Equanimity, Chapter 2
So... what's it like to grow up?
Ash loved how sweet Kalos smelled. From its rustic streets, Victorian buildings, to the beaches of Coumarine City. The scents of peace and beauty filled his nostrils and brought overwhelming peace through his entire body. Inhaling, Ash skipped as he left his hotel room early that morning to meet his girlfriend at the Coumarine City docks, which meant, for the time being, Ash placed his doubts in a box and put them up on a shelf to deal with later. He needed to move forward with his day.
Stepping onto the cobblestone pathway, Ash dipped past a group of girls beginning to gather at the front of the hotel. He covered his face by pulling his collar up and stuffed pikachu into his shirt like a pregnant woman. This way, he could go unnoticed as he slipped past them.
Two passed since his celebration party. Two weeks since he'd seen the young woman he was starting a new adventure with, Misty. Today was the first day he'd seen her since they shared a kiss, or two, and confessed to long bottled feelings. Ash wasn't nervous at all. No, no, he was only tripping over his feet because of the excitement.
During their morning walk, pikachu was careful to look into every store window, while Ash was happy to see the sights. When they arrived at the docks, Ash looked to the ocean and felt another pang of excitement flutter through his stomach. Pikachu perched on his shoulder, pressing a single paw against the top of Ash's hat while his trainer kicked his feet and waited for the familiar whistle of the boat arriving at the dock. In the distance, Ash saw a ferry of at least a thousand passengers arriving. The crashing of the ocean beneath the metal plates drew breath into his otherwise empty lungs and he exhaled softly. His heart pounded against his rib cage as the salty wind whipped through his black hair leaving the soft fragrance of sea life pressed into his nostrils.
The rail gave way, relieving passengers one by one as they streamlined into single formation down the small path provided by the harbor. She walked out at the back of the line, her red hair illuminated in the direct glow of the sunlight. Ash's breath hitched in his throat.
"Pika pi chu pi..." Pikachu bashfully commented on his trainer's awe. Ash nodded sheepishly to the small pokemon and then started his descent into the docks.
Legs shaking and arms throbbing, he cut through the swarming crowd, pushed through reuniting couples, old friends, and even a few families as he B-lined to the yellow-vested girl. She stopped a short way after the exit, holding a red bag over her shoulder, and stared into the crowd of people, looking for him the way he looked for her.
She held her hand above her forehead to block the sun, and while she couldn't see him yet—he saw her. The redhead wore her short hair down flat, as usual, and wore black, fingerless gloves that matched her black tank top beneath a mid-riff yellow vest. It was zipped to the turtle neck and was loose enough to present her tomboyish personality, but chic enough to demonstrate her feminine side. Her stomach was visible where the dark blue jeans hugged her hips and framed her long, slender legs until her ankles, where they flared slightly, covering most of her black and red boots. Her appearance, a feature he long ignored until recent events, jarred his vocal cords loose.
"Mis..." His voice bellowed but wasn't heard over the bustling crowd. He reached out for her in a wave that caught her attention as the yellow pokemon on top of his head became ever apparent.
She moved gracefully, cheer forming in her eyes as her fingers laced together in front of her stomach; her hair swayed gently in the breeze, a twinkle hidden within her eyes on her flushed face. The corners of her mouth tugged upward, and Ash felt his heart go awry. Before he knew it; his love-struck gaze turned against him and his center of gravity shifted several steps back.
"...tyy!" he yelped, fell, and slammed hard against the ground.
Pikachu bolted from his shoulder right before the trainer's face smashed against the wooden planks with an ever precedent thump. Misty snorted, holding her fingers up to her lips to stifle her chuckle.
"Hi, Ash." She mused teasingly, squatting beside him to poke at his beet-red face and outstretched arms.
"Chaaa..." Pikachu laughed while climbing up Misty's arm and taking perch on her right shoulder. She smiled down at Ash, which only increased his embarrassment as he tucked his hat down over his eyes. What a way to start the day.
XOX
"Do you make a habit of greeting people face first?" She mocked him playfully as they left the harbor.
Ash held an ice pack to his face and grumbled about a sore, possibly broken nose. Misty poked his side, eliciting a growl from the younger trainer who only rolled his eyes at her abrasive, unforgiving nature.
"Yes. The ground and I share a special bond." He grumbled sarcastically, removing the ice pack from his face long enough to earn a wince from the girl beside him.
"I hope you don't have any television interviews any time soon..." She said matter of fact before stopping him in his tracks to take a closer look. The woman in the first aid office barely spared Ash a second glance before kicking him out of the small shack. Ash groaned in pain as Misty's slender fingers touched his face.
"It doesn't seem to be broken." Misty offered, far closer to his face than he was comfortable with. His breath froze in his chest as her eyes drew close to his and squinted.
"If we apply some foundation, you won't even be able to tell it's bruised." She grinned deviously, causing Ash to go a shade of red as he sprung away from her, pressing the ice pack against his face once more.
"I am not wearing makeup!" He shouted, catching a few people's attention as he led way into the city streets while Misty followed closely.
"But Assshhh," She mewled, "I thought you liked dressing up like a girl?" She played and he snapped at her in his defense.
"I was ten when I did that!"
His blush only fueled her further as she found herself giggling and wrapping her arm around his, satisfied by his reaction. His arm felt like it caught fire at the touch of her bare skin against his. All hairs stood on end and his eyes locked at the connection point while she pulled him into the main street of Coumarine City.
"So, what is there to do in Coumarine City?" Misty asked, sparing a single glance to Ash
The noon sun was high enough that Ash knew the sky was the limit. However, this city wasn't his target. Yes, he enjoyed waiting at the harbor for her, but her noon arrival put a damper on his plans. Ash completed his league duties in Coumarine City yesterday and had inaccurately told Misty when she was planning this trip, that he would be in the city longer than he expected. Unfortunately, Ash needed to be in Lumiose City tomorrow.
Oh, boy. Being a Kalos champion was a blast. It didn't help that he was terrible about managing his time. He slapped his forehead.
Misty raised her eyebrows, "...hmm?" She hummed, narrowing her eyes at him.
Under her radiant gaze, he shifted uncomfortably and scratched his cheek. He hadn't told Misty there was a change in their plans yet...
"Well, you see, there was a mixup. I have to be in Lumoise City for a meeting tomorrow, so we need to hit the road if we're going to make it there on time..." Ash said glumly, looking at Misty from the corner of his eye with an expression of pure defeat.
He promised to make her visit worthwhile, that they would visit the islands and ride on the monorail, but that was before he realized how busy this week was going to be—if he hadn't missed her like crazy, he might have even canceled. This was the first time he was seeing her again, and he could barely speak. Nonchalantly, Misty pointed to the monorail station in question.
"We can always take the train if you need, Ash. It's not a big deal."
Ash sighed heavily, lowering his shoulders before shaking his head gently. "The walk is so much nicer though..."
She inhaled with quirked eyebrows; "You're broke aren't you?"
"Completely," he scratched the side of his cheek bashfully.
"How?! What happened to your prize money?" Misty quipped, yanking on Ash's shoulder and spinning him around to face her.
"Well... I sort of had... outstanding debts to pay back... plus, you know. My mom needed some..."
"You had debt? How?"
"I've been traveling for eight years, Mist. Of course, I have debt. My mom hasn't been able to pay for everything." Ash whined, trying to use pikachu as a shield for cover from the enraged female. She brushed her hand against her face in defeat and shook her head.
"Alright... I guess that's fair enough." She sighed, folding her arms begrudgingly. "But doesn't the Kalos League pay you now?"
"Yeah, but not until the end of the month. It's a salary thing or something." He muttered.
