"Mom!" shouts the girl pounding on the locked door.
Misty groggily hums back, "Hm?" Thankfully, it's loud enough for Ariel to hear.
"Dad's gone!" The girl is worried because her father isn't in the guestroom. It looks like he hadn't slept in the bed at all. However, Pikachu is still here, so Ariel is concerned something must've happened to her father last night.
Hearing Ariel distressed about her father makes Misty instantly wake up. There, right beside her, who her body was just resting on, is an equally naked man. Misty closes her eyes in frustration. Why does she keep falling deeply asleep around this man? Well, she knows why. "He went to run an errand for the League last night. He'll be back later." Misty lies.
"How come Pikachu didn't know?"
"It was last minute. He got a call last night." Please don't tell her, Pikachu! Misty knows the mouse can smell his trainer behind the locked door.
"Oh. Okay." Ariel is glad her father is safe, though she wished to have breakfast with him. "I'm gonna make pancakes, mom."
"Sounds good, sweetie! I'll be right there." When Misty hears her daughter's footsteps get further away, she slaps the sleeping man's bare chest hard. Ash groans, but he remains sleeping. "Ash!" hisses the woman. She can't yell, else Ariel will know he's in Misty's room.
"Hm?" the tired man grumbles.
"Wake up!"
"Five more minutes."
"Get up, dumbass!" she lifts the blanket off of him, making him instantly get up due to the cold.
"Sheesh, Mist! What're you doing?"
"Ariel thinks you're not here right now."
"What? Why?" the confused man curiously asks. However, his eyes are starting to wander all over the angry naked woman in front of him. Thus, Ash blushes as he remembers what he and his ex did...again...
After Misty explains herself, Ash agrees to hide until Ariel goes to school. The woman gets up to shower, but Ash grabs her hand, making her face him. "What?"
He awkwardly looks away. "She thinks I'm gone, right?"
"Right now, yes."
When Ash's lustful brown eyes meet Misty's annoyed blue ones, the woman instantly knows what he wants. She pushes him back down on the bed as she straddles his hips. "For the record, I still hate you."
"Same here." Ash smirks, and he closes the gap between them with a kiss.
Flashback
This sucks. Everything sucks. Misty has closed the gym up for the past few days, drawing a lot of concern from everyone. At first, the young woman thought she could handle Brock's news, but she couldn't. She's been finding herself in fits of tears.
"Psy?" Psyduck hands her another tissue from her desk.
"I'm fine, Psyduck!" lies the redhead.
"Psyyyy psyduck." he cocks his head to the side in concern.
Sniffling, Misty giggles at her cute pokemon trying to make her feel better. "It's okay. I'm just acting like a teenage girl." She's 18, so she can still cry over this, right?
Sighing, Psyduck hears the doorbell ring. He gets up, but Misty stops him. "Psy?"
"Don't get it." She already told all of her pokemon that she wants to be alone. Even the League has tried contacting her, but she told them that she needs time right now. She didn't go into specifics, and she won't. However, this is her first time taking a break from the gym in a while, so the League will allow her to take the week off. The last time was when she went to Alola. More tears.
Eventually, the ringing stops, and Misty resumes sobbing into her pillow. She only went to Alola to see him. The reason behind these tears, and he has no idea he's the one making her feel this way. Why did Brock have to share that news with her? Why didn't he tell her? It's been years, and he still never mentioned it to her. Is she that insignificant in his life now? Is he just her friend out of obligation? Despite seeing each other every summer, Misty never feels like it's enough time with him. Is she being selfish?
Knocking on her window startles Psyduck, who falls off the chair. Misty instantly sits up ready to battle whoever is trying to break into her room. However, her puffy red eyes meet the worried brown eyes of the boy who is the cause for all of this. "Misty, please let me in." She sees Pikachu's concerned gaze and Charizard in the back. So that's how he got up to the roof.
Remembering that she looks like a mess, the girl turns her back to the window. "Go away!"
