DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pokémon.
5 weeks later
Strobe lights moved in synchronization around the room, casting color on the dance floor and sitting area. Bodies moved in tune to the music blasting from the speakers. Bartenders rushed to fill drinks order behind the counter.
Misty sat on a stool at the bar, watching the people dirty dancing on the dance floor. Her right hand was curled around a half-full tumbler. It was her second drink of the night and she was starting to feel herself get light-headed.
The news of Misty becoming a new recruit hit the public a few days ago. The announcement was delayed so that Misty could catch up on skills and techniques. It wouldn't do if other Trainers thought she was weak. Now that everyone was comfortable with her, they accepted her whole-heartedly into TRAINERS. Her fellow co-workers started suggesting a little get-together to make her feel at home.
Right. Little.
Who knew Trainers like to party? One of the rec rooms transformed into club. They just needed an excuse to party and let off steam, so they called this the 'Misty Welcoming Party,' even though the guest of honor hardly knew most of the people in the room. Misty didn't mind though, she needed a drink sooner or later.
"Hey."
Misty glanced to the right to see Brock settling into the seat next to her. He raised a hand to call the bartender over, who immediately abandoned all previous customers to retrieve the commander's drink first. Seconds later, a glass slid across the counter and into Brock's waiting hand. He angled his body towards Misty and raised his drink.
"Cheers," Brock said.
Misty brought her own glass and clinked it to Brock's. Both raised their drinks and finished them. If Misty was going to get through the night, she needed to be a little tipsy. It wasn't often that she caught Brock long enough to have a conversation with him. Time for answers. Misty slammed her tumbler down on the counter and looked at Brock through narrowed eyes.
"I know what you're doing," Misty tried to sound menacing.
Brock feigned innocence. He put his hand over his heart for effect. "Why Misty, I have no idea what you're talking about."
Misty didn't falter. She continued to direct her death glare at him. "Right. It's not like you're setting me up with Ash every chance you get. No, that would be cruel and unusual of you."
Brock laughed once and turned his body towards the bar. "That obvious, huh?"
"I'm sure you have more important matters to attend to than playing matchmaker with us." She raised one eyebrow. "Or, at least, I HOPE so."
"Oh, but being the great friend that I am, I couldn't let go of this opportunity to get my two best friends to kiss and make up." Brock sighed, "I don't understand why you two are so stubborn. You two obviously still have feelings for each other." Misty blushed at this. "So why not just forget about the past and hook up?"
"One cannot simply forget about the past. History determines how we are today."
"Pish-Posh, sometimes you gotta live in the now, Misty." Brock glanced sidelong at Misty. "Don't let the present slip away just cause of some shit in the past."
"You've been reading some fortune cookies, huh?"
"Shush, I'm giving you some heart-to-heart advice."
Misty contemplated this for a sec while she stared straight ahead. "I'm not the one he wants,' she said quietly.
"What was that?"
"Nothing."
Brock doubted that it was nothing but he didn't want to push her. He decided on another topic.
"You know," Brock mused loud enough for Misty to hear, "ever since you came here, Ash has changed." Misty sat quietly as Brock elaborated. "You've probably noticed it too. He usually keeps to himself, never revealing his emotions. He doesn't get close with anyone, except a select few. Ash the Machine." Brock turned to Misty. "Ever since you arrived here, though, he's let some of his walls down. It's a very nice change. I don't even mind if you guys have your infamous fights, anymore! It's a relief to see him like his old self again." Brock paused. "Thank you."
Misty shook her head. "I haven't done anything."
"Doesn't matter. Still saying it."
Misty ordered another shot for her and Brock. "Cheers," she said as she clinked her glass against his.
"Brock! Misty!"
Misty glanced back to find Gary pushing through the crowd with a sulking Ash in tow. Brock looked back also and greeted Gary when he came closer.
Gary called the bartender over. "Four shots!"
"Careful, Misty had a few already," Brock chuckled.
