hetgem rarepair that i made up in my head masterpost
knightshipping: the romantic pairing between acerola and gladion from pokemon.
night is associated with both ghost and dark types, the primary type specialties of their respective trainers.
knight is taken from gladion's namesake, the gladiolus flower (or sword lily), his protective nature and tendency to act as a knight for his loved ones, as well as acerola's noble heritage, since she descends from alolan royalty.
hence, (k)nightshipping.
for about three years (since april 7th, 2023) ive been developing their dynamic in relation to my fanfiction, but that takes too long to get through so you all get to witness me explain them divorced of their original context.
everybody be NICE!!!
i want to start with some canon groundwork for this ship, things that initially drew me to consider them as a friendship before i was enticed by the possibility of a budding romance.
• there is a solid two years between gladion running away from the aether paradise and the main story of gen 7 that go relatively unaccounted for.
• gladion is good with young kids, as shown in the anime when he rescued kiawe's little sister from team skull and reunited her with her brother.
• the aether house is an orphanage, it's every possibility that displaced or unhoused children may come into acerola's care frequently.
• gladion has a strong sense of independence but this doesnt make it impossible that he might have stumbled upon the aether house in the past, especially given that in the climax of the story when lillie is kidnapped he seems to let himself in with an ounce of familiarity. (possible cope on my part)
• gladion is revealed in pokemon masters ex to have a strong sewing ability. i wonder where he learned that...
id also argue that its not out of the question for them to be brought together by some force, gladion's desperation for food comes to mind. not even to mention that, although gladion seems to travel pretty liberally between the islands, the aether house and team skull are both centered on ula'ula, creating more opportunities for interaction.
this is where i get into headcanon/ fanfiction territory. still i try to base my writing on what i extrapolate from canon materials.
brave little acerola, young as she is, has always been expected to act as an adult all for the sake of the littles in her care. since tragically losing her father and coping with constant abandonment, she's found herself in the role of caretaker not just at home but even in her friendships. thats not to say that she doesnt enjoy the labor of nurturing and loving her many siblings, but being so much of her life so far, acerola learns to value herself based on what she can give to others. she would do anything to be the one who is cared for and protected, to be asked what she wants for once... but this is a pipe dream to her, a fantasy she longs for from afar. she escapes into the story books of her favorite authors and playwrights until her reality catches back up to her. when gladion blows into her life like a tornado, shes smitten the moment she lays eyes on him, enthralled at the idea that a boy like the ones in her stories might come and sweep her off her feet, to rescue her from her domestic solitude and lifelong responsibilities to other people. she feeds him, shares her room with him, and supplies him with the means to mend his torn and frayed clothing. she's so used to feeling alone and abandoned, and though part of her is terrified that her new friend might end up the same, but never once is it intended that he depend solely on her. acerola is desperate for a friend, someone to share her interests with, to confide in and, though perhaps reluctantly at first, gladion does consider her a friend.
and on the topic of scared and closed off gladion... begging for scraps like a sad, lost dog. he values his autonomy so deeply after escaping his mother's grasp that he refuses stability. why would he give up the independence that he so desperately fought for? after all, you'll never be strong if you only rely on others. he needs to keep to himself, build walls and make himself unapproachable- he believes he cant get hurt like that. domestic life just isnt for someone like him, right? whatever mysterious force compelled gladion to enter the aether house on soup night surely took ahold of his very being as he downed his first hot meal in months while standing right at stove. be it the same force that had him turn tail out the back door when acerola herself found him there, broth dribbling down his chin, nothing in the world could have stopped him from coming back the next night. or the night after that. when gladion starves for knowledge or enrichment, she takes him to the library with every intention of furthering his education, but can't help herself to use every opportunity to share with her favorite tales of tragedy and romance with him, inspiring gladion's flair for dramatics (possibly to impress her...). when he comes home from training with scratches and tears in his only clothes, she teaches him to repair them with a needle and thread. he accepts acerola's kindness even without understanding why she wants to keep him around.
the two of them spending night after night wrangling unruly toddlers, cooking dinners and streamlining bedtime routines, even teaching the littles how to protect themselves from danger by becoming strong trainers. when he allows it, gladion settles so easily into the routines at aether house, feeling himself becoming softer and letting his guard down. that vulnerability scares him, but admitting that he wants it is all the more terrifying.
despite their fervid connection, gladion and acerola are still deeply troubled children who have a lot of growing to do before they can connect deeply. acerola's fantastical expectations must be challenged, and the misplaced weight of abandonment she carries as she shoulders constant blame for others leaving. gladion has to learn to allow himself to be vulnerable after years of building up walls and always being on guard, believing his strength comes from solitude.
acerola and gladions lives for so long had both been defined by strife and chaos. two lonely children searching for stability and control, what little of it they have, finding solace in each other but being so deeply damaged they can not properly express such emotions or longing. its this disconnect between what they want from each other and what they're capable of that drives gladion to leave in the dead of night, nagged by the fear of "going soft," compromising his independence and control.
but after years of personal growth, gladion and acerola as a couple would be able to give each other something previously unacessable to them.
acerola becomes a space of comfort and vulnerability where gladion can give up control safely. gladion is a fierce protector and gladly takes up the mantle and allows acerola respite from bearing the emotional load of her responsibilities. while she does still take care of gladion equally as much as he does for her, she is benefitted by his independence and drive to be self-sufficient while they are partnered, and still allowing her access and connection to him emotionally because she never feels indebted to him.
