Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The morning had been an entirely too busy one. Trainers had been filing in and out incessantly since the gym doors opened at 8AM. Though she and her Pokemon were drained by mid-day, the distraction had been a welcome one for her. She had had a lot on her mind recently, and it suited her to push it all aside rather than confront it head-on.

By half past noon, the morning rush died down and Misty was finally able to give herself a lunch break in the tranquility of her office. Plenty of time to think, hopefully not to her detriment. 

Today’s break was, at best, a change of pace over quickly stuffing her face with whatever she could scrounge up between gym battles. Though this day was a particularly busy one, even a semi-tranquil day was a rare one in Misty’s near-decade of running the gym on her own. She spent most of her lunch reflecting on recent happenings and her plans for the next several months. She used all her mental strength to keep it to planning business matters and nothing more.

Just as she had been finishing up lunch, she received a web call from one of her oldest friends on the large computer that took up most of her desk space.

"Hi Brock! It's good to hear from you."

“Hey Misty, just checking in,” he smiled warmly from his side of the screen.

The pair caught up for a few minutes, before they found themselves chatting idly about updates they had already shared with one another. It was a few repeat ‘hey did I tell you about…’s before the older broached the topic she had been hoping to bury away.

Misty sighed. She didn't want to talk about Ash. It made her stomach hurt.

She had been driving herself into heartache just thinking about him and what she interpreted as hints of a potential relationship with someone else. He had landed in Kanto only a week ago to immediately inform them all that he was considering leaving once again to defend his champion status and test his skills in a new region -with a former traveling companion whom she had heard of but never met. 

"But you only just got here," Mrs. Ketchum had chided as she nudged Misty to say something as well.

He was already a Pokemon Master, but none of his accomplishments seemed to satisfy him. Or keep him in one place. There was always something calling him away. 

She couldn't figure out his restlessness. And she certainly could not stop him.

One visit and one silly argument (for old time's sake) later, she was back in Cerulean City -trying desperately not to think about him.

"I haven't much word back from Mrs. Ketchum other than her asking me to stop him, but I bet Ash decided to head out to that next challenge in the Peninsula Region. I'm sure," she paused, "he and...and his friends will have a lot of really great adventures out there."

"Hmm." Brock gave her a look.

"I-I mean, why wouldn't they? We’ve all remained friends with him, haven’t we? Ash is always up for a challenge, new experiences, and you know, he just really cares. So traveling with him...It's just the best. He's an amazing trainer, friend, and adventure partner. You know that."

Brock smiled sadly. "I do know that. And I know that you are an excellent friend too."

Misty smiled.

"You're a great friend too, Brock. I appreciate you calling and I know why you did, but...He's off to the races again, I just know it. Nothing can keep that man in one place, especially not me."

Ash was a born wanderer. Always in search of adventures. Misty knew that. As much as it pained her to admit it, she felt she had missed her shot long ago. Why would he want to stay in boring old Kanto when he had the whole world left to explore, anyway? What was there here for him, really?

"Is that really what stopped you from telling him, Misty? What if it changed things? You know, I just don’t understand why you’ve never told him how you feel. Knowing Ash, he could be gone for years or more."

Misty sighed before biting her lower lip in thought. 

"It won’t change things, Brock. And if he never comes back again? Well, we'll always be friends. Nothing is going to change that, not distance, not region, not new friends," her voice softened, "not even years apart."

She was sad, of course. Misty just didn't want to admit it out loud. She wanted to be okay.

Her friend sighed from his end of the video call. He ran a hand through his spiky hair and gave her a commiserating look.

"I just…”, he shook his head, “You two just ... never quite got that timing, did you?"

She let out a rueful chuckle, rolled her eyes, and shook her head. Her fiery red bangs fell across her face. 

"Well, he kind of shot me down in not so many words and I...I don’t know? Sabotaged myself and shot down my opportunities with him," she chewed the inside of her cheek pensively, "I could have visited each time he invited. I could have reached out more instead of hiding here, moping. It took me a long time to admit to myself what I had been feeling all along. Admitting it to him...I just never found the right time - or courage."

Her friend's eyes began to water a bit. She knew he cared so deeply for her and Ash. He was probably about as invested in their could-have-been relationship as she was. But that's all it ever had been and would be. A could-have-been. She and Ash had been the best of friends. They had traveled for years together without truly breaching the subject. And even years later as young adults and friends who still kept it touch and visited from time to time, they just never got around to being anything more than that. As much as there had been hints from both of wanting more at some point, they were only ever a could-have-been.

It was time to let the fantasy go. Her cheeks reddened as she brushed her bangs off of her face. 

"Are you going to be okay, Misty? I can come out there if you'd like. We can grab ice cream, watch rom coms, cry," he gave her a cheesy grin.

Suddenly she felt a lump in her throat. She looked away, turning to absently scan the comfortable office she sat in. On the small shelves behind her sat trinkets from her travels, even some that Ash had sent throughout the years. Looking at them brought a terrible sinking feeling to the pit of her stomach.

They'd always be friends.

Misty sighed and looked back to the computer screen where her friend sat evidently concerned from the other side of the video call.

"It's alright, Brock. Thank you for offering. Don't drop your plans for me, though," she gave him an earnest smile trying to convince him that all was well, "I'll be fine, really. Look, I've got so much going on here. The gym is undergoing more renovations soon and I need to train my younger Pokemon more and...and I have other friends to catch up with and I can go on dates! And oh, maybe I'll go visit some old friends back in the Orange Isl-"

Before she could finish her sentence, the door to her office burst open. She looked up from the screen to see a tall lean young man with shaggy black hair looking at her, a little flustered.

"Ash."

She said his name breathlessly and glanced back at the call screen to a silent Brock who looked confused and excited. She thanked whatever spirits out there that had had the good sense to mute himself.

A chat box popped up. "Tell him!!!!"

Ash, catching her looking at the screen, flushed. "Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to barge in and interrupt your work day."

She shook her head slightly, still trying to wrap her mind around the fact that she was seeing him here in her office when she had believed just minutes ago he would be off to the Peninsula Region by now.

"I-it's fine. I...I thought you'd be… your mom said you were planning on leaving."

"I was. But...I couldn't after all. I realized...well, I knew already…," he shook his head causing his shaggy locks to fall across his face.

He cleared his throat, "What I mean is, ar-are you free for dinner tonight?"

Her eyebrows went up slightly and the pit of her stomach went from sick to full of butterfree. Her heart rate was soaring.

"Yes," she said and gulped.

He gave her a lopsided grin, "Good. Then...it's a date."

"It's a date," she confirmed softly.

Seeming to become self conscious of the fact that he had interrupted her, he smiled almost bashfully.

"Ah, I'm sorry for bursting in. Um, I'll let you get back to it. But Pikachu and I will pick you up tonight."

Ash nodded awkwardly and gave her one last smile before stepping out of her office and gently shutting the door.

Misty blinked rapidly. She felt her cheeks burn as her vision blurred slightly, tears rising warmly.

She let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Suddenly, she couldn't even recall what she had been saying just a minute before.

