#Dex taking the approach of ''What reality are you experiencing right now?'' and trying to build from there!

[bitterling]

Pokemon Sun and Moon

Kiawe/Ash, very slowly

100% PG, SFW, etc.

Some spoilers for 2nd season SuMo - I tried to keep it vague but they're still there

ao3 version -> link <-

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We're the Last to Know

CHAPTER ONE

After all the recent events, the simple act of making deliveries was incredibly soothing. Ultra Beasts,  Ultra Guardians, wormholes, Ultra dimensions, Solgaleo and Lunala, the Blinding One… whenever he tried to consider everything that happened a part of him balked at how overwhelming it all was. This, though, this he knew – soaring above Alola on the back of his Charizard, the building warmth of another beautiful sunrise bathing him in golden light, familiar sounds and sights calming and centering him. The leathery rasp of Charizard’s wings as they sliced through the air, the occasional wet slosh of the Moomoo milk shifting in their bottles, the distant cries of Wingull as the Pokémon, too, began a new day.

His last stop was on Melemele Island, as usual, and afterwards he’d go to the Pokémon School. But for now he was content to set every responsibility and concern aside, to lean back and feel the warm breeze, wet from the sprawling ocean below, and to delight in the simplicity of the moment.

A short-lived simplicity, as always. A piercing cry from below snapped him back to reality and he urged Charizard a little lower, scanning as he tried to locate the source. He was almost above Melemele Island’s shores before he finally saw what was causing the commotion, and he couldn’t help but laugh, the sound shredded by the wind. Of course it was Ash. Lycanroc and Torracat were training on the shore, Ash and Pikachu standing to the side, and he watched as professor Kukui walked out towards them, mouth open as he called something Kiawe couldn’t hear. Ash turned to the professor and waved an acknowledgement, then turned back to call to Lycanroc and Torracat, Rowlet swooping in and perching comfortably on his shoulder. Kiawe urged Charizard to land but didn’t call out, a little curious when Ash would notice.

But Ash was clearly distracted and Charizard landed on the beach without the other boy noticing, any sound his bulk might make softened by the warm sand. Kukui smiled at him from the front porch, finally causing Ash to turn, his puzzled expression quickly transforming into a huge smile as he waved. “Alola, Kiawe!”

“Alola, Ash. Professor.” He hopped off Charizard, stroking its long, warm neck briefly before walking towards them – not that he really needed to, as Ash was already rushing over. “And Alola to you too, Lycanroc, Torracat, Rowlet, and Pikachu.” An assortment of small noises met his greeting as the other Pokémon gathered around Charizard, greeting him as well. Charizard rumbled his approval and even bent down to nuzzle Torracat and Lycanroc, the former falling over sideways at the unintentional strength of his greeting, a grumpy meow the only complaint as Torracat stretched and settled into the warm sand as if it’d been intending to the whole time. 

“Out making deliveries?” Kukui called from the porch, Burnett coming out behind him and waving. Kiawe waved back, then nodded at Kukui’s question.

“Just one more, then I’ll be going to the school.” He reached down to pet Lycanroc as it came up to greet him, smiling at the affection. “Honestly, I’m just happy to be doing something normal today.”

“What, you don’t want every day to be an impossible adventure?” Kukui asked, his smile belying the statement. Kiawe laughed, shaking his head. “I don’t blame you, it’s been a little much. Good to be getting back to basics.”

“Where’s your last delivery?” Ash asked, as enthusiastic as the first day they’d met. It was amazing how this kid never seemed to be at anything less than 100%.

“Mallow’s restaurant, actually.” Ash’s excitement was obvious, so Kiawe decided to beat him to the punch. “Wanna come? We’ll swing around to the school afterwards.”

“Yeah! Oh, wait- is that okay, professor?” Ash turned back to Kukui and Burnett, who each waved him on. Kiawe rolled his eyes – Ash was probably skipping some chore or other to do this, but if they were fine with it he wasn’t going to make a fuss. A distracted Ash was a danger to everyone, so he might as well just take him. “Great! Let’s go, Pikachu, Rotom  Dex!” The latter came flying towards them from inside the house, his display showing a nervous face.

“Wait, I’m coming, I’m coming!” 

