Chapter Text
The President of the Aether Foundation sat at his desk. He was clicking away on his keyboard as usual, something work related. Platinum hair fell down into his face and fell in a neat ponytail that rest against his back. His pokémon lay at his feet, snoring. Even it was bored. This had been going on for hours. The man stretched and his back made a loud cracking sound before he cracked his neck and knuckles. Oh he was so sore. But he had to finish this last part of his report. Only a few more sentences. No interruptions. He can do this.
Knock knock knock!
Who was that? The man saved his work before calling to the source of the knocking. A woman walked in. Her face was as friendly and motherly as usual. Her smiling face, with her round and pink cheeks, made the man relax and brush his choppy blonde bangs out of his eyes.
“Oh, Wicke, what is it?”
“Master Gladion, the Kahuna of Melemele Island is here to see you. He says it’s important Kahuna business that you simply must hear.”
“Send him in,” Gladion’s lips curled up into a smile.
Before Wicke even left the room, a Raichu zoomed into the room, nearly tackling Gladion. The Silvally perked up seeing the other pokémon and the two began to nuzzle and play with each other. Following the Raichu, a tall man walked in. His hair had certainly gotten longer since the last time he had visited. His shoulders were much broader and he looked more mature but he still had that excited, child-like smile.
“Kahuna Hau. How lovely it is to see you,” Gladion said, a grin spreading across his lips as he leaned against his hand.
“Alola Gladion! How’s work going? I haven’t seen you in ages! Being the Aether President must be hard work, yeah?”
“Of course it is. I have to write a report and I’m actually working on one now and I’m almost finished,” he flashed a happy, yet tired, smile.
“Okay, well then I’ll wait until you finish. Shouldn’t be too long, right?”
“Just a few more sentences…”
Hau took a seat next to his Raichu and the Silvally. Gladion clicked away at the keys again but he occasionally glanced over at Hau. The Kahuna was much more muscular than when they had first met. It was…nice. He shook his head. What was he thinking? Come on, Gladion, focus. Two more sentences. He hesitated on the keys and cracked his back. Ugh. His back hurt so much. Why did it hurt?
“Hey, Gladion? Are you okay?” Hau asked when he saw his friend express his discomfort.
“My back hurts…nothing too serious.”
“Are you finished yet? It’s been awhile…”
“Just one more…sentence…finished! Maybe now we can help those Psyducks with their headaches.” A bright smile curled his lips.
“Good…Now, come on! Your vacation starts now!” Hau grabbed Gladion’s hand and pulled him out of his chair, causing Gladion to blush.
“Wh-What? Hau! I can’t go on vacation now! Who will run everything?”
“Me and Ms. Wicke got it covered. You need this vacation! You are always working so we are going to have fun!”
Gladion allowed himself to be dragged to the mansion on the roof of the Aether Paradise and into his room. Hau immediately got to work, finding everything his friend would need to pack for his surprise vacation. The Aether President couldn’t help but smile at Hau. The man was adamant about everyone having fun no matter what they did. Fun was eating malasadas on the beach and swimming in the ocean with Lapras and gazing up at the stars… Gladion found himself looking forward to this vacation. He cracked his back again which caused Hau to stop.
“Okay. You need help with your back. Take your jacket off.”
Gladion blushed hearing Hau telling him that. He pulled his white jacket off slowly before biting his lip and looking up at Hau. Back when they were younger, he would have never taken orders from anyone. And he certainly wouldn’t have worn white clothing. He was left in a black tank top that was fitted to his body. Moon got that tank top for him. She said he needed to stop wearing long sleeves so much or else he would get overheated. He looked over at Hau, a pink dusting still on his cheeks.
“Now, lay on your stomach. Come on, Gladion. You need to lay down or this won’t work.”
“Uh…what are you planning to do?”
“I’m going to give you a massage, now lay down.”
Hau clearly wasn’t taking no for an answer so Gladion lay on the mattress. He felt the bed dip and shift as Hau moved to straddle his hips. This position made Gladion feel beyond awkward. His hair, which was still pulled into a ponytail, was pushed to the side. After a moment of nothing but the sound of their breathing, Hau’s fingers started to massage Gladion’s back. It felt amazing. Hau’s hands were like magic as they worked out every knot in his back. His eyes fluttered shut and he leaned into Hau’s amazing fingers.
“Much better, yeah? You seemed really tense and you kept cracking your back.”
“I slouch when I sit. That’s why…”
“Maybe you should spend more time outside instead of working inside all the time.”
“I do go outside. But I have to make reports after working in the field…nnngh…” Gladion couldn’t hold back the sound. The massage felt so nice.
“You are really enjoying this. Maybe I should come massage your back more often!”
“I will pay you to do this every day.”
“Haha! Maybe I’ll take you up on that!” Gladion could practically hear Hau’s wide smile.
By the time Hau had finished, Gladion had melted against the bed. His face burned a bright red when he realized how silly he was acting and he sat up quickly once Hau moved. Luckily, the other man didn’t seem to notice. Hau was as blissful and cheery as ever. Gladion remembered thinking that Hau was weak when they first met because Hau was just so carefree and didn’t care about winning. Now that boy was a strong and powerful Kahuna. He couldn’t help but smile slightly at the thought.
“What are you smiling at?”
“You…haven’t changed, have you?”
“I’m stronger!”
“But still carefree and happy…”
Hau just shrugged with a smile. He wasn’t one for serious conversations. Soon, he finished packing what Gladion needed for his vacation, including his pokémon. Of course they would have to have pokémon battles. That was a must. Gladion felt a little rusty, so he was eager to battle more. Hau was talking about maybe participating in a battle royale again. This vacation was starting to sound like a lot of fun. Maybe he did need this.
Gladion was dragged out of the Aether Paradise after he said his goodbyes and he sunk down into a seat on the boat that was taking them to Melemele Island. He looked at Hau who sat next to him. His broad shoulders were relaxed and the man stretched out his legs. The afternoon sunlight seemed to make Hau glow a little brighter. Gladion’s eyes traced along the muscles that could clearly be seen under Hau’s clothes. A soft pink blush dusted across his cheeks when Hau caught him staring.
“Something wrong?” Hau asked, tipping his head in concern.
“It’s…It’s nothing. I was just seeing what pokémon you remind me of.”
“Yeah? What pokémon do you think I’m most like?”
Gladion thought for a moment before a smirk curled his lips up.
“Probably a munchlax. Because you are always eating malasada.”
“Okay…well…hmm…what pokémon are you…aww this isn’t fair, you know loads more pokémon than I do!”
“I’m a scientist, Hau. It’s literally my job.” Gladion laughed a bit.
“I think you evolved more than me, Gladion…You used to be all grumpy and mysterious…like a murkrow!” Hau laughed happily at his friend. “But now you’re all happy and not as serious.”
“So…” Gladion began, smiling still. “I’m like a cherrim who changed from night form to day form!”
“What kind of pokémon is that?”
“It’s from Sinnoh… I should take you there sometime. It’s colder than Alola though.”
“You’re totally taking me to Sinnoh someday! That’s a promise and you're gonna take me there!” Hau laughed happily.
“Only if you can beat me in a pokémon battle once we’re off this boat.” Gladion smirked back.
“You’re on!”