My Sundown
A Takouji fic
Chapter One -- I see it around me
AN: 'Ello minna! Just a few notes about this fic before you read. Firstly, this takes place sometime in the future AFTER everything in the Digital World is over. Therefore, I took the liberty of making the characters (namely Kouji and Takuya) more angsty, more mature, and probably very OOC. Why? Because they're seventeen, and have had stuff happen to them since the Digital World.
Also, please know that I haven't seen the ending of Digimon Frontier, so if something's off or doesn't make sense, I apologize. I'm trying to work with what limited knowledge I have, so bear in mind this won't be perfect. And finally -- THIS IS GUYxGUY smut/fluff!! Don't like it? You might want to leave. ^_^;
Disclaimer: Everything related to Digimon is copyrighted to it's respective owners. I, sadly, own nothing (except the plot) but I'd be willing to share Kouichi if you big corporate guys are want to. =D

As it was, being normal seemed vastly overrated to Kouji. Maybe it was because he wasn't normal, or maybe it was because he couldn't stand what being a 'normal' teenager really meant, but whatever the reason Kouji just wasn't normal. And he rather liked it that way.
Not to say, that is, that he didn't like having fun or fighting with the occasional authority figure. Oh no, he was quite fond of those things, but he didn't go out of his way to put himself in that line of fire, so to speak. Not like his ex-best friend, who seemed to wallow in the activities of being normal. That is why, at least that's what Kouji believed, they drifted apart and ceased to communicate. Takuya was the definition of a normal teen, and it bothered him. What with being captain of the soccer team and dating the most popular girl in school, he couldn't get any more normal.
It bothered the blue haired boy more than he cared to admit.
Surely he could see how blind he was being by following everyone else around? And the sad thing was that Takuya seemed to be truly happy being who he was. He was HAPPY being normal, and Kouji hated it. He himself was a terrible loner; with only his twin brother and his brother's boyfriend to keep him company on most nights, and would rather spend his time updating his website than out among the masses socializing.
Kouichi was incredibly worried about his twin, and was rapidly becoming overly protective, so currently Kouji had started to avoid him too. It just wasn't fair, he mused, that fate seemed to be determined to make him so miserable.
He was out and about late that night, wondering around Tokyo aimlessly, his mind on some far away point. In his mind, he could see Takuya and himself at the age of eleven. They were fighting about something, most likely a stupid something, and Takuya was waving his arms about frantically in his anger. A smile actually graced Kouji's face.
Ah…the goggled boy was always angry with him for something.
He would scrunch up his face in an adorable look of annoyance when mad and yell. He missed that look.
The blue-black haired boy sighed dramatically.
Gods he hated his life.

It wasn't like he'd MEANT to ignore Kouji.
Truly, he hadn't, but growing up with such different views on the world made it hard for the ex-goggled one to sympathize with Kouji's pessimism.
He tried to keep a positive out look on everything, and being around Kouji's lack of enthusiasm had made it difficult. All Takuya wanted was a normal life; a life with simple questions and easy answers. Nothing complicated.
And that's what he'd gotten, a boring, repetitive, EASY life. What he wouldn't give to be back in the Digital World with Junpei, Tomoki, Izumi, Kouichi, and…Kouji. To be back with all of them in his TRUE element, leading everyone around like he knew what he was doing.
At school, nothing surprised him. He knew what was going to happen in every class, after school, and when he got home. Life was boring, but he'd put on a happy face and take it in stride. It was what he really wanted, right?
His girlfriend, whom showed him off like a piece of meat, was more like a sister or a close friend than a significant other. But being who he was it was expected that they get together, and who was he to quarrel with what was expected of him?
Takuya let out a depressed sigh, alerting the attention of one of the people he was walking down the street with. He waved off their worried comment.
It didn't matter what was wrong.
Gods…he hated his life.

Kouji clutched at his forehead, a throbbing, intense type of agony pulsing through his temples. He felt bile rise in his throat, and he stumbled against a nearby wall and hunched over, dry heaving. In his mind, images of Wolfmon flashed violently, and he desperately tried to make sense of it. Someone was shaking him by the shoulders, and he pulled his jumbled head together enough to look into a worried pair of teal eyes.
Stranger!, his mind screamed, and he knocked them away to stumble forward. His vision swirled and he felt like he was going to pass out.
"What…what the hell is wrong with me?" he gasped, wrapping his arms around his slim body. He turned his head to the side and became violently sick, leaving him feeling drained and completely weak. He slumped forward.
"Kouji-kun!"
Someone had caught him. He looked up into the most beautiful pair of brown eyes he'd ever seen.
"Ta…kuya?"

