An Evening in Lilycove

TrinityXaos

Why didn't he think this one through?

That thought has been coursing around Ash's mind since the orange afternoon sky turned into night's purple and black. Were this two years ago, or as far as seven years, he would have passed her and got on the ship with Goh and Chloe.

Instead, Ash was at the city park, seated on a bench looking out to the sea. Instead of his normal adventure clothes, Ash had changed into a plain white shirt, along with black jeans, a black jacket, and black dress shoes. Just waiting for a girl.

The boy wouldn't have cared for these things. It was Pokémon, the World Coronation Series, and the next adventure for the professor that he focused on. Now, Ash was almost a man, the legal age of eighteen. He couldn't be as narrow-minded as he was. He needed to be attentive, since he had more responsibility put on him. Moments like these, opportunities to be with old friends, should be taken and cherished.

Before her, there was Iris. Then Dawn, Gary, the gang at Alola, Brock, and finally Clemont and Bonnie. The more he thought about the past encounters, the more he felt this guilt. How could he have been so self-centered and forgetful to check on everyone? Especially when he had the time back in Alola, he could have made calls or check the news on the Pokémon Contests.

Ash could only pray she wouldn't be upset…

"Ash?" Her voice startled Ash back into reality. He looked to his right and saw her. Serena.

She too had changed her clothes after they met at the dock. She now wore a black, long sleeve sweater with white dress pants and brown boots. Tied loosely around her neck was a blue ribbon, the very ribbon he gave her during their time in Kalos.

"Are you okay?" Serena asked, her voice and eyes emitting concern.

"Oh, yeah," Ash replied after a sigh of relief. "I was stuck in my thoughts, that's all."

"Is it anything I should be worried about?" Serena's question was almost answered. Then Ash saw a snowy forest and Serena before him, filled with fury.

"…the real Ash…!" This Serena yelled, fighting back the tears in her eyes.

"That's right, Snowbelle…" Ash let the realization out. The memory faded as the real Serena watched him, caution in her eyes.

"Sorry," Ash then spoke. "I forgot the last time I was thinking hard, I was also in a bad mood. Not this time, though. I'm just…"

He wasn't sure what to describe his current state. Nervous? Worried?

"Nervous…" That was his choice.

"Nervous? Why?" Serena asked.

"It's been about two years, right? Since we went our separate ways," Ash began as he moved himself to the other end of the bench. Serena made her way over and sat down where he had been, all the while keeping her uncertain attention on him.

"I wasn't sure if you would have come," Ash continued. "We hadn't seen or talked to each other since that day. I don't think I've been a good friend."

Serena said nothing, but Ash saw her nod to carry on.

"In the two years since that day, I hadn't bothered to keep up with you or most of the people I'm friends with," Ash then took a deep breath. "I didn't think to call so I could know what Clemont and Bonnie were doing, how my friends May and Dawn were in Johto, and if you were happy here in Hoenn."

"All of that was what was on your mind?" Serena responded with quiet surprise.

"I guess I was actually worried that you would be upset," Ash turned his attention to the sea briefly before looking at Serena. "Upset because I wasn't available."

"Ash," Serena started. "We can't all keep up with the people we are friends with. I've been so focused with the Contests that I hadn't even called my own mother, let alone find out what you have been up to."

"R-really?" That caught Ash off-guard.

Serena nodded again, "Yeah."

"Well…I…don't feel better about it. I thought it was just me," Ash admitted. "Guess I was being self-centered."

"It's still not only you, Ash," Serena said, lightness in her tone. "Everyone has those selfish moments."

He could only sigh at that, "There's no winning this one, is there?"

"Nope," she answered.

Ash chuckled softly. Serena chuckled along.

"It's good to see you again, Serena," Ash told the blonde-haired girl.

"It's good to see you too."

"So, how have you been these past two years?" Ash started. Serena turned her head to watch the sea before them.

"When I'm not doing any Contests or performances, I practice with my Pokemon," Serena started, "Braixen evolved into Delphox two months ago."

"She evolved? Congratulations!"

"Thanks," Serena took the compliment. "Anyway, I have made a name for myself here and made some friend like Lisia."

"That girl who was on TV with Chloe?" Ash asked.

"Yup. Speaking of, how do you know Chloe?" Serena looked back to Ash with curiosity.

"Her father is Professor Cerise, I'm working under him nowadays," he replied, "She sometimes comes on day adventures with me and Goh over different Pokémon."

"Day adventures?" Serena spoke up with worry. "Are you sure you will be okay staying here?"

