32. Whisper (Barry x Dawn!)
Whispers are traded for the first time up in a sturdy tree overlooking the Berlitz household: Pssst! I heard that you like me--is it true? Seven-year old Dawn swings her legs happily upon spilling the hushed question, prompting a defensively hissed I do not! from seven-year old Barry next to her. She giggles into his shoulder, and the young boy’s face turns the hue of a Tomato Berry.
Do you have the homework?! Barry’s panicked whisper reaches Dawn’s ear two years later, bottled up in the back of Professor Rowan’s musty classroom. She pretends not to hear him panicking in an attempt to teach him some measure of responsibility, but a feeble groan from the blond finally earns her pity. Professor Rowan, ever eagle-eyed and too strict for this, catches Dawn in the middle of the transaction. It isn’t all bad, Dawn thinks a week after serving her detention sentence. To make up for his gaffe, Barry’s been trying--bless his heart--to craft bento lunches for her this entire week. It’s the thought that counts.
See you, talk later... Dawn’s hushed voice crackles over the Poketch, Barry straining to hear her over the howling winds riling up Lake Acuity. It’s the first time he’s heard her voice in three weeks, but it feels like three eternities--the Badge grind really does take its toll. Her voice sounds alien, distorted over the crackly signal, but Barry can’t entirely blame the technology this time. The call disconnects too early, and the ensuing silence makes the bitter air sting a little more.
I did it, she whispers amidst the chaos, and Barry wishes he could be happier in that moment for Sinnoh’s newly-minted champion. Not only did he fall to her at the Pokemon League’s doorstep, he also ended up bowing out to Cynthia hours later, a victim of his own hastiness--a hare before the finish line. It should’ve been me! rage his darkest inner whispers, but the weak moment is fleeting and leaves an awful taste in his mouth. Barry quickly decides not to entertain those thoughts ever again and relaxes, even finding time to gush over his best friend before she’s swept away by paparazzi. It’s all so surreal.
Hecklers, always present at Dawn’s battles, whisper doubt among themselves, casting derision down on the Sinnoh Champion who has successfully defended her title countless times. Barry wants to fight them all. Locked into her own fight just yards away, on a familiar battlefield, Dawn’s gaze hardens. She can hear the whispers covertly calling her skill into question, even if she acts like she can’t. Then, the Twinleaf native hears him. Barry’s in the second row for this one, standing tall, his face that familiar shade of Tomato Berry-red as he recklessly bellows his support, completely oblivious to the people around him.
Dawn! Kick some butt! Nobody comes for the throne! Nobody! Teach ‘em a lesson, champ! Let’s GOOOOO....!
Out on the arena, Dawn feels like she’s regained home court and smiles. After all, a single shout can drown out thousands of whispers.
