"Well, this is where I live" -Sequel
As asked by pok3n, here's a sequel to the prompt I was given some time ago. Sorry it took so long!
"I have to say, you really picked a winner with this place, Ash", Misty exclaimed. "Right by the mall, close to tons of little boutiques and restaurants, short walk to the magnet train, it's prime!".
"I thought so, too. It's not exactly cheap, but could be so much worse. And I come here enough where it's worth it to me", Ash explained.
The two had just finished their afternoon in the city of Goldenrod. After lunch, Ash treated Misty to a shopping experience, an offer which she was not about to pass up. They were now in the elevator, returning to Ash's condo. Ash carried a couple bags of various purchases, (most of which were Misty's), while Misty herself carried a smaller bag. When the elevator reached the room, they entered and put the bags down by the door.
"Has Delia seen this place yet? Or anyone else?", Misty asked, sliding the bags over so they wouldn't trip anyone going in or out.
"No, she's only seen pictures. She hasn't been to any of my places. I think you're the first to come to this one. Usually when I'm seeing people, I go to their places, not the other way around", Ash answered.
"Ohh, so what you're saying is, I'm super special?", Misty asked. Ash chuckled.
"Yeah, you're special alright", Ash retorted. The punch that came afterwards, he felt, was at least somewhat deserved. "So then, what now?"
Misty walked further into the condo, just to the left of the stairs. She looked around.
"I think I want to appreciate your place more. It's still blowing my mind that you have this", Misty said.
"And it's blowing my mind that you're so easily stunned by all of this", Ash said back. Misty ignored this and laid down on the shag carpet. The setting sun was shining through the patio windows and on to her. The sun's rays and carpet fibers felt great on her bare legs and lower back.
Not as good as Ash's hands would feel on them though.
Wait, what?
Misty immediately shook her head, trying to get that thought out. As she did, she turned to her right and saw a large metal box that was hidden under a table behind the couch. There was a digital screen that showed a temperature. Next to it was a wooden rack, with different types of glassware positioned carefully on it. Some hung upside-down from their stems in little rafters, while other, stemless glassware sat on shelves.
"You have a wine cooler?", Misty asked, though it came out more as a groan. Of COURSE Ash had one here.
"Yeah, for guests. Want some?", Ash asked, walking towards it. He pulled two wine glasses off the mini rack and then opened the cooler. He looked through it for a brief moment and then pulled out a large bottle. "Think you'll like this one. I can't say I'm a big wine connoisseur, but I do know this is a good brand".
He grabbed a white towel from the rack and carefully popped the top of the wine bottle with it. Misty just laid there on the ground, absentmindedly twirling the shag carpet strands with her fingers, as Ash poured some wine into the two glasses. When he finished, he placed the wine bottle on the table above the cooler and handed Misty one of the glasses. She sat up and took it.
"Cheers", Ash said with a smile. The two lightly clanked the glasses together. Ash took a sip and stood up, making his way to the kitchen. Misty waited a moment before taking her sip. She swallowed, and waited.
...You gotta be kidding me.
While she wouldn't call herself an expert on the matter, Misty fancied herself as someone who knew her wine. She knew this wine. Pinot Noir. And he was right, she did like it.
Since when did Ash know wine!?
The last time she had a conversation with Ash about wine, they were young teens. Ash thought the only difference between red and white wine was the color; as dense an answer as she would have expected. What happened since then? When did Ash become such an expert?
Why was this making her want to pounce on him!?
She shook her head again and took another (larger) sip of wine. Damn her "thirst"!
"You alright? Is it not to your liking?", Ash asked. Misty snapped out of it and looked up. Ash stood above her, carrying a wooden tray and looking at her with some concern. She shook her head and stood up.
"What? No, no! It's fine, better than fine actually. What's that?", Misty asked, trying to change the subject quickly.
"Oh, just cheese and crackers. Sharp Cheddar, pairs with the Pinot Noir well. I'd put out a red meat, but this place doesn't have a lot of food and we just ate, so this should work", Ash said, putting the tray on the table beside them.
He knew wine pairings, too!?
Misty felt her body temperature go up. She only had a couple sips and she had plenty to eat at lunch; she knew it couldn't be the alcohol. What was making her so flushed? What a dumb question, of course she knew what it was. It was Ash, suddenly being an adult, a man! Her man, who she wanted!
