, and he began to withdraw a bit from Hayzel. Noticing the other's sudden attitude change the boy carefully walked up behind him and laid his hands on the other's shoulder before resting his head on the center of the man's back. "Carter…you've been acting really upset for awhile now…did I do something wrong…?"

Quickly, Carter turned around and took Hayzel into his embrace. "I'm sorry…I didn't mean to make you feel like that. It's just…something has been on my mind. I need to ask you something…it is hard for me…," he said tightening his grip around the other a bit. A long pause of silence began to grow between them, almost is as if time itself had stopped. Lifting Hayzel's chin, his green eyes locked onto the other's and then his face drew in close.

Suddenly felt as if Hayzel had run out of breath. His face became hotter as Carter held his body against his and continued to kiss him, longer than he had ever done before. Head spinning, he took the next available chance he got to get a gasp of air and clung onto him with his remaining strength.

"You okay," Carter whispered softly, only getting a small nod from the other in response. A bit out of breath, he looked down at Hayzel, "Would you…go with me to Kiboun?"

"W-where," replied the other, shaking a bit from the previous intensity.

"It's a distant reigon…I'm going to help build up an old part of a town so they can use it for housing and restore the community."

Hayzel felt Carter's grip tighten a bit more. Not used to this side of him, he stood completely still. "Carter…I…I don't know…I've never been completely on my own before..."

"But you aren't on your own…you have me."

Blushing harder Hayzel slid his hands up the other's chest and delicately gripped his shoulders once more. "I'll…I'll go with you."

Backing up a bit, Carter beamed down at the blushing blond and kissed his forehead, "You have no idea how much that means to me."

Hayzel gave Carter shy smile and looked up into his face and carefully leaned up, hovering an inch from the other's face. Smiling, Carter leaned back on a bench and pulled Hayzel into another kiss.

Watching silently from a spot underneath a tree, a slowpoke watched as Carter wrapped his arms around the other. As the scene started to become slightly more intimate, it gave out a yawn and rolled onto its back.

 

[Hayzel]

