Disclaimer – I don't own any of this, except perhaps, the plot.
--
Brock was getting bored – the disadvantage of staying in a hotel was that there was no Nurse Joy to hit on.
And the Sensational Sisters were busy – and Dawn was far too young to catch his interest.
And, for the first time in his life, he just didn't have the heart to hit on random, but sexy strangers, most of whom didn't have the patience, or kindness of his darling Joy.
So, Brock decided to drown his sorrows in Playboy, and trudged towards the room where he had left Ash about fifteen minutes ago.
He hadn't given the spare key to Misty, and so Brock rapped on the door impatiently, eager to get his hands on his precious Playboy.
The door was answered by a rather red-faced, extremely disgruntled Ash.
"What do you want?" Ash snarled, making it all too obvious he didn't appreciate his friend's presence.
"I believe this is my room too, Ash, let me in." Brock replied, shoving Ash aside as he entered the room.
His non-existent eyes nearly popped of their non-existent sockets, as he saw Misty, leaning against the wall, her hair slightly disheveled, blushing furiously.
Brock's eyes darted from one guilty-looking teenager to the other.
"Did you guys-" he began questioningly.
"NO!" Ash and Misty both cut him off, shouting.
"We didn't do anything…" Ash said, feeling rather envenomed that Brock had spoilt such an intense, perfect moment.
Brock noticed his bitter tone, and shot his friends an apologetic look.
"Bad timing on my part, then?" he asked meekly, quailing under the glare Misty was shooting him.
"Can you go?" she asked, her voice dangerously polite.
"Yeah, I'm going!" Brock said. "I just need my magazine and – oh no! Just you stop right there, Misty!"
"Brock, don't -" Ash begged, but Misty was getting irritated.
"What, Brock?" she demanded, hands on her hips.
"Playboy, Misty. Playboy." Brock said. "Does it ring a bell?"
Misty looked at him if he was crazy.
"No!" she replied, in a tone which clearly stated she found his question ridiculous.
"Are you sure, Misty – because I believe I know about a certain connection between you and that particular magazine…" Brock said accusingly.
"You're insane! Playboy? Me? Seriously, Brock, what's up with you?" Misty asked bewildered.
"You don't know what I'm talking about then?" Brock continued.
"NO! Ash, what's up with him?" Misty cried exasperatedly. "Brock, could you please just go and leave us alone?"
Ash jumped up, nodding his head vigorously.
"Yeah, Brock, you should really go." he agreed.
"Azumarill? Playboy? Doesn't sound familiar, Misty?" Brock persisted.
"Ash," Misty said, looking rather terrified now. "They don't have pokémon in Playboy do they?"
"Of course not!" Ash assured her. "I mean I don't think so, I wouldn't really know…"
"Then why is he talking about Azumarill?! And what do I have to do with that disgusting magazine?!"
"You won't admit it?" Brock asked. "Fine, I'll prove it to you!"
Brock shot out his hand, grabbing Ash by the collar, and pulled a piece of paper out of his jeans before Ash could even protest or do anything to stop him.
"BROCK!!!" Ash shouted, lunging for the paper, but Brock held it out of his reach, looking at him rather pityingly.
"I'm sorry Ash, but she won't believe me without proof..." Brock said.
"Traitor." Ash muttered.
"What's happening?" Misty asked.
"Brock's being a loser, that's what." Ash grumbled, grabbing a pillow from the bed and burying his flushed face into it.
"Misty." Brock began, flourishing the crumpled paper in her face. "You see this piece of paper?"
"No, I don't." she answered sarcastically, but then her curiosity was piqued – it was the same paper Ash had with him… she had to know who was on it!
"Well, it's a photo of a girl Ash found in my Playboy magazine." Brock said.
Misty shot Ash a dirty look at this, her heart sinking.
Ash was peeking over the pillow, a guilty, apologetic expression in his eyes.
He said he only had eyes for me… but there's some girl in Playboy – ugh, I didn't know Ash liked Playboy of all things…Misty thought to herself sadly.
"Do you want to see this photo, Misty?" Brock asked.
"N-not really…" she mumbled dejectedly. It would just make her feel worse, seeing the super-hot model Ash was so crazy about.
Brock ignored this, flattening out the photograph, and thrusting it under Misty's nose anyhow.
Misty gasped.
It was her: skimpy Azumarill costume, wink and all.
"B-b-but th-that's me!!!" she shrieked, terrified and ecstatic at the same time.
Terrified at the possibility that she was in the magazine; ecstatic at the realization that it was only her picture which Ash had with him all along – there was no other hot model – Ash had been telling the truth when he said he had eyes only for her…
"What did I tell you?"
"B-but Brock! Are – are you sure you found this in Playboy?" Misty asked, now panicking.
