Thanks for asking about the ship web! I love when people do that.

And, you did interpret it corretly, yep! They're in a relationship.

It's a ship I would like to spend more time developing - and I'd love to ping-pong that with you, if you don't mind - but the gist of it is really Hawlucha's capture episode. One thing I couldn't help but notice in my most recent watch is that Ash was extremely fixated on Hawlucha.

Like, it's normal for Ash to be impressed by a Pokémon!

This is a bit more than the usual, I think. (Note that they held hands far longer than necessary; 10 full seconds before Bonnie interrupted.)

Clocked him.

Ash. Buddy. Calm down.

Brother, what is this extended eye contact. More hand-holding. ???

Like, I know I have shipper's brain, but this feels beyond the norm.

Of course, from a serious writing standpoint, it's really endearing that Ash was so determined to help Hawlucha master his signature move!

Hm.

Hm. (2)

Ash interprets their battle to earn Hawlucha's partnership a loss, as it was a draw. Ash's eyes narrowing beneath his hat very much reads like veiled sadness that he puts behind a smile, ready to see Hawlucha off.

Getto da ze!

This is really a great episode overall, but I wanted to focus on the shipping aspect, since that's what you asked about. I just find it really endearing how enamored Ash was with Hawlucha's showmanship, fighting spirit, and heroism. It's really cute. And naturally, Hawlucha respected Ash's efforts and passion in turn. They make a good duo!

I feel like this is a relationship that unfolds somewhat naturally - I'm not sure exactly when; only that it's after Sycamore's camp, as I have shipping plans for Ash and Serena that require a blank slate for Ash's love life up until that point. But, they're just very straightforward? I don't see it taking terribly long for them to become an item.

I think the point I would choose is the major point of development I have planned for them; moving the Hawlucha vs Dark Hawlucha episode ahead quite a bit, to take place after Clemont and before Valerie. I'll be tweaking the plot of the episode so that it's where Hawlucha acquires a Hawluchanite! Dark Hawlucha will have had achieved Mega Evolution earlier in his tenure, before his injury. He no longer uses it due to its intensity, focusing entirely on Show Battles. But, the Team Rocket plot is going to be swapped instead for a script rewrite, where Dark Hawlucha feels motivated by Hawlucha's passion to Mega Evolve during the show; one last time! Hawlucha loses to Mega Dark Hawlucha, but only after showing a valiant struggle that highlights his bravery, and Dark Hawlucha's true strength!

It's a huge crowdpleaser, and it compels Dark Hawlucha and his trainer to gift Ash and Hawlucha the Mega Stone to use for themselves.

Ash and Hawlucha achieve Mega Evolution extremely easily, compared to the likes of Korrina and Lucario, due to their matching personalities, and Hawlucha's relative simplicity and synchronicity with Ash.

Maybe after the show, Ash and Hawlucha confess their hot-blooded feelings? Or, something like that. I honestly see Hawlucha becoming more enamored with Ash during their training for the show, where Ash spars with him. I have to imagine that among Fighting-types, sparring with a potential suitor is a love language that tests your mettle and allows them to show off to one another. And, Ash is no ordinary guy!

Hell, it's possible that Hawlucha takes this training session as a proposal, and accepts Ash's "Invitation" after the show! Ash is caught off-guard, making Hawlucha extremely embarrassed. But, he takes the tiny luchador's hand, and tells him that he happily accepts!

Hawlucha's rather shy in terms of public displays of affection; something Ash has to come to understand and adjust to. But, he loves his trainer very much. It makes Mega Evolving, again, very easy.