Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon, however much I may wish I did. TK, Kari and all the rest are the properties of Bandai, Toei, and I can't remember all the others. Needless to say, I'm not earning a dime on this, so no suing, please. Just for reference, TK and Kari are both 18 in this. It takes place during the summer between their Junior and Senior years of high school. This is not part of my series. Anyone who is looking for that; I've hit writers block and can't think of what else to do on it. I may continue this story if I get enough good reviews, say 10-15. If I do, it will probably be as new chapters. The story alternates between TK and Kari's point of views. Hope you like it!
Friendship and a little bit more
Kari.
I went on a class trip to the zoo, once. I don't really like zoos the way other people do. I mean, they're alright, but it's not that exciting, watching an animal prowl around a confined area, waiting to die. But there was this one in the North American section that caught my eye. It was a grey wolf, one of those endangered species. Even in its climate-controlled prison it stood tall and proud. You could see his muscles ripple underneath its fur coat. It had a pride in its stride, a sense of control. The moment I saw it, I thought of him. My best friend, Takeru TK Takeshi. He moves with the same sense of control and pride. You can see in him a kind of dominance and arrogance that comes from simply being one of the elite.
Except that TK is never stuck up or conceited. He's a kind human being who often goes out of his way to help others. He just has this aura of control that can intimidate anyone who doesn't know him. Anyone except me. Oh, I don't think Davis or Ken are scared of him, but you can see that they watch him carefully when ever he walks into the room. He's crowned himself king and they keep trying to see if the crown still fits.
All this goes through my mind in an instant. Isn't it strange what you'll remember and how on a hot day in the middle of summer? I try to think about something other than TK, but it's hard since he's not fifty feet from me; on the court. His other home. TK is a basketball god. Not an overstatement, either. He can make that ball and that court do things that no one else in the world can do. Including inspire others. Right now, I'm watching him demonstrate a lay-up to a bunch of kids, who were watching him earlier. He does that. Goes out and shoots baskets until some kids get the courage to come up and ask him how he does it. I keep telling him that he should just charge money, but he always teaches them for free. That's just how he is.
TK.
I can feel her eyes on me, even while I concentrate on the kids. I'm not in the field here, so I'm not obsessed. That's what I am in the field. During a game, than I'm in the field, a place where only five things exist; my hands, the ball, the floor, the basket, and her. Kari Kamiya, my best friend. She is an angel on the earth. I risk a glance in her direction as I let some of the kids go at it in a four-on-four. Her brown hair is tossed back into a ponytail, reaching just past her shoulders. Her chocolate-colored eyes are hidden behind a pair of sunglasses, but I can still fall into them. Her black tee-shirt hugs her in all the places I wish that I could and her light-denim jeans just make her look even sexier. Did I mention that I have the hots for my best friend? Bad. Still, I guess that's natural especially considering how much we've been together since I came back to Odiba when we were eleven. I'm the guy who's shoulder she cried on when Marcus broke up with her. I'm the guy who took her out to lunch to try and get her mind off the fact that her brother was heading off to college. I'm the guy who had to break the news to her that Akira was cheating on her with seven different women. OK, so maybe I feel a little bit more than friendship for her. That's only natural. Right?
The kids are doing good, so I tell them that I need to get going. It's not a lie; there isn't anything else I can teach them right now. I head over to one of the benches where I tossed my stuff when I came out here this morning around eight. My guess is that Kari woke up only an hour or two ago, and it's closing in on one. One? I did it again and she's going to be pissed if she finds out. Please don't ask me how long I've been out here. Please don't ask me how long I've been out here.
"How long have you been out here?" Rat shit.
"Good afternoon to you as well, Angel. How did you sleep?" Good, try and avoid the question. Like she isn't going to see right through that and call me on it. Still, the corners of her mouth twitch towards a smile at the mention of my nickname for her.
"By that answer, I'd guess that you didn't listen to me and got up early again, even though we were both up until two a.m. this morning. TK, that isn't good for your health and you know it."
Kari.
