More Than Partners


"Alright, Lucario!" Ash cheered. His pokemon was had defeated yet another opponent and the battle was awesome. Lucario was a sight to behold ever since he had evolved from a Riolu. In fact, as Ash locked eyes with the pokemon looking over his shoulder, he couldn't help but blush a little. The smile Lucario flashed him always made his day and he tried to replicate it through his warm cheeks. Lucario didn't look like he noticed Ash's flustered expression as he returned to his trainer's side.


Pretty soon, Ash and his pokemon were heading back to camp, but the trainer had a lot on his mind. He couldn't get that image of Lucario staring at him from the battlefield. Looking back on it now, Ash noticed that Lucario had stood stoic and proud. He always appreciated  how Lucario stood with his arms to his side. They looked relaxed, but ready for a fight at the same time. Lucario always carried himself like that, even his legs were always spread in a fighting stance most of the time. As Ash recalled the way Lucario looked after the battle, he started to notice things about his new pokemon. Not only the way his arms and legs looked as he stood, but also the muscles of his broad shoulders and the muscles oh Lucario's back and legs that all centered around that big, round-


Ash's eyes widened at the sudden realization that he was attracted to his Lucario. He was so stunned by this discovery that he didn't notice he had stopped walking and Pikachu voiced concern. "Pika?"


"Oh, I'm okay. Just thinking about what to do now." Ash said as he pet the Pikachu sitting on his shoulder. He didn't want his trusty sidekick to worry about his feelings, even if he wasn't sure what to do about them either. 
Lucario didn't look concerned in the slightest, but that was to be expected. Through their travels together, Ash had noticed that Lucario was comfortable with moving at the trainer's pace. He would stop whenever Ash stopped and run alongside him unless to otherwise. There was a level of trust there because Lucario was completely confident that Ash always knew what he was doing. 


Trust. That's right. Their relationship was built on a foundation of trust and that's why they were such good friends. After all, it was Lucario's strong friendship with Ash that caused him to evolve. With that thought in mind, Ash knew his feels for the Lucario went much deeper than physical attraction. He was in love with the pokemon. Ash looked at Pikachu as he kept walking. He had never felt this way about a pokemon in all his years as a trainer. Even Pikachu, his longest partner and right-hand pokemon, was more like a friend than romantic interest.  Of course, Ash had gotten Pikachu when he was a kid. But now he was an adult and Lucario was the closest pokemon he had bonded with since he turned 18. Ash had to chuckle at that thought. After all, he had loved pokemon for so long so it only made since that'd he'd fall for one sooner or later. Still, Ash knew he had to express these feelings to the pokemon he'd been thinking about all day, he just needed the right time. 


A few hours later Ash sat near the burning campfire next to Lucario. All of the other memebers of the team had gone to sleep and now was the perfect time for Ash to confess his feelings. Unfortunately, he had been thinking about this for a while and still didn't know what to say. He glanced at Lucario who looked happy, like he always was whenever Ash was near him. Ash knew that his confession would change their relationship one way or another, but he also knew that he wouldn't be a great trainer or friend to Lucario if he kept his feelings to himself. In fact, not telling Lucario now would likely make things way worse between them in the long run. 


"Here goes nothing." Ash said softly to himself with an exhale. He then turned his attention to Lucario. "Hey uh, Lucario?"


"Yes, Master?" Lucario asked. Most Pokemon didn't speak human languages but Lucario used telepathy to communicate with others. However, he had assured Ash that he would never use his telepathy unless granted permission.


"There's something I've been needing to tell you." Ash said. He was still a little nervous about this whole situation. 


"I know." Lucario said.


"You do?" Ash said in surprise. 


"Yes I've...sensed your increased heartrate all day." Lucario admitted. Ash noticed a blush start to form on the pokemon's cheeks. "I hope it's not bad news."


"What? Oh no, it's nothing like that." Ash said as he comically waived his hands around. A drop of sweat appeared on the side of his face at Lucario's misunderstanding.


"Then, what is it?" Lucario asked. 


"Well it's...uh hehe." Ash stammered. He was trying to figure out his next move, as he chuckled nervously. But, when he looked into Lucario's sincere eyes, Ash took both of the pokemon's paws into his hands. 


"I think I'm...falling in love with you." Ash said finally. Now that it was all out in the open, time seemed to stand still. Trainer and pokemon had their eyes locked together and Ash could see that Lucario was processing the information. They stayed like that for more than a few seconds and Ash started to have second thoughts about coming out like that. But then, faster than Ash had seen any pokemon move before, he was held in a tight hug by his Lucario. 


"I'm so happy to hear you say that." Lucario said. He then looked at Ash once more, unashamed of the tears streaming down his face. "Because...I love you too." 


With that, Lucario's lips connected with Ash's in a deep and passionate kiss. The fire continued to crackle on through the kiss, but all Ash could think about was how this was the best night of his life.