Pearl came bouncing into the house with a new spring in his step. In his rush he noticed his mother had already started dinner. He ran past her but halfway up the stairs he froze mid step. He slowly took a few steps back, I'm not supposed to run in the house.

"Hi, mom! Sorry I'm late!" And he ran back up the stairs into his room. That went well. When he arrived the small pile of laundry was now neatly folded and on the corner of his bed with a note atop it.

Pearl,

The hamper is in the bathroom and if you're going to use the mouthwash then please put it back in the medicine cabinet. Dinner will be ready soon.

Love you,

Mom

"Mom…" he groaned defiantly. But on the back there was another message.

P.S. If you mix a bit of water in the mouthwash it doesn't sting as much.

"Really…?" he said thoughtfully but then he shook his head, I have to prepare for shopping!

On the desk there were miscellaneous items. Pencils, pens, loose papers, the computer… But what Pearl was searching for was his map. He opened all the drawers in the desk and looked under every piece of paper but was unsuccessful. Where the hell is the map? He looked up at the computer screen which had a window open.

The X button opens the menu… His face contorted with confusion.

"Menu?" He tried pushing the button on the keyboard but to no avail. "What does that even mean? Where is my map?" He shouted as loud as he could in frustration, nearly shaking the house as he threw his arms toward the sky in a grand gesture.

"Your bag is next to your bed, sweetie! Check in there," his mother called.

Pearl slowly looked over to his bed where his bag sat heavily on the floor, just like mom had said. He felt a bit embarrassed for causing a scene, and called a quick "Thanks" back to her. He rummaged through the messenger bag. "Pokeballs, no… berries, no… no, no… Aha!"

He spread the map out on the floor letting his fingers pass over distant places remembering all the things he had done there. Hearthome city, Solaceon town, Veilstone city… From Twinleaf to Sunyshore, he had been everywhere.

Sandgem won't have a whole lot to pick from and Pastoria won't have much either… He loves food, maybe I'll cook? Wait! Veilstone has the huge department store, I'll bet anything they'll have something there. It'll take a few days, maybe a week, to get there but if I hustle I'll be back by the fourth. I'll leave tonight after dinner.

"Veilstone? Sweetie, I could cook his favorite meal if you really wanted. You don't have to go, please…" His mother was distressed, she watched her son fidget at the table. He could never sit still, and he tried his best to eat and talk slowly despite his excitement.

"Mom, I'll be back just in time for his birthday. I promise I'm going to come back. It's just, if it's not the best then…"

"He'll love anything from you, Pearl," she sniffled.

"Mom… I'll be back I promise I promise I promise I promise I promise!" He begged. "Please? I didn't even drink from the carton this morning, honest! I've been good."

"I know that you did, Pearl. You always do. But fine…" She took his plate and wiped the food from his face affectionately. She deposited the dishes in the sink and returned with a smile to her bright eyed boy. She adjusted his scarf and kissed his forehead. "Come now, Pearl. Get your bag and get going. And stay warm, it's getting colder. Be safe and-"

"Mom, I know! I'll be careful, ok? And another thing, it doesn't count if I didn't touch my lips to the rim," he tapped his index finger to his lips playfully.

"If you say so," she grinned and like a flash her son ran up, grabbed his bag and was out the door in moments.

It took a few days but Pearl ran as fast as he could to Veilstone, he cut through Oreburg to take the short cut through Mt. Coronet to Hearthome and so on. It was a long few days but a labor of love nonetheless. The snow must have started once he had arrived in Solaceon Town and continued steadily since. Veilstone was a grey city, very industrial with lots of tall geometric shaped buildings. The closer he got to the department store the more crowded it became as the rush for Christmas shopping had officially begun. It was the kind of high energy rush that small town people never experienced unless they left their home towns and ventured into the cities. Pearl was just the man for the job though; he wasn't afraid to push through or grab what he needed or try to barter with the cashiers. He had done it plenty of times on his journey with Diamond and Platinum.

The shelves were stocked with all sort of useful battle items, basic necessities and the latest gadgets. He didn't have much of a budget, luckily for him he had more money than was safe to carry at once courtesy of his parents. He didn't know what Diamond would want from what he saw. He didn't want him to appreciate whatever he decided on because he spent his entire lifesavings. But what on Earth was he going to buy?

A new adventure bag? No. A basket of battle items? No. If I buy a hundred pokeballs I get a free premier ball… How would anyone manage to fit all of them in their bag? That's the worst promotion ever!

"No, no, no! Isn't there anything in this store?" I know I'm in a six floor super center but there's nothing here! How is that possible?

