Ash' POV

When leaving work on the Friday night, I'd asked Serena, 'What's the dress code for tomorrow then?'. To which she'd replied, 'Formal... So, I expect you suited up Ketchum.'

Hence my current predicament.

I didn't own a fucking suit. Sure, I had shirts and ties. It was what that entirety of my work uniform consisted of. But a full blown suit? Nope.

So, when Saturday morning rolled around, a time I had specifically been looking forward to spending in bed, I had to head into town to buy one.

I'd decided I was going to splash out the extra mile. It was my first suit afterall. And it was for a particularly special occasion.

I'd had to Google where in town I could actually buy one, and I was rather alarmed that the answer to that question was about twenty different places. I'd opted for a small, independent tailor- always being one to support local businesses.

"Cassie's" turned out to be an old family run business, and the Granddaughter (who I'd learned was currently taking my measurements), would be completely taking it over soon.

They'd presented me with three options. One navy blue, one grey, and one black.

They were the closest to my size, which in turn meant least alterations (given I only had a few hours spare before I would be wearing said suit).

Out of the three, the grey one fit my taste.

And as the Granddaughter (who's name i didn't actually catch), was making minor adjustments to the length of the leg, she spoke to me.

"It's Ash... right?"

"Yes."

I looked at her properly, trying to catch a memory of knowing her. But she broke my train of thought.

"You probably won't remember me... You were a few years ahead of me... We only spoke a hand full of times."

All I could summon was a simple, "Oh."

"Y'know... it's funny."

"What is?"

"You being here... And looking perfectly ordinary."

"That may be the weirdest compliment I've ever received."

"No... It's just, I heard so many rumours about you."

I chuckled, "I can assure you, majority of them were probably true."

"Well one of them certainly isn't."

"And which one would that be?"

"God, must be about six years back now... Can't remember who mentioned it... And please don't think me morbid... But people were genuinely saying that you were dead."

"Funny you say that... I actually heard that one."

"A slight exaggeration then?"

"More like, getting their information mixed up."

"What do you mean?"

"It was my friend who died."

"Oh... I'm sorry."

"Yeah... I'm sorry too."

So, dinner.

Three hours in

"I did not purposefully choose my dress to match your tie."

"You definitely did."

She was laughing in between sips from her champagne glass. A noise so warming, you couldn't help but smile at.

"It's a Christmas banquet Ash... Red... Christmas... Y'know."

She'd opted for a red satin dress. It seemed to have silver woven within the fabric, and it glittered against the fairy lights of the party.

Literally, the walking definition of a princess really.

She added, "Besides... Maybe you chose the tie to coordinate with me."

I chuckled, "Maybe I did."

"Is that an admission of guilt?"

"It's an admission to the possibility of guilt."

"That literally makes no sense."

I shrugged, "Sure it does."

"I see nothing has changed in that regard then."

"In what regard?"

"You still always have to get your own way."

"I think everyone always tries to get their own way... If you always followed someone else, then nothing you did would be for yourself."

"That maybe true... But most people have a give and take approach... Sometimes they fight for their way... Other times they settle, and go with someone elses."

"I never settle."

"Exactly!"

"I believe I'm in check mate here Miss Yvonne."

She looked smug. And I have to admit, it suited her a ridiculous amount.

Four hours in

"Miss Yvonne... How wonderful to see you this evening... You're looking beautiful."

This was the sixth pompous dickhead that had greeted Serena this evening. And the fourth to kiss her hand in greeting.

Like the other times, she smiled politely, and anyone who knew her properly would have been able to see how fake it was from a mile off.

"It's lovely to see you too Sir... Have you met my date?"

She pulled me into the conversation, her hand lingering on my forearm.

"This is Ash Ketchum, Mr Rockfellow."

I raised my brow, not even trying to hide my discontent. I watched his hand rise to shake mine, and I purposefully made no such effort to do so.

He glanced between the look on my face, and the look on Serena's before accepting,

"I'll leave you two to your evening... I hope you have a wonderful Christmas."

She turned to me as soon as he was out of earshot.

"You could at least pretend to be polite."

"Cummon Se... The bloke was practically drooling over you."

She was teasing, "Are you jealous?"

"Would it be a bad thing if I was?"

She ran a finger up the forearm her hand still resided on, "I can take care of myself you know."

"I guarantee I could take care of you better though."

Serena's POV

Okay, maybe I was lost amongst the Christmas magic. Assuming it's a real thing that is.

But being there with him was easy. Far too easy.

The conversation was interesting. He challenged me, but on a surpriskngly intellectual level. He hung on every word I said to him. Listening intently. He looked at me like I was the only person in the room. As if everything else had dissolved away, and we were the only two left.

He was smirking that fucking smirk of his, and my already champagne flushed cheeks got the faintest bit darker.

He was a storm in my tranquil life. And the way he was making me feel made me want to abandon the entire plan.

To let the storm swallow me.

"Do you want to dance?"

He raised a brow at me, "Dance?"

"I'm pretty sure that's what I said."

"Do I look like I enjoy dancing?"

"Perhaps in the male-stripping category."

He clicked his tonge on the side of his mouth, and the smile that followed made my stomach flutter.

"Are there any other fantasies of yours that I should be made aware of?"

He took my hand then, leading me amongst the crowd of couples already dancing to the slow melodic music.

And when his hands rested gently on my waist, I replied,
"None that you'll be able to handle."

I swear his eyes darkened, but I kept as composed as humanly possible while your heart feels like its going to burst through your chest cavity.

"Oh, I think you're sadly underestimating me."

Ash' POV

I forgot about the fact I hated to dance approximately ten seconds after she placed her arms around my neck.

And when she looked up at me from her tiny stature, I'd forgotten about most of the darkness plaguing my life.

I could just say hear her voice over the music,

"I thought you said you couldn't dance."

I pulled her tighter against my chest to speak into her ear,

"I think you'll find I said I didn't enjoy dancing... I never said I couldn't."

I could feel her heartbeat through my shirt.

"There you go surprising me again."

"How's one more?"

"What do you mean?"

And maybe it was going to be the cheesiest thing I'd ever done. But I would be a fool to pass up on an opportunity that had presented itself so perfectly.

But I was still mentally cringing when I said it.

"Look up."

She raised an eyebrow at me, but her eyes followed the length of my face and then above my head.

"Mistletoe."

"Mistletoe."

She giggled then, "Was it physically painful to say that?"

I joined her, "Hardest thing I've ever said with a straight face."

"Who'd have thought Ash Ketchum could be so romantic?"

"Don't get used to it Princess... I'm a dickhead at heart."

She leaned in. "Oh, I'm fully aware."

I mirrored her. "Is that so?"

"Completely."

A breath away.

"Then why are you going to kiss me?"

"I'm an idiot."

She brushed her lips over mine, so gently they were barley there at all. And then she looked into my eyes. Waiting for my response. Testing to see if I'd act next.

So I leaned back in. The gentleness lasted all of five seconds, before she deepened it. It was a kiss like I was trying to rob her of air, pressing her into me. She gripped the side my neck, and the grip I had on her waist only tightened, the fabric of her dress scrunching beneath my palm.

My whole body felt on fire. It was coursing through me. And my willingness to control myself was quickly falling through the cracks.

It took every ounce of willpower I possessed to part us. My hand automatically reaching to cup her cheek. Her lipstick was smudged slightly on her bottom lip, and my thumb absently trailed along it.

"I'll break your heart."

"Yeah?... Well, what if I break yours?"