A/N: I'm so sorry for taking so long to update! So busy with school and the upcoming holidays. Thanks a lot for all your support, even though I'm terribly slow. I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Oh, and did you know that there's also an episode called Leave It To Brocko? I just found that out today… That's so crazy – to avoid confusion, this story has nothing to do with that episode!
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.
Leave It To Brocko
Chapter 11
"Ash, it's such an amazing taste to see you again," Cilan smiled at Ash when we entered the Pokémon Center, while Iris waved at him behind us.
"Iris, Cilan? What are you doing here?" Ash asked, looking at us surprised.
"What, you're not happy to see us?" the dark-skinned girl demanded, giving him a light glare.
"Of course I am," he defended himself, standing up and subsequently making Pikachu fall off his lap, who chu'ed annoyed, before noticing the two newcomers and running up to them to greet them.
"Hey Pikachu, long time no see," Iris smiled, and kneeled to pick up the yellow Pokémon. A small, green Pokémon popped out of her hair – I had never seen a Pokémon like that, so I suppose it's an Unova Pokémon – and made some sounds, greeting the Electric Pokémon.
Ash had walked up to us, beaming at his former traveling partners, "It's great to see you again, guys! I mean, now both Cilan and Brock can cook!"
I face palmed. Was food really the only thing the boy could think about? Looking at the green-haired waiter, I said, "I don't really mind, you?"
When Cilan nodded, I added, "Though I would like to change..."
"Oh yeah, almost forgot to tell you, Brock," Ash said, looking up from his conversation with Iris, "Nurse Joy put your clothes in the dryer, and they should be dry by now."
"Fantastic, I'm gonna change right now," I said cheerily. Okay, I still was surrounded by happy couples, but my normal clothes would be a great improvement of my situation.
Quickly, as soon as I entered the bathroom, I stripped off the dress and put on my normal clothes, which were lying neatly folded on the dryer. I could not help but smell my shirt – it smelled just like Nurse Joy… I sighed wishfully.
As I reentered the main room, I found Iris and Cilan just finishing the introductions to the rest of the group.
"Ah Brock, there you are, shall we get started?" Cilan smiled.
"Good idea," I nodded, and grabbed two chairs while Cilan was already heading outside carrying a table.
Sitting down on one of the chairs, I started to cut the ingredients, while Cilan was gathering some firewood. Mindlessly, I continued with this boring task as I thought about the two newcomers.
So Cilan liked Iris… that was not completely unexpected, as everyone can be paired – everyone but me, that is. Obviously, his greatest problem with his feelings was the big age gap. From what I have understood, Iris has the same age as Ash, while Cilan is eighteen. Three years… Not really a problem in my opinion.
But that was not the only thing, I thought, there had to be something else. I counted back – they knew each other for at least five years… that means she was ten years old and he thirteen. I bit my lip – that could be a problem. He knows her since she was just a kid, and still sees her as one, even though his feelings tell him otherwise.
Of course I could be awesome and give them a bit of help, but I didn't know whether I was right about his feelings or not, nor if Iris liked him back.
I needed to find that out, I decided, and as on cue Cilan came walking back, his arms full of firewood. Wordlessly, we switched places – he continued to prepare the ingredients, while I tried to make a fire.
Making a fire is a lot of work, but practice makes perfect, and within a few minutes I had ignited a small fire. Looking up at Cilan, I noticed how he was staring through the big window of the Pokémon Center. Inside I could see Gary reading a magazine, and Leaf, Ash and Iris discussing something – battle techniques, perhaps? Misty seemed to have disappeared.
Anyway, it was pretty clear at who Cilan was staring. I didn't get how the girl hadn't noticed it yet – maybe Cilan wasn't always this obvious?
Pretending not to have seen him staring, I placed the saucepan with the rice on the fire, then cleared my throat and said, "So, the fire is burning."
Startled, the young man flushed slightly and quickly continued with his work. With a light smirk on my face I sat down on the other chair and grabbed another knife to cut some meat. Glancing at Iris, I decided to do a little test.
"She's quite hot, don't ya think?" I asked, staring openly at Iris.
"What, who?" Cilan replied, confused.
"That girl you're traveling with, you know, what's her name again," I said pretending to think and then snapped my fingers, "Iris. Yes, Iris."
"Oh…" he said slowly, "What did you say about her again?"
It was a question, but it sounded more like a threat to me. Ignoring it, I continued, "She's quite hot, I mean, look at those eyes and that hair and that figure."
I felt disgusted by saying that – I mean, not that she isn't pretty, but she's just way too young for me – but it seemed to work. Cilan's green eyes darkened, his cheeks were slightly red and his grip around the knife he was holding tightened.
"You think so?" he asked through his clenched teeth.
"Yes of course," I grinned, trying to ignore the death glares Cilan was sending me, and then ran a hand through my hair and flashing him a big grin, "I mean, she's a bit shy, but I'm sure that can be overcome," I finished with a wink.
Now he was looking positively murderous – and he was still holding that knife. Better tell him it's a joke, before he really murders me. Though that idea seemed a bit comical to me – sure he had a knife, but in terms of muscle I could defeat him with one hand.
I burst out laughing and slapped him on his shoulder. "C'mon Cilan, you don't really think I'm interested in Iris! I mean, she's nice and all, but she way too young for me."
"Oh," was all he said, dropping the knife and his face now completely red.
Not being able to keep a grin of my face, I winked at him, "Besides, I recognize a taken girl when I see one."
It took him a moment to process what I said. "What, n- no!" he exclaimed, "Iris- Iris and I are not together."
"Do I hear some disappointment?" I grinned.
"N- No, no, of course not! She's like my little sister," he denied.
"Sure," I said sarcastically, the look on my face clearly stating that I didn't believe him.
