Ash walked May into one of the clothing stores in town and her eyes widened in shock at the size of the store and the number of clothes available.
"Oh my..." she gasped, having never seen so many clothes all in one place in her life. Ash chuckled and scratched behind his head nervously. He had traveled with girls before and knew how crazy they could go for shopping. "All of these are for sale?"
"They sure are." Ash nodded.
"Whoa...this place would put all the shops back home out of business. It's even bigger than my parents' closet." She commented.
"This isn't even the tip of the iceberg. Just wait till you see a mall-" he quickly clamped his mouth shut, immediately realizing his mistake.
"A mall?" she wondered. Knowing he couldn't just leave her hanging, he tried to find the right words to explain.
"They're...massive hubs with dozens of shops." He finally said. May's eyes widened at the idea of such a place.
"Oh my..." Ash nodded as he noticed a smile cross her face. "Well...perhaps if there's nothing here we'll have to explore one."
"Well…" Ash nervously chuckled. "Let's at least check here first."
"Fair enough." May agreed. With a nod of his own, Ash led her inside and began helping her look through the options after he helped her determine what a swimsuit actually was. She gathered up a few options in her arms before she stopped. A thought occurred to her and she turned towards him. "How will I know if they fit?"
"They're all labeled with different sizes and there are private rooms to try them on." He explained.
"Oh ok. Where are those?" she wondered. Ash took a quick look around and then pointed when he spotted the changing rooms.
"Oh perfect." May smiled as she then ran over to use one. Ash followed her and sat down outside the rooms to wait for her. He listened for several minutes as May began trying one swimsuit after another. He couldn't stop his mind from wandering to what she may look like in each of the suits she had picked out. Each imagined image made him blush all the more until he heard May's voice ring out from inside the room. "Hey, Sir Ash?"
"Y-yeah..?" he answered, trying to shake off the clearly inappropriate thoughts he was having.
"Are the swimsuits supposed to be this tight?" she asked. Ash's face turned bright red with a deep blush as he tried to think of an answer that would help her and not give away his thoughts.
"Uh..." he stammered.
"It just seems a bit too snug around my chest." She commented, forcing Ash's face into an even deeper red blush.
"T-try a different size top." He finally managed to say.
"Can I do that? Can I mix and match the tops and bottoms?" she wondered.
"Y-you should be able to." He replied as he tried to keep his hormones under control. If he didn't know any better he'd have assumed she was teasing him.
"Are you sure some of these are swimsuits? They hardly cover anything." She asked out loud. Ash groaned to himself as his blush turned so red he looked like he might burst from embarrassment.
"M-most...aren't meant to cover the majority of your body...unless they're one piece. Just the most crucial...areas…" he stumbled.
"Sure, but I find it very hard to believe that some of these would be considered modest. Even by what seems to be the standards of your time." She remarked.
"I-I don't know what to tell you May…" he said as he resigned himself to his fate. If she asked him one more accidentally suggestive question he felt like he was going to faint. Unfortunately for him, fate intervened in a big way.
"Oh! I think I found one I like!" she announced. She ran out of the room wearing a pink bikini with red ribbons on her hips and behind her neck. Able to virtually see her entire body, Ash blushed a very deep red at the sight of her. "I'm afraid I don't know much about your time's fashion. Is this acceptable?"
"Y-yeah...It is." He managed to croak out.
"You're certain? There were a couple of others I liked if I need something more risqué to fit in." she pointed out. Ash's breath caught in his throat briefly at her comment as the possibilities of what she might consider "risqué" could look like entered his mind. It took every ounce of self-control he had left to try and formulate a response.
"U-uh it's fine. That's perfect. Any increased or decreased coverage is up to your discretion. L-lesser degrees of coverage than what you have on is more...about...just trying to...make yourself appear more attractive." He explained. May smiled and nodded in understanding.
"Alright, I'll get this one then. Thank you for your help, Sir Ash." She said as she hugged him. He hugged her back sheepishly before she headed back to the room to change back into her traveling clothes. Pikachu couldn't help snickering on his shoulder as Ash tried to ignore him.
"Don't let me stop you from picking any more you like though..." Ash added.
"Oh no, I couldn't do that to you. One is more than enough." She replied as she began changing. Ash mentally sighed in relief as his blush finally began to fade. He finally turned towards Pikachu, only to see his friend smirking at him smugishly.
"Don't you even start..." he whispered.
"Don't start what?" Pikachu teased.
