Hey there! So, this is the first fic that I'm uploading and I'm pretty nervous. Haha. So this one's pretty long (I'm sorry ) and I initially planned for it to be just a one-shot, but after finishing it, I started to think otherwise lol. Well, here goes! I hope you enjoy!

I do not own Pokémon or any of its characters.

It was the perfect escape. With May and Dawn distracted by their respective rivals, Misty had all the time in the world to slip away from the crowd and take refuge under the willow tree sitting at the bank of the nearest brook that ran through Oak Corral.

It wasn't that far. The willow tree was one of the few of its kind in Professor Oak's Pokémon sanctuary. Under the faint moonlight, its long slender branches rich with its signature long green leaves hangs lazily like a curtain sending an eerie feeling to anyone who sets its sight on it. Because of that, no one really hangs near the tree—a perfect spot for Misty to seek peace of mind.

She brushes aside a portion of the hanging branches and enters the area under the willow. The first step sends a sense of calm her way and immediately she knew that she went to the right place. She continues on to the edge of the bank and sits there, removing her sandals and dipping her feet until they settled on top of the smooth rock bed.

Misty closed her eyes and heaved a sigh at the feel of the cool water on her skin. Dipping herself in water always managed to calm her down. Thank Arceus the Oak Corral even had a natural body of water or else Misty would have dipped her fingers in her glass of water one too many times.

It was peacefully quiet. The only sounds that could be heard were the rush of water from the brook at her feet and the evening breeze lazily rustling the curtain of leaves isolating her from the outside world.

She needed a breather.

Ash had finally won a league and they were throwing him this victory party at Oak Corral, Professor Oak's huge Pokémon sanctuary behind his lab. Misty was ecstatic for her former travelling companion. She, of all people, knew how much he struggled at the start of his journey. He started out childish, impulsive, and very stubborn, but Misty knew that the day will come when he'll pull through.

And after ten long years he's finally taken the top spot on the podium; finally a Champion.

Everything went well as the party started. Ash had arrived from the airport a little after seven in the evening. Almost everyone that he knew was at the venue – Gym Leaders, Professors, friends – even Bianca all the way from Alto Mare was present. Some rivals-turned-friends were also present. Just shows how much of an impression Ash has made in their lives.

It wasn't like her. Heck, she should never be feeling that way in the first place. When she started feeling queasy during the trip from Cerulean to Pallet, she brushed it off as just motion sickness. Well, she made herself believe it was motion sickness and not the many Butterfree entering her stomach from anxiety. Why would she be anxious in the first place, right? It's just Ash for Mew's sake. Upon arriving at the venue she managed to calm herself down. Talking to her old friends helped too.

But upon seeing him in the in the flesh for the first time in seven years, she couldn't help but feel so…shy.

Ash delivered a small speech in continuation to the one he delivered at the after-party of the Kalos League. He addressed the many people that went to the party and thanked them for coming. After dinner he went to socialize from group to group like the social Butterfree that he is. He's probably planning to talk to each and every one of those who came. That's definitely something that Ash would do.

And in the midst of it all her anxiety grew and grew to the point where she thought her heart and mind were going to burst simultaneously. Just before Ash was about to move in to address the people that she happened to be with, she escaped.

"Ahhh…why won't you calm down…" clutching that part of her dress just above her heart, she closed her eyes and tried to meditate.

Don't think…don't think. Clear your mind.

It was just Ash. Ash Ketchum; the kid who burned her bike. The annoying twerp who had a knack of attracting side quests on their way to a certain city or town. It took all of her energy and willpower to stay sane every time they literally ran into double trouble.

Tune everything out…listen to nature—to the gentle breeze, to the running water…

To her relief, she could finally feel her heart calm down. She gave out another sigh and continued to concentrate on the sound of nature around her, and for some reason, some good memories of her past journey with the twerp casually popped into her mind; the moment she first fished him out of the water, that time when he thought he'd died and ended up getting lifted off the ground by his idiotic ghost, that unforgettable moment when Ash manages to convince her that Butterfee wasn't all that bad days before he let Butterfree go, that slight feeling of disappointment when Ash managed to buy her a new bike, and the many times that she's scolded him for being the childish, stubborn, dense airhead that…that…

…you learned to like.

