When The Sun Sets (Moon X Gladion)

Catching Smiles

A couple days later...

"Mmmmm." The sound of satisfaction slipped from Hau's mouth as he bit into the big malasada. His mouth rather full, the noise didn't stop there. "You know... mmmmmm... I'm not a big horror fan, but... mmm... Lavender Town was really fun."

"Do you have to chew with your mouth full?" Gladion questioned, the memories a habits of his "proper and polite" mother still embedded in his mind. He may have not been the nicest person, but living like a prince meant complying to manners.

"You're just... mmm... jealous." Hau smiled, his full cheeks resembling a Patrat.

Moon just shook her head, a slight smile dancing across her lips. It had been one of her only smiles since they left Lavender Town. She believed that the boys hadn't noticed, which was more than fine with her. Her nightmares had ceased as well, so that was a nice touch.

Instinctively, she checked Sun's map before heaving a sigh. Their group was still a week away from Fuchsia City, and they were in the center of Route 14, which Moon swore was the largest forest she's ever seen. Still, the scenery was relaxing and, considering how stressed she was, Moon was glad to be surrounded by the tranquility. As long as they didn't get lost, everything would be alright.

She spoke too soon.

"HEY! GIVE THAT BACK!" Out of nowhere, a pidgeotto swooped down and stole Hau's malasada. While the bird soared into the trees and off course, the green-haired maniac darted after his stolen snack.

"Hau, get back here!" Green called after him before groaning.

"C'mon!" Gladion rolled his leafy eyes as he broke out into a sprint, Moon, Lucario, and Green following at a close distance.

.....

Moon wasn't sure how long they'd been running through the foliage but as soon as the four of them halted, Green exhaustedly face-planted into a mud puddle. Gladion let loose a loud snort of laughter, which was immediately followed by Green's muffled growl as he lifted his now-plastered face from the sticky ground. Completely oblivious to the fact that the two boys loathed one another, Moon held back a giggle of her own and bent down to help Green.

"There he is," Gladion breathed at last as he spotted Hau in the distance. "What is this place?"

Resting to their right, a sleepy little town stood tall. However, that's not what caught there eye. Before them stood the edges of a jagged cliff, winding and leading to a small, wooden house and a tall, freshly painted black and white lighthouse. In the distance, Hau was a mere blob as he sprinted towards the beacon.

"I think this is Maiden's Peak," Green grunted as he wiped a chocolate vein of mud from his face. "According to legend, a fair maiden is said to be haunting these shores because she's waiting for her lover or something. Hey, I think the statue of her is right over there– next to that wooden house."

"Haunted?" Gladion shook his head and tsked. "Don't let Hau find out. C'mon, let's go get him." Then, continuing their run, they all headed towards the lighthouse.

They found Hau sitting on the ground. He was looking up at a tree, his brown eyes full of despair. Above him, the pidgeotto he'd been following was perched in her nest. She appeared to be feeding her young and Hau's precious malasada was the main course.

Moon was the first to speak. "The malasada is in a better place, bud."

Hau grumped at first, but then let out a slight sigh as his grin returned. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Those little guys need it more than I do. Anyways, have you guys seen this place?" He motioned towards the lighthouse first, and then the sea.