Hey all! Here is chapter 74! I can't believe how long this fic is. I sometimes just sit here and think 'what am I even doing with my life' but honestly this is a great way to save money. At least that's how I see it. Anyways, I hope you enjoy the chapter.

This chapter was beta read by my regular beta reader Killer Squids. You can find their work on AO3 here ( /users/Killer_Squids). They can also be found on tumblr under the name crow-forest. They have done a wonderful job with betaing for me so if you have time please give there page a look.

Any Artwork you may see associated with this fic (on AO3, or Tumblr) has all been created by my good friend SlothyClaws. That is their instagram also have a website ( .com). They do commissions and their commissions are open to anyone that is interested. Go and give their page a look if you are interested.

Chapter 74, I choose you!

Aquarium Madness

Yamaguchi found himself glued to the bench, still a bit shaken after what had just happened. Why had he reacted the way he had? He didn't even know this Daisho guy, yet he felt such fear just by looking at him. Yamaguchi couldn't help but feel like he'd seen those eyes and heard that voice from somewhere, but where? Was it all in his head?

"You going to be okay?" Tsukishima quietly asked, giving Yamaguchi's shoulder a soft nudge.

Yamaguchi gave a quiet nod, still a bit too scared to use his voice in fear he'd stutter. He felt low key embarrassed for how shaken he was. He was the only one so spooked over Daisho. He must have looked crazy to the others.

Before any more could be said Sugawara and Akaashi approached the group. Almost immediately Sugawara sensed something was off. His eye's shot from the shaken Yamaguchi to the confused Bokuto and Kuroo.

"Who upset him?" Sugawara accused, looking at the two older trainers.

"I kept telling you to calm down, Bokuto," Akaashi sighed.

"It wasn't me!" Bokuto replied, sounding quite insulted.

"I-I'm fine!" Yamaguchi cut in, not wanting to cause any more trouble. "Just had a bit of déjà vu or something," he insisted, doing his best to collect himself.

No one looked convinced, especially Tsukki, but Yamaguchi wasn't about to let anything ruin the rest of their final day together. This was the last time they'd be together for who knows how long and he wasn't going to let some stranger ruin that.

"Hey, do we still have time to catch the Gyarados feeding?" Yamaguchi asked, finally feeling like he gained a little control over his emotions. "Didn't you want to see that, Bokuto?"

Everyone looked a bit shocked by the question and unsure if ignoring Yamaguchi's reaction was the right thing to do.

"Y-Yeah, I did want to catch that," Bokuto replied after a moment of silence.

"Then we should hurry before it's too late," Yamaguchi said standing from the bench. "I want to see it, too!" Yamaguchi smiled as if to say he was fine and ready to move on.

Everyone exchanged one last glance at each other.

"Well, It's on the other side of the aquarium so let's go," Sugawara smiled, deciding that perhaps a distraction was what Yamaguchi needed.

"If we get their early we can get front row seats," Kuroo pointed out with a sly smile.

"I refuse to sit close to the tank," Tsukishima vetoed. "I don't want to get wet."

"Ah, come on, that's not going to happen," Bokuto brushed off.

"Besides, it doesn't matter where you sit in the crowd," Kuroo shrugged. "When those Gyarados get excited there is no safe zone from the wet."

"Wonderful," Tsukisihma deadpanned.

"Don't worry Tsukki, if a wave comes I'll shield you from the water," Yamaguchi giggled, acting out what he'd do.

"My hero," Tsukishima deadpanned once more.

Laughter passed between the group as they made their way to the Gyarados tank. Daisho lingered in the back of Yamaguchi's mind as they walked but with each step his worries pushed further and further into the back of his mind. This day was not going to be ruined any more than it had been.

The Gyarados feeding was amazing. Yamaguchi couldn't help but feel like he'd never be able to raise a Pokemon as intense as a Gyarados. Despite doing their best to stay dry, they did end up getting a little wet. Tsukishima was less than impressed and Yamaguchi had to admit walking around the aquarium in wet clothes was less than enjoyable. By the time they made it to the next exhibit he was visibly shivering.

"Take my jacket," Tsukishima demanded, shoving it over Yamaguchi's shaking shoulders.

"But you're wet too, Tsukki," Yamaguchi replied, trying to hand the jacket back to Tsukki.

"I'm not as wet as you are," Tsukishima argues, refusing to take his jacket back.

It was true, Tsukki did get away with the least amount of water on his clothes. While Bokuto had been drenched from head to toe, Yamaguchi had come out the second most wet. He was often unlucky like that.

