Work Text:
He's running
He's going as fast as he can
He can hear their footsteps behind him, hear their loud voices as they chase after him
Red lights and dark Shadows
They're coming in from every direction
The shape of a ball in their hands, each of them trying to catch him
He narrowly dodges every time, using quick attack to keep running
He hates them
Hates them, hates them, hates them.
He hates their greed, their selfishness, those stupid little traps they carry around in their palms
He doesn't wanna go in there
He hates those things
Why can't they just get that through their thick skulls?!
He keeps running
They keep following
He's surrounded
It's dark
He feels like he can't move
One of them throws a ball
It flies in his direction
He panics=
Electricity builds up on the sides of his face-
"PIKA- CHUUU"
A bright light engulfs the room as Pikachu's thunderbolt goes off.
Ash cries out, immeditely sitting up as the force of the electric attack hits him
It's strong. Alot stronger than most thunderbolts he's felt. Pikachu is always holding back when shocking him, never wanting to really hurt him, right now he feels like he can't move
He doesn't notice Pikachu dash off the bed, scrambling away from him
As soon as the electricity stops, he yells "Hey! What'd you do that for?!"
There's smoke coming off of him, and he can barely see, he rubs his eyes as they adjust to the darkness
They're home, in Pallet town. They came back yesterday
They're in his room, after a long time of journeying, and he's been asleep on his own bed for the first time in ages
He breathes in and out, trying to calm himself down, looking out the window to see the night sky and its twinking stars. It must be really late at night
Pikachu looks around for an escape
It's dark, so dark, he can't see
A human had been close to him a moment ago, too close, and he'd freaked out
He tries to run, but there are walls everywhere
it's so dark
why are there so many walls?!
He hears a yell
The human had yelled
This isn't good
When- when they did that they'd usually put him in the ball
No.
He isn't going in there
He isn't-
Pikachu panicks more, desperately trying to locate an exit
Ash watches Pikachu for a moment
Something's wrong
Really wrong
Any anger or pain he might've felt vanishes immediately
His partner looks scared, really scared, and that isn't ok, that just isn't ok
"Pikachu?" he calls out
Pikachu's eyes scrunch shut, and his cheeks spark, trying to ward away the threat. He lets out a threatening growl
Ash gets down from the platform where his bed is, standing on the carpeted floor
Pikachu steps back, ears heightened, listening for the danger, sparking more violently as he hears the human step closer
"Pikachu, hey, buddy, what's wrong?" Ash approaches carefully, unable to get too close
Pikachu shrinks into a corner, nowhere left to run
"Pikachu" Ash's voice softens out of worry for his Pokemon. He needs to stop this, he needs to do something to get that look off his partner's face. "Pikachu" he repeats, hating how Pikachu flinches the moment he speaks "open your eyes, look at me, please?"
Pikachu's eyes remain shut for a while, but Ash's words get through to him on some level, because soon enough he peeks them open, just a little
He can see Ash
The human is Ash
"It's just me, buddy, it's ok"
Slowly Pikachu begins to remember. They'd come back to Pallet today, and they'd battled on the way here, and Ash's mom had hugged them both upon their return, and they'd gone to sleep because it was late and they were tired
He looks up at his trainer, seeing his face illuminated by moonlight from the window. He looks worried, and it smells like Pikachu had released a thunderbolt a moment ago, and how late at night is it?-
"hey, it's ok, it's ok" Ash stops his train of thought before it completely derails "we're in Pallet Town, we're at home, you're safe"
'Home'. That's right. They're in Ash's home. They got here a while ago, and they were told Misty and Brock would be coming over to say hi later, and Delia had planned out a Feast for the following day, which would be today. Ash calls this place both of their home. The place they come back to after all their travelling. Pikachu supposes that's correct, home is wherever he's with Ash, and right now they're both here, so he's home
Ash is sitting in front of him, calmly, patiently. He doesn't make any sudden movements, nothing that'd startle Pikachu. He just sits there and waits
"did you have a bad dream?" he asks softly
Pikachu stares back into his eyes. There's warmth in his gaze, a kindness that he never thought he'd see on humans. He nods quietly
Ash looks at him sympathetically and reaches out, intending to comfort his friend, as Pikachu had him on so many nights
But Pikachu begins sparking again, violently
Ash pulls away
"Pika--" Pikachu seems shocked at his own reaction
Ash's hand moves forward again, and again the sparking starts. He withdraws again "Pikachu.."
