Hi, I know it's been 8 years since I've done anything, but life caught up. Jobs, family etc. Anyway, I've been watching a lot of Pokémon and this idea kind of popped into my head. I don't know if I'll finish my other stories but ill try. Hope you like it and stay safe during this pandemic. Sunset

Ritsu breathed a sigh of relief as he started up his DVD player. He had cleaning his apartment (FINALLY!), done some grocery shopping and finished the final page of editing on a new shoujo manga series that was to be released next month, which was sitting neatly in a folder waiting to be collected by his boss Masamune Takano. Ritsu hadn't seen Masamune for a week due to the many meetings he had to take with the head editors of the Emerald department at Marukawa Publishing.

It wasn't often that Ritsu had some time to himself without the stress of work or his boss over his head, so he had decided to spend the next four free days he had in a way that was very personal to him; watching Pokémon. He never told anyone that he loved Pokémon, not even Masamune when they were dating in high school. But now that he had these four days of freedom, Ritsu had decided to spend them enjoying the Sinnoh seasons of Pokémon, which was one of his favourite regions of the series.

He went into the kitchen to make some popcorn, humming to the tune that was playing from the main menu when he heard a knock on the door.

Must be Takano-san, he thought a he turned to the table to grab the folder before making his way to the door, remembering to mute the TV so Masamune wouldn't hear the tune. Ritsu did NOT want to give his boss another reason to tease him.

Sure enough, as Ritsu opened the door, there was Masamune, looking very tired and very annoyed. Although, when he saw Ritsu, he seemed to relax a little as if relieved that Ritsu was home.

"Hello Takano-san," Ritsu said politely. "Are you here for the new manuscript?"

"Yes, can I assume you weren't lazy and finished it properly?" Masamune asked sarcastically, with that stupid smirk Ritsu hated so much.

Ritsu bit his tongue, trying not to glare at his boss. He was NOT going to let Masamune ruin his free time by letting him bully him.

"Yes Takano-san," Ritsu answered with a straight face, keeping his voice calm and professional. "But if you're not satisfied with the work I have done, I'll be here to do it again."

Masamune nodded in acknowledgement before taking the folder from Ritsu and making his way to his apartment, which was next door. Once Masamune had gone inside, Ritsu breathed a sigh of relief as he shut the door.

Honestly, that man! He thought, rolling his eyes as he made his way to the kitchen. Maybe if he'd stop being a sarcastic jerk, it would be easier to admit to him that I never stopped loving him.

Ritsu sighed. Oh well, at least he's leaving me alone. Might as well make the most of it as long as I can.

After pulling the popcorn out of the microwave, Ritsu settled on the couch, unmuting the TV and pressing play before relaxing to enjoy Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.

After about seven and a half episodes in, there was a knock on the door. Ritsu sighed as he paused the DVD and made his way to the door. Peering through the peephole, Ritsu sighed again at the sight of Masamune standing there.

"Yes Takano-san?" Ritsu asked through the door, not trusting his boss. He really didn't want to deal with Masamune now, not while he was feeling relaxed.

"Open the door, Onodera," Masamune said. "I want to talk to you."

"Is it about my work?"

"No."

"Then do I have to?"

"If you don't let me in, I'll let myself in. I have a key, remember?"

Feeling Masamune smirking at him through the door, Ritsu mentally kicked himself. He regretted giving his boss his spare key, but it was to make sure that if Ritsu wasn't home, but he had completed manuscripts on his table, Masamune could collect them.

"Okay, fine," Ritsu sighed before opening the door. "What is it, Takano-san, if it's not my work?"

"I heard noises," Masamune answered. "What are you doing?"

"I don't believe it's any of your business," Ritsu answered. "But if you must know, I'm watching one of my favourite TV series."

"What is it?"

"I'd rather not say," Ritsu answered quickly, feeling his cheeks getting hot. Why did he blush so easily around Masamune?

"Oh," Masamune smirked. "Is it dirty?"

Ritsu gave him a disgusted look.

"No," he snapped. "You might think it's a bit childish and ridiculous for a grown man to be watching it."

Masamune's eyebrows raised in interest. "What is it? Tell me."

Ritsu sighed. It was obvious that Masamune wasn't going to leave him alone.

"I'm watching Pokémon," Ritsu answered before bracing himself for teasing.

Masamune smiled softly. "I love Pokémon."

"You do?" Ritsu asked surprised. Although, why should he be surprised? The man worked with shoujo manga surround by pink walls and plush toys. It shouldn't be surprising that Masamune Takano would like something adorable like Pokémon.

