AUTHOR'S NOTE

Sorry for taking so long to get this chapter out, guys! I've been busy with a multitude of things, the most important of which has been wedding planning! The wedding isn't for another year, but we went into a bit of a planning frenzy in case we decided to book a fancy place for it. Spoiler Alert: we didn't.

Anyway, question for you all - now that Pokemon XY has been removed from Netflix, anyone know a good place to watch it? Looking for both subbed and dubbed (but will take either one - desperate times call for desperate measures!), and preferably free. I ask mainly because this is going to make getting content for the Snapshots a lot more difficult.

CHAPTER 5
No Questions Asked!

"Reporting, huh?" Ash inquired, taking a big bite of a club sandwich. "What happened to photography?"

He and Pikachu had met Todd for lunch at one of the many outdoor cafes that Kalos, and Lumiose City in particular, were known for. Even though he had been running late, he thankfully arrived only a couple minutes after he said he would be there, which Todd found more amusing than irritating.

"Nothing happened to it, " Todd told him with a frown. "It just isn't as profitable as reporting. It's still my goal, don't you worry!" He raised his arm in a victory pose, his face twisting into a grin.

"Good," Ash told him, returning the smile. "I'm sure you're a great reporter and all, but I've never met anyone as good at photography as you."

Instead of thanking Ash for the compliment, Todd focused on the slight difference in his phrasing. "What do you mean, you're sure that I'm a great reporter? Ash," he said, looking sly. "Are you telling me you haven't read a single one of my articles?"

"I...well..." Ash stammered, embarrassingly placing his hand behind his head. "I've been busy, " he explained lamely, looking apologetically at Todd. They both knew that in the week since they had found out they were in the same city again, he hadn't even tried to get his hands on a copy of the paper Todd was writing for.

"It's fine," Todd told him, waving away Ash's apology. "But that means I get a trio of exclusives from Lumiose City's most famous residents."

"Bring it on!" Ash pushed away his plate, bringing his hands to rest on the table in front of him. As much as he wanted to just catch up with his friend, an interview sounded like a fun way to do it. Besides, it would probably help Todd at work.

"Alright." This was the side of reporting that Todd didn't mind. Pokemon shared their stories through photos, but humans were always too guarded to let the camera do the talking. "Good thing I always come prepared!" He pulled a notebook and pen out of his backpack, trying to think of the first question to ask.

Little did Todd and Ash realize that, from a table at the cafe opposite theirs, a trio of individuals was watching their every move, hiding behind menus in a way that they assumed was completely inconspicuous. "Get out of my way!" Jessie hissed at her counterparts, batting away James' elbow.

"Your way?" James sounded shocked, gaping at her for only a second before settling back down on the table as before, with his arm squarely in front of his partner's face. "Maybe if someone didn't take up so much room at the table, I wouldn't need to sit so close!"

"Shut up, both of ya," Meowth muttered, peering through a rather large pair of binoculars. "I need total concentration if you want me t' read their lips!"

"So Ash, what got you into being a Pokemon Master?" Todd's notebook was laying on the table in front of him, his food pushed to the side. His pen was out and ready to write, his expression one of complete concentration.

"You mean you don't remember?" Ash tilted his head, confused on why Todd would need him to explain something he already knew the answer to.

"I do," Todd told him. "But the people reading the magazine don't know anything about you, remember. They want to hear your words, not mine. So tell me again."

As he recounted his dream of one day becoming a Pokemon Master, he understood why it had taken Serena so long to answer some of Todd's questions on her interview. Unlike most people who were simply curious about aspects of his life and the championship, Todd knew exactly how to drill down on a topic and really make you think about it. He asked about his journey, his home, his family, his goals, and about a lot of different aspects of the Kalos League - but one of the simpler questions ended up being the hardest one to answer.

"What's next, then? Will you be following the tournament to the next region? Or are you going home for some well-deserved R&R?"

"Neither!" Ash responded cheerfully. "I've actually started working with fellow Pokemon Trainers. It keeps me pretty busy, so I don't really have time for a vacation - but I do get to visit a lot of different cities in Kalos!"

