Where Every Scroll is a New Adventure
Thank you!
For just about a few weeks now I have been anxiously waiting to read this story- for some reason, I really like Bullied Goh- and dissapointed I was not! Also, can I say that I love the title? And the whole wording of it really fits Pokemon, much more than my writing does.
BU-U-UT there is one thing; I'm a girl.
In the beginning I was referred to as a ’him’ and of course, that is faulty because I'm a biological female and I go by she/her pronouns. Maybe I should make that clearer from here on out? Pfft. But honestly, tumblingdowntheway2019, you don't even have to apologize or change it. I think it's really funny that it got mixed up like that. And please answer this question; do I really give off boy-vibes or was it an error?
Please don't change it, I love it. I'm also planning on writing another Pokemon Journeys fic- this one got me in the mood- I just need an idea. And once again, for everybody in the back, THANK YOU!
Master List Here!!
I am so so sorry. I truly thought I had uploaded this piece but it was a draft. Then found the finished version was corrupted so had to work off my last saved draft. Haven't a Pokémon fic properly before for Goh and Chloe. So consider this my first published fic!! (Turns out I had really rough drafts for a Sword and Shield based story. So guess what I'm working onnnnn!!😍😍)
This was requested by the awesome @grammarrrrrr, who was kind enough to do a fic for me, "Healing Curses and Trauma." and was kind enough to let me try one (1) for him!!
I hope this is ok, please tell me if you would like it changed or anything to add or take away. Enjoy!!
💪😎💕
The day had started off so well. Chloe and the boys had reunited after the Champions Battle and Mew Expedition respectively with their dreams and goals near enough fulfilled. Ash becoming a Champion after his victory over Leon and Goh finally encountering Mew once more, even getting to "hold it on the palm of his hand!"
To celebrate the occasion, the trio and their Pokémon decided that a camp out was the best way to do so. But it was so Chloe could get Goh to admit to Ash that it may be time to go their separate ways now. Goh has learned all he could with Ash, forever grateful for being able to grow into the researcher he always wanted to be and meeting Mew.
But the young girl could see that he couldn't shake off that feeling of potential betrayal to his friends if he ever did so. After an eventful travel to their campsite, enjoying the berries the Poliwag had given them in thanks for saving it from an angry swarm of Spearows, they began reminiscing about their time together as Research Fellows.
Throughout the trip, Chloe had quietly urged Goh to admit to Ash that now was the time to honestly tell the New Champion about his feelings about separating for his own journey, loosening ties to allow himself to be less dependant on his friends. But just when she thought he could do it, he chickens out. It was then she could have kicked herself when Ash casually announced that he was beginning his new journey with just Pikachu.
She saw how Goh couldn't hold it back anymore, tearily asking when Ash had planned to tell him this or if the year they spent together meant anything to Ash. She couldn't blame Ash, the boy was used to saying "See ya when we see ya" to his former travelling companions, having great pleasure in meeting them herself. But she couldn't help the pang of sadness in seeing her life long friend be upset at this new revelation.
Goh couldn't hold back anymore, declaring that since Ash didn't care about it, then their friendship was over and to never talk to him again as he ran off into the woods, his Striker Pokémon, equally as shocked as she was, followed suit.
"Goh wait!!" Ash called out after him, shock has yet to set in for him at what just happened. "What was that all about?"
It was then that Chloe gave the sternest of looks she could muster to the newly appointed World Pokémon Champion. He didn't realise what his words did to harm their friend.
At the same time, she knew Goh was quite secretive about his past and how he had a hard time admitting that making friends was never easy for him.
It took them this trip to the campsite alone to talk about the Abra that would randomly teleport into his family apartment years ago, after witnessing one (1) getting berries from a tree.
With a deep breath, she finally says,
"You were his very first friend, Ash. I don't think you understand how much that meant to him."
Ash, despite being airheaded, really did seem genuinely confused. She supposes that, as someone who always had travel companions and hardships since literally starting his journey, he can easily forget that that it was a difficult task for Goh and even herself to even start their journeys. But all the same, Ash's big heart for people and Pokémon alike has proven that at the end of the day, they all are just people wanting to reach their dreams. Ash took that hard step in sticking with his Pikachu, and the rewards for it has been substantial. And many links were connected thanks to Ash introducing them all at some point or another. So she decided to do something she wouldn't have dreamt on doing before.