"Why? What's wrong?" When Brock called saying that Misty had shut down the gym the past few days without any communication, Ash grew more concerned than Brock. Misty never closes the gym. When she does, it's for a mini vacation or to go on a mission for the League. However, not hearing anything behind her reason made everyone worried.
"I wanna be alone!"
Seeing her tears makes Ash just want to hug her. She's his best friend. He's grateful for everything she's done for him. After they reconnected a few years ago, Ash has had a lot of fun with her, like old times. Thus, he just wants her to return to her normally temperamental sweet personality. "I'm coming in."
"Don't you dare break my window!"
Sighing, Ash notices Psyduck stand up from the ground. "Let me in, Psyduck."
"No!" Misty shouts, but Psyduck is too worried over his crying trainer to care. If anyone can get Misty out of this state, it's Ash. Psyduck knows she has a huge crush on him, and he's the reason for her tears.
When the window opens, Ash and Pikachu hop inside. Pikachu jumps on the bed to cuddle his friend. "Pikachupi…" he worriedly licks at her tears that have started falling again.
"I'm fine." sobs the girl.
"No, you're not." Ash sits beside her where he wraps an arm around her. To his surprise, she shoves him away. "Hey!" He's just trying to help, and she's being so cold! It's not fair!
"Go away."
"Why? Why are you pushing everyone away?" exasperates the boy.
Misty's furious blue eyes meet Ash's annoyed gaze. "Why? Why didn't you tell me about Serena?"
Ash blinks at her in confusion. What does that have to do with this? "What are you talking about?"
"Brock told me you kissed her."
The young man groans as he sits on her desk chair, causing Psyduck to sit on the bed with Misty and Pikachu. "Why does that matter?"
Misty shakes her head in disbelief. Of course it doesn't matter to him. "Just leave."
"No." Despite her being so mean to him, Ash won't leave her. He knows Misty pushes people away and prefers to be alone when she's upset. However, she shouldn't be alone, and he won't let her. "I'm gonna stay here until you're better."
"I don't want you here."
"Too bad."
"Just go!" It's what he's good at anyway! He's constantly traveling and forgetting about her.
"No."
Misty's angry orbs meet his serious ones again. "It's all your fault, so just go!"
"How is anything my fault?" he exclaims. Ash is annoyed. He's the one who paused traveling around the Orre region just now so that he could come check on her. Granted, she is his crush, but he'd do the same for any of his former friends.
"You told Brock about Serena." seethes the young woman, making Ash inwardly groan. There is only one thing Ash told Brock about relating to Serena. When Misty sees her crush blush, it just angers her more. "Leave."
Ash shakes his head. "Look, if it's because I didn't tell you-"
"Of course it is! Aren't we best friends?"
"I think this is an overreaction, Misty." She doesn't need to close the gym down for this, nor does she need to cry this much. Okay. He didn't tell her about his first kiss. However, this is not the reaction he expected from Misty if she ever found out.
"See. You wouldn't understand." She mutters and clutches Pikachu closer to her.
Sighing, Ash leans towards her. "What don't I understand?"
Misty closes her eyes. "Everything."
"Make me understand." She always tells him this when he's feeling down; thus, Ash will use her words on her. They usually work best.
Misty shakes her head. "You wouldn't."
"Try me."
"No."
"Why?" Since when has she closed up on him like this? Just what is going on?
Misty buries her nose in Pikachu's soft fur. "Because I don't wanna lose you."
"What are you talking about? I always visit every summer!" Yes, he sucks at communicating when he's traveling, but she's important to him. It's the reason he visits her every summer.
"You and Serena kissed." sniffles the girl. "You guys are gonna start dating soon."
"What?" exclaims the boy standing up now. "No!" Ash furrows his brows in frustration. Why did Brock tell her? Ash was gonna tell her on his own time...maybe. "That was years ago! I'm not gonna date Serena!"
"But you kissed her."
"I didn't kiss her!" Sighing, Ash says, "Look at me, Misty."
"No."
