Hey all! Yes I am still here! Yes I am still alive. Yes here is chapter 29 just for you all. I hope you enjoy 3

My current beta is doing such an awesome job! They go by the name of Killer_Squids and can be found on AO3 here ( /users/Killer_Squids). They can also be found on tumblr under the name land-banana. They have done a wonderful job with betaing for me so if you have time please give there page a look.

I choose you, chapter 29!

The Fear of Confessing

Yamaguchi woke the next morning feeling more rested than ever. He, Tsukki, and Kanoka had plans to head out that morning and carry on with their journey. Yamaguchi worked quickly that morning to pack his bag, for he had one very important thing he needed to do before heading out. With Kanoka and Tsukki still readying themselves for departure, Yamaguchi made his way to the 1st-floor lobby of the hotel where several computers could be found for guests to use.

Yamaguchi found a computer at the far corner of the small PC room. Fortunately for him, no one else was making any calls. He sat at his computer and hesitated for a long moment. He hoped it wasn't too early to make a call, but he knew if he didn't do it now he wouldn't have another chance for a few days. Giving his head a swift shake, he set his worries aside and pressed the call button.

The computer rang several times before the person on the other line picked up. As the camera on the other end picked up Yamaguchi was pleased to see Shimada smiling brightly at him.

"Oh, Yamaguchi! Good morning," Shimada greeted cheerily. The man looked to already be dressed and ready for the day despite it being so early.

"Good morning," Yamaguchi replied with a bright smile of his own. "I hope my call isn't disturbing anything," he added softly.

"No worries at all," Shimada insisted. "I've been awake for quite a while. I saw your performance yesterday! You were amazing! I never would have guessed it was your first showcase," he gushed like a proud parent.

"It was all thanks to you," Yamaguchi insisted. "If you hadn't pushed me, I never would've ever tried showcases."

"Nonsense! You came up with that routine all on your own, and it was great," Shimada praised, his eyes shining with pride for his protege. "I knew I saw something special in you."

"I...I" Yamaguchi stuttered as his cheeks went red. Such comments rarely ever came his way. He hadn't a clue of how to reply. "Th-Thank you," he decided to go with in the end.

Shimada smiled brightly, seemingly enjoying Yamaguchi's flustered reaction. "You better get used to compliments like that if you keep up with such extravagant routines."

"Well, I-... I," Yamaguchi sputtered, unsure how to reply to that. He really wasn't equipt for this kind of teasing.

"Now, I take it you had a reason to call me..." Shimada hummed, finally deciding to give Yamaguchi some peace.

"Y-Yes," Yamaguchi sighed, still feeling quite flustered. He gave himself a quick second before carrying on. "I just wanted to thank you so much for sending me the wonderful suit. You really saved my life."

"Hey, not a problem. Anything for my number one protege," Shimada said with a wink. "But you can't just thank me. It was your tall friend… what's his name? Tsukishima. It was his idea that I send you one of my old suits."

As Shimada spoke Yamaguchi felt his ears heat up. "Tsukki asked you to send it?" he asked without realizing he had done so.

"Yeah, he helped me pick out your measurements and even waited around to pick up the package," Shimada carried on as he recalled the whole ordeal. "He was very insistent that I send something if I had it, and of course I was more than willing to help out."

"Tsukki asked…" Yamaguchi repeated once more in a very far off tone. He felt his heart beat loudly in his chest and his stomach went all fluttery. The idea of Tsukki going out of his way for him made Yamaguchi feel all sorts of funny tickling emotions that he would never admit aloud. Why hadn't Tsukki told him about this?

"Yeah, didn't he tell you?" Shimada asked, mildly confused.

"No, he just told me I got a package and that's it," Yamaguchi replied in a new sort of flustered than before. The more he thought about Tsukki doing this the more his face when red and his heart beat out of control.

Shimada studied Yamaguchi for a long moment with a very knowing smile on his face. "I see…" He eventually said with a snicker. "Oh, to be young again," he then said in dramatic whimsy.

"It's not like that," Yamaguchi mumbled in denial. It very much was like that from Yamaguchi's end but he wasn't going to admit it.

"Right," Shimada said with a sigh-like chuckle. "Well, let me know when you've decided on your next competition and we can discuss what you have planned."

"It'll probably be after Tsukki's next gym battle, so you might not hear from me in a while," Yamaguchi explained. "In the meantime, I plan to work on my fashion skills and do a bit of fact studying."

"Sounds like a plan," Shimada agreed.

With that, mentor and protege bid each other a friendly farewell.

