Work Text:
How He Really Feels
An Amourshipping one-shot
A couple of Fletchling chirped happily as the sun rose over the Kalos region, bringing about another day of adventure for Serena, Ash, Clemont, and Bonnie as they continued making their way to Gloire City for Serena's masterclass competition, where she would attempt to achieve her goal of becoming Kalos queen.
As the group was putting up their tables and packing the tents after waking up from a good night's sleep, Serena was tapped on the shoulder by someone. Upon looking behind to see who it was, she immediately frowned.
"What are you doing here, Miette?"
After giving Serena a smug smirk, the blue-haired girl strode right past her up to Ash, who had just taken notice of her appearance himself.
"Heya Ash! What a coincidence running into you around here!" She said with an enthusiastic wave.
"Oh, hey Miette," Ash said, looking just as surprised as Serena at seeing her rival here. Pikachu also greeted the girl from Ash's shoulder.
"I don't think it's such a coincidence seeing you here Miette. After all, we're both heading to the same place, aren't we?" Serena interposed.
Miette turned her attention back to Serena, but made sure to inch herself just a little closer to Ash as she did, which was noticed by Serena, but she tried to ignore it.
"I guess we are, aren't we," Miette said, a sly look coming to her face. "So, you wouldn't mind if I tagged along the rest of the way with you guys, would you?"
Serena attempted to sputter out a response, but Ash spoke up first.
"Sure!"
"Yay! Thank you, Ash! It'll be so nice to have company on my way to Gloire City!" Miette exclaimed happily, wrapping her arms around Ash's arm, looking slyly at Serena as she did. Ash on the other hand seemed a little uncomfortable, but he didn't say anything.
"How wonderful," Serena muttered.
"We need to get going soon if we're going to get there by tomorrow guys," Clemont said, having just been observing until now. Bonnie also returned to the group after playing with Dedenne and Squishy, quickly noticing Miette.
"Miette? What are you doing here?" The little girl asked, tilting her head.
"Well, since we're going to the same place, Ash was kind enough to invite me along with you guys!" said the girl.
"I wouldn't say he invited you Miette," Serena mumbled, crossing her arms.
"Oh, do you not want me to come along Serena?"
The honey blonde just let out an annoyed "hmph" before picking up her backpack and putting on her Fedora. She noticed Pikachu give her a sympathetic look, which she responded to with a small smile.
And with that, the group, accompanied by Miette, continued on their way to Gloire City.
XXX
It's not that Serena hated Miette. She was annoying sometimes (a lot of the time), sure, but it's not like she was unbearable to be around.
Unless Ash was also present.
In which case, Serena felt as though her rival hated her.
The blue-haired girl had been walking very close to Ash for the first part of the walk, clearly trying to flirt with him. But it didn't seem to interest Ash much. However, the boy remained polite anyway. Pikachu was also becoming increasingly annoyed, eventually abandoning his trainer to go play with Bonnie.
But what annoyed Serena the most was that every time she and Miette would make eye contact, her rival would give her a sly look and do something with Ash just to get under her skin. One time even grabbing his hand, which made the boy visibly flinch.
Serena wanted to say something. She really did. But what was she supposed to say? It was clear Ash didn't dislike Miette, but he was also quite uncomfortable. So much so that even Clemont was starting to take notice.
Eventually, Ash and Clemont began conversing about something Miette didn't really have a way to butt into. So, she drifted backward so she was walking next to Serena and Bonnie. The little girl was also annoyed with Serena's rival, sometimes commenting on her shameless flirting with Ash.
"So, Serena, how are you and Ash doing?" Miette asked innocently.
"Ash and Serena are really close! Much closer than you and Ash are," Bonnie exclaimed before Serena could say anything.
"Is that so?" Miette said, smiling at Clemont's sister. "So, I'm guessing that means you've made progress?"
Serena avoided eye contact with Miette as best she could, but it was clear she wasn't going to drop the question.
"Well… yes. Ash and I have gotten along quite well lately."
"But you haven't told him yet?"