Looking back at the computer, she saw a gaping Brock.

A smile formed on her face, she still felt stunned.

"Oh. My. Zubat." Brock breathed out.

She shook her head again, as though trying to shake the thoughts back into her head.

"I'm sorry, Brock. Wha-what were we talking about?"

She couldn't help the cheesy grin that was threatening to escape the confines of her face.

She had a date with Ash.

Chapter Text

It was evening now. Not long after Ash had stopped by, Misty decided to close the gym a little earlier than usual. She hoped she didn't disappoint any eager young trainers in doing so, but she had lost all ability to concentrate.

After Ash's surprising drop-in at lunch, her focus on battles lessened progressively as the hours ticked closer to her date. It was hard to think of anything other than her raven-haired best friend and the careful eagerness in his expression after asking her to dinner. Even her faithful Psyduck seemed to be better at concentrating in their last few battles of the day than she had; Misty figured it would be best to close up shop.

For the last several hours since then, she had been in the residential wing of the gym trying to ready herself for her date. After a barrage of text messages between herself, her sisters, and Brock, her nerves were at their peak. So she set up a video call with them in hopes of receiving a bit of moral support. 

The video call was intended to help her calm her nerves, but…Well, it had been going just about as well as she should have expected.  More tiresome than not.

Misty was in her bedroom now, fiddling with her dress, absently tugging at the hem.

"Does-does this look alright," she glanced nervously at the laptop screen on her nightstand.

She immediately received several emphatic nods and chimes of 'yes' and 'you look great'.

While her call was initially supposed to be with just Brock and her sisters, several more guests had popped into the video call. But, of course, she figured the original four were to blame. The news of her date had traveled faster than a Vaporeon's quick attack. 

She sighed, running a hand through her long fiery red hair. Let loose for the occasion, of course. Her sisters had insisted that her usual ponytail would just not do.

Biting back irritation that she might have unleashed in her youth, Misty continued examining her outfit in the mirror while addressing her audience. She felt a little awkward. Not that she didn't dress up more these days than she had as a teenager, but…

She hadn't ever dressed up for Ash before. When was the last time he'd seen her in anything other than shorts and a tank top? 

"Brock an-and everyone, not that I'm not happy to see each of you…but why are you all on this call again? I just wanted a quick opinion, maybe a little pep before my, uh, date," she mumbled the last part, feeling her cheeks burn as soon as she used the 'd' word aloud.

May put a hand up to the webcam and made a loud "ahem!" to keep her from continuing. 

"Misty… that's exactly why we all needed to be on this call! We've been waiting for years," May started.

"Some of us over a decade," Brock cut in.

"We know, Brock! But, like, stop harping on that, will ya? The Sensational Sisters have been waiting  just as long  for Ashy to become a Sensational  Brother ," Lily and Violet chided the poke-doctor.

Misty doubted that was the case, but she stared blankly at the computer screen as her friends continued.

Brock opened his mouth to retort, and the others on the call began chiming in. It turned into a wave of noise crackling loudly from her computer speakers for much longer than necessary. 

She sighed, trying her best to keep from rolling her eyes at her friends.  No one  had been waiting for this as long as  she  had. She felt a pulse in her temple. Her irritation mixed with her nerves; that old temper was very close to rearing its ugly head.

Bringing her fingers to her temples, she willed herself to stay calm. Why she didn't just end the video call right then, she didn't know.

Finally, one voice of reason came through the noise.

"Okay, okay! Calm down, everyone," Dawn snapped as Misty pinched the bridge of her nose, "Yes, some of us have been hoping for a little movement on the Ash and Misty train a little longer than others. But the fact of the matter is, we're all just really excited."

The group nodded vehemently at that remark.

"Misty, you look wonderful. I don't think you have anything to be nervous about. You've had Ash hooked on your lure for a long time," Dawn winked at her.

A not-so-subtle reference, of course.

"Yes! Like, you look fantastic, Baby Sis!"

A few on the screen nodded their heads in agreement. Misty gave a grateful but pained smile at her friends. Her stomach tumbled with butterfree, and her cheeks felt as hot as a Charmander's tail.

She looked back at the mirror hanging from the wall opposite her nightstand. Would  Ash  like this outfit? Would  he  think she looked great?

Again, she fidgeted with the straps of the red dress and the small beige cardigan she wore over it. The outfit was simple, perhaps understated, but she thought it looked flattering. Violet had suggested the dress. She said it, like, hugged her in, like,  all the right places .

Misty frowned. What if tonight went in all the  wrong  places? 

"Mistyyy, like, I can tell you're overthinking. So get out of your head, Baby Sister."

She knew Daisy was right. It was just so hard to wrap her mind around what this date could mean.

"She's right, Misty. Ash asked you out for a reason. I think each of us," Tracey gestured from his webcam where he sat squished into the screen with Daisy, "knows how much he cares about you. He's been a little…slow…over the years, but there's no doubt he cares deeply for you. He'll think you're beautiful whether you're wearing a dress or the tank top and shorts you wore on your travels."

Daisy smiled warmly and kissed Tracey on the cheek. The rest of the call participants expressed their approval as well.

"But, like, stick with the dress for tonight, Little Sister. You'll knock his socks off."

Lilly gave her a thumbs up as Violet nodded vigorously.

"Okay…," Misty still felt dubious but chose to heed their advice.

She sat on the edge of her bed to slip on some sandals and take a few calming breaths. Her friends' conversation turned to other things as she zoned them out to mentally prepare.

A  date .

Ash  had asked  her  on a date.

She had  a date  with Ash.

Her  best friend , Ash Ketchum.

Her crush of  thirteen years, Ash Ketchum .

She really had not expected this at all. Misty had resigned herself to accepting the fact - or what she thought was a fact - that they'd only ever be friends.

And she had been okay with that. After years of pining, she had learned to push aside her romantic feelings to preserve their friendship. Ash meant so much to her, and having him in her life at all mattered more to her than having a romantic relationship with him. Misty had long since accepted that she would have to move on. The fact that she hadn't quite gotten around to moving on yet was another matter entirely.

Yet suddenly, that had all been thrown to the wayside.

It was surreal .

Somewhere deep in her conscience, thirteen-year-old Misty was squealing with excitement. Who was she kidding? Twenty-three-year-old Misty was internally squealing.

"What time is he picking you up, Misty," May broke through her train of thought.

She looked up, mind still clouded, then shrugged at the webcam. Ash had only said  tonight . In retrospect, she probably should have asked, and he probably should have been more specific. But, on the other hand, maybe he was just as nervous or as stunned as she was. 

Maybe he was changing his mind? She quickly shook that thought from her mind. 

"Bursting in randomly, not specifying a time, not having a plan... Yes, that sounds like our Ash," Max's sarcasm fell thickly into the conversation.

"Ain't that the truth," Brock and Dawn said simultaneously and guffawed.

Misty added a strained chuckle. Past the chatter of her friends, she thought she heard the doorbell to the residential entrance of the gym. It stopped for a moment and started up again a minute later. She paused, wondering what it could be, then jumped up when she realized who it was.

"Ash," she said breathlessly.

