Here's the first chapter. Currently there's a few more chapters planned. Hope you guys enjoy it.
1 – Things Unknown
Summary: Takeru and Daisuke have grown closer after Malomyotismon, and perhaps there's a reason why they enjoy each other's company so much.
There are a lot of things Motomiya Daisuke doesn't know, but chief among those is the way he acts sometimes. Reason has never been an important part of his personality; rather he acts on impulse mostly, and it is only after the act that his backwards thinking kicks in, as he begins contemplating the logic behind his actions. But the thing is that half of the time, he fails to come up with a good explanation for himself, let alone others.
One would think this is problematic considering that he's the leader of his group of digidestined, but somehow the others have all been so willing to listen to and follow him. Miyako did challenge him sometimes, but as time passed by it rarely happened. Hikari and Ken are always passive listeners, and it's probably Iori's age that prevented him from being anywhere close to an acknowledged leader. And then there's Takeru, who would occasionally argue with him and question his decisions, but in the end would always be reasonable. The honest truth is that Daisuke actually enjoyed their little brawls back in the day.
He also sort of misses it. Well, it's more like he really, really misses it, for it's usually his and Takeru's fights that he comes back to every time he reminisces about their adventures. With Malomyotismon gone the digital world crisis officially came to an end, and at this current stage in Daisuke's life the real adventure lies in his upcoming final year in primary school and what he needs to prepare for as he advances to secondary school.
"Well, there's still an entire summer vacation for me to think about that," Daisuke murmurs, staring blankly through the shimmering windows. The leaves outside shake under the lazy summer breeze.
"Dai, what did you say?" Takeru asks, playfully bumping into Daisuke's shoulder.
"Huh?"
"Something tells me you're already deep in the heart of the summer," Takeru laughs.
"No! I was…I was just…thinking about stuff." And this is true. It's been a couple of months since the final battle. The fewer trips they make to digital world, the more Daisuke thinks about their past adventures in class. Spacing out has become his favorite hobby.
Takeru squints in doubt. "Really? The great Dai is actually –"
"Don't," Daisuke interrupts. "I know I seem thick to you guys sometimes but a lot goes on in there!" He points towards his head, and pushes Takeru's arm away. Before Takeru can come up with a response he continues, "and when did you start calling me Dai?"
"I don't know. It just sounds nice." Takeru looks away, the hint of a blush forming, though Daisuke seems to be his usual oblivious self.
"But nobody calls me that," he decides, wondering where this little shortened version of his name came from.
"Well, that's even better. Only I get to call you that."
"What do you mean?" Daisuke asks, confused. Takeru remains reluctant to look directly at his friend.
"Well, it's like a special thing between us." Takeru pauses for a moment. "But only if you let me call you that, okay?"
There's a weird stirring inside of Daisuke as soon as he heard the word "special". It only adds to the question he asks himself repeatedly these days. He remembers asking himself that after Malomyotismon, but a couple of weeks ago Takeru, out of nowhere, asked him about the same thing, and since then he hasn't been able to let it go. The group was having lunch at the cafeteria. Miyako and Hikari were cracking up about some girly stuff, and Iori was reading a book. It was then Takeru asked him that million-dollar question, in a voice not so loud everyone could hear, and not as quiet as a private whisper.
"Hey, during our final battle, you know, with Malomyotismon, is there any particular reason why you went into my illusion to break me out?" He stared with a peculiar expression.
He added, "you know, instead of Ken? Instead of the others?" Part of Daisuke felt weird; it was a feeling he couldn't quite place, one that he hadn't felt before. He found it coincidental that the two of them would think of the same question, but there was another part of him that wasn't as surprised, that always knew somehow.
It's an unusual kind of mutual knowing between the two that has sprouted unexpectedly rapidly over the last couple of months, especially after the perpetually nice Hikari finally scolding Daisuke for his incessant display of affection for her and him declaring that he wouldn't do anything like that anymore.
And so the two of them grew close. It's funny how the dynamics shifted, because now they are so close that Daisuke sometimes forgets themselves as a group. The thing is, the older digidestined have always been like mentors to him, whereas the others in the group, except Ken, are never that close to him to begin with. And the thing with Ken is that he does have his own circle of friends with markedly different ambitions in life. He still calls Daisuke from time to time but it's undeniable that they have grown apart.
With Takeru it's very much different. It feels to him that they've already transcended whatever relationship he has ever had. They do everything together, even for things they don't have to do together. Actually, now that he thinks about it, this inter-dependence is something that feels so natural he doesn't even question it. But thinking back, he's astonished by how far they've gone from the rivals they once were.