Yamaguchi could not believe Tsukki had kept the full story of the suit from him. Why hadn't he said he'd helped Shimada pick out the blue suit when he received it? He wanted to march right up to Tsukki and scold him for it, but at the same time he was unable to get his heart under control.

Tsukki had picked out his suit. The blue suite with its shining buttons and white shoes. Yamaguchi had fallen in love with it the moment he set eyes on it, and Tsukki had been the one to pick it out. Had Tsukki known Yamaguchi would love it or was it just a coincidence? How long had it taken him to decide on the outfit or did Shimada only have one? These thoughts raced through Yamaguchi's mind, making it quite hard for him to concentrate.

It was late morning by the time the three had hit the road. Yamaguchi still hadn't confronted Tsukki about the suit, for every time he so much as thought about doing so, his stomach would do a flip. He liked to pretend he didn't know why his chest felt so light and why his stomach so twisted every time he looked at his best friend, but he was well aware of what those feelings meant. Fortunately for Yamaguchi, Tsukki didn't seem to be aware of Yamaguchi's odd behavior, and if he was he didn't show it.

The three walked along the path that led to Cyllage City. From where they were, it would take them several days before they made it to their next destination, which Yamaguchi was fine with. He was more than ready for a bit of rest to clear his buzzing mind.

It was late noon by the time the three trainers and their Pokemon decided to stop and set up camp for the night. Yamaguchi got to whipping together a quick lunch while Tsukki and Kanoka set up camp for the night. Yamaguchi had to admit that it was nice having a third body helping with setting up camp, as it made settling in much quicker.

"I don't know how you do it," Kanoka sighed as Yamaguchi passed her a plate of pasta. "How do you whip together such delicious meals in such short a time? I lived off of rice balls and sandwiches when I was traveling alone."

"Just practice, I guess," Yamaguchi shrugged as he passed a plate to Tsukki. "Anyone could do it."

"You need to open a restaurant or something someday," Kanoka hummed before taking a bit of the dish. "So good!"

"My family already owns a bakery," Yamaguchi said with a small laugh. "So, it's almost like a restaurant."

"That explains it," Kanoka said making an ah-ha sort of gesture. "That's where your baking skills come from! What about you, Tsukishima? You and Yamaguchi are from the same Alonan Island, right?"

Tsukishima looked to Kanoka as if he'd rather not be part of the conversation. "My dad and mom are researchers. They were stationed there when I was 10…" he eventually replied.

"And that explains why you are so smart!" Kanoka pointed out in another ah-ha moment.

"What?" Tsukishima grumbled, not impressed by the comment.

"Tsukki really is the smartest!" Yamaguchi agreed adamantly.

"Shut up, Yamaguchi!" Tsukishima snapped with a roll of his eyes.

"Sorry, Tsukki," Yamaguchi laughed before adding a quiet. "But it's true."

Lunch passed just as quickly as it came, and before long the three trainers had scouted out a large open area for themselves to practice. Yamaguchi sat with his back to a tree and Eevee asleep in his lap as he watched Tsukishima try his best to make Frogadier and Snivy work together, as the two stubborn Pokemon obviously wanted to please their trainer but equally did not want anything to do with each other.

Yamaguchi could not help but admire Tsukishima's ability to convince the two Pokemon to cooperate. He was so strong and never took no for an answer. Tsukki wasn't afraid to tell people what they needed to hear, though sometimes he went too far. He was rough on the outside, but always gentle with those he cared for. He was everything Yamaguchi aspired to be and more.

Yamaguchi felt his cheeks go pink as his mind shifted to more physical attributes of his best friend. Tsukishima's body was tall and lean in the best way possible. His arms were long and toned, and on many occasions, Yamaguchi wished to know how it felt to be wrapped in them. He longed to cuddle close to Tsukki's broad chest in the way Eevee often does. He wished to nuzzle the silky smooth skin of Tsukki's neck and to feel his soft golden hair felt against his freckled cheek. He longed more than ever to taste those lips that were often set to a scowl. As these thoughts rapidly passed thoughts Yamaguchi's mind, his cheeks became hot.

"Hey! How's it going?" Kanoka asked, plopping herself down next to Yamaguchi.

"Ack!" Yamaguchi squeaked, almost falling over in his surprise.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to scare you," Kanoka replied sheepishly. "Did I disrupt something?"

"N-No! No!" Yamaguchi insisted. "I was just… thinking is all," he came up with on the spot. It was true though. He was thinking… about Tsukki.

Kanoka gave an understanding hum as she studied Yamaguchi for a long moment. "I've been thinking, too," she quietly admitted.

