Chapter 2 : The Subtle Kiss.

The walk back to his house had been silent. Maybe it was the shock, but Misty felt like all the words had vanished from her mouth. She was still confused, and even though she knew what he had probably meant with his words, it was still something hard to believe. It was Ash, after all. There was too much confusion and shock in her mind for her to do or say anything else.

He hadn't made any attempt of a conversation either. In part because he didn't feel the need of saying anything else, and part because he really didn't know what else he could say. Her reaction had been only stare at him in shock, and he honestly had not expected anything else. However, now he was starting to wonder whether or not he had done the right decision saying it to her. He thought she might be shocked and even lost for words, but her absolute silence and her blank expression scared him more than any other thing. He opened the front door gesturing for her to come in. His mom and Pikachu had been out for the night, helping Professor Oak in some crazy research. Brock had also stayed in Pewter to spend some time with his family. 'Great, we're alone. Now that won't be totally awkward.' He thought, sarcastically. He turned towards the girl, trying to somehow establish a conversation, or at least break the ice.

''Huh, so... I'm gonna change. I'll be in my room if you need me.''

She finally snapped out of her trance, looking up to him. He looked nervous. That was only there she realized she, in fact, had not said a word since they left the lake. She cleared her throat, trying to find her voice again.

''I... huh... ok, thank you. I'll go to bed too.''

Ash smiled weakly at before turning to climb the stairs.

''Goodnight, Mist.''


The clock was already marking 2:40 in the morning. Ash turned on his bed for probably the tenth time in the last 30 minutes. The scenes for earlier that night and Misty's shocked reaction kept replaying in his head.

He had never been a romantic person; everyone near to him knew it. He was usually the dense and clueless boy that never got any hint about romance. Misty herself had accused him innumerous times of 'not having a single romantic bone on his body.' But something changed on him when once he realized he was in love with her. He, suddenly, cared. He cared about everything that made her happy. About her laugh, her smile, the way she used to get mad at him, everything about her. And he cared a lot. More than he actually should; and that scared him. But of course, he couldn't let her notice that. So he decided that hiding it would be the best option, and that maybe, if he ignored all those stupid feelings they would eventually go away. She was his best friend, for God's sake!

Of course, it didn't work. It took him some time until he could finally realize it was - love. And that was the moment when he realized this feeling would not go away. He wondered about telling her about it many times, especially when she had left for take care of the gym many years ago, but he couldn't do it. He remembered almost telling her, but stopping in the last minute. He had to make a move now. It had been too many time and he knew it was the perfect chance, but still, now that she had done nothing but stare at him, he wondered if it was the right thing or the right time to do it.

He sat on the bed, running his hands furiously through his hair, groaning loudly.

''That's it. I give up. There's absolutely no way I can sleep.''

He got up slowly, heading towards the kitchen. There was only one thing in this world that could take his mind off Misty - food.


The young girl opened her eyes, slowly focusing them in the beautiful view of the window. Adjusting the strands of red hair that stubbornly fell over her eyes, she sighed. Another night interrupted, and another dream about him. By now, she should be used to it. After all, it happened almost every night.

But this time, it was different. His words from earlier just couldn't get out of her head. The truth is she had never been more confused in her life. She was happy, confused, hopeful and scared; all together. This had to mean something. It was impossible it wasn't directed for her. But again - it was Ash. And Ash flirting, especially with her, was something she just didn't judge as possible.

''My head is going to explode. I know it will.''

Grabbing the silk robe that matched her nightgown, she silently opened the bedroom door, deciding that maybe a glass of water would help her to sleep.

He had his gaze fixed on the glass of water, spinning it absently.

''Ash, is it you?''

He jumped, almost dropping the cup in his hands. His heart raced as he recognized the voice.

''Misty?''

He turned around, to see the beautiful girl standing in front of him.

''It's past two in the morning, what are you doing here?''

The boy gave her a weak smile.

''Couldn't sleep. You?''

She took the seat next to him, answering awkwardly.

''Same.''

An awkward silence followed her words. They hate it. They could both feel the tension going on around the room, and they honestly hated it. After a few seconds Ash decided to make another attempt of a conversation.

''So...''

He turned his gaze towards her again. The girl returned the look.

''So...''

''We need to talk. I think we both realized that things had been terribly awkward between us since we returned from the lake. And I think we both know why.''

Misty looked at him nervously. Of course she knew. It was clear. Bu he was right, they did need to talk. And she needed to ask him.

''I know, I'm sorry. It's just... what you said to me... it seemed like you were... what did you mean?''

He gave the young girl another weak smile.

''What do you think I meant?''

''I...''

Again, she trailed off, unsure of what he was insinuating. 'Stop being so vague, dammit!' Since when he had become that clever and started to play games with his words?

They were awfully close to each other, their arms almost touching in the table. He stared at her. Her hair was falling perfectly over her face and on her back, her green eyes staring at him with doubt. The silk of the robe and the nightgown outlined her body perfectly. She did look more beautiful than ever to him.

That was the exactly moment when he finally lost it. Raising a hand to cup her cheek, he finally did the thing he had wanted to do for nearly seven years; joining their lips in a gently kiss.


So, thank you so much for the reviews! Well, you all said I should continue, so I did! (:

I had a little trouble with this chapter because I suddenly decided that I didn't like what I had written. I do like the first chapter a lot, so I find really hard to come up with chapters that can be as good as the first one. So, I decided to re-write it. I really, really hope come it came up as a good chapter. I tried really hard to make it a good one. I also might change the ranting to T, because of some implicit things that I might, or might not put in the next chapter. Not sure yet. So, you can all say what you think and give your opinion, it's really important to me. Thank you very much for reading, and for the reviews. :D