"Typical Ash." Todd chuckled as he wrote down his words. "Always keeping busy! But between you and me - where are you thinking of heading next when you're done? I hear Alola is nice this time of year."

Ash frowned, shifting his gaze to the table instead of answering. The silence that met his question was unsettling in a way that made both of them uncomfortable. Todd stared at Ash, who was staring at his plate, until finally one of them broke the silence.

"Didn't touch a nerve, did I?" The nervous laughter came from Todd, who tried to play off his question as a joke.

"Actually, I..." Ash trailed off, battling an emotion he was unfamiliar with: fear. Why was this so hard for him? He was courageous - he was the Kalos League Champion! Reminding himself of that made the words came tumbling out in a rush. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying here."

Across the street, Meowth let out a surprised gasp. "The twerp is…staying here?" he asked, seeking confirmation that he was unlikely to get from his companions.

"Here, like at that cafe?" James glanced at the space around them. "I was kind of hoping we could all go out for ice cream after this…"

"No, you idiot!" Jessie gave him an irritated look. "Here, in Kalos! Right, Meowth?" she confirmed, looking at him questioningly.

"Yeah..." Meowth said slowly, putting down the binoculars. "I don't get it...we've followed him all over the place…"

"Region after region...city after city..."

"All in the pursuit of that Pikachu..."

"And recognition from the Boss..."

"Do you know what this means?"

"Team Rocket finally has a place to call home!" They all exclaimed together, holding onto each other and crying loudly enough to blow their cover, had the watched party been paying attention.

"Come on," Todd said with a chuckle. "You don't really mean that. The great Ash Ketchum, staying somewhere for a while after the local championship? Your victory must have come with some prize package."

The suggestion sounded plausible, especially for someone like Todd, who only followed his next best photo opportunity as far as there was something in it for him, whether that be a feeling of fulfillment or an offer he couldn't ignore. But somehow, the thought made him feel angry. "No," he said firmly. "I do mean it. I'm going to settle down here." He blinked his eyes, surprised at his own words, and stared down at Pikachu for confirmation. "Right, buddy?"

"Chaa!" the electric mouse told him, tail perking up in delight to hear his friend standing up for himself. He had been sitting on the floor throughout most of the meal, enjoying a variety of fresh berries and the occasional crumb that fell from Ash's sandwich.

Todd let out a low whistle, his eyes growing wide at the seriousness of his words. Kalos was a beautiful region, with many things to do and places to see, but it wasn't anything like Kanto. He flipped his notebook closed, putting it back into his backpack. Ash didn't need a reporter right now, he needed a friend.

"Kalos seems like a wonderful place to live," Todd said carefully, not wanting to upset Ash after he had shared something so personal, and had obviously been a difficult decision to make, with him. He smiled encouragingly at his friend, and saw the uncharacteristic anger that had been on Ash's face only moments ago melt away.

"Thanks, Todd!" He flashed a thumbs up in his direction. "I've really started to like it here. The city is nice, and the people are really great too!"

Todd looked at him somewhat suspiciously. He had begun to suspect something when he had visited Prism Tower, something that Ash's decision to stay in Kalos and reasons as to why almost seemed to confirm for him. He could try and gently hint at it, but all considered, it was probably best to just jump in and ask outright.

"So...Clemont, huh?" Ash's head snapped up in surprise, his eyes wide, and Todd grinned at the impact of his assumption. "You can't fool me. Analyzing people's emotions is part of my job."

"Uh..." Ash continued to gape at him, wondering what he meant, before it finally clicked. "Oh! Clemont is great," he said excitedly. "He makes the best inventions, and he's a great cook. I know I can count on him for anything. He's the best friend I ever could have asked for!"

"Best friend?" Todd asked, raising his eyebrows. "Ash, Ash, Ash. There's no need to pretend around me. I know us reporters have a bad reputation with keeping secrets, but you're my friend. I would never publish anything about you in a story without your permission."

"What are you talking about?" Ash asked, giving him a blank stare. He pulled his plate towards him once again, taking a bite of his almost-forgotten sandwich as he waited for an explanation.