"Why?" Why is she being so difficult? Why does she care that Serena kissed him?
"Because you make me sad."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I wasn't sure how."
"Why?" her angry blue orbs finally meet his desperate brown ones.
Ash bends down on one knee to look her in the eyes since she's sitting on the edge of her bed and won't let him on it. "I don't know." He says, though he knows why. "But I don't like her. She kissed me."
After a few awkward minutes, Misty speaks, "Can you leave?" At least she asked nicely this time.
"Why?"
"Please, Ash. I wanna be alone." Misty wants to cry more since she just heard him admit to losing his first kiss. This Serena girl got to kiss Ash. It's not fair! Misty has been through a lot more with him, even if Serena knew Ash from when he was younger.
"I'm not leaving." he reminds her.
"Why are you being so difficult?" yells the girl as tears slip from her eyes.
"Because you won't tell anyone anything! You closed the gym and cut everyone out! What's going on?" He's tired of being the nice understanding friend, especially because she won't tell him anything. He already apologized for not telling her about Serena, but that doesn't relate to this at all.
"What's going on?" Misty repeats angrily as she stands up, making Pikachu fall on the bed beside Psyduck. The pokemon worriedly watch their trainers.
Ash too stands up. "Did I stutter?"
"Okay." Misty glares into his equally furious eyes. "You wanna know what's going on, Mr. Pokemon Master? You kiss this girl-"
"She kissed me!" Mew, he hasn't kissed anyone!
Misty ignores him. "This girl who you knew when you were a kid, and you forgot about everyone else!"
"I don't get why you keep bringing up Serena!" She doesn't relate to the gym at all.
"Because I like you, idiot!" Misty shouts back at him, making Ash blink at her in confusion. What did she just say? "I've liked you since the day I met you! I rejected everyone for you, but you're out here kissing other girls and forgetting about me! It's not fair, and it hurts!" She sobs while quickly trying to wipe her tears. "You don't know h-"
Soft clumsy lips crash onto hers, making Misty's eyes open wide in shock. She sees her best friend's face closely in front of hers as his eyes are shut. He can taste her salty tears that had slipped to her lips, but he doesn't care because he likes her too. His crush just confessed to him. Her feelings for him are the reason she closed up the gym for the first time in years. He's excited, and he wants her to stop crying.
When Ash pulls away, he shyly rubs the back of his head. "I like you too, Mist." He finds the courage to meet her dazed gaze. "Serena kissed me, but I didn't kiss her back. I've never kissed anyone...until now." He sheepishly laughs. "I like you too, so please stop cry-"
Now it's Misty's turn to return the kiss, and Ash allows her to. He's terrible with words. Plus, he likes Misty's kisses. They're a little salty right now, but he doesn't mind. He doesn't mind anything involving her. Ash wraps his arms around her waist when he feels hers on his neck. Leaving Orre to come check on her didn't need a second thought because she's this important to him. And now that he knows she feels the same about him, he won't let her ever feel alone again.
The boy can't believe he didn't want to run that errand for his mother years ago. It almost cost him reconnecting with Misty again, which would take away this happy moment for him. Their reconnection only reminded him of his intense feelings for her he had buried due to the years of no communication. Ash smiles in the kiss. Misty is a much better kisser than him. When they pull away, his goofy grin remains on his face.
Flashback Over
"What're you doing?" the man curiously peeks into the office. After Ariel left for school, Ash came out of Misty's room to be subjected to Pikachu's knowing smirks. Misty had made him breakfast, which he gratefully ate. The two then made their way to the gym where Misty had a few challenges so far. Ash currently brought her a plate of sandwiches for lunch with her.
"Paperwork. Don't you have work?"
He shrugs. "Work gets kinda boring."
"But it's work."
Ash grins at her. "I know. I'll do it. I figured we both could use a break."
Sighing, Misty saves her application she's working on so that she can enjoy her lunch. "Where's Pikachu?"
"He says I disgust him, so he's with the pokemon." Ash sheepishly rubs the back of his head.
