-1Hey kids, it's been a great while, hasn't it? I haven't been doing much of anything lately, until the bug to write came upon me in the last few weeks. So, here's the first fruit of my recent labors.

Disclaimer and etc.: I don't own the characters, sorry. Story is Jyoumato, with hints of others (namely KoushiroxMiyako and TaichoxSora) also M-preg, which I've never done before. Hope you like.

Part One: Serenade

"I guess it's just the two of us," Yamato said with a weary smirk to his friend.

"Isn't it always?," Jyou reflected with a sniff. "O think that its our curse. You're too good a friend not to clean up after a aprty."

"You're too reliable to let a little detail like post party clean-up slide," Yama returned.

It was an old joke, one that they had shared on almost weekly basis for years. Every party, dinner, or reunion that the Destined held ended with the other pairing off and going about their own business. This left these two friends to clean up.

For the most part they didn't mind. In these post-party conversations the young men had discovered that they had a great deal in common: their drive for their chosen careers (Yama's with music, Jyou's with medicine), an abiding devotion to their friends, an aversion to displays of appreciation.

This particular party had been held to celebrate Christmas. The group had rented a cabin and gathered in the spirit of giving. Music had played, food served, memories rehashed, and gifts exchanged. All in all, it had been a good party. Now the others had retired to their rooms, futons, or couches; leaving the clean up crew alone.

The pair worked like to halves of a well designed whole. Long practice had honed them into an efficient team. Before very long the job was done, and they were seated by the fireplace, enjoying a pre-bed cup of tea, well contented with their world.

"It'll be a shame to have to go back to reality next week," Yamato mused, his voice subdued. "I'll miss this place."

Jyou sipped his tea and nodded. "I agree, I haven't had to worry about a class or a test; I haven't been this relaxed in months."

The blond's smile spread a little wider. It made him happy to see Jyou so at ease. Yama worried about him; he was always so driven, stressed with his studies, and still finding time and energy to fill his spot as the supportive big brother of the Digidestined. That had always impressed him, it had been the quality that had paved the way for other feelings. Yamato knew an opportunity when he saw one, and decided that Jyou's state of contentment would be the best moment to express a few of those other feelings.

"I got a you a present y'know," he said too casually. "I just wanted to wait until the others weren't around to give to you."

Jyou blinked in surprise. By common consent they'd all agreed to a name drawing this year. Yamato had gotten Ken and Jyou had gotten Taichi. He had though about getting something for Yama, seeing as they had gotten to know each other so well, while out shopping for Tai. The autographed guitar would have been so perfect! However, a student's funds were frequently limited, and the majority of what little he'd had had to be given over for cabin rental.

"You didn't have to do that Yama-kun," he stammered. "I didn't get you anything, and I know how tight money can be sometimes…"

Yamato rose with a chuckle. "That's alright, and it didn't cost me a thing. Here, you'll see." With that he went into the room he and Takeru were sharing.

Jyou frowned and stared after the younger man for a moment before turning back to the fire. "What could he have possibly gotten?" he asked of the flames dancing on the nearby log. The blaze flickered happily, but didn't share the secret. He looked at them almost accusingly for their silence until a cough pulled his attention away.

Yamato stood with his acoustic guitar strapped around his chest. He smiled softly and struck a chord. Jyou blinked and felt a slow blush creep over his whole body, in its wake it left a new feeling throughout him as Yamato began to serenade him.

"Hello, I've waited here for you, everlong," the blond sang, looking right into the other's eyes. Everlong was one of Jyou's favorite songs, he'd even taken an English and a Music Theory class because of it (they also helped cover his college diversity credits.)

In Yamato's hands the lyrics took on a new poignancy. The words seemed less fit for a rock ballad, and more like a personal appeal. Jyou noted that Yama had changed the phrasing a bit, and chose to accent the more desperate lines: "Breathe out, so I can breathe you in; hold you in…"

The throbbing ache in Yama's clear baritone voice touched Jyou and empowered this new emotion he was feeling. Yamato's musical declaration suddenly became clear, Jyou felt the musicians ache; he then was surprised to find an answering longing within himself. He drank in each note, pouring the music into the newly discovered void, filling himself with Yamato's love. His eyes must have reflected this revelation as he saw Yama's practically glowing in response.. It was almost like he was taking Jyou's stirring awareness into himself.

It was a beautiful, almost eternal moment of complete rapport that neither had ever experienced before.

Unable to stand the intensity anymore Yamato deftly brought the song to an early conclusion. "Merry Christmas Jyou," he muttered, sliding the guitar off.

Jyou rose and went to him, placing a hand on Yama's arm. "I didn't know," he murmured.

"About me, or about you?" Yamato asked softly, his eyes dark with feeling.

"Either. Both."

"And now?"

"I do." Jyou leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on the blonde's pale lips. "Merry Christmas Yamato."

Then there were no more words, or music, just the sounds of the fire and the snow falling outside. Then again, they really didn't need to say anything more that night.