Midnight Drives

The gentle hum of the engine was the only sound in the quiet night as Ash and Misty drove down the dark highway. The twins, Aiden and Michelle, were sound asleep in the backseat, their soft breaths audible every now and then. The moonlight filtered through the car windows, casting a silver glow over Misty as she leaned her head against the window, her eyelids drooping.

Ash glanced at her from the driver's seat, his hands steady on the wheel. He noticed her struggling to stay awake. "Misty, don't fall asleep," he said softly, the hint of a chuckle in his voice.

"I'm not asleep," she mumbled, though her voice betrayed her exhaustion.

Ash shook his head, smiling. "You're totally about to doze off. Stay with me, babe. You know how I hate driving alone while everyone else sleeps."

Misty sat up straighter, brushing her hair away from her face. "Fine," she sighed, stifling a yawn. "But you have to keep me entertained. What do you want me to talk about?"

Ash grinned. "How about you pick a topic this time? Something interesting, maybe."

Misty smirked, sensing an opportunity. She turned her head to look at him, her aquamarine eyes sparkling despite her fatigue. "Alright, I have one. Back when I was stuck in Cerulean City being a gym leader, and you were off gallivanting around the world… how many girls had a crush on you?"

Ash nearly choked on his laugh, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter. "Wow, okay, we're going there?"

"Why not?" Misty teased, leaning her head back against the seat. "You were out there, living your dream, while I was dealing with trainers who thought they were hotshots. I deserve to know if I should've been jealous."

Ash glanced at her again, his smile softening. "Honestly, Mist, I wasn't really paying attention to stuff like that."

"Convenient answer," she quipped, but her teasing tone encouraged him to keep going.

"I'm serious," Ash insisted. "I was focused on training and becoming a Pokémon Master. Sure, there were some girls who were... friendly, I guess? But I didn't notice half the time. Brock would tell me afterward that so-and-so was flirting, and I'd be like, 'Wait, what?'"

Misty raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. And how many times did Brock say that?"

Ash hesitated, scratching the back of his head. "Okay, fine, maybe a few times. There were a couple of girls like Miette and Serena who were... flirty, I guess? But honestly, I never really paid attention."

Misty crossed her arms, her smirk widening. "Uh-huh. Pretty bold of you to admit it."

Ash shot her a pleading look. "Come on, Mist, you know none of it mattered. I was always more focused on you—even when I didn't know it."

Misty's cheeks warmed at his honesty, but she wasn't going to let him off so easily. "Alright, fair enough. But since you spilled, it's only fair I do too. Your turn to ask."

Ash glanced at her, curiosity glinting in his eyes. "Okay, Misty, how many guys had a crush on you while I was out 'gallivanting'?"

Misty chuckled softly, leaning back into her seat. "Oh, there were a few," she admitted casually.

"A few?" Ash repeated, mock-offended. "Details, please."

"Well," Misty began with a smirk, "there were a few trainers at the gym who tried to flirt, but I wasn't really interested in any of them."

"Why?" Ash asked, though he already felt his heart warming.

"Because the guy I wanted was always out there chasing his dream," Misty said, her voice softening. "And I knew he'd come back to me eventually."

Ash reached over, his free hand finding hers and giving it a gentle squeeze. "I guess we both knew where we belonged all along, huh?"

Misty smiled, lacing her fingers with his. "Yeah, we did."

A soft murmur came from the backseat, and both of them turned to see Aiden stirring slightly before settling back into sleep. Michelle's tiny hand rested on her brother's arm, the two of them perfectly at peace.

Misty smiled, her heart full. "We've come a long way, haven't we?"

"We have," Ash agreed, his voice filled with warmth. "And I wouldn't trade any of it for the world."

The rest of the drive was filled with quiet conversation and the occasional laugh, the bond between them growing even stronger under the light of the moon and the stars. By the time they reached home, Misty wasn't sleepy anymore—not when her heart was so full of love.

Misty, still feeling playful, started to speak again. "Well, there was Jack, and Leo, and—"

Ash cut her off quickly. "Just don't mention Georgio, that guy boils my blood."

Misty snickered, her eyes twinkling. "Come on, he doesn't matter at all. I have my eyes only for the Dada of my children."

Ash's cheeks turned a shade of red as he tried to hide a grin. "Glad to know I'm the one who made it into your heart, Mist."