Cold as Ice (Gladion x Moon/Reader)

Chapter Two

[TRIGGER WARNING] Mentions of self-harm, abuse, eating disorders

"Pallet Town, huh?", Moon asked. Gladion nodded.

"It's quite close to Mt. Moon, where the first Ultra Beast is located."

"Which one is it?"

"Symbiont." The ravenette rested her head on the table. Gladion was watching the waves outside of the window. His deep, probably edgy thoughts were interrupted by a soft snore coming from Moon. The blonde sighed and picked her up, bridal style, and proceeded to carry her to her room.

Gladion clumsily stood there on one leg, the other prying open the door, and Moon in his arms. After a few minutes of squiggling he got it open. He did not expect five posters of Red and Blue each. And then seven of them together. A dark truth he did not need to uncover. Gladion tried to ignore the merchandise and layed Moon down on the bed. He looked around in the dressoirs, eventually pulling out a cherry red blanket. Moon groaned.

"It's too hot for a blanket...", she muttered.

"I swear to Arceus I can't do anything fucking right for you." The blonde sat down on the bed. "If it's too hot, throw it off of you."

"But it's soooo cozy..."

"That's it, I'm out.", Gladion said, raising his hands. He walked out the door, making his way to his room. As soon as he reached said room, he plopped down on his bed. Grabbing a bobby pin from his backpack, he pinned his hair back.

"This girl...", he muttered. "She sure is something..."

Gladion's eyes fluttered close, as he, too, drifted off into a light sleep.

He woke up a few hours later. The blonde stood up and looked outside the giant window. His room was on the lower floors of the ship, so instead of waves, he was greeted by a school of Wishiwashi swimming by, and a few Alomomolas. Gladion pressed his hand against the window, staring at the pokemon in awe. His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door.

"It's open."

The door opened, revealing Looker.

"Gladion, we've arrived at a sighting both Moon and Anabel would like to see." The blonde nodded and followed him.

On the upper deck there was the phenominal view of Magikarps and Goldeens splattering about. There was a small coast of rocks, each one accompanied by a snoring Slowpoke. Gladion took in the views in awe, when laughter filled his ears. Turning his head towards the noise, he noticed Moon swimming and playing with water-type Silvally. He couldn't help but smile. The ravenette got out of the water, and stood up. Now Gladion could take in the good shit.

Water dripped from Moon's chest onto the black stone she was standing on. Her bikini was a little on the small side, especially boob and butt area, but Gladion wasn't about to complain about that. Moon noticed him looking, and waved.

"Get in the water!", she yelled. "It's super nice!!"

"Didn't bring my swimming trunks!"

"So? Go skinny dipping!" A bright blush rose to the blonde's face.

"N-No thank you! I-I'll just see if Wicke packed it or not!!"

Gladion rummaged through his luggage, clothes flying everywhere. After he eventually found his black swimming trunks, he pulled them on. He noticed his mirror image. Scars, burn marks and cuts covered his upper body. His arms were red from the recently dried blood. His ribs were still bruised from what was two years ago. Seeing himself sickened him. He couldn't bare it. In his eyes, he was nothing but a failure. A nobody. Someone unable to protect his little sister from his own mother.
He hadn't noticed, but tears streamed quietly down the blonde's face. Adding to the bruises, scars and cuts, was he incredibly skinny. His ribs were visible. He wouldn't say he was bulimic or anorexic, as he ate what he deemed enough. The problem was, he was constantly on the move. He burned all the calories he needed to put up a healthy amount of weight. Gladion assumed that since he'll be stuck on the ship for the following months, he'll gain some weight and fat. Perhaps he could build up some muscles, too.

Once back on the upper deck, laughter filled Gladion's ears once again. He saw Anabel and Looker sunbathing, while Moon was busy swimming again. Type:Null was sleeping with its head on Anabel's leg, and Silvally on Looker's. It was adoreable, to say the least.

"Gladion! Jump in!", Moon called.

"Can't I just climb in?"

"Scared?" Gladion rolled his eyes and climbed over the railings. He looked down and already felt sick. He was incredibely scared of heights. The blonde glanced upwards, feeling the warm sun on his pale skin. He puffed. Looking down again, he felt his stomach twist and turn. His breaths hitched, as all colour drained from his face.

He slipped.

Gladion collided with the water in a big splash. He got back up as soon as possible.

"Are you alright?", Moon asked. He nodded.

"I-I was not prepared for that."

"You did not appear to be, no. Easy breaths." Gladion puffed. "Afraid of heights, huh?"

"Don't tell anyone."

"I won't, I won't! Your secret is safe~" Moon winked and disappeared underneath the surface of the water.

"Bitch", he muttered under his breath.

"I heard you were talking shit about me" The sudden voice behind him made him scream.

"Stop doing that!!"

"Why would I? It's proving that your teenage angstyness is just an act!"

"IT IS NOT"

That was the worst timed voice crack Gladion could imagine.

"You're adoreable", the ravenette remarked. Gladion just blushed.

"You're so precious...", he muttered.

"What was that?"

"I SAID YOU'RE AN IDIOT"