WARNING: There are some steamy scenes at the end of the chapter, you can skip it if that makes you uncomfortable.
All of this silence and patience
Pining and anticipation
My hands are shaking from holding back from you
Say my name and everything just stops
I don't want you like a best friend
Only bought this dress so you could take it off
Chapter 7: Inescapable
There's a theory that says the more you try to run from something, the more it haunts you.
With that in mind, I stopped running from my feelings for Ash. I gave up trying to forget and quit forcing myself not to think about him. I accepted it. Some people might have called it feeding into my delusions, but the peace it brought me was mine, and that was all that mattered.
Life at the gym improved after that. More experienced trainers started challenging me—what we Gym Leaders called the "flocking season."
At home, things were peaceful. My days were packed with gym duties and Pokémon training, but in my free time, I'd head out to Cerulean Cape with my fishing rod and trusty lure.
Suddenly, life felt brighter. I kept in touch with my friends, trained every day, and stuck to a good routine. I went to bed on time, got enough sleep, stayed hydrated, and swam regularly. My body felt strong, my mind clear, and for the most part, I was happy.
Then, a few weeks later, it all came crashing down thanks to Gary.
"Ash was really serious about those acting lessons," he said smugly over the phone. "I gave him a little push and now he's gonna call you for those 'lessons'."
"Do you want me to spill your secret, Gary?" I shot back.
"You won't. You can't resist Ash. You're enjoying this," he replied with a snicker.
"You little—"
"Okay, bye! You're welcome!" he said, cutting the call before I could finish.
As much as I hated to admit it, he was right. I found myself waiting for Ash's call, checking my phone more than I liked to admit whenever a notification popped up, hoping it was him.
When his name finally appeared on my screen one Monday, I let it ring a few times—didn't want him to think I'd been waiting for it, even though I had.
"Hey," I said, sounding casual.
"Hey." I could tell he was smiling. "How are you?"
I breathed. "Good. How are you?"
"Everything is finalized with Miss Yuki," he said. "I'm officially on board. But I'm a little nervous."
Me too, Ash. Me too. "Why?"
"Checked my mail this Sunday and found out I got the script for the shoot a while ago. I tried practicing for it, no use."
"Oh, Ash," I cooed. "Is it too hard?"
"I was hoping for your help."
I couldn't refuse; after all, I did say that I was there if he ever needed me, and I'm a woman of my word.
I suggested he come over for the weekend so we could work our way through the script he was provided. That way he'd be ready for the shoot on Monday. We scheduled his stay in my gym for Saturday night, and my happy days experienced a big speed bump. As Friday came closer, I started feeling more and more restless. I mean, I was excited that he was coming, of course—the entire weekend with him, what could go wrong?
The thought of being alone with him was not very pure, yet I was hoping that I would get the whole gym to ourselves. I hoped my sisters would stick with their usual plans that kept them away from the gym or otherwise busy. If they didn't, they would create trouble for sure, especially if Ash was visiting. They were the reason it had been over a year since he'd last visited, so I had to get them out of the gym.
On Wednesday evening, after closing the gym for the day, cleaning up, and settling down to watch my guilty pleasure reality TV show, I spotted an opportunity. Daisy and Violet were already watching, so I plopped down on the couch between them.
"So guys," I said, "what are your plans this weekend?"
"Do you think they're gonna get eliminated?" Violet asked, completely ignoring my question, her eyes glued to the screen.
"With that couple's safety pin?" Daisy responded. "Nah. Josh and Leah might, after all that drama with the judges."
"No, Mia and Keira will get the boot," I chimed in, momentarily distracted. Then I remembered my mission. "Guys," I said louder this time.
"Misty!" Violet groaned, "don't talk unless it's an ad-break. You made this rule."
Oh, right. How could I forget about the rule I made to avoid talking to my sisters during the rare moments we were together in the day?
We sat through the show until the ad break, my impatience simmering with each passing second. As soon as the three-minute ad break began, I seized the moment. "So," I said, breaking the silence, "any exciting plans for the weekend?"
Violet narrowed her eyes. "No, you can't come with me to the concert on Saturday."
I gasped. "You got tickets for that?!"
"I'll be back by night," Violet informed Daisy, ignoring my question.
"Why back at night?" I asked. She had one job, to stay out of the house like usual, but of course she chose this weekend to sleep in.
"Because I live here, Misty," Violet replied.
I rolled my eyes. "Okay, what about you, Daisy?" I turned towards her.
Daisy shrugged. "Nothing much. I have an extra class on Saturday because my students have a big drama coming up."
Strike two. Looks like they'll be around all weekend, stepping all over my sanity for fun. What's next? Lily's also returning on the exact same day I want her out of the house? I wouldn't be too surprised.
"Why do you ask?" Daisy asked. "Something special this weekend?"
Someone special, I thought. "Nope."
"Wait, do you see that, Dais?" Violet chuckled, leaning closer to me.
I leaned back on the couch, trying to maintain a physical distance from my sisters.
"What, what?" Daisy leaned in, too, both of them now sandwiching me.
Violet poked my cheek. "She's blushing!"
Daisy gasped. "Omg, you're right! Our baby sister has someone special coming over!"
I shoved them away. "Oh my Mew! No." I glared at them. "NO!"
"That just confirms it." Violet laughed louder. "Who is it? One of your exes? Rudy?"
Daisy shook her head. "I never liked him—"
I groaned. "I don't need your approval—"
Daisy ignored me. "Georgio was a much better choice."
"I liked the surfer guy," Violet added.
"Shut up! No one special is coming over." I stood on the couch and sat on its backrest, finally away from their reach.
"So, someone is coming over." Violet smirked. "A new guy. Who is it, Misty? A crush?"
I folded my arms. "First of all, there's no new guy. Nothing romantic. He's just a friend."
"It's a he." Daisy smirked.