Misty narrows her eyes at him. "We don't speak about this."
"Obviously. The media would have a field day." If anyone finds out they're hooking up, it'll cause so much unwanted attention. After finishing his sandwich, Ash watches Misty finish hers. They were engaging in some small talk, mostly about work and Ariel as well as plans for today. Now, the man asks, "Is it okay I'm here this week?"
"It's already happened." What's the point in asking?
"But I could stay in a hotel room." He offers, especially if she feels uncomfortable. Ash feels slightly awkward, but it's not too bad.
Misty's blue eyes meet his brown ones. "Ariel likes it better that you're here." Everything is for Ariel anyway.
Ash nods. "Yeah. You're right." He gives her a small smile, and Misty's heartbeat quickens.
"Um. Ash?"
"Yeah?" he curiously raises an eyebrow at her.
"Is this gonna be a regular thing or is it just this week?" Gary isn't wrong when he assumed Misty wants to see her ex more. Mew, how the times have changed. She used to not want to see him at all, and now she can't get enough of him.
Ash shyly looks away. "Uh. It can be a regular thing. I can just attend meetings online and stuff. I do need to save the world every now and then, but it shouldn't be long." Misty giggling makes him look at her. "What?"
"Saving the world." the redhead laughs. "I remember that."
Ash smiles warmly at her. "Yeah. It's more fun with friends."
"I bet." she meets his happy gaze again. "I'm thinking about taking over Lorelei's spot." After Agatha retired, she was replaced by a man from Johto named Silver, who is Leaf's childhood friend. Gary claims Silver has the hots for Leaf, but she says they're just like siblings. Now that Lorelei wants to return to Four Island and run the daycare center, her position is open.
The man gives her a shocked expression. "I thought you didn't wanna be an Elite Four member?" She said that when he asked her to come to the League with him after Agatha announced her retirement.
Misty nervously looks back at the screen. "I know, but I think it's the next step for me to be a Water Pokemon Master." Being around Ash has reignited her passion for her childhood dreams. Back when Agatha retired, Misty really wanted to stay in her Cerulean City home. However, Daisy recently expressed interest in moving back to Cerulean City, so if Misty can pass off the gym back to her older sister, then Misty won't feel guilty leaving it.
Ash grins at her. "I think you should do it! You're already one of the toughest gym leaders!" He always believed she'd thrive as an Elite Four member, but he knows Misty only stayed the Cerulean City Gym Leader due to her familial ties here.
"Thanks, Ash." Maybe being friends with her ex isn't too bad?
"You're welcome." He grabs her plate too and leaves the office.
Misty looks back at the Elite Four application. Why is she applying to this position knowing it'll mean she'll see him more often? With Ariel gone in a couple of months, Misty will finally be freed of her ex. Well, until Ariel returns every summer. Nevertheless, she doesn't want to quit seeing Ash like this. The woman is, once again, drawn to him. Leaf is right. Misty's heart is currently winning this battle.
Later
"Don't do it, dad." the girl glares at her smirking father.
"I'm gonna do it." he challenges her.
"Don't."
"Watch me." Ash winks and pushes a block, which knocks all of the blocks down.
"I said not to do it, dad!" whines the girl. They were getting really far in Jenga, but her father just had to go for a difficult block.
Ash sheepishly laughs. "I learned to never listen to others when they tell me I can't do something."
"Yeah, but mom says if someone tells you you can't eat dessert before dinner, then you need to listen." Ariel knowingly replies as she helps her father clean up the blocks.
"Smart girl." Misty nods from the couch. The woman is still working on her Elite Four application.
Ariel grins at her mom. "I got it from you!"
Hearing Misty snicker makes Ash glare at her. "What's so funny."
"Your daughter called you dumb."
"No, I didn't!" Ariel panics. She really hopes she didn't start another argument between her parents.
Ash rolls his eyes. "She's got my elite battling sense."
"Oh please. She got that from both of us."
