I'm still around, yep. Writing's probably going to be slow-ish for awhile, but I haven't forgotten this fic and I am definitely not abandoning it. I love it too much to ever do that. That said, this might end up being my NaNoWriMo project again this year if my writing doesn't pick up, ahaha. Apologies if it takes that long, but if it does, hopefully that'll kick my ass in to gear some.
Endless Skies
Chapter Ten
Stay Away
"...and that's all I have so far, but I believe it's a good start!" Daichi says, clapping his hands down on the desk and leaning forward.
"It sounds good to me," Ny says. "Is it agreeable to everybody? Yamato? Ratz?"
They both nod at him, along with Kenji. Yamato's glad that they finally seem to be working as a team again, even Daichi. He loves the band, and he wants to be a part of it for a long time. He's willing to put up with a lot from Ny over it, but he can't tolerate being treated as if his place in it doesn't matter. Even if they can't always do things exactly the way they'd like, they all deserve a say. If things hadn't improved he may very well have quit, as much as he loathes even considering the idea.
"Great, great! I'll finalise the details and let you guys know when everything's set up."
"Thanks, Daichi." Ny smiles at him, and the others start rising, preparing to leave. "Before we go, though, there's one more thing..."
"What's up?" Kenji asked, plopping back down into his seat.
"It's something Yamato mentioned to me the other day. What would you guys think about dropping the "teenage" part of our name, and just becoming The Wolves? After all, none of us are going to be teenagers for much longer. Or, if you guys don't like that idea, we could come up with a new name."
They're all quiet for a moment as they ponder this, and then Ratsuii shrugs. "It makes sense," he says. "To make it just The Wolves, at least. A completely new name might be confusing."
"I thought the name came from that movie of your dad's," Kenji says, scratching his head in confusion as he looks at Yamato. "Something about a werewolf?"
"I Was a Teenage Werewolf, yeah," Yamato says. "And we were teenagers at the same time, it seemed fitting." He doesn't mention that Gabumon's evolutions had also been an influencing factor in choosing that name. He still hasn't explained the Digital World to Ratsuii after Sora's slip-up in the restaurant, though he's sure his friend hasn't forgotten it. And to his knowledge, Ny and Kenji don't have any inkling there even is a Digital World. "We're all going to be adults within this next year," he goes on. "I don't know about you guys, but I'll feel silly talking and hearing about the Teenage Wolves when we're in our twenties and thirties."
"Yeah, but... what if people like us less or something, or don't realise who we are anymore? See, this is why we need a mascot!"
Yamato rolls his eyes, even as Ny responds. "Plenty of bands change their name during their careers and still do fine, though. Look at TWO-MIX, they changed their name a couple of years ago but they're fine and everyone in Japan still knows who they are."
"They're also a lot more famous than we are, and they added to their name," Ratsuii points out. "Don't get me wrong, I'm in a favour of a name adjustment, but your example doesn't really hold up..."
Ny waves his hand around, unconcerned. "Whatever. The point is, there are bands that change their names in some way and it doesn't hurt them. I think we'd be fine if all we did is drop one word from our name. Is there something about it that you're opposed to, Kenji?"
"Nah guys, it's cool with me."
"Are you sure?" Yamato asks. "I know you prefer to go with the flow, but this is your band too, you do have a say in what we do."
Kenji shrugs, flashing a grin at him. "You guys have a point about the name, and as long we don't change it to something completely new and you guys think we'll be fine, then I'm fine with it! It'd also be a prime opportunity to finally make your kid our mascot."
"Kenji, I swear..." Yamato growls, shoving playfully at him. The sudden unexpected movement makes the other teen's chair tilt sideways, and Kenji lets out a yelp as he scrabbles to stay seated.
"So we're in agreement to become The Wolves, then?" Ny asks, looking around seriously at all of them. At their nods, he turns his look onto Daichi. "Thoughts?"
