This chapter gets a little angsty so bear with me.

This one shot was requested by

I hope you enjoy!

Red didn't know how it had come to this. If only he had realized sooner, maybe none of this would've ever happened. He was The Fighter, he never gave up, it was in his title. So why now, in the face of everything that had just happened, did the boy feel like he needed to surrender?

Red was sure that a Kadabra or a Hypno was somewhere, conducting these evil deeds under the orders of its foul trainer. Red was sure he could take them out too, but a lone person stood before Red, blocking his path.

Red shuddered at the dead look in the boys eyes, it was a look he had hoped he would never have to see on their face. His trademark hat and goggles fell to the ground as he pulled out his billiard cue. Red realised that he couldn't fight him.

"Hey Gold, buddy, it's me, Red." Red choked, stumbling forward. Gold stared back with his unwavering gaze, the cue dragging across the ground with a deafening rattle.

Red supposed this was all his fault. This was just karma for what he had done. His ignorance. His arrogance. His insecurity.

Being the champion doesn't solve everything.

Red thought back, wincing at his actions.

Gold had finally worked up the courage, to stop flirting and come out with the feelings he had for the champion. Red could remember it, burned to the back of his mind.

Gold had finally told him, but all Red could do was stand and stare, apprehension washing over him.

Happiness at first, this boy was the live of his life. He would do anything for him. But then, fear settled in as he thought about it more. He didn't deserve Gold. Gold was the breeder, a nurturer, he was bold and flirtatious, but at the same time he could be gentle and caring.

Red was the fighter, strong and foolhardy. He cared for his Pokemon of course, but none could ever live their Pokemon as much as Gold loved his.

The thought of not being able to match Gold's pure compassion scared Red. The thought of not being able to express how much he really cared. The thought of hurting Gold unintentionally through his inability to express the love he felt.

But Red supposed he ended up hurting him anyway.

All of these feelings burned at the back of his mind. What had screwed him over most of all though, was his utter ignorance. Red wasn't the smartest person in general, let alone when it came to love affairs.

For the most part he had felt no need. He pushed aside those small war feelings he felt around the other male. He didn't see them as necessary. Oh, how wrong he had been.

"Dude, what? No." Red had waved Gold off with a nervous chuckle. The horrified, painful expression that twisted onto Gold's featured flew back into Red's mind and he felt his stomach turn.

That look haunted him from that day on. Red was brought from his thoughts when the billiard cue struck his cheek with a sickening snap. The force jarring him sideways, his skin turning a screaming scarlet color. The sting was nothing compared to the hatred he felt for himself at the moment.

"Gold, I'm so so sorry." Red whimpered, his voice cracking under the pressure he felt.

He knew sorry wouldn't cut it, not after what he did. The image of Gold running off, arms furiously trying to wipe the tears from his eyes, pounded into Red's skull.

Red clutched his forehead and groaned, these images on top of the stinging pain threatened to topple him over. He couldn't fight back. Not against Gold.

But without fighting, what was Red? Everything Red had achieved, he had gained through some sort of victory. His title showed that, and Red couldn't think of anything else he could do.

Red gagged when the end of the pole came into contact with his get, sending him back a couple steps.

"I-I know sorry isn't even close to enough to cut it. I know this is all my fault." Red hacked, the pain overriding his senses, "But I want you to know that I didn't reject you because you weren't good enough. I did it because I'm weak. I was afraid of hurting you. Afraid of disappointing you. It's not your fault." Red continued looking deep into Gold's fixed gaze.

Gold's stone dead eyes faltered and Red saw tears pick at the edges. He felt his heart pinch and Red himself felt like he was about to cry. He didn't have to fight with fists. Or with Pokemon. He just needed to be strong.

Red stumbled forward, one hand reaching out to Gold, one hand placed on his stomach. Gold visibly flinched when Red's hand touched his shoulder.

Red slid his hand from Gold's shoulder up to his cheek, rubbing a thumb reassuringly across his face.

"You don't have to love me anymore. Just know that I've always loved you." Red whispered bringing Gold's head to rest on his chest.

The tears in Gold's eyes flowed freely now, his arms shakily wrapped around the older males torso.

Finally feeling the full force of his exhaustion, Red fell to his knees, bringing Gold down with him.

Gold looked up at Red, that dull look had faded and was replaced with a gaze full of love and concern. Red sighed with relief. The boy he knew was back.

He wiped away Gold's tears with his hand, looking back at Gold with the same expression, "Nice to have you back." Red smiled.

Gold chuckled, "Nice to know my charms can even sway the champion himself."

Gold teasing pulled Red's hat down over his eyes, and leaned in to leave a kiss on the boy's lips. Red smiled a warm smile that Gold had never seen on him before.

"I love you."