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Ash loved Alola.
He loved every region he went to, but this place was just so different to the rest of them. Obviously there were no gyms and he wasn’t travelling as much, but that also made it so amazing. He relaxed, and he wouldn’t believe it if someone, even Brock, told him he would be settled with Professor Kukui and Burnet, Pikachu, and Lei! He’s an older brother!
It felt weird at first, he was so used to moving quickly from one place to another that staying at home and having the same routines was a little off putting. He wouldn’t change it for the world. Professor Kukui’s house was his home and he loved it! He even got Team Rocket to help when he accidentally flooded it, he was glad to see the floors all fixed.
He also appreciated the warm weather. It was rarely cold in Alola, he could eat as many popsicles as he wanted whenever he wanted! His mom always told him that he shouldn’t really be eating too many of them, and it was weird to do so in cold weather. Why not? He never really cared about the weather anyways.
Ash was sitting outside on the beach, red popsicle in hand and a very familiar weight on his shoulder. “No buddy, you can’t just put ketchup on a popsicle just because they’re both the same colour!”
Sure sure. Pikachu scoffed.
“You wouldn’t put guacamole on a green one would you?” he asked. Pikachu groaned, losing the ‘argument’ the two were having.
I wouldn’t eat a green popsicle anyways.
“Yeah, the red ones are the best.” Ash said, holding his up. “I really wanted a popsicle that day.” his words hung in the air, Pikachu didn’t know how to respond. They both knew what day Ash was referring to, that was terrifying for both of them.
I’m not surprised your first thought was about popsicles.
Ash laughed, “For some reason, me neither. I dunno, I just really wanted one. It’s kinda hard to see popsicles the same now.” his smile saddened, “But I survived anyways.”
You shouldn’t have had to survive anything. Tell the gods to leave you alone for a bit.
“Eh, I think they have for now.“ Ash replied, licking the popsicle. “Do you reckon Ziz is okay?” Pikachu’s ears perked up.
The green haired one? I think you told me about them.
“Of course! I tell you everything, don't I?" Pikachu nodded. "But yeah. They helped me a lot, y’know maybe they would like the green popsicles. Matches their hair.” he smiled.
Mmmmm. I hope Ziz doesn’t put guacamole on their popsicles though. Pikachu said.
“Nah, I don’t think so. After the incident, Bloom would give me a popsicle every now and then during our meetings.” Ash said grinning. “Professor Kukui got worried whenever I was just a little more ‘hyper’ than usual.” he said, doing the little finger quotations when he spoke the word hyper.
Pikapi, the professors are here. Pikachu said, pointing to the two figures walking towards them.
“Professor Burnet, Professor Kukui! Hi.” Ash greeted. Burnet really loved this kid. His voice lowered, “Hi Lei.” baby Lei was in Burnet’s arms, luckily sound asleep.
“You alright Keiki? Been out here a while.” Kukui said.
“Mhm!” Ash nodded, “Just talking to Pikachu.”
“Right.” Kukui said, at this point he accepted that Ash and Pikachu could just casually have a conversation together despite Pikachu, well, being a pikachu who could only speak in variations of its own name. “What were you talking about?”
Guacamole on popsicles. Pikachu snorted, earning a funny look from Ash.
“Sure, buddy. Guacamole on popsicles.” he replied. Kukui made a face and Burnet looked up from Lei, a concerned look on hers.
“Guacamole? On a popsicle?” he cringed. “Thank tapu, we don't have any avocado in the house.” Kukui said light-heartedly, although Ash was pretty sure he was being serious about being grateful for the lack of avocado in his reach.
“Have you tried it before?” Burnet asked genuinely.
“Nope! I dunno if I ever will.” Ash said, taking another lick of his popsicle.
I hope you never will. Ash rolled his eyes.
“Let’s see if Anela has any avocado tomorrow after school.” Ash said, a horrified expression flashed across Kukui and Pikachu’s faces.
“Don’t you have training with Kiawe?” the professor asked.
“Oh yeah.” Ash said. “Some other time then,” he mumbled.
Brock would be disappointed. Pikachu said, shaking its head.
“Hey! I’m sure he’d be disappointed if I told him you tried to put ketchup on mine.” he retorted.
“Oh dear Pikachu!” Burnet laughed.
“Don’t think I forgot about the massive ketchup stain at the back of the couch.” Kukui said. Pikachu chuckled nervously.
“Buddy!” Ash scolded, no weight to his words. “How’d you manage that? Wait. How did you even move the couch? What were you even doing?” Pikachu decided not to answer any of those.
“Keiki, you flooded the house trying to use a washing machine.” Kukui said.
“Ku,” Burnet started, drawing the nickname out, “Do you remember that time when you broke your glasses because you stepped on them trying to catch Rowlet?” Kukui went red.
“Hey! I was just making sure it wouldn’t hurt itself.” he protested.
“Lana said, and I quote, ‘oh dear, the professor has lost his coolness to me.’” she teased.
“Oh yeah! She did say that.” Ash laughed, Pikachu did too despite Kukui’s embarrassment.
“What is that even supposed to mean?! Are my glasses the only cool thing about her teacher?!” he waffled.
“I think you’re plenty cool, Ku.” Burnet said. Ash eagerly nodded in agreement. A splotch of red found its way onto Ash’s shirt, he groaned and licked the rest of the melted bits of popsicle that were a few seconds away from falling and making a bigger mess.
“Man! This is one of my favourites as well.” he huffed, rubbing the stain with his hand and effectively smearing it more. “Sorry Professor, the shirt is all sticky and will probably stain. I’ll wash it-”
“Keiki, you have that same shirt tucked away somewhere else, or I can just wash it. It’s all good.” he reassured, “Also, I do the washing up, remember?” Ash chuckled.
“I’m never gonna live that down.” he sighed.
“I still question how on earth it was all clean and good as new once we got home, who exactly did you pay for that?” Kukui asked. A bead of sweat ran clean off Ash’s face.
“Just a few friends,” he replied, petting Pikachu.
“I never would've been able to tell the place ever flooded.” Burnet said, rocking baby Lei in her arms. “Maybe I’ll ask them to help at Aether Foundation sometime.”
Oh I’m sure they already have. Pikachu scoffed.
“Y’know, you’re not wrong.” Ash said quietly, for only Pikachu’s ears. “Maybe, they’re a bit busy for now.”
Burnet sat down next to Ash on the log, careful not to wake Lei up. “Ash, did Ku ever tell you this was where he proposed to me?” she asked. Ash’s brown eyes lit up.
“Really? That’s so cool!” he said. Kukui went red again, recalling his rather cheesy method of proposing. The memory was still fresh in his mind, he and Burnet essentially dancing around each other as the sun set, the waves gently crashing against their feet.
“Did he tell you what he said?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.
“No?” he turned to Kukui, who looked like he had just been hit by one of Turtanotor’s flame throwers. His popsicle melted and fell from the wooden stick, Ash let out a small whine then remembered just how many there were still in the freezer. Pikachu laughed at him, but he decided to ignore his partner's mockery and pay attention to Burnet instead.
“He held out a pokeball looking case and said, ‘May I choose you?’. It was so sweet!” she squealed. Ash’s smile widened.
“Professor, that's so cool!” he said. Said professor let out a sigh of relief.
“My co-workers teased me relentlessly about it. I regret none of it though, look at where we are now.” he said, glancing at Burnet, then Ash, then Pikachu and finally the sleeping Lei. This was their family, and it was perfect.
“...Can I get another popsicle?”
“Of course, honey.” she smiled her warm smile, comforting as always.
“Can it be a red one?”
“Yes, keiki, it can be red.”