I put my hands on my hips in anger; pissed off big time. I know that TK claims that he can go on like this for days, but that doesn't mean that he has to. Still, I wish that he wouldn't call me Angel when I'm trying to be mad at him. He gave me that nickname years ago, and it still makes me smile. I had to fight one off a minute ago. Still, I guess that I can let him go. After all, he doesn't know what I know. He'll sleep tonight, I can guarantee that.
"Kari," he protests "I'll be fine. I woke up and wasn't tired, so I decided to come down here and work on my jump shot."
"The one that you've been working on for the past five years, despite that fact that you have the best jump shot in the high school league. That jump shot?" He's so cute when he's guilty. He shrugs and puts his hands in his pockets. I decide in to give in and let him retain some dignity.
"Alright, come on. You need to take a shower, and my place is closer." He nods and grabs his things as we start to head for my apartment. He stops for a second to say goodbye to the kids and then we head off to my apartment. TK and I basically live with each other. We've been friends for so long that my parents have basically adopted him and his mom once told me that she considers me the daughter she never had. It meant a lot to me at the time, and still does. I have a key to his apartment and he has a key to mine. TK keeps some of his stuff in my room. It's been kind of empty since Tai went to college. Surprisingly, Tai doesn't have a problem with TK, even though TK has spent the night before. Of course, I've spent the night too. Still, it's been a little different recently. It's the summer, so no school. Tai is back home, for the break, so TK and I have one more person to worry about walking in on our private conversations. But, like I said, no one in my family has a problem with TK taking a shower in our apartment and changing clothes. It's kind of cool that my best friend and I can spend so much time together.
TK.
We finally reached Kari's apartment and I grabbed a set of clothes from Kari's room. It's really nice that Mr. and Mrs. Kamiya let me al but live here. With mom gone so much and Dad at the TV station most of the time, it's nice to have a place to call home. I suppose that I'm old enough to live on my own, but I'm only human. I need personal contact like anyone else. It's great that I can spend so much time here. Although when they gave me the key, Tai took me aside and described in graphic detail what he would do to me if I ever hurt Kari or let anything happen to her. I had to go ask Joe if some of those things were even possible. Anyway, I grab my clothes and head for the bathroom. On the way, I pass Mrs. Kamiya coming out of her bedroom.
"Oh, hello TK. Hitting the courts again?"
"I need to keep my skills sharp for basketball season," I shrug.
"With your natural talent? I highly doubt that. Well, clean up. I have to head out for a while. Is Kari here?"
"Yeah, she met me at the court and insisted that we come back here."
"Is your mother home this week?" I shake my head.
"Scientific conference in Kyoto. Jim and Mr. Takenouchi are presenting their findings on the legends of the Kyoto guardians and their relation to the digital world. Izzy's also presenting a paper on his initial observations of the digital world. The newspaper begged mom to cover it. Guess they hoped she might be able to get an exclusive interview with one of them."
"Well, you're always welcome here. Take care and have fun!" With a wave, she heads for the living room. I hear her great Kari, but nothing else since by then I'm in the bathroom. Time to get clean.
Kari.
I hear TK and my mom talking from the living room. I wonder why TK didn't mention that his mom was out of town. Then again, when is she in town? Still, TK usually tells me things like that. Oh well, probably just slipped his mind. Mom comes into the living room with her purse slung over her shoulder.
"Hi honey, I need to go run some errands, so I'll be gone for a few hours. You and TK have fun, okay?"
"'Kay mom," I reply from my place on the couch. I pick up the remote as mom leaves and begin to channel surf. An annoying habit I picked up from my brother. I wonder where he is now? Probably out with Sora and Matt. Just me and TK. I guess we could invite some of the others over, but we haven't hung out by ourselves in a while. After a while, I perk up at the sound of the bathroom door opening and TK comes into the living room in a pair of denim jeans and a black tank top, his hair still slightly damp from the shower.
He sits down next to me and grabs the remote from my hand. He smells nice. Now where the hell did that come from? I mean, he does, but where did that come from? He flips for a minute and finally stops on Men in Black. I've seen this movie a couple times before, so I just lay down with my head in his lap. His fingers find there way to my hair and he gently begins to run his hands along my scalp and play with my hair. I lean my head up to undo the ponytail and let my hair loose. This feels really good.
TK.
