Twigs 'n' Frubbles
A Fennekin x Froakie One-shot Series
#11: The Holiday
Christmas time arrived in the Kalos region faster than Ash and his friends anticipated. The land was glittering with snow and the cities flashed bright with festive, colorful decorations as the population did their shopping and spread holiday cheer.
Ash, Pikachu, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie were headed to Vaniville Town, where Serena's mother Grace is hosting a Christmas party on the eve of the holiday. Unfortunately, Ash was unable to return to Kanto to spend Christmas with his mother Delia, since the airports and docks closed unexpectedly early.
"That really is too bad, Ash." Clemont said as the group arrived at Vaniville.
The inventor was wearing a green pullover with yellow earmuffs. His little sister was wearing an adorable Cubchoo coat, similar to her Tyrantrum pajamas and Slowbro swimsuit.
"It's no biggie." Ash shook his head, trying to maintain a smile, "I called her back at the Santalune City Pokémon Center, and she understood, I sent her my gift. She usually hosts a Christmas party of her own every year. So, she'll have company. I'm just gonna spend the next few days at Serena's place."
"After the party we need to head back to Lumoise City and spend Christmas with our dad." Clemont said, "Okay, Bonnie?"
"Yeah!" The girl chimed, "I can't wait to see daddy again!"
"My house is over here, everyone." Serena, who was wearing a magenta coat, pink scarf, and white pom pom hat, pointed the way.
Moments later, they arrived at the front yard of her house. Rhyhorn, wearing a red Santa Claus coat was napping in his little house near the walkway.
"Hey Rhyhorn, I'm home. It's so wonderful to see you." She stroked its horn.
Rhyhorn only yawned as a means of greeting.
Serena giggled before approaching the door. "Here we are!"
She opened the door to her house.
"Mom, I'm home!"
"Hi there!" Grace waved, "Welcome home, dear. Ash, Clemont, and Bonnie, glad you could make it."
"Of course, Mrs. Yvonne." Ash said as he removed his jacket to hang it on the coat rack by the door.
"Please, Ash." Grace smiled, "You can call me Grace."
The entirety of Serena's house was decorated for Christmas. With all the lights, wreaths, and winter-esque scenery, it looked mesmerizing. Next to the Christmas Tree (that has many presents resting under it) was a large table with many snacks waiting to be eaten; finger sandwiches, chips and dip, cheese (made from Moo Moo Milk) and crackers, Christmas cookies shaped like various Ice-type Pokemon, you name it.
"Look at all of the food!" Bonnie drooled, ready to dig in.
"Hold up, Bonnie. Not so fast." Clemont said.
"Bonnie, I love you're coat." Grace giggled, "Cute as a button."
"Awwww, thank you." Bonnie looked up at Grace with an adorable expression of gratitude.
The trainers got settled in by removing their winter gear and shoes and released their Pokemon into the living room before resting on the couch with steamy mugs of hot chocolate and marshmallows. Grace's Fletchling eagerly joined the group of rowdy Pokémon.
"No battling, alright?" Grace warned.
"Of course not, Mom." Serena rolled her eyes and took a sip of her hot chocolate. She cringed, nearly burning her tongue.
"Enjoy yourselves, everyone." Ash said to the Pokémon, "It's a Christmas Eve party."
With that, the Pokemon split up to do their own thing; eat special fruitcake-flavored Pokemon food, dance to holiday music, play with various toys lined up on the carpet, admire the beauty of the Christmas tree, or simply relax and embrace the warmth of the fire place.
"They should be here soon." Serena muttered as he looked at the front door.
"What's up, Serena?" Ash asked.
"Three more guests are gonna arrive." Serena explained, "I wonder what's taking so long."
"Who are they?" Clemont asked as he blew on his hot chocolate.
"You'll see." Serena giggled.
Meanwhile, the little couple consisted of Fennekin and Froakie were helping themselves to the fruit cake Pokemon food as they warmed themselves by the fire.