"Mhm," Violet giggled. "So, Misty, who's this 'just a friend' making you blush at the mere mention of his existence? We didn't even say his name and you're red like a tomato."
"Holy hell, you guys!" I jumped on the floor and stood behind the back rest of the couch. "He's just a friend! He needs help with acting stuff!" Their smug looks and giggles only fueled my annoyance. "UGH!"
"Wow, she's got it bad," Violet whispered. They both giggled.
"Ugh!" I pulled my hair. "Go watch the show and shut up!" I stormed off.
"Misty, wait!" Daisy called.
"What?!" I snapped.
"It's Ash, isn't it?"
I ignored their giggles and I stomped up the stairs.
"Misty, seriously!" Violet called.
I sighed. "What now?"
"Can you bring me a blanket from my room?"
"NO!"
I fetched the blanket, tossed it at them, and retreated to my room.
I woke up with my alarm going off at eight in the morning. Out of habit, I slammed my palm over it to snooze it for another fifteen minutes and pulled my blanket over my head. It was raining outside, I could hear raindrops splattering on the window. My room was a little chilly too. I felt so cozy, but just as I was about to fall back asleep, I heard the faint sound of a doorbell ringing downstairs.
I sat up and checked my phone: it was Saturday. Could that be Ash?
I kicked the blanket away and hastily slipped into my slippers. I needed to reach there before my sisters, but as I ran down the hall toward the stairs, I could see Daisy rushing toward the door, with Violet not too far behind her. I skipped a few steps of the stairs and ran faster, hoping to somehow beat them to it. They were almost there. A few steps left of the stairs, I made a leap and skipped three steps, perfectly landing on my feet, still in one piece. But no one was there to applaud my gymnastics show; my sisters were already at the door.
I groaned when I heard their giggling and cooing. "Leave him alone!" I yelled, walking toward the door.
"You didn't tell us he became so hot," Violet called.
I rolled my eyes. I finally reached the door, but they were blocking my view, so all I could see was their backs, Ash's head, and the sky covered with dark clouds, pouring heavily. I grabbed Violet's arm and pulled her away. "Move."
"Easy, Misty, I won't eat him." Violet giggled and winked at Ash. "Though, I definitely could."
I shook my head and turned to Ash, my heart skipping a beat. His wide eyes, messy hair tousled by the rain, and flushed cheeks made him look utterly lost. I took a steadying breath. He stood on the doorstep, like a drenched, abandoned Pokémon—nervous and unsure. "Ash, you're completely soaked."
"I took the bus," Ash said, his voice soft. "But I had to walk from the bus stop, and it started pouring."
"And he brought us cookies!" Daisy chimed in, waving a box of cookies in front of me with a grin. "Isn't that just the sweetest thing?"
I tried to snatch the box from her, but being the eldest sister, she had years of practice in keeping things just out of reach. No matter how hard I tried, she always had the upper hand. "Those aren't for you!" I groaned in frustration.
She spun the box playfully in her hands, inspecting it. "No name, no owner."
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "Ash, come on in," I said, grabbing his arm and pulling him inside, guiding him towards my room.
"So eager already, huh, Misty?" Violet called from the living room, her laugh echoing through the house.
"Don't make me curse this early in the day!" I shouted back, halfway up the stairs.
Once we were in my room, I locked the door behind us, finally able to get a good look at him. His clothes clung to him, and his hair was dripping wet. Still, that familiar warmth was there. I smiled and asked, "Hey! So... where's Pikachu?"
Ash unzipped his hoodie, and Pikachu's head popped out. "Pika!"
"Hey, buddy!" I giggled as Pikachu leaped into my arms. "I missed you."
Pikachu hopped down and shook himself dry, sending a spray of water everywhere. I cringed, feeling the droplets land on me.
Ash knelt beside Pikachu and scratched behind his ear. "Why don't you join Misty's pokémon downstairs, buddy? This room isn't the best place to dry off."
"Pika!" Pikachu agreed with a nod. I opened the door for him, and he happily bounded out. Once I closed it, Ash stood up and shook his head with a smile.
"Violet hasn't changed a bit," he said, tugging off his soaked hoodie. "She practically tackled me when I walked in. Thought I was going to end up flat on my back."
"That—"
"No cussing in the morning," he reminded me, his eyes twinkling with mischief. He hung his hoodie over the back of a chair, revealing his rain-soaked shirt clinging to his lean frame. The cold air in the room made him shiver slightly, and I noticed the way his muscles tensed as he moved.
"Right," I said, crossing my arms. "You brought extra clothes, right?"
Ash glanced down at himself. "I've only got one spare pair for tomorrow."
"What about Monday's shoot?" I raised an eyebrow.
"They'll handle wardrobe." He shrugged. "No point stressing over it."
I sighed. "Fine. Go clean up. I still have that shirt you gave me when I fell into Gary's pool. You can wear one of my 'manly' pajamas and survive."
Ash smiled, then unzipped his bag and pulled out a folded piece of clothing. "Speaking of that... here," he said, handing it to me. "It's your shirt. I washed it."
I blinked in surprise, staring at the familiar fabric. "Oh, thanks!"
"No problem."
I grinned, holding the shirt. "Though your shirt was so comfy, I wasn't planning on giving it back!"
A soft blush crept over Ash's cheeks, though I wasn't sure if it was from embarrassment or the cold. "I'll go clean up," he mumbled, grabbing some clothes and heading for the bathroom.
While Ash was in the bathroom, I glanced around and realized just how messy my room was. I had about ten minutes to make it presentable. The faint smell of stale coffee lingered in the air, thanks to the collection of mugs cluttering my table. That could wait. My priority was the mountain of unfolded clothes covering half my bed. I stuffed them into the wooden wardrobe, ignoring how messy it was inside. Quickly, I folded my blanket and straightened the bed. The mugs had to go, so I slid them under the bed, trying to avoid the clinking noise that could give me away.
