Archive of Our Own

"And on the other side, we have the first Champion of Alola, and the current World Champion, Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!" 

Ash waves at the crowd as he saunters onto the field, and Pikachu sparks on his shoulder, thrilled at the prospect of battling. It's always so weird to have so many people cheer him on, but it's so awesome that so many people like him! He's never known what to do with his popularity, but he doesn't really hate it, even though it's always super embarrassing. Misty never lets him hear the end of it in her calls.

Iris grins at him from the other side of the field, and Ash throws her a competitive smirk. Iris has become something of a rival now, aiming to dethrone him and become World Champion herself. But he feels like they're closer than ever now. In any case, he's held onto the title for five years now, and he's not about lose to her in an exhibition match for the Junior Cup of all things. 

The battle begins, and Pikachu unleashes a thunderbolt, and Ash watches as Iris' Dragonite flies up in the air, dodging it. The battle rages on, and it's fun, although it ends before anyone's pokemon gets defeated. He meets Iris in the middle of the field, and shakes her hand. "Well, I was so close!" she says, grinning. "I'll get you next time, Ash!"

"We'll see about that!"

She laughs, and drags him along with her through the tunnel, even though he's supposed to exit the other way. Then again, Iris has always been a free spirit, and that hasn't changed even though she's the Champion of Unova. 

"Isn't this great?" she gushes. "I remember the last time we were here. Back when we were first traveling together. Now the Junior Cup is back in Unova, and I'm the Champion! And this is the first time you've been invited, right?" 

"Yeah! It's so cool that so many trainers are all here! I wish I could battle them though. It's gonna be so hard to not run onto the field!" Pikachu sighs on his shoulder, and Ash knows it wants to battle too. Iris grins apologetically. "You know I feel the same way, but I also want this to go well. I helped plan this, you know." Ash places a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Iris. I'm sure it'll be great!"

"Thanks." She sighs. Then she grins at him, and it's slightly sly. "I even called up some of our friends to come and take part! Cilan said he'd meet us later, and Dawn's here too! I even asked her to get some of your other friends... and I think Goh is here too."

Ash stares. "Really? Goh?"

"And Cilan, and Dawn, but okay."

Ash grins sheepishly. "Yeah, I know! It's just, I haven't seen Goh in a while. The last time he called me was a bunch of months ago, when Leon challenged me. I haven't been able to contact him."

"Is that what this is?"

"I mean, yeah?"

Pikachu sighs again, but this time out of exasperation. Ash glances up at it curiously, wondering what's got Pikachu sounding so defeated. Iris looks at him with the same sentiment expressed on her face. "If you say so, Ash," she says, shaking her head. "Honestly, you're fifteen years old and you're still such a little kid."

"Whad'ya mean by that?"

Iris smiles wide. "Oh, that's not for me to say."

Huh?

Iris shakes her head again, and then smiles. "Okay then, I should probably get going. I have to sit up there." She points to a seat next to the announcer, who's still yelling about something. "I wish I could just roam around. The last time they held the Junior Cup in Galar, they let me roam around while Leon had to commentate, right?" 

"Yeah... sorry."

Iris huffs. "I am too! It's not fair!" She exhales, and stretches. "Well, I'd better go. Have a good time for both of us! I'll meet you later and we can sneak out to meet Cilan." Ash watches her leave with a wave, and waits till she's out of sight before he starts sprinting through the hallways. Pikachu yelps, and Ash grins sheepishly. "Sorry buddy, but I don't want to get caught before I find Goh." 

Pikachu clings onto his shoulder and judges him. Ash ignores it.

It's been so long since he's seen Goh in person. In fact, their last meeting face to face had been when they'd said goodbye...

Ash ducks behind a door, waits for the trainers walking by to vanish out of sight, and resumes running. He's gotten real good at this stealth thing ever since winning the World Championships made him famous. He still doesn't get fame all that much, but he does know it makes being seen in public really tiring. But lots of people call themselves his fans and come to him for advice and stuff, and it's really nice to be able to help people and make them happy!