"I recall her and I beating you in Pokemon battles recently." Ash smirks when he sees a vein pop out on Misty's forehead. "Calm down, Mist. I'm just joking. You're a great trainer too."
"Thanks." grumbles the woman.
Ash returns his attention to his surprised daughter. She can't believe how close her parents are now that they're joking with each other. And did her dad just give her mother a nickname? "You're gonna attract bugs, champ." Ash laughs seeing Ariel's open mouth.
"Don't say that." Misty shudders.
Chuckling, the man replies, "Because bug pokemon really bug you?"
"Yes." She narrows her eyes at him in annoyance.
"You liked Butterfree and Heracross."
She sighs. "Because I had to see them everyday."
Ariel curiously looks at her father. "Butterfree? The one you released because he fell in love?"
Ash smiles nostalgically. Unlike some of his other pokemon he's released, Ash hasn't seen Butterfree at all. Butterfree was the first Pokemon he ever caught. "Yeah."
Sensing his sad mood, Ariel forgets the blocks to hug her father with her small arms. "I think Butterfree misses you a lot too."
"And Squirtle, and Primeape, and Pidgeot, and Lapras, and Greninja, and-"
"Okay. I get it." Ash grumbles at his ex. Why is she rubbing salt in his wounds?
Misty warmly smiles at him. "I'm not trying to make you feel worse, Ash."
"Seems like it."
She shakes her head. "No. You released all of your Pokemon for good reasons. You loved them and wanted them to be happy." Is that also why he agreed to sign the divorce papers? "Like me." She whispers.
The man raises a curious eyebrow at her. "What?"
"Nothing." Misty mumbles and returns her attention to her laptop.
Letting out a breath, Ash stands up with Ariel in his arms. "You're getting big, champ." He hugs her tightly.
"I'm almost 10, dad." she giggles. Ariel is glad her parents aren't arguing anymore. She was very worried.
Chuckling, he asks, "Wanna finish the movie in your room?" They have some time before Ariel's bedtime.
Her eyes light up in excitement. "Yeah!"
"Awesome! Get ready for bed, and I'll be up there." Ash sets her down.
"Are you coming too, mom?" Ariel grins happily at her mother.
"Uh." Misty's eyes waver between her ex and daughter. Sighing, the woman hesitantly nods. This is for Ariel.
"Yes! Let's go, Pikachu!" The girl and Pikachu sprint upstairs, leaving the adults alone in the living room.
After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence, Ash asks, "What'd you say earlier?"
"Hm?" Misty keeps her gaze on the laptop.
"When you said I released my pokemon so they could be happy. You said something afterwards, but I couldn't hear it."
Why'd she say it? Misty mentally curses herself as her face heats up. "It was nothing."
Ash smiles at her. "Thanks for reminding me." He knows he's released a lot of Pokemon in the past, and he misses all of his Pokemon friends. Misty reminding him that he released them for good reasons makes him glad he did. He doesn't feel so sad anymore. "I always want my Pokemon to be happy." He glances up at a picture of Ariel on the wall. "And my loved ones."
"I know." Misty mutters.
He looks back at his ex wife. "I'm gonna make sure they're not having a splash fight again."
Before Ash reaches the stairs, Misty asks, "Is that why you signed the papers?"
"Huh?"
"The divorce papers." She meets his confused eyes. "You knew I wasn't happy?"
The man nervously looks away. "I signed them because you were with Rudy."
"But you admitted that you knew I'd never cheat on you."
Sighing, Ash gives her a sheepish grin. "I wasn't happy either." Yeah. He wasn't happy knowing she was happier with another man. He wasn't happy knowing he was making her unhappy. He wasn't happy being selfish and neglecting her happiness. He wasn't happy either. "See ya upstairs."
After Ash is gone, Misty saves her application. For some reason, this conversation makes her want to become an Elite Four member even more. She doesn't like the ache in her heart knowing she isn't going to see Ash as much once Ariel is gone. Despite her heart aching when she's around Ash, Misty prefers that ache over the former one.