Books and plushies were scattered everywhere, but there wasn't time to organize them. I shifted focus to myself, hastily putting on my bra and attempting to brush my tangled hair, which was no small task. I was holding the mirror, fixing my hair, when Ash emerged from the bathroom.
He was in nothing but a towel.
I froze as the mirror reflected his bare torso—toned, damp, and utterly unexpected. My heart skipped a beat, and before I could stop myself, the mirror slipped from my hands, shattering on the floor. The sound jolted me, but it wasn't as loud as the panic rising inside.
"Hey, you alright?" Ash asked, concern in his voice.
I definitely wasn't. "Yeah, I'm fine," I lied, nodding as I bent down to gather the broken pieces. Ash was quicker, kneeling beside me and picking up the shards. I watched him, a strange mix of gratitude and something deeper stirring inside me. His hands worked carefully, and I had to fight the bizarre urge to reach out and touch his face.
He tossed the shards in the bin. "It's not sharp, right?" I asked, standing up and straightening my back.
He shook his head, smiling softly. "Nope. All good."
I took a step back, sitting on the bed as he remained standing just a few feet away— bare-chested, towel wrapped low on his hips, in my room. My brain scrambled for a distraction. "Again, I'm sorry about my sisters. I know you weren't expecting such an... enthusiastic welcome."
Ash chuckled, his voice warm. "It's cool. Though, I have to admit, I didn't see the whole 'tackle' thing coming." As he walked closer, I felt my breath catch, my heart doing an odd flip in my chest. He moved so naturally, effortlessly, and I cursed myself for finding him so... majestic. It was ridiculous, but there I was, struggling to keep my cool.
When he sat beside me, the bed dipped slightly, and I forced myself to act nonchalant, even though the proximity was enough to send my thoughts spiraling. "Yeah, well, you should know by now—Violet doesn't really understand personal space," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
He smiled, a soft laugh escaping him. "Guess I should've been prepared."
I nodded, my mind racing to find something—anything—that would distract me from how close he was. I tried focusing on anything that wasn't Ash sitting next to me in nothing but a towel, but c'mon, that was a lost battle.
He leaned back on the bed, propping himself up on his elbow, stretching out as if he belonged there. His towel dipped just enough to make my mind wander into very unhelpful places. The thoughts that flooded in were not PG. He ran a hand through his wet hair, staring out the window, lost in thought. For a moment, I wondered what was going through his head. Then he glanced at me, and it felt like he'd caught me staring.
"Misty," he said softly.
My breath caught. "Yes, Ash?"
"Can you, uh, give me the clothes you mentioned earlier?" His voice was casual, but the look in his eyes lingered.
Right. The clothes. I snapped out of my daze. "Of course! Let me grab them." I rushed to the wardrobe, carefully opening the door, praying that my hastily stuffed clothes wouldn't come tumbling out. As I rummaged through, looking for his shirt, part of me hesitated. I didn't really want to give it back for reasons I wasn't quite ready to admit.
"Here!" I said, holding up the shirt and walking back toward him.
He was sitting straight again when I handed him the clothes.
Ash's fingers brushed lightly against mine as he took the clothes, the contact lingering just a second longer than it needed to. For a moment, I swore I could hear my own heartbeat echoing in my chest. Panic rose inside me—I needed to get away from him. The air in the room felt too thick, his presence too overwhelming.
"So," I blurted, stepping away from the bed, putting a little more distance between us. "Do you want to start reading the script?"
"Yeah, sure." He nodded, pulling the shirt over his head as if nothing was out of the ordinary, while I was desperately trying to get my pulse under control.
I sighed, turning my back to give him privacy as he slipped into the pajamas. "Do you want breakfast first?" I asked, my voice surprisingly steady.
He chuckled. "I was waiting for you to ask." A moment later, he added, "All done!"
I turned back, catching a glimpse of him looking far too comfortable in my room. "Let's go downstairs, then," I said, trying to keep things casual as we left my room together.
As we walked down the stairs, I tried to focus on anything other than the image of him sitting next to me in that towel. "Why did you catch the early bus, anyway? I wasn't expecting you till noon."
He shrugged, his expression easygoing. "It was the first available bus, and I wanted to get here early. Couldn't sleep much last night. I guess I'm just excited. Plus, I brought Corphish with me—for a little reunion with Clauncher."
"Aww," I teased, trying to lighten the mood and distract myself from my own thoughts.
"But I'm hungry," he whined, throwing me a mock-pout as we reached the bottom of the stairs.
I rolled my eyes with a smirk. "Yeah, yeah, I know. You're always hungry."
Still, as I followed him into the kitchen, I couldn't shake the chaotic thoughts running through my mind. It was ridiculous that the simple act of him taking off his shirt had caused such a visceral reaction in me. Yes, I had a crush on Ash, but come on—where was my integrity? My self-respect? My dignity?
I sighed internally. This was going to be a very tough weekend.
After Ash released Corphish into the gym's pool, we stood by and watched as Corphish and Clauncher reunited, their joyful tears almost too much to handle. It was a sweet moment, one that made me smile despite the whirlwind of emotions I was dealing with. Once their reunion was over, we headed to the kitchen, where the only food we could scrounge up was frozen waffles. Not the most glamorous breakfast, but it did the job.
With the last bite gone, we rushed back to my room to start practicing. The kitchen was a mess, but cleaning up would have to wait. I had considered using the pool area for the practice since it was bigger, better lit, and felt more open, but Daisy was down there taking classes, and the last thing I wanted was for her to swoop in with her unsolicited advice on Ash's script.
By the time we got back to my room, the rain had stopped, and sunlight poured through the window, casting a warm, golden hue on the mess of scattered papers and open script books lying around. I had Ash start by reading the script aloud so he could get a feel for it, letting him understand the campaign's objectives more clearly. We talked through the themes, the energy they were looking for, and how the shoot was going to flow.
