All I want for Christmas is... Part 3 of 3: You

Calling from a payphone in the Sinnoh region, he blew on his frozen hands. Slipping the quarters into the money slit, his frosty fingers struggled against the booths door. Maybe fingerless gloves weren't the best idea, after all? Clicking in the familiar numbers, he exhaled while pulling on his torn winter coat. Sinnoh region was three times colder than most places in Kanto could ever be. Winters were harsh here and he was just pulling out of a freak snow storm on his way back to Sunnyshore city. He had meant to grab the ferry home, but because of the weather, he was only...two and a half days late.

Christmas Day was already almost over.

When the receiver finally clicked, all he was met with was his mother's voice mail box; stumbling to find the right words to say, he inhaled, and exhaled, leaving a few seconds of silence before he finally opened his mouth to speak.

"Hey mom, it's me. I know that I said that I would be home a couple of days ago, but I got stuck in that freak blizzard that cut through eastern Sinnoh. I'm on my way now...uhh," he paused, wondering if he should add the next part: "if Misty's there, tell her I'm sorry. See you soon." He hung up the phone while diving his hands into his pockets shortly after, feeling more and more unsatisfied while he combed the streets for a carrier that left on Christmas day. Trains were open on Christmas eve, but on Christmas day; nothing moved. The young pokemon trainer sighed while looking out to the docks.

"Let's see if there's anything down there..." He mused sadly, scratching behind Pikachu's ears, who cradled himself in the chest of Ash's jacket.

A week ago, Misty had called him a billion times to make sure he would be home on Christmas. He was running in the Elite-four program, and wanted to make sure that she had plenty of time off, but he screwed that up. He hadn't seen her in person since he finished the Kanto region championship eight months ago. While he took the title of champion of the league; he was unable to defeat the region champion after he defeated the elite-four, and went on to sulk for a few months before deciding to try his luck in Sinnoh once again. Building quite the name for himself, however, he was starting to gain attention from the media—so Misty could always see him on television when he joined an advanced trainer tournament, and league match. Being who she was, she always called him, asked him when he was going to re-challenge the elite-four and region champion in Kanto, but he never had an answer for her. Yet, she supported him anyways. Even when she had no good reason to.

Right now, he was focusing on becoming league champion of Sinnoh; or in other words, he was avoiding the fact that his life, while fun and adventurous, was turning into a mundane attempt to relive the continuous, endless journey that he never seemed to come out on top of. At least he had started to win in the leagues, though.

That was an improvement.

However, Ash still felt unfulfilled, and the thoughts plagued him endlessly. So, when Misty called to check up on him, it was like taking a break from his life, joining in with her on a much simpler and happier existence. He honestly wished her could see her more often—but he felt like if he did, he would be disappointing his own pokemon and his dreams. Last week when she called, she, in a very inappropriate and loud way, reminded him that "Boyfriends buy their girlfriends good Christmas gifts, Ash." At the memory of her voice, he instinctively lapsed his fingers around the necklace she had given him two Christmas's ago.

She was giving him a hard time- referencing his terrible taste the last ten years in regards to shopping for other people, but her words were also full of so much truth it hurt. Embedded in her voice was an ache he couldn't heal over the phone; so he sighed loudly.

A few weeks ago, he had troubled himself through the Sunnyshore market while holding pikachu like a football. Wafting through large crowds of the Christmas shopping rush, he had no idea what to get the woman as a gift. Misty was horrible to shop for. So even after her comment about buying a good gift, she had followed up and text him: "A good gift idea would be being able to see you on Christmas." To which he promised that he would be home. He promised. And if he could have actually been there... that would have been a wonderful gift.

And yet, here he was, struggling to think of an appropriate gift, and a now, a way to get home. Unable to text or call anyone because he dropped his gear into six feet of snow down a ten foot mountain drop; he wasn't able to call her when he was stuck in the storm; in fact, he was lucky he walked out mostly unscathed; because things could have made a horrible turn for the worst.

