Problem

Davis' Problem

Davis had a problem. One that wouldn't go away easily. It wasn't just a blemish, or even, dare he say it, a lame leg from his soccer game. No. This was worse. Far worse. This was beyond his control. And there was very little that Davis was willing to admit was beyond his control.

His problem was blonde, and human, and therefore not able to be killed, or disposed of easily. His classmate, team mate and friendly-ish rival was a pain, and annoyed him to no end. It had been bad enough when Tk had started at the same school, so they'd be competing for grades, but he'd actually had the nerve to know Kari, and be good friends on top of that! Tk had stolen his girl!

As though that weren't enough, he'd also travelled to the digital world before. He knew all about the creatures there, and had used that knowledge to his advantage, to seduce Kari all the more. He'd shown off all the things he knew, illuminating just how little Davis knew about the place.

And he was tall! Taller than himself anyway. That was annoying. The way he would look down on Davis, poking fun and grinning. Truth be told, Davis wanted to snatch his white hat from his head and stomp on it, just to see the blonde stoop to pick it up, to be reduced to a lower level.

On top of that he had an awesome older brother who was so cool! Matt was friendly and looked after his brother. Why couldn't he trade Matt in for Jun? He and Tk would simply swap older siblings and Tk would have to deal with a whiney sister! Ha! That would put him in his place.

But the main problem was none of the above, although stealing Kari was fairly cruel. The problem was that he'd stolen his best friend. At first he hadn't noticed much. Tk had been eager to accept Ken into their group once they'd bumped into each other in digiworld, with Ken helping to restore the damage he'd caused. That was alright, he supposed. Ken needed the hands offered to him, to show he was wanted. Not having friends sent deep aches into your stomach, and was rather painful. Nobody deserves that feeling of loneliness. It's too depressing.

However, as time went on, Ken had drifted towards the blonde more and more, and Davis had noticed too late to stop it. Now, Ken spent more time with Tk than with anyone else, and it just wasn't fair! Ken was supposed to be his best friend, and instead he spent time with Davis' rival. It cut Davis deep inside, deeper than Ken would ever know. There were some feelings Davis wouldn't wear on his sleeve.

It wasn't fair! Before, Ken had stood by his side and cheered for him, providing a comforting strength. His rival had endured the consequences of arguing with him. Now though, Ken stood silently and observed any confrontation with mild anxiety. He was hesitant to offer his opinion on either side. It wasn't like he needed Ken to argue for him, but it had been nice to have another voice alongside his own.

Ken was usually busy these days, and had precious little time to meet up, often because he had arranged plans with Tk. Or he couldn't talk long on the phone because Tk was already with him. Davis didn't have any time alone with Ken anymore, and it irked him.

Davis sighed, his arms folded beneath his chin on top of his unused desk. He barely did his homework anymore. Time had become such an issue for Ken, though Davis still had plenty of it. Unused time. He sighed again, boredom clutching its claws in more deeply.

His bushy-haired sister wandered past his room, poking her head in at such a depressing sound. "Davis, what's wrong with you? Where's your normal bubbly self?" He didn't reply. She could be so annoying sometimes. What was she hoping to achieve? She was driving a blade into his back, reminding him of his friend's absence. She muttered something sounding suspiciously like "Not that I don't like you being quiet, but it's starting to scare me." His silence convinced her to continue. "Where's Ken? Wasn't he meant to be coming over today?" The knife twisted sharply. His only answer was a sigh.

She hovered for a moment, before clicking her tongue. "You know, if it bothers you that much, maybe you should go looking for him." He immediately perked up. Technically she had just given him permission to go to Ken's house. She was right! Tk be damned, he was going over there! He pushed his chair back as he abruptly stood, eyes glinting wildly. Jun blinked as he rushed past her, calling goodbye, before she shook her head and rolled her eyes. Her little brother really was an idiot sometimes.

He ran at leopard speed, pounding powerfully down the streets in an effort to arrive as quickly as possible. Adrenaline pumped through him, causing his excitement to heighten. He was focussed on his one goal, one of the most important people in his life. He couldn't be brushed aside for anyone, especially not for his rival.

