Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon.
Ash's place was very modern.
It was a studio type. The entire back of his room was filled with ceiling to floor windows, although it is obscured by black curtains. His couches and chairs were black leather. A flat screen TV hung on the brick wall. His large king-sized bed was off in the corner, slightly raised and hidden behind a few apparitions. White sheets and pillows cover the bed. On the other side of the room is the kitchen and bathroom.
Misty's belongings lay beside the bed. A Trainer had gone to her house to retrieve her necessities. They couldn't risk letting Misty roam free yet. Her pokeballs are set on the nightstand.
Her eyes wandered to the kitchen, landing on the half-naked man currently fixing a sandwich. The muscles on his back tensed and flexed as he felt around the fridge for a jar of mayonnaise. Misty was transfixed on his back, but quickly diverted her eyes as he turned back around to face her.
He stared at her for a moment but then resumed his sandwich-making. Misty felt annoyed at the odd exchange. She walked further into the room and closed the door behind her. Ash gave no reaction. Misty walked up to the breakfast bar, across from Ash.
"Aren't you a high-ranking official here? Why don't you pull some strings and put us both out of our misery," Misty asked.
Ash didn't even look at her, "No. There is limited space at the base. We can't spare a room for you just because you have some personal issues." He turned and returned the mayonnaise into the fridge.
"I'll camp out in the rec room! Anywhere has got to be better than being stuck with someone who hates me."
Ash turned around and fixed his intense gaze on her. Misty scolded herself for visibly flinching. Ash walked around the bar and got closer to her until they were a few inches apart. Misty had a sudden urge to step back but forced herself to stand her ground. Both of his arms shot out to trap her in between him and the counter.
"First of all, you shouldn't even be here right now. This life isn't suitable for you and I'm sorry that you have to deal with all of this. If I had it my way, you would still be at your house, living out your life, and eventually fulfilling the dream of having a family in a white picket fenced house. But shit like this happens.
"Second, the rec room is not yours to take. Everyone comes and goes through there so it will be an incredible inconvenience if you suddenly declare temporary residency there.
"Third," Ash's eyes bore into hers. Chocolate brown searched emerald ones. He's looking for any kind of reaction over what he's saying. Misty stared at him wide-eyed. She didn't expect such intensity from him. "I don't hate you."
Misty gasped. "Then why are you so antagonistic towards me?"
Ash takes a moment to think. "I don't know."
"You don't know?"
"No."
"You owe me an explanation, Ash Ketchum!"
"That's rich, coming from the girl who abandoned me without a single word. Should we talk about that now?" Ash's scoffed. He waited for Misty to answer but she stared at him with a hint of fear in her eyes. Ash took a deep breath. Inhale, Exhale. He calmed down enough to ask his next question, "Why the hell have we not seen each other for the past ten years?"
"You know why," Misty spoke in a quiet voice.
"No, I don't. So please help me because I'm not a freaking mind reader." Ash threw her words from earlier right back. "Please, talk to me."
"Ash, -"
"Pikapi!" Pikachu bounded into the room. It didn't see Misty until it got closer to the pair, because Ash's whole body covered her. Pikachu sensed the tension between the two and became worried.
Slowly, Ash dropped his hands down from the bar, releasing Misty. Misty blushed as she realized how close they were until Pikachu came along. Dammit, why am I blushing? Fortunately for her, Ash didn't see it. He walked over to Pikachu and ruffled her fur then proceeded into the bathroom.
"The sandwiches are yours and Pikachu's" The door closed behind him. The shower head turned on a second later. Running water can be heard through the door, effectively ending the conversation
Misty looked back and sure enough, there were two sandwiches sitting on the plate. Pikachu leaped onto the counter and took one. Misty took the other and bit into it. Her stomach rumbled in appreciation. She hasn't eaten since that morning before the battle. Pikachu ate beside her; her sandwich is slathered in ketchup.
Misty scarfed down the sandwich and went to rinse out the dish. After she was done, Ash was still in the bathroom. With nothing to do, Misty made her way over to the couch and curled up. Pikachu made its way over to cuddle with her.
Misty was wrung out from the day's events. Yesterday, she was living a normal life of training her water Pokémon and battling overconfident trainers at the Cerulean City Gym. Now, she was a wanted woman by the nefarious Team Rocket. Add in the drama of reuniting with a certain old friend, and you get a taste of her life.
Misty let out a huge yawn.
Exhaustion soon took over and Misty slipped into a deep sleep.
