Disclaimer: The characters, items, places etc of Digimon are property of Toei Ltd. These objects are used without permission for entertainment only, not for making money. No infringement is intended.

Six Days

by Nanaki Lioness

Warning: Contains Taito (lots this time!) and Takari (not much; more Taito ^^). Taito is Tai x Matt (homosexual relationship; don't like, don't read) and Takari is TK x Kari. The final part of the Christmas trilogy, even though this is set at New Year ^^ Dedicated to my close friends who reside in *completely* different locations to me, and I contact via e-mail (meaning, e-pals ^^); Frank Verderosa, Atsuko, Natsu, Jessica Dragontamer, MJ and Tarranon. Thanks to you all! Oh, and I can't forget Chocobo_ghost (my real life fiancé), who'll read this because I beg him to give me honest feedback ^^ Anyway, angst and fluff yet again, but hopefully a happier ending *if* my muse will co-operate ^_~

It has been six days. TK sighed as he set about organising the apartment for his and Matt's New Year party. Their parents had let them have the place to themselves, as well as a small amount of alcohol. TK had been surprised, but hadn't protested. He had a bowl set aside and had some fruit in the fridge to make punch, but he had no idea how to mix alcohol. He had intended on asking Matt for help, but...well, Matt wasn't exactly in a partying mood.

Six days. Six days since Matt had had that devastating conversation with Tai. Six days since he had fallen into a deep depression at what he called his own stupidity. Six days since Kari had informed him Tai hadn't been much better off.

Six whole days of Matt depressed had certainly worn down Christmas Spirit in the household. Their parents had been two wrapped up in each other to notice their son's distress, having recently got closer, but TK had noticed. He was now sharing a room with Matt, having moved his things from the guest room to help keep his brother company.

Even now, at nearing 7pm, he knew Matt would be moping, thinking about what could have been. TK had had enough after a couple of days, and had lost his temper a little.

/flashback/

"Matt, if you're so upset about it, then why did you tell him no?!"

"It couldn't happen TK. You know that."

"But it could, Matt!"

"TK-"

"Matt! Listen to me! You two will always be friends! *Always*!"

"TK! Look, leave me alone, all right? I don't need you making me feel any worse than I already do!"

"But Matt, don't you see?! No matter what, you guys will always be there for each other, right?! Even though you want to be together, and love each other in that sense, you'll always love each other anyway! Friendship is love too! You're the Keeper of Friendship, you should know that! Love's not only for Sora, ya know! So snap out of it! *You* caused this, Matt! Deal with the consequences!"

And then Matt had cried. TK had felt immensely guilty, knowing he was the cause of the ragged sobs that clutched at his brother's throat, choking him and making his breaths come in gasps. He knew he was responsible for the crystal tears that were running small streams down his cheeks. He had been the one to make his sorrowful sibling's eyes sparkle like two fine aquamarine stones, and the tears beaded across his raven eyelashes that looked like diamonds. He had done that. He had caused the pain and sorrow behind every sob and every tear.

So TK had stopped, even though he knew his argument made sense. He had embraced his brother, feeling like the elder one as Matt cried his grief into his shoulder, muttering incoherant things about himself that TK was grateful he couldn't hear.

\\flashback\\

TK slowly knocked on Matt's door, opening it before waiting for an answer. He was met with a sorry scene; Matt was lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling, eyes glassy and disinterested in the world around him.

"Matt...?"

Matt didn't react for a few seconds, but eventually turned his gaze on his younger brother.

"What is it, little bro?"

"I...I need some help making the punch..."

Matt nodded and got off the bed, giving TK the smallest of smiles. But TK grinned wide; it was the first smile he'd seen all week. He was actually making an effort.

Matt followed him out into the living room, where TK had the bowl waiting, with a bottle of Bacardi and various fruit juices beside it.

"I'll cut the fruit," TK offered. "If you can do that."

"Sure."

TK set about cutting the strawberries and grapes while Matt mixed the punch. TK glanced over occasionally, watching with fascination as Matt mixed the drinks like a pro, even though TK knew he had never done it. Well, to his knowledge anyway.

"You're doing it again..." he said softly, causing Matt to turn and face him with a quizical look.

"Doing what?"

"Doing things perfectly. Have you made punch before?"

Matt grinned a little. "Once."

"You know you're not meant to be drinking at other people's parties, Matt."

"I never said I drunk anything, TK." There was a pause. "But I did anyway. Don't tell mom and dad, eh?"

"Wouldn't dream of it."

TK brought the fruit over and placed it in the bowl which was about half full with a blackcurrant smelling liquid. The juices immediatly engulfed the small fruit pieces, sinking into the pores of each juicy piece and staining it a little purple.

"Did you get drunk?"

Matt laughed a little, which TK was glad for. Maybe he was snapping out of depression.

"Yeah. Completly ratted actually." He ruffled TK's hair. "And don't ever do it yourself. It sucks."

"So what did you do? People always do stupid things when they get drunk."