"Oh, we can make it work, definitely," Daichi says, gesturing wildly with his hands. He's never been able to sit still for long, always full of energy and needing to be moving in some way—it annoys Yamato sometimes, but he can't deny that it's been helpful to their band in getting things done. "It's a great move! Good opportunity for some more coverage, a few photoshoots, maybe an interview. Come up with a new logo, we'll get some new merchandise out for it, your fans will eat it up. Don't worry about the details, I'll take care of that."
"Great, then!" Ny says, smiling broadly. "We'll leave it in your hands. In the meantime, keep us updated on the winter fanclub lives."
"Of course, of course! Good meeting, guys." Daichi turns his attention to some papers on his desk then, not sparing them another glance, and Yamato knows they're being dismissed. He shakes his head slightly as he gets up and folds his chair. Daichi's personality has always struck Yamato as a little sleazy, and he's definitely more about the money than anything else, but he's good at his job, and Yamato knows they probably never would have made it this far without him, so he can't really complain when the guy does something that rubs him the wrong way. Mentally shrugging at the whole thing, he sets his now folded chair against the wall and heads out to go pick up Naoki from Yuuko's.
x x x
"How are things with Junpei, Sora? You've been going out for a few weeks now, right?" Taichi asks. The two of them, plus Koushiro and Jou, are all gathered at Yamato's apartment after their classes on Tuesday afternoon. Taichi's at one end of the sofa, with Yamato curled up into his side, halfway in his lap. Koushiro and Jou are squeezed onto the rest of the sofa, while Sora sits on the floor next to the coffee table. Ostensibly they're watching a movie, but so far none of them has paid much attention to what's up on the television screen.
Sora gets a dreamy look on her face, propping her chin in her hands. "He's great. He's taken me to a bunch of fancy places, including restaurants I could only dream of affording! He might just be the one..."
"The one?" Yamato gives her an incredulous look, laughing. "You're just smitten with his movie-star looks, and his money. I have to say, I didn't figure you for a gold-digger."
"Yamato! I am not!" she shrieks, blushing hotly. "Taichi, smack him for me!" Taichi gives a gentle tap to Yamato's shoulder, and Yamato shoves at him in return. "He's really sweet. And what's wrong with wanting stability? Honestly..." She mutters the last word under her breath, sounding aggrieved.
"Okay, okay, I'm just teasing..." he says, holding up his hands in a placating gesture. "What about you two? Either of you found anyone yet?" he asks, directing his attention towards his other two friends that have so far remained quiet.
Jou makes a face. "Oh man, when do I have the time, I've got both university and a part-time job. I'm always studying or working."
The rest of them give him a sympathetic look, and then Taichi pokes Koushiro in the side. "Well? You got any hot girlfriends you've been hiding from us?" he teases.
Koushiro immediately turns a deep red, and Taichi's eyes widen in surprise for a moment, before he laughs. "You do!" he says gleefully. "Who is it? Come on, details!"
"I do not," Koushiro protests, trying to turn his face away from them, but Sora can still see him from her position, and she snickers when she looks at his face.
"Your face is turning even darker, Koushiro! Do we know her?" she asks, grinning.
Thankfully, Koushiro is saved from any more embarrassment by Naoki running out of his bedroom. "Daddy p'ay?" he asks, his high-pitched voice hopeful as he looks at Yamato.
Yamato holds back a sigh, and climbs off Taichi's lap. "Be back shortly, guys," he says, grabbing Naoki's hand and leading him back to the bedroom. He knows telling his son that he'd agreed to play quietly in the bedroom while Yamato's friends were over isn't going to do much good, but he tries anyway. "Naoki, we talked about this earlier, remember? I'll play with you after I play with my other friends, and in the meantime you play quietly in your room."
Naoki looks at him, a pout on his face. "No," he says. "P'ay!"
