I woke up and found myself lying next to Ash, the same way I was before I had fallen asleep.
Thank goodness, I didn't roll off the bed, or even worse, into the sick angel….wait! STOP THAT WAY OF THINKING, RIGHT NOW. Honestly!? I held hands with a sick man as I slept, so I clearly was tired and not thinking right!
I quickly but quietly sat up, and saw that the Pikachus were asleep with the other Pokemon in the other blankets I brought in the room, minus the one they had put over me and Ash at some point after I had crashed. They had made little beds in here out of the blankets because they didn't want to be out of the room.
Bless them. They are so loving and perfect and I will owe them for the rest of my life.
That's when Sylveon came back in the room with a bowl of water. She had replaced the water for the washcloth with nice cool water again, just as I had asked before my massive crash. I looked over at her and she smiled at me. I whispered my gratitude to her.
"Thank you, Sylveon."
She nodded and set the water down. I knew she was doing her shift of care, but out of our Pokemon, she was the best suited for this kind of task. I loved how each of my Pokemon was better at one thing than the others, but they all never gave up, which came from the boy we all knew, except Pikachu. Well, until now that is.
I realized we were still holding hands, but I knew I had to make sure his temperature had gone down, see what time is was, and make sure he was fed. I slowly took in the way it felt one last time, and then I let go. Instantly, I saw the change of emotion on his face, from neutral to less okay, so I quickly but carefully got out of the bed, and walked around to Sylveon's side. I grabbed the washcloth from his forehead, dampened it, rung it out, and returned it to its former placement.
Okay, now that we've got a nice fresh cloth on his head, it is time to check the temperature again.
I reached over, took the thermometer, and slowly put it in his mouth. I should have made sure to part his mouth, but I couldn't bring myself to touch his lips. I waited for a few seconds and felt Sylveon wrap her ribbon around my arm lovingly. I gently rubbed her ribbon until I heard the signature sound of the thermometer telling me it was ready to be checked. It read 101.3, which was much lower than the terrifying 103.8 I saw previously, so I figured that he was stable enough for me to take care of the Pokemon, get some food for me and them, and then return.
So I whispered to Sylveon again.
"Go wake the others quietly and have them come out to the living room."
"Veon."
She nodded with her response then set off to doing so. They were all really drowsy, but glad to see me awake it seemed. I grabbed the glass of water that was for Ash, and took it with he as I went to the kitchen.
It was a stunning kitchen for such a small sized one. The appliances were all top notch as well as the lovely marble counters with their white and blue design. I looked over to the oven once more and read the time.
It's 9pm. I slept by Ash's side, with his hand holding mine, for five and a half hours.
I filled the glass and then set it on the counter. I went to the Pokemon next, who were all standing sleepily waiting for me, except for Sylveon, who was fully awake.
"Okay guys, I need to thank you all. You all were amazing to step up with such little notice and take such good care of Ash. I love all of you so much and I'm so proud to call you all my Pokemon!"
All the Pokemon smiled and made sounds, even Ash's Pikachu, who turned to my Pikachu and smiled.
Thank goodness Ash's Pikachu isn't as worried anymore. That shows that I did the right thing. I was worried Pikachu wouldn't care for me anymore if I couldn't take care of Ash perfectly.
"Okay, so you all seem tired now, and I have taken my rest, so I'm going to go back in there and care for Ash and make sure he gets something like soup in his system. I'll make sure all of you get food before I go, but then I want you all to sleep in the guest bedroom, so that we don't get in each other's way in there. Except for you Pikachu, if you would like to return to the bedroom, we can make a bed for you since you're Ash's best friend."
Shockingly, no joke intended, my Pikachu frowned and ran up to me. While the rest of my Pokemon seemed to unhappily agree with the plan, she vocalized her distaste towards it and flat out showed me she didn't want to do that.
"Pi! Pi-kaaa! Pikachu!"
I realized she was point at Ash's Pikachu, then the bedroom door, and then me. I knew then what she wanted.
"You really want to sleep in there with us?"
"Pika!"
"Okay, then I'll make a bed for the two of you, but the rest of you need to sleep in the guest room. I really don't want to keep you in your Pokeballs but I also think you shouldn't worry now that I'm awake again, okay? Now, I need to know, Pikachu, does Ash have any other Pokemon than you in his team right now?"
