Moon takes a deep breath and knocks.

No response.

Knocks twice. Still nothing.

"Gladion, are you here?" She pushes the door and it opens slightly.

She walks in and she sees Gladion with his head rested on his desk. He was asleep and Silvally was awake and keeping guard. When Silvally saw Moon his tail started wagging and he walked up to her urging her to play with him. Moon put a finger over her mouth signaling to stay quiet as she gently pet him on his head.

Moon kept going towards Gladion and sat on the chair across from him. "So I guess your edge wears off when you're asleep" she whispers. She really didn't want to wake him, but she did need to say bye to him.

She stood up and leaned across the desk until her hand was just inches from his face. She felt the compulsive need to just poke him so she did. He didn't budge.

Moon shakes her head. "Silvally, has Gladion been working too hard?"

Silvally lets out a loud bark to confirm. Moon starts flailing around trying to hush the Pokemon, but it's too late.

Gladion let's out a groan and slowly opens his eyes to see a skittish Moon with her hands over Silvally's muzzle.

"Morning!" she says nervously as she drops her hands. Silvally barks again.

Gladion blinks a couple of times as if trying to understand why she was there. He looks over to the clock. 11PM.

"Did you just get off of work?" His voice raspy from sleep.

Moon nods. "I'm sorry I woke you up."

He shakes his head as he stands up.

Moon brings her hands out in protest. "No no it's okay stay seated I just wanted to say bye before tomorrow"

Gladion lifts an eyebrow.

"but Silvally made it quite obvious you've been overworking"

"Moon."

"and knowing you you've probably been ignoring sleep so you should go to sleep because you need it probably the most out of anyone working here so I'll be leaving no-"

"Don't go."

Moon stops rambling.

"You really can't expect me to accept a two second departure from you do you?"

"Of course not" she says dejectedly.

"Hmmm..." he glances back at the clock "I'll take you back to Route 1"

He grabs a jacket, heads towards the door, and holds it open for Moon.

Moon doesn't move and stares in response. Gladion shakes his head and let's out a small sigh gesturing towards to get a move on.

"You don't have to."

Gladion let's his eyes lock with hers. "I want to."

"Do you usually stay up late?"

"Define late."

"...how late do you stay up?"

"Is it considered late if you see the sun rise?"

"Gladion!" she shouts in surprise "Is it for work?"

He nods.

If there was a way to deny that Gladion had been overworking himself he would do it in a heartbeat. He had to pull very late nights on an almost daily basis to get work done ahead of time. He wanted to hangout with Moon and he wasn't going to let Faba be on his case if his work started slipping. As tired as he was, however, he knew every minute with her was worth it.

Soon enough Gladion caught himself staring at Moon. She was leaning on the boat railing watching the waves roll on by. The very thing she was named after softly illuminated all her features and the breeze gently pushes her hair behind her. She suddenly shivers. He flinches. She was wearing her typical blouse and shorts combo with no sweater in sight, how was she not cold?

He takes off his jacket and nudges her slightly. She looks at him and then down to his hands. "You're cold, aren't you?"

"But what about you?"

"Just take it."

"Always so snippy" she mutters along with a thanks and puts on his jacket. She feels herself enveloped in its warmth. "Gladion, can I ask you for a favor?"

"Hmm?"

"I know it's late, but once we arrive do you want to go to the beachfront with me?" She throws him a smile that makes him want to frame it forever. Where are Hau and Lillie when he needs them to capture a picture?

"Moon, you're starting your trial tomorrow morning you sure you want to stay out later than it already is?"

"Gladion, you're always looking out for me aren't you?" she rolls her eyes playfully. "I wouldn't ask you if it wasn't something I was sure of." She goes back to staring at the ocean, a slight pout evident on her lips.

His eyes soften. He reaches out and pats her head, "I'd love to go with you."

When they arrive at the beachfront they find themselves casually walking around. Gladion followed her around as she encountered some stray Pyukumuku to toss back like she would at the Grand Resort. Moon messes with Gladion at one point and puts a Pyukumuku on his head.