Thus, Ash was forced to wait until he was in Sunnyshore to call. When his feet touched the the docks that could easily take him to Kanto region in under two hours, he exhaled in defeat. All the boats were docked, the lights were off, and services were closed. At this point, he thought several times about summoning Charizard to come and give him a lift—but with Ash being a little over six foot, and Charizard only standing at 5'7", Ash wasn't sure the pokemon would be up for the challenge of carrying the adult Ash across an ocean. Had be been a few years younger; he was sure the spry flying fire type would take him; but had he been a few years younger, he also wouldn't have been so eager to get home.

The young trainer thought for awhile that maybe he could call Lapris again—but that was a long shot as well. He hadn't seen the pokemon since he was in the Orange Islands, and he wouldn't make it to Kanto going at Lapris speed for at least seven hours. By that time, it would be nearly 10:00pm, and he would have missed all of the Christmas Day dinner, and the evening gifts, and the caroling; and really, everything he was excited about this holiday for—including seeing his-he gulped nervously-girlfriend.

Thinking about the stunning red-head, his lips burned. He thought that if he could get a hold of her, he would have even asked to borrow Gyarados at this point, just to get to Kanto. However, his girlfriend was not picking up at his mom's house, and being who he was, he had never bothered to remember her number—after all, it was saved in his gear-phone—he didn't need to.

Begrudgingly, after searching the shore line for even a nifty paddle boat, or motor boat up for grabs, he threw up his arms in failure. Unfortunately no matter which direction he looked, no matter how much he looked, he could see nothing available. With a sharp exhale he tucked his hands away into his pocket as Pikachu poked out from the inside of his warm jacket.

"...Pika?" the small pokemon asked, but Ash could only shake his head, foiled entirely.

"No, buddy. It looks like we'll be spending Christmas here this year." While he spoke, he turned away from the docks, and started his long walk back into the city. He could remember a cafe opening in the main city center—maybe they were open on Christmas? Sulking, he ascended the long painless stairs that would lead to the bright lights of the city. Even on Christmas, Sunnyshore was fairly active, unlike his own home in Kanto which had every store closed on Christmas Day. If only that same active nature effected transportation as well.

On his way to the cafe that he wasn't sure would even be open or not, he decided that it would be best to call his mother and explain his situation. Maybe even get a hold of Misty? But what was he supposed to say to Misty? She would understand, he knew her well enough to know that; but she would still be disappointed; and he didn't want to disappoint her again. Running his hand through his pockets however, he realized that he had no more change. Today couldn't get worse. Ash rubbed his face, sliding his hand over his eyes, he almost missed the prominent display of three figures appearing beside him.

As the familiar tones of Jessie and James started their motto beside him; Ash groaned and grunted in response. Apparently, things could get worse! Thanks Santa!

"Prepare for trouble!" Jessie cried beside Ash, forcing him to groan again.

"And make it double!"

"to protect the-"

"No—you know, no, guys." Ash threw up his arms and glared at his visitors, exhaling "Not right now, okay?" With that, he tucked his arms around Pikachu and started off in the opposite direction. Usually he would listen to their motto, and then let them attempt their silly antics, and then in the end, he would always win. It was a great way to keep him sharp, and keep him trained. However, he wasn't in the mood right now, and the small electric pokemon on his jacket wasn't either. He just wanted to go home.

"Jessie! He ignored us!" James whined, throwing his gloved hand downward. Jessie grimaced while Meowth yelled.

"Hey Twerp, who do you think you're messing with!?" Meowth yelled, holding up their new net-gun; letting it fire off only to malfunction half-way through, and repel onto him, instead. Yelping, the cat pokemon started to scream at his companions as Ash didn't even bother to turn around.

Jessie crossed her arms, and James placed his hands on his hips while he looked onward at Meowth, who was now wiggling on the ground like a worm.

"He seems rather upset, doesn't he?" The purple haired man questioned while looking at his long time companions. Jessie grumbled while kicking Meowth forward, plummeting the pokemon through the snow rather than assisting him get untangled.

"Maybe he's having girl problems?" Jessie snipped while rolling her eyes, obviously upset herself that the wonderful team rocket was being ignored. Regardless, they followed Ash.

