August '12 Daily One-Shot Challenge

AUGUST 23rd Silencing News

Hello guys! Yeah, you know what, I think I'm gunna jump around and sing at the top of my lungs when this challenge is over. Now I see why it's called a challenge, because it certainly is one. It's way too hard to think up something new daily, and make it good too – so I'll be damned if this one turns out unsatisfactory because I'm literally ready to rip the keys off my laptop by this point. And so, I can only hope you enjoy! -.-

Silence was something Ash Ketchum absolutely hated.

It was unnerving; it blanketed the room with an eerie unspoken language, like it was trying to confiscate your throat and send awkwardness to its personal high. It made your lips stop moving and freeze on the spot as if Lapras had decided to shoot you an ice beam to stop talking. It filled phlegm in your mouth, liquid-y and disgusting until you were forced to swallow hard. Silence was painful, it was chaotic, and it was undoubtly dangerous for humans to express.

And she was the only one who provoked any of his silence, the rare times it came.

"Ash?"

Ash turned his head slightly from his position on his couch – limbs sprawled, arms wide, and laziness oozing from his every move – so he could get a look at Misty. She was standing at the room entrance, leaning against the wall opening with one hand on her hip in a tank top and sweat pants, her hair up in a messy bun. "You look good."Ash smirked, voice dripping with sarcasm as he took in his wife's appearance.

He expected Misty to start screaming her short-tempered head off, flinging out her mallet and pounding him dead for the cheeky comment, but she did none of that. She just smiled like she knew something he didn't and strode over to his place on the couch with her hips swishing.

"Well, Ash, I appreciate the compliment."Misty said with her eyes sparkling. She sat down, slipping her fingers tightly around his own and squeezing his hand with a comfortable smile.

Ash was taken aback by the nice gesture but nevertheless grinned. His wife was obviously in a good mood – and that meant he might be able to sneak in a few kisses, or maybe even a good 'ol make out session. Ever since they came back from their honeymoon, she refused to do any fun things with him, declaring that they needed to be responsible adults. He was lucky if he even got a smile.

Today, though, she seemed like she was on the top of the world.

"Someone's in a good mood."Ash grinned, pressing a soft kiss on her forehead and pulling her into his arms. She smirked, looking up at him with gleaming aquamarine eyes. "I have news Ash Ketchum. Good news."

Ash was immediately curious. "News? What news?"

"Well, it's very good news."Misty drawled, adding to his suspense as she laid comfortably on his chest and yawned happily.

Ash waited. She didn't elaborate. He frowned. "C'mon Mist, aren't ya gunna tell me?"

Misty looked thoughtful. Then, she giggled. "Nope,"

This was absurd to Ash. Misty had just giggled like her sisters did, and that was enough for him to become highly suspicious as he slowly tried to detangle himself from his new wife. Pushing her off gently so he could sit up straight, he eyed her carefully. "Tell me."

"No!" she trilled. "I think I'll wait."

Ash stared at her. Who was this, and what had they done to his Misty? Misty never acted so downright happy – unless, of course, there was a water-Pokémon involved. "Alright, did you catch a Vaporeon or something?"

Misty smiled, shaking her head as she cuddled into his arms again, not waiting for his permission. "Nope, Ashy-boy, I did not."

"Then what's the news?" Ash said, his voice edging to a whine.

"Nothing!"Misty said sweetly, enjoying making him suffer.

Well, at least THAT's like Misty… she loves torturing me… Ash comforted himself. Maybe this is just after-honeymoon affects or something…do all girls act like this once they're married? I'll have to ask Brock…

Misty grinned as her husband furrowed his brow. He was thinking – something he didn't do very often. With a sly smile, she exhaled in joy and pressed her face against Ash's shirt, savouring his warmth.

"What's up with you? What's the news?" Ash demanded, sounding a little serious this time as he pulled apart for the second time. Misty was never this affectionate.

Sighing, the redhead noticed Ash seemed frustrated and decided she would have to stop playing around. "Okay," she said, "I'll tell you, just…I was stalling, I guess. I'm not sure how to break this to you."

"It seems like a good thing." The man proclaimed incredulously. "How hard can it be?"

"Very hard."

Ash groaned, rolling his eyes and playfully grabbing Misty's wrists to drag her closer to him. "Tell me!" he pleaded.

Misty took a deep breath. "Okay, here goes." She said. "It's...I'm not a hundred percent since these things always mess up and stuff..." her voice bounced as she stared into Ash's warm brown eyes. "...but...I found...out...I tested...and..."

Ash scratched the top of his head. "You found out what?" he said, oblivious and naive. He had always been rather dense and clueless.

"I found out..." Misty shivered, joy coursing through her entire body. "I found out I'm...I'm..."

"You're what?" Ash pressed, impatience melding in his voice. He wanted to know now.

"I'm pregnant!" Misty blurted, her cheeks immediately reddening. Her hand flew to her stomach and she sighed happily. She took a meek glance up towards her husband, wondering how he would react.

Pregnant.

Pregnant.

P-R-E-G-A-N-T

Ash's body tensed as every muscle in his body stiffened. The room became quiet, and his eyes darted around uncomfortably. He didn't know what to do, what to say, or how to react. Should he jump for absolute joy or cry because he had no idea how to be a father? Staring into her unblinking aquamarine eyes, he felt his heart jolt. You say something first… his mind begged, so he wouldn't mess up. She didn't

Eerie unspoken emotions passed between them, and Ash felt his throat clog up as awkwardness went to the max. His lips were parted but no words came out as he swallowed hard, clenching and unclenching his fists as he stared at is happy wife. He was happy too, of course. Scared, nervous and ready to pass out as well, but happy too. But he didn't know the right thing to say in the quietness of the two of them.

It was painful. It was chaotic. It was dangerous.

It was silence.

She had done it again.

Blah, I don't even care if this one sucked! I stared at the screen at for ten minutes trying to write sooo much and I just couldn't. For some reason, I couldn't write. I forced myself to do this later on, which why I posted late today, and I got it done but my apologies if it's a very overused, simple topic and has no special twist in it at all. Uh, at least I did something, right? Okay, feel free to leave a comment!