"You mean you're still denying it?"
"Brock! You know I'd never, ever agree to pose for Playboy, what kind of a skank do you think I am?!" Misty shouted.
"But I swear, this was in Playboy – you can even see the little Lopunny logo at the bottom of the picture."
Unfortunately, this was true, and Misty was horrified – her picture, a picture of her, clad in that – that ludicrous costume – was in the worst magazine possible.
"I – I don't know how this is possible, I would never do something like this! My sisters maybe, but I wouldn't…" Misty suddenly trailed off, realization dawning upon her.
"What's wrong?" Brock asked timidly, seeing that she looked ready to explode.
"DAISY!" Misty hollered. "I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!"
--
"DAISY! VIOLET! LILY! OPEN THE DOOR!"
A few seconds later, the door opened, and Daisy popped her pretty face out, her blonde hair piled at the top of her hair in curling irons.
"Like, what's all the racket for, Misty?" she asked.
Misty was fuming.
"How could you send this to Playboy, Daisy, how could you do this to me?" she hissed, shoving the photo under her sister's nose.
"Hey, nice picture, you're as photogenic as me!" Daisy squealed, oblivious to Misty's mounting wrath.
"Why in the name of Arceus, was this in Playboy?" Misty demanded.
Daisy's eyes widened. "This was in Playboy?"
"Yes."
"Like, oh my god! That's brilliant!" Daisy shrieked, looking extremely proud for some reason. "Congratulations on finally making it to Playboy like us! I knew you had it in you, little sis!"
She pulled the disconcerted Misty into a warm hug, patting her on the back. Misty shoved her away, now seething.
"Daisy, I did not want to be in this corrupted magazine! You knew that!" Misty cried.
"Like, what's going on?" Violet asked, joining the turmoil.
"Oh, hi Misty – like, what's up?" Lily chimed in.
"Misty's in playboy." Daisy said.
"LIKE, WOW!!! Congratulations!"
"That's like, an awesome achievement for you!"
Misty looked at Violet and Lily scornfully, ignoring their gleeful cries.
"It is certainly not." she snarled. "And Daisy, you still haven't told me how this got into Playboy!"
"How and why did you take that picture anyways, that's what I want to know." Brock piped up from behind Misty.
"And Daisy, your hair looks gorgeous." he added.
"Like, um, thanks." Daisy said cheerfully. "And well, like, what happened was, Violet designed all these like, adorable little pokémon costumes – Azumarill for Misty, Dewgong for me, Goldeen for her and Seaking for Lily – like, just for fun. Violet's really creative with costumes and stuff, right Vi?"
Violet giggled. "Yeah, I like, make them in my free time."
"So then, we dressed up in them, just for fun, and we kind of like, took pictures – it was just a private little family thing, like a joke…. we were just like, fooling around."
"Where was I when you guys were doing this…" Brock said aloud.
"In Sinnoh, thankfully far away." said Misty shortly. "And, I remember all that, but those photos were private! Between us! How did Playboy get them?"
Lily then spoke up, looking rather guilty.
"Uh – I think that might have been my fault…" she muttered.
"What did you do?" Misty asked, rounding on her.
"Well… I transferred them from Daisy's camera to a pen drive – like, just for back up… but then one day I met this like, really hot guy, who worked for the Playboy magazine… and – well – we hadn't appeared in it for like, the last three issues… so I gave him the pen drive and told him he could put us in… I like, completely forgot you were on it too…"
"Great! Just great!" Misty ranted. "If it isn't the most mortifying thing in the world!"
"Stop overreacting!" Lily said affectedly.
"I'm NOT overreacting! If I was overreacting, I'd have made Gyarados hyper beam you by now!!!"
Lily seemed terrified by this threat.
"I'm sorry, it was like, an honest mistake, I won't do it again!" she wailed. "Please forgive me Misty?" she turned to Misty, her eyes wide and watery.
"Alright…" Misty relented. "But this better not happen again…"
"It won't!" Lily promised, her disposition transmogrifying from apparently upset to cheery again.
"And anyways, you should, like, be thanking me… not every girl gets to be on Playboy!" Lily added, winking.
Misty growled at this, and slammed the door in her sister's face.
"Airhead." she muttered to herself.
Ash and Brock were silent for awhile, as the trio stood in the corridor outside her sisters' room, digesting this new information.
Finally, Brock spoke up.
"Well I – I'm going to our room - we're running short on rice-balls, and there's a little kitchen in our suite, so I think I'll make some while we're here – don't worry about the Playboy thing, Misty, it was just one issue… the special anniversary one, but still, no big deal…" and with this he sped off.
"WHAT?!" Misty shouted after him. "SPECIAL ISSUE??!!"