"Ash, I understand how things may have been difficult for you when your journey began, but I want you to understand why this isn also the case for Goh. If not, even more difficult. It's not my story to tell from his point of view. But if you care for him, then please listen to what I have seen myself."
Ash and Pikachu shared a concerned look between each other before facing her again, now with a determination shining in their eyes.
"Ok. I don't know what Goh had been through, but I want to be able to help him. I can't help him if I don't know how he came to this conclusion. So please, help me understand."
"Pika!"
With that, Chloe took a deep breath and began to tell her side of the story.
========================
*FLASHBACK.*
If Chloe had a dime for every time Goh say "The future is at the palm of my hands!", she is certain that she would have a mansion for herself long before now.
Though that was also something she admire about him as well. But that was also when she seen how much of an outcast he had become. Or maybe it was because they couldn't find a way to understand him, he didn't exactly choose to be one.
A child of a Professor, she understands how people can criticise something they don't understand, even when they are presented with the known and most basic of facts. Her father did many a battle in his field to get to where he is at now.
Goh, despite his young age, already understood plenty. Enough to easily cut off the, thankfully patient, Professor Oak. But why did the other children have to be so cruel when he got praised?
========================
*CURRENT DAY.*
Ash and Chloe were still scavenging around the woods, both they and their Pokémon calling out for their dear friend and hoping to see some sign of him or Cinderace.
"I didn't know it meant so much to him to have me as his friend." Ash says as he looks around the trees. "Those bullies, you said Joshua had a Squirtle back then. I fought him before?"
Chloe grimaces at remembering finding Goh in such a state seeing him again. While he can handle confrontations better now, Chloe understands why there as some people he would much rather avoid.
"He was arrogant, I had my fair share of rivals but he was just a bully. Even after I beat him, he just wouldn't lighten up."
"He still has an ego. And I'm glad that you brought him down a peg or two (2)."
"What did he do to Goh?"
========================
*FLASHBACK.*
"Why don't you just fight back against them, Goh?" Chloe asked as she pulled up the boy from the dirt. "You're kidding right?" Goh began to protest as he fails to discreetly wipe the tears from his eyes. "I can't fight back someone who is bigger than me! I'm just lucky their Pokémon are in the Daycare Section." Chloe just sighed. Unfortunately she had come across another harassment against Goh as it was wrapping up. Even her own friends had urged her to try and stay away less she took her caught between opposing sides. Well, she would say it's opposings sides had Goh actually fought back. In this case it's more like avoiding being caught in the bully's cross hair. She can't even say she recognise this one (1) in particular. It wouldn't surprise her, Belle had been spreading rumours lately, something about how Goh would belittle anyone who doesn't know anything about a Pokémon before playing victim to get them into trouble. Outrageous lies! Goh, from what Chloe had observed of her longtime friend and fellow classmate for a few months, he's very introverted. Intelligent for sure, being the son of two (2) system engineers and programmers would do that as she too, is a child of a Pokémon Professor and Illustrator. Both bore the heavy expectations to follow in their parents paths in some way but only Goh bore the storm of others doubts and ill intentions. Focusing back to Goh once more, she could see that his injuries are thankfully at a minimal. It was home time now, so she practically pulled him up and towards the main gates. "W-wha?! Where are we going?!" The dark haired boy exclaims at the sudden pull. "Don't you have to meet your friends after school?" "Plans change Goh, you should know that!" She smiles back at him, it was a lie she'll need to apologise to her friends for it later, but he didn't need to know that. "They cancelled so I got time. Let's get you home. Your grandma is staying over too, right?"
"Oi, we weren't finished yet, brainiac."
Oh no, Joshua! He was back with his Squirtle. She hears Goh beginning to panic but without a second thought or a single second to look in the bullys direction, she bolts to the main entrance located just around the corner. If they could just get to the door -
"Use Water gun in front of them!"
She didn't see the shot pass their heads, or how it muddied up the grass they were running all. But she did see each blade of grass as she face planks into it, Goh landing on his rear just beside her, not losing grip of his hand.
She stood in front of her friend to shield him from his harasser.
"Out the way Cerise. Don't want the precious little professor to get in the way of his target now, would we?"
"Stop it! Goh didn't even do anything to warrant any of this harassment!" She tried to mimick the best protective growl she could manage. She doesn't know why, but she's tired of seeing her friend hurt.
