World – Game
Characters – Roark/Gardenia (MossShipping)
Genres – Romance, Humour
Note(s) – needs. moar. love.

Rock : Roark and Gardenia

The first time he sees her there, his heart clenches involuntarily.
His palms start to sweat.
Roark immediately dives behind a clump of shrubs and prays his presence goes unnoticed.

He can't entirely believe that someone other than himself is showing interest in that lone, mossy rock. Granted, not everyone is born to be a rock enthusiast, so the Gym Leader can't help but wonder why she's sitting on the odd stone with eyes closed, dark emerald poncho pulled close to shield herself from the cool wind that's currently rolling through the acres of Eterna Forest. Her Roserade is at her side, enjoying the moment as well. The Grass-type prances around the stone, bouncing through the growing grass and sprouting ferns as it frolics in Mother Nature's embrace. Roark doesn't know how to describe the sensation he feels as he watches both trainer and Pokémon bathe in the beauty of the forest. Perhaps there really is a special quality to the rock she's claimed. He is more tempted to study it now, but can't bear to speak up, he watches on for a few more seconds. He tries to understand why he's so nervous and why his heart is racing.

The Rock-type expert doesn't want to intrude on the resting female, he tucks his documents under one arm and slowly shifts away from his hiding corner. He's never really held a proper conversation with her before; he's too self-conscious and afraid to talk to anyone other than the male Gym Leaders and his father. He doesn't really know how to act around girls, and isn't all that keen to learn. Roark doesn't want to screw up around her, and for some unplaced reason that makes his cheeks redden; he suddenly wants to get away. He just can't imagine talking to her, he knows she won't like him, and it's obvious that she wouldn't like his disturbance now. Roark knows he can come back on a later date to run his experiments and do his research. He steps on a twig during his retreat, and feels a jolt of terror scamper up his spine.

"Who's there?" A woman's surprised tone shatters the once tranquil woodlands.

Roark clambers messily onto his feet and runs madly away from the direction of the voice, back to the security of the Oreburgh Mines.

-

The first time she notices him there, her mouth twitches into an amused grin.
Her eyes start to brighten.
Gardenia leans casually against a nearby trunk and refrains from disturbing him.

She doesn't take long to understand why he's crouching over the moss rock, clipboard firm in one hand, torchlight held high with the other. All the Eterna City Gym Leader gets to see is his side profile, auburn eyes focused unrelentingly on the stone where she prefers to enjoy lazy, trainer-free afternoons. There is this magical quality to the atmosphere encompassing the lone moss-crusted lump, a certain hint of enchantment in the damp forest air. Gardenia can't place her finger on it, but the young woman knows that there's something special about that particular rock.

And to see someone else taking interest in it, she can't help but feel satisfaction surging through her body. It is a sort of affirmation to her, that she's not a weird, raving lunatic, and that the mystical stone deserves a good bit of attention. She recognizes him by his bright orange helmet and crimson, shoulder-length hair. The female knows how everyone, even spunky Maylene, finds it a difficulty to communicate with him. He's always got his head in the clouds, or rather, in a dingy coal mine. She's happily relieved to know that he spends at least a portion of time outdoors as well. She remembers how she mistook him for a female with broad shoulders during the first gathering of the newly appointed Sinnoh Gym Leaders. Gardenia attempts to cover her mouth before her building laughter escapes, but she is far too slow. Her uncontained chuckles ring through the greenish leaves and echo through the myriads of trees.

"Who's there?" He springs up from the rock, his eyes wide with alarm and his cheeks flushed.

Gardenia steps away from her post and strolls eagerly towards him to ask what he's doing, determined to develop a relationship with him.

-

By the fourth time they meet, they greet each other amiably.
He's still fumbling with words; she's already gotten used to his company.
They settle down at their usual spot.

"We have to stop meeting like this," the woman laughs, the male attempts to join in. But his weak chuckle is faltering and dry compared to hers. Her hearty chortles seem to drown out his so completely. And he doesn't really mind that much; she can laugh for the both of them. He unpacks his materials from the small brown rucksack he's carried all the way from Oreburgh and draws out a ballpoint pen from the pocket on his old bronze jacket.

Gardenia notices how he's made an effort to keep a polite distance away from her, and makes no move to bridge said length for comfort's sake. She tries her best to enjoy the mystique of the forest once more. Roark buries his thoughts into that day's calculations and somehow manages not to spend too long staring at her. Not long after, they succeed in maintaining a ten-minute conversation, breaking a record for the shy Rock-type specialist. They slip in a few laughs and small witty joke or two, and share two sandwiches the male made for a light snack. She asks if he made two on purpose, he blushes and mutters that he felt hungrier today. He doesn't tell her that he made an extra ham sandwich because he was hoping for her company. Gardenia feels contented nonetheless, while Roark tastes accomplishment. They have a wonderful off-day, where she's relaxing to her fullest; but he never gets much work done.

-

By the seventh chance that they stumble upon each other, they smile and need not exchange formalities.
He's still jumpy around her; she's falling more in love with him.
They are more open to each other.

Roark speaks with a less stilted voice, learns how to be more relaxed around her and realises that he is genuinely not considered just a mere acquaintance. He notices her long eyelashes and her fiery eyes, and secretly thinks about becoming more than just friends. Gardenia speaks in her usual boisterous fashion, but is taught how to be more observant, appreciate the simpler things. Like his rare grin, and the way he pulls at a reddish bang when he's thinking too hard. When he bends over to examine the rock, his shoulder accidentally brushes her arm. Before he can jump back and apologise, she leans her weight against him and he sees a picture of radiance blossom on her face. Roark straightens his posture, Gardenia shifts to the left a bit more. They spend what seems like an eternity in that position, where she's blissfully gratified; and he fails to get enough records again.

-

By the tenth time, they are comfortably close.
But he's still so unsure; so she's growing too impatient.
Gardenia sighs. She pecks his cheek when he's off guard.
Roark squeaks, but can't help it when he smiles broadly in the end.

She playfully removes his helmet and places it onto her head of maple hair. "How do I look?" she asks, her face burning with a pinkish hue. He extends a hesitant hand, but manages to cup her face and run a gentle thumb across her radiant cheeks. And he doesn't to say a word. He doesn't need to.

They confirm then and there that there's something special about this rock.