[ It's a rare tone that Ash doesn't hear very often but he catches it. It was hard not to. Not after Cilan starts pouring out how he felt. How this whole situation was unfair and that Ash should be back home instead of here with Cilan. That Cilan should be left here alone instead.

And the whole time Cilan is talking Ash just stares. First with a stunned look but by the time Cilan was finished it looked hurt more than anything. And while Cilan is silent Ash doesn't say nor move. Instead he's there just trying to process everything that Cilan said. Trying to process the fact that he would rather be left alone here. By the end he finds himself looking down, his face nearly buried into Pikachu's fur as he hugs his partner just a little tighter but not so much as to squeeze him.

Even after Cilan apologizes that's the only movement from Ash other than his shivering body. And it's another moment until he finally speaks. ]

Don't be sorry. It wasn't your fault. I... I'm scared. I don't wanna be here. I don't wanna fight and see people get hurt anymore. I don't want my Pokemon to suffer anymore. I wanna go back to the village. But--

[ He swallows before he continues. He wasn't even sure if any of what he's saying his coherent with how much he hurts. With how his voice must sound like by now. But he continues. ]

But I don't wanna leave you here. I dunno why I'm still here and I don't care. I don't care that you think I shouldn't be here. I--

[ His voice chokes a little at this point. But he refuses to end without one last thing: ]

I don't want you t' be lonely.