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Something happens and I'm head over heels
I never find out until I'm head over heels
Head Over Heels by Tears for Fears
“This is entirely your fault, Brock!” Misty groaned as Psyduck popped out of his new pokeball for the sixth time since they made camp outside of Celadon City.
They were around the modest camp fire that Brock had built, the tent set up behind them. They didn’t want another run in with a wild Mankey or Primeape; at least a tent would prevent one from sneaking up while they slept and stealing Ash’s hat again.
“Psy!” The duck Pokemon waddled too close to the fire.
“Pikapi,” Pikachu darted from where he had been sitting on Ash’s lap toward Psyduck. “Pikachu!”
“Psy,” Psyduck backed away as Pikachu pushed him away with his little paws.
“Psyduck! That’s hot,” Misty scolded, scooping up the pokeball off the ground where it tumbled from her pokebelt. “Return.”
Brock chuckled. “Aw, he just likes you Misty!”
“I think it’s cute that Psyduck wants to spend time with its new owner,” Ash interjected, hugging Pikachu as it hopped back into his lap.
“I’m only it’s new owner because this one here decided he didn’t want to take on a water Pokemon!” Misty poked Brock’s arm.
“Ow,” Brock rubbed his arm.
“You could have easily taken up the challenge of training Psyduck,” Misty ignored him, continuing to rant. “But no, I’m the lucky one!”
“You really are lucky, Mist!” Ash agreed enthusiastically. “Psyduck captured itself!”
“Pikaaa,” Pikachu shot him a look.
“That was sarcasm!” Misty snapped at Ash before her blue-green eyes narrowed again at Brock.
“Well it could be worse,” Brock said, suspiciously backing away from Misty. “You could have stayed hypnotized thinking you were a Seel! So really getting an adorable Psyduck is hardly the worst thing ever to happen to you.”
“Brock!” Misty’s eyes flashed in a way that reminded him of a lighthouse’s search light, when it was storming. “If you think Psyduck is so adorable then you can help me take care of it! It’s only fair, considering it’s YOUR fault I have it in the first place!”
“What, like joint custody?” Brock asked, disbelief and humor laced tightly together. “I dunno Misty, don’t you think we’re a little young for that kind of shared responsibility?”
“You should have thought of that before straddling me with Psyduck! You’re the only reason it was following us in the first place. Take responsibility for your actions!”
“My actions? I didn’t do anything except - ”
“Except flirt with Nurse Joy,” Misty interrupted him. “As always! You were too distracted by her looks to really think about what you were volunteering to do.”
“All I did was try to reassure Nurse Joy! She was distressed about Psyduck,” Brock protested. A blush spread across his cheeks, either from recalling the nurse’s beauty or from the embarrassment of being called out. Misty couldn’t tell and didn’t really care.
“Nurse Joy could have had a Grimer she was stressed about and you would have taken it for her,” Misty made a face. “Honestly Brock, all of your brain power evaporates as soon as you’re in the presence of a pretty girl!”
“That’s not true, I don’t lose my brain power with you and you’re not exactly the worst looking girl! In fact it was cute when you were acting like Seely earlier. Reminded me of my sisters playing make-believe.” Brock grinned.
“I’m not sure if I should be flattered if you think I’m pretty or offended you just placed me in the same category as your sisters,” Misty said, crossing her arms. “Either way, flattery won’t get you far, Brock! I’m still holding you accountable for Psyduck’s wellbeing.”
Brock held up his hands in mock surrender, his grin settling into a smirk. “Alright, Misty. You win. I’ll take partial responsibility for Psyduck. We can share joint custody. But, I think Psyduck is already attached to you.”
He pointed behind her.
Psyduck was standing there, staring at her with its large dopey eyes.
“Psyyyy,” it said, waddling closer to her.
Misty took a deep breath, suppressing a groan.
“Aw come here, Psyduck,” Brock cooed, kneeling down “You hungry? You can try one of my homemade Pokemon treats, Pikachu approved.”
“Psyyy,” came the reply, followed by shuffling.