He spends the better part of an hour sneaking through the stadium, looking for his friend. Some officials run through the halls at one point looking for him for some reason, and he feels bad for making their jobs difficult, even though Pikachu snickers on his shoulder. But he hasn't seen Goh in years. For some reason, he can't seem to bear to wait any longer.

Goh just feels so different compared to every other person. He's unlike everyone Ash has ever met. It just seemed to click between them back then, like a well-oiled machine. He's never felt like anyone really got him more than Goh did, with his obsession with pokemon, with his big dream to catch Mew...

Goh might even be his best friend, for lack of a better word.

Ash can't wait to see him again.

And see him he does, just as he peeks around the corner. Goh is there, standing there, leaning against the wall, talking animatedly with Dawn. Ash just watches him for a minute, strangely unable to move forward.

It's been so long, and Goh...

He looks so... different.

Sure, Ash has seen his face in calls and all that, but to see the real deal... his hair is longer, and the streaks in his hair are more pronounced. And he's taller. Way taller. As tall as Ash. 

He comes back down to Earth as Pikachu's tail whacks him in the face. He lets out a yelp, and the conversation ceases at the disturbance. Two pairs of eyes turn to him, and he can't help but feel embarrassed as he shoves Pikachu's tail out of his face, knowing full well that the gesture was on purpose.

"Hey, Ash!" Dawn greets, and Ash walks over to them to give her a high-five. "Hey guys! How have you been?"

"Great!" Dawn beams. "I'm almost done with getting all my ribbons to enter the Hoenn Grand Festival. It's kind of a lot." She laughs. "Everyone sort of expects me to win since I won the Grand Festival in Sinnoh, you know?" Ash winces. "I get that," he mutters. Pikachu jumps off his shoulder to tackle Piplup in a hug, and Dawn and Ash laugh at the sight.

"I'm here too, you know," a voice says next to them, and Ash turns. Goh.

Oh wow...

"Goh! You're here too, huh?"

Goh grins, pearly white teeth almost flashing. "Yep! I wasn't going to, but your friend here really knows how to get way."

"Did she tell on you to Chloe?"

"She told on me to Chloe. Chloe wouldn't give it up until I caved and told her I'd come." He grins. "Though if I'd known you were gonna be here, I wouldn't have needed that much convincing."

That makes his heart skip a beat. He must be happier than he thought.

"I'm glad you're here! I've missed you, Goh." Goh's eyes widen at that, and he laughs almost nervously. 'So cute,' he thinks, and feels his eyes widen a little too.

"Oh, yeah. I've-" He tucks a stray lock of his hair behind his ear. "I've missed you a lot too." Ash smiles at that, and Goh returns the gesture, his cheeks reddening. Ash remembers Goh's near constant blushing when they were kids, but it seems a lot more apparent now. Maybe he's just more aware of these things now than when he was ten and oblivious. The nature of his position demands that he be a lot more shrewd when it comes to these things, after all. 

But that's probably just how Goh is.

Although, he seems... different, somehow.

Dawn bends down to pick Piplup up, smiling. "Well, I've gotta get going. My battle's coming up soon, and I've got to go get ready." She levels Ash with a look. "I will be coming for you later, Ash Ketchum, so you better not disappear somewhere, get it?"

"No matter what those reporters tell you, I don't just vanish all the time, you know."

She laughs and salutes before running away. Pikachu gives an encouraging shout to Piplup, who chirps confidently. Ash and Goh stare after them, smiling.

"So, when are you battling?"

"Oh, not today. Apparently, once word got out that you'd be here, so many people showed up that they had to split the preliminaries into two days. I've ended up with the first battle tomorrow, so lucky me, I guess." Ash grimaces, apologetic. He opens his mouth, but Goh beats him to it. "Don't apologize, silly," he laughs. "It's no big deal."

"Still."

Goh sighs. "It comes with the territory, I guess." He laughs lightly. "You're doing well for yourself, though. I don't even need to ask what's going on in your life, I just need to read the top article on any news website." He laughs. "Quite in demand, aren't you?"

