Waiting

You've been waiting, waiting for two years, hoping that he'll enter the front door and everything can be normal again.

Two years.

It's been two, long years.

You don't even bother going out of the house anymore. What if he comes through the door, and no one is there to greet him? What if he leaves right away because his mother isn't there?

What if… what if…

You just want a sign. A sign saying that your little boy—your little Hilbert—is still alive, and is returning back to you. You miss the smile he'd give you; the nights where the two of you would sit down in front of the television; the Tuesdays where you'd walk him to Castelia at the crack of dawn just to be first in line to get Casteliacones.

You miss his everything, it seems.

You hold on to that last bit of hope, telling you that he will indeed come back home.

You've lost your husband, the love of your life, already—but how can you bear to lose your flesh and blood? Every day you stare out the window—and your face lights up when there's a knock on the door, and then immediately you slunk back into your chair, realizing it's just the man who delivers your MooMoo Milk every week.

Then, on one fateful summer day, someone enters your home without a word—it's Hilbert, you tell yourself—you feel it in your gut. You start talking eagerly, asking him if he's found his friend—"N, was it?"—and welcome him home. Tears start streaming down your face, and just as you turn around to hug your dear child, you realize… it's someone else. You apologize quickly and wipe your tears, mentally slapping yourself.

This child, though—this boy vaguely resembles your Hilbert… and suddenly, you recognize him, remembering his mother who used to heal your Pokémon. You remember that his name was Nate and shake his hand, offering to heal his Pokémon anytime he comes into Nuvema. The boy offers his thanks, then leaves the house, flying away to a destination unknown on his Unfezant.

You cry to yourself again—but somehow, that boy's visit warmed your heart. The resemblance to Hilbert made all of your worries go away, almost like he was the sign that your boy was okay, that he would make it back home safely.

You pat your tears dry, and commence making a cup of tea. Afterwards, you look outside of your window again, taking sparse sips from your mug. Your wait continues on, and your hope begins to rise after Nate's visit.

Hilbert will come back to you again.

Your Hilbert—

your flesh and blood—

Unova's hero—

he will come back to you, no matter how long it will take him.

epilogue

It's almost been another 3 years since Nate's first visit. He comes back into Nuvema every so often, usually going to Juniper's lab for a Pokédex check. Occasionally, he'll stop by your house, and the both of you will sit and have a chat. Nate has wormed a way into your heart, and his visits always give you hope of Hilbert's return.

One day, though, someone enters the door—and automatically, you assume that it is Nate. You're watching television and motion for him to come sit by you. He walks over to you, but doesn't sit down.

"Nate, silly, just sit down!" You chuckle—but when you look towards the boy, you realize that this is not Nate, but someone very important. Your eyes widen with shock; soon after, you smile from ear to ear, the happiness radiating from your body, tears gently rolling down your cheeks. In a sweet, longing tone, the boy speaks:

"Hello, mother. It's been almost 5 years, hasn't it?"

A/N: I just had to write this... AND I'M ACTUALLY SURPRISED I'M PROUD OF SOMETHING THAT I WROTE IN LIKE 30 MINUTES

...Anywho, I hope you enjoyed this, and please tell me any feedback!

(I don't own Pokemon.)