Author's Note
Thank you to Guest, Shane, Guest (2), 0 Jordinio 0, ultimateCCC, pokefan2003, brtnvm, and Halo Ash for reviewing!
Ash stood outside the tent with his arms crossed, tapping his foot to try to make a point. "Are you done yet, Brock?"
"Don't rush him, Ash. This is a big night for him," Dawn interjected from a few feet away while grooming Piplup.
Ash walked over to Dawn to continue complaining. "I get it. But I can't go training until I help Brock finish getting ready."
Dawn finished brushing Piplup, and the Penguin Pokémon cooed happily before scampering off to play with his friends. Dawn smoothed her skirt and stood up, turning her attention fully to Ash.
"And you can't wait? Not even to help your best friend when he's nervous before his date? Maybe the only date he will ever get?"
Ash laughed involuntarily, feeling his irritation evaporate. Dawn winked at him, her eyes twinkling playfully.
"Hey! I heard that." Brock stepped out of the tent, apparently done getting ready. Ash nodded, genuinely impressed.
Brock had on a white tuxedo with a red bowtie and pocket square. His hair was as spiky as always, but he pulled the look off pretty well overall.
"Well?" Brock looked at Ash for approval, clearly nervous.
The Hearthome City Tag Battle Competition had concluded yesterday, with Ash and Paul beating Dawn and Conway in the final round. Paul had released Chimchar during the competition – much to Ash's disapproval – and the Chimp Pokémon had joined Ash's team, hence why he was so eager to go and train.
Brock had participated in the competition as well, and he'd been paired with Holly, an older Trainer who shot down Brock's initial romantic advances. As the competition wore on, though, Holly became impressed with Brock's skills in battling and caring for Pokémon, and the older Trainer ended up developing a bit of a crush on the Breeder. In fact, she was so enchanted with Brock that she blamed their tag team loss on herself and had left immediately to work on becoming a more worthy partner.
But as it happened, today was Valentine's Day, and Brock went out on a limb and contacted Holly to ask for a dinner date. The woman had been thrilled by the proposition, and she was coming back into town tonight for the date. They had set up camp outside Hearthome early in the day so Brock could get ready before the date, and also so Nurse Joy wouldn't see him in the Pokémon Center preparing for a date with another girl, which the Breeder claimed would break the nurse's heart.
Ash stroked his chin, circling Brock once and then making some minor adjustments to his bowtie and blazer.
"You look great, Brock," Ash said earnestly. As much as he wanted to go and train, with Brock standing in front of him Ash could clearly see that the Breeder was very nervous. Ash himself had never understood why Brock got shot down so much – he was such a great guy – and now that he had a genuine chance, Ash wanted to give his full support.
"Just go out there and be yourself, Brock. She already likes you, and best of all she clearly likes you for who you are."
"So no need to worry," Dawn encouraged, shooting Brock a thumbs up. "Just have fun and go with the flow."
Brock exhaled. "Thanks, guys, I really appreciate it."
The Breeder looked slightly more relaxed, but he continued to stand in the same place, pressing his index fingers together nervously.
Ash narrowed his eyes, recognizing Brock's body language for wanting to make a questionable request.
"What is it, Brock?" Ash asked guardedly.
"Well, you know I'm really nervous, right?" Brock chuckled shortly.
"Yeah?" Dawn prodded.
"I was wondering... Could you guys come with me?"
Ash blinked, not sure what this meant. Dawn grew silent, so he figured he should clarify for both of them.
"What do you mean? Like walk you over to meet Holly?"
"No, I mean like... Can you double date with us?"
It was Ash's turn to grow silent, not sure where to start processing the request. He and Dawn weren't... together... or anything, and Brock knew that, so he clearly was just asking the two of them to come as friends. But...
Dawn cleared her throat. "I mean, I don't have plans tonight."
Silence.
Ash's mind raced. He didn't mind going with Dawn at all, but it was so sudden. And going with a girl to dinner on Valentine's Day? How would they explain it to Holly? Would it make things weird between them?
"If you don't want to go with me, we don't have to go," Dawn said flatly, and Ash felt his heart skip a beat at the clear hurt in her voice.
Before he could say anything though, another voice came from behind him.
"I'll go with you."
Ash twitched in surprise, and Dawn jumped. Ash noticed that Dawn's jump had brought her closer to him, though he was sure that was a coincidence.