This feels great. Just the two of us with nothing to worry about. A movie on the screen, her head in my lap, and me acting like an idiot. It feels really good, just running my fingers through her hair. I wonder why I never noticed it before. I mean, it's not like we haven't done this before, but for some reason, today it's taking on a whole new aspect. Why the hell did I just think about her body again? I mean, she's beautiful, but why the hell am I imagining my hands on other parts of her body? I've never even seen them, and I wish my subconscious would stop suddenly filling in the blanks.
"TK?" Shit, I hope she doesn't realize what I'm thinking. I look down and realize that I've stopped running my hands through her hair.
"What?" That's it, just say as little as possible. Her eyes are almost closed. Did she like that?
"Why did you stop? That felt good." Holy shit! I mean, damn it, what the hell do I mean? If I keep going, than my damn subconscious is going to start its little fill in the blanks game and if I don't Kari's going to realize something's wrong. Hell in a bucket.
"TK?" She sits up, realizing something's wrong. Hell, I can't lie to her. If she asks me, I'm dead. Damn hormones.
"Hey, what's wrong? You got all tense all of a sudden. Is something bothering you?" I have to grin at that. A lot is bothering me all of the time. Oh well, at least I see a way out of this.
"I'm alright, just still worked up over practice." Not a lie. Not really a truth, but not a lie. This is good.
"Lean forward; let me work those kinks out for you." NOT GOOD! NOT GOOD! The last thing I need right now is Kari's hands…on my shoulders…working out…all those…damn…knots and…damn that feels nice.
Kari.
I have to grin as TK lolls his head forward as my fingers dance around his shoulders and back. I wonder why he stopped running his fingers through my hair? I mean, I didn't mind and it felt great. Maybe he was just uncomfortable with how close we got all of a sudden. I hope I can help him work out the tension.
I let my hands glide across his back and shoulders, my fingers seeking out all the tension that he's got built up in him and trying to knead it out. My mom taught me how to do this years ago, but I don't think that many people know that I can do this. Just my family and TK. He's really tense. All of a sudden, I become aware of how close we are to each other. I'm leaning against his back, and his breathing has become slow and measured. I lean forward to check on him and find his eyes closed. Poor dear fell asleep. He must have been more worn out than either of us thought. I smile as I gently move out from behind him and lay him down on the couch. He looks so innocent when he sleeps. The walls he's built around his emotions are gone and he just lies there peacefully. I just stand there for a minute, watching his face and the rise and fall of his chest as he sleeps before I finally head for the kitchen. Since mom's gone, I might as well make some lunch. At least I convinced mom to buy none health food crap awhile ago. Teriyaki beef and rice sounds good.
TK.
I'm really disoriented as I wake up. First off, I don't remember falling asleep. Secondly, when did I lie down? The last thing I remember is Kari giving me a massage. Oh well, something smells good. Kari must be cooking some lunch. I glance at the clock as I get up and realize that I've been asleep for about half-an-hour. I head towards the kitchen to see if Kari wants some help in there. After all, who do you think taught her how to cook, her mother?
When I get to the kitchen, her back is to me and I stop in the doorway. She's humming a song to herself and checking all of the pots on the stove. For a moment, I think about how domestic this is. I'm not sure where that thought came from, but for some reason, I like it. The ideas of Kari and me and domestic click together in my brain. I'm still sleepy enough to avoid the sense of panic this would usually cause me. She senses me behind her and turns around. Her face is slightly flushed from the heat of the kitchen and her eyes widen ever so slightly as she registers my presence and proximity.
For the rest of my life, I will never know why I did it. She just looked so beautiful, her cheeks glowing red, her chest rising and falling from her quickened breathing. Her lips were parted ever so slightly. God, she was so beautiful. All I knew right at that moment was I needed her. I bent down ever so slightly and captured her lips with mine.
Kari.
To say that I was shocked when he began to kiss me would be a major understatement. I couldn't react for close to a minute, but by then I liked it. I began to kiss him back and I put my arms around his neck. His hands went to my waist and I felt them encircle me. Part of my mind screamed at me, "This is TK! Your best friend! You shouldn't be kissing him!" I knew that everything it said was true, but I didn't want to listen to it at that moment. All I knew was that I felt so safe with his arms around me and his lips setting my heart on fire. God; TK isn't a good kisser. The word hasn't been invented yet to describe how wonderful he is. Our lips seemed to melt together and for just a moment, I could swear that I felt our souls connect. Then he pulled back, and I could see shame and guilt plastered across his face.
