"No need to worry"
Oldrivalshipping
...
Gary was never the most socially active person in the bunch. However that didn't mean he didn't like company. He just didn't know how to keep a conversation going or how to handle playful insults.
People say that when he was a kid, he always used to loiter around, wishing anyone and everyone he met on his trail. He loved Pokémon as much as he loved his own life. He also made some new friends while aimlessly moving around. Ash Ketchum was one of them. However, things started going downhill when his parents, Mr and Mrs Oak left for Johto and were crushed while excavating fossils near Goldenrod City. Things were never the same again.
Written in these walls are
The stories that I can't explain
I leave my heart open but
It stays right here empty for days
She told me in the morning
She don't feel the same
About us in her bones
Seems to me that when I die
These words will be written
On my stone
He started to stay out of company. People always used to sympathize about his loss and used to tell how sorry they were. He was young but not naive. He knew most of the consolation were just fake. Irritated with the people around him, he started ignoring them. He felt if he doesn't listen, the chatters would eventually stop. He didn't need someone to pity him, all he needed was a person who would listen to him, without getting irritated.
And I'll be gone, gone tonight
The ground beneath my feet
Is open wide
The way that I been
Holding on too tight
With nothing in between
So when he was ten, he started on his journey, a journey to become League Champion. He always found it difficult to travel in company. But, without the presence of any human comfort, he was sure he would go crazy. So, he hired a personal squad of cheerleaders. They sure occupied his time and gave him company, he still felt out of place and alone. So, he let them go.
As soon as he thought he was alone again, someone entered his life. His first girlfriend, first kiss and first heartbreak. Giselle.
The story of my life
I take her home
I drive all night
To keep her warm
And time is frozen
(the story of, the story of)
The story of my life
I give her hope
I spend her love
Until she's broke
Inside
The story of my life
(the story of, the story of)
Staying with Giselle made him happy, satisfied even. She always strove him to do better, work harder. She was an ideal woman, for Gary, this Lady was faultless. They used to talk like best friends and care for each other like married couples. However, having lost someone so close to his heart, he was possessive.
He hated when Giselle used to talk with other boys or dismiss their dates for some reason or the other. He felt he was being ignored. And it hurt him like a bitch.
Written on these walls are
The colors that I can't change
Leave my heart open but
It stays right here in its cage
I know that in the morning now
I see us in the light upon a hill
Although I am broken,
my heart is untamed
Still
Giselle moved away from his like, saying he had trust issues and was over possessive. Moreover, being a trainer, he had very little time for her. But whatever time he had, he spend it on her. For the girl, it was never enough.
So, being heartbroken, Gary left, believing he was meant to be alone. This made him arrogant and a jerk. All his frustration used to stay bottled up inside him, and he found the perfect target to let it free. Ash.
Poor Ash, he never understood why his best friend turned out to be such a jerk. He was always there when Gary's parents passed away but the brunette didn't want any mercy or pity. He pushed Ash away. So far, into a void, from where coming back was nearly impossible.
And I'll be gone, gone tonight
The fire beneath my feet
Is burning bright
The way that I been
Holding on so tight
With nothing in between
However, things started improving when he faced Ash in Johto League. He had lost but gained something more important. His old friend. Ash.
It was then he had made up his mind to become a researcher. He wanted to follow Professor Oak's footsteps but in his heart of heart wanted to be greater than him. He wanted to make everyone around him proud.
A new era of his life had began.
The story of my life
I take her home
I drive all night
To keep her warm
And time is frozen
(the story of, the story of)
The story of my life
I give her hope
I spend her love
Until she's broke
Inside
The story of my life
(the story of, the story of)
Gary got up and brushed away the dirt from his pant. He had been sitting on the cliff that overlooked Pallet Town for more than an hour.
His motherland. It always brought back memories. Some good and some bad. But he knew, he would do everything he could to protect it. Even if that meant jumping into potentially dangerous situations which could kill him.
"Still here Professor?" A soft, melodious and girly voice called him, breaking him out of his trance. Her voice reminded him of Giselle, but he knew the difference between the two voices. He always looked forward to hear this voice and he would never even spend a penny to listen Giselle's voice, even when sometimes he used to crave for her presence.
"I told you not to call me Professor," Gary said, getting up and turning to face the girl,"It makes me feel old."
The girl smiled cutely and with a bright smile said,"Sorry Gary. It is a habit of mine." Gary chuckled softly on hearing that. Shaking his head, while trying to compress his amused grin, he playfully stated,"Grow up Leaf."