And it is when all these come together that makes this "special thing" that Takeru speaks of all the more intriguing, Daisuke thinks.
"I'm not going to not let you call me anything you want to call me," Daisuke answers, and what instantly follows is the ringing of the bell which signals the end of today's classes.
When Takeru's still in a daze trying to process things, Daisuke continues cheerfully, "You can call me Dai."
A smile blossoms across Takeru's face, but soon it's replaced by a concerning look. "You are aware that I asked you that like, five minutes ago, right?"
Daisuke just grins, trying to ignore that.
"Hmmm, you've been zoning out a lot lately," Takeru adds. It concerns him because it's the same kind of look his mother gives him whenever she's racing against a deadline and doesn't care what he has to say. It makes him feel…uneasy.
"Well, as I said, there's stuff to think about."
"What's this stuff that you speak of so highly?" Takeru presses, wanting to get as much out of his pal as possible.
"Well…"
"Oh come on, don't make me have to bother you endlessly until you give me what I want." Daisuke knows better than anyone that the mild-tempered blond can be endlessly annoying if he sets his mind to getting an answer out of you.
"I guess I'll just tell you," Daisuke yields, taking a deep breath to compose himself as he prepares to spill out what's been on his mind for months.
"That question, it still bothers me. But, I don't think I know why."
"What question?" Takeru inquires genuinely, though the passage of mere seconds eclipses his initial uncertainty. Despite Daisuke's trademark cluelessness among the group, he's sure that Takeru's aware of what is being discussed here. And judging by Takeru's expression he has come to the conclusion that this is a question that still lingers between them in some significant way.
"Come on." Takeru pats Daisuke on the back and playfully drags him towards the exit of the classroom. "Let's get out of here."
Hikari seems to have realized something is off, but she refrains from asking, and looks on as the two disappear into the hallway where heaps of students can't wait to escape the hell that is school.
It's four o'clock, Friday afternoon so there's a kind of peace that penetrates the crowd as kids disperse into different directions and destinations. Some may be heading home while others may have places to be.
The golden sun rays bring warmth, and the soothing winds bring comfort, as the two boys race till their bodies become part of the tranquility. Exhausted, they find Odaiba Beach a perfect place to relax. For a moment human dialogue grows silent, as surrounding sounds take over. There's a disorganized symphony of chirping birds, ocean waves and vehicles on one hand and the joy of building sandcastles and digging trenches on the other. For a moment they are drenched in the relief that another week's over and summer vacation will soon set in. For a moment there's nothing on their minds but the scenery in front of them. But only for a moment.
"I just felt like I had to, you know. Come after you." Daisuke looks determined as he peaks.
"Sorry. Guess I was just curious. But it seems you yourself don't seem to know."
Daisuke nods, his hands continuing to work on fortifying the castle's defenses against the invasive waves.
"I don't know. I guess I asked because part of me was surprised by why you didn't go for Ken, or Hikari for that matter."
"Well, you know me," says Daisuke sheepishly. "I don't always think before I act."
"Yeah, I guess," says Takeru, his eyes focusing on the harbor and the passing ships. If Takeru isn't lying to himself, he will have to admit that it's a disappointing answer. He just wants to know why. For him, his friend choosing to come to his rescue at that time was the reason why he started hanging out with him and getting to know the real Daisuke. The two unforeseeable things were that first, the boy really grew on him, and he began to enjoy spending time with him more than with any other person, and that second, this feeling seemed to be reciprocated. Somehow he just feels at ease when he's with the boy, and gradually he's started to think of Daisuke as his best friend. And there are things that he tells Daisuke but keeps from Hikari.
"Hey Dai."
"Yes?" Daisuke turns back to Takeru with a thoughtful smile.
"Remember that first day we met? Takeru asks. "And how you asked about Hikari and me after school?"
Daisuke becomes visibly embarrassed. "Well, you did catch my attention on that football field, that morning. It was either you or that stupid hat you used to wear."
"Weren't you jealous of me or something? You know, like that time on August first when you thought Hikari and I were going on a date?"
Daisuke is surprised by how well his friend remembers those specific moments. The thing is he does too. Takeru's question triggers something in him that prompts him to look further back into those memories. Perhaps it's because of this that he doesn't think before choosing his next words, which he regrets saying immediately.