She was thanking any Legendary God Pokémon she can think of when the teacher rounded the corner and began scolding the bully. It resulted in a week's ban of bringing his Pokémon to the Daycare. He asked Chloe and Goh if their were any more, but Chloe had to reluctantly keep quiet as Goh said no, having met Joshua's raging face.
They couldn't get a hold of Goh's parents, typical, but thankfully Professor Cerise was nearby to pick them up. It was almost pitiful watching her dad help him clean up before offering a ride back home. Goh's Grandmother thankful that her Grandson was safe and sound, having argued with the school before about the brats behaviour towards Goh. She offered the Cerises some of her homemade soup for their trouble.
Goh was clinging to every word the professor was saying about his field of work, eventually asking questions and answering in turn, testing each others knowledge on Pokémon and the likes. She didn't miss how Goh perked up when his computer that his parents built him was brought up and how proud he was when proudly showing off his well organised files on it. Each Pokémon sorted by type, quadpedal or bipedal, typings. She can name it and he would have it.
It was no wonder he was ahead of everyone in school!! She suppose she could come over every now and then to learn more with him.
========================
*CURRENT DAY."
"Now I'm really glad that I dealt with that Joshua. Shame it can't be said about Belle." Ash deflated a bit on that.
"I wouldn't worry about that one (1)." She replies, when Ash looks at her she adds: "Remember when you got me back in touch with Serena after the contest in Lilycove City?"
Ash tried to think back on it, before sheepishly apologising about being late that day. But he was glad to see Serena again and her kindness to help Chloe in the show.
"Ash, it's ok. I had fun doing it. But Belle didn't." She heard Ash say "oh?" And recalls the moment she got to witness karma first hand.
========================
*FLASHBACK."
"And why does SHE get to preform with Serena and I can't?!" Chloe heard a voice practically bawl out on timing with the stomping heels against tiled flooring.
"Competitor Belle please restrain yourself from lashing out." One (1) of the staff tried to calm her down. "Miss Cerise -"
"CERISE?!" Chloe now recognised that shrill voice anywhere now. "The Loser Crybaby Protector?!
"Competitor Belle!" It was Serena's voice that cut through as she came out of the changing room. "That sort of behaviour is not tolerated in Contests."
"But why?! Why the Crybaby Loser Protector." Belle pushed the topic more. "She was the reason I got suspended for no reason!!"
The rumors continues, even now. Chloe was ready to charge in there and confront Belle, but a hand on her shoulder. Turning to find it had been Lisia who had stopped her, a finger against her lips to signal Chloe to be quiet and watch.
"That was your last warning Miss Belle. Malicious behaviour against other competitors have zero (0) tolerance here or anywhere. But I did have the pleasure of speaking to an aquitance of mine who knows of Miss Cerise and Goh." Chloe could feel her chest tighten and her grip around Eevee cause the poor thing to squirm out of her hold and onto her shoulders instead to avoid being crushed. "And it appears that some of yours as well is still continuing this unwarranted behaviour!"
"I know one (1) of the judges here! I will have you kicked out of this contest before you even set foot on that stage!" Belle cockily threatens. "So it's best you have her drop out before you both get kicked to the curb."
"I have already had the pleasure of speaking to the judges already before today's performances. None have confirmed to even heard of you until now."
"I'm sorry Miss Belle," the staff member says, not sorry at all as she removes her hand from her earpiece "But I'm afraid it's now best you leave the premises now, as word of your unruly behaviour have reached the Organisers and Judges and have deemed you unfit for this competition or future competitions."
Chloe's jaw dropped, Lisia smiling just behind her. She turned, unable to form words as she points to Lisia and back to Belle. Lisia just nods and walks off to next on stage. Well, looks like today's competition will be a lot smoother now, whether she won or not at least the competition looks more appealing than ever.
========================
*CURRENT DAY.*
"So that's why Goh was grinning ear to ear on the boat!" Ash exclaimed. He recalled meeting his old friend Serena literally moments before the boat had set sail. "Glad Serena was there to deal with that bully too."
"Yeah. Last I heard, Belle was dragged out and on a 'not allowed to compete' list." Chloe said happily, before turning serious again. "Ash, that's what you have to understand. Goh has learned a lot from you. Even I learned from you."
"Huh? I don't think I really taught you guys anything." Ash scratched the back of his head. "I only know how to help with battling."