Ash began reading his lines, his voice steady, but I could tell he was still holding back. After a few lines, he glanced at me, searching for approval.
"First thing—stand up straight. Don't slouch like that," I instructed, slowly circling him, my eyes scanning for any signs of nervousness. "You need to own the space."
He adjusted his posture awkwardly. "Like this?"
I shook my head. "Shoulders back, spine straight." I slid my hand gently down his back to correct his posture, feeling his muscles tense beneath my fingers. "Relax, Ash."
He took a deep breath, nodding as he followed my lead.
"Don't look at the floor," I said. "Remember, you're talking to adults, not little kids. Your eye level should be where you'd normally look at me. Confident but relatable."
"Okay." He nodded again, his jaw tightening as he tried to follow my directions. I reached out and lifted his chin slightly, forcing his eyes to meet mine. He held his breath, his lips pressed together, looking at me with a mix of determination and unease. That flutter in my chest returned, but I quickly pushed it aside. I had to focus. He needed my help.
"You can relax, you know. Theater and commercial acting are different, but neither one appreciates you making that face," I teased lightly, hoping to break some of the tension.
"Hey!" he protested, giving me a half-smile. "I'm trying to process all of this."
"I know," I said, softening my tone. "And you're doing great. Just stay loose and confident. You've got this."
Ash sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm just worried I'll forget the lines."
"Don't stress about memorizing everything word for word," I reassured him. "You know the material inside and out. Focus on the key points, and you can improvise around them."
"So I can say something like, 'We vibe with the Pokémon quite well,' instead of 'We understand them thoroughly'?" He grinned.
"Not that much improvisation," I laughed. "When I say improvise, I mean make it sound natural. You don't have to sound like a robot. Just be yourself and make it relatable."
"Got it."
Despite his usual confidence, Ash was tense, his nerves peeking through as he fidgeted between the lines. He covered it up by cracking jokes, but I could see how much effort it took to stay focused. We ran through the same lines again and again, and by lunchtime, both of us were worn out. I noticed the frustration building behind his smile, and I felt for him. Acting wasn't like battling—it was a different kind of challenge.
"How did you do it?" he asked, flopping onto my bed in exhaustion. "During The Era of Magical Mermaid?"
I sat beside him, laughing at the memory. "Mostly against my will."
He groaned, rubbing his face. "I don't want to use any of these words ever again."
I chuckled. "What are you going to call pokémon then? 'Mystical creatures'?"
He paused for a moment before grinning. "Live plushies?"
I snorted. "So, Gyarados is my 500-pound plushie?"
By dinner time, we were so sick of the script that when Ash finally finished rehearsing, we tossed the papers aside and left my room in a hurry. We were both starving, and for the first fifteen minutes of dinner, neither of us said a word—just focused on devouring the food in front of us.
"I can't look at that script again, Misty," Ash groaned, setting his fork down on his empty plate.
"Same," I agreed, standing up to clear the table. He followed me to the sink, where we started on the dishes, a mountain of dirty plates and mugs piled up from breakfast and lunch.
"Wanna watch a movie?" Ash asked, wiping the last dish dry with a kitchen towel.
I dried my hands on his shirt absentmindedly. "I was thinking of taking a quick dip in the pool."
"Hey!" he protested, stepping back from my wet hands. "I don't have a lot of clothes to change into, remember?"
I giggled. "Well, I wouldn't mind if you got rid of that shirt, actu—" I froze mid-sentence, realizing too late that I had just said the quiet part out loud.
Ash stared at me, his cheeks flushing pink. He carefully put the dish down on the counter, clearing his throat awkwardly. "You, uh, wanted to swim?"
"Yes," I said quickly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "I'll just go get changed."
He nodded, still red-faced, and watched me leave the kitchen. I silently cursed myself. Mew, that got awkward fast.
Regardless of my clumsy confession earlier, the tension from the day began to ease as I made my way to my room. I shuffled through my drawer of swimsuits, hesitating when my hand landed on that swimsuit—the one I'd bought on a whim ages ago. It was a two-piece bikini, the kind that would look perfect on some actress in an exotic music video, oozing confidence and allure. I'd set it aside for a "special occasion," but the occasion never came, so I'd never actually worn it.
What if I wore it now? The thought crossed my mind before I could stop it. I shook my head at myself. It's not like Ash would even notice what I was wearing. Why was I suddenly thinking about trying to impress him? There was definitely something wrong with me today.
But then again... if he wouldn't notice, what was the harm? And it wasn't like I'd be wearing it for him. I could convince myself that I was testing the quality of the product. Yeah, I reasoned, I'm doing this to fight capitalism. I need to know if the brand lives up to its promises. With that, I grabbed the bikini, hesitated for only a second, then slipped it on. I checked my reflection in the mirror, adjusting the straps and inspecting the fit. For capitalism, I muttered under my breath, feeling a strange mixture of nerves and amusement.
To keep things safe, I threw on an oversized T-shirt over the bikini—no need to give my sisters any ideas if they happened to see me. They'd never let me hear the end of it, assuming I was dressing up for Ash, which of course wasn't true.
As I approached the pool, the contrast between the fresh, crisp scent of chlorine and the lingering warmth from dinner in the house hit me. The glass ceiling above revealed a sky dotted with stars, the moonlight making the pool water shimmer. It was beautiful, peaceful, and exactly what I needed.
Then, I spotted Ash sitting on the edge of the pool, completely shirtless, casually playing with our pokémon. For a second, my heart stumbled over itself. He had, in fact, ditched his shirt, leaving him in just his pants, and the sight was... distracting, to say the least. I could feel my pulse quicken again, the day's awkward moments rushing back all at once.
Clearing my throat, I tried to get his attention, hoping he couldn't hear the nervous flutter in my voice.
He turned to smile at me. "Hey."