Her eyes shot open as she jerked up so sit straight. Her clutched hand tightened its grip as she got the other to hold her forehead in disbelief. "What…?"

What are you saying? What are you saying?!

Immediately she got both hands to her head and desperately ruffled her bangs hoping that her mind would be so shaken that it would stop suggesting gibberish thoughts.

You can't start thinking that. He's your friend for Arceus' sake!

It didn't help either that her heart was starting to race again. She started stomping her feet on the slippery rock bed beneath her, slightly splashing water on the skirt of her dress. The orange-haired woman even gave out unintelligible sounds of frustration and confusion and at the back of her mind she was thankful that there was no one around to witness her sanity breaking down.

Of course, that was the moment when that familiar raven-head appears behind her. Misty was too preoccupied with sorting out her thoughts that she didn't notice him calling to her until she felt a hand lightly place itself on her right shoulder.

"Misty?" his questioning voice was quiet and careful, yet Misty couldn't help but jump in surprise at that brief contact. Ash immediately retreated his hand but was quick to catch her when she abruptly stood up and slipped on the algae covered rock bed.

Misty wanted to die.

Of all the times her clumsiness decided to show, why in that moment? Ash tried his best to help her stand upright. He had his arms supporting her elbows and his chest pressed hard against her back, but every time she tried lifting her up, her feet just so happens to step on the more slippery rocks and continued slipping on slipping until he pulled hard and got both of them falling on their bottoms on the soft ground.

It was embarrassing. No. It was extremely humiliating! Both of them were partially wet with all the splashing around that she's done. She was sitting with his legs on either side of her – her back even more pressed against his surprisingly well toned chest with his hands wrapped tightly around her waist. She couldn't help but tense up the moment she felt his breath ghost the bare part of her shoulder.

For a quick second neither of them moved. Misty was basically paralyzed. Her mind started to go haywire while her heart pounded hard against her ribcage. She was certain she was going to explode any minute if things stayed as they are. Finally, Ash opens his mouth to say something, "Man that hurt." He was observant that way.

He turns his head to face her. "Arceus, Misty. Be more careful next time," Misty's muscles tensed and goosebumps found its way to her skin as she felt Ash's breath ghost her cheek. He was too close.

Devastatingly close.

"Wh-what are you talking about? You were the one who snuck up on me," Misty manages to retort. "You couldn't have just called my attention like any normal person would do," she adds and tries to move from his hold. Thankfully Ash gets the idea and removes himself from behind her. He stands up and offers a hand to Misty.

"Ehh? I did call your attention. You didn't answer so I went over," he answers as Misty refuses his hand and stands up on her own. The two of them fix themselves afterwards as Misty concentrates on the brook in front of her, trying her best to act calmer.

Almost immediately Ash's attention turns elsewhere. He stands close beside her as his gaze roams from the willow tree, to the brook, and out to the dimly lit forest in the distance. "Uwah, some place you've got here," he says as he marvels at the little sanctuary Misty has found under the willow tree. "I didn't even know Professor Oak's backyard had something like this."

Misty took his moment of distraction to steal a few glances. Ash had grown much from the last time she saw him in Dr. Yung's lab. Now that he was just an arm's length away, Misty could clearly see how his features were more pronounced; his cheeks, his nose, his jawline. His shoulders were now broader, and he definitely taller than her now.

The Gym Leader didn't even notice how she was staring for too long until Ash's innocent brown eyes bumped into her viridian ones. "Misty, did you hear what I said?"

Misty woke up from her trance and cursed under her breath. She turned her head to the opposite side and tried hiding her face without him noticing her anxiety or the redness in her cheeks.

"Misty, are you alright? You've been spacing out too much." Even his voice has changed, although only a tad bit. It was deeper and the silence that surrounded them made it more profound. She tried to calm down again for the millionth time and after taking a deep breath she turned to face him.

It took a while for her to speak. For some reason his brown eyes were hypnotizing, oddly keeping her gaze locked with his. "What are you doing here?" was what came out of her mouth. Not that it wasn't a serious question. She was certain that no one would notice someone hiding under the willow tree, much less go near it at night.

"Would 'wanting to see an old friend' suffice?" he answers as he flashes her that familiar innocent smile of his. Misty couldn't help but lightly blush, but this time she didn't turn away.

