Chapter Text
Brock followed Ash down the hall, trying to catch up with the boy who was clearly avoiding him. Dawn had invited then both to an annual festival in Snowpoint city, where they were currently at. Ash had just come back from Kalos region, and while catching up with Brock, he made the really big mistake of telling him something that had happened when parting ways with his friends.
Really big mistake, he thought.
''Why the hell didn’t you correspond? Come on, Ash, she's pretty, nice, caring… I mean, I haven’t met her in person, but she sound’s like a really good girl.''
He huffed, burying his face into his hands. Brock, who had just followed him into his room, as expected, was staring intensively at his friend, trying to understand what in world would make him decide this. Ash raised his face again, and looked apprehensively at the older boy, not exactly knowing how to explain his early actions.
''You don't understand Brock. I can't. She is nice, she is pretty and caring but I can’t!''
''Why, Ash?''
The boy shook his head, a pleading look on his face as he tried to talk Brock out of the conversation.
''Please, Brock, just leave it, okay?''
The Pokémon breeder crossed the little distance that separated them, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder in a supportive way.
''No Ash, I'm sorry, but I won't. I know you, I'm your best friend. I know there's something you're not telling me. Just tell me why.''
''Can't I just say no, without a further reason?''
He was starting to get frustrated and tired. Usually he was the stubborn and clueless one. But it seemed like the tables had just turned on him.
''Yes, you can, but it's not the case. There is a reason. It's written all over your face.''
He grunted. He was literally starting to panic.
''Why are you doing this to me?''
The tune in his voice was almost painful.
''What am I doing to you? I'm just trying to figure out why you turned the girl down. Serena seems nice.''
Ash stared at the boy again, even more annoyed by the situation. Frustration took over him, and he felt himself explode like an Electrode.
''I CAN'T!''
''WHY?''
Once again, he was silent. Brock couldn't understand what was going on with his friend. He had never seen Ash being so secretive or apprehensive about something. Actually, he had never seen Ash being so secretive or apprehensive about anything. It had to be something serious.
''Ash, come on. I'm you best friend. I'll help you.''
''Ugh, you’re so annoying, you know that?''
''Yes, I’m aware. Now just tell me why!''
''BECAUSE I'M IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE ELSE!''
The room was engulfed in a deadly silence. That was it, he just said it. Ash didn't even realized what he was saying, until he had already said it. He was so frustrated and mad that the words had just flew out of his mouth. He closed his eyes, immediately regretting what he had said. Brock, on the other hand, just stood there, mouth agape at his best friend.
''You're... in love?'' Ash remained quiet, looking at his friend, the tears in his eyes now more noticeable. ''Why did you never tell me anything? ''
''Because it won't work, it wasn't supposed to happen and I don't know how to deal with it!''
''Wow, I... don't know what to say. I'm shocked, really. I never thought you could be in love with someone.”
Ash rolled his eyes.
“Wow, thanks.”
“I mean, no offense, but you're the most clueless and dense guy I know in this kind of subject.''
Ash sighed.
''Yeah, well, now you know I’m capable of being in love. Can we please stop this conversation?''
''No, we can't. Do you think you can just drop a bomb like this to me and not even explain? Why are you even running away from it? It's no big deal, everyone falls in love.''
His expression changed to a more serious look.
''Yes, there is. It won't go away. It's been nearly six freaking years, it won't go away. Did you think I never tried to stop this? I tried, all the ways I could. All the ways. Because it wasn't supposed to happen. But this stupid feeling just get stronger and stronger and I can't do a single thing about it. Yeah, it's a big deal.''
That was it, it was all out. He finally took the weight off his back. He had been keeping all of this to himself for so long that he just couldn't stand anymore. He had to let it all out, or else he would explode. And Brock gave him the perfect situation to do it.
The breeder, however, seemed to ignore all of his explanation, shooting an incredulous look at him.
''Six years? You're in love with someone for six years? And you never told me?''
He sounded almost offended. His best friend, had been in love for nearly six years, and never had spoken a word to him. Wonderful.
Ash immediately tried to defend himself.
''I never told anyone, because this wasn't supposed to freaking happen! I told you I don't know how to deal with it. I didn't want anyone knowing, it would only make things worse. Or maybe I was afraid to tell you. I don't know Brock! I don't know what to think, I don't know what to say! It's been a nightmare! Like you said, it's me. Me, of all the people. I have no idea how to deal with it!''
He sat down, running his hands through his hair and staring at the ground despertaly. Brock stood there in shock for a few more seconds, trying to absorb all the information. Then he finally sat by his friend's side, putting his hand on his shoulder, looking at his friend sympathetically.
''Do I know her?''
Ash shook his head violently.
“Oh no no no, we’re not doing this”
Brock looked away, thinking.
“Hmm, I do know her then, otherwise you would have said no”.
“Brock, don’t”
''Who is she?'' The boy looked at him, unsure. ''Come on, Ash, it's ok, tell me. I'll help you.''
“No. It won’t work, Brock. I would only frustrate myself and Misty would absolutely kill me if sh…”
He trailed off, realizing he had just said it without realizing. Dammit, Ash!
Brock looked at his friend in utter shock, mouth agaped. Ash in love was already shocking enough. Ash in love, with Misty, well, words couldn't exactly describe how it felt.
''Misty!?'' He nearly screamed. ''Like in, Misty Waterflower? Our best friend?''
Ash gave up. There was no way he would talk Brock out of it now.
''Do I know any other Misty?'' He answered the annoyance clear in his voice.
Brock stared blankly at him for a while. Then, he couldn't help but smile. He knew the girl had feelings for Ash. Everyone who met her knew. Even if she tried to deny it, it was too obvious.
He remembered the night he had finally managed to get her to admit it. It had taken him three hours, some tears, and lots of patience and persuasion, but after two years, he finally got her confession. He tried to help her the way he could, which, unfortunately, until now, hasn't been much. They had come to the conclusion that Ash was oblivious to any kind of feeling, but had always wished for his friend to open his eyes. Aside from Ash, Misty had always been his best friend, and he loved her as a sister. The redhead could be hot tempered, but held a beautiful heart and was an amazing person. He couldn't help being worried for her. After all these years of being her friend, he had learned her feelings for the trainer were way more than a simple crush, and, even after so many years of being apart, they did not diminished.
But of course, after hearing Ash's words, everything had changed. The breeder couldn't help but smiling widely.
He took his friend by the shoulders, making him look straightly at him.
''Ash, my friend, if I told you I know how to help you, would you be willing to try?''
His eyes winded.
''What? Brock, no. It won’t work. We are already barely talking. Don't make things worse. ''
''I won't make anything worse. If I said I could bring her to you, the way you want, without any bad consequences, would you be willing to try?''
“Theoretically?”
The older boy smiled.
“Theoretically”
The boy stopped to think for a minute. He normally would; and probably should say no. He should say Brock was out of his mind. But for some reason, he didn't. Maybe because secretly, that was all he wanted to do for years. Have courage to try. To do something. And something in the way Brock had said it, gave him a hope he had never had in all those years.
He looked a Brock, letting out a simple statement.
''Yes. ''