"Hey." I smiled as I sat beside Ash on the cool tiles of the pool's edge. "You're gonna swim too?" I asked, my eyes flickering down to his chest.
He followed my gaze, then looked back at me with a shrug. "I'm just being safe. You always splash water at me."
I chuckled, picking up Pikachu as he waddled over. "When have I ever done that?"
"Every time I refuse to get in the pool." He grinned, watching Starmie glide through the water near his legs.
I laughed, scratching Pikachu behind the ear as he squealed contentedly. "Well, you're a real party pooper sometimes."
Ash raised an eyebrow. "Since when did we start calling swimming a 'party'?"
Rolling my eyes, I set Pikachu back on the edge. "You're not even making sense."
Standing up, I took a deep breath and tugged the oversized shirt over my head, tossing it onto one of the chairs. The cool air hit my skin, and for a split second, I felt exposed in the bikini. I shrugged it off. "I'm gonna have a party," I announced with a grin, diving into the pool and sending a splash in Ash's direction.
As I resurfaced, I glanced at him, and to my amusement, he was frozen—mouth slightly open, cheeks flushed red. His usual confident air had vanished, replaced by an awkward, boyish look that made my heart flutter.
He noticed.
I flicked my hair back and swam to the edge, leaning my arms against the cool tiles. "What happened?" I teased.
Ash blinked, shaking himself out of his daze, and wiped his face where the water had splashed him. His lips twitched into a reluctant smile. "Such a show-off."
My cheeks burned a little, but I grinned and splashed water at him again. "I knew you'd say that."
He shook his head, chuckling. "I knew you'd splash me again."
"Consider it an invitation," I said playfully, flicking more water at him. "Come on, the water's perfect."
He glanced at his pajamas, raising an eyebrow. "I don't have any clothes, remember?" Then, he leaned in and whispered slowly, "I can't take these off too..."
I raised an eyebrow, pretending not to hear him. "What was that?"
"Go, swim," he mumbled, kicking the water and sending a big wave toward me.
"Jerk!" I laughed, rolling my eyes before diving back under the water.
I swam a few laps, the cool water gliding over my skin, refreshing and calming. Every now and then, I could feel Ash's eyes on me, and it made me hyper-aware of each movement—every stroke felt purposeful, every turn more graceful. The thrill of knowing he was watching made my heart race a little faster.
After about twenty minutes, I decided to wrap it up. After all, Ash was still sitting by the pool, and as much as I enjoyed teasing him, he was my guest. I couldn't just leave him on the sidelines for too long.
Emerging from the water, I paused to catch my breath, flicking my hair back and stealing a glance at Ash. He was still watching me, silent as ever.
I headed toward the open shower, letting the fresh water wash away the chlorine. After grabbing a towel and wrapping it around my waist, I walked over to where Ash sat and plopped down beside him, dipping my feet into the water, close enough to feel the warmth from his skin.
"That was refreshing," I said, letting the cool breeze from the open window sweep through my hair. The world felt peaceful for once, like there were no expectations hanging over us.
Ash sat next to me, his bare feet lazily swirling the water. "You know," he said, quieter than usual, "you always seem so at home in the water."
"It's my element," I replied, moving my feet in slow circles. "There's something freeing about it, like all the worries just float away."
"I get that feeling when I battle."
I nodded, glancing at him. "How long are you stuck here? I know being cooped up in Pallet's driving you crazy." He'd only been allowed to travel as far as Indigo Island, and even his secret visits to my gym were few and far between.
He shrugged. "Who knows? The League's been extra cautious lately," he muttered, tension creeping into his voice. He leaned back on his hands, staring at the far end of the pool as if trying to calm himself. "They're scared after that whole mess with the celebrity."
"Emma Bloom? Yeah, she's been all over the tabloids," I said, watching his expression. His shoulders were tight, and his jaw clenched.
Ash nodded grimly. "The moment she turned twenty, the media swarmed her. Cameras everywhere, snapping shots of her with her partner, even when she was just trying to have a normal day."
I frowned. "That's disgusting."
"Tell me about it," he sighed, rubbing his face in frustration. "Now they've got me on lockdown, like I'm about to lose control or something. They won't let me out without a disguise. Cap, sunglasses, the whole deal. They even want me to have a manager with me at all times."
I raised an eyebrow. "A manager? Seriously?"
"Yeah," he laughed, but it was a bitter sound. "I keep telling them I'm not some party animal. No alcohol, no drugs, nothing like that. But it's like they don't even hear me."
I nudged him gently. "They should've seen your birthday party. That would've cleared things up real quick."
He actually smiled at that. "What, so they could watch me kiss Gary?"
"Hey, you should be thanking me!" I laughed, giving him a playful punch on the arm. "I saved you from kissing Serena."
Ash chuckled. "Yeah, you did. Serena wasn't the one I wanted to kiss that night anyway."
I stared at him, grinning. "I knew you had a thing for Gary," I teased.
"Shut up," he said, finally laughing for real as he gave me a gentle shove back. "What's with you, by the way?"
"Huh?"
"How's dating going as the top gym leader?"
I rolled my eyes. "As if you don't know."
"No new dates?" He asked.
"Nope."
He kept staring at me, then sighed.
"What's wrong?" I nudged him gently.
Ash looked down at the water, swirling it with his fingers. "I'm sorry for when I made you feel like I was ignoring you."
"As long as you promise not to cut us off, you're forgiven." I smiled. "If you wanna talk about it, you can tell me what was bothering you so much."
"Can I, though?" He asked.
I nodded. "Why not?"
Ash shrugged. "Well, on my birthday, my thoughts were all over the place, it was like–" He wiggled his fingers. "Like, my brain will turn into a bowl of noodles."
I giggled. "What?"
He laughed after me. "Really. I was so overwhelmed."
"And that's why you were ignoring me?" I nudged him.
He shrugged. "You can say that."