Yamato purses his lips together in annoyance, feeling frustrated as he tries to think what to do. He wants to hang out with his friends without having to worry about Naoki being underfoot for once. He doesn't want to stay back here right now, playing with Naoki until the kid is satisfied—and he'll feel rude, leaving his friends alone in the living room. On the other hand, he also doesn't want to deal with a tantrum, which Naoki's mood will surely lead to if he doesn't do something. After a despairing glance around the room, he decides on a compromise. "How about this," he says, crouching down to be at eye-level. "I'll read you your favourite book, and when I'm finished you play quietly in here some more, and then I will come play with you."
Naoki stares at him for a moment before breaking into a wide smile. "Guri book read," he says happily.
"Yep," Yamato says, going over to the bookshelf and pulling out the slim white book. He settles into Naoki's bed, stretching his legs out and propping the pillows up against the wall to lean against. Naoki climbs up there with him, cuddling up into his side as Yamato places the book down on his lap. "Okay," he says, opening up to the first page. He takes a breath and begins to read. "One day, two field mice, Guri and Gura, set off for the woods carrying a big basket. 'My name is Guri. And my name is Gura.'" He always feel silly switching between different high-pitched voices as he speaks for the different characters, but Naoki loves it, always giggling and often imitating after Yamato, clapping his hands in delight.
He continues to read on, mentally praying that this will be enough to settle Naoki for awhile. "They walk down the path, until lo and behold, in the middle of the path, they see a gigantic..." He pauses a moment for dramatic effect, looking at his son with a smile before flipping the page.
"Egg!" Naoki shrieks, stabbing a tiny finger down at the illustration of a giant egg.
"Egg, that's right," Yamato says. He keeps reading, Naoki interjecting at his favourite parts every now and then, until at last they've reached the last line and Yamato's closing the book.
"Guri?" Naoki asks, which is his way of asking for a repeat read.
"Tonight," Yamato tells him. "I'll read it to you for bedtime. Right now you have to play quietly in your room. That was the agreement."
"Yes," he says, a rare word for him—he much prefers 'no.' Yamato will take it though, because Naoki's being agreeable, which is all he wants at the moment.
Yamato gets up, putting the book where it belongs and then watches for a moment as Naoki drags some toys and stuffed animals out on the floor and begins to play, talking quietly to them. He leaves the toddler to it, partially closing the door and heading back down the hall to the living room. "Sorry," he apologises to his friends and boyfriend. "I had to read him a book so he'd agree to play quietly. Hopefully he'll remain occupied for awhile."
"It's fine." Taichi smiles at him, while the others nod their agreement. "Come sit back down?"
Yamato smiles back, and quickly resumes his earlier spot halfway in Taichi's lap. They've started a new movie in his absence, and this time everyone's paying attention. Yamato watches along with them, but half an hour later when he hears little footsteps padding along the hallway, he lets out a quiet groan. Sora pauses the movie just as Naoki reaches them. "Daddy p'ay?" he asks again.
Yamato gives a fierce but subtle glare to his friends, who all are snickering quietly behind their hands. At least they're not annoyed. He gets up with a sigh, and escorts Naoki back to his room again, though he doesn't read him a story this time. Naoki's clearly not happy with it, but he doesn't throw a tantrum. Yet, Yamato thinks.
The third time he hears Naoki leaving his room, he buries his head in his hands with a louder groan. "Why me," he mutters as he sits up, his words muffled. Taichi pats him on the back in sympathy.
"Daddy p'ay?"
"Naoki..." Yamato says, putting some warning into his voice.
Immediately the toddler folds his arms across his chest, a mulish look stealing over his face, and Yamato knows a tantrum is likely imminent in the next minute or two. He dreads it—he's so tired of dealing with them already, and he always feels as if he has no clue what he's doing in handling them. "No! Daddy p'ay."
"We can go early if you need us to leave," Jou offers.