"I had like what, three?" Misty contemplated this. Was it her third? Or maybe fifth or sixth... One drink led to another and Misty snapped at Brock when he tried to tell her to quit.
"Pfft, it's a party! Besides, someone here will be watching her." Gary hinted with his eyes at Ash, who glared back. Misty was too out of it to catch the exchange and eyed the shot glasses as the bartender set them down. Gary passed out the drinks to his three friends and one for himself. The four brought their glasses together to toast then tipped it back.
Brock was the first to speak. "I'm surprised you came, Ash. You don't usually come to these things."
Ash glared at Gary, who laughed it off and wrapped an arm around Ash's shoulders. "It wasn't easy getting this guy to come. Took a lot of coercing... and threats."
Ash grumbled.
An upbeat song began, luring more people out on the dance floor. Gary stole a quick glance at Ash then smiled a wicked grin.
"So Misty, how about that dance?" Gary held out a hand to Misty. Ash's eyes bugged. Even Brock was taken aback. Misty stared at Gary's hand in confusion. "I asked you before at the lab, remember?"
Misty contemplated this for a second before nodding and putting her hand in his. "Sure."
"Sweet."
Gary led Misty out to the floor. As they brushed past Ash, Ash inhaled sharply but said nothing. He knew Gary wouldn't try anything. He let them go without protest and sat down on Misty's abandoned seat.
Brock ordered another drink for his friend.
Gary pulled Misty near the center of the dance floor, where it was impossible to move without rubbing against another person. It didn't take long for Misty to adjust to the beat, swinging her hips with her hands raised high. Gary moved closer and began to dance with her, making sure to ward off any guys that came too close.
Misty didn't know what came over her but she felt bold. Her movements brushed against Gary every so often. She felt empowered, free.
However, she felt this weird prickling sensation on her back, but she was having way too much fun to care. Gary felt it too and glanced over his shoulder to find Ash giving him the death glare. Brock is at his side trying to make conversation. Gary stuck his tongue out and then resumed dancing, making even more exaggerated moves to further aggravate Ash.
"So how's the progress with Misty?"
Ash contemplated this. Misty's training was steadily coming along but it would take months for her to be up to par with the other Trainers. Luckily, there hasn't been any more bodily injuries since the one to his chin.
As for their relationship…
Awkward.
To put it nicely.
Both have been avoiding unnecessary contact between them. If they're left in the same room, the two stubborn adults would reside in opposite locations. The only physical contact they have is when Ash is showing her new self-defense maneuvers and would inevitably place his hands on choice locations in order to correct her posture.
Other than that, the occasional, accidental touch would cause them to reel back their hands as if they touched burning hot lava.
Ash remained silent. He watched the redhead and his best friend dancing on the dance floor. Actually, can it even be called dancing? Ash scowled. It's a bunch of people crowded together and rubbing against each other. Sweaty bodies everywhere you move. Body odor assaulting your olfactory nerves once you snap out of your trance.
Oh, but what Ash wouldn't give to trade places with Gary now.
Ash closed his eyes and shook his head as if to erase that thought. His thoughts have been so confusing lately. Did he want to repel Misty away or keep her close? Another drink would be a good idea. He needed to loosen up if he wished to survive the night.
Ash sighed and pivoted in his seat to face the bar again. He took the glass in hand and glanced over at his companion's direction, only to find the tan man staring in return. Blatantly. With no expression. Ash felt like he's being analyzed and it made him nervous. He cleared his throat in hopes of interrupting Brock's unnerving gaze.
"Need something, Brock?"
"Go dance with Misty."
Ash gave him a funny look and sarcastically said, "Because I do that all the time with her."
Brock pouted, "Because it would really make my day to see two of my oldest friends –"
"No."
"Or maybe if you –"
"No."
"What if she –"
"NO."
"Tch, you're no fun," Brock sighed.
Ash inspected his glass tumbler in the light, turning it this way and that to see different shapes as the light hits a facet of the glass. "Since when have any of your ideas gone right for us? Look at us! Nothing's changed."
