a/n: Sorry about the late upload, I finally saved up enough money from my job to pay for a gaming PC, so I was up really late building that.
Xyz Ash in JN POV:
Ash was on the beach, with Goh and Chloe, having a grand time. They played a game of beach volleyball with their pokemon helping, where Chloe and Eevee beat Pikachu and Ash. Ash got revenge in the next round, however, using Greninja and Pikachu to beat Goh and Cinderace alongside Chloe and Eevee.
After a long day of swimming, games, and hanging out by the ocean, Goh retired and went back to Kukui's house to get some much-needed rest.
The sun was setting over the sea, and Ash was sitting awfully close to Chloe
"So Ash, tell me, are you enjoying the future?" Chloe asked Ash
"Well, I mean honestly I'm enjoying it more and more, you and Goh have been such amazing friends, and I really appreciate the both of you so much," Ash said, and then yawned
A silence began, but not uncomfortable.
"Well, maybe it was an accident, or maybe it was fate, but I'm happy you're here Ash, I'd never go to Alola otherwise!" Chloe said with a giggle
Ash smiled, "Yeah, I'm glad to be here also, I guess I'm lucky enough to have good friends wherever I go,"
Chloe and Ash watched the sunset, and Ash's hand inched towards Chloe's, by instinct? Or maybe something else
Chloe felt Ash's finger graze over her hand and she blushed immediately. Chloe looked at Ash with her red cheeks and saw Ash lying down on the beach.
Oh, he was asleep. Chloe sighed, it seemed like fate had cheated her out of a romantic experience. Maybe she'd get another one eventually, but for now, she'd make the most of it and just hold his hand.
Either way, it had only been a few days, and Chloe could easily say it was the best vacation ever.
—-
Ash woke up about twenty minutes later, with Chloe asleep, his hand entwined in hers.
Chloe opened her eyes as well, and both of them made eye contact and blushed.
"Hey Ash," Chloe said nervously
"Uhhh hi Chloe, sorry about-"
Just then, Chloe's Rotom Phone buzzed and she reached for it, breaking the awkward moment.
Chloe showed Ash her phone, "Oh! Ash, your next match has been posted! You're battling in Galar!"
"Oh! Who's that mean-looking girl?" Ash said
"Do… do you know who Gloria is?" Chloe questioned
Ash shook his head, "Nope, care to explain?"
"Well, she's the tenth-ranked trainer in the world right now, and she's known for being… colorful with her language. As well as incredibly powerful, her Cinderace has hospitalized many pokemon, and even a few trainers who got on her bad side," Chloe said
"Oh….. she sounds fun," Ash nervously scratched his head
"You'll be fine! Goh and I will be here for ya every step of the way," Chloe smiled at Ash
"Thanks! I'm excited now!" Ash jumped up and yawned
"Well, it's getting late, and I should get some rest," Ash said before walking towards the house. Ash paused for a moment, as if he were debating saying something, and turned around, facing towards Chloe.
"Oh Chloe, by the way, you look really nice in the moonlight like that," Ash said, not really thinking of what he was saying
Chloe blushed like crazy, "Uhhhh thanks Ash, hey, thanks for spending the day with me, it… it means a lot you made good on that promise,"
"Wouldn't miss it for anything Chloe,"
—
The next day:
"Morning Goh," Ash said as he walked in the kitchen
Goh just grinned at Ash, "Out late last night, with a certain special someone?"
"What? No! It's not like that!" Ash denied it
"Really? Because I don't think so," Goh said
"Whatever," Ash said as he tried walking away from the conversation
"Hey, kids! Just wanted to let you know that we slipped you guys on the earlier flight, so you're leaving in an hour!" Kukui yelled
"WHAT" Ash and Goh yelled
1 hour later…
Ash was out of breath, after the mad dash towards the airplane, and of course, he was in the same seat as last time. Next to Chloe again, naturally. Whenever he thought of her now, he got sorta fuzzy, she really was special. And Ash appreciated how she was more than just a trainer, she was smart, pretty, kind, and always knew what to say when he didn't.
He couldn't ever admit this issue with Goh, because Goh would rub it in his face. The person with the most knowledge in this area would have to be….. Brock! Brock would know exactly what Ash was dealing with.
Ash got on his phone and read through Gloria's team and watched some of her past battles to pass the time.
That Cinderace of hers looked as deadly as Chloe said it was. Her whole team seemed insane, Ash couldn't just rely on Ash-Greninja, he'd need an extra trick up his sleeve.
Ash looked at his Z ring which was on his wrist and smiled, he was looking forward to using that in his battles.
Ash dozed off, tired from the weekend's events, and when the plane was landing in Galar….. Wait…. Was that Strawberries again
Ash woke up to Goh snapping a picture of Chloe asleep on his shoulder, again.
"Good morning lovebirds! And welcome to Galar! Home of big pokemon!" Goh said sarcastically
Ash rolled his eyes, good morning to you as well Goh.
