Author's Note: Beware. This chapter is half Angst and half fluff. I'm so sorry this took so long. I had this idea for a long time but didn't get to write it. But on the plus side, it's my longest one. This chapter is inspired by A Visit to Kalos written by SolanaLeonhart.
The book is in my favorites. Go check it out and leave some review. And if you guys have some ideas for future chapters simply review or pm me
Story: Chloe talks to her mom about Ash. They visit Kalos for a tournament.
Age: Ash 17, Chloe 16, Gou 16
It was in the middle of the night, Ten PM to be exact. It was also a school night, but no matter how much she tries she just can't sleep. Like seriously her eyes are hurting forcebly closing so many times.
Chloe had spent the entire day preparing for a trip in Kalos that held a tornament Ash was going to compete in. And frankly she's tired, she just went through a pop quiz in school, she forgot her lunch, she had to walk home. All sorts mess happened today and she should be passed by now.
Her body maybe tired, but her mind isn't. Every second Ash's 'annoying' face would just flash behind her eye lids. Eventually she gave up. She slid out the covers and tip toed out of her room, being careful not to wake yamper up
She went down the stairs quitely, grateful that her father had the landlord fix the stairs so it wouldn't creak loudly anymore and risk waking her family up. She belined to the living room, planning to get some light reading up and hopefully fall asleep. It would disract her from thinking about Ash too.
Alas her planned failed as always because the moment she stepped inside the lights flicked on revealing her mother sitting crossed leg in an arm chair like it's a freaking horror movie!
Chloe let a small yelp, she placed her on her chest slightly embaressed by the sound. "Your awake..." she muttered.
Talia ignored her, "why are you awake? You have school tomommow, Chloe."
The younger girl sighed, she sat down in the couch. She runned her hand through her hair in an effort to fix her wild hair. She gave up after her hand got in it twice. Even her is messy today. She is the embodiement of a mess right now, her hair got caught in themselves after tossing and turning multiple times in bed and her chloteds rinkled. But she could care less, all she wants right is sleep and lots of it.
"I couln't sleep. Too many thoughts running in my head." More like Ash running in her head.
Talia sighed sympathically. "That's what we get for being intelegient." She then peered suspeciusly at her destraught daugther, "have you dranked your tea?"
Chloe frozed, she looked at her mother in shock of herself. She shooked her head, "inteligent my ass." She muttered. She stood up and walkes to the kitchen.
"Make some for me too!"
A few minutes later, the Cerise girls sipped their tea quitely. An awkward silence between them. Although they prefer that than the forceful conversations they mostly have.
Eventually Talia ran out of patience, "so, what's been keeping you up?" She asked smoothly.
Chloe sighed, "would you believe if i said it's about a boy?"
"Actually i would." Talia smirked at her daughter's shocked face. "You are in your age where you start thinking about boys. It's natural." She shrugged. "So, what's his name? Or her."
"Ash Ketchum." Chloe let out reluctantly.
Talia's eyes widened, "as in your father's assistant?"
Chloe nodded. Honestly she doesn't know as to why she is developing a crush on the boy. It's not like they spent that much time together. She would be less shock and bothered if she developed a crush on her childhood friend, Gou than Ash. At least they know each other and makes sense
"Is he cute?" Talia continued.
"Of course he is, Mom. I wouldn't be thinking if he isn't." She finished the rest of her tea. Her body finally relaxing after drinking her favorite drink. She momentarally forgot that she can not sleep without drinking it ever.
"Tell me about him. I want to know the boy finally caught my baby's attention."
Chleo threw hands in the air in frustration, "that's the thing, Mother! I don't know anything about him! I know his name, where his from, he has a pikachu anr he likes pokemon more than anything!"
"That's more than absoloutely nothing. So just him ask on a date and get to know him." Talia mockingly threw her hands in the air like her. They know they are acting like such kids, but they chose to ignore that.
"Easy for you to say, when you confessed to dad you just kissed him and ran away!" Chloe retorted.
Talia gasped before pointing a finger at her, "that takes a lot of courage you know! Especially for a teen!"
Chloe threw her hands up in the air for the second time, giving up. "Fine, whatever. My point is can i do that?" She asked vulnerably, "can i ask him on a date face to face?"
Talia smiled, her mother instincs coming back. She tucked a loose hair piece into Chloe's ear before whispering. "If you believe you can do anything."
Chloe woke from her sleep with a smile on her face. After that meaningful conversation with her mom, they went back into their respective beds and fell asleep right after. The tea calming them and sleeping peacefully.
Though it was not the reason as to why Chloe was so happy today is the day they will travel to Kalos, after of course finishing going through hell that is school.
It's not she hates school or studying sometimes it's fun. She just hates the people in it. They can be so annoying sometimes
Another reason she was so happy was the dream she had in which she actually asked Ash on a date and be agreed. Hopefully the same results will happen.
After all it's time to head to kalos and when she can ask him on a date
A day later, 12:55
The tournament was being held in the beautiful city of Snowbelle in Kalos. Fitting to its name, the city was filled with snow and joyous laughter that rang like bells. Kids filtered all over as they played around with the endless snow.
The winner of the tournament was to receive prize money of five thousand poke dollars and a decent amount of vitamins for pokemon. The popularity is a bonus too.
The tournament was said to be held at three PM in the afternoon with the registrations starting at 8 Am to 1 PM, researched by Gou.
Our heroes were there for their reasons. Ash wanted to battle and gain the experience, Gou as always was there to catch pokemon and Chloe was forced to go by her father. Said it was good for her to go out and explore.
She disagreed of course. Who would force their daughter to another region to be left with two idiots? Sounded irresponsible to her.
Currently, our heroes were stuck in a rather nostalgic moment. Because of the jetlag, all of them slept in and now in danger of missing the registrations, even the one who was supposed to care for them, Chloe. That girl loves her sleep too much.
Ash as always ran the fastest. He miraculously put on his jacket and eating a piece of toast while balancing the sleeping Pikachu on his shoulder.
Finally, Ash sped through the automatic doors of the pokemon center. Having slept in a hotel instead of it because it was full of trainers wanting to participate in the tournament as well.
He ran for the front desk. Nearly running into a little in the process.
"Sorry!" He shouted out an apology
He collapsed on the desk. He held up his poke-dex as he panted heavily. He hasn't run like that in a while.
Gou and Chloe finally caught up to the heaving boy. They stood beside him as they panted. Chloe noticed that Ash couldn't speak and decided to speak for him.
She looked up at Nurse Joy with hopeful eyes. "Can this moron still register for the Snowbelle City tournament?" She asked while pointing at the Raven-haired boy beside her.
Ash ignored the jab and extended his poke-dex at Nurse Joy. "Yes, can I?" He asked hopefully.
Nurse Joy hid an amused smile, replacing it instead with a kind smile. "Of course. The deadline won't end until 2:40 when the tournament is about to start." The group's eyes immediately went to the clock in the wall behind Nurse Joy. It read 12:58. The three tensed and gasped in disbelieve.
Ash and Chloe swiftly turned to Gou, their eyes narrowed like slits. Flashbacks of them almost falling out of their beds when Gou shouted that the registration is closing ran through their minds.
Gou still hasn't looked away from the clock. Tension filled the room as Ash and Chloe menacingly advanced at him. He fearfully looked at them.