"Not only in battles. But in understanding Pokémon and even ourselves." She explained. "Before, I had no interest in Pokémon and Goh was bullied relentless for being the opposite of me. He was so determined to have Mew as his first Pokémon, but then imagine my surprise when he's back with a Scorbunny! Then he really opens up and became less stubborn about learning things the only way he knew how. Became part of the Mew Project and met the real Mew!"
Here she grabs both of Ash's hands in her own to emphasize how she feels.
"Goh would never have come this far if it weren't for you. I wouldn't have met Eevee. We wouldn't have met all your friends and learn the world is full of opportunities and that there isn't a bully out there that we can't stand up to."
"But if that's the case, why did Goh get upset? We helped him with his panic and trauma with those bullies? Even if it's just helping him get through the panic attacks." Ash asked, upset at what he could have done to be a new cause for one (1).
"Because he feels like that would be betraying you. You declaring your new adventure was so easy for you, that Goh felt like his announcement to do the same was meaningless." She turned away from Ash, scanning at the treelines for their missing friends. "He's afraid that both sides may have just betrayed each other."
Ash looks at his partner, the Electric Mouse Pokémon looking back at him with dropped ears with a said "Pika."
"I'll help him understand why he's wrong about that. It's never a "good bye" but it's really saying "I can't wait to see you again and hear all about your adventures" kind of thing." Ash calmly explains as he continues scanning as well. With determination burning within his eyes, he adds, "And I'll be sure to tell him that when we find him. We can't let things end on bad terms and misunderstandings."
Chloe looks at him, studying him. His raised clenched fist held up in front of him, a determined expression and looking ready to physically deal with a problem and his Pikachu's matching pose helped her realise she also needed to hear the same thing from Ash.
Both her and Goh journeyed so far to get to where they are now. A simple misunderstanding will unravel and tarnish the very lessons they had learned thanks to Ash, their families and the friends and Pokémon that were met along the way. The rain began to lighten up, as if the heavy burden were finally lifting off of her shoulders and would come to an end when Goh realises the same thing.
"Then let's find him and tell him just that then." Chloe agrees, Eevee matching her determination just as much as Pikachu has with Ash. "And when we do, it will be just the start of something new. For all of us."
Both trainers stare each other in the eyes, scaling to see if their words bore the same strength as their actions have. Then grinned. They continue to search before Pikachu hears something and urges them to follow. They had come so far in this journey. The words of those bullies has come back to bite them and turn them into the very things they called Goh. So as she stands their with Cinderace, Pikachu and Eevee, watching them clear everything up and the rain ceasing, she knows that what it truly meant to be side by side with friends who truly love you for who you are as you grow along side with them.
The future truly is at the palm of their hands.
Summary: Okay, this is still Raboot, but after the apple, so expect more comfort!
(It will be more comfort this time.)
Third time. (Raboot)
”Ash, where are you!?” screamed Goh into the phone.
“U-uhh,” continued Ash. ”I'm still in town, looking for food!”
”We have food right here!” screamed Goh again.
Him and Ash were in the Johto region, at a hotel, well, he was. Ash was out looking for food, even though they had food in the lobby.
”Yeah, I know! But I've heard that there's great food in the Johto region!”
The hotel was also in the Johto region, so Goh did not understand where he was coming from.
”There's great food here too, idiot!” screamed Goh once again.
”Yeah, I know, but...” said Ash. ”Okay, I'll be home soon, then we can go eat there in the lobby if I haven't found food, okay?”
”Yeah. Get back soon!”
He hung up.
”Raboot- Boot?”
He looked at Raboot, it was sitting on the armchair behind him, with a sleeping Sobble next to it.
He went over to it and picked up the sleeping water-type pokémon, it quickly settled in his arms, and he laid it down on the bed, and pulled the small blanket over it.
”He'll be here soon, guess we have time for ourselves, huh?”
It jumped up from the armchair.
”C'mon, let's go out to the balcony, maybe we can even see Ash when he comes.” said Goh.
He and Raboot went out the balcony.
The view was nice, the stars glistening.
He had always liked the night view, the moonlight.
(Later, Ash hasn't come yet)
He was listening to the people below.
There were three people, obvious teenagers, two boys, one girl. They were talking.
”Oh, c'mon! Don't be stupid, Tito!” said the girl to one of the boys.
”Yeah? And what are you gonna do? Hit me with your karate gloves?” teased Tito, the boy.
Tito brushed his dark hair with his hand.
”Oh, damn! Are you gonna fight her?” asked the other boy. ”Mei, Tito, don't! The cops might come!”
