A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who has reviewed, followed, favorited, or even just clicked on the story! It means a lot, and I'm glad that you all are enjoying it. Without further ado, chapter 2!

Hau's POV

Hau would be lying if he said he didn't feel a thrill run up his spine when he saw Lillie walk into Kukui's lab, Gladion by her side. The small crush he had on her a few years ago had dissipated to a deep feeling of platonic fondness, but that didn't mean he wasn't glad to see her.

With a broad grin on his face, Hau ran up to Lillie, bypassing Gladion completely as he lifted her off of her feet in a hug.

"Lillie!" he cried gleefully, swinging her back and forth as she banged on his back with playful protest, "Welcome home cousin!"

"Hau," Lillie gasped between laughs, "put me down!"

Rolling his eyes, he acquiesced, taking a step back to take a proper look at Lillie. She had certainly grown quite a bit since the last time he had seen her. She was taller now – not quite as tall as him – but definitely tall enough that he was at eye level with her. Where she had left with an innocent girlish figure five years ago, she now showed the signs of filling out into a more mature woman.

"You've gotta tell me all about Kanto!" Hau exclaimed, pacing back and forth as Lillie shook her head at his antics, "I wanna know what kind of Pokémon are over there, what it's like to be the champion – oh yeah! Did I tell you I'm a kahuna now? Funny story. I was –"

"Lillie."

The voice was quiet, hardly more than a whisper, but there was only one person who could silence Hau's rants with a single, softly uttered word.

Moon

In hindsight, Moon had matured just as much as Lillie did over the past five years. Whereas she was shorter than Lillie five years ago, she was now more on par with Hau, just slighter taller than Lillie. The lines of her face had grown sharper, adding to the serious countenance she had always possessed, but Hau thought it made her look cooler.

Hau took note of the way Lillie's eye lit up and how her smile became softer, as if she were looking at the most beautiful malasada she had ever seen. He was the first to admit that he wasn't always the brightest person – especially when compared to the company he surrounded himself with – but he was certain that something fairly interesting was going on here, and he was going to get to the bottom of it.

As Lillie hugged Moon tightly, her eyes fluttering shut, Hau noticed the way Gladion's eyes narrowed. He seemed irate for some reason and as Lillie's eyes opened, she immediately made eye-contact with Gladion, giving him a smug smirk. Hau blinked.

What was that about?

"I'm so happy to see you, Moon." Lillie's words were just as soft as Moon's, though with her words, there appeared to be an underlying meaning.

"Why don't we get to the food?" Gladion interrupted, gesturing his hands wildly towards the round table with food adorning it, "I'm sure Lillie's very –"

Gladion was cut off by the sound of growls coming from Moon's Bewear. The lovable bear Pokémon was huddled close to Lillie's feet and seemed agitated by Gladion's presence. His eyes widened in shock and Hau had to stifle a laugh. He wouldn't admit it to anyone other than Lillie and Moon, but there was always something distinctly amusing to him about seeing Gladion scared.

"Be nice, Bewear." Lillie murmured as the loyal bear Pokémon returned to Moon's side, her lips twitching up in the slightest, "Gladion's always been impatient when he doesn't get what he wants."

As Gladion scowled at Lillie's jest, Hau blinked in surprise. What was going on here?

Before he could talk to Lillie one-one-one, Kukui strode up to the small group, engulfing Lillie in a warm embrace.

"Alola cousin!" Kukui grinned as he pulled back, making space for Burnett to hug Lillie, "Welcome home. You can tell us all about Kanto later. For now, we've prepared a feast worthy of the champions for you. Convenient now, considering who you've become in the last five years."

Lillie smiled gratefully, along herself to be swept off by Kukui, who led her to the refreshments table. Her features become bright once more as her eyes set upon Lunala, who escaped its Poke Ball once Lillie entered the room.

"Nebby!" Lillie exclaimed gleefully, prompting a smile to come to Hau's face. He pretended to wipe a tear away at the heartfelt reunion.

As Gladion sulked behind the three, a deep frown on his face every time Moon laughed at something Lillie said, Hau put two and two together.

Gladion liked Moon.

An eager grin overtook Hau's features at the revelation. Leave it to sulky Gladion to catch feelings for the tall, dark, and gorgeous Alolan champion. This was going to get very interesting.