Ash frowns playfully. "Yeah, I guess," he mutters. "But I don't really care about that stuff." Goh smiles. "Of course you don't," he says. "You're not the type to get caught up in publicity and fame and all that stuff. Still trying to get stronger, right?" Ash stares at him, surprised, and then smiles. "You bet! About two months ago, we went looking for Ho-oh. We wanted to challenge it to a battle. But," he chuckles, "we sorta got roped into some saving the world thing again." 

"Only you, Ash. Only you," Goh mutters, shaking his head. Ash watches his hair swish from side to side, and he wants to touch it.

Huh.

Pikachu jumps onto his shoulder, suddenly. Ash glances around, hearing footsteps. "Someone's coming!" He looks around and then looks back to Goh, who looks confused. 

Ash doesn't want to stop talking to him. Not when it's been so long. Not when he's feeling like this now.

"Come on."

"Ash, wha-"

"Sshh!" Ash looks around again, and Pikachu points to a door and nudges him. Ash grabs Goh's hand, and tugs him along as he dashes for the door. Goh yelps, but seems to understand what's happening. 

The door leads to another hallway which leads to a bunch of stairs which leads to the back door of the stadium. 

Now, Ash knows he shouldn't leave. He should stay. He should be a responsible World Champion and watch the battle and be there to talk with his fans. He should go back.

"Hold on," he mutters, grabbing a cloth that's conveniently hanging nearby. He wraps it around himself, and Pikachu burrows under its folds. He pulls off his hat and places it over Goh's head. "Ash, what's going on?"

"We're sneaking away!" Ash replies with a grin. "Come on!" He pulls the newly fashioned cloak over his head like a hood, and holds out his hand. Goh shifts the cap on his head, but does take his hand. Ash keeps a hand on the hood as he pushes the door open with his foot, and keeps his head low as he walks out briskly, hand in Goh's own. Goh follows silently, looking the other way.

Ash adjusts his grip. Goh's hand is covered in callouses, no doubt from all his travels through all the different regions, but it's still so soft. And it's cold, because Goh always runs cold. It's such a sharp contrast to Ash, who naturally runs hot. It's really soothing, actually.

"Ash, where are we going?"

Ash stops, quite a distance away from the stadium. "Uh..."

Goh sighs. "You're still as absent minded as ever," he mutters. "Come on," he says a little louder, pulling his hand. "I've been here a little while ago. I know where we can be alone." 

Ash lets himself be pulled, Pikachu shifting on his shoulder, wondering where Goh is taking them.

Goh leads him to a park, and leads him deeper into the forest nearby, dragging him through all the twists and turns. "Is this where you wanted to take me?" Ash asks, looking around. "Just hold on," Goh replies, voice light. He stops, and gives Ash's hand a sudden tug. "We're here!" 

Ash slams into Goh's back, and pushes off, looking around again. "Wow, Goh..."

It's a creek, deep in the woods, with a small stream flowing through, water splashing gently against the ground covered in soft green grass. Sunlight streams in from between the trees, illuminating the place in an almost ethereal glow. It's so different from the modern-ness of the stadium, so peaceful compared to the crowd back at the tournament.

"So, what do you think?"

"It's... it's really beautiful. How did you find it?"

Goh laughs. "Got lost here yesterday. I would have come to see you, but I had to spend the night here before I got back today morning. But I remembered the way back." He lets go of Ash's hand, sinks down onto the grass. "If no one will miss you, we can chill out here. Will someone miss you?"

"Miss me... oh, no, not today."

Goh gives him a smile. "Then come on!" Pikachu jumps off his shoulder, sprawling onto the grass. Ash follows it's example, lying down next to Goh. "You're right," he says. "It really is nice here."

"Right?"

They just lie there for a while, and Ash tries to drown in the comfortable silence. It's all silent, the oy sound being the rustling of the grass and the soft splashes and the muted chirping of the bird pokemon in the nearby trees. 