"You know exactly what…" Ash muttered.
"Alright alright. Just tell me if you thought about what we talked about last night." Pikachu requested.
"I have..." Ash admitted.
"And?" a long pause passed between them before Ash took a deep breath and answered.
"…I'll tell her. Happy?" Pikachu smiled and nodded.
"Yes. Yes, I am."
"Just don't see why it matters so much to you." Ash muttered as he rolled his eyes a little. Pikachu nuzzled his cheek and smiled again.
"Just want you to be happy." He answered.
"In what way I wonder..." Ash countered.
"With a girl that makes you happy just by being around her." Pikachu said as May walked back over to them and smiled at Ash. Just the sight of her made Ash give a smile back to her, illustrating Pikachu's point. "And I think you've found her."
"Ready to depart?" May asked, unaware of what Pikachu had said. Ash responded with a nod and May grabbed his hand. The two of them then walked to the checkout counter together.
After checking out of the store and dropping Ash's Pokemon off with Nurse Joy, the two headed out to the back of the Pokemon Center to relax. They each went into a changing room and got into their swimsuits. May was the first one done and went outside. She walked over to the edge of the water and carefully slipped into the hot spring water. The warm and steamy water instantly began to soothe her muscles and she sighed happily. Ash stepped out of his room a few moments later, now sporting red and yellow swim trunks.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." He smiled. May smiled back at him.
"No problem. Come have a seat." She replied, waving him over to the seat next to her. Taking her invitation, Ash stepped into the water and sat with her. He too could instantly feel the relaxing power of the warm water. The two shared a relaxing and comfortable silence for a while before a thought crossed May's mind and she turned towards him. "Sir Ash, may I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"I'm just curious if you've been promised in marriage to a girl." She asked. The sudden and unexpected question caused Ash to blush deeply and clear his throat awkwardly.
"N-no..." he stammered.
"Really? Your Mother has allowed you to choose your own bride?" she wondered.
"Allowed me to choose? What do you mean?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Well, in my time all marriages are arranged. It's a way to contractually exchange goods and lands. And typically around my age as well. Is that...not how it works here?"
"No, not at all. Anybody is free to date anybody they choose. And then if they decide they're compatible they agree to get married." Ash explained.
"Date?" May asked. Ash felt the urge to smack himself. Of course, she didn't know what dating was. He knew of course, but he had never been on one before so he didn't feel like the best authority on the subject.
"Uh...how do I explain..? Dating is like...experimental marriage to see if you're right for each other." He tried to explain.
"Really? And people experiment with…all aspects of marriage?" she questioned.
"Well...that's up to the people involved I guess." He admitted, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
"And you just...choose the person you like?"
"Assuming they agree, yes." He added.
"Wow...Have you done it before?" she asked.
"H-huh?" he stammered as a blush crossed his cheeks.
"Gone on one of these dates with someone before." May clarified.
"O-oh. No, I haven't." Ash admitted.
"How come? You've told me all about all the girls that you have traveled with over your years of traveling." She reminded him.
"Because..." his voice trailed off as he looked at her face. May tilted her head curiously, waiting for him to finish. He knew it was now or never. "Because you're the only girl I've ever liked..." May's eyes widened in surprise as she began to absorb his words.
"You...do...?" she gasped. Ash simply nodded and avoided her gaze. May blushed profusely as she struggled to form a sentence.
"...Sir Ash I...I don't know what to say..." she said slowly. Ash remained quiet, allowing her to take the time she needed to consider her response. After thinking for a few minutes longer, she began to speak again. "The truth is...I've never been in love...I've never even liked anyone before...my husband was chosen for me before I was even born…"
"I understand..." he nodded, resigning himself to the rejection he felt was coming. He didn't know why he was expecting any different, he had only known her a few days after all. To his surprise, however, May gently took his hand in her own.
"But...when I'm with you..." she began as her cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink. "I feel so happy...I thought it was because you were the first real friend I've had in a long time but...the truth is I've been beginning to wonder if...maybe it's not just our friendship that makes me happy...maybe it's something deeper…"
"May…" Ash whispered. She smiled softly and then kissed his cheek, causing him to blush heavily.
"I think I like you too..." she declared. Ash smiled back at her and pulled her into a kiss. May blushed in surprise at his forwardness, but she quickly began to kiss him back. Ash held her body close and ran a finger down her spine, causing her to shiver a little at his touch and deepen the kiss. The two moaned softly at one another as their tongues explored the other's mouth. Once he began to feel the need for air again, Ash slowly pulled his lips away from her's and looked into her eyes. May smiled up at him and blushed, making him smile as well. "Wow..."
