Hoooo boy. It's been two years since I updated and I can't even remember the last time I actually wrote something for this again. I had huge writer's block and I'm so sorry for that. I've lost inspiration to write anything and my mind was blank the whole time. I went through some things and I got out of that hole with the help of a few friends.
I'm sorry for the unannounced hiatus and I can't promise that I'll be frequently updating. I was in the mood to write something a bit angsty and dramatic (if this is considered angsty but I'll go with it) so this was born. I'm in the middle of a small obsession with Pokemon and Green popped up when this idea came to me. I'm going to use his official Japanese name in the games, so please don't confuse him with Leaf haha.
I apologize if he's out of character here. I've done my best to make his personality based on the Pokemon Adventures manga and his expressive reactions in Pokemon Sun and Moon in the Battle Tree.
Enough about this and let's get this story started.
Warning: mild cussing
**
"It's all right, girl—I won't hurt you."
Rapidash took a step back with a grunt, eyes trained on the insistent girl. She patiently smiled and stretched her hand out as far as she could, the Oran berry glinting under the sun. (Name)'s eyes swept down to the red swelling on the Pokemon's ankle, which made her more determined to befriend her.
"It's okay," she cooed. (Name) lifted a cautious hand, slowly inching towards Rapidash's flaming mane. Her fingers could feel its blazing heat, making her hesitate before reaching for her neck instead. Rapidash didn't make a move nor did she utter a sound. She just stared at the trainer with wary eyes until she gave in and munched on the Oran berry.
(Name) sighed and stroked her neck with gentle fingers. "Good girl." Rapidash gave a soft snort as (Name) began taking out bandages and ointment from her bag on the ground. She let Rapidash finish the berry then worked on her swollen ankle. She was out on a stroll when she first noticed Rapidash as a blur of fiery orange between the thick expanse of trees in Santalune Forest. The Pokemon had sprained herself from hitting a stray root while galloping away from a Haunter, which (Name) chased away with her own Umbreon. She had no idea how a Rapidash reached the forest, but she didn't question it once she noticed the injured ankle.
The fire type Pokemon watched her slather ointment carefully on the swelling and wrapped her ankle with bandages. After tucking in the bandages, (Name) stood up and beamed at her handiwork, then she caressed Rapidash's cheek. Rapidash nuzzled herself further in (Name)'s hand as she closed her eyes in content.
"I'm glad I found you." Rapidash neighed again before she retracted her head and held herself straight. Her fierce red eyes bore into (Name)'s with the ghost of a smile on her face. Well, if a Rapidash could smile that is.
The small clearing was bathed in the orange glow of the sunset, spilling through the canopy of trees scattered over the forest. Tufts of grass brushed the soles of her shoes and swayed in the wind as a flock of Pidgeys flew overhead, flying northward. Rapidash's flames glowed brighter than before and gave off more light, producing silhouettes of the Pokemon and the trainer before her. "Rapi-dash!" She neighed, her flames crackling and sparking in the air. (Name) giggled and continued petting the mild Pokemon.
"I could say the same about you."
That voice.
(Name)'s heart dropped to her stomach; her throat felt as if a hand was squeezing it and she sharply inhaled. It brought back so much pain, so many memories she wanted to forget, the hope that died within her years prior today. Rapidash gave her a quizzical look when the girl stood immobile, her face pale and hands sweaty. (Name) could hear the shuffle of footfalls and a sigh echo in her ears, a tinge of annoyance in the intake of breath.
"You know," the voice grunted. "That's not how you greet an old friend. I thought you looked familiar and followed you here, which was a good thing. I've been looking for you for years," there was a small crack in his voice at this point. Her heart lurched at this, but she refused to acknowledge him no matter what.
"Just... look at me." (Name) still didn't move, unsure of how she should reply or react. No one just casually gives out a hello to someone they've avoided for a solid seven years.
