Sparks Fly (reupload)

Wait is Over

"You'll take care of the gym for me, okay Clembot?" Clemont asked the robot that was standing idly in front of him. "You know what to do."

Clembot nodded. "Yes, of course."

"Good." The anticipation of Ash's arrival to Kalos was too much for Clemont. Attempting to control his anxiety and trusting that Bonnie could spend some time at home without causing trouble or anyone else around, Clemont went around town numerous times. He stopped at many stores and locations in Lumiose City, including his own gym, to try to:

A. Calm his nerves

B. Get stuff he figured Ash would like

C. Figure out where to take Ash during his stay

D. Get more groceries (Ash was a big eater)

"Good luck on your own, Clembot. Maybe Ash can battle you during his stay," Clemont grinned.

Before Clembot could say anything, Clemont was running out of the gym, hoping to get to the house before Ash could.

Luckily, Ash was nowhere to be found. Bonnie was cleaning various photographs set on a table as Clemont walked in.

"See?" she winked. "I can handle myself for an hour!"

"You know, you don't have to say that every time this happens, right?" Clemont laughed, glancing at one of the photographs placed on the table. It was one with him, Bonnie, Serena, and Ash.

Ash.

Looking at his wink and confident smile in the photo made Clemont more eager to see him. Ash was always persistent and happy, and it hurt everyone when he wasn't.

Or at least, it hurt Clemont.

He didn't pay much attention to how Bonnie, Serena, or even himself looked. At least, until he noticed that Ash had his arm slung on the back of Clemont's neck, the still image of the blonde with his eyes closed and a shy smile.

"You okay, Clemont?" Bonnie asked. "You're zoning out."

"Yeah, I'm fine. I, uh, barely got any sleep last night." Well, he wasn't lying. He was up all night thinking about Ash. Whether he regretted it or not was unclear to him.

"Me neither! I'm so excited!" Bonnie pumped her fist in the air excitedly. A small, mouse-like Pokémon emerged from Bonnie's satchel. "So's Dedenne! Right?" Bonnie asked, looking at the Pokémon.

"De nenne!" it replied.

Bonnie turned back to Clemont. "Oh, I got your bedroom set up for when he gets here."

"Wh- Bonnie! I thought I told you I was going to do that!" Clemont panicked.

"Relax, big brother, I didn't break anything... I think."

Clemont groaned and speed walked to his room. Luckily nothing was broken, like Bonnie said. "You almost gave me a heart attack!" he yelled to the hallway.

"Sorry!"

Clemont scanned the room to try and make sure that everything was set and ready for Ash. The bed was made neatly and his desk papers were stacked and neatly organized. His curtains were drawn open to give a perfect view of the coming winter, and the snow promised with it.

For a moment, Clemont seemed to forget about Ash, and was calm. The serenity took over, and he embraced it. He had nothing to worry about, so why was he-

A loud gasp came from the hallway.

Bonnie.

Clemont rushed out of his room. "Bonnie, are you-" Clemont started yelling, before he saw his sister.

And the boy that was with her.
"Clemont! It's so good to see you again!" Ash grinned as he rushed over to give Clemont a hug. "I've been so pumped to see you guys that I barely slept!" He wrapped his arms tightly around Clemont.

The sudden warmth of Ash's hug sparked some new emotions within Clemont. Some were screaming at him to confess at that very moment, though he still wasn't certain what. Others were freaking out over the fact that Ash was hugging him. And some told him to hug back, which he did.

"Man, I forgot how cold it was here. Good thing my mom gave me my jacket when I went back to Kanto, huh?" Ash finally spoke, breaking away from the hug, much to Clemont's hidden dismay. "It was so cool! I got to see my old friends again, and my classmates got to-"

"Wait, class?" Clemont knew that Ash attended a Pokémon school, but it wasn't in Kanto.

"Oh, yeah, we went on a special trip! I forgot to tell you guys about it, I think." Ash laughed out of embarrassment. "Hey, you guys hungry?"

It was official. Ash hadn't changed since he left. Clemont and Bonnie couldn't help but laugh alongside Ash.

And Clemont hoped Ash would remain that way.