They all turned toward the voice to see a green-haired, bespectacled man appear out of the bushes on the outskirts of the clearing.
"Conway?" Dawn said incredulously, clearly creeped out by his sudden appearance. She must have slid closer to Ash again, because he could feel her shudder against his shoulder.
"Indeed, it is I," the older Trainer said, adjusting his glasses and chuckling. "Dawn, I heard that you might require a companion on this most romantic of evenings?"
Ash had no idea where Conway had come from or why he was there, but the idea of Dawn going with him on a date was enough to make him snort. Ash waited for Dawn to shoot Conway down.
There was a pause that felt like an eternity. Ash could feel himself start to sweat. Was Dawn really considering this?
Still standing squarely in front of the bushes, Conway rubbed his hands and smiled. "I take it that means –"
"Sorry Conway, I'm going with Dawn tonight." The words slipped out of Ash's mouth before he could stop them.
The smile disappeared off of Conway's face. To Ash's relief, Dawn spoke up before Conway could challenge his statement.
"You heard Ash. But I appreciate you asking, Conway," Dawn said gently.
Conway appeared happy that Dawn had spoken to him at all, and Ash felt a twinge of irritation.
"Of course. Until next time, Dawn." Conway chuckled and fidgeted with his glasses, seemingly melting back into the underbrush.
Once Conway had completely disappeared, Ash felt Dawn shudder again.
"He's a very intelligent Trainer, but I really wish he would turn down the creepiness a bit," Dawn said, exhaling nervously.
"It's because you're nice to him that he thinks it's okay to keep doing stuff like that," Ash said sternly. "You've got to shoot him down more firmly."
Brock cleared his throat, and Ash and Dawn turned to face the Breeder. "So you two are going to come with me?"
Ash swallowed nervously. He had spoken reflexively, but he would stick to it. "Yeah Brock, we'll come with you."
Brock exhaled and smiled. "Thanks, guys! But you'd better get ready now, we don't have much time."
Dawn nodded and jogged into her tent to change, and Ash walked into the boys' tent to do the same. He rummaged through his backpack quickly. He had a couple of tuxedos, which he thought were too formal. He hadn't said anything when Brock wore one because he thought it was nice for Brock to go in overdressed – it was very "Brock" to go over the top for a date, and he thought Holly would appreciate it.
Ash paused. Would Dawn appreciate if he went over the top? He didn't want to mail this in, even if it was primarily just them accompanying Brock and Holly. Dawn had seemed disappointed that it took him so long to say he would go with her on the double date, and he didn't want to disappoint her again.
Ash sifted through his clothes more carefully, eventually picking out a royal blue button down and gray slacks. He complemented the outfit with black dress shoes and a belt. It took some fiddling to get the tuck right – and he had to mess with his hair quite a bit to get it presentable –but he was eventually satisfied with his look.
"Took you long enough." Brock's voice was the first thing to assail him as he stepped out of the tent, fiddling with his tuck.
"Oh come on, it wasn't –" Ash looked up and found himself lost for words.
It probably had taken him a long time, evidenced by the fact that Dawn had already finished getting ready. She was standing next to Brock, hair up and sans beanie – the way she usually wore it in Contests. She was wearing a red, strapless dress, fitted so it hugged her chest and waist, but flared into pleats at her hips. The dress ended near her knees wavily, so her thighs were momentarily visible as she shifted.
Ash gulped.
"Let's go, let's go." Brock led them out of the campsite toward the city. Ash gathered himself, waved goodbye to Pikachu, and followed the Breeder, and Dawn joined him after hugging Piplup goodbye.
"You clean up nice," Dawn said as she caught up to him.
"Look who's talking." Again, the words were slipping out before he could think about them. Ash willed himself to look forward, knowing that he would be embarrassed if he turned to look at Dawn.
"Thanks, Ash," Dawn said, her voice slightly softer than before.
Ash cursed himself as heat rose to his cheeks. Why was he so nervous? He'd battled in Conference matches in front of thousands of people... This should be easy in comparison, right?
"Here we are!" Brock exclaimed, breaking Ash out of his thoughts. They had arrived at the venue, a small, homely restaurant on the side of Hearthome opposite Amity Square. The restaurant was busy but not raucous, striking a very inviting, professional tone.
