"You know you'll have to tell her eventually"

Gary's smug words rang in Ash's head as he headed over to the Cerulean gym. He'd promised Misty last week that he'd visit her. He planned for it to be as romantic as possible, he'd tell her how he felt about her. Ash knew for years that she had crush on him, but he was always too afraid to act. He was going to act this time.

But now it was ruined. He couldn't stay like he wanted to. He couldn't be there for her. He wanted to. He wanted to so badly. His journey to Alola was going to get in the way.

"What kind of friend are you? Leaving days after you get back? Do you even know how much it damages her?" Gary had said. Ash felt guilty, but he thought Misty understood. Surely she did! She knew better than anyone!

Ash shook his thoughts away and plastered a smile on his face, standing in front of the Cerulean gym doors.

"Pi?" Ash's partner cried from his shoulder.

"I'm okay buddy!" Ash faked. Pikachu looked at him in disbelief. Ash sighed in exasperation.

"Okay fine, I'm nervous. Can you blame me?"

"Pika..." Pikachu shook his head.

"Okay smart guy, why don't you tell Misty then"

Pikachu rolled his eyes.

Suddenly the doors of the gym swung open and Ash was suddenly face to face with a familiar red-head.

"Misty" he exhaled.

"Ash!" Misty exclaimed, throwing her arms around him. Pikachu moved onto Ash's head as Misty hugged his trainer. Misty unwrapped her arms from his torso.

"Let's get out of here. My sisters are driving me crazy" she said sourly as she walked down the path back to town. Ash followed behind her and listen as she spoke of how annoying and dramatic her sisters were. He chuckled when she mentioned shaving their heads in the middle of the night for revenge. He knew she was serious, and that just made it funnier to him.

He started walking next to her instead of behind her and took in her appearance as she talked. He wanted to remover every little thing she did, the sound of her voice, and how she talked.

Pikachu suddenly jumped into Misty's arms.

"Sorry Pikachu, I forgot to say hi to you!" She apologized, squeezing the yellow mouse as he squeaked in delight.

"So how's everything with you, Ash? How was Kalos?" Misty asked.

"Fine" he replied.

"It had to be better than just 'fine'" she stated. "Who was the girl?"

"The girl?" Ash asked, surprised.

"Yeah. You always travel with a girl"

"Oh. Her name's Serena. She was just a friend"

Pikachu snorted. Ash glared at his partner, still in Misty's arms.

"You know she didn't mean anything to me" he told his partner. Pikachu looked up at Misty and back at Ash. Pikachu jumped back to his place on Ash's shoulder. Ash sighed and scratched his partner's chin.

"How about you Misty? How's life been for you?"

"Boring. The only exciting thing that ever happens around here is when Gary visits" Misty explained. Ash tensed.

"Gary's been visiting you?" Ash asked, jealously corroding his words.

"Yeah, he just comes to train every once and awhile" She said awkwardly as they entered the city. Misty ushered them in the direction of the bridge connecting the city and route 24.

"Are you guys... like..." Ash struggled for words.

Misty laughed "No we're just friends"

Ash sighed in relief. The two talked of Pokémon battles and stories until reaching the bridge. The pair leaned against the railing, looking out at the horizon.

"Say whatever you think is right" Brock had told Ash.

What was right? There were so many things Ash needed to tell her. Where did he start?

"Misty?" Ash broke the silence. He turned to look at her.

"Yes, Ash?" Misty responded, turning her head towards him ready to listen.

Ash looked at his partner, and Pikachu jumped off his shoulder, walked five steps away, and covered his ears. Ash smiled and shook his head.

"Misty I- I'm..." Ash grasped for words but couldn't find any. His mouth was dry and he couldn't bring himself to form words, even if he thought of any.

"Ash?" Misty asked, worryingly.

"Misty I'm leaving" he spat out.

Misty just stood there. "Of course you are" she laughed, turning away. "You never stay for long..."

"Wish I could stay!" Ash argued.

"Then why don't you?! Why don't you ever stay?!" Misty shot back, turning around to face him again. Ash took a step back. She was crying.

"I thought you knew how important it was to me"

"I do know..." she muttered, wiping her tears. "It's just not fair that I never get to see you"

She's right. She's always right.

"I'm sorry Misty. I should be here more often, but here's the good news- I'm here now"

"That's just alright news" Misty laughed, jokingly.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah" Misty laughed, wrapping her arms around Ash. Ash returned the embrace.

"I have something else to tell you" Ash said into Misty's hair.

"What?" She asked pulling away slightly to look at his face.

No words. Ash just leant down and kissed her. Misty kissed him back. Ash decided he was going to make the most of his time left in Kanto, and that meant spending it all with Misty.

Whelp I wrote a thing. Sorry if it's kinda bad, I don't normally write stuff like this. I write comedy. Romance is new territory but I'm willing to try so here.

K thx bai