chapter 3

paul pov :

The first light filtered through the thin curtain, casting faint gold streaks across the cabin wall.

Paul was already awake.

He’d barely slept.

He didn’t need to. Not when he had what he wanted within arm’s reach.

From his top bunk, he lay on his side, motionless, watching the silhouette in the bed below.

Ash Ketchum.

Still sleeping on his stomach. Hair a messy crown of black spikes. Shirt bunched up just enough to show a sliver of his lower back.

> He always slept like that .

Recklessly open. Like he didn’t know he could be hurt.

Paul’s fingers twitched.

If I reached down right now, I could touch the back of his neck.

He didn’t. Not yet.

But he would. Sooner than Ash thought.

 .

.

When Paul sat up and climbed down the ladder, his boots hit the floor with a thud.

Ash stirred, groaning softly, rubbing his face.

Paul stretched. His shirt rose with the motion, exposing toned skin and muscle.

He caught the shift in Ash’s eyes when he looked up—and up.

Paul smirked.

“...When the hell did you get taller than me?” Ash muttered sleepily.

Paul didn’t answer at first.

He walked past him to the small mirror near the wash basin and splashed water on his face.

When he turned back, he let the silence hang.

Then, flatly:

“A lot can change in a year.”

> you have no idea how much .

 .

.

Ash got dressed quickly, tugging on a jacket over his hoodie.

Paul stood behind him, watching.

“I’m going to meet Dawn and Brock before breakfast,” Ash said, slipping on his gloves. “You coming?”

Paul stepped closer—just enough for Ash to feel it, not enough to call it out.

Ash glanced over, stiffening slightly.

Paul leaned a little more into his space, voice calm. “I don’t need anyone else.”

Ash looked puzzled. “What?”

Paul stepped back again. Just like that.

Ash frowned but said nothing.

> Keep him confused . Paul thought.

Keep him off balance. He’s easier to pull when he doesn’t know where he’s standing.

In hall .

.

They walked side by side down the trail. Ash had grown, too, but not like Paul had.

He was still slightly shorter. Still had that same bounce in his step, that spark in his eyes. Still greeted every other trainer they passed with a grin.

Paul didn’t.

He didn’t even look at them.

Ash was the only one who existed on this path.

Inside Paul’s Mind

You look exactly the same, Paul thought as he watched Ash laugh with Brock.

But you feel different.

Maybe it’s because I’ve changed. Or maybe I finally understand what this is.

It wasn’t just competition.

It wasn’t just admiration.

It was need. Craving. Heat.

The kind of hunger that didn’t stop with battles.

He imagined what Ash’s lips would feel like if they trembled.

What his throat would sound like when whispering his name.

How long it would take to make Ash stop fighting and just—

> Belong to me.

Later That Day

Paul volunteered for a training match demonstration—with Ash as his partner.

The camp lead, unaware of the undercurrent, smiled. “Perfect. Rivals turned partners. Let’s see it.”

Ash blinked, surprised. “You sure?”

Paul gave a faint nod.

Ash smiled, a little more relaxed.

“Alright then. Let’s give ’em a show.”

Paul watched the light in Ash’s face. How easily he trusted.

How easily he could break that trust, piece by piece, without ever lifting a finger.

He tightened his glove.

> let's see how close I can get to you before you even realise you're in a cage .

🖤 End of Chapter Three

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