A/n I don't own pokemon.
He knew it was coming. She had been growing more fragile each and every day, like a beautiful, brittle rose. He had seen it coming far before it came. But it still hit him, hard. He'd never expected it to come when it did. He'd thought he would have more time. But for one perfect, pure moment, she was with him. She was here. But when he blinked, looked away, turned around for just a second, and looked back, she was gone.
Life would never be the same.
He still remembered when he'd first seen her, even though it felt like full eras had passed. She was so young, so innocent. She was just a child. He felt so strong around her, so protective. She was just this young, gentle soul. And he loved her for it, always. She could never have done anything to change his mind.
He remembered how it felt to have her around. She was kindness, and self-sacrifice, and he wondered every day how he'd gotten someone so amazing.
As time flew by in his mind, certain times stuck out . . .
' . . . and she blushed as he handed her the rose.'
'The two of them laughed, and Gold wondered just what he had said that had been so funny.'
'As she stroked the young pokemon's head, he couldn't help but notice her gentle hands, and how kind she was.'
'R-red . . . I . . . yes!'
That was one of his fondest memories. It felt like he was still there; every heartbeat, every breath he'd taken, was etched in his mind forever. Such things would never be wiped away.
When she'd embraced him, when they'd just stood there, and forgot about everything but the fact that they would be together forever, he'd felt on top of the world.
He remembered everything, from wedding clothes to house hunting, from baby bottles to new toys, grades to pokemon, young men to give talks to, weddings to attend, birthdays to celebrate, picnics, fishing, spinning yarns about the golden days, and sometimes, just being.
As he remembered, a tear caught in his eye. He left it there and reminisced once more. He'd hardly had a chance to say goodbye. It was a family picnic; the children were playing games, the adults were laughing about old times, and the elders were happy just sitting in the sunlight, watching the world go by. She had been resting right beside him, her head against his chest, their hands intertwined, like they always were.
She always rested. She always had. But now, she rested forever. Red forever wished she had been given more time. After all, he was older. He didn't expect-didn't want- her to go first. But so she had.
Every second he was without her, he deteriorated just a tiny bit inside. When Yellow had died, she'd taken his heart with her to the grave. He had been so shocked when she'd passed. But he'd known it was coming.