Misty laughed inwardly at Ash's lack of information and tapped her fingers against her forehead. She supposed most new league champions didn't know what was expected of them right away, and since Ash wasn't used to having any responsibility whatsoever, he was probably stressed out about all the new information.
"Well, at least let me pay to-"
"Absolutely not!" he whined, throwing his arms up. "You're supposed to be my guest—and besides the walk is so much nicer!"
Misty snorted at his response but decided to play along in silent agreement. She had a feeling that the longer it took to get the Lumoise City, the less he was expected to do. That was fine. She would enjoy the privacy a walk between cities would create.
Unconsciously, they had walked into the street, moving towards a pokemon center as they talked.
"Man, I bet you miss being the Orange League champion now." She mused, "Weren't you just supposed to mail a postcard every so often, and then they would send you a check?" She giggled with a cheery grin. Ash glared in response—no, the orange league never paid him because it was never an official league, and Misty knew that. His lips pursed.
"Well... I know Kanto doesn't have the best salaries, so it'll save us both money." He tried to rationalize with her frugal side, to which Misty always responded.
"I don't need you to help me budget my money, Ash." she winked at him. "You might need my help, though."
His heart swooned. He looked away.
"Oh, thank Arceus, because I'm pretty terrible at it." Ash tugged at his collar.
"Clearly." Misty partially rolled her eyes. "So... you paid back your mom?"
"Yeah, when I got home. Despite the chaos, I wanted to make sure mom wasn't short. Besides, how do you think she got all that food?" He chuckled while rubbing the back of his neck nervously, a pink tint covering his cheeks.
"Fair enough. I wish my sisters would learn that."
Ash wasn't sure how to approach his next question, as finances were never something that either of them discussed. They... honestly hadn't spent enough time together to discuss many subjects. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that he had a lot of ground to recover.
"...Do they owe you money?"
Misty blew a strange of hair from her face.
"Of course. Between water ballets, and funding their schooling over the years, they owe me a ton of money." She paused awkwardly, probably as uncomfortable as Ash was. "I mean, they tried to make back the money by performing and helping on the side with swim lessons—but their successes haven't been great. I'm not in debt or anything, but I can't afford help at the gym right now, either."
"No help, huh?" Ash rubbed his chin. "Is that why you have such a hard time leaving the gym?"
Misty slumped her shoulders. "Yeah, but I'm also a bit of a control freak."
Having grown comfortable with her arm hooked in his, he slipped his fingers down her wrist and laced their fingers together in support. Misty smiled warmly at the touch, though it wouldn't last long as the pokemon center doors opened.
"You don't need to tell me that you're a control freak. Brock and I both know." Ash laughed, thinking he was being funny, but Misty deadpanned, and gave his hand a playful squeeze.
She was about to reprimand him when shrill voices encircled them.
"Oh my mew, is that him?!" Screamed a group from the entrance of the center they were passing, Ash's face fell as he turned to see the group of fans holding pictures of his face. Nurse Joy stood in the back, trying to calm the waves of people, but they had no boundaries and quickly made a run for him.
"It is him!" Another screamed.
Shit. He forgot completely about the crazy fans! He and Misty weren't supposed to take the main city streets. Awestruck, Misty froze. Panic fueled, Ash's tugged Misty down the street mercilessly. Ash never thought he would have a fan club. Years ago, they used to tease Gary about having rabid girls chasing him. Now it was Ash's turn to experience that, and it wasn't exactly fun. Ash didn't think winning a league would land him this much popularity, but everywhere he went, he had to watch his step because he never knew who he would run into. As they turned a corner, he heard another scream from behind him and then abruptly shoved Misty into an alleyway behind one of the shops. Ash pushed her behind a dumpster, and then crouched with her. His heart was racing, and he felt Misty's pounding against his arm that she held onto.
"Are they always like that?" Misty asked, her breath slowing.
"Not always. Depends on how many there are and which group it is." Ash grimaced, "The pokemon centers are the worst."
"...which group?"
Ash blinked at her, finally seeing her concerned face in the dark alley. "...uhm, well..." he offered a slight smile. "Yeah. There's a group that tries to follow me everywhere...then there's..."
"Shh-" Misty said, holding her finger to his lips as the scuffle of feet that left them started back this way. Ash grabbed Misty's hand and started through the alley.
"We don't have time to stop. Did you bring supplies with you?"
"What? No." Misty scowled, "I was under the impression that we were staying here." There was an edge to her tone that told him she wasn't very happy with the turn of events, but he'd have to deal with that later. Ash smiled awkwardly.
"Have you ever seen rabid fans?" Ash questioned her as they stopped at the end of the alley, Misty shook her head.
Ash nodded, believing her skepticism. He once believed that skepticism as well. After all, how could people who were his fans be that terrible? However, when he lifted his shirt, to show her the dozen or so scratch marks her face paled. Some light, some deep. She covered her mouth when he lifted his left sleeve to show the marks there, and then unzipped his collar to show where one overzealous man got him into a chokehold and in his excitement, nearly suffocated him. There was bruising that matched the mark on his nose. Misty reached out to touch him, but he zipped the injury away and then pointed at the fence across the street from the alley.
"As I was saying," He suggested, "Let's get the hell out of here."
While Ash led her to the metal fence, she tried to wrap her head around what scenario. "Is that the real reason you won't take the train?"
Ash and pikachu both paused with one foot in the chain rungs. "Hmm... No. But that is a good point."
"Arceus, Ash." She huffed. If he'd seen her face, he might not have been so nonchalant. She was furious and concerned, but she wasn't sure which feeling was stronger than the other right now.
"What makes you think they won't follow you on the path?"
Ash was already halfway up the fence when he paused to stare down at her.
"Well, they never have before... Plus, you aren't the only one I forgot to tell that I was leaving the city."
He was hopeless. Completely hopeless. Misty shook her head, laughing. "Jeeze, maybe we should just call you 'Gary Jr.'?"
Sitting at the top of the fence, he looked down at her seriously. Slowly, he raised an eyebrow and grinned mischievously.
"Would you wear a cheerleading outfit?" He mused while pikachu snorted, and jumped off into the forest. Misty crossed her arms defensively.
"...What?" her face lit up, "No!"
Ash laughed at her response, but then gestured to the fence. "Alright. C'mon."
Misty stared at him. She never agreed to jump a fence, and as her hands slide from being crossed to her hips, she shook her head.
"...This may be the most romantic thing you've ever done." Her tone was soaked in sarcasm.
Ash extended his hand for Misty while she rolled her eyes, but accepted his offer. He squeezed her fingers to ensure he had a firm grip, and then yanked her up, off of her feet while she hoisted herself over the lip of the fence. However, she did not have the same grasp on the fence as Ash did, so when she tried to balance her weight, she went over the top and fell to the forest floor with a thud.
"Jeeze, Mist, haven't you jumped a fence before?" Ash mocked playfully while landing gracefully beside her.
"I've jumped them before." She grumbled, embarrassed as she rubbed her lower back. "I lost my balance, is all..."
She glared at him while he squatted down beside her. Was he mocking her? She scowled.
"Should I be worried that you're so good at jumping fences? Are you going to tell me next that you can pick locks and hotwire cars?"
"I may know some of those things..." He offered slyly.
"Oh please! Like hell you do." Misty groaned, throwing up her arms as he sprung to his own feet. He naturally grabbed her hand, and pulled her up. She winced, as it was the hand she'd had stitches in a bit ago and was still sore.
There was a pause from her reaction. She looked at his hand, then his eyes, which also looked at their hands and her wrist. Before he could ask, she released him from the awkward spell by letting go of his hand. Ash made an inaudible sound with his mouth while Misty crossed her arms. Pikachu returned from the forest to check on the duo. He looked at both trainers who were rooted in spot. Feeling the tension, he sighed, then started back into the forest. It was his small and polite way to give the two 'love birds' some space. Hearing the sound of buzzing, Misty groaned while following the rodent. All she needed to make her day that much better was bugs.
