Chapter Text
The morning sun streamed through the large windows of the Cerise Laboratory’s kitchen, casting a warm glow on the polished countertops. Goh's sneakers squeaked against the tiled floor as he entered, his eyes immediately drawn to a peculiar bottle perched on the edge of the counter. Its iridescent surface caught the light, sending tiny rainbows dancing across the walls.
Professor Cerise stood at the coffee maker, his back to Goh, humming softly as he prepared his morning brew. The rich aroma of freshly ground beans filled the air, mingling with the clean, crisp scent of the laboratory.
Goh’s curiosity piqued, he approached the professor. “Good morning, Professor Cerise,” he said, his gaze still fixed on the mysterious bottle. “What's that?”
The professor turned, a warm smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. “Ah, Goh! Good morning. I see you've noticed our latest experiment.”
Goh nodded eagerly, leaning in for a closer look. The bottle seemed to shimmer, almost as if it had a life of its own. “It looks... intriguing,” he managed, his scientific mind already racing with possibilities.
Professor Cerise chuckled, setting down his coffee mug. “Indeed it is. That, my young friend, is a prototype love potion.”
Goh’s eyes widened. “A love potion? But how does it—”
The shrill ring of a phone cut through the air, startling them both. Professor Cerise glanced at his pocket with a sigh. “I’m afraid I’ll have to take this. We’ll continue our discussion later, shall we?”
As the professor reached for his phone, Goh’s gaze remained fixed on the bottle. A love potion. The implications were staggering. His heart raced with the thrill of potential discovery, even as a small voice in the back of his mind whispered cautions about playing with matters of the heart.
Professor Cerise’s expression turned serious as he answered the call. He held up a finger to Goh, mouthing “One moment,” before turning his attention to the phone. But before he stepped away, he fixed Goh with a stern look.
“Handle that perfume with care, Goh,” he warned, his voice low and urgent. “It’s highly experimental.”
Goh nodded, trying to appear nonchalant. “Of course, Professor. I'll be careful.”
As the professor’s footsteps faded down the hall, Goh found himself alone with the tantalizing bottle. His fingers twitched, itching to examine it more closely. He leaned in, squinting at the label.
Project Cupid: Prototype #9, it read in neat, precise handwriting. Below, in smaller letters: ‘Warning: Untested. Use with extreme caution.’
Goh’s heart raced. The scientist in him yearned to uncover its secrets, while the more cautious part of his mind screamed to leave it alone. He reached out, then hesitated, his hand hovering inches from the bottle.
“I shouldn't,” he muttered to himself. “But... just one little look couldn't hurt, right?”
His curiosity won out. With a quick glance towards the door, Goh carefully lifted the bottle, cradling it in his hands as if it were made of the most delicate crystal.
Goh’s fingers trembled as he uncapped the bottle. The scent hit him instantly, a heady mixture of jasmine, vanilla, and something indefinable. He hesitated for a split second, then pressed the nozzle.
The smell hit him almost immediately—a strong, floral scent that was overwhelming. His eyes widened, and he coughed harshly as the fragrance filled his lungs, almost choking him.
“Whew… that’s… strong,” he muttered, holding his hand to his nose.
The scent seemed to dance around him, almost visible in its intensity. It filled every corner of the kitchen, clinging to surfaces and wrapping around him like a warm embrace.
Goh’s head swam. He steadied himself against the counter, blinking rapidly. “Maybe I shouldn't have—”
The kitchen door swung open. Ash walked in, his usual energetic stride faltering as he hit the wall of fragrance. He stopped short, his eyes meeting Goh’s across the room.
The moment their eyes met, something inside Goh shifted. His heart skipped a beat, and suddenly, all the confusion and dizziness seemed to clear—well, almost. But instead of focusing on the scent that was still lingering in the air, his entire focus on Ash.
Ash stood there, unaware of the turmoil Goh was feeling inside, his smile wide and warm. The intensity of Goh’s gaze seemed to freeze time for a moment, and Goh felt his cheeks warm as his heart beat louder than it ever had before.
For a brief second, everything else in the room faded. It was just Goh and Ash, standing across from each other, their eyes locked.
And in that moment, Goh felt something deep inside him shift. The flutter in his chest, the warmth spreading across his face—it all felt like it was coming from somewhere much deeper than his usual friendship with Ash.
“Goh?” Ash’s voice was soft, almost hesitant. “What's that smell?”
Goh opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. An inexplicable tension crackled between them, electric and intense.
Goh’s gaze fixed on Ash, his eyes widening with a newfound boldness. He stood straighter, his body language confident and alluring. The kitchen lights bounced off his glossy hair as he ran his hand through it, an attempt at a cool and collected move.
“Hey there, Ash,” Goh said, his voice cracking slightly. “Did it hurt when you fell from the Pokémon League? Because you’re a champion in my heart.”
