The Perfect Gift
Shipping: Ash/Gladion, background Jellowshipping
Summary: Gladion and Lillie go shopping for their significant others, but what do you get someone who's perfect?
"God, this is hopeless!"
Lillie rolled her eyes at her brother's frustration.
"Calm down, big brother. I'm sure you'll find a gift for Ash."
"Easy for you to say! All you have to do is get Mallow a cookbook."
Lillie shrugged.
"So get Ash something that fits his hobbies."
"Like what? All I can think of is Pokemon Training and eating."
Lillie opened her mouth, thought for a minute, then closed it again. Try as she might, that's all she could think of too.
"Maybe get him a new Pokemon?"
But Gladion shook his head.
"I tried that once, but he prefers to catch them by himself. Says it makes him more connected with them."
"What about a gift card to a restaraunt?"
"That'll be used in a month. I want something that'll last forever!"
"A cookbook?"
"Have you seen him try to cook?"
Lillie sighed, and threw her hands up in frustration.
"I don't know, Gladion! He's your boyfriend, you should know him better than this."
Gladion sighed in frustration. As much as he hated to admit it, his sister had a point.
At the moment, the two of them were out shopping for their significant others. Valentine's Day was just around the corner, and it would be the first one they could spend with them as couples. But while shopping for Mallow was easy, Ash was a different entity altogether.
In his heart, Gladion knew Ash would love anything he got him. Ash was just that kind of person, and was one of the many things he loved about the boy.
Gladion closed his eyes, thinking long and hard. There had to be something he could get Ash, but what? Sensing Gladion wasn't making his mind up anytime soon, Lillie sighed.
"Look, I wish I could help, but I promised Lana I'd help her find something for Misty too, so I'm going to have to cut this short. Good luck, seriously."
"Thanks."
Gladion scanned the mall, trying to find anything for Ash. It was their first major holiday as a couple, and he wanted to make it memorable. But what could he buy?
"Jewelry! Finest gold pieces you'll ever find!"
"Finest Poketch model, right here! Everything your smartphone can do, but in a watch!"
"Knicknacks! Get your knicknacks here!"
Gladion groaned, trying to rub away the headache he was getting. Spotting a clothing store up ahead, he ducked inside.
"Maybe I can find something here. He could always use a new hat…"
But nothing he saw screamed Ash to him. It was all too gaudy, or flashy. If there was one thing Ash didn't need, it was help getting attention. Even if he didn't mean to.
But just as he was about to leave, something caught his eye. Something about it seemed so Ash, it was perfect!
"Excuse me sir, can I help you find anything?"
Gladion smiled, a twinkle in his eye as he moved to take it.
"Actually, if you could point me to the cash register…"
A few days later, Ash, Mallow, Lillie, and Gladion met at the Professor's house to exchange gifts.
"Wow Lillie, this is awesome! I've been looking for this cookbook for ages, wherever did you find it?"
Lillie giggled, and wagged her finger.
"Sorry, but that's classified information!"
Mallow giggled, and pulled her girlfriend into a loving kiss.
"I love it, thanks babe. Which reminds me, here's your gift!"
Lillie gasped as she tore open the wrapping paper to find an adorable Alola Vulpix doll.
"Aw, it's perfect! Look Snowy, it looks just like you!"
Snowy smiled, finding the doll just as cute as Lillie did. Gladion smiled, glad his sister had found love.
"Alright guys, your turn!"
"Ooh, Ooh, me first!"
Gladion chuckled, and motioned for Ash to get on with it. Ash thumbled through his pockets for a minute before pulling out a small box.
"I know you're not big on stuff like this, but I thought you might like this."
Gladion lifted up the cover to find a small crystal. But this was no ordinary crystal, it was a Z-Crystal, more specifically…
"Is this a Lycanium Z?"
Ash nodded.
"I thought you should have an exclusive Z-Crystal for one of your Pokemon, and Lycanroc's the only one with one."
"How did-"
"It wasn't easy, but when you're friends with the Tapus, anything is possible."
Gladion didn't respond, he just stared down at the crystal in his hands.
"Oh no, you hate it!"
"No, no I love it! It's just…now I feel like my gift pales in comparison."
Gladion reached behind him and handed Ash a gift wrapped box.
"I know it's not as heartfelt as yours, but it made me think of you."
Ash tore apart the wrapping paper and opened the box to find a hoodie styled after Pikachu.
"Gladion…"
"I know, it's silly, but if there's one thing I know you love, its Pikachu. It's nothing compared to your gift to me, but…"
"I LOVE IT!"
Gladion could barely react before Ash pulled him into a big hug. After crushing every bone in his boyfriend's body, Ash quickly tried it on.
"How does it fit?"
"You look great," Gladion wheezed out.
"Aw, thanks Glads! What about you, Pikachu?"
"Pi!" Pikachu cheered, giving Ash a thumbs up of approval.
"Awesome! Thanks, babe."
Gladion smiled, glad Ash liked it.
"Of course."
"But you're wrong about something."
"Huh?"
Ash kissed him, shocking him momentarily before he kissed it. As Ash pulled away, he had the biggest smile on his face.
"There's something else that I love besides Pikachu."
"What's that?"
"I love you."
Gladion smiled, and pulled him into a hug.
"I love you too."
With that, the two of them went into another kiss. Lillie watched them from the side with a smile.
"I told you he'd love whatever you bought him."