Brock stared at Ash's left profile as he played with the glass in his hands. A nervous reaction? Ash wouldn't meet Brock's eyes, which meant this must be a sensitive topic for Ash to avoid it. Brock smirked and shook his head.
Nothing's changed? You're blind as a bat, my friend, thought Brock. Well, he always was slow.
Brock decided to spare his friend and changed the subject to safer grounds. The two talked about recent mission outcomes and Pokémon strategies, neither were appropriate topics at a party but the two were comfortable. It wasn't until a few minutes later that a certain brunette girl bounded over to them.
"Hello Brock! Ash."
The two men looked back to find a girl in a short red dress. The bandanna she usually wears is nowhere to be seen tonight so her shoulder length hair is combed to perfection. She grinned cheekily at her two superior officers and friends.
"Hello, May," nodded Brock. Ash followed suit but said nothing in return. He offered a small smile. May beamed at both. "Funny seeing you here, Ash. You never come to these things." Ash just shrugged in response. "Well, rule number one, Mister Unsociable, no work related topics at a party!" May put both hands on her hips.
Ash's mouth pulled up on one corner. Leave it to May to point out his socially awkward habits. May hopped into the seat next to Ash, who leaned back on the bar to give Brock a clear view of May also. May ordered a bright blue margarita and sipped it before talking.
"Oh hey! Misty's back, right? It's been so long! I haven't seen her yet," May mused. She noticed Brock glancing over at Ash and then gave May a knowing look. May smacked the counter top, startling Ash with the sudden loud noise. "No. Way. Have you been hogging her, Ash?"
"Not the way you're thinking –"
"You better share! Misty and I were, like, best friends when we traveled together. Don't you remember?" May hiccupped and placed a hand on Ash's upper arm. "Those good old days. When all we had to worry about was your sense of direction and where we were going to sleep at night. Oh! And also our next meal. Hah…"
Ash slightly tensed when May touched him, a reflex action. May was being more talkative than usual. Ash wondered how many drinks she had before she came over.
"You feeling alright, May?"
"NEVER BETTER!" May exclaimed. Suddenly she put both hands on Ash's face and turned it this way and that, looking at every angle. "This face! Get rid of that expression, Mister Grumpy Pants. You have the love of your life within reach yet you still hesitate?! You're such an idiot."
Brock snickered at May's drunken yet truthful words. Ash just sighed and allowed May to abuse his head, who whipped it back and forth.
This is going to be a long night…
Misty stole glances in Ash's direction every few seconds. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she was hoping to catch his eye. Misty noticed a brunette girl making her way over to where Ash and Brock was. The girl occupied the seat next to Ash and proceeded to make conversation. Misty raised her eyebrows. From what she gathered, not many people dared to talk to Ash. This girl has guts.
Misty missed a step when the girl placed a hand on Ash's arm. Misty's heel impaled the front of Gary's shoe, who let out a grunt of pain.
"Oh! I'm so sorry, Gary!"
Gary lifted up a hand to show he was alright. "No big deal. Hardly hurts now. Heh heh." He looked over to see what Misty was so distracted by. "Looks like May just arrived." He snickered at May who is currently strangling Ash left and right.
May?
Misty froze. The two of them looked so intimate by the bar. Even Ash let May touch his face. And look at how wrapped up both are in each other. They're even swaying back and forth. Almost like…
Lovers?
Jealousy crept up and slammed into her full force. By now, Misty and Gary have stopped dancing. Misty felt nauseous at the sight of the couple by the bar. Gary noticed that she turned a bit pale and interpreted it as exhaustion from dancing. Misty was pulled out of her thoughts as Gary took her hand and tugged her in the direction of the bar.
"Let's go grab some drinks."
Misty let Gary lead her by the hand in order for them to not be separated. But she barely registered her feet moving her along. Her mind was numb.