Yamato shakes his head. "No, if you do that, he'll just think he can do this again next time to get his way." He gets up and brings Naoki to his room yet again and tries to give him a stern lecture, but the entire time the little boy is crossing his arms and crying the word no over and over, and as soon as Yamato turns to leave the words turn into wails, followed quickly by tears and sobbing. "Naoki," Yamato finally says. "If you'll stop crying and be good, I will not only play with you tonight, but all night tomorrow as well. Okay?"
Naoki looks at him, still crying, an uncertain look on his face. "P'ay, you?"
"Later tonight and tomorrow night," Yamato reiterates firmly. "I promise."
When he reclaims his seat on Taichi a couple minutes later, he lets out a frustrated breath. "I'm sorry, I don't know what's gotten into him tonight," he apologises again, but his friends just wave it away, not bothered.
"Maybe he needs some other kids his age to play with," Jou says, looking over at him earnestly. "Perhaps you could start putting him in daycare."
"Daycare is an excellent option," Koushiro says, straightening up as he looks around at everyone. Yamato easily recognises the signs of 'lecture mode' in his friend, but he doesn't stop Koushiro. He hasn't given much thought to daycare since Naoki was first born, and he's curious to hear what the other teen has to say. "A well-run daycare provides many benefits. It allows children to be around others of their age, and learn how to interact and socialise with their peers, and other adults as well. It also introduces more structure into their lives, and prepares them for an easier transition to school once they—"
"Okay, okay," Yamato says, laughing and holding up his hands. "I hadn't thought much about it, but you make good points. I'll look into it. Now, let's get back to this movie while we still have a chance."
x x x
The next evening Yamato makes good on his promise, and devotes the entire evening to spending time with Naoki. Though his son insists on watching Totoro for the millionth time at one point, they do plenty of other things as well. Sitting on the floor of the living room and hunched over a toddler puzzle, Yamato has to admit it's more relaxing than anything he's done for himself recently. He's so often busy with school, or the band, or Naoki, and even when he's spending time with Taichi or his other friends, he often has those things on his mind—there's always something to worry over. But right now, here with Naoki, all those stresses have melted away to the back of his mind, and the moment is surprisingly peaceful.
"Here go!" Naoki exclaims with a grin, triumphantly placing a square-shaped piece down before looking up at Yamato and grinning.
"Good job," Yamato praises him warmly. "Do you know what shape that piece is?" He's been trying to teach the toddler some basic shapes for the past few weeks, but so far Naoki has been slow to pick up on the names. Having no other experience to compare it to, he's not sure if it's normal.
Naoki looks down at the puzzle, and then back up at him, his blue eyes shining curiously. "Piece?"
Yamato reaches out and taps it. "This shape is a square," he says. "Can you say that for me? Square," he repeats, making sure to enunciate slowly and clearly. Naoki still has a lot of trouble with double consonants, often dropping the second one altogether, and Yamato doesn't expect him to get it right, but hopefully he'll get close.
Naoki hesitates, and then reaches out as well, copying Yamato's tapping motion. "S'are," he says.
"That's right," Yamato says, smiling. "Square." He falls silent as he watches his son inspect the other pieces, ready to help or move on to something different if the little boy becomes too frustrated or bored.
Naoki picks up a triangle and turns it around in his hands a few times before studying the empty holes in front of him, then examines a star-shaped hole, his hand holding the triangle piece hovering over it, but eventually he shifts his attention to the triangle-shaped hole, and after another examination, fits the triangle into its slot. "T'iangel."
Yamato's smile gets broader, and his chest tightens as he looks at his son. He couldn't be more proud of him, or feel more love for this tiny being he helped create. "You're right, Naoki," he says. "That shape is a triangle." He continues to watch as his son fits the shapes into their holes, and hopes there will be plenty more moments like this in their future.
x x x
Hey everyone, can we all do our best to meet at 4:30 later today? I would have brought this up in class, but Dr. Saito didn't give us time.