"More like jealous of Hikari," he blurts out. Ashamed, his gaze shifts to the squishy sandcastles, and he refuses to look back up to see Takeru's reaction. Wishful thinking tells him that this is the perfect time for Takeru to temporarily zone out.
But Takeru hears every single word, and the shocking nature of this revelation cripples and silences him, as he is rendered completely unable to respond. If he hears that right, all this time he's been wrong, about pretty much everything. He's always thought that their past rivalry was a direct consequence of Daisuke's jealousy of him, because he thought Hikari and him were a thing.
Soaked in his own disquiet, Daisuke remains reluctant to even catch a glimpse of Takeru. Having said what he did, he wonders if this changes things. He doesn't want things to change, because he loves his life right now. The simultaneously courageous and stupid leader isn't what he enjoyed being; it's being close to Takeru that brings him happiness, and he can't lie to himself about that: in spite of how he loathes school with a passion, every morning what motivates him to get up is thinking that Takeru will be there too.
Daisuke's still lost inside his thoughts as a shadow looms over his crushed castle.
Takeru has gotten closer. "I wish you could've told me sooner."
Daisuke looks up, and is welcomed by his friend's radiant smile. Before he can respond, however, the boy has gotten even closer. Then, a gentle kiss on his right cheek. It's short, quick, and either barely noticeable by passers-by or easily dismissed as child's play. It's nevertheless enough to send Daisuke into a state of complete dumbfoundedness.
When Takeru wraps his arm around his friend and pulls him closer for a friendly hug, Daisuke quietly obliges and eases into the intimacy of the soft skin and relaxes. No words are exchanged but an occasional knowing glance between them seems to reveal everything that needs to be known.
"How long?" Daisuke asks.
"Probably since the first few months," Takeru answers firmly. "Though admittedly your relentless advances at Hikari did put me off a little."
Daisuke grins. "That was my defense mechanism!"
"More like the new bearer of the crest of courage was afraid," Takeru says half-jokingly, his hand squeezing his friend's.
"Ouch!" Daisuke jumps. "Well, it's not like you did any better."
"I didn't need to justify what I felt by telling you. I just enjoyed being around, and the group was in action, like every single day, and that was enough for me. Being with people I liked." But the truth is that Takeru was afraid too. He used to think about how awkward it would be if he opened up entirely, especially with this Daisuke-Takeru rivalry thing going on.
"You mean me," Daisuke corrects his friend, laughing out loud as he lies down on the sand.
Takeru blushes. "Well, you…you're one of those people."
"Okay…" Daisuke says, scheming to embarrass his friend further. "Well, in that case, it's unhealthy that you're spending so much time with only one of your favorite people. In my opinion, your time should be equally distributed among them. Like Iori, your jogress partner, should take Mondays, and Hikari, your childhood close friend, should take Tues –"
"All right, all right. You're my favorite person. You win." It's cute when Takeru delightfully concedes, Daisuke concludes.
"I always do," he smiles, proud that he has his friend bending under his will. "Anyway, your house or mine?" Needless to say, both of them realize it's a perfect day for a sleepover.
"Mine," Takeru says. "It's closer." Daisuke nods in agreement.
On the journey there, they run into Miyako, who gets annoyed by their constant shoving.
"You guys fighting again?" She frowns.
"No," they say in unison, laughing it off but keeping their hands on each other.
Miyako responds doubtfully, "we're supposed to be a team. You guys should start learning to listen to each other."
Apparently, the fact that Miyako's in a different form and the reduced frequency of their trips to the digital world stop her from realizing how completely different the two's relationship is at this point. Of course, if she had been on the beach fifteen minutes ago, that might also have helped.
"Miyako, Dai and I are not fighting," Takeru says, getting serious. Seeing that Miyako still doesn't seem to believe them, however, he sighs, ready to give up and just leave things be. He wonders what they can do to convince her.
Then, as if just having read his mind, and with a dangerous smirk on his face, Daisuke does the unthinkable. He leans forward and places his lips in a brief encounter with Takeru's face.
Miyako's eyes grow bigger than they have ever been before, and for a second or two she's completely frozen. Daisuke begins to laugh uncontrollably after they say their goodbyes and Miyako goes into her family's store.
Once in the elevator, Takeru's burning stare becomes obvious to an ecstatic Daisuke, but he just shrugs, "I know, I know."
Please comment/review! I hope you enjoyed the story. This is my first attempt at Digimon fanfic. Do forgive me for errors with the language...I thought I'd let you all know that English is not my native language.