IDK I'll Eventually put Something Here
(no, seriously, I can't come up with one)
"YOU'RE inviting us a dance?" Ash asked Professor Oak in bemusement.
"Yes, my boy," replied the Professor. "The International Pokémon Research Core was asked by various Leagues if we were interested in hosting a celebration in honor of all the strides made in researching Mega Evolution. Dancing is just part of the festivities."
"I mean, sure, absolutely! Why not? It'd be a nice change."
"I can only imagine after all that chaos in Alola with these Ultra Beasts, evil teams, and so on."
Ash nodded in agreement.
OoOoO
The girls were rather excited at the prospect of the dance. Brock tried to reason with Ash, Kiawe, and Sophocles, but all three were rather resistant to getting all worked up.
"Dull idea, if you ask me," concluded Sophocles.
"Unless it's to do with one of our Alolan traditions, I can't really get excited about it," muttered Kiawe.
"I'm happy to participate, but it's not really that big of a deal," added Ash.
"Agreed."
"Yeah."
"You guys…" sighed Brock. "Mm," he went on, imitating a certain small green creature in a movie series, "much romance I see not, in your futures."
Brock needn't have worried, however, for it was a mere few seconds that the girls suddenly came crowding around the boys. Kiawe and Sophocles instantly backed away but Ash clearly still hadn't learned from the shopping trip incident.
Mallow and Misty instantly surrounded Ash with the green-haired girl once again grabbing his shoulder with a hand. "Ash, you are most definitely going to dance with us girls!" said Mallow.
"You're kinda surrounded on this," chuckled Misty.
"Uh, okay, sure," replied Ash flatly. He knew there was no way of getting out of it, though their reactions were comical.
Both girls blinked, Mallow in surprise yet disappointment, Misty in slightly total shock. Both knew what the other thought: that wasn't the reaction they were expecting.
Ash cocked his head to the side. "What?"
"Wasn't expecting you to want to dance," said Mallow.
"Yeah, never took you as the type," agreed Misty.
"Bit judgmental, you two" said Ash, offended. He walked away without another word.
The girls exchanged glances, unsure of what to say.
OoOoO
The weekend of the celebration soon arrived. Speeches were held and hints pertaining to the contents of the numerous Professors' works were given. The formal dance soon took place.
At first Misty had to be content dancing with someone else whilst Mallow had her turn with Ash but it wasn't long before the twin tailed girl came alongside. "My turn at last, ey?"
To Misty's consternation, Mallow's expression was blank. "Yeah, your turn," she said in a daze. "You're not gonna believe it, though…"
Misty gulped, her only conclusion was that Ash's moves were really that bad.
"Jeez, Ash Ketchum, what did you do that shocked Mallow that bad?"
He scoffed and held out his hand. "How 'bout you find out?"
She accepted it. "Hmph." Ash didn't meet her rise and simply took a step back, raising his right hand before raising his left, holding her hand without hesitation.
"You're very good at this," said Misty, stunned as she twirled around.
"Thank you." When she stopped in place, Ash moved his right hand to hold her waist to continue the dance.
As the song continued, Misty found her words, now understanding Mallow's shock. "Huh, I'm honestly surprised you're capable of this."
"Well I don't consider myself that bad at- wait, that wasn't a compliment, now was it?" replied Ash as he let her go so he could twirl her again.
Misty rolled her eyes at him as she stopped. "Took ya long enough," she replied as she went back into his embrace.
"Very funny," came the dry reply. "Why's my ability to do this so shocking to you?"
"I'm sorry. Just…being abrasive for no reason," said Misty, struggling to find a reason beyond being judgmental. "So…where'd you learn to dance?"
"A famous star in Kalos who took sympathy on me when she saw me fumbling around at a ball."
"Oh really." Misty's eye lowered to a glare. "I suppose you liked dancing with her?"
Ash was about to answer but some sort of fight-or-flight sense kicked in and he was now very aware that his answer was one to walk on eggshells with. "I guess it was but it's you I'm dancing with right now."
At that point the music changed which indicated a partner change, but Ash didn't let her go.
"Ash?"
He paused and considered. "Not everyone's changing partners," he replied. "I'd rather you stay here."
"Oh…" Misty's face flushed red hot but was made to relax the moment Ash began moving again. "You're sure you don't want to change partners…?" Not that she was complaining but she did wonder what was going on inside Ash's head.
"Lana and Lillie have other partners they can dance with."
"But…why me?"
"Because I want to," said Ash, staring into her eyes. Her cerulean eyes fascinated him. "I'm kinda enjoying this whole dancing thing. I want to do more stuff like this with you."
"Thanks, that…that means a lot to me. But why just dance with me? Not that I'm saying I don't want to dance I jus-"
"It's all for you," replied Ash softly. "Because…I like you, Misty."
That did the trick. Misty's heart completely melted and she pushed up on her toes and gave Ash a light kiss.
"Uh…Mist," said Ash quietly.
"Just a peck," she replied. "We are in public."
"True."
"Let's just keep dancing since it's what everyone else is doing. We can discuss us more in detail later. Oh…um…I love you too."
Ash didn't reply and just hugged her even tighter.
OoOoO
Author's Note: I originally wanted this to be a two-for-one deal with the latest Left Behind chapter but unfortunately between some external issues in my personal life – Mom got had a sick episode and then I was having job application problems – that LB chapter is still a WIP. C'est la vie.