"You're not getting away with that clueless act while I'm around." Todd wagged his finger at Ash, seeming amused. "It's nothing to be ashamed of, you know. You really seem to care about each other, and that's all that matters."

"Uh...Todd, I really don't know what you're talking about."

"Come on. You really expect me to believe that you and Clemont are best friends?"

"Oh, I know what this is about!" Ash snapped his fingers, smiling. "You're one of my best friends too, Todd! I didn't mean to make you feel left out."

It was very rare that Todd felt the need to smack his forehead with the palm of his hand, but he did so now. "Sometimes, Ash..." Todd swore that Ash was the most oblivious person that he had ever met. "I don't mind..." He suddenly realized that this was probably not something Ash wanted out, and lowered his voice. "I don't mind if you're dating Clemont. You two make a great couple."

The look on Ash's face was priceless. For a couple seconds he just stared blankly at Todd, his eyes getting wider and wider, and then as if in slow motion, he started to fall sideways off his chair before finally crashing to the floor in a heap. Pikachu let out a startled "Pika!" as he scrambled out of the way, and in the courtyard of the neighboring cafe, Meowth used Fury Swipes on Jessie and James as they both leapt from their seats and stretched across the table, as if they could somehow reach Pikachu from across the street.

"Augh, what? We're not dating!" Ash cried from the floor, pushing himself up into a sitting position before pulling himself back into his chair. "What would have made you think that?"

"It's so..." Todd trailed off. Obvious. He had been about to say it was obvious. But to Ash, someone who seemed unaware of almost everything, including his own emotions, it must not have been. "You don't even know, do you," he whispered down at the table. "You're completely in love with him, and you can't even see it."

"W-what?!" Ash stammered. "I...I'm not…"

Todd raised his eyebrows, leaning in close to Ash. "The photos I took of you two the other day don't say that."

"Photos?" Then he remembered: the first click of the camera had caused Pikachu to thundershock him, making him fall down. Clemont had come to help him, but he heard the camera go off several times during that, which must have meant Todd was taking pictures of them.

"Yes, photos. Photos I took that show you, my ignorant friend, like him a lot. And if I'm not mistaken, he likes you quite a bit as well." Todd winked at him, and Ash stared back in surprise.

"But...I...I don't...that...that's not possible!" Ash said, his voice sounding higher pitched than normal and rather strangled.

Todd smirked, shaking his head. "Forget I said anything," he said, waving his words away with a swish of his hand. "But you'll see. Just you wait!"

"You can't analyze love. It's the greatest mystery of all. No one knows why it happens, or doesn't. Love is a chance combination of elements. Any one thing might be enough to keep it from igniting. The mood, a glance, a remark. And if we could define love, predict it, it would probably lose its power forever."

Ash stared down at the pages of his book, the word love jumping out at him in a way it never had before. Just yesterday, he had been reading this book just fine, caught up in the intrigue of science fiction and space battles, and viewing the romantic subplot as nothing more than filler text. And yet, today he could not tear his eyes from that relationship that never could truly be, existing as nothing more than words on a page.

This was all Todd's fault. He had been having enough trouble lately without bringing love into the mix. Between his busy life balancing training and teaching responsibilities, and his newfound sense of home concerning the Kalos region, the last thing he needed was some complicated emotion taking over. He had lasted fine for all 19 of his years without caring for anyone as more than a friend or family, with no stronger bond to anyone than the one he had with his Pokemon. Besides, he wasn't attracted to guys, anyway.

But then...he couldn't honestly say that he was attracted to girls, either. There was a time or two he thought he might have been, when he was growing up. But everything he had ever read that concerned matters of the heart told him that he could expect nausea, sweaty palms, or other signs of nerves when he experienced attraction - things that didn't happen to him very often. In fact, the only person he had ever felt that way around was…

It was at that moment the door to their shared bedroom opened, and feeling his face grow uncharacteristically hot with embarrassment - what would Clemont think if he caught him reading? - threw his book down and pulled the covers over it. Reading was one of Ash's guilty pleasures; he had started out just reading battle strategy guides, but as he got more into it he begin to expand his library, collecting books not just of fact but of fiction. He wasn't confident that Clemont, whose bookshelves were lined with multiple copies of Full Charge: How To Care For Electric Pokemon and An Overview of Modern Circuitry would care much for his choice in novels, so he had decided to immerse himself in his stories in secret.