”Don't be a scaredy cat, Conner!” said Tito.
”Your a scaredy cat too. You wouldn't hit me,” said Mei confident. ”You don't hit girls.”
You don't hit girls.
You don't hit girls.
(Flashback)
”Stop, Belle!” cried Goh.
He was on his knees, crying, under Belle, a girl with brown hair with hazel eyes.
”No way!” said Belle, laughing. ”A loser like you is something I just can't ignore! You have to know how much of a loser you are, you crybaby!”
He continued to sob, which only made Belle laugh harder.
”Stop bullying me!”
That's all she ever did.
”What are you gonna do? Hit me?” said Belle. ”You don't hit girls. Didn't you know?”
So it wasn't okay to hit a girl, but it was okay to hit boys? How is that fair?
(Flashback ended)
He sat down, crouched, trying to stop himself from crying.
The same feeling settled in his gut, the one he hadn't felt in a long time.
”You don't hit girls!”
It felt like he was back there, in the playground, that stormy day, being pushed around by her, hearing her sick laugh as he was pushed in the mud, dirtying his clothes.
(Flashback)
He landed in the mud, dirtying his already-dirty clothes even more.
She then went over to him and took a harsh hold of his wrist, pulling him upwards.
”Stop it!” cried Goh.
”No chance!” said Belle, she pulled him down to gain that dominance, forcing him to look up. ”You are such a loser. Got it?”
He sobbed louder, hoping that someone would hear him.
”Quiet down!”, she slapped him, making him shut up. ”They'll catch us, you idiot!”
She then pushed him into a puddle.
She walked forward and dragged him around in the mud.
”Ow, stop! Oww!”
”Your such a crybaby, you know that?” said Belle, getting to him. ”No wonder you have no friends.”
She then pulled him up harshly again. And then, out of the blue, she hit him in the face hard, giving him a bruise under his left eye.
He sobbed.
”Your mean!“
”I'm not mean, I just think that you should know what you are. A loser!” said Belle rudely.
She pulled his hair, and basically threw him in another puddle, making him land on the face.
”Oww!!”, he sat up quickly, his cries getting louder.
The blood ran down his nose.
“Hah! Weak!”
”N-no!”
He tried to stand up but Belle kicked him.
”I'm in control here, understand?”
”M-mommy!”
He wanted his mother, her soft embrace, her soft kisses, and those soft tickles.
”Loser! Only losers are momma's boys!”
She hit him in the face again, making blood drip down his cheek.
”Oww! Please stop!” begged Goh.
”Ugh, why do I waste my time on a nobody like you?” asked Belle rudely. ”Your honestly lucky that I do, you fool.”
She then pushed him in another puddle.
”Belle, come, we're leaving now!” called a female voice, who seemed to be Belle's mother.
”Coming, mommy!” said Belle, but before she left, she turned to Goh one last time. ”Don't tell anyone about this. Oh, and be here tomorrow, or I'll find you, and then it won't be fun.”
She then ran to her mom.
He stood up and ran to his mother, who was shocked when she found him.
”Mommy!”
He ran into her arms.
She immediately picked him up, not caring about the mud or the blood. ”Oh, sweetie, what happened?”, she kissed him on the forehead, and wiped the blood with a tissue.
”Someone was mean to me!” sobbed Goh.
”Oh, poor baby, let's get you cleaned up at home,” cooed Camille.
(Flashback ended)
”Raboot?”
He didn't realize he had zoned out, thinking about the first time he met Belle, and their meeting was not exactly great.
He was on the floor, crouching, tears running down his face- He felt like he needed to puke- Exhale all the anxiety in him- God, he felt terrible.
And Raboot was witnessing it all- For the third time- Couldn't he just control himself?
Belle was right, he was weak, he started having a panic attack just because of one sentence- It was like he had trauma or something-
Did he have trauma?
No, he couldn't, trauma is something big and scary- Like getting kidnapped, raped, or abused- He had just gotten bullied, and that can't be so grand, can it?
(I just want you to know, I don't think this, but Goh does since he doesn't know much about it. Trauma can be anything- But Goh doesn't know that. I'll let you continue reading now, hope you have a good day!)
Raboot stepped closer, making him flinch, it continued taking small steps, and then sat down in his lap, trying to help him.
”It's happening again...”
Raboot didn't deserve this, it had witnessed this three times now.
Quickly, without thinking, he bent over, and puked.
