Story of Drew (RespectShipping)

"Rose!" Drew's Roselia chimed after locating a bush full of beautiful red roses. Drew walked over and patted Roselia on its head.

"Good job, Roselia," Drew complemented his Pokémon as he gazed at the roses. He leaned in to sniff them, their fresh scent making him feel better about his choice in gathering them. They would last awhile in a vase of water, which was great, since he wanted them to stay alive for as long as possible. He wasn't sure when he'd see the group again and it would be a wasted effort if the roses died before he even had the chance to give them to whom they were intended.

Drew picked the roses off of the bush carefully, so as not to damage the stems or cut himself by the thorns, and bundled them together to form a bouquet.

"We've got to take good care of these, Roselia. It might some time before we see them again," Drew told his Roselia.

"Rose!" Roselia danced in a circle, showing its understanding.

"C'mon, let's go. It looks like rain is heading our way," Drew glanced up at the sky, which was quickly filling with dark clouds threatening precipitation. "The Pokémon Center is up ahead." Roselia followed closely behind as they rushed to the Center.

When Drew stepped inside, he was more than shocked to see Brock standing at the counter, trying to make a pass at Nurse Joy.

"Hey, why don't you take a quick break and join me for dinner made by yours truly?" Brock said. "I can make you whatever you like!"

Nurse Joy waved her hands, not sure what to say, when Drew rushed forward.

"Brock!" he said. Brock quickly turned around to face the green-haired boy.

"Drew? What are you doing here?" Brock asked. "I thought you were in Slateport City."

"I was, but I decided to take a break from the beach and come to Lilycove. I arrived here yesterday by the S.S Tidal," the coordinator explained.

"Oh," Brock simply said. He then spotted the bunch of roses in Drew's hands. "Whoa! Who are those for?"

Drew lowered his head slightly, not wanting to announce the person's name. "Um, for someone…special."

"Oh, okay then. Where did you get them?" Brock asked, instantly thinking of collecting a bunch of his own to try to woo Nurse Joy.

"I found a bush outside of the city with some and picked them, but it's raining now," Drew mentioned. He slightly hesitated on his next question. "Where are Ash, May and Max?"

"Ash and May went to grab something to eat in the back of the Center and I think Max went to use the bathroom," Brock turned around. "The snack machine is down that hall," he pointed to the hallway on the far right.

"Okay, thanks," Drew glanced at his Roselia. "This way, Roselia."

The green-haired boy and the Thorn Pokémon began making their way down the hallway when they heard familiar voices.

"Can I have some of those?" a male voice asked.

"If you wanted some, you should have gotten your own bag!" a female voice shrilled.

"Ash, May," Drew said as they came around the corner.

"Drew!" May exclaimed in surprise. She accidentally dropped the three bags of chips in her hand.

"Sheesh, May, were you that shocked to see him?" Ash eyed the chips from the open bag on the floor, upset about the wasted food. "Aww, now look what you did! Gone to waste…"

"Hey," Drew wanted to wave, but the bouquet prevented him from doing so.

"Whoa," May gazed at the roses in amazement. "Those are really pretty roses!"

"Yeah…" Drew looked past May as she stepped closer to look at them.

"Are they for someone?" May asked, blushing.

"Well…"

"We're going to stay here tonight?" Max questioned as Brock set down his knapsack on the one of the beds in the cozy room.

"Yeah," the older boy responded. "Nurse Joy lent us this room since the hotel in Lilycove is full and the rain won't let up until tomorrow."

"That was nice of her," May said.

"I think she fell for my charms," Brock smiled, which made Max twist his face in disgust.

"Please…" Max sighed.

"Where's Ash?" Brock looked around, noticing that the raven-haired boy hadn't entered the room.

"Who knows?" May said, almost snidely. "I'm gonna go get us some water."

"I'll go with!" Max announced, following her out of the room.

Brock continued unpacking his clothes when the door opened a minute later.

"Back already?" he said, not expecting the siblings to have returned so quickly.

"Brock."

Brock turned at the unexpected voice, seeing Ash standing there holding a bouquet of roses in one hand and a vase of water in the other.

"Ash? Did you go pick roses, too? You should have told me, I would have—"

"I didn't pick these," Ash shook his head.

Brock cocked his head to the side. "Then…?"

"May knows," Ash strode over to the window and set the vase down, putting the roses in the vase. "I have to go to the bathroom," he said before walking back out of the room.

Brock crossed his arms, a look of confusion on his face. He then remembered the roses Drew had been holding earlier, him mentioning they were for 'someone special'.

That was embarrassing, Drew thought back to a few minutes ago as he exited the Center. There was no going back now that he had handed Ash the roses. He refused to explain himself as he bowed and darted off, hearing May call out to him.

He scratched his red cheeks and sighed. May, you're Beautifly isn't the only one who roses from me.