Brock scooped up Psyduck in his arms. “Come on bud, let’s give Misty some space. She’s had a hard day you know.” He grinned. “It's an effort to clap your hands repeatedly, ’Seely!’ over and over again!”
He dodged out of the way as Misty attempted to throw a spare pokeball at his head. It rolled pathetically behind him.
“Can’t catch me today, Waterflower!” Brock laughed as he escaped to the other side of the camp fire, where Ash and Pikachu were watching with amusement. Misty raised an eyebrow. Waterflower? He never called her that.
“Guess not everyone volunteers to be caught, huh Pikachu?” Ash said, laughing too. “Maybe this is a sign you need to work on your aim, Mist. When’s the last time you caught a pokemon in the wild?”
“Pikachuuu,” Pikachu agreed, ears perking up as Brock placed Psyduck down and rummaged through his backpack, which was resting beside the tent entrance.
“Shut up Ash!” Misty sat down beside him, where he was looking at the map by firelight in an attempt to figure out the route to next take. They both knew Brock would likely be the one leading them by the map, but she let Ash do it as she watched Psyduck follow Brock to the tent.
“I’m just saying, I can give you pointers if you feel like you need them,” Ash continued, before falling backwards thanks to her shove.
She rolled her eyes as made a big show of sitting back up before watching Psyduck and Brock.
It spoke of her innate love for water Pokemon that she found herself finding Psyduck rather cute as it stared up at Brock with anticipation, shaking back and forth as it muttered Psyyy quietly over and over again. Misty wasn’t really sure what Psyduck’s experience with trainers had been before he put himself into her empty pokeball, but she hoped that he would like it better with her.
Not that she planned to get attached to him or anything.
Because she wouldn’t!
“Come on Pikachu, have some treats too,” Brock said, holding up a pack of his homemade Pokemon treats.
“Pika!” Pikachu darted over, chaaaing as Brock rubbed between its ears before handing over the treats. He chuckled to himself as Pikachu enthusiastically waved its hand as it chewed and communicated to Psyduck, who slowly at the handful of treats Brock carefully had scooped out for it.
“That’s right, Psyduck, eat up,” Brock said as he let his Geodude out for some treats too.
Ugh, why did Brock have to knock back her annoyance like that? He was so thoughtful, she almost thought he was cute.
Emphasis on almost.
Because any potential cuteness withered away each time he unsuccessfully hit on another female obviously of his league. Misty could only handle so much second-hand embarrassment.
“Man, I'm so tired! I think I’m going to get into my sleeping bag,” Ash said, struggling to fight a yawn. “Pikachu, come join me when you’re done! Night Brock, Misty.”
“Night Ash,” both said together to Ash’s retreating back. They sat in silence with only the sounds of the fire crackling and their Pokemon contentedly snacking.
“Chaaa,” Pikachu yawned and stretched. “Pikachuuu,” he patted Brock’s knee in thanks for the treats.
“You’re welcome, Pikachu. Goodnight!” Brock smiled affectionately. They watched Pikachu slip into the tent.
“I’m not even remotely tired,” Misty sighed, tossing a twig into the fire. “I definitely should be after this day.”
“It sure has been a long one,” Brock agreed, patting Geodude on the head before summoning it back inside its pokeball. Now it was just them and Psyduck, who had waddled to sit at Misty’s side. “You know, I really do think you’re the better trainer for Psyduck. I can’t think of a better person to take that kind of water Pokemon on.”
“You’re not getting out of joint custody,” Misty narrowed her eyes at him. “But I’ll take the compliment.”
He laughed, leaning forward eagerly. “No but seriously, Misty. You have a lot of love and respect for all Pokemon,” he paused for a moment and amended his statement, “for all Pokemon except bug type, that is, but even they seem to adore you. I really think Psyduck will surprise you, even impress you, with a bit of time.”
Misty couldn’t help but smile. “You’re going to make my ego bigger than Ash’s if you’re not careful. Speaking of him, you could have given him Psyduck. Why not?”
