Squish, squish, squish… The boys trudged through the mud and goop that made up Route 212. The steady downpour thoroughly soaked everything in sight. If one had any suspicion of their cleanliness then they certainly would not by the end. The blonde stopped struggling and stood in defeat, hearing the droplets strike the mud like an infinite orchestration of falling bullets. His hair was drenched, matted to his forehead and uncharacteristically straight. His damp clothes clung uncomfortably to his body, the white stripes revealed the skin beneath and the shirt contoured to his figure revealing his youthful finesse. His green scarf, discolored from the excessive water, hung heavy around his neck like a damp towel. He watched his friend a few feet away. Diamond was in a similar predicament, valiantly attempting to get through the marsh as quickly as possible.

A light mist shrouded their steps and the blonde called out the boy's name, trying to be heard over the hum of water. He turned around obediently and sighed. A pair of desperate and somewhat angered orange orbs met his watery eyes. He made his way back and tried to help the boy out of his spot. He put his arms around his slender waist and lifted him up nearly out of his shoes with some effort. The blonde slumped against him heavily, his face hidden in his chest and his arms tightly embracing the boy.

"We're almost there, Pearl, I promise." He planted a kiss on his forehead and held him close.

"Dia, I hate this."

"This is the fastest way to your present."

"You're not going fast enough!" He looked as though he could cry out of frustration.

"My sweet Pearl, my dear sweet Pearl… I love you, you know that?" His voice was tender as he spoke, cradling Pearl's helpless face in his hands.

He gave a slow nod, frowning as he tucked his hair behind his ears. Diamond took his hand and continued on only to be stopped by the blonde's dead weight. He looked back questioningly but Pearl watched him dumbly and refused to speak. Now he was pouting but not in a childish way. No, his eyes were narrowed fiercely at the boy now.

"Pearl, please. I'm sorry it's raining and tonight will be the best night of your life (I hope) alright? Please don't hate me. I'll go faster just come on." His shoulders drooped as he pleaded with the boy.

He managed to persuade him to get past a good portion of the marsh before they rested under a honey tree.

"The time?"

He looked down at his poketch and replied with a flat "3" before crossing his arms again.

"Awsome, we'll be there right on time. Now please stop being mad, babe. Please?"

He stood up and approached the boy who took a step back.

Oh, so that's how it's gonna be then? He knows this is the only way to Pastoria from Hearthome. Not that his gift is in Pastoria anyway but it's on the way.

He looked around at their dismal surroundings with a sigh. The tree was large and strong, its roots extended deep into the earth and its arms reached up into the heavens with trillions of fragile finger-like branches. Despite the season, the leaves were a gorgeous gold and remained firmly affixed to their original spots. On one side of the trunk honey had been smeared and the insipid globular drips seemed frozen in time. How long would it be before a pokemon would be lured by the enticing aroma of the sweet syrup? Maybe the trainer would be fortunate enough to attract a Combee, maybe even a female one. What luck that would be. The winter sky was a familiar grey and overcastted with heavy clouds, the breeze sighed depressively as the rain continued to fall. It was all soothing in a sense, the sounds and the peaceful atmosphere…

Very Scenic.

He frowned as he watched Pearl sit in his pooling angst, the rain always brought the worst out of him but he hoped to make it up to him. He had been planning tonight for quite a while now and was trying his best to prepare himself for that night since they had left Hearthome City. Pearl wasn't an easy person to dominate in any respect and he was usually fine with following his lead without complaints. But constantly being on the bottom took its toll on what remained of his masculinity. He was submissive, he did make the most sounds and occasionally did cry during sex but he liked to think that if he really wanted to he could be as nimble as Pearl. Yes, he could easily take charge of things, if he wanted to, and right now it appeared he had to.

He held his arms out to the blonde who with arms still folded and after some hesitation let himself press into his boyfriend's chest.

Diamond squeezed him securely, "Alright, work with me, Pearl. I don't want to be late."

After some struggling in the mud they entered Pastoria from the Southwestern entrance and tried to slip through quickly without anyone noticing them. They weren't there to visit and since they had nothing to do anymore they could always visit with Wake another time.

I love how it's a torrential downpour all of ten feet behind us and here the sun is out, er, more or less out for winter time anyway, Diamond thought as they snaked their way through the city.

They were in and out of Pastoria in no time so they made their way through the sandy beach that made up Route 213. Their sneakers swished with each step and the weight of the water seemed to add a million pounds to their slender frames as the scent of salt graced the air more and more with every advance. The ocean was calm today but each eroding wave rolled upon the shore with timed precision as always, kissing the satin sands with foam. Pearl ran up to the water's edge, pulling Diamond close behind by the hand as they gazed out into the horizon. The water brushed against their soaked sneakers and washed some of the sand away with the tide. The blonde looked over to the boy beside him and smiled, happy simply to be beside him.