He laughed nervously. He scratched his head. "I-it's w-what the R-rotom dex said." He stuttered. They ignored him and continued to slowly got close to his face. He looked away and prayed for his safety to the only person he could trust with his life. Mom save me...He thought pathetically.
Thankfully someone did save him. Nurse Joy smiled secretly in amusement before interrupting, saving the poor boy from the duo's menace. "So what's your name, young man? I need it for you to register." She directed the question at Ash.
Ash quickly got over it and turned to the Nurse. He had his signature friendly smile, all traces of menace gone. "Ash Ketchum, Ma'am!" He replied cheerfully.
Being the more mature kids that they are, they completely forgave Gou for the mishap. Gou sighed in relief as they looked away from him. That was scary...He thought.
Chloe smiled kindly, a complete 180 from the expression she has just a few seconds ago. Gou stares at her in disbelieve and confusion. Despite going through this since he met her which was when they were babies, he was still surprised by how fast this girl's mood changes. That freaking tsundere.
"And I'm Chloe Cerise." She introduced herself. Spending more time with the boys, especially Ash, she learned to smile more. It just seemed like the world was brighter or something.
She nervously glanced at the boy beside her who invaded her thoughts at night. She smiled bigger at the adorable smile he was still wearing. She couldn't help it, he was just too adorable.
She looked away and mentally kicked herself. She knew her face was sporting a nice blush right now. Hopefully, they didn't notice.
Gou glanced at her in confusion. He noticed the redness on her cheeks and wondered what costed that. Does she have a crush? He looked back in forth between Ash and her. A light bulb appeared on top of his head as an idea entered his brain.
He smirked even more before shaking it off and following with his introduction.
Nurse Joy took Ash's Rotom dex and scanned it. It took a few minutes for the machine to scan Ash's info and battle records. Ash in meantime settled the somehow still sleeping Pikachu on her counter and started petting him.
Gou and Chloe stared at him in wonder. It made Gou pull out Raboot and started playing with it as well. Chloe stared at them longingly, finding herself missing Yamper's presence. It's been a long time since she woke up hearing the yellow dog's affectionate barking and it hurt.
She looked away from them. She hoped it was doing okay. Hopefully, it already ate. She now knew that Yamper only eats the food from her and she prayed that Yamper accepted the food her brother or mom would give it.
She told it to eat even without her there, but she still worried. She won't admit it, but she cared a lot for that yellow dog. She looked back at the duo playing with their partner. She wished that she caught Yamper so she could bring it anywhere.
She felt envious as she stared at them. She was snapped out of thoughts when Nurse Joy started speaking. "Are you two gonna be watching from the stands?" Nurse Joy looked up from her computer, she directed the question at Gou and Chloe.
Her heart melted as she caught sight of the two boys playing with their pokemon. It was always nice to see humans and pokemon bond.
They looked up from their musings. Chloe spoke up first. "Can we be closer?" She asked hopefully. "It would be nice to support Ash that way." She added.
Ash glanced at her in confusion. Since when did she care? Despite that, he smiled as he heard the words fall from her lips. He was starting to think she hated him.
Gou spoke up next. "I saw on last year's Silver Conference that they were seats behind the battlers. Do you have that?" He asked hopefully.
Nurse Joy stared at them sadly. "Our regional Champion, Diantha thought that it was too dangerous and didn't allow it. Some competitors from the league requested it, but she still didn't allow it."
Chloe sighed in disappointment. She was hoping on watching him battle for the first time close up. She heard stories from Gou that he was great and she wanted to see it up close.
Ash looked worriedly at them as they sighed in disappointment. It's not the first time he's seen this before. Every league he competed at was like this ever since the Silver Conference was like this. Almost all of his companions wanted to watch him up close, but he was kinda glad they couldn't. He didn't want to see the disappointment in their faces as he lost over and over again.
Well now he won a league and he wished then he could see the look on their faces. He hoped they were proud. He tried calling all of them, but he didn't know where they were so he was only able to call Misty, Brock, and Max. They said they were proud of him and that was enough.
In this tournament in Snowbelle City, he was going to win like the battle frontier flute cup. Besides Chloe was here, he had to impress her.
"I can get you front row seats if you want?" Nurse Joy asked, already knowing the answer.
As expected the childhood friends answered positively. "Of course." They replied simultaneously
Nurse Joy smiled happily. She got the tickets and gave them to them along with Ash's Rotom dex. This boy has good friends. "Have fun!"
The two accepted it and thanked her. "Thank you so much, Nurse Joy!"
"By the way, the tournament starts at Three o clock so be there before that." Nurse Joy added.
Chloe turned to Gou. "At least the Rotom Dex got that right." The boys nodded, agreeing with her.
"Have a nice day and please come again." Nurse Joy smiled kindly.
Ash, Gou, and Chloe bowed at the same time. "Thank you, Nurse Joy!"
She smiled happily, oh how she loves her job. It's always nice to see these kids smile.
An hour later, 1:28 PM
After eating lunch and breakfast, they walked out of the center with full stomachs and a smile on their faces. Gou glanced at his two friends. He debated on actually going with his plan before turning away and running, his Rotom Dex high up in the air. This might do them some good.
"I'll see you at three o clock!" He waved his Rotom Dex before turning into an alleyway and disappearing
Chloe stared at the air in disbelieve while Ash just smiled in amusement. She sighed exasperatedly. "Of course his running off again." She breathed out, a touch of sadness in her tone. He didn't even say goodbye.
Ash looked at her in concern. He noticed the tone she had. For the past few weeks he has known her, he noticed that every time Gou did something like this or mention pokemon she would frown and pretend pokemon didn't exist.
He reached up to pet Pikachu's head on his shoulder while deep in thought. At lunch, he already woke him up and gave him his daily ketchup.
Pikachu cooed in content. Ash smiled at the adorable sound before frowning as a thought entered his mind. Does she not like pokemon?
He turned to look at her. She was scrolling in her Smartphone with a focused frown. He smiled a little at the look on her face. He looked back in forth between Pikachu and her.
She has a sweet face and a kind aura around her. Her body screams compassionate and girly. Pikachu is cute and based on his experiences girls like her like cute pokemon. Why would someone like her dislike Pikachu? Or pokemon in general.
Whenever he shoved Pikachu in her face and ask her to pet him, she would always push him away and turn around with a frown on her face. Ignoring him and his partner's existence. He would be lying if he didn't say he wasn't hurt by it and he can tell Pikachu is hurt as well.
Why would she do that? Unless...
His eyes widened before turning into the familiar color of Auburn which only happens if he's overcome by emotion, a determined look filling it. He stepped towards her. He gently took her phone from her before pocketing it.
Chloe turned around, startled. She reached for him, he side-stepped and avoided her. "What's your problem?!" She asked slightly annoyed.
Ash sighed and stared at her. He gently lifted Pikachu from his shoulder without taking his eyes off her.
"Pika?" He squeaked
Ash gently put him in front of her face. As expected she gently shoved him away and turned around. Right before she turned she caught a glimpse of Pikachu's sad face. Guilt filled her, feeling as if she just kicked a Yamper. She shook the feeling off. "Let's not do this right now, Ash."
