AquaMilotic
yay
http://marvelscalemilotic.deviantart.com/art/Awareness-442569845
This fic is also on DeviantArt: http://marvelscalemilotic.deviantart.com/gallery/48703627
This story is a sequel to "Seaking Catching Day", which is a sequel to "Working On A Dream" but you can also read this as a stand-alone fic without reading "Seaking Catching Day".
Chronology:
1. Working On A Dream
2. Seaking Catching Day
3. Awareness
Author(s): AquaMilotic
Title: Seaking Catching Day
Fandom(s): Pokemon
Pairing(s): PokeShipping (Ash x Misty)
Status: Finished
Rated: PG-13
Chapter list:
1. Ash's Birthday
2. Austyn from Sootopolis City
3. Breakthrough
CHAPTER 1 - ASH'S BIRTHDAY
"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you!" Misty and Brock sang, as they gazed upon their friend blowing out the sixteen candles on his cake all at once.
"And now it's time for my presents!" the birthday boy said.
"Here you go, Ash!" Brock said, while handing over a big, green box with a blue ribbon. The teen from Pallet untied the ribbon as fast as he could, after which he tried to tear the box apart as soon as he could, curious as he was to see what gift he would receive from his friend.
"And, what do you think of it?" Brock asked, while Ash held something in his hands. It was a Playboy magazine, with a scantily clad photo of Elesa on the cover.
"Um... Brock, I don't think I'm the right audience for this, this is more something you'd enjoy," Ash said softly. "You can have it back, then you got a nice present! And that while it's not even your birthday!"
While Brock was gushing over the naked women in the magazine, Misty was thinking. "He became sixteen today, and still hasn't changed a bit! He doesn't even realize that Brock just bought that Playboy because he knew Ash would probably give it back... And he still doesn't seem to understand anything about love... I've been waiting six f*cking years for him now! Why do I have to be in love with this guy" She and her beloved boy from Pallet know each other for six years now and travelled together for five of those years. Unfortunately for her, her best friend was a late-bloomer. He did show physical attraction to her several times, but no signs of romantic awareness yet. And that while she was longing for him for six years!
After another laughable League failure for Ash, he, Brock and Misty were on their way to Sootopolis City, where Misty's friend Austyn lives. The two met four years ago, during the Catch-A-Seaking Contest in Johto. Austyn was six years older than her friend from Cerulean City, which meant that the twenty-two year old Sootopolis-native often had valuable advice to offer to her younger friend. Their friendship could even be compared to that between Ash and Brock, a good friendship between an older, experienced person and a young one. Misty usually saw her during Water Pokemon-related tournaments in which she and her Whiscash participated.
Then, the thought was interrupted. "Misty, do you have a present for me as well?" Ash asked, not realizing how rude this was.
"Yes, I do..." Misty said, while grabbing her mallet from her backpack. Then, she realized violence wasn't the solution to her frustrations and put it back in her backpack. Then, she took the real present. "Here you go, happy birthday!" she said calmly, while handing over a big yellow box with a red ribbon.
The Pallet Town-native opened his second present of the day. "Hey, there's a lot of stuff in that box," Ash said. "New underpants? Why, Misty?"
"You wear the same ones everyday, your mom said so. I'm giving you these, so you can wear different ones each day," Misty said.
"He's not gonna wear 'em," Brock murmured, while he was enjoying some more naked women.
"Brock is right," Ash replied. He took the next thing out of the box. "A picture of Misty and me smiling? What's that supposed to mean?"
"That I want you to always cherish me," Misty said. "And that I'll always cherish you."
"But I already do, you're my best friend," Ash protested, not understanding that Misty wanted more.
"Some people are late-bloomers, that's normal, but will he ever learn?" Misty thought.
"Pikapi!" Pikachu shouted, while grabbing Ash's next present out of the box. "This better has to be some food!" the hungry boy from Pallet moaned, while a roaring sound came out of his stomach.
"And, what is it?" Brock asked.