“Ash isn’t ready for a pokemon like Psyduck,” Brock said nonchalantly. Psyduck waddled over to him, plopping into his lap.
“Psyduck,” it repeated.
“Aw you’re so cuddly!” Brock grinned, wrapping his hands securely around Psyduck.
“Psy!”
“What do you mean Ash isn’t ready?” Misty asked a moment later when it seemed like Brock was content to leave his statement as is.
“Mmm, it’s not that he’s not capable,” Brock said after a beat. He distractedly patted Psyduck’s head. “He definitely is. But he doesn’t have the patience yet. A pokemon like Psyduck that’s prone to headaches needs a trainer that can recognize its vulnerability is also its strength, and that takes a skill set he hadn’t honed yet. He’s only ten, so that’s to be expected.”
“I’m not much older than him,” Misty pointed out. She was only a year older, after all.
“True,” Brock acknowledged. “But you’ve apprenticed under your family at the gym. Like me. I bet you were learning basic care for water Pokemon before you could fully talk and walk, right?”
She thought up her earliest, fuzziest memories of her life at Cerulean City Gym. She had learned to swim before walking, her father having taught her how to kick while holding on to his Dewgong in the shallow end of the pool.
She smiled softly. “I guess so. I don’t remember a time where I wasn’t involved at some level with the gym.”
“Well, then, see? You have the right training already to deal with a pokemon like Psyduck. It’s an advantage of being from a gym trainer family.”
The implication went unspoken but was understood by Misty. They were both part of a different class than Ash, being from gym trainer families. It was one of the reasons why they both agreed Ash was so eager to prove himself.
Anyone could become a pokemon master, but it certainly helped if you had a family legacy to jump off from. Established trainer families often saw their children’s futures secured, and rarely did they venture off at young ages to capture pokemon on their own. Why do that when there were already pokemon at home they could inherit?
Out on the road with Brock and Ash, it didn’t mean much usually where they came from. They were all experiencing new situations, together. But sometimes Misty noticed that her view of Pokemon differed vastly from Ash’s, and more closely aligned with Brock’s.
Neither were as eager to immediately capture the wild pokemon they often crossed paths with. But Ash had something to prove, that a kid from Pallet Town who had no connections other than sheer luck of living next door to a Pokemon scientist could be a great trainer.
“I’ll do right by Psyduck,” Misty eventually said, sighing. “The thought of Ash trying to train it instead sends shivers down my spine. It would be a huge headache watching him attempt to lead Psyduck! He would end up just trading it to a lesser trainer, like he did with Primeape.”
That still annoyed her to no end. He hadn’t learned a single thing from when he traded Butterfree initially for a Raticate.
Brock winced. He had never commented on Ash’s decision, but Misty suspected he agreed that it had been an idiotic choice on their friend’s part to leave Primeape behind. It already proved itself a victor, after all!
“Ash got ripped off, for sure,” Brock quietly said, casting a wary look at the tent. “I’ll remind him in a couple of months to ask for Primeape back. Hopefully the bond won’t be too broken between them and Primeape will be more capable than ever in battle.”
“I’ve never traded any of my Pokemon,” Misty said a moment later. “Not even the dopey Magikarp my sisters gifted me for my 6th birthday. It’s still in the aquarium tank of water Pokemon we have on display at the gym. It might never evolve into a Gyarados, but it swims happily around with the collection of Goldeens and Seakings.”
“What did you want for your birthday instead?”
Misty smiled wistfully. “I actually wanted Lapras,” she said. “I liked the idea of falling asleep to its melodies, and none of my sisters had any ice-type Pokemon. I thought if I had a dual water and ice Pokemon, I could stand out and be the unique sister.”
“I could totally see little Misty wanting a Lapras,” Brock replied. He smiled. “You caring for that Magikarp despite being disappointed speaks well about you as a trainer, Misty.” He tugged on her short pony tale affectionately and grinned. “Besides, now you have a Psyduck! Which none of your sisters have, right?”
Misty rolled her eyes, batting his hand away. “I’ve got two headaches that they never have to deal with, you mean! Ash and Psyduck.”