"It's pretty," the blue eyed boy mumbled exchanging a side glance, his eyes a dazzling deep blue in the presence of the ocean.

Pearl gazed at him fondly, his best friend, his lover. How strange it was to simultaneously possess such platonic feelings for his dearest friend alongside the sexual and interpersonal desires he had for him which were the farthest thing from platonic.

But he simply nodded in response; it really was a beautiful landscape. The rolling waves, the foam at his feet, the smell of the oceanic air that nestled a salty taste on his lips; it was all so different than the secluded lake he had known near his home.

He rested his head on the boy's damp shoulder, "Hey, Dia? Where are we going anyway?"

"Well, babe, we're basically here. C'mon let's go," he lead him by the hand this time across the beach and up the looming steps that lead to the main building of the Hotel Grand Lake. It was a prestigious hotel and they rarely had any openings, the waiting list stretched on in such a way that one would be lucky to get a room a year or more from now.

They entered the door and Diamond smoothed his clothes out in an attempt to make himself presentable as they approached the counter. They were both soaking wet and looked like they had each taken a serious hydro pump and been dragged through the Marsh by a pokemon but nonetheless they were finally there much to Diamond's relief.

The bellboy looked curiously at the couple through bored half lidded eyes. He looked exhausted and the phone seemed glued to his hand as he anticipated the next prissy request or sob story as to why they needed to get a room. He looked utterly miserable, exhausted and barely conscious his eyes fluttered as he struggled to stay awake.

"Hello…" His voice was monotone as though it pained him to interact with other humans.

"Hey, how are ya? I have reservations for tonight."

The bellboy raised his brows in surprise; these rough looking children actually had reservations? But his face couldn't rival Pearl's, his mouth agape and face succumbed to an astonished look of utter disbelief. There's no way… He looked over at Diamond who was quite serious and patiently waiting for his request to be met, fingers strumming against the glossy counter.

"Well, sir, may I have your name and see an ID, mm?" He beckoned slyly, still incredulously eyeing the pair.

"Yes, you may." He dug through his bag and pulled out his trainer ID card, handing it over to the young man who examined the card. Turning it over a few times and pursing his lips, he eyed Diamond contemptuously.

"Tsk, your name is 'Diamond'? How macho," he scoffed. His eyes darted between the card and Diamond. He laughed to himself as he fetched a rather large book opening it to a random page before looking back at Diamond smugly and handing back the ID card. "Diamond, huh? 'S cute, lemme guess he's Crystal?" He laughed dryly as he turned his attention to the book haughtily.

Diamond rolled his eyes with a sigh, There are people named after colors and he's tripping over my name being a gem stone? Before Diamond could respond, Pearl smacked the bellboy in the head.

"What's so funny, eh?" He pulled the bellboy in closer, glaring daggers at the bell boy who seemed a bit amused but heavily irritated. "Of course his name is Diamond. Does he look like Cubic Zirconium to you? You better watch how you talk to him especially in front of me."

"You better watch how you talk to me, sir."

He crossed his arms as Pearl released him, Pearl leaning on the counter to look down at him. The bellboy scowled at him and continued leafing through a large book, the pages flipping at a record pace as his eyes passed over the words absentmindedly.

"Let's see… Let's see… February… Aha! February 12, 2011 and… Well, what do you know? Here you are. You know, Diamond over here is lucky he even managed to get these reservations and if he hadn't already paid then your ass would have already been outta here I assure you."

"I do apologize, but if we could just get out key then we'll be on our way."

"Hmph, fine. I assume this pistol is your listed guest? Your name, sir?"

"Pearl," he crossed his arms with irritation.

"Why couldn't your parents give you normal names…? Ahem, well here is your key, sir."

Pearl forcefully took the key and scowled at him. "I'll have you know that my name is an anagram of my father's, why would I want a name like… Jun? What kind of name is that?"

He adjusted his nametag sternly. "It's my name, that's what. And here I thought you were just mommy's precious pearl, excuse me," he taunted. "What could your father's name possibly be?"

"Let's just go, Pearl," Diamond tried to usher the boy out of the building before things escalated.

"My father happens to be Palmer. That's right, Tower Tycoon Palmer."

"Y-You're Palmer's kid? ...Wait, wait!" His eyes flashed incredulity as he stood, his attention following them to the door. "You, you're that new champion kid, am I right? I've seen you two before."