"So, uh, how have you been?" Goh asks, voice cutting through the quiet. And Ash has never noticed before, many because they always talked through a phone, but Goh's voice is really... beautiful. It's just so silky smooth, like honey, or a dew drop. It almost sounds like a musical note. 

"Good," he says simply, quietly. "What about you?"

"I'm doing good too."

"Have you found Mew again?"

Goh hums. The sound seems to reverberate around them. "Twice, actually. We've become closer, I think? Maybe the next time we meet, Mew will agree to let me catch it. I don't want to do it without Mew's permission, though."

Ash smiles at that. "That's really kind of you to consider its feelings like that." Goh huffs a laugh. "It's what you'd do," he says. "And I learned a lot from you."

His heart flutters, and Ash turns to face Goh, watching him pull Ash's hat off his head. Ash remembers then that he's still wearing the ugly cloak, and takes it off. Goh laughs, and Ash stares at him. "What?"

"Nothing," Goh says between snickers. "That expression on your face... you haven't changed that much." Ash smiles, heart warming. "Neither have you," he retorts. "I can still guess everything you're going to say."

"I'm not that predictable!" Ash laughs. "Stop laughing!" Goh says, but he says it with a smile. "I'm not exactly the same, you know." Ash stops laughing, turning back to him, resting his head on his folded arm. "Yeah, me too." Goh sighs. "It's been really long."

"Yeah."

They just lie there, looking at each other, staring into each other's eyes. The rays of light envelop them, dancing in Goh's eyes, eyes that seem to absorb their glow and make it their own. And he can't seem to stop looking into them, can't seem to understand why they make him feel this way.

"This takes me back," Goh says. "Remember when we first met?" 

"That was totally different!"

"I know, I know! But still..." he laughs. "I remember feeling just like this. You were lying beside me then too, and we talked about our pokemon and our dreams and all that. And I just felt... this weird calmness, like I'd finally solved some puzzle that I couldn't finish in the ten years I'd lived. I didn't know what it was back then, but I guess I get it now."

Ash breathes. "What is it?"

"It's... pretty stupid. You'll laugh at me."

"Goh," Ash says, reaching over to place a hand over Goh's. "I would never laugh at you, ever." 

Goh looks at him, eyes shining. "Yeah. You won't." He sighs. "I'd... never really had friends, back then. I had Chloe, but I still always felt like I had to be by myself. I... told you about what happened with Horace back then, right?" Ash nods. "Right, well, I was always so afraid to get close to people after that. I convinced myself I didn't need all that, that I was fine by myself. But I was wrong, of course I was."

"Goh..."

"Then... I met you," Goh says, almost whispers, and it's like the universe has lost all sound, the way those hushed words echo around him. "And you, you got into my heart, so to speak. And I let you, and it was like... something in me got fixed, that day. I was still pretty hesitant about it, but... I trusted you. You felt like you were just like me, like you understood me. You understood how I felt about pokemon, and my dreams, and you were the same way." He smiles. "And you just kept staying by my side, and you showed me the world I was ignoring, I guess." 

He laughs, then. "Younger me was such a melodramatic mess." He turns onto his back, crossing one of his arms behind his head. "I hope I'm at least a little better than that." Ash glances down to the hand that he's holding, feeling Goh's fingers curled around his hand. 

"I was always wrapped in my stupid little bubble where I was always right and didn't need anyone," Goh says, voice quiet, vulnerable even. "You helped me come out. You showed me that I didn't have to be alone." He sighs. "I never did tell you just how much you mean to me," he says, softly. "Thank you for that. And for sticking by me after, even if it wasn't the same way."

"Goh," Ash says, feeling his heart ache somehow. "I'll always be there for you. No matter what." Goh looks at him, eyes wide, light making them glow. "Ash," he says, simply. Then he smiles. "Thanks," he says, bringing his hand out from under his head to wipe at his eyes. Ash gives his hand a small squeeze. 

"It's what friends do."

The words make him feel happy. But at the same time...

Pikachu curls up closer to him, and Ash brings his other hand over to hug it closer.