Chapter 4

Hayzel sat quietly on the old lumpy couch in the center of his and Carter's new residence and watched as the other unpacked a box of their mixed belongings onto the kitchen table. "Umm, is there anything I can do to help," he asked nervously, not quite comfortable in their new abode.
"Heh, it's alright. You can just relax for a bit," the other replied, looking back to give his friend a warm smile. "You look a little nervous, you alright?"
Hayzel blushed a bit and turned his attention outside. "Ye-yeah. We are just so far from home. And…Holdharbor City seems like a really nice place…well the east side is…but over here those criminal gangs are everywhere. How are we supposed to help rebuild this area if all they are going to do is tear it back down?"
Carter chuckled and opened the last box and began to put the items away. "Heh, the way I see it's like this. The people here are tired of all the gangs so we have a large group of people already willing to help, plus their Pokemon. Heck, we probably out number them. Don't you remember how famous that kid was all those years ago that took down Team Rocket?"
"I wasn't born yet…but I heard about it."
"I know, but the point is they were still talking about when we were growing up. My point is that it was one kid against an entire gang full of criminals. We'll be fine here. We'll help rebuild the west side and restore the community here. You'll see," Carter said, beaming at Hayzel with his wild grin as he reached over to tussle his hair.
"Well…if you say so…," Hayzel sighed, as he stood up and went to collect his things from the kitchen table. "Well…I'm going to shower and go to bed I guess. Hayzel paused and looked to his left and right.
"Something wrong?"
"Ah..I…which room am I supposed to sleep in," the boy asked blushing. The room grew still as both of them took a moment to realize that they'd been sharing a bed for almost six months and had not slept more than a few feet apart for the entire time.
"Well…take the one on the right, it's closer to the bathroom. You won't have as far to walk when you get out."
"Ah…okay then."
Hayzel blushed and went to set his belongings in his new room then grabbed his towel and made his way towards the bathroom. Passing by Carter, he turned softly to look at his face, and for a moment saw a rare frown on his face. Noticing the other's glance he picked up his things and turned towards his room. "Well, I think I'll turn in. Night Hayzel."
"Ah…Night…," Hayzel breathed out. Shutting the door to the bathroom, he stripped down and turned on the water before taking a seat on the counter and sighing. "Didn't even kiss me goodnight…," he whispered to himself. A shade of red began to spread across his face as he realized what he had said aloud. Though the two had been becoming closer over the past several months, it was the first time he'd ever said anything like that aloud. Blushing intensely, he climbed into the shower and let the water run through his long golden hair. Closing his eyes, he began to rub his arms and let the water slide along his body, trying not to think about returning to an empty bed.
After cleaning himself off and rinsing his hair twice he dried himself off then wrapped the towel around his waist and walked out into the dark empty house. Turing to go into his room he paused, gripping the frame of the door and gingerly looking over his shoulder to the opposite room. His heart began to beat in his ears as he began to walk towards the other's dark room. He began to hold his breath, careful not to make any noise. Drawing close he could see Carter laying on his back. The moon cast a beam through the far window, accenting the other breathing softly and letting his bare chest rise and fall.
Yearning to be with the other Hayzel took another step forward, causing a board to creak. Losing his nerve, the boy turned back towards his room and tossed his towel onto the floor before climbing into his new bed and hugging a pillow tight. Dejected he closed eyes and let out a heavy sigh. As he laid there and tried to find sleep he felt the fabric of his sheets gently rise up behind him followed by something heavy lay down on the bed next to him. Before he could protest, Carter had turned him around and pulled Hayzel into an embrace. "Ah Carter…I'm not…ah…"
Even within the darkness you could tell Hayzel was blushing. Unable to move, he laid as still as possible as Carter pressed his warm body against the boy's own. "Ah..Carter…why are you…?"
Carter chuckled softly before giving Hayzel a loving kiss and draping a leg over the boy's thigh. "I wanted to make sure I gave you a good night kiss before you fell asleep."
Hayzel let out a sigh and snuggled in close to the Carter. He flushed more as the other's scent and touch began to overwhelm his senses. The same dizzying feeling came over him as he had felt the first time they'd shared a bed together, except this time it was much more pleasant than he remembered. "Will you…stay with me tonight…?"
"Heh, never intended on leaving your side Hayzel, you know better than that."
"And tomorrow too…" Hayzel whispered, nuzzling into the other's chest.
"Of course…"
"And…the next…"
"Forever." Carter smiled down at Hayzel and kissed the top of his head as the boy continued to nuzzled into his chest sheepishly.

 

[Hayzel]

Chapter 5

Humming softly, Hayzel made his way down the hospital corridor, waving kindly at the various doctors and nurses that littered the hallways. Finding his way to the last door, he stuck his hip out and pushed it open, careful not to bump his arm that lay limp in its sling or the Sableye clinging to his back. Fully inside the room, he was soon greeted by a small sea of eager kids and small Pokemon . "Hello, sorry we are late today! Sableye couldn't make up his mind as to which book he wanted to bring today."

Smiling down at the children, Hayzel waded through the group and sat down in the rocking chair and let Sableye crawl into his lap and hold open the book they had brought with them. Excited, the children sat on the rug at Hayzel's feet and smiled up at him, waiting for the boy to begin. "Today's story is about how Holdharbor Cit, by Spear S. Williams came to be." Sableye cheered and turned the page for Hayzel, then looked up , waiting to cling onto every word.