Pikachu sadly jumped off his trainer's hands. They watched as he opened Ash's bag and went inside, letting out sad whimpers while doing so. Pikachu closed it, only leaving a small gap for air.
Ash looked at it with sympathy. He looked back at the Maroon-haired girl. "Do you not like pokemon?" He asked slowly, finding himself fearing the answer. Tension filled the area as he asked the question, unbeknownst to them Gou watched from the corner curiously.
He too noticed that Chloe distanced herself from pokemon, how could he not? This has been happening since they were young. No matter what he did, Chloe just didn't like pokemon. He planned to leave them alone for the whole day and bond.
Maybe Ash can change her mind. Ever since they met a few weeks ago, Ash would try to approach and talk, but she just turned her face away and ignored him. He thought too that Chloe just didn't like him, but based on her reaction earlier it might be a completely different reason.
The silence continued on their side of the story. Chloe stared at Ash nervously. "What makes you think that?" She asked.
"Well, it doesn't seem that you like them either." Ash stepped closer towards her. She tensed up he invaded her personal space, a slight blush flushed her cheeks. She stared at his eyes, they were almost nose to nose they were in the same height. She saw the auburn color of his eyes and couldn't help but find it beautiful. "Why don't you like them?" He asked softly.
Her breath hitched at the sound of his voice. The roughness and gentleness making her heart race. "... I just don't care..." She replied softly, almost whispering. She wasn't lying. Thinking of pokemon just made me feel empty or hanging with them besides Yamper. It wasn't like the feeling her classmates and Gou described it. It was just empty.
She waited for years for that feeling to come, but until now it still hasn't come. Eventually, she gave up caring about not caring about them and just moved on. Her father said that he and her mom have a reason for loving pokemon it just hasn't come to her yet.
"Now, can you drop it?" She finally looked away. She regained her composure and stepped away from him.
Ash stared at her sadly. He was about to protest when his father's voice ran in his head. "Not all people love pokemon..." He sighed. Chloe looked back at him as he stayed silent. Great, I disappointed him. She thought sarcastically.
They stayed silent as Ash thought about what his going to say. "How long are you allowed to stay here until you have to go back to school?" He asked.
She looked back at him in confusion at the random question. "About two to three days, why?"
Ash smiled softly. He pointed a finger at her before saying. "In those times I'm gonna make you like pokemon."
Chloe stared at him in shock. "You mean your gonna force me." She corrected him. She scoffed before crossing her arms. She shook her head, his just like the rest of them. She thought.
Ash was unbothered. "No, I'm gonna give you a reason."
She looked back at him with an amused smile. As much as that sounded good to her, it's impossible. "In three days?"
He gazed in her eyes with a serious look, the first of many. "No matter how long it takes." I won't let you end up as I did. He added in his head.
"I've known Gou since I was young and he failed to do what you want. What makes you think you can do it?" She pointed a finger at him.
Ash took a deep breath. He smirked. "I'm Ash Ketchum." He declared.
She didn't say anything and just stared at him. She debated protesting, but something in her said he still wouldn't listen. She sighed in defeat. "Fine." She rolled her eyes and walked away.
Ash trailed behind calmly. She abruptly turned around and almost ran into him. She sighed exasperatedly to hide the blush on her cheeks.
She held her hand out. "Can I have my phone now?" She pretended to be annoyed.
Ash simply smiled at her tone. He withdrew the phone from her pocket and gave it back to her. She rolled her eyes again. "You shouldn't do that, it'll get stuck."
"You sound like my mom." She chuckled.
Gou watched from the corner. He smiled before walking away. He'll catch pokemon while he has time.
She turned to Ash. "I saw on the map earlier that they were an open mall around here, can we go?" She didn't wait for an answer and just started walking faster.
He easily copied her pace. "Does that mean shopping?" He successfully kept the fear on his tone.
She glanced at him amusingly, the mini argument is forgotten. "Don't worry, I won't drag you around and make you carry all my stuff."
He released a breath dramatically. "Thank Arceus." She chuckled again.
They stayed silent for a few minutes, just walking before Chloe asked something that threw Ash off.
"What's your reason for loving pokemon?"
He let out a small gasp. Flashes of that moment flashed in his head. Chloe stared at him with concern. "It's okay if you don't want to say it."
Ash held up a hand. "No, it's okay. It's just..." he took a deep breath. She stared at him in worry, this seemed like a tough subject. She shouldn't have asked that question. It's not her place. "...I've never talked about this before..." He continued slowly.
He turned to her with a forced smile. "It's a long story, are you up for that?"
She nodded with a small smile. "I want to get to know you more, Ash."
He took a deep breath and readied himself with his story. It's okay, you can do this. He told himself.
"When I was younger-"
"You sound like an old man." She interrupted with a forced smirk, hoping to cut the tension a little. He chuckled, but sadly the sad atmosphere came back.
He continued. "I got lost in the woods after I got bullied at school." They were still walking after Chloe stopped in her tracks.
She looked at him sadly. With just a few words, her heart broke. "What?..."
He hummed sadly, "...It was so bad, I ran away and tried to go home without someone picking me up. I thought I knew the way by then, but instead, I somehow made it to Viridian Forest."
"How is that possible?" She checked her memory of the Kanto map if they were any shortcuts there. She remembered one where you can swim to the other side of a lake, but that's it.
He shrugged. "A shortcut. They were ledges and I guess I climbed them." He looked at her with a proud smile. "I can climb walls like a Primeape
She shooked her head amusingly. She's not even gonna ask how.
"It started raining and I got lost even more. I was all alone wherever I go, my best friend, Gary was busy with school and is perfect for his family, pressure and all. My mom just opened her restaurant and threw herself with work." Ash choked. He looked down to hide his tears with the brim of his hat. He kicked himself for crying.
Chloe stared at him heartbrokenly. There was nothing else she can do now but comfort him. She has never been through it, but she knew how hard bullying can get. She placed a hand on his arm and rubbed up and down.
There's nothing she can do...
Ash placed a hand over hers and squeezed it. "Thank you..."
It took Ash a few seconds to talk again. "I was just seven years old. My father recently passed away because of an accident with a Rapidash. My mom threw herself in work to cope with the pain."
Chloe wondered where could his father be, but she didn't think it could be like this. Death...that was something she has never experienced and for someone at such a young to get through that...
She didn't even want to think about it.
"I was feeling a little bitter and I started hating pokemon. That was until..."
Flashback
Young Ash looked around the dense trees of Viridian City, hoping and praying that his mom or Gary would magically appear.
He called out for them again. "Mom?! Gary?!" He started crying as he heard nothing, but crickets. He looked up when he felt something on the top of his head. Raindrops started falling, slowly at first before they got stronger.
He looked around frantically for a shelter, a cave was just right behind some trees. He bravely ran through them and went inside.
He immediately took off his backpack and curled up. His shoulders shook as he started sobbing. Where am I?
He then felt an unfamiliar sensation crawling up his back. He tensed. He smelled an odd mix of rain and dirt up to his shoulder. He fearfully looked back, only to be met with a green slob.
He let out a scream and backed away. It was then he took a proper look at it, it was a pokemon. A Caterpie to be precise. Knowing that he backed away even more. "...please don't hurt me..." He begged.
The Caterpie tilted its head before advancing towards him.
Flashback end.
