Title: Slow

Summary: It's a slow process, but quitting wouldn't speed it up. Eventually Ash has to catch on to his own feelings, right? Right? Pokeshipping week 2023 Prompt: Slow (free choice). Oneshot.


"He's just slow at this," Brock reassured Misty one evening as she complained to the elder teen about Ash's clueless nature.

Brock, having more maturity than both preteens combined, knew his answer likely wasn't what Misty was fishing for, but he had nothing further to offer. He, along with a handful of strangers, had tried to play relationship doctor and assist the pair, but ultimately some things just took time.

At Brock's response, Misty threw her hands up in frustration and stomped off into the forest because everyone knew that slow wasn't generally a word associated with Ash Ketchum.

In everything he did, he acted first and thought through his actions after the fallout, but feelings, it seemed, were lost on him.

Still Brock seemed convinced Ash was capable of moving slow and this was just one of those instances. Misty, however, remained unconvinced Ash even had feelings to start.


The same thing happened when they were traveling in the Orange Islands with Tracey. Misty had hoped the behaviorist would have a better take on the situation as they spoke one night on the island beach, but he proved just as unhelpful.

"I think he's just being timid because he doesn't know what to do," Tracey mused, turning his attention to the ice floes that were rapidly melting into the warm waters.

But Misty rolled her eyes as mere hours earlier she'd dredged Ash from those chilling waters, half-drowned and completely clueless.

He didn't know what to do about the legendary birds either, but he hadn't hesitated then. And as far as she knew, she was less scary than world-ending-consequences.


"He talks about you constantly," May optimistically enthused, "I think he's starting to catch on about how he feels about you."

Misty sighed despondently, for as hopeful as May was trying to be for her, it was still Ash they were talking about. He either knew something completely, or had absolutely no clue.

And later in the phone call, when it was just Misty and Ash on the line, he'd said nothing on the matter despite her attempts at getting him to open up.

"You know, I really didn't expect to miss you so much…" Misty encouraged, but Ash gave her a blank look that she recognized from when he was trying to piece together something that was lost on him. If he'd tilted his head slightly to an angle he'd be uncannily reminiscent of certain a blank-eyed waterfowl on her team.

"Because of how much we fought?" Ash offered as an explanation.

"What?"

Now it was her turn to be confused.

"You didn't think you'd miss me because we fought all the time when you traveled with me," he explained.

"Sure, Ash."

Arceus, he was slow.


"I promise you just need to say something to him," Dawn offered helpfully, "he's extremely protective over your fishing lure, and you should have seen how agitated he got with me over that ratty handkerchief."

"Handkerchief?" Misty repeated in confusion.

Ash couldn't still have the one she'd wrapped his goodbye lunch in two years earlier...could he?

"Yeah, Ash was so angry with me that Brock actually had to explain the significance of it. I tried to use it to clean up after dinner one night. It's in pretty bad shape, so how was I supposed to know it was special?" Dawn explained.

"He still has it?" Misty remarked in disbelief.

"Yep, now he always carries it in his pocket. According to Brock, Ash doesn't even trust putting it in his backpack," Dawn teased, "with how obsessed he is with it, I'm surprised he hasn't tried to date you…"

"He's pretty dense," Misty sighed, feeling reality hit once more.

He could carry the things she gave him around like a torch for her, but still never say a word to her about it.

"I'm just going to start referring to you as his girlfriend and see how long it takes him to stop fighting me on it," Dawn laughed.

"Please do," Misty laughed along with her.

Still, both girls understood how hopeless Ash could be about romantic aptitude.


"He's such a kid," Iris laughed.

Misty and Iris were sitting on the porch of the Ketchum household following Ash's Unova travel. The comment was made in regards to an earlier fight that had broken out between Ash and Misty over Misty's attempt at baked goods.

"Ash, what have I told you about being rude? Misty tried her best to bake these." Mrs. Ketchum mediated as best she could.

"You also told me not to lie, Mom," Ash reminded sarcastically.

So Misty had called Ash ungrateful and they'd ended up on the living room floor in a tangle of battling limbs. Their feelings still needed an escape and a fight was the easiest outlet.

"Something tells me he's never growing up," Misty sighed, though the only injury sustained was to her pride.


"Sorry it's so late, I don't really know why, but Serena gets weird when I talk to you on the phone…" Ash trailed off in confusion.

'Because she likes you…' Misty thought with a sigh, but she didn't dare say it out loud.

