#061220

The first time Ash sees Goh’s aura, he freaks out for a moment, having almost forgotten this was an ability he possessed.

They’re at Cerise Park, it’s a normal Tuesday and they’re feeding the Pokémon, and when Ash turns to Goh to ask him if he’s given the water-types their share, his eyes widen at the sudden light surrounding his friend.

It’s so bright is blinding. And Ash can’t understand why Goh isn’t freaking out. Why are the Pokémon not freaking out. Why is Goh the one asking him if he’s all right, as he drops the food tray to the ground.

Then Pikachu stands next to Goh, equally worried expression on its face. Ash sees the blue hues around him, hints of yellow that denote his nature. And Ash remembers.

Ash understands.

Though it remains unsolved why Goh’s aura is bright as the sun, when everyone else’s is this or that color. When everyone else’s is tame.

He’s all right, he tells Goh. Let’s go feed the water-types. Goh smiles at him, in that funny way that makes Ash’s heart feel warm for some reason.

The second time Ash sees Goh’s aura, they’re in the middle of one of Team Rocket’s disasters, and Goh is a second away from jumping after the machine that’s kidnapped their Pokémon.

It’s the least convenient of moments to be blinded by white light, when he’s supposed to be holding Goh back from doing something stupid. As he squints his eyes to work around the brightness, he realizes he’s already too late.

Goh has jumped. He’s holding onto the gigantic robot for dear life, and from within, Cinderace obeys his orders to attack until the machine gives-up. Until it breaks and everyone is free.

It’s so dangerous. That was so stupid. You could have died. What were you thinking.

It’s still painfully bright around Goh, and he scolds him as they walk away from the scene, brow furrowed in distress and angry-worry.

Goh listens patiently. Eventually halts their walk, holds two fingers to Ash’s lips and, with eyes a deeper blue than the skies above them says, crisp and sincere, you would have done the same.

Ash falls in love.

The third time Ash sees Goh’s aura, it’s almost hard to discern, because everything that day is bright. Shines with a light of its own.

It’d be driving Ash up the walls, if he weren’t so preoccupied already.

Goh still shines the brightest, of course. Goh still rises above anything and everything Ash has ever seen. And as he walks, and meets the eyes of the person he loves the most, Ash realizes this is the brightest his aura has been. clear and calm and peaceful.

Like coming home.

That sounds about right.

Goh smiles and the brightness tames a bit. Ash wonders why that is. Goh smiles and holds his hand and slips a ring on his fourth-finger, promising Ash a lifetime of love and adventures. The light dims again, just a little. Caught up in the moment, Ash doesn’t get to wonder about the brightness much further.

Hours later, as they slow dance to the music, Goh meets his eyes and kisses him, full of warmth, and more in love that he believed he could ever be. You shine so bright. He says, straight into Ash’s lips.

They’re wrapped in light. And Ash can no longer tell if it’s coming from the fairy-bulbs around them. Or if it’s Goh’s aura. Or - apparently - his own.