Boundy by Love, Tested by Doubt

The day had been ordinary for Ash. Training sessions were productive, and he was looking forward to dinner with Misty. However, everything took a turn when Ash ran into a visiting trainer near the Pokémon Center.

The young trainer was animated, recounting his visit to the Cerulean Gym.

"Your wife's an incredible gym leader, Mr. Ketchum! She's fierce, but fair. I can see why she's so popular."

Ash smiled, pride swelling in his chest. "Yeah, Misty is amazing. She runs a tight gym."

The trainer grinned, leaning in as if to share a secret. "Oh, and it must be great having her network with other gym leaders. I heard she met with Trovita Island's gym leader yesterday. Two gym leaders, you know—exciting stuff!"

Ash's entire demeanor shifted. His smile froze, and his heart thudded against his ribs. Trovita Island's gym leader?

There was only one.

Rudy.

Ash forced a neutral tone, masking the storm brewing inside. "Yeah… Rudy, right? I didn't know he was in town."

"Yeah! I saw them at a coffee shop. They seemed pretty deep in conversation." The trainer shrugged. "Anyway, I gotta get going. Thanks for the tips, Mr. Ketchum!"

Ash nodded absently, barely processing the trainer's departure. His mind was already racing. Rudy. That arrogant guy who had a thing for Misty.

XXX

Ash arrived home late, his expression unreadable. Misty greeted him at the door with her usual bright smile, leaning up to kiss him. "Welcome back, honey!"

Ash didn't respond. His silence was unnerving.

Misty frowned, stepping back. "Is everything okay?"

He didn't answer immediately, walking past her into the living room. His hands clenched into fists at his sides.

"Ash?" Misty called again, concern growing.

Finally, his voice cut through the air, stern and controlled. "Misty, come here."

The tone stopped her in her tracks. She hesitated, then followed, sitting cautiously on the couch as he gestured.

Ash knelt in front of her, his intense gaze locking onto hers. "You had an interesting day yesterday, didn't you?"

Misty blinked, startled by the question. "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean," Ash said, his voice dangerously calm. "You ran into someone. Someone from the Orange Islands."

Her heart skipped a beat. "Ash, I don't—"

"Don't play dumb, Misty," Ash interrupted, his tone sharper now. "You met Rudy, didn't you?"

Misty's stomach twisted, but she feigned ignorance. "I—I don't know where you're getting this from."

Ash let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "You're lying." He stood abruptly, pacing in front of her. "Why would you lie to me, Misty? Who do you think told me? It wasn't Rudy—it was some trainer who saw you two together."

Misty's lips parted, but no words came out.

Ash turned back to her, his voice tightening. "Did you think I wouldn't find out? That it wouldn't come back to me eventually?"

Misty swallowed hard, her eyes darting to the floor. "Ash, it wasn't what you think."

"Then what was it?" Ash demanded, his voice rising. "You sat down with a guy who made it very clear he had feelings for you in the past, and you didn't think to tell me about it?"

"It wasn't like that!" Misty protested, standing now. "He just wanted to catch up. I didn't think it was a big deal."

Ash stepped closer, his eyes dark with frustration. "Not a big deal? Misty, you're carrying my child, and you think it's okay to meet with someone like him? Without even telling me?"

Her eyes filled with tears, and she whispered, "Ash… I didn't want to upset you." she countered, her voice trembling. "I knew how you'd react, and I didn't want to cause unnecessary drama."

Ash shook his head, pacing in front of her. "This isn't drama, Misty. This is about trust. You should've told me. You can't just decide what I should or shouldn't know."

"I swear I didn't want to upset you," Misty whimpered.

"Upset me?" Ash scoffed. "You're my wife, Misty. You should've come to me first, not gone behind my back."

"I wasn't going behind your back!" Misty shot back, her voice trembling.

"You lied by omission," Ash said firmly, his voice softening but still laced with anger. "And you're still lying to me now."

"I'm not lying—"

"Stop it, Misty!" Ash exploded, his voice echoing through the house. Misty flinched, her tears spilling over.

She took a shaky step back, trying to retreat, but her foot caught on the bottom step of the staircase. She stumbled, and Ash was there in an instant, catching her. His hands instinctively went to her stomach, steadying her.

"Careful," he murmured, his voice low and protective. "That's my extension you've got in there."

Misty pushed him away, her tears blinding her as she hurried upstairs. Ash followed, his own emotions warring within him.

In their bedroom, Misty collapsed onto the bed, burying her face in the pillow. She lay on her stomach, sobbing quietly.

Ash entered a moment later, his anger dissipating as guilt took its place. He sat beside her and gently turned her onto her back.

"Don't lie on your stomach," he murmured, his voice soft now.

Misty sniffled, her red-rimmed eyes glaring up at him. "Why do you even care?"

"Because I love you," Ash said simply, his fingers brushing her hair away from her face.

"Then why were you yelling at me?" she whispered, her voice cracking.

"Because I was scared," Ash admitted, his head bowing. "Scared that someone else could come between us. That I'd lose you. And I shouldn't have yelled, Misty. I'm sorry."

Her tears continued to flow, but she reached for his hand, gripping it tightly. "You're not going to lose me, Ash. I love you. Only you."

Ash leaned down, pressing a tender kiss to her lips. "I know. I just… I need to hear it sometimes."

"You're an idiot," Misty whispered, a faint smile breaking through her tears.

"And you're stuck with me," Ash replied, resting his forehead against hers.

They stayed like that for a moment, their breaths mingling, before Ash pulled her closer, holding her as if she might disappear.

"We're okay, right?" he asked softly.

Misty nodded, her arms wrapping around him. "We're okay."