Alright, first of all: hello! Second, I hate the title. And yes, you need to know that. Not that it changes anything, seeing as I'm obviously using it anyway. The reason I keep it (despite hating it) is because it's pretty explanatory, and... yeah. Just don't like how it's so forced.

Third, annoyingly enough I'm founding myself putting too much work into this story, which makes me want to make a whole goddamn book out of it. But it's still gonna have to have that ending, because that's the scene I was trying to get out in the first place, which anyone will find irretating if they've spend a long time reading it. I dunno I just like the relashionship between these three, it's so useful when it comes to building up the characters (a fic with only Tai and Matt being together can turn out pretty flat). But, I won't. There's gonna be one more chapter and then I'm gonna abandon you with the feeling of WTF (yes, that's a feeling). End of discussion. And no answers either.

Now read. And then review. Thanks :)


Third Wheel Caught In The Middle


Yamato was a good people-reader. He noticed the details you thought he never would, and understood the things that you never imagined he'd be able to. He was weird in that way; not many considered the blond as the person to talk to when they were troubled or upset, since he gave the impression of not really caring and not appreciating them sharing personal things with him. It was rather when his friends expected the least that he would suddenly put their problem into a sentence, or give them an answer to their unspoken question, successfully scaring the hell out of them.

At the same time, Yamato could be dense about the most obvious things, which gave away the over-all impression of him as a cold and ignorant person who chose to see only the things he felt like seeing.

While Taichi had the creepy talent of reading him like an open book, Yamato could see through his friend just as well, however not because he was very apprehensive or trained; Taichi just was an open book.

With an exception of the last few months.

Both Sora and Yamato were positive that their shared best friend wouldn't be able to keep up their friendship as the third wheel. Honestly, what person doesn't find that at least a little bothering?

They had both comforted themselves with that if their friend was hurt in some way, at least they would surely notice it before it made too much damage. Just like Yamato immediately had spotted the love in Taichi's eyes whenever he looked at his childhood friend –which after two months of a one-sided crush turned out to be a misinterpretation of friendship. Just like Sora could read the fear in the brunet's eyes whenever something happened to his little sister, reminded of the accident many years ago where he was supposed to have looked after her and didn't.

Right now that only hope was threatened, as they couldn't figure out if they should trust his happy appearance, or if Taichi's true feelings this time required a closer look.

Taichi stubbornly kept his promise, sticking by them both. But it didn't keep the couple from worrying about him. Whether it was just their imagination or not, they could tell that something was a bit off, though never enough so that they could put their finger on it.

Eventually, their weak conscious forced them to take action, whether Taichi would appreciate it or not.

:

It was near November, and the evenings were starting to arrive at 5 PM, turning late outdoor activities into unappealing punishments. Instead people stayed inside, cozing up in front of the TV, tricked into adjusting to the season. It was the perfect time of the year for a relationship, whereas summer is always the time for flirts. There's no wonder why; going out to meet new people was during winter not a tempting option.

By now, Sora and Yamato hardly stole any alone-time from their busy schedule. When they weren't preoccupied with respective jobs, studies, band- and tennis-practises or families, they desperately made sure to hang out with Taichi. Both of their consciousnesses were already permanently damaged for deciding to hook up in the first place, and they knew that they had to keep their friend sincerely happy in order to ever forgive themselves.

Plus, spending time together without Taichi was weird.

He was the link between them. What they had in common. At first they hadn't cared much for the other, but soon they trusted the brunet's credence and gave each other a chance. With Taichi's help they could see in the other what he saw in both of them. Yagami Taichi made Yamato grin and Sora let herself be the tomboy she really was.

Around the bearer of Courage Sora wasn't the insecure and complicated girl she became around other females; she sunk back into the simple, strong and happy human being with dreams and hopes and faith in the goodness of mankind.

Around Taichi Yamato's walls of ice melted, and he allowed his true self to show, which beat his cool appearnce by far. With his inner being exposed, which was slowly growing stronger as time went by, the hidden human that you'd think would be something worth hiding, turned out to be simply a good heart.