Ash said nothing, deciding it was better to let her cool off – he was, anyways, for some unfathomable reason, feeling strangely shy around her – maybe because she'd discovered his secret, and he didn't know how she'd react… hopefully, she'd just forget about the whole thing…
"Ash?" came Misty's soft voice. Apparently she had cooled down, but she had also remembered…
"Y-yeah Misty?"
"The whole time – this was the photo you had…"
Ash nodded, blushing.
"So when I was jealous – I was actually…"
"Jealous of yourself, yes."
Misty giggled, and Ash prayed she would leave it at that.
She didn't.
"So in the bathroom – when you were – you know…"
"YES! Yes, it was you I was thinking about, you and nobody else, okay!" Ash exclaimed. "Can we forget about this?!"
"How long have you – done that for?" she asked, and Ash now looked rather upset.
"It was the first time, I promise – don't kill me please. I'm sorry and I won't do it again." he said, staring at the ground, kicking the carpeted floor with his foot.
Misty smiled – he was so embarrassed, it was actually very cute.
Though she knew Ash would resent it, Misty couldn't help herself, so she reached out and pinched his cheek.
"You're really cute." she told him.
Ash blushed, but also looked slightly affronted, and attempted to glare at her.
"Gee, thanks, Misty. I'm not a little kid." he said, sulking. "Or a pokémon for that matter."
Misty giggled again.
"I know, but you're still adorable."
"So – so you're not upset? You don't think I'm a pervert or anything?" Ash asked, rather shyly this time, looking up at her hopefully.
Misty's heart melted. She loved him.
"No, I think you're a sweetheart." she replied fondly, reaching out to take his hand in hers.
He said nothing but entwined their fingers, and they stood their for awhile. When he finally spoke, his voice was heavy with emotion.
"I used to look at it every night, and think about you. I missed you a lot, Misty – when you were gone."
It was now Misty's turn to blush, but she said nothing, wanting him to continue.
"I wish you'd never left me. It's not half as fun without you there – I had no one to argue with, flirt with, get beaten up by…" he smiled at the last bit.
"It was a bit boring."
"But you had May – and then Dawn…"
"Misty, you know the only girl I ever wanted was you…"
Misty shivered at the intense look in his eyes. Would he kiss her now? She wanted him to, so badly…
He didn't kiss her though. Instead, he pulled her by the hand, walking in the direction of their room.
"Where are we going?" Misty asked.
"To kick Brock out." he replied, his voice low, and full of restrained passion.
Misty's heart thumped wildly in anticipation.
Ash knocked on the door – there was no answer. So he removed the key from his pocket, sliding it into the slit – the door opened with a click.
They stepped into the room, which was clearly empty.
"Brock's gone." Ash said, turning the knob to lock the door.
"Yeah…" Misty replied softly, gazing into his blazing brown eyes.
--
The atmosphere was tense – very tense, as they stood still for a moment, neither of them moving.
Then Ash grabbed her, wrapping an arm around her waist, and pulled her to him, crashing his lips against hers.
Misty responded immediately, kissing him fervently, taking off his precious pokémon league hat so she could tangle her fingers in his messy hair.
She was on fire – flaming desire coursed through every nerve in her body.
One of Ash's hands ran up her back, into her hair, as the other moved even lower.
They continued kissing, brushing their lips against each other's, until Ash lightly bit her bottom lip. She kissed him harder, but he wasn't satisfied, so he bit it again, harder this time.
Misty gasped this time, and Ash seized the opportunity, shoving his tongue into her mouth, deepening the kiss.
It was a full-blown make-out session now, and Ash and Misty kissed with an urgency, a passion fueled by years of crushing, of dreaming, of wanting the very thing that was happening just then.
Still not breaking the kiss, Ash pulled Misty backwards, till they both collapsed onto the bed, and then flipped her over, so he was on top of her.
They continued kissing for awhile, and Ash placed his hands on her shoulders, slowly pulling the straps of her dress downwards.
Misty tensed up, and Ash could feel it. He reluctantly broke the kiss, and pulled away slightly to look at her.
"What's wrong?" he whispered.
Misty didn't say anything, biting her lip nervously.
"Misty," Ash said softly, brushing a few strands of hair away from her face. "Tell me what's wrong."
"I – I really – like kissing you Ash, don't get me wrong, it's the most amazing feeling in the world, and I could do it forever…" Misty began uncertainly.
Ash rolled off of her, sitting up, and pulled her onto his lap.
"Yes, me too… and?" he asked patiently, cradling her in his arms.
"Well – I – I haven't ever done this kind of stuff before…" Misty mumbled, burying her face into his chest, savoring the feeling as his arms wrapped around her.