Pikachu nodded and went off towards the bedroom again. I walked in after Pikachu, as stealthy as I could, and visually checked that Ash appeared stable for the time being. He was still sleeping and his breathing was nice and steady, so I turned as I saw Pikachu pointing from Ash's dresser that his Pokeball belt was there and had four Pokeballs in it. I took the belt and slowly put my arm out for Pikachu.
Having climbed on and gotten settled, Pikachu looked at Ash again. He looked as worried as I'd ever seen him, and I slowly reached up and rubbed Pikachu's head and mouthed, "It will be alright." Having nodded at my statement, we both left the room and I closed the door this time.
Trust me, Pikachu. I know what you're feeling. But, we just have to keep trying to focus at hands on tasks until he's better or we'll drive ourselves insane with worry.
I went back into the living room, and called out the first Pokemon. It was probably bad to realize Pokemon inside, but I felt they needed to be taken care of. I called out the first one, which was a Bayleaf. She looked at me very strangely for being in her home and holding her Pokeball, but Pikachu got her attention and filled her in quickly it seemed.
She started crying after he finished! I quickly went over and started to soothe her, because I know how scared and shocked she must have felt.
"Hey, it's going to be alright. I know you don't know me, but my name is Serena, and I'm a childhood friend of your trainer and a former member of one of his journeys, and I am not leaving his side until he gets better, so don't worry. His fever is already way better and he is sleeping soundly. He wouldn't want you to be sad that he was sick, but instead, you should be strong so your strength can reach him!"
She stopped crying very suddenly and she nodded at me with a newly formed smile across her face.
What a lovely Pokemon. She is so pretty and empathetic, but also kind of emotionally loose. I'm guessing she's also strong if a World Champion has her in his roster.
Next was another Pokemon I didn't know, but I knew what type it was because of the color it was. I quickly caught on from its speech that it was a Gliscor. Thankfully, when Pikachu filled this Pokemon in, it just listened carefully and then turned to me and nodded. I felt the trust Gliscor had in me to make Ash feel better and it gave me more strength. I knew the next Pokeball, even though it was never used, was Pikachu's, because it had the little electric mark on the outside. Ash had showed me that when we journeyed together, so I moved on to the final Pokeball.
As the ball opened, I knew who it was inside instantly. This Pokemon was a Kalos native, originally from a forest where there were fights took place and a forest champion reigned. This was Hawlucha. He did his classic posing, then turned around and saw me. Tears came to our eyes as they locked, and he dashed over to me and we hugged. Pikachu explained and Hawlucha hugged me again even tighter.
"Haw-lu-lu-cha."
For some reason, I knew what he was saying to me even though I didn't speak his language.
"I missed you too, Hawlucha. Don't worry, you know I will take great care of Ash. I'm sorry we haven't seen each other in so long."
"Hawlucha."
He nodded after that, so I figured I was given the okay to be Ash's caretaker by all his Pokemon. I told them the plan and then fed everyone with Pikachu's help on where Ash kept the food bowls and Pokemon food. While they ate, I took the guest bedroom apart a little bit and made it Pokemon ready. I told all the Pokemon that whenever they were ready, they should go to bed, because it was late. Finally, I went back into the bedroom because I knew Ash would need a new washcloth.
I changed the cloth after hunting around in his master bathroom, but it was much too late to force Ash's body to accept a meal, so I would have to make sure he ate a good breakfast, even if it was just soup. I took his temperature again, seeing an even lower 100.9, which was a very relaxing sign. I sat down on the bed next to him and I rubbed his forehead to remove some of the beads of feverish sweat. While that may not seem appropriate, I still felt it needed to be done so he could rest comfortably. I sat there, and all of a sudden, I started talking to him.
Ash can't hear me, but maybe my being here and my words can make his spirit stronger. While I don't know if that'll help him get better quicker, it does make me feel a little more collected and prepared to be his helper in his time of need.
I felt like my heart had split open after all these years of waiting.
Everything happens so fast with Ash, but I want to take this slowly so I can remember it.
I looked at his hand that I had recently held. I kept my eyes focused on that hand as my words started to escape from the very depths of my soul and heart, barely louder than a whisper.
