Serena, a strong resolve flowing through her to regain the five years lost, walked behind Ash. The girl's eyes were lit with a flame.
How do you flirt in the first place?
This an odd question for a girl that is seventeen years old, nonetheless one that charmed over a whole region with her charisma.
The boy in front of her seemed ordinary. He wore normal clothes. He acted normal. Yet she was unnerved just imagining what she'd have to do to win him over. Serena felt a bit jealous of Pikachu, who was casually sleeping on Ash's shoulder since morning.
The two had been walking for a good half hour, having an occasional chat before going back to gazing at their surroundings.
Serena would never get used to the beautiful scenery of Kalos, no matter the season. Instead of beautiful plants spread across the fields and cicadas croaking constantly, a white veil covered the usually green terrain. There was a calming silence around them
A few pokemon scurried around the trees, collecting berries and other edible food for the future. They weren't Pokemon often seen in such areas, but they had migrated over here thanks to the growing cold. In a few months, they'd migrate back.
"Those pokemon are lucky," Serena mumbled to nobody in particular, "They've got a warm coat of fur on them at all times. It must be so nice and fluffy."
She knew there were struggles when it came to having nonremovable fur, but she desperately desired it. After all, she was freezing in her boots.
"Are you that cold?" Ash asked, seeming baffled. The blonde couldn't help but pout. Her feeling cold despite her heavy clothing wasn't something she could control. Plus, her pockets were too small to even fit her hands.
"Of course I am!" She exclaimed, arms crossed. Her breath frosted over, a white puff releasing from her mouth. It was almost comically timed. "My hands are freezing.."
Ash stared at her for a moment, then looked away as if embarrassed over something. He started walking again without a word.
Serena huffed, her pout not wavering. Ash could be inconsiderate at times, even if he didn't mean to be. She felt like telling him he should show more care but didn't have the guts to say it to his face. Nonetheless, she followed him from close behind.
Ash slowed down a bit and matched her pace. Serena thought he was busy staring at the pokemon, who were busy berry-hunting. She stared down at her feet with nothing to do.
It was a bit boring with just the two of them. While it wasn't awkward, the lack of a conversation left her with nothing to do.
Back with Bonnie and Clemont, things were a bit different since those two always had a new invention or a fun game to play in the meantime. Not to mention the number of times they'd encounter a pokemon in need of help, which sucked up their entire day.
There wasn't any of that. The streets were empty, and the sun seemed dim despite it being noon. Serena sighed.
It has been five years, after all.
It had been a long time- too long, even. There felt like a small gap had formed between the two. A gap in connection, and companionship. Things had changed over these five years.
While Serena lamented with a heavy expression, a small, warm object brushed over her icy fingers.
The blonde turned to the side, and surprisingly saw a hand slightly outstretched toward hers'. It was Ash's.
Her world froze. Despite seeing it with her two eyes, she couldn't believe it. The black-haired teen wasn't even looking at her, too embarrassed to make eye contact.
Serena's face felt like it would explode any second. Her hand twitched uncontrollably, embarrassment overtaking her.
He's offering me his hand. And I want to grab it.
Things had changed across these five years, but not in the way Serena had thought. Ash didn't seem as distant anymore, with his hand offered to her.
Her fingertips slipped into his grasp, slowly slipping lower. The heat from his hands sent electric shocks down her back. Her lips quivered.
His hand was a bit rough, rubbing against her soft ones. They were also a bit larger. His fingers spread open a bit, giving leeway for her fingers to intertwine with his. The two had a firm grasp now.
As her hand fell into its place in his, Serena realized Ash's hand was also shaking ever so slightly. He was nervous. It calmed her, oddly. Ash hadn't suddenly grown up. Ash was still him, in one way or the other.
Serena gulped. The lump in her throat wouldn't go away. Despite only their hands touching, a warmth spread across her entire body. It was a feeling she could only describe as blissful.
The two continued to walk, side by side, turned away from each other. If it weren't for their intertwined hands, and stupid-looking smiles, it would have looked like they were in some kind of fight.