"Just put it on before you catch a cold," Tsukishima grumbled, wrapping the jacket back around Yamaguchi's shoulders.

Yamaguchi couldn't help but smile at how sweet Tsukki was to him. "Thanks, Tsukki. But if you get cold you have to say something."

"Yeah, yeah," Tsukishima replied, satisfied to see the shaking in Yamaguchi's shoulders subside.

"Do you have a jacket for me too, Tsukki?" Kuroo asked in an overly whiny voice. "I'm also cold."

"Get your own jacket," Tsukishima sharply replied.

"Tsukki is always so mean to me even after all my help," Kuroo sighed dramatically.

Tsukishima pouted, knowing Kuroo just wanted a reaction out of him. This only caused Kuroo to snicker.

The group made their way to a darker exhibit that displayed the bioluminescence of some Pokemon. The whole exhibit was almost magical, with how dark the room was and how the Pokemon would just glow. Tsukki had been dragged to a rather large tank by Kuroo and Bokuto, leaving Yamaguchi alone to enjoy a tank full of Chinchou.

The small Chinchou swam around the tank, the orbs at the end of their antenna glowing as they aimlessly floated around. Yamaguchi was so entranced by the sight that he didn't take notice when someone joined him at the tank.

"You feeling better, Yamaguchi?"

Yamaguchi released a small 'eep' sound as he gave a little jump. It only took him a moment to realize it was just Sugawara. "Don't sneak up on me like that. You scared me," Yamaguchi gasped, his hand to his heart.

"Haha, sorry. I guess you're still feeling jumpy," Sugawara chuckled, though he was sorry for having spooked Yamaguchi.

"I'm fine now," Yamaguchi insisted with a small pout, turning back to the tank of Chinchou.

"Right," Sugawara said, not looking completely convinced but he hadn't come here to argue the topic with Yamaguchi. "I'm really proud of you, you know."

"W-what- for what?" Yamaguchi stammered, surprised by the statement.

"You have grown a lot as a showcase contestant in the past week and a half," Sugawara pointed out. "You should be proud, too. I know I am."

Yamaguchi's cheeks went pink. Getting such a compliment from someone as accomplished as Sugawara was just too much for his heart. "I… Th-thank you," was all he could get out.

"I'm so sad we're parting tomorrow," Sugawara sighed, a bit of longing settled in his eyes. "I'm going to miss having you around, Yamaguchi. Never a dull moment for you. It's kind of exciting."

Yamaguchi shot Sugawara a suspicious look. Was he referring to his run-in with the evil team? Maybe something like that would be seen as fun for a strong trainer like Sugawara.

"Thank you for all the help, Sugawara," Yamaguchi replied with a genuine smile. "I couldn't have won like I have without your mentorship and support."

"It was my pleasure, Yamaguchi," Sugawara nodded, smiling with joy. "I really do enjoy watching people grow. I know you're going to make it to Master Class in no time."

"I still have three keys to go, but I don't plan on giving up!" Yamaguchi declared, determination glowing in his eyes. He was ready to go to the top.

"I'll be waiting for you there," Sugawara smiled.

A warm moment of silence hung between the two. For the first time Yamaguchi wondered if he could go up against someone as strong and experienced as Sugawara. He really couldn't wait until that day. He'd be sure to show Sugawara all that he had to offer.

"I had one more thing I wanted to talk with you about, Yamaguchi," Sugawara sighed, he looked a bit more serious.

"Yeah, what is it?" Yamaguchi asked. He wondered if it had something to do with his run ins with the evil team.

"It's that other Pokemon of yours," Sugawara said, looking dead serious as he spoke to Yamaguchi. "The one you only ever let out to feed."

"Oh…" Yamaguchi replied, all of a sudden feeling cold again despite wearing Tsukki's jacket. "My Jangmo-o..."

"It doesn't listen to you, does it?" Sugawara guessed correctly, looking a bit more understanding.

Yamaguchi lowered his head as he gave a quiet nod. He suddenly couldn't bring himself to look Sugawara in the eyes.

Sugawara released a gentle hum followed by a moment of silence. "It's not uncommon for stronger Pokemon to disobey trainers, but if you keep them in their ball they won't ever learn to trust you."

Yamaguchi felt horrible. Every time he thought of Jangmo-o he felt this way. He knew keeping her in that ball wasn't the right thing to do.

"I wanted to leave her back in Alola. She likes being with my Mom and Grandma but she's never liked being with me," Yamaguchi explained, doing all he could to keep his voice steady. "But my grandma said I caught her so she was mine. I'm the one who has to train her."