If Ash didn't know, then she certainly wasn't going to be the one to tell him. And she was confident the mild-mannered Kalos native wouldn't speak up on the matter either.

"I'm just glad to hear from you," Misty responded with a smile, "now tell me about your latest misadventure."

"I think you mean adventure, Myst," Ash laughed in response.

"No, with you involved, I definitely mean misadventure," Misty teased, and grumbling at first, Ash filled her in.


She was surprised to see his number flash up on her phone only an hour after he was crowned the newest world champion. She intended to call him once the hype died down so they could have more than a few minutes to speak, but somehow amidst the chaos, he must have found a spare moment.

"Hey Myst," Ash greeted warmly as she picked up the receiver.

"Congrats Mr. Pokemon Master," Misty grinned, calling back a title she'd taunted him with in early youth, only this time meaning it in earnest.

"You saw?"

The joy in his voice was transparent and she could hear Pikachu chattering excitedly in the background.

"Of course. I was going to call you when things settled down a bit; speaking of, don't you have a million things to do right now like interviews?" Misty teased.

"I do, but you know I'm not very good at that stuff," Ash explained sheepishly.

And she did know. Historically he was more skilled at putting his foot in his mouth during interviews than he was at pokemon battles, and that said a lot about his weak TV skills.

"So you're hoping I have an excuse for you?" Misty smirked knowingly, "I don't, by the way. You've earned this; if you say something dumb they won't take your title. I promise."

"Thanks, Myst. I needed to hear that," Ash sighed in relief, "it's kind of funny...this was a big deal today, right? Something I've trained my whole life for and yet I realized something when they declared me the winner…"

"What's that?" Misty asked curiously.

Ash was also known for a bit of post-tournament rambling as his adrenaline wore off, so she was never quite sure which thoughts he'd overshare in the moment.

"I was looking for you. Obviously I knew you weren't there, but I couldn't help it. Last time I won, in the Orange Islands, you were there. I guess I knew you'd be watching, and I just kind of forgot you weren't there in person. Can I ask you something?"

"I really did want to be there and I'm sorry I couldn't attend in person," Misty apologetically sighed, guessing at his potential query.

"Oh, it's not that. I understand, a lot of my friends couldn't attend since everybody has things going on in life, but what I wanted to ask was, Myst, why was I just looking for you?" Ash asked curiously.

So that was why he called. He'd been confused enough by his own reaction that he'd decided to call her and ask what it all meant.

She could have answered with something safe, since as his first traveling companion she could easily point to the fact that her absence had a larger impact on him simply because they'd started this together, so maybe he felt she should be there to finish it with him.

But years of playing it safe never led to anything other than the slow drudging forward of a friendship that teetered on the brink of more, so chances would have to be taken.

"Have you always been this slow?" Misty teased, earning an annoyed sound from the pokemon champion.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ash grumbled feeling like the butt of the joke he'd walked himself into.

"I mean, I figured out how I felt years ago...Now you're asking me what your thoughts of me mean? All I can say is that it took you long enough to even think about it," Misty chuckled with a haughty boldness, the facade of bravery masking her internal panic.

And Ash realized as he'd reminisced on what it had taken to get to this point, that his best memories had the redhead at his side. That was why he was searching the crowd for her; if this was meant to be a high point, then she was meant to be there.

"I think I get it now," Ash mused quietly scratching a knowing Pikachu behind the ears.

Misty grinned into the phone, "good, I mean I've known I liked you since we were kids, but glad you've finally taken a few minutes to address your own feelings since I'd hate to rush you."

"I knew I liked you for at least a little while. I'm not that clueless," Ash defended weakly earning an amused snicker from the redhead.

"You are, but I wouldn't have it any other way," Misty reassured, "now stop procrastinating on interviews. I'll see you when you get back to Kanto."

"You always know just what to say to me," Ash grinned feeling lighter with the conversation and revelations, "I'm lucky to have you in my life."

"At least you've never been slow to realize that," Misty teased as they ended the call.

Later that evening, as she watched him fumble through the TV interview, her heart leapt in anticipation of what was to come. Maybe their friends had been right, he was fast with action, but slow with words. And now that the words had finally been said, their chance at a future would be approaching at a much faster pace.


-Fin-

I may skip tomorrow since I don't have anything written. If something hits in the middle of the night, maybe I'll jot together a short oneshot, but I'm not going to force it if inspiration lacks.

Reviews and favs are always appreciated!

-FWFT