"Hau, cousin, you haven't touched a malasada!" Kukui was holding up the most beautiful malasada that Hau had ever seen, a knowing smile on his face as Hau's mouth began to water, "This one has your name on it!"

Hau rushed over to Kukui, swiping the malasada out of his hand and immediately bringing it up to eye-level. Never had he seen something so beautiful, so pure…aside from Lillie of course, but those feelings were long gone.

Just as he brought the treat up to his mouth, preparing to have an experience that was out of this world, Hau felt a strong gust of wind, almost knocking him off of his feet. As he steadied himself, he was horrified to realize that his malasada was missing!

No!

"My malasada!" Hau cried out in despair as his friends around him laughed at his plight, "Why're you all laughing?! My beautiful malasada has been…"

He cut his rant off when his gaze met Lillie's. The blonde was trying in vain to hold back laughter by covering her mouth with a hand, her other hand pointing to something behind Hau.

Hau swiftly turned around, ready to unleash a rant on the entity that had stolen his malasada when he stopped abruptly, his jaw going slack. There behind him, one wing stretched out in a defensive mode and the other wing balancing his malasada, was Moon's Decidueye. Sensing that it had gotten Hau's attention, the Decidueye downed the malasada in one go, a pleased sound exiting its throat as it engulfed the treat.

"Decidueye!" Hau whined, reaching over to ruffle the bird Pokémon's feathers, "That was my malasada! I would've shared if you just asked."

"Um, Hau." Lillie's voice indicated that she was still trying to hold back her laughter, "Pokémon can't…"

"I know that!" Hau grumbled as everyone continued laughing at him. Even Gladion had cracked a smile at the debacle, "Just let me keep my dignity, will you?"

Lillie gave him a sympathetic smile before turning back to Moon. Her eyes seemed brighter somehow as she talked to the Alolan champion. Though he could never read Moon, Hau prided himself on knowing Lillie very well, and something was up. Something that he'd have to thoroughly interrogate her on.

He suddenly felt another gust of wind and heard Decidueye let out a cry. He turned around, ready to lament about his lost malasada before he looked carefully at Decidueye.

The Pokémon had a single wing outstretched, holding another malasada where the previous one had been. It appeared to be Decidueye's peace offering.

"Oh Decidueye, I could never be mad at you for long." Hau grinned, accepting the offered treat. He definitely had a lot of questions for Lillie, but for now, the malasada had to come first.

It had taken a few hours, but Hau had finally gotten Lillie alone. He had taken her outside to talk to her, but it had taken a lot of work to drag her away from Moon.

"Hau, what's going on?" Lillie cut straight to the chase. It was nice to see that after five years, Lillie hadn't changed too radically, "Are you not enjoying the party?"

Hau didn't like the look of concern he was getting. Why was it that every time he was serious, everyone assumed that something was wrong?

Hau shook this thought off and gave Lillie his signature grin.

"Nothing's wrong Lills." He insisted, leaning casually against a conveniently placed lamppost, "I just want to talk to you. How've you been?"

His question must've thrown Lillie off, as he received a raised eyebrow in response.

"Everything's fine Hau." She answered carefully, – too carefully – "I'm just really happy to see every –"

"What's going on with you, Gladion, and Moon?!" Hau blurted out, internally wincing at the desperation of his own voice.

'So much for being a smooth operator.' Hau mentally scolded himself.

Lillie blinked at him, but Hau didn't miss the slight look of nervousness that passed through Lillie's eyes.

"Wha…what do you mean?" Lillie stammered. Unlike Hau, she visibly cringed as she seemed to be internally beating herself up for not sounding as confident as she would've liked.

"Every time Gladion sees you and Moon talking, he gets this weird look on his face…like he's jealous or –" Hau began.

"What does this have to do with me?" Lillie interrupted abruptly. Her eyes were slightly wide, her cheeks slightly flushed, but all in all, she seemed determined not to crack.

"And every time you're around Moon, your eyes light up. As if she's the best thing you'd ever laid eyes one." Hau continued before he let out an almost inaudible gasp. It suddenly clicked to him.

Lillie liked Moon too.

"I don't know what you're –"

"Lillie, please don't lie to me." Hau said quietly, "I'm your friend. I'm on your side here."

Lillie took a deep breath, looking away from him for a short while before turning back to him, her eyes sparkling in earnest.

"I like Moon." Her tone was a whisper, but Hau heard her all the same.