Ash blinked, his brow furrowing in confusion. “What? I didn't fall from—”
“If you were a Pokémon,” Goh continued, stumbling over his words, “you’d be a Charm-ander. Get it? Because you’re so charming!”
A flush crept up Goh’s neck as he realized how ridiculous he sounded. But he couldn’t stop himself.
Ash’s lips twitched, a mixture of bewilderment and amusement playing across his features. “Goh, are you feeling okay?”
“Never better!” Goh declared, striking what he thought was a dashing pose. “Hey, Ash, if you were a berry, you’d be a Pecha berry. Because you’re a real peach!”
Ash’s eyebrows shot up, a surprised laugh escaping him. “That’s... creative?”
Goh's mind raced, searching for more lines. Why was this so hard? In his head, he'd always imagined smoothly sweeping Ash off his feet, not fumbling like a newborn Psyduck.
“You must be a Fire-type,” Goh blurted, “because you're hot enough to make a Glaceon melt!”
Ash’s cheeks reddened, his eyes widening. “Goh, what’s gotten into you?”
Goh’s heart pounded. The air felt electric. He stepped closer, drawn by an irresistible force.
“I don’t know,” Goh whispered, his scientific mind struggling against the potion's influence. “But I can't fight it anymore.”
In a surge of impulsive passion, Goh closed the gap. He cupped Ash's face and pressed their lips together. The kiss was clumsy, intense, unexpected.
Ash froze, his body tensing in shock. His mind reeled, unable to process the sudden turn of events.
Goh's fingers tangled in Ash's messy hair. He poured months of unspoken feelings into the kiss, his usual reserve shattered by the potion's effects.
After a moment, Ash pulled back, gasping. “Goh, I... what... why?”
Goh’s heart raced, his thoughts a whirlwind of desire and confusion. “Because you’re you, Ash. Brave, kind, amazing you.”
Ash touched his lips, his expression a mix of wonder and uncertainty. “I— I mean, I won’t complain, but I just—don't understand. It likes it comes out of nowhere.”
“Maybe,” Goh said, still caught in the potion’s thrall. “But it feels right, doesn't it?”
Goh’s face is flushed red, his usually clear and focused eyes now unfocused and hazy. He sways unsteadily on his feet, barely able to keep his balance.
“Ash, I... I love—”
Goh stumbled backwards, his head spinning. The potion’s effects were overwhelming.
Ash rushed over, concern etched on his face. “Goh, what happened? Are you alright?”
Goh tried to speak, but all that came out was a slurred mumble. His mind was a foggy mess, unable to make sense of what was happening. His knees buckled. He reached out, grasping at air. The world spun.
“Goh!” Ash lunged forward, arms outstretched.
But he was too late. Goh crumpled to the floor, unconscious.
Ash knelt beside him, heart pounding. “Goh! Wake up!” He shook his friend's shoulder gently.
No response.
Panic rose in Ash's chest. What just happened? One moment Goh was kissing him, the next...
The kitchen door swung open. Professor Cerise stepped in, phone in hand. “Sorry about that, I—”
He froze, taking in the scene. Goh sprawled on the floor. Ash kneeling beside him, face pale with worry.
Professor Cerise’s brow furrowed. He sniffed the air, catching a familiar scent. Sweet, alluring... unmistakable.
“Oh dear,” he murmured, pocketing his phone. “I was afraid of this.”
Ash looked up, eyes pleading. “Professor, what's wrong with him?”
Professor Cerise knelt beside Goh, checking his pulse. “He’s alright, Ash. Just unconscious.” He turned to the young trainer. “Now, tell me exactly what happened.”
Ash’s words tumbled out in a rush. “Goh was acting strange. He started flirting with me, saying weird things. Then he...” Ash’s cheeks flushed. He should to save the last information to himself. “And then he just collapsed.”
Professor Cerise nodded, his expression thoughtful. “I see. And did you notice anything unusual before this?”
Ash’s brow furrowed. “There was a weird smell when I walked in. Like... flowers and spices?”
“Ah,” the professor said, realization dawning. “The love potion.”
“Love potion?” Ash echoed, eyes widening.
Professor Cerise sighed, running a hand through his graying hair. “Yes, an experimental formula I’ve been working on. It seems Goh’s curiosity got the better of him.”
Ash glanced at Goh’s peaceful face, remembering the intensity of their kiss. “So... it wasn’t real? What he said, what he did?”
“The potion amplifies existing feelings, Ash. It doesn't create them,” Professor Cerise explained gently.
Ash’s heart skipped a beat. Existing feelings? He pushed the thought aside, focusing on Goh. “Will he be okay?”
Professor Cerise nodded, a hint of amusement in his eyes. He glanced at the unconscious Goh and shook his head ruefully. “Curiosity indeed kills the cat,” he muttered. “Or in this case, knocks it out cold.”