"I'm glad I wore jeans after all." She grumbled, dusting off her pants.
"Don't tell me you lost your sense of adventure." Ash laughed nervously, following her steps. The unfamiliar shrubs of the forest floor and large trees quickly enveloped them. Within a few steps, the sounds of young girls screaming faded as the forest took its hold.
"I haven't lost anything." She pushed a low-hanging branch out of her way, "I just hope we don't end up getting lost because I do have to leave tomorrow evening if you remember... and now I have to change the location I'm leaving from. ugh."
"Don't remind me." Ash quietly replied.
On that small note, they walked tensely. The flights from Kalos and Kanto were nearly twelve hours, the boat rides were about the same and the time difference was eight hours, so even though they planned for two days, it was really only one, unless they stayed up all night. Ash and Misty sighed in unison, but neither had the nerve to break the silence. They let the sounds of the forest contain them. Besides the sound of their feet trudging across twigs and fallen leaves was pikachu humming in the distance. The wind canceled the sound of their breathing, and Ash urged himself to speak.
Ask her about her travel. Ask her about the gym. Ask her what her sisters said when they found out she and Ash were dating. Ask about the league or her pokemon. Ask anything! Inwardly, he pulled his hair out until he ran into her back when she suddenly stopped. His hat popped up, off of his head temporarily, and he rubbed his sore nose as he followed her gaze.
"Wow, you were right." She feigned amazement as she pointed up ahead. Stepping over a larger bush and onto a dirt path that ran through the forest. Pikachu danced cheerfully on the path. Misty pointed at Ash who followed.
"Did you develop a sense of direction?" Misty asked sarcastically with a blink.
"I've always had a sense of direction." He argued with a slight grin.
"...uh-huh." She snorted, "Ash, do you remember when we got lost in a forest for five days? I nearly developed hay fever."
"That was a long time ago." He grumbled, "And you could have said something if you're so great with directions." As he spoke, he pulled her in the direction of Lumoise City.
"I tried!" Misty exclaimed. "But you, Ketchum, always knew the way. You wouldn't listen to anyone else."
"That's because I knew there was a way!" he coughed, "...But not how to get there."
Misty stuck her tongue out in retaliation and walked ahead of him while pulling her backpack onto both shoulders instead of the one. Ash laughed.
"Oh man, this is gonna be a long walk, pikachu." Ash joked and followed her.
XOX
They walked for hours. They talked about nothing. If they weren't throwing out insults or reminiscing on that one time', they were awkwardly walking, driving pikachu nuts, and unsure of how to talk to each other. Ash had no idea how this happened. They were never awkward like this before. Eventually, as the sun was beginning to set, Misty threw her arms up and exhaled.
"Alright, you win the bet, Ash. I'm done."
Ash stopped then looked back at her. She hunched forward, pressing her hands on her knees tiredly. For a passing glance, Ash stared down the road heading towards Lumoise City. It was only a few more hours. They could make it if they kept walking. Ash fidgeted, his thought process brought pikachu to smack him on the head and whisper into Ash's ear to be considerate for once.
"See... You are out of shape."
Misty froze and glared at him. "Word of advice?" She said and hit him on the shoulder when he approached her.
"Don't tell your girlfriend she's out of shape!"
"Ow, ow, ow." Ash grimaced, holding his arm while pikachu belted out laughter. "I'm sorry! You were the one saying you weren't used to hiking trails anymore."
"That doesn't mean I'm out of shape. I could swim laps around you in a swimming pool!" She growled, face red from embarrassment.
"Well, if you're actually tapping out, that'll be ten bucks." He grumbled but Misty wagged her finger at him.
"Not until I get that twenty for winning our bet on ponytas."
"...a..." Ash blinked and then shook his head. "That was years ago!"
"It might have been years ago. But I still won. Twenty dollars, man... and interest for insulting me." She growled but winked to let him know that the latter part of her statement was a joke. Ash blushed and followed her as she moved toward the tree line.
With the sun setting, the forest grew ever quieter. The moon was absent tonight and provided no light for the couple as they stumbled to the tree, and Misty leaned against the rough surface and lifted her feet.
"I wore the worst shoes for this," she said, digging her boots into the dirt and then lifting them; like that helped at all.
"Why'd you wear 'em then?" He asked skeptically, looking at her feet. She glowered at him.
"Because..." She spoke with a low and unimpressed tone, "I wanted to look nice and we weren't supposed to be hiking through forests."
Ash's wide-eyes found hers in the dark, and he tapped his fingers together. Was she frustrated? She sounded frustrated. He honestly didn't think that she would mind the travel... except, he saw where she might have been a tad underprepared. Ash rubbed the back of his neck apologetically.
"Sorry, Mist. I should have let you know."
"This is why you need a cellphone, Ash." She growled and sat down while pulling off her backpack and rummaging through the contents.
"They're kind of expensive, is all." Ash justified his reasoning for not having one. Misty shrugged.
"They're useful." She briefly glared at him, "Especially for situations like this."
"...Sorry," he said.
Misty removed a pair of red sandals that were buried at the bottom of her bag. Then she pried her boots off one shoe at a time, then her socks, and wiggled her toes into the sandals. With a sigh of relief, she packed the boots into her bag harshly. Crouched beside her, Ash watched wordlessly. Those were not walking shoes, either. In fact, they might have been worse.
"I practically live in sandals at the gym." She clarified, and then stood up. "They don't match my jeans, but whatever. My sisters aren't here to judge my style."
"...you care if they judge your style?" He asked, following her motions.
"I mean... a little. They're very stylish."
"Yeah, but..." Ash snorted prepared to argue. However, the glare she gave him, and the claws digging into his neck from pikachu, told him to shut his mouth and say nothing. He grinned nervously but did not finish his original thought.
"...We should probably set up camp..." Ash suggested. Misty crossed her arms but nodded her agreement.
Thankfully, it wasn't pitch black tonight, but unless they worked fast, there wouldn't be light to work with. They separated and already knew their tasks. Misty cleared a small area and made a fire pit with stones. Ash collected sticks for firewood since Misty couldn't wander into the grassy forest in sandals, and returned them to the redhead. She started the fire with a few clicks from a rock and some flint from Ash's back, and an orange and yellow blaze swallowed the wood twig by twig. It was like she hadn't been absent for five years. Building a fire was like riding a bike, she supposed. Ash sat beside her.
"Do you want the bad news?"
"...Bad news?" She asked, leaning on her palms which were flush against the dirt trail.
"I only have some dried fruit and an apple." He held up and Misty blinked at the small amount of food in his hand.
Pikachu squeaked, Ash glared, but then handed the apple to pikachu who rolled away with it to eat in peace. Ash grumbled, but when looked at Misty, she had a cute smile on her face as she shook her head at his antics.
"Tonight... we eat like kings." She whispered in a hoarse voice. Ash laughed but rolled his eyes.
"Bite me."
"I'm not a cannibal... yet," Misty answered while taking a few of the dried fruits from his hand and chewing on them.
"Yet?" He laughed, shaking his head.
"Yeah, you bring me on another trip like this, and I will cut you up and serve you the same way the witch does to Hansel and Gretal."
"Misty..." Ash grumbled, trying to prevent himself from smiling. "They killed the witch."
"Yeah. In one version of the story." Misty bounced an eyebrow and Ash finally broke into stitches of laughter.
They ate their berries, and then Misty pulled out a nutrient bar and some granola to share, and it ended up not being too bad of a meal. She pointed out that he should be thankful that she was a snacker on her boat ride, otherwise, they would only have berries to tide them over until they got to Lumoise City tomorrow morning.
