IT'S THE FINAL CHAPTER I'M CRYING
-Five Years Later-
"Gar, have you seen my swimsuit?" Misty yells over the chaos erupting all around the gym. Machamps and Machokes alike scramble every which way, boxes fitted into their arms. She rifles through the box in front of her, clothes spilling out all over the place.
Gary's head pops out from the hallway. "Which one?"
"The pink one," Misty pouts, "It's my favorite one and I wanted to go for a swim with the Pokemon one more time before we leave." She looks up at him, eyebrows furrowed with worry.
He can't help the smile that splits his face as he looks down at her. Gary stalks over and kneels next to the box. With a mischievous grin, he reaches out and begins skimming his fingers from Misty's cheek, down her neck, across her collarbones. Goosebumps erupt all over her skin at the contact. "I love you, a lot," he murmurs, eyes trained on her neck.
She can't help but let her eyes flutter shut, expecting him to lean in and place kisses over her neck. "I know. What does that have to do with helping me find my swimsuit?" she teases. Instead of a response, she feels elastic snap against her skin, startling her out of her daydream. "Ouch! Gary, what on earth-" She cuts off, pushing him away as he grabs his stomach in a fit of laughter.
"You're wearing your pink swimsuit, Red," he smirks despite her harsh glare. "Are you that nervous about this?" he asks, tone suddenly serious.
Misty purses her lips, contemplating the question as she begins folding the clothes back up and putting them away. "I wouldn't say nervous. It's more like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop."
Gary furrows his eyebrows at this. "You think something is going to go wrong?"
"Everything has just been going so well recently. I'm afraid to enjoy it because I know the second I do, it will all get taken away."
"Mist, that's no way to live. Don't you think you deserve some good? You can't live your life walking on eggshells and expecting everything to crumble apart."
"It's always happened, though."
He stands and holds his hand out to her which she accepts. Gary molds his body to hers, letting his nose nuzzle into the crook of her neck. "If it happens we deal with it together. We work through it together. We grow together. That's how we've done it all these years. Just cause we're moving in together doesn't mean the way we problem solve changes."
Misty can't help but laugh and squeeze him impossibly closer. "I wouldn't call going on a year-long field study moving in together."
"What? Sharing a tent every night and constantly getting on each other's nerves? We're going to be practically married at that point."
"Not until I get my ring, pretty boy," she teases, reluctantly moving away so she can hand the box to one of the Pokemon movers. It was a struggle deciding what she would send to storage and what minimal clothes she would pack in her backpack. Luckily her younger years have prepared her for this living arrangement.
Gary stands by her side, his fingers sliding in between her own. "You're allowed to be happy. Your three year anniversary of sobriety is coming up soon. Now is the time to feel all the joy."
"Would've been five year anniversary if I-"
"Ah! Absolutely not," he cuts her off, "You know what your sponsor said."
Misty can't help but sigh and smile. He really does keep her in check. "I love you, Gary."
From her peripheral she sees him try to hide his smile and blush. Five years of telling him she loves him and he still blushes every time. Every single time.
...
Misty's hair drips onto her shirt as she walks around the gym, telling the aides where everything goes and what to expect while she's gone. Her sisters should be arriving tomorrow to take over the gym and who the hell knows what kind of ship they'll be running once they get here. Misty suspects much more trainers will be getting the Cascade Badge in her absence.
"Uhm, excuse me, Misty?" one of the aides murmurs. Misty raises an eyebrow, curious as to why she seems so nervous. "There is someone in front of the gym waiting to talk to you."
"Did my sisters get here early?" she questions as she makes her way towards the entrance. The summer sun nearly blinds her as she steps outside, and it takes a minute for her eyes to adjust before she can properly see anything. Her heart leaps into her throat at the sight of coal black hair and a broad frame.
"Hey, Mist." Ash says, an uneasy look on his face. He looks about as uncomfortable as she feels. "I heard you were leaving town with Gary."
The day she stood across from him at the alter wearing that stupid highlighter pink dress and a ballistic Dawn screaming at her flashes before her. I'm pretty sure I told you to never speak to me again, she thinks to herself, before remembering what her sponsor told her: "You can't move on and heal while harboring grudges."
She takes a deep breath. "Yeah, we are going to the Alola region to study the mutations of the Pokemon there since quite a few originated here in Kanto."
He nods his head. "That sounds like groundbreaking work."
"It will be. I don't know of any other researchers going out there right now and doing the work that Gary will be."
"So what are you going to do out there? You're not giving up the gym, right?" He seems almost panicked as he asks.
"I mean, I'm going to help him when I can, but I'll be out there to catch new water types. And no, I'm not giving up the gym. My sisters are looking after it while I'm gone." The look of relief that crosses Ash's face confuses her. "Why do you care?"
Ash's gaze casts downwards. "It's just... Mist, you and Brock were my best friends. You two were there for me through every single thing, even when I didn't deserve it, especially you. You've put up with so much of my bullshit and I just kept pushing and pushing you. You never deserved any of it. I don't want to let my ego and ignorance drive you away." He pauses, clutching the hem of his jacket in a death grip.