After all the children had settled down Hayzel began the story, Once upon a time there were two cities side by side called Romeo and Juliet. These two cities were constantly at war, using their Pokemon to fight each other for their own gain. One day, the son of the ruler of Juliet was wandering along the shore and stumbled upon a beautiful girl that had twisted her ankle in the sand. Being the gentlemen he was he helped her up and cared for her ankle until she was able to walk on her own. Once better the girl asked "Why would you help me? Do you not know who I am?" Without realizing it, the boy had helped the daughter of Romeo's ruler. Having become friends, the two had to make sure their friendship was a secret. They agreed to meet on the beach every other day. After a while their parents got suspicious and sent spies to follow them. Finding out what the two were up to they sent for the rulers of both cities who came with their strongest Pokemon. a great battle began between the two families and the two friends were separated. With the aid of their Pokemon, the boy and girl did however manage to escape. In an attempt to quell the fighting, the two friends went to the middle of their field and begged their fathers to stop the war, but before they could call off the final attack, the two ruler's Pokemon let out power attacks. When the haze of battle cleared, all that remained was a petrified statue of the two friends holding each other. Overcome with grief the two rulers quit their positions and the city became one, with the name of Holdharbor, for the two friends. The city united the, citizens promised that they'd never let the town become divided again. The End."

Hayzel closed the book and smiled softly at the children who all clapped softly. "I'm sorry. That was a bit of a sad story, but it had somewhat of a happy ending. I think you all should get back in your beds before Nurse Joy comes in here and scolds us." The children sighed and returned to their hospital beds , except for one of the little boys who stopped and tugged on his sleeve. "Hayzel, what happened to the the statue of the boy and girl?"

"Umm..well. If I'm not mistaken. A ship crashed into the harbor many years ago, and it fell into the ocean, that's why they built the old lighthouse. They named it the Promise Lighthouse in order to remind people of the promise they made cause the statue was no longer there to do it."

Satisfied with the answer he received, the boy returned to his bed. "Anymore questions before I leave?"

"Me," a little girl said softly as she hugged her Shroomish. "Didn't we break our promise? The town got divided again when those bad guys came."

Smiling softly, Hayzel looked out the window towards the western half of the city. "But those bad guys are gone now. Mr. Carter is making sure that everything will be restored properly and set right."

"So you and Mr. Carter are like the two friends from the story. Mr. Carter is trying to make the city all better while you make us all better."

Hayzel blushed softly and picked up Sableye off the chair and let the Pokemon hug around him. "Carter is the real hero. I only read stories and get in the way," the boy said softly, as he gestured to his arm.

"And just how did you get that broken arm? Hmm," chimed in a smooth voice from behind.

The children began to cheer as Carter stepped in from the door frame with both hands behind his back. "If I'm not mistaken some bad guys were bullying a Sableye and you stepped in to save him and got your arm hurt when you dived to protect it from a collapsing wall of one of the old buildings. That was pretty heroic right guys?"

The children all cheered in agreement as the man grinned down at an embarrassed Hayzel. "Now. while I was working today, I found a new friend to play with you guys, but you got to guess which hand it is in first."

Laughing the children pointed and shouted to his left. "Oh darn. I always choose my left hand huh. Alright, meet your new friend Swinub." Leaning over he laid the small sleepy Pokemon on a bed and watched as it snuggled up to one of the kids and fell asleep. "Now you kids make sure to keep it well fed and out of trouble. I have to take Hayzel home now."

Wrapping his arm around the other's waist, Carter exited the room with Hayzel, with a unison of bye in the background. "You're really sweet to come here to read to them every day."

"It gave me something to do when I had to stay here and Sableye gets along well with them. It's also something to do seeing as you won't let me help out anymore."

Carter laughed softly and held Hayzel tighter in his arm. "Your arm is still not healed and I don't think I could handle you getting hurt again."

"It was only my arm."

"It could have been your head or back…I don't want you to be hurt again, so please…promise me you'll stay away from the west side for awhile, just until we clear the area of the left over structural hazards. "

Exiting the hospital, the two continued down the street towards their home. "Fine, I promise."

Smiling Carter leaned down, as if to whisper something in the other's ear, only to give the other a discreet kiss on the cheek, causing Hayzel's cheeks to light up and match the red of the setting sun.