"After that I started trusting the Caterpie, realizing that it probably just wanted shelter from the rain as well. We bonded and it kept me warm." Throughout the story, he held in his sadness after crying earlier, but in this part of the story, he can't help but show it. "After that, I didn't see it again." He looked back at Chloe's sad gaze.
He gasped seeing that she was crying that whole time. She tried to wipe it away before he saw it, but it was too late. He became saddened even more and guilt entered his sensitive heart. "Don't cry..." He pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her.
She gave him a small nod, knowing that she couldn't speak right now. She was a little crying in front of him, he was the boy she likes for Arceus's sake! That was the reason why she was crying in the first place. The boy she likes is sad. Though if you ask Ash, he would say she would cry if that was a mere stranger's story.
He continued to stare at her in guilt. He wanted her happy. That's why he's even telling this story in the first place. He didn't know why, but seeing her like this...it hurt. Did she feel the same when he cried earlier? He hoped not. It's an awful feeling, he wouldn't want anyone to suffer through that. He needed to cheer her up somehow.
He smiled, he decided to continue to the brighter side of the story to cheer her up, not knowing that him simply smiling again was enough.
"That Caterpie?" She nodded. "It was the first pokemon I ever caught." She beamed. As expected, the sorrow disappeared from her face.
"Really?!" She asked excitedly. Ash beamed, this is exactly what he wanted. Her to be happy. "I hope I meet it someday..." She trailed off as she looked up at the sky. She imagined a Butterfree flying overhead, she guessed it must be evolved now.
Unbeknownst to her, Ash sadly smiled. She doesn't need to know the other part of the story. At least not now.
Chloe's widened as she saw the sun. It was much less bright. "Crap..." She cursed. She pulled out her Smartphone and checked the time and cursed again.
Ash stared at her in shock. It was the first time someone cursed in front of them aside from those movies he watched back home, mostly because the people hunged out with were mostly kids.
He flinched as she turned to him an urgent look. "ASH! Look at the time." She shoved the phone in front of his face. It read 2:29. He gasped in horror. Without a word, he turned around, grabbed her hand that wasn't holding the phone, and started running fast. Not fast enough for her to trip, but fast enough for her to give effort.
She blushed heavily as his warm hand held her sweaty hand. His backpack bounced up and down, she worried for the Pikachu inside. It was for nothing though, as he popped out of the bag and started running alongside them. No longer was he sad, but was now happily letting out squeaks.
But they were more pressing matters. Ash while focusing on running didn't notice the cold breeze of wind that ran through them, Chloe didn't notice either. Each other's hand and the close distance between them kept them both warm. The wind blew Ash's hat off his hat without him noticing, thankfully Chloe did.
She let go of his hand and jumped up. He turned to her, about to question why she stopped only to be met with the sight of her holding out his hat to him. He reached up and cupped his head. It wasn't there, it was in front of him.
She smiled proudly. That was probably the highest she had to jump in her life. Having to just at least five inches off their head, but she did it. She waited for him to take it, but he didn't do anything, just kept staring at her in awe.
She chuckled. She stepped closer toward him. She brushed his head to soothe it down from its messy state only for it to get even messier. She smiled at the similarities with her hair. If her mother and only her mother won't brush it, it would never settle down.
She gave up and just gently placed it where it belongs. She tilted her head to the side, it looks so good on him. She thought.
Chloe took a deep breath as she stepped back away from him. Ash blinked before capturing her hand again and running. Making sure to keep his face from her few to hide the monstrous blush on his face. She was too close for a second there. He thought.
Knowing that they had less than fifteen minutes left, they ran even faster. They still held hands, never letting go. Finally, they arrived at the stadium. They weren't even allowed to breathe first as Chloe had to go to her seat and Ash to the room where they get ready.
Gou watched in amusement as Chloe collapsed beside him. He didn't say anything and just handed a water bottle to her. When they didn't arrive fifteen minutes early like Chloe would have arrived, he knew they got distracted somehow and prepared water for her.
Chloe's heaved up and down as she panted. They arrived at the perfect time of 2:43. She accepted the water but didn't drink it yet. Knowing that if she did, she would only choke based on the number of times that happened to her in PE.
After probably the fastest she's ever ran, her senses were heightened like never before. The adrenaline was still buzzing in her veins. She smiled tiredly, it hasn't even started yet, but the cheers of the fans were still so loud. She can only imagine how loud it would be when it started.
She took a sip of her water and waited. The clock struck 2:45 and the announcer made an appearance. Chloe tensed up. This is going to be the first battle she has besides those playful battles at school of course. But this is going to be the first time she has seen Ash battle. This is special to her.
Battling is Ash's passion and to her that is important. The announcer said his traditional speech about battles and rules and blah blah blah. She only cared about Ash and until then she won't be paying attention.
Three hours later, 5:29 PM
The crowd cheered loudly as Ash stepped up to the platform to receive his trophy. All of them were so loud, but none were louder than his two best friends, Gou and Chloe. They jumped up and down while clapping their hands. They didn't care how ridiculous they must look, they were overcome by happiness and pride.
Ash beamed as he caught sight of them in the front row seats. He waved at them, the crowd thinking it was them screamed even louder. Chloe stopped cheering and waved back.
She was pleasantly surprised by his skill. A moment where she was sweating buckets after one of his pokemon took a particularly hard hit, he was perfectly calm. It was impressive.
Ash shook hands with the Mayor. He smiled brightly. The announcer held out his trophy. "Thank you for participating, Ash Ketchum." He carefully handed the huge trophy to Ash.
Ash accepted it. He proudly raised it in the air with a grin. Looks like he has another trophy to bring home.
After the ceremony, Ash headed straight for the Pokemon Center, not bothering to wait for his friends. That brings us to the current issue, for Chloe at least.
Gou leaned to Chloe with a smirk as they walked down the street heading for the Pokemon Center. "Hey, Chloe what did you do with Ash earlier?" He teased.
It was always rare that he can tease her. Either because he has no material or because he wasn't confident enough. But after spending so much time with Ash's seemingly endless confidence, Gou's confidence raised enough to tease his childhood friend.
He already knew that they talked most of the time, but he wanted to know what exactly they talked about or what that meant to her.
Chloe kept a straight face. Inside, however, she cringing in embarrassment. "What do you mean?"
Ash said that he never talked about this with anyone, so she wasn't sure if she was allowed to talk about this with Gou.
Gou shrugged innocently. "Well, we were separated for an hour. I'm just curious as to what you did during that time." He certainly hoped they didn't talk about useless stuff after he left.
Chloe copied his movement. "We just talked that's all."
"About what exactly?" He pressed on. The curiosity eating at him.
She stopped walking and turned to him. She crossed her arms with a suspicious look. "It doesn't matter. What did you do?"
He gulped nervously. "I-i tried to catch pokemon." It wasn't technically a lie.
She raised her eyebrows. "And you didn't catch a single one?"
Gou nervously shooked his head. He looked around for an escape route. Chloe's smart, she's gonna figure out that he followed them if she hasn't already. He spotted the building with the red poke ball, the Pokemon Center.
He pulled the classic and pointed behind her. "Hey, look at that."
Chloe immediately turned around only to see Gou run away from her to the Center. She grunted and ran after him. Sadly, her long run from earlier still weighed her down, so she was slower than usual. I can't believe I fell for that. She thought annoyed.