Sugawara smiled softly as he lifted Yamaguchi's chin a bit so their eyes could meet. "Your grandma probably knows that Jangmo-o is waiting for you to step up and prove to her that you're worthy."

Yamaguchi felt like he was going to cry. He felt bad for how he'd been treating her this whole time. She must be so lonely.

"Take her out, spend time with her, train with her and I know your Jangmo-o will see just how wonderful of a trainer you really are," Sugawara softly said, releasing Yamaguchi's chin as he did so. "You have the biggest heart of any trainer I've ever met."

"I-I'll do my best," Yamaguchi sniffed, his emotions getting the best of him.

"It's your homework, Yamaguchi," Sugawara said with a cheeky wink. "Next time I see you that Jangmo-o better be the best of friends with you. Even better than your bond with Eevee."

Eevee gave a very undignified squeak from Yamaguchi's arms. No one would ever love Yamaguchi as much as she did.

"I know you can do it!" Sugawara declared.

"I won't let you down and I won't let Jangmo-o down," Yamaguchi replied, fighting back his tears and putting on a serious face.

"That's what I like to hear," Sugawara praised with a large smile. "Definitely my top protégé."

Yamaguchi's cheeks went pink once more. He really wasn't worthy of the support he had but he was damn grateful for it. He wasn't the sniveling trainer he used to be. He wasn't going to run away from the things that scared him anymore. He promised then and there he'd make up to Jangmo-o what he'd done to her. He just hoped she could forgive him.

"Hey, what's going on over here!?" Kuroo barked, pushing in between Yamaguchi and Sugawara "Are you two having a bonding session without me?!" he gasped, sounding insulted.

"Sorry, Kuroo. Bonding session is over," Sugawara teased, causing Yamaguchi to stifle a giggle.

"Hey, I haven't had time to bond with Yamaguchi yet," Kuroo whined, grabbing Yamaguchi around the shoulder. "You and Tsukki keep hogging him."

"We still have time if you want to bond," Yamaguchi laughed, giving a small shrug.

"Hey, hands off my boyfriend," Tsukishima snapped, grabbing Yamaguchi from Kuroo's grasp.

"Just because you're dating doesn't mean he belongs to you," Kuroo teased, sticking his tongue out at Tsukishima.

"I never said he belonged to me," Tsukishima snapped. "I just don't need you or that bozo over there harassing him."

"Kuroo wasn't harassing me," Yamaguchi insisted, releasing a light giggle as he did so.

Tsukishima shot Kuroo an untrusting look but dropped it upon Yamaguchi's insistence. Yamaguchi couldn't help but smile. He was excited for it to be just him and Tsukki again but he had to admit that he'd miss having the others around. There was always something exciting when it came to Kuroo and Bokuto.

The group of six wandered the aquarium a bit longer and before long the music indicating the aquariums closer sounded. The announcement was disappointing. Yamaguchi was really starting to enjoy himself. From the looks of it, the others also seemed reluctant for the fun to end.

"How about we order some take out and eat at the beach like last night," Sugawara suggested upon seeing everyone's reluctance to leave. "That way you two can still be loud without worrying about bothering anyone," he added with a cheeky wink, looking to Kuroo and Bokuto

"Hey, we aren't that loud," Bokuto whined.

"Yes you are," Tsukishima flatly replied, causing Yamaguchi to snicker.

"Bokuto, my dude," Kuroo sighed, looping his arm around his shoulder. "You know I love you, but you got a big mouth."

"It's not that much bigger than yours!?" Bokuto grumbled, not making any effort to pull away from Kuroo.

"You both have big mouths," Tsukisima sighed.

"I have an idea!" Bokuto practically shouted, causing several people in the vicinity to jump. "We'll have a big mouth contest. Whoever can stuff the most marshmallows in their mouth is the winner."

"I know I can shove more in my mouth then you," Kuroo replied with a sly smile.

"I thought the point was to not have a big mouth," Tsukishima grumbled. He couldn't believe these two.

"I'm going to prove I have the biggest mouth of anyone here!" Bokuto declared. "So everyone has to compete."

"Well, I don't know about that…" Sugawara tried to decline.

"I won't take no for an answer," Bokuto barked.

"You tell 'em!" Kuroo cheered. This seemed to fire up Bokuto more.

"Maybe we should just go back to the hotel," Tsukishima sighed, not wanting to be a part of this.

"But I thought you liked sweets, Tsukki!" Kuroo accused, his tone purposefully annoying.

"Unless the only sweets you eat are Yamaguchi's sweets," Sugawara laughed, unable to help himself on getting in on the fun.