"Oh, have you?" Yamaguchi asked, looking at Tsukki for a split moment. He hoped she wasn't thinking about Tsukki.

"Yeah…" Kanoka sighed as she seemingly entered a moment of heavy thought.

Yamaguchi looked to her, wondering what could be on her mind. She looked a little disappointed and quite down. Now that he thought about it, she had been acting quite odd since they had left that morning.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Yamaguchi offered, his curiosity getting the best of him.

Kanoka looked to Yamaguchi and studied him for a long quiet moment. "I don't mean to bring the mood down," She sighed, though she really looked as if she wanted so badly to talk about whatever it was.

"Don't worry, you won't," Yamaguchi insisted in as reassuring a voice as he could.

Kanoka gave another small hum before giving her reply. "Well, the thing is," she started as if she was still unsure what to say. "Yamaguchi, have you ever been in love?" when she asked this, she looked at him with quite desperate eyes.

Almost on instinct Yamaguchi's eyes flashed to Tsukki before looking back to Kanoka. "W-What?" he somehow got out.

"Sorry, that came out wrong," Kanoka half laughed, with a shake of her head. "I mean, have you ever liked someone and you didn't know if they liked you back?" She clarified.

Once more Yamaguchi glanced to where Tsukkiwas currently scrolling a pouting Frogadier. A moment of guilt settled in his stomach. "M-maybe… I mean, hasn't everyone at one point or another?" he replied best he could.

Kanoka didn't seem to take notice of the look's Yamaguchi had sent to Tsukki and if she did she was hiding it well. "See, when I was a kid I had this friend, Tanaka," Kanoka began, now looking at the grass. "He was a great guy, he was always so kind to me and really taught me how to love myself," as she spoke she seemed to be thinking back about very fond memories.

"That sounds nice," Yamaguchi hummed, recalling his own memories of how Tsukki was always by his side growing up.

"He and I traveled for a bit together when we were kids. He helped me learn how to be a strong trainer and believe in myself. I really liked him back then, but I never said anything," Kanoka carried on. "When I moved away I thought I would never see him again but I never forgot about him."

"You moved away?" Yamaguchi asked, his tone unfortunate.

"Yeah, once I arrived back home from my travels my dad's company had him transfer from the Sinnoh office to one in Hoenn. I was still too young back then to be in another region on my own like I am now so I had to move with them," Kanoka seemed regretful as she spoke. "It was hard parting with him."

"Oh, that sounds terrible," Yamaguchi comforted. He would have died if he and Tsukki had been separated like that. He couldn't imagine a single day go by without Tsukki by his side.

"He and I kept in touch for a few years but I haven't talked with him in ages," Kanoka now sent Yamaguchi a very desperate look as she spoke. "And the thing is, he works at the Cyllage City Gym," she looked quite torn as she said this, her eyes searching Yamaguchi desperately for help.

"That's good, isn't it?" Yamaguchi asked. He was horribly confused. If he had been separated from Tsukki only to be reunited he'd be estatick.

"I think I still like him," Kanoka admitted, her eyes guilty.

Yamaguchi gave a small nod of understanding.

"Have you ever fallen in love with someone who you considered a best friend?" Kanoka quietly asked. She looked to Yamaguchi once more, her eyes desperate for a kindred spirit.

Yamaguchi felt his chest tighten before looking to where Tsukki stood. A moment of guilt washed over him. He knew very well how that felt. "It's hard…" He admitted in a whisper.

"I knew you would understand…" Kanoka said with a small smile. "I'm scared to see him again," She then added, her smile now a frown.

"You don't need to be," Yamaguchi consoled. "I'm sure he'll be happy to see you again."

"I don't know what to say to him," Kanoka stressed before pausing for a short moment. "I sort of want to tell him but I'm also so scared."

Yamaguchi gave another small nod. Kanoka didn't know it but she was miles ahead of himself when it came to admitting her feelings. Yamaguchi had only recently begun to understand his feeling for his best friend and it too scared him.

"You can take the reunion slowly and then decide if you are ready," Yamaguchi replied.

"I don't know if I'll be able to handle the pressure once I see him," Kanoka said with a sarcastic laugh. "I'll probably just embarrass myself."

"With me there you won't have to worry about being the embarrassing one," Yamaguchi joked in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"What's that meant to mean!?" Kanoka replied with a laugh of her own.

"I'm the clumsy one of this group and you know it!" Yamaguchi pointed out as if it were a rule.

"You're performance yesterday says otherwise," Kanoka retorted with a genuine giggle.

"That was just luck," Yamaguchi insisted. "Besides, I'd practiced for weeks to not mess it up."