It was James who finally developed the nerve to speak to the dark-haired trainer.

"Hey, Twerp, not that we care. But what's wrong?" James asked Ash, finally getting a sigh from the boy in question who shrugged uncomfortably as he stopped to look at his long time stalkers. His brown eyes full of turmoil and guilt.

Team Rocket didn't bother Ash as much as he lead on, a part of him always associated that their presence there meant that he was doing something right—something amazing enough that the bad guys wanted what he had; but also, in a strange way, he thought of them as friends. Their presence was mostly always wanted, and seeing them left him slightly amused; like the crazy aunt and uncle that he never had. So, when James finally asked him, Ash only hesitated to answer for a short moment.

"I wanted to go home for Christmas this year; to see my family," He returned his gaze slowly to the dock, and sighed again, "but that doesn't seem to be happening."

A small tear formed in James' eyes. Always the sentimental one, he grabbed Meowth and squeezed the poor pokemon. Jessie slapped him in the head to get a grip of himself.

"I remember that feeling. My family stopped letting me come home after I joined Team Rocket." Jessie whined with a short sigh, elating a squeal of sympathy from meowth and James who grabbed their overly dramatic compatriot with salty tears flowing from their eyes. Ash watched them with sad eyes as they whined back and forth about their own family and lack of Christmas.

"Then it's settled!" James hollered, catching Ash's attention once more.

In unison, they all looked to Ash; "We will take you back to Kanto!"

He scoffed, thinking that they were joking at first; looking away to roll his eyes, but when he turned back at them and they didn't waver, a light formed in Ash's eyes.

"Really?" Ash said, elated while pumping his fists happily.

Xoxoxoxoxxoxoxoxxoxoxxoxox

Misty was at the Ketchum residence, sitting at the living room desk with a mug of hot cocoa while she replayed Ash's last message again: "Hey mom, it's me. I know that I said that I would be home a couple of days ago now, but I got stuck in that freak blizzard that cut through eastern Sinnoh. I'm on my way now...uhh...if Misty's there, tell her I'm sorry. See you soon."

She couldn't help but furrow her eyebrows at his words; feeling a mixture of worry and dread, she checked her phone once again—looking over the messages she sent him to check up on him over the last week, he hadn't replied to a single one, and he was usually great about getting back to her. She wouldn't have been so worried if he wasn't traveling alone in Sinnoh, where the snow pile was three times greater than the last couple of years.

When he called, she and Delia had only stepped out of the house for a moment to admire central park, which was full of lights and merriment. The idea that he chose then to call made her chest weak. Glad to know that he was okay, she was more worried than ever about what happened. He didn't leave a call back number, or a location—so she had no idea how to get a hold of him, and so her finger itched as she attempted to call his gear phone one more time. It went, as it had all week to an automatic dial tone, and she exhaled once again. Misty rubbed her temples, frustrated—she worried that he could die from his reckless behavior and she would be left standing alone. Over all, she disquieted him most of all.

Running her pale hands through her hair, she sipped on her mug, half tempted to go to Sinnoh herself to find him. He did say he would be home, but the defeat in his voice told her that he wasn't so sure. Plus the snow that hammered the eastern side of Sinnoh kept most planes on the ground and boats in dock—the fact that it was Christmas Day only added to the dilemma, and needless to say; the gym leader was beyond worried; hoping that he wouldn't do something reckless to try and keep his promise.

As the fire cracked in the fire pit she glared longingly at it. Ash would be here, she told herself, and he would be safe, because that's what Ash did.

Xoxoxxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

"Just drop me off here!" Ash shouted, looking down below him as the buildings of Pallet started to form beneath him.

"Can do!" James cheered as he released some of the heat from the balloon so that it would drop from the air slowly. The giant meowth balloon descended at the edge of town, near Professor Oak's lab. All of the Christmas lights were hung up around the city; the sun had set nearly an hour ago so they illuminated the skies with bright, vibrant colors. His eyes grew in response; shining at each twinkle as he came crashing to the ground with a sharp thud. He was so eager to get home and distracted by the lights that he hadn't noticed that they were falling rather fast,

"Owww..." Ash said while rubbing his head, securing Pikachu into his arms out of habit. Jessie bonked James over the head, and started to scold him.

