Work Text:
Together
Misty jumped when the loudest clap of thunder yet sounded. She peered up at the menacing sky from between the tree branches, chewing her lip apprehensively. The summer storm had come out of nowhere, interrupting their afternoon hike.
"This probably isn't the safest spot to be with the lightning this close," Tracey mused from beside her. His hair was plastered to his face, despite the rain coat he held over both of their heads.
"Didn't you say there was a cave around here?" Misty asked.
Tracey nodded. "Gary says there is."
"How far?"
"Near the waterfall."
Misty hesitated. It wasn’t that far when it was sunny, but in a raging thunderstorm? It was far enough to be a little dangerous, but then again, they were huddled under a tree, still soaked to the bone and still at nature's mercy.
"Let's go," she decided. What was a little danger between friends on an afternoon hike? They should be okay. Besides, they were just outside of Pallet Town, they could return to the lab quickly enough once the storm passed.
Tracey looked a little surprised but nodded all the same. "Want to make a run for it?"
"Why bother? We're already drenched."
Tracey looked down at his soaked clothes and laughed. "Fair point," he conceded.
Misty looked away, nodding distractedly. That laugh did something to her every time. Months of traveling together and years of friendship had them teetering on the edge of something more. The desire was there, seeped in the type of love that was only borne out of close friendship. It had snuck up on her and it only grew harder to ignore the longer it went on.
It was more than just a crush and it was definitely more than what she had felt for Ash so many years ago.
"Ready?" Tracey's voice cut her thoughts short.
She nodded again, steeling herself for the onslaught of rain they were about to run out into.
"The waterfall's to the left, just run straight down the path. Gary says there's an opening to the right of the fall, along the side," Tracey explained.
"Got it."
Another roll of thunder rumbled through the forest, loud enough to feel within her chest. It was enough to make her feel a little uneasy, but a cave was safer than where they were so…
"Race you!" she called suddenly, darting out into the rain and dashing towards the left.
Tracey's laughter and footsteps followed her down the path. Puddles soaked through her sneakers and mud splattered up her calves but Misty only laughed in turn. They had dealt with worse than an afternoon storm. It would be fine — they just had to get to that cave without getting struck by lightning first.
The trail wound through the trees and the waterfall came into view soon enough, spilling into a deep lake that they had swam in many times before. Misty slowed as she approached it, scanning the rock face to the right of the waterfall where this cave was supposed to be. She had never noticed it before but Gary and Ash were out here all the time between adventures so they would know better than she would.
Sure enough, she spotted a narrow opening, half-covered with some sort of vining plant with purple flowers. She ducked inside and stopped rather abruptly, surprised by how much that tiny space opened up beyond the entrance. It wasn't huge: it was barely larger than her tent but with a far taller ceiling. It was cozy, yet comfortable.
"Huh. Gary was right." She wasn't sure why she was surprised.
"Never underestimate Gary," Tracey said, panting as he ducked into the opening behind her. "He's only quiet when he doesn't know what he's talking about."
Misty was quite suddenly reminded of a recent conversation between her and Gary.
"You know he likes you too, right?"
He'd been right when he clocked Misty's feelings for Tracey during the same conversation. The pain in the ass really had a talent for reading people. If only he had a talent for shutting up.
But if he had actually kept his mouth shut, she wouldn't have been drafting a conversation in her head for the last month. She wouldn't have asked Tracey out on this hike with the intention of having said conversation. She wouldn't have the guts to risk a friendship that meant the world to her.
She would have cursed Gary's abilities to read and prod people if it hadn't lit a fire in her.
The rainstorm hadn't been part of the plan, but it hadn't doused the fire burning in her. If anything, seeing Tracey pathetically drenched only made it burn stronger. He was downright adorable with his hair stuck to his face, dripping water everywhere as he peered around.
"Well, I'm sure we just found one of Ash and Gary's make out spots," he said conversationally.