Why? Aren't we meeting on Saturday?
No prob! 3
Sorry, I just think we have a lot of work to do still and working together is best.
Yeah, okay.
I'm sorry, I have work at six, I won't be able to stay more than an hour.
That's fine, even an hour is better than nothing.
Okay, I'll be there. I hope it's not too much of a problem.
Count me in.
Yamato?
Yamato reads through the text messages with a growing sense of frustration, glaring down at his phone before dropping it back into his pocket unanswered. "Is Lucas for real?" he mutters to Taichi. "Does he really think that none of us have lives, that we can all just show up last minute to things no problem?" Privately he fleetingly entertains the idea of introducing Lucas and Ny to each other—they'd probably get along great. But then he realises how terrifying the two of them would be teamed up, and shudders.
"See if my mom can watch him longer?" Taichi offers with a sympathetic smile as they step off the subway. "Her cooking club isn't until later tonight."
Yamato sighs, taking a moment to be distracted by the sight of Taichi's ass in his tight jeans as he gets slightly ahead of Yamato. It doesn't hold his attention for long, though, when he hears his phone chime with another text, and he's left resigning himself to asking Taichi's mom to babysit longer. It isn't fair to Yuuko at all, and he hates doing it, but he doesn't see what other choice he has. But when they get to Taichi's apartment, he can see immediately that it's not going to be possible. She's dressed up nicely, and has her bag on a table near the entrance, clearly ready to go out.
"Oh, hi boys," she says with a smile as Naoki runs over to Yamato, hugging his legs. "Naoki was very well-behaved today, no tantrums at all! Taichi, honey, I have some errands to run before my cooking club, and your sister's gone out with Takeru, so you have the apartment to yourself for a few hours until your dad gets home."
"Thank you, Mrs. Yagami," Yamato says, showing no hint of his aggravation at the situation as Taichi glances at him in concern.
"Actually, Mom, I have to go to the library to work on a group project, I'm not sure how late I'll be home," Taichi tells her, watching as she steps into her shoes.
"Okay, dear, be sure to lock up when you leave. I'm off now."
"Bye, Mom," Taichi says.
"Now what?" Yamato complains once she's gone. "Your mom's gone, my parents are at work, both are siblings are apparently out somewhere together..."
"Daddy up!" Naoki says, reaching his arms up in the air as he bounces up and down. Yamato bends down and swings him into his arms, and Naoki giggles, wrapping his arms around Yamato's neck.
"Koushiro's mom? Or maybe Jou, or even Sora?"
"Sora? You're joking," Yamato says flatly.
"It really wasn't her fault last time," Taichi tries, but Yamato glares at him. "Okay, no Sora..."
In the end, after a few fruitless phone calls, Yamato newly resigns himself to the fact that Naoki's just going to have to come along. He bribes the toddler with the promise of ice cream, and after a quick text to the group to let them know he and Taichi are on their way, they head back to the Tokyo mainland. Lucas raises his eyebrows when Yamato and Taichi walk in with Naoki between them, Naoki's hand firmly grasped in Yamato's, but doesn't say anything about the toddler's presence, for which Yamato is glad. He had toyed with the idea of trying to pass him off as a much younger brother on the way over, but Naoki ruins that pretty quickly when Yamato sets him up at the table next to the seat he claims, pulling his crayons and favourite colouring book out of his diaper bag. "Remember, Naoki, this is a library, so we can't yell or speak loudly, we have to be quiet," he says softly as he sets the objects down in front of the little boy.
"'Kay Daddy!" Naoki says, his voice coming out in a loud, exaggerated whisper, and Yamato winces, grimacing out a smile at him somehow.
"Just... be good, colour quietly, and we'll get ice cream later," he says, before turning his attention to his group.
"Yamato! You didn't tell me you had such a cute little boy!" Tomo squeals, though the expression on her face suggests she's not as happy as she sounds about it.
