Ash stretched a little, feeling the lingering chill from his own soaked clothes. His shirt clung to his back like a cold sponge, and even sitting near the fire wasn't helping much anymore.
"…Alright, guess it's my turn," he said, standing up and casually grabbing a dry shirt from his bag.
Without thinking much of it, he peeled off his soaked shirt in one smooth motion, revealing a surprisingly lean, toned torso underneath—faint lines of muscle along his abs and arms, clearly defined from training.
Misty had just taken a sip from her water bottle when she caught the sight.
Choke—cough!
She turned beet red and immediately looked away, eyes wide. "W-What the—! Don't just—strip like that out of nowhere!"
Ash blinked, acting confused. "Huh? What? I'm just changing. It's not like—"
"Go! Behind the rock! Now!" Misty barked, covering her face with one hand while trying not to peek through her fingers.
Ash chuckled internally and awkwardly said, "S-Sorry! Didn't think it'd be a big deal…"
[Ciel: Fufufu~ Oh, it's definitely a big deal]
[Raphael: Misty Affection +2]
Pikachu snorted with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Pika pika…"
Ash, grabbed the rest of his dry clothes and quickly walked behind the same rock Misty had used, muttering, "A good body with muscles really works for girls hehe…"
Back at the fire, Misty fanned her red face with both hands, muttering to herself, "What kind of rookie trainer has those abs…?"
[Ciel: My dear Misty… you're so doomed.]
Ash returned moments later in a fresh black T-shirt and dry pants, towel-drying his hair. "All done," he said sheepishly.
Misty didn't meet his eyes at first. "Good."
But then… she risked a side glance. "You, uh… really don't look like someone who just started his journey."
Ash rubbed the back of his head with a grin. "Guess hauling backpacks and dodging wild Beedrill pays off."
She gave a half-laugh, still pink in the cheeks.
They sat back down at the fire, a little closer than before.
[Raphael: Misty Affection +2 ]
[Fufu~ Shall I prepare the popcorn?]
The fire cracked softly as the cave quieted down again. Outside, the rain had mellowed to a gentle patter, but the chill still clung to the air like damp fog.
Ash glanced over. Misty was hugging her knees to her chest, her clothes doing little to keep the cold at bay. Her lips were pressed tight, and a faint tremble ran through her shoulders.
Without a word, Ash reached into his pack and pulled out a thick, folded blanket.
"Here," he said, holding it out.
Misty blinked. "H-Huh?"
"You're still cold. Take it."
She hesitated. "But… what about you?"
Ash gave a half-smile. "I don't need it. But if you insist…" He unfolded the blanket and held out an edge. "We can share."
Misty's eyes widened. "W-What?!"
Ash tilted his head, voice calm. "You'll freeze if you don't. I'm not gonna do anything. Just stay warm."
[Ciel: Oh my, I didn't expect that tone…]
Misty's face flushed crimson. She glanced at the blanket… then at him… then back at the fire.
"F-Fine. But just—just stay on your side," she mumbled, scooting over with stiff movements.
Ash settled beside her and pulled the blanket around them both. Their shoulders brushed, and Misty went rigid like someone had shocked her.
Ash chuckled softly. "Relax. I don't bite."
She gave him a glare, still pink in the face. "You better not…"
They sat in silence for a while, the warmth slowly seeping into their bodies as the firelight flickered softly across the stone walls. Pikachu had curled up near Ash's feet, letting out quiet, sleepy zaps.
Misty shifted slightly, still clearly flustered but no longer shivering.
"…You've done this kind of thing before, haven't you?" she asked, not quite looking at him.
Ash turned to her with a calm, knowing grin. "Camping in bad weather? Yeah. I've had my share of nights like this." [ A/N : During his time in the Professor Oak's field projects, his training etc ]
She swallowed, eyes flicking to his jawline before quickly turning back to the fire.
"I didn't mean just camping," she mumbled.
Ash raised a brow, amused. "Oh."
There was a pause.