Floor by floor he went pushing through crowds of women who were at each other's throats like seviper and zangoose for various items, mostly electronics and pokedolls, until he reached the floor with the pharmacy. The floor was generally empty; in fact, he didn't think anyone was there at all except for him from what he could make out. Not that anyone would want medicine for Christmas…

Looking around there was cough syrup and other human necessities in the very back as though no one ever purchased them. He strolled down the aisle peculiarly labeled "Family Planning" letting his eyes pass over various medicinal herbs and other embarrassing things he wished he didn't see. For such meticulous creatures, Girls are so gross sometimes… Brightly packaged necessities stocked the shelves and transitioned slowly into pregnancy tests all claiming they would tell you first. They can't all be the best, I wonder which one is actually the best. He pondered this as he continued on until there upon the top shelf sat a box, and he couldn't avert his virgin eyes from this vision of certain adultery. Ecstasy, like it's not even there! Ribbed for her pleasure, heat sensitive, lubricated and simple rubber

Condoms…

He felt self-conscious just saying the word in his mind. His wide sunset hued orbs remained unwavering as they stayed fixated on the boxes. His eyes darted among the overflow of information and marketing propaganda before him. Words popped out before him and small pictures and interesting fonts all calling him like hookers on a street corner on a lonely night. Boxes of all sizes with all sorts of extra functions, the only thing they couldn't do were glow in the dark or taste like something other than latex.

If we were to… he trailed off, blushing a deeper red as his mind drifted. He shook his head, Guys don't need condoms, I can't get him pregnant… Right? He pondered this intently, looking over at the pregnancy tests with a quirked brow. But then again, he'll finally be legal. That could be a good jest with a hidden connotation. It's not like there's really anything else to get him anyway.

He snatched a box and looked around frantically. It felt surreal to hold the box, It's like my childhood is over. There were several brands but only one that he had ever heard of if he were to be completely honest and he questioned the integrity of them all.

They can't all be the best, he examined the box again his eyes darting around to see if anyone was watching him. But this one has the most commercials so I guess they have the most money since people are clearly buying them? …What size am I supposed to get? He looked over the box curiously, reading each side and shaking the box to hear the contents shift. With a defeated sigh he grabbed the box that screamed 'ecstasy' on the front in holographic lettering, I can't believe I'm buying condoms for my best friend secretly hoping he'd understand that I want to sleep with him.

He took the fated walk of shame, walking tensely up to the counter trying to appear a confident adult despite his nerves. The cashier was an older woman, her hair graying at the roots and the stress of the mob-like customers was etched into the wrinkles on her face. She half attempted to smile at him, making an extra effort because he was a younger trainer and didn't want to deter the teen from continuing his patronage as his journey continued.

"Welcome to the Veilstone City department store. May I help you?" She sounded like the monotonous buzz of yanma in the Great Marsh but even with her lack of enthusiasm her voice was enough to make Pearl flinch. He gingerly placed the box on the counter, looking around and tapping his fingers anxiously trying to suppress the blush creeping across the bridge of his nose. The women looked at him curiously as she rang up the item, "Anything else…?"

"N-No. Thanks."

She took the money from his trembling hands in exchange for the box. He slipped it into his bag and started toward the elevator.

"Have fun," she said sarcastically, they didn't pay her enough to care about her offensive tone.

"At least I have someone to have fun with…" He retorted under his breath. He stepped into the elevator, The nerve of some people.

"Welcome to the Veilstone Department Store! To which floor may I take you, sir?" Her shrill voice and excessive enthusiasm startled the boy.

"Geez lady! You scared me. But um, let me see… I need food stuff."

"Basement Floor 1, going down. Please wait."

She sounds like a robot… The elevator was a close space and the women's artificial demeanor made everything feel awkward. She had a plastered on smile and an odd periwinkle suit of sorts with a ribbon adorned brimmed hat. Her clothes were perfectly smoothed and not a hair was out of place, her cheerful face unwavering. Does she ever leave? And she sounds the same every time. I can just imagine her head pulling a 180 and looking directly behind her at me with glowing red LED eyes that fire lasers and once she's done melting you down she eats you alive and listens to you scream-! His heart raced and all of his muscles tensed with anticipation.