"Oh, Ash. You're so kind and caring that you let yourself get drenched for me, when you didn't have to do that. I do know it was for the Pikachus too, but I was wearing less than I should have been. Regardless, you got sick. I can't stand to see you like this, even though I'm glad you had me here to take care of you. Do you know why it is hard to see you like this? Its because my Ash is strong and energetic. He never gives up until the very end, just like what he said 9 years ago and many years before that. He taught me how to find my dreams and follow them. He found me broken and helped me to put the pieces back together. He gave me a gift and complimented me when I picked a new style, even if our friends were unsure of what the changes meant. He let me defend him without yelling at me for my dishonesty, but instead showed me understanding and praise for caring for him when he was sick, kind of like this. He wished on shooting stars to help an innocent Pokemon follow her destiny, which made me wonder if he wished on stars to help me reach my dreams. He risked his life to save an ancient Pokemon and a mechanical one's heart, even though it was unsure of his safety and of others. He jumped off a tower with no hesitation, because his best friend was in danger. He fought with me, but apologized when he knew what to do instead of get distant or angry, and then thanked me earnestly for my powerful words that broke him from that attitude. He took a stand with the best of the best in my homeland to defend the entire world, not hesitating once at what he was doing that day. He was the strongest, kindest, and most important person in my life. And he's still all of those things. But best of all, he's right in front of me. He gives me a reason to wake up smiling in the mornings and to dream in awe of him during the night. He makes me feel alive, like I have the same courage and power he has that can allow him to do anything. I kissed that boy when I left him 9 years ago, because I wanted him to know how I felt. I loved that boy. He was the only guy I had ever loved. I still love that same boy. However, he's a man now. A man whose dreams have been followed and who could have any girl at his side if he wanted her. I've grown up, followed my own dreams, and done what I told that boy I would do the day I kissed him. I told him I would grow into someone he would like. I wonder if it worked now that I've seen him again, but I wouldn't dare to ask. I have spent a lifetime thinking of this boy, and now man, waiting and hoping that we could be together. Honestly, I feel like everyone wants us to be happy together. But I care and worry too much to try anything fast or admitly, at all, because I have the fear that he would love someone else."
I paused for a moment, feeling the first of many tears escape my eyes, took a steady breath to keep my voice clear, and continued.
"Possibly another girl he travelled with, just the same as me, a girl I may even know from our journey together, or a girl I haven't even heard of that he knew. All I know is that I would feel meaningless if I lost him from my life or heard him say that he didn't even care for me in any way.
Now that I've revealed so much, it's time to stop pretending it's not obvious who I'm talking about. He can't hear me, but this makes me feel as free and ready for the future, so I won't hold back my words any longer!
"Because I love you. I love you so much that these 9 years have felt like a lifelong wait for me, and it was as if everyday was proof that I could feel steady and lost at the same time. I know that I can never say these words to you when you are awake, but I love you, Ash Ketchum. I want to live just to see you happy. I want to be by your side, even if it's just for another day, because you are my everything. I love your stunning eyes and spiky hair, the way to sound when you get determined to do something, and the amazing personality you have that makes me fall in love again every time I get to see a new or different part of it. I hope you find true happiness, just like what you've given me. I would give up all I have worked for as a part of my dreams just to be with you, whether it was my crown as Kalos Queen or my career as a performer and coordinator. Even if it means I have to sit and watch another girl follow my dreams. If I see a smile on your face, I'll take the pain because I love you and your happiness would keep me alive through all the wounds my heart would receive. I love you more than you could ever know, sweet Ash, so get better soon, so I can see your lovely eyes again and hear your voice say my name just once more."
I have said all I can say. Now I have to hope fate is kind to me for being so open and taking risks.
"Serena."
I looked up very suddenly, the tears that were streaming from my eyes falling straight down my face now, and I saw Ash staring at me. So intently was his look that my tears went to a stand still, but I felt them still gathering in my eyes.
I know he heard me, or he heard my tears, but he's awake now, so I have a job to do. I see now that fate is crueler than I originally thought.
I stopped crying quickly, wiped away my tears, then put on a half fake and half real smile.
"Ash! You've awake! I've been worried that it would be days, but you're a faster healer, just like before when you got a fever. It has been a few hours since lunch, so you need to drink some water, eat something light, take more medicine, and then get some more sleep. So, I'll go make some soup. What kind do you like? Tomato? Chicken? I'll just go look in the cabinet to see what you have and I'll bring you options, okay?"
I went to leave the room for the kitchen, as a way to escape what I had just done, but instantly his hand was holding my wrist.
For someone who is sick or beginning to get better, his grip is really strong. It doesn't hurt, but I wish I could easily break free.