Everything was always so much and so noisy when Ash was involved, but the professors seemed to like the situation, and Ash clearly loved being here, so it all worked out. Kiawe hopped up on Charizard first, holding his hand out to pull Ash up behind him, the other boy settling in comfortably. Lycanroc and Torracat stayed where they were, lounging on the beach, while Rowlet frantically rushed over to dive-bomb into Ash’s backpack, letting out a contented little chirp once it was comfortably ensconced. Pikachu hopped up on Ash’s shoulder, firmly braced, and Kiawe urged Charizard to fly.

Ash was amazingly silent while they took flight, Kiawe daring a glance back to see the other boy’s eyes closed, head tipped back like his had been; it made him smile and he faced forward before Ash opened his eyes and noticed. He was in the mood to just exist today, not explain. They made it most of the way to the restaurant before Ash spoke, and by the time it came it startled Kiawe a little bit, just enough to make his hands jump on the reins, but luckily Charizard didn’t react to it. “It’s so beautiful.” A slight pause, punctuated by a gusty sigh. “I didn’t think I’d ever be so grateful for the sun.”

“I know what you mean,” Kiawe admitted readily, because he absolutely did. Growing up on the farm, he’d always appreciated the power of the sunlight and how it applied to growth, how it provided for people and Pokémon alike, but this was a new appreciation, an appreciation simply that the light existed at all, that their world wasn’t cast into an endless shadow. After the Manalo festival, after the people and Pokémon had finally restored the Blinding One’s light, going back home to his family had felt a little strange. They understood, of course, as did all the people of Alola – but it was only the other Ultra Guardians who had experienced it, who he didn’t have to explain things to. They alone had seen what a world without light would become, they alone had seen the Poipole alone remaining, trying to hold onto a world that supported them no longer. They alone had seen what the fate of Alola might have been, and so they alone could appreciate the sunlight for exactly what it meant.

He was grateful when Mallow’s restaurant came into view, wanting to put his contemplations behind him and focus on the day. Charizard circled down slowly, finding an unoccupied area of the street in front of Mallow’s place to safely land, and Kiawe hopped off, Ash only a moment behind him. Without Kiawe needing to say anything Ash started undoing the straps holding the Moomoo milk on his side and, with a slight smile, Kiawe waited for him to pick up the heavy bottle. “Hey, thanks.” Ash grinned up at him, so cheery and bright that it pulled Kiawe right out of his weighty contemplations. 

“Alola, you two!” Mallow’s equally cheery greeting rang out as she approached, Tsareena walking steadily behind her.

“Alola, Mallow.” Kiawe greeted, Ash mumbling the same – apparently the weight of the Moomoo milk was beginning to get to him, so Kiawe rushed forward to hold open the restaurant’s door while Mallow stepped deftly out of the way, letting Ash lumber in and set the heavy bottle down with a big huff. Mallow giggled while Kiawe just grinned, Ash turning to them with a slightly sheepish expression as he rubbed at the back of his head. “How’s business today?”

“Oh, it’s been so hectic ever since the Manalo festival!” She gestured at the restaurant, which did seem fuller than usual for this early. “We even stayed open late last night. Well, my dad did – me and Tsareena were out like a light after everything that happened, weren’t we?” The Pokémon nodded affirmatively, pressing up against Mallow’s hand as she reached out to stroke the hard sepals on Tsareena’s head. “I’m looking forward to going back to school today, aren’t you guys?”

“I know I am,” Kiawe agreed, as Ash nodded fervently.

“Yeah! It’ll be fun.” Mallow met Kiawe’s eyes and they both smiled at Ash’s endless enthusiasm. 

“Well, me and Tsareena are on duty right now, but I’ll see both of you soon!” Mallow waved at them even as she rushed back inside the restaurant, helping her dad pick up the bottle of Moomoo milk and carry it to the back. Kiawe nodded at Ash and climbed up on Charizard’s back once more, Ash hopping on confidently before he could even offer a hand. And just like that they were on their way to school, like so many times before. Every normal thing Kiawe did today comforted him, but it was also a little bit surreal. He almost expected to wake up and find himself back in the shadowed Ultra dimension, or lost within the wormhole. Instead he and Ash were riding Charizard and going to school, just like so many other kids their age had done, were doing, and will do.

