Day Seven: Life as a Couple

"Gyarados, use Hyper Beam!"

"Charizard, use Flamethrower!"

The two attacks launched out from each respective Pokemon and collided in the center of the battlefield. An explosion ensued, and both trainers on either side had to shield their eyes from the blast…. Well, not just any trainers.

Misty of the Kanto Elite Four was the first to recover. "Gyarados!" she called out as the dust cleared.

The second trainer, Ash Ketchum of the Kanto Region – and lesser known Orange Islands – coughed a bit before calling out to his Pokemon, "Charizard!"

When the dust finally cleared fully, both Mega Evolved Pokemon were on the ground, just picking themselves up.

"I think that's enough training for today," Misty finally said, holding up her Pokeball. A red beam of light surrounded her Gyarados as his form shifted and changed into its former one. The Pokemon entered back into the Pokeball and Misty gave the ball a kiss. "You did great."

Ash pouted. "We were just starting though!" Regardless, he held up his Pokeball and Mega Charizard Y's form shifted into its former as well. "You still did great, buddy."

The two walked to the middle of the field, Pikachu and Marill in tow of Ash and Misty respectfully. Pikachu and Marill embraced quickly, glad that their trainers were done being on opposing sides for the day. The loved to watch the battle and be rivals, but it got intense pretty quickly.

"They definitely need a rest, Ash," Misty scolded. When they met in the middle, Ash encircled Misty's waist with his arms as she put hers around his neck. Misty leaned her forehead against Ash's briefly before tilting her head, and pulling his closer into a kiss. With age, Ash had grown just a bit taller, and she had to lean up on her toes to reach now.

Ash moaned a bit into the kiss, startled by the sudden passion. Nevertheless, he pulled in her closer before releasing her.

"I know… but Charizard almost beat Gyarados this time!" he complained.

Misty chuckled a bit. "You'll get it eventually."

"So…" Ash said suddenly, "how about lunch at home? We don't have anything planned for the rest of the day anyway."

"Sounds good to me," she nodded.

Once home, Ash shut the door behind him. They were back in Pallet Town, in the house Ash grew up in. Delia still lived with them and Mimey, of course, but she happened to be out for the day.

"Why don't we order take out?" Misty said plopping down on the couch. "I don't exactly feel like cooking even though we're home."

Now it was Ash's turn to chuckle. He came over and sat beside her, putting a hand on her shoulder. "It's not like either of us are any good at it, anyway."

Misty bristled at that. "At least I'm better than you, Ash Ketchum!"

"I beg to differ, Mrs. Ketchum," Ash shot back.

Despite the past few years being together, it still made Misty's cheeks flush at the poking fun. This just made her even more flustered. "That's it!" she yelled. Without being very discreet, Misty lunged at Ash and tackled him onto his back on the couch. She playfully slapped her hands against his chest and when he just laughed at her, she retorted, "Oh! So you think this is funny, huh? Is this funny?!" Then she proceeded to tickled him on his sides, pulling up his shirt just a bit to get to the skin.

Ash was helpless. He was one of the most ticklish people in the world, and he knew it. He squeaked, embarrassingly enough, and laughed into hysterics. His eyes were tearing and he clutched his stomach, trying to breathe.

"Yes!" he yelled between breaths, "It… it is… funny!"

This caused Misty to scream again and she proceeded to tickle him even more. Ash's arms and legs were flailing rather pathetically, and he continued laughing while tears ran down his face.

"Okay! I surrender!" he finally yelled. He threw up his arms for her mercy.

Misty smirked and finally released him from her tickle-torture. Ash was gasping for air as she just smiled down at him.

"You're crazy, you know that?" Ash asked.

"It gets you to listen to me, doesn't it?" she said with a sly smirk.

Ash merely shook his head and sat himself up as he pushed her back onto the couch and off of him.

"No?" Misty asked. "Well I do need you to listen to me…."

At that, Ash's eyes widened as he wiped the last of the tears from his face. "Huh?" he asked. Straightening up, he put a hand on Misty's knee. "What's wrong? Did I say something stupid?"

Misty laughed and shook her head at him now. "No! No… not this time."

Ash seemed to breathe a sigh of relief but only momentarily. "Is there something wrong with you?" he asked, worry crossing his features, etching his eyebrows and frowning.

"Not exactly…." she started. Misty's gaze landed on Pikachu and Marill on the floor, now staring at her in curiosity and vague worry as well.

Ash's shoulders tensed and he unintentionally squeezed Misty's knee a little tighter. "You can tell me anything, Mist," he said it looking directly into her eyes, his gaze stern. But his betrayed him, if only slightly. There were tears welling up.

Misty bit her lip, feeling guilty for making him worry so much. She took his hand off her knee – he loosened his grip from her – and pressed it against her lower abdomen.

"I'm pregnant."

Ash's jaw went slack. Pikachu and Marill each squeaked and jumped up and down together.

Slowly, Ash lowered his gaze from Misty's face to where she had put his hand, and he gently pressed. He couldn't feel or see anything just yet, but know there was something starting right there… it was too much for him.

More tears rolled down his cheeks, this time from every mix of emotion he felt in that moment: joy, excitement, bewilderment, amazement, and love.

He looked up as Misty and wiped his face with the back of his free hand, never taking the other one off of her. "We're… we're gonna be parents, Mist?"

Misty was absolutely glowing. Maybe it was just Ash's imagination, but Misty seemed to truly light up with love. Tears were forming in her eyes too. She nodded her head, and closed her eyes, letting the tears fall. She opened them again and laughed at Ash's expression, covering her mouth with her hand.

Ash abruptly grasped her around the waist and stood up, swinging her around, carefully not to squeeze. Misty yelped in surprise, but laughed regardless. When Ash was done twirling her around, he set her on her feet – she was a bit dizzy – and held her upright, but pulled her into a kiss, pulling her close.

He pulled back just as abruptly and grasped her shoulders. "We're having a baby!"

Misty laughed, both out of amusement and the rush of emotions Ash was putting her through, having to tell him and gauge his reaction.

She shook her head, trying to shake off her own bewilderment. "Ash…."

"I love you, Misty," he said suddenly, flashing her a bright smile.

"Took the words right out of my mouth," she said. "I love you too, Ash."

Ash turned to Pikachu and Marill, hugging Misty's waist with one arm. "We're having a baby, guys!"

The two small Pokemon smiled triumphantly and cheered again.

"Misty, let's celebrate!" he exclaimed. "What's good for babies? Can we still get take out? Or should we make something? That might be worse though, wouldn't it? Is this why you brought us home? Are you having cravings?"

Misty was both baffled by Ash's reaction while also a little perturbed by his assumptions of her cravings. Misty merely pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed.

"Let's just get take out. I'll help you learn a thing or two over dinner."

[A/N 2-22-17]: Whelp, I finally finished the prompts for Pokeshipping Week…. Jeez, that took a while. Sorry for the huge delay, but here we are! I might post some more one-shots here in the future! Or I might make a separate story for them! We'll see!