Matt didn't answer immediately. Instead, he opened a packet of rolls nearby and began preparing them for the party. TK was glad for the help; he only had half hour before everyone would be arriving and he had hardly done anything. He picked up some cocktail sticks and began making cheese chunks for cheese and pineapple sticks. They were the most popular finger food at a party, for a reason TK couldn't comprehend. He wasn't a big fan of pineapple, so he made sure to make separate sticks without it.

"Matt?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry TK. I don't quite remember what happened, actually."

TK left the subject alone. He could see Matt was beginning to slip back into his depression, and that was the last thing TK wanted.

"So...will you be joining us tonight?" He asked after an awkward pause.

"Nah...you have fun without me. I'd only depress you all."

"Come on Matt! It'll be fun!"

Matt contemplated it a moment before shaking his head again. "No, it's all right. I have things to do-"

"What, like mope around your room all night, like you've been doing for the past six days?!"

"TK-"

"Just because *Tai* will be there?"

Matt stiffened visibly at the name, the knife that he was cutting the roll with stopping in mid slice.

"Matt, you two can't avoid each other forever. You made this decision because you didn't want to ruin your friendship, right? Well, that's exactly what you're doing anyway!"

Matt thought about that a moment, his eyes lighting in realisation. "You're right...as usual...we *are* damaging our friendship..."

"I've been trying to tell you that all week."

"Thanks TK!" Matt surprised him with a hug before carrying on with the rolls. TK blinked and carried on cutting cheese. Tonight was going to be a strange night, he felt.

Well, it would have achieved one thing if those two at least talk to each other...then maybe they can both see how much they need one another...man, I'm glad things aren't this complicated between me and Kari!

His thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door, which he hurried to get. An early guest, no doubt.

He grinned as he saw Kari standing there, hugging her furiously and kissing her cheek.

"Hey TK," she said, grinning.

TK saw Tai behind her and grinned at him.

"Come on in!"

Tai looked at him wearily.

"But what about-"

"Come in Tai."

TK looked round to see Matt standing behind him, a slight smile on his face. He was holding the knife in one hand and a half cut roll in the other. Kari noted that and offered to help TK in the kitchen. They both hurried off, leaving the two alone.

"If you're going to stab me with that knife, I'll be going..." Tai said, hoping the small joke would break the ice.

It did. Matt grinned and made stabbing motions towards Tai.

"Come on in to the slaughter fest," he joked. Tai grinned wide and walked in, glad they were at least talking now. It was a start.

TK waved Matt away from the kitchen, taking the knife and roll off of him.

"Go talk to him," he urged. "Put some music on as well. This place needs livening up!"

Matt grinned in response and went back into the living room. Tai was helping himself to punch.

"What's in this?" He asked.

"Bacardi and fruit juice."

"Kinda like the one you made at my party last year..."

"Yeah, that's right. I mixed it the same."

Tai grinned, taking a sip. "You *do* remember how ratted we got last time, don't you? And it was your fault, since you made the punch too strong!"

"I made it a little bit weaker this time. But not much." Tai saw the evil twinkle in Matt's eyes and laughed. He knew it had been made a *lot* weaker after the last time.

Tai downed the plastic cup and spooned more into it. Matt rolled his eyes as he placed a CD on low volume. It was still a little early for the others to arrive, but the atmosphere needed helping along anyway.

"So...what have you been doing since I last saw you?" Matt asked, trying to make conversation.

"...nothing much. You?"

"Not much either."

There was another silence.

"This is stupid," Tai eventually said. "I thought we did this so our friendship wouldn't suffer."

"I know...TK told me that earlier...but it's just hard..."

"I know..."

Another silence.

"Couldn't we...at least...try...?" Tai asked slowly. "You know, give it a shot, and if things start to go wrong, break it off for any damage can be done?"

"...I don't want things to go wrong. I want things to be perfect."

"Nothing's perfect Matt. Every relationship has it's ups and downs."

Matt sighed. "I guess with a broken family, I should know that, huh?" He laughed a little, but there was nothing funny at all. "But Tai...look at what we've done these last six days! We've not contacted each other...I've not exactly been happy, and I'm sure you haven't either..."

"No...but only because I wanted to know what I was missing. I want you, Matt! I always have done."

Matt felt his eyes tear up. This was just making things more difficult than it had to be. "Tai, you know it wouldn't work out! I mean...what would we tell our parents? And our friends?! Everyone would be waiting for it to all fall down, so they could laugh and say 'I told you so'!"

Tai didn't say anything.

"Don't you see Tai?"