"What kind of landing was that?"

"I'm sorry, Jessie; I just got distracted by the lights!"

"That's not a good reason you knuckle head!" Meowth chimed in, causing Ash to snigger while rubbing his nose. He hoped out of the green balloon, and looked down at his pokedex for the time.

"Thanks guys, but I have to go!" Ash cheered, and then before they could respond, he started down the road to his house—but stopped once again upon realizing a slight error; he raced back to them, and then exhaled; "If you guys aren't busy, why don't you stop in; my mom would love the guests; plus, I owe you now." Ash said with a sweet smile.

Team rocket froze, as if unable to believe the words coming out of Ash's mouth. "The twerp is..." Jessie said, tears sparkling at the edge of her eyes, and Meowth and James'.

Blubbering, Meowth shook his head, "Naw! Get out of here! We got lotsa' places to be on Christmas!" Meowth lied, waving his paw at the yellow pokemon and it's trainer. Ash shrugged sadly in response.

"Alright, but if you change your minds; the invitation remains." With that, he turned and started back down the road; happy to see that not a single speck of snow was on the ground this year- great Kanto weather. He bolted full of glee to his house.

xoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxox

Misty paced the living room, watching the clock like a hawk while Delia sipped her yearly red wine as she lounged on the couch and watched a re-run of " Pokemon: A Christmas Story" play back to back while Misty couldn't sit still. Delia, having spent more years than she could count worrying over Ash, had mostly become numb, and instead decided that while she would worry; she would also drink. There was no reason not to enjoy herself on Christmas. She looked over at the tree, which was empty aside from the two gifts that sat below for Ash; and she swished her wine in her glass.

"I miss having kids on Christmas. Telling them about Santa Clause and spoiling them rotten..." She crooned while looking up at Misty and giving a tipsy smile, "Don't you want kids?" She asked, causing Misty to shudder as she walked into the hallway beside the living room and started to gnaw on her nails.

That was the third time that night Delia asked inadvertently if Misty was going to bring her 'grandchildren' any time soon; the answer was no, but if Misty denied Delia; then Delia would accuse her of thinking about it, and then gush for hours about names and 'baby' tricks and how cute their little round heads were. Misty refused to ever make that mistake again, so instead, she ran into the hallway, away from talks about babies. Ripping her thumb nail off, Ash had jotted up to the door step and exhaled as his cold hands touched the door; and then swung it open to see none other than Misty staring right back at him, a little ways down the hall.

Her face flushed with relief first, and then with frustration as she stomped her bare heels into the ground to reach him. When her arms started to extend, her frustrated look washed into one of pure bliss, and Ash could relate most with that one as his own arms shot forward and he caught Misty half way in a long awaited hug.

"You made it." She croaked snuggling into his big black jacket that he hadn't bothered to remove since leaving Sinnoh; his shoes were dirty, and his face had soot all over it; but he was there, physically unharmed. Pikachu popped out of the back of his jacket, alerting her that he was there as well, and Misty took both pokemon and trainer into a tight hug and squeezed until Ash coughed.

"I can't breath, Misty." he groaned but she didn't stop until a few seconds later, where she pulled away as Delia turned the corner into the hallway. Tears reflected in the corners of Misty's eyes.

"You're safe." the mother spoke with a sigh of relief. Ash grinned at the two females, and then slipped his hand into Misty's. Smelling the now-cold dinner that was left on the table waiting for Ash, he guided his girlfriend toward to kitchen.

"Let's go eat."

xoxoxxoxoxoxoxxoxoxox

They hadn't even been sitting for a full minute after Delia warmed the food up when a knock came to the door. Misty sat beside Ash while he served pikachu a small plate of potatoes and ketchup, and then started on his own plate of turkey, and potatoes, and stuffing, and ham; Misty did as well, but a smig slower.

"How did you get here, anyways? And why don't you answer your phone?" She grumbled while looking worriedly at him. He could only grin, thinking inwardly that she worried too much and too often.

