Story Title: Somebody's Fool
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon or any of its related media.
Author's Notes: Juggler Irwin… Most remember him as the 'Oops, dropped my balls' guy or that creepy phone stalker, especially if you played as Kris in Crystal. I always found him odd but endearing and grew fond of Irwin/Kris. Unfortunately, it's rare to see a fic with Irwin in it, at least portrayed sympathetically, and Irwin/Kris fics are rarer still.
For this fic, Irwin is about 15 and his appearance follows the HG/SS models—it seems to be the more prevalent image of him and the one I most aesthetically like. Also, Kris's team is from my own Crystal game and since it's not that big a deal, I see no great reason to change things. In general, this fic mostly follows the Crystal gameverse, with some minor changes here and there.
To everyone who reads this fic and gives it a shot, thank you. Thanks for reading.
-o-
Chapter One: The Journey To Your Heart Begins With The First Step
-o-
She said yes.
Irwin hadn't mistaken her. He swore he hadn't. Her sweet voice had clearly said yes. He couldn't believe it. She said yes, he repeated to himself, completely stunned, and stood motionless like an Xatu. Under his still exterior bubbled so many happy emotions—he felt like one of his Voltorb ready to self-destruct. He shook with happiness. After all, he had expected a kind letdown at his highest hopes, but this…this yes…this was wonderful!
Elated, Irwin jumped up into the air and shouted his joy for all of Johto to hear.
Mid-air, the juggler realized that cool guys did not leap up and shout hurray but, well, Irwin wasn't known as a cool guy. People didn't call him cool—they called him an idiot, a dork, a goof, a loser but never cool. And when it came to his feelings, Irwin could never be so calm. He lacked the capability to put on that kind of nonchalance cool guys had that girls fell for.
And how could he be calm? After all, Kris was the girl he thought about every day, the girl he hoped at every sunrise would visit him again on Route 35. She was the girl who, unbeknownst to her, had won his Heart Badge the day she defeated him. And, well, now knowing he could be beside her on her travels, how could Irwin not jump for joy?
He had fallen for her, not at first sight, but quickly after. At about two minutes into their quick battle, Irwin had decidedly pinpointed. And if the axiom about how trainers fought reflected aspects about themselves, then most unequivocally Kris was beauty, Kris was passion, Kris was—
Laughing at him.
The juggler blushed and sunk into his stage costume. "I'm—no…um… It was stupid of me…er…sorry…" Irwin said, flustered, as he ran a quivering hand through his tall blond hair.
Thank goodness there wasn't a mirror in front of him that could show him exactly how stupid he looked right now. Irwin was certain the only image that could top that was of him seconds earlier gawking at Kris in total silence while he, temporarily forgetting she was actually in front of him, slipped into his usual adoring reverie of her.
She must think I'm a complete idiot, Irwin thought, wishing he could cover his hands over his face and curl up into a very, very small ball.
"Sorry about what?" Kris asked.
Either he hadn't looked like a moron or she wasn't paying any attention to him—Irwin preferred a third option: that she was being nice—Irwin was glad Kris didn't seem to know what he was talking about. And, well, with the way she tipped her head to the side like a confused puppy, she was just too cute.
"Nothing, I guess. False alarm," Irwin said, smiling uneasily at first before breaking helplessly into an awkward laugh.
To Irwin's surprise, Kris rejoined her laughter with his. Except her laugh wasn't out of nervousness and fear of looking like a fool like his. Her laugh was confident and bright. Her laugh was a girly giggle, sweet and bubbly, like strawberry soda pop. Irwin was positive he could stand forever drinking in the sound.
He loved her laugh, though sometimes she laughed when he wasn't trying to be funny and it hurt but still he delighted in her cheer. Giving her a little bit of happiness was well worth over his trivial heartache any time, he had long decided.
Eventually, their laughter died out and Kris said, "I have to go into Goldenrod, is that okay with you?"
"I'll go wherever you go, Miss Kris," Irwin said, smiling as he slipped on his backpack over one shoulder and then the other. "You're the leader."
"Okay, let's go then," she nodded, her twin dark blue pigtails bobbing in accordance. "And, please, just Kris, 'kay?"
"Yes, Kris." Irwin grinned like a fool and happily took his first step as her traveling companion.
Abandoning his spot turned out to be easier than expected. Irwin didn't think he looked back once, but of course, what hold did a patch of dirt and a length of white fencing have on him in comparison to trekking the world with his heart's desire? Seemed like a no-brainer choice, like choosing between evaporated Moomoo milk and the real stuff. There were two things in the world Irwin knew to be resolutely true: One, that he was a boy who liked only real Moomoo milk. And two…
That he loved Kris and would do anything for her and go anywhere she said. He would obey her wishes, all of them, to make her happy. Whatever you want, I'll fight to make it so, he thought, gazing at Kris walking ahead of him. That is the truth, my dear.
Starting this journey with her reminded him of all nights he dreamed of her in distant places—sitting outside of a café at night in a faraway city, walking along a beach awash in fading golden twilight, climbing a trail on a high, rocky mountain guided only by the full moon's light. In his every vision of her, she would in time turn and gaze partly up at the glittering stars and partly toward a face Irwin knew was not his but wished wholeheartedly it was.