"No. Serena. Don't go."
Please let me go fix my dignity and hide my red eyes for a little bit! You're not letting me show you I'm strong enough to recover too, not some weakling who was sobbing by your bedside over a little cold! Please, Ash, understand that I'm vulnerable right now, so I want to just go get my own space for a minute.
My thoughts were racing, all of them not making much sense, other than my dramatic desire to leave from his eyesight after what just happened.
"Ash, you need food and everyone needs to know you're alright and….."
"Serena, I love you too."
I am dreaming the most intricate dream ever. I passed out at the beach and Ash and Lana are about to wake me up. Ash, the densest person I know, well, used to be, when it comes to love, just said he loves me after I admitted all my feelings.
I looked at him so closely, so far into his eyes, that I knew he wasn't kidding. I didn't know what to say though. The dreams I had of this moment before were somewhere romantic at sunset or dawn, us holding hands after being together for a while, and it would be perfect, but this.
This is true perfection, because I have heard the words that have kept me dreaming and moving for a lot of my life.
"Serena. Please come back and sit down. At least hear me out, then I'll let you leave completely if you have to, you can go to your hotel and we can forget this happened. But I need to tell you the truth."
His hand started shaking around my wrist, so I drew back carefully. I took his hand from its position around me, and placed it gently back on the bed.
"Ash, I will hear you out. But not right now. You're still sick and I can tell from your shakiness that you need to eat before anything else happens."
In the brief seconds before he started talking again, I saw how serious this really was. I had seen him at one of his lowest moments, but suddenly I knew this was ten times more important to him. He looked at me in a way that was so powerful and moving, that I took the time to listen rather than try and run away.
"Serena. I can't wait to eat, just like always, but believe me when I say the food doesn't matter to me this time. I need to tell you some things, so please don't run away, even if you just want to care for me. This is what I need right now to get better. "
I looked into his eyes. The passion and desire I saw in them was so unimaginable. I had seen Ash when he showed battling skills in his eyes, humor towards anything, and so many other categories, but this was the most open, sincere Ash I had ever seen. I felt as if his eyes, those remarkable brown eyes, would entice me until I died if they sparkled like that in my memory.
So I turned around completely, slowly took the few steps back to where I sat before, and lowered myself back onto the bedside. He calmed a little it seemed, but he still showed signs of worry, fear, uncertainty, and massive power. But the way he showed those emotions made me think they were in a positive way. I took a second to breathe, as to make up for my earlier crying, then I made sure my eyes locked with his intently.
"Okay. I won't leave you until I have heard all you have to say."
"Thank you, Serena."
He paused, took a second to gather his thoughts it seemed, and then spoke in a soft but warm voice while looking still into my eyes with that same fierce flame I loved from his battles.
"Serena, you have known me since we were very young. We met at a summer camp, in the forests near Pallet Town, where I grew up. You had gotten hurt, and when I found you, my first thought was, "Who could let such a lovely little girl be alone and scared?" I helped you, got you to your feet by holding you, and then took you back to camp, hand in hand. Then I forgot you after camp ended. Years later, I was beaten down, unsure of myself, and thinking over my recent defeat, when a girl came over to me. I looked at her, which prompted my next thoughts, "Who is this lovely lady and why does she have my backpack?" Dumb I know, but I thought of how familiar and stunning she was, even though I had no idea who she was. Then, after she helped me with my training, she goes, "Do you remember me?" I looked at her, then answered honestly, saying, "I'm sorry, no." Well, I didn't know her then, but as she told me the story of the summer camp, I knew it was my Serena. The lively little girl in the picture on my dresser right now. I won that battle, with her added support in the gym, and then I suddenly got worried. I didn't want you to leave me. I didn't think I could bear it if you had said no to travelling with Clemont, Bonnie, and I."
I feel so starstruck over this, but I will die if he didn't finish this story.
He paused, studied my face, which was equally studying his, and continued.