"You've gotta stop saying his name like that, Misty. You sound like you've seen a Gastly," Brock said with a grimace.

Misty pinched the bridge of her nose and took a deep breath before walking to the intercom at her bedroom door.

"Er, uh, Ash," her voice squeaked into the speaker.

A crackle came over the intercom, then, "H-hey, Misty. Yeah, it's me. I'm, um, I'm here."

"Pika!" She heard his faithful Pikachu squeak out before the line went silent.

"Ohhhh, you meant he's here," Brock said slowly.

Misty face-palmed, again biting back annoyance. She glanced at the screen in time to catch a few of her friends rolling their eyes. Another crackle came over the intercom before silence fell. Her palms became sweaty, and her knees weakened all at once. She felt like her heart was bouncing through a herd of stampeding Stantler. What had she gotten herself into?

"Breathe! Like, just breathe," her sisters reminded her.

She nodded as she pressed the button on the intercom and, as calmly as she could manage, "O-okay. I'll buzz you in, and you can come on up."

She flipped a switch and pressed another button on the intercom to unlock the entrance, "Um, okay. We're in."

Dawn gasped, "He's coming up!?"

"I guess?! I don't really know what the game plan is tonight. It's not like he hasn't been up here before."

Misty shrugged sheepishly. Quickly, she stepped in front of the mirror to give herself one last review. She grabbed her tube of lipstick from her bed and lightly reapplied it before giving herself a reassuring smile. It felt like a kaleidoscope of Butterfree were fluttering in her stomach; her nerves might as well have been fried by Pikachu.

But this date was  happening .

"Okay, you've got this, Misty. Just have fun," Tracey reminded her just as she heard a knock at the living room entrance.

She nodded before quickly exiting her room to rush to open the door for Ash.

As soon as she did, a blur of yellow fur flew into her arms.

"Pikachu-pi," the little yellow rodent squeaked as it nuzzled her cheek.

Instantly, Misty felt a wave of calm wash over her. This was just Pikachu and Ash. There was nothing to be nervous about now.

She cradled her little buddy happily for a moment.

But then, "Okay, Buddy. Do you think I can get a hug in, too?"

Misty's breath caught in her throat as Ash entered the living room and shut the door behind him. He was wearing a maroon button-down long-sleeved shirt tucked into a pair of dark jeans. His sleeves were rolled up his forearms, which somehow caused a flutter in her chest. She could tell he had also tried to comb his hair, as it looked a little more tame than usual.

She mused to herself that she could get used to this look.

"Pika! Pikachu," the pokemon squeaked happily.

Pikachu hopped out of her arms and scampered to the small adjacent kitchen, where she was sure he'd find the bottle of ketchup she'd left out on the counter.

That left her with Ash. Misty looked up at him, and their eyes locked instantly. This was not a typical hang-out between friends. This was a date.

A blush crept to her face as she noticed the one burning on his cheeks. Then, with the most endearingly nervous smile she'd ever seen, he stepped forward and wrapped her in a warm embrace. She reciprocated, locking her arms around his torso. With his height, her head came to rest just under his chin almost perfectly.

"You look really beautiful, Mist. I, uh, I'm really glad you said yes," he said as he buried his nose in her hair.

She felt calmer now than she had before. Standing in Ash's arms as she breathed him in just felt right. It felt familiar. It felt like she was where she belonged.

"I'm glad you asked," she whispered back.

Regretfully, she pulled away. Only just enough to look up and make eye contact with him again. He gave her a lopsided grin before untangling himself from her, allowing his hand to slip down her arm to take her hand.

"I, um, this…I thought this would feel kinda awkward," Ash offered, "but it feels pretty natural," he chuckled.

Misty felt a bit speechless. She had never known Ash to be so forthright.

He smiled more cautiously as he examined her features, "I'm being weird about this, aren't I?"

He scratched the back of his neck. Ash's blush deepened, and his hold on her hand loosened. Immediately, Misty shook her head and held his hand a little more firmly.

He grinned again before pulling her to sit with him on the sofa. The atmosphere between them felt so easy. She reminded herself that this was Ketchum! Her best friend. Of course, it would feel normal! He had visited her so often as they got older and learned to appreciate each other's friendship.

This was a new kind of visit, but it was still two best friends spending time together.

"Before you ask, I have an actual plan for us tonight. I promise! I guess I just wanted to be sure you hadn't reconsidered, heh," he scratched the back of his neck with his free hand again.

His other hand still held hers tenderly.

"Well, I'll admit…I briefly considered the possibility that you were joking or that I misinterpreted the date part," she smiled at him and felt a whole new swirl of Butterfree in her belly, "but then I got a little encouragement fro-Ohhh no! Hold that thought!"

Misty had totally forgotten about the video call that, knowing her friends, was probably still going on in her room. She released his hand, hopped off the couch, and scrambled into her room just a few feet away. 

She glanced at a confused Ash before she shut the door firmly behind her. Lo and behold, her friends were still chatting excitedly.

"Hey, you're back!"

"It sounds like he was happy to see you," Dawn squealed.

Misty nodded and quickly glanced at herself in the mirror across her room. Still holding it together, she praised herself. Although, she should have left her computer anywhere but on the nightstand beside her door.

She sighed but could not hold back her giddiness. Misty grinned happily, realizing Dawn was right. Ash was happy to see her; this was an actual date.

Leaning over the keyboard to look into the webcam, she quickly began, "Okay, thank you all, but I think I will have to take it on my own from here. You're free to go. I'm sure whoever I update will update the rest of you."

She proceeded to shut down her computer.

"No, hey, wait," Brock shouted.

"G'luck, Misty," Tracey nodded with Daisy.

"Hi Ashhh," May and Dawn crooned loudly.

"Tell Pikachu I sa-"

"But, like-"

And the screen went dark.

Closing her eyes momentarily, Misty breathed deeply. This was real. Ash was waiting for her right outside for their date!

Quickly, she exited the room to find Ash flipping through one of the gym magazines on her coffee table. He looked up when she shut the door and immediately stood.

A dopey expression crossed his face as she walked back to him, "Hey, Mist."

He sounded as though he was in a daze before he shook his head lightly.

"I, I…I mean, is everything alright, Mist? Thought I heard someone call my name."

Misty laughed. Loudly and perhaps a little alarmingly, but it felt good. Ash's expression turned quizzical as she sat next to him again.

"You did," Misty chuckled, "I'll tell you about it later, but first, tell me what you have in store for us tonight, Ketchum."

He took her hand again and gave it a gentle squeeze as he told her about what she could only guess was his interpretation of a romantic first date.

Chapter Text

Ash practically flew up the stairs to his mother's front door, Pikachu hopping along after him.

Tumbling through the doorway, he had never been so happy to fall face-first into the carpet and find himself being dusted by Mister Mime. It had been almost a year since he had been home to Pallet Town. 

A soft laugh rang from somewhere in the living room. As soon as he looked up from his spot on the floor, his eyes met a pair of deep cerulean eyes. 

"Mist," he exclaimed enthusiastically.