I'm holding hands with him! I'm finally doing it!
Ash had grabbed Serena's hand multiple times in the past, but never like this. Either it would be him grabbing the wrist, or he had to grab her hand before she fell down a pit. There wasn't a variation beyond that.
So, for the first time, she had her crush's hands in hers- She was over the moon. The teen looked like a young girl who had gotten her first kiss.
Ash, on the other hand, was beyond nervous. He had been contemplating for a while if he should offer her his hand. Wouldn't that be acting too friendly? But she was cold and had kept complaining for a while. Maybe it would be fine?
His hand hovered next to her while he contemplated. At times, it reached towards her and then moved away at other times indecisively.
While twitching about, His fingers accidentally brushed against Serena's hand. He almost froze on the spot when he saw her head immediately turn and see his hand outstretched. He couldn't keep looking and turned away.
She didn't say anything to him, but he could tell she was thinking. Hard. He could feel a heavy gaze on his hand, which was on the verge of falling back to his side. He kept it there out of nervousness.
Suddenly, a cold feeling touched the bottom of his palm. Slowly, the feeling spread downwards. It was a soft sensation, and it felt small, like something fragile. Ash didn't need to look to know it was Serena's hand sliding into his.
He naturally opened his fingers a bit, and let hers slip between them. They both lightly clenched their fists, and their hands became intertwined.
Ash was shocked, to say the least. While no words were said between the two, he slightly understood the implications behind her accepting his hand. She was okay with a bit of skinship.
His head felt warm. No, scratch that, his entire face felt hot. His thoughts had a deep embarrassment left inside of him, leaving the teen slightly confused about what was happening to him.
On his shoulder, Pikachu, who had barely spoken since morning, nudged him. Ash could tell his buddy had a smirk on his face.
-
Unlike before, Serena couldn't keep track of time. The only proof that time was passing was the sun's position changing.
Their hands didn't separate at all. At some point, they had found comfort and snuggled into each other's grip, letting themselves relax. The blonde tried to recount her thoughts and feelings from their initial interaction and drew a blank. Her mind refused to work.
Her knees still felt weak. If someone were to lightly shove her, she'd fall over with little resistance. Her body felt warmer than a humid day in summer, despite the blistering cold around them.
Surprisingly, Pikachu was enjoying himself as the two held hands. He'd jump from shoulder to shoulder, or try to balance his way across their outstretched arms. It was quite the spectacle to watch.
He must have used up a lot of energy because the electric mouse's stomach grumbled loudly.
"You hungry, Pikachu?" Ash asked. Serena felt refreshed hearing his voice- it had been a while since either of them spoke.
"We should stop for a break at the town up ahead," Serena suggested. The route they walked on was usually full of snow and devoid of anything, but a few signs advertising businesses and different things started to appear. The three were approaching a small town.
"I don't remember traveling through here back then.." Ash mumbled, looking around. The town's entrance had a wall and a small arch, acting as the door. The arch had the word 'Vallind' written on it.
"I'm pretty sure Vallind Town was made in the time you were gone," Serena said. It would explain why the town seemed so small and outdated.
"Alright, let's go in," Ash announced. Pikachu rushed in first, the smell of food capturing his heart. Both of the teenagers smiled.
"Pikachu's as much of a foodie as you, Ash." Serena giggled. Ash scratched his head, unable to deny her statement. The two of them were like peas in a pod.
The honey-blonde and black-haired teens entered the town. Beyond the eye-catching arch was a bustling place, full of people. They were both surprised at the sheer number of people.
People seemed surprised by them too- mainly Serena. No matter where in Kalos, people knew of Serena's title.
And seeing the Kalos Queen romantically holding hands with a person while entering their town was a sight to behold.
"Isn't that the Kalos Queen, Serena?"
"What's she doing here?"
"Oh, is that her boyfriend? I didn't know she had one."
People stared. Hard.
They separated their hands in a hurry. Serena had forgotten they were even holding hands- she'd gotten used to it frighteningly fast.