"Wow is right..." he agreed.
"Yeah. I definitely like you." She giggled.
"Then...would you like to be my girlfriend?" he offered.
"I take it that'd be my title on a date?" she asked.
"Right. And I'd be your boyfriend." He nodded.
"Then yes." She smiled. The words were like music to Ash as she spoke. He couldn't believe this was really happening. If it was a dream, he never wanted to wake up. He kissed her again and she happily reciprocated. He placed a hand on her cheek and gently ran his thumb along her skin. She couldn't help but moan softly at his touch and he moaned back at her. Their lips slowly broke apart and they shared a soft smile. They held each other's gaze as long as they could until a yawn from May forced their eyes apart.
"Sleepy?" Ash wondered.
"Well, it has been quite an exciting day." She chuckled. Ash smiled at her and gently picked her up in his arms, carrying her back inside and to their room. Not even bothering to change into clothes, Ash laid them both down in his bed. He laid on his back as May cuddled up to his left side, wrapping her arms around his torso. He smiled softly and put his arm around her as well, holding her body close to his. He could see her eyes drifting shut as sleep began to overtake her.
"Goodnight May..." he whispered.
"Goodnight Sir Ash…" she smiled at him before drifting off to sleep. He fell asleep not long after, holding her body close.
A few hours had passed, but even while it was still dark in the room, May suddenly woke up screaming once again. Her panicked voice jerked Ash up from his own slumber, quickly turning his attention to her. She met his gaze and looked at him in surprise, a deep fear evident on her face.
"May..?" he asked. She began to tear up as her voice trembled.
"S-Sir Ash..."
"What's wrong?" She finally started to cry as she began to explain.
"That Pokémon from last night...he was in my dream again..." she sniffled.
"May..." Ash worried as he pulled her into his embrace. May cried quietly into his chest as Ash ran his fingers through her hair in an effort to soothe her.
"It seems so real..." she whimpered.
"Shh..." he responded. "It's ok…" May clung to him tightly as she let out a few more tears before finally calming down. Sensing an air of calm returning to the room, Ash placed a gentle kiss to her head. May sniffled a little as she returned her gaze to him.
"I'm sorry to wake you over a dream..." she apologized.
"Don't be...I'll protect you from anything that scares you May. Even if it's just a dream." He promised. To show her he meant it, he kissed her again and she kissed him back. Ash held her close as they kissed and felt her relax a little in his arms. They shared a mutual moan of content before they slowly broke apart. May was finally able to produce a small smile and Ash returned it.
"Thank you sir Ash..." she whispered.
"You're always welcome May." He nodded. The two laid back down on the bed and May laid her head on his chest. Ash kept his arms around her in a protective fashion as she closed her eyes. To help keep her calm as she drifted, Ash stroked her back gently until he was certain she was asleep once again. He then closed his eyes and fell asleep as well.
Finally, the next morning rolled around and Ash yawned as he started to wake up. He stretched out and noticed that May was no longer by his side. Doing a quick scan of the room, he spotted the light on in the bathroom and relaxed a little. Within a few minutes, May walked out of the bathroom, looking freshly showered and wearing a clean set of clothes. A cheerful smile was on her face, which was a welcome change from the fear that was so evident last night.
"Morning." He greeted her.
"Good morning." She smiled as she gave his lips a quick peck. Ash smiled as he began to gather his clothes to change as well.
"Feeling better I hope?" he asked.
"Yeah. Much better." She nodded. Satisfied with her answer, he went to clean up and change in the bathroom. While he was busy, May sat at the desk with the mirror and began brushing her hair out. By the time she got it to lay right and tied on her bandana, Ash walked out of the bathroom and she smiled at him in the mirror. Noticing her watching him, Ash playfully walked over and hugged her from behind, wrapping his arms around her neck and smiling at her face in the mirror. May began giggling and he smiled at her.
"What's up?" he teased.
"I like this." She answered.
"So do I." he agreed, planting a kiss on her cheek before letting go of him. May got up from the desk and faced him with a smile.
"Shall we get breakfast and then head out on the road again?" she suggested.
"Sounds great." Ash nodded. May smiled and clipped her bag around her waist as Ash put on his hat. Their hands took hold of each other and they both smiled as they made their way toward the cafeteria.
To be Continued...