Pikachu shakes his head, tears once again clouding his eyes "Pikapi-"
Ash reaches out once more, and once more he's met with sparks
Pikachu starts to freak out again. He doesn't want to push Ash away. He doesn't want to threaten him with more shocks. He wants to run over to him, wants to hug him, wants to feel safe again. But he can't. He can't move.
His instincts against humans keep acting up against his will, and it hurts so much to see Ash pull his hand away. He tries to convey that he doesn't mean it, that he wants him to stay, but he can barely speak and everything feels so loud and it's so blurry and he keeps having to blink it away
"Pikachu, buddy, it's ok, don't cry" Ash's voice still manages to cut through it all, and Pikachu holds onto it because it's the only way he knows Ash is still here, that he hasn't turned away, that he hasn't given up on Pikachu and left him behind
Pikachu tries to apologize, tries to tell Ash he doesn't mean it, even as lightning rages around him
"I know, I know" Ash continues gently "I'm not going anywhere, I'm right here"
There have been so many nights like this, with the roles reversed. When Ash wakes up from a bad dream and Pikachu always, always wakes up too. He always uncurls from wherever he's sleeping and starts giving Ash gentle nudges, letting out small bits of electricity that tingle just a little. They never hurt. Pikachu makes sure they don't hurt. He always climbs onto Ash, and allows the human to hold him as tight has he needs. Pikachu always nuzzles him, comforting him until his breathing returns to normal and his tears stop flowing, most of them having matted the mouse's fur. Pikachu doesn't care about that, never has. They stay like that for hours sometimes, curled up and shrank into a corner, a trembling human and a shot of yellow just barely visible in his arms
Pikachu never gave up on Ash in those moments, not going back to sleep until he was sure his human was. Staying close to him because he knew how much he needed it. And when Ash would thank him, Pikachu would playfully smack his hand with his tail and tell him to go to sleep already, because he didn't need to be thanked. He'd always be here for Ash no matter what, that's just how it was
So why would Pikachu ever think Ash would give up on him now?
Ash stays there, sitting patiently in front of him, he'll be here as long as it takes
"hey, look at me" he tries "it's gonna be ok. I'm right here, you're safe. Everything's gonna be ok"
Pikachu tries to believe it. That nothing's gonna happen to him, that there's no threat, no impending danger, nothing here that could harm him. That his best friend is right there and it'll all be fine. Because Ash would never let anything happen to him. He proved that the first time they met, he's proven that a million times after
"we'll figure this out" he convinces, flashing his signature optimistic smile. He knows they can do it. They've always been able to do anything they put their minds to. They've fought and won so many battles and gotten so much stronger and survived so many tough times. They can figure this out
"can you try walking closer?" he asks, placing his hand on the carpeted floor. He figures that's a good place to start. If Pikachu takes the first step and manages to lower his own defenses, maybe Ash can get closer too
Pikachu breathes in and out, looking at the carpet, then at his human, pushing himself to take the step. He isn't able to move, and he can feel electrical charge building up on the sides of his face. He pushes himself again, still nothing.
"take your time" Ash says softly "I'm not going anywhere"
That felt relieving. Ash is here. He's right here and he won't leave and everything will be alright. Pikachu keeps reminding himself of that fact. Ash is here, and if Pikachu can just get past this he'll be curled up in his arms, and they'll hold onto each other and they'll be ok and everything will be ok. Pikachu takes a small step closer
Ash grins "See? I knew you could do it"
Pikachu offers him a small smile at the encouragement, even as his cheeks continue to spark. This is like training. Like the time they were practicing to learn Iron Tail, like how Ash worked with every one of his Pokemon. Encouraging them when they do well, never letting them feel bad if they don't, always smiling and being patient and working at it until they can do it. That's how Ash has always been. Pikachu inches closer, Ash smiles back, and they take it step by step
Pikachu's always been averse to humans. His own experiences with them taught him they can't be trusted, that it's best not to get too close, that even the supposedly 'nice' ones will allow their selfishness to dicate how they act. He's always been averse to their touch, never allowing them near, releasing a thunderbolt if they dared not listen. He feared them on some level, and he fought back on instinct
But now he has one. He never thought he would. He always believed he'd just never give in until the trainer got fed up and abandoned him or sent him back. Now he's got Ash. Ash, who he cares about more than anything in the world. Ash, who he'd gladly fight every legendary on the planet for. Ash, whose shoulder he sits on as they travel dirt roads and big cities and massive mountains. Ash, his best friend. His human.