Serena stiffened at the question. "W-what are you talking about?" She squeaked. Knowing full well what she was talking about. After all, you didn't have to be a genius to know how she felt…
Miette giggled and nonchalantly threw her arm around Serena, pulling the blonde close. "If you don't tell him soon, I might just beat you to it," she whispered, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Serena yelped and jumped away from her rival, cheeks flushed.
"Everything ok guys?" Ash asked, looking back at them.
"Everything's fine-" Serena squeaked, but Miette cut in before she could say more.
"Say, Ash, have you ever thought about what makes Serena… special?"
Serena went to cover Miette's mouth, but her rival was ready for it and sidestepped, causing Serena to stumble.
Ash seemed surprised at the question, looking between Miette and a very flustered Serena.
"What do you mean?"
Miette rolled her eyes at his obliviousness. "I mean, what do you think of her? You two are close, right?"
"Well, of course we're close. Serena is one of my best friends."
Miette facepalmed.
"This is what we have to deal with every day," Bonnie whispered.
Ash tilted his head. "What?"
Miette narrowed her eyes at the raven-haired boy.
Serena had a bad feeling about this conversation. Miette wasn't the type to give up before getting what she wanted.
"Ok. How about this? What do you think makes Serena different from your other friends?"
Serena wanted nothing more than to stuff a ball of mud into Miette's mouth to shut her up. However, she couldn't help but look at Ash curiously as he tapped his chin in thought. She thought he noticed a slight tint of red on his cheeks, but figured it was probably her imagination. After all, she probably looked like a tomato at the moment herself.
"Well… I'm… not sure." Ash finally said. But Miette wasn't convinced.
"It can be anything. Maybe she's prettier, or more charming, or even cuter. Just tell me what you like so much about Serena."
It almost sounded like Miette was trying to get Ash to admit to feeling something towards her. Which Serena thought was odd considering Miette also had a crush on Ash. Or, she assumed she did anyway. So why was she doing this? To prove he didn't reciprocate? She didn't know.
"Well. Serena is cute I guess. But I think it's her caring personality that makes her stand out from everyone else I've met," Ash mused.
Well, if she wasn't red before, she sure was now. Thankfully, everyone seemed focused on Ash rather than her. She thought she heard Bonnie let out a quiet squeal, but couldn't be sure.
"Is that so," Miette murmured, her smirk growing as she glanced between Ash and Serena.
"You said she's cute, but compared to your other female friends, how pretty would you say Serena is?"
Serena wanted to rip Miette's mouth right off her face, but she was too flustered to even speak at the moment. At this point, the group had stopped moving completely. Somehow, the only one who hadn't figured out what Miette was doing was none other than Ash himself. Even Clemont could see what was happening.
Serena was definitely losing her mind now, because she could have sworn Ash was blushing just a little bit. But that's impossible, he was probably just growing frustrated by Miette interrogating him.
Ash rubbed his finger under his nose as he thought about his response. "Well… I don't think 'pretty' is really the right word for Serena," he mused.
Miette's jaw dropped at his reply.
Bonnie audibly gasped.
Even Pikachu seemed surprised.
Serena felt lightheaded. Did he really just say that? She knew he wasn't the type to compliment a girl's appearance often, but had he just flat out said he didn't think she was pretty? At all?
"D-did I say something wrong?" Ash asked, seeing everyone's response. Seeming especially concerned when he looked at Serena.
Serena wanted to disappear at that moment. She knew this wasn't something she should be upset about, it's just his opinion, and she knew for a fact Ash would never purposely say something to hurt her, but it couldn't be helped. It stung to hear such a thing from someone she admired so much.
"Yes, you said something wrong you bone-headed idiot!" Miette shouted suddenly, catching everyone off guard.
"You can't just say something like that to a girl! How do you think that makes Serena feel? You could have kept that thought to yourself!" The blue-haired girl scolded.
"I-I didn't mean it like that," Ash stuttered, trying to calm Serena's rival down.