I watched him swirl the water with his feet. His face is so intense right now, he is so focused on something, and I know him well enough to know what he told me was not the whole truth.
"Ash, what was it?" I asked.
"You'll make fun of me," he said, as if he was waiting for me to pressure him into telling me.
"I promise I won't," I said.
He nodded. "Okay, maybe it had something to do with me not being able to stop wondering about the fact that there's no point in dating anymore."
"What?!" I asked. "Ash Ketchum is worried about love? What's next? Brock hates cooking? Daisy wants to quit theater?"
He pouted. "Why's it so surprising?"
"It's not!" I said quickly.
"Fine!"
"Fine."
He huffed. "Fine!"
"Hey." I touched his hand. "It's not like I think you're incapable of loving someone. You just…usually have different fields of interests."
"You asked me what was bothering me, I told you a part of it."
"I know there's more to it," I said.
"Whatever," he said, swirling his feet in the water.
"Look, Ash. I've had some terrible experiences, I've never been in a proper-long-term relationship, I've made bad decisions and I think most people can't tolerate me, but I still have hope and you should too."
He kept staring at the water. "Sometimes I feel like no matter how far I've gotten as a pokemon trainer, I'll always suck in other parts of life."
"I know it can be frustrating, but you will find the right person someday. Besides, if you have only dated one person, you should give other people chances too."
"I know, I know. But…"
I raised an eyebrow. There was more.
"Have you ever fallen in love?" he asked.
Have I? I don't think I have.
"Have you?" I asked.
He stared at me. "That's what I'm saying, Misty. I have. And it didn't work out, I never even had a chance with her. And I just don't see the point in dating anymore."
"You were in love with Serena?"
He shook his head. "Way before her, I was in love with someone, I know I was. But she never noticed me. And I realized I had to move on. I tried dating, but…I don't see the point anymore."
I didn't even know how to comfort him. I rubbed his back, "it's okay, Ash. You'll find a nice girl."
"What about you?" He asked.
I held my breath.
"It's just... I don't get it." He said. "You have dated more people than me, you're... well, you're amazing, Misty. I mean, not that you need me to tell you that. It's just, uh, I thought at least you'd be... you know, in a relationship by now. Or found love. But you haven't either."
I felt a warmth spread through my chest, but quickly pushed it down. "It's not that simple."
He glanced up, meeting my eyes, then quickly looked away. "Why not?"
I shrugged, trying to play it off. "Just haven't met the right person, I guess."
He looked thoughtful for a moment, his brows furrowing. "Maybe it's because you haven't been looking in the right places."
I furrowed my brow. "What do you mean?"
Ash sighed, leaning back on his hands. "Maybe the right person has been in front of you this whole time, and you didn't realize it."
His upper body stretched in front of me had a very strong effect on my brain, it was as if he was purposefully showing himself off. "What if that right person doesn't feel the same way?" I managed to ask.
"Unrequited love screws us all." He chuckled, though it reflected more sadness than anything else. My throat started to ache at the sight of his face.
What was the universe trying to do with us? Ash never ended happily with his right person. I never found mine, and when I thought I did, I found out he was still in love with someone else. I felt envious of the person Ash was in love with, whoever it was. They had Ash's heart and they were not even aware of it. If Ash was in love with me, then no matter how much pain it'd cause me, I'd make sure he was happy. I wouldn't let him have a single sad moment. I wish that person loved him back.
"Who were you in love with?" I asked.
Ash stared at me. "It's a girl."
I nodded. "Okay. Who's she?"
"I can't really tell you…" He said.
I bit my lip, "Ash, you can tell me."
"Trust me, I can't," he finally muttered.
"Why?" I pressed, trying to keep my voice steady.
He let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair. "It's just...I don't want to say the wrong thing in front of you?"
My chest tightened. "Ash, we've been friends for years. If there's one person you can be honest with, it's me. I promise, nothing you say will ruin anything between us."
He looked at me then, his eyes filled with so much uncertainty that it almost hurt to see. "You say that now, but..."
I reached out and put my hand on his arm, trying to reassure him. "But what?"
His gaze dropped to where my hand rested on his arm, and for a moment, he didn't say anything. He withdrew his hand from my reach, trembling ever so subtly, then rubbed his nose. Then, very quietly, he said, "I'm gonna try to explain."
I nodded.
Ash shifted beside me, his usual confidence evaporating in the cool evening air. His hand fidgeted on the ground, tracing idle patterns on the tile like he couldn't figure out what to do with his energy. He glanced at me, then back at the water, and when he spoke again, his voice wavered—something I'd never heard before. "Should I say it in Team Rocket's style?" He laughed, but it was a nervous, jittery sound, like he was trying to mask the nerves bubbling beneath the surface. "Maybe if I make it a joke, I won't get so awkward."
"Ash." My voice softened, and I leaned a little closer, hoping he'd feel that he didn't need to hide behind jokes—not this time.
He stopped laughing, but he didn't meet my eyes. His hand stilled on the tiles, and for a moment, I thought he might pull away again. But then he drew in a deep breath, his shoulders rising and falling with the weight of it. "Misty, I'm serious this time. I just... I don't want to mess this up."
"You won't." I assured.
"Okay, okay. Well here goes everything." He took a deep breath. "You know when I was a kid, I never believed in fate."
"How's this related –"
"Trust me, it is," he interrupted.
I nodded. "Okay."
"It all started when I began my journey," Ash said, staring out at the water. His voice was quieter now, more thoughtful. "Tell me, what were the chances I would've woken up on time that day?"
I laughed softly. "None."
"Misty." His lips twitched, but he didn't fully smile
"Sorry," I mumbled, glancing away. "But... yeah. You're right. If you hadn't been late, you would've chosen a starter, and... we might've never met."
He nodded slowly. "It wasn't just luck," he whispered. "We were supposed to meet."