"Is he the reason you were late last time?" Lucas asks from his seat next to her. "You could have just said so!"
Yamato slides into his seat with a sigh, flashing Taichi a quick smile of thanks for setting up his laptop while he was dealing with Naoki. "Sorry to bring him, I couldn't find anyone available to watch him so last minute," he says pointedly, briefly glancing over at Lucas. The other teen ducks his head, a light flush darkening his skin.
"Where's his mom, surely she could watch him for a few hours?" Tomo asks.
Yamato ignores her, looking across to Meiko instead. "What are we working on today?"
"Um, we wanted to coordinate with our research," she says softly. "Make sure none of us has overlapping information, but also no contradicting information..."
"Sounds good," he says easily, and smiles at her, ignoring the little huff he hears from Tomoyo. He pulls up his file from Saturday, and it's not long before they're all comparing information, seeing what everyone has managed to come up with.
"Where's your file?" Taichi eventually asks, directing his question to Chihiro.
"File?" she asks blankly, not even glancing up from her phone.
"Your research."
"Oh. That." She sighs, and sets her phone down for a moment before her turning her laptop towards the rest of the group. They all look at it, and then at each other in disbelief.
"Chihiro, this is two sentences," Lucas says tersely. She shrugs at him, unconcerned, already back to texting. "You need to start working on this project. You can't sit on your phone the whole time and expect for the rest of us to do the work for you and get you a good grade."
"Okay," she says, but she makes no move to put her phone away. Lucas pushes her laptop across the table towards her in disgust.
"I think the rest of us all look good," Taichi says—he's still vying for leadership of the group with Lucas, despite all the fighting it caused last time. "Let's see if we can each get an article done today."
Everyone nods, and they all work quietly for a while. Yamato's deeply engrossed in reading about the nobility ranks being established during the time period when he feels a small tug on his shirt, and looks over to see his son beaming at him. "Daddy see," Naoki says in his loud whisper, pointing at the page he's scribbled all over.
Yamato's uncomfortably aware of his group members looking over at them, but does his best to ignore it. "That's very nice, Naoki. Can you colour another one for me?"
"Yeah!"
"Quietly," he reminds, putting a finger to his lips, and Naoki imitates him, nodding exaggeratedly before turning to a new page and picking up a red crayon.
"He's so sweet," Tomo says with a wide smile at the little boy. "What's his name, Naoki? Naoki, did you draw that for your mom?"
Yamato tenses immediately. He's yet to ever bring up Megumi to his son, and he has no idea what Naoki thinks about not having a mom, or if he even realises yet that he should. He really doesn't want this to be the place he finds out what Naoki believes. Thankfully, Naoki simply says, "For Daddy!" happily, not even looking up from his colouring. Yamato breathes out in relief, and then looks over at Tomo, trying to keep the anger off his face and out of his voice. He knows she's fishing to find out if he has a girlfriend, and it makes him incredibly upset that she'd drag Naoki into it. "Please don't talk to him," he says stiffly.
Beside him, Taichi reaches for his hand under the table and grasps it, squeezing tightly in silent support. Yamato squeezes back briefly, grateful for the contact.
"Sorry!" Tomo exclaims, not looking it at all. "He's just so adorable! He looks so much like you, does he get any features from his mom?"
"I think we need to keep working on the project," Taichi says, raising his voice slightly, and Yamato squeezes his hand again before pulling away, bringing up the word program on his laptop to start typing out a rough draft of his first article. A short time later, another tug interrupts him.
"Bas'room," Naoki says. He's taken to using the 'grown-up bathroom' pretty quickly, ditching his diapers during the day for underwear, and most of the time Yamato is proud of him, but he can't help thinking that a diaper would be really convenient right now.