When they passed through automatic doors, despite being winded from the run, they lightly shoved each other as revenge. They stopped goofing off when they saw Ash sitting down on a couch, talking with the Mayor.
Gou beamed and speed-walked to Ash. He completely ignored the stranger beside him and sat down beside Ash. "Congrats, Ash. You did a good job!"
Ash beamed proudly, he held the trophy in his lap. "Thanks!"
The forgotten girl cringed in embarrassment. She looked at the Mayor's face that showed clear confusion and disappointment. She stood in front of him and bowed politely. "Excuse, my friend's rudeness." She stood straight up. "I'm Chloe, it's nice to meet you."
She remembered his face from the ceremony, but it looks like Gou didn't and forgot his manners along the way too.
"Oh, it's nice to meet you too, Chloe." He extended a hand towards the boys who were taking pictures of Ash's trophy. "Are you one of Mr. Ketchum's friends?"
Her breath hitched. She looked back at Ash who was still talking with Gou. Were they friends?
They spent a few weeks together, but that was always with other people and didn't even talk much. They had that emotional talk earlier and the promise he made, but does that make them friends?
Does she consider him as a friend? Does he?
At least she does have one answer. She does consider him a friend, even more than that. She released the breath she held and looked back at the Mayor with a beautiful smile.
"Yes, we are friends." She stated proudly.
Ash looked up at her when he heard that. She sensed his gaze and they locked eyes. They talked without saying anything.
Do you have any objections?
He shook his head.
No
Christopher peered up at her in curiosity. By the way, they were acting, it seemed like they were more. He looked behind her to stare at Gou who still hasn't introduced himself.
Chloe looked away from Ash and followed his look. "That's Gou. He's our friend too."
Christopher nodded. "Have you checked out the city?" He enquired
Chloe winced. She realized that for the entire day she mostly spent it with Ash (not that she was complaining) and didn't get to explore the city. She pursed her lips. "No, not really."
Christopher smiled brightly. "That's good then, I was planning on showing you around my city."
Chloe smiled excitedly. She looked back at the boys to ask for their opinion, only to see them back at their phones again. She rolled her eyes, walked over to them, and snapped her fingers in front of their faces "Hey, boys."
"Yeah, Chloe?" Gou asked.
"What was the question?" Ash asked.
"I was planning on showing you around the City," Christopher said again.
"Oh, I was planning on going out and some pokemon." Gou bowed politely. "I'll have to pass, I'm sorry." When he left Ash and Chloe, he didn't get a chance to catch a pokemon.
"It's okay, young man." Christpher turned to Ash and Chloe. "How about you two?"
"Wherever Ash goes, I go," Chloe said immediately. No way is she letting him out of her sight. All kinds of trouble follow him when there is someone with him, what would happen if he was alone?
"Didn't you say you wanted to go to that open mall?" Ash recalled.
She raised a playful brow. "You remember that?" He nodded obliviously.
"There is an open mall near here, but it will be closing at 8:00," Christopher said. "You still wanna go?" They nodded.
Chloe turned to Gou. "Will you be fine on your own?"
He nodded confidently. "I'll be fine."
"You better be," Chloe muttered.
Right before he ran off, he leaned to her and whispered something in her ear. Ash watched as her cheeks turned red and tense.
Gou turned away and ran off before she can say anything. Chloe cupped her cheeks to stop the heat. "How does he know about that?" She muttered quietly.
Christopher clapped loudly. "So, let's head to the market?" He asked cheerfully.
Chloe winced at his cheerfulness. For somebody so old-looking, he is too cheerful. He shined so brightly, it hurt her eyes.
Ash raised his trophy. "Can I take this back to our Hotel first? I don't want to go around shopping carrying this around."
"I agree, you might drop it." Chloe snatched it away from him. He tried to reach for it, but she side-stepped, doing the same thing he did earlier with her phone.
He just sighed and walked to the front desk, silently telling them to wait for him to retrieve his pokemon.
Christopher looked back in forth between them. If they didn't say that they were friends, he would've thought they were together at first glance.
Twenty minutes later, 6:13 PM
After dropping off Ash's rewards for winning the tournament at the Hotel, Christopher leads them to the mall which was filled with stalls and stores lined up. Almost all of the stalls were pokemon, the stores were mostly for humans, like clothing and a supermarket.
The Mayor informed them that the stalls were only set up if they were special events going on, like the tournament. The stores were open every day, but they always close at Eight so they wouldn't get caught up in the midnight storm the City always goes through.
After walking them for a bit, Christopher had to leave them alone, said that he needed to be in a meeting regarding next year's tournament, which Ash said he was going to compete as well.
The minutes Chloe saw all of it, she cringed. It looked more like a pokemon carnival with kids all around them. She had a nightmare like this once.
After walking peacefully for a few minutes alone, it looked Ash and Pikachu couldn't resist anymore and ran off with an excited yell. He stopped in front of a stall that sold those sweet candies designed of a pokemon head.
Chloe sighed in exasperation and embarrassment. Their loud yell attracting people's attention to them. While some cooed at Pikachu's adorableness, most of them were unamused by a grown man being excited over candy. If they anything that Chloe had in common with, it was that she hated attention.
He should not have been shouting like that, it was very rude. She walked toward him, intent on teaching him a lesson.
Just before she can speak up behind him and scare him, he did instead and turned around. She let out a small yelp and held her hand against her chest. That backfired...
Ash pretended to not know what she was about to do and held up a stick candy shaped like an Eevee head in front of her face.
She regained her composure and stared at him in confusion. "Mine?" She pointed at herself. He nodded. He and Pikachu started eating their respective candies. Ash had a Pikachu head, while his partner had a Raichu.
She cautiously accepted it. "Thanks..." She looked at it oddly. She's not fond of candies, even when she was younger. She remembered when she ate one of these that her father brought her and broke one of her growing teeth. It was designed as a Bulbasaur head and it didn't taste good.
She shook her head and gave it back to him. "I don't want it. Can you or Pikachu eat it instead?" She hates to be unappreciative, but she didn't want the same incident to happen again, especially in front of him. It took years to grow that tooth back.
Ash stared at her incredulously. "But it's strawberry flavored, don't girls like that?" He refused to take it back and pushed it back to her. She took a sniff and it did smell like strawberry.
"I prefer blueberry." She shoves it back to him. They spent the next two minutes shoving it back and forth.
"Just take it, I want you to have it."
"I'm not in the mood, Ash"
"This was worth a hundred poke-dollars you know."
Chloe stopped. It was her turn to stare at him incredulously. "Why would you pay a Hundred poke dollars for a candy? You just got ripped off!" She flicked his forehead.
Ash winced and held. "This candy probably wouldn't taste anyway, I get that your rich after winning that tournament, but don't waste your money on this! I can buy this at home for Five dollars!" She continued to rant.
Ash stared at her sadly. "I just wanted to treat you, plus this would be a great start in liking pokemon."
She deadpanned. "By eating a pokemon's head?" She joked.
He chuckled. Their second mini-argument of the day was forgotten again. "No, I meant eating something pokemon related." He stared at her in the eyes. "You've never done that before haven't you?" He asked softly.
She was momentarily caught off guard by his softness, before sighing. "No, I haven't," She thought for a few seconds before taking a lick of the candy.