With no Taichi around, their faith in each other wasn't quite enough to keep that up. Add the guilt –which they were both phenomenal at feeling- and their relationship was decent at the most. They did click; there was chemistry between them, which was what had forced them together. Sora understood Yamato and had the patience and strength he needed, while Yamato could magically make everything feel better again no matter what Sora had been through.

Sora never lost her nerve when Yamato backed away from her. Even at the times when she had been just about to completely reach him, she didn't become angry when he all of a sudden winced. She gave him space and time, never judging or blaming him like everyone else seemed to be doing. She may not be on quite the same level but she certainly had the right qualification to get there.

Whenever Sora had her doubts or worries, Yamato happened to spot something in her and cured it, or just gave her a look that made all the worries fade away. From feeling seperated by millions of miles, he would suddenly bore deep into her mind where she couldn't imagine even herself discovering before. There were never any 'I'm so sorry baby' or empty promises. He never tried to buy her forgiveness; he simply saw her, and that was all she asked for.

:

The two sat side by side on the couch, silence lying heavily over them. It had finally come to that dead-end where they just couldn't continue any further. Despite the now obvious line through their relationship, this had been unexpected by both of them. It wasn't just plain worry or guilt for Taichi anymore. It was realising that they couldn't do this without him.

Sora couldn't handle Yamato like the brunet could. With all her patience and sympathy she lacked that edge that forced him to take chances. Taichi understood Yamato, though he didn't always treat him gently enough to keep him unbothered. What he did was challenge or encourage or plain forcing him to do his best and believe in himself.

While the blond could fascinate and cast all sorts of spells on the redhead, Sora didn't feel the deep sense of liability in him, as she could in Taichi. She trusted the brunet with all of her heart, because despite that he may not always be as smooth or perfect as the blond, she knew for certain that he always cared and did the best he could. He was always there. That, she couldn't really say about Yamato.

It wasn't the first time they had invited Taichi over to spend the evening with them, watching movies and just talking. It was a very appreciated get-together they did every once in a while, when they were just three friends. Sora and Yamato had stubbornly kept the tradition, finding it somewhat sacred now that things weren't quite the same as they used to be. It often resulted in an awkward evening, filled with regret and pressure.

In the end, Sora and Yamato were just a couple, and it didn't always work pretending to be nothing more. It just happened; they made a comment, exchanged looks, touched in a affectionate way, or forgot that the brunet was there. Taichi never minded the slip-ups, if nothing else then simply because it didn't happen as annoyingly often as he had experienced with other couples, Takeru and Hikari for example. However that just might have something to do with being a big brother –he and Yamato both agreed on that their siblings overdid it.

The few times they had started arguing, it had been due to the couple's weak conscious getting the best of them. The three arguments had all contained the lines "I don't mind!" "Yes you do! We're such shitty friends, why can't you at least tell us that!" "Because it doesn't bother me, why can't you trust me on that!" "Because! Damnit, we don't want to screw up our friendship, and you have to be honest!" "I am honest!"

The hardest moment was when it was time to go home. Before, Sora and Yamato would crash at Taichi's place, or the two brunets had stayed the night at Yamato's. Both boys were though never allowed to have sleepovers at the girl's, due to a slightly over-protecting mother. Now, Taichi was the one who went home alone. The sight wrenched their hearts, but they knew it couldn't be helped. They had once, in the beginning of their relationship asked Taichi to stay over, but he had just given them a funny look and declaimed. Then, giving them a cheery grin he'd bed them goodnight with a "sleep tight, emo's!" and walked home, whistling some cheesy melody that made them both glare behind his back.

:

Taichi really didn't mind. Both Sora and Yamato were people who needed a person that they could hold and spend their time with. Sora just had that enormous bunch of love that she had to give to someone, and Yamato –well, that guy seriously needed a hug from time to time.