Yamaguchi's cheeks went pink as Tsukishima released a short huff. Tsukki didn't deny it.

"Ohya? I think you hit the nail on the head, Suga," Kuroo chuckled, unable to hide his annoying grin.

"I bet that makes you feel super special, huh, Yamaguchi?" Sugawara winked.

"Wh-What, I, Ah," Yamaguchi stammered under the pressure. "T-Tsukki like all sweets. N-Not j-just mine," he squeaked. "R-Right Tsukki!?"

Without replying, Tsukishima averted his gaze. With the glare on his glasses, it was impossible to see his eyes but his red cheeks gave him away.

"Didn't know Tsukki could be so shy," Bokuto laughed, getting bravely close to Tsukki.

"S-Stop picking on T-Tsukki," Yamaguchi defended with red cheeks of his own. The moment the words left his mouth he realized how silly he must have looked.

Tsukishima looked like he was about to explode from embarrassment. Sugawara couldn't hide his smile, but looked to Yamaguchi with a bit of pity in his eyes. Kuroo and Bokuto failed to hold back their snickers. Even Akaashi cracked a bit of a smile. Yamaguchi wished the earth would just swallow him right there.

It was only when the group got a stern look from an aquarium employee that anyone said anything.

"Maybe we should head out before we overstay our welcome," Sugawara laughed, sending the worker an apologetic bow. As the group exited the aquarium it looked like they were the last to leave.

The sun was just beginning its descent, meaning they still had a few hours of daylight before it sets completely. They picked up some to go food from a small market and headed to the beach. Despite Tsukishima's disapproval, Kuroo and Bokuto made sure to buy a few large bags of marshmallows as well. They didn't have plans to stay out too late but they all still wanted to spend just a bit more time together.

Dinner was pleasant and Yamaguchi spent a fair amount of time after eating building a large sandcastle with Kuroo, Bokuto and Sugawara. The laughter and fun he felt beside his friends helped bury the insanity of the day. Tsukishima and Akaashi watched contentedly from their picnic blanket, both refusing to join in on the sandy fun, arguing that they needed judges to score their sand art.

It was when the sun fully set that the group headed back to their hotel rooms. They made plans to meet once more in the morning to eat breakfast together before parting ways. Yamaguchi was sad to part with them. He was going to miss how lively things were with so many other people around. It was wonderful to be back by Tsukki's side, but that didn't mean he'd miss his new friends.

Yamaguchi was the first to shower. It didn't take him much time and he was a bit excited to cuddle with Tsukki now that they were alone. He made sure to wash off properly but didn't doddle.

It seemed like Tsukki may have been on the same track mind for it only felt like Yamaguchi had to wait a few minutes alone in bed before Tsukki emerged from the restroom. Yamaguchi couldn't help but send Tsukki a sweet smile as the taller trainer strode out of the bathroom. He wanted to invite Tsukki to cuddle with him but couldn't find the words. Saying it out loud was just too embarrassing.

"We should make sure we are packed up tonight because I know you're going to want to sleep in tomorrow," Tsukishima mumbled as he rummaged through his backpack.

"I-I'm mostly packed," Yamaguchi replied. It was true, he only had a few things left to throw into his back tomorrow morning.

"We don't want to be late tomorrow morning for checkout or we'll get charged extra," Tsukishima carried on, seemingly unaware of how badly Yamaguchi wanted to snuggle.

"I promise to get up in time," Yamaguchi pouted, following Tsukki with his eyes. Did Tsukki always run around like this before bed or was he just teasing him?

It was Tsukki's chuckle that caught Yamagucih's attention. "Like what you see?" he asked with one of his antagonistic smirk.

Yamaguchi felt his cheeks go bright red. He flopped down in his bed and pulled the covers over his head. "I'm going to bed!" he declared, his voice muffled by the blanket.

Yamaguchi heard a soft chuckle escape Tsukki's lips. The lights in the room went off and he heard the sound of Tsukki walking to his bed.

"I guess you don't want to sleep together tonight?" Tsukki asked from beside Yamaguchi. Yamaguchi could hear the taunting in his voice. "I guess I'll just take this bed over here."

Yamaguchi felt a bit of panic as he threw his covers off. In the dark he reached out to where he expected Tsukki to be and grabbed a handful of his nightshirt. "Wait!" He called out, only to realize Tsukki wasn't actually going to the other bed.

"What is it, Yamaguchi? Change your mind?" Tsukishima hummed. Yamaguchi couldn't see his smile in the dark but he knew it was there.

"Stop teasing me and get in bed," Yamaguchi demanded, giving Tsukki's shirt a tug.

