Author: Fugu

Archive: ask before

Warning: I've seen the Digimon shows until Izzi's adventures as leader with TK's team, once. So it's pretty much AU and major OOC because I have very little memory of it. Major sap, possible Mpreg (if it does happen, it won't be the usual nine months with baby at the end) angst and oh yes, pretty plot less

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: purely for entertainment purposes, own no copyright.

Title: The Fool On the Hill (from the Beatles song)

Pairing: obviously most incredibly sappy Yamato Ishida/ Jyou Kiddo.

Taichi Kamiya/ Sora Takenouchi, Mimi Tachikawa/ OMC, etc.

Notes: If you have read my other fics, you know that I just write for the sake of Sap and hurt/comfort; you know that I don't start arcs chronologically either. More so, I'm not a prolific writer, but I need to finish what I start. I don't know when I'll finish this story. It's been going on for more than 10 years! This is a work in progress, meaning that at anytime I might go back to rewrite and polish this fic as I add chapters. If any of these things are peeves, then you shouldn't be reading this story. Cheers ^_^

The Fool On The Hill

2. Marriage and fries with that?

(august 04)

Los Angeles, 1h30 a.m.

The cathode screen was illuminating the room with its eerie light, plunging the far corners in shadows while the face of the man sitting in front of it was rendered translucent. Suddenly arms crossed around his neck in a warm embrace.

"You're killing your eyes."

"Hum?"

"Matt come to bed, it's past midnight."

Matt smiled as Joe kissed him on the cheek. "Gimme a minute, I just need to finish that paragraph."

"What are you reading that's so interesting anyways?" The dark haired man asked before leaning back for a dry cough.

"Are you okay? You've been coughing a lot lately?"

Joe coughed again clearing his throat with more gusto, "My throat's kinda sore. I might be coming down with something." He chided resting his chin on the blonde's shoulder.

Matt looked into the face beside his, pale skin as soft as a woman's, rounded cheeks, a straight nose and fleshy lips, big black eyes with the spark of adventure shadowed by a premature seriousness; his heart seized at the love he felt for the man. He briefly borrowed his face in the thick ebony hair so dark it appeared blue and closed the computer.

"Hey, you didn't save it! Wasn't that important?" Joe stood and coughed a bit harder, unconsciously rubbing his chest "You've been at it all day."

The blonde stood after his boyfriend and gathered him close, caressing the slightly longer than shoulder length hair. Joe laid his head on Matt's shoulder, face tucked in the blonde's neck, hugging him in turn. He let himself be held in the dark and silent apartment were only the sounds of the streets below intruded their peace. He sighed and swiftly turned his face away as he coughed harder. Matt felt Joe's skin warm his neck " I think you might be runniing a fever."

Joe groaned. He hated this kind of weather, moist and heavy, it had been worse during Japanese summers but his weak lungs didn't need much to protest. Having a summer cold sucked.

Matt's face darkened with concern when Joe pushed off to cough harder and sniffle, before sneezing harshly.

"Let's go lie down." And he ushered Joe out of the computer room, pass the living room towards their bedroom.

Joe sighed and cleared his throat. "Uhh, you jinxed me. I was alright before you brought attention to my cough. Ugh, I want Ny quill, Day quill and Sudafed all at one." he rambled on.

"uh huh, "Matt soothed and pushed the man inside their room. "Sit" he pointed to the bed before going into their private bathroom. "How's your chest?"

"Fine" Joe pulled their Siamese flush to his thigh. Pooka started a wet purr, encouraging the attention. , "It's burning a bit but feels nothing like asthma, think it's just irritated."

Matt came back with the thermometer, handing it to Joe. The latter accepted it and pushed it in his ear. He gazed at the man while he furrowed in a drawer coming out with two pajama pants and a t-shirt. He put them on the bed.

"Stand up."

"I can undress myself alone you know. I' m big boy." Joe chided

Matt raised an eyebrow. Joe sighed and complied. They both knew that Matt was the mother hen from Hell. Joe could and would argue until he's blue in the face and Matt would get his way anyways. Matt respected him, respected his strength, but seriously, he was such a girl. Okay, maybe Joe didn't help with his moaning either.

