'Lillie?' I called, knocking on my friend's bedroom door. Gladion was next to me, arms crossed and muttering things that weren't audible for my ears. My guess; he was still sulking from when I told him off. To be honest I surprised even myself from that. Anyway, the door suddenly swung open and two hands dragged my boyfriend and I inside before it slammed shut. I quickly turned around, only to see Lillie with her back pressed against the door. 'Lillie?'

'Oh thank Arceus you're here!' Lillie breathed, before glancing at Gladion. 'How did you manage to drag my brother into this? I thought he'd be resistant to help.'

'He was.' I rolled my eyes, before sitting on her bed. 'I had to activate Big Mama mode...'

'Oh...'

'Speaking of which,' I started, patting the spot next to me to tell her to sit. 'Come, tell Megan what's wrong.'

Gladion snorted slightly at this, making me glare at him. Lillie sighed as she sat down next to me 'Well...'

(Timeskip)

'What I'm trying to say is; I'm so not ready for this!' Lillie finished. She was now pacing back and forth around the room.

'It's really not a big deal, hun.' I sighed, laying on my back on Lillie's bed and staring up at the ceiling. Gladion sat on the floor next to the bed, unamused. 'I mean he's only asked you out for malasadas.'

'Easy for you to say...' Lillie pouted.

'Look on the bright side!' I stated, throwing my hands up. 'Hau's been in love with you for, let's see, 2.. 3.. 4 years! There is literally nothing you can do to screw this up.'

It was true. Hau had liked her for a pretty long time, and Lillie knew it, She even developed feelings for him too. This, however, didn't stop her panicking. Sigh...

'Are you sure? I mean what if I trip and fall into some mud or something? What if he sees and is like 'Wow Lillie, you're so uncool and clumsy. I don't think I like you anymore.' and then-' She panicked, waving her hands around.

'Lillie, sweety, you're thinking way too much into this.' I cut her off. 'This is Hau we're talking about here! I don't think he'll mind. Heck, I think he'll even like you more if you do that!'

'He is weird like that.' Gladion chimed in, resting his chin on his palm.

'What we're saying is it's not that hard. You just gotta be yourself and Hau will like you. It's worked so far.' I assured as I sat up.

'Not that hard' Lillie mocked. 'It took you two and a half years to make a move on my brother.' This made me scoff.

'Okay one, I was a Pokemon for the majority of that time. And two, this isn't about me!' I defended, crossing my arms.

'Lillie, word of advice.' Gladion began.

Lillie turned to her brother, brow raised, ready to listen to whatever *Cough* advice he was about to give.

'If Hau steps out of line, I'll snap him in half and throw him into the ocean for the Sharpedo.' he finished.

'How the hell is that advice?' I asked, pulling a weird face.

Gladion shrugged. 'Men are Pignites.'

'Oh, does that mean I should break up with you then?' I teased.

'I didn't say that!'

'Guys. You aren't helping.' Lillie sighed.

My boyfriend and I gave a brief 'sorry', before going silent. Lillie's eyes then drifted to the doorknob, and she sighed. 'I can do this.' She told herself, before opening the door and looking to us to tell us to get out of her room. She exited, Gladion and I by her heels, ready to start this dat- I mean day with Hau.

(Timeskip)

'Do you really think Lillie's going to be okay, especially with him?'

I groaned, turning round in my swivel chair to stare at the boy. 'She. Will. Be. Fine. Honestly you really need to start trusting Hau mor-'

He snorted 'Nope!'

'Okay, then at least trust your sister more! She's a strong girl, I doubt going out for malasadas is going to do anything to her.' I growled slightly.

'You don't know that! What if she gets food poisoning? What if she falls over and cracks her head open? What if they decide to go swimming and a Sharpedo eats her, what-' he paused, seeing me shift my position so my elbow was propped up on the arm of the chair and my chin was resting on my palm. I had an unamused expression on my face. He sighed. 'I'm thinking too much into this, aren't I?'

'Yup!' I confirmed, popping the 'p' before turning back around so I was facing my desk. 'Honestly you Aethers are way too paranoid.'

'We did have a crappy childhood, Megan.'

'Yeah well so did I, but you don't see me complaining!' I threw my hands up.

'Yeah but you don't exactly have a family to be paranoid for.'

I grew silent, making Gladion realize he had just crossed a line. His eyes widened. 'Wait- Meg no I didn't mean it like that!' I heard him move from behind me, before feeling him spinning the swivel chair until I was facing him. He held onto the arms and stared down at me, since he was standing he towered over my frame. I didn't look him in the eye, making him sigh. 'I'm sorry. I guess I'm just slightly concerned about Lillie.'

'Slightly?' I scoffed.

'Okay very. I wasn't thinking and that just slipped out. I didn't mean to upset you in any way. You know I'd never hurt you on purpose, right?'

I sighed, letting myself slump into my chair. 'I know...' I looked up at him. 'It's just that. I do have a family.'

He raised an eyebrow, meaning he didn't understand.