I wasn't sure what he was trying to say, but it felt like the ground beneath us was tilting toward something I wasn't ready for. "What are you getting at, Ash?"
"What I mean to say is it wasn't a coincidence. I've been thinking a lot about this. Truthfully, I always have, even when we were kids." He chuckled. "Actually, I started thinking about this when we were kids. I was supposed to meet you, it wasn't a coincidence. Same with Pikachu, Brock, May, Max, Dawn, Iris, Cilan, Clemont, Bonnie, Serena and the countless friends I'm lucky enough to have. But it all started with you. And then we parted ways."
"Neither of us could do anything about it, Ash."
"Yes, I could have." He said, sounding annoyed. "I could have been brave, but I wasn't. I was an idiot."
"I don't understand…"
He took a deep breath, his gaze intense but hesitant. "Look, I'll come straight to the point. The thing is, the kind of pain I felt when you left was so different from anything I'd ever felt. I wasn't sure what it was, but then I met some more amazing girls that became my good friends. And don't get me wrong, I was extremely sad when they left me too…but with you, it was stronger. Then I realized why it was different."
I was starting to understand, but I couldn't be sure till I heard him say it.
Ash ran a hand through his hair, the motion jittery. "And then... I got scared," he admitted, his voice dropping to barely a whisper. "I was terrified, Misty. I knew you only saw me as your friend, and I thought—I thought I'd lose you if I ever said anything. So I kept quiet. Every time we met, I'd try to pretend everything was normal, that I could just move on... but I couldn't."
I could hear the water lapping gently as our pokemon swam on the other side of the pool, but the world seemed far away. "Ash..."
He was staring down at his hands now, his fingers fidgeting with a loose thread on his pajama. "Don't you see it, Mist? Every time I tried to move on... I couldn't, because I never wanted to. Not from you."
My heart was pounding in my chest so loudly I was sure he could hear it. "Ash..." My voice came out barely louder than a breath. "Were you in love with me?"
I needed to hear him say it.
He didn't respond. The seconds stretched out, and I could feel the tension between us, so thick I could almost reach out and touch it. My fingers trembled slightly as they hovered above the cold tiles beneath us, itching to close the space between us, but I couldn't move.
Then Ash finally looked up, his eyes meeting mine, and I could see the truth there—raw and undeniable. My heart stumbled over itself, as if it suddenly forgot how to keep time. "Were you?" I whispered again, afraid of the answer, but even more afraid of not knowing.
He didn't reply to my ambiguous question. "Misty, on my birthday, I tried gathering up courage, I thought the alcohol might help. But your effect was way stronger than any alcohol ever made. And I couldn't say anything. And before I lose my nerve again, I just wanted to ask, have you ever…"
I knew what came next, but I wanted to hear him say it. He looked so angelic under the soft light. His messy locks pointed in all directions, and his gaze fixed on me. He was looking at me so intensely that it took all my strength not to touch him. I gulped. I could feel the air around me get thick again. "Just say it, Ash," I whispered.
He looked so nervous, but didn't he get it? No matter what he did, I'd never be able to dislike him. Didn't he get how much I needed him all the time?
"I was wondering…" he muttered.
I nodded, shifting closer to him. My hand was almost touching his thigh, and no matter how much I wanted to close the gap, I kept it mounted on cold tiles.
"If there was ever... any crazy moment when..." Ash's voice was so soft, it was like the words were slipping out of him without his permission. He took a shaky breath, his eyes flicking up to mine for just a second before they darted back down to his lap. His fingers curled into the fabric of his pants, gripping it like he needed something solid to hold on to.
"When?" I whispered.
He paused, his throat working as he swallowed. "When... maybe you thought of me as more than a friend too?" He looked at me, really looked at me this time, his eyes searching mine like he was hoping for some kind of lifeline.
Suddenly, everything clicked into place—the way he'd get flustered around me, the little things he did, the shifts in his mood. Maybe it was all because of the battle going on inside his mind. All day, he'd been trying to catch my attention, like a male pidgey showing off for a female, and every time, it worked on me without fail.
His cheeks flushed a deep red, and he shifted, suddenly looking almost shy. "Misty... say something."
I could barely contain the rush of emotions swirling inside me—relief, joy, fear—all fighting for space in my chest. Slowly, I reached out and touched his arm, feeling the warmth of his skin under my fingertips. "Do you want me to?" I asked softly.
Ash's breath hitched. He looked down at where my hand rested on his arm, then back up at me, his eyes wide and hopeful. "What if I do?"
Everything inside me screamed to close the gap between us—to kiss him. But instead, I stayed there, frozen by the intensity of the moment, waiting for him to make the next move. All the logical arguments I'd been clinging to against kissing him vanished in an instant. It was like a switch flipped inside me. I was desperate to act on my feelings, I felt this urge to go for it, to use this newfound boldness, and to forget about any consequences that might come my way. "Answer clearly. Do you want me to feel the same, Ash Ketchum?" I asked one last time.
Ash didn't answer right away. Instead, he lifted his eyes to meet mine, and I forgot how to breathe.
He swallowed hard, and then, so softly I almost missed it, he nodded. "Always have, Misty."
My chest tightened, an ache spreading through me so fast it was dizzying. I felt warmth rush to my face, and my heart hammered in my ears. I had imagined this moment in my made-up scenarios a thousand times since his birthday—what I'd say, what I'd do—but now that it was happening, I could barely form a coherent thought.
"Ash," I breathed, my voice trembling as I inched closer. "Why didn't you say anything sooner?"
He smiled so wide his eyes went small. "Because I like you a lot."
Consequences be damned.
I grasped his chin, turning his face toward mine. My hand found support on his upper thigh as I leaned in, reaching for his lips. With a rush of courage, I closed my eyes, fully aware of the risks, and kissed him.
