Chapter Text
Alola was a place of vacations – typically, honeymoons.
Nanu had seen them from all over, and there was a sudden reminder of what was coming up. Valentine's Day. Many people planned weddings on the day, dates, grand romantic gestures. Ula'Ula flooded with people doing all sorts of things. He hardly had it cross his mind aside from the spike in public indecency.
But, this year… He groaned at the pestering of Acerola. A little girl had a different view on relationships than two adults would. She insisted he needed to do something for you to prove his love for you. Her thoughts about flowers, chocolates, and whatever else came so clichéd. It made him chuckle a bit, which only made her pout.
“You're never obvious enough, uncle!” she stood indignantly, “What if they feel unloved? Olivia says guys should be more romantic!” Olivia? Wonderful. Now the other Kahuna would be meddling in his relationship. At least Hapu and Hala had the decency not to do that. He pet the Meowth on his lap and found himself lost in thought. “You could dress nice, too,” her eyes sparkled, “What if you dressed like Mr. Looker! Like, um, a suave detective from those shows you watch.” The shows he watched to mock? Nanu groaned. He had not worn a suit in years.
Acerola refused to back down, however. The girl seemed to believe he needed to do something instead of treating as a normal day. He was hardly the romantic type, though, and he felt you enjoyed that. If anything, he knew you would likely gift him chocolates. “They'll have the romantic part covered,” he offered, “Why don't you let us make our own plans?”
She gasped at his words with her eyes going wide. “Nanu,” she used his name, “You have to do something then!” She suddenly leaned into his personal space. “What if they feel unloved and leave you!? Maybe for some, um, hot surfer guy that treats them right.” What had this girl been watching? Nanu worried what the Aether Foundation employees let the kids do now. He groaned. Acerola was not going to let it go – not until he did something; anything. He stood up from the couch and groaned.
“I'll go get them something,” he assured her and headed out the door. She let out a cheer. The retired officer felt a headache building.
He headed into town and browsed a small store curiously. Nanu had never been one for romance, really. All the stuff lining the shelves just felt comedic to him. Nothing was even close to what he would want to give his partner. What would you even like? He closed his eyes. Then, he saw it. A small heart-shaped container with an Alolan Meowth on the front. “I love mew.” He picked it up. This was the only one that held his interest. Carrying it in hand, he looked around for flowers.
Alola was full of them. If he wanted to, the Tapu might just make a bunch grow at his request. Though, he felt weird with the guardian's meddling in his love life as is. He stared at the roses intensely. Red. The same shade as his eyes. He picked them up. These should do. It was time for him to head out. The cashier stared in wonder at the Kahuna's items. He said nothing and paid.
Now, just where were you? Shooting you a text, he asked you to meet him in front the Malie Garden. He leaned against the wall, lost in thought. Couples bustled across in the streets, lost in each other. Nanu wondered about all this. He had always seen relationships around him, but he never really understood it all. Did he love you? He knew he did. You were something precious to him – worming your way into his heart and constantly reminding himself why he felt so fond towards you. A sigh came from him. Acerola really had no idea how badly you had to pursue him.
But… Making you feel unloved was a concern. Why did you have to settle for some old man? You deserved far better than whatever he could offer, yet you only expressed contentment at being with him. He looked up at a voice calling his name. You were dressed nicely, likely changing when he suggested such an obvious date location. He felt strange holding the chocolates and roses. You gasped at the sight of him.
The gifts were offered to you which you eagerly took from him. In fact, you looked back and forth between them and him, almost in shock. He let out a chuckle at that. This was pretty out of character for him, he supposed. His hand came to scratch at the back of his neck.
“Don't be too surprised,” he chuckled a bit, “I can't promise this will be a common thing.” He was startled when you suddenly embraced him, pressing the bouquet and chocolates against his chest. His arm came around you. There was something he was not so opposed to. Your bright smile. “I know I don't really say it, but I do love you,” he mumbled.
It seemed that it would be a happy Valentine's Day.