"Umm…Not here Pumpkin," said Misty as she turned her face away from Erika. Misty had a nervous smile on her face as Erika looked as if she wasn't sure what Misty meant.
"What do you mean?" asked Erika who pulled her face away from Misty's. She had just attempted to plant a kiss on Misty's lips after they had enjoyed a meal that consisted of cheeseburgers and fries at a diner in Celadon City. Both were things Erika had never tried until a few months ago with Misty.
"Well, there are people watching," said Misty as she looked around. The diner was filled with various types of people from families to couples on their date. "But I promise we can do that once we get to your place. Okay?"
"Really…?" asked Erika who was a bit confused at the reason why. She looked around as well and noticed that a middle age woman had her eyes on them. It didn't take long for her to see why after that.
Misty nodded before she popped a fry into her mouth. That had made Erika happy for the moment now that she knew what was to be expected upon their arrival at her flower garden of a gym.
It was now a week later and Erika stood before Misty's home. A ding could be heard within the redhead's home as Erika's finger pulled away from the doorbell.
"Today I am going to do it…," said Erika to herself as she reflected upon the memory from last week. That was simply one of the few times where Misty had denied her some form of affection in public.
Erika could guess that Misty felt uncomfortable about public displays of affection with her but Erika simply wanted to show Misty that she loved her. It was simply hard to contain at times when they were together but she tried. Erika was especially frustrated when she saw other lovers within a kiss only a few tables away.
"Hey there, Pumpkin!" Erika heard as she looked at the source that had disturbed her thoughts. Her gaze was greeted by a happy redhead clad in a white bathing suit and blue jacket.
"Oh…Hello, Misty," said Erika as she gave the swimmer a happy smile. The florist was dressed in a pink kimono. She made sure to wear this kimono because Erika knew it was Misty's favorite. "Please excuse me…I suppose I was dozing off…"
"Well, make sure to stay awake because we are going to hit up my favorite place!" smiled Misty as she duck down to give Erika a tickle though her kimono. "Brought the food?"
"Y…yes…" giggled Erika lightly as she could feel a bit of Misty's fingers though her kimono. She then raised a basket with both of her arms. "I decided to make cold pasta that we could enjoy together…"
"Sounds delicious!" said Misty as she took a look at the basket. "Then, it is about time we get going!"
"Yes…," said Erika as she followed after Misty. After all, Misty knew the way to the cape better than anybody else.
As the two walked on Nugget Bridge towards the Cape, Erika looked at Misty's hand. The swimmer's hand swayed next to hers. Erika wanted to reach over to grab it but she worried how would Misty react. She decided to give it a try as her hand inched closer to Misty's. It lightly brushed against hers but didn't move away. Erika tried to place her hand under Misty's but it pulled away.
"Erika! Look!" smiled Misty as she pointed toward the distance. "We are almost there. How about I take your hand? I remember last time you needed my help getting there."
"Oh…I think I feel well enough today to make the trek," said Erika who used the hand she had attempted to reach out toward Misty's to move a strand of hair away from her face. A ping of pain could be felt within Erika at her failed attempt to grab Misty's hand. "
"Alright. Just give me a holla if you need my help," said Misty as she started to walk a bit faster.
Erika badly wanted to hold that soft hand of Misty's. A kiss would be even better but that never would happen in public. She remembered how great it was to hold Misty's hand the last time they came here but that was to only help Erika get to their destination. Erika had felt tired more than usual that day. When Misty held her hand, it gave Erika a jolt to stay up long enough to make it to the end. Part of it may have been an excuse to hold Misty's hand but in all honestly, Erika needed it or she would have fallen asleep on a ledge. Erika didn't want to do that again even if she wanted to hold Misty's hand.
"We are here!" yelled out Misty as she stood before a small pond that was close to a cliff which overlooked the ocean. Erika had to admit that it was quite beautiful and could understand why Misty loved to come here. The way the earth met the ocean had her mystified. The plant life left her in awe in how they bloom from the combination of the two meeting.
"Nice, right?" smiled Misty as she nudged Erika a bit.
"Ah…! Yes. It is quite lovely," said Erika as she was pulled out of her half daze and doze off state of mind.
"Now, I think it is about time we get to eating! Pumpkin! I am starving after walking all the way up here. Bring on the grub!" said Misty as she sat down. Erika followed suit and had begun to unpack the food.
Erika tried many times to show some affection towards Misty during their meal. Each time, Erika failed as Misty said something or Erika found herself cleaning off Misty's lips with a napkin due to Misty's boyish eating habits.
The reputation of this seaside location was known even by Erika. It made Misty famous as her number one training and dating spot. Last time they came here it was simply as friends. Now they were a bit more even if they were not exclusive. It would be a waste if Erika couldn't show some sort of public affection in this place even though her time with Misty should be enough.
Somewhere between their second cup of tea and desert, Erika realized that maybe that is all she should hope for. Their time together should be all the bliss she needed. It may hurt Erika that they can't do anything romantically out in the open but maybe not all flowers should be seen in bloom. In the end, Erika knew how much Misty loved her if they had been together like this for this long.
"Now that was a great meal!" smiled Misty as she laid on the grass. It was then follow by a loud burp. "Excuse me! Those sweet balls things were the best!"
"Misty," giggled Erika at the sound of the burp that came from Misty. "Those are called mochi. Though, I am glad that you enjoyed them…"
"Whatever they are called, I want more of them. So keep on making them!" said Misty as she sat up a bit.
"Hmm…I will remember that then," said Erika as she looked at Misty's hand. Both of her hands were planted on the ground to prop Misty up. They were next to one of Erika's hands. The kimono dressed woman thought about it for a little bit but decided against it.
The sun began to set and soon they along with the few other couples at the cape were covered in the orange glow of the sunset. The soft sounds of the sea mixed with the cries of Wingull made a nice background sound to a lovely date night. The soft grass and the orange glow of the pond and ocean provided the perfect background. It was all Erika could ask for if this made Misty happy.
It was then that Erika felt something warm on top of her right hand. She slowly looked down to see Misty's hand over her own. A slight blush began to appear on Erika's cheeks. She wasn't sure if she should pull away or stay frozen.
"What is wrong, Pumpkin?" asked Misty who noticed the red on Erika's face. "Got a fever or something? Is it too hot under that kimono?"
"N-N-No…! I am just fine…!" stuttered Erika as she tried to gather her thoughts. "Your hand is soft…!"
"Heh. Thanks, Pumpkin. I am using a new moisturizer," laughed Misty a bit at how silly Erika was right now. "I need to make sure my hands don't dry out from all the swimming I do."
"Oh…Well, it is nice…," said Erika as she nodded quickly.
"Yeah. I think I may keep using it. I like the smell of it," said Misty as she still had her hand on Erika's. "It smells a bit like you."
"Ah…! Oh…Th-that is nice to know," said Erika as she felt her face glow bright red again. She wasn't sure if it was from her hands feeling Misty's or what Misty had said but both were nice.
"Also, on the way down, I am going to hold your hand all the way down," said Misty as she looked at Erika's face. "And I am not taking no for an answer. I want to!"
"Oh..I-…I would like that," said Erika as she nodded a bit. "I would like that very much…"
"Good," smiled Misty as she gave Erika's hand a good tight squeeze as they sat there and watched the sunset. The whole time, the two girls leaned in against each other with their hands held tight.