"It's a cake!" Ash screamed happily. He saw that the strawberry cake had bride and groom figurines on it, representing the feelings Misty felt, but that Ash didn't understand. "But why are those boring toys on it?"
"I give up," Misty thought. “He’s not gonna get it anytime soon... But there’s got to be a way... Maybe Austyn could help me...” A tear went down her face, which was noticed by Brock. And so, while Ash and Pikachu were eating from their giant cake, Brock took Misty apart and went to a small, separate room in the Mossdeep City Hotel, so they could talk while having some privacy.
“Misty, what’s wrong?” Brock asked.
“Nothing!” Misty screamed, while the tears got more frequent. She didn’t want to tell Brock about her feelings, because he might tell Ash about it, which isn’t the way Ash should find out about that.
“Come on, Misty. If you’re crying, something must be wrong,” the former Pewter City Gym Leader said. “Is it because Ash still doesn’t understand that you love him?”
“I’m not in love with Ash, it’s none of your business!” Misty snapped, while barely being able to stop herself from smacking her friend in his face.
“Misty, don’t deny it, it’s so obvious... All those times you got jealous when other girls liked him... All those times when I saw you being sad when you tried something romantic Ash didn’t understand... Really, you can’t hide it from me anymore. Is there anything I can do for you?”
“The only thing you can do for me is f*cking off and leaving me alone! This is none of your business! And you’ll never understand, because all you do is sleep with hookers and read Playboy!” the redhead screamed, while her face was shrouded in more and more tears.
“Misty, most people would get mad about the way you just treated me, but I won’t. I know what’s bothering you, and I want to help you,” Brock said. “So shall I help you to get Ash in bed for some night time action?”
“Brock, this isn’t about sex!” Misty said with a slightly calmer tone. “Anyways, could you please never tell Ash that I love him?”
“Of course I won’t, that’s up to you,” Brock replied.
“That’s a relief,” our heroine thought, while still being uncomfortable about the way Brock tried to sexualize everything. “But do you know any way to make dense little kids understand what love is?”
“Well, not really, I’ve been trying to explain Ash things about sex for years now, and he still doesn’t seem to get it,” Brock complained. “But do you think he has feelings for you?”
“I’m not sure...” Misty whispered. “He showed jealousy when those guys on the Orange Islands were flirting with me, but that’s five years ago... Since then, he travelled with many other girls... I don’t know if he still loves me...”
“Well, I do know a way for you to find out if he does,” Brock proposed.
“Really? What is it?” Misty asked, while a slight smile appeared on her face.
“All you have to do is make the past happen again,” Brock suggested. “Get another guy to flirt with you, and then see how Ash reacts to that!”
“The idea is good, but where am I gonna find another guy who wants me?” Misty asked, while Ash made a loud burping sound after finishing his cake all by himself.
“There are plenty of men in this city, and also hotel guests,” Brock said.
“But isn’t that like... using them?” Misty asked. “That’s just mean, giving them false hope...”
“Not really... Those two guys on the Orange Islands also fell for you by themselves, but you didn’t use them. Ash getting jealous was just a side-effect of their behaviour. And you also didn’t give them false hope, you never showed interest in them,” Brock explained, based on what he heard five years ago. Back then, he didn’t travel through the Orange Islands with Ash and Misty. Instead, Tracey was with them back then.
“I guess I could try... But my sisters always told me I’m unattractive, and no one understands Ash’s taste in women... Do you really think many guys will be interested in me?” Misty asked.
“Sure they will! Those Orange Islands guys liked you for your looks, and if a dense guy like Ash can see you as hot, anyone can,” Brock answered.
When leaving the small room, Misty saw a familiar face. A new hotel guest just put his luggage in his room and walked towards the big eating room, where Ash was waiting for his friends after eating his big cake. “Hey, look, it’s Danny!” Misty said. “What a coincidence!”
