WD: Marina and Jimmy

New Bark Town, Kanto. 5th March, 2019. Twenty days after the proposal. 8:23pm.

"Hello? Yeah, we just landed. Mhm. Alright, see ya," Ash spoke into his phone before looking over at Misty.

"Okay, so Jimmy can pick us up," he told her. Misty nodded. "So they're close friends of yours?" she asked. "Mhm," Ash smiled slightly. "I've known them for a while. And Marina's super fun, you'll like her," he told her.

Misty smiled and nodded. "I hope so,"

Ash smiled widely. He took a peek behind her. "Hey, look, Jimmy's here," he said. "Hey! Jimmy! Over here!" he waved over the navy blue haired man.

He grinned as he recognized the voice. "Ash!" he greeted. "What's up?"

Ash gave him his signature lopsided grin. "Nothing much. Is Marina at home?" he asked curiously. Jimmy nodded. "Yeah. She still can't believe I asked her out," he laughed nervously.

"Woah, woah, woah," Ash stopped him. "You finally asked her out?"

Jimmy folded his arms defensively. "Hey, what do you mean, 'finally'?" he huffed.

Ash rolled his eyes playfully. "You know what I mean," he said.

Jimmy sighed dramatically. "Well, if you must know," he began. "I asked her out a few days earlier," he spoke proudly.

Ash applauded him. "Way to go, my man," he patted his friend's back. Misty giggled a little.

"Oh, and this is Misty. I'll explain why we're here when we visit Marina, if that's alright?" Ash asked. Jimmy waved his hand dismissively. "Oh, of course!" he spoke warmly. "Let's go now, eh?"

Misty and Ash got into Jimmy's car. "So, you're the Cerulean City Gym Leader, huh?" Jimmy said. Misty nodded politely. "Yeah. I took a couple months off." she said.

"And I'm guessing you'll tell us the reason when we get to Marina's?" Jimmy grinned. Misty smiled. "You know the drill,"

A few minutes later, they'd reached Jimmy's house. "How about y'all settle in while I make some food?" he grinned. "By the way, will you guys share a room, or would you prefer separate rooms?" he asked.

Misty and Ash exchanged glances. "I think a shared room is alright," Ash replied.

Jimmy smirked. "Alright," he said, leading them a few doors down the hallway. He stood in front of a dark brown door. "Don't do anything forbidden in there," he joked.

Misty swatted his arm. "Jimmy!" she yelled in embarrassment.

"Sorry," Jimmy shrugged as he laughed.

Ash shook his head. "Classic Jimmy," he grinned. He grabbed Misty's wrist. "Come on, let's unpack our stuff," he said, dragging her inside.

Jimmy chuckled and headed to the kitchen.

Misty and Ash came out a few minutes later, both showered and dressed.

Jimmy glanced back at them as they entered the living room. "Hey you guys! Just take a seat, I'll be right there with the food." he instructed.

Ash and Misty seated themselves on the table. "Thanks for the food!" they chorused as they dug into the meal Jimmy'd set for them a few seconds ago.

"Ugh.." Misty mumbled quietly into her food.

"So, how is it?" Jimmy asked brightly.

"Um, it's," Ash swallowed. "It's good, but um, it's a little dry," he said.

"Dry?!" Misty exclaimed. "This is the chalkiest meal I've ever eaten!"

Jimmy scratched his head. "Looks like I've still got some work to do," he chuckled nervously.

Misty stood up. "I'll make you some real food!" she said. "Just leave up to me!"

Ten minutes later, Misty came out with a set of curry and rice. "Here's Misty's special curry with rice!" she grinned proudly.

Ash and Jimmy hesitantly took a bite. Ash chowed down the meal immediately. "This is amazing Misty!" he exclaimed.

Jimmy blinked. "Woah. You don't look like you'd be a good cook, but this is the only thing that is actually comparable to Marina's sandwiches!" Misty smiled. "Glad to see you guys liked it!"

The next day, they knocked on Marina's door. "Hey, Marina!" Jimmy yelled. "Open up!"

But no one answered. "That's weird…" Jimmy murmured to himself. "I'll try calling her," he told Ash and Misty.

"Hello? Marina?"

"Jimmy! What's up?"

"Where are you?"

"Me? I'm out of town for a last-minute fitting appointment at that modelling job I was telling you about,"

"Oh. When will you be back?"

"Well, I'm staying here until the show, so maybe two days?"

"Oh, okay. But you better hurry up, there's a surprise for you!

"Really? Okay! I'll text you when I'm back!"

"Okay, love you,"

"Love you more~"

Jimmy turned to his friends. "She'll be here in two days. She's out of town for a modelling job, so she'll come back after the show,"

Misty and Ash nodded understandingly.

"So, in the meantime, anybody up for ice cream?" Jimmy asked brightly.

A few days later, Jimmy got an update from Marina as promised. "She says that we can come over in an hour," he informed Misty and Ash. "Alright,"

They knocked on Marina's door again, though this time, someone actually answered. "Hey you guys! Come on in!" Marina trilled.

"Ash! Long time no see, eh?" she grinned. "And who's this?" she motioned to Misty.

"Ah, well," Ash started sweating. "She's my…"

"Your…" Jimmy encouraged.

"We're engaged!" Misty blurted out excitedly.

Jimmy chuckled. "Wow man, you're engaged to the fierce gym leader of Cerulean City? Damn,"

Ash laughed and gave his signature grin. "Yeah! I know, right!"

"Awesome! It must feel great to be engaged to your childhood friend," Marina smiled.

Misty nodded nostalgically. "It really feels like a relief after all we've been through," she agreed.

"Well I'm happy for you guys."

"Me too,"