"– More than ten years! Are you a freaking moron?! Who the hell waits that long?" May tried to shake some sense into Ash, who passively accepted the assault. He turned to Brock for help but found him chatting up a Nurse Joy. He spotted Misty and Gary in the crowd returning. Ash mouthed the word 'HELP' to Gary who just shrugged in return.
Thanks, buddy.
Ash's eyes zeroed in on Misty's and Gary's joined hands. Suddenly the world stilled around Ash. May's shaking didn't bother him anymore. He couldn't hear the loud music or the buzzing of chatter around them. All he can focus on was that her hand was touching GARY's.
May noticed that Ash wasn't paying attention to her anymore and stopped her assault to look beside her. She squealed and ran over to Misty to give her a bear hug. Gary decided that it was time to let go of Misty's hand and let the girls have their moment.
Ash closed his eyes. Control yourself.
"Misty! I haven't seen you in FOREVER! Why didn't you call me?" May pouted as she continued to hug Misty.
"Sorry, I've been… busy," Misty hoped that the others didn't notice the trembling in her words or hands.
"Well, we're all together again, now! Ooh, it's going to be so much fun having a girl friend around." May gave her another tight squeeze as she swayed them back and forth.
"That's... awesome. Actually, I'm a little tired so I'm going to turn in." Misty gently pried May's arms off. She said goodbye to the others and made her way to the exit.
"Aw… I wanted to hang out a bit longer," May pouted.
Ash took his leave too without saying goodbye to the others. He followed Misty several feet behind and shot murderous glances at anyone who came near her. Gary gave the remaining two a look and waggled his eyebrows suggestively, causing May to giggle.
The hallway swayed before Misty. It tilted left and right as if she was on a ship and Misty drifted from one wall to the next. The drinks were really getting to her now, doubled by the exhaustion from dancing. Misty tripped over her own feet. Ash's arm shot out to catch her before the floor and her face could meet. Ash set her upright but still held onto her, for fear she'll fall again.
"Ash?" Misty recognized her rescuer after a few moments. "Go back to the party. May is back there." Misty slurred the last part so Ash couldn't catch it. She tried to push him away but to no prevail. He was immovable.
"I got tired. You're drunk. Let me help you." He started to lead Misty back to their room and Misty followed without protest.
Once they got into the room, Ash helped Misty walk towards the bed. Misty flopped onto it and didn't move. Ash assumed that she passed out. He sighed and proceeded to remove her heels. He dropped the death traps beside the bed and sat next to Misty. He turned to look at her but he was not expecting a pair of emerald eyes staring back. It was a while before anyone spoke.
"You know you're probably going to regret this in the morning. The killer hangover and stuff." Ash smirked.
"I'll manage somehow," Misty replied softly.
Yeah, you always do. Ash moved to get off the bed until he felt a hand on his wrist. He looked at her, confused.
"You know, you've gotten really tall."
"You just noticed?"
"And hot."
"I think that's the alcohol talking. Time for you to sleep." Ash grabbed the sheets and covered her up. That's when Misty decided to sit up suddenly, surprising Ash. Their lips were mere inches away and Ash could feel her warm breath blowing gently into the space between them. Ash stopped breathing completely.
"You know," Misty's voice dropped to a low whisper, as if to tell him the world's biggest secret. She kept looking at Ash's mouth. "I've always thought that you were cute."
Ash swallowed. He was paralyzed. He tried to hide his nervousness by a laugh but it came out as a strangled cough. "Only cute?"
"Well, now you've moved on to being very, very hot. Congrats." Misty leaned in to whisper the last part in his ear.
Ash shuddered at her proximity. Her words sent a chill up and down his spine. It wasn't unpleasant. In fact, Ash really liked it. Her low voice was very sexy. But why was he trembling? He was supposed to be the one whispering sweet nothings to her and making her excited and eager…
Okay. The alcohol has totally torn down a chunk of his defenses.
