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Ash watched Serena storm away back to the Pokémon center they were staying at. His hands clenched and unclenched several times, a tactic to stop him from punching a tree or rock in irritation, anger, and to also gauge just how numb his fingers were slowly getting.
He had left the Center after dropping his team off to get healed and decided to just traverse the wild Winding Woods on Route Twenty just outside Snowbelle City. Ash knew it was dangerous but he really couldn’t care at the moment, he had fought Legendaries and even tried to throw a punch at two different Mewtwo’s. He thinks he could withstand an attack if it came to it.
It was just gonna be an hour or two, enough to calm him down and think of what he did wrong and how he could fix both his strategy against Wulfric while also looking at his attitude during the entire thing. A time to remind him that it was okay to be a little behind Sawyer and his Sceptile, the kid was young but smart which gave him an edge to Ash despite the Kantonian’s years of experience. No doubt Ash would gain speed and easily pass Sawyer after he rightfully kicked himself in the ass during his walk.
Plus he had the Bond Phenomena with Greninja. It wasn’t a relationship Ash would have really thought to have with one of his Pokémon, but one he would never regret. The mere existence of its reality was breathtaking but also very annoying at times. It also caused a lot of mental and physical energy which had pushed Ash and subsequently his entire team back a few steps. Nothing he couldn’t work and fix alongside them but he just needed a little more time.
Ash wasn’t expecting Serena to follow after and the argument they had as well. He’s not afraid to admit he had snapped a bit harshly at the Kalosian girl but he also explicitly told the group he wanted to be alone for a couple hours. Just enough to clear his head and get his priorities straight before dinner, his attitude would be right as rain by then.
The snowball to the face didn’t help his anger. Just barely biting his tongue before saying something Ash would truly regret saying to his friend. Because in the end Serena is Ash’s friend and friends don’t take out their anger at each other without reason. The snowball was over kill though, in his opinion. She could have just called him a jerk, Ash wouldn’t even be angry if she slapped him.
But a snowball to the face when it was cold as fuck outside? C’mon.
Luckily nothing slipped down his face and into his coat. But the evening was approaching quickly. Their argument had lasted a good hour and a half and it just made Ash more irritated and twitchy. He wasn’t in a good mindset to be able to go back to the group, let alone converse with a stranger. Which left him the last option to fully wind down if he even wanted to get a wink of sleep tonight.
It didn’t take him long to find an entryway that led down to a basement of some warehouse on the edge of Snowbelle. A few people stood around talking by the entrance and ignored the bouncer who was dressed far more fancier than a regular one.
“What’s the fee?” Ash asked when he stepped up to the talk man. Already pulling out his Pokédex with a noncommittal huff and pulling up his bank to wire the money to wherever the Bouncer needed it to go to.
These kinds of places aren’t technically dance floor savvy, from what the reviews look like, but it was the best place in town regardless. So a drink or two at the bar and a dance or three with a stranger would do for the night as he still wanted to get back to the Center at a reasonable time.
“Don’t worry about it,” the Bouncer waved a hand slightly at Ash, “we usually don’t take fee’s out here, those only apply to the clubs at the bigger cities.”
Ash hummed thoughtfully before thanking the man as he opened the door for him before shutting it behind him. Taking off his coat after stuffing his gloves into a random pocket along with his Pokédex. He only really needed his Kalosian Trainer card for the bar to link his tab to his bank account. Which was nice as Unova and Kanto needed your Pokédex.
“One Mai Tai, please.” Ash asked the only working bartender after handing her his Trainer card. Smiling when she agreed and smiled politely at him.
His eyes watched as she made his drink, always a necessity for going out clubbing or bar hopping with friends or yourself in case some wacko decided to try something. Ash only moved his eyes onto the dance floor after getting his drink and taking up a bar stool. Assessing the crowd and maybe even finding a potential dance partner for the night.
It wasn’t too crowded but Ash could definitely see a good chunk of people weren’t Kalosian. Probably from out of Region for many things. Snowbelle is a destination town for its everlasting winter. Doesn’t look like he’ll find someone that’s at least tipsy let alone sober. There were a few bachelorette parties and what looked like two separate bachelor parties as well. They were all increasingly drunk by the minute and for a hot moment Ash almost decided to join them in their self-indulgence.
It was just a moment but he shook the thought out of his head. Enjoying how his hair felt after being out of the cold and in the warmth of the club before ditching the thought. He was here on a mission.
Two drinks, three dances, and maybe find a dance partner. Last part wasn’t really necessary but would be nice for tonight.