He watched as her eyes widened and a smile blossomed on her face. "Good, right?" He smiled.
She walked away from him and focused on eating. Even though it wasn't blueberry, it still tasted pretty good. Hundred poke dollars are worth it. She thought.
Ash walked alongside her, they started licking away at their candies. They walked mindlessly. Eventually, they walked out of the mall and headed to the park.
They were consumed in a comfortable silence, which Chloe appreciated. The only sound was Pikachu's pleased sounds caused by the delicious candy, mint-flavored.
The sky started turning gray, warning them of the storm ahead. The midnight storm usually starts at 11:00 PM and ending at 3: AM. At that time everybody is already sleeping.
They arrived at the park that looked slightly familiar before. "I've been here before." Ash slowly said without thinking.
"In Kalos?" Chloe looked up from her candy. She took out the handkerchief Ash gave her earlier and wiped her mouth while waiting for him to speak.
He realized what he said and kicked himself. "Yeah, in this park and the region." He winced in his head as memories of his time in this city filled his head. They weren't all bad, but it was enough to damage him. It reminded him too much of his childhood trauma.
"I'm guessing you don't only mean when you and Gou visited?" He nodded.
He looked up at the sky as they felt a cold breeze. She followed his gaze and smiled at the clouds. While it reminded them of the storm ahead there was a cloud that looked like an Eevee and a Pikachu beside it.
It was as if the cloud represented them.
"Two years ago," Ash answered. He sat down on a nearby bench. He leaned back slowly, looking around with a slowly blooming smile. Chloe stared at him, eyes full of wonder. It was another new image she saw today. Sure, she jokes about him being like an old man. But the sight before her gave vibes of someone who've been through so much and survived. Whatever may that be?
She sat down beside him as he reminisced, never taking her eyes off him.
"I was competing in the Kalos League and I was here for my last badge." He glanced at her. "But I lost and I ran to the woods again, without saying anything to my companions."
"Just like when you were younger..." She muttered.
"It was one of the hardest losses I've ever had and I was in a losing streak." He stared down at his candy and continued eating. Thinking it was the end of the conversation, but Chloe couldn't help her curiosity.
"What happens after that?"
He stopped eating. He looked over at her. "Chloe, that was two years ago. Do you want to know what happened?" He trusted her, probably more than he should. He didn't know why, but the feeling of just talking to someone he trusted was too much to resist.
It's not like he had anyone else he trusted not to judge.
He continued without waiting for her response. Her eyes already told him she wanted to know. "I got lost in the woods for a bit, but I got out eventually. My pokemon helped me." At that, she smiled. The sight seemed to brighten up the entire park.
They were alone, not even a pokemon besides Pikachu insight. The light posts were dimmed, but her smile seemed to activate it all.
It was one of the most beautiful sights Ash has ever seen.
The way her cheeks nearly covered her eyes, but remained open to stare at him. Green eyes so intense, it looked as if it was studying him. That kind of look always bothered him, but Chloe's just made him feel safe.
He hasn't felt that since Alola.
"After I got over my loss, I..." Ash trailed over, looking around the park. "I came here." He turned around to stare at the bench. "And sat down at this very bench." He patted it cheerfully. "While my companions were sleeping peacefully while I was wide awake. So I came here to think for a while.
"Were you sad?" Chloe asked meekly.
Ash chuckled. "No, not really. Just...disappointed"
"At who?"
"Myself." He blurted out. Her breath hitched as she looked at him.
"Why?" She tried to keep the sadness over him being disappointed in himself, but she couldn't help it. This entire day she couldn't control herself and that annoyed her.
"I made someone cry earlier that day." Ash winced as he recalled that moment. He deserved those snowballs.
"Please don't tell me it was a girl." When he didn't say anything she burst out laughing.
Ash chuckled. It is a little funny.
"She threw snowballs at me." He added. Chloe laughed even louder. He smiled, that sound would probably what an angel would sound like.
A few minutes later, 7:09 PM
They talked some more in the park and finished their candies, before heading back to the mall.
Chloe decided on the way that Ash needed new clothes after realizing his been wearing the same thing over and over again. Also some essentials like shampoo.
She decided for herself to buy some clothes for herself too. It's not every day you can shop in a different region.
After stopping by at the bank to withdraw Ash's award money for winning the tournament and Chloe to use the money her dad gives her. After she turned eleven, every month he would give her a decent allowance as long she gets straight A's, which wasn't very hard. She doesn't even need to study to at least get an A-minus or B.
Until now, she never needed to use it. But now that she's basically on her own in a new region, she decided on at least using a quarter for food and clothes. She made sure to put both of their money on her bag after Ash just put it in his pocket and moved on.
They came across a female boutique and a male shops side by side together. Ash and Chloe stood side by side, gazing at the shops with a hesitant gaze. For the both of them, this was the first they ever shopped without their mother or a female companion.
It was intimidating, to say the least. Their basically adults now after getting past the age of eleven where kids set off to become trainers in Kanto, but even after turning sixteen, they were still treated like kids until they turn eighteen.
It was late and they would have to go back to the Hotel soon so they wouldn't get caught by the storm. If they didn't get sufficient shopping, they would come back tomorrow.
Ash glanced at her. "Ladies first." He extended a hand to the female boutique.
Chloe smiled. She glared at him playfully through her eyes. "Seriously?" She hid her smile and walked past him to the men's store, "Gentleman doesn't suit you." She added.
Ash sighed after her. "I know..." He muttered. Despite that, he made sure to open the door for her. She sent him a thankful smile. The couple-looking duo walked in simultaneously. They were immediately blown away from the strong smell of cologne, cheap, or expensive they couldn't tell.
They scrunched up their noses simultaneously again. Ash leaned towards her. "Do I smell like that?"
Chloe tentatively took a sniff of his scent. She shooked her head. "No, you smell like peppermint." She blushed. She looked away so he wouldn't see, She doubts he would notice anyway unless she is so flustered she looks like a heating tomato. It was just instinct.
As expected he didn't notice her flustered state and continued speaking while uncomfortably looking around at the shop full of men. "It was my candy flavor." Referring to the candy he ate earlier with the Pikachu head.
She glanced at him. "It's good. Is that you want for your shampoo scent?" She thinks maybe an earthy smell would suit him.
He turned to her fully. "Do you like it?" She nodded. "Then that's what I want." He added.
She chuckled. Thinking nothing of it. Meanwhile, Pikachu smirked at his trainer's hidden meaning. He felt a little sleepy, but he will gladly stay awake for this. "That's sweet, but let's find something that both of us will like I guess. I have a different scent in mind. Check that out first." He agreed.
They looked around hesitantly. "I think we should start shopping before the clerk kicks us out." They stared at the clerk who has been glaring at them the moment they went inside. Ash waved with a friendly smile. The clerk blushed and looked away.
Chloe rolled her eyes and put his hand down. She gently dragged Ash to a stall with pants and shorts, away from the clerk's view. Ash let her drag him away, long since used to being dragged.
"Have you never shopped on your own before?" Chloe asked absentmindedly as she looked over at blue loose pants. This looks good. She thought. She noticed that his clothes were all loose. It works best for battles, she figured.
"No, the things I have my mom shopped for me and most of my clothes were hand-made from her." He said with a smile. Loving and appreciation showing in his now Auburn eyes.