Thus when Joe was feeling as shitty as tonight, he just capitulated right off the bat. Joe patiently endured his boyfriend's care. And okay, he did like to be pampered he just didn't have to admit it. As Matt was pulling his jammies up Joe caressed the soft blond hair. He must have some east-European blood in his family, strong genes too for his brother to get the same hair color. Japanese with hair this blonde were incredibly rare. Many thought it was dyed, or they plainly didn't believe he was Japanese. Matt looked up into Joe's contemplative eyes, his heart skipped a couple of beats as the sudden surged of love he felt for the man kneeling in front of him nearly choked him. He sat down and Matt reached for his boyfriend's shirt.

"Matt?"

"Hm?" Matt asked without looking up from his unbuttoning.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure"

"Will you marry me?"

"Sure"

"Okay" Joe grinned.

Matt pushed the shirt open and laid a hand on Joe's chest, looking up into the pale face, eyes twinkling.

"Alright?"

Joe was about to answer when the world kind of tilted on its axis. Sound and vision came back, immediately, but not fast enough judging by Matt's thunderous expression.

"Joe!?"

"Woa, I'm back. Sorry," he puffed out a breath and looked at the thermometer that had fallen to the bed. "My fever isn't that high, the hell?"

Matt's shovel of a hand was on his forehead. " You've been pushing yourself a lot lately. You're exhausted, no wonder a summer cold would knock you down."

Although Joe had outgrown his asthma (the reason why they could keep a cat), Joe's frequent childhood allergies and severe attacks had left him susceptible to chest colds. Joe was fairly ecstatic to be finally healthy, but his last hospitalizations, a good six years ago had traumatized Matt to almost PTSD levels. Matt had almost lost him twice to heart failure, no less. It was his mission in life, henceforth, to make sure Joe kept his lungs and heart healthy. He never let a cold rest more than a week and forced Joe to allow his care until he was fully back to stupendous health. He never wanted to see his lover's face turning blue as he urgently gasped for air, eyes rolling back in his head, while his heart failed him. Or, the limp body jerking violently as charges of electricity urged the still muscle to beat again. He shuddered and closed his eyes. He pushed his face into the soft stomach and concentrated on it's up and down motion to ward off the visions.

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing"

Joe made a non-committal sound.

Matt sighed, "I'm tired myself."

"Sure. Give me my meds", Joe let it slide as he rolled to his side of the bed and groaned in satisfaction when his body just relaxed. "I just realized that I've been going without naps the last couple of weeks. Uhh, I can't live without naps." he mumbled sleepily.

"Mhh," Matt stood up quickly and drew the covers over him. " Don't fall asleep yet," He put a few pills in Joe's hand "Take your medication first."

Joe pushed himself up on one elbow to gulp the pills down with the glass of water Matt left on the nightstand. Matt walked to the bathroom to prepare for bed and give him some privacy. Joe always felt awkward taking meds in front of people, him included, be it his puffers or a Tylenol. It was manifestation of the residual shame and guilt that Matt was doing his damn best to wipe out, but it took time. Joe was allowed as any body else to have some weaknesses and to lean on someone when he needed to. During high school and med school Joe had turned into an introverted recluse, a big surprise from the ever-complaining boy of 12 they'd gotten to know. Matt believed he'd made some leeway in the 4 years they had been living together, more so in the past two when Matt had decided to move them to the States since Joe now let loose a little bit.

Matt finished brushing his teeth listening to Joe cough; the sound wasn't so harsh anymore, and walked to the bed. He sat down and took out some analgesic ointment from the side table. He turned towards the resting brunette, crossing his legs as he took a good glob out of the container and rubbed his hands vigorously to warm it up. While he did so he watched Joe's chest closely to make sure his breathing had evened out. His gaze went to the finger tips looking for any telltale pallor; he did the same for his lips and cheeks. He was satisfied to see some color coming back to his face. The inhalers were working.

"How are you feeling?"

Matt watched as Joe opened his eyes. His gaze was clear and alert as ebony orbs slid towards him. "sleepy."

Matt nodded and started slathering the decongestant, vigorously rubbing his chest and neck.

Matt nodded, "On your stomach".

Joe grimaced but complied. He hated the greasy feeling of the ointment but it did help clear his lungs. When Matt finished he turned around and watched as Matt walked into the bathroom to wash his hands. Back in bed, after pulling light covers over them, he gathered Joe's overheated body to him. Joe mumbled sleepily as Matt's bear paw gripped his hand on the mattress.

Within minutes, Joe's soft snores filled the darkness. Matt sighed and kissed the back of his head, falling asleep as well.

To be continued