Amourshipping - Love Over the Horizon!

Chapter 6: The Start of Something New

It was Serena's second day in Alola. She and Ash were sleeping together on the loft, where they had arranged for a second bed to be assembled. There was enough space on one of the sides where they could put a bed and still have the area as clear as possible, which Ash didn't mind if it meant Serena was staying. This morning, he was up early to do some training with his Pokémon on the beach, although he was a little too eager to get started and didn't even change out of his Litten t-shirt he wore to bed last night.

Ash smirked and flipped his cap backward. "'Kay, Pikachu, use Iron Tail! Lycanroc, use Counter!" Pikachu's tail glowed silver with energy as he launched up, prepared to strike Lycanroc. Lycanroc's mane glowed orange and met the Iron Tail literally head-on, pushing Pikachu back into the air. Pikachu landed back on the ground in a cloud of dust and sand.

"Great job guys!" Ash congratulated them. Lycanroc howled and Ash sent him back into his Pokéball. He called Pikachu back and they ran up the hill towards the house. He ran up the front porch and went through the door, instantly greeted by Rowlet.

"Finally awake, huh?" Ash shook his head and moved into the living room, making Rowlet a bowl of food since he was still asleep during breakfast. He heard a yawn behind him and saw Serena climbing down the ladder, still in her pajamas. She turned around and stretched one of her arms, yawning again.

Ash blushed and focused on the food bowl. He had always thought Serena looked cute in that sweater she always wore, especially when she traded her hat for a bow when she went to sleep. Serena rubbed her eyes and began thinking similar things about Ash. She rarely ever saw him wearing clothes as comfortable as the ones he was wearing right now, and she thought they looked pretty good on him.

"Morning, Ash," she yawned.

"Sleep well?" Ash chuckled and Serena nodded.

"I was kind of worried when I woke up 'cause I thought yesterday was a dream," she said. She went into the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face. She changed out of her pajamas and walked out, feeling more refreshed than she had in a while. Ash, Kukui, and Burnet were eating pancake stacks at the table, with a fourth plate set next to Ash. Rotom was busy documenting photos of Torracat as it ate.

"Go ahead," Ash said, taking another bite out of his pancakes. Serena sat down next to him and took a bite out of her own stack. She grinned and began to eat almost as fast as Ash.

"You okay, Serena?" Ash chuckled.

"It's really good!" Serena said. Or, rather mostly said since she still had a pancake in her mouth. She swallowed and chuckled sheepishly before taking a sip of water.

"I know, right?" Ash asked, somehow understanding what she said. He took a bite out of his pancake and grinned. Behind them, all the Pokémon were feasting on their Pokémon food with matching grins.

"Hey, Serena," Professor Kukui interrupted, "your first day at the Pokémon school starts today! Are you ready?"

"I sure am!" Serena declared and did an arm pump. Ash smiled. I think I'm starting to rub off her, he observed, despite how dense he was.

"Well, you better get going then," Kukui laughed. "School starts soon, and you don't want to be late on your first day!"

"Gah!" Serena sat up and began choking on her pancakes. Ash got up too and patted her on the back. "Heh, I'm okay, Ash!" she said and smiled.

Ash nodded. "Let's get going then!" Serena nodded back and returned her Pokémon to their Pokéballs. Ash did the same as Pikachu launched itself onto its usual spot on Ash's shoulder. They both grabbed their backpacks and rushed out the door, with Rotom Dex following in suit.