Lion's Fang
Author's Note: Enjoy the story and R&R.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to or of the Pokémon franchise.
Pairing: Ash x Goh tension.
Summary:
The most awkward way to start a reunion.
"I KNEW IT WAS HIM, PIKACHU! GOH! GOHHH!"
"PIK –!"
The cashier shushing Ash Ketchum and Pikachu didn't make Goh feel any less seen. His back straightened as vertically as his Alolan Exeggutor's neck, terrified that of all the places, it was here he ran into his best friend of fifteen years.
They couldn't have crossed each other in the Asado Desert, where Goh could take cover behind some sand dunes? It had to be Celadon City they joined up again for the first time since their reunion dinner with Chloe last summer? Had to be where Goh was browsing literature he preferred Ash didn't know he looked at?
"Oh…Oh hi, Ash. What're you doing here?"
"Shopping for a present for Mom! What're you doing?"
"Oh, me? S-same. My mom likes to read, so I thought I'd get her a book…"
"Is that it?" Ash pointed to the book in a plastic bag Goh had clutched to his chest. "Can I see what you picked?"
"N-no, Ash! That's not –!"
"Woah. Goh, is this what I think it is?"
"ALLRIGHTYOUCAUGHTMEASH!"
"SHH!" The cashier made the gesture toward Goh this time.
"Goh? What's wrong?" Ash didn't appear to be treating it as big a deal as Goh was.
"Y-you're not weirded out, Ash?"
"Weirded out? Why would I be weirded out? You said you were buying this for your mom, weren't you? My mom has books like this too. Though hers aren't about Leon and Raihan."
"I…It's for me."
"What?"
"The book. I was buying it for myself, Ash."
"You, Goh? You read these ideas fans draw up about Leon and Raihan?"
There had to be interest if there was enough to stock two shelves, bookend to bookend, and for the section to receive its own "Leon/Raihan" tag.
Ash had a glance at the section next to the selfsame tag. "Hey! These are the ones Mom reads! I've found Mom her present!"
"Ash, you CANNOT buy that!"
"Why not?"
Did Goh have to say it?
That was clearly the Monarch and the Pokémon Professor who succeeded Professor Cerise…
That was clear as Sunny Day Ash and him on the cover!