ılı.lıllılı.ıllı.

ᴺᵒʷ ᵖˡᵃʸᶦⁿᵍ; [ Citrus Love by Bao the Whale ]

1:33 ——◦———— -4:10

↠ⁿᵉˣᵗ ˢᵒⁿᵍ ↺ ʳᵉᵖᵉᵃᵗ ⊜ ᵖᵃᵘˢᵉ

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-Your POV-

"Oh, I guess this is it." I force a smile to offer to Ilima. "Well, goodbye then." My voice — by a miracle — was steady, and I choked out the obligatory farewells, waving to Melenele's Trial Captain. My gaze sept the pier once more, looking desperately for a certain edgy blonde...

But the docks were empty beside the few other travelers waiting for the boat to arrive. Once it came, I'd be off to the next island, Ula'ula. It hit me; I was scared of losing Gladion.

Clearly, I was only weighing him down, in the end. It was better off this way, really. Gladion had his own life, and I'd done a pretty horrible job prying into it, peeking past his tough facade, and needling to lighten up. Maybe it's true that I worked my way into his heart... but it was over. After one, small, unimportant ride across the sea, I might not see his face anymore.

"Until next time, friend." Ilima nods sadly.

I mirror the somber expression, hesitant and remorseful, but also indefinitely regretful. I felt guilty, that much was sure. "Thanks for coming to see me off," I say graciously, trying to take my mind off things.

"It's my pleasure." His soft gray eyes shimmer with concern. "But is something the matter? Did you patch up things with the boy from earlier?"

I shake my head, dowcast. "I... I did not. But that's quite alright. Don't worry yourself."

Ilima looks like he wants to say something more to comfort my visible sorrow, but the horn to a boat blasts through the air, interrupting. I shift my gaze to see the ferry pull into the bay, and will myself not to cry.

And although my eyes were indeed watering, not a tear fell.

"Ticket?"

"Here." I hand the man my slip of passage and step onto the ramp, but pause before fully boarding. "Once more, Ilima, I'm grateful for your help. I hope to see you again. Maybe I'll circle back and visit Melemele sometime."

"That'd be wonderful." He agrees, giving me a small wave.

Still reluctant, I let my eyes wander, sweeping the port as a last resort. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I should really stop getting my hopes up. There was no way, after all that happened, that he'd actually come to see me off. Everything was screwed up — there was no doubt in my mind that it was my fault, my mistake, my wretched step gone horribly wrong in my foolish strive for happiness.

I turn, gliding my hand against the railing and scaling the metal ramp sluggishly, somber, lingering thoughts dragging me down.

"Hey, wait!"

A shout shot across the sky and met my ears. I instantly perked up, recognizing the voice immediately. I whipped around to see my knight in shining armor dashing across the docks atop his partner, Type: Null.

But just as he reached the edge of the pier and jumped down next to where Ilima stood, I was already standing, pressed against the railing on the front deck. Before I could say a word, the boat abruptly lurched forward, nearly tossing me overboard by the suddenness.

"Gladion!" I called, extremely and inordinately overjoyed. He's close enough to touch, and in my fear that I was hallucinating, I reach out. My hands cup his chin, and his bright emerald eyes widen. "Why did you come?"

He places his hand around mine, "You're..." Gladion trails off, avoiding my gaze nervously, which was rare beyond rare.

I bite my lip, sharply stating in a painfully bitter and dismal tone, "I'm still hanging around you for no reason? Still pestering everyone? Still poking in places I shouldn't? Still-"

"No." Gladion interrupts firmly. Then, not giving me a chance to protest, he continues, "You're a fantastic, genuine person! Unbelievably so. You're the first person who reached out to me, tried to sincerely make me happy, and you're the first person I've considered letting into my life!"

"I don't know, I don't know, I don't know..." I break into sobs.

"Please, hear me out!" His expression was unreadable through my vision was blurred by tears.

The boat began to move forward again, away from Gladion, away from the place that first sparked love for me. I didn't say another word and lean forward.

"There's something I've always wanted to do!" Gladion urgently tells me, gently placing both his hands around my face. He's on the very edge of the docks, but on his tip-toes, he lightly pecks my lips.

I can't even respond, I'm sent into a state of pure and unwavering shock as the boat finally leaves the shores of Akala Island.

Kissing him was just like lemonade — with this perfectly delicate but strong and prominent bitter-sweet aftertaste that dwindled on my tingling lips as I slowly was taken farther and farther away. Why couldn't we stay like that for a moment longer...?

There's no chance that he'd actually return what I'd felt, though. Is there really any other way for this to end?

"(Y/N)... I love you!"

I lift my gaze to lock onto his, and a tragic smile spreads across my face. "I love you too!" The words felt right on my lips, and they slipped out into the world — flying free like the butterflies in my stomach.

I stayed at the railing watching as Gladion became smaller and smaller in the distance. Would that be the last I saw of him? Now, I was sure of it. I'd meet up with him no matter what. I would define happily ever after for the future I wanted with him in it.

Exhaling, I feel as if a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and I plop down on a bench nearby, the Alolan breeze dancing with my hair and cooling my flushed cheeks. Rowlet pops out of its Poke Ball and nestles in my lap, sensing my dawdling, chaotic emotions.

- - - Later - - -

After I'd arrived on the beach of Ula'ula Island, I didn't know what to expect. I'd surely go to the Pokemon Center. Then, challenge the Trial Captains here. But it all felt like the Alola traditions I was to do on the Island Challenge were robotic movements, and suddenly, I didn't have the energy for it.

"I won't be able to see him anymore..." I whisper miserably, head hanging low. I couldn't focus, my eyes were glued to the ground as if it would have all the answers of the universe.

"Tch."

My head snaps up. Standing not more than ten feet away from where I stood was a male with platinum blonde hair and glistening jade green eyes, a smile gracing his pale face.

"You came?" I murmur.

"You really thought I'd leave you?" He scoffs.

"Gladion!" I gasped, tears welling up in my eyes. Without a second thought, I rushed into his arms, gleefully exclaiming, "Now we can travel together! Right? No more misunderstandings?"

"(Y/N)..." His gaze softens. "Of course."

I tilt my head up, pleading, "Let me hear you say it again."

Gladion flinched with recognition. Wrapping his arms around me, he leans down and whispers into my ear three simple words that mean the world to me. "I love you."

Mission: Operation Kindness
Status: Success

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Word count: 1241 words