She flinched at the hand that gripped her shoulder. "I said," he gritted out, teeth grinding in frustration. "Look at me." (Name) faced the inevitable as the owner of the hand turned her around to face none other than Professor Oak's grandson, Green Oak.
"Hi?" She cringed at the squeak in her voice. It was obvious that she didn't intend for this to happen nor did she think it would. She hoped with all her heart that she wouldn't see him for the rest of her life, but here he was. Rapidash had chosen this moment to gallop away, and (Name) understood why. The tension was thick and clouded the atmosphere with a suffocating air. His orange-brown hair was spiked like before, his brown eyes held a fire in them that appeared during his battles with Red, and he obviously grew taller than her over the years. He towered over (Name), swallowed in his shadow and intimidation. Green's brows furrowed and his fingers dug into her skin, making her wince at the fury in his gesture.
"Is that all you can say to me? Hi? " There was poison in his words and (Name) took it all in with guilt clawing at her heart. After all, who just up and leaves someone without a proper explanation? Has anyone even taken all this into stride, pretending that it was water under the bridge the next time they see the one who left them?
(Name) chose to live in the Kalos region, simply because she wanted to get away. She wanted to get rid of the incessant fangirls clamoring and squealing over Green; she wanted to have a peaceful journey for once without worrying about any stalkers or late night hideouts. It was a shallow reason, she knew, but her sanity decreased by the minute, hours, days, weeks―which eventually turned into months.
Initially, everything was fine when Green and (Name) decided to stick together for their first journey in Kanto. They had trained together, their Pokemon got along well, they'd slept under the stars either in their sleeping bags, tent, or curled up next to their Pokemon, Green would battle Red and (Name) would witness his defeat every single time, but that didn't stop them. Those memories brought along the screaming girls who looked for Green, those who immediately crowded around him when they recognized him, those who pushed her away from him and glared daggers in her general direction. Those were enough for her to leave Green a note while he was sleeping and, with heart-wrenching guilt, she flew on her Pidgeot away from him.
Pidgeot had taken her to Kalos, just as she planned, and she abandoned her badge collecting to fulfill the Pokedex entrusted to her by Professor Oak. Her Pokedex then was updated a few years later when she met Professor Sycamore through Professor Oak. Her badges, her rucksack, and every memoir she had of Green and Kanto were shoved in a box just under her bed after she bought herself an apartment in Lumiose City, close to the sparkling Prism Tower that stood in the heart of the city. A friend of hers was kind enough to help her find a job―a simple waitress in a cafe―and helped her get settled in her new life in Kalos.
In those years, she was blissfully unaware of Green searching for her after her sudden departure; it was only brought to her attention by the anguish he displayed. (Name) bit her lip, her teeth gnawing on the flesh until she drew blood. Green's eyes brushed over her eyes, her nose, her hair, her cheeks, her clothes―everything. As if he couldn't waste a single second looking at her after all those years she was gone. A growl ripped out of his throat and, to (Name)'s surprise, he let go of her shoulders to wrap his arms around her. Her temple bumped into his solid chest, clad in a white lab coat, with her ear right above his heart, which was beating so loudly that she thought it would burst out at any second. Her hands curled themselves on his chest as she tried to push him away while pushing away the tears as much as she could. "Green, let go of me!"
"No." (Name) shivered at the cold tone he used, goosebumps rising on her skin as his arms tightened around her, much to her chagrin. She forced out a groan, "Green, I swear to Arceus, if you don't let go of me, I'll―"
"Are you an idiot?" (Name) met his furious gaze with a scowl. What stopped her was his laugh, mirthless and hollow as if something inside him died. She swallowed down a lump in her throat and spoke again, "Seriously, let go of me. Green, please."