"Oh, look at that ring! Isn't that the cutest thing ever," Misty squealed. She pressed her face against the shop's window. The ring had extricate filigree around a sapphire stone. The band was white gold. It shone magnificently on the display case. "Oh, I just got to have it!"
"Hm?" Ash and Brock caught up to Misty. After Ash's battle for the day, they reluctantly agreed to accompany Misty window shopping. The trio have walked all over Sunyshore City, yet Misty always manages to find another place to shop. Misty ran ahead while the other two lagged behind to talk about Pokémon strategy.
"Oh, it's just some stupid girly jewelry," teased Ash.
"It's not stupid! You just don't appreciate the finer things in life." Misty pouted and continued to stare longingly at the ring. Misty noticed the price tag. "Six digits! It'll take me forever to save up that much."
"Well, that usually the price for an engagement ring, Misty." Informed Brock.
"An engagement ring?" Misty glanced at Ash but quickly diverted her eyes. A slight tint spread across her cheeks. She gazed upon the ring for a few more seconds then sighed.
"Okay, that's enough of this shop, boys. To the next one!" Misty eagerly skipped off to the next store and Brock followed. Ash paused. He stared at the ring that caught Misty's attention. His eyebrows pinched together in concentration. Unbeknownst to his friends, he was quickly adding numbers up in his head…
Misty woke up. She panicked for a few seconds because she didn't recognize her surroundings. But she calmed down once she remembered that she was staying at Ash's place. White sheets were tangled around her legs. The furniture underneath her was much softer than she remembered.
I'm in…his bed. Misty looked around in puzzlement. She swore she was curled up on the couch. He must have carried me over here. The thought of her being in his arms sent a shiver through her body. Whether it was a good or bad feeling was still up in the air. Pikachu slept at the foot of the bed.
Misty glanced over to the other half of the bed. It was empty. Misty wondered where Ash was when she heard what woke her up in the first place.
"Argh!"
The scream came from the living room. Misty hastily hopped off the bed and ran over. Once she approached the couch, she saw what was going on.
Ash thrashed on the couch. His eyes were slammed shut; he was in deep sleep. The throw blanket was tangled between his legs, which were kicking and moving around. His arms moved restlessly by his sides. He let out a deep groan or scream every few seconds.
Misty felt her heart breaking. Ash was having a horrible nightmare. She stood there in shock for a few seconds while she saw him acting out his dream.
"Pikapi!" Pikachu woke up from the commotion. It watched its trainer with worried eyes then began charging up electricity. "Pika…"
"No, Pikachu!" Misty held out her hand to halt the attack. "I'll wake him up."
Misty edged closer to Ash but still kept a foot or so away. She knew better than to get close to someone having a violent nightmare. Pikachu watched on with nervous eyes.
"Ash…" Misty called out.
"Ash, wake up!" She tried calling out in a louder voice. It didn't have any effect.
"WAKE UP, ASH!" Misty used her loudest voice, which seemed to work because Ash's eyes fluttered open. He bolted upright on the couch. The entire back of his shirt is drenched in sweat. He looked disoriented for a moment before his eyes finally focused and found Misty.
"Mist." He breathed in and out heavily.
Misty looked into his eyes. There was so much going on inside of them that she couldn't make out a single emotion. His eyes were cloudy from sleep. It faded as he became more conscious.
"What kind of dream was that," questioned Misty. Ash broke their eye contact by turning away.
"I don't want to talk about it."
His abruptness surprised her. She felt a pang of hurt shoot through her heart. Well, we're not close anymore. It's not my business.
An awkward silence fell between them. Pikachu sensed that things had returned to normal and bounced over to the recliner. It curled up and fell asleep in seconds.
Misty glanced back at the bed. "Do you want to sleep on the bed?"
Ash cocked an eyebrow at her. His expression said, really?
Misty shrugged, "As long as we both stay on our own sides, I think it will be okay. Plus, I feel bad for kicking you out of the bed." She tried to play it off as nothing, but inside, she was really nervous.
Ash contemplated this for a few moments then nodded. "Sure, let me grab a shirt."
He made his way over to a drawer and took out a black shirt. Ash peeled the one he was wearing off and tossed it in the hamper inside the bathroom. He walked over to the bed and crawled under the sheets. Misty was already in bed, waiting. She followed him with her eyes as he moved around the room. Once he got settled in, Misty turned her back to him. Ash does the same.
"Goodnight," whispered Misty.
An eternity of silence passed. She was barely conscious when she caught his quiet reply, thinking it was a dream.
"Goodnight, Mist."
AN: As always, reviews are welcome. ;] No matter how long they are, thank you.