"...Like I said... I'm not the greatest at planning..." He said bashfully.
"It's been years since I've done this, Ash." She pointed at him, grinning. "And I'm managing."
Ash raised his eyebrows. "If you're so great, you could always join me again, you know."
"Then who would run the gym?" She scoffed with a vibrant, dazzling smile. His heart skipped, he forced his eyes to look at the fire.
"Hire. Some. Help?" He advised sarcastically.
"Oh?" She wiggled an eyebrow and shoved him playfully with her shoulder. "Are you offering?"
"What?" He gasped. "No."
"Then why should I follow you?" She asked, pressing her fingers against her knees with a knowing grin. Ash glowered.
"The wilderness is way better than a stinky old gym."
Misty's expression changed instantly. "It's not stinky. Or old." She looked down at herself. "I don't stink do I?"
"What-? No!" he smacked his forehead. Where would she get that idea from? Honestly, though, Ash wasn't sure if she smelled or not-he wasn't wandering around sniffing her. She frowned.
"Then why would you call it stinky? It's not like you've been there for years."
"I meant it as an insult. Not that it's really stinky." Ash tried to clarify.
"Right. Insult my livelihood. That's better."
Misty-I-" He started but when he looked up at her, her grin told him that she was joking. Ash deflated, pouted, and then crossed his arms. "Not cool."
"Oh, please. You think working in the league is going to be any better than working in a 'stinky old gym'?" She grinned and Ash blinked and looked away from her.
...He hadn't actually thought much about what it would be like. Currently, most of his time was spent going town to town to meet the gym leaders, town officials, and familiarize himself with some of the people working in the region. Ash pursed his lips.
"Way better." He pointed out stubbornly, whether he knew the answer to that or not. Misty stuck out her hand.
"Bet?"
"...I'm not betting you."
"Scared?" She challenged, Ash scoffed and shook her hand.
"No way. My job's gonna be way better than yours."
"Alright." Misty snickered. "We'll see."
Ash tucked his arms around his knees, glaring at her while she poked the fire with a stick.
Once again, they sat in absolute silence between them. Crickets played in the background, humming the dark overtone of the forest while Misty tossed pikachu's apple core into the fire to watch it burn. Pikachu kneaded Ash's backpack and then passed out beside the trainers while they listened to the crackle of the fire. The quiet was anything but peaceful to Ash, who was once again reminded that this was the first time seeing her. Would be one of the few times before she was gone again, and he'd only managed to make jokes and insult her. Ash inhaled, exhaled, and finally spoke.
"Sorry about having to bail so quickly..."
"You better be." She said flatly but then giggled. Her laughter always twisted his stomach into knots.
"It doesn't matter, really. If anything, Lumiose City has cheap flights to Cerulean City with the large airport there." Misty pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them.
"...but, I wish that you had told me sooner, so I could have better prepared, and, I don't know..." for a moment, he thought she would be sincere as the fire illuminated her features, but her stoic face caught him off guard.
"...Wore sneakers." She finished flatly, and then they both broke into fits of laughter.
"Well, Lumiose has the Prism tower, anyway." Ash stifled his laughter with the flat of his hand.
She did love the Prism Tower. It was the closest living architect that mimicked the Eiffel tower in the world. Misty gushed about the place since they were children. Strange that she'd never gone to see it before now. She smirked thinking about the glowing tower. It had always been a pipe dream to take her boyfriend there and to think that it was actually going to happen. On her first trip, no less. Feeling giddy while she stared at the fire, she thought that her sore feet were well worth the wait.
Meanwhile, Ash sighed in relief. After two weeks apart, he was glad that not much changed between them.
"I missed this," he muttered, referencing the laughter shared around the fire.
Their hands twitched beside one another, close enough to grab, but he wasn't sure if he should. He wanted to, but how was he supposed to make that happen? Her nonchalant nature calmed his nerves, but at the same time created a million different questions on how he was supposed to behave. Misty was quick-witted, generally crazy, easy to anger, and yet mature enough to know the appropriate time to be any of those three things. She was also very forgiving of his greater flaws, such as planning. It made the whole scenario in which he had a long list of responsibilities a little less painful, and so he tried to reach for her, only to have her move forward at the same time, and his hand touched air. He scratched his head uncomfortably, withdrawing his attempt.
"We still have to set up the tent, too." He nodded sadly, to which Misty raised her eyebrows while warming her toes by the fire.
"Since when does Ash Ketchum sleep in a tent?" She asked while tucking her hands between her knees. The reflection of the fire in her sea-green eyes bore holes into his skull so he looked away.
"Since I realized thieves and wild pokemon are a very real threat."
"...and a tent would help you how?" She mocked, nudging him and sending a shiver down his spine.
"Why? Do you not want a tent?" He grumbled.
Surprisingly, she flopped backward and extended her arms outward as dust circled around her.
"No." She said breathlessly. "You can't see the stars inside of a tent."
Ash's face flushed but he fell backward beside her. Even in the dark of the night, the twinkle of the stars above made themselves forever luminescent. Ash had grown accustomed to sleeping inside that he almost forgot how little he actually needed to. Ash's entire journey with Brock and Misty was nearly devoid of tents unless absolutely necessary. Plus, in the Kanto region, which was known for its warm seasons, it was rare to need shelter. He smiled fondly up at the night sky while Misty twisted her hands together on her stomach, he missed looking at the stars. She did, too.
"Is it-""Mist..."
They looked over at one another, having started to speak at the same time, and laughed earnestly.
"You first," Misty spoke first but Ash shook his head having lost his nerve as he flushed and turned away from her.
"No it's alright, go ahead."
She shrugged but returned her gaze to the sky as pikachu pandered around their heads and found perch on Ash's stomach.
"Is it weird traveling by yourself?"
"No, not really. I always have pikachu with me, so I'm never really alone." he replied, patting the mouse pokemon and hearing a soft 'chaa' in response.
"I guess so." Misty said quietly while thinking about his suggestion to 'come back'.
It was clearly not an option right now, but someday... she bit her lower lip, maybe someday, if luck would have her. Unnaturally, her hand found his hand. She felt him flinch, but she stroked the length of his thumb regardless. He was stiff, surprised that she grabbed his hand so easily, while he wasn't even sure if he could-or should!
Sometimes, part of him wondered if the events from two weeks ago even happened. Did he dream all of it? His imagination was a little crazy sometimes, and the only reason he didn't think he'd dreamed it all up, was because she was here. Ash's breath hitched.
On the other hand, Misty was well aware that it wasn't a dream or her imagination. Up until the moment she got onto the ferry, she had a faint, sickly doubt that Ash changed his mind, one that kept her up in the middle of the night pestering her. After all, he didn't reply to her emails, and his outdated pokegear didn't have near the reception that a cellphone would. Plus, now he seemed to act like they weren't dating at all. She was the one instigating all their touches, small or not. She strangled an exhale. How frustrating.
They laid in the middle of the trail going to Lumoise City as if nothing had happened. Neither good nor bad. They were neutral ground. Platonic. She stopped moving her finger, an action that brought Ash back to reality to face her. She scowled at the sky. He had no idea why. Panic filled his heart.
"I guess if we're going to be up early tomorrow, we should get to bed." He suggested.
"I suppose so." She shrugged, sitting up to poke at the small fire and break the wood apart so it would fall and diminish. In the meantime, Ash flipped open his backpack and pulled out his familiar blue sleeping bag, and rolled it out beside the fire. Misty curled her knuckle beneath her chin and watched him with great attention as he tugged at the strands and fluffed it out carefully.
"You still have that tent?" She asked nervously, to which Ash blinked up at her.
Ash stuck his tongue out at her playfully, "I thought you didn't like tents?"