He arrived panting, taking in large gulps of air as he rang the doorbell. He hopped from foot to foot, unable to be patient as he waited for an answer. He chided himself for not calling first. He'd be torn if Ken wasn't home now. A moment later the door opened, revealing the distinguishing amethyst eyes and hair of his best friend. The boy blinked as Davis launched himself at him, staggering slightly upon impact.

A joyful "Ken!" arose from the bushy-haired boy, who was crushing his friend, a fitting punishment for being apart for so long. Ken said nothing, too stunned to reply. Then he laughed. "Davis, what are you doing here?" Davis looked up with puppy eyes, imploring Ken to listen to him. "I don't see you anymore. You spend all your time with Tk. It's not fair."

Ken frowned, picking up on Davis' miserable tone. Was he really that upset? He hadn't spent that much time with Tk, had he? Come to think of it, when was the last time he'd spent time alone with Davis?

"I'm sorry." He meant it. He couldn't bear to look at the person he called his best friend. "Davis, I really am sorry. I never meant to ignore you. I guess I just got caught up with…uh…"

Down the corridor, Tk poked his head out of Ken's room. "Ken? Oh, Davis, hi. What are you doing here?" There was suspicion in his tone, looking at Ken for an answer. Davis was still wrapped around him, looking like he'd found the world's biggest cookie. Ken blushed as he realised exactly what this could look like to the other boy. "Uh…"

But Davis spoke before he could. "I'm his best friend. Why shouldn't I be here?" Davis was defensive. He really was upset about this. Guilt flooded through Ken as he gazed at the brown-haired boy he cared so much for. How had he not seen this sooner? Being around Tk so much had not done any wonders for their friendship. "I'm sorry." He murmured.

Tk chuckled, not at all maliciously. It wasn't in his nature to do so. "I'm sorry, Davis. I guess I have been spending a lot of time with Ken lately, huh." He turned a thoughtful gaze to the two boys, amused by Davis' antics. It really was cute the way he clung onto Ken, like he had to protect him. And Ken hadn't rid himself of his blush completely. He'd quickly overcome his shock of finding them like that. They really were amusing.

"How about I disappear and leave you two to catch up." Such sincerity caused Ken to open his mouth to speak, but Tk shook his head. "It's fine, really. Don't worry. I'll see you some other time." Davis didn't know. Tk was surprised that Ken hadn't told him. Ah well, now would be a perfect time then, wouldn't it. He smirked as they looked away from him to each other, an evil plan sprouting in his mind. No one said the child of hope couldn't be cunning.

Davis was grinning with undisguised glee at the turn of events. In his perspective, he'd won. Tk was leaving, and Ken would be all his for the afternoon. Maybe now he could convince Ken to spend less time with his rival, and more with himself. Warm hands returned his embrace. "Ok. You're welcome to stay now you're here." Ken's smile caused all of Davis' fears to flee. The world would go back to its natural state again.

Footsteps caused them to look up, as Tk sauntered over. Ken tilted his head in an unspoken question. Tk grinned in response. He grasped the back of Ken's neck, pulling him forward, and gently but firmly pressed his lips to Ken's. Davis' jaw dropped in shock, while Ken blushed as Tk let him go. Tk smiled warmly. "See you later. I'll call you."

Their embrace had survived Tk's fun, and both boys stood frozen as he exited the house, shutting the still open door behind him. Davis' wits returned to him before Ken could even process what had happened. "What was that?!" He exclaimed to a dazed Ken. "Well, uh…" Worried, he took a deep breath. "Tk's my boyfriend."

Davis' resounding shriek of horror reached Tk's hearing, and he chuckled at the mess he'd left Ken in. Honestly though, how long had he expected Davis to be oblivious to the fact that they were dating. Davis was Ken's best friend. He deserved to know something this important. Ah well. At least now they had a whole afternoon to discuss it. What an exciting conversation that would be. Tk sniggered. Yeah, right.