It lasted for a few seconds.
After, he leaned against the railing, not caring about the concerned looks Raboot was sending him.
(Later)
He hugged Raboot when he sat down, after cleaning his vomit.
They had just eaten, it was curry, and now Ash was fast asleep.
”Raboot, thanks.” thanked Goh, he cuddled it closer.
Raboot didn't object, it just simply let his partner embrace it.
At least he wasn't alone, and that mattered.
Summary: Okay, the first part was with Scorbunny, now it's with Raboot, (before the apple), so don't expect a lot of comfort. Or any comfort, period.
(This part will either be short or long. I don't know.)
Second time. (Raboot)
”Gah! There are no pokémon here- It's like an abandoned forest!” complained Goh, he sighed. ”Raboot, have you-”
He was about to finish that sentence before noticing that Raboot was walking- not waiting for them. It was not interested in looking for pokémon with his partner.
”Yeah, it is! Like, there's not even any common types!” said Ash. ”Guess, we'll have to part, ei?”
”Yeah, your right,” said Goh, he took out the map and started planning. ”You go right, I'll take the left. We'll meet...”, he searched through the map. ”There!”, and pointed at a location.
”Got it!”, he picked up Pikachu, that started waving. ”See you later!”
He walked away.
(Later)
”Damn, this forest really is deserted,” said Goh, chuckling. ”It's, like, empty. Completely empty.”
His pokémon wasn't listening, Raboot just kept walking in it's normal pace, not even looking back slightly.
Suddenly, quite out of nowhere, he heard a quiet woosh.
”What's that?” asked Goh, getting excited.
Was there something in the bushes?
Oh, how excited he was, maybe it was a grass type, normal type, or ground type?
A pokémon he didn't have just yet?
”Come out!” said Goh. ”If your a pokémon, please, I promise I won't hurt you!”
He walked closer to the bushes, wondering what pokémon could be hiding behind there.
”Raboot, could you wait? Please, there's something here, and it can be really cool, can I just see?”
Luckily, Raboot stopped, and looked at him for a short while.
”Raboot.”
He smiled at Raboot, before turning his attention back to the bushes.
He stepped closer slightly.
And he assumed, that he in some way frightened it, because the pokémon jumped up, and backed away quickly.
In front of him was a white pokémon with a horn, it's tail and mane was made out of fire.
It was a rapidash.
And, normally, Goh would have wanted to catch it... But, he couldn't.
Not that he didn't want to, he did!
But he couldn't, he couldn't... He couldn't move.
It was like his legs were stuck in quicksand.
A familiar feeling settled in his gut, a feeling he had wanted gone.
’No, I can't, I haven't had one in so long...’
That was true, he hadn't had one since Raboot, as Scorbunny, witnessed it.
And that was so long ago.
”Raboot?”
It was probably confused why his partner hadn't caught the pokémon yet, that could run away any second.
”I-I,”
He couldn't speak.
A sob was threatening to escape his lips any second, and then any dam that he had left would break.
”Boot!”, it seemed the pokémon was trying to remind him of rapidash.
”I can't...”
Miguel had a rapidash, that he used to torture Goh, to bully him.
Miguel didn't care about other things, he was cold, and did anything. He didn't care that Goh used to beg and cry for him to stop, to tell rapidash to stop using it's abilities on him.
But he never listened.
Goh will always remember that sick smirk he always had.
Always.
He felt a kick at his leg, it was a rock.
In front of him was Raboot, that was looking at him strangely.
”Raboot- Ra?”
It seemed it was trying to ask Goh if it was happening again.
All he could do was nod.
Raboot wasn't stupid, even if he denied, it wouldn't believe him.
It stepped closer to him, and stood under him, it was leaning against his right leg, holding it.
That was the most physical affection Raboot had gave him since- Well, since it evolved.
(Even later, I know I'm lazy)
It was long- Longer than it should have been.
He was at his and Ash's meet-up location.
But Ash wasn't there yet.
Raboot was standing next to him with a reasonable distance.
”Goh!” said a voice happily, it was Ash.
”Ash! Hey!”
”So, did you find any pokémon? Sadly, I didn't... But did you?” asked Ash curiously.
He was quiet, rethinking what to say.
