The sky was still shades of night when Diamond woke up or rather when he stopped pretending he could fall asleep. Waiting takes forever… He tossed and turned, Where's Pearl? He's always so fast; he must have gotten in last night. Not a sound could be heard in the entire house and Diamond started doubting that Pearl would ever show up. He peeked out the window, the snow was falling serenely and the frost on the glass had some tiny snowflakes visibly etched on.

Why doesn't it feel like my birthday? Am I too old to get excited? Seventeen… it doesn't feel any different from yesterday when I was sixteen. But Pearl… I can't get him out of my head. I wish he would just come in and kiss me… he smiled. I wonder… I wonder if he ever thinks about me the way I think of him. Of course he knew the answer to that; Pearl had said himself that he had the same feelings, arguably stronger more certain feelings than Diamond's. He spent a lot of time thinking about how he felt since Pearl left and he felt more confident about accepting them. It was still all so new to him though. He had only ever loved Missy and the feelings were never this strong.

Diamond sat up and looked around, He probably won't come over for another hour… He began stroking himself slowly, taking his time. Using his middle finger to make a ring with his thumb, he tightened his grip. It twitched in his grasp and soon he could feel it start throbbing from the vein just under his palm. He kept his rhythm despite his body's natural response to squirm about. He gritted his teeth and took quick shallow breaths. He felt the muscles in his thighs start to tense as his hips began moving instinctively in time to his hand. He stopped to catch his breath, but his body ached for him to continue…

Pearl had taken all the extra measures necessary to make sure he was perfect for Diamond. The cookies looked amazing, Mom really out did herself. The cookies were all frosted with care and looked like various types of pokeballs.

"Wow… This must have taken forever!" He gingerly picked up the plate and slid the envelope concealing his card into his pocket.

The kitchen clock ticked eerily as the hands moved. 4:30 AM… it's not bright out but it is early, he's got to be up.

The boy crept out of his house and over to Diamond's through the snow, the sky was still very dark but everything looked very beautiful with the thin blanket of white. He kicked at the powdery flakes on the ground, watching as the puff balls melted upon the plastic wrap of the cookie tray leaving droplets in their wake. They stuck to his hair and slowly collapsed on his shirt, seeping into the seams. As he reached Diamond's house he noted that all the lights were off, as were all the lights in town, and wondered if Diamond was still asleep. Cautiously, he entered, closing the door behind him, afraid to breathe or make the slightest sound. Up the stairs he went and came bouncing, silently bouncing, into Diamonds room.

"Happy Bir-"

"MOM! I'm doing something, close the…" He stopped midsentence and the color drained from the boys face as he met his friend's stare.

Pearl couldn't help but let his eyes wander, he traced over the boys exposed chest as it rose and fell in time to desperate breaths and then down to observe the folds and bumps in the comforter; he could just imagine what was happening just beneath.

This isn't awkward… He tried not to make it obvious that he was checking him out and placed the cookies down on the dresser near the door. He looked back over at the boy before at last he tossed Diamond some clothes that sat on the floor.

"I, uh… You want to finish, because I could wait if you want?" He motioned toward the door.

"No, stay!" He pleaded. "I-I mean- I don't know," he hid his red face in his hands. I must be having a nightmare, please let me be sleeping. 'No stay'? Arceus…

"Ok… I won't leave then," he sat on the bed. He observed the bump in the comforter before flicking his eyes back to his friend's striking blue eyes. "Um, Happy birthday?"

That devious smirk… He's going to make me… all over my bed… His conscious' voice sounded desperate and shaky.

"Thanks." He took the clothes and danced into them under the blanket, the bed squeaked while Pearl tried to pretend he wasn't watching.

"Sexy…"

"Oh stop," he rolled his eyes embarrassedly.

"You sure you don't want to… I won't watch or anything."

"I… I can't now," he grimaced trying to calm himself down.