"Kari," he stammered, starting to back away. "I'm so sorry." I knew that I had to play this right. I had felt so wonderful in his arms. There were a thousand reasons why the two of us being together would be a bad thing. But all that I could think of was how right that kiss had felt. In the end, that was all that mattered.
"TK, wait. I didn't mind. I don't know why, but I liked it." It wasn't easy admitting feelings that I had only discovered a couple of seconds ago, but I knew that we both needed to hear them. He grinned in reply, but there was a wariness to it.
"So what happens now?" he asked. I shook my head and turned back to the food.
"I don't know," I admitted softly as I took the rice off and checked the beef. That's right, I told myself, focus on the menial things and hope that this just goes away. Except that I didn't want it to go away. I felt a tear begin to run down my face. I had never had the best luck with guys, and here I was, close to throwing myself on my best friend. His arms wrapped around me and one finger reached up to wipe the tear away.
"Kari," he began. "I don't want to ruin our friendship. It means everything to me. But I don't want a chance at happiness to slip through our fingers just because we're too afraid to go ahead and seize the opportunity." I don't know why, but his words made me angry, probably because they made sense.
"Is that all this is for you?" I demanded. "An opportunity?"
"No!" he replied. "I care for you a great deal, you know that! I just don't want to hurt you," he whispered. All of a sudden, I didn't see TK in front of me. All I saw was the scared, frightened little boy I had first met. I remembered all of the hopes and fears that he had confessed on those nights when he would sleep over. And all of a sudden I felt guilty because of what I knew. It had completely slipped my mind, but I knew that I had to speak up now.
"TK," I whispered in response. "I know that you would never hurt me. But right now is not going to be a good time for us to try and develop a relationship." Hell, I let that one slip out. He perks up a little at the slip, but also frowns at my pronouncement. I hurry on. "My mom and Dad are leaving tonight with Tai to go to Tokyo so they can meet Tai's girlfriend. My folks want you to stay here until they get back, to keep me company.
"And to keep you safe and out of danger." I have to smile at how disgusted TK sounds at that. It's one of the aspects of him I love the most. He never treats me like I'm helpless and always need rescuing. Oh, he'll be the first one to jump in if he thinks I'm in over my head, but until then, he lets me do what I need to do. Not that he doesn't still worry.
"Yes, and that. Still, my parents were planning on paying you and everything, and I know that you need the money. I don't want to screw this up by getting involved with you like this."
"You don't want to take advantage of the fact that you and I are going to be living under the same roof for a couple of days. You're afraid that if we do, our relationship might go too far too fast. You're worried about what your parents and Tai will think when they find out." Damn but he is good.
"Yes, but more than that, I don't want to get into a relationship with you just because it's convenient." Shit, that came out wrong and the hurt look on his face just confirms it. "TK, that's not what I meant. It would be easy for us to become attracted to each other because of the closeness of our friendship. But, I'm like you. I don't want to lose our friendship just because we go into this with our eyes closed." He sighs and suddenly sticks out his hand.
"I'll make you a deal. For as long as your parents are gone, we don't try and develop a relationship." I can feel a major but coming. "But, if it does happen, we don't fight it. It's entirely possible that because of our friendship, our relationship will work." I really wish that he had used worse logic. He's trapped me. If I refuse, than it will seem like I don't trust him, but if I agree, I can almost guarantee that we'll be going out by the time Mom and Dad get back. Oh, what the hell. He's probably the one boyfriend I could have that Tai wouldn't immediately want to kill.
"Deal."
TK.
When she shakes my hand, it's like all the pressure in me just vanishes. Smirking, I tug at her hand and pull her close to me, enfolding her in my arms.
"Alright than Angel," I breathe against her neck. "Now, where were we?" I can feel her giggle against me.
"I was just finishing lunch," she responds.
"What if I'm not hungry?" I ask, grinning like an idiot the whole time.
