(Rose POV)

I began violently knocking on the door, while jogging on the spot to try and ease some of my nerves. It was ineffective as the scene earlier remained in the back of my head. I mean... Wouldn't you be paranoid if you just saw your best friend kidnapped?

'ALRIGHT YOU MANIAC!' I heard Ashley's voice yell from the other side of the door, before it opened to reveal her with a scowl 'WHAT KIND OF PERSON KEEPS KNOCKING UNTIL- Rose? Are you okay?' She asked as soon as she saw my worried face.

'No. Where are the others?' I asked, not ceasing the fidgeting of my feet.

The woman looked at me concerned 'Lillie's in her room with Hau, Sun and Lusamine. Wicke's working, as usual. And Gladion... He fell asleep after he and Megan had their biggest fight yet.'

'Biggest fight yet?'

She nodded 'They were literally so loud everyone in the mansion heard them. It's also the reason Megan's not in at the moment.'

My breath hitched. A small part of me hoped the girl I saw kidnapped wasn't Megan, though I was pretty sure it was already, but since she was out... I clenched my jaw.

'I need to talk to everyone. Now.'

(Gladion POV)

The night I confessed to her... The one night I was nervous about my own actions... It all seemed worth it in the end. Was it really? Was it really okay for us to be together? Because now it seems that if we stayed apart, we wouldn't be hurting as much as we were now...

'I was going to tell you. But when I knew the search for Artemus had either stopped or at least died down. I'd never hide anything from you forever.'

It seems now the real reason she didn't tell me is because she didn't trust me... Why else would she hide it for so long?

'You know me well enough to know I don't appreciate being provoked and I can't control my anger. If you think that's savage, then I suppose we don't know each other as well as we thought we did.'

She was right... I guess we don't know each other as well as we thought we did...

'...Maybe everyone was right... Maybe we shouldn't have gotten together...'

Why did her words sting so badly?

In my head... All of this shows me we'd be better off without each other in our lives... But my heart... It won't stop disagreeing with me. Why won't it stop?

Another memory came into view, though this time the atmosphere wasn't dark and depressing. I was suddenly on top of a grassy cliff, which had a perfect view of the ocean. The Alolan sun was setting over the horizon, making the sky and sea a beautiful orange colour.

'T-This is...'

(3rd POV)

'Meg where exactly are you taking me?' Gladion asked as he clung onto his partner's white fur, as she was currently in her Silvally form and he was riding on her back. She sighed, continuing to run up the steep slope.

'Be patient, you'll see soon enough.' She assured.

She ran for ten seconds more, jumping the last part up the hill and landing on top. 'We're here~' She sang.

Gladion slid off her back and slowly walked to the edge of the cliff, taking in the view and staring at it in awe. The breeze was soft and warm, only just catching onto his hair and blowing it away from his face. He breathed out in amazement, his lips curling upwards into a small smile.

'You like it?' Megan asked, walking up next to him. She was once again human.

Gladion turned to her and nodded 'It's beautiful...'

'Good.' Megan gave him her signature smirk before running over to a nearby bush, pulling out a red blanket from behind it. Gladion raised an eyebrow at her.

'What's that for?'

Her smirk widened 'Welcome to our first date, Edgelord!'

'First date?! That's why you brought me up here?'

'Mhmm~'

Gladion stared at here wide eyed for a while, causing her to start shifting uncomfortably in her spot. Her smirk turned into a frown 'You're mad at me... aren't you?'

Gladion stopped gawping and immediately and shook his head without hesitation 'No of course not! I just... I thought Lillie was going to plan our first date is all...'

Megan's smirk returned, and she giggled while walking up to the male until she was right in front of him 'Who says Lillie has to know?'

'What?'

'Come on Gladion this is Lillie we're talking about.' She rolled her eyes 'She's probably going to spy on us the entire day to see if we do anything romantic. Of course we're still gonna let her do it, but I just wanted a moment of just us... I guess what I'm trying to say is this can be like our secret first date.'