"Okay, new topic!" Goh says loudly. "What wacky news do you have for me now?"

"Oh, well, um, I think Leon finally got his love life on track? Or something? I'm not sure." Goh groans. "Why don't you know this stuff?" 

"It's weird to ask about it! I only found out because of some nosy reporter who practically attacked us and asked Leon about it! And Leon didn't say no immediately, so I had to assume..."

Goh sighs heavily. "Well, what else?"

"Well, apparently Mr. Goodshow, the President of the League is having marital issues?"

"Go on."

"And Gary told me he found out that Agatha of the Kanto Elite Four and Professor Oak used to have a whole thing." Goh whistles, and Ash laughs. "I actually managed to ask Lance about that one, but he just stopped speaking until I let it go."

Goh laughs out loud in obvious delight. "I never knew the league had all this romantic fuckery going on! Is there a love triangle? Please, tell me there's a love triangle!"

"What's a love triangle?"

"...Never mind then."

"What news do you have?"

Goh hums again, thinking. "Huh, I don't really have much to say. Unless you count any scientific discovery as news, which I'm sure you probably won't be entertained by." He grins. "I've been mostly on my own. Horace travelled with me for a while, but he couldn't keep doing it. Last I checked, he was with a girlfriend." Goh snorts. "Did you know he had a crush on me?"

"...Really?"

"Yup. He told me he'd gotten over it at that point, but he just thought it would be funny to mention. Can you imagine it? Me and Horace?"

Ash can imagine it. He doesn't like it. 

"Did you like him too?"

Goh thinks for a moment. "No, I don't think so. I still really care about him as a friend, but as a boyfriend? Not really."

"Oh." It's so awful, the way he feels happy about that. It's like he would have been sad if Goh had been with Horace. The thought makes him angry. He doesn't really like it.

What is this? Is he jealous? Is he relieved?

But why?

"One of my friends had a crush on me too," he says, surprising himself. He feels Goh stiffen next to him. "Really?" 

"Yeah." Goh shifts next to him. Ash wonders if the grass is sharper where he is. "Can I ask who?" Ash shrugs. "You remember Serena? She was hanging out with Chloe in Hoenn that one time." Goh nods slowly. "When we were saying goodbye in Kalos, she sort of ran up to me and... kissed me." Goh goes stiff once more, his hand gripping some blades of grass in a death grip and ripping them out. "Are you okay?"

"Oh, I'm completely fine. So, did you reject her or something?" Ash sighs, this time. "No, we just... never brought it up again. Until she called me one day, and confessed properly. I didn't feel that way about her and I think she knew that, so she told me she was really happy to be my friend and that I didn't need to worry about it. Then we've just been good friends ever since." He smiles. "Serena's really awesome. She's working with Dawn and my other friend May to set up contests in Kalos too."

"May? The Top Coordinator of Hoenn, the winner of the most recent Wallace Cup, that May?"

"Uh, yeah?" Goh makes a show of sitting up and flopping back down onto the grass with a thump. "You really have friends in high places, Ash." He smiles. "Then again, you're at the highest place of all." He smiles. "Must be nice."

Ash sighs. "It's great, but it's not that great. It's kind of... tiring." Goh gives his hand a squeeze. He feels surprised that Goh's hand is still holding onto his, but he doesn't want to let go, oddly. "I can imagine that."

"It's just... there's so many people looking up to me now. And I feel like I have to be good enough for all of them. I have to be strong for everyone who admires me. They're all counting on me, and I can't let them down. I have to keep a lot of people happy. I even have fans now, and it still feels weird to say it. My fans... see? Weird. But there are actually people who call themselves my fans and come to so many of my matches. Even in Galar, and those people think Leon is an invincible battle machine even though I've been beating him since I was ten."

Goh gives a surprised laugh, and Ash winces. "I didn’t mean it in a boasting way!" he insists. "I was just-" 

"I know, I know! It just... caught me off guard."

"I just..." he sighs. "I don't want you to think I'm some... big celebrity person who's forgotten all my friends."