"I'll take him," Taichi says automatically, used to offering his help with Naoki. It reminds Yamato of the times Taichi stayed over at his apartment to help out—which he still misses quite a bit—but now is definitely the wrong place to offer help. Taichi's busy working on his project though, not thinking about where they're at and who they're around as he pecks away at his keyboard. Yamato grimaces, and then lets out a little cough. Taichi looks up, confused, and then catches the weird looks the others are giving him. He grins sheepishly, scratching at the wild mess of hair on his head, but shrugs the looks off, getting up to assist Naoki. He doesn't really care what the others think of him. They can speculate all they want.
"That's so nice of Taichi to help you out," Tomo says, and Yamato has to hide a grin when he catches Meiko next to her rolling her eyes, though she blushes and looks down when she realises Yamato has seen her. Apparently he's not the only one tired of Tomoyo's pathetic attempts.
"Yep," he says simply, and goes back to his article. Taichi and Naoki come back a few minutes later, and Taichi helps the little boy back into his seat before resuming his own. "All good?" Yamato murmurs, and Taichi nods.
"Um... everyone?" Meiko says quietly about half an hour later. "I have my first article finished, I've emailed it all to you... I have to leave for work now, I'm very sorry."
Lucas smiles at her, his green eyes bright. "Don't worry about it," he says casually. "We'll see you Saturday?"
She nods, and then gives a quick bow before rushing off.
"I've gotta go too," Chihiro mutters, pushing her laptop lid down as she gets up from her seat.
Lucas frowns at her. "Have you finished your article?"
She ignores him, flipping her hair behind her shoulder as she walks away, her laptop under her arm and her phone still in hand.
"Hey, after we finish our articles, what do you say to hitting up that café?" Tomo asks, looking at Yamato, causing him to tense up again. "I mean, if Naoki's mom isn't expecting you?"
"Alright, enough!" Taichi half-shouts suddenly before Yamato can even think of an excuse, glaring at the girl across from him and startling everyone. Even Naoki looks up from his colouring. "Tomoyo, you are making all of us—but especially Yamato—very uncomfortable. Stop trying to find out if he's got a girlfriend, and stop trying to flirt with him, I can assure you he's taken! We're here to work on our project, not get dates, so leave him alone and just do your work!"
For a long moment, there's nothing but silence, and then Tomo bursts into loud sobs. She gets up from her seat and rushes off, tears streaming down her face, leaving all her stuff behind. Yamato sits there, feeling heat creep up his face, his skin prickling all over. He can't believe Taichi's just done that, it's not usually like him. He's not even sure if it's a result of frustration or jealousy. Perhaps both. Either way, it's annoying, because he doesn't want or need Taichi constantly defending him, but he's not sure he should say something, because he knows Taichi doesn't mean anything bad by it, that he's only trying to help—the both of them, if he's being honest. He knows Taichi's display now isn't entirely selfless, though it's reassuring when he glances over and sees the stricken look on his boyfriend's face.
"Daddy?" Naoki's small voice asks, uncertain as he glances around at everyone.
"It's okay, baby," Yamato murmurs to him immediately, reaching out to gently tousle his hair. "Go back to your colouring."
That seems to be the cue for everyone else to return to their own work, silently all agreeing to not speak of what just happened, though Lucas does reach over and pack away Tomo's stuff to take with him when he leaves. They all know it's unlikely she'll be back for the day. Yamato's embarrassment slowly fades as he finishes up his article, though his annoyance lingers. He doesn't want a repeat of last time, however, so he tells himself he can't take it out on Taichi—he needs to do what he expects of Taichi, and talk to his boyfriend when something's bothering him. Yet he can't do it here—maybe he'll ask Taichi to stay the night, and they can talk then, after Naoki's been put to bed. They'll have plenty of time and privacy then, and won't have to worry about Taichi making it home before it's too late. That's the only reason Yamato wants him to stay the night, and if he says that to himself enough he might even believe it.
x x x
"What flavour do you want?" Taichi asks him, smiling as he pulls out his wallet. "My treat." He's still feeling guilty for his outburst in the library earlier, knowing Yamato hadn't liked it much, and he wants to try and make up for it now. Buying ice cream for the three of them isn't a major thing, but he hopes it will be enough of a peace offering. Yamato hasn't said much to him on the walk over, and though he's tried not to let it get to him, it's bothering him. Although he can admit he probably deserves it somewhat. His yelling at Tomoyo that way had been uncalled for.