Another sip.
"So, how is it? Johto is more known for their saki, but they have a nice wine shop in town. That's straight from Kalos, I figured it was more your style", Ash explained. Misty paused.
"Wine...from Kalos?", Misty responded. Ash nodded.
"Yeah!", Ash answered, taking a sip from his own glass. Misty looked to the bottle on the table, next to the cheese platter. She recognized the logo, it was one of the best wines to come out of Kalos; one of her absolute favorites.
Kalos, the region of wine and romance. And Ash knew she'd like it. The condo, the interior decorating, the wine; Ash was so much more mature than she thought. This was a whole new side of him that she never saw before.
"I want you so bad", Misty shuddered under her breath, her voice muffled by the glass.
"What was that?", Ash asked.
"I'D LIKE SOME CHEESE!", she suddenly blurted out, much louder than she anticipated. Ash stood back in shock while Misty placed her glass down on the table in a rush and grabbed some cheese. She plopped a small chunk in her mouth and chewed, her nerves getting the best of her.
"Uhm...Misty...you uh...y-you doing ok?", Ash asked. She acted a little odd earlier when she first saw the condo, but he figured it was just shock. Now however, she was acting far stranger than normal; even for her.
"W-Why do you ask!?", Misty asked back, her mouth filled with cheese and crackers. She swallowed and grabbed more.
"Well, your sudden addiction to dairy products aside, you're acting a bit funny", Ash replied.
"Funny!? Me!? Noooo! Don't be foolish! I'm fine, I'm fine, I'mnotfine", Misty exclaimed. The end of her sentence was rushed and quieter than the rest of it. She took a swig of wine. Ash sighed.
"Ok, how about you just lay down and rest then, huh?", Ash said, taking the glass from her and gently walking her over to the couch. "Vicky, play outdoor ambience". A soft ding was heard from the corner of the condo.
"Playing outdoor ambience", a female robotic voice replied. Suddenly, the sound of a steady rainfall echoed throughout the room. Misty stopped.
"What was that?", Misty asked aloud and in shock. Ash tried coaxing her to the couch, but to no avail. He sighed lightly.
"I have a 'Vicky', it's a smart home feature. It plays music through my speakers throughout the place. I use this to help me sleep sometimes", Ash replied.
"Your condo's nicely decorated and smart!?", Misty said out loud.
"Is it really any more surprising than anything else here?", Ash asked, still amazed at how impressed Misty was over his design tastes.
"But, why rain?", Misty asked. Ash sighed, he was trying to get her to lie down, but she was too easily distracted.
"Because it helps me relax. Reminds me of traveling. Rain helps you sleep too, so I figured you'd like it", Ash replied.
"...you remember?", Misty asked. There was a moment of pause.
"What? Yeah, of course I remember. We traveled for years together. You loved listening to the rain outside when we were little. This sound reminded me of you, that's why I downloaded it, Mist", Ash replied. There was a longer pause. The only sound came from the fake rain.
Ok, that was it.
Before she knew it, Misty threw herself into Ash, her lips planted firmly on his. Ash stood back in shock, almost losing his balance. Misty moaned, wrapping her hands around his head and kissing more. Ash could do nothing but stand there as she kissed more passionately.
She didn't know what she was doing, but it felt waaay too good to stop now. But she was running out of breath, and eventually had to pull away. She was breathing heavily and her face was as red as the Pinot Noir. She huffed, released Ash, and started walking towards the stairs.
"I, you, that, w-wait! Misty!? Wh-what was that!? What's going on!?", Ash asked, short of breath. Misty rushed up the stairs, and from where he was standing, Ash could hear her jump on the bed.
"ASH KETCHUM, IF YOU DON'T COME UP HERE AND MAKE OUT WITH ME RIGHT NOW, SO HELP ME ARCEUS, YOU'RE A DEAD MAN!", Misty yelled. Ash stood there, trying (and failing) to comprehend what had just happened.
"...I'm so lost", Ash said to himself.
"I'M WAITING!", Misty yelled. Ash took a moment to think it over...but then shrugged, smiled, and rushed up the stairs.
I'm sorry it took so long! I hope this is to your liking, pok3n! And to anyone else reading, if you'd like, I have other stories you can read on here. Later!