Both of them were sitting on the bank, their feet submerged under the cool water of the brook. This time, Misty made sure she wasn't stepping on any slippery rocks. She didn't want another embarrassing stunt pulled in front of Ash.

Ash was talking nonstop about his adventures that happened after they last met and this time she was listening attentively. The new travelling companions that he's met, new Pokémon he encountered, the new places that he's been to—everything. And Misty couldn't help but laugh at herself. She couldn't have imagined it'd be this easy to talk to him again like this. It was like the seven-year gap never even happened. She got all shy and nervous for nothing.

It was as if everything's falling into place and Misty was more than thrilled.

Somewhere along Ash's story-telling, he got up from the ground and walked to the middle of the brook, directly in front of her.

"Kalos is a pretty awesome region you know. There are lots of different places to see, a lot of things to do." Ash continued on and for the first time that day Misty actually managed a sincere smile. It was rather comforting that after all that he's been through, despite the achievements that he has reached, she could still see that same innocence in his eyes that she terribly missed seeing.

"We should travel there together," he ends his story with a breath hitching proposal. Misty couldn't help but look taken aback.

"What?" she had heard it, but it sounded so surreal that she had to ask.

"I said we should travel to Kalos together, you know, just like the old times, although in a different region," he laughs and Misty could only look at him. "Or if you want we could just go on tour. No gyms, no battles. Just a relaxing vacation."

She was tempted to see herself travelling with him again in a region that she'd only seen on television. All these years she's forced herself to come in terms with the future that she's limited herself: a Gym Leader. Not like she's condemning the honorable job of being one, but her soul continued to yearn for the adventures she'd experience outside of the confines of the Cerulean Gym. And for almost ten years she managed to live up to her responsibilities.

Then Ash comes along. Ash's question was a simple question that could be answered by a yes or no, but for Misty, it felt like a choice between a living a life and a living a lie.

"I can't. I have things to do here in Kanto," Misty replies, her smile disappearing into a melancholic smirk. "Why not? You were able to go with me before, right?" Ash's innocent reply had Misty wincing. She felt her heart slowly being crushed by the shackles that kept her firm in her place.

"Things were different before, Ash." Misty's faint reply was well heard in the silence of their hidden sanctuary. Looking away, she continued, "I was young and impulsive. I didn't think things through. I ran away without thinking how my actions would affect the Cerulean City Gym. After realizing that, I couldn't just bail out on my responsibilities again." She didn't mean to sound so miserable but hearing herself say those words had tears welling up to her eyes.

She's already told herself numerous times. Stop it Misty. You're not going to cry over this again.

Knowing where this might all end up in, she grabs her sandals and begins to stand up. There was no way she's going to cry in front of Ash. "Look, Ash, I'm sorry. I'll excu—"

"What if I tell you that this time you don't need to?" Misty's eyes immediately shot to his direction, confusion definitely written all over her face while her friend flashes her a smile much like a three-year-old.

"Wh-what do you mean?"

"What if you don't need to bail out on your responsibilities? See, I kind of asked one of your sisters to do the job while you're away." Ash answers seemingly proud of the news he was delivering.

"WHAT?!" There was a reason why she had to stay stuck with being Gym Leader despite having three older sisters. They couldn't do it properly years ago, what does doing it now be any different? Was he mocking her?!

"Woah, relax! Actually, it's you sister's husband that's going to give it a go. He'll need work on battling with water Pokémon but give him a few pointers and rest assured that no badge will be handed out without a fight." Misty took in his reply word by word.

The Cerulean City Gym has long been under the care of their family. Harrison is definitely one strong trainer. She still can remember the way Ash lost to him in the Silver Conference (and how weird it was when he ended up dating and marrying her sister). Sure she can groom him to get used to battling with only water-type Pokémon and he's technically part of the family now.

Misty kept on looking at the grinning Ash in front of her, wondering when, in his busy world of battles and badges, he's planned all of this. Misty was an old friend—their journeys together just mere memories. For someone whose sights have always been on the road in front of him, she never thought that a time will come when he'll step on the breaks, make that turn, come back and make sure to pick her up from memory lane.

"Oh…"

"Don't I at least get a 'thank you'?"