"Obviously, you blind buffoon." Pearl rolled his eyes. "You think I'd settle for just any broad or bro?"

"So let me get this straight: you, the champion, are dating him, Palmer's son? This is insanity."

"I know, insanely fortunate for me," Diamond nuzzled his nose into Pearl's cheek. "But if you don't mind, we have... 'business' to attend to," he added coyly with a nudge to which Pearl could only laugh dryly to himself, smiling wide at the implications.

"Uh... Yes, sirs. Of course, sirs. Good day, sirs," he stammered disbelievingly.

They shut the doors behind them, laughing a bit among themselves though Pearl was still heated.

The nerve of some people… At least he wasn't a robot though.

They approached one of the suites and Diamond carefully unlocked the door, Pearl entered first and Diamond followed suit.

It was like a small house, luxurious but homely, and as Diamond flicked on the lights he let out a content sigh. In the next instance, however, Pearl tackled the boy in an embrace and they found themselves on the ground. Pearl hoisted himself up with his arms and look down at his friend. Diamond smiled and chuckled to himself as he looked up at the blonde, placing his hands about the boy's waist. His hair was starting to dry and settled itself in platinum waves of silken ribbon-like hair and a few stray curls were scattered about his face.

"Happy Birthday, my sweet Pearl," he smiled fondly up at him and stroked his face lovingly.

"How on Earth did you manage to get these reservations? This is crazy!"

"I have my ways… but I will say that I had to practically sell my soul to Giratina for this."

"I bet, Mr. Champion," he mused in playful lust. "Who knew I had such a powerful man on my arm? And such a knock-out , too. Those breathtaking blue eyes..." He nuzzled their noses, smiling wide with a playful tone as Diamond mirrored his elated smile with tinted cheeks. "So when did you call in the reservation? Like last year?"

"No, actually, I called the day after we left; the second."

"You're amazing."

"You know what'd be amazing?"

"Let me guess, if I were to kiss you...?"

"Well, yes, I would like that very much but I was going to say if we jump in the shower and go out to dinner."

"You want to shower with me?" He smirked and lowered himself, their faces centimeters apart.

"Um…" Diamond blushed and tried to avert his gaze to the side but the piercing orange orbs burned into him making the task difficult. He smiled sheepishly, stuttering on his reply. "I-I uh…"

"It's ok," he planted a sweet kiss on his lips. "There will be other showers," he winked.

Diamond snaked his arms around the blonde's neck and pulled him down into another kiss. Pearl pressed his body close to Diamond's, the latter arching his back into the form above him. Pearl drew up his lower lip and sucked on it gently before moving to his neck and jaw.

"Mm, Pearl stop," he whined as Pearl began grinding rhythmically into the boy as their tongues battled for dominance. He would have loved a heated "thank you" on the floor but he had a plan to stick to. C'mon, Dia. Other showers, other floors, too...

Pearl reluctantly obeyed and sat up frowning.

Diamond sat himself upright and looked at the blonde blankly, blush settling itself on his face. "Take a shower, Pearl. I promise you there will be time to finish these… shenanigans later. Besides," he placed a finger on the kitten's soft lips swallowing his apprehension and piercing the blonde's fiery eyes with his unwavering watery ones "I want to hear my sex kitten's purrs and screams all night…"

Pearl smirked, sucking lightly on the finger. "Gonna make me scream, big boy?"

"Oh yes, trust me, I will take very good care of you," he tucked a curl behind his ear with a grin.

"Is that a promise?"

"Did I stutter?"

Pearl leaned in and kissed him before rising, "Diamond…" His voice dripping sex while his eyes burned with passionate intensity. He rose and pulled his kitten into a tight embrace.

"Yes?"

"I love you."

"I love you, too." He smiled.

Cubic Zirconium...

Anyway! Part one of Pearl's birthday is underway. The first two parts are lighthearted stuff, the last two dripping sex of both a romanticized and cake-compromising nature. I'm going to be very busy the next two months with graduation and my own birthday vastly approaching (Cazzo, ho troppo da fare...) but expect a new chapter every week nonetheless! Sorry, I wish I could post more frequently but what can you do?

Also, I would like to say a super huge thank you to all of my lovedolls who have been consistent reviewers, readers, and anyone who had taken time out of their day to make mine by reading/favoriting/reviewing my story. Siete troppo gentile. But seriously, it is such a pleasure to write this and know that people who aren't me all over the world love it as much as I do. Over a thousand hits in less than a month for a lesser known ship is pretty good in my book so keep 'em coming!

See you next week, baci XXX