Hello, everyone! So, as most of you know, I usually write Pokeshipping stories about Ash and Misty as a married couple with children. Future fics are my favorite. This one, however, is NOT a future fic! Hopefully all of you current fans will still enjoy it, though :3

OBLIGATORY DISCLAIMER: I don't own Pokemon, or any of their characters. I'm just a college student with no job. What's up.

AGES:

Ash: 18

Misty: 18

Chapter One: Birthday Surprise

Misty yawned as she stretched out her long, slender arms and legs. Not bothering to sit up yet, Misty glanced out her window, where the outside world was being illuminated by the early July sunlight. The past few days in Cerulean City had been blazingly hot. Misty loved summer weather, but even these temperatures had been a little too hot for her. Most of her week had been spent retreating to the indoors.

Rolling closer to the wall, Misty laid a hand on the window's glass, which was already heating up.

"Hot again," Misty murmured to herself. She'd been lonely lately; her sisters were rarely home anymore. Daisy and Tracey had their own home now, as did Violet and her husband. The only one who was still around on occasion was Lily, but now she was newly married and looking for a new house. Misty hoped they would at least visit her on a day like today.

Whining softly, Misty rolled away from the window and found herself face to face with the plush Pikachu that stood guard on her bed all day. Smiling, Misty grabbed the toy and hugged it close to her chest, burying her face into the top of its head. The stuffed Pokémon was beginning to lose its special scent. Misty knew that she was going to have to fix that somehow.

As Misty lazed around, enjoying the warmth of her bed, the ringing of the doorbell gave her a nasty little shock. Jumping up with a slight shriek, Misty looked down miserably at the plush Pikachu, giving it one last hug before placing it down on the bed and sliding out of the covers.

Trudging down the stairs, Misty continued to yawn and rub her eyes. She just couldn't shake the sleep from her system. Meanwhile, the bell was ringing incessantly, greatly annoying Misty at this point.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" She grumbled to herself. Misty was perturbed enough now that she had decided to take out her wrath on whoever was at the door. It certainly couldn't have been important enough to interrupt her lounging session!

Misty finally reached the door and pulled at the handle, making sure to plaster an unused expression on her face with a hand planted firmly on her hip. Surely that would sell the "I'm unhappy and I'm going to let you know it" image she was going for. When she saw who was standing at the door, however, she didn't feel so angry anymore.

"A…Ash?"

Misty's dark green eyes grew wide at the sight of her tall, handsome boyfriend, his chocolate brown eyes sparkling in the sunlight while being complimented by a giant smile and messy raven locks. Pikachu, as always, was perched on his broad shoulder. Upon seeing Misty, though, Pikachu knew what to expect and jumped off of his roost for his own safety.

"There's my girl," Ash sighed airily. He held his arms out and lifted her off the ground, rocking the red head back and forth for a few seconds before lowering her and pressing a kiss against the gym leader's ivory forehead. "I missed you so much."

"Me too," Misty murmured against his chest. As she breathed in his scent, something came to mind, causing the water type trainer to gasp softly and pull her head away from Ash.

"Everything okay?" Ash asked curiously.

"Just fine," Misty nodded. "Wait here for a second." She tore away from Ash and up the stairs, confusing the young man even further. Misty, however, was on a mission. Nothing was going to stop her, not even her often absent and extraordinarily attractive boyfriend.

Hustling into her room, Misty locked her eyes on the toppled over stuffed Pikachu and grinned victoriously. She moved closer to the bed and snatched the toy before racing back down the stairs and throwing it at the still perplexed Ash.

"Rub that against you," Misty ordered.

"Uh…why?" Ash flipped the stuffed Pokémon back and forth in his hands.

"Because it doesn't smell like you anymore," Misty pouted. "Now, do what I said." Ash chuckled and rolled his eyes, but obliged to his girlfriend's demands. He never was one to say no to her anyway. "You and Pikachu can come inside, you know."

Ash shot Misty a beautiful, heart stopping grin and entered the house, his electric mouse following closely behind.

"Pikachupi!" Pikachu squealed, darting up to Misty and jumping into her arms.

"Hi there Pikachu!" Misty giggled, hugging the little yellow Pokémon close. "I think I've missed you even more than Ash!"

"Hey," Ash frowned, lowering the toy that was made in Pikachu's likeness.

"I'm just kidding," Misty smirked at Ash, "I missed you both equally."

"Gee, great," Ash snorted. Misty's light giggles made his smile return in full force, however. He could never be upset around her either. "Mind if I sit?" Ash motioned towards the couch. "I'm a little tired."

"Not at all," Misty stroked behind Pikachu's ears as he cha'd happily, "I'd like to sit on the couch with you, actually." She gave Ash a knowing glance, which he heartily returned.

"Pika pika," Pikachu sighed, rolling his beady little eyes.

"Pikachu, do you want to go play with Marill?" Misty asked as she pressed her nose against Pikachu's. The electric mouse beamed and quickly nodded his head. Marill was one of his best friends; he always loved to see her. "Great! I think she's in the kitchen."

"Pika!" Pikachu squeaked, flying out of Misty's slender arms and onto the ground.

"You just wanted us to be alone," Ash arched an eyebrow as Misty approached him, a sneaky smile set squarely on her face.

"Maybe," Misty giggled again as she settled down next to Ash, "but is that so wrong?"

"No," Ash whispered, using one of his hands to lift Misty's head up. He allowed his fingers to linger underneath her chin before leaning forward to press a sweet kiss against her lips. Misty hummed contentedly and kissed back, soon deepening the kiss.

"What brings you here?" Misty breathed as Ash moved his lips to her ear, kissing and nipping at the sensitive skin.