"Err..." her face flushed, redder because of the fire, "I didn't bring a sleeping bag with me." She confessed, causing Ash to fall over into the dirt.
"What do you mean?" He gasped.
"As I've said many times now... I didn't think we were going to be leaving the city, so I didn't bring one." She grumbled, pouting her lips. His jaw dropped and his face turned scarlet red, watching her casual gaze. His mouth moved before his mind could catch up.
"We could..." He gulped nervously, losing his nerve until pikachu kicked him on the leg to speak, "...share..." he squeaked, twiddling his fingers together.
A pause followed. He watched her expression. His mouth felt very dry. Misty raised her eyebrows and lowered eyelids as if asking him 'really?'
"Ash, you look like you're going to explode from the suggestion. I'll be fine."
"No way! You can't sleep without cover. I'll sleep on the dirt and you can have the bag."
Her face screwed up. "Or, we could put up the tent."
"You can't see the stars from the tent! Besides, I'm used to sleeping on the dirt."
Frantic, he collected his bag from the ground and practically threw it at her. She caught it and put out a small flame that started because of his carelessness around the fire. While he was explaining why it made sense to sleep on the dirt and she took the bag, she swatted at him to settle down.
"It's fine..." her face turned red. "Just sit down, we'll share if you're that opposed to putting the tent up." She assured him.
Ash's face fell, hearing her say it made him back out of the idea completely. Nervous, he put his hands up.
"It's okay. We'll put the tent up."
Misty seethed with demons in her eyes.
Pikachu burned the tent.
Ash relented, and after a few struggling minutes, both of their bodies were entangled in his blue sleeping bag.
"See, it isn't so bad," Misty grumbled while she zipped the side until they were snug.
Ash's arms were crossed over his chest as he laid on his back while Misty struggled to make room, swearing at her jeans for their constricting binds that shorts would otherwise ignore. Tired, she finally sighed, rolled onto her side to look at Ash, who looked terrifyingly into the night sky. Misty propped her chin upon her hand and her elbow on the dirt. Ash was stiff as a mummy, his face was bright red, she was surprised she kept her cool this long. Frustration made her focus. Testing the waters, she brushed her hand over his head and removed his hat.
"This is a nice ice breaker, don't you think?" She asked with both eyebrows raised, her lips drawn into a foxy smirk.
Ash did not, could not, would not, look at her. He shuddered at the closeness of her voice. The heat of her entire body was pressed against his own, warming the bag. Even though it wasn't hot, he was boiling in the cool night air. Pikachu laughed at them from his own blanket made up of Ash's backpack. Helplessly, Ash glared at the rat. Yeah, real funny.
"Sure..." he answered with a nervous swallow. Misty's gaze never faded.
"You know, if you lay on your side this would be a lot more comfortable for the both of us." She suggested.
When he didn't move. Misty's eye twitched.
"...I could lay on top of you if that helps."
Ash turned so quickly it surprised her. He shifted onto his left side so he was facing her, rather than facing away from her. She relaxed finally and eased beneath the cover. She stared at him, he looked anywhere but at her. He was going to make himself dizzy at all the new directions. When he looked at her though, his heart threatened to explode and he didn't feel like dying tonight.
Misty smacked her lips a few times, weighing his response before she said: "At least we have a funny story to share with our friends?"
Ash covered his face with the hands that were pressed against his chest and whimpered.
"You're going to tell people this?"
She snickered. "Why not?"
He didn't reply, simply kept his face covered and the humor in Misty's expression faded. Not that he'd notice behind his hands. Suddenly, the question she'd had poking at her since the first week without a phone call was at the tip of her tongue, and she sighed.
"Ash, are we okay?"
"I'm fine." He squeaked.
She rolled her eyes. "Not you. Us. You and me."
"We?" he echoed awkwardly. He lowered his hands slightly after hearing the urgency in her voice and blinked at her.
She was really close. The last time they were this close, they'd been kissing outside the train station...or in the movie theatre. His face turned a shade darker, and he tried to cover his face again until she sighed and grabbed his hands with her own to prevent him from hiding again. Misty's gaze shifted her brows knitted together. They both laid flush on their arms, staring at each other in the barely-flickering firelight.
"Yeah, us." her cheeks were pink, "Are we okay?"
"Oh," Ash cleared his throat, he tried to look away but there was nowhere else to look except the ground or the sky. "I think so. Aren't we?"
Her mouth twitched. "Can you look at me and say that?"
Nope. He confessed to himself, and when he didn't look at her and say anything, she sighed at his evasiveness. Since he didn't answer, and she was feeling a bit vindictive, she nuzzled her head against Ash's chest. He froze, coiled into a catatonic state, and then she breathed extra-long against his chest. He shuddered and his fingers felt tingly, in her hands while he tried to form words, or sentences, or thoughts. He'd spent the last three weeks since he won the damn league trying to turn his brain off, now he couldn't get his mind to work because she was too friggin close?!
They were okay, right? He should be able to say that. They were fine. they were a couple... they were sharing a sleeping bag. He squeezed his eyes shut.
"I know that I offered, but I've never shared my sleeping bag."
She sighed, her breath caused shivers again.
"It's not that big of a deal." She attempted to calm him down.
Not that big of a deal? Pffffft. Ash shook his head slightly, tried to look down at her, but only saw her red hair. It was a big deal to him. This was the closest thing he had to a house on the road!
Ash scowled. "What do you mean? Have you?"
"Well, with my sisters, when we were growing up. There were even a few short years of my life when I had to share a bed with Violet." She chuckled at the memory.
That did not help, even when she moved her hand to trail up his arm.
"That's different," Ash said stubbornly. Way different.
"Is it?" She egged him on and leaned back to watch the blush return to his cheeks. "Why?"
"...Well, you see, because..." he stammered. "Those are your sisters, and we're..."
"...we're...?" she challenged, squinting.
Because they were dating. He thought to himself.
Say it, Ash. It's four words! Out with it! He yelled internally at himself but managed only to squeak and make her laugh, instead. He deflated and swallowed hard against the lump in his throat and the thundering in his chest. This was embarrassing. Worse yet, Misty definitely felt how nervous he was; her hands were pressed against his chest. She was way too close!
"...a couple?" She leaned forward and whispered into his ear.
Ash shuddered at the sensation of her breath against his neck. Old and new feelings raced to the top of his head, and he tried to speak but found her lips instead. A brief, fleeting moment. Not nearly long enough, but a peck was enough to light his nerve system on fire. His eyes opened wide right as she spun around, faced away from him, and sunk into the sleeping bag. She pressed her back against his chest.
"Good night, Ash."
He swallowed hard when she eased against his body, exhausted from the day's walk. His arms finally relaxed, finding her waist, but he still choked on his words.
"'night."
Silence followed. A hollow, creeping silent that even the bugs around them listened to. After the last flicker of the campfire, the only sound was Misty's even breathing. She fell asleep immediately. She'd just traveled all morning, and then again. Exhaustion took her quickly. Meanwhile, Ash laid there for what felt like hours.
He couldn't relax. He closed his eyes but was hyperaware of every part of their bodies that made contact. She fit against him like a puzzle piece. He was uncomfortable, unsure of where to place his hands. Not because he didn't enjoy it... because he enjoyed this feeling so much, he was certain it was something he wanted to get used to.
When sleeping, the spontaneous, full of vigor red-head was peaceful and warm. She was soft, and the scent of her hair filled his senses. Despite being in the open breeze for hours, the smell of chlorine and wildflowers were ever apparent and it took every muscle in his body not to bury his nose in her hair, and squeeze her as tight as humanly possible. Why hadn't he done that before she fell asleep?
Why was he acting so awkward? This should have been a comfort zone for them. He tried to make space in the bag, but every time he moved, she scooted back until his warmth mingled with hers. However, this back and forth was doing nightmarish things to his mind and body, and he felt lightheaded while he wished for someone to bonk him over the head, so might rest a few hours before daylight.