Hau nodded to himself. He was making progress.

"That's good." Hau heard himself saying, "I already knew that, but it's good to hear you admit it."

"But how did you know?" Lillie started before seeing the grin on his face, "And don't you dare make a pun with your name!"

Hau raised his hands in surrender as he gave her a sincere smile. He should've know that Lillie would demand answers from him too.

"It was simple really." Hau allowed nonchalantly, his eyes soft as he stared at Lillie, "You look at her the way I used to look at you."

The mood between them instantly became somber. Lillie looked guilty, opening her mouth to say something before Hau cut her off.

"Don't even worry about it, Lills." Hau's voice was chipper again as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, "I've had time to come to terms with everything and I'm okay. I've moved on. I didn't lie to you in my letter when I said that I'd moved on."

"Hau –"

"Enough, Lillie." Hau stressed. He didn't like it when any of his friends worried, "Enough about me. What we need to worry about is how we get you and Moon together."

Lillie still had doubt swimming in her beautiful green eyes.

"Why're you so involved in this?"

"You guys are my best friends." Hau grinned, his playful demeanor back, "If there's anyone I'd third wheel around with, it's you guys."

Hau paused as Lillie rolled her eyes.

"Though, Acerola and I would love to have a double date with you guys once you get together."

Lillie's eyes widened.

"Wait, you and Acerola?" Her tone was slightly incredulous, "You didn't mention that in your letters! Hau!"

Hau rolled his eyes.

"I'll tell you all about it later." He promised, "But for now, let the Hau-ster work his magic as your very own wingman!"

Lillie raised an eyebrow.

"The Hau-ster?"

"Hey! Don't make fun of the guy who's helping you get the girl." Hau laughed, "Gladion will kill me if he finds out I'm picking sides."

Lillie chuckled in agreement.

"So, do we have a deal?" Hau asked as he extended a hand, "You'll trust me wholeheartedly? You won't question my methods, and you'll make me the godfather of your future children?"

At the last part, Lillie turned bright red as she slapped Hau on the arm.

"Ow!"

"You goofball!" Lillie couldn't help smiling, but nevertheless, she shook his hand, "You have a deal."

Hau jumped into the air dramatically and struck the pose he made anytime he challenged someone to a Pokémon battle before engulfing Lillie in a tight hug.

"You won't regret this – I promise!" he smiled.

As Lillie laughed into his shoulder, he swore he saw a flash of blond a few steps away, being led by a figure in a black hoodie.

Where was Gladion going...and with who?

Hau resolved not to get involved in that, focusing only on his plan to get Lillie and Moon together.

Gladion's POV

As Lillie was escorted out of the lab by Hau, leaving Moon alone for the first time since she had made her appearance a few hours ago, Gladion scowled. His darling little sister had been hogging Moon the entire day and it wasn't fair! When he had suggested that they both try and woo Moon, Gladion hadn't meant that Lillie should hog the Alolan champion for so long. That was Gladion's job!"

Nevertheless, Moon was finally alone and Gladion was determined to talk to her.

He walked over to the chair she was currently sitting in and sat next to her, flashing her his most charming smile. Thankfully, Moon's Bewear was nowhere to be found. He didn't want to be embarrassed in front of Moon again.

"Uh, Gladion, are you okay?" Moon's tone was sincere, and Gladion refused to acknowledge the butterflies that had erupted in his stomach, "You have this weird look on your face."

Gladion could feel his cheeks reddening and could practically see Lillie's smug expression in his mind's eye.

'Real smooth, Gladion.' He heard her saying.

"I'm fine, everything's cool." Gladion attempted to sound in control of his emotions, forcing his features into an indifferent one, "So, how's the weather?"

Moon blinked at him and Gladion resisted the urge to face-palm.

How's the weather? Idiot!

Moon's rotomdex suddenly came to life as Gladion was mentally beating himself up.

"Earth to Moon." The rotomdex was saying, "Don't you see what's going on here?"

If looks could kill, that rotomdex would've shorted out due to the irate look on Gladion's face.

"What do you mean?" Moon was adorable when she was confused.

'Ugh, adorable?' Gladion scolded himself, 'What are you? Lillie? What kind of word is adorable?'

The rotomdex sighed dramatically.

"Well if you can't sense the obvious here," The rotomdex started before sighing dramatically once more, "who am I to help you? It's not like you've ever listened to me before. You're always speeding up my dialogue. Don't think I haven't noticed!"

