"Wasn't it you who asked me why you couldn't be my best friend and my girlfriend at the same time? Well, now I’m asking, why can’t I be your boyfriend and your…. lover?” Ash asked shyly.

“Oh Ash…….. I….. I just don’t want you getting hurt. I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you.”

“But Misty I just feel like…… I don’t know how I feel. I’m just……..” Ash had trouble finding the words. He pulled himself halfway out of Misty bikini bottom so that he could look her square in the eyes. Misty was no longer leaning back, soaking up rays, but now sitting up staring at him. He shivered, even though it was a fairly warm day exiting from Misty’s bikini was like stepping out of a sauna, “I just feel like……. What good am I as a boyfriend if I can’t even touch my girl intimately without her fearing for my life? I want to do something for you Misty, after everything you’ve done for me since I shrank and even before that but-”

“You don’t have to do anything for me Ash.” Misty cut him off quietly, “Just being with me is enough. I enjoy your company, and that’s enough. Just because you’re my boyfriend doesn’t mean you have to try and satisfy all my urges.”

“Yeah but I want too.” Ash said stubbornly, “I want to wake up next to you instead of in your shoe. To feel your skin pressed against mine during the night instead of your sock. It… just isn’t fair.” Ash complained stubbornly

Misty nodded sadly, “I want those things too, but it would be selfish of me to put you at risk.”

“Misty………..” There was a lot of sadness in that word.

“Ash….” She gently plucked him from her bikini bottom, he didn’t resist. She could see him shivering now that his naked body had been fully exposed to the outside world. She cupped her hands and brought him to her face. She gently blew on him, trying to warm him up.

“Thanks Misty.” Ash mumbled, he was struck by a wave of doubt and self loathing that he just couldn’t keep up. He didn’t deserve Misty, “I…. you wouldn’t be selfish wanting something more. You were right to use those shrinkees because I couldn’t satisfy you. I shouldn’t have stopped you. I just feel like I’m inadequate and-”

Misty’s fingers wrapped around him firmly as she now gripped him in one hand. Her grip wasn’t tight, it wasn’t even uncomfortable, but there was more force behind it than usual “Now you listen to me Ash Ketchum.” Misty’s voice was rising, the people around her were now starting to get more than a little annoyed at her sudden and frequent outbursts but Misty didn’t care, “Listen very carefully,” She continued authoritatively, “I…… Love… You…. I love you, and I always will. Even if you shrank another inch, even if went deaf and blind, even if we never were to make love again, even if you woke up one morning and decided you hated me, even if you decided you wanted to be with someone else, I will ALWAYS love you. And that’s not going to change just because I get a little horny now and then.” Misty’s voice wavered a little, Ash could hear the truth in her words, “And don’t even worry about the shrinkees. Yeah, I’d like them, but I don’t love them. And I certainly don’t need them. Your touch alone for me does more then what twelve shrinkees stuffed in my sex could do.”

“Misty…..”

“I’m not finished. Ash I’ve known you a long time. Ever since you first mangled my bike…… which you didn’t pay me back for by the way.” Misty pointed out, a slight smile on her lips, Ash had to laugh, “We’ve been through thick and thin together and I wouldn’t have it any other way. If I could change something about my past it would have been meeting you sooner. You’re not just my boyfriend but my closest bud. You’re my two favorite people rolled up into one. I need you Ash, and there is NOTHING inadequate about you. Don’t you ever let me catch you saying that again or I’ll eat you!” Ash laughed weakly, relieved by Misty’s words but still feeling drained. The self loathing, that new and horrible weight on his shoulders, had been lifted, “Thank you Misty, I needed to hear that…. I love you too. I just wish….” Ash’s voice trailed.

“Well….” Misty started nervously after a moment’s time, “Maybe we can… take it slow.”

Ash looked up, “Really?”

Misty hesitated then nodded jerkily, “Y- yeah, not like we did our first few times but….. Let’s just take it slow and see what happens.”

Ash smiled.

“Don’t get me wrong Ketchum!” Misty warned, “If I think you might get hurt or things are getting too heated I’m going to end things right there! And I can’t let you sleep with me, I might roll over. You’re still going to need to sleep somewhere safe when were done.”

Ash smile lessened but it still remained, he nodded his consent, it was a start.

“Good, well, you wanna go for a dip with me… honey?”

“I’d love to……….. Mistyzilla.”

Misty snorted, “Well, that’s better than your other pet names. I’ll keep it.” she joked. Smiling, the two young love birds made their way to the pool much to the relief of sun bathers in the immediate vicinity.

……………………………………………

“Oh, hi Daisy.” Casey waved lazily from her bed as Daisy entered her room. Lying next to her on a pillow with her arm wrapped around him (resting his head against her armpit) was Brad. Daisy smiled, it was quite cute, like a couple snuggling at a movie theatre except the roles were reversed with the girls arm around the guy, and of course Brad was much smaller than normal.

“What’re you two up to?”

“We’re just watching a movie.” Casey pointed to the screen.

“Casey……. Have you been crying? Your eyes are a little red.” Daisy asked her worriedly.

“No I have not been crying and I resent you saying so.” Casey snapped

Brad patted her arm reassuringly, “It’s okay Casey, no reason to get moody.” He’d spent a good amount of time calming Casey down and explaining, though rather poorly, what might be happening to her body. He didn’t want her to lose her temper again so soon afterwards.

“You’re right.” Casey looked up, “Sorry about that.”

“It’s fine.” Daisy responded softly.

“I…… yeah, I was crying a little.” Casey confessed, though it hurt her to admit it.

“Oh…….. Well, do you want me to give you two some time alone?”

“You can… er…. Stay and watch the movie with us if you want. I’ll scoot over some and make room for you… but I don’t think you’ll like it very much. We’ve seen it already, Brad took me to see it when it first came out, it’s pretty bloody and a few pokemon die. And later on a trainer gets maimed trying to collar a Growlithe.”

“That’s terrible! You really shouldn’t watch things like that. Wouldn’t you prefer a romance or a comedy?” Daisy asked.

“A romance?” Casey snorted, Brad chuckled at the look of horror on her face, “Yeah, if I was some dainty pink wearing ninny who liked babbling about boys and ‘sharing’ my feelings.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way Casey. I think one day you’ll meet a nice boy and change your mind.”

Casey sneered, “I doubt it….. But I suppose anything’s possible. If I do I’ll have to get rid of this one?” Casey pointed her thumb towards Brad.

“G- get rid of him?” Delia asked, a note of worry entering her voice.

“Well yeah, my husband won’t want him scurrying about. I’ll just have to make a Brad kabob.”

“Could you really do that?” Daisy asked horrified.

“Oh yeah, definitely! I’m pretty good cook when it comes to barbequing! I’d just need some skewers, some Mirutanku beef, a couple beggies, some hot sauce, Brad-”

“You, you’d really eat him? I thought you two were close?” Daisy was completely shocked.

“Well, I have gotten a little softer lately and he is like a big brother to me.” Casey admitted, “Maybe I’ll just snort him up my nose and let him live out the rest of his days among my buggers. It’s better than dying…… I think.”

Brad gave her a companionly pat on her pit, “a truer friend I’ve never had.”

“Ah, thanks Brad. If I ever do get the hankering for a Brad kabob I’ll promise you this…. I won’t hit any vital organs. I’ll be extra careful when impaling you.”

“You’re too good to me Casey.” Brad responded mock graciously.

“I think I’m going to be sick!” Delia rushed from the room and, a few seconds later, the two burst out laughing. Casey sighed, she suddenly felt a lot better.