"Aww come on Takuya-san, there's gotta be SOMETHING wrong. You've been sighing all night."
"It's nothing Tsuzuki-kun, I'm just tired." Takuya said, forcing his mouth to form a reassuring smile. His younger teammate gave him a disbelieving glare, but shrugged it off. His sempai had always been somewhat closed off and mysterious.
"How are things with Arashi-chan?" Tsuzuki prompted, trying to lure the quite seventeen-year-old into conversation. He scowled when he received a vague shrug.
"How're your grades then?"
"The same."
"Waii! Takuya-sempai, you're really smart then, huh?" Tsuzuki exclaimed. Takuya winced. He didn't mind that the younger boy hero-worshipped him, but he hated it when he screeched like that.
"I suppose."
The two went back to walking in silence. Tsuzuki went bouncing along ahead of his team leader, and into a sweet shop. Takuya choose to stay outside, leaning against the store's wide glass front window to stare distractedly across the street. A boy caught his attention.
He was very feminine looking, with long dark hair that was left down to fall about his shoulders in an elegant wave of splendor. His shirt, which was sleeveless, stopped half way down his torso and left a wide patch of perfect, pale skin free for any wondering eye. His pants, which Takuya suspected where leather, clung to his thighs like a second skin and left little to the imagination. Large black, clunky boot adorned his feet, giving him a good three inches to his already tall frame. Takuya felt instantly sorry for him, seeing as he was alone and obviously lonely.
Lonely…like he was…like Kouji seemed to be every day at school. He clinched his eyes shut as he thought of Kouji again. Why was he suddenly thinking of his ex-best friend so much tonight?
He'd first started to think of him in second period that morning, where the boy sat three seats in front of him, when he'd gotten before the class to give a rushed, mumbled, but none the less interesting presentation. He'd looked out of place in front of everyone, but he'd heard an excited giggle and an embarrassed laugh from behind in appreciation for Kouji's outfit.
Takuya had been surprised that the boy had gotten to stay in class. He'd worn the required uniform jacket, but the pants were tight and vinyl, showing off his well-shaped ass (so Takuya had heard say). His shirt had stopped about at the same place as the boy across the street's shirt, but it had been blue.
Takuya squinted in the darkness. Matter of a fact, the shirt was been pretty damn similar.
He grumbled to himself when he finally noticed that the boy was actually the person of his musings. It was Kouji and…he looked so lost. So lonely.
Takuya's heart hurt at seeing the once strong, proud boy looking so openly venerable. Without another thought he made his way across the street, ignoring the protesting shouts from passing motorists. He didn't care…he just knew, that deep in his heart, he had to talk to Kouji. He had to make the other understand that he hadn't stopped communicating because he didn't care, but because their views on the world had been constricting. Maybe, if he could just talk to the black-blue haired beauty, he could get over his current obsession. As he caught up with the other boy, he saw him stumble against a nearby wall, his shoulders working as if he were puking his guts out. Takuya raced toward him.
Kouji had gotten to his feet by the time he'd reached him, but stumbled lamely. The brown haired boy zipped in front of him and caught him deafly, worry making him a touch frantic.
"Kouji-kun!" he cried, desperately trying to assure himself the other was alright.
"Ta…kuya?" Kouji crocked, sounding weak and incredibly out of it.
"Hai…oh, oh…hold on Kouji-kun. I'm gonna take you home ok? You'll be ok…you'll be ok…"
Takuya slung other boy's left arm around his shoulder's and slipped his arms around his waist, practically having to drag the boy down the sidewalk because of the difference in height.
"You'll be ok," Takuya continued to promise, trying to reassure himself as much as he was trying to reassure Kouji.

First thing Kouji noticed when he woke up was that his head didn't hurt anymore. The world seemed to be standing still again, and he thanked whatever deity was listening that it was so. The comforting sent of sandalwood and freshly burnt candles assaulted his nose, and he buried his head deep into the soft pillow of which it was cushioned on. He felt so comfortable…he never wanted to wake up.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN KOUJI PASSED OUT LAST NIGHT?!"
Kouji winced when he heard Kouichi's loud, demanding voice. Did his twin have no respect for the sick?
"Love, calm down."
He smiled at the reassuring voice of Junpei, his brother's lover. He snuggled deeper into the pillow, trying to hide his smile. Junpei was the constant source of Kouichi's calm lately.
"He was sick, and I saw him while I walking down the street. I was just trying to help."
The new voice made him feel warm on the inside. He wasn't sure who it was, but the soft but deep tenor sounded a slight nervous and a slight defensive. It was cute.
He smiled widely this time.
"You just saw him? You sure YOU didn't do it?"
"Kouichi!" Junpei reprimanded.
"No! I don't care."
"Look, what exactly is your problem Kouichi-kun? I thought you'd be happy that he was somewhere safe last night." The unrecognized voice asked. He heard a rustle of fabric and guessed the person had crossed their arms.
"YOU! You left Kouji ALONE Takuya-kun. It's your fault he's so lonely and depressed! Isn't it a bit convenient that you just come riding up on a white stallion and save the day?"
Takuya? Takuya had helped him…?
He vaguely remembered a voice…warm, comforting hands helping him up…but…then it was blank.
"I'm sorry about that…I really am. Don't you think I've been lonely without him, too?"
"Pft, fat chance."
"Look here-"
"STOP!" Junpei commanded over the impending argument, "You both are acting childish. Stop fighting. You're going to wake Kouji up and his SICK."
"Gomen nasai." Kouichi and Takuya drawled.
"Don't apologize to me. Just do it. Now then, Kouichi-koi, shall we go?"
"GO?!"

