Misty watched him, cerulean blue-green eyes roaming over him. Just watching… That’s what she could do. That’s all she could do now. He had gone to his opponent and shook his hand, trembling slightly, voice breaking, unable to look him in the eye- it was heart breaking.

Steeling herself she walked after him towards the lockers, falling into step beside him, without a word. As they entered the safety of the four walls he fell to his knees, eyes cast to the floor, sobs racking his body.

Pikachu sat a little off to the side, staring up at his master, eyes filled with worry and concern, unable to communicate its comfort in words but in actions as he moved away to let his master calm himself. Misty however, set Togepi on the floor and went around to face him. Setting her hands on her hips, she let her gaze look over him.

He was a wreck- his eyes were covered by his hat, his whole body was shaking, his hands were clenched into fists- the loss had affected him badly.

“Go on, say it.” He choked out miserably.

“Say what?” she arched an eyebrow at him.

“That you told me so.” Ash sobbed. “You’re just dying to say it aren’t you?”

I wanna feel just like before
Before the rain came in my door
Shook me up, turned me round
Made cry till I would drown
Stole the daylight brought the night
So much anger I could fight
Lost my youth amid the blue
Saw all the loneliness in you
Wanna help you, give you love
Shine some light out from the mud
Kill the empty, find a rhyme
A brighter day, a better time
But I’m wondering where I’m gone
Can’t find the truth within my song
All I have I’ll give to you
To let you know you’re not alone

She flinched at the bitterness in his voice. Do you really think so little of me Ash…?

“Is that what you think I’m going to say?” she asked quietly. When she heard no answer from him but a slight sniff, she sighed, bending down before him, reaching out with her pale hands to cup his face, tipping it up to look at her. “Really Ash. I’m not that cold-hearted.”

“You can be sometimes.” He hiccupped, managing a small smile. “Especially with that mallet of yours.”

She laughed and he did too but soon stopped- surprised to hear an ache in his laugh. She frowned before suddenly pulling him into her warm embrace. She fitted is head beneath her chin, stroking his hair as he leaned into her arms, fitting comfortably into her- holding onto her arms tightly.

I’m telling you
I’m smiling for you only
I’m trying for you solely
I’m praying for you only
No more cry, no more cry

They stayed like that in silence- Misty pushing stray locks away, as tears flowed freely from his chocolate brown eyes. Then she spoke-

“It’s all right Ash… This battle… you’d have to go through it sooner or later…” she whispered softly. “Now that you have- you’ll learn from it.”

“I guess.” He mumbled audibly.

That touched a nerve- you guess? Abruptly she pulled him away cupping his face tightly, staring determinedly into his eyes, foreheads nearly touching.

“You will.” She replied firmly. “Ash Ketchum, you will.”

I wanna hear you laugh again
Without the ache to bring you down
No we’ll never be the same
If only I could take your pain
If it’s true what people say
There still is beauty in each day
We’ll find comfort in her strength
One day soon we’ll meet again

He stared at her, eyes wide in surprise, momentarily left speechless. She let his familiar eagerness and confidence exude from her as she stared at him with a determined glint in her eyes.

“You’ll get through this Ash. One way or another.” She continued. “So please don’t cry. That’s showing that you can’t take it and might as well go back to your mom.” There was slight annoyance in his eyes now- the hurt was beginning to ebb away. “And I doubt you want that right?”

He shook his head- not once taking his eyes off hers. She allowed herself to grin- she was getting the old Ash back- the one she wanted, the one she needed, the one who she couldn’t stand to see hurt this way.

“Good.” She nodded.

I’m telling you
I’m smiling for you only
I’m trying for you solely
I’m praying for you only
No more cry, no more cry

I’m singing for you only
Hey, I worry for you only
I’m praying for you only
No more cry, no more cry

“Thanks Misty.” He smiled rubbing away the remaining tears. “Thanks a lot.”

“Don’t worry about it.” She grinned. “Just promise me one thing.”

“What?”

“Don’t ever cry again.” She pressed their foreheads together, looking deeply into those loving eyes. “Promise kay?”

A moment’s hesitation then-

“I promise.” He nodded. “I won’t. Not again.”

She smiled at him- they were so close. Too close- lips were almost touching. If she could brush their faces a little closer, she could kiss-

“Hey Ash, Misty-! Whoa-!”

The two friends sprang apart, looking up to see their older companion grinning sheepishly, scratching his head- a blush tainting his features but an amused glint shone in his eyes.

“Err sorry- I’ll go- um.” He managed, trying to stifle snickers. “You look- um- busy.”

“No it’s all right Brock.” Ash shook his head getting up from the floor, leaving her to stay where she had scrambled away. “Misty and I were just talking. You were saying.”

“Yeah- they’re looking for you.”

“Okay.”

Reach out for your love
Shout out for your love
Listen for your love
Believe in her love

Misty watched them go, feeling a sudden sense of loss at the sight of him walking away but she couldn’t help but smile. That was Ash for you- the Ash she knew. Always getting back to his feet- not letting anything bring him down. He wouldn’t slow done for anything, not even love- romance was in another language for him. But it didn’t matter. She was okay with it.

He looked over his shoulder at her and for the briefest of second their eyes met and their gaze held as an unspoken promise was renewed:

I won’t cry

Promise?

Promise.

Misty let her smile grow wider, spreading to her eyes. She’d be there for him- he’d learn. He wouldn’t cry- not without her to wipe away the tears. He smiled back at her.

I promise Misty

I know.

I’m telling you- I’m telling you:
I’m smiling for you only
I’m trying for you solely
I’m praying for you only
No more cry, no more cry (yeah)

I’m singing for you only
Hey I worry for you only
But it’s you saves me from lonely
No more cry, no more cry
No, no more cry (no more cry)
No more cry (no more cry)
No more cry (no more cry)
No more cry (no more cry)

Note: Wai~! So cute ne? :D Comments are appreciated as always!