Her words lacked heat.
“That’s the spirit, Misty!” Brock said, full of confidence and purposely ignoring the sarcasm lacing her words.
“Yeah well,” she stood up, yawning. “At least I’m not the only one dealing with Ash and Psyduck out here. Someone at least gets to share in my headaches.”
“It’s a way to bond,” Brock said, ignoring her eye roll at his words. “I’ll put the fire out. Go on and get settled for bed.”
“Goodnight, Brock,” Misty replied, pausing before the tent’s entrance. She smiled shyly. “And, hey, thanks for thinking highly of me. I do appreciate that you trusted me enough to take on Psyduck… even if he’s not a Lapras or something cooler.”
The smile he returned rivaled the sun’s shimmer on the bluest of oceans during a midsummer afternoon.
“Goodnight, Misty,” he softly acknowledged. She nodded, disappearing a second later into the tent.
A few seconds later…
“Psyduck, go back to your pokeball!”
“Psyyyy….”
“Ugh! You’re going to wake Ash and Pikachu! … fine, fine! Get into Brock’s sleeping bag then, he likes to cuddle you at least…”
Brock shook his head at the antics happening in the tent, making peace with the fact it was highly likely he would be sharing his sleeping space with the odd duck Pokemon.
“Psyyy…”
The noise settled a moment later. Brock waited a little longer before standing up and stretching, dumping sand on the fire. When he finally entered the tent, he found that Ash and Pikachu were out cold cuddled together to the left of his sleeping bag, and Psyduck on the right, tucked under a blanket between his sleeping bag and Misty’s, soft snores escaping from the beak.
Misty’s back was to Brock, but he could tell she too had fallen asleep quickly by the steady, even rise and fall of her shoulders and the way she sprawled out in her sleeping bag.
Brock slipped into his sleeping back, a pro by now at changing into his pajamas under the safety of cover provided from prying eyes (mostly Misty’s) before sitting up to fold his jeans, t-shirt, and vest neatly at the foot of his sleeping bag.
Gently, he patted Psyduck’s head, causing a very sleepy PsyyyPsyyyPsyyy… to spill softly out.
Brock slid back down into the warmth of the sleeping bag, the events of the day finally catching up to him now that his body was allowed to unwind.
A long day waited for them come morning, which always arrived earlier than Brock would prefer. He shifted, getting more comfortable as his eyes grew heavier.
The last thing he saw before sleep took him to dream land was Psyduck pulling the blanket tighter as Misty rolled over, her hand stretching out to cuddle Psyduck closer.
When Brock woke up the next day, he was smiling and felt cozier than usual. Psyduck had inched closer and closer it seemed until its head squashed against Brock’s shoulder, using it as a pillow. Misty had also migrated over. Her whole body, sleeping bag and all, was just on the other side of Psyduck.
Her hair, down and messily brushing across her cheeks, glowed in the early light slowly seeping through the tent’s fabric. She breathed delicately, unaware that eyes were watching her.
Brock slowly sat up, careful to not disturb Psyduck too much, and in turn, wake up Misty. He took his spare blanket, which had bunched up at some point in the night, and spread it over both Psyduck and Misty.
On his other side, Ash was still lost to his dreams, face down in his pillow and his sleeping bag zipped all the way up. He wouldn’t catch Brock out and make a loud comment, disrupting the quiet moment. Thank Arceus for minor miracles.
But Pikachu sat up wide awake, its ears twitching as big eyes tracked Brock’s movement.
“Pikaaa,” it softly said, head tilting as Brock froze briefly. “Chaaaa.”
“Our secret, Pikachu,” Brock whispered. Pikachu nodded in what Brock hoped was understanding. “Come on, I’ll get breakfast ready.”
Pikachu followed him out a moment later, the promise of food shaking off any remaining sleepiness.
Only when the morning fire started to crackle just beyond the tent, did Misty open her eyes.
The cedar and slightly smoky scented blanket felt like a gentle good morning hug. Unconsciously, she wrapped it tighter over her.
Her heart beat just a fraction deeper.