A.N. Post-post Games is back! Sorry I left it for so long. I originally said the next one in the series would be on Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, but I got bored of playing that. But I then I read a story called Waxing Moon by Jay_Hayden over on Ao3 (go read it it's amazing!), which inspired me to play Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. Which in turn inspired me to bring this series back from the grave. Also, the title of the story is based off of a song I really like. If you know which song it is, you have my undying respect. Anyway, enjoy.

CHAPTER 1

Departures and Reunions

Alola's Champion was in a slump. Ever since he'd been made the Champion when he was 11, Elio had grown bored. In all the years he'd been a pokémon trainer, he'd never lost a pokémon battle. Now at 16, he'd become rather recluse and distant. Physically, he'd earned a strong build, not too dissimilar to Kukui's. He had a proper beard coming along, and seemed to dress almost exclusively in tank tops and shorts. And yet he was somehow completely oblivious to all the looks he got from both men and women as he went about his day.

But emotionally, he was bored and unfulfilled. He tried a great many things to make battles more interesting for himself. He even tried bringing in a weaker team, but he still ended up wiping the floor with whoever challenged him. The only difference was that it was slightly harder, and it wasn't nearly as good since he had no connection with this team. So the wins weren't nearly as satisfying as usual. Because of all of this, he'd become very distant recently, which was a stark contrast to how he was when he became Champion. At least, that's the reason he gave his friends and mother. His best friend Hau, however, knew better.

Elio's reclusiveness was due to a completely different reason, which he flatly denied to Hau whenever he brought it up. And it had to do with a certain girl with a large, white hat. Their mutual friend Lillie left for Kanto, where Elio was from, five years earlier in order to help her mother Lusamine recover from the neurotoxins that Nihilago forced into her mind. Since then, he'd become steadily more withdrawn and quieter, which was saying something since Elio never spoke to begin with.

Elio would only ever speak with sign language or a pen and paper. He explained to Hau and Lillie that he'd always been non-verbal. To put it in his own words "The words appear in my mind, but they can never make the journey to my mouth." Because of his disadvantage, he was forced to speak with sign language or by writing. Elio's inability to speak only further proved his special bond with his pokémon. He only needed to give them a look or do one of his hand gestures and they immediately knew what he wanted from them, making his undefeated streak all the more impressive.

Hau remembered how Lillie surprised them both by learning sign language so she could make Elio feel more included. Hau noticed that Elio started acting very differently after that. And since she left, he'd been growing steadily more depressed as time went on, and the dead simple battles that he had with everyone who ever challenged him certainly didn't help. Hau also couldn't help but notice that Elio's optimism and eagerness seemed to have an effect on Lillie as well. Both of them obviously liked each other, but Elio would rather abdicate his title than admit that to his friend.

Not that that stopped Hau from trying. Ever since Lillie left, Hau would bring her up every now and then to try and force Elio to confess his feelings for her. Though his face would flush scarlet at the thought, he always flatly denied it by shaking his bright red head furiously. This annoyed Hau to no end, but he would always drop it for the time being, only to pick it up again whenever his curiosity could take it no longer.

On the night of the five year anniversary since Lillie left the region, Hau was absent-mindedly strolling along Hau'oli City, debating on how much Malasada he wanted to eat that night, when he spotted Elio staring off out to sea. He knew immediately what was on his friend's mind and walked up to him. "Thinking about Lillie huh?" he asked him. Elio may not be able to talk, but he could scream. Loudly. Hau had to massage his ears a bit as he laughed at his friend's reaction.

Once the two calmed down, Elio's cheeks began to tinge red a bit. "No I wasn't" he signed. Hau chuckled. Yes you were," he replied. "You were staring off into space, looking at the exact spot where Lillie departed five years ago. And don't think I don't see your red face!" Elio tried to pull his hat down to hide himself, but it only made him go redder. "Go on admit it," Hau teased. "You were thinking about her."

"Who was he thinking about?" came a voice to their right. This time, both boys jumped out of their skin. They whipped around to see who was speaking. "Christ mate," Hau began, "You scared the… Lillie!?" The girl in question was in fact standing in the street, staring at them and obviously trying not to laugh. Much like Elio, the years had been kind to her as well, making her taller and more beautiful than she was five years ago. She looked rather athletic as well, especially when puberty exemplified her curves. Hau noticed Elio staring in amazement and tried not to laugh. "Sorry about that," she said. "I meant to tell you I was coming but I… Oof!" Before she could finish her explanation however, Elio tackled into her with a big hug. Lillie giggled as she returned it happily.

"He really missed you," Hau told her. "He won't admit it, but you've been on his mind for a good while now." "Oh Elio, is that true?" Lillie asked him worriedly. Elio didn't remove his head from around Lillie's neck, instead just nodding. "I'm so sorry Elio," said Lillie, hugging him tighter. "Here, let me make it up to you." And before either of the two boys could say anything else, Lillie grabbed hold of Elio's head, lifted it off of her shoulder and pulled him into a kiss.

To say Elio melted would be a huge understatement. The Undefeated Champion and Saviour of Alola, went from a giddy schoolboy to an ice-cream in a matter of seconds. It was quite a funny sight to see. When the two finally pulled apart, Lillie looked a bit worried. "Was that a bit too much?" she asked, "I know you don't like getting surprised." Elio reassured her that he was fine, then signed, "I loved it. And I've been wondering for a while, that if you ever returned, if you'd want to go out with me?" Lillie froze. "Like a date?" she asked. Elio nodded. Lillie beamed at him and took his hand. "Yes," she replied happily, "I would love to." Then, with Hau trailing behind them, the three of them headed over to the Malasada place, with Elio and Lillie holding hands the whole way there.

It's good to be writing this series again. As for why I decided that Elio would be mute, I want each of my main characters to be unique. Gloria has speech that you don't hear, Rei speaks normally, and Elio can't speak at all. And before anyone says anything, I know that in the fandom, his name is Sun, but I just really like the name Elio, so I'm using it. Anyway, I'll see you at some point next week with chapter 2.