Sorry for all the non-US readers: Just replace soccer with football!

It was a sunny, beautiful day at Odaiba High School. The stadium stands were packed with excited students and families, except for one small area in the bleachers that seemed to be literally immersed in a dark cloud. The negative energy in the space seemed to be emitting from a tall, thin blonde boy who was sitting all alone.

Yamato's eyebrow twitched slightly as he looked out onto the field. He didn't particularly understand people's obsession with watching sports (or even playing them for that matter) as he would much rather be playing an instrument alone in his spare time.

Someone who didn't know him very well may not have believed this statement, though, as Yamato Ishida had never missed a single one of Odaiba High's soccer games. "Well," Yamato reflected to himself, "there is a very good reason for that, and it's not exactly school spirit."

The bleachers erupted in cheers as the very topic of Yamato's thoughts maneuvered skillfully past players down the field and was getting ready to take a shot at the goal. Yes, Yamato had been referring to Taichi Yagami, the soccer captain and school favorite, who also happened to be his boyfriend and his reason for suffering through every single soccer game.

Soccer may not be Yamato's favorite sport, but watching Taichi move was anything but boring. Tai played gracefully and fiercely and Yamato knew that when he was on the field he was completely in his element. The leadership and teamwork skills that made him an excellent soccer captain were the very skills that Yamato had fallen in love with when he first saw them in the Digiworld (of course he hadn't known at that time just how hard he had fallen).

Yamato was contemplating this while watching Tai's blissful face light up the field, when he suddenly remembered what he really didn't like about Tai playing soccer.

Tai finally scored and the stands went crazy. Yamato cheered on the outside but winced internally knowing what was coming next. Tai was immediately engulfed by his team members, patting him on the back and ruffling his hair. "Of course," thought Yamato, "Tai would have picked one of the most touchy-feely sports ever to become amazing at. You don't see tennis players chest bumping each other every time someone hits a successful serve."

As if to prove his point, one of Taichi's teammates came up behind him and wrapped him in a tight hug picking him up off the ground. A vein started to pop on Yamato's forehead.

"If one more person touches my cute-"

Before Yamato was able to finish the thought, the team's goalie appeared out of nowhere and slapped Tai casually on the ass, laughing and congratulating him. Yamato kept his face cool and calm as always, but the dark cloud around him got somehow darker, and a few kids scooted farther away from him. So much for soccer being a "hands-free" sport, thought Yamato bitterly.

"See, I told you it was better not to sit with him at these games." TK advised Kari as they stared at the dark cloud from a few rows behind Yamato. They both smiled knowingly at the cause of Yamato's anguish and just shook their heads. "I wonder if that extremely possessive trait runs in the family..." Kari coyly said to TK who just blushed and looked away.

As the game continued on, Yamato tried his best to enjoy himself. He was probably being irrationally paranoid, but he felt like even members of the opposite team would stare at Tai for a few seconds more than necessary. He couldn't really blame them, though, after thinking about it. His best friend (and now lover) was incredibly gorgeous.

From afar, Yamato was able to stare at his beautifully tanned skin that was glistening with sweat and noted unhappily how his clothes were starting to stick to him in all the right places. He had noticed that all soccer players tended to have great, muscular bodies (maybe that was the only good thing about this stupid sport), but Tai's was exceptional even out of those. And it's all mine. He took a long look at his lover's backside, relishing the fact that no one else here had seen how truly perfect it looked without the obstruction of clothes.

His drifting thoughts were interrupted by a whistle calling a foul and he saw Tai on the ground with one of the other team's forwards collapsed on top of him. If looks could kill, the poor forward would never have gotten back up again. Tai was awarded an indirect free kick that he easily made which ended up in a victory for the team.

"Finally it's over," Yamato thought, "I really shouldn't be getting this stressed out about all of this."

Yamato was forced to patiently wait as Taichi was once again manhandled by his teammates and several others from the crowd who had rushed to the field in delight. It had, after all, been the last game of the series. He watched as Tai was hoisted onto several shoulders to take pictures while holding the trophy. He even saw Tai shaking hands with several members of the opposite team out of good sportsmanship.

Finally, Tai was released from the crowd and the first thing he did was run up to Yamato, arms waving.

"Yama! Did you see the goal I made?" He asked with so much excitement in his eyes that Yamato was almost forced to look away.

Damn him for being so adorable all the time! And does he have to make that face in public? Yamato groaned and had half a mind to just drag Tai back to his room and away from everyone else. But, he realized again that he was overreacting as he often did when it came to all things Tai.

"Yeah, I saw it. It was really great." Tai beamed at his response. "Although, I think you definitely need a shower now." Yamato looked his sweaty boyfriend up and down. And I could join you too, if you'd like…

"Oh right," Tai started before Yamato was able to voice the rest of his perverted thoughts, "I know we were planning on hanging out together tonight, but I was thinking that maybe I should put together an event tonight at a local bar for both the soccer teams to mingle and try and get along. I know they're Tokyo High, but I just feel like this rivalry is getting a little out of hand and I'd like to try and fix it. Soccer is supposed to be fun, not full of hate!"

The relationship between Odaiba High and Tokyo High sport teams had always been tense and occasionally hostile. Yamato admired that Tai, as team captain, was trying to mend that. But that didn't mean that he had to like the idea. His eyes flashed momentarily as he thought back to that forward that had fouled Tai.

He finally sighed and agreed as he thought about it more and realized that he was acting irrationally again. "I think it's a good idea. Don't worry about us hanging out, we can do that anytime. But you should still come over tonight afterwards." Yamato winked suggestively.

Tai grinned. "Why don't you come with and then we can go home together? I want you to be there too!"

"Wouldn't that be awkward? I thought you said it was a mingling event for just the soccer players…"

"Oh come on," Tai placed a comforting hand on Yamato's shoulder. "The whole team knows you by now and likes you too." Yamato somewhat blushed at this, thinking back to how he used to have such few friends before he and Tai got close and Tai introduced him to everyone. "And as far as the other team, I'm sure they wouldn't mind. But if they do mind, I don't really care. You're coming along anyway."

Yamato also loved that about Tai. Despite being very easygoing and care-free, he was no pushover, especially when it came to his friends. On the other hand, it was that stubborn nature of his that made him very annoying during their fights.

Yamato felt better now that that was settled and that he was coming along. The thought of Tai drinking with a bunch of attractive jocks hadn't sat quite right in his stomach, though he would never admit it to Tai for fear of coming off way too clingy.

First time writing Taito, folks! I know they're not perfectly in character, so I apologize for that. Next chapter will be up soon :)