Pokemon Shipping Oneshots (Ash Ketchum Shippings Only)

Diodeshipping

'A-Ah...w-why...help...m-me...I...c-can't...b-b-breathe-'

Were his last thoughts before all he saw was consumed by darkness.

-A few hours ago-

Clemont was working on an invention. Bonnie and Serena had been at their sleepiest, so they eventually called it a day and left Ash and Clemont to watch yet again the creation of another strange mechanical art. 

The two girls hadn't had much interest in science, but, as he'd stated many times, Ash thought science was amazing. Even after most of Clemont's inventions having self-destructed because they weren't made properly, or for some other reason that deemed them poor products, it was still interesting to him.

And Clemont loved it; thought he wouldn't admit it openly. He'd secretly smile whenever he hear Ash say that "Science is so amazing!", and have to hide his blushing when the younger boy reveled in his creations. Of course, part of it had to come from his childlike nature, but he'd like to think to himself that, for the most part, Ash was generally interested and appreciative of Clemont's hobbies.

"Ash, are you sure you don't mind staying up with me? You can go to sleep if you want"

"Nah, I don't want to! I wanna watch you build more robots!"

Clemont laughed in admiration of his innocence. Childlike, Ash was.

"Are you sure?"

"Totally sure! It's not like I've got anything else to do, anyways. The Kalos League is over, so I've got nothing to train for"

"Okay, if you really want to. It's gonna be a long night, though"

"I'm fine with that. I'm used to long nights", Ash giggled, before looking at different parts of Clemont's invention, while Clemont watched him. He was finding it quite spectacular until he got to a slightly reflective part of glass, which he immediately turned away upon seeing.

There was a pause for a few minutes, before Clemont opened his mouth. Looking back, he really shouldn't have.

"Hey, Ash? Why do you think science is so amazing, anyway?"

Oh, why? Why did he ask that question? Of course, he couldn't have known the answer would be so much deeper than he thought it'd be.

"Oh...um, it...uh, just...I don't...it's because my dad was a scientist. That's why, haha", Ash laughed nervously.

Clemont shot him a half smile before looking back down to think. Not about the invention anymore, though. About what he'd just heard.

"Why did he get so nervous...is it because he-wait a second. 'Was'?"

Oh no. He'd said those last few words far too loud. As soon as he realized, he became equally nervous. His eyes focused from Ash to the ground, constantly switching, as he wasn't sure what, or who, to look at. However, when he looked at Ash and saw that he was looking down, he stopped shifting his gaze. Usually, Ash's cap would cast a shadow over his face, hiding his emotions a little, but it was lying on the ground instead, meaning Clemont could see the tears sparkling in his eyes.

"Oh, Ash, I'm sorry if that was a hurtful question"

"What?", Ash got startled, suddenly turning to Clemont while the tears were still there, "Oh, no. No, no, it's fine", he reassured, waving his hands frantically in front of him, "I meant to say 'is'"

Clemont was almost convinced he was as he'd said, but he could still see the shock in Ash's eyes. The tears pushing to fall out. He wasn't psychic, but he could see through his smile, that he was biting his tongue in order to stop himself showing negativity. He could tell there was a lost little boy who needed to cry, behind Ash's sunny facade.