Her hands started to grow cold again. This time, sadness welled up within her. I wanted to hold hands a bit longer.
Ash seemed a bit worried. "S-sorry." He apologized, biting his lip.
"What are you apologizing for?" Serena asked, confused. The black-haired teen looked at the ground.
"You're popular, right? Isn't it bad if they see something like that?" Ash asked, rubbing his head. "That's how it is in movies."
Serena sighed. At this rate, she'd say something embarrassing trying to cheer Ash up. She'd have to be careful with her words.
"If it's with you, I don't mind any rumors."
Serena mentally did a backflip and snapped her neck. I said something embarrassing!
It was honestly baffling. She could only yell at herself, wondering how in the world she managed to do the one thing she was trying to avoid. Reverse psychology wasn't supposed to work like this.
Ash seemed pleasantly surprised by her statement. With an embarrassed smile, he thanked her. Serena felt her heart flutter up to heaven and back.
"A-anyway, we should get going. I'm sure hungry.." Serena said nervously, trying to distract herself from the embarrassment flowing through her. She could already imagine the dreadful nights awaiting her, the blonde's brain replaying this exact moment until she went insane.
"P-Pikachu is hungry too. How about we stop by that place?" Ash asked, unusually nervous himself. It eased Serena's heart knowing she wasn't the only one suffering.
She eagerly nodded, not even looking at the restaurant he pointed to. Ash called Pikachu back onto his shoulder and entered a building.
Serena followed behind him, the scent of fresh bread and pastries hitting her nostrils. She felt like sniffing the aroma forever.
"Pika..." The electric mouse chirped, enjoying the smell of the shop along with Serena. Ash picked out an empty table and sat down. Serena sat across from him.
A waitress came over to the three and took their orders. Serena ordered French toast and a piece of cheesecake, and Ash requested pasta. Pikachu was satisfied with a batch of poke puffs.
Once the waiter left, an awkward silence fell over the two. Pikachu was busy with complimentary packets of ketchup on the side of the table, leaving His trainer and his friend stranded in a sea of silence.
Ash was not one to like silence. He couldn't stand the thought of sitting silently and doing nothing.
"Alright. After a good meal, let's do some training, Pikachu!" Ash announced. Pikachu yelled back with vigor. Serena smiled at the two of them acting like they usually did.
"I bet you've gotten a lot stronger now," Serena mentioned, "Not that you weren't back then."
Ash glanced at her with a grin. "You bet. I've trained harder than ever to get this strong. I brought my other four strongest pokemon for the Kalos tournament."
Serena perked up. "Four?"
Even if he were to include Pikachu, that was five pokemon. Where was the last one?
Ash seemed to catch onto her train of thought. "If you're wondering about my sixth pokemon, you'll have to wait. He's still not here."
Serena had a rough idea of who he could be talking about.
"I'd love to see these four pokemon in action," Serena added. The teen clenched his fist tightly in response, "I'll show you something you'll never forget."
"In return, let me see a live performance of yours," Ash said.
Serena froze. A performance? While she was confident in her ability to perform, she felt like it would be difficult for her to perform in front of her crush.
She glanced at his face. It was full of anticipation, wondering just what she would do. She then glanced at her belt, which held three miniature pokeballs.
Do I still have what it takes?
Serena, while being Kalos Queen, had never managed to beat Aria- She had retired before Serena could challenge her again since she was busy training with Palermo.
After making a thundering return, which shook up the entire performance industry, she reigned as Kalos Queen. She had to battle against rivals for the throne one more time and managed to beat them all to the top.
But she remembered how empty that entire crowning ceremony was. Her memory felt foggy as she remembered a woman walking up to her and placing a tiara on her head. Her drive and dream were gone.
So how could she show such a pathetic performance to Ash, who supported her dream from the second she got it? Wouldn't it be disrespectful?
When her food arrived, she took a scoop of the cheesecake first. Taking a look at it, she could immediately tell it was near perfection- especially the amount of sugar they had placed on it.
But when she took a bite, it felt less sweet than it should have been.