"No," Green blurted out. (Name) could feel him trembling―she didn't know if it was from either rage or sorrow―as he dug his head in her hair and crushed her closer to him, as if she would disappear if he ever relaxed his grip. She probably would if she had enough time, but apparently, Green won't be taking any chances. (Name) held her breath; she could feel the touch of his hands, his warm breath on her neck, his nose brushing her cheek, and his quivering lips on her jaw. This was the closest contact she had with him and she felt herself nearing hyperventilation at the fact.
"Do you know how crushed I was when I saw the letter?" Green let out another laugh, choked with tears. "Do you know how long I flew around Kanto to find you, for any clues on where you went? Because I was so damn scared that you left me without a reason, that you'd willingly drop everything to move as far away from me as possible and I sure as hell can't accept that." Green shuddered. This was the most vulnerable (Name) had seen him and she was terrified that she was the cause, that she was the one who made him feel this way and it was horrible.
"Arceus, I can't remember a time where I slept through a whole night without dreaming about you―running away, fading, falling, dying―any other consequence that led to losing you."
(Name), ensnared by his words, jumped when she felt something trickle down her cheek to her collarbone. Another followed, then another, until she realized with a start: Green Oak was crying. She didn't know what to say; another lump clogged her throat as she was left to listen to Green, heartbroken and angry.
"Damn it, (Name), I had to hold myself from tearing down every building in sight, upturning every town I went to, beating the daylights out of anyone I saw, and burning down the entire world to ashes just so I could find you! I would go through hell and back if it meant I could be with you again!" He took another shuddering breath. She could feel his long lashes as he closed his eyes and hugged her closer if possible. Her breath was long since knocked out of her, but she kept silent and unresponsive.
"Seven years," he breathed, the energy sapped out of his voice. "Seven years since you disappeared. Seven years since I searched for you. Seven years since we last talked, shared laughs, and trained together. Seven years since we saw each other, and all you could say was hi ?"
Shaking and choking, (Name) slid one of her hands around his shoulders and burrowed her face in the crook of his neck. "I'm sorry," she said. "I know my apology won't make up for the time I was gone. I know it won't make up for the years I've put you through, the grief and misery I caused you. I was an idiot, a coward, someone who doesn't deserve you, not now, not ever. IfI could turn back time, I'd stay instead of hurting you. I know I shouldn't have left and I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..."
"You should be," Green grumbled, his hands curled around the fabric of her shirt and wrinkling it in the process, but neither of them cared. He lifted his head out of her hair and continued, "You're an idiot for leaving, but that doesn't mean you don't deserve me. Arceus, I don't deserve you. You put up with everything I did, the little shit I was back then. You stuck with me through the entirety of our journey until that day. I won't exchange you for the world, never.
"I just want you with me. That's all I ever wanted," Green sighed and placed a hand on (Name)'s head, pushing it further between his neck and shoulder. (Name) whined at the affection in his voice and weakly hit his chest with a fist.
"Don't guilt trip me into this, Green. I'm going to make up for everything in the past seven years."
His chest rumbled as a chuckle rose out of his lips. He laid his cheek on her head as he pulled her closer to him, taking in her scent and her warmth and her touch and everything he loved about her—stillloves about her. It was intoxicating and relaxing at the same time, and he didn't realize how much he missed it until now. He underestimated the impact of her absence and now he was looking forward to be with her for most of his days again.
"You have a lifetime to make it up to me and I'll be holding on to that."
**
Holy cow I went crazy with this one. 2187 words is a new record, unless I never bothered to count the words in my other stories. The first few parts up until the description of the clearing was done two days ago and I left it at that until tonight. It's currently nearing midnight in my time and it's crazy how I typed all of this up as I went along.
I really enjoyed making this, even if Green was a bit.... out of his usual composure. I admit, I felt that I could've done better, but it was done and I have no idea how to put him back on track without changing a chunk of this oneshot lol.
I apologize for any spelling and grammar errors. It's been a while since I wrote a story again, and this was an overwhelming piece to return with.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the oneshot~
Drafted: April 29, 2018
Published: May 1, 2018