Work Text:
Christmas shopping wasn’t usually all that troublesome for Hop. Leon had always sent over a hefty monthly check over to their family back in Postwick, so even the most expensive gifts could be given with only a month or two of saving a check.
This one was different, however. This was the first Christmas Gloria would spend as the new Champion. Hop wanted to get her something special, but every time he tried to pry it out, she’d laugh it all off and said she’d be happy with anything he got for her.
A sentimental front, but a very annoying one. Give him some ground to work with, dammit!
So that’s how Hop is here. In Wyndon, desperately trying to avoid paparazzi as the Champion’s boyfriend, window shopping in an attempt to find the perfect gift for his lover.
Browsing through stores, Hop was mentally considering gifts and crossing them off his list.
His first choice was a fancy outfit set that was on display. Gloria was always big on fashion back when they were completing the gym challenge. And then he realized she bought this outfit literally a week ago.
Besides fashion, the only other choice he had were some high-quality ingredients to make Pokemon food, and Gloria already bought most of its quantity.
This…was bad. The more window-shopping Hop did, the more items he noticed were items the new Champion already had. He sighed, digging his fingers in his head to massage his scalp. One choice left then; he makes something handmade. Really, why didn’t he think of this in the first place?
Stopping at a couple of random stores, Hop bought some beads, strings, feathers, shears to use on Dubwool, and other different accessories to make the gift.
“Oh, my Arceus! Is that the Champion’s boytoy?!”
…Damn you, paparazzi.
XoXo
If Hop was nervous during shopping, his nerves are skyrocketing to the damn moon. He’s downright terrified to find out if Gloria will like it or not.
“Hoooooop! I’m heeeeeeeeere!”
And right on cue. Nervously holding the wrapped box in his hands, tapping his foot, the professor-in-training waited patiently in the living room.
“Hop! Eh? Oh, you’re here in the living room!” she cheered, “For a moment, I thought you were in your bedroom.”
“W-why would I be in my bedroom?” Hop asked.
“I dunno,” she said, shrugging, “Random guess?”
Shoving aside that…odd implication, Hop presented the box to Gloria.
“Ooooh! What’s this?” she cooed.
“I-I just, um. A-a present. For you.” he stammered out.
“May I open it?” she asked with very out-of-character tenderness. Hop gave a firm nod. Gloria ripped open the box and was awed by what was inside.
“Y-you know you loved that stuffed Wooloo you had before it got lost?” he explained, looking down in embarrassment, “W-well, nothing really stood out to me while I was window shopping…s-so I figured I could try to remake it myself! If it’s not completely accurate don’t blame me…”
When Hop looked up again, he saw Gloria with the most starstruck look that he hasn’t seen since she saw Leon become the champion and Hop was now related to someone famous. She gave a lopsided smile and blushed.
“I love it, sweetheart. Thank you so much,” she said quietly. “Didn’t know you were doing this with all that stuff you bought though…”
“E-eh?!” How did she know he was window shopping for her?!
“The minute fans recognized you, they sprang at me to pry out what you were doing for me. I put two and two together and figured you were making something for me. I just kept it hidden since you get all sad when your plans are revealed too early.” she explained.
“I-I do not!”
“You only ate ice cream for a week and cried when Raihan figured out you were trying to set him up with your brother.”
“I ate other things!”
“You’re not denying the crying bit?”
“Y-you…!”
“Ahahaha!”
Gloria sat on the couch and cuddled close to Hop’s figure, the Wooloo plush squished in between them. The Champion gave a small peck on the cheek and buried her face in the crook of his neck.
“I love you, Hop.”
The aforementioned trainer sighed and turned his body to hold her close.
“I love you too, Gloria.”