Clemont walked in, closing the door silently behind him. He was already in his pajamas, and looked as if he had just come downstairs from his workshop. His eyes had a haunted look to them, and his shoulders were slightly hunched as if he had been leaning over something for a long time.

"H-hey, Clemont," Ash greeted him, casually lounging in bed. With his elbow, he tucked the only visible corner of the book under the covers as Clemont looked at him.

"Still up?" he asked curiously, confused as to why Ash was still awake. While he typically kept hours past midnight, Ash always went to bed on the earlier side, most likely to accommodate his preferably long sleeping hours. Little did he know that Ash took to the room so early not to sleep, but to read uninterrupted.

"Of course," Ash said slowly. "I'm surprised you're ready for bed so early." He gestured to Clemont's sleeping gear, noticing for the first time that the sweatshirt Clemont now wore for bed had such long sleeves they covered his hands completely, and that similarly the hem of his sweatpants was trailing on the floor, even though they had been rolled up so he wouldn't trip.

"Early? Ash, it's past midnight. Perhaps it's early in the day, but it certainly isn't early at night!" Clemont tilted his head and smiled at him, laughing slightly. Ash swung his head towards his alarm clock, his face growing red for the second time tonight at the sight of 2:00 AM flashing back at him.

"Are you okay?" Clemont asked, concerned about his friend and crush, noticing the uncharacteristic flush on his face. "You aren't getting sick, are you?" He sat down on the edge of Ash's bed, putting the back of his hand on Ash's forehead.

"I'm totally fine," Ash told him. But Clemont's hand felt cool against his skin, and these unexpected butterflies in his stomach certainly weren't normal. "I don't feel the slightest bit sick," he boasted with an air of confidence.

"Are you sure?" Clemont asked, his eyes looking straight into Ash's. Ash's eyes widened, really looking at his eyes for the first time. The brilliant shade of blue staring at him perfectly matched the color of the ocean on a sunny day, and he stared for so long that Clemont finally turned away from him with an uncomfortable sounding cough.

Where had his typically bold demeanor disappeared to? Yesterday, he would have grabbed onto Clemont's hand without a second thought, telling him that of course he was okay, and stop worrying about him, he wasn't a child after all. Of course, between Todd's words and the storyline in his book playing through his head, maybe it was better to let Clemont think that he was coming down with something.

"Why are you so worried, Clemont?" he asked, sitting up to give his friend more room on the bed. "I've been sick before, you know."

Now it was Clemont's turn to blush. "I was worried then, too," he mumbled, remembering all too well how Ash had collapsed after stumbling out of their tent, his face flushed and breaking out into a cold sweat. He had been so torn between staying and taking care of him, or getting him the supplies he needed, but in the end he decided he would be more help getting supplies. After all, Serena provided him with excellent care, better than Clemont felt he would have been capable of.

"Don't worry," he told him, his eyes falling on the inventor's lips. Could what he heard today be true? That Clemont liked him...really liked him? His lips were formed into a slight pout, and for a moment they looked more inviting than he would have ever thought possible. He was so entranced that he didn't realize he was unconsciously leaning towards him, until Clemont started stammering and backed away.

"M-m-maybe we should p-put you to bed," Clemont said, not sure if he should be alarmed or not.

"Maybe," Ash agreed easily. Maybe Todd's theory wasn't quite so ridiculous after all.

SNAPSHOTS
Pokemon the Series: XY
XY047: Dreaming a Performer's Dream!

"Now, where could that Pancham have gone?" Just because her big brother was next to useless right now, being a whimpering mess and missing his glasses, didn't mean Bonnie had to sit and wait around like a helpless little girl. She was determined to take charge of the situation.

"De ne ne!" Dedenne said excitedly, looking over to the left. While he may have been much lower to the ground and had less visibility than either of his trainers, his hearing was also significantly better, and he was sure he had just heard something of interest.