"The phone is a long story," he paused thoughtfully, thinking better than to tell her about his mountain climbing incident. Then surprising to her, he leaned over and pecked her cheek. "Team Rocket gave me a ride. All the other boats and planes weren't leaving dock on Christmas."

"Team Rocket?" Misty asked, then as if on cue, the purple and magenta haired villains and their cat turned and walked into the kitchen behind Delia.

"These three said that you invited them Ash." She said while pulling out chairs and setting plates for the three guests. Ash smiled at them brightly, while they looked nervous, and slightly ashamed at the request that they followed up on after rejecting it at first. They were no longer in their uniform, but in sweaters and formal attire.

"I'm glad that you guys made it." Ash said warmly; even bad guys, especially ones as bad at being bad as Team Rocket, deserved a nice Christmas sometimes.

Once Team Rocket was settled into their seats, and his mother in hers; they started to share stories about their adventures; mostly Ash, of course, who explained how and why he didn't call sooner. His most recent victories and pokemon caught while he shoveled a delicious amount of food into his mouth. They played games, read stories, watched Christmas movies, and listened to the distant sound of carolers. Ash opened his gifts from Misty and Delia. His mom bought him new underwear, as per the usual Christmas tradition, and Misty bought him the new pokemon guidebook with all types of pokemon compiled into a simple list with basic weaknesses and zones written in—only, it wasn't the paper edition. It was the electronic booklet so all he had to do was type and search. He held it out with stars gleaming in his eyes.

"It's amazing!" he expressed and Misty didn't know what to say, watching him open the gift was a lot like watching a kid and it made her grin. When he hugged Misty in a grateful thank you, he pulled away sadly.

He realized her never bought her gift and inhaled sharp as he sat back down beside her. He almost mentioned it, but James looked at one of the paintings hung over the fire place, and started to chime and adore over it. With Team Rocket and his mom distracted; he looked at Misty and dipped his head in close, but the female trainer took his hand before he could speak and pulled him up off of the couch.

"Let's go for a walk." She demanded, taking his hand and guiding him to the hallway, and then to their jackets. She pulled on her long red jacket over her tights and shorts and red sweater; and he pulled on his black jacket. He whistled for Pikachu, but the pokemon was otherwise occupied with Mr. Mime and Maril, so he grimaced and then left without him. He knew, well, he hoped that Team Rocket wouldn't do anything to ruin this night. He glanced around the corner at them, as they talked with Delia and sipped eggnog, and smiled; they were content, and so he felt safe leaving Pikachu.

"Where are we going?" he suggested amazed to see that Misty only shrugged her shoulders.

"Just out. Don't you want to see the lights before they shut off?" She said while encapsulating his hand in hers, "Plus, I'm not in a dress this year, or broken heels; so it'll be much more enjoyable than last year." She smiled at him from beneath her blue scarf and Ash could only grin back at her.

Everything with Misty was still new. The feeling of her hand in his was new; her arm brushing up against his—her warm, contagious smile... While they were all things he experienced before—it was nothing like the past year. He didn't see her often, he was so busy with traveling that he couldn't always make it back to Kanto; but she was patient, and when she did finally get to see him, it was like they hadn't missed a day with each other.

Even after being late for Christmas, showing up dressed casually, as per tradition, and inviting Team Rocket; she still smiled at him, and didn't scold him. His face darkened a little, terrified now. Maybe she was walking him out to his death, and planned to hide the body in the river?

"Why aren't you mad?" He finally squeaked, catching Misty off guard as she pushed onto the trail near the alley way that would take them to Central Park. She stammered.

"W-what?"

"You know, why aren't you mad. I was late, and I don't even have a gift."

Misty exhaled slightly, as if surprised until she finally took her right arm back, and then brought it quickly to his shoulder where she only gently tapped his arm; "Of course I'm not mad." She said before wrapping her arm around his once again.