"I'm sorry," he rubbed the back of his neck smiling guiltily.

"It's fine," he sighed. "So you made me cookies?"

"You could say that, here look."

His mom definitely did this, he doesn't have the patience for such little details. "They're amazing! Thank you," he smiled warmly.

"Don't mention it," he smiled back but then remembered the card in his pocket. After a few moments of gathering his courage, he removed the envelope from his pocket and handed it over. Diamond curiously accepted it and opened it carefully.

"Aw it's us," his face was beaming. But as soon as he opened it the condom fell out onto his lap.

He blinked, Nope, it's still a condom. The boy shifted, unsure what to say or do. I said something that shows that he cares. He brought something thoughtful and something suggestive. He looked at Pearl, he was watching him like a staraptor stalks a buneary, hungrily and intently.

"Thanks," he whispered shyly. He took the package in his hands and examined it. I don't even know how to use this, he thought embarrassedly. After folding it back into the card he set it aside. He took a breath before he reached out and laced their fingers together. Pearl smiled and gripped his hand affectionately but avoided eye contact.

"I know it wasn't subtle but… I didn't think you'd mind."

"I don't mind, it's… well, it wasn't expected but I don't care."

They sat staring at each other in a tense silence for several moments. Their faces transitioned from a shy innocence to something more serious implying what neither could say for sure in their minds, though they were ready to act on instinct alone. Diamond leaned back some, breaths coming a bit more drawn out as his lips parted slightly, and gently squeezed Pearl's hand.

There was Pearl's window; he tried to keep his heart from jumping out of his throat as he thought about his next move. He wanted to kiss him and he wanted to touch him, it was especially hard to resist him knowing he was already aroused. Pearl felt bad for interrupting, but he wanted to help him out with his not so little dilemma now. He put a finger to Diamond's chest and pushed him back coyly, crawling over and looking down at his blue eyed friend. He knew Diamond wanted and needed to go slow, and he felt guilty for being in this position after the fact, but the look in his eyes told him he thought it was anything but wrong. He leaned in, barely aware of what he was doing anymore. He kissed him just below the ear before trailing kisses down to the small piece of collar bone his loose shirt revealed. His hands became separate entities as he let them wander.

One slid down the comforter and revealed a nice tent in Diamond's boxers. Diamond was barely breathing as his eyes darted between the hand and Pearl's eyes. Pearl smirked as Diamond put his hand over his, sheepishly guiding it over his arousal. He gladly wrapped his fingers around it, giving it a firm stroke and laughing a bit to himself at the surprised squeak Diamond made.

Diamond was gasping and his muscles tensed, legs twitching almost involuntarily as the blonde continued. Pearl nudged the boy's legs apart with his own as he kissed him everywhere but his trembling lips. Diamond whispered the boy's name several times, now looking up at him with a look that was a little frightened at his now separated legs. Pearl met his eyes in silent reassurance for a moment of hesitation before he brought both hands up to either side of Diamond's head in support. Things weren't progressing half as quick as it seemed, everything blurring together into what felt like a single moment. Pearl had a nervous but mischievous expression as he moved his hips into the valley of the boy's legs, grinding experimentally slow.

Diamond's jaw dropped, his whole body flinching while he tried to fight the moans. He blushed fervently, Pearl laughing at his needy whines and reactions much to his dismay though it was mostly out of nerves. Pearl lowered himself, nipping at his neck and teasingly echoing Diamond's stifled whines and choked gasps. Anything rational or innocent that had dwelled in their minds ceased to exist as they acted on something animalistic with unnoted inexperience. The way it felt to have him squirm beneath him, hips moving to match his movements and fingers sensuously carving into the body above readying to remove his shirt, had Pearl's head spinning.

After much teasing, Pearl finally started to move in to claim his lips, lips brushing when the door creaked open, the rendezvous ending instantly.

"Diamond, is everything ok? I thought I heard something," the voice was sincerely concerned as they entered the room.

