Okay, so I've been really dumb and decided to neglect my mountains of homework for writing, because that's honestly what I feel like doing. So here's another chapter!
I think you all will like what you're about to read ;)

Review review! :D

* * *

Ash couldn't take May staring at him so concernedly anymore, and he was pretty sure she was itching to go back to Drew, but felt obligated to stay with him until he felt better. So, he stood up and muttered nonchalantly about going to find Misty.

May grabbed the collar of his shirt and yanked him back. "Hold it, mister."

"What?"

"Make sure you comfort her when you talk to her, don't just sit there and gape like a moron," May instructed.

"Yeah, hold her hand or rub her back or something," Dawn added, insinuating herself into the conversation from nowhere.

"I'm not five years old," Ash muttered, glaring because he knew they were right. "I know what to do."

"Then do it! Don't chicken out, Ash." May said.

Dawn added, "We know you can do it. We believe in you!"

"You've done a lot of great things, Ash. This should be nothing compared to what you've done!" May winked at him amiably.

Ash gulped rather loudly. Little did his two friends know that this was harder than reasoning with an angry, ferocious Mewtwo, more stressful than saving whole kingdoms, more difficult than winning the Battle Frontier…
In the face of danger, no one was braver than Ash Ketchum. But what Ash felt the girls didn't understand was that love was definitely no danger- it was the exact opposite. It was bigger and better. But that also meant harder as well.
If only he could channel his inconceivable amounts of courage in a different direction, maybe he'd have a shot at succeeding. Ash knew he was a truly gifted and talented trainer, but was that it? Did the line stop there? And could loving be a talent? Or was it something different entirely?
But anyone who knew Ash Ketchum would say that if loving was a talent, he would be the master. Of all trainers everyone ever knew, Ash was the one who had the most love and most passion for his pokemon. Perhaps that's what drove his pure talent as a trainer- love.
That's what set him apart and made him so much greater than trainers like Paul. Paul was definitely strong- there was no mistaking that. He has all the same badges as Ash, who can't even seem to beat him in battle. But what set these two trainers apart was the fact of love; Ash loved his pokemon like family whereas with Paul, his pokemon were tools to be used to get him to the top. Maybe it was an immaturity thing he'd grow out of, or perhaps he just had an incurable cold, black heart. But what one does know is that Ash's heart was purer than gold, and when it came to love, he could accomplish anything.
But Ash didn't quite understand that yet.

"You're going to be fine," May smiled as she gave him a little encouraging hug, reading the confusion and frustration on his face.

"Don't worry Ash. You're braver than anyone I know." Dawn gave Ash's hand a little squeeze.

"You can do it. And don't worry about the party, Dawn and I will keep everyone entertained," May added.

"Yes we will," Dawn winked at Ash.

"Now go get her, tiger," May gave Ash a little nudge, linked her arm through Dawn's and they walked away.

"Tiger?" Ash cocked his head in confusion. He shook it off and took a few deep breaths to try and calm the fluttery feeling in his stomach that made him want to throw up. He went over in his head what May and Dawn had said and then felt new determination rise up. I can do this; I can do anything!

Ash walked into the house and straight into his room, where he knew Misty would be waiting.

* * *

Ash pushed every thought out of his mind and decided that he wouldn't over think it. He would just let his instincts and heart take over and not worry about what to say and what do to.
He opened the door slowly, smiling to himself as he saw bright orange hair.

"Hey, Mist," he said, his voice husky. This surprised him, as he half expected his voice to rise in pitch due to nervousness. Okay, shut up, he told himself fiercely. Stop thinking.

Misty looked up at him, her expression unreadable. "Hi."

Ash walked over to his bed, plopped himself on it and lay down. He didn't know why he did this instead of just sitting down beside Misty.
"What are you doing here all alone?" he asked her, his brows furrowing.

"Nothing," she lied, her eyes wide. "I-I just needed to get away. Escape the crowd," she added, smiling briefly.