She looked at him from the corner of her eye. She began noticing a while back that his eyes would turn Auburn whenever he became emotional, rather than the normal brown that he has. The way he talked about his mom spoke volumes about how much he loves her.
He grew up without a father. She feels appreciation for her as well for raising such a brilliant boy all on her own.
That story just tells her to be careful around a Rapidash. She remembered catching sight of Delia once. On the first day, she met Ash. Oh, how she wished she could have met her before Delia drove off.
She cleared her throat, to prevent a lump from forming. She distracted herself and looked him over instead. She never really looked looked at him. Always prevented herself from doing so, knowing the outcome. But now she trusted herself to not be a fool.
She spent the entire day with him and keeping her flustered state to a minimum. She can look at him.
Easier said than done. The moment she stared, it felt like a Lion decided to rest in her tummy and roar, shaking her in the process, Screw butterfrees, they don't compare. While he was fully clothed, that did not stop him from looking the more attractive. It was clear red and blue suited him.
Chloe closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Now is not the time. "Your mother is very talented. You look good." She patted herself in the back for not stuttering.
"Thanks, she's been doing that since I was ten." He remembered all the things she made. From Hats to Cloves, it was all great. He still has them all hidden in the closet. Sure, some of them have so many damages to it due to all the trouble he has encountered, but he loves all of them equally. Except for maybe his first hat, that one is special.
"Did you start traveling when you were ten?" Chloe collected all the things they chose and put them in a cart. She noticed that half of them were either blue or green, not red. He must have gotten tired of them.
"Yeah." He threw a pair of black shorts into the cart when she started walking away from him. He threw like a basketball and of course, it went in. He celebrated silently before walking after her.
While looking through the shirts, Chloe got a brilliant idea. She turned to Ash, nearly hitting his chest in the process. She brushed it off and started talking to both him and Pikachu now.
"Hey, does Pikachu wear clothes?"
"Pika-Pikachu." The pokemon replied curtly. He still remembered that made out he and Ash wore a few years back.
"Sometimes." Ash translated.
Chloe shot him a weird look for acting as if he can understand Pikachu. She turned to Pikachu and grinned. "Do you want to wear a mini-version of your trainer's clothes?" Please say yes. She begged internally
Even if Pikachu didn't want to do it, he wouldn't be able to resist her as she unconsciously did a Yamper eye. Luckily for him, he did want it. "Pika-pika." He shouted excitedly.
She didn't even need Ash to translate for her. She knew the answer, what close partner wouldn't? "I'll take that as a yes." She turned to the trainer. "I saw a Pokemon outfit store earlier. We can stop by tomorrow and have them sewed. Just give me the design of the rest of your clothes and everything will be okay."
"Just for Pikachu?" Ash asked excitedly. He's never been a big fan of fashion, but something about Pikachu wearing something similar to what he wore when he won the Alola League hit differently. He imagined them raising his precious trophy and smiling brightly at his friends, he wanted to come true now.
"Just for him." Chloe nodded. "Unless of course, your other pokemon wants to do it too." She added. Gengar will want it from what she's seen. She's not sure about Riolu or Dragonite though. "Do you know how to draw? We need to draw the designs to fit your pokemon."
"I haven't drawn in years, but I remember being decent at it," Ash replied. His mind flashed back to the last time he drew when he drew that Dewgong at summer camp. He can probably draw better now with more practice.
Chloe looked at him in awe. "You're so talented. I can't draw to save my life. I'm a lot of things, but an artist I'm not." The amount of time Parker laughed at her disaster of a drawing was uncountable in her entire sixteen-year-old life.
"That's cool. I can't cook to save my life. My companions always used to laugh at me because of that." Ash said bitterly. He had a smile on his face, not a sad one. It always used to make him sad and disappointed in himself, but he never showed it, no one noticed either.
Chloe noticed his sadness and smiled sadly. She can relate to that. Every time she did something remotely wrong the disappointment in herself always hurt more than anything. Even when the people around were okay with it. "Cooking has always been easy for me. I've been cooking with my mother since I was a young child." When she got a little bit older she started cooking dinner while her mom rested or illustrated. Her Dad couldn't cook either and Parker is too young.
He turned away from her to focus on the shirts. "I was always good at drawing too. When the accident happened, my mom didn't allow me to play with pokemon without her. So when she focused on hee restaurant and left me alone..." He hesitated. He glanced at her. He waited for the usual fear and unease to come whenever he came close to saying those words, but it never came.
Instead, he felt trust and safety he would only usually feel with pokemon (mostly because they can't talk). He shocked himself with the trust he felt for her. His hand tightened on the hanger he was holding. He took a deep breath and said the words he only ever said in his mind. "I felt lonely."
She blinked. "After school, I would always go to Professor Oak's lab and watch the pokemon." He continued. "I never played with them without my mom, I was a good child and almost always obeyed her. I would draw them till my hands hurt and I would hang them up in my bedroom to stare at them if I can't sleep." He put a Bulbasaur printed shirt on the cart. "I started drawing digitally after my best friend and rival, Gary gave me a drawing pad for my birthday." He smiled at the memory. It was the last nicest thing Gary did for him before they turned into full-fledged rivals.
"I made a poster about the three Kanto starters. It was my first and last one. I still have it in my bedroom." He shot her a charming smile, unintentionally of course. "I'll show you someday."
Chloe smiled at him. "I'd like that."
I'll show you someday...
In all the things he said, that stood out to her the most. Maybe it was because of the hope that they were close enough and he trusted her enough to show her his hard work, or it was because there was no uncertainty. It was a promise he was going to fulfill someday and that made her happy.
She was reminded of the promise he made her. She doesn't why he's doing this. They just a couple of weeks ago, but in her opinion, that's not enough for him to stay with her for longer. Today did make them closer.
Throughout the day, she slowly felt a connection forming between them. She wonders, will that connection last even after they leave Kalos? She hopes so.
She was snapped out of her thoughts by a hand on her shoulder. She didn't even need to look to know who it was. The shivers already told her. Plus like anyone would just touch her out of nowhere.
"Are you okay?"
They have been in the men's store a while now. They picked several pairs of pants and shirts. All that was left was for him to buy his body product.
"I'm fine." She responded. She walked over to a stall, dragging the cart with her. She stopped in front of it and held out a hand. "Pick one." It was shampoo bottles. Based on his messy hair, it looked like he was in desperate need of a proper shampoo. If he even uses one.
Ash immediately picked up a green-colored bottle. Chloe smiled. It is his favorite color. She thought.
He took a sniff of it and smiled. He held it out for her. "It smells like the earth. I like it."
She didn't dare smell it and instead just nodded approvingly. "Me too. Is that what you're going to buy?" He nodded. She looked around for the same kind, but for body wash.
She found it and put it inside the cart. Again, she didn't dare take a sniff. She pushed the cart forward. "We're done here now. Let's go and pay."
While Ash was paying, she checked the time. They only had half an hour before the snowstorm hit. An hour for her to shop for her clothes. They took longer than she thought buying his clothes.
They left the store satisfied and smiles on their faces. That went surprisingly well for Ash. That shopping trip was certainly less disastrous than his previous one.
They turned one-eighty to the women's store. Right before Chloe was about to open the door, Ash grabbed her arm gently and turned her around.