"Then you can fix your own lunch," she breathes against my chest before she quickly wriggles out of my arms and darts out of the kitchen, laughing. I blink and take off after her. By unspoken consent, the chase is limited to the living room. I finally corner her with her back against the couch.
"I win," I declare. "Now I get to claim my prize." She feigns not understanding.
"But TK, I thought you said you weren't hungry?"
"I'm just hungry for something other than food right now," I growl. As soon as I do it, I realize I shouldn't have. I lunge for her, but she twists out of the way and I go flying and land face down on the couch. As I turn over, she scrambles on top of me and pins my arms to the couch with her knees.
"I think I win," she admits. She leans down ever so slightly, her cheeks flushed from the chase and the intensity of the situation. "Does that mean I get a prize?"
"Anything you desire," I respond, breathing hard. Our lips are only an inch apart. A little more and I will be once more in heaven. So, of course, Mrs. Kamiya chooses that moment to come home.
"Kari, honey, can you and TK OH!" We are so busted.
Kari.
We are so busted. That's the only thing I can think of at the moment. Why did Mom have to come home now? Then again, it could have been worse. It could have been Tai or Dad. But we're still in deep trouble. I can't think of a single way to explain our positions that would look good and with a quick glance at TK, I can tell that he's clueless.
"Kari Kamiya get up and both of you get your buts over here right now!" She's so pissed. I get off TK and help him stand. We head over to Mom who is standing just out of the front entrance, tapping her foot impatiently. "Let me guess," she starts as soon as we get there. "You were playing around. TK, you were chasing Kari around the room. Kari, you got trapped by the couch and ducked out of the way as TK tried to tackle you. You than got on top of TK to try and keep him down. Your heads were so close because you were whispering in a completely empty house. How am I doing so far?" I can feel the heat in my cheeks rising and TK is beginning to resemble a tomato. "I thought as much." I wince and prepare myself for what is about to come. "Well, congratulations to the both of you." What the hell? "Your father, Ms. Takeshi and I always hoped that you two would just admit your feelings for each other." I'd better pull her up before she starts planning a wedding.
"Mom, we're not sure where this is going."
"Everything happened kind of suddenly," TK concurred. "We're not sure how we feel about each other, except that we kind of want to give it a try. We don't want to try and force anything, but we don't want to fight it either." He finished with a sheepish grin. Mom stayed very silent for a moment, but finally broke into a broad grin.
"Do you think it was any different for your father and your mother?" Uh oh. TK's face darkened and his grin vanished. Great Mom thanks. Just throw dirt in his face while he's down, why don't you. Fortunately, Mom's really perceptive about things like this.
"TK, come sit down. You too, Kari." Mom sat down on the couch and patted the cushion next to her. TK nodded and sat down next to her, while I sat down on the arm of the couch, next to TK. "TK, your mother and I have known each other since I meet her as an exchange student in college. She was scared and alone in a foreign country with no friends and her family was far away. She and I became very close friends. I was there when she and your father first met. They really did love each other at first. It just wasn't enough. But they both still love you and Matt. I know how proud your mother is of you; not just because of your work in the digital world, but because of the fine young man that you have grown into. I have always thought of you and Matt like my own children and I know that my husband thinks of you the same. We would be honored if you and Kari ended up being together." TK still looked doubtful. "But that isn't what you're worried about, is it?" He mutely shook his head and without thinking, I took his hand and squeezed it in support. He briefly smiled at me and I noticed Mom nod approvingly.
"I'm just scared that I'm going to end up leave Kari and hurting her; just like Dad did," TK admitted in a quiet, desperate tone that almost broke my heart.
"That won't happen," Mom assured him. "You and your father are very different. You both came to a crossroads early in life and he took one path. But you took a different one, and let your heart take precedence. You chose that path a long time ago, and I doubt that you could change now, even if you wanted to. It's too much a part of who you are." Her smile was so kind and understanding that you couldn't help but be touched by it. Then a thought crossed my mind.
"I take it that this means that TK can't stay with me while you're gone," I said, glumly.