It was a clever solution; he praised them for taking that opportunity. If they hadn't, they might I've been alone right now. And how stupid is that! They were lucky being in love, it's not something you can take for granted or give up just because it complicates a few things.

:

The game hadn't been more important than any other. Then again, not any less either, especially not for Taichi and his friends that usually came to watch and show their support. The importance of the game didn't matter to the group; Taichi loved playing football, over prices or not. That was why they came. Sora probably enjoyed it the most among the ones watching. She had played football herself and had the tendency of getting completely caught up in it, whether she was on the field, if it was a game on TV, or if it was her friends playing.

After becoming a tennis player, Sora was an exception of the otherwise strict but unspoken role of showing up. But as long as she didn't have a game herself, she did.

Yamato was also an exception, though gigs rarely clashed with football games. Band practise definitely didn't count. Basically, the brunet could count on having either Yamato or Sora there for him, if not both.

One day, he had looked up from the field, excited over their team's victory, expecting to see two or at least one familiar face. He had later got a call by a quiet Yamato who'd explained that he had forgot that Sora's game had been today and that he was really sorry. Taichi said that it was okay.

:

It was a premiere, and they had all three agreed that the movie was a must-see. Or at least a pretty sweet way of spending your Saturday evening eating a bag of popcorn to. The tickets had been extra expensive. During three quarters of the movie, Sora and Yamato, a couple since three days back had completely ignored the film for making out. They had later apologized a bit sheepishly, but Taichi said it was cool.

:

It was lunch, and the three friends were located at the dining hall, eating, chatting and annoying each other. When a tanned hand came flying through the air, mercilessly messing up Yamato's neat hair, the blond snapped, as per usual. Being in a public area, the brunet was lucky to keep his hand attached to the rest of him. However, when Sora two seconds later made the mess worse, the rock-star merely mock glared and smirked when the girl giggled in amusement.

Yamato had later defended himself with that he didn't snap at girls. Taichi nodded, but knew that it wasn't true.

:

He was always the one that made her smile again. Being a complete idiot from time to time, Taichi had worked out different ways of making up for it and turning Sora's frown upside down. Frankly, he had become quite an expert.

When his childhood friend had locked herself into the bathroom, Yamato was the one allowed to enter. Back in the Digiworld, this troubled boy had many times cost Sora to cry, sometimes even on purpose. He had on several occasions claimed that he was completely incapable of talking to girls, better yet comforting (which had to do with his doubt in being the Child of friendship).

The brunet saw nothing wrong with Yamato being the one to comfort Sora; they were dating, and even though Taichi might know her inside and out, his best friend deserved a chance.

:

Walking down the streets in the rain, he cursed himself for not owning an umbrella. It was just something about those essential things that always managed to slip his mind. Like batteries. Five supplies in his apartment –about to become six- were out of function right now because of his stupid incapacity of buying new ones.

He crossed the street, wondering if they had made dinner. He hoped so. Other than the company, one of the main attractions of Yamato's place was food. Or rather the dishes he made out of it, when he was in a good mood. Having a friend with not only decent but absolutely amazing cooking skills was a rare and desirable luck to have being a nineteen year old male that just started living on his own. It was the only thing Taichi could admit to envy Sora of: taking advantage of the blonde's cooking before he could.

He shivered briefly, raising his shoulders slightly to shield his neck from the cold drops that wanted to land there. Taichi was usually unbothered by the cold –compared to Yamato who would turn blue after two seconds if his surroundings were any less than 15 degrees. He'd never admit being cold though. And he would not ever ask for warmth. He'd rather freeze to death.

Taichi smirked, remembering when he and his friend had sat on the train station, waiting for a delayed train. It was winter; the air was crisp and the sky was covered with stars. With brown eyes gazing up at the beautiful dots of light, he had chatted away, God knows about what exactly, while his pale companion had sat quietly beside him, not uttering a single word for twenty minutes. When Taichi finally took time to notice his great lack of response, he'd shot Yamato a glance, discovering the boy's blue lips a deadly white cheeks. Caught off guard, Taichi had ripped his jacket off and handed it over, too surprised to say anything. The jacked had dropped to the cemented ground with a echoing thud. Yamato couldn't move his hands.