"No. Don't *you* see?" Tai sounded angry, and Matt stayed quiet, wanting to here what had annoyed him. "After you told me how you felt, I was elated. A chance at a relationship with you! But then...then you took it all away as quick as you gave it, and made me feel as though I'd done something wrong. That I was to blame. When I left, Kari guessed what had happened and told me she was sure things would work out. But I wasn't sure. I knew with an attitude like yours, things would never work out and we'd never be together. Because you're so damn *scared* of losing our friendship, when that'll *never* happen anyway!" Matt jumped a little at the anger in Tai's voice, but still stayed silent. Tai continued, having gained his composure. "When we got home, Mom and Dad instantly knew what was wrong. They asked me, and I wouldn't say. They asked Kari, who wouldn't say either. Mom demanded to know what had happened after a couple of days of me moping around. And I told her." He stopped for a moment, staring at the floor as he felt Matt's eyes on him.

"What did you tell her...?" Matt breathed, half of him crying out to know, the other half begging him not to find out.

"Everything." Tai's voice cracked just then, and he tried to blink back the tears in his eyes. "How I felt about you, how you felt about me, how we could never be together...and she was all right about it. I couldn't believe it; I thought she'd hate me for liking guys and not girls. But she offered to help me, but I told her she couldn't. Because you "didn't want to damage our friendship". It's already damaged, Matt! Just telling me how you felt and then telling me we couldn't be together did that!"

Matt stared at the carpet, wishing it would swallow him whole. He had no idea Tai had felt as bad as he had. And he certainly hadn't intended on it either.

"But you know what the worst part about it is, Matt? I got so upset that I thought about whether I should live or not. You know, whether to slice my wrists and be done with it. You didn't care about me, and I thought no-one else did either. I cried for ages that night, when we got home, just wondering what I did wrong and what I could do to fix it...damn it, look at me now, I'm crying again..."

Matt didn't look at Tai as the brunette struggled to pull himself together. It took a few moments before Tai could continue.

"But the more I thought about it, the more I decided not to. Simply because I worked out that we would at least be friends, if nothing else. I half expected you to call in the morning and tell me it was all right, that you knew we'd always be friends, so why not give it a shot? But no...and when I tried to call you, I chickened out and put the phone down before it even started ringing. I'm such a damn *coward*...Crest of Courage...I don't think so..."

"Don't down yourself, Tai, *I'm* the one to blame here," Matt interjected. "I was the one who told you we couldn't be more than friends. How are you to blame?"

Tai didn't answer. He simply pulled the pendant Matt had bought him for Christmas out from under his t-shirt and stared at it, eyes filling with tears that he had just managed to suppress.

"Matt...stop this, *please*..." he begged, his eyes shut, tears squeezing past the defenses of his eyelids. "...please stop this torture and just tell me you love me like I love you...!" He began to sob gently, running his hands through his chestnut hair, pulling at it in frustration.

Matt's eyes widened as Tai said that. Love? Such a strong word, thrown around with little care in modern society...it had lost all meaning to most but Matt could tell Tai meant it from the bottom of his heart.

"What do you mean...you love me?" He asked slowly.

"What the hell do you *think* I mean?!" Tai sobbed, anguish clearly evident in his voice. "I mean I love you Matt! I always have done and I always will do, even if you tell me we can't be together! I'll love you even if you meet someone, get married and have kids...I'd love you even if you became the next Digimon Emperor! Because I can't *help* feeling this way! I didn't ask to fall in love with you! I'm not that masochistic!"

Matt found tears spilling from his own azure eyes as Tai made his sorrow evidently clear. He hadn't meant to do this! He had thought he was making the right decision, that it was for the best!

"I...I'm sorry Tai, I never meant-"

"I know you never meant for this to happen," Tai interrupted. "But it did. I've felt this way for a long time...if you hadn't said anything, I might have been able to kid myself a little longer. But no..."

Matt swallowed, trying not to sob as he realised what he had done. He had never meant to hurt Tai, and he didn't know how to right the wrong he had caused.

"Do...do you hate me Tai?" He whispered.

"Hate you...?" Tai looked up at him then, making eye contact for the first time since the conversation had began. "I could never hate you, Matt. I love you too much..."

Matt felt his throat close then, unable to breath as sobs threatened to overwhelm him. How could he have been so stupid?! This guy would always want to be friend with him, even if they split up after a relationship! Hell, he was pretty certain he would go to the ends of the Earth just to make him happy...

...and that made him feel *good*. It made him feel *wanted*.

So he kissed him. Tai didn't know what to do for a moment, taken by surprise, but soon he was kissing Matt back with as much enthusiasm as he was being given.

After what seemed like a blissful eternity, they broke apart to the sound of people clapping behind them. Turning, blush spread across both their cheeks, they saw their friends, watching them with smiles on their faces.

"It's about time!" TK said happily, bounding over to embrace his brother.

"We were wondering when you two would get together," Joe stated. "It was pretty obvious you liked each other."

"Obvious to everyone except us, eh?" Matt declared, grinning at Tai. "Well, not any more. I love you, Tai."

Tai choked, emotion overcoming him. But it was joy that caused tears to fall from his eyes this time.

"I love you too, Matt..." he whispered before sealing their lips together in another, heartfelt kiss.

And I always will. No matter what happens, you'll always have my heart, Matt.