"Says who?" Mom asked, grinning. TK and I perked up at the same moment. Mom continued on. "Your father and brother know nothing of this, and I don't plan on telling them just yet. As far as I'm concerned, you aren't together yet, so I don't need to worry. And I trust both of you enough that even if you were together, I still wouldn't mind." She winked. "Just don't do anything that your brothers would do."
TK.
I was on my way home to collect my stuff and head back to Kari's place. Her mom was a big help today. I have to admit, the thought of turning out to be like my father had kept me up at nights and kept me from anything really serious. I had been on dates before, but they had mostly been casual affairs and nothing resulted from them. But now, my fears were at least part way assuaged by Mrs. Kamiya's words, and now Kari and I had three days to decide what to do and how to do it. It sent a tingle down my spine. Three days with her blessing, so we didn't even have to worry about that. So why was I so afraid?
Maybe it was because for the first time in years, I didn't have anything holding me back. I'm so used to having to deal with borders and rules that I'm afraid of how I'm going to react. I'm in an area where I have absolutely no experience, and I can't ask anyone for advice, in case Tai or our parents find out. This has been the best and worst day of my life. Shit. I finally reach my apartment and let myself in.
It's good to be home. As much as I love spending time at the Kamiya's there is something to be said for coming home. I have to admit that I'm surprised to find Sora sitting on the couch when I come in. I'm even more surprised since all she's wearing is one of Matt's button-up shirts.
"TK!" She grabs a pillow to try and hide behind as I just shut my eyes and look away.
"Sorry, Sora, I didn't expect to find you…ah...here," I stammer. It is kind of disconcerting to find a half-naked woman sitting in your living room. Even if she is engaged to your brother. Speaking of which, here comes Matt.
"TK! What are you doing here? I thought you were having dinner with the Kamiya's?" I can't help but laugh at the sight of my brother in nothing but a pair of boxers, hair in complete disarray, storming into the living room. I'm really glad that I closed the door.
"Where are your pants?" I couldn't help it. He looks down at his state of disarray and blushes before punching me in the arm.
"Yeah, yeah, good to see you too. What are you doing here?"
"I live here. What are you doing here?"
"Boys?" We both turn to a still scantily clad Sora who's trying desperately to not laugh at us. "Yes TK, you live here. As for us, your mom asked us to watch the place for the next few days, since you were going to be staying with Kari. So why are you here?" I shrug.
"I just found out about it, so I'm here to grab some clothes. Then, I'm going back to the Kamiya's for dinner, after which Tai and Mr. and Mrs. Kamiya are leaving. Did you two even bother to bring extra clothes?" Sora flings her pillow at me, but I dodge it.
"Get going, squirt," Matt laughs. "It's impolite to make a lady wait."
"Which lady are you referring to?" I shoot back as I duck into my room. I grab my duffel bag and enough clothes to last me for a few days, just incase something happens. I also grab my laptop and my journal. With that, I'm all set. I head out the door with a wave to Matt and Sora and a promise that the four of us will get together for dinner at some point in the next few days. It only takes a few minutes to ride the elevator to the ground and then I'm on the street back to the Kamiya's hoping that Kari and I can keep our cool under pressure.
Kari.
Dinner was a nice affair, but I'm glad it's over. When TK came back, he insisted on cocking. A way to help repay my parents for their generosity, he said. Of course, TK's tasted Mom's "health food" as much as the rest of us. It was kind of tense at points. I kept feeling Tai's eyes on me, almost accusing me of something. TK and I tried very hard to keep our feelings to ourselves, and I'm pretty sure that Mom ran interference for us more than once tonight. But now dinner's over and the three of them just left to catch their train to Tokyo. I hope it goes well for them. I'm scared speechless about the next few days.
I'm standing at the window, watching them leave. I hear TK walk over to stand behind me. I feel his hands unconsciously go around my waist. We just stand there for a few minutes as the figures of my parents and brother vanish into the gathering darkness.
"What now?" TK asks, his head resting lightly atop mine.
"I don't know," I admit. He suddenly lets go of me and begins to pace around the room.
"This is ridiculous," he declares. "We've been friends for years. This isn't the first time that I've been over here for a night, why is this so difficult?"