Misty rolled her eyes and bit back a laugh. "Anywhere is a make out spot for them these days. Especially since that migraine episode of Gary's ended."
"You have no idea," he returned dryly and Misty couldn't help but giggle at the way he shook his head.
"That bad, huh?"
"It wouldn't be so bad if they would be a little more private. I mean, would you want to see one of your sisters making out with her boyfriend?"
Misty cringed and shook her head. She had seen enough of that to last her a lifetime — evidently, Tracey had as well.
A brilliant flash of lightning lit up the cave, a close crash of thunder following soon after. They weren't going anywhere anytime soon.
"Well, I guess we're stuck here a while…" Misty mused, all thoughts of their friends' new habit of making out everywhere leaving her mind as she peered outside, watching another streak of lightning light up the darkened sky.
"At least it's with good company."
"Speaking of good company," Misty began, taking the chance where she saw it. "I've really enjoyed spending so much time with you these last few years."
A light dusting of pink appeared across Tracey's cheeks and she couldn't help but smile.
"Yeah," he agreed warmly. "Me too."
"It's honestly had me thinking a lot about you and, well…" She trailed off, unsure of where exactly to go with this. How hard could it be, admitting feelings for her long-time friend? Harder than she thought, apparently.
Tracey, sweetheart that he was, waited patiently for her to find her words. "Well?" he prompted after a long moment had passed.
"Well," Misty began again. Might as well just spit it out. "I realized I have feelings for you. More than just the good friends type of feelings."
There. She'd said it. Gary wouldn't be able to annoy her about not telling him anymore.
Tracey was quiet for a moment, his cheeks turning even more pink at the confession. But then…
"I've felt the same way," he said softly.
She had already known that — partly because Tracey wore his heart on his sleeve, partly because of Gary's big mouth. Still, it came as a surprise that he admitted it so readily. Gary had probably been bugging him to say something.
But now wasn't the time to think about Tracey's pain in the ass pseudo little brother. They had a few things they needed to figure out now that their feelings were out in the open.
"So, what do we do about these feelings?" Misty asked.
Tracey was quiet for a long moment, hesitating, though Misty could see the thoughts churning in his head. "It's a lot to risk," he finally said.
"Is it?"
"There's a lot to lose if it goes wrong."
"And a lot to gain if it goes well," Misty returned. "I'm not asking you to marry me, Tracey. I'm not even asking you to kiss me, but if we feel the same, then why not try a date and see how we feel about it then?"
Tracey was quiet again before nodding thoughtfully. "I'd like that," he admitted.
A grin spread across Misty's face. "Me too."
A brief quiet fell between them with that decision made. It wasn't quite uncomfortable or awkward, but they stood for a moment, staring at each other, each unsure of who should make the next move.
Fortunately Tracey spoke up before it could turn awkward.
"One question before we talk dates," he asked.
"Yes?"
"Can I?"
Misty blinked. "Can you…?"
Tracey's cheeks turned rather pink, but when he spoke, it was with a soft confidence that she usually saw when he was interacting with pokemon. "Kiss you."
If it was anyone else, she would have asked for the date first. But this was Tracey, and there were remarkably few people she trusted like she trusted him. She smiled and replied with a soft, "yes."
What a smile that answer brought to his face. Misty's heart fluttered as he stepped closer and inclined his head towards hers. Chocolate eyes slid closed and Misty reached out to cup his jaw, closing her eyes as she closed the final distance between them. His lips were soft against hers, gentle as could be.
It was over far too soon.
"When did you want to do that date?" Tracey whispered.
"How about tomorrow, when it's not raining?" Misty whispered back.
"Lunch or dinner?"
"Lunch." She had a few battles in the morning but the rest of her day was open, mostly for League paperwork that could wait a few more days to be finished.
Tracey's resulting smile was utterly radiant and Misty couldn't help but return it. "I'll pick you up at noon," he promised.
"Sounds perfect." Misty leaned in to press a quick kiss to lips that had no business being that soft.