:

Giving up the zigzagging, Taichi stomped right though a puddle of water. His shoes were drenched anyway. Sora and Yamato's apartment wasn't that far now either, just a few corners and at the end of the last street. Four stairs up.

It was a nice place, pretty small for two people; Yamato had owned it first and then asked Sora to move in with him. She had insisted on that it was enough, which was a clever choice since they were both still studying and not working fulltime yet.

The gathering was often at their place, for a reason they all knew of but chose not to talk about. Taichi just wasn't an orderly guy. And he never seemed to own food. That wasn't very unusual for a guy in his age, but it certainly excluded his place for watching movies and hanging out. Not that he complained; as mentioned, Yamato did serve awesome meals. And their apartment actually smelled nice.

Entering the building and finally escaping the rain, he sighed and shook his head, ridding the water from his bushy hair. He took the stairs, two steps at a time, shortly reaching the fourth floor. In here the walls were a bright shade of yellow, nothing like the white and grey walls in his and Sora's old apartment building. He remembered one time painting orange dinosaurs on one wall with crayons he'd gotten from Sora. That was about as colorful it ever got. The girl had told on him and his mother had made him go to his room and think about what he'd done. Taichi's revenge had been kidnapping one of the girl's favourite stuffed animals. Being the typical cry-baby, Sora had told her mom and Taichi had once again gotten in trouble. Their moms had forced the boy to lead them to Sora's unicorn, which was hidden in the washing room, blindfolded and with duct tape over its mouth.

It was after that he and Sora strangely enough became good friends, all thanks to their parents' decision of trying to keep the kids separate in order to avoid any further pranks.

:

Ringing the doorbell, he listened to the footsteps approaching the door, instantly giving away who it was.

Sora.

She had a light, tipping sort of walk. Not the eager or hysterical way of getting the door, like her friend Mimi had. It was calm but cheery at the same time. He appreciated that atmosphere around Sora; that calm and stable joyfulness that she managed to infect others of, even when simultaneously feeling like a total mess herself.

Greeting him with happy, then widened eyes and a horrid gasp as she took in his pathetically drenched form, Sora didn't even say hello before muttering "baka", and dragging him into the apartment.

Apparently, he looked more wet than he felt.

"You still haven't bought an umbrella? Tai, how many times are you gonna have to get soaked before you realise you need one!"

"Nice to see you too," he replied, smiling genuinely as though she had actually greeted him properly. It was his weird way of being sarcastic.

He knew that Sora couldn't help it though. Give her one reason to take care of you and she gladly would; it was her mother instincts.

Waving a hand at Yamato who was sitting on the couch, Taichi looked back down at the redhead, rolling his eyes when he realised that she was still scowling.

"It looks worse than it is!"

Yamato chuckled, amused by their typical argument. Then, before Sora had the time to lecture the brunet further, he mentioned food, which was all Taichi needed to hear before dashing into the kitchen.

Dinner, which followed shortly consisted the couple indiscreetly snickering at the football player, who was eating as though he'd never had the opportunity before, as well as said teen's endless praising of the cook, whom continuously waved it off. That is, until his girlfriend joined in; then he started yelling at them which resulted in the two harassers breaking into laughter because of their hopelessly awkward friend. Flattery was just as effective as arguing when it came making Yamato snap.

They filled the evening with pointless but still so precious talk, goofing around and mainly killing time by being mature enough to beat three year olds. Only ruining the easy mood a few times by trying too hard, Yamato and Sora managed to stay casual throughout the evening, actually succeeding on creating another few happy memories.

Well, actually... that would've been a normal night.

What did happen, would be pretty hard to fit under the category of normal.


To Be Continued...

Exciting, eh? ^_^