 

[Hayzel]

Chapter 6 (Some parts edited out due to content)

"I love you," Carter whispered, as he wrapped Hayzel into his arms. Tilting the boy's chin up, he stared into the other's blue eyes and gave him a warm smile. A gentle breeze brushed his bangs across his brow, as it crept in from the Lighthouse's open balcony doors. The light from moon struck the empty cider bottle lying on the outside table and danced across the younger man's bare legs as they rubbed into the other's.
It had been a magical evening. For two months Carter had worked secretly on restoring the old light house that sat at the end of the popular sight of Lover's Lane, a landmark of Holdharbor City. Just in time for Valentine's Day, he brought the other to their new home and surprised him with a fancy meal and the certificates certifying the two as gym leaders appointed by the city for their efforts in community service.
After some cider and Carter's subtle advances Hayzel found himself wearing the other's dress shirt, his pants strung across the floor, and his body limp in the older male's arms. "I love you," the other whispered once more, brushing his thumb across the boy's lips. In stunned silence, Hayzel could only muster the energy to slide his hands up and plant them flatly on the man's chest.
Carter kept repeating those words over and over since they fumbled their way to their bed. "I-I…Carter…" the boy breathed out. Shyly he leaned up and kissed the man, wrapping his good arm around the other's neck and rolling his body atop him. His face burned from blushing so much. As the two kissed, Carters slowly began to unbutton the shirt off of the boy, causing the other to let out soft suppressed as the man's knuckles slid against his chest then down to his stomach. "Say it Hayzel…"
"I can…I can take off my arm sling tonight….the doctor said it was okay," Hayzel squeaked out, letting Carter slide the strap to the medical prop off his shoulder. Gingerly he rolled back the sleeve of his shirt off the boy and kissed the shoulder that had been supporting the boy's arm sling for the past few months. Continuing down his arm with kisses, he intertwined his fingers' with the boy's and brought the back of the other's hand to his lips as he completed the length of the once broken arm. "I'm glad to hear that. I've missed sleeping next to you. But you know that's not what I meant."
"You could have slept beside me. You just were afraid of rolling over my arm. You worry too much about me."
--
Chuckling the man leaned down and began to kiss the other's neck, using a hand to rub against the other's side. "It fits doesn't it? Our first night in our new house, our first Valentine's Day as a couple, though I knew I loved you long before you even knew."
"Wh-what…" Hayzel moaned, pressing his body into the other's touch.
"Since we first started living together in Vermillion, I knew you were the one. Do you remember when you were really little, maybe ten or eleven," the man breathed softly as he began to caress the front of the other's boxers softly. "The Glitterhouse lost power and a swarm of Haunter began to chase you. You were crying when I found you, the sight of you crying, I couldn't bear it so I promised I would protect you no matter what. I found a flashlight and shined it to scare the Pokemon away, until the Ampharos found us and lead us to safety. You were so scared; you clung to my arm the entire time. We fell asleep upstairs until a policeman came and rescued us. Unfortunately, I was out too late and my mom grounded me to a farm and I never could find you after that. When our cabins on the boat got put together, I knew it was fate."
Hayzel blushed, the other's words reviving a long forgotten memory. "Carter…."
"Hmm." The man looked up and watched as the boy began to war with the tears streaming down his face. "Hayzel…"
"Do-don't look. I don't' want you to see," the boy blubbered softly.
Smiling, Carter leaned down and kissed Hayzel's tears, "I love you, more than anything."
"I-I love you too," the boy breathed out, wrapping his arms around the other, doing his best to hold back his tears.
After staring deep into the boy's eyes for a moment, Carter leaned down and pressed his lips against the other. Gasping softly, Hayzel began to clumsily kiss the other back as the man ran one hand down the boy's back and the other through his blond hair. Trembling, the boy raised his body into his lover's, craving more of his touch.
"Carter…I…."
------((lol took a lot out here))
Pulling the bed sheets over them both, Carter once more wrapped his arms around his lover and pulled him tightly into his arms. "Be with me forever…?"
Resting his head into the other's chest, Hayzel sighed softly and closed his eyes. "Always…"