The yell Gladion let out when it starts to let out its 'organs' was priceless and sent Moon into a laughing fit. Ironically enough, as he swung his head to get it off the Pokemon ended up flying through the sky and landed on Moon. They both laugh until tears gather in their eyes and eventually head towards the stairs at the edge of the sand for a much needed break.

They sit next to each other for a while without saying a word, allowing them to only hear the sounds of their breathing and the crashing waves.

Gladion relaxes and takes in the ambience. A couple of minutes pass when he remembered what Lillie told him earlier "you haven't told her how you feel." He swallows the lump that now formed in his throat. It's now or never.

"Gladion, I have something to tell you."

He's taken out of his thoughts. Her smile from before was long gone. She was looking towards the ocean with a solemn face.

"I'm leaving tomorrow."

He scoffs. "I know that already"

"No, I mean. Leaving leaving. I plan on getting through Ilima and Hala all by the end of tomorrow."

The corners of Gladion's mouth rise. "Are you sure you don't want to beat my record?" he teases.

Moon let's out a small chuckle. "Yeah…"

"I knew Melemele wouldn't hold you off for long before you kept going."

Her silence became unsettling. Gladion became concerned.

"What's wrong? Are you worried about how you'll do?"

"I haven't been worried about the Trial since the day we spent at Malie."

There's a short lull in their dialogue as if both of them were trying to figure out what to say.

"I'm excited. There's no doubt about it, but my heart hurts." She slumps forward, hugs her knees, and lets her eyes lock onto the horizon.

"I know we've only known each other for a short amount of time, but I've really come to appreciate our time together."

"Beyond the training?" It's a simple question, a joke even, but she didn't want him misunderstanding any of her actions.

"Of course beyond the training, Gladion! Me asking for your help wasn't just because I wanted an upperhand. I genuinely wished to get closer to you!" Her voice started off as defensive, but it retreated back to her typical passionate pleas, just like when she asked him to take on the League.

"and I got my wish."

Gladion was hoping she would turn around to face him so he could try to get even a glimpse on what she was thinking or feeling. Moon was an open book, she wore everything out on her sleeve, her face and eyes would always project what she was feeling, but right now he couldn't decipher her.

"And what was that?"

"I was able to get closer to you, maybe even more than I originally intended."

Gladion felt his heart start to pick up in pace just ever so slightly. What was she trying to get at?

"It sucks though." She let's out a sigh.

"because now I know what it's like to be with you everyday. I know what it's like to have both silly and serious conversations with you. And now I know that I'm really going to miss you..." Her voice trails off.

"Moon, I'm going to miss you too."

She shakes her head aggressively. "Gladion...I…"

She inhales deeply. Exhales slowly.

"Gladion, I think I'm in love with you."

Gladion stares at her in complete shock. Wide-eyed and speechless he could feel his heart want to come out of his chest. Moon had feelings for him, and he for sure didn't expect her to say it right now.

She stands up, still avoiding his gaze. His head snaps up to follow her movements. Her hands, hidden by the length of his sweater's sleeves, were clenched around the fabric.

"The fact that I'm leaving hurts, a lot. But I do want to thank you. For today, for the past few months, for everything. I...don't know when I'll be done with my Trial, but I hope to see you fulfill your side of the promise at the League." Her voice was slow, cautious, shaking even. She doesn't wait for a response as she quickly turns around and begins to walk up the stairs.

"Moon."

She keeps walking up the stairs until Gladion stands up quickly and gets a gentle hold of her hand, prompting her to stop.

"Moon...seriously...what the heck?! You really like catching me off guard don't you?" He takes his free hand and pushes his bangs out of his face. "You really do do things to the beat of your own drum don't you? Were you really going to walk away without an answer or response or anything?"

Moon's eyes focus on the floor. He smiles as he let's go of her hand, but proceeds to bring it up to her face. He gently nudges her look at him.

"Why?"

"I'm scared" she says finally locking her eyes with his emerald ones, her voice barely audible, a faint blush evident on her cheeks.