"Well, after making so many wonderful memories with you, you had to go a different route. I wanted you to stay and maybe even travel on with me at first, but I knew you deserved to follow your dreams as much as I deserved to follow mine. So I went with you to the airport. You told me words I would never forget, but the one line I remember to this day exactly was, "You're going to like the person I've grown into." And boy, you were right. But after you said that and goodbye, you went to leave. My heart felt heavy and unsure, but I had no idea what that feeling really meant, so I tried to ignore it and wave goodbye like the rest of our friends. However, your affections overwhelmed you, causing you to turn around, call to me, run back up the stairs, and get so close to me. I will never forget that in the second before you closed the last inches between us, I felt my heart going hundreds of miles an hour as my emotions overwhelmed me too. You kissed me and I felt the most exciting and important thing I have ever felt to that day. But like all things, it ended quick, before I even had a chance to really take it in. As I watched you slowly go down those stairs, I felt love. I realized I loved you the whole time and that I was so proud to have been there to see you grow as a new performer to a challenger to the Kalos Queen herself. But I didn't stop you. I felt like you had your own plan, and I wouldn't be there. So I followed my dreams, while watching to see you follow yours. I made sure I grew as a person, so I could make sure I cherished moments that I had earlier been too naive to notice. I know I should've kept in touch, and for not doing so, I am truly sorry, Serena. But when I found your address once more, I wrote to Dawn, who I know had met a girl that sounded similar to you in her description. Dawn told me she knew you and I told her I wanted to know your address. She obliged over phone, which told me I had the right address, then I received the letter a few days later with the magazines as a little extra touch from her to wish me luck. I prayed that letter I wrote with every ounce of my love would reach you. I hoped with all of my being that it was enough to bring you to me, just one more time. I wanted to see your perfect, sandy colored hair. I needed to get lost in your magnificent blue eyes. But most of all, I needed to hear you say my name one more time, just like you wanted from me. Because, Serena, I love you too. I love every piece of you with all of my soul, heart, and mind. I want you to know that I am sorry I didn't reach out to you, because I was scared too. Absolutely mortified that you would reject me for some other guy. But when I saw you on that beach, I wanted to kiss you. I got so close, but when I actually closed the distance between us, I recalled what I really wanted to do if you told me you'd come visit. I wanted to take you somewhere special to me, tell you all of this, and then kiss you with all the passion I have been building up for these 9 years. I want you to know that your love is not yours anymore. It is now ours. I love you so much, Serena, and if it's not too much to ask, I want you to stay with me for the rest of my life to make up for all the time I wasted."
I was sobbing quietly at this point. I felt so much about all he had said. Then I realized what I really wanted.
I will spend the rest of my life with Ash Ketchum. I will be by his side, through the rough and easy times, until death parts us, and even after that. I love this young man in front of me, and I will never miss a chance to tell him I love him again.
"Ash, I have the rest of my life to go, and I will gladly place it in your hands. I love you."
"I love you too. Thank you for hearing me out, because I couldn't bear to let you leave, even just the room, thinking that you had one sided love. I want us to be together as a couple, but we will have to wait a little longer."
"Oh, Ash. I have so much hope, because my love for you is stronger than time itself. I may be lacking in patience right now, because I'm dying to be right near you, but until you're better, then I will wait. But, I need to check your temperature again, so please do so while I go tell everyone you're okay. Do you want food?"
"Shockingly, no. I'm not very hungry. Maybe you're all I need to stay full."
He smiled at me very jokingly. I couldn't help but laugh as the last of my tears dried. I went ahead and got the Pikachus to go visit him and I had the rest of the Pokemon put away like he asked me to and I figured would be best anyway. I put my Pokemon away as well, then I returned with the Pokeball belt of his and my bag that held my partners, and went back over to him. He gave me the thermometer that I had made him use before I left the room. It read 99.5.
"Ash, your fever is completely gone! For how sick you were, this is an extremely fast recovery! How do you feel?"
"Actually, I do feel so much better. But I still feel like I may be a little too hot. Can you remove the washcloth and check once my head is back to regular?"
"Of course."
The Pikachus were watching happily from the bed as I set the thermometer down. Next, I took off the washcloth, which I ran to the kitchen and placed on the counter with the tub we had used to wet it. When I got back, I hurried over to him, trying to ignore his sly smile at me, and went to check his forehead.
I can't believe all that's happened in the past hour! It's a miracle I have kept moving normally rather than have my knees give out in excitement or nervousness! Ash actually said he loved me, so what can I do to wrap my mind around all that's happened other than keep caring for him!?
During all of those thoughts I was completely distracted from what I was doing, but I got it together and continued with my touch examination of his forehead. That was when Ash Ketchum, the boy of my past dreams, the man of my current life, and the soul who owns my soul, tricked me by moving forwards and gently placing his lips onto mine in a very smooth motion.