"E-Everything's fine, mom!" He wanted to die of embarrassment, hiding his flush face in his hands, and he was thankful that Pearl had gotten up so quickly.

"Hey, Johanna. Long time, no see," Pearl tried to be casual despite his heart hammering in his chest with hormones and newfound anxiety. He tried to ignore the dark voice in his head that was encouraging him to push her out the window.

"Pearl! I should've guessed it was you," she smiled and hugged the blonde boy affectionately before greeting her own child who was clearly unamused.

"Happy birthday, Diamond," she sniffled. "I can't believe you're already seventeen."

"Yeah, I know, mom, you can't believe I'm any number over five…" He rolled his eyes in annoyance. His usual expression lacked a lazy grin which produced a quizzical look from his mother.

"You ok, Dia?" She put the back of her fingers on his forehead, then his cheek. "Fever? Hm, no... Well I'll go down and make breakfast. Oh, and get dressed, Diamond. Pearl doesn't want to see you in pajamas." She shut the door behind her and her steps could be heard as she descended the stairs.

"Yeah, Diamond, I don't want to see you in your pajamas…" Pearl looked over at Diamond with a smug side smile, at last allowing himself to breathe in labored breaths once more.

"Oh, I bet you'd like to see me without them then?"

"Is that an invitation?" He leaned in slowly.

"And if it is?"

"I'd say…" He considered their circumstances, cautioning his raging hormones. Much to his disdain he acknowledged that he probably shouldn't have done that. Timing was everything after all. "That we should wait…"

Diamond's heart sank.

"I'll take a rain check on this, Mr. Champion." He smirked, running a finger absentmindedly over the boy's unclaimed lips. "I'll let you dress yourself in peace."

He stood up and walked toward the door. Before exiting he adjusted his pants playfully.

"Nobody likes a tease!" Diamond called after him as the boy exited with a mischievous chuckle.

"Except for you!" He called back bemusedly.

He searched his drawers for clothes, Am I supposed to dress up? It's my birthday I should be able to stay in pajamas if I want to… He pulled on some jeans and a t-shirt and decided against socks. He pouted in his frustration and tucked his messy hair into his beret as he surveyed the room. He picked up the carefully frosted cookies baked with love that patiently waited on the tray. He doubted some of the pokeballs actually existed. One had a heart like design and another one looked like there was a moon drawn on. Maybe Pearl's mother just had a good imagination or perhaps she was from another region? He couldn't be certain.

He sat down on the bed, the springs strained a squeak and the mattress sighed. This bed can't be that old…But he shook his head. As he finished up in his room and moved onto the bathroom, he washed his hands nearly a hundred times over. He couldn't even enjoy it at that point but he reluctantly finished what he had started. As he brushed his teeth, he felt his senses waking, his stomach included, as they were greeted with the scent of mint. It gurgled and grumbled peculiarly and he clutched at it through his shirt, a slight burning sensation in his gut.

"Diamond, come get your breakfast!" His mother called simultaneously answering the estranged calls of his stomach.

He descended the stairs, adjusting his zipper again before rounding the corner. Pearl was sitting at the table fidgeting and struggling to sit still like a child suffering from a fit of turrets and ADHD simultaneously. He hated waiting and it was killing him to wait for Diamond to come down. Diamond sat down next Pearl who looked elated and relieved to see the boy. Diamond's mother brought over plate after plate of her huge breakfast and topped it off with a cake that matched the theme of the pokeball cookies.

Moms can be so cheesy; they must have planned this… Diamond inferred. "This looks great, mom. Thanks," he smiled contently.

"It was my pleasure, sweetheart," she kissed him on the forehead.

