Disclaimer: I don't own Matt, Tai, Sora or any other Digidestined or 'Mon who may wander into this fic. I also don't own the song; that honour goes to ABBA. (Pulls on bulletproof vest) This is the first of at least two parts…I'm sorry! I just can never seem to write one! Warning: Character death inside.
The Winner Takes It All
Matt sat, staring across the restaurant. His food was long gone cold and TK had given up trying to attract his attention, knowing he wouldn't get it. Knowing it was all on them.
I don't want to talk
About things we've gone through
Though it's hurting me
Now it's history
I've played all my cards
And that's what you've done too
Nothing more to say
No more ace to play
Sora…and Tai. Matt's best friend and former girlfriend. Both betrayers, in his mind; Tai, for trying to win Sora when she was his, and Sora, for being won. For breaking up with him.
The winner takes it all
The loser standing small
Beside the victory
That's our destiny
And yet, for four blissful months they'd been together. For four wonderful, happy months, Matt had finally felt like he belonged. Like someone understood him. For all his friendship with Tai, or his fierce love for his brother, he'd never felt able to totally reveal himself emotionally, always afraid that they'd draw back, repulsed.
I was in your arms
Thinking I belonged there
I figured it made sense
Building me a fence
Building me a home
Thinking I'd be strong there
But I was a fool
Playing by the rules
But Sora, the Child of Love, had never drawn away from him. Instead, she'd actively encouraged him to come to her when he was feeling alone or lost, and she'd guided him through it. She'd been the light in his darkness.
The judges will decide
The likes of me abide
Spectators of a show
Always staying low
The winner takes it all
The loser standing small
Beside the victory
That's our destiny
And then had come the horrible day.
What made it even worse was that the sun was shining brilliantly. If it had had any consideration, it would have hidden itself in clouds. It was their four month anniversary, and he'd planned a picnic. When she'd showed up early, he should have known something was wrong.
"Matt…I have to talk to you. It's…it's about Tai."
"What about him? There's nothing wrong with him, is there?"
"No…not exactly. You see, he and I, we…"
"Don't."
He could feel his heart breaking even then. "Don't say it. If that's what it is, then just leave, right now." She hesitated, and for a moment his heart soared—was he wrong? Had he misunderstood? And then she rose, and he came crashing back down."I'm sorry, Matt. I didn't mean…"
"Yeah, well, you did."
"Are you ok?"
A careless shrug."You know me. Indestructible."
So tell me does he kiss
Like I used to kiss you
Does it feel the same
When he calls your name
Somewhere deep inside
You must know I miss you
But what can I say
Rules must be obeyed
The pair got up, laughing, and left hand-in-hand. They hadn't even noticed the brothers sitting near the back, and that made it all the worse, somehow. Once upon a time, Sora would have known when Matt was in the same building—he still knew when she was near.
The gods may throw the dice,
Their minds as cold as ice
And someone way down here
Loses someone dear
But Sora hesitated at the door, and turned back, scanning the room. When her eyes fell upon Matt, who was trying to ignore them now, her face brightened for a second and she turned again, speaking to Tai. He nodded slowly and made his way over to the table, leaving Sora standing patiently at the door. TK, seeing him, made an excuse and left, giving Tai his chair.
The winner takes it all
The loser standing small
It's simple and it's plain
Why should I complain?
"Matt?"
"What do you want, Tai." There was no emotion in Matt's voice; he'd managed that, anyway.
"Nothing much, buddy. We just haven't talked for a while, that's all."
"We haven't talked?" Matt leaned back, his eyes now fixed on Tai's face. "Right, let's set something up. Then you can steal something else from me. My dad, maybe, or Gabumon…that'd be good, wouldn't it. I'd be no threat to you then, not if you had my girlfriend and my Digimon."
"Matt, that's not what I…"
"What? Not what you meant? You didn't meant to hurt me?"
"Of course not! Neither of us meant for this to happen, it just…just did. We never wanted for it to hurt you."
"Yeah, well, you failed there." Matt sank into his seat again, and for the first time Tai could se how much his friend was hurting.
"Matt…"
"Sora's waiting for you, Tai." Despite himself, Tai looked over his shoulder at Sora.
I don't want to talk
If it makes you feel sad
And I understand
You've come to shake my hand
I apologise
If it makes you feel bad
Seeing me so tense
No self-confidence
"I'm sorry, Matt." Tai repeated. "But you'll…"
"If you dare say, 'You'll find someone some day' I will stuff this chair down your throat." Though he said it in the exact same monotone he'd been using all along, the threat was very real, and Tai barely surpressed a shiver.
"All right, Matt. Keep in touch?"
"That's a joke, right?" Having nothing else to say, Tai rose and left the table, guiding Sora out with a simple headshake. Her face fell and she walked out slowly, her eyes lingering on Matt.
The winner takes it all
The loser standing small
Beside the victory
That's our destiny
Not waiting for TK, Matt got up and started for home. As he left the restaurant, he could still see Tai and Sora, a block away. They were laughing, and as he watched she leaned her head on his shoulder.
The winner takes it all
Matt changed directions, heading for the nearby bridge instead of his home. It was a nice spot to think…among other things.
The winner takes it all
With the spring floods, the river was running high. Matt leaned on the edge and lost himself for a while in the foam, watching the branches and other objects carried along.
The winner takes it all
He watched two branches in particular. They floated together for a while, before being forced apart by another. The first one promptly sank, while the second got wedged in the third and they continued on together.
The winner takes it all
The loser standing small
Beside the victory
That's our destiny
Just like me, he thought, just like me.
Matt never even noticed when the rail he'd been leaning against gave way, pitching him headfirst into the flood below.
The winner takes it all