And Pikachu's spent a long time not trusting humans, but he trusts Ash, he loves Ash, and right now, he needs to get to Ash
Ash moves a little closer, and Pikachu's cheeks spark again, electricity forming bright arcs around his face
"You're doing great, buddy" He continues, ignoring the oncoming thunderbolt. He knows how hard this is already, and he wants Pikachu to know he's doing amazing just by taking a few small steps. He's always shown that kind of attention and care to his Pokemon "I'm right here"
He finally reaches out again, and Pikachu releases a few volts for a moment, but he doesn't pull away
He leaves his hand positioned just a little in front of Pikachu. His palm open. "It's ok. It's just me" he reminds the electric mouse
Pikachu stares at him for a few seconds. Tries to rationalize it and take it in. This is Ash. His trainer. His best friend
He trusts Ash. More than anything or anyone. Ash has always been here for him, always made him feel the safest. Consciously or unconsciously picking up whenever he isn't at ease and calming him down with a simple brush of fingers through fur. Ash whose so stubborn that Pikachu could use thunderbolt on him right now and he still won't turn away. Ash who doesn't give up and waits patiently for Pikachu. Because they're a team. They're partners. They stick together no matter what.
Pikachu affectionately bumps his head against Ash's open palm
Both of them breathe out at the same time, relaxing almost immediately. The sparking stops even before Pikachu realizes it did
"There we go" Ash mumbles softly, petting the small Pokemon "you had me worried for a while there"
Pikachu scurries closer to his human, and Ash picks him up, hugging him just tight enough. He almost completely relaxes in Ash's embrace, curling close to his human and nuzzling him "pikapi-"
"everything's okay, buddy. Everything's fine. It was just a bad dream" Ash says softly, in a tone that's way too understandng
Pikachu had woken him up in the middle of the night with a particularly powerful thunderbolt. He'd barely listened and threatened Ash multiple times with more shocks, even though he didn't mean to do so. He'd barely trusted Ash and made him sit here all this time just so he could get it together and lower his defenses. Yet Ash understands. He understands all of it and doesn't fault Pikachu
Ash has always known about Pikachu's aversion to humans. It's hard not to see it with how much Pikachu didn't like him when they first met. Thunderbolting him if he got too close, climbing onto a tree to avoid him, never listening so Ash would just give up already. Ash has known since that first day that Pikachu isn't particularly fond of people
It always takes Pikachu just a little more time to trust in his travel companions and allow them near. Whenever they start walking around with a new person, he remains on Ash's shoulder or head most of the time. Never wanting to get too close to them until he's sure they're trustworthy. Then of course they get curious and prod him and ask why he isn't in the ball. He usually gives them an annoyed look while Ash explains how much he hates the thing and doesn't want to get in. Pikachu knows the whole routine is pointless since most of the time he ends up trusting those people eventually, even becoming friends with some and missing them when they're gone, but he can't help having his guard up for those first few weeks. Ash has always understood
Then there are times they go to crowded places. Pokemon contests where they awkwardly shuffle through rows of audience and clusters of people. Festivals, Competitions, even some Pokemon Centres always seem to have too many people. Way more than the amount Pikachu's comfortable with. Pikachu's grip on Ash's shoulder always tightens when they're in those places, no doubt leaving tiny red marks on his skin. Ash always plucks him off his shoulder and carries him in his arms instead. He holds Pikachu close, arms curled around him so that he feels protected from the crowd, from the other humans and their loud voices. Then he just continues walking as if it's nothing, points to different places to check out, Pikachu gives his input, and they both feel alright again
and Ash has noticed when Pikachu has nightmares. Noticed when Pikachu wakes up in a panic and slips away from their campsite. From other people (if it's just him and Ash there it's a different story). Ash always follows, just in case it was a bad one. He finds Pikachu eventually. Somehow, even in unfamiliar land, he knows exactly where to look. He sits with him until he feels calm enough to go back. If they're in a forest, they look for berries together and share them as a midnight snack before returning. It helps. It's always helped. Pikachu wishes Ash could know just how much
But it's never been this bad before. It's never gotten to a point where Pikachu is too scared to even get close to him. It's never gotten to a point where Ash can't hold him and tell him everything's ok. They hold onto each other now. Pikachu's small claws clinging to Ash's shirt. Ash's arms curled around the small mouse. They don't wanna let go again
Ash hates seeing Pikachu so scared. He hates seeing that look on his partner's face. He hates seeing him shrink into those corners, trying to make himself as small as possible, ears pressed down to his head, afraid of the slightest sound. He hugs Pikachu tighter, tries to pour as much care as he can into it "You're ok. You're safe. It's gonna be ok" he repeats
Pikachu tries to focus on the warmth he feels now. Tries to take it in and hold onto it. Clinging to Ash's shirt with small claws. He reminds himself that they have each others backs. He's always looked out for Ash, always done his best to protect his human (which is a huge task considering Ash tends to attract trouble wherever he goes)
And Ash has always looked out for him. Whenever it's cold and Pikachu can barely move, Ash wraps him up in his jacket, holding him close so he stays warm. Whenever Pikachu loses a battle, falling to the ground, Ash runs onto the field to pick him up, carrying him back to safety
And whenever they're attacked, like they were by that flock of Spearow, Ash has always protected him. Pikachu still remembers when he stood in front of all of them, yelling at them that they could go after him, while telling Pikachu to hide in the ball. He remembers how he got up then, threw himself forward and launched the strongest thunderbolt he could.