”No, I didn't.”
han daewi x reader
warnings: fluff and angst (i honestly don’t know at this point, like it’s kinda sad but at the same time it’s not.. once you decide to read it you’ll understand), time skip (the characters are aged up a bit after goh tournament), spoilers??? but not really so don’t worry (as someone who’s caught up with the tgoh ik some readers are still pretty new to the tgoh so i didn’t write anything that would give away anything --maybe some verrrry subtle stuff --that i won’t give away-- if you’ve read up to the final arc, bc other than that my lips are sealed shut)
synopsis: all those nights when your boyfriend would come home late, he thinks you’re sound asleep as he spills every word about his day and love for you. until one night, when he says something that makes you come clean about what you’ve been up to.
No matter how many times you’ve done this --pretending to be sleep just to hear Daewi spill his honest feelings on the table in the dark-- it was always a challenge to keep your breathing even, your lips from smiling, your eyes from opening.
Of course, you’d be lying if you said you didn’t feel guilty. No, you felt so, so, so guilty that it made you want to come clean about everything. In all the years you’ve known your boyfriend, there was one thing you knew exceptionally well: he never really talks about his feeling or emotions.
Sure, if he was feeling sentimental he always told you one of two things: “I missed you” or “I love you.” He never really said those two things in one sentence, surprisingly. Or if he knew you were feeling needy and clingy more than you usually did, he’d tell you the things you wanted to hear. Not what he wanted to say.
You never really minded it, really. He was more of a realist, rather than a romanticist like his friend Jin Mori.
The sound of the front door of your shared apartment door unlocking. The sound of his swift feet moving towards you without hesitation. The low swish of your bedroom door opening. His exhausted sigh from a long day his job demanded from him. The tap of his nail as it hit the buttons he was unbuttoning. The shuffling of clothes being discarded. The water from the shower head hitting the bathtub. All the sounds, it was beautiful to you. Daewi, he was beautiful.
You’ve grown to notice the way your boyfriend spoke since he began talking to you only a month ago. The soft intake of a breath as he moves from one word to another. His pitch changing when he said certain words like “want” and “this.” The soft vibrations he sends into the bed when he speaks. The low rumble of his voice as whispers to you, and you wonder if he realizes any of this.
“I’m home,” he mumbles routinely to you as he sits on the bed, back hunched as he dries his hair.
His voice, no matter how many times you’ve heard it, always made your heart speed up. It takes every ounce of you to calm it down. Even with your eyes closed, you didn’t want to out yourself. Especially since your back wasn’t facing towards him like it usually did.
Risking it, you open one eyelid. The only light coming into the room was the bathroom, and you managed to make out his broad and sturdy form. Daewi’s back muscle rippled and flexed as he continued to dry his hair. He sported nothing but sweatpants.
Daewi groans as he pushes himself up, towel over his head as he goes to turn off the light. Once he begins to turn back to the bed, you immediately shut your eye, putting your best act of sleep. You go of out of your way to make sure your arms and legs are in a position that only looks natural when sleeping.
The bed dips and then sinks under his weight. Daewi lays on his side, staring at your sleeping form even if he can’t see you all that well. You can’t see it but the corner of his mouth quirks up as he pushes the strands that’s fallen onto your face away before carefully skimming his lips to your forehead, trailing down to your cheek and then lip.
“See? I made it home again, just as I promised you, didn’t I?” His curled finger skims the cheek he just kissed, as if to brand it there, before dropping it down to his side. He never missed a day to say that to you.
Lately, with the physical demand of his job, you had expressed anxieties and concerns to Daewi a month ago. His job usually put him in danger, and as much as you know how important his job is right now, you can’t help but worry about his well being too.
“As someone who cares about you, don’t you think I deserve to worry about you?” You couldn’t look at him, not with this heavy atmosphere so early in the morning. You were leaning against the kitchen counter, waiting for the water to boil to make coffee for the both of you.
“Hey,” Daewi said, spreading his both his feet shoulder-width-apart so he was eye level with you, his large hands gently cupping your face in them, calloused thumbs running small circles against your cheek. “Can you look at me?”
You wait for only a moment before holding his gaze. “Daewi...” you sighed, not really knowing how to go about the conversation. What was the right way to word it? Instead, all you can do at the moment it take put your smaller hand over his.
“Tell me what your worried about, (Y/n), so I can understand.”
“I’m just scared,” you told him truthfully, something you both valued. “What if something happens to you while you’re doing you job. Something I can’t do anything about?”
Daewi looks away before looking back at you, trying to put on a smile of comfort. “That won’t happen. I went through The God of High School, didn’t I?”