"Hm?" Bonnie said. "Over there?" She began walking towards that direction, letting Dedenne's vocalizations guide her through the woods.

"Huh?" Clemont asked, realizing suddenly that his sister was no longer by his side. How could she have just abandoned him there, when he couldn't see? "Wait for me!"

"Chespin! Ches, chespin!?" Chespin wandered around the forest, looking for his friends and his trainer. He couldn't find them anywhere. "Ches?" he asked as he heard a noise coming from behind him.

"Hey Chespin!" Bonnie called out. "So there you are!" Dedenne may not have been able to track down that Pancham yet, but at least his keen sense of hearing had brought her to Chespin, and she certainly was happy to see him.

"Chespin!" the Spiny Nut Pokemon called out, just as eager to see people he knew.

"So where's Pancham?" Clemont demanded to know as he caught up with Bonnie and Dedenne, leaning in closer to try and make out Chespin's blurry shape. From that distance, he wasn't even sure he was speaking to a Pokemon, much less one he knew.

"You need to calm down," Bonnie told him, with a concerned look on her face. She very rarely saw her brother so stressed out, and it was starting to worry her in more ways than one.

"But I need my glasses to see..." Clemont told her miserably.

"Clemont! Bonnie!" Another familiar voice was floating their direction now, and it seemed to be coming from behind them.

"Pika pika!" Ash and Pikachu broke through the trees, running straight for their friends.

"All right, finally!" Ash had been running around the forest for ten minutes now, searching for someone, anyone in their group, who maybe could tell him what was going on. "Huh?" Something seemed different to him as he looked at Clemont - and then he realized, it was because something was missing. "Clemont, where are your glasses?"

"That Pancham stole them," Clemont explained, putting his hand on his head as he recalled how it had taken his hat from him not that long ago.

"Pancham's been busy," Ash commented, putting his hand on his head as he recalled how it had taken his hat from him not that long ago.

"You mean it got you as well?" Bonnie questioned, staring at him with wide eyes.

"I've got to get my glasses back or I'll end up making conversation with trees and rocks!" Clemont put both hands on his head and rocked back and forth, his lack of sight making him crazed with worry. It would be very difficult to get a new pair of glasses made anytime soon, and for someone as nearsighted as him, that was a big problem.

"Just relax," Ash told him, unimpressed with his actions. This was the first time he had seen Clemont speak or act in any other way than amazing, and he wasn't sure how he felt about it. He had always seen Clemont as this incredible guy, who had a solution for every problem just stored away in his backpack. And now, he was freaking out over a tiny piece of wire holding together two circles of glass?

"Pika pika..." Pikachu was concerned for Clemont, but also for Ash. He didn't want Ash to lose any respect for his friend over something like this, not when they seemed so close. "Pika-CHU!"

"Huh?" Ash looked over at his Pokemon partner in surprise. "Oh, sorry buddy." In contrast to how long it took him to understand his human friends sometimes, he realized right away what Pikachu was trying to tell him. He walked over, linking Clemont's arm with his own. "I'm here for you, every step of the way. Just until you find your glasses, that is!" It didn't matter if Clemont had less-than-amazing moments - he was still one of the smartest, most talented people Ash had ever met, and he admired him more than he could ever remember doing for anyone else before.

"Thanks, Ash," Clemont said, instantly feeling more relaxed. He still couldn't see, but somehow, he just knew everything would turn out okay with Ash by his side.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

That episode actually really bothered me as a fellow glasses-wearer. Sure, I don't see well without them, and certainly like to keep track of them, but panicking makes it worse when you can't find them. And why, oh why, did he not have a spare? Any bets on his prescription, by the way? My money's on -8. At such a young age, that doesn't bode too well for his future eyesight...

But, moving on. Time to show my true nerd colors - the quote from Ash's book is actually from Star Trek VOY 4x22, Unforgettable. Not a favorite episode, but I thought the quote was very fitting for the message I was trying to convey. Three cheers for Voyager!

Stay tuned for Chapter 6, and thank you for reading / following / favoriting / reviewing!