Misty said nothing for a long moment, but her hands curled slightly in the blanket, fingers tightening.
"…I haven't," she admitted quietly.
Ash glanced at her, his expression softening.
"That's fine," he said gently. "Everyone's got their own pace."
Raphael: Misty Affection + 4
Misty breathed in slow, then nodded just once.
"Thanks… for the blanket."
Ash smiled, his tone playful again. "Told you I'd take care of you."
She elbowed him lightly, still flushed. "Don't push it."
They both laughed—soft, honest, and quietly comfortable.
---
The fire crackled again, softer now, the logs burning down to glowing embers.
Ash leaned back a little, hands behind his head, letting the heat from the fire and the shared blanket do their work. Misty was still curled slightly inward, arms tucked close, eyes half-lidded but very much awake.
She peeked at him again—just a flicker—and quickly turned away when she realized he caught it.
Ash smiled.
"You always this jumpy when you're not yelling?" he teased, voice low and relaxed.
Misty scowled half-heartedly. "I'm not jumpy. You're just… way more relaxed than you should be."
"Maybe," he replied with a shrug. "Or maybe you're just not used to someone who isn't a complete dork."
"Like you?"
"Hey, I never said I wasn't one too," he laughed. "Just a well-trained dork."
[Ciel: Mmm~ He's disarming her without even trying. Dangerous boy.]
She tried to stay annoyed… but the corners of her lips twitched. A smile threatened to break through.
Then a crack of wind howled through the cave opening, making both of them shiver. Misty instinctively pressed closer—and realized it too late.
She tensed.
Just the faint weight of her shoulder lightly resting against his.
Ash didn't move or tease her. He just let the moment sit.
Warm. Quiet. Comfortable.
After a pause, he shifted slightly, letting her lean a little more into his side, but kept his eyes on the fire.
"You okay?" he asked, voice soft again.
"Yeah…" she murmured, barely audible.
Then she blinked—something soft brushing against her leg under the blanket. She flinched.
Ash turned. "Huh? Sorry. Was that—oh." He pulled back slightly, looking sheepish. "Guess our legs crossed."
Misty looked away fast. "I-It's fine! I just didn't expect it…"
A silence passed.
Then—
Misty yawned.
"Long day, huh?" Ash asked.
"Feels longer when you're emotionally whiplashed," she muttered.
Ash chuckled. "I'll take that as a compliment."
[Ciel: She's tired. Walls coming down. Go easy.]
Ash reached into his bag and pulled out a smaller, rolled-up cloth. He offered it gently. "Here. Use this as a pillow. Cave floor sucks. I will wake you up when the rain stops."
She took it after a moment's hesitation. "Thanks…"
He watched as she laid down beside him, still under the blanket but turned slightly away—her back facing him.
Ash stayed sitting, arms loosely folded. Watching the fire. Feeling her warmth at his side. No words needed.
The sound of her breath gradually slowing.
[Raphael: Misty Affection +2 | Trust +1 ]
[Ciel: …You really are dangerous when you're not being an idiot.]
Ash smirked to himself.
"Goodnight, Misty."
"…Night, Ash "
---
The fire had dwindled to glowing embers, casting a soft red hue across the cave. Misty stirred first, her brows twitching as she slowly blinked awake.
She shifted—and froze.
Her arms were wrapped tightly around Ash's arm, her cheek resting against his shoulder. One of her legs had somehow tangled with his. They were very close.
Her face flushed instantly. "Wha—!"
She bolted upright with a startled squeak, nearly throwing off the blanket in her haste. "I—I wasn't—! I mean, I didn't mean to—!"
Ash blinked, still half-awake, and gave her a calm smile. "Morning."
Misty covered her face with both hands. "Oh my god…"
Ash stretched slightly, unbothered. "It's okay. You must've gotten cold again. You were shivering earlier."
"…You're seriously not mad?"
He chuckled. "Nope. You were kinda cute, honestly."