Meanwhile, Pearl ate his food at a ridiculous speed and Diamond's contorted face could only contemplate how he wasn't choking or a hundred pounds heavier. Fork, plate, face, half chew, swallow, fork, face, swallow, fork, face, swallow, drink…

Where does the food go? He examined his friend's slender frame; he was even a bit muscular from what he could see through his striped shirt. When Pearl was finally done eating he sat there and lazily looked over at Diamond who watched him dumbfounded.

"Is something wrong, Dia? Come on, eat so we can do something today."

"Oh, uh, no. I'm fine. What did you have in mind?" And the sun is just rising, we have all day…

"Staying inside because it's a bit too brisk for my liking today, but we can do whatever you want."

"Maybe… if you wore a jacket and some… warmer pants you wouldn't… mind the cold," Diamond spoke in between chews.

"But I always dress like this." He considered a sweater, tighter pants were simply more comfortable but he mulled it over in his mind. He glanced over at Diamond who was examining him while he ate, eyes chancing daringly low every few seconds. "You like?" He smirked, quirking an eyebrow suggestively.

He blushed. "Rhetorical question," he said simply, looking at his friend pointedly.

The nonchalant flirting of sorts that had and continued happening was interesting. Pearl was quite good at it and subtle when he needed to be but Diamond was only just starting to get the hang of it. Not that he was surprised given the boy's gift for word play or articulation in general. But he shrugged it off as he continued eating. He watched Pearl toy with his fork, watching his fingers with interest. Pearl was also quite good at touching him. Maybe it's because he hadn't been touched in such a way before that he just felt extra sensitive but it felt amazing. He started to blush as he continued eating, trying to savor his mother's hard work despite the mental distraction.

The conversation was light and Pearl was still fidgeting, playing with his food carcasses and taking incessant sips of his juice as he watched Diamond eating. The way his fiery eyes burned into him was making him wonder how much longer he was going to have an appetite with such a raptly attentive audience. When he was certain his stomach was going to tear at the seams, he grabbed some cookies to bring upstairs. The cake will have to wait until later.

"Come on, let's go upstairs."

They reentered Diamond's room, Diamond took the bed and Pearl brought the chair from the desk over and straddled it so that he and the back of the chair faced Diamond. The cookie Pearl was eating was a Quickball, How ironic, and Diamond nibbled on an Ultraball.

A period of silence ensued and Diamond watched Pearl watching him. Neither said a word, only stared. Pearl's eyes were soft, and he sat casually without shifting as he contented himself to simply look at Diamond. He bluntly stared at his crotch, fingers twitching reminiscently as he swallowed slowly, loosening his scarf with a finger. He tried to approximate how big it was, it felt about the same as his but it felt better because it was Diamond's. He had spent his whole life it seemed wanting to touch his friend like that. But Diamond's thoughts were nowhere exciting. Diamond rolled onto his back and looked into space, This isn't fun.

He frowned, "I don't know what to say."

"Happy Birthday, Diamond."

"Thanks," the words were uttered absent mindedly. He sheepishly extended a hand toward his friend who grasped it and allowed his thumb to stroke the back of his hand.

"So… What's up?"

"Nothing much, just thinking…"

"What do you want to do? Or is this what you want to do all day?"

"Come closer."

Pearl complied and lay down on the squeaky bed in the direction opposite Diamond and rejoined their hands. He leaned his head into Diamond's leg and looked vacantly at the ceiling. The sun was finally up and casted light into the room through the openings in the curtains. All was calm, including Pearl and it felt like any other lazy Saturday.

Sitting around thinking about what to do, how they feel, what they're supposed to feel. This wasn't anything they could have foreseen. Falling into love and lust… Where did the time go? It seemed like only yesterday they were camping in the backyard and making playground promises that at the time were more sacred than any other vow.

He gripped Pearl's hand to steady himself, he felt weak and defeated by his subconscious. But his friend squeezed back and nudged his leg affectionately with his head.

"Loosen up, Dia."

He sighed in agreement. Loosen up, Dia, he echoed. There's no rush, we have time.

We've only just begun.