'That makes sense...' Gladion nodded. Megan preferred simple things, which he was pretty sure Lillie wouldn't be planning for their date. The girl in front of him continued

'Plus there's supposed to be a meteor shower tonight, and there's no way in hell I'm missing that!'

Gladion laughed, placing a hand on top of her head 'Alright, secret first date it is.'

'Yay!'

The two laid out the blanket on the grass, before laying their backs on it with their heads resting on their arms. They gazed at the now dark purple sky, as stars slowly came out and the moon rose into the sky. Megan let out a content sigh.

'You okay?' Gladion asked, turning his head to her.

'Yeah...' She nodded 'It's just been awhile since I've been able to properly relax. Ya know, after everything that's gone on.'

'How long is a while?'

'Since we lived in that motel room.'

'Jeez!' He shot up 'You really do need some quiet time!'

'Well it ain't quiet time if you raise your voice like that.' She deadpanned.

Gladion paused, before chuckling sheepishly and laying back down 'Sorry...'

'Don't sweat it.' Megan shrugged before staring back up at the sky 'Know any constellations?'

'Yeah?'

'Care to point some out to me?'

'Oh, sure.'

Gladion scooted closer until their shoulders touched, and pointed up to a jagged line joining up a bunch of stars 'That one there's Deduceye, also known as Sagittarius.'

'That's your zodiac, right?'

'Right.' He scanned the sky and pointed to another constellation 'That one's Plusle and Minun-'

'Gemini, correct?'

'Yeah. Your zodiac...'

Gladion began explaining more constellations, but after awhile he found Megan staring directly at him. He raised an eyebrow.

'What?' He asked, but Megan didn't answer 'Were you listening to me?' He asked her, a hint of playfulness in his voice.

Megan blinked, and this time answered. 'Yeah... The stars, aren't they beautiful?'

Gladion gazed into her deep blue eyes, which were beyond breathtaking to him 'Yes...'

From the corner of his eye, Gladion saw something white shoot across the sky. He turned his head to stare at it. 'Look.' He breathed.

Megan turned her head to the sky and gasped, her eyes lighting up at the sight 'Wow!'

Gladion's eyes once again travelled down to the girl, stopping at her face as she watched the meteor shower in awe. He smiled genuinely at her happiness, as most of the time before now was stressful and upsetting for her. He just wanted her to relax, and it looked like he was getting his wish. (Get it?)

He wanted so badly to hold her and feel her warm body in his arms, but that may distract her from enjoying the meteor shower... But maybe...

'M-Megan?' He asked nervously.

'Hmm?'

'Can we... Hold hands?'

Megan didn't answer, but instead slid her hand into Gladion's and entwined their fingers. He saw the corner of her mouth move upwards into a small smile. Gladion sighed contently and gave her hand a light squeeze, before going back to looking up at the sky.

'You know I love you, right?' He spoke up again, and this time Megan turned her head to him.

'Me or the stars?' She raised an eyebrow.

He smirked 'Take a guess.'

'Hmm... stars are pretty great.' Megan joked, and Gladion glared at her from the corner of his eye making her snort. 'Sorry, couldn't resist...'

'You didn't say it back ya know...'

'I don't need to,' She stated, using her free hand to turn Gladion's face to her. She planted a gentle kiss on his lips. 'Actions speak louder than words.' She said after pulling away.

Gladion smiled again, placing his free hand to her cheek and sliding it down to her neck. They didn't care about the meteor shower anymore, as they were lost in each other's eyes for the majority of the night.

(Back to Gladion's POV)

I still love her...

Of course I do... I have done from the start. Even after everything we've been through my feelings for her haven't changed, and they never will.That must be why this hurts so much...

'GLADION!'

I shot up to the sound of my door slamming open, causing me to jolt awake and sit up. I glared at the person- well, people, and clenched my jaw. 'What do you guys want?!'

'I-It's Megan... She's... She's been kidnapped!' Lillie cried.

My scowl faded as I widened my eyes, my lips parting in absolute shock.