For a few seconds we held a staring contest, before he threw his hands up in frustration and exclaimed, "Fine, believe whatever you want."
Smiling triumphantly, I asked, "You're sure you wanted to strangle me a minute ago because of older brother feelings?"
Cilan crossed his arms stubbornly, before slumping in his chair and sighing in defeat.
Getting more serious, I asked, "You really like her, eh?"
He nodded silently. Hah, I was right! Another triumph for Brock the Rock!
"Why haven't you told her yet?"
He bit his lip, and stared at the table, before whispering barely audible, "I don't want to ruin our friendship."
"Now that's just stupid!" I exclaimed, and startled he looked up at me. "Seriously, I heard that argument more than a few times, and it's just stupid. I mean, what weakling uses that as excuse? Your friendship can only get better!"
"What do you mean by that?" he asked confused.
"I mean," I started patiently, "that even if she rejects you, there will be no further secrets in your friendship. And if she feels the same, you'll live happily ever after!"
He gave me a look. "And what if we get together, but break up after some time?"
"Er…" I had no answer to that, "But that doesn't matter! Because that's not your real reason, is it?"
Again, he blushed, "Of course it is – what other reason would I have?"
Now it was my time to give him a look, because the answer was pretty obvious.
He sighed, and then replied in a reluctant voice, "The age gap is too big… like you said, she's way too young."
Shaking my head, I said, "Cilan, Cilan, Cilan, love knows no age, you should know that by know. When you were fifteen, how did you feel about her? Did you already like her?"
"Uh… it has grown, I suppose… Yeah, I think so," he replied, blushing.
"Now then, if you can feel that way when you were fifteen, then she should be able to feel that way now too. And girls mature earlier than boys, you know?"
For a few seconds he was silent, and I knew he was having an inner debate. Sighing, I gave him a pat on the shoulder, and said, "Just- Just think about it, okay? You don't have to declare your undying love for her immediately, or even have to ask her out, just drop some hints, okay? You know, flirt a bit."
"Fl- Flirt?" he stuttered.
"Just think about it," I said, and then stood up. "Now, you finish the soup, and then I'll tell the group that the rice is ready."
Nodding, he stood up to prepare the soup, while I walked back inside the Pokémon Center. As soon as I entered, Ash flew up from his chair and yelled across the room, "Is the food almost done, Brock?"
Walking across the room to the group before answering, I noticed that Misty still was missing. "Yes Ash, we're almost finished. Now, does anyone know where Misty is?"
After their negative response, I sighed, "Well, then we'll have to wait till we found her."
"What?!" Ash cried, "We need food! I'll go search for her immediately!"
Before I could say anything else, he already ran off, even leaving Pikachu behind. "On the other hand," I started, "maybe it's better if we start eating already, before everything gets cold."
Iris licked her lips, Gary and Leaf nodded, and then the three of them stood up and walked out of the Pokémon Center. Following them, I grabbed a few bowls and then continued on my way.
For a few minutes we all ate in silence, enjoying the meal – it was delicious, I thought, Cilan sure was a good cook.
"It tasted great, Cilan," Iris complimented him with a smile, "Like always."
We all nodded in conformation and Cilan blushed slightly, thanking us, "I agree, Brock and my cooking make a great blend."
"Oh, and by the way, Cilan," the purple-haired girl continued, "Gary, Leaf, Ash and I were just talking, and apparently they need to go to an airport to get to Hoenn. And since the closest airport is the one in Opelucid City, and we were heading there to, why not travel together for a while?"
She batted her eyelashes at him and sat closer to him – was she flirting with him? – and then asked in a sweet voice, "If that's okay with you, of course?"
Cilan's blush increased a bit, while he moved a bit away from her – I noticed how Iris's face fell – and then answered, "I think that journey would have an amazing taste! Of course, but… Brock, do you mind?"
"Er…" I was pulled out of my thoughts about their failing attempts at flirting, "Of course I don't mind, heh."'
"We still have to ask Misty too," Leaf added.
I was about to agree with her, when Ash exited the Pokémon Center – not that much of a happening, I know, wasn't it for the fact that he was cherry red and had a black eye.
"Ash, what happened?" Cilan asked worriedly.
In a daze, he grabbed a bowl filled with rice and sat down, not replying to Cilan.
"Ash," I repeated, "What happened?"
If possible, his face got even redder, as he started to stutter, "I- I found Mi- Misty."
We all nodded curiously, urging him to continue.
"An- And the door was u- unlocked," he said.
"The door?" Iris asked, "What door?"
Ash gulped, and his blushing got even worse, "Th- The ba- bathroom door."
For a few moments everyone was silent, letting his words sink in.
"She was showering," Ash whispered.
My jaw dropped. He- He did what? After another second, Gary voiced my thoughts.
"You walked in on Misty showering?" he asked incredulously.
"And you survived?" I added, no less surprised than Gary.
He just nodded.
"Mi-" Gary started, but was interrupted by the sound of the door opening. Misty walked out of the Pokémon Center, her face dark red with anger and embarrassment and her hair still damp from the shower.
She looked – well, more glared – around the group, and when her glare reached Ash, she practically tried to kill him with it.
"Another word, Ash Ketchum," she hissed, "and you're dead."
He cowered and nodded dumbly, quickly focusing on his food again.
Angrily, Misty grabbed a bowl and sat down as far from Ash as possible and started munching down her food, still glaring daggers at him.
Brocko, these hormonal teenagers will be the death of me.
A/N: Thanks so much for reading, hope you enjoyed! Tell me what you thought about it ;) Reviews are always welcome xD And yes, I just love to torture Cilan. I hope to update sooner than I did now, but that's no promise :(
Thanks again, and pretty please REVIEW!