Thank you all so much for your prompt and positive comments! I'm still figuring out the site, so I apologize if I've made any mistakes so far. Your reviews have shown up for me but don't appear on the story (I turned moderation off), so I'm not sure what that's about… Please feel free to send me PMs about the story, your own writing, or anything!
I wanted to ask you, dear reader, about a few specific things. How do you feel about more mature content? I don't plan on any hardcore sex scenes or anything, but are we okay with a more PG-13 vibe so long as it still feels in character? How do you feel about the universe? With any amourshipping story, we're working towards a confession of some sort. Will it throw you off if we deviate from the exact timeline as detailed in the anime?
I'd love to hear from you so that I can tailor the story to my audience. This is, of course, written all for you.
"Serena, I'm glad you finally told me the truth." Ash admitted. His ungloved hand was entwined with hers as they sat on the balcony outside her room at the inn. "I know I should have said something sooner, so I'll just tell you now. I feel the same way."
"You do?" Her heart leapt almost out of her chest. She could feel tears joy and relief welling up, which manifested as a sparkle in the cerulean eyes Ash was gazing into so intently.
Ash nodded. "I do. You amaze me. And no matter what you think, you lend me strength."
"Dammit, I'm not supposed to be crying." She wiped her eyes and laughed at the silliness of it. "I've just waited so long to hear you say something like this."
"I don't want to say anything else," he crooned, leaning in and bringing his lips to hers.
"CHESPIN, CHES!"
"Ah!" Serena rolled out of her bed in confusion and clambered to her feet. She brushed the unruly honey colored hair from her face and glared at Chespin, who had backed her poor Sylveon into a corner.
"What the hell are you doing in here?" Serena demanded. Chespin blushed at Sylveon then turned toward Serena and hung his head. "Chespin…"
Serena lifted him and scooted him out the door. "It's too early for this nonsense for me and Sylveon. Plus, Pancham is going to get all riled up, and you two will not have a fight in my room! Go find Clemont."
She closed the door abruptly, though she could still hear the small Pokémon muttering from the other side. Serena went over to Sylveon and stroked her fur for a minute. "Talk about a rude awakening, huh?"
She looked over to the other bed to see that Bonnie, Dedenne, and Squishy's sleeps remained unperturbed. The three were huddled in a small mass, and all three were snoring softly. Serena smiled to herself, then sat on the edge of her bed. She considered going back to sleep – it was only seven in the morning – but then thought better of it and decided to make Poképuffs in the kitchen at the end of the hall.
Serena brushed her teeth and hair but elected to stay in her nightgown. It was a modest pink slip that wasn't exactly made for public, but since she and her friends were the only ones on this floor, she felt comfortable tiptoeing barefoot to the kitchen with Braixen in tow.
"Braixen, will you get mixing bowls out?" The fox Pokémon beamed and began gathering supplies while Serena turned to the oven to preheat it. She gathered the ingredients she needed and set them on the counter.
"Braixen, Braix!" Braixen indicated her stick, nestled safely in her tail fur. Twigs were a favorite of hers for topping Poképuffs.
"Yes, but we have to keep our voices down."
"Xen."
Serena scooted back down the hall to her room. She gathered her decorating supplies from her bag and moved to leave when she heard Bonnie murmur, "Where are you going?"
The Pokémon Performer kneeled by her friend's bed and ran her fingers over Bonnie's bright blonde hair. "Go back to sleep, kiddo. When you wake up, I'll have a surprise for everyone."
Bonnie muttered something about "being a keeper" and fell back asleep. Serena scurried back to the kitchen, where Braixen had already finished the prep work.
"Oh, Braixen, thank you!" She dipped a thin finger in the largest bowl and tasted the mix. "Wow, these are going to come out so fluffy. I hope we can stop everyone from eating them before breakfast."
They laughed, and Braixen threw her arms around Serena's waist. She loved all her Pokémon, of course, but the two of them shared a unique bond. They had started this journey together, neither knowing where it would lead. And as she caught a glimpse of the red bow on Braixen's stick, Serena remembered the promise they'd made to win the Masterclass. They had failed this time, but she knew that her team was determined to make their dream come true sooner or later. Ash and Pikachu had never been the only hard workers in the group.
Serena and Braixen worked in tandem, baking and decorating the treats in a display that would win any themed contest. Even when they weren't performing, they moved as one with grace and precision. It had simply become second nature for them. Serena wondered from time to time if it was how Ash felt with Pikachu or Greninja during a battle.