"Man look at us, fighting over who is more of a klutz," Kanoka sighed, but still held her smile. "How are we ever going to manage around our crushes?!" She groaned dramatically.

"Try not to die of a heart attack," Yamaguchi shrugged. "That's my current tactic."

"Oh, my Arceus. You're just as bad as me," Kanoka laughed as she gave Yamaguchi's shoulder a push. "Thanks for talking with me."

"Not a problem," Yamaguchi hummed. He now oddly felt a little less strange about his thing for Tsukki. He still wasn't going to act on his feelings but it felt nice to know he wasn't the only one head over heels for their best friend.

Yamaguchi looked to Tsukishima and admired his best friend. It was hard crushing on someone you've known for so long. He felt like he was betraying his best friend in a way, but at the same time wouldn't exchange these feeling for anything.

Yamaguchi had excused himself early from the training clearing, needing to get back to camp to prepare dinner for both themselves and their Pokemon. He quietly prepared a stew for the night, having Popplio and Swirlix help him cut ingredients as he added them to a sizzling pot.

As he worked his mind often wandered back to his conversation with Kanoka and how he still needed to thank Tsukki for helping him with the suit. He felt a mix of happy fluttery warmth that was closely followed by fear. He wanted so badly to just say something to Tsukki but his feelings were far too new. He didn't want to mess it up and he definitely wasn't ready to act on his feelings.

It was too soon. Yamaguchi was the type to take it slow. He was also afraid of pushing Tsukki away. Tsukki wasn't even interested in a relationship, let alone having his best friend come out to him. Tsukki's first reaction would surely be to push him away. At least that's what Yamaguchi thought. But would Tsukki really do that? Tsukki was snarky but he wasn't shallow. Regardless, Yamaguchi was not ready to wager any bets.

It was when the stew was set to boil that Tsukki returned to the camp, tired and a bit sweaty.

"Hey, welcome back," Yamaguchi greeted, handing Tsukki a clean hand towel to wipe off the sweat.

"Thanks," Tsukishima said, taking the towel. "Will dinner be ready soon?"

"In about an hour," Yamaguchi replied. "Is Kanoka still training?"

"Yeah, she said she still wanted to practice a few things," Tsukishima flatly replied, taking a seat by the campfire. He pulled out his tablet for a bit of reading as he did so.

"Oh, good," Yamaguchi hummed, sitting down next to his best friend. Eevee curled up snugly in his lap the moment his butt hit the ground. "You worked hard today. I know you're going to win your next badge no problem," he cheered sending his friend a bright toothy smile.

Tsukishima gave an exaggerated eye roll but seemed to enjoy the compliment nonetheless.

"Tsukki is the best," Yamaguchi added, giving his best friend a light nudge in the shoulder with his own.

"Shut up, Yamaguchi," Tsukishima sighed, though his tone didn't seem to hold any malice.

"Sorry, Tsukki," Yamaguchi giggled.

A moment of content silence hung between the two. Yamaguchi felt a wave of bravery.

"Thanks, Tsukki," Yamaguchi quietly spoke, leaning ever so gently upon his friend shoulder.

"For what?" Tsukishima flatly asked, not pulling away.

"For contacting Shimada to send me the suit," Yamaguchi clarified in a very soft voice. He didn't dare look at his best friend.

A soft but flustered 'tch' left Tsukki's lips as his cheeks went a brilliant shade of pink.

Yamaguchi still leaned upon his best friend, enjoying the intimate moment. To his surprise, Tsukki didn't pull away even a bit. He didn't dare look Tsukki's way, for he knew in that moment his eyes would betray him. He felt guilty for his feelings, but being that close to Tsukki just felt like the right thing.

Hey all! Oh my! Yamaguchi finally becoming aware of his feelings and admitting them to himself. What a shock! And we all knew Tsukki had something to do with the suit. Tsukki is such shy boy despite his spikes. How long will it take our pathetic love birds to admit their feelings? Will Tsukki really win his next Gym Battle!? Will Kanoka confess to her love once at the next gym? Stay tuned to find out.

Now that I am in the midst of moving I will probably be posting one chapter every other week. I will do my best to get a chapter up every other week but my life is pretty sporadic and busy atm. I promise that despite all this I am still working at writing new chapters. I hope that once I move and settle for good I can get chapters up once a week again.

I'd like to thank everyone for the follows, bookmarks, kudos, reviews and comments. It always pushes me to write more even when I may not be posting. Just because I am a bit busy doesn't mean I don't see you guy's feedback and I love the feedback so keep it coming.

Well, time for me to get back to packing! See you all next chapter!