Chloe's eyes bolted open and she blushed when she saw her head on Ash's shoulders
"Oh! I'm so sorry! It happened again!" Chloe said with red cheeks
"It happens Chloe, maybe it's just luck? Who knows?" Ash suggested
"This is making me uncomfortable, TOPIC CHANGE TIME!" Goh announced
"Well, Ash, your battle is tomorrow, and you should get some rest because you're gonna need it, a plane is good and all, but nothing beats the comfort of a bed," Chloe advised Ash
"As long as we get food somewhere along the way, I'm happy with it!" Ash said to the group, causing Goh and Chloe to roll their eyes
—-
Later that night:
Ash sat in front of the phone at the pokemon center, and dialed his old friends number.
It rang for a moment before Brock picked up.
"Hey Ash, what's up?" asked Brock
"Oh, uhhhh I sorta need advice, advice about a girl," Ash said sheepishly
"Well, this is certainly new…. Who are you and what have you done with Ash?" Brock said jokingly
Ash laughed, "You know, I'm not as dense as I used to be Brock, but I'm still not an expert with these things, and I know you're more knowledgeable on these things than I am,"
"Well, then, you've come to the right man! Love doctor Brock will set you right! Now tell me everything,"
Ash cleared his throat and looked around in case anyone was listening "Yeah, so I've been traveling recently with this girl named Chloe, and she's just amazing. She's smart, kind, always knows what to say, and Ummm extremely pretty, not to mention, I have it from a reliable source that she likes me back,"
"She sounds like a catch! What's the issue here?" questioned Brock
"What do I do? I keep feeling weird around her, and she makes me happy and I want to spend more time with her," Ash explained
"So just ask her out!" Brock said with a shrug
Ash looked shocked when he suggested that, "How do I do that without making a fool of myself?"
"Ash, can you win a pokemon battle without taking a risk?" Brock asked
"Of course not!" Ash said horrified
Brock took a deep breath, "Then how is this any different, without taking a risk, you'll never get anything! Plus, she if you have even a hunch that she likes you back, it'd be so worth it,"
Ash just nodded and Brock spoke again, "Wow, what a world to live in, my friend Ash Ketchum finally has a girl. But Ash, uhhh maybe don't tell Misty,"
"Why? Is she jealous or something?" Ash jokingly said
Brock didn't say anything
"No…. no way… she acted as if she hated me!" Ash said shocked
"It's been years Ash, and you're just figuring this out?" Brock said while slapping his face
Ash looked like he was in absolute shock "She never gave any indication at all? How was I supposed to know this?"
"She flirted with you nonstop by arguing because that's what girls do sometimes! I thought you said you weren't dense anymore!"
Ash gasped, "Wait…. So does that mean that May and Dawn also….."
Brock slapped his head, "Yes Ash, yes it does,"
Ash groaned and hid his face in the jacket he had on.
Brock laughed, "Man you really should time travel or something, fix all of those mistakes."
"That sounds like an absurd idea Brock, time travel isn't a thing you ever should mess around with," Ash said as he was screaming mentally
Brock just laughed at what Ash said.
"Well anyways, you got this Ash! Just be yourself, and don't be afraid to be vulnerable, because that's when real growth happens," Brock explained
"Thanks, Brock, I think I get it now, I'll ask her out tomorrow, and I think I have an idea, I remember May once said something about how romantic sunrises are,"
"Go get 'em! And tell Pikachu I said hi!" Brock said with a wave
"I will, goodbye Brock!" Ash waved back
"Bye Ash! Good luck, and keep me updated!"
The screen went black from Brock hanging up
Ash closed the screen and sighed, he knew what he had to do now.
—-
Early the next morning:
Ash had Pikachu do him a favor, sneak into Chloe's room and leave a note on her pillow, asking her to meet him outside of the Hammerlocke center and watch the sunrise with him.
A few minutes passed after when Ash told her to meet, and he was just considering leaving, when he saw Chloe walk towards him out of the corner of his eye.
"Hey Ash, what's up with the invite?" questioned Chloe with a yawn
Ash sighed, "Look, I know it's early, but I was up all night and really thinking of last night, and I think I have something that I want to tell you,"
Chloe felt her heart speed up and her palms started to sweat profusely
"Oh, well Ummm what do you wanna say?" Chloe said with a stutter
Ash forced an awkward smile and finally confessed, "Chloe, ever since I woke up in the future, you've been by my side and supporting me and honestly you're my best friend. You make me happy in a way no one else really has, and that's special. I really suck at describing this, but I like you, Chloe. As in I like you more than a friend,"
Chloe blushed and looked away, "Wow… that's….that's really sweet Ash, and Ummm I feel the same way, I think you're an amazing man, and I really admire you and your attitude towards life. You're just so sweet, Ash, I like you too,"
Ash blushed and looked away from Chloe, "So ummm what exactly do we do now?" Ash said sheepishly
"I think I have an idea," Chloe said with a smirk as she approached Ash
Ash hugged her and she stood on her toes, expecting him to make a move. He just planted a kiss on her cheek.
Chloe giggled, "You missed," and then leaned in and kissed Ash straight on the lips
After a brief moment, Ash pulled away and looked at Chloe, "To be honest, I think I'm happier here than I was in the past, I don't think I want to go back to Kalos,"
Chloe smiled at Ash, "You aren't going anywhere Ash, this is your home now,"
Ash blushed, "Well, my mom always used to say that home is where the heart is. I guess home is with you,"
Chloe leaned in and kissed Ash again
The sun rose on a new relationship and a new day.