Leaf was older Professor Oak's assistant, along with Tracey. Tracey used to help Oak with his data collecting and food preparation where as Leaf, being daughter of a doctor, used to treat the Pokémon. They had first met when Gary decided to pursue his dream of becoming an honourable Professor and had returned to Kanto to go on a new journey.
Leaf taught Gary the basics of researching and it was only a matter of time when he surpassed her. He was always a quick learner. They had spend one summer vacation together,learning about each other and teaching each other.
Gary was hardly home after that. He went to sinnoh to learn under professor Rowan and after two years, returned to Kanto, to help his aging grandpa.
They had started walking back to the town. Leaf had come to fetch Gary, his old friends were looking for him but she decided to keep quiet. She wanted to look the surprised expression on his handsome face on getting the present.
Over the years, Leaf had fallen in love with Gary. That Gary, which was workaholic, that Gary who used to forget to brush his teeth but never forgot to give the Pokémon a bath, that Gary who used to study all night and slept at six in the morning, using the books as a pillow and a napkin to drool upon, leaving tasted empty coffee cups scattered on the table. She loved the way he used to tease her for her mistakes and the way he helped her when she messed up.
"What are these flowers for?" Leaf asked, noticing a small bouquet in his hands. She wondered why she hadn't noticed them before.
Gary gave a small smirk and playfully teased,"Don't worry Leafy, they are not for you."
She knew he had said with just clean intension of messing with her, still couldn't help but feel a little sad.
And I been waiting for this time
To come around
But baby running after you
Is like chasing the clouds
The story of my life
I take her home
I drive all night
To keep her warm
And time is frozen
Leaf noticed Gary enter the cemetery and decided to follow him. She knew why he was there.
She saw Gary bend on his knees ants place the bouquet neatly on a grave. His mother's grave.
"Mother, see, orchids, purple ones. I know you love them. But sorry, I wasn't able to find a pink rose." Leaf heard Gary talking to the grave. She didn't feel weird. Neither did she feel left out. She was watching silently, adoring the scene in front of her.
"You think I am a fool and emotional idiot, right?" Gary said while walking back to the lab. Leaf gave a small giggle and muttered,"Yes you're a fool and no, I don't think so, I believe so."
Gary faked a hurt expression then both of them burst out laughing, clutching their stomach and panting due to heavy laughing. Gary didn't come up with any witty comeback. He didn't have to.
"You still miss them?" Leaf slowly asked. Gary nodded. She didn't ask anything after that. She didn't think it was necessary.
"Aren't you going to ask me anything else? Like how I feel or how sorry you're for my loss?"
Leaf didn't stop walking neither did she make eye contact. As if humming to herself, she quietly said,"I can't. I can't feel the amount of pain you're going through. So there is no use in digging old wound. I was never that close to my mother but I know, if she dies, it will hurt like a bitch. Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps, I can't even imagine how much you'll feel if you speak about it."
Gary could only smile,"You're a nice girl Leaf. Any boy will be lucky to have you."
"You think so?"
"Yeah."
Leaf gave a defeated sigh. All she wanted was Gary to notice her. Not as a Friend and definitely not as a sister. However, she couldn't tell him about it. His presence made her happy and she didn't want to lose that.
"Something is bothering you."
Leaf shook her head,"It is not."
Gary said,"I always thought my life sucks. When I lost my parents, Giselle, the Johto League, I couldn't help but scold and hate myself. But now I know, we can't have everything. So I try my best to cherish what I have now." He noticed the curious expression on her face and with a soft smile, said,"It includes you too Leaf."
Leaf could just smile where as she was burning from inside. She was imagining he had just confessed and was about to ask what he truly meant but he said,"We fight like siblings, care for each other like couples and help each other like best friends. You're one of the best things that has happened to me."
Leaf was hiding her excitement. But, was he just seeing her as a friend or something more? If she is mistaken, it would just make things awkward between them. Holding her desire, she sweetly said,"That's what best friends are for!"
The story of my life
I give her hope
(give her hope)
I spend her love
Until she's broke
(until she's broke inside)
Inside
The story of my life
(the story of, the story of)
The story of my life
The story of my life
(the story of, the story of)
The story of my life
Hardly did they know what the other was thinking. They let out inaudible sigh and repeated two words,"Just Friends."
Confession could wait. They both thought.
...
That was my first oldrivalshipping one shot. I hope I pulled it okay. It was Gary-centric, that man always intrigues me!
Leave a review and speak your mind. Critical appreciation are gladly accepted.
~ darkestlightofhope