"Brock!" Holly waved to the group from outside the restaurant. The older Trainer was wearing a formal evening dress, and Ash had the feeling she had wanted to go over the top for Brock just as Brock had for her. A perfect match.
Brock could barely contain himself, running over to join Holly. "Hey Holly, hope we didn't keep you waiting!"
Ash looked up at a clock along the road, seeing that it was still fifteen minutes before the agreed upon time of 7 P.M. He snickered to himself.
Dawn nudged him, clearly wondering what he was laughing at. Not wanting to draw the attention of Holly and Brock – already deep in conversation – Ash grabbed Dawn's hand and brought it up to waist level, turning her palm over to bring her attention to her Pokétch. Dawn blinked in surprise but caught on as soon as she saw the time.
The Coordinator giggled, and Ash blushed lightly, pulling his hand away. Why hadn't he just pointed to the clock on the road?
"Hey guys, so glad you ended up coming!" Holly gushed from beside Brock. "How about we head in?"
"Yeah, I'm starved," Ash responded immediately, and Dawn giggled again from next to him.
Ash was starting to feel a little more comfortable with the situation, but it only took him a few steps into the restaurant to be thrown off again.
The place was just as warm and homely on the inside as it looked from the outside, but there was a catch – every single table was a small square, only big enough for two.
Maybe the server would push two tables together for them? Brock made this appeal to the server.
"I'm sorry, but we only have a few tables free, none of which are near each other. Would the two couples mind sitting separately?"
Ash felt his heart begin to thump again. Brock had no choice but to agree to the measure, and he waved to Ash and Dawn as he and Holly were taken to a table at least ten feet away from theirs.
"Can I start you two with some appetizers?" Their server asked politely.
"I'm not that hungry, I think I'll pass," Dawn said.
Ash was really hungry. His mind relaxed as he looked over the menu eagerly. "Can I have the lobster bisque?"
"Of course, sir. And for drinks?"
"Cold barley tea, please."
"Water, no ice, please," Dawn said.
The server rushed off, and Ash quickly became aware that he was alone with Dawn again.
"You don't have to be nervous, Ash," Dawn said suddenly.
Ash met the Coordinator's deep blue eyes. He'd been hoping she hadn't noticed the signs, but clearly she had.
Dawn crossed her arms and put her elbows on the table. "If you're looking at this like a date, then just be yourself. That's the advice you gave Brock, right? And if you're not, well... then all the more reason to be yourself."
Ash stared, unsure of what to say. Dawn looked away.
Would Dawn even say what she did unless she was open to considering this a date?
Ash mulled over it for a second, and then gave up. Psychoanalysis wasn't his thing. All he had to do was decide how he felt and act accordingly. With someone like Dawn, the rest would take care of itself.
"Lobster bisque, barley tea, and a water, right here," their server said cheerily as he walked up to table and hoisted the items off a platter. "Do you know what entrées you'd like, or shall I come back?"
"Can I have the pear, blue cheese, and candied pecan salad?" Dawn replied quickly, having been looking over her menu already.
Ash efficiently considered the options. "The chicken parmesan, please."
"Coming right up."
"And can we have another spoon for the bisque, please?" Ash cut in before the server could hurry off.
"Oh, of course." The server produced a spoon from the pocket of his apron before leaving.
"What's that for?" Dawn asked coyly, sipping her water through a straw.
Ash met her eyes again. "You've been taking care of Brock and your Pokémon all day, and we didn't have much for lunch with Brock focusing on getting ready for his date. You sure you're not hungry?"
Dawn blinked once, clearly surprised by the turn in his demeanor. Then, as if on cue, her stomach grumbled.
Ash bit back a chuckle and pushed the bisque to the center of the table, handing the extra soup spoon to Dawn.
The Coordinator narrowed her eyes and took the spoon, dipping it into the bisque and bringing it to her mouth slowly. Ash watched as she blew gently on the soup and then sipped it slowly.
"How is it?"
"...Good."
"What, are you mad at me?"
"A little bit. You're not supposed to point out a girl is hungry, you know." Dawn tilted her head, mock anger on her face.
"Be mad at your stomach then. It grumbled, you know."
Dawn's face reddened slightly.