"Ash," Goh says. "I would never think that. You're the kindest, most humble person I know. You would never let something like fame distract you from your friends. Hey, you're still friends with me, right?"

Ash smiles thinly at that. "You ahould have seen me whe  I started my journey. Two pity badges and I thought I was the best ever." 

"Well, you've grown up now, right? You're not completely the same as you once were. You've changed. We all have." Goh turns to face him, and Ash strokes Pikachu, who is sound asleep. "You're amazing," Goh says, and his thumb traces along Ash's hand. "The way you've been the World Champion for the past five years. You've been doing so much and you've been doing it so well."

"You... you know what I do?" Goh grins. "Hey, I always check up on what your doing. Mostly to make sure you haven't died trying to challenge Arceus to a battle."

"Hey!"

Goh laughs. "Kidding! But seriously, I always try to keep up with you, even if I can't exactly call you. I'm proud of you."

Ash smiles at him. "Thanks." A beat. "It's hard." Goh's had squeezes his. Ash doesn't even know where that outburst came from. 

"What do you mean?"

Ash averts his eyes, unable to look into Goh's questioning glance. "Never mind," he mutters. "It's kind of stupid, I just-"

"Ash." Finally, Goh's hand leaves his, and Ash watches it move through the air, his own lying limp on the grass. Goh's hand is warm from holding his own for so long, and it seems to burn where it lands on his cheek, caressing softly. "It's okay. You can tell me."

How can he say no?

He laughs. "The whole world is counting on me," he says, quietly. "Because I'm the World Champion. But also because I usually just wind up in the right place at the right time, and the people there need me to help them. I've had to stop so many bad guys who were trying to capture some legendary these part few years. And I mean, it's not new to me that people rely on me, yanno?"

He sucks in a deep breath, holds Pikachu tight. He knows it's awake now, clinging onto his shirt. "My friends, my pokemon... they've always relied on me. I've always had to be strong for them, so I'm used to it. This world saving thing too, it's not really new. Sure, I was really stressed out sometimes during my journeys, but I still had fun. It was fine. But now, it's all ten times worse. And I know it's stupid to think that when I'm the World Champion. I should be stronger than this. But it's just... hard."

"Oh, Ash..."

"Sorry," Ash mutters. Goh strokes his face gently, fingers brushing over his skin. "Don't apologize," Goh says firmly. "You can have problems. You're allowed to feel bad about them. Isn't that what you'd say to everyone else?"

"...Yeah."

"We're always here for you, Ash. You just have to ask and your friends will come running to help you."

Ash laughs. "That's exactly what Professor Kukui said," he says. Then he frowns again, mood dipping again. "I haven't been able to visit them," he confesses. "I've only been barely able to make it to Lei's birthday parties every year. I visit mama more often, but it's not enough." 

"Ash."

Pikachu slips put of his grip to curl up at his other side just as Goh comes closer to him, and throws his arms around Ash. Ash stays very still, and hugs back with everything he's got. The world is still and silent again, and Ash buries his face in the crook of Goh's neck, and wants to stay there forever.

It's not the same, it's not like this with everyone, he realizes, right then.

"When we were traveling together," he says, almost like whisper, like a secret long kept hidden, "I'd never been so happy. I just... I was always so free. We'd go off together on research trips and stuff and we'd just have fun. I'd battle any trainer and you'd catch any pokemon and I just felt so alive."

Goh strokes his hair. "Ash."

"I always had... a rival, or someone to take care of during my travels," Ash mutters. "I really did love all of it. But it was also stressful, and tiring, and sometimes I'd get all upset and think 'I don't want to do this anymore.' But I kept going and going on, because I wanted to become a pokemon master. It was so amazing to stay in Alola because of that. There was no one I had to take care of. Professor Kukui took care of me. I didn't have a rival who I was stressed about, because Alola didn't have a league, and Gladion was also my friend. But I couldn't stay. I wanted to, but I just couldn't. I can't stay in one place."

"Ash."

"But with you, I..."

The world seems like it's stopped completely, the sounds are hushed, except for the sound of his voice, the sound of Goh's name ringing through the air. 

