I can make you laugh

Wednesday Part 5- Let's talk

Everyone applauded as Serena, Shauna and the Pokémon took a bow when they had finished, sparkles flying through the air from flames and magic.

"That was amazing, you two!" Ash cried.

"I didn't even know it was possible to use Pokémon moves like that," Sophocles added.

"I want to learn how to use moves like that when I get my first Pokémon," Mimo cheered. "It was so pretty and the Pokémon are so cute!"

"The flavours you two create make an incredible recipe," Cilan praised. "So much elegance and love between the two of you and your Pokémon shine as bright as the sun!"

"Thank you," Shauna and Serena said, their faces flushed from the dancing and the compliments.

"Now everyone," Mallow announced. "It's lunchtime."

As everyone started to walk over to the tables, Ash walked up to Serena.

"Hey, can we talk for a second?" he asked. "Privately?"

"Sure," Serena smiled before the two of them left the room. Gladion felt his stomach clench.

This is probably a bad idea, Gladion thought before he started to follow them. Gladion walked towards where he had seen Ash take Serena until he had reached a hall where Ash and Serena stood. He pressed his back against the wall.

This is a really bad idea, he thought.

"What do you want to talk about, Ash?" Serena asked.

"Before I do," Ash said. "I just want you to know that I'm so proud of you Serena. You've become an amazing performer, just like you said you would!"

"Thank you, Ash," Serena said. "Your belief in me, my Pokémon's faith and Shauna's love. It helped me become better."

"I also wanted to say I'm sorry," Ash said.

"For what?" Serena said in a worried tone.

"For not returning your feelings for me," Ash said.

Serena smiled as she took Ash's hand.

"Oh, it's okay," she said. "And I'm sorry I sprung that kiss on you. But the truth is, I don't regret it. I'm glad I told you my feelings before I left for Hoenn. I knew I would regret it if I didn't. Also, when I was travelling through Hoenn by myself with my Pokémon, I realised that I was in love with a childhood memory. But with Shauna, it feels so real."

"I'm really happy you have Shauna," Ash smiled.

Gladion quietly left, feeling relief with a hint of jealousy. He really wanted to be Ash's first kiss but it looked like Serena beat him to it. Not that he blamed her. Ash really was special.

"So, that Gladion," Serena smiled. "He's pretty cute."

Ash blushed as he turned to walk away.

"Yeah, I guess he is," Ash admitted shyly.

"But why would you create a bet?" Serena asked with a giggle. "Why not just tell him how you feel?"

"Because I'm not as brave as you."

***

When lunch was served, everyone ate and talked cheerfully but Gladion refused to talk to Ash, much to Ash's confusion.

Why are you ignoring me? He thought anxiously. Did I do something wrong?

Once lunch was finished, everyone spent the rest of the afternoon teaching Cilan, Cress, Chilli, Serena and Shauna different Z-poses before Serena and Shauna decided to show everyone how to make Poképuffs, Pokéblocks and Poffins.

Eventually, it was time for everyone to head back to Alola. After Ash summoned Hoopa, who happily hugged Serena when it saw her, Hoopa opened the portal back to Alola. As everyone return their Pokémon to their Pokéballs, Ash pulled out some leis from his bag before giving them to Cilan, Cress, Chilli, Serena and Shauna to say thank you.

"We'll come visit Alola one day," Chilli promised as Cilan gave Ash a small bag filled with his and Gladion's clothing.

"When you do, you must come and visit Akala," Kiawe said excitedly. "We'll get Pansear crowned by the Wela Crown."

"And you can try the ice-cream from our family farm," Mimo added.

"We can have a fishing competition Cilan," Lana beamed.

"And visit my restaurant," Mallow finished. "And Serena and Shauna, Tsareena and I will teach you the Alola Hula."

"We look forward to it," Cilan smiled as his brothers nodded eagerly.

"And when we have finished setting things up with Mr Santo," Shauna added. "Serena and I will be on the first plane to Alola."

As everyone waved goodbye and walked through the portal, Ash hung back.

"Thank you for today," Ash smiled as Pikachu jumped to his shoulder. "All of you."

"It's wonderful to see you again, Ash," Cilan smiled as he squeezed Ash's hands. "Look after yourself."

"And keep in contact," Cress added. "We love hearing about your adventures."

"We hope you win the bet," Serena said as she hugged Ash one last time.

"Bye," Ash said before stepping through the portal.

"Who do you think will win?" Chilli asked as the portal disappeared.

"Gladion," Shauna said. "He has a good poker face."

"I believe Ash," Serena said.

"Same," Cilan added. "He has always managed to achieve at a challenge."

***

As they entered the classroom and the portal closed, Ash thanked Hoopa with a donut he had brought from the market earlier.

"Tomorrow, Ashkan?" Hoopa asked with a mouthful of donut.

"Tomorrow," Ash confirmed.

"Okay," Hoopa grinned before opening a new portal and disappearing through it. As the portal shrank and disappeared, Ash turned to Lillie.

"Lillie," he said as he took Pikachu off his shoulder. "Would you look after Pikachu for a little bit?"

"Of course," Lillie said as she took Pikachu.

"Gladion, can we talk?" Ash asked urgently.

"Um, okay," Gladion said as he felt his stomach flip with uneasiness.

"Great," Ash sighed as he grabbed Gladion's hand before pulling him out of the classroom. After a minute, Lillie leaned slightly to see Ash pull Gladion into the library.

"They're going to the library," she announced.

"Are we going to follow?" Mallow asked, her curious nature coming through.

"Absolutely."

***

Gladion frowned as Ash gently pulled him into the library until they were standing behind the non-fictional section.