"I mean, I was. Mad that you didn't call, leave a call back number, or give me any details on what was happening—but I was mostly worried. I heard about the blizzard in Sinnoh this last week and I wanted to rip my hair out worrying over you. I'm more relieved to see you in one piece than I am mad about anything."
Ash couldn't help the smile that formed over his lips as she drug him from the alley way and onto the main street heading downtown.

"I'm sorry for making you worry. I seem to do that a lot." he stammered anxiously.

"Yeah, you do." She admit, letting silence fall between them as they looked at the lights that started to slowly be shut down one by one. They stepped into central park with five minutes to spare before the lights would be closed down. They weren't like the Cerulean City lights that stayed on all night Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Pallet town was much smaller, and almost everything, if it wasn't already closed, stopped at 10:00pm on the dot.

"Man, they're just as amazing as they were when I was a kid."

"Plus, there's no snow; that must be a relief."

"You have no idea." He offered while they raced to the center of the park to see all of the lights that they could. Huffing and puffing as they crashed onto the bench at the top of the hill. Misty pointed at one set of lights in particular that looked like the tower in Kalos, a place she had always wanted to go.

"Eh, it wasn't that amazing actually." Ash confirmed, causing Misty's lips to purse.

"That because you're unromantic." She suggested while crossing her arms. With a goofy grin he kicked out his feet.

"Who needs to be romantic when I have you?" he offered in return while crossing his arms behind his head. She frowned and jabbed him playfully in the side.

"You could try, you know. Flowers and chocolate are a nice gesture even if they're not hand delivered."

Ash gawked at her; "That's a thing?"

Misty face palmed, "Yes that's a thing."

"Am I expected to do that?" his nervous laughter caused a vein to twitch on her face while she leaned forward an pulled on his cheeks.

"I don't know why I put up with you." She warned him, letting out a vile, yet playful tone while he wrapped his arms around her waist and tried to smile through the pain of his pinched cheeks.

"Because you love me." He muttered, and then Misty released his cheeks to exhale and rest her head on his shoulder; a gesture that sent shivers down his spine, even thought it was warm compared to Sinnoh Region.

"That is undeniably correct." Misty confirmed while looking down to the base of the hill. Ash shuddered in delight, licking his lips as a comfortable silence embraced them. One by one the lights started to turn off in sections. First the fountain; then the Kalos tower, next the trees; until the park was dark, and the only illumination was provided by the stars, and the only sound was the distant chirp of a cricket. She rubbed his back gently, back and forth forming circles in his jacket and leaving him with a tingling feeling. His hand was wrapped around her waist, and they leaned up against the back of the bench, looking outward to the no-snow covered ground. After a moment, Ash's mouth opened.

"Would this be considered romantic?" he asked with a slight blush tinging over his cheeks, and a chuckle from Misty confirmed it.

"Now you're starting to get it." She added while sitting up, and then leaning over to kiss him on the cheek. Her lips were so cold that he wanted to turn over and place his against hers just to transfer the heat, but instead, he swallowed hard against the budding warmth that traveled up from his stomach.

"Oh." He said plainly as they sat once again in a warm silence until Ash's nerve grew and he turned to Misty who wasn't quite prepared, and simply kissed her on the lips for the first time in months.

While they never lost contact with each other over the course of the year, physical contact was still really weird for Ash. He never knew when it was okay to touch her; except he knew that in public, it was bad and highly frowned upon. He wasn't sure when he should kiss her or hug her—when holding hands wasn't okay, when to give space, or when to cuddle. As a general rule, he was really bad at initiating anything and so most of the time, he let Misty guide him with his full confidence in her. Today wasn't really any different, but it was. He missed her so much when she wasn't around.

He stormed off eight months ago, saw her once in the mean time; and then the only major change from their friendship, was that on his travels he called her much more frequently. But it was the physical contact he ached for; even if it was weird, having her around relaxed him.

He opened his mouth, forcing hers to spread while his tongue traced her lips, and then sloppily dived in. Eliciting a moan from her that echoed through his body as his lips moved against hers naturally with a sharp, eloquent grin. He pulled away, leaving both of them breathless and gazed into her green eyes.