Why couldn't he relax? It was only Misty... His face flushed thinking of her name. It's because it was Misty! Their relationship was still so new. He'd honestly only spent one day as her 'boyfriend' before they separated, and this was day two, two weeks later. Nevermind he spent the day acting like they were only friends because he was too nervous to act on any of those creeping emotions in the back of his mind. He wanted to hold her hand. Hold her. Kiss her.
Aaaghh, I'm going insane! He thought bitterly and exhaled. He peered his eyes open, wishing she'd wake up now because, after the hour or so of her body pressed against his, he wasn't as nervous. After all, he couldn't imagine a way they'd be closer than this. She was right, sharing a sleeping back didn't only break the ice, it melted it.
"...You're driving me crazy," he whispered into the night, but she responded with light breathing and Ash finally put his head down, and squeezed his eyes shut.
This was his life now. Partially cold, terribly uncomfortable, and sharing a single person sleeping bag with her.
XOX
The following morning was bright. Sun illuminated the forest and when it reached the treeline, Ash stirred immediately.
Their position hadn't changed much, except that Ash wrapped both of his arms around her. One around her waist, the other he had extended as a pillow. Misty grasped his hand gently, and her body was flush against hist. His eyelids were heavy. He woke up early because he had to travel, but he still wasn't a morning person. Ash licked his dry lips and partially forgot he was sleeping with Misty, or the nervousness he felt the night before. Regardless, he tried to pull her closer, coiled his legs against hers, and nestled his face against the back of her neck to block the sun. He needed another hour, at least.
"...Are you awake?" Misty's voice cracked his concentration. Her movement drew a grumble from his voice as he tugged her closer to hold her still. Her skin felt hot where his lips pressed against her neck.
"No," he finally muttered.
Misty squirmed again, specifically trying to move away from his legs. Her movement only brought him closer. It was chilly, and she was unbelievably warm in the sleeping bag. Honestly, he had no idea why he was making such a fuss about sleeping beside her. Fatigue killed his nerves and now he did not want to get up. Misty cleared her throat.
"Did you sleep okay?" Misty said, inching away from him again. This time, Ash didn't pull her back, he moved forward and she froze.
Ash huffed, "I slept."
"...Well... aren't you ready to get going?" her voice pitched worriedly. If Ash was more awake, he might have questioned why.
"...mmm... no." He grunted, unwilling to tell her that he was up all night freaking out about touching her. Funny, because now he latched onto her like a lifeline.
"Ehem," She tried again, "Ash, if we don't get up, we're going to be late for your meeting—and look, even pikachu is ready."
Misty tried pointing at pikachu who playfully wore Ash's cap on top of his head, totally unaware of their circumstance. Ash grunted an inaudible response and sighed into her hair again, which made her shiver. Her movements felt nice and he snuggled her closer until she squeaked. Her eye twitched, face beet red but a frown was on her soft lips.
"I... uh," She grimaced and tried to pull away again. "Don't you think we're a little close?"
...oh no. Ash's eyes twitched, vomit rose to the back of his throat. All too aware of what she meant now. He froze, his arms felt like weights...but he carefully moved it up, and away from her waist as she spoke.
"Let me rephrase that... Don't you think you're a little close?"
Ash was out of their sleeping arrangements in record time. When he pulled himself out of the bag, he twisted out onto the open dirt, found his shoes, nearly tossed the sleeping bag over the top of Misty, and did not wait for her to follow because he was gone. Yes, it was normal. Yes, he'd been told it was a sign of good health.
It was also friggin embarrassing and how did he not notice?!
"You forgot your sleeping bag!" Misty shrieked and looked around their make-shift camp at pikachu, and Ash's hat.
"...And me!" she added, but he was really hoofing it down the path. She watched him with awe...and then frustration. She pulled together the sleeping bag using the straps, tied it onto her own backpack, and then grabbed Ash's hat while pikachu hopped onto her shoulder.
"C'mon pikachu, we have to catch up to your..." She paused, inhaled, and then shouted, "...Immature trainer!"
Ash nearly tripped at her shout, but that didn't slow him down, and he did not look back at her.
Nope. nope. He wasn't even going to be able to look at her for the next hour. There was no way he was going to stop.
XOX
They didn't talk directly about that morning, but it didn't stop Misty from making jokes during their three-hour trek. Ash was starting to regret bringing her by the last line of jokes before they reached the city.
"I guess we could take a shortcut..." She said, looking at him with narrowed eyes. Ash's mood soured after the first six jokes, he wasn't expecting anything else, but he gave her the benefit of the doubt and glared at her.
"...but it wood be a little hard to find the path."
"Shut up!" he shouted from embarrassment.
Misty grinned, his shout didn't faze her at all. She pretended to clean her ear as the cityscape came into their view and Ash covered his face. Pikachu walked confusingly beside the both of them, for once, having no idea what they were batting about. Misty, snapped her fingers and smacked her lips while pointing at the city.
"...I guess I know why you didn't want to pitch a tent if we were this close."
"...I swear to..." Ash grumbled, slapping his face, while she continued.
"Okay... I'll stop..." She sighed dramatically.
"Finally." Ash sighed, but Misty snickered.
"...because sleeping on the ground made us both stiff."
Ash took his hat off and swatted at her several times but she laughed it off. It was the least-damaging defense he could manage when she made terrible puns at his expense that wouldn't hurt her.
"Was that too on the nose? Should I-" Ash finally put his hand over her mouth, and shushed her.
"Please stop."
She stared at him for a while, they were no longer moving, and her brows twitched. Ash wasn't going to remove his hand until she agreed. However, standing so close to her, his body felt flushed and he wanted to release her immediately. His eyes pleaded for mercy and she messed with him long enough. Reading the pleas in his eyes, she finally nodded. Relieved, Ash sighed and released her.
"Thank you, plus we're almost in the city, anyway." He said, gesturing to the urban areas that took over the fields. In the distance, they saw the tower which was not as beautiful in the daylight, but still stunning. It loomed above the rest of the city, and Misty forced down a squeal of excitement.
"We're going there, right?" She asked, pressing her hand against his shoulder as she pointed to the tower. Ash tried to ignore her hand, or proximity, or everything about how close she was to him because of her previous taunting. His mind and body were feeling things, and he wanted it to stop.
"...Yeah, after I'm done with my meetings," he said and slipped away from her grasp, which didn't go unnoticed. She clucked her tongue and pressed her forearm against his.
"Do you know anything about the tower's erection?"
"Oh, sweet baby mew, no..." Ash said, groaning as he slid his hands down his face. She giggled.
"Or why they decided to erect the tower at the center of the city?" Ash felt like ton of bricks landed on him, weighing him down as he held onto the straps of his bag, and continue walking. Misty covered her mouth.
"Can you imagine how hard it was to build?"
Didn't she understand that it wasn't only the jokes? It was her voice, how she emphasized the words in that raspy tone. He shook his head, finally unable to handle it.
Ash threw up his arms, "You know what, fine. Make jokes! I don't care!"
"...Awh, well it isn't fun if you don't care." She mewled while hooking her arm with his. He wished that she didn't. "I'll stop. But you're cute when you're red and flustered."
"...P...please don't touch me right now." He asked desperately. Her skin against his, arm or not, made his head spin and Misty relented and did as he asked; this time, letting the subject go.
"...D...Do you want me to-" Ash cut her off.
"No, no. I'd like to play the silent game until we can get breakfast."
"...okay."
