DAY 6: Touch

It was a stormy night.

Down in Pallet Town was a young man. He had dark hair and brown eyes and at his side his Pikachu.

Ash Ketchum was now 20 years old. It had been years since he started traveling. He had made many friends and won a lot of badged. But he still couldn't be a pokemon master.

Not because he was a bad trainer, no, he was one of the best. But because of his father.

After years of not knowing wether the man was even alive, Ash had decided to start digging. So he looked and looked and finally found out who his father was.

He went and confronted the man, only to find out that he was a champion. And you could only be a master if you had defeated all champions.

Ash did in fact, defeat all the others through years of training and rough battles. But his father was too strong.

"There you are."

Ash turned his head.

Misty, his best friend, found him sitting in the old tree house in Delia's backyard. She had heard from Delia that Ash had spoken to his father again and that he was in one of those 'moods' again.

"Misty." Ash whispered.

The red head walked over to him and sat next to him. She looked at the lantern that was sitting in front of their feet, illuminating the room.

"I heard what happened." Misty said and she looked at him. "Ash...I'm so sorry."

Ash shook his head. "No, it's fine...I don't wanna talk about it."

"It is that bad?" Misty asked and Ash nodded.

"Yeah..."

The two went silent and stared at the lantern. The only sound was Pikachu who was playing with a little ball a few feet away.

Ash looked at Misty. He had been lucky with such a friend like her...even though...his feelings were a lot stronger than that.

"Do you want a hug?"

Misty's voice broke the silence. She looked at Ash with a shy smile. Ash blushed and rubbed his neck.

"Uh...sure. Just don't do anything weird."

"Would I ever?"

Misty moved forward and wrapped her arms around Ash. Ash sighed and leaned with his head against her forehead

"That tickles." Misty muttered as the hairs of Ash's hair tickled her forehead.

"Deal with it." Ash whispered.

He moved his hand to her back and pulled her closer. He sniffed her trade mark perfume. That was another thing. Since a few years back Misty suddenly started to wear perfume. It was always such a nice scent and when he smelled it, it calmed him down.

Meanwhile Misty was blushing heavily. She was almost never this close to him...okay, sometimes they would wrestle around when they were bickering, but Ash wasn't really someone who was a hugger.

Misty petted Ash's back. The man was now taller then back when they were kids, so she had to stretch her arms a bit more to hug him.

But Ash suddenly moved back. He held her arms and rubbed them up and down.

"Ash..." Misty blushed heavily. "Why are you suddenly...touching me like this?"

"W-what do you mean..." Ash said. "We're friends, friends hug, right?"

"Oh please." The red head scoffed. "You agreed to hug me and you're now rubbing my arms...if I didn't knew any better then I would say that you're in love with me..."

Ash stopped rubbing her arms. He released her and said, with a serious gaze; "What if I am?"

"Then-"

"Never mind." He turned around and sighed, looking back at the lantern. "I know you're in love with Rudy."

"Rudy?!"

"Yeah...you keep calling him..."

"For gym tips!" Misty wanted to give him a slap on his arm but stopped herself. "Wait...you're in love with me?"

"Misty, I can't. I already have enough shit on my mind. Please, just go back to mum, she's probably worried for you."

"Well, I'm worried for you!"

Misty grabbed his hand and Ash looked at her again.

"I know it sucks. Red hasn't been a good father to you and he might never be. But unlike him, I won't leave you. And you can't shut me out! Because, I'm...I'm...I..."

Ash brought her hand up to his lips and placed a kiss on it.

"I know." He whispered.

Misty blushed heavily and said; "Then...can we try to be...more than friends? Because I want to touch you more and as friends we can't..."

"Yeah..." Ash moved closer. "Then I guess I'm out of the friend zone."

Misty giggled and their lips touched.

"Why are you two so happy?"

Delia stared at Misty and Ash who had just run into the kitchen, soaking wet from the rain. Pikachu was already using a towel to dry himself.

"No reason." Ash replied.

Delia looked down and noticed their hands were intertwined. She smiled when she realized what had happened. After years of struggling with his feelings Ash finally found someone who would stay.

"So, you two are dating now, huh?" Delia said.

"How..." Ash gasped.

Delia shrugged. "Easy. Your hands were touching. And you both have a dreamy look in your eyes."

Misty looked at Ash with a smile. Ash smiled back and gave her hand a squeeze.

"But I'm happy for you two!" Delia said. "Now, you two are not allowed to sleep in the same room yet."

"Mum, I'm 20." Ash said.

"Sure, but you're still my little boy. Now, help me set the table. Dinner is almost ready."

Ash released Misty's hand. Misty smiled when she saw his disappointed look.

But she wasn't worried anymore. Whatever would happen, she knew that they would be fine.

And that they could feel each other's touch any time soon.