"I… just don't think pretty is the right way to describe Serena. I'm not great with words, but… I think Beautiful would better describe her, wouldn't it?"
It took everything Serena had in her not to faint on the spot. Did Ash, the dense Pokémon battle fanatic who was oblivious to anything related to girls, just call her beautiful? After saying she wasn't pretty. This wasn't an emotional roller coaster anymore, it was the whole amusement park.
"Right…" was all Miette managed, her mouth agape.
Bonnie had sparkles in her eyes and was jumping up and down.
Clemont, despite being surprised himself, didn't say anything. He just adjusted his glasses as if he were analyzing data.
Ash just looked at Pikachu, but the electric type only offered a shrug.
XXX
Everyone was silent after that as they all began walking again.
Other than Bonnie, who was no longer walking, but rather hopping around like a Bunnelby on a high.
Ash was just awkwardly glancing around at everyone.
"What just happened?" He muttered to himself.
Serena couldn't make eye contact with anyone after that. She knew having Miette come along was a horrible idea. But… it also revealed a bit about what Ash thought of her. Or, at least she thought it did. What if he just said she was beautiful to avoid getting killed by Miette after saying she wasn't pretty? Also, why would Miette even come to her defense like that in the first place? Wasn't it also her goal to be with Ash? Serena felt lightheaded again as all the thoughts swirled through her mind.
She nervously opened her mouth to say something, only for Ash to beat her to it
"Hey, Serena," Ash said, drifting to the back of the group where Serena was.
"Hmm?" Serena replied, still avoiding eye contact.
"I'm really sorry if I somehow hurt your feelings. I promise I didn't mean to," Ash said innocently, like a kid apologizing for taking the last cookie.
"You didn't hurt my feelings, Ash. You just… surprised me is all," Serena said, clutching the ribbon on her chest.
"Oh, well, I'm sorry about all that. I'm glad I didn't actually hurt your feelings."
The two walked side by side for a little while, Serena nervously playing with her hair before eventually working up the courage to continue the conversation.
"Ash, do you really think I'm beautiful?"
"Of course!" Ash said without hesitation. "Especially when you're up on stage performing with your Pokémon. You just look so happy when you do it, it's hard for me not to think you're beautiful."
Serena's face burned yet again as she ducked her head, her gaze fixed on a blade of grass as if it were the most interesting thing in Kalos.
"Haha, and I wasn't lying when I said that you're cute either. Especially when you blush and try to hide it like that," Ash chuckled.
"Huh?" Serena's eyes widened as she somehow managed to flush even more. Miette, who was walking in front of them, grinned and told Bonnie, who was also listening, to keep quiet while the two talked.
'He's noticed my blushing? Of course he has. I'm not exactly discreet. But does that mean he knows? No, surely not. wait… he thinks it's cute?' Serena thought.
The girl grabbed onto her skirt in embarrassment. Which didn't go unnoticed by Ash.
"Sorry."
"It's fine," Serena squeaked, her voice cracking just a little bit.
"Uhm, if you don't mind me asking, how come you randomly blush so often? Are you embarrassed about something? Is it something I'm doing?" Ash asked, slight concern in his voice.
'Yes, it's something you're doing you dense dimwit! Everything about you makes me like this!' Serena thought.
"I'll… tell you some other time."
XXX
Once Ash had moved back to conversing with Clemont, Miette wasted no time in returning to Serena.
"Well, if confidence was the issue before, it shouldn't be now," she remarked.
"Why'd you do that?" Serena asked, completely ignoring her rival's statement. It didn't seem in character for Miette to try and help her with Ash, especially not when they're supposed to be competing for him.
Miette took some time to think before replying. "Because you won't get anywhere if you just wait around forever, you know."
"But whatever happened to our 'other competition?'"
Surprisingly, Miette's smile seemed to falter at her response
"Yeah… that," Miette muttered. "I'm sure you remember how Ash was my date to the dance a while back."
"I do," Serena mumbled, still just slightly bitter about not getting that dance with Ash.
