He'll Never Know
Part Two: Brock's Soul
Notes: I've decided to change the fic a little bit. In addition to the three vignettes, I'm going to write an ending, in third person. Why? Basically, I realized that I didn't want to keep everyone, including myself, hanging. And if you personally don't want to see closer, you can just not read the ending. Everyone wins! Yes!
Summary: This part is basically Brock bantering on about his unrequited love for Misty. It is written very similarly to her part, but his thoughts are different (obviously).
***
As I wake up, I see that something is not right.
It is dark. Too dark, and too quiet. With the restless sleep I've had tonight, I expected it would be daylight by now. But no, the campfire's blaze is the only thing that shines brightly in this deserted clearing. I sigh in frustration, wondering if I can fall asleep again. For the source of my restlessness is too deep to just wipe away.
Partially, I admit that the excitement of Ash's triumph has kept me awake. And the irony of it all. Defeating his longtime rival just may have been the way that Ash wanted to win the most. But I saw a look of wistfulness in his eyes, as Gary stomped out of the ring in frustration. Maybe Ash feels badly about their rivalry. I have pondered this thought a little bit tonight.
But mostly, I think about her.
Misty. Kasumi. Water Goddess. Whatever you wantto call the red haired girl, she is beautiful. Amazingly beautiful. And, best of all, she's no helpless little girl, not at all the type who would risk everything for a man. She's an amazing girl and a strong one. I think that's what made me feel a connection to her the day we met. She had the strength, the mental toughness, the self confidence that I'd always lacked. As Misty grew up, I realized it was not just a simple connection I felt. My heart started to beat every time I saw her, every time she drew near. It was love.
In another life, another dimension, perhaps I could have told her my feelings, and we would have lived happily ever after, married, with children. When I imagine that alternate universe, it almost makes me laugh in its unlikeliness. I'm not completely dense.
It's obvious that Ash and Misty are meant to be.
The way the two of them act together, talk together, and speak together, I realize that they must be in love. Sometimes, I even feel like the odd man out in our trio. The two of them have an understanding of each other, a special bond that I will never have with them.
Everyone talks about how cute Ash and Misty are, how they will make the perfect couple someday. How they are supposedly "meant to be." Each time I hear it, it depresses me even more. But I can still see that this is the truth.
To hide my true feelings, I changed myself into the classic ladies' man. If I didn't flirt with a girl we passed, it was an unusual event. I've flirted with everyone, the Nurse Joys, Officer Jennies, young girls, teenagers, and even older women. Hell, I even accidentally flirted with a guy once, mistakenly thinking he was a girl. I was that non-selective. Somehow, I've tried to convince myself that one of these hundreds of girls would be right for me, would divert my attention from Misty. But none of them have ever stood up to the test.
After all that flirting, Misty probably thinks I'm a world class asshole. Brock, the idiot. That's what she believes. I'd bet on it.
The funny thing is, I really should be happy about leaving. I could go home, see my beloved father and siblings again, and maintain the honor of my gym. Or, I could set out on a quest to become a great breeder. But which would I do, anyway? I am drawn to both pursuits and completely uncertain which one I should choose. I'm nineteen years old, and still clueless about my future post-Ash. Besides, I don't want to do anything without Misty by my side.
I sigh in sadness as I make my way back to my sleeping bag, seeing no more reason to ponder my lost love. The love who will never know she was. I feel as if I have bared my soul to this cold, silent night. As I crawl into my sleeping bag, I notice that Misty has put her bag right next to mine. I smile, imagining for an instant that she loves me, wants to be near me. But my brain tells me she is only huddling for body heat.
Carefully, I put my arm around hers, clutching her tightly, not wanting to let her go. The warmth of her body warms my body and my heart. "I'll always love you, Misty," I whisper to the air. I hear a sound. Could that be Misty, waking up to talk to me?
No. It's only Ash snoring.
Still clutching her, I close my eyes, hoping I have helped make some of the pain go away. But I know the dreams will come back, the dreams where she runs off without me. Now that our group is splitting up, those dreams may become reality.
She may never know what I think of her.
***
Getting a little tired of this similar format for both vignettes? Don't worry, Part Three will be less angsty and a little different! (After all, Ash isn't exactly pining for someone in this fic, so he can't be that sad)
Now, what are you waiting for, on to Part Three! ;)