"Neither have I, you're my first." he said, his lips brushing against her ear.
"Really?" she asked, pulling away so she could look at his handsome face.
"Of course!" Ash laughed. "What did you think?"
He pressed his forehead to hers, their noses touching. She could feel his warm breath on her lips.
"I haven't exactly had time with all that training, battling, saving the world…" he said.
Misty laughed, waiting for him to continue.
"…and I honestly never wanted anyone but you to be my first – and last…" he whispered, placing a hand on her thigh, slowly sliding it upwards.
Misty trembled at his soft caresses – it felt so good, so right… but still, she was unsure. She didn't know why, but she felt a bit – unready.
Ash sighed, reading the troubled expression on her face.
"What is it, Misty?" he asked again.
"I just – I don't think I'm ready!" Misty blurted out, and then felt like hitting herself as she saw a slightly hurt, disappointed look cross Ash's face.
He removed his hand instantaneously, and Misty regretted ever opening her mouth… she should have just let him, it felt amazing anyways… why had she stopped him?
"I – I'm sorry." Ash was saying frantically, "I just – lost control, I should have asked you, I thought you wanted it…" he trailed off despondently, staring at his hands.
"Oh, Ash!" Misty cried, flinging her arms around his neck. "I didn't mean it like that! I enjoyed it, and I want it, I swear I do…"
"Then what's the matter?" he asked, almost desperately.
"I – I want to, I swear on Lugia, but – just – could we not – have sex yet?" she pleaded.
"You mean you don't - want me…"
"No, Ash! That's not it! It's not you!" Misty cried.
"Am I messing up? Did I do something wrong?" he asked anxiously, and Misty hated herself for the pained expression that crossed his face.
"No, you were perfect, you are perfect, Ash, it's just I – I want to wait…" Misty said, feeling incredibly stupid, unable to meet his eyes.
"Oh." he said, gently pushing her off him. "I see."
"No you don't!" she exclaimed. "You're misunderstanding! I want it all, as bad as you do-"
"Yeah right." Ash snorted.
"I'm serious, Ash! I just want to do it gradually, one step at a time, not rush into anything! This is all new for me, and I really like you, more than I think it's possible to like someone – and I just want it to be special…and romantic…"
"So silk sheets and circular beds aren't romantic enough for you, huh?" he asked sarcastically.
"No! I mean, yes! Grrr…that's not what I meant! Mew, Ash, can't you understand – I'm not like you, I want everything, but just – later on!"
"How much later?" he asked bitterly. "You're leaving in a few weeks."
"I'm sorry Ash." she whispered, her voice cracking, tears welling up in her eyes. "I screwed up. I'm an idiot. It's just I have all these weird fantasies – I want to do everything, but then I also want to wait, and go slow… it's just confusing."
Ash's face softened, and he held out his arms.
"Come here, Mist." he said, and she stared at him.
"Come on, I'm not going to rape you." he said, chuckling dryly.
"I know that!" she answered indignantly, letting him gather her in his arms again.
He kissed her on the forehead.
"I'm such an idiot…" she muttered.
"No, you're not."
"A psychopath."
Ash smiled. "That, you most definitely are."
"I'm sorry, Ash." she said again.
Ash shook his head, kissing her on the nose this time.
"Don't be… if that's what you want, that's what you'll get. I don't want to force anything on you, and I don't want to change anything about you. If you're like that, it's okay, because you're my Misty, and I think you're wonderful the way you are."
"Oh, Ash…" Misty gushed, her eyes filling with tears again. "You're such a sweetheart, I don't deserve you! I promise I'll be ready – one day!"
Ash smiled.
"Just do me one favor, Misty?" he requested.
"Anything." she said immediately.
"Change out of that freaking dress."
Misty looked at him questioningly.
"Y-you look way too hot for your own good in it, Misty. I swear I'll lose control… you don't know how difficult it is for me, right now."
His voice was rough, husky, and Misty wanted him to lose control, to jump on her, to tell her he didn't care about her stupid little fancies, and he'd have his way with her anyways.
Don't think like that, she scolded herself. You'll make it harder on the poor boy! Stop being so indecisive, you've made a choice, now stick to it! And no regrets!
But Misty regretted it.
As she walked out of the room, after sharing one last long kiss with Ash, Misty regretted it more than anything.
--
Ash watched her go, feeling rather resentful at his generosity.
I won't force you, Misty…he thought to himself. But by the end of this week, you're going to go back on everything you said – you're going to be begging me…
It was a challenge after all, to win her over.
And there was nothing Ash loved more than a challenge.
He slid off the bed, picking up his pokémon league hat and placing it on his head, and turned it backwards, his eyes glinting.
Misty, I'm going to get you… just you wait!