"Yeah," Masamune answered. "I watched it a lot in collage. Kind of my guilty pleasure when everyone else was out partying."

Ritsu felt a pan of jealousy shoot through him. Did he watch Pokémon with Yokozawa?

Masamune gave him a funny look.

"No, I watched it alone," Masamune said in a tone that sounded reassuring before smirking. "Were you feeling jealous?"

"No," Ritsu answered quickly.

"Liar," Masamune smiled. "What series are you watching?"

"Diamond and Pearl."

"My favourite."

"Would you like to join me?" Ritsu asked, surprising himself.

I'm sorry, what?! A voice in his head said. I thought we were spending this time by ourselves. You know AWAY from the annoying boss that can't keep his hands off us?!

Really?" Masamune asked, his face lighting up with hope.

"But," Ritsu warned. "You do anything funny and I'll kick you out."

"Okay," Masamune agreed, looking like a kid in a sweet shop.

Ritsu stepped to the side to let Masamune pass before shutting the door and going into the kitchen while Masamune removed his shoes.

"Can I get you anything?" Ritsu asked from the kitchen as he started to pull out trays and glasses.

"I'll have whatever you're having," Masamune answered as he removed his coat and sat on the couch. "Are you far though the series?"

"Just seven and a half episodes in," Ritsu answered as he started to pull out soft drinks and snacks. "Why don't you restart everything from the beginning?"

"Are you sure?" Masamune asked.

"Yeah," Ritsu answered as he started making sandwiches and pulling out sweet treats to put on the trays. "I'll make us snacks and you watch until you've caught up to where I am in the series."

"Oh, so you can cook?" Masamune teased as he restarted the DVD.

"Ha," Ritsu said sarcastically as he brought over drinks before heading back for the food.

Masamune smiled and started to watch the TV quietly, occasionally looking at Ritsu as he placed sandwiches, popcorn, drinks and other snacks on the coffee table in front of them before sitting down at the opposite end of the couch.

"I've always disliked the character Paul," Masamune stated as he reached for his glass and a sandwich.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, he seems very selfish, obsessing about being the best trainer and finding strong Pokémon without even trying to train or make friends. And even when he does train, there's no rewards or kindness in his methods. He doesn't even thank his Pokémon for their hard work."

"Kind of sounds like you," Ritsu admitted, although he regretted saying that when he saw Masamune's face fell.

"You think I'm like Paul?" Masamune asked quietly.

"Well," Ritsu started, trying to think of the best way to say what he was about to say carefully before deciding to be honest.

"At work, you demand perfection and you tend to yell a lot when thinks are slowing down around deadlines. And throwing books, rulers or whatever is currently in your hands, plus surprising me with information I didn't know at the time which tends to put me in awkward situations with the authors doesn't help either."

Masamune watched quietly as Ritsu picked up a glass and started rubbing his thumb against it stiffly, as if afraid that Masamune would start yelling or leave the room angry.

"When I started," Masamune said as he fiddled with his empty glass. "I was a bit quieter and would talk to the authors in a gentle tone. Some of the authors appreciated it and worked hard. But some decided to be lazy and walk all over me. It got so incredibly frustrating when deadlines started to pass, and the stress levels were high. So, I started to act more like a tyrant, which got better results. Also got me a reputation to live up to."

Masamune looked at Ritsu with a sad look on his face.

"But you do realise I'm not always like that, right?" Masamune asked hopefully.

Ritsu stared at the ground, trying to hide his red face.

"Yes," Ritsu smiled softly. "You are very sweet and a little shy. You also push me to be better and I appreciate that."

Masamune smiled, his heart filling with joy at Ritsu's words.

"Okay, let's enjoy this."

The two men sat quietly together as the episodes continued to run.

"Sit closer to me," Masamune said quietly.

"Huh?"

"Sit closer to me," Masamune said, holding his arms opening. "Please?"

Ritsu blinked before moving closer into Masamune's opened arms. Surprised that Ritsu obeyed, but overjoyed Masamune closed his arms around Ritsu.

"The "kicking out for funny business" option still stands," Ritsu warned.

"I haven't forgotten."

Again, the two men sat in comfortable silence until they reached the episode Ritsu was in the middle of. Ritsu and Masamune smiled as they watched Buneary act shy around Pikachu.

"Buneary reminds me of you," Masamune smiled.

"How am I like Buneary?" Ritsu frowned as he turned slightly to look at Masamune's face.

"High school you," Masamune chuckled. "Really shy, cute, always blushing and hiding yourself when embarrassed. You're still a little like Buneary; you're even have an ice beam when you glare."

Ritsu blushed as he stared back at the tv.