Pikachu ran right past Ash and Mr. Mime to leap into Misty's arms, "Pikachupi!"

"Hi Pikachu! How's my favorite pikapal," the redhead cooed as the pokemon nuzzled her cheek.

Ash jumped up quickly, throwing poor Mr. Mime off balance, and adjusted his clothes. The pokemon scowled, then stomped away. Ash shrugged and turned back to his two best friends. 

Watching Pikachu and Misty reunite brought him a deep happiness that very few other things ever had. He had always had a fondness for the warmth with which his best poke-pal greeted his best human pal. It just felt right, the two of them sharing such a close bond. 

Something in Ash fluttered as he watched the pair for a moment longer. He chalked it up to hunger. It had been a long trip, after all. He chewed his cheek in thought. Deep down inside, he knew it was more than hunger that had made his stomach flip. He felt the reason burning at his cheeks right then.

Misty grinned when she noticed him watching. As if Pikachu was privy to something he wasn't, the pokemon smirked and quickly hopped out of her arms to scamper off into the depths of the house. Maybe to smooth things over with Mr. Mime. As soon as he had scampered off, his longtime friend immediately stepped forward to give him a hug.

"Hey, Ketchum. Welcome home," she said softly as they embraced. 

He relished the feeling he got each time her arms wound their way around him, firmly welcoming him back. Ash couldn't remember when it had started, but he was so glad they had moved beyond friendly high fives -or worse, the hair pulling and mallet-swinging they had used as kids .

Where their friendship had once been soaked with sarcasm and bickering, there was now a genuine warmth and closeness that radiated each time they reunited. Ash missed the fiery aire between them at times, but could not deny he greatly enjoyed being greeted with a hug rather than a mallet. The occasions he was able to head straight to Cerulean City for a visit at Misty’s gym were even better. He was sometimes able to stop in early enough to catch her in her element as she battled a challenger. It awed him to watch her exhibit her true prowess each time; though he still struggled to admit it despite the maturity of their friendship in recent years.

As the pair hugged, Brock, Tracey, and Mrs. Ketchum emerged from the kitchen. He hardly paid them any mind. He was too busy wondering if Misty could feel his heart pounding against his chest as she held onto his torso. He thought, maybe, he could feel her heart pounding too. It had been months since he'd last been able to visit the redhead and he had missed her terribly. Ash just needed to relish in their reunion for a moment longer. 

Someone coughed dramatically, though. He could feel his whole body begin to warm intensely. It took a moment, but the pokemon master finally had to acknowledge the others in the room. Ash released Misty upon noting a pointed look from both Tracey and his mother. 

Misty retreated, with the faintest blush splattered across her cheeks, to stand beside her brother-in-law as the others greeted him. Ash felt his heart jump excitedly at the sight of her blush. 

His friends and mother greeted him jovially. He was pretty sure his mother’s eyes were already welling up with tears. After so many years on the road, she still worried for him and thanked Mew to have him back in one piece. 

Brock clapped him on the shoulder, bringing him out of his thoughts.

"Hey Buddy, good to have you back in Kanto!"

“He-hey everyone,” he sweat-dropped as he and Misty locked eyes and his mind temporarily lost focus again, "I - Good to be back!"

Tearing his gaze away from her, he leaned over to pull his mother into a hug. 

“Hey Mom. I missed you.”

Her small frame squeezed him tightly. She sniffled a bit from within his embrace and patted his back, mumbling about how underfed he seemed.

Pikachu had reappeared and promptly hopped into Misty’s arms once again. Brock and Tracey leaned over to scratch the pokemon affectionately on the head. Ash watched his oldest friends from over his mother’s head with warmth bubbling up in his chest. He had missed them dearly in the year since he had last been with them all in person at Daisy and Tracey's wedding. The wedding in question had been a touching celebration, more sentimental than Ash would have expected from the eldest Sensational Sister. Misty’s new brother-in-law certainly brought a calm balance to the Waterflower family. Ash pondered, if only for a moment, which sister would be the next to wed. 

His mother looked up at him with an unspoken question before giving him one last big squeeze and releasing him. 

"Oh, Ash. It is so good to have you home again, Sweetheart," she said emphatically before she started fussing over him, “Are you tired? You look a little pale. You are hungry, aren’t you?”

Brock guffawed. 

“Is that even a question, Mrs. K?”

His mother chuckled as she regarded Ash lovingly, “No, I suppose it isn’t. Come. I have a roast, potatoes, veggies, and two pies in the kitchen. Come.”

She patted her son’s cheek genially and made her way into the kitchen, the savory scent of the roast already wafting into the living room. Misty followed her without a word, giving him one last glance as she rounded the corner into the kitchen, Pikachu still cradled in her arms.  Brock and Tracey hung back with Ash. The pokemon master had watched his friend as she rounded the corner and felt his warmth fill him. Of course , he knew his friends had noticed his distracted gaze. 

"So… what was that mighty show of affection about," Brock questioned as he squinted suspiciously in Ash’s direction. 

"I just…missed her, is all."

He glanced back at the doorway to the kitchen. His mother and best friend were bustling about in the kitchen; he could hear the soft clatter of dishes and quiet murmurs as she and Misty likely set the table. 

“You good, Buddy,” Brock questioned again, waving a hand in front of his face. 

“Yes, you seem a bit off, Ash. You don’t normally show that level of affection. Didn't you see Misty just a couple of months ago in Cerulean City,” quizzed Tracey who was regarding him with concern. 

Ash shook his head and shrugged. His older friends seemed to be waiting for a response. “Ah yeah, I did stop by to see her on her birthday. I just…I don’t know. Something feels different. I just…Ha! Probably just in need of food!”

He paced into the kitchen without another word, his friends following suit with confusion written on their faces. 

…….…….…….……….…….….…….…….…….……….…….….

An hour later, Ash felt more like his normal self. He had devoured three servings of roast beef and was now making his way through a second slice of pie. 

Pikachu sat next to him at the table, licking happily at a plate of ketchup.  Between bites of peach cobbler, Ash told them all about his latest adventure. 

"...we needed some wind down time after that, but now there's a new opportunity in a small six-gym conference over in the Peninsula Region! Serena called me to invite me to join her the other day, but I wanted to stop by here first. She's making the rounds in the showcase circuit out there, and since I don't have any upcoming league events for at least another few months, I figured why not!"

Both Misty and his mother’s brows furrowed at the news of his upcoming journey. He knew those expressions so well by now but couldn’t fathom why either would be surprised by his plans to travel again. As much as he missed them all when he was away, they knew he couldn’t pass up an adventure. 

“Ash, do you have to leave again so soon,” his mother asked with concern, “I just don’t understand why you can’t stay longer than a week. Take a break. Rest and recuperate. Maybe settle down a bit. You’ve been on the road almost without a break for over a decade now.” 

His friends quietly looked between the two Ketchums. Pikachu looked up from his plate of ketchup to take in the situation. 

Still scarfing down his pie, Ash responded, "Mooommm. You know I have to stay active in different leagues and competitions to maintain my master status and defend my title. I was invited. It’s not like I’ll be on my own. I can’t just leave Serena hanging! She’s been asking for ages to travel together again.” 