"When did you become so demanding?" Tsukishima replied as he slipped under the covers beside Yamaguchi.

"When did you become so flirty?" Yamaguchi shot back, wishing he could see the expression on Tsukki's face.

Yamaguchi heard Tsukki's release another chuckle and felt a hand cup his cheek. "I guess I don't mind a demanding Yamaguchi," he whispered before pressing their lips together.

Yamaguchi was caught off guard for only a moment and in a matter of seconds he melted into the gentle kiss. He thanked Arceus that he and Tsukki could freely kiss like this now. When the two parted, Yamaguchi snuggled close to Tsukki, nestling his head under his chin. Eevee made herself comfortable right above their heads. Everything felt as if it was in place.

"Today was just so crazy," Yamaguchi sighed. The tension he felt from the day melted away as Tsukki's strong arms wound around him.

"If this is all too much for you, we can always go back to Alola," Tsukishima teased, holding Yamaguchi tighter as he said this.

"No way!" Yamaguchi replied, his voice muffled against Tsukki's collarbone. "I'm not ready to give up."

Yamaguchi felt a gravelly laugh rumble in Tsukki's throat. "I didn't expect you to agree."

A moment of calm quiet hung in the room as the two enjoyed holding one another. They really did feel like matching puzzle pieces. Being like this felt absolutely right.

"I'm excited to see you battle Korrina," Yamaguchi sighed in bliss. He really was so excited to see how Tsukki had grown at his camp. He had barely seen him battle up until this point.

"I'm not going to lose this time," Tsukishima grumbled, though he sounded just as relaxed as Yamaguchi felt.

"If you show me the best battle ever then maybe I'll reward you," Yamagucih coaxed, though he didn't currently have a reward in mind at the moment.

"A reward?" Tsukishima hummed, sneaking a hand under Yamaguchi's shirt. His cold hands caressed Yamaguchi's warm soft back.

"T-T-Tsukki," Yamaguchi squeaked in surprise. In his shock, he wound himself tighter around Tsukki. "Your hand is cold!"

Tsukishima only hummed in reply, not making any move to remove his hand from out of Yamaguchi's shirt. "With how warm you are I'm sure it will warm up soon."

"Hey, I'm not a hot water bottle," Yamaguchi pouted, pushing away from Tsukki a bit to prove his point.

"Do you really want me to freeze tonight? How rude," Tsukishima asked, pulling Yamaguchi back towards him. He always got enjoyment out of teasing others but he always made sure to be soft when it came to teasing Yamaguchi.

Yamaguchi didn't resist. It didn't even occur to him that Tsukki could be just as needy as he was. He should have known. Perhaps Tsukki was acting so clingy due to the lights being off and no one able to see his face. It was a side of Tsukki that Yamaguchi never really got to see and he felt quite special to see it.

"Well, just warn me next time when your hands are cold," Yamagucih replied back, collapsing back against Tsukki.

"If I remember," Tsukishima hummed, his hand's reclaiming their place under Yamaguchi's shirt.

"You better remember," Yamaguchi pouted.

The two couldn't hold it in. They both erupted into soft chuckles at how silly they were being. If anyone found out about this they'd both die of embarrassment. The two held each other close, both so blissfully happy.

"I love you, Tsukki," Yamaguchi hummed as he relaxed in Tsukki's hold.

"Love you, too," Tsukishima replied, his voice soft and perhaps a bit shy.

The day's event overtook the two as their bodies relaxed. It wasn't long before Yamaguchi had fallen into a deep sleep. Tsukishima gently ran his hand up and down Yamgauchi's back as he too drifted off to sleep. It had been a crazy day for both trainers, but when they held each other close it felt like they could take on anything.

Author Notes:

'Where am I? What's going on? That voice! I thought I'd heard it somewhere before!? Don't worry! I'll save you!' See you all in next week's chapter 'Parting Ways'.

I decided I'd try my hand at a little hint for the next chapter just like you might get at the end of a Pokemon episode. What do you think? I'll probably come back to read this again in a few months and feel like an idiot lol.

As always, thank you all so much for the kudos, bookmarks, follows, comments and reviews. I love hearing from my readers so please do leave a comment down below.

Also, let me know if you play any pokemon games. I've been playing Pokemon Masters on my smartphone and I wish I could battle alongside our Haikyu! Boys lol. I also downloaded the demo for Pokemon Mystery dungeon and named the two pokemon after Yama and Tsukki. I hope to get the game in full 3 I can't get enough of these two franchises. Pokemon Trainer Yama and Tsukki are just the best 3

Anyways, see you all next chapter.