Ash increased the pitch of his voice to mimic Dawn. "Waiter, could I have a salad with fruit, cheese, dainty little almonds, and whatever else you can add to make it healthy and not at all filling?"
Dawn brought her napkin to her face to stifle her laughter. "That's not how I sound! And it was candied pecans, not almonds."
"Right." Ash laughed along.
Dawn placed her napkin back in her lap and the soup spoon back in the bowl, meeting Ash's eyes playfully. "Another tip, most girls don't take kindly to being imitated."
Ash tilted his head slightly, holding Dawn's gaze. "Good thing you're not most girls."
Dawn held his gaze, her cheeks flushed.
"How is everything?" Ash grinned as Dawn nearly jumped, startled by their server walking up to the table.
"Um, the bisque really hit the spot, thanks," Dawn responded, recovering quickly.
"Excellent. I hope you'll find the entrées to your liking as well."
Ash made sure to share his chicken parmesan with Dawn, and the Coordinator gave Ash a taste of her salad – which was better than Ash had expected. The conversation flowed easily, and they spoke freely about the Tag Battle Competition, Chimchar, Dawn's Contests, and his Gym battles.
Ash felt euphoric as he went with the flow of the evening. He was so engaged and enchanted with Dawn that the time seemed to be disappearing. He only realized how long they'd been talking when he noticed that both of their plates and glasses were empty.
Dawn followed his gaze and then looked up and around. "Wow, I think Brock and Holly already left."
"Yes, they left a little while back." It was Ash's turn to be startled as the waiter came up to the table. "I've come by your table a few times, but you two seemed so deep into conversation I didn't want to interrupt. I'll get your plates – would you like any dessert?"
"I think I'm good," Dawn said, and Ash could tell she was being truthful. He wanted to get out of the restaurant and be alone with her, and if he was reading her right, she wanted the same.
"Yeah, we'll take the check, please," Ash said.
When the check came, Dawn offered to split it, but she didn't argue when Ash offered to pay in full. They made their way out of the restaurant, Ash's hand on the small of Dawn's back. As they passed the entryway, Dawn grabbed a mint from the bowl next to the door and popped it into her mouth. Ash did the same.
The sun had completely set, and the road was illuminated only by intermittent street lamps. Ash improvised, leading Dawn toward a small park visible from the restaurant, complete with illuminated fountains and benches for two. They walked past the benches and stood in front of one of the fountains.
Dawn pulled away from him slightly and turned to face him. Ash did the same.
The splashing of the fountain was the only sound as Ash took in the sight of Dawn. The light from the fountain cast directly onto her face, and her eyes seemed to sparkle a clear, deep blue that put the water next to them to shame. Her facial features were sharpened in the contrast between the blue of her eyes and hair and the red of her dress.
Ash's heart felt like it was beating out of his chest. He snaked his arms around Dawn's waist, closing the distance between them enough to feel the pleats of her dress against his legs. Dawn slid her arms around his neck. Ash's breathing grew shallow. He had never done this before, but everything felt so right.
"Wait," Dawn said softly but clearly. Ash's heart almost stopped, but Dawn didn't keep him in suspense as she spoke, the words seemingly spilling out.
"I need you to know something... I actually planned for us to go on this date. I was on the call with Brock when he was talking to Holly, and at first it was just a joking suggestion, but Brock was ok with it, and so was Holly, and... I'd been thinking about –"
"I know."
Ash felt gratified by the surprise on Dawn's face.
"But... how? Brock?"
Ash laughed. "Nope. But it's Valentine's Day, Dawn. Brock makes a reservation at this busy restaurant for just him and Holly, but we walk right in and he doesn't have to say anything about the two of us being surprise additions? The only reason I could think of was... we weren't a surprise at all."
Dawn looked away. "So, you know... What are you going to do now?"
"This."
As Dawn turned her face back toward him, Ash leaned in and pressed his lips gently to hers.
A fraction of a second passed while Dawn was surprised and Ash's heart beat a million miles an hour. Then her arms tightened around his neck, and she moved her lips against his like it was the most natural thing in the world.
They pulled apart after a few seconds, and Ash couldn't keep a silly grin off his face.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Dawn –"
Dawn gripped the front of his shirt and pulled him in for another kiss. Ash chuckled and closed his eyes, happy to oblige. He had a feeling they were going to be there a while.
And he wouldn't have it any other way.