Ash protected him, he protected Ash, in the end they both ended up bruised and slightly burned but that was ok
He knows that Ash has his back. That everything's ok now. His human won't let anything happen to him.
They stay like that for a while before Ash notices Pikachu relax, leaning against him tiredly. It's only then that he realizes he's tired too. He hadn't gotten much sleep before getting thunderbolted, and Pikachu's probably had way too little rest himself. He yawns loudly, causing Pikachu to yawn too
"Hey" he pets Pikachu's head "you ok to head back to sleep?"
Pikachu tenses slightly, eyes wide open again. He is tired, and sleep doesn't sound that bad, but he doesn't wanna have another nightmare, especially not one that ends with a thunderbolt. He's caused Ash enough trouble tonight
"it's ok if you aren't" Ash tries to pretend he isn't tired either "we can both stay up"
Pikachu gives him a questioning look. He clearly isn't up to it. He looks like he's about to fall over
Ash grins, rubbing his eyes "see? Wide awake"
Pikachu almost laughs, his human really never knows when to quit
Ash smiles, adjusting Pikachu in his arms before climbing back to his bed. The softness of his mattress and the warmth of his blanket more than welcoming to his tired self. Pikachu's content to just rest against him, faintly feeling them move through the room as Ash climbs back up
Ash sits with his back to the wall, huddled close with Pikachu, fingers brushing through the Pokemon's fur, careful and constant. Pikachu's curled up over his chest, rising and falling with each breath he takes, an ear faintly picking up the sound of his heartbeat. They don't say anything, they just stay like that. Pikachu struggles to stay awake, especially since Ash yawns every five minutes
"Pikachu... you're tired" Ash mumbles quietly
Pikachu faces him again, which takes a great deal of effort since he's so close to passing out. He points at Ash with a paw. He could say the same about him
"you should sleep, buddy" Ash's voice comes out quiet, and he doesn't even bother retorting, which means he's really tired
He still shakes his head. He doesn't want it to happen again
"I promise.. I'll be here if you have another bad dream" Ash is struggling to keep his eyes open, but he remains determined
Pikachu looks guilty, and Ash can tell why. He brings a hand up to Pikachu's cheek, it's still sore from all the sparking earlier
"I can take a little zap.. 've taken plenty of zaps.." he says tiredly, laying down and pulling the blanket up "I'll be right here.. no matter what"
He pulls Pikachu close under the blanket, curling around him. It's warm and soft, it feels safe. It's dark and quiet and Ash is so close to drifting off
He scratches Pikachu behind the ear "it's ok, buddy, just sleep"
Pikachu allows himself to believe Ash's words. He finally closes his eyes, and his breathing evens out
Ash smiles softly, looking down at the small Pokemon. Pikachu's peacefully sleeping now, relaxed and content. Ash feels relieved. He was worried for a little while. He absentmindedly runs his hand through Pikachu's fur again, and Pikachu presses closer to him in his sleep. He takes a deep breath. They have each other. He'll always have Pikachu, and Pikachu will always have him. They'll figure it out together
With that thought, he drifts off to sleep too
and when Pikachu wakes up the next morning, Ash is still there. He's snoring loudly, with his limbs splayed in every direction, and his hair is a mess, and he's drooling slightly onto his pillow, but he's there. He's right there. Just like he said he'd be. Pikachu wakes him up, nuzzling his cheek. It takes a few seconds, since Ash is a really heavy sleeper, but he blinks his eyes open after a while
"Pikachu, hey, buddy, how're you feeling?" he asks softly, bringing a hand up to pet Pikachu's head
Pikachu smiles, leaning into the touch, and Ash smiles back, glad that he's ok
Pikachu clambers onto his shoulder as they head down the stairs. He rubs his cheek against Ash's affectionately, and Ash returns the gesture by bringing his hand up to run through Pikachu's fur
They're partners. They have each other, and as long as they do, it'll be alright, because they'll always manage to figure it out