"Are you mad at me?" Ash asked urgently, his face full of worry.

"What?"

"Are you mad at me?" Ash repeated, anxiety filling him. "Did I do or say something to upset you? Is it because of us wrestling earlier? I'm really sorry. I didn't mean..."

"No, no," Gladion interrupted with a sigh. "You haven't done anything wrong. I'm just feeling a little jealous."

"Jealous?" The worry in Ash's face was now replaced with confusion. "Why are you feeling jealous?"

Gladion bit his lip as he looked away from Ash.

"Come on Gladion, please," Ash begged. "Please talk to me. Who are you jealous of?"

"Serena," Gladion admitted with a sigh.

"Why?"

Gladion winced before he looked at Ash.

"When she hugged you, I felt strange," he admitted. "And when you took her into the hall to talk to her, I followed. I heard your conversation."

"So, you know she use to have a crush on me and that she kissed me?" Ash asked.

Gladion nodded. Ash sighed.

"Yes, she had a crush on me and yes, she kissed me before I left Kalos," Ash admitted. "But I don't like her that way. I see her the same way I see Lillie, Mallow, Lana and the other girls I've made friends with during my travels; like a sister. Besides, Serena wants romance with dancing and fairy tales. I can't give her that but Shauna can. That's another reason why I'm glad they're together. Me; I don't want that in a relationship."

"What do you want?" Gladion asked curiously.

"Honesty, reality and an adventure," Ash admitted as he sat on the floor, hugging his knees.

"What do you mean?" Gladion asked as he sat down next to Ash.

"I love travelling and seeing new things and meeting new people and Pokémon," Ash admitted. "And if I find the one I love, I want to share the adventure with them."

Gladion smiled as he thought about Ash's words. Travelling did sound wonderful but the idea of travelling with Ash and everyday being something new, it sounded amazing.

"That does sound amazing," Gladion admitted. "Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Sure?"

"Was Serena your first kiss?"

Ash blushed.

"On the lips, yes," Ash admitted. "But my first human kiss was Team Rocket."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"They were pretending to be tourist attractions in order to kidnap Pikachu," Ash sighed. "They kissed me on the cheek. But honestly, I don't know if Serena kissing me counts as a first kiss."

"What do you mean?"

"After Serena kissed me, I felt confused," Ash said. "So, when I got home, I talked to my mum about it. She said that usually a first kiss feels special because it's something both people want. And I didn't want to kiss Serena."

Gladion hummed thoughtfully.

"I guess that makes sense," he said. "Hey, wait what do you mean by first human kiss? Did you get your first kiss from a Pokémon?"

Ash blushed and looked away.

"Yeah, Pikachu," he said shyly. "It was a thank you kiss."

Gladion smiled before tapping Ash's shoulder.

"Mine was Umbreon," he admitted. Ash looked at him.

"When I was younger and found her injured as an Eevee," Gladion said. "Hers was a thank you kiss too."

"Very cute," Ash smiled. "You're like a knight in shining armour."

Gladion blushed and rolled his eyes as he leaned back against the bookcase.

"Are we okay?" Ash asked.

Gladion smiled.

"We're always okay," he said. "Thank you for today. I've never been outside of Alola before and the furthest I been from home is Poni Island. So, thank you for this."

"I'm glad you liked it," Ash grinned. "I'm having so much fun this week."

Gladion looked at Ash.

"I am too."

The two stared at each other in silence. Slowly Ash lifted one hand and started to push Gladion's hair back, his fingertips trailing over his ear and down his cheek. Gladion bit his lip, feeling his stomach exploded into Butterfree as he covered Ash's hand with his own. Ash's eyes flicked between Gladion's lips and eyes as he started to lean closer. Slowly, Gladion started to lean in too until they could feel each other's breaths. Their eyes closed as their lips got closer.

"ACHOO!"

Ash and Gladion jumped at the sudden sneeze before looking in the direction it came from, just in time to see their friends duck behind some tables. Ash and Gladion sighed as they stood up.

"We saw you!" Ash called.

Slowly, everyone stood up sheepishly, wincing as Gladion gave them a cold glare. Suddenly Komala ran the bell, signalling school was over.

"Thank you for including me today, Ash," Mimo beamed as Ash collected Pikachu from Lillie.

"You're very welcome, Mimo," Ash smiled as Mimo hugged him tight. "I'll see you all tomorrow."

As Ash left the library to go and find Kukui and Burnet, Gladion gave everyone another hard glare before leaving as well. Everyone cringed.

"Um, Lillie," Sophocles asked hesitantly. "Are you going to be alright?"

"Yeah, Gladion looks very annoyed," Lana added.

"It'll be fine," Lillie smiled. "He doesn't stay mad at me forever. He'll just give me the silent treatment for an hour and then we'll be talking again."

****

As the evening rolled around, Lillie stood outside Gladion's room, her face full of worry. Gladion had ignored her the entire way home before going straight to his room.

"Um, Gladion," Lillie called. "Hobbes says dinner is almost ready."

No response. Lillie sighed.

"Look, big brother, I'm really sorry," she said. "We shouldn't have spied on you and Ash. We should have been more respectful of yours and Ash's privacy. I'm really sorry for doing something Mother used to do. Please, Gladion, come out."

Lillie held her breath as she heard a sigh on the other side of the door. Slowly, the door opened, revealing Gladion wearing some pyjamas.

"I forgive you," he said. Lillie beamed as she hugged him hard.

"You love me," she said.

"You know I do," Gladion smiled. "Let's go eat dinner."

"Okay, but one thing first," Lillie said in a serious tone.

"What?" Gladion asked.

"I didn't know Umbreon was your first kiss," Lillie teased, causing Gladion to groan.