"How are you feeling now?" he looked at her in concern, deciding to ask indirectly if she were okay.

"I've been better," the girl admitted, laughing slightly.

"Paul just a jerk. Don't listen to a work he said."

"I'm fine, I, uh, I didn't, I'm not letting what he said get to me," Misty replied defensively. It seemed as though she was trying to convince herself .

"Don't. Because what he said wasn't true at all," Ash smiled at her slightly. "You're an amazing trainer, and always will be."

Misty was silent for a few seconds until she said in a small voice, "Thanks, Ash. It means a lot, really."

They stared at each other.

Ash patted the space of bed beside him. Misty got the idea and lay down on his right side. Ash lifted his arm and put it around her, not even thinking at all. It was impulse and instinctive.

Misty blushed slightly and buried her head into his chest to hide it. This caused Ash to blush. Luckily Misty didn't see that as her face was out of view.

"Ash…" Misty began.

"Hmm?"

"Thanks…"

"For what?"

"For sticking up for me back there."

"No need to thank me. That's what friends are for, right?" Ash smiled, looking at her. Misty looked up and met his gaze and they both blushed slightly again.

Oh man, what am I doing, what am I doing? Ash asked himself as he started to think again. His heart started beating considerably faster and Ash was sure Misty could hear it, since her ear was pressed to his chest. Calm down, just calm down.

"Yeah, I guess," Misty responded, inhaling deeply then breathing out in a big sigh.

Kiss her Ash. Kiss her, a demanding voice told him in his head. You're this close to her already. What's one more step?
Shut up, he told the little voice angrily. Stop thinking Ash, just stop.

But how can I stop thinking? It's impossible to think of nothing. It's been proven. Do I think of battling? Of pokemon? No, no, no. I can't let my mind go that far. Then what do I think of? Arg!

"Ash, are you okay?" Misty looked up at him, slightly concerned.

"Huh?" Ash snapped out of it. "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

"You're fidgeting and you look worried," Misty observed.

"I am?" Ash asked quickly. "I mean, I am not." Stubborn as always.

"Yes, you are." Misty replied, smelling a fight on the way.

But for once in his life, Ash didn't want to fight with her. He was enjoying this peaceful and meaningful moment with her. To stop himself from retaliating, he focused on the feel of her head on his chest, his hand stroking her shoulder and arm, and the floral-y smell of her hair.

After five more minutes of this, something nudged Ash in the back of his mind.

Misty tilted her head up towards his and looked at him.

Ash stared back.

He leaned in.

She fluttered her eyes closed.

They were closer.

Closer.

Ash could see every long eyelash on her eyes.

He leaned in more…

They were almost touching…

Closer…

Ash's heart skipped a beat as his lips parted slightly…

Closer…

BANG.

The door went flying open. Ash flew up in top notch speed to a sitting position and Misty did the same.

Delia walked in holding a laundry basket filled with clothes. "Oh, hello Ash, Misty!" She smiled at the pair of them. "Ash honey, I cleaned all of the dirty underwear that was on your floor. Here they are, make sure you put them away! And Misty, would you like any cake? There are a few pieces left!"

Ash and Misty just stared at her.

Misty cleared her throat quickly and said, "No thanks, Mrs. Ketchum."

Ash just glared at his mother, unable to believe her timing. "Mom!" he said angrily. "Couldn't you just have knocked or left my… clothes outside of the door?" The nerve of her, talking about his dirty underwear in front of Misty! His mother was truly tactless at times.

"Well you seemed to be missing from the party, so I wanted to see where you were!" Delia, completely disregarding what she said before, started putting away Ash's undergarments in his drawers. "This isn't proper behavior for a host, honey, you can't keep hiding away like this!" she said sternly.

"I'm not hiding," he grumbled, getting up from his bed.

Misty grabbed his hand and nodded towards the door. "We should get back…" she said in a small voice.

Ash shot one more militant glare at his mother, who just smiled at him fondly, before following Misty out of his room, their hands still intertwined.