"This is delicious!" Fennekin swallowed a mouthful of the fruitcake pellets, "I could eat this forever."
"You can say that again." Froakie nodded as he engulfed a handful right before her eyes.
"You're such a Tepig." Fennekin teased.
"You're the one to talk." Froakie nudged her playfully, "You swallowed that last mouthful like a Gulpin."
The two laughed merrily while nuzzling their heads together affectionately.
"Aw, look at Fennekin and Froakie." Bonnie said.
"They're so in love." Serena added.
"You know, Pokémon reflect on the thoughts and feelings on their trainers." Grace mentioned as she stared down her daughter and Ash with a wryly grin.
Serena and Ash blushed and exchanged sheepish looks.
Just then, there was a knock was at the door.
"That must be them." Serena stood up and opened the door.
Waiting outside was Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor.
"I'm so happy you guys could make it!"
"We wouldn't miss this." Shauna entered, followed by Tierno and Trevor, "Merry Christmas, everyone!"
"Hey there, what a surprise!" Clemont greeted the three.
"Nice place, Serena." Tierno gazed at the living room.
"I brought a camera." Trevor raised the device, " To preserve some memories."
"Great idea, Trevor." Serena smiled, "We should all take a group photo on the couch later." After the three new guests settled and released their Kanto starters, they helped themselves to some food and proceeded to engage in conversation with Ash and his friends.
Froakie approached Ash and Fennekin did with Serena.
"What is it, Froakie?" Ash asked his Water-type, "Oh, I get it!"
Ash went over to his backpack hanging on the coat rack and gently pulled out a large case and handed it to Froakie. Serena understood Fennekin's message as well and ran upstairs to fetch a small jewelry box and handed it to Fennekin when she returned.
"What's going on?" Shauna asked.
"Believe it or not, we've got a little Pokécouple in our group." Serena explained.
"No way!" Shauna's eyes glistened with joy, "Froakie and Fennekin fell in love?"
"Yep, they sure did." Ash chuckled, "They're about to exchange gifts, you guys are welcome to do it in private."
Froakie and Fennekin nodded before entering the kitchen together with their respective gifts.
"Here you are, Fenney." Froakie placed the case on the floor and scooted it toward his Fire-type lover.
"And here you are, Froakie." Fennekin placed the jewelry box in the hands of her Water-type lover.
"You open mine first." Froakie said.
Fennekin carefully opened the case to find six PokéPuffs arranged together side-by-side, all with a Gracidea floral pattern in the frosting and a twig on top each of them. Froakie knows how much Fennekin loves to snack on those, a natural characteristic of her species.
"Oh my gosh." Fennekin gazed at the treats with awe, "They're so adorable…and delicious. I bet they taste amazing."
"Serena helped me make them the other night." Froakie said, "I designed them all on my own, though. Never thought I had such a talent."
"Froakie, thank you so much." Fennekin kissed his cheek, "So, you wanna open my gift?"
"Of course!"
Froakie looked at the jewelry box. He thought to himself "Why Jewelry? I'm so clearly a boy." Nevertheless, the Bubble Frog Pokemon carefully opened the box and saw a small necklace with a clear, light blue water-drop pendant.
"No way..."
"Right?" Fennekin grinned.
"A Mystic Water!" Froakie immediately put it around his neck, "I've always wanted one of these. How on Earth did you know?"
"I didn't, actually." Fennekin admitted, "Lucky guess, I suppose. They're hard to find and me and Ash were lucky enough to find one at the mall. Both Pokémon's separate trainers agreed to helped eachother with the gift exchange, assisting the opposite Pokémon. Now your Water-type attacks will be twice as powerful." She winked at him.
"You bet." Froakie stared at the pendant with excitement, "Thanks a lot, Fenney. I love you!"
The Bubble Frog quickly kissed her cheek and trapped her with a hug.