The truth is, Ash is not some dense kid anymore. He can understand his own feelings, even though it's really hard to accept them, to believe that has the right to feel those things. But he knows. He does.

"Goh," he says, fingers curling in Goh's jacket. "I was always so happy when I was around you." 

He can hear Goh's sharp breath, a piercing sound.

"You really understood me, you understood my dreams and my love for pokemon, and you supported me all the way."

"I'm sure all your friends did that."

"They did, they really did, and I've always needed all of them. But with you, I... I felt like you were the one who really wanted to understand me. Who didn't want to depend on me. Who wanted to take care of me. You were always at my side."

Goh is silent, for a long, torturous moment. Ash grips his jacket tight.

It's silent, as though sound never existed.

"I missed you."

Gohs voice cuts through everything.

Ash holds him close. "I missed you too."

Goh pulls away, just a little, to stare into his eyes. Then he leans closer, and closer. Ash can't breathe, watching him. Goh pushes himself up, leaning over Ash, head dipping closer, hand coming to cup his cheek again. Ash feels Pikachu's familiar weight disappear from his side, but for once, he can't dwell on it. 

Goh's breath is hot on his face.

His eyes are like gemstones, shining brighter than any star.

Goh smiles, closes his eyes, and bridges the gap. His own eyes fall closed the moment their lips come together.

It's not like fireworks, or any spark between. Because this isn't just anyone. This is Goh. Goh, whom he knows so well, someone who he trusts more than anyone. Goh, who completes him. 

Goh, who he loves.

Loves.

This is just safety, and comfort, and warmth, and love.

Goh pulls away slowly, face still hovering over his own. They stare into each other's eyes for what seems like an eternity. 

Then, at the same time, they both giggle. They giggle, and then they laugh out loud, so hard that everything hurts. Goh flops on top of him, and Ash throws his arms up to wind around Goh, barely trying to control himself. 

As they calm down, they stare into each other's eyes again, and Goh's eyes are twinkling this time. Ash smiles, and Goh smiles. "Well, that happened," Goh says, casually, and Ash grins at him. "Yeah, just guess it did."

"So, what now?"

Ash shrugs. "Are we dating?" Goh stares at him, and huffs. "You could have asked, you know? Or let me do it." Ash grins at him again. "Okay then, Goh. Do you want to go out with me?"

Goh winks at him, grinning cheekily. "I'll think about it."

"Wha-" Goh bursts into laughter, and Ash grins, rolling them over till Goh's on his back, and Goh flips him over again. They roll around till they're back where they started, with Goh hovering over him, faces only inches apart. Goh closes the gap, pressing another feather light kiss to his lips. "If you insist," he says, smiling radiantly.

"I do."

"This is so weird," Goh says, laughter in his voice. "I had a big crush on you, back then." Ash raises an eyebrow. "Really?"

Goh smirks. "Really. I waited a long time for this, so you're going to have to make it up to me, Champion."

Ash smiles. "Gladly." He pushes off the ground, catching Goh's lips briefly before sitting up, taking Goh with him. Goh laughs, before standing and offering a hand to him. "Well, come on then."

Ash stares, smiles, and takes the hand. Pikachu jumps onto his head with his hat, and places it on his head. "Thanks, buddy."

"You know, Chloe did make a suggestion that this would help me fix my love life," Goh muses. "Guess she was taking about this." Ash laughs. "Iris was being weird too. I guess she was talking about the same thing."

"Well, they were right," Goh says, slowly. The  he smiles, bright like the sun, the moon, the stars. "I do love you." 

Ash smiles, and takes his hand. Goh's fingers wrap around his, and Ash holds on tight. "I love you too."

Not everything is perfect, but with Goh's hand in his, he can't help but believe that he's never alone. That everything will be alright.

"Should we go?" The sky is getting darker, dimmer, the bright blue replaced by a striking orange. Goh's hand is cold, but it makes him feel nothing but warmth. "Yeah," he says, smiling.

"Let's go."