I can't believe his birthday is today" Moon groaned, her Ninetails walking next to her as they exited Mallows family restaurant. Moon held a cake box in her hands and Ninetails had a few bags clenched in its teeth.

"I only found out last week!" the champion complained, "From Wicke"

~~~

"Oh come on Wicke!" Moon begged, "You've just got to tell me! There's got to be a reason he gets so jumpy around this time of year!"

"I'm afraid if Master Gladion wishes to keep it secret from you, that's how it has to be" Wicke sighed apologetically.

"Please! Who says he has to know you told me?"

"Moon-"

"If I guess will you tell me?"

Wicke sighed, "Its the young master's birthday next week. Perhaps that's why he's jumpy?"

Moon raised an eyebrow, "Why would he be jumpy about that?"

"I have no idea. He used to love his birthday"

~~~

Moon shook the memory away and focused on the task at hand.

She looked down at the box that held a cake, "Do think he likes chocolate?"

Ninetails made a sound in the back of its throat resembling a laugh.

"What? It's his birthday! It needs to be perfect!"

Ninetails rolled its eyes.

Moon glared at her Pokémon, "You may think I'm being ridiculous, but who's the one who cried for an hour yesterday after they dropped their malasada?"

Ninetails blushed and looked away from its trainer, avoiding eye contact.

"That's what I thought, ya goof" Moon teased.

Ninetails exhaled cold air from its nose, getting frost on the bags in its teeth.

The champion and her Pokémon walked through Konikoni city, scanning the miscellaneous shops that lined the streets. She was looking for something specific, very specific in fact. She didn't have time to go to the shop on Melemele island, where she knew they sold what she was looking for. It was getting late, and she had to get to Aether Paradise before Gladion got off work.

After awhile, Moon began to lose hope. Hope surged through her veins once more as Ninetails nudged her and pointed to the exact thing Moon was looking for.

~~~

"Good evening Master Gladion!" Wicke chirped as Gladion passed her in the hallway.

"Evening, Wicke" Gladion said tiredly as Wicke turned to walk with him.

"Happy birthday" Wicke said hesitantly.

"Thanks"

"So um...any...plans?"

Gladion looked at her suspiciously, "No. Why?" He asked.

"No reason!" Wicke defended, "Did you clean your room this morning?"

"Why are you being weird?" Gladion asked.

"I'm not being weird! Did you clean your room or not?"

"No?"

"Yikes"

"Wicke-" Gladion began as he reached his bedroom door.

Wicke cut him off, "Welllookatthatyou'reatyourroomandit'sgettingprettylateI'mgonnaclockoutseeyatomorrowbye" she said quickly, speedwalking away.

Gladion blinked, "That was weird..." he said to himself, opening his door.

"Happy birthday!" A familiar voice chirped, taking Gladion by surprise.

He saw his friend Moon standing in his room, holding an open box with a cake inside.

"Wha...What...Why..." Gladion managed.

"Wicke told me it was your birthday..." Moon said sheepishly, "So I got you a cake!"

Gladion just stood there, trying to speak but unable to form the words.

Moon frowned, "You're mad at me, aren't you?"

Gladion realized he was being a jerk. Moon went through all this trouble and he was just standing there.

"N-No! Moon!" Gladion stuttered, walking up to his friend and placing a hand on her shoulder, "I'm not mad, I'm just surprised. You didn't have to do this"

Moon smiled, "But it's your birthday! I wanted to!"

Gladion's heart fluttered, "You...wanted to?"

Moon nodded, "Of course! Oh!" She said, holding up two forks with one hand, balancing the cake on her spare hand, "I didn't get any plates but...I've got forks!"

Gladion eyed the forks, then the cake, "What kind is the cake?"

"Chocolate?" Moon said unsurely.

Gladion smiled faintly, taking the forks from Moon, "I knew we were friends for a reason" he said, sitting on his bed and waving Moon over.

Moon giggled and sat next to Gladion, placing the cake, still in its box, in between them. Moon's friend handed her a fork.

The two friends dug into the cake, making small talk as they ate. Things like "How was work?" Or "Join any evil organizations recently?"

"Who made this?" Gladion asked.

"Mallow"

"Thank Arceus..." He mumbled.

Moon raised an eyebrow playfully, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Moon, we're friends and I like you, but you can't cook" Gladion teased.

"I can too!" Moon argued.

"You gave Hau food poisoning last year when you made his birthday cake"

Moon blushed, "Yeah well it's not like it's completely my fault. Guy ate the whole cake! He was bound to get sick!"

Gladion laughed, "Whatever helps you sleep at night"

The pair ate in silence for a few seconds.

"Can I tell you something?" Gladion asked quietly, his tone somewhat serious.

"Of course" Moon said, matching his tone.

"When Lillie and I were growing up, our birthdays were the best days of our lives," Gladion said, smiling slightly, "It was the only day of the year Mother allowed us to eat our body weight in junk food. Even she would eat a lot of it, which she normally would never be caught dead doing. I didn't even care whether or not there were presents. It was the only time I'd get to see my mother act like herself since..." he trailed off.

"Your father disappeared?" Moon finished. Gladion nodded.

"So why did you never tell me when your birthday was? If it brings up such a good memory, why do you hate it?" She asked.

"It's not that," Gladion said, poking at the cake, "Its just...I saw how much effort you'd put into Hau's birthday, or Lana's birthday... or whoever. I didn't want to burden you with mine"

"Gladion you could never burden me! We're friends! I love you" Moon said, blushing.

Gladion mimicked his friends blush. Moon pushed the cake box into Gladion's lap and scooted closer to him.

"I'm happy that you were born. Who else is gonna be my edgy friend?" She teased, leaning her head on Gladion's shoulder.

Gladion blushed a deep red and gave a nervous laugh.

"Oh!" Moon gasped suddenly, grabbing her bag and going through it. She pulled out a rectangular object wrapped in dark red paper and handed it to Gladion.

"I got you a present" she said.

Gladion stared at the gift, "Why?" He asked.

"It's your birthday, dummy"

"Right" Gladion said, clearing his throat.

"Open it" Moon commanded.

"Pushy aren't we?"

"Oh just do it"

Gladion tore away the red paper, revealing a golden picture frame. The photo inside was a picture of Gladion and Moon sitting with their Silvallys. Gladion's nuzzling it's trainers face, while Moon's was nibbling its trainers hat.

"It's us" Gladion whispered.

"Yep!" Moon chirped, "Well, and Silvally"
M
Gladion laughed, "Thank you"

Moon punched his arm playfully, "No prob. It's your birthday"

Gladion laughed softly, "Thanks"

Moon stood up and stretched, "I've gotta go. I've got work in the morning"

"Okay" Gladion breathed.

Moon made her way to the door, "Happy birthday. Love ya!" She said cheerfully, leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

"I love you too" Gladion whispered.

(A/N. This was a good idea at first but now I feel like it didn't turn out good. WHATEVER I'M STILL POSTING IT

So uh

K thx bai!)