“Who was Danny again? I know he sees you as hot, Ash told me how much he hates that guy many times, but where is he from again?” Brock asked.
“Danny is the Navel Island Gym Leader, and a member of the Orange Crew,” Misty explained. “I think he’s too old for me, but he was really flirty five years ago, so maybe he can help me to get a reaction out of Ash... Maybe it can even get Ash to think about love!” And so, Misty and Brock entered the eating room again, where Ash noticed an acquaintance he didn’t like.
“So, Ash, how was your cake?” Misty asked.
“Awesome, thanks! Food is always the best birthday gift!” Ash shouted.
Then, Misty knew she had to play it strategically. By talking extra loud, she hoped that Danny would notice her and greet her, hopefully getting a reaction out of the guy she loves. “Ash, tomorrow, we’re going to Sootopolis City, is there anything you still wanna do today?”
“I don’t know, just relaxing, Misty,” Ash said.
And then, Danny, who didn’t notice our heroes yet, heard the names ‘Ash’ and ‘Misty’. He immediately walked up to the table where they were sitting. “Hey, Misty, long time no see! That outfit sure looks hot on you!”
And that was exactly what Misty wanted to hear. Now, she could see what Ash had to say. The boy from Pallet Town was bursting with anger. He didn’t know why exactly that comment angered him so much, but he knew it did. “Why do you like her so much? She’s my best friend, get away from her!” Ash screamed. “She didn’t like you five years ago and she still doesn’t like you now!”
“I think it worked!” Misty thought, while showing a big smile to Brock. Meanwhile, Danny tried to reason with the birthday boy. “Is she your girlfriend or anything?”
“No, girls stink!” the embarrassed kid said. “Why do you ask that again?”
“Like I said five years ago, you always hurt the one you love!” Danny said. “It’s obvious that you and Misty like each other a whole lot!”
“Then why are you constantly hitting on her?” Ash asked. “If you want her to be with me, why are you trying to take her yourself?”
“Well, if you don’t love her, why are you so bothered by my flirtiness?” Danny asked. “If she’s not yours, I should be free to take whatever girl I want!”
“I don’t know...” Ash whispered. “I just really don’t know... What’s going on with me? Why am I acting this way every time another guy acts this way towards Misty? Maybe... Maybe Danny is right? Maybe I might be in love with her? But how does being in love feel? I’m so confused...”
“Ash, what are you thinking about?” Misty asked, hoping that her beloved was thinking about what Danny said.
“That’s none of your business, these are private thoughts! Just let me think!” Ash sneered, much to Misty’s enjoyment. After all, if he was indeed having his first romantic thoughts, of course he would keep those a secret at first.
“I don’t know how being in love feels... I do know that I feel this way about Misty for six years now, while I never saw other girls that way... Sure, Misty is hot and I always thought so, but I felt the same about Giselle and Melody six and five years ago, but that was different... Misty just really means something to me, unlike those two... Maybe I really am in love... Nah, it’s probably just because she’s my best friend...” the boy from Pallet Town thought.
Meanwhile, Danny decided to give up on flirting with Misty for the time being, knowing that she wasn’t interested. Instead, he went to the beach to do some windsurfing. While Brock gave Pikachu and Misty’s Gyarados some Pokemon food, with ketchup on it for the yellow mouse, Misty was enjoying every minute of the sight of her beloved Ashyboy having deeper thoughts than he ever had before.
“And why is Misty acting this way around me? Sometimes, she seems to think of me the same way Brock sees all those police officers and nurses, I don’t know... But if that would be really true, wouldn’t she at least say something after such a long time?”
“Ash, Brock, I have to be away for a bit, I’m going to do a phonecall to Austyn. Brock, will you watch Gyarados for me?” Misty asked, while pointing at her Pokemon, who was floating in a little pool in the big room. “And could you please give me some privacy?”
“Sure, Misty!” Brock said, while giving Ash’s Pikachu some more ketchup.
