AureliaShipping Drabbles

Written By SkittleBoxx

Petting Pokemon

It was somewhere in the middle of the lazy afternoon. The Alola sun was shining, and the students at Melemele Island's Pokemon School were filing out of the building after a productive day of learning about the various Pokemon that inhabited their region. At the end of a school day, it was the time to meet up with good friends and hang out together.

However, two students remained in their classroom. Lillie was busy reading a thick book on Pokemon and jotting down some quick notes, while Ash was standing near the fence that bordered the classroom and taking in the beautiful sight that the open wall of his classroom provided. Although it could sometimes get a little hot in the room, the view was worth it. Pikachu, who sat perched on his shoulder, was also enjoying the view.

The sound of a book closing replaced the previous sound of the far off ocean waves lapping against the beaches near the school. Lillie stood up and picked the book up, only to round to the bookshelves and return the tome to its original place. She turned, slipped her hat on, and then caught sight of Ash.

"Hey, Lillie! Done with your studying?" Ash asked from afar.

Lillie approached Ash and gave a small nod. "Mhmm. I really like studying Pokemon. It gives me a chance to learn about them... without touching them." She flicked her head up and crossed her arms. "I'm not scared, though. I love Pokemon. Touching them isn't necessary for me. Besides, I'd rather read about these little creatures."

Ash looked at Pikachu, who had hopped off his shoulder and onto a desk near them. "I'm glad so many people in this world love Pokemon, like you! But why don't you like touching them? It's a good way to get to know your partner better!" He turned to Pikachu. "Isn't that right, buddy?"

Pikachu gave a cry of affirmation.

"Oh?" Lillie watched Pikachu approach her. In response, Lillie shrieked and hid behind her fellow classmate and used him as a human shield. "Ash, Pikachu almost attacked me! Tell me, is it gone?"

The boy turned to face Lillie. "Pikachu would never hurt anyone. Now, I want to see something real quick. Come here for a second."

Lillie finally let go of Ash's arm and moved her hands behind her back, clasped firmly within each other. "Um, sure." She carefully shifted closer to Ash while nervously eyeing the Pokemon on the desk. "What do you want, Ash?"

"I want to see you face this fear. I know how hard it can be to be seized by terror, and I don't want to see you a situation like that." He motioned to Pikachu. "I just want you to give Pikachu a pat on the head, that's all. Don't worry, Pikachu won't hurt you!"

Lillie looked at Ash again, then Pikachu. She inhaled and exhaled a breath. "O-okay..." She extended a shaking hand which gradually inched closer to Pikachu. She bit her lower lip and turned her head away.

"C'mon, Lillie! You can do it!" Ash cheered from next to her.

The girl cracked an eye open, then drew her hand away. "No! I can't do this!" She clasped her hands near her heart. "I'm just too scared, Ash! I can't touch Pokemon!"

Ash's face dropped for a second, but then an idea struck him. "Hey, Lillie. I believe you can do it." He motioned to his trusted partner. "I want you to hold out your hand again. Don't worry, you don't have to touch Pikachu yet."

Lillie observed Ash's face for a bit. Only from the sparkle in his brown eyes, he was really cheering her on. Like last time, she put her arm out, but she felt herself doing so with more confidence. "O-okay... now what?"

"I'm gonna help you." Ash placed his slightly tanned hand on Lillie's pale one. He then looked into Lillie's bright green eyes. "On the count of three, you're gonna get over your fears! Ready?"

For whatever reason, Lillie found herself unable to fight away her smile. "Okay, Ash!" She closed her eyes and breathed out. "Okay... I can do this. If my friends believe in me... I guess I can really do anything."

Ash gave his familiar smile. "That's the spirit! One... two..."

"Three!" the two chimed together. Slowly but surely, Lillie's hand assisted by Ash's lowered downward and closer to Pikachu's furry yellow head. Soon, the feeling of air below her hand was replaced with something softer. She looked down at her hand, covered by Ash's. She was actually touching a Pokemon, and nothing bad was happening.

"See? What did I tell ya? That wasn't that bad, Lillie."

Lillie looked at Ash and gave a true smile. "I... I did it... and it's all because of you..." She giggled quietly. "Thank you, Ash! You really are nice!"

Ash rubbed the back of his neck. "No problem. Now, how about we head home? It's getting awfully late."

"Yeah." Lillie adjusted her hat and stopped just before she was about to zoom through the doorway. "Um... see you tomorrow!" She finally left, feeling a new sense of confidence within her.

Ash really was a good friend to have around.