XOX
Misty kept her word. She didn't make any more inappropriate puns or jokes. She kept her hands to herself, and the only time she touched him, was when he grabbed her arm to lead her to a small food cart that served breakfast sandwiches. Misty paid for their meal as an apology. Ash had orange juice, pikachu ate their pokemon-friendly options, and Misty had coffee with her sandwich. Overall, it was fine. Cheap, but it was food from a food cart, and it tasted like that.
However, it was one of the few places Ash could go in Lumoise City where people did not recognize him, either.
"Feel better?" She smiled at him and offered what she had left of her sandwich since she wasn't hungry, and Ash finished his.
He smiled, reached for the sandwich, but froze. He looked at the sandwich, then looked at her, then at the sandwich, and then slowly back at her. His face screwed up, turned red, and then he excused himself down the street. Misty sighed as they moved back toward their destination, which was the Kalos League Headquarters. A large building that housed thousands of employees and covered three blocks of the area. Next to the Prism Tower and the Richissime Hotel, was the third most popular tourist attraction in Lumoise City.
Great. She broke him. Misty sighed heavily and followed Ash. She watched him rub his temples nervously and crossed her arms. She was only trying to get him to loosen up with the jokes, she didn't mean to actually break him. Seeing him so wound up made her feel worse. He could not even look at her without panicking. It wasn't like it was a big deal. It was normal! She was only trying to make it easier to grasp by making a joke of it!
She tugged on her hair, and nearly missed when Ash stopped at the back gates of the headquarter building. Misty looked up. The building and its surrounding area were larger in person than it was from a distance. Ash checked his pokedex, and shoved it back into his pocket as he waved to one of the guards watching the gate, and let himself in. Misty stuffed her hands into her pockets, feeling out of place around all the nicely dressed people. At least Ash was still in his jeans and blazer.
"This place is huge." Misty squeaked awkwardly as he marched directly for the center building, and pulled the front doors open. Inside, the ceilings were higher than the Cerulean City Gym's. There was a desk at the center of the room, lounge areas, people talking and drinking coffee. Desks at one side, service areas-it was huge. Ash sighed at the clock.
"I'm already late." He muttered, about an entire hour late.
In a rush, he snatched Misty's hand from her wandering gaze and dragged her to the elevators. Ash clicked the button which opened the doors for the left elevator, and then dragged Misty inside before clicking the button to take them to the third floor. The elevator was pure glass. Misty had never seen anything like it, but Ash was used to it by now. She pointed at the check-in desk.
"You didn't have to check-in?" Misty asked and Ash shrugged.
"Ah, they know who I am at this point." He assured her while he dusted off his blazer and jeans. Misty helped him dust off his back.
She hadn't really taken a good look at him since they were outside, in nature, but against all the marble and fanciness of the building... he was a mess. Misty used the few minutes they had to help him out a little bit. She took out a case of wipes from her bag, took one, and then rubbed it against Ash's face without his approval. He flinched but didn't fight her motions until she thumbed a piece of his wild hair underneath his hat. Blushing, he caught her hands.
"What was that?" He grimaced.
"A moist wipe. It's to clean your face while you're traveling."
"Oh, thanks." His shoulders relaxed as she finished wiping his neck which was ticklish, so he laughed. Then she shoved the wipe into his pocket and glanced over him. He wasn't perfect, but he looked put together. A scrappy young man, if she said so herself. She grinned at him watching his eyes while he gazed at her affectionately. Something was there, that he'd been trying to avoid all day, but when he smiled, her concerns faded. It would be so easy to lean forward, close the distance between them and move past all the awkwardness... but Misty did not move. Now was not the time.
They both faced the door, and Ash exhaled.
"I'm always nervous for these things," he confessed and Misty glanced at him, unsure why she was here. She couldn't go.
"You shouldn't be. Everyone's allowed to be late on their first day."
Ash made a face, "...This isn't my first day."
"Then... It's their fault. They couldn't expect you to be in Coumarine City and then in Lumiose that quickly without providing a ticket for the monorail." Misty suggested with a wink.
Ash kicked his foot and nodded with a grin.
If only Misty was the one going into the meeting, then it wouldn't be such a big deal. Ash didn't have that, the put-together business, kind of confidence. He wasn't used to being around adults in a seat of power. Usually, Ash was the small guy, the challenger. He could count on one hand how many times he had been in charge of anything. He glanced at her, feeling a wash of guilt again.
"Once the meeting is over, you will have my full attention," he assured her as the elevator beeped, indicating their arrival on the third floor and Misty poked her tongue out at Ash with a jarring wink. She licked her lips, eyes twinkling.
"Haven't you already given me that?" she mocked with a sly grin.
Ash blushed furiously, "Misty!"
"You set yourself up!" She shouted back as the doors slid open.
The secretary at the desk near the large doors shot up from her seat and sprinted toward the door. Even in heels and a gray pencil suit, she was quick on her feet as she grabbed Ash's arm and yanked him out of the elevator.
"Ash Ketchum, you're late!" She shrieked.
Nervously, Ash offered a small shrug, ready to explain—but was not given time to. Misty stepped behind him, watching as the secretary gave him a once-over, and then shook her head as if saying 'good enough'. She pushed Ash toward the large doors just beyond her desk, and Ash dragged his feet.
"But wait," he looked to Misty, "Misty."
"Your friend can't come into meetings with you!" The stressed secretary shoved Ash toward the door, but he twisted his way from her frantic grasp easily, much to her annoyance, and made his way back to Misty who was giggling at the events in front of her.
"I promise I'll make it up to you...just," The secretary pulled his arm, and Misty leaned forward to peck his lips with a sweet smile before he was whisked away.
"Call me when you get out. You can use the landline to do that." She grinned at the defeated Ash.
With her approval, Ash submitted to the pull of the secretary and made his way to the meeting.
Ash mouthed to Misty once last time 'I'm sorry' before he was very unpleasantly shoved inside of a room with a long table and stuffy old men. Misty recognized a few people; she knew Diantha, and Malva. Their faces lit up when Ash entered the room. At least, for the whole second, she could see him.
The moment the oak doors shut, Misty let her shoulders and the grin she carried drop. A prominent frown replaced the joy, and she glanced at pikachu who intentionally waited at Misty's feet with some curiosity.
"...You didn't want to sit in a meeting with him?"
"Cha." The mouse snorted. Misty sighed pathetically.
"...I actually thought it might be fun." She confessed to the mouse who sympathetically patted her leg and then climbed up onto her shoulder.
Misty wished that Ash told her he was going to be this busy. They could have rescheduled, she could have arrived a few days later. It was not that she wasn't enjoying herself, seeing him, spending time with him... but being dangled the bait of a date, only to get hooked instead was painful. The travel was nice... but something felt off. She tried to make light of the strange feeling that morning with jokes, but she sighed and got back on the elevator.
Maybe he was having second thoughts? Maybe she was being too forward?
"Looks like it's just you and me pikachu." she said sadly as the doors closed.
Pikachu wouldn't complain. A sad Misty was a spoiling Misty, and he would have all the ketchup in the world while they waited for Ash.
XOX
It was well into the afternoon hour when the meeting ended. Ash had been scolded, not once, but three times, by the league council about showing up late. Most people seemed to assume that it would happen, and the Elite Four seemed to expect nothing less from Ash. He apologized, but apparently, that wasn't good enough.
Apparently, Ash wasn't good enough.
Ash wasn't sure if he was imagining it, but part of him felt like maybe they wanted Alain to win. Or for Ash to have never accepted the rematch. Ash shook his head, feeling smaller than a caterpie. Even though Ash was making news headlines, they weren't the kind that the league wanted to be advertised. They called his personal life messy, and to make sure it stayed private. The Kalos league was a prominent league with mega evolution and authority. They wouldn't have anyone tarnish that reputation, even if Ash helped save the region.
Everything that happened following his win in the Kalos league was made into a public affair. All kinds of media threw headlines, news reports, and magazines at him.