"I love you." He offered, forcing a red blush over her cheeks, "And I'm sorry for being gone so long... I must be a pretty terrible boyfriend." he confirmed but Misty could only smile up at him, and then peck him once more the lips whilst shaking her head.

"You're not a terrible boyfriend. I love you just they way you are, even if I wouldn't mind seeing you more."

He grinned at that, "What if you did see me more?" the question brought a blush to her face, and his. She wasn't quite sure how to answer that. They had gotten so used to brief rendezvous and day visits, that they had never really thought much about what it would be like if he was around all the time. She gulped.

"I don't know," She spoke timidly, smiling up at him, "I think it would be pretty neat."

"Only neat?" he asked getting close to her face and pressing their noses together gently.

"I would enjoy it, but I don't think you could handle being in one spot for very long."

"You never know. I could surprise you." he offered with raised eyebrows.

She grinned, "Did you miss me?"

"A little." He confirmed, but in his heart, he knew the correct answer to that was 'a lot more than words could ever describe'.

"I missed you, too." She added to his, lacing their fingers together as she brought her face forward to kiss him once again under the cascading moonlight. With the lights off, the chill started to sweep through the park, and when she shivered in the middle of their kiss. He separated and rose.

"We should get back." he said quickly, scooping her hand with his and pulling her to her feet, "It's getting cold, and I don't want to leave Pikachu alone with Team Rocket for very long." He laughed nervously, but Misty nodded albeit saddened that the moment was over. If possible, she had pushed herself against his body even closer as they walked the hill down to the exit of the park, tossing small jokes until Ash whistled and pursed his lips as he spoke. He was having strange thoughts; ones in which he wondered what it would be like to settle down for awhile. To get away from repeating leagues over and over, hoping for a better outcome. He licked his lips.

"I think we should get married."

Misty sputtered and almost tripped; if she hadn't been holding onto Ash, she would have fallen; "What?" She choked and Ash grimaced.

"You heard me." he added, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Yeah, I heard you." She said clearing her throat and straightening out her messed up hair nervously, "Someday, we should." She confirmed, but that wasn't quite what Ash wanted to hear.

"No...I mean right now?" he pressed, squeezing her hand a bit.

"Right now?" she echoed, a bit worried as they stopped at the park entrance.

"Well; sort of;" He paused and bit his lip, "I didn't get you a gift."

"Ash, that's not something you ask as a gift." She snapped in a high pitched voice, curling her hands into fists as a deep scarlet crossed her face. Did he not understand what he was asking?

"I know." He said, feeling his chest warm up while he leaned forward to look her directly in the eye. "That's why for Christmas, this year and every year—because I seem to mess up normal gift giving-all I can give you is me." he said with a cherry grin that only made Misty gawk.

"Ash, what are you suggesting!" She squealed, face bright red.

"Geez, Misty, did you go deaf or something?" He mocked and then pursed his lips and gazed holes into her green eyes. "I asked, if you would marry me?" He swallowed, and with his arms wrapped so tightly around her, she could feel his chest beating through his thick jacket, pressing against her own beating heart and her face scrunched up painfully until she opened her mouth, and then closed it.

"W-what is with you and Christmas surprises? Please don't make a habit out of this..." She asked timidly, and Ash blinked, a bit confused.

"...is that a no?"
"No!" Misty chimed in quickly, shutting down that idea before it even got into his head.

"Then it's a yes?" he said with a smirk that made her want to kick him in the shin. She fumbled for words, not wanting to answer yes after that smirk appeared on his face. So she remained frozen for a moment, staring into his dark brown eyes and looking for any indication that what he was saying was a joke, or something temporary—but it was all there, that undying loyalty and connection she saw in his eyes every time. She she exhaled.

"Alright."

"Alright, yes?" he pushed, wanting to hear her say it.

"Yes!" She groaned flailing gently in his arms, "I will marry you!"

With her answer in stone, his grin encapsulated her own shortly after, capturing her lips in a sharp, gleeful excitement.

"You know, asking a girl to marry you is a big commitment, right?" She muttered into the kiss, but Ash didn't seem to notice, or care as his thumb traced her jaw line.