Small pieces of pie sputtered out of his mouth as he spoke. He grinned sheepishly and shrugged. His trusty Pika-pal shook his head as if to remind him to have some manners. 

“But you only just got here,” his mother chided, “Don’t you want to spend some time with your other friends?” 

He thought he saw her elbow Misty gently. The gym leader, who had been pushing her still half-eaten pie around on her plate to that point, looked up and rolled her eyes at him. 

“Ash Ketchum. Why is it so impossible for you to stay in one place?”

While she had rolled her eyes at him, Ash heard more than sarcasm in her voice. He just couldn’t place what else was there and it caused a slight pang in his chest. What was it about this visit home that had his insides acting so wonky? 

“Mist, c’mon. You know I can’t pass up a new adventure! I’ve never been to Peninsula and I haven’t seen Serena in ages! Tell me you can think of a better adventure. I've seen all there is to see in Kanto. You were there, you know that!”

“Pikaaaa,” his pokemon seemed to chide him. 

He heard a soft sigh escape Misty. Brock, who sat on her other side, put a hand on her shoulder. 

“You’re right. What could possibly keep you here in Kanto, anyway? Just a bunch of people that care about you and miss you,” she let out a huff. 

Ash brought a hand to his forehead and let out a breath. Of course his words would come out wrong. He had never been very eloquent, not even years in the public eye had changed that. 

"Misty, that’s not what I meant. It's just the-there's nothing for me here right now ," he stammered.

Her eyes widened silently. He felt regret engulf him as soon as he saw her expression, "I-I meant-.”

But the damage seemed to already be done.

“Just- just…I’m going to go grab some air,” she gritted as she stood from her chair, “Enjoy your new adventure. So sorry there’s no one and nothing worth staying for here in Kanto.”

Her cerulean eyes bore into him for a moment before she mumbled an ‘excuse me’ to his mother and shrugged Brock’s hand off her shoulder. Pushing her chair away from the dining table, Misty made a beedrill line for the back door. 

Pikachu gave him a firm, “Pikachupi pika pi pi pikachu pikapi,” then followed Misty’s path out the back door. Ash would have been surprised, but many of his pokemon and his best friend had always had a strong bond. It wasn’t uncommon for them to choose her side in a disagreement. 

He frowned a bit, hating to revert back to the bickering they engaged in as kids when he only had a short time with her. Awkwardly, he looked at his friends and mother. Tracey's expression held both worry and resignation as he watched his sister-in-law leave. Brock and his mother sported matching expressions of disappointment. 

“Ahem, that was…,” Ash’s voice trailed as he struggled to gather his thoughts.

The Cerulean City gym leader had certainly left a thick layer of tension in her wake. Ash looked at the remaining guests at the table. He knew he had used the wrong words, but they had to know he hadn’t meant to hurt Misty. He had been traveling for their entire friendship; the pokemon master had no idea why she and his mother seemed to have such qualms about it now . It’s not like he didn’t call them each on a bi-weekly basis and visit whenever he could. Okay, maybe not whenever he could. But he made sure to make the trip to Pallet at least once a year. 

Ash didn’t worry too much. His mother would be fine, and Misty… Well, he and Misty had disagreed plenty before. She'd be back and fine in no time. She was always back and fine without much hassle on his end. Pikachu would help console her and it would all be fine. 

"Oh Ash," was all his mother said.

" This is normal Ash and Misty, guys. Don't look so concerned. We're not us if we're not at each other's throats, right?"

“C’mon, Ash. I thought you'd learned better than that,” Brock chided.

Brock and Tracey both folded their arms over their chests and shook their heads. They looked like two disappointed fathers. Ash wondered wryly if they were about to send him to his room. 

"You two hardly argue anymore, and that wasn’t really an argument, anyway. I think you may have hurt her feelings, Ash," Tracey said pensively, "Look. My advice? Just don't taint your short time together with the antics of your youth. If you really do head out to a new region, you likely won't see her for months or even a year. When Daisy is off to film for a show or movie for months at a time, I make our last few days together special. It's hard enough being apart without leaving on bad terms, isn’t it?”

Ash hated being talked to like he was a kid again. He knew Misty better than anybody. Their friendship would be just fine. At least he hoped so. 

“Yeah, I know, guys. Thanks…”

Ash didn’t say anything more to his friends or mother. He pushed the crumbs around on his plate idly as he reflected. They didn’t understand. While he knew Tracey made a good point, Ash and Misty weren't together in a romantic way. He couldn't express just how much he missed her on each new journey he took. She didn’t know that she could never be replaced; her space in his life, in his heart, was permanent. 

How could he ever tell Misty she was one of the driving forces calling him back to Kanto more and more ? Thoughts of her had been making him want to stay put longer rather than trapeze across the globe endlessly. He didn’t think those were things friends said to one another. Ash couldn’t express all those feelings to her. He could barely come to terms with them himself. 

They were friends, best friends. That was all. 

Ash nodded distractedly while his friends and mother continued chatting about trivial things. He occasionally glanced at the back door, willing Misty to walk back in. 

She didn't for quite some time. 

…….…….…….……….…….….

In fact, by the time she had, he was on a video call with Serena in the Ketchum living room. She was busy telling him about her sylveon’s silly antics in preparation for a performance when he heard the front door open and saw Misty walk in from the corner of his eye. Seconds later, he felt Pikachu nuzzling his leg before hopping onto his shoulder to lick his cheek. 

“Hi Pikachu,” Serena cooed at him. 

“Pikaaaa!”

"I, uh, I should go, Serena. I'll send a message to your Pokegear tomorrow with an update on the trip."

The blonde looked surprised before responding, “Oh, um, okay, Ash. I’ll see you in a few days then?”

Ash wasn’t sure. “I’ll let you know. Gotta go! Bye!”

“Bye, As-,” he heard his friend squeak out as he quickly hung up the call, turning to Misty just as she was about to make her way up the stairs. Pikachu hopped off his shoulder, made his way to Misty to nuzzle her leg and then scampered his way up the stairs, calling out a soft ‘pikachu-chaa’ as he turned down the hallway, probably deciding to turn in for the night in Ash's room - Misty’s room while she visited. 

“Night, Buddy,” Ash called after him.

"Hey! You're back," he said with careful enthusiasm as he turned back to Misty.

She turned to him with a small smile. 

"Ye-yeah," she said softly, glancing at the video phone, "didn’t mean to interrupt your call. Sorry.”

Furrowing his brow, Ash shook his head, “No, you didn’t interrupt. I can, uhh I can just follow up tomorrow.”

Misty nodded and looked back at the stairs. Her expression was guarded and Ash felt panic rise within him; he needed to clear the air between them. 

“I, um, was hoping we could talk. I know it’s a bit late now, but maybe we could go for a walk out to Professor Oak’s tomorrow. I don’t want us to be upset with each other before I leave.”

The gym leader gave him a strained smile, but her face softened when their eyes met. 

"I'll be leaving in the morning, Ash. I won’t have time for a walk," the gym leader frowned, and took a few steps toward him, “but we can talk a bit now. If you’d like to.”