And so, in her hotel room, Misty ringed the video phone. A few seconds later, a young, blonde-haired woman appeared on the screen. “Hi Misty!”
“Hi Austyn, how are you?” Misty asked.
“Good, I just finished proofreading my article for ‘Hoenn Pokemon Magazine’ about a local band that uses Water Pokemon’s moves as musical instruments,” Misty’s friend said.
“That’s so cool!” Misty said. “Anyways, tomorrow, we’ll be leaving Mossdeep, so I think we’ll reach your house tomorrow in the evening, is that okay with you?”
“Sure,” Austyn said. “And Misty, I see in your eyes that you’ve been crying. What’s wrong?”
“Oh, it’s Ash...” Misty moaned. “He turned sixteen today, and he’s still as dense as always... I tried talking about it with Brock, but he only talked about sex as usual...”
“Yeah, tell me about it... I’m not even good-looking, and he was constantly gushing over my boobs the last time I saw him,” Austyn complained. “And the top I wore that day wasn’t even showing that much cleavage...”
“What? Austyn, you’re really beautiful, you’re way prettier than my sisters and all those other crappy models!” Misty complimented.
“I don’t agree, but still, thanks,” Austyn said softly. “Anyways, I’ve never had a boyfriend, and I’ve only had some crushes, but I don’t think I’ve ever met a guy who I feel the same for as you feel for Ash. I want to help you, but I’m not sure if I’m the right person...”
“Why not? You’re empathetic, kind and smart! If there’s anyone who can help me without being pervy, it’s you!” Misty said. “You don’t have experience, but at least you have the empathy to think about how other people feel about things... You understand how I feel, and you can use that to make Ash realize what love means!”
“Thanks, Misty. You’re a real friend,” Austyn complimented. “Alright then, I’ll see if I can talk to Ash and maybe steer his mind into the right direction.”
“Really? Awesome!” Misty shouted. “He did get jealous again today when some guy was hitting on me, but he just doesn’t understand why he feels that way...”
“Oh well, at least you know he still loves you like he did five years ago,” Austyn said.
“True,” Misty agreed.
Then, Brock entered the room, even though Misty asked for some privacy. “Hey, Austyn, you sure look hot today!”
“Brock, you said you wouldn’t bother me! Go away!” Misty snapped.
“It’s okay, I got used to it...” Austyn whispered. She felt really uncomfortable, but she was too shy to even think about snapping like Misty did. It would also make her feel mean.
“I heard you’re still single, are you interested in a nice guy with lots of knowledge about what to do in bed?” Brock proposed.
“Not really, I want someone who I can have an emotional connection with, I want more than just sex,” Austyn said, causing Brock to leave the room with tears in his eyes.
“Austyn, sorry for that, I should’ve locked the door,” Misty moaned. “I really thought Brock would give me some privacy this time!”
“Well, you know what they say, real perverts don’t change,” Austyn laughed. “He’s a sick guy, but he’s also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. But I’d still never consider a relationship with him!”
“Good, no girl deserves a guy who only thinks about sex,” Misty said. “You deserve someone like Ash, but then without the denseness.”
“And you deserve that too, I just really hope he’ll break out of that denseness stage sooner or later...” Austyn said. “Anyways, I’ve got to proofread and check another article now, see you tomorrow!”
“Bye, see you tomorrow!” Misty said, while waving. Then, she ended the phonecall and went back to her friends, who were waiting for her in the big dinner room.
And so, late in the evening, our heroes were all in their separate beds. “Tomorrow I’m gonna see Austyn again, I’m really curious how she thinks she’s going to help Ash to understand love... But I have faith in her, she helped me with so many things and I’m sure she can do the same again. Even if Ash won’t realize his feelings, at least she can make him take a step in the right direction. And I’m sure she’s gonna try her best, she’d never let me down,” Misty thought. “Gyarados had some food, and Danny gave Ash some food for thought. I never thought I’d actually think this, but I’ve never been so happy on a birthday of Ash before!” Then, she fell asleep.
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