"Who's your favourite?" he asked.

"Huh?"

"Pokémon. Who's your favourite Pokémon?"

"In general, or in the Diamond and Pearl series?"

"Diamond and Pearl," Ritsu answered quickly. "It's impossible to have more than one favourite Pokémon and if we pick "in general", we'll be here all day."

Masamune thought for a moment.

"Well, I'm definitely going to add Buneary to my list of favourites," Masamune decided.

Ritsu rolled his eyes but he couldn't stop the small smile crossing his face.

"But I love Glameow and Chimchar."

"You do love cats," Ritsu smiled. "Why Chimchar?"

"Ash's Chimchar specifically," Masamune confirmed. "When I watched Diamond and Pearl the first time, I felt so angry how Paul treated Chimchar, but I was so relieved when Ash made Chimchar his Pokémon. Couldn't help but wish someone would rescue me from my parents and their neglectful behaviour."

"Me too," Ritsu agreed. "I cried the first episode of Battle Dimension when Chimchar hugged Ash sobbing."

Then Ritsu went quiet, realising what Masamune had just said.

"I'm sorry your parents were so careless with you," Ritsu said quietly.

Takano smiled before stroking Ritsu's hair, causing him to blush again.

"It's okay. Let's keep watching."

Ritsu and Masamune continued to watch again in comfortable silence before Masamune spoke up.

"Sorry, I forgot to ask. Who's your favourite Pokémon from Sinnoh?"

"Piplup, Buneary and Croagunk," Ritsu answered without hesitation.

"How come?"

"I like rabbits, Piplup has an adorable attitude and Croagunk is very reliable to have around."

Masamune gave Ritsu a funny look. "Piplup has an attitude similar to a prideful three-year-old who believe they can do anything."

"I know," Ritsu smiled. "Reminds me of my cousin's kid."

"Hmph," Masamune snorted. "Why Croagunk?"

"That's why." Ritsu pointed to the screen on time to see Croagunk do a poison jab on Brock as he tried to flirt with another girl. Masamune and Ritsu laughed as Croagunk pulled Brock away chuckling.

"Makes sense, that would be handy to have when dealing with the financial team. You like rabbits?" Masamune sounded surprised.

"Yeah," Ritsu said. "I never had pets growing up and when I was younger, I used to play at friends' houses. One of them had a white toy rabbit with floppy ears. I loved that toy so much I played with it every time I went over. But then they moved so I lost a good friend and the toy."

"What was their name?" Masamune asked.

"I don't remember," Ritsu answered. "I was four."

Masamune nodded.

The rest of the day was filled with small talk, Pokémon, laughter and a few tears. When dinnertime rolled around, Masamune ordered pizza and spent the night and the rest of Ritsu's free days with Ritsu, only leaving to shower and clean his teeth. Soon the days were over with work the next day, just as the last episode played. After helping Ritsu clean up the dishes, Masamune put on his coat and shoes.

"Thank you Ritsu for including me in this," Masamune said with a sincere smile. "I really enjoyed spending time with you."

"I did too," Ritsu said shyly.

Masamune turned and was about to open the door when Ritsu called out.

"Masamune, wait!"

Masamune turned, surprised to hear Ritsu call him by his first name rather than "Takano-san" like he always did.

"Um," Ritsu said, looking at the floor. "Maybe next time we have some free time without any work, we could do this again with the other Pokémon series?"

Masamune's face lit up before going over to Ritsu to give him a soft kiss, causing Ritsu's face to turn bright red.

"I'd love that very much," Masamune smiled before he turned and left, leaving Ritsu alone with his thoughts.

The next day, when Masamune arrived into work, he was surprised to see Ritsu already there and working hard.

"Hey boss," Kisa called cheerfully. "Something has arrived for you and it's on your desk."

Masamune looked at his desktop see a little brown toy on it. Eyebrows raised, he picked up the toy to get a better look and was pleasantly surprised to see that is was a little Buneary toy holding a note.

Thank you for the wonderful four days and the talks. I'm glad I got to know you a little better. I can't wait for the next peaceful Pokémon date. I love you.

Masamune's eyes widen in joy before looking at Ritsu, who was still working hard but had a small smile on his face.

"You okay, boss?" Kisa asked. "What's with the weird toy?"

Masamune glared at Kisa, causing him to shrink in fear and Ritsu to bite his bottom lip to stop from laughing.

"It's not a weird toy," he snapped. "It's the most special gift I've ever received."

As he gave the Buneary a big hug, Ritsu's smile grew. It was going to be a good day.

There it is. Sorry if the ending isn't very good. Like I said, kind of starting again. Thanks