He doesn’t need to lose himself like how he usually does when he goes out to these kinds of places. Ash usually only ventured out when he and his friends were in the bigger cities and Ash had a lot more options to choose along with time to spend. Which made the first Mai Tai easy to down before the next one could reach his hand. Motioning to the bartender after giving him his second drink to close his tab but to keep his trainers card.
Mostly for safety as Ash doesn’t want it to be lifted from his body when he enters the crowd on the dance floor. Ignoring the music for the most part but enjoying the atmosphere and the fact that his friends wouldn’t be able to get to him inside the club. Since all of them are minors following Kalosian law. Ash was lucky that he was Kantonian as he’s considered an adult at the age of Ten. It made getting into these places easier, especially when he actually looked like an adult and knew more about the law.
Second Mai Tai was downed in record time and he placed the glass back on the coaster on the bar. Sliding off his chair and easily molding himself into the dancing crowd. Spotting a nice older man not a few feet away.
Brown and blue eyes caught and he reeled Ash in easily. One thick arm wrapping about the younger trainer's waist.
“What’s a pretty boy like you doing out here in Snowbelle?” The man asked. Easily allowing Ash to lead their easy foot steps despite being a good head and shoulder taller. “A trainer, I guess. Maybe taking part in the gym?”
“Second round tomorrow.” Ash smiled shyly but untensed his shoulders when the man nodded his head with a pleased hum.
“Wulfric is a beast,” the man laughed and Ash couldn’t help but snort at the truth, “though he cares. He usually beats the trainers so bad that it takes about three tries to win against him.”
“Well thanks for that info.” Ash joked. “I’d like to really dance now, if you don’t mind.”
The dude shrugged and motioned for Ash to lead them deeper in the crowd. The Kantonian happily did so before being tugged in more to the dude's chest. They barely communicated through words. Allowing their body to reveal their intentions.
Ash’s mind went blank and his nerves finally settled into the second dance. Alcohol doesn’t really affect him, not as much as it does a normal human. It’s probably from all the times he’s died but Ash can’t really chock it up to just that. Maybe he’d stick around for just one more, the gym doesn’t open until one in the afternoon. Giving time for trainers to relax from trudging through the snow.
The man dipped him but luckily didn’t try going into a kiss, instead he pulled Ash upright again and tugged him impossibly close. Moving so his mouth could be right next to one of Ash’s ears so he could hear the dude amongst the crowd and music.
“I’m heading out after the next dance, got a meeting in the morning.”
“That sucks!” Ash whined over the music but the guy chuckled. Spinning him around before pulling him back in.
“Sorry, darling. Thanks for the dances though, I’m not looking to warm my bed tonight.”
Ash didn’t try to hold the snort and eye roll but his smile was soft, the guy snorting back and chuckling as he easily caught Ash’s drift.
“Enjoy your night, darling.” He smoothed a hand from the middle of Ash’s shoulder down to the small of his back. Soon leading Ash out of the crowd much to the others mild confusion.
Ash’s confusion dissipated when the man handed him a crisp five and motioned to the bar. “I’d like for you to get a glass of water before you head out as well.” He explained before leaving. “But I can’t really stop you from buying anything else.”
Drinks were cheap, which was nice but Ash didn’t really have a care, but it was sweet of the older man regardless. Ash waved him by as he went back to the bar. Asking for a glass of water and sighing in enjoyment as he took a sip of the cool liquid. Asking for his license as well.
The bar was gonna close soon anyways, after these in coming couple of songs, and Ash didn’t want to be caught when everyone was trying to file out of the bar. So he quickly finished his water, grabbed his coat, and thanked the bartender and bouncer when he left. Luckily his mood did drastically shift to a better one but he had a feeling, as it wasn’t quite bed time, that Serena would be waiting for him to apologize at the Center.
Something Ash wasn’t going to do.
The walk cooled him down from the heat of the club and he wished he was bringing a warm body home tonight. Only slightly though. Only to really warm his bed and wake up too in the morning. Maybe he could convince Gary to go out dancing with him after his travels in Kalos ended, maybe meet up with Cilan and a few older friends there and truly go on a binge for a night or two. He did it once in Unova after the finals just to drown the annoyance of coming in Eighth place and losing to Cameron and he had a really fun time.
He could joke about Gary being the frat boy he secretly was again. It was just something between the two of them and despite Gary faking his annoyance, Ash could spot the smile that it always brought to his face. Cilan didn’t join them last time as it was just him, Gary, and some of Gary’s friends but with the way he’s been complaining about his brothers maybe Asb could coax him into going in at least one club… or three.