"Misty –"
"I mean, you were like a squirt in the past!" Misty talked in a louder voice. Ash cocked an eyebrow and willed her to go on. "Short, young, and impulsive. You were quite the baby when we first started traveling together."
"Okay, time for bed –"
"But you know, I liked you back then," Misty continued. "You had a great heart. Helping others with no strings attached. Rescuing Pokémon. Saving the world, multiple times I might add." Misty paused and looked at Ash right in the eye. "I really liked that about you.
"And no matter how hard you to hide it, I know those traits are still inside you. You try to hide them but you're not fooling anyone, mister. Stop with the tough guy act and just be yourself." Misty made a stern face to show she was serious.
Ash wanted nothing more than to crush Misty to his chest and hug her until dawn. But he didn't dare move. She had seen right through him with just one look. It was true. He kept people at a distance so there was no way they can be hurt by his line of work. So no one else will be endangered just by having a connection with him. No more deaths… He tried so damn hard, yet Misty still saw through him.
I wanna kiss her.
Misty stared at his lips. "The most important trait of you is still here. You've just upgraded to a better… hotter… body. Look at you. So popular with the girls now," Misty leaned in closer until Ash could feel her warm breath again. She was so close.
"Girls? Who?" Ash spoke softly.
"Playing dumb? You know who."
"No idea. The only one I want is…" Ash trailed off. Misty brought both of their foreheads together and nuzzled her nose against his.
Ash closed his eyes. He was trying very, very hard not to move. She was drunk, for god's sake! He couldn't take advantage of her. But every movement of hers is sending his senses into overdrive.
Before he could do anything, Misty leaned back on the bed and was softly snoring within seconds.
Ash let out a huge sigh in relief. One more move and he would have been done for. But now that she was at a respectable distance, he could clear his head. He looked at her sleeping form. Her face is free of angry scowls and sadness, which were usually the expressions she reserved for him nowadays. Her lips formed a slight pout. Her milk-white skin seemed to glow in the dark. Her hair fanned out around her face. She was truly a beauty.
Ash didn't think when he leaned over to brush a lock of Misty's hair out of her face. It was like watching a movie out of someone's eyes as he watched his hand trace her cheekbones and then rub his thumb over her bottom lip. It was so soft and kissable. Once he realized what he's done, though, he pulled his hand back as though he touched fire.
He looked at his hand in wonder. He couldn't take back what he's done. Ash knew now. He is in deep.
It was like someone has thrown a switch in his head. That somehow there was something to expect from life now. In his mind, he's given up trying to push her away. It's not possible anymore. The redhead has managed to worm her way back into his heart again before he even realized it.
Ash smiled. It touched his eyes and a warm feeling blossomed across his chest as he admitted his hidden affections for Misty. He placed both arms on either side of the sleeping girl's face and leaned in to softly kiss her cheek.
Now it was clear that both of them are still attracted to each other. But what Ash couldn't understand was why Misty insisted on keeping a distance. Ash had tried over and over to try and recall whatever it was that he did to push her away. But he came up with nothing.
The past can go to hell. She was here, with him, now. He's not going to waste another second with her.
He won't make the first move though. He was tired of being the one led around. Ash wanted to make Misty approach him first. To admit her feelings first. Only then can he be confident to pursue her openly.
Well, not that he needed confidence but if he were to openly express his feelings now, she would surely reject him.
Absolutely.
Without a doubt.
Progress, thought Ash. He would hint to her his feelings. Ash can do the little things. Court her. Until she's ready to admit her undeniable feelings too.
Ash brushed her cheeks with his lips and moved to her ear. He whispered his next words.
"You first."
First of all, Thank you all for your support. Your words inspire me to keep writing. And I will try to improve my writing and fix the mistakes. Writing is so new to me. Writing a story is so different from writing an essay, so sorry if my words sounds stiff at times. Still Learning.
Reviews make me happy. (hint hint) Next chapter will be full of action :D Like, gun toting, Team Rocket fighting, TRAINERS - Action. Hope you stick around!
FlowerInDarkness