Misty shoots him a glare which makes him flinch for a quick second before her expression softens up into a conflicted pout. She turns her face away – looking at everything except Ash—takes a deep breath, swallows her pride, and muttering a quick 'thank you'.

Of course, Ash being Ash, he really didn't expect her to actually say it. Taking a few steps closer to her as he innocently asks her to say it again. "Eh? What did you say?"

Misty's lips twitch in irritation and she could feel a vein in her temple throb. She clears her throat and takes another deep breath.

"Thank you." She says again, noticeably louder and clearer. Misty could clearly feel her cheeks start to burn and with an exasperated sigh she turns to face him.

"There, I said it. Now can we please—"

Everything happened too fast to comprehend.

One hand lightly holding her arm, the other caressing one side of her face, his soft lips on hers.

And when he broke away, she just stared; not even minding that she just dropped her sandals on the water. For a quick moment no one spoke. The only sounds being the running water on their feet and the distant chatter and laughter from the party not too far. A faint breeze passes by them making the leaves of the willow trees and the skirt of her dress dance in anticipation.

What the Arceus…

Ash was looking more or less composed, but when he noticed Misty snapping out of her mental breakdown, he immediately retreated behind his outstretched hands.

"What are you doing?"

"I thought you were going to hit me…" after a few seconds, Ash slowly dropped his hands. He kept his eyes on Misty's surprised expression on her flushed face, trying to read her next move. Ash may have been used to being hit by the many sane people that he's come across with, but that didn't mean that none of them hurt.

"So…you're not going to hit me?"

"Hit you? I'm going to kill you! Why did you kiss me?! Arceus Ash!" Misty exclaims, still with a flushed face but this time looking more frustrated. Then she turned and tried to get out of the water. She didn't even make time to pick up her soaked sandals.

Right now, all she wanted to do was find a lake and drown in it. With what Ash just did, ankle-deep running water wasn't enough to calm herself down. Arceus, why did he do that?!

Despite her outburst and Misty's attempt to run away, Ash casually follows her and replies.

"I kissed you because I was so happy. And also, I like you, so…."

"Ash! You can't just go around kissing people because you like them! Wait, what?!" Immediately her feet comes to an abrupt stop, almost tripping herself.

Did he just…?

She turns around to see him standing near again and even in the darkness she could see the faint red tainting his cheeks. "What do you mean by that? What about Serena?"

Ash blinks in surprise. Misty stares at the man in front of her, trying to figure out his intentions. Unpredictable as he may be, she's still one of the few who knows him so well. And she was more than certain when she saw his eyes widen in shock signifying the realization that had hit him as he digested her words.

Of course. It was too good to be true.

Misty turns around to try to leave for the third time that night but this time Ash had caught her, made her face him as he laughed in pure amusement.

"Wh-why the heck are you laughing?" Misty says in irritation. He had just kissed her while dating Serena. There's definitely something wrong with him.

"I just didn't think you'd be listening to those," he answers in between giggles.

"They're in the papers!"

"It's the tabloid press, Misty," Ash tightens his hold on Misty's shoulders and shakes her a bit.

And when Ash's gaze turns serious, she knew what was about to come.

This time the kiss was longer—their feelings more pronounced, lips molding together at the heat of the moment. At one point Misty thought her legs would give out and ended up holding onto Ash's arms. By the time he pulls away, Misty was almost close to being so disoriented. The kiss was maddening. Her face burned even more and her heart was pounding so hard she was afraid Ash could hear its erratic beating.

He has both hands now cupping her face, his forehead lightly resting on hers, his eyes closed, his breath ghosting her face.

"I like you…" it was merely just above a whisper, but with his face so devastatingly close, she could clearly hear every word. "It has always been you."

Me too, I like you too, Misty wanted oh so badly to say, but she felt so happy, relieved, and stupid at the same time that her emotions were choking her to a sob. So she just hugged him tight, crying. Tears of utter joy that she never thought she'd be shedding after hearing words she'd never thought she'd be hearing.

Ash hugs her back, tightly, tighter than he has ever did. Then finally Misty clears her throat and after a couple of sniffs, with a chuckle, replies.

"You idiot."

Phew, well...that's that! I'll try to have the last chapter up by next week, well...TRY, haha! Until then! Thank you for reading! :D