He nodded, perhaps too enthusiastically. Ash thought he might have seen a glimmer of elation shine in Misty's eyes. 

“What's on your mind, Mr. Pokémon Master,” she asked softly.

He had learned over time that she reserved that tone for him. Gentle, full of care and concern. He wondered if she had ever realized it. 

Ash ran a hand through his unruly hair, "I don't want us to be upset with each other, Misty. Not when I don't get to see you very often and the disagreements feel more serious than who gets to keep Totodile or who gets to choose where we eat next. I, I don’t know what exactly was bothersome today apart from my…choice in words?”

He glanced at her for confirmation that this had been the trigger. Her expression was neutral, so he continued, eyes jumping to the various photos and memorabilia adorning the walls. 

“I just don’t want us to shout at each other and stalk off or stop talking to each other. I don't want us to do that. We’re past that stuff, aren’t we? We’re can agree we’re important to each other…right?” 

Misty brought a hand to her chest and took a half step toward him. Ash felt his anxiety spike as he waited for her to say something. 

"Of course, we are,” she said firmly, “I’m sorry for walking off. You’re right. You're…you're one of the most important people in my life.” 

Her words caught him, but before he could question them, a smirk appeared on her features and a sparkle appeared in her eye. She gave him a once over in a way that put him in a dizzying chokehold. 

“Uhheh…,” his voice got caught somewhere in his throat. 

“And may I remind you, it should have been me to keep Totodile. I did get custody of Togepi, so I will allow us to call it even,” she chuckled and gave him an abashed smile, “But that's beside the point. I don't like arguing either, Ketchum. I…I may have overreacted back there. I know adventure is in your blood and you’re no wordsmith. I just…I miss you, is all,” her next words came out more hesitantly, “But…I'm sure you and Serena will have a great time out in the Peninsula Region. I'll be here to hear all about it when you get back. Just like I always am.”

“Haha Thanks for the pass, Mist,” he rolled his eyes but something in his gut just felt…off.

“Really, though, that's what I'm saying! You're my best friend, Misty. That’s not going to change. One of my favorite parts of coming home is being able to catch up and share all about our adventures. The next time I visit you, we’ll both have so many new stories to tell each other! I, uh, I– that’s what best friends do for each other right? Support each other’s adventures!”

She smiled back at him, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Internally, he kicked himself. He had so much more to say, but he couldn’t bring himself to take the leap yet. 

“Right. Of course. I, I'm, …um I don't want our friendship to change either,” she said with what he sensed was a false enthusiasm.  

He walked a few steps to her and gave her a one-armed hug. Peering down at her, he flashed her a grin, “We’re good, then? Not going to knock me over the head with a mallet?”

“Of course, Ash. We’ll always be best friends,” she looked up at him with that same hard-to-read expression and a pink tinge painted across her cheeks.

He had to blink himself back to the present several times after her eyes locked with his once more. After what felt like an eternity, her gaze broke away from his. 

Ash hoped it was vertigo and not the thing that had been troubling him for some time now. Vertigo was easier to deal with. 

“So, you’re leaving tomorrow,” he sighed and released her from their, admittedly, awkward hug. 

She looked up at him regretfully, “Yeah, I wanted to be here to welcome you home. But I really do need to get back to the gym. Things are so busy these days with the new renovations and weekend lectures coming up and -and just everything, you know?”

“Yeah, I get it,” he nodded in what he hoped masked his disappointment, “I’ll definitely call you before I leave, though!”

“Of course. Wouldn’t expect anything less,” she smiled more fully this time then averted her gaze back to the stairs, “I really should get ready for bed. I went out to the pond to let my Pokemon and Pikachu play for a bit, so I definitely need to clean up and get some rest.”

“Right, of course. Goodnight, Mist.”

She sighed. 

“Night, Ash,” and she turned to rush up the stairs. He watched her walk up, another pang in his chest.  

Ash plopped himself down on the comfortably worn out couch in the living room. He heaved a sigh and gazed around the quiet living room. Photos of him and his friends and pokemon from the last decade were framed and hung neatly on the wall. Misty was in a great deal of them. He couldn’t imagine a day when the photos with her would be outnumbered by those without. He didn't think he ever wanted to see that day.

Not too long after Misty had gone up, Ash heard footsteps at the front door and watched with a quirked eyebrow as his mother walked in and regarded him with a small laugh.

“Ash, Honey. Why are you sitting alone staring at the wall?”

“Oh, uh, just thinking, Mom. Figuring out whether to take this trip out to the Peninsula Region with Serena. I didn’t realize you had left. Were you at Professor Oak’s?”

“Mmhm,” his mother nodded, but did not offer any more details when she spoke. She sat on the arm of the couch, eyeing her son with curiosity. 

“Well, Dear," she hummed softly, "What’s causing you to pause?”

“Ah, it’s hard to explain, Mom. I’m not really sure myself. Well, I mean, maybe I have an idea. I just don’t think it's a good idea?"

He wasn't sure if he was trying to convince his mom or himself.

“Okay…Honey, I may not know what’s keeping you from trekking off again, but…Misty was right. There are so many people here who love you and want to spend more time with you than just a dinner once a year. I know it would mean a lot if we could get that time with you. We miss you, Sweetheart. I sure hope a few extra days or weeks won't hurt your career.”

“I know, Mom. I know more time wouldn't hurt. You know I love adventure. I also…I just…it’s kind of nice. Being welcomed home, I mean. We didn’t really hug as kids, or even when she left to take over her gym. Each time I come back now, she’s here to welcome me. And…it, uh, it feels nice, Mom,” he looked at his mother, feeling a bit bashful.

She looked back at him patiently, with a small smile. He considered whether he should continue. He'd never admitted it out loud before. This felt like a big scary step. Glancing up at the stairs for a long quiet moment, he thought maybe it might be time. 

“We just haven’t been around each other for more than a few days at a time since we were just barely teenagers. What if I stayed and…all the warmth we have now just turns back into…into pushing and yelling and insults? What if I stay and all the good stuff changes or she gets bored of me?”

"Ah, so it is Misty that's on your mind, then," a pleased expression washed over his mother's features.

He scratched the back of his head and nodded slightly.

"You know, she's not going to be here to welcome you back forever. Not if you can't be honest with her, Dear. If you don't express how much...the welcome and warmth means to you…Eventually she'll be welcoming someone else home.” 

The thought shocked him into reality like a bucket of cold water poured over his head. Ash didn't like the idea of Misty being someone else's favorite welcome back. His distaste for the idea must have shown on his face because his mother's expression softened. 

"Oh Honey, correct me if I'm wrong, but…you do care for Misty very much, don't you?"

"Of course, Mom. She's my best friend."

"Yes, I know. I think you know that's not what I was referring to," she said gently.

He sighed and smiled a little to himself.

"Yeah…"

He looked up at the stairs, making sure Misty wasn't within ear shot. 