"-Basement Floor 1, we have reached your floor, sir," the attendant smiled, her voice pleasant. Pleasant for a robot…

The basement was a spacious area with many counters selling various products. Pearl purchased what he thought he would need to cook Diamond something special and some special things for his mother since he had the cash to spare. After another encounter with the robotic elevator attendant he was on his way home. He would make it home the evening of the third if he was quick so he ran as fast as he could. He smiled to himself determinedly; he was going to give Diamond the perfect gift and nothing was going to stop him from getting back to him. He took ten minute naps on various routes only stopping in Hearthome because it was absolutely necessary not that he cared.

Anything for you, Diamond.

"Mom help me do this! I can't be late!"

"Sweetie, it's only nine o'clock. You have the whole night to bake these cookies."

"Mom…" He groaned. "You don't understand they should be done by now!" His arms flailed in frustration.

"You just got home an hour ago and the oven is still heating so please be patient, honey," she patted his shoulder and massaged it gently.

"Patience is not in my vocabulary, sorry." He peered into the oven through the window with irritation. The atmosphere was skewed by the lines of radiating heat and it seemed like a terribly boring and sullen place to be. He exhaled heavily.

"One of these days you're going to have to slow down and do things the right way. Slow and steady," her voice was smooth, tender and Pearl carefully considered her words as he fidgeted about the kitchen. She smiled at her son who looked down at her with an exasperated sigh. The dimple in her cheek made a small indent on one side and her eyes youthfully sparkled as she looked up at him patiently.

"Fine," his shoulders slumped. He hated when she was right, he hated more that he had to wait not only for the cookies but to see Diamond and likely even to kiss him, let alone sleep with him with Diamond's apprehension about it all. "So when will the cookies be done?"

"I'll take care of them; you should shower and get to bed." At nine? No thanks. "Or you know what'd be cute; you should make him a card! How sweet would that be? He's such a thoughtful boy, he would like that a lot."

Hm… Good idea. "Ok, I'll be gone when you get up then. Night, mom."

"Ok, sweet dreams!"

After a quick peck from mom he ran upstairs and went straight to the bathroom. In a rush he pulled his shirt off and fought to get out of his pants. He jumped into the shower in one fluid motion and turned the water on. He coughed as the flow rushed onto his face, Maybe I should slow down a bit… His blonde locks became matted to his face and he slicked the silky strands back out of his eyes. With lathered fingers he ran his hands up and down his sculpted body, he felt his nervous energy yield to slicked fingers as they traced the contours of his muscles. He let out a relaxed sigh as he shampooed his mop, trying to get it to stand up and playing with it before rinsing.

Ok let's go! He turned off the water and stepped out of the shower only to be shrouded by the frigid air. He curled his body in and grabbed a towel from under the sink. The boy tousled his hair in the red cloth and wrapped himself up leaving his clothes discarded on the floor. The hamper is in the vicinity, close enough. Pearl hesitated at the door but decided his mother was busy downstairs so he walked over to his room with the towel wrapped around his arms like a blanket leaving the rest of his body exposed.

He let the towel slide off his shoulders at the door, flicked the switch and the room became illuminated. The dresser's contents were calling his shivering body and he dressed himself in whatever he happened to grab, uncaring of his appearance. He went over to the desk and poked around the drawers for some markers and paper. When he had the supplies he needed, he sat on the floor with them and tried to devise a plan for what he should draw on the card. What to draw… what to draw…? I know, I could draw us! He took pen to the paper and outlined their figures; he was more skilled than the average person when it came to drawing but not enough to consider pursuing it on a professional level. The pen carved into the paper, hugging the curved strokes and pointed angles. Then he picked up the markers and kept the ink within the boundaries of the pen lines. His full attention was invested in the task at hand and his fidgeting ceased as his hand steadied itself, the lines and colors blending scrupulously. Not too shabby, he smiled to himself triumphantly.

"Now what to write inside…? 'Happy Birthday, my mom made these cookies with love'? No, that's stupid. Uh… 'Your eyes are like the winter sky and when you look my way all I want is to kiss you 'til we're breathless…"

He blushed and furrowed his brows, Um… ok that can never happen again. That's too cheesy even for a softie like him.

"Why is it so hard to say how I feel the right way? Ugh!" He pinched the bridge between his eyes and thought very hard for several moments.

The best way to tell him is probably to show him, but we have to go slow. He frowned and let himself fall back on his cold floor with a thud. As he looked up at the ceiling as he had so many times before, he really started to dig deep for inspiration.

He sat himself up and reached into his bag and pulled out the box of condoms. Carefully, he opened the box and put one into the card without writing anything. He wasn't going to run from these feelings anymore, he had to try something, anything to assert himself. When the time comes, I'll show him what he means to me. He'll never have to look at me quizzically and wonder.

There will be no question that I love him.