When the Night Fell in Love with the Moon

Chapter 12

"ITADAKIMASU!"

Moon happily scarfed down her food. Man, the Battle Buffet always has the best food!

Gladion stared at his empty wallet. He only brought enough money to make it from the Johto to the foundation. He didn't expect Moon to drag him to Melemele Island where she not only made him pay for all the food but made him battle all the trainers too. He was lucky even to get a bowl of ramen from Moon.

Gladion watched Moon happily eat her tray. Her cheeks puffed out like chipmunks. I guess the food here is delicious, Gladion thought as he took a sip from his ramen.

Despite the fact she was eating like a pig, Gladion couldn't help but observe her. She was still beautiful. Her dark eyes that held wonders stayed bright and cheerful. Her hair was pinned into a messy bun so she can eat her food. Gladion smiled. It didn't matter that she indeed looked like a pig. She was still the goddess in his heart.

"Aaah! Thank you for the food!" Moon sighed out happily. Her stomach was stuffed, and she never felt any happier.

"How was your meal?" Gladion asked with a smirk. He took the last gulp of his ramen and wiped his mouth before he continued to smirk.

Moon's cheeks puffed out again. This time, it was in anger. "The best meal I have ever eaten in my life. The Buffet Queen almost had me running for my money! I have to keep my reputation!"

Gladion continued to smirk. Little did Moon know that a glop of whipped cream was on the side of her mouth. Ooh, this will be fun.

"Hey, you have a little something."

"Hmm?"

Gladion walked around the table to point at said something.

"Yeah, right here. Let me get it for you."

Gladion leaned close and licked it right off of Moon's lips. Moon stared at him in shock. Did he just... Lick it off of me?

Moon blushed heavily. She was so shocked that Gladion was suddenly very out of character. Like, very. Who is this bold idiot that possessed my boyfriend?? "B-baka!"

Gladion proceeded to wipe his bottom lip for any excess whip cream, enjoying the flustered look. The trip gave a lot of time for Gladion to reflect on his life, like how to make Moon blush more often. It helped a ton when Red and Blue flirted with each other. "Delicious.~"

"BAKA!"

~~~

"Why does your boyfriend have a bruise on his face?"

Lillie observed her brother's hand-sized bruise. It looked painful. But the wickedness in his eyes told another story.

"I slapped him." Moon glared at her boyfriend. He did not look so sorry at all. Ever since they entered the relationship phase, Gladion's been getting bolder. Before he left for Kanto, he kissed her in front of hundreds of workers before whispering, "Get ready for when I come back."

Moon blushed again when she thought of that memory. Please forget about it, G!

"Dare I ask why?"

"Well, Lillie, sister dear, Moon had a little, cream, I shall dare say, on the corner of her lips. I just, let's say, cleaned it off of her." Gladion smirked at the end.

"By cleaning, you mean?" Lillie raised an eyebrow.

"Licking," Moon practically spat. How much she despises Gladion at this moment cannot even be put into words.

Lillie left after treating Gladion's face but not before giving him a look that said, fix this.

Moon had wandered to a window to watch the waves pass by. She looked peaceful, not angry at her stupid boyfriend. Gladion knew better. They were at the start of their relationship. His actions wanted to go past that. He should've known that innocent, pure Moon was not ready to go there yet.

He stood up and hugged Moon from behind. Moon stiffened but did not push him away. Gladion buried his face into the crook of her neck, wanting to be enveloped by her intoxicating scent.

"I'm sorry, Moon."

Moon relaxed a little. She should forgive him for this little jest, but Gladion has pushed his boundaries a bit too far. She reached up to ruffle his hair.

"Gladion, you're losing your act, you tsun."

"Oh fine. 'I hate you with a passion Moon. Only when you smile at me does my heart skip a beat. Only when you laugh does my heart leap for joy. But I'll never tell you that.'"

Moon stifled a laugh. "Are you being sassy?"

She turns around to face Gladion. She wrapped her arms around his neck and played with his hair. Gladion's arms never went below her waist, and his hands traced imaginary circles on her back.

"I think I got it from you Moon," he breathed out. He leaned down so their foreheads would touch. Moon's eyes fluttered from the closeness.

Anyone who sees the two will automatically think they are a couple. The raw look in their eyes gave much more than love for each other. It gave off the partnership between the two. Protectiveness. Secrets. Lust.

"A sassy Gladion. Huh. That will get some used too," Moon giggled. Gladion let a smile play on his lips before rubbing his nose along Moon's.

"Moon, I hope you never change."

"If I did, sassy Gladion would never exist."

"Dang straight," Gladion managed to say before he kissed her. The kiss was pure. Deep. It did not go farther. The two lost each other in their touches, a kiss on the lips, on the neck. But never, ever, below the collarbone. Just two people, flying to the moon and back on a rocket of euphoria.

Edited May 30, 2020