Moon's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Rotom, I didn't mean –"

"Rotom, I didn't mean." The rotomdex mimicked before shutting itself off, not before emitting a quiet, "Love makes people idiots."

Gladion refrained from placing his head in his hands. Moon had to know the extent of his feelings by now.

"Moon, I –" Gladion began before Moon raised a hand to stop him.

"It's okay, Gladion. You don't have to say anything. This isn't your fault." Moon was smiling serenely at him.

Gladion blinked at her. She returned his feelings?

"Rotom is just feeling a bit lonely. I guess I have been neglecting her a bit." Moon was saying. Wait, what? "She thinks I've found someone to replace her."

Was this girl kidding?

Gladion held himself back from shaking Moon really hard. The girl couldn't be that dense…could she?

"Hey Gladion." Moon was waving a hand in front of his face, "There's someone in front of the lab who's been calling to you."

Gladion turned to look at the lab entrance and was met with the sight of a figure – obviously a woman by her stature – beckoning at him with rapid waving. He stood up and made to go over to her, glad for the opportunity to clear his head from his failed attempt at talking to Moon properly.

"Do you want me to go with you Gladion?" Moon offered.

Gladion puffed his chest out. The last thing he needed was for Moon to feel like she had to protect him.

"I've got it." Was all he said before he made his way over to the hooded figure.

He was barely outside of the lab before the figure snatched him away, gliding effortlessly and silently past Hau and Lillie, who were engaged in hushed whispers outside of the lab.

When it became clear that the two were alone, the figure took off her hood, revealing Gladion and Lillie's mother – Lusamine.

"Mother?" Gladion spluttered. The last he had heard about her, she was getting treated at some healthcare facility in Kanto.

Lusamine rolled her eyes.

"Who else?" Lusamine cooed, cupping both of Gladion's cheeks in her hands, "My beautiful baby boy, I've come to help you."

Gladion's eyes narrowed. The last time Lusamine offered to help him, he ended up having to escape from Aether as a young boy.

"Help me how?"

Lusamine rolled her eyes at Gladion's moody tone.

"You are in love with Alola's champion. So is Lillie." Lusamine shrugged, managing not to move Gladion's face with her movements, "I want you – not Lillie – to end up with her."

Gladion raised an eyebrow. Why did she want to help him?

"What's in it for you?"

A dark look crossed Lusamine's face as she brought Gladion's face closer to hers, her eyes crazed. After a few seconds, the crazed look disappeared and was replaced with an almost maternal one.

"That girl corrupted my baby girl." Lusamine's voice was eerily quiet, "I won't allow her to corrupt her innocence anymore."

Gladion snorted. He hardly thought that Lillie would appreciate Lusamine's line of thinking.

"Is this your way of getting revenge for what happened five years ago?" Gladion asked carefully. He had been told by doctors in Kanto that it probably wouldn't be the best thing to bring up the past to Lusamine, but Gladion couldn't help his curiosity.

Lusamine abruptly let go of Gladion's cheeks as she snorted. Gladion resisted the urge to snicker. He had never heard such an undignified sound come out of Lusamine, and never thought he'd live to see the day.

"Oh please." She scoffed, her green eyes bright and animated, "I'm over what happened. I just think it would be interesting to pit the two of you against each other."

Lusamine paused.

"For fun, of course." Lusamine was nothing if not brutally honest, "If you really think that that malasada boy isn't on Lillie's side, my son, you have another thing coming."

When Gladion stopped to think about it, it made sense that if it came to choosing sides, Hau would be on Lillie's.

"Besides, you want to win, don't you?" Lusamine simpered, wrapping an arm around Gladion's shoulders, "Think about it. Years from now, this can be such a nice story to tell to your children."

Gladion rolled his eyes. Of course Lusamine was thinking about grandchildren. Growing up, Gladion had always heard Lusamine fawn over what beautiful grandchildren she'd have one day.

"Either way." Lusamine was saying, "The Alolan champion will become my daughter-in-law. It doesn't really matter to me whether you or your sister wins. I'm just trying to be a decent mother for once."

To Gladion, Lusamine's voice sounded sincere…as sincere as Lusamine could get. His years of experience with her told him that he should reject her offer. That he should work by himself to try and woo Moon. Nevertheless, Gladion never learned.

"Welcome to my side mother."