I slouch down in my chair and yawn, still feeling rather sleepy from the Champion's dinner. Carefully sipping my coffee, I watch a group of preschoolers taking dance lessons.

A man pounds a rhythmic line on his drums as the teacher instructs the children. Something below me tugs at my clothing, I look down to see a chubby baby chewing on the end of my skirt.

I set my drink down and pull the baby to my lap, its large, brown eyes stare into mine. He reaches up and grabs a strand of my hair with his pudgy fingers, yanking it as hard as he can, squealing with laughter.

"Say! I think that's a good look for you," Professor Kukui says in his easy going, flirty, voice.

"She does have a way with children!" exclaims the teacher with a smile.

"Glad you're settling in, Malie City is a great place to live! I see you've made yourself at home here at the community center," Professor Kukui says, lazily scratching at his bare chest.

"Nice and close to the Pokemon League," I add, setting the child back on the floor.

Suddenly, the device clipped on my purse flashes green and vibrates wildly. I quickly take one last sip of my drink and gather my things. I knew I'd get challengers, I just didn't think it would happen this soon.

"Off to the Pokemon League?" asks Professor Kukui.

"Yup, that was quick. Well, at least I know it's not you this time!" I say, playfully punching the Professor in the arm.

"Maybe it's the Masked Royal!" the professor says in a very serious tone of voice, crossing his arms.

I can't believe he still thinks we don't know about that.

"Or, maybe it's Mewtwo," I say sarcastically as I head to the door.

The drummer lets out a deep laugh and waves good-bye.

My Charizard is already outside, waiting for me. I mount it and dig my heels in, sending it straight up into the sky. A flock of Wingulls chase after us for a while, but soon, they disappear behind me.

I take a detour along the coast, it's much more scenic than taking the short cut over Haina Desert. I fly over the jagged cliffs of Blush mountain; a group of friends are riding Mudsdale through the passes below me.

I make my Charizard dip down as we pass over Secluded Shore. My heart fills with fond memories. I miss the days spent with Lillie and Hau on our journey, it's been tough not having them around anymore. Living in Malie City is great, but it's far away from the people that I care about the most.

I even miss Gladion, a little more than I should. I don't know why, but I've always had a soft spot in my heart for him. He has left me heartbroken, that I'm sure of, but he also gave me memories that will last a lifetime.

Somedays, I still pity him. It can't be easy, spending his prime years running a company he never wanted in the first place, not to mention his family life. Still, the obstacles he's had to face, they don't excuse his actions. Somedays, I want to go to visit him as well, but he made it very clear to me by his absence that there is no place for me in his life anymore.

I wish things had turned out different between us, but time has a way of changing people. I can still visit him in my memories. Every time I see him in the newspaper I clip it out, since I have no real pictures of him. I wonder if he watched my interview?

I take a sharp turn and fly up Mount Lanakila, only the Pokemon League members are allowed in the airspace over the mountain. My pager beeps once more, signaling to me that the challenger is on the last Elite Four member. I dig into my Charizard and it speeds up, the Pokemon League is now in sight.

________________

My footsteps echo across the massive battle field that is the Champion's chamber. I expel Arcanine to sit at my side as I lower myself into my thrown.

My heart pounds with anticipation. My first challenger. I suddenly realize I have no idea what I should be doing.

Perhaps I should have prepared some kind of speech to give my challengers before the match.

No, that's just not me. But, I'm sure they want this just as badly as I do. Maybe, I owe it to them to say something.

Regardless, it's too late now.

The battle field rumbles as the chamber doors slide open, I strain to see the figure on the other side of the dark field.

Suddenly, Arcanine perks up. His nose excitedly sniffs the air and his tail begins to wag happily. He lets out an overjoyed yelp before bolting off towards the challenger.

I smack my head in embarrassment. My overly friendly Pokemon wants to play, how intimidating.

"Take your place Arcanine!" I shout into the darkness, waiting a few seconds to turn on the hidden light switch under the armrest of my thrown.

"I am trainer Moon, reigning Champion of-" I choke for a moment. My challenger obviously doesn't need any introductions.

I watch silently as Gladion staggers to the center of the battle field, my heart drops in terror at the sight of the blood covering his hands and face. I rush to his side, catching him as he collapses. I carefully lower him to the ground, letting his head rest in my lap.

"Are you crazy?" I whimper, looking his body over for any critical injuries.

"Yes," he groans.

"You don't really think you are fit to battle, do you?" I stammer, looking into his eyes as I grip the sides of his face.

"I didn't come here to battle you," Gladion says weakly, "I came here to tell you I love you."

"Gladion..."

"...and to say I'm sorry."

Gladion sighs and looks away. I feel my pulse thumping in my ears, my entire being is torn between my heart and my defenses.