Before he could react, I pulled back. As I opened my eyes, I was met with a swirl of emotions displayed on Ash's face. He seemed confused, shocked, and surprised, but most notably, he was blushing.
"We're breaking the rule we established," I reminded him, shifting closer. "You were supposed to be off-limits."
He touched my cheek. "It was broken the moment I started liking you."
I giggled. His mind seemed to process everything quickly as he leaned in for another kiss, eager to continue. I closed my eyes to completely immerse myself in this moment as I kissed him back, a tight knot forming in my chest, but this time from excitement. He kissed me like his life depended on it. I've never had someone kiss me so passionately, and I just couldn't help myself as a happy moan escaped my mouth. He cupped my face, his fingers lingering on my ear. He did something with his tongue which sent waves of excitement through my body. His hand slipped around my waist, holding me gently. Then, he pulled me closer onto his lap, drawing me in without caring that I was wet and sticky. A smile appeared on my lips against his, I tried to do what he did to me with his tongue and he softly chuckled at my attempt. I placed one hand on his neck while using the other to gently run my fingers through his hair.
As he continued to caress my waist, his hand slipped down my back. It seemed he was careful to not touch me anywhere he shouldn't. My chest puffed up as I felt a great amount of tickles, sending a rush of sensation through my body.
We pulled apart, and I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heartbeat. He looked so beautiful. We are so close yet I felt I needed more of him.
"Are you okay with this?" he managed to ask as he breathed.
I kissed his nose. "What do you think?"
"I thought you'd get weirded out."
"Actually, I've been having some new thoughts about you for a while now, too. And we might get awkward once the adrenaline rush goes weak, but we'll be fine." I smiled. "But how long have you liked me?"
He kissed my cheek. "Embarrassingly long," he said between kisses and I felt myself getting weak under his touch. "You're just as dense as me, Misty."
"Mhm." I breathed heavily as he kissed my neck. "We might be making a mistake."
"I can stop." I knew he was smirking.
I breathed again when his lips nibbled on my earlobe, he was teasing me. Damn you, Ash Ketchum. "Don't you dare."
He giggled, his lips meeting mine again.
His hands lingered on my waist, the warmth of his skin pressed against my cold, wet skin, his thumb tracing soft circles. As I inched closer to him, his touch moved lower, hovering just above my hips, but not daring to go any lower, and I appreciated it. But the thing was, I wanted him to.
"You may," I whispered.
We pulled away again.
"What?" he asked, eyes wide, face red.
I giggled. "Never mind." And I pulled him closer again. "I've never seen you look at me like that before," I said softly, trying to make sense of the fluttering in my chest.
He smiled cockily. "Oh, I've been looking."
I rolled my eyes.
He leaned in closer, his forehead gently touching mine. "Maybe I've just been too scared to show it until now."
But just as we were getting lost again, I pulled away. "My sisters are home," I reminded him, suddenly remembering we were still by the pool.
"I know." Ash gazed at me in a way I'd never seen before, a look that stirred something deep within me. It was a familiar expression, one I recognized, but certainly not on Ash's face.
In the heat of the moment, things escalated quickly. I don't even remember anything about how we reached my bedroom upstairs except we were hungrily all over each other. Or how I pinned him against the wall on the stairs leading to my room, wrapping my leg around him as we continued to kiss. Or how he lifted me up from my hips, throwing away the poor towel trying to cover me up.
As we reached the room, we hastily locked it behind us.
"So the bikini was for me?" He smirked, pulling me closer, his arms wrapped around my waist.
I smirked too. "You have no right to speak with just that poor towel around your waist. You were seducing me."
"Did it work?"
I kissed his neck. "Nope."
Our actions felt hazy and indistinct, but Ash's face remained vivid and clear in my vision—indeed, the only thing I could focus on. I reached out, tracing my fingers gently across his face. His skin felt soft beneath my touch. I traced a path down his nose, then over his lips, eliciting a smile from him. Continuing downward, my finger trailed along his neck and then onto his chest. For a brief moment, he closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he cupped my cheek in his palm, his other hand tenderly stroking my hair.
"I've been dropping hints for a while now," he said.
I giggled. "Now you know how it feels on the other side of the table."
I kissed him again, pulling him even closer. I could feel his hands making their way towards the hook of my bikini top and I smiled against his lips. But he didn't open it. Taking it as his shyness, I decided to step up and kiss him on his collarbone, my hands fumbling their way towards his pants.
But he twitched and leaned away.
"I'm sorry I thought…" I apologized, having gone farther than his comfort.
He shyly shook his head. "I've never actually….gone all the way…."
I smiled. I held his hand and lifted it closer to my lips. Then I kissed his fingers. "Do you want to?" I asked, gently.
He nodded. "With you, yes."
With a gentle but firm push, I guided him until he was lying on the bed. Then, I knelt on my knees, positioning myself on either side of his hips, my hands supporting me as I leaned forward to face him with a warm smile.
He smiled back, tracing his finger on my arm. He leaned in for another kiss, his hands all over my body.
In that instant, everything felt right, rules be damned. Every sensation, every touch was a friendship blooming into something filled with desire and passion. A fumbling of hands and legs and silent requests to move further past a point of no return. But I knew I'd have no regrets. That if my time on this earth were to end tomorrow, I would depart without an ounce of remorse.
Two friends, two hearts
Too many nights to count them
But tonight was something new
And I knowyoufelt it too
Whenwe fell into the passion ofa kiss
Around the world
We've shared these roads together
Every journey is grand
When you're holding my hand
Do friends fall in love like this?
A look that once was merely warm
Now blazes with an ardent desire
A touch that once was just a touch
Burns hotter than a five alarm fire
Oh say you're mine
For all our days to follow
What was innocent before
Has become a grand amour
Two friends fell in love like this
A/N: Look who finally made them smooch! Enough with the torture, am I right? Tell me in the reviews how do you want the story to go forward? I'm open to suggestions!