"Is something wrong?" Chloe asked.
He looked back in forth between the boutique and her. "Can I just stay outside?" There was a hint of nervousness in his voice in which Chloe smirked too.
"Are you scared?"
Ash chuckled. "No, it's just I don't do well in Women's store." He leaned in as if telling a secret. "I hate perfume."
Chloe gasped, she pointed a finger at him. "Is that why you didn't want to buy cologne." Back in the men's store, she asked if he wanted and he refused immediately.
Ash nodded.
She chuckled. Good thing she doesn't wear perfume that much. "Fine, stay here. We don't need you offending the girls inside." She looked back at the boutique full of women of different ages.
He sighed in relief. "I'll stay back at the park." He went to walk away.
"Wait for me, okay?!" She called out. He turned around and gave thumbs up with a smile. She waited for him to disappear from her view before sighing. Hopefully, he will be fine.
She doesn't trust him alone at all, even for a few minutes.
An hour later, 8:38 PM
Chloe smiled brightly as she left the store. She looked up at the dark sky. Only a few minutes left and the storm would come. She heaved the bags with her to the park. Despite worrying about Ash every five minutes, she was able to have fun at the store.
She brought significantly more than Ash but that was in her nature. Somehow she was able to walk back into the park without any help. She can already feel the cold breeze on her skin as mother nature got ready to lash out.
She brightened up she caught sight of Ash sitting down at the same bench as earlier. He was leaning down and mindlessly petting Pikachu, his bags by his feet. He was looking at the sky in deep thought.
It was the same thing he did last time he was here.
Instead of a gloomy and sad vibe, it gave an aura of affection and love. She was blown away by the sight. All of it was shown in such a simple sight, doing such a simple thing. A carefree smile, the bright in his eyes that showed the unconditional love he has for him. Even as Pikachu lay asleep in Ash's lap, he had a smile on his face and purring slightly.
Everything she ever watched or read about romances was nothing compared to this. She felt slightly ashamed to be watching this, she felt she was intruding in such a personal moment. She knows he probably does this every day, but this was the first time she saw it. He told her the reason why he loves Pokemon so much. But she hasn't seen how much yet.
This just showed it. She always wondered how it was to love somebody or something. This sight made her see him in a different light. Her heart was light yet she felt she was just about ready to burst into tears. The cold air was nonexistent, the heavy bags fell to the floor forgotten, her smile dropped yet she didn't look upset at all. Her shoulders slumped as she walked forward without any reason.
She was completely relaxed. She felt a wet sensation on her nose and chin. She thought for a second that the snowstorm already started, but the wetness in her eyes made her doubt it. A tear dropped from her eye without her noticing.
She was crying. That reason...her reason for loving pokemon.
She found it.
Her reason.
It was right in front of her. A sight that would be buried behind her eyelids for the rest of her life. As the man she liked showed love for his partner. Pokemon gave him happiness and...that gave her happiness.
It was euphoria and depressing at the same time. Pokemon saved him, literally and emotionally. He loved something and people made fun of him for it. He didn't need to tell her that, it was only natural in the society they live in, and she was one of them. She never said it out loud, only in her head but that made her feel worse. It only made her feel like a coward.
There was that feeling again. Euphoria and guilt mixed with pain. It was so intense it almost made her fall down on her knees, but in reality, she didn't an inch. Never tore her gaze from the man in front of her.
He talked about his story he never told anyone else. He said he felt lonely. He got bullied while she got pampered, he lost his father while she pushed her's away, he had no sibling and felt lonely while she was annoyed at the amount of attention her brother gave her, he wasn't to play with pokemon while she hated on them.
She finally started moving, her shoulder shook as she tried to keep her sobs in. She didn't want to disturb them. After a few minutes, she calmed herself down barely. She wants to make things right somehow. She knows she doesn't have to, she doesn't owe him anything. But she felt it was only right. Felt that after his pokemon, it was her turn.
Ash felt lonely all those years, that's where she starts. Do not make him lonely at all costs.
She half knew the reason why. She was slightly denying it. She didn't feel worthy. Her shoulders straightened, she walked forward slowly. Each step she took a second on saving this memory of him. Saving this entire day, every word he said, every touch, every smile he showed her.
He gave a promise to give her a reason to love pokemon. She's sad to think this, but he doesn't have to do it anymore. She already found it. It's pathetic to think like this, but...
She fell...
And she fell hard.
He is the reason to love pokemon. She loves them already. His companions were there for him when she wasn't because she didn't meet him yet. Destiny prevented them. They lived in the same country, she visited his hometown twice, destiny just said no to meeting each other. But now, it's her turn to be there for him in whatever happens in his life. It's their turn.
They will help each other and achieve their dreams, whatever that may be for her. She does not doubt that he will help her find out. She stood in front of him, the bags still left behind.
Ash looked up. His eyes didn't change, it only added concern. He still had the same look he had when he looked at Pikachu. Chloe's breath hitched. Her heart warmed and fluttered. He smiled and automatically she smiled as well. There's no denying it anymore.
She loves him.
She can only admit to herself for now, but she loves him. Without thought and a word, she did something that unknowingly set her life on course
She kissed him.
She pressed their lips together. Her eyes fluttered close. It was gentle, it was more a peck than a kiss. She waited for him to make a move. It was a little awkward due to her lack of experience, it was her first kiss after all.
Ash stared wide-eyed at hey eyes lids. His heart banged against its cage as he felt a sensation he hasn't felt in two years. He looked around frantically, trying to see if he had fallen asleep and was now dreaming.
She placed her hand on his shoulders and deepen the kiss. He gently placed a hand on her cheek and rubbed it softly. He returned the kiss finally. She smiled in relief against him. His heart fluttered and his heartbeat so fast like it never beat before.
The clock struck ten o clock. You can hear the faint sound of shoes against the pavement as they ran to their homes as the storm started. They didn't hear it, but after a few seconds, they felt the cold breeze wash over them. The kiss was magnifying, feeling as if Pikachu electrocuted them in the good kind. They wanted more, but they knew they had to pull back.
Gasp leaving their mouths. Chloe looked up as snow started dropping down on them. Throughout the kiss, they got pretty close, so much so they can feel each other's heartbeat. She looked back at him, still breathless.
They didn't say anything. They didn't have to. Ash pulled away from her completely. She stepped back and watched him pull Pikachu from his lap. He positioned her arms to hold the yellow mouse. She held him tightly as he slept soundly still. The snow started pouring down at them hard. He ran to her bags and started carrying them along with his.
He nudged his head in a direction she guessed to be their hotel. They communicated without a word. They started running back to the hotel. They kept silent along the way. Even as they came back to the hotel and met with Gou, they still didn't say anything.
Tomorrow they can talk. For now, they want to keep the day as perfect as it is.
As perfect as it is...
The End
Author's Note: I am so sorry for the delay. If you didn't notice I kinda got a Writer's block in the middle of writing, so I took a few days off. I watched some Kpop videos and got slightly obsessed. Until the Iris episode came on that I started writing again. Before it aired I was thinking about writing about it with Chloe there, but I noticed there aren't many ideas that popped into my head like usual. Tell me if you want me to do that. I'll come with something. Now thank you for reading.
Words: 12,918
Updated: 5/23/2021