The Pokémon Center came into sight and Asb took a deep breath. Allowing it to make his lung ache from the cold before letting it out, watching the cloud it made float up before easily disappearing. As he expected he found his group in the small dining hall eating dinner.
“Hey,” Ash sighed as he reached out and put one of his hands on Clemont's shoulder, “sorry I took longer. I went to a nearby club to let some steam off.”
“A club?” Bonnie asked with wide eyes. “What’s a club?”
“You went to a club?” Serena asked but Ash ignored her for the most part after giving her a shrug.
“I didn’t know there was one in this town.” Clemont hummed thoughtfully before moving to address his sister as Ash sat down at the head of the table. “Bonnie, a club is like….” He paused in trying to relate it to something that his little sister had experienced before.
“Have you ever been to a birthday party?” Ash asked instead. Winking at the scientist to let him know he got it.
“Yeah! Their fun.” Bonnie giggled.
“A club or bar, depending what it’s called, is like a birthday party.” Ash started to explain before holding up a hand to stop Bonnie from interrupting. “A much more adult themed party because there’s alcohol. It’s usually a very big dark-ish room where there’s a lot of people and very loud music.”
“Sounds interesting,” Bonnie said after thinking about it, “and fun!”
“It is.” Ash agreed. “That’s why I went to one, the walk didn’t cool me down enough so I blew some steam off there.”
“Sounds reasonable.” Clemont pursed his lips before shrugging and going back to his dinner. “I should remember you come from Kanto. I keep forgetting that people from there are adults at a young age.”
“Yeah.” Ash blew out a big breath through his nose before reaching out and snagging a roll. Saying hi to Pikachu as he chirped worriedly at him as he climbed up into his lap. “It’s a blessing and a curse sometimes.”
“Did you meet someone? Like at the club.” Serena asked and Ash couldn’t help but send her a confused look. Not noticing that Clemont did the same.
“I did.” Ash confessed after a few beats of silence between everyone at the table. “Didn’t catch his name but he was a good dancer.”
“He?” Serena stressed and looked almost constipated.
“Yeah, he.” Ash looked at her weird again before motioning for Clemont to fill an empty cup full of water from a pitcher. “I actually prefer male dance partners. I don’t like to lead all that much, unless I know the person well enough and have danced with them a few times already.”
“I thought you liked girls?” She struggled to ask after a minute of mulling the information over. Watching as Ash shrugged and moved to grab another roll since he finished the first.
“I like girls and I like guys.” Ash shrugged his shoulders at her nonchalantly. “I like trans people and nonbinary too. I like everyone, Serena. I just prefer guys when I go dancing, I don’t mind doing it with a girl or someone else, it’s just what I naturally gravitate towards.”
“Do you have a favorite type of guy to dance with?” Bonnie asked with a glint in her eyes and for once Ash didn’t mind playing into her games.
“Oh.” He sighed. Fake thinking about the girls question and winking at Clemont again when he looked exasperated at Ash when he realized what he was doing. “I like taller guys, bigger ones too.” Ash kinda flexed and used his hands to demonstrate his type. “Older as well since they most likely know how to dance better than guys my age or close to it.”
“Anything else about them?” Bonnie continued to try and wiggle out formation. Eyes narrowing thoughtfully at Ash before stealing a glance at Serena which Ash didn’t follow. “Like just little stuff?”
He could feel her glare regardless.
“I like rougher hands.” Ash spoke thoughtfully after a couple of seconds. Eyes glazing slightly as he looked off into the distance. “It’s usually an indication, to me at least, that they like to go to bars and clubs to relax too. Guys with softer hands usually go there during worn events or something like that. Their more willing to just dance and talk instead of focusing on their possible connection and work.”
“I like deeper voices too.” Ash continued. Picking at his roll and setting down on a nearby plate as his hunger wasn’t really all there at the moment. “Just a personal preference which you’ll probably understand when you get older.”
“Not fair.” Bonnie muttered and Clemont sighed exasperatedly before chastising his sister slightly. Prodding at her food because her plate was almost empty.
“Women can have rough hands and deep voices.” Serena objected after staying quiet so long.
Ash and Clemont shared a look of confusion over Bonnie’s head and Clemont shrugged. Both turning to look at Serena.
“Yeah, they can.” Ash agreed. “Though I still prefer guys.”
“Why.” Serene stressed. Looking up from her plate to stare directly into Ash’s eyes. Anger and jealousy danced a little behind a wall of something in them.