"I think I really do, Mom. I just don't know if I'm ready to do anything about it. I know…If I act on this and she feels something for me too…Well, I can't walk away from that. It's Misty, Mom. She’s not someone I can just walk away from. She’s, she’s everything. She's Misty . I just don't know if I'm what she deserves yet. You know she loves all that romantic stuff. I have to be the best for her, you know. I’m not good at this stuff. You saw how quickly I put my foot in my mouth back there. What if, what if I mess up and lose her altogether? I know I stumble on my words and I say stupid things without realizing it sometimes. And I’m still me, Mom! Adventure is always calling me. I can’t just give it all up. But I mean, I also could…at least a bit…for her…And what if she doesn’t even feel the same way? I…I’d just mess our friendship up. I just don't think I'm ready for what might happen if she doesn’t want to be with me too, or if I disappoint her. I don’t want to lose her, Mom. I'm just a little lost myself right now." 

He had rambled, he knew. Ash just felt all muddled inside. 

“Sweetheart. I think she may already think you're the best. Misty knows you perhaps better than anyone else. If she were to pursue a romantic relationship with you, I trust she would know wholeheartedly what she was signing up for. Just as you would know what you are signing up for as her partner too, right,” she gave him a stern expression, he nodded quickly, “Anyway, you certainly won't know how things could turn out if you keep running away from it. You two have grown up together. You're not children anymore. You're twenty-three, Dear. You can make big decisions and have big conversations. And I personally think it may just turn out to be quite wonderful if you took a leap for this one."

He looked at her hopefully. She came over to pat his knee and squeeze his shoulder. 

“Get some rest, Sweetheart."

“I will, Mom. Thanks for the advice. G’night.”

His mother hummed her acceptance of his thanks and made her way up the stairs. Meanwhile, Ash sat with his thoughts. 

A while later he found himself on the patio looking up at the stars. He had so much on his mind, he didn’t even know how to begin to process it. His mother’s words rang in his ears and Tracey’s still spun around his head. 

But Misty’s excitement to hear all about his next journey had him the most troubled. 

Would she welcome him home each time? His mother had made a valid point. Misty had come all this way just to see him for less than a day. How much longer could he expect her to make that time and effort for him before someone else took it up? He couldn’t bear it if he came back one day to find she wasn’t there or that someone might know her better than he did. 

…….…….…….……….…….….

The next morning, Ash woke to the smell of fresh waffles and fruit. He made his way downstairs after washing up to find his friends and mother already seated for breakfast. 

“Good morning, Ash,” Tracey welcomed as he took a bite of a waffle.

“Hey, you’re up,” Brock exclaimed, “I figured I’d make a going away breakfast today since Misty and I will be hitting the road back home this afternoon."

"You're both leaving?"

“Yeah, Buddy. Last year of my residency and Misty is a busy beedrill at the gym.” 

“Ah, please do not call me anything close to a bug Pokemon,” Misty said as she walked in, running her fingers through her damp hair. 

Ash gulped. He rarely got to see it down and forgot each time just how lovely it looked. 

Her fingers grazed his shoulder as she took a seat next to him; he felt a shiver run through him. She smiled warmly as she grabbed a plate and stacked it with Brock’s homemade waffles. 

“I let Pikachu out to stretch in the garden with Politoed while you were still snoring, by the way,” she had a bemused expression on her face, “They’re still out there, so I’ll feed them while you shower.”

“Ye-yeah, thanks, Mist.”

This was typical of them. Their pokemon had as close of a relationship as the two of them had, so they often shared responsibilities for them when they were together. Mrs. Ketchum gave Ash a discreet pointed look before turning to chat with Brock. He felt himself falling head first into his thoughts when Tracey called him out of his musings. 

“I’ll be staying an extra day, Ash. We can go check on your pokemon at Oak’s. I think Gary may be in town this week too,” the sketch artist said in a consoling tone. 

He had always been good at that. 

“Yeah, that’d be great, Trace. Why aren’t you heading home with these two, though?”

“Daisy is out at a promotional event for the Sensational Sisters’ newest project, and Trace gets lonely at home without her,” Misty said kindly. 

Tracey scratched the back of his head and laughed a little nervously, “What can I say, home isn’t really home without her.” 

Mrs. Ketchum and Misty both gave a harmonized ‘aww’, which caused the researcher and sketch artist to blush. 

Ash gave a small glance at Misty, who was now gushing over her brother-in-law’s sweet sentiments about Daisy. He wondered if what Tracey felt now for his wife felt anything like what Ash had started to feel for Misty. The more he thought about it, the joy he got from being welcomed home by her happened whether it was in Pallet Town, Cerulean City, or anywhere.

Ash gulped. It must have been quite audible because Misty turned to him with a curious look.

“You okay, Ash?”

Tracey and Mrs. Ketchum shared an odd smirk. Ash felt his cheeks begin to burn. 

“Uh…ye-yeah, just need some orange juice,” he practically shouted as he grabbed the pitcher and haphazardly poured himself a glass and chugged. 

“Geez, Buddy. You sure you’re okay,” Brock asked with genuine concern. 

Ash put his glass down, and stuffed half a waffle in his mouth, “Yes, all good,” he mumbled through unchewed waffle chunks. 

Everyone at the table looked at him as though he was crazy. Ash felt crazy. He was pretty certain he had fallen very hard for his best friend and it was getting harder to keep it to himself. He was slowly realizing he could not convince himself that he could remain content with being her friend.

Would it be so crazy to try to change things between them? Maybe not. 

Breakfast continued with idle chatter that Ash could barely participate in without his thoughts drifting back to Misty. This morning, everything about her seemed to drive him to a strange place. As the time got closer for her to leave, he felt a sense of urgency filling him. 

…….…….…….……….…….….

“I’ll see you in a few months then, I hope.”

“Of course, you will. I’ll call if nothing else. Just don’t mind the time difference. Haha,” Ash scratched at the back of his neck as Brock and Misty stood before Brock’s car. 

“Pika pikachu kachu pi pi pikachupi pikapika,” his faithful pokemon said to the pair from atop Ash’s shoulder and Brock reached into his pocket to pull out a poketreat to give him. 

Misty reached over to scratch Pikachu's chin and said sweetly, “I’ll catch ya later, Pikapal. Take care of your buddy here for me, okay?”  

Ash’s faithful companion nodded in affirmation before hopping off Ash’s shoulder to watch his human friends from atop the Ketchum mailbox. Ash regarded his friends silently for a few seconds, reminding himself that goodbyes never did get much easier with his closest friends. 

Brock and Misty had bid their farewells to Mrs. Ketchum and Tracey just a little while ago, though they would see the other two much sooner than they would see Ash. His mother and the sketch artist had left the trio to have some private time for goodbyes. 

Misty looked up at him and smiled warmly, the sunlight giving away what looked to be unshed tears in her eyes. Ash smiled back and blinked rapidly as he felt a wave of emotion wash over him. 

“Have a safe trip, Ketchum,” Misty's voice carried that soft tone again. It made him ache. 

“Yeah, definitely. I’ll call you soon. You get back to the gym in one piece too. Say hi to the pokemon for me. I'll miss you guys,” he offered and smiled as he felt a blush creep up his neck to burn his cheeks. 