"Being with you is a big commitment." He added as he pulled away to cradle her face.

"No ring?" She joked, holing up her left finger. Thoughtfully, Ash dug in his pockets, catching Misty off guard as a vibrant red blush returned to her cheeks—as well as his own.

"You know that moment when sometimes someone asks something and it turns out you had it all along?" He stuck out his tongue slightly, and then when his hands come up empty he smiled awkwardly at her as she watched with anticipation. "Today isn't one of those days. I didn't think I was going to ask, so I didn't buy it after all..." he laughed while scratching his neck.

Misty's face twitched and she shuddered hitting him on the head lightly; "Did you ask on a whim? You know you can't take it back!" She whined, and Ash grinned.

"I don't want to!" he suggested and then took her hands in his, and then seconds later scooped her up bridal style and spun her around. "I love you. And I may not have a ring, but I don't think it matters if I ask now, or ten years from now. I'm always going to mean it." he said while stompping on his heels; Misty inhaled and looked up at him the way a child would look at Santa. A small, sparkle in her eyes.

"Ten...years from now?" She asked amazed that he had even thought that far ahead and he raised his eyebrows suggestively.

"You're stuck with me now. I've captured you." he demanded while slowly letting her down to her feet. She stared up to him at first with an intense gaze, before it drifted into one of adoration.

"I wouldn't want to be stuck with anyone else." She admit with a blush rising to her cheeks again as she followed him back home, clearing her throat, "Is that why you asked about visiting more?"
"...maaayyybe." he offered slyly, intertwining their fingers. "I was just thinking a lot the last eight months about how much I miss you..and a lot about how all of my adventures tire with no end in sight." He tossed her an entranced gaze, "So...maybe settling down for awhile wouldn't be so bad."

Misty's face brighten up like a light bulb, and she couldn't help herself when she threw her arms up and around his neck, knocking him over into a flat of grass. Surprised, he yelled and twisted his body and arms around her as they crashed into the grass below. She sat on top of him, straddling his waist while beaming and kissing him hotly for a few moments. He returned her kisses feverishly until a moment later, she pulled back with her lips pursed and eye lids lowered. His hands slipped up her thighs while she maneuvered herself down and gently pressed their lips together once again, savoring the taste.

Ash broke the heated kiss however, uttering sarcastically; "You know, if you start ripping my clothes off out here, I'm likely to get hypothermia."

"This is why we can't have nice things!" She screamed while all in one swoop, jumped away from him, threw her arms up and stomped her feet in the opposite direction. Her blue scarf danced in the wind behind her, and Ash could only let out a roaring laughter, holding his gut as he stood up to follow her.

"I was just kidding. I'll only get frost bite!" He joked after her loudly, but with her face several shades darker she threw her glove at him and sprinted away. He tailed her patiently, both laughing hysterically and as bright as Christmas tree lights; but they were happy, and they were together.

What more could anyone ask for on Christmas?

Author's Note:

Man, this didn't take a month longer than I wanted to finally get posted. Sorry for the late update, I hope you all still enjoy it!

ALL THE CHEESE. Maybe I should have put up a disclaimer?

"Warning, this is a story about Christmas and Romance—prepare yourself for all the fluffy moments" Aren't Christmas stories supposed to make your heart warm and cause frequent "Awe"s?

Also, I could sort of see this happening. I don't in any shape or from imagine Ash ever asking Misty to marry him properly. No huge engagement plans, just a drop of a hat decision where he's like "This is something we could do?" but totally means it, because that's how Ash works? I dunno; I wanted to imply that having been separated for so long, and trying to live his former life and his new life at the same time, he realizes that he prefers the new one, even if it's not as exciting.

-shrugs- This final chapter could have been written better. I might come back to edit it. Hastagdontshootthelazyauthor

Also, classic team rocket is classic. The new versions of them suck. I miss Jessie and James who had heart and soul, and would actually do this even though Ash is their 'sworn' enemy, you know?

Thank you for all the kind reviews, favs, and follows. Merry SUPER-AWESOME-EARLY Christmas. :)