The man stared wistfully out his office window, looking for some sign of hope. Prism Tower sparkled like it usually did in the warm Kalos sunlight. His old friend Clemont, the Gym Leader, had grown too busy with the new year's wave of Trainers to pay his pal a visit.

A long time ago, he wanted to be a Master, the greatest Trainer who'd ever lived. But after such a secret was revealed to him...he couldn't just grin and bear it. He had moved in with his birth father and before he knew it, he was his assistant. He blinked and his father was dead. It had been about two years since then, and he still didn't understand how to hold himself up.

So he drank. He'd found his father's old wine storage in the lab's basement, and he could clear a bottle in two nights.

His world was falling apart around him, and he knew it. He had to find something...

The phone rang. Blinking, having been pulled out of remembrance, he ran over to the computer-phone, glancing at the caller ID. Lo and behold, it was the Kanto Pokémon Research Lab. Why would they call him of all people...?

He picked up, placing the receiver on his ear.

As the screen flashed to life, his old friend and former rival stood there, dressed in a pristine white lab coat not unlike his own, a kind smile on his face. "Hey Ash. I heard things weren't going so well for you lately, so I wanted to call in and check."

He couldn't believe it. His lips trembled as tears welled up in his eyes. Finally, someone to talk to, someone he could trust forever.

"Th-thank you... Gary, you...you have no idea how much this means to me..."

The other Professor chuckled. "Of course. Anything for you, pal. You can tell me anything — I won't judge. Promise."

All the tension released itself from Ash's shoulders as he brought himself to speak. "...well...you see, I...after my father died, I...I wasn't ready to fill his shoes... I can hardly keep the bills paid and my son, he—"

"...you have a son?" Gary asked softly, perplexed in the most peaceful yet sorrowful way.

"He's not mine, I adopted him. It's just that...he doesn't trust me. I don't think he ever will..."

As he said that, Gary could see a little boy peek around a corner. He was short and scrawny, though clean and well dressed. His denim blue eyes were curious and soft, and his slate grey hair didn't look too much different from that of his adoptive father.

"...you sure he's not yours? He sure looks it to me. I mean...I'm not...offended or anything, I just...you don't have to lie to me," the older man stammered, struggling to get his words out.

"He's not mine," Ash repeated, choking back tears. "...but sometimes I wish he was..."

Gary looked him in the eye, determination radiating from his fierce green irises. "Okay, listen. Ash, I...I don't want this to ruin our friendship, but...I also called to tell you something else."

Ash looked up, his beautiful brown eyes bloodshot from crying so much. "I...I'm ready..."

Gary smiled kindly, his words as gentle as an angel's touch. "You're loved, Ash. I love you. If you ever need me, I'll be there in a heartbeat."

All the pent-up negativity Ash had left in his heart shattered right that very instant. Someone not only cared for him, but loved him. Truly loved him.

He put his hand on the screen, smiling behind his veil of tears. "...Gary...I...th-thank you..."

The little boy toddled over to his adoptive father, and tugged on his pant leg. Ash bent over, picking up the small child.

"...what is it, Xereno?"

"W-will I...will I have two dads?"

Ash blushed furiously, looking at Gary for authority. His former rival nodded, chuckling.

Xereno celebrated a little, only to fall quiet again out of confusion. "...w-wait... Then...when will he come home?"

Ash looked his lover in the eye, smiling gently. "Whenever he's free. Sometimes, he can come to us, and others, we can go to him."

The little boy cheered. Gary motioned to Ash, suggesting that he still had something to say; something to him alone.

Somewhat reluctantly, Ash put his adopted child back down. "Go wait for me outside. I'll be there in a moment," he whispered.

Xereno nodded, and toddled off as fast as he could to the enclosures. This was one of the first times lately that his father was truly happy...and he liked it that way.

"...what is it?" Ash asked.

"Remember...if you need me, don't wait, just call me. I'll answer, I promise. I'm here for you, even when the rest of the world is ready to give up on you."

"Thanks, Gary..."

"You're welcome," the brunette said gently. "And don't forget...I love you."

"I love you, too."

---

Ash's depression slowly began to fade. He had not one, but two reasons to be happy now. He was dating a man he had loved his whole life, and had a son.

Two months later, Xereno got to meet his soon-to-be second father in person. The two clicked almost immediately.

Eight months later, Professor Gary Oak married his one and only: Professor Ash Ketchum.

Though Xereno was teased a little at school for being different, he didn't love either of his dads any less. In fact, it made him love them even more.

As he grew older, as did his parents, they grew closer. They were a tight-knit family, even if they lived far apart.

Finally, Xereno turned fourteen. As much as he loved being his dads' assistant, he wanted to see the world — and neither of them were going to stop him. The boy traveled Kalos, then Kanto, and wrapped up his journey with Sinnoh and Alola. He loved it, and returned a changed man.

Not only was he four years the wiser, but he was able to tap into his artistic side, becoming a well-known fashion designer with a label sold all across the world. He returned with Ribbons from Contests, and was the first Kalos King of the Performers.

Meanwhile, Ash and Gary, though occasionally concerned about their son, knew that they could trust him, and when the time came for both of them to leave that world, that their son would choose his own destiny.