"You don't need to accept my apology, or my love, but you need to know it's there. I owe you that at the very least," he mutters, pulling himself back to his feet.

"How did things end up like this?" I sigh, letting myself go.

My foolish pride is not worth losing him over.

"I don't know. I thought I was doing the right thing at the time. But, looking back on it, I wonder," he whispers, turning his back to me.

My brain hurts when I try to recall the events that unfolded all those months ago. It all just seems like one, never ending nightmare.

"How are things now?" I ask, sliding my arms around him, pressing my face into his back.

The feeling of his body against mine feels new again, sending a rush of excitement coursing through my veins.

"Right now?" he whispers, "Right now, everything feels perfect, but that could end quickly if you let go."

"Maybe I'm a fool, but I don't want to," I mutter into his shirt.

Gladion hesitates, "I think I'm going to take a few weeks off of work. Aether Paradise is beautiful when it's decorated for the winter solstice."

"I have a two-foot solstice tree on my end table, but I'll try not to brag about it."

Gladion turns, taking me tenderly into his arms, I can feel my face melting under the spell of his smile.

My heart aches for the past to be forgotten.

"Now that is something I want to see," he chuckles nervously.

____________________

Gladion winces as I clean the deep, jagged wounds running across the palm of his hands. After putting the rag back into the steaming bowl of soapy water, I reach up and brush the long strands of twisted, dirty, hair from his face. His hair seems to have grown a bit since the last time I had a good look at him, seeing as it now falls below his collar bones. Everything feels so different, yet so familiar at the same time.

I carefully wrap his hands with clean bandages, doing my best to let him keep some use of them, although it proves quite a challenge with the placement of the lesions.

He smiles weakly as I prop him up in my bed, using every pillow I own. Despite the considerable amount of pain I assume he's in, he seems to be quite happy letting me take care of him.

"I'll be right back," I mutter, before kissing him affectionately on the forehead.

I groan when I see the contents of my fridge. The only thing I see that looks even remotely safe to eat anymore is a container of day old soup my mother sent home with me. Maybe it's not such a bad thing. Soup is supposed to be good for sick people, right?

A hiss escapes my lips as I remove the boiling hot soup from the microwave, quickly setting it down on the counter. I pull the sleeve of my sweatshirt past my fingertips as I reattempt to grab the scorching hot handle of the large cup-bowl. Grabbing a clean spoon from the drying rack, I pitter patter down the hall back to Gladion.

"That smells so good!" he moans as I set the soup down on the nightstand next to him. He eagerly grabs for the handle with his awkwardly bandaged hands, making me very nervous.

"Ah, maybe I'd better help you with that... It's extremely hot!"

Carefully, I ladle him a spoonful and bring it to his lips. Trying to contain my laughter, I watch him cautiously sip the hot broth. Our eyes meet at the end of the spoon and neither of us can stand to keep a straight face. My jaw aches as I try to control my snickering.

"I think I have a better idea!" I giggle, setting the spoon aside.

I scurry back to the kitchen for something a little better.

Gladion laughs under his breath when I return with a very wide straw. I happily poke it into the soup, holding it for him to drink.

"This is so good!" he moans before going back for more, "Please tell me you made this."

"Actually, my mom did."

"But you can make it, right?"

"Truth be told, I hate cooking. I pretty much eat out every day," I reluctantly admit.

"Well, good thing I have chefs on staff! Plus, I actually enjoy cooking when I have the time," he chuckles.

"That's a bit presumptuous," I snicker, pondering why he would assume this was important. Maybe, he sees a future with me after all.

After realizing what he said, Gladion groans and nervously runs the tips of his fingers through his hair, making a mess he cannot fix with his lame hands.

I shake my head as I help him get the hair out of his face. His eyes meet mine in a deep, longing gaze.

"Please come back to Aether Paradise with me," he pleads.

I lose my breath momentarily as I consider his bold suggestion.

"I know it would be smarter to take it slow, but I don't know if I can go another night without you."

I don't know if I can go another night without you? He never had to in the first place! I don't know if he thought it would be in my best interest to leave, or if he was overwhelmed by his own responsibilities.

Either way, I truly believe he has loved me from the start. Perhaps, he learned something about himself climbing that mountain.

I know I did.

"Call the chopper. It's about time I get to ride in it," I reply, throwing all my pride and common sense aside.

"Really?" Gladion stammers, his eyes glimmer with excitement as I lower myself to the bed next to him.

"As long as you promise me you'll let your heart make the decisions from now on."

Taking his dirty, scuffed up face in my hand, I caress his tear stained cheek with my thumb. The warmth of his smile brings me feelings of pure joy, like the kind a child feels, silencing any doubt that may have been wishing to be heard.