"Hey Mom! I'm home!" Ash said as he ran in through the door to his mother's home. Slinging his backpack onto the ground, he ran to greet his mother, who had just come around the hall bend. His raven-black hair bounded with every step he took, his hat tucked safely in his backpack.
"Pikachu-pi!"(Ah, home at last.) Pikachu squeaked from atop Ash's shoulder.
"Oh, my precious baby's home! Did you change your you-know-what's every day?" Delia said, smirking. She just loved embarrassing Ash in front of his friends. But looking around her, she noticed that there were none accompanying him.
"MOM! I'm not 10 anymore. I'm 13, and perfectly capable of taking care of myself as a matter of fact." He paused for a moment and broke out into a goofy, wide grin. "And another matter of fact: I'm starving! What's to eat?" In complete food-induced delight, he rubbed his hands together mischievously.
"That's what I missed. Come on, food's waiting in the kitchen." she said, beckoning him over. "Oh, but please wash up first. You're so dirty." she added with a wink.
Ash only groaned and dragged his feet obligatorily over to the bathroom to wash his hands. He opened the door and turned on the tap, quickly pumping soap into his palm. He enjoyed the feeling of the liquid gliding over his knuckles, washing away all sudsy remnants. Pikachu joined in, sticking his yellow paw under the water and giggling. Turning off the tap, Ash quickly fixed his hair in the mirror and leaped out eagerly.
Once he washed up a bit, they sat down at the table. Delia had set up quite the array of dishes, from salad to croquettes to chicken. Ash's eyes lit up at the mere sight of the food, and breathed in the wafting scent of chicken.
Ash being the boy he was, tried to eat. But he couldn't shake off the twisting in his stomach, or the tears threatening to spill out of the corner of his eyes. A certain tomboy was pictured in his head, her bright eyes the only thing he wanted to see. He could feel his throat close up and his chest tighten as the Butterfree inside him flapped with all their might.
"Pikachu-pika-pi?" (Ash, what's wrong? Still sad?) said Pikachu, who was enjoying Brock's Poke-Chow from the floor.
And this statement from Pikachu, was, in fact, within reason. Prior to coming here, they'd had to leave Brock and his beloved Pikachupi. The ordeal had put Ash to tears, though they had recently since dried before coming here.
"What's the trouble, Ashy? Something on your mind?" Delia said, forehead wrinkling in concern.
Ash snapped awake from his hazy state, eyes wide. He could feel the heat inch its way up his neck as he struggled to rationalize the thoughts that intruded his mind. A tiny war waged in his mind, both sides staking their claims and sticking to them.
"Uh.. sorry! Nothing Mom!" he blurted out. Ash, a soon-to-be Pokemon Master, was not mentally prepared for this. Why did his mind keep wandering, and wandering to Misty, of all places?
"Oh, come on, you know I can sense when something's on your mind." she reminded him.
He groaned and put his head down on the table, causing Delia's eyes to widen. He would have to tell his mom what he was feeling. She would probably understand what he was feeling better than him, anyways.
"Um, mom, can I tell you something?" he mumbled.
"Go ahead. You're my child after all; what kind of mother would I be if I said no?" she quipped.
"I feel so weird, telling this to you. Remember Misty?"
Delia gave a slight grin, letting her female instinct get the best of her. Could her dreams be coming true? Regardless, she had to answer him. "How could I forget? The girl is a firework, with that temper of her. It serves you well, either way. What happened? Are you sad about leaving her?"
"I don't know. My stomach's in knots, and my heart's beating like 50 Tauros at the mention of her name. I didn't want her to leave… But I think I made her feel like I didn't care. " Ash nervously tugged at his hair. "Argh, why do I feel like this? I didn't feel like this when Tracey left, and I'm not feeling anything this strong towards Brock. It's just Misty. I can't even eat anymore. What did she do to me?" He banged his head against the table, causing Pikachu to jump in fear.