"Breaking up with childhood sweetheart; too close to mysterious red-head?"
"The player, Ash Ketchum"
"Power has already gone to his head; two girls, one night"
Ash was disgusted. Usually, he tuned out all the noise and focused on the positive stuff. There was twice as much positive media for him as there was negative, but the league only saw the negative. Ash didn't understand why anyone would want to spread nasty rumors about him and his friends. He hoped that the kiss Serena shared with him that started all of this would have been forgotten after a few days... but it clung for dear life. Made worse by his decision to date Misty, and not the Kalos native.
The oldest council member, Mark, encouraged Ash to understand that there is more to being a champion than simply obtaining a title; and it's far more important than women.
Being a champion is more than a title; it's a job. Ash remembered the old man saying as he shuffled awkwardly from the building and back into the buzzing city streets that never died. You, along with the Elite Four and the regional champion are supposed to observe gym leaders, run tournaments, make public appearances, and most importantly, keep the league afloat with a positive media image and assistance with new trainers. Your job is to teach as much as it is to learn—you must be a walking example.
An example, he said. Ash pinched the bridge of his nose, wondering if Misty knew anything about the articles floating around about him, about them. If she did, she didn't mention it, and probably for good reason. He had half a mind to go end the complaints with brute force. However, he also knew that would only make matters worse. Brute force and violence typically didn't fix the underlying issue: him.
When he walked out of the building, he held his face in his hands. What was he going to do?
"Ash!" Misty's voice found him, and he turned on his heels to face the woman who sat on the bench outside of the large building with one knee wrapped over the other and an ice cream cone between her fingers. Pikachu sat beside her, licking a cupful of ketchup. Ash's face fell. Shit, he forgot to call her, on top of everything else.
"Did something bad happen?" Misty's voice pressed chills through his body. He stared at her as she approached.
"Ah, no." He lied, hoping that she wouldn't catch on, but she always did.
"Glad I waited because you didn't call." She poked him playfully, but her jest fell flat and Ash grimaced.
"Sorry, have a lot on my... mind," he said watching as the remaining Elite Four members started to make their way out of the building, and only slightly shook their heads and judged him while he talked with Misty. Thank goodness her back was turned to them.
"...Did they bring up the news?" Misty asked, twisting her fingers together. Ash nodded slowly and exhaled.
"You knew?"
"Not until about an hour ago when a lady in the cafe I was sitting at threw a coin at my head. That, or she really doesn't like redheads..." She muttered licking her strawberry ice cream as pikachu hopped from the bench to waddle behind the couple. The lights illuminated the night sky and Misty's features as they started to leave the League complex. Ash's shoulders fell.
"What did you do to her...?" he stammered, glancing sideways at Misty. If Misty made a scene, that would surely make matters worse.
"I threw my chair at her and lit the cafe on fire—duh." Misty chuckled, licking her lips.
Ash yelped: "What?!"
"I'm joking, settle down." Misty grinned at him and then offered him the rest of her strawberry ice cream cone. Ash turned his nose up at very few foods, or desserts, but he did not like strawberry ice cream. He stuck out his tongue until Misty smirked.
"There's chocolate in the cone. I wasn't sure how long you were going to be, so I hedged my bet." She explained while scooping off the last pink part with her napkin and plopping it into pikachu's empty cup.
"Oh," Ash blushed. "Thanks."
He glanced down at pikachu, who had been spoiled rotten by the gym leader, and shook his head gently. Here, Ash was struggling to make amends, and pikachu was being showered with goodies.
Wanting to change the subject from the event, and tired of discussing how terrible the media or his meeting was; he was eager to ask her what she did.
"So... what did you two do while I was gone?" Ash asked, blinking down at her while she clicked her heels together and wagged a bag beside her. For starters... she changed her pants. She wore skinny jeans and a pair of high-top sneakers. That was a reasonable change in attire that he could get behind. While he nearly devoured the ice cream in one gulp, she showed off her bag.
"I went shopping, of course. I'm not going to be in Kalos very much and I doubt if I spend my time with you that I'll have a chance to go again." Misty chimed excitedly while opening the bag for Ash to see inside. He feigned excitement over a pair of shoes, a few dresses, and a few other mashed items at the bottom that she squealed happily about.
"Woo..." Ash tried, but she rolled her eyes and tucked her arm into his again. This time, he didn't run away. After being yelled at, any nerve damage she gave him that morning was dead and gone. Her touch was comforting.
"I know, yippee, girl stuff." Misty mocked and then grinned at him.
The sun already began to set, and Ash knew that meant his time with her was growing short. He released a long, exhausted sigh. This wasn't how he expected their first reunion to go. He expected it to be a lot more like their first date: full of hugs, and kisses and... his face turned red and his lips curled into an awkward smile. Yet, they ended up with was a tiresome, hurried walk, a restless night, and the rush to Lumiose City, only to be separated again. Worse, he acted like a total stranger with her, aside from that mistake, and he sighed, the embarrassment and smile lost on him as Misty nudged him gently.
"Penny for your thoughts?" She inquired, but Ash sighed again.
"Misty..." he started, but then realized that Misty led him to the Prism Tower in his stupor. One of the most 'romantic' spots in all of Kalos. His breath hitched in his throat. He almost forgot that he planned to bring her here.
"It's nothing," he responded quickly, changing his mind. He wanted to salvage the last bit of their meeting, their date, "Don't worry about it. Let's just.."
"Don't strain yourself, Ash." She patted him on the shoulder, "It's been a stressful day, let's just enjoy the last two hours we have together, alright?"
Her voice was... bitter, drawn. Ash shuddered once she tugged his hand into her own as she led him through the glass doors and directly to the elevators that would bring them to the very top of the tower.
Ah, there it was again. The familiar pattering of his heart racing inside of his chest, the feeling of her hand in his bringing overwhelming confidence into his chest that exploded once he stepped into the elevator with her. In one motion, he grabbed her, hooked his finger below her chin to make her face him—and he saw the frustration in her beautiful sea-green eyes. The disappointment. The abhorrent sadness that today hadn't gone as either of them planned. That she was trying so damn hard to make the moment lighthearted because she wanted to see him smile and not worry. That look of pure fury that she was still playing second fiddle when she should have been first. However, she couldn't get upset because he had work to do for once, not just mindless training. She was frustrated, and yet she expressed none of it so that he would be happy.
Her eyes betrayed her. Ash frowned.
Suddenly, he wanted to ask her about the gym and her sisters. Ask her what type of trainers she faced in the last two weeks or how difficult it was getting back into the swing of training. How her sisters reacted to the news, if she's caught any new pokemon, how she's been doing, what she spent her nights doing, when the split on her lip healed, and how her wrist was healing after the injury she received during their run-in with Team Rocket a few weeks ago... Instead, he couldn't frame any of these words, so he wrapped his fingers into her shortened hair, and pulled her in close.
"Ashh-" She squeaked, though his lips were on hers only a second later.
He heard the ticking of each floor they passed but he held her firmly against his body; dying to be more than friends again. The faint, familiar smell of chlorine and flowers empowered his kiss and need to hold her. As her eager arms wrapped around his neck to bring him closer, one of his came around her back—all at the rush of pikachu who tried to warn them.
Then, the blinding white flash of lights circled around them as the elevator doors tugged open on the last floor, though neither one found that they cared very much. That was one way to start their relationship. Reaching headlines by kissing Misty at the top of Prism tower was also a way of breaking the news to the world that he was, unfortunately, taken. Wrapped up in her fingers again, he found that he cared less than he should have, and kissed her again despite the cameras.
Now this, was the way to end a day.
Author's Note: edit. 2021-03-10
Changed a lot. All of their interactions were updated to sound normal. woo.