'You're my family, Gladion. You, Lillie, Sun, Hau and the rest of the gang are all family to me.' I finished. 'I may not have any biological family, but you guys are much better than that.'

'Meg...' Gladion whispered.

I snorted. 'I mean, your mom sees me as her daughter.'

'In law.'

'Tomato Potato!' I groaned. 'Listen, my point is you guys have acted more like my family than, well, my actual family. And FYI, I do get paranoid about you all. I just know when it's my place to butt in.'

'Huh... and here I thought you were just being carefree.'

'Gladion!'

'I'm kidding!' he chuckled.

'Ugh! Whatever... Just, don't think I don't think of you as family just because we have different blood. Besides, we may be marr- O sh*t...'

'What was that you were going to say?'

'Nothing! Nothing at all!' I laughed awkwardly.

'... You were going to say married, weren't you?'

'...no...'

'Uh huh, I think you wer-'

'Okay you know what, I'm not really digging the vibe here anymore.' I exclaimed as I attempted to push his arms off the chair, since they prevented me from leaving, but failed. 'Flower boy, please release me!'

He raised an eyebrow 'Flower boy?'

'I know your name means flower, Gladion.' I attempted to push him away again 'Release me, peasant!'

'Not until you tell me what you were going to say.' He pressed, as a smirk formed on his lips.

'Nope!' I slid down the chair and ducked under his legs before he could blink, managing to escape his 'chair of truth' or whatever it's called and dashing towards the door. 'Later sucka!'

'Oh no you don't!' I felt a hard tug on my arm, and before I knew it I was lying on my bed with Gladion straddling my waist and having his arms either side of my head. Obviously he didn't plan to end up in this position, because soon his face turned completely red. 'I...Uhh... S-Sorry'

I gulped as my face also heated up. 'U-Uhm... It's f-fine...'

Gladion was about to get off me, but froze as soon as we heard the door open. We turned to look at it, only to find Lusamine standing in the doorway with a milkshake in each hand. She blinked at our position, before giggling lightly and walking over to put the drinks on the bedside table. 'If you kids need anything, snacks, a condom, let me know~' She chimed.

'Mom!'

'Sorry, you two are just too cute~' The woman squealed. Arceus she and Lillie really are mother and daughter!

Gladion and I groaned in sync, and Gladion rolled off so he was lying next to me. 'Of all the times you could've barged in, you chose the most embarrassing time! Why, just why?' I complained, staring at the ceiling and crossing my arms.

Lusamine shrugged. 'Mother's instinct. It happens. Anyway you kids have fun~' She was about to leave, but paused as Gladion quickly sat up.

'Hold on a moment, mom. I have a question.'

Lusamine turned to him, eyebrow raised. 'Yes?'

'Does... Does my name really mean flower?' He grimaced.

'Yes dear.'

He crossed his arms. 'Explain.'

'I volunteer as tribute!' I yelled as I shot my hand up in the air. He turned to me, waiting for me to continue.

'Well, the name 'Gladion' is derived from the name of the flower gladiolus. It's sometimes called the 'sword lily', but is usually called by its generic name.' I finished, before smiling at him. 'It's kinda like how your mother's name is derived from the name of the balsamine plant.'

Gladion's mouth hung wide open. 'How do you know all this?!'

'Internet.'

'Oh...' He squinted. Obviously that wasn't the answer he was expecting. 'You can go now, mom.'

'Okay. See you guys later, and remember to use protection.'

'OH MY ARCEUS MOM/LUSAMINE!'

(Meanwhile)

'Thank you for coming at such short notice!' The red haired woman beamed at the person who just came through the door. He was panting slightly, showing he had jogged the majority of the way. He ran a hand through his hair, before taking the lab coat the woman was holding up for it.

'I wasn't doing anything important, so it's no problem.' He assured, taking off his hoodie and replacing it with the coat.

'I assume Libra filled you in with the details?'

'Correct.'

'So you already have a brief idea on what's going on.'

'Yes, we've found the surviving Artemus family members.'

'I know!' She squealed, bouncing off her heels slightly. This made the male sigh.

'Kate, please act a little more professional here.'

The woman flinched, before straightening up. 'You're absolutely right. My apologies.' She then frowned. 'But I would appreciate if you'd not use my real name during work hours.'

'Oh, I didn't realise that I did. I apologise, Cancer.'

'Not a problem. Now let's get to work shall we, Pisces?'

The boy nodded. 'Yes. And I may already have some information on the youngest Artemus child.'

'Ooo, do tell.'

A/N: Well flip. Two chapters in a row?!

I was kind of lazy with this chapter tbh. But I did do research on Gladion and Lusamine's names, the depth of the gladiolus and balsamine, and the zodiac signs. So yea. Also, I'm still pretty sick atm so I'm not as energetic.

I know I know, blah blah blah excuses and crap blah blah blah.

But yea I'm going now.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. And if you didn't know Gladion's name was based off a flower, you're welcome.

Silver out!