"Because we're different now," I admit. "But you're right. Why don't we just watch a movie or something?" TK nodes in agreement and we head over to our movie selection. We argue for a few minutes and finally agree on "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon." I haven't seen it yet, and TK claims that it's really good. TK poops it into the DVD player and we sit down on the couch.
After the first hour I'm totally engrossed in the film. I have to admit, TK was right about this movie. At some point, I lay down on the couch and my head ended up in TK's lap for the second time that day. Half way through the movie, he begins to gently stroke my hair. I barely notice it at first, but it feels so relaxing. He keeps that up with his left hand and his right begins to gently skim my side and legs. His fingers just lightly skim over the skin, but it still feels both soothing and electrifying. When the movie ends, I'm in a strange kind of euphoria between horny and asleep. God, how does he do this to me? We aren't even officially together, and he can already make me feel this way. It's almost enough to make me just give in and start going out with him to see if it gets any better.
I manage to stand up after the movie ends and go to my room to change. TK goes to the guest room that he's staying in and does the same. We don't plan on falling asleep just yet, but we want to change into our night things just in case. For some reason, TK's playing makes me feel a bit bolder than before and I decide to forego my usual pajamas and instead put on a slightly flimsy nightgown that Mimi gave me as a birthday gift one year. It's pink and made of satin and it comes down to just past my knees. The top is slightly open and held up with a pair of spaghetti straps over each shoulder, exposing plenty of pale skin and a plunging back. I love the way it feels as the fabric clings to me. For a brief moment, I almost don't put on my panties underneath it, but modesty finally wins out. I briefly look at my reflection in the mirror and smile. TK wanted to play, so I think I'll give him a run for his money.
TK.
I changed into a tank top and a pair of shorts, since I normally just sleep in my boxers. I look up as Kari reenters the room and my heart literally stops for a moment. I always thought that was just a phrase, but I felt it actually stop for just a second. Then it starts working overtime. She is so beautiful, clad in that pink nightgown that Mimi bought her for her birthday. I have to admit, I always wondered how it would look on her. Now I know, and am I ever glad that I do. She stops just in the frame of the hall and poses with one hand up along the wall, her body slightly leaning towards it.
"What do you think?" she asks, arching an eyebrow. I am so glad that I put on shorts right now. I'm not sure that I can even stand with the erection I'm sporting right now.
"You're beautiful." I manage to get that out with out stammering and I'm quite proud of that. Then I start to sweat as she come over to the couch and lies down with her head in my lap, only this time she nestles herself up to me. I shift slightly and suddenly find a very comfortable position. We stay like that for who knows how long. Finally, Kari looks up into my eyes and I can easily read every emotion going through her head right now.
"It's all going to change, isn't it?" she whispers.
"Yes," I have to admit. "But not necessarily for the worse."
"I liked how things were between us," she admits. "But, not that much is really going to change, is it? I mean, you always look out for me and protect me anyway, but you let me do what I have to. You've always loved me, this is almost like formalizing what's already been there." I nod.
"The one thing that is going to change the most is going to be how people perceive us." She nods.
"I know. Except that everyone already thinks of us as a couple. What's wrong with making it official?" I smile and lean down.
"If that's the case, how about we pick up where we were before your mother interrupted?" She giggles slightly and leans up. Our lips connect and electricity dances between us. The kiss becomes deeper and more passionate as all out repressed emotions come boiling to the surface. I gently scoop her up in my arms and make my way to her bedroom. I deposit her on the bed and look down at her prone figure, eyes slightly closed and lips open invitingly. She reaches out for me enticingly and I can only reply in kind.
I wake up several hours later to the contentment of having her in my arms. It felt right earlier and if possible, it feels even more right now. I gently get out of her bed and go looking for my journal and pencils. I find them right where I left them across the hall in the guest room with the still neatly made bed. I quickly retrieve them and make my way back to her. I grab the chair from her desk and sit next to the bed. I take a moment to simply take in her features before I begin to sketch. An hour later, she still hasn't woken up and I finish. I carefully hide my journal and pencils and slip back under the covers. Her arms instinctively encircle my waist and pull me closer to her. I can only happily comply and snuggle closer, finally falling asleep to the scent of her hair and the gentle rhythm of her breathing.