Brock clapped him on the shoulder. Ash realized he had momentarily forgotten his friend was there too and jumped slightly in surprise at the future pokemon doctor’s contact. 

“I'll miss ya too, Ash. Stop being a stranger, will you,” the older man chuckled as he looked between the younger pair that had left him on the sidelines.

“Yeah, yeah, of course! Bye, Brock-o,” Ash gave his friend their signature hand grip as the two shared a grin. 

“Bye, Buddy. I’ll shoot you an email when I have some free time. Because Mew knows I won’t be able to keep up with your time zones and travel schedule,” the oldest member of the trio laughed, “Just be sure to actually check your email and get back to me every once in a while, will ya?”

“I know, I know. I’ll check my email more regularly, I promise. You take care and keep being the best future pokemon doctor out there, Buddy!”

“You know it! Try not to get too caught up in a new adventure, okay? Don’t forget about us boring old Kantonians.”

“Ah, not you too. I didn’t mean it like that. I could never…”

“Haha, I know, Ash,” Brock turned to Misty, “Alright, we’ve got to get going.”

Misty nodded as Brock went over to the driver's side to start the car. 

Ash and Misty looked at each other. She grinned and began to turn to open the passenger side door to get in. Without a second thought, Ash pulled her against him for a hug. She let out a small ‘umpf’ but didn't leave his embrace. She hugged him back firmly. He remembered Tracey's words. Why make their time apart more difficult than it had to be?

“I'll see you soon, okay? I promise I'll call every week . I promise you will hear all about…about everything . Okay? You’re my best friend, Misty,” he looked down at her and felt his breath hitch when he realized just how beautiful he thought she was. 

She grinned anyway before giving him another quick squeeze and released him, “And I'll be there to answer your call each week. If you actually remember to call, Mr. Pokemon Master,” the sarcasm in her voice was softened by another smile, “Have the best time, Ash. I hope next time we can have a few more days together.”

Ash. She hardly ever called him by his name without it being a part of her scolding him or teasing him. He liked this new use of his name.  

“We will. I promise I’ll make time,” he extended his pinky finger to her for a pinky promise. 

Brock laughed lightheartedly as he watched the two of them locked in their pinky promise. An almost electric wave passed between Ash and Misty. He realized right then that he did not want a few more days next time . He didn't want just weekly calls. He didn't want to be just her friend. He wanted Misty . He wanted to be with her. 

His heart began to pound and palms became clammy as the realization sunk in. 

The pair released each other’s pinkys and Misty got into the car with one last sweet wave. His friends waved again at Pikachu and shouted their goodbyes as the car rumbled down the road and into the distance. He already missed them. But thoughts of the Water pokemon expert had him in a tizzy.

No, he decided. He didn't want to be her friend if she'd accept him as more than that. 

…….…….…….……….…….….

The next day, Ash found himself walking through Professor Oak’s property, greeting his Pokemon and deep in discussion with Tracey about interesting findings on his travels. He had decided to take his mother's and Misty's less than subtle hints to give himself more time in Kanto before making his next move. Tracey had commended him for taking time to rest. It seemed marriage had made the already astute pokemon watcher even wiser. 

Eventually, they ran into Ash’s Totodile and his mind was pulled quickly back to Misty like an unsuspecting Magikarp caught on her lure. 

“Thinking about her,” Tracey asked curiously.

Ash figured there was no reason to lie now. He shrugged and nodded with a nervous grin.

“I'm crazy about her, Trace. It's kind of amazing the more I think about it.”

A pensive expression crossed his friend’s features before he spoke, “Well, she is a great person, Ash. You two have known each other so long, it's not surprising you're drawn to each other.”

“Each other?” Ash could feel his heart leap in his throat. “You-you think she might like me too?”

Tracey sighed. 

“Look, I know Misty pretty well. I've seen you both dance around each other for the better part of a decade now.” 

Ash felt as though a large tank of helium had just filled him up. He was practically floating. 

“But…,” Tracey continued and Ash felt himself begin to deflate. 

“I have…no, I feel a brotherly duty to ask you to pause. If you only think you feel these things or are just trying to figure it out, don't go rushing to her. If she's sure and you're not, well it probably won't end well. I don't want to see her get hurt. I'm sure you don't either. I would hate your friendship to be collateral damage. So just…be sure, Ash.”

“I'm sure, Trace. Without a doubt.”

He said it before he even knew he was saying it, but as soon as the words left his mouth he knew it was true. 

“Wow. Okay. Um, well, if you’re sure, that’s great. I’m happy to hear it. Now, what are you going to do about it?”

“Do you think…do you think if I asked her out, she'd say yes?”

…….…….…….……….…….….

Two days later, Ash found himself walking Misty back to her door on a warm summer evening in Cerulean City. It had been their first date. First of many more, he hoped as he silently and gently squeezed her hand that had so easily slipped into his. 

As they reached her door, he began to panic internally about whether or not he should kiss her. Could he kiss her? Would she want him to kiss her? Should he ask first? Was it too soon? Presumptuous? He didn't want his lips to be met with a firm slap to the face if he tried. He thought maybe she would be okay with a kiss though. Ash certainly wanted to kiss her. His mind had been wandering to the possibility of it all evening. 

As Ash panicked silently, Misty seemed to make up his mind for him. She leaned up on her top toes to place a kiss right at the corner of his lips.

“I uh, I hope that was okay. You looked like you were debating it, and I've kind of been waiting for this for a while, so…,” she trailed off as she peered up at him hopefully.

Ash beamed at her and squeezed her hands gently in his, “It was more than okay, Misty,” he said emphatically.

Their eyes met bashfully, but Ash felt a surge of courage. Gently, he released one of her hands and brought his own up to tilt her chin up to meet his lips as he kissed her. A mild surprise in those captivating eyes was all Ash saw before their kiss intensified and he felt himself happily drowning in this moment.

Misty pulled away first, her eyes shining with happiness. “Well, Mr. Pokemon Master…,” she seemed to be at a loss for words and just grinned at him. 

“C’mon, let’s check on Pikachu. Make sure he didn’t get into your ketchup stash,” he chuckled, leaning down to kiss her cheek. 

“Right,” she laughed as she dug into her purse for the keys, fumbling just a bit. When she finally opened the door, she looked back at him with a bemused expression and said, “Welcome home.”

Ash felt a familiar flutter in his chest. He examined Misty’s small apartment, one he had visited so many times before. It felt different in the best way. He realized then that as much as he loved being welcomed home, it might be nice to stay for a while. Maybe enough for good mornings, goodnights, and small moments he didn’t get to have when he was away. 

He closed the door behind him and followed Misty to the kitchen where she had begun preparing a pot for tea. She looked up as he walked over to her, leaning up to kiss him sweetly. 

“I’m making tea. Do you need to head out right away or do you have some time?” Her eyes were hopeful and her face expectant. 

“I have time. I can stay as long as you’ll have me,” he said softly and took each of her hands, examining in wonder how they just felt so right together. 

Misty grinned and took the opportunity to pull him closer, “Well, in that case…”