"You don't know?" Ash whispered into the ear, stroking the other one with his free hand. Misty let out a shuttered breath and shook her head. Perhaps she would've been able to think better if Ash wasn't assaulting her with his sugary, romantic actions. "Come on, you have to know."

"I don't," Misty was able to reply as she pulled Ash's face away from her. She stared into those dark brown eyes and instantly lost all of her composure just as quickly as she'd regained it. Knowing she was incapacitated, Ash went for her lips again, this time slipping his tongue into her mouth.

The kiss lasted until the need for air arose, at which point the couple broke apart in order to gasp heavily to try and refill their lungs. Ash recovered more quickly than Misty and pulled her head down onto his shoulder, gently resting his chin on her temple.

"Happy birthday," Ash sighed, bringing the stuffed Pikachu back onto his lap as he hugged it close.

"Oh…that's why you came," Misty smiled as she reached the realization. "That makes sense then."

"Do you want your present?" Ash asked, causing Misty to pull herself off of him and press her hands into the couch.

"Not yet," Misty replied quietly, "I just want to look at you for a minute."

"Okay," Ash shrugged, keeping a firm grip on the toy he had given to Misty not so long ago. It was right before he'd left the last time, actually.

Misty, meanwhile, was still busy studying her boyfriend. She hadn't seen him for nearly five months, and whenever that happened, she had to make sure nothing about him had changed. Personality wise, it never did. Physically, however, he seemed like a different person every time.

Always taller, always more handsome. Somehow, his hair always seemed messier as well. On this particular day, his skin looked even more tan and glowing than usual.

"Why are you so tan?" Misty tilted her head curiously.

"It's summer," Ash answered with a little grin, "and I spend a lot of time outdoors. Why aren't you tan?"

"I don't tan, I burn," Misty narrowed her eyes as she scrutinized her milky white skin. It was a sad but true fact.

"It's okay," Ash assured, "I like you light like that. It makes you look like one of those dolls."

"Flattery will get you nowhere," Misty huffed as she tried to cover her glowing red cheeks.

"You're blushing," Ash commented sneakily.

"Shut up," Misty grumbled as she pulled her knees up to her chest. Looking up at his head, Misty continued, "Do you ever brush your hair?"

"Like once a week," Ash shrugged.

"Good, at least that hasn't changed," Misty rolled her eyes playfully. Ash scoffed and adjusted the cap on his head.

"Who needs a brush when you can wear a hat?"

"You can't wear that dumb thing forever," Misty teased as she pulled it over his twinkling eyes.

"Just watch me," Ash snickered as he pulled it back up. Looking Misty up and down, he inquired, "Now, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, why not," Misty sighed, leaning against the back of the couch.

"What's up with the outfit?"

Misty's face went blank as she looked down at her body. She was wearing nothing but a sea green camisole with blue and green plaid shorts that were a length barely appropriate for even the indoors.

"These are my pajamas," Misty grumbled, "you interrupted my sleep." Okay, so she hadn't been sleeping. She was just being lazy. But she wanted Ash to feel guilty, damnit. It was her birthday after all.

"I'm sorry," Ash frowned, his voice sounding absolutely genuine. "Do you want to go back to sleep? I can leave for a little…"

"No!" Misty interrupted much too quickly. Ash simply blinked at her, and Misty threw him a lovely, reassuring smile. "I've gotten enough rest. I'm awake now. Promise."

"Well in that case," Ash's lips bent back into a smile, "do you want your present now?"

"You didn't have to get me a present," Misty grinned sheepishly at the overly giddy Ash.

"Of course I did," Ash scoffed. "You're my girlfriend! Besides, you're turning 18 today. That's a pretty big deal."

"Well, in that case…" Misty's eyes shifted from the wall back to Ash, her face glowing with joy. "I'd love to see what you got me!"

"Ah, there's the Misty I know!" Ash chuckled. He reached to his belt and unclipped something, holding it tightly in the palm of his hand. "Sorry it's not wrapped or anything."

"I don't mind," Misty assured, "really."

"I hope you like it," Ash murmured worriedly. Smiling at her once again, he instructed her to, "Hold out your hand."

Misty nodded and did as she was told. In the palm of her hand, Ash dropped a poke ball, shrunk down to its smallest size.

"F…for me?" Misty whispered.

"Of course it's for you!" Ash laughed, before quickly growing somber. "Oh wait…maybe we should do this in the gym."

"Why?" Misty furrowed her brow.

"Uh…just because it's better," Ash shrugged as he stood up, "come on now."

"Sure, can I just change into something a little more appropriate first?" Misty got to her feet and tugged at her very short shorts.

"I don't know, I kind of like those on you," Ash murmured, his voice lowering to become husky and seductive.

"Yeah, definitely changing," Misty grinned as she handed the poke ball back to a disappointed Ash. "Wait for me."

Ash couldn't help but to smile as Misty started to walk away. Her perfectly shaped body, the fiery red hair that had grown well below her shoulders. She looked like a supermodel, and it stunned Ash that Misty couldn't see it.

"Wait!"

Ash's head snapped up as Misty hurried back over to him. Reclaiming the stuffed Pikachu off the couch, Misty brought it to her face and sniffed the soft toy. Beaming, she nodded and affirmed, "Yes. It's perfect again!"

And with that, she turned on a heel and headed for the stairs, leaving behind a highly amused Ash.

And that's the first chapter of Love Stings! As it says in the description, this will be a three shot :)

So, any guesses as to what Ash's birthday present for Misty is? Leave your guess in a review! Please? Pretty please? :)

The more reviews I get, the quicker I'll get the second chapter up ;) That is, if you all enjoyed it. Please tell me that you did! I like trying out different kinds of stories that I might not usually write, so I'd love to hear some opinions on my non future fic ^^