Meanwhile, Delia's face lit up. She quickly pinched both of his cheeks, giggling. Ash looked confused, his head tilting to the side. "I knew this day would come someday. Ash. You're in love with Misty."
Ash blushed bright scarlet. Running through his mind, a thousand thoughts catapulted back and forth. What if he did like Misty? But Misty is so rude, and such a jerk. On the other hand, she's proved that she loves you, at least like a sibling, and at least appreciates your existence. How many times has she saved him? He loved her like a sister, and said it himself. No other feelings required. Right? He started to second-guess everything he's ever felt for the fiery Water-type trainer as he ran his hand through his hair.
"I'm Ash Ketchum! I don't catch feelings, I catch Pokemon!" he blurted out.
His heartbeat felt so loud to him it was deafening. His mom was talking in the distance, but he couldn't hear.
"At your age, it's only natural to. With hormon-"
"NO!" he yelled. They were not going there. Not until he was at least 15. "I'm not hungry anymore. Pikachu, come with me. I need to think." He grabbed Pikachu off of the floor, interrupting him from his seemingly delicious meal.
"And the thing is, son, I think Misty likes you too." she said in a whisper.
He ran into his bedroom, mind still buzzing. His heart was beating faster than ever. He couldn't be in love. Not with his best friend of three years. She hated him sometimes. He was always just going to be the dense, moronic idiot who stole her bike. He flopped down onto his bed, shut the blinds, and hugged Pikachu with all his might.
"pika...chu.."(let go...) the small mouse squeaked, nearly choking.
"Sorry, Pikachu. Didn't mean to hurt you." Ash said, releasing his grip. "Too much going on in my empty head."
"Pikachu-pi?" (You ok?)
"Don't worry about me, Pikachu. Just figuring some stuff out, is all." He put on his best fake grin for the sake of Pikachu.
Pikachu, being his best buddy, did not buy this. "Pika-chu-pi." (I think you should tell her. )
"She doesn't feel the same way. All I'll ever be to her is her best friend. I don't even deserve that title."
Pikachu was heartbroken at his master's words. If only he could tell him that she loves him too. But he had to do this himself. After all, who's the owner of who here?
"Pika-chu."(Think of her.) the rat whispered into his master's chest.
"Um, I already kind-of am, Pikachu." he said, rubbing the back of his neck.
Damn his dense master. "Pika-pi-chu."(Just think.)
"Ok, Pikachu, I trust you."
"Pika-chu-pi-pika. Pikachu- Pikapi." (Think about what you like about her the most.)
Ash's mind wandered. What did he like so much about Misty? She was…ya know, kind-of pretty. Her hair was short and fiery, like her spirit. And he could get lost in those ocean eyes.
"Well, she's tough. And strong. And not afraid to stand up for herself." he chuckled at the memories of her outbursting. "Even if it means standing up to me."
"Pikachu, pika-pi-pikachu pi?" (What do you feel when you're with her?)
Being with her was like being in heaven. Her laugh could light up the darkest of rooms. Whenever she smiled, she made him feel at home and comforted. Her touch was like fire on his skin, overcoming his senses and internally burning him up.
"Like I can't take my eyes off her." he finally said. "She's so amazing; and even when she's yelling at me, I know she cares, so I don't mind too much. I don't feel bad when I tease her because I know it's all in good fun. I know that she won't get insulted, even if she pretends to."
"Pikachu... Pika-pi-chu-pika." (That's right, just accept what you feel.)
"Pikachu..pika-pi-chu?"(Ash, you good now?) the electric mouse added.
"Yeah, I am. Thanks Pikachu. I really owe you." he said, nuzzling his partner's cheek.
"Pikachu!"(You really do, Ash.) Pikachu grinned and lightly shocked the boy.
And as Delia heard what was happening in the room, she couldn't help but smile.
(A/N): Rewrite of an old one-shot.
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