You sigh out a laugh. “Yeah, so did I. You beat my team to the pulp.”
“Ha...” Daewi laughs as well, going in for a quick peck on the lips before pulling you into him. “How could I forget? That was when I fell in love with you. So try not to worry so much, okay?”
You shake your head against his shirt, listening to the steady thumps of his heart. “I can’t help but think that one day, I’ll get a call from Jin Mori in the middle of the night telling me that you’ll never come home. How am I supposed to deal with that information knowing that that is what your job demands from you?”
“That won’t happen. I promise you, (Y/n), that I’ll come home every night.”
“You promise?” you ask, mumbling it into his chest, fisting your hand into his cotton t-shirt.
“Of course,” Daewi says, putting his chin atop your head, pulling you tighter into the hug.
“(Y/n),” your boyfriend hums to himself, turning onto his back. “I had a pretty rough day today. Though, if I think more on it, it’s not due to Nox, but rather Jin Mori.”
You practically can see him close his eyes in disbelief.
He’s quiet for a long time, making you a bit nervous. Perhaps today was physically draining for him and he’s knocked out. You don’t want to be greedy, but you want to hear more of his sultry voice.
“I’m lying,” he whispers more to himself than to you. “I... I had a rough day because of Nox.”
Something about tonight felt weird. You just couldn’t place what it was just yet.
“I had thought, while facing Nox, that I was going to break my promise to you even if I didn’t want to.”
Your heart stops for a second. It was such a raw and honest confess, and for a split moment, you wish he would just lie to you. It was getting harder to stay composed
“If... if it wasn’t for Jin Mori today, I don’t think I would be laying here, in this tranquil home of ours, with you. I almost died today, and it made me realize how much I’ll miss loving you if I was gone.”
Your throat was feeling heavy, and it was damn hard trying to push that choking feeling down. Good god, he was being so sentimental and you wanted to join him. Was this the same Daewi you first met all those years ago?
Daewi chuckled softly, running a hand up and down his chest. “I know that you know that I’m not good with my emotions when it comes to romance, so I’m grateful I was able to learn along the way with you. Thank you for the patience you’ve shown me, for loving me, for being there with me.”
You hear him stifle a yawn. And as much as you know how important sleep is, you want him to keep letting everything he’s bottled up for the past five years out into the open.
“And I know that I don’t say it often, but I love you. I really do love you, (Y/n). I love how fast you accepted me for who I was. I love how soft you feel against all my calloused hands. I love how you keep your nails short so you can keep practicing martial arts with me. I love how much you hate it when I wake you up too early in the morning. I love how it drives you crazy when you hear someone chewing obnoxiously loud. I love how embarrassed you get when you do something embarrassing. And I’m not going to break my promise with you ”
A pregnant pause.
Daewi takes a trembling intake of a breath, something you definitely did not expect from him. “God, if you could hear what I’m about to say right now, you would think I am a coward, but I want my last name to be yours soon, (Y/n).”
Your body goes rigid and you don’t even care if he notices. In that moment, everything seems to stop. Your body is hot. Your heart burning. You can’t help but open your eyes to look at the very man you love.
“I want to marry you. I want you to be Han (Y/n), so let’s get married soon.”
Seeming to be satisfied with how much he’s spilled to you, Daewi turns towards you, expecting you to be asleep. But when he finds you wide awake, with wide eyes, that are staring at him with such a passionate gaze, he can’t help but stifle out nonsense as he tries to cover up his burning face. “I thought you were asleep.”
“Who said I was asleep?” Hearing your own voice scared you a bit. You didn’t actually think through what you were going to say once he found you awake.
He blinks at you. Once.Twice. In disbelief. “H-How much did you hear?”
“All of it,” you whisper gently, afraid to break the atmosphere he built. “Everything.”
“Everything?” he says, flabbergasted. He wanted his soul to leave his body right now. “Every conversation from then to now?”
You reach out and take the hand covering his face away so you can see him clearly. “I did.” You kissed his warm fingertips and his right eye before pecking his lips.
Daewi lets you take it, not once, not twice, but thrice.
“Do you promise? With what you just said?”
He wraps a hand around your waist before pulling you into him, hiding his face into your chest. God, he missed this. Missed laying in bed with you when you’re awake. Missed your embrace while you’re awake. He missed being with you, alone, in the dark, with each other awake.
“I do,” he says confidently, pulling you into a kiss.