As the school came into view, it all began to feel a little more real. He was going to be with his classmates, his friends, and they’d all understand – and professor Kukui understood as well as the Aether Foundation. He was curious if the Poké Center beneath the school had been fully repaired yet, curious if today’s lesson would have anything to do with their adventures, curious if the Ultra Guardians would be called into action yet again. But for now all he could do was urge Charizard to land for a final time, hopping off and watching Ash follow suit, energetic even in dismounting. “Wonder what class is gonna be today,” Ash said, echoing Kiawe’s thoughts. He had a habit of doing that, and it often made Kiawe wonder whether Ash was good at reading him or if they just thought alike. 

“I’m not sure.” He hesitated before continuing, uncertain if he wanted to give so much away – but it wasn’t like when Ash had first come and Kiawe had attempted to keep some distance, now that they’ve been through so much together. “I hope it’s just a normal day. I really want a nice, normal day in Alola.” Ash nodded, surprising him a little.

“Me too. I mean, it’s all been so cool! So exciting!” There, that’s more what he expected from Ash. “But I really like the normal days. I think we could all use a break, don’t you?”

“Yeah,” Kiawe agreed easily, shooting Ash a small smile. Ash, of course, responded with a massive grin. Just like normal – nice and comfortable.

“Alola!” It was Sophocles, Togedemaru held in his left hand as he waved with his right. Lana was with him and waved too, and Kiawe and Ash ran over to them, exchanging greetings. “Professor Kukui just got here, where have you two been?”

“I had deliveries this morning, and Ash helped with the last one at Mallow’s restaurant. She should be on her way soon.” Sophocles nodded, but Lana smiled knowingly at Kiawe, confusing him. What was all that about? He glanced at Ash, but the kid hadn’t noticed, preoccupied with Togedemaru rubbing her face all over Pikachu’s. The little sparks building up between them caused Kiawe to take a half-step back, just in case. He’d had quite enough of getting shocked by their affections, although he was happy that the two Pokémon were so close.

“Let’s go!” That was Lana, looking energetic as always. She pointed dramatically up to their classroom. “Who wants to climb up with me?” Climb? All three of them stared aghast at her until she stuck her tongue out. “Kidding.” Of course. Well, he’d wanted normal – for them, this was perfectly normal.

“Class will be starting soon, though.” Sophocles pointed out. “Let’s go. Just… the normal way.” Ash laughed while Kiawe nodded, and the four of them set off. Lillie was already in the classroom by the time they got in and waved, Snowy calling a soft greeting to them that the group returned. Mallow rushed in next, looking around frantically for professor Kukui before breathing a big sigh of relief and settling into her seat.

“I was so sure I’d be late today,” she admitted, closing her eyes and leaning back in the seat. “The orders wouldn’t stop coming.”

“That’s good news, though.” Kiawe said. “Your family restaurant is great and everyone knows it.” She opened her eyes to smile appreciatively at him, while their friends all chimed in with their support.

“Thanks, you’re right. And I love seeing all those happy faces!” She seemed to remember something, pulling a cookie out of her front pocket and offering it to Tsareena, who took it eagerly. “I kinda forgot to eat breakfast, though. I was too busy cooking.” 

“Oh, well I have a really big lunch today.” Ash took off his backpack, gently reaching in beside the ever-sleeping Rowlet. “Here, you can have some. It’s no fun being hungry.” He handed her several different berries, all brightly colored and fragrant, and the rest of them chipped in with parts of their lunch.

“Manalo!” That was Lillie, and all of them looked around at each other before smiling, then laughing, at how perfect it was. The day after the Manalo festival, after everything that’d happened, and here they were, sharing again. It was perfect.

Mallow looked so happy as she ate one of the berries, giving another to Tsareena, and it was then that professor Kukui walked in. “Alola, class!”

“Alola, professor!” All six of them replied, Mallow’s somewhat muffled by the berry in her mouth. 

“I figured it’d be a good time to get back to basics, so how about some field work? We’ll be observing Pokémon in small groups today, and all of us can settle back into our routine, that sound good?” Once again all six of them replied with different affirmative statements, though Ash just shouted in excitement. That was an affirmative statement coming from Ash, though. He looked around at his classmates and caught himself smiling just as broadly as Ash usually does, thinking about how happy he was to be here with them right now. Today was going to be a good day.

#pokemon #pkmn sumo #pkmn sun and moon #ash x kiawe #pokemon kiawe #next chapter will be the school day but i got excited #and wanted to post this alone