The Bold and the Bland(…or so they think)
Hello fellow readers. I got this idea from a reader through PM about a fanfic about Norman/Drayden. When I think about it, Norman is a pretty good character to write about. Title may sound weird, but hope you enjoy!
Chapter 1: What Could've Been
Norman picked up his drink, his hand shaking mildly. Once again, him and Caroline had gotten into another argument. The topic? Anybody's guess. It usually wheeled between his career, his light drinking, wine at most, or worse, Brendan, their own son. Apparently, parents shouldn't let their fifteen year olds venture across a region without supervision. Norman trusted Brendan with all his heart. He knew his son knew from right and wrong. And if he ever needed it, he'd call for help. At age thirty five, even Norman knew how a young trainer's mind worked.
However, to this day, Caroline didn't see eye to eye with him, which eventually ended in them ignoring each other for about a week. This time, though, he didn't expect a hard hit. Literally. He didn't think she was the violent type, yet as she threw a punch, the pain seared through the targeted area-his now swollen eye.
He glanced across the bar to a group of single men. One caught his eye and waved gently. Normally, Norman would've jumped at the chance to flirt right back. But even though he was only married to Caroline because of Brendan, he'd still feel unfaithful. With that, he shrunk into his stool. Gay bars made him miss….what could've been.
Norman was what others called homosexual. Nothing was wrong with being gay in either of the regions. However, his witch of a wife wasn't aware of this. He left his good life behind.
Before he had drunken sex with Caroline, he was a really great guy in relationships. He could hold a nice guy for a few months, and if lucky, a year. The last relationship he had been in was actually with the Team Magma Leader, Maxie. They were seventeen, though. Six months into it, Norman began to see Maxie was a little…off. It got worse when he walked in on Maxie, making love to none other than the Team Aqua Leader, Archie. Of course that had been almost twenty years ago. They hated each other now. But he was still upset. Eventually that same night, he had a little too much wine and by the next morning, he was horrified to find himself in bed with none other than Caroline. So when they found out she was pregnant, her parents raised hell. He didn't need lawsuits; especially when he was training to become a Gym Leader. He also wanted a chance to at least have a family. So he decided to play along with the charade. If anything, he would hope for divorce after their child was grown.
Looking back now, Norman realized he could've started a family even with a man. Anyone could be happy with one another. Adoption could've been an option. Even insemination would've worked. Sighing, he put his drink down, rubbing his temple. He was already feeling a buzz-just with wine! He left his pay and left the bar.
Once outside the bar, which resided in Unova's Castelia City, he grabbed a Poke Ball, calling for his Staraptor. "Take me….wherever." he grumbled. "….anywhere but home." He had taken a ferry from Slateport back in Hoenn, but wasn't about to go back anytime soon.
As he soared into the air with his thoughts, he began to sob quietly. This wasn't the life he wanted. He wanted to be with a man who loved and cherished him so. He remembered his old high school teacher, Drayden, leader of the Opelucid Gym, used to lecture to his students to follow their hearts, even if it meant bending some rules…but only for good.
Norman missed Drayden. He wouldn't lie about his crush on his former teacher now, but when anyone else asked twenty years ago, he would've denied it with a blush. Otherwise, they would've stared at him in a mean way.
Norman was still friends with the now current mayor of the city, but had never been able to talk much, which he missed terribly. By now, the tears were coming harder and faster. For a split moment, he began to consider just letting go of his Staraptor. Just let go and take away the pain which resided fifty feet from the air.
But just as he considered it, his feet hit cobblestone as his flying Pokémon hit land. He silently cursed to himself, making his way to a park bench. It was only five P.M., yet he felt a little sleepy. But mostly sad.
As he continued to sob, he suddenly felt as if he was being watched. He noticed a shadow too close, right under the tree a foot away. As he begun to panic a little as it drew near, a firm hand was placed onto his shoulder. He looked up, shaking slowly.
"….Drayden?"
Drayden was quite surprised to find his former student sobbing on a bench. He always admired Norman. He was positive about many things. He could lose a battle and still be proud of himself and the trainer. He was always a good listener in school, never disobeying the rules. He was always fond of him. In more ways than one.
"…Norman, what brings you to Opelucid?" Drayden questioned with a brow quirked up.
"…I needed…some time…out of the house…" Norman mumbled, trying his best to hide his sorrow. However, Drayden could see it with both his eyes shut if he wanted.
"Was it Caroline again?" he grasped the young man's shoulder gently. Norman happened to be wearing a black denim jacket with black jeans, and a dark green tee. To Drayden, Norman was breathtaking.
Norman nodded as the older man asked him. He gestured a hand towards the sorrowful man as he flashed him a heartwarming grin. Even with (or without) his gorgeous beard, Norman could see it and nearly melted into the touch.
"Come with me." Drayden ushered. "You can stay with me temporarily. It'd be a good time to catch up with you on such things." As he said this, Norman finally stood up, feeling a thousand emotions bouncing around inside him. He also had to cover up his hard-on that appeared within seconds. Taking his mentor's hand. They headed off into the sunset-or at least to the mayor's manor. What would happen to Norman?
Anybody's guess.
To Be Continued….
What do you think readers? Please comment if you can. Stay tuned!