"Good morning," came a polite but calm voice. Clemont stumbled into the kitchen in his pajamas, which in truth looked remarkably similar to his jumpsuit. Serena cleared off part of the counter, and he instinctively began choosing his own cookware and utensils. The two of them had a routine of their own. Baking was a passion of hers, but Clemont would always be the best cook among the group. They often shared a prep station, especially when they stayed in places like this, and they have developed a dance of only slightly less refinement than the one she shared with Braixen.
"Morning, Clemont."
"Those Poképuffs smell amazing. I'm sure everyone will be happy to dig into them."
"Thanks." She smiled genuinely and began tucking the treats into a basket.
"I have to admit, I wish there were Poképuffs that were suited to humans." The others trudged in as he made the remark, offering only small greetings as they sat at the table. Serena gave a wink to Bonnie. "It's funny that you say that Clemont, because I thought we'd encounter a situation precisely like this. Serena gear on!"
Everyone perked up at the parody playing out before them. Serena reached her hand into the basked of Poképuffs and pulled a single one from it. The indulgent little snack was blue with a goldenrod lightning bolt piped on top. She offered to the sleepy inventor, and he took it excitedly. "I call them human-puffs."
Clemont wolfed down the baked good in record time and beamed at her. "Wow! Poképuffs are so amazing." They all giggled hysterically, Serena's act providing energy to the tired gang. "I'm glad you like them, Clemont. And don't worry, there's some for everyone." She and Braixen distributed the treats among Pokémon and humans alike. Serena stopped at Chespin and glared, but then she softened and revealed two green and brown Poképuffs. He stuffed both in his mouth immediately and grinned at her.
Serena held her last Poképuff in her hand and passed it gingerly to Ash. It was styled after his hat, red with a white arc. She blushed slightly thinking about how she'd worn his clothes recently while pretending to be him. The recurring thought always gave her mixed emotions and fantasies that she pushed to the back of her mind. She remembered suddenly the clothing she was wearing now and gasped. The silk slip hugged her slight frame, and she imagined Ash's fingers running over it and coming to rest on her hips. His voice brought her mind back to reality.
"You made this for me?" He studied the treat admiringly, though she could have sworn he was also stealing glances at her.
"O-of course! It's just like your hat, see?" She lifted the hat from the kitchen table and placed it on her head. She cocked her head slightly and smirked. Ash gave a small blush at the display and nodded. "A perfect match."
"Ugh, gag me already…" Bonnie mumbled.
The two gave a nervous chuckle, and Serena handed the hat back to Ash. His fingers brushed hers as he took it, and they paused.
The moment dispersed suddenly as Clemont and Bunnelby brought four plates of eggs to the table. The humans gathered around the table for breakfast, and both Ash and Serena gratefully fixed their attention on the meal.
"So Ash, are you ready for your final gym battle?" Clemont's question cut through the haze around the young Trainer. His eyes gave a determined gleam that was all too familiar to the group. "You bet I am. We're gonna get that eighth gym badge and take on the Kalos League!"
"Yeah, yeah, we know," Bonnie retorted. She turned her attention to Serena. "What happened last night? You, like, flipped out."
"I wouldn't say that, but it certainly was unusual behavior for you, Serena. Particularly what happened after the fight." The light caught Clemont's glasses in such a way that Serena couldn't see his eyes behind them or the intent behind those.
"I just wasn't in the mood to deal with those nasty people. I don't how Ash has done it for so long." She hoped the focus would shift to him, but all it did was prompt him to speak.
"You're not the same girl I met in the forest, that's for sure." The statement was surprisingly candid and maybe even… reverent? He was looking at her differently, but whatever he was thinking wasn't likely going to be shared at breakfast.
"Pika, pi?" Ash blinked and glanced down as his partner. "You finished eating already? Then I guess we'd better get to training!" He gave the mouse Pokémon a wide grin and took a few more bites from his plate. "Alright, let's get moving, team! We're starting with a two mile run."
"Lucha…"
"Ninja!"
When Ash and his Pokémon had gone, Bonnie spoke up.
"Okay, so just to be clear… Clemont, do you understand what's going on here?"
"Well, I believe Ash wants to train hard because he doesn't know what to expect from the Snowbelle Gym –"
"Clueless. Just like I thought." Impatient with her brother, Bonnie jumped up from her chair and grabbed Serena's arm. "Come on, I guess it's up to me."
When the girls were back in their room, Bonnie slammed the door and pressed herself against it. "Alright, Serena. It's time to come up with a plan. It may be the most important thing we've ever done?"
"What kind of plan?" Serena asked, both amused and wary.
"We're gonna make Ash Ketchum fall for you. Hard."