"Sure, Kouji seems like he's in safe hands, and we've still got things to do today."
"Yes, but-"
"See you around Takuya!" Junpei called over his shoulder as he dragged a protesting Kouichi out of the room.
Kouji opened his eyes then, the view of Takuya standing with his back him, rubbing the back of his head bemusedly being the first thing he saw. He gave a dignified cough.
Takuya turned around.
"I'm sorry Kouji-kun, did we wake you?" the brown haired boy asked, kneeling down beside his ex-best friend to feel his forehead for fever.
Kouji shook his head no. "Yes."
Takuya smirked.
"Well, you seem to be feeling better. I could go catch Kouichi and Junpei and tell them to wait if you want."
"No thanks." Kouji said, sitting up. He cringed when the after taste of the night's previous events finally caught up with him.
"Do you have an extra toothbrush?"
"No…but I've got some strong mint gum. Want some?"
"Onegai."
Takuya went over to his desk and shuffled through the draws for a bit, before coming back to hand the boy a few sticks of gum. Kouji shoved them gratefully into his mouth.
"Arigretou."
"No problem."
They sat in silence for a bit, not completely sure what to say. Takuya felt the desperate need to apologize to Kouji for his sudden retreat, but knew deep down he wouldn't care.
Kouji was the type, or so it seemed to Takuya, that couldn't be persuaded with words. If he was truly sorry, he'd have to make it up to him in action, which was easier said than done.
"So…"
"So…?"
"Hungry?"
"A little."

"Yo, mom. I'm going out with Kouji for a bit to get lunch ok?" Takuya called, pulling on his shoes. Kouji followed suit.
"Alright! Take your cell phone and be back before you father gets home!"
"Sure…" Takuya tossed over his shoulder as he shut the door. His mother had become a little over bearing lately, and he just wasn't up to dealing with her. Especially in front of Kouji.
"Where do you want to go?" he offered, checking his wallet to see how much cash he had on him.
Kouji gave a shrug.
"Wherever. How about the burger place?"
"Naw…too many people. What about…"
"The park?" Takuya said with a smirk. Kouji smiled with him.
As was their custom from years ago, the two went and bought lunch, then went to sit under a large tree in the middle of the main park in downtown. They ate in silence, not knowing what to say, but at the same time not caring. It was calming to be in the other's presence for the time being.
The calm was broken as Takuya's cell phone went off. He sighed in annoyance.
"Hello?"
"WHERE IS MY BROTHER?!!?"
Takuya pulled the phone away from his ear, winced, and handed it to Kouji. The black-blue haired boy took it and placed it to his own ear, a scowl darkening his flawless features.
"What do you want Kouichi?"
"Where are you?! What are you doing running around with that…that…HIM! You're sick! You should be home in bed resting. I called his house and his mom said you weren't there and -"
"I was hungry. We went out to eat."
"HUNGRY?! You were-" there was a brief sound of a struggle, before Junpei got on the phone.
"You're fine? That's good. Kouichi was just checking up on you. Be home around eight if you could, ok? I think I can only keep him entertained that long."
"Aa." Kouji agreed, before he hung up. Handing the phone back to a confused Takuya, he gathered his food containers and went to throw them away.


"Where's your dad?" Takuya asked, his hand behind his head as he walked Kouji home that night. They'd spent the day just lying around in his room watching anime or reading manga. Kouji thoroughly enjoyed Takuya's battered copies of Naruto, and had them in a bag that was hanging loosely from his right hand.
"Well…after we came back, Kouichi and I refused to be split up again. So Kouichi's mom and my dad agreed to rent a small apartment we could share, as long as we keep out grades up."
"Hey that's cool."
Kouji nodded. It was rather cool, and at the time it'd allowed him to stay with the only friends he'd ever been able to make. That was…until everything changed. He looked down and shuffled along beside Takuya, feeling lonely and depressed again.
When they arrived at Kouji's apartment, Takuya gave him a weak smile, and fidgeted from foot to foot. Kouji recognized the action, and paused before he went inside. Takuya only did that when he wanted to ask something, or he had to pee.
He was guess he wanted to ask something.
Takuya caught his look, and flushed.
"I was just wondering…if I could see you again? Like soon? Maybe Tuesday after school?"
Takuya looked so damn hopeful that Kouji smiled and nodded. The brown haired boy smiled winningly, relieved.
"Sugoi!" He exclaimed, coming at Kouji to give him an unexpected hug. Kouji, who wasn't used to human contact, shifted to avoid the glomp, but blushed heavily when the shift caused their lips to bump together instead of their bodies.
Takuya went red and placed a single hand to his lips, before he seemed to snap out of it. He gave Kouji another smile.
"See ya around tomodachi." He said, then waved as he ran off.
Kouji stared after him, a finger tracing over his lips, a smile gracing his face.

O.o; That did not end like I wanted it to. But it's late and I've got school, so off I go! Please review!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!
.;
Ja!
- Ember
ps - There is a reason Kouji went all freak-o and had visions of Wolfmon. I'll get to that next chapter. =D