Her face turned even redder, and she turned away with a groan. "Stop talking…"
Ash leaned back on his palms, looking toward the cave entrance. "Rain's stopped, by the way. I was just about to wake you."
Misty slowly lowered her hands. "How long was I—like that?"
"Not long," Ash said with a grin. "But long enough to get comfortable, apparently."
She shot him a glare, but it lacked heat. "You really know how to make a girl embarrassed, you know that?"
Ash shrugged. "Just being honest."
Misty stood up, brushing herself off and tugging her damp shorts into place. She looked out at the fading drizzle beyond the cave, then back at the dying fire.
"…So, time to go?" she asked softly.
"Yeah. But…" He paused, noticing the look on her face.
She wasn't moving. Her fingers played with the hem of her shirt, and her gaze was distant, almost thoughtful.
"You okay?" he asked gently.
Misty nodded… then shook her head. "Yeah. Just…" 'I kinda liked this. Not the storm or being soaked—but the quiet warmth. Us'
Ash looked at her, surprised—but then smiled.
"Hey it doesn't have to be the last time we see each other. You know?"
Misty gave him a sidelong glance. "You saying you want me to travel with you?"
Ash stood, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "I'm saying I wouldn't mind it. You've got good instincts. And maybe… I wouldn't mind the company either."
[Ciel: Oh~ Bold and honest? Dangerous combination.]
Misty folded her arms, pretending to think it over. "…I'll consider it."
Then, quieter, "…Just don't expect me to hold your hand again."
Ash smirked. "No promises."
Pikachu hopped to Ash's shoulder, letting out a cheerful "Pika!" (yeah join us)
They stepped out of the cave, side by side, into the fresh, rain-scented morning,
glistening calm. Droplets still clung to leaves and grass, sparkling in the soft morning sun.
Ash stretched his arms with a long sigh. "Finally… fresh air."
Misty followed suit, arms above her head. "Mmm… Yeah. Way better than the damp cave."
Just then—a gentle gust of wind swept past, carrying with it a strange, melodic sound from above.
"Huh?" Ash looked up.
Misty did too—and her eyes widened, then softened into a gentle smile.
"A rainbow…" she whispered.
A perfect arc of colors stretched across the sky, glimmering with dew-kissed brilliance. It looked like it had been painted there by the morning itself.
"Wow…" Misty breathed, her face lit up in wonder.
But Ash wasn't looking at the rainbow.
High above the arc of colors, a majestic figure soared through the sky—wings glowing with golden, fiery hues, its long tail trailing like silk in the wind.
"Ho-Oh…" Ash whispered, eyes locked on the legendary Pokémon.
For a second, the world seemed to stand still.
He quickly took out his pokedex and clicked some photos of the legendary Pokemon.
The creature's wings shimmered in the light, casting rainbow-like trails behind it. It let out a long, melodic cry that echoed faintly before vanishing into the clouds once more.
Misty blinked. "Did you just say it's —Ho-Oh?!"
Ash nodded slowly. "Yeah… we saw it ."
Misty looked at him in shock.
Ash smiled faintly. "I saw a legendary Pokemon … the day I started my journey."
Oh-Oh seemed to notice Ash And Pikachu And gave one of his feather's to him.And flew away.
Ash saw the feather and quickly grabbed it carefully and placed it gently in his backpack.
Misty was silent for a bit, staring at him.
"First abs, ahem— seeing a legendary Pokémon ? What are you?"
Ash just laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "A lucky trainer, maybe?"
She rolled her eyes, but couldn't help the small grin forming on her lips. "Well, you're clearly not normal."
"Normal's boring anyway," Ash replied, stepping forward. "Ready to head out?"
Misty nodded, falling into step beside him. "Let's see what other crazy stuff the road has planned."
----------------------------------------------------------
[A/N: Hello fellas just as I said another chapter. I changed somethings in this chapter so it took some time hopefully Ash doesn't look like a virgin simp in this one ]
Have some suggestions ? what to do after this? about the story ? Let me know!