Gladion clicks his tongue in slight annoyance. "You can't tell me you don't know the answer I would give you."

She stands there in his sweater, with his hands gently on her face, completely and utterly speechless.

Maybe she did know, maybe she didn't. She wanted to believe that she had a small hunch that maybe, just maybe he liked her back. That he giving into her every whim wasn't just a sign of friendship. That he spending what little free time he had with her was a possibility. That he laughing, smiling, and just being carefree around her was a sign that he had some sort of feelings for her.

But she tries to convince herself otherwise, because if he says no it would hurt. Like a bandaid being pulled off slowly, with a dull pain following suit. She's leaving anyways. She wouldn't have to see him anymore, or...ever. And the thought of that, that she would never see him annoyed or hear him something snarky or say something surprisingly sweet again was the part that would hurt even more than the rejection.

But what's rejection compared to separation? What would happen if her hunch is right and he says yes? Moon would have to fight the urge to stay behind. He had responsibilities and she had a future. Gladion knew all her dreams, aspirations, and how hard she worked to get to this day. She knew he would force her to leave. Force her to leave him behind. Would it even work out? Would there even be a shot at anything? No one knew how long she would be gone for, it might be a year or five. A lot could change in a year; how someone looks, how someone takes their coffee, how someone feels.

When Moon stayed silent Gladion sighed.

"Moon why do you think I approached you in the first place?"

"'I spilled cocoa on you."

He let's out a chuckle. "Besides that."

"You said you were curious about me."

"Exactly, I wanted to learn more about you, just like you did about me."

"Why do you think I continued to visit the cafe afterwards?"

"Cause I challenged you." Moon's voice laced with impatience. She didn't want to play games, she wanted to run away.

He shakes his head. "It's cause I wanted to see you. Taking time out of my schedule daily? Cause I wanted to talk to you. I already know I spend a large amount of time just thinking about you, so why should you, my rival and well now, my closest friend, be so scared to just know how I feel about you. The signs have been there, Moon. I would give anything to continue the chance to be with you on a daily basis."

He let's her face go to cover his own face which now had a faint tint of red, Moon wished her blush was as elegant as his but she felt herself full blown glowing. Moon mutters under her breath.

Gladion lifts an eyebrow in response "What was that?"

"WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE SO EMBARRASSING?" she screams unable to handle the overwhelming happiness that filled her very soul.

He leans in close to Moon's face. "'Cause I get a reaction out of you."

She looks away fast. He laughs as he stands up straight.

"Tsk...what a shame though."

"Hmm?"

"Lillie was urging me to confess tonight, but of course, you had to go and beat me here too."

"We haven't battled yet for you to use 'too' " she says matter-of-factly.

He shrugs. "Moon."

She was caught slightly off guard because she never would've imagined that someone could say her name and make it sound so pure, so gentle, so...full of love.

She looks up at him, signaling to continue speaking.

"I love y-"

Moon let's out a small squeak.

"Don't! If you say what I think you're going to say I'm never going to want to leave for my Trials."

He crosses his arms. "If you didn't leave for your Trials I would never forgive myself and I know you wouldn't forgive yourself either." He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a Pokeball.

"Someone once told me that they didn't want to live with any regrets. She convinced me to live the exact same way and I never was able to show her my gratitude."

He puts the Pokeball in Moon's hand. She didn't want to cry today, especially not in front of Gladion, but the tears formed anyways.

"This is a Type: Null and I'm trusting youyour never ending journey. And one day when you do come back with a Silvally by your side I know it'll be time to fulfill my end of the promise."

He smiles. "However, I want to add something to our little deal, Moon."

"What is it?"

Gladion reaches for her face and wipes the tears that were falling from her eyes.

"That my feelings for you won't change, no matter how long it takes for you to come back."

Gladion looks at Moon's surprised face and smirks. She'll always be easy to read.

He starts leaning in ever so slowly when Moon quickly rises on her tiptoes and closes the little space that's left between them, placing a sweet and gentle kiss on Gladion's lips.