Misty's heart seizes in her chest. "Ash-"
"No, please let me finish." His eyes meet hers. "I know it's been five years since the wedding. I know I've had all this time to come to you and apologize. I just wanted to wait until I bettered myself to do so. I've been going to a therapist recently... He's really made me confront all of my wrong doings and has helped me forgive myself for all of it. But in the end, I realized it was only your forgiveness that I wanted. Your forgiveness is the one I want to work for because I know I don't deserve it, but goddamn Mist, I'm going to try like hell to earn it. I was worried that if you moved away permanently, I wouldn't get the chance."
"I'll be back in a year," she finally manages to get out after a long silence. "I'm going to be honest, Ash. It's going to be really hard for me to forgive you." The way his hope instantly deflates makes her frown. The love she has for him has quelled into the love for a friend, easily overshadowed by her love for Gary. And that's why she knows one day they can be friends again. "But I want to try," she says, catching his attention, "to forgive you. You're just going to have to give me time."
Ash can't stop the smile from spreading across his face. "Take as long as you need." The two stand across from each other, the tension fading away. "I've got to get back home, I've been helping Mom out around the house recently so she's expecting me back."
Misty nods. "Tell her I said hello. And thank you for coming out here."
He lowers his head, his smile still there. "Bye, Mist."
"Goodbye, Ash." He turns and makes his way down the street, not turning back.
An arm wraps around Misty's shoulders. "You okay?" Gary questions.
She looks up at him with a faint smile. "Yeah, I'm okay."
...
May laces the back of Misty's dress, making sure it fits snugly. She lets out a little grunt, whining for May to be more gentle. "Who thought we'd be here again," May laughs, grabbing her own bouquet.
Misty smiles, looking over to Suzie who is getting her makeup finished. "I knew it was coming sooner or later. I'm just glad Gary and I were able to schedule a break in his research to participate."
"Oh please, you know you wouldn't have missed this for the world." Misty can't help but nod in agreement. After so many long years of pinning after girls and constantly being rejected, Brock and Suzie are finally tying the knot.
Suzie walks over the them. Her lovely lace wedding dress accentuates her slim figure. "Are you girls ready?"
"Are we ready? We should be asking you that," Misty smiles, situating the veil atop Suzie's head.
"Oh, I knew the day I met Brock I would marry him. So yes, I'm very ready," she says confidently, her cheeks dusting over with blush.
The three of them begin their journey down the gym hallway that leads to the open arena that has been decorated with an alter, flowers, chairs, and a soft blue carpet that leads all the way to the alter where Brock and the wedding officiant stand. To Brock's side are his second oldest brother and Ash. The music begins to play, signaling for May to begin walking. Brock and Suzie decided on having a small wedding including only family, close friends, and their Pokemon.
When it's Misty's turn to walk, she looks through the faces on Brock's side, trying to spot Gary. She sees Brock's father and other siblings. Finally, she spots Gary already staring at her, his eyes filled with adoration. Beautiful, he mouths, making her blush and avert her gaze. She can't fight away a smile, though. She also can't help but agree. This maid of honor dress is far more complimenting to her hair color and style.
The music changes and everyone stands, turning to watch Suzie make her way down the aisle. She exuberates beauty and elegance as she walks, making nearly everyone sigh in relief. Brock looks as if he is ready to break down in to tears at any moment. Misty looks over to Gary once more. He shoots her a wink and grin.
When the ceremony is over and the reception is well under way, Gary stands and asks Misty to dance with him. Together they make their way to a sparsely crowded dance floor. He rests his hands on her hips and tugs her to his body. She leans in, letting her chin rest on his shoulder. "Today was beautiful," she comments as they begin to sway to the song.
"It really was. I never thought a small wedding would be fun," he chuckles. "How many kids do you think they'll have?"
Misty smiles. "If Brock's family is anything to go by, I'm going to assume at least six."
"They're going to be a real happy family," he sighs, almost sad.
She pulls away slightly, though still in his embrace. "You okay?"
He is silent for a few moments, simply analyzing every detail of her face. "Once we settle down and actually move in together, I'm going to marry you."
His blunt confession sends heat rising to her cheeks. "I guess now would be a good time to tell you I don't want any kids."
"Good, I don't want any either," he laughs, pulling her closer once more. They flow together, the song changing to that of an even slower one.
"We are going to a have a beautiful life together..." Misty smiles, fighting back tears.
Gary's fingers run through her hair and plants a kiss atop her head. "Yeah. Yeah, I reckon we will."
Is it weird a bitch is shedding tears right now lol. This has been my absolute favorite story to write and that's because of the feedback and motivation you all gave me along the way. Thank you all for dealing with my sporadic updates and for staying with me on this nearly two year long journey (its probably been even longer than that). I'm so reluctant for this to be over that I almost want to start another story of oneshots about Gary and Misty's year of field research soooo let me know if you all would be interested in that. Thank you all once again for reading. All the love -M