"Well, that's the only time me and Ash have really talked one on one, and actually spent time together."
"Uh huh…"
"And I have to admit… he's not really my type."
Serena blinked. "What? Really?"
"Yep," Miette said with a neutral expression. "I really did like him. And I honestly still do. But, I don't think it would be right if I tried to get in the way of you two."
"But… It's not like we're… you know."
Miette sighed. "Ash was clearly not nearly as into it as I was at the dance. That much was obvious from the start. But I think a big reason for that was because he was thinking about you."
"About me?" Serena blurted.
"That oblivious idiot kept staring at you during our dance. And when I asked him why, he said he just hoped you were having a good time. I mean, geez."
"He really said that?" Serena asked, not quite sure what to think about this information.
"He did," Miette stated. "And besides, he clearly has no interest in me. And him stepping on my toes every ten seconds didn't help either."
Serena looked at Ash, who was walking ahead of the two girls with the siblings, in thought.
"If you really don't have any interest in him anymore, then why were you flirting with him?"
"Figured I'd give it a last-ditch effort," Miette said with a shrug. "And besides, I don't just do it for myself. I do it to annoy you," the girl continued, playfully sticking out her tongue. Serena crossed her arms and huffed in response.
"But in all honesty Serena, you should tell him about your feelings. I mean, if you ask me, you have all the proof you need that he reciprocates."
"I guess so," Serena muttered.
"So, are you gonna do it?"
A small smile crossed Serena's lips as she let out a quiet sigh.
"No."
"No? Why not? Don't tell me you're too scared."
"Well… I wouldn't say I'm scared."
"Then what's stopping you from walking up to him right now and telling him?"
Serena looked up in thought. Two Fletchlings were playing with each other above them. Serena's smile grew.
"Because Ash isn't my only goal," Serena stated. Miette tilted her head.
"My focus right now is to win the masterclass and become Kalos queen. Confessing to Ash right now would only be a distraction. Whatever his response would be."
"First of all, I'll be the one to take Aria's title," the blue-haired girl began. "And secondly, if that's the case, just tell him after!"
Serena shook her head. "I can't do that either. Ash has the Kalos League coming up. So his sole focus should be on getting his eighth gym badge and then winning. I'd only be a distraction."
"But if you wait till after the league, it'll be too late! Ash will probably leave, so unless you plan on following him, you guys wouldn't really be able to be in a relationship anyway!" Miette exclaimed.
"I know," Serena said with a solemn expression. "Ash has his dreams to chase, and I have mine. And as much as I dislike it, we can't both chase our dreams if we stay together. One of us would have to put ours goals on hold. And I could never do that to Ash, and definitely not to myself."
Miette looked at Serena with an expression of awe.
"You seem to have put a lot of thought into this Serena."
Serena nodded, folding her hands behind her back. "It's only natural when you travel an entire region with your crush."
"But you're really just going to let him go?"
"Let him go? Yeah. But that doesn't mean I'd be giving up."
Miette raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"I'm sure someday we'll meet again after our journey here ends. And when we do, I'll give him my feelings. Whether or not he returns them when the time comes will be his choice."
Miette chuckled. "You know, you've really matured Serena."
"Unlike some other people I know," Serena joked, looking at Miette playfully.
"If I were you though, I'd at least say, or even do something before you guys part ways in the near future."
Serena glanced at her crush and smiled widely.
"Who knows, maybe I will."
XXX
"You know Bonnie," Clemont mumbled as he tinkered with his newest invention that night whilst Ash was off training and Serena, Miette, and their Pokémon helped clean up. "Something has recently come to my attention."
Bonnie tilted her head. "What is it, brother?"
"Well, I'd like you to keep this between you and me, but…" Clemont hesitated.
"Come on bro! Just tell me!" Bonnie begged, Dedenne agreeing from the little girl's bag.
"Well, by observing some common trends, I believe that Serena might have developed romantic feelings toward Ash at some point."
Bonnie blinked. Unimpressed.
"Wow, brother. You must be, like, a genius or something."