"I love you, too, Froakie." Fennekin brushed her cheek on his shoulder. Fennekin happened to look above them and noticed a spring of mistletoe hanging on the ceiling.
"Hey you, what's up?" She said.
"Uh...not much?" A puzzled Froakie replied after letting go.
"No, silly!" Fennekin giggled, "Look up." Froakie slowly gazed up at the ceiling and saw the mistletoe.
"What's that?" Froakie did not recognize the traditional plant.
"Mistletoe." Fennekin looked at him flirtatiously, "Do you know what a couple must do if they're caught standing under it?"
Froakie shook his head.
"Kiss!"
"Oh..." Froakie blushed, "Well, of course. I should've known that."
Froakie and Fennekin slowly leaned in to share their very second kiss on the lips, closing their eyes to savior the moment. After about a minute, they let go to catch their breath and gaze passionately into their eyes.
"Wow..." Fennekin cooed.
"Yeah..." Froakie smiled.
"Merry Christmas, Froakie." The Fox Pokémon said.
"Merry Christmas to you, too, Fenney." The Water-type replied.
They hugged a second time. Fennekin looked back up at the mistletoe and then over at Ash and Serena talking with Shauna and the others on the couch.
"Hey Froakie, I've got a plan." She said.
"And that is...?" Froakie looked confused.
A little later, Serena decided to break from the warmth and holiday cheer by getting some fresh air on her back porch. She put on her coat, scarf, and hat and exited through the glass sliding door. Ash took notice and decided to join her, donning his heavy blue jacket.
Fennekin and Froakie seized the mistletoe from the kitchen ceiling and rushed upstairs into Grace's room. With the mistletoe tied to a string on a stick like a fishing pole, the Pokécouple opened the window and hung the mistletoe over Ash and Serena as they took in the cool air beneath them.
"That gift exchange was a great idea, Serena." Ash said.
"Yeah, Fennekin and Froakie seem really happy." Serena agreed, "Froakie should have an easier time with his Water-type attacks now."
"We'll definitely take advantage of that Mystic Water, that's for sure." Ash said, "I got you something, by the way."
"Really?" Serena turned to the boy, "I did too, it's under the tree, actually. It'll have to wait until Christmas morning, though."
"Yeah, of course." Ash chuckled, "I'll have to put my gift to you under the tree when we go back inside."
Meanwhile, Fennekin and Froakie were getting incredibly bored by their conversation. They worried their plan might not work. It was time for (slightly) drastic measures. Froakie stealthily climbed onto the window sill and reached up to grab a little snow from the roof and sprinkled it onto Ash and Serena. They felt the chill from it and looked up. Froakie hopped back inside just in time. All the two trainers saw was the mistletoe hovering above them.
"Oh, it's mistletoe." Serena commented.
She started the blush, knowing the tradition by heart.
"Yeah..." Ash nodded, "But if we're under mistletoe, does that mean we have to-"
Ash was unable to finish his question when Serena closed her eyes and impulsively threw herself at him, locking her lips with his as she rested her hands on his shoulders.
Surprised, Ash's eyes remained wide open. The chill on his face from the cold weather suddenly disappeared and a surge of heat ran through his body. Serena let go of the kiss and, with a guilty face, stared at Ash.
"I'm sorry." She quickly apologized, "I shouldn't have done that."
"No, don't be sorry." Ash smiled.
"Okay." She purred.
Ash slowly placed a hand on Serena's cheek and pulled her into a second passionate kiss under the mistletoe. This time he closed his eyes as well, their feelings mutual. Serena could not believe she was kissing the boy of her dreams, on the lips, and during Christmas of all times. The trainers let go and paused for a second before exchanging shy chuckles, thankful that Grace, Clemont, and the rest did not witness their romantic moment.
Above them in the window, Fennekin and Froakie (who watched the event with triumph) high-fived before hiding the mistletoe evidence under Grace's bed and returning to the Christmas party to celebrate the remainder of the holiday with their Pokémon friends.