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When Jason entered the room, he saw his father sitting on his knees, facing the large window.
Jason kept his gaze pinned to the floor.
“So, you did get four gym badges. Then, as I promised, we will have a pokemon battle” Norman stated.
He stood up and turned to face Jason.
“Before that, however, there's something we should talk about first…” Norman said.
They both knew exactly what he was referring to.
“How did you find out?” Jason asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
“I found the dress while I was helping you mother with the laundry,” Norman explained.
He reached out to put a hand on Jason's shoulder but pulled back when he noticed his son take a step back.
“Son… I'm not angry at you, I promise. I just want to know why you didn't tell me” Norman said, his voice gentle.
Jason knew the smart thing to do would be to say the dress wasn't his or to promise he'd get rid of it.
But he couldn't do that.
The thought of throwing away the dress he adored so much, of never stepping on stage again…
He wouldn't allow it. He just couldn't.
“I… I didn't tell you because I knew you wouldn't understand. I knew if you found out I was dancing around on stage in…in a dress, you'd think I'm a freak…” Jason muttered.
“Son, I-” Norman started, but Jason cut him off.
“I know, you want me to take over the gym, but I never wanted that! I only went along with it because I didn't think I had any other option!” he yelled, his voice growing more and more angry “I want to be a coordinator more than anything else but I knew if you found out what I was doing, you'd think I was a disgrace! Y-you'd hate me! I-I just…” he trailed off, tears streaming down his face.
He sucked in a breath and let out slowly, wiping away the tears.
“I just… didn't want you to be disappointed in me…” he concluded.
Jason sank to his knees, completely exhausted.
Slowly and carefully, Norman approached Jason and knelt down in front of him.
“Jason, I could never, ever be disappointed in you” Norman assured him.
Jason looked up at him.
“The reason I wanted you to take over the gym was so you could have a stable job and a goal to work towards. You're right that I don't understand anything about Contest but I do know how much hard work you put into being a coordinator and how happy being on stage makes you. As long as you're striving towards your goal with everything you've got, that's what matters to me” Norman explained.
He held out his arms, offering a hug.
Jason hesitantly did so, wrapping his arms around his father.
Norman returned the gesture, hugging his son close.
“I am so incredibly proud of you, Jason” Norman murmured.
His father's words were the final straw as Jason burst into tears.
He buried his face into Norman's shoulder as he sobbed, his cries echoing throughout the room.
Norman gently rubbed his back, making sure his son was able to let out everything he had kept bottled up for so long.
Eventually, the two of them separated.
Jason wiped away his tears and glanced up at Norman, who looked at him with a gentle smile.
After a moment, Norman spoke up.
“So…think you're still up for a gym battle?” Norman asked.
Jason, despite his puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks, smiled.
“Yes, I am” he answered.