“Why do you want to know so bad?” Ash shot back. Hating that he was getting riled up again though Serena had been getting on his nerves far longer than their fight in the woods. “Who I like to dance with is none of your problem and your, quite frankly, not so hidden aggression towards that fact is really irritating.”
“Irritating?” Serena struggled to spit the word out through her clenched teeth.
Clemont and Bonnie soon left the table to the Trainers. Off to go tuck the little girl in bed and to also not let her hear the possible argument brewing between the two. Pikachu and the other Pokémon followed to get ready for bed themselves.
“Yes, irritating.” Ash agreed. “Just like you following me into the woods to argue with me only to chuck a snowball at my face.”
“You weren’t yourself!” She defended. “It wasn’t like-“
“Fucking stop it.” Ash hissed as a flash of fury swarmed him. Guilt seeped in afterwards as he watched her flinch back but the anger lingered too much for him to apologize. “I will never be myself one hundred percent of the time. I will have bad days and moments and they’ll go away with time, Serena. You arguing with me to be happier and better will always just make it worse.”
“I-“
“No.” Ash snapped. Leaning his arms against the table as he glared at her. “This conversation has been due far too long between us and I need you to just sit there and listen because I’m done, Serena. Absolutely fucking done.”
“I don’t know what you remember from that Pokémon camp all those years ago. I was six years old Serena, six. I’m not going to apologize for the fact that I don’t remember either as it’s not my fault.” Ash let out a deep sigh again and rubbed at his face. Holding up a finger when it looked like Serena was going to interrupt. “But from what I’m experiencing and seeing out of all our interactions, you’re putting me in this box in your mind that I can’t fit even if I wanted to, which I absolutely don’t. It’s infuriating to such a degree that I don’t even want to be in the same room as you anymore.”
“Ash.” Serena looked closed to tears and if Ash had more strength mentally he’d feel bad.
“I’m not done.” He leaned back in the chair and looked at her tiredly. “Others have noticed and asked me about it and every time I tried to bring it up in the past you steamrolled over me or just plain ignored me. That’s not how friends treat each other and at this moment I don’t want to be your friend at all.”
That struck Serena and a few tears slipped down her cheek. If Ash wasn’t as mad he’d stop and apologize but he was done with the situation brewing between the two of them.
“You really need to reevaluate what you want at this moment. Seriously, look at your friendship with me and even Clemont and Bonnie, because I don’t know if you’re doing the same thing to them as you are to me. But I will say this.”
Ash stood up and pointed at her. “If you do not get your shit together in the next couple of days you can say goodbye to our friendship and possibly traveling with us from that point forward.” With that Ash turned and left. Tried and now just as pissed as he was when he left the woods to go to the club.
“What if Bonnie and Clemont want me to stay?” Serena asked as she quickly got up from her chair. Rounding the dinner table but stopping when Ash pinned her with a deathly glare.
“Then I will.” He said simply. “I’ll leave with Pikachu and my team and we’ll travel on our own.”
“Ash.” Serena begged quietly and reached out but he turned around again and stopped in the middle of the doorway.
“Night, Serena.” Ash sighed again. He’s been doing that a lot this past hour. “Think about what I’ve said because I’m sticking to my words.” Without he left.
Only to stumble into Bonnie by the stairs a little ways off from the dining room.
“Bonnie.” Ash looked at her in surprise before slumping his shoulders tiredly and in defeat. “How much did you hear?”
“Most of it.” She replied meekly before holding her hand out to Ash. “Clemont didn’t read me a bedtime story, will you read to me?”
“No, Bonnie, I’m sorry.” Ash felt more guilty towards the little girl than what he said to Serena and he tried his best to not over analyze that fact. “I don’t want to be around Serena more than I have to at this moment. But how about I read you three bedtime stories and then tell you one of my own when we’re camping out in the woods again. Deal?”
“Deal.” She and Ash pinkie promised and he helped her up from her sitting position on the stairs.
He walked her back to her and SerenaMs room for the night before saying good night and heading back to his and Clemont’s room back down the hallway. Ash could easily see the blonde was fake sleeping but he didn’t have the energy to point it out. Going through the motion of getting ready for bed before sliding into the one closest to the window. Pulling Oiakchu close when he climbed up onto the bed.
“I hate emotions.” Ash muttered into his friend's yellow fur and the mouse chittered back in his own agreement. “Night buddy.”
Despite the well wishes from Bonnie, sleep did not come easy to Ash that night.