But those were dreams he never needed to have again now that he was her traveling partner. And as happy as a hungry Snorlax at an all-you-can-eat buffet as Irwin was, he still feared with every step that Kris would suddenly turn and tell him it was all a joke and to politely go away. But so far, she hadn't, and if it truly was all a cruel prank, she would have told him so before they reached the surrounding city limits of Goldenrod City.
-o-
Sure, Kris had been surprised when Irwin asked if he could travel with her, but once she thought about it, it wasn't really a shocking request out of him at all.
She was used to him calling her frequently, or occasionally her calling him, and talking about her adventures and mini-accomplishments or just anything. Irwin was always excited for her successes and was ready and willing to talk about and hear everything—sometimes their conversations lasted for hours if Kris got too caught up divulging the details. After listening to all her relayed tales, Irwin just wanted to share in the adventure and that's why he had asked to join her, Kris figured.
And well, if he was inspired by all her reports and wanted to journey with someone, Kris saw no reason to say no. After all, Irwin was a nice guy, a little odd but only because he was always clowning around. He was likable and their friendship had grown since their short battle. They weren't close but they were friends.
This'll be fun, traveling with somebody, Kris thought as she and Irwin approached the steadily expanding sight of the Goldenrod Radio Tower.
Stopping a few steps short of the tower entrance, Kris turned to Irwin and said, "I just have a little interview to do, but after that's done, we're free."
Irwin blinked. "Interview?"
"Yea, Mary's been hounding me everyday. I think Prof. Oak gave her my number…" Kris, at the thought, gave a small, annoyed frown but brushed Mary quickly out of mind. "Anyway, I've been Champion for nine months now, so I think I better give one eventually, right?"
Irwin nodded in agreement.
Yep. I should give that interview, Kris told herself.
Kris did not move.
I really should.
Kris was a statue. An unmoving, except for a faint trembling in the legs statue staring at the radio tower. But it could wait, right? If I had to, that is. I mean, what's a few more months? And Irwin and I should really get on with our adventures anyway…
Kris glanced to her side at Irwin. Though Kris really couldn't tell what he was thinking, Irwin seemed perfectly content with rocking back and forth on his heels and whistling a happy tune while he patiently waited for her to go in. A Pidgey flock soared above in the clear azure sky and Kris grew warm in the sun and yet did not budge.
"I can do this some other time," Kris said and quickly spun around and marched away.
"Huh?" Irwin looked confused. "But you're the Champion?"
Kris stopped. Yea, I am. But I don't really act like one. I'm not acting like one right now.
"I'll let you in on a little secret…" Kris said. As she brushed her fringe out of her eyes, she noticed Irwin's face visibly brighten. He's probably just being funny so I'll relax, Kris considered. It's nice of him. He's always trying to make me laugh.
"I really don't want to do this. It scares me," she said quietly, as if her words would be picked up and broadcasted over the radio if she spoke above a whisper. "I've never been interviewed before. I'll freeze up. I'll make a fool of myself. I know I will."
"You won't. You'll do great," Irwin said.
"Yea, sure…" Kris groaned in disbelief. "I'm not a professional celebrity. I'm just…me."
"But Kris, you're really amazing. You can do anything! You've done so much and you became Champion. It'll all go fine. …And, well, for whatever reason if you do flop, never fear!" Irwin stuck his thumb out, pointed toward his chest, and struck a heroic pose. "Your sidekick Irwin will get you out of the city safe and undetected!"
Kris flashed a small smile. "Thanks. That sort of helps. …I think."
"It's a promise," Irwin said, punctuating his words with a firm nod.
Kris did feel better. She didn't feel confident about the interview, but she did feel a little better. Sure, Irwin meant well, but he wasn't the one under the spotlight here—though he would probably love the attention.
Irwin didn't have an entire region—two regions, actually, since Johto and Kanto shared the same Champion—listening in and expecting him to be cool and fascinating and have the air of power a Champion should have and to not sound and act like an eleven-year-old girl. Kris liked and wanted to be the Champion—she had no qualms about that. Kris just worried about the rest of the world finding out she was the Champion.
After all, Lance had been their Champion for so long, and the part seemed so well suited to him. No one would believe Kris had defeated him. She certainly did not live up to the expectations Lance set in the people's eyes of what constituted a Champion.
So I guess it doesn't matter if I mess up, Kris realized. No one's going to believe I'm the Champion anyway…
Kris tipped her head down and sighed at the ground. "Well, let's get this over with." She headed toward the radio tower.
"Umm, Kris?"
She paused and circled around to meet the juggler. Irwin had his head bowed as he twiddled his thumbs over and over.
"Do you…" he asked shyly, peering a quick glance up at her before fixing his dark eyes back on the sidewalk. "Do you think I'll be allowed in the room when you do your interview? I'd like to be there to hear it, if you think the station will let me."
Kris blinked twice. "I don't see why not. As long as you're quiet, I suppose they would."
Irwin grinned his largest beaming grin yet. And Kris barely managed to quell the laugh bubbling up from her chest and hurried toward the station.
He's such a big goof, and over the littlest things, she thought as she entered the radio station through Irwin's held-open door.
