A/N: Pikachu Fan Number Nine from the SPPf Shippers' Truth or Dare Thread dared me to write a PokeShipping drabble where Ash injures his back and Misty is his caretaker. This is short, but I like it a lot. :)
"I'm telling you, Ash," Misty said sternly as she applied a cold compress to her husband's back, "you can't carry Pikachu on your shoulders all morning and then throw Safari Balls at the Safari Zone all afternoon."
"Yeah, Misty, I guess you're right," Ash grumbled. He was lying stomach-down on the bed he and Misty shared, his back aching from its muscle strain despite the welcoming cold from the compress.
"Don't go right back to doing it once you get better, okay honey?" Misty asked, brushing Ash's gray, thinning hair and kissing him on the cheek. "You wouldn't want to get injured again."
"I can do what I want," Ash muttered. "I miss the old days."
"I do too," Misty sighed. "I miss the times where I could walk ten miles a day and keep up with my Pokemon at the pool. But we're getting old, Ash. We've got to take care of ourselves."
"I can take care of myself while still going to the Safari Zone every day," Ash insisted. He buried his face in the pillow. "Let me rest, will you, dear? I want my back to get better sooner."
Misty sighed and tugged at Ash's ear gently. A small smile played at the corner of her lips. Even after all these years, she still loved pulling people's ears.
"I want you to promise that from now on you won't do what you did today," Misty said.
"No way!" Ash exclaimed, trying to flip over but flopping back down in pain. "Ow…"
Misty sighed again, feeling slightly exasperated but mostly sad for her husband, who never lost any of his spunky personality. "Ash, you need to calm down a little," she said matter-of-factly, putting on the cold compress again. Her voice softened. "And I'm just being honest here, dear. You can still spend time in the Safari Zone. Just not for so long."
"But I want to spend all day in the Safari Zone," Ash pouted. "I swear I'll be careful!"
Misty pursed her lips. This wasn't the first time Ash had injured himself doing what he loved to do best, and it wasn't the first time he swore he'd be careful next time either. Misty only wanted the best for Ash. She loved him, and she wanted to make sure that he was safe, but she wasn't sure how to tell Ash that acting like a ten-year-old was a thing of the past. Misty and Ash had been happily married for decades, but it seemed that old age was straining their relationship somewhat.
I hope I can find a solution to all this, Misty thought as she sat down on the edge of the bed. She decided not to push the subject of self-care as she smiled down at the man she loved more than anything else in the world.
"I'm sure you'll do the right thing," Misty said finally after a few moments of silence. "I love you, Ash."
Ash smiled back at Misty. "Thanks for taking care of me," he said gratefully. "I love you too."
Misty felt warmth spreading throughout her chest, feeling happy with the knowledge that even though she and Ash argued sometimes, they loved each other in the end.
-END-