"I'm probably going to get an earful from Professor Cerise, but I'll be okay" Ash dismissed that concern. "Anyway, before Professor Oak recommended him for the next part of my journey, I was living in Alola under their professor's care."

"Alola…" Serena mused before her eyes went wide. "I remember! I heard that you became the champion! Congratulations there, Ash!"

"That Pokémon League was a bit weird, but thanks," Ash replied. "When I'm not doing tasks for Professor Cerise, I'm working on my progress in the World Coronation Series for my dream."

Serena smiled, "It's nice to know you are still true to yourself."

"I…guess?" Ash hesitated with his reply.

Serena caught the change quickly, "What's wrong?"

"I'm not sure if I'm the same as I was in Kalos," Ash confessed.

He then got up from the bench and walked over to the iron fencing before the sea: "If I were like I was back in Kalos, I probably wouldn't have seen you. Heck, I was just acting like that with Wallace during the Contest. Just accepting going in for the Pokémon battle."

Ash saw Serena sigh at that. It was his typical behavior when he was younger, ignoring the others for training or a battle.

"As Goh and I were heading to the dock so we could get on the boat, I saw you," Ash kept on. "I don't really know what happened, but I stopped because I wanted..."

"Wanted…?" Serena looked at him with confusion.

Embarrassed, Ash tilted his head to the sky with the stars that were available. What can he say? That he wanted to see her? To know about that last good-bye. What it…meant…?

"Wow…" Ash said to himself, a realization had hit him. And it hit him hard. "I really was a fool back then."

"Ash?" Serean's voice brought him back to reality.

"I wanted to know about that day, when you..." Ash started and then mumbled the rest of it.

"When I what?" Serena got up and approached him.

"When you climbed up the escalator and… kissed me," Ash state loud enough for her. "After saying everything you said."

"Oh," Serena paused and blushed in realization.

"I think I wanted to know what you meant," Ash continued. "And just now, I think I got it."

Ash then looked to Serena, as if for the first time. Two years can change a person, and Serena had grown. Not just physically, but mentally. In so many ways, she was still the same person that he said goodbye to at Kalos. But there is also a stronger maturity in her expression, she looked far more independent now.

"Ash?" Serena's voice brought him back to reality. He cursed himself silently. He was making her feel uncomfortable.

"Sorry," Ash told her. "I was just thinking about your words."

He then could feel his face heat up: "And I think… you have grown into an amazing woman."

With surprised eyes, Serena's blush grew to the point where Ash couldn't tell who was more embarrassed, her or him.

"Th-thank you," Serena finally said. "Just…not yet."

"What do you mean?" Ash was confused.

"We still have our dreams to achieve," Serena answered. "You have the World Coronation Series to reach Pokémon Master, and I have the Contests to reach Kalos Queen."

She then moved to Ash's left side and placed her hands on the fence: "I'm still growing so I'm not ready to be that woman yet."

Ash turned his body to the fence, all the while keeping his focus on the blonde girl. There is an insecurity in her eyes. Not yet. Maybe he wasn't ready yet either, he still felt like he wasn't the man he should be. Finally, there was their dreams. She was right… not yet.

"Then…" Ash began to speak and to move his right hand to her left. He hesitated… Will it work out? Does he feel the same as her? He doesn't know yet.

But he was willing to try and find out.

He put his hand on hers, she looked in surprise, but she didn't pull away.

"Then I will cheer you on this time," He spoke firmly. "While you continue your journey to being Kalos Queen, I will be cheering you on and pushing myself to be a better man. When we reach our dreams, I hope to have my answers for you then."

She looked to him, examining him for any fault in his words with her eyes. So pure and faithful. Why would anyone want to hurt her?

Maybe he does know his answer.

"I will cheer you on your journey too," Serena decided. "As I continue to reach my hopes and dreams, I will continue to cheer for you during the World Coronation Series and beyond."

Beyond…just another part of not yet. Perhaps this is their vow.

"Okay," Ash said.

"For now, though," Serena then spoke. "Let's enjoy this time as if we are truly together."

Ash chuckled, "It's a date."

Serena smiled.

Author's Note:

This story idea started life as I was looking through Amourshipping fanfics. I was thinking about Serena's latest appearance and what I wanted to have done with it. Also, there was changing Ash's character so he could be an awkward teen. One of the things I did while writing this was listen to "Brothers" from the 2003 Fullmetal Alchemist anime.

What was supposed to be a date fic, became this story. I'm hope I did well. Please review this story so I can learn more.

Thanks for reading.