"Caramel with nuts," Yamato says quietly. "And chocolate for Naoki." He sighs as Taichi goes up to place their orders. In trying not to take his annoyance out on Taichi, he's wound up making Taichi feel like he's doing exactly that, because the only way he can think to avoid an angry outburst is to not talk much. He takes Naoki by the hand and they grab some seats at the small bar table by the window, saving a seat for Taichi. He comes over a few minutes later, an ice cream cup in each hand and a smaller one nestled into the crook of his arm. Yamato rescues that one from him, and sets it down in front of Naoki, who grins happily and immediately digs in.
"Thanks," Yamato murmurs, and they eat quietly. The ice cream is good, and helps to mellow out his annoyance at Taichi. The sight of Taichi's backside in those jeans as he was ordering their treats also helps—he's been admiring Taichi in them all afternoon. It's not the first time he's seen that particular pair on Taichi, but it's been awhile, and he's forgotten just how much they make him want to jump Taichi's bones. It's hard to stay truly mad with a sight like that.
Yamato's halfway through his cup when Taichi speaks up. "I'm sorry," he says. "I can tell you're mad at me... I just couldn't take it anymore, she was distracting everybody and being really annoying."
Yamato looks down at his melting ice cream. He reminds himself that Taichi wasn't deliberately setting out to embarrass him, and that he doesn't want a fight. "I know. I'll get over it," he says. "It's fine." And when he thinks about it, it is. There could be worse things than having a boyfriend that sticks up for him. He raises his head, and gives Taichi a small smile. After a moment's hesitation, Taichi smiles back, relief in his eyes. They finish their ice cream, the mood between them lighter. Once the three of them are standing outside the shop, Taichi begins to set off towards the subway station. "Wait," Yamato says.
Taichi stops, and looks back at him, puzzled. "What?"
"Do you—can you stay tonight?" He's been thinking about it in the shop, about having Taichi still stay. There isn't really a reason for it now, but he doesn't want Taichi to go home. He wants Taichi with him tonight, sharing his bed, cuddling up with him throughout the night, giving him a lazy, sweet smile upon waking in the morning... It's only been a couple of weeks since Taichi last stayed, but Yamato already misses his presence there immensely.
Taichi hesitates, confusion still etched into his features, and Yamato wants to kick himself for asking—obviously there isn't a need for him to stay, and Taichi's clearly not to ready to take this step of staying over for the hell of it—but then Taichi grins at him. "Sure."
They change direction, heading to Yamato's apartment instead. Taichi has his school stuff with him, and there's a change of his clothes at Yamato's—though they'll have to be washed, if Yamato's remembering right—so there's no reason for them to make the trip back to Odaiba to Taichi's apartment. When they get home, Yamato quickly throws Taichi's clothes in the wash along with some of his own, and then asks Taichi if he'll give Naoki a bath while he starts preparing a light supper.
"You want me to?" Taichi asks, looking oddly uneasy.
Yamato frowns. He hasn't forgotten how Taichi had gotten weird around Naoki the last time he'd stayed. Yet Taichi has been around Naoki plenty since then and acted fine—he'd certainly seemed okay when taking the toddler to the bathroom at the library earlier. Yamato can't understand what's causing the change in behaviour. "Yeah, it'll help me out. You know where everything is, right?"
"Of course," Taichi says. "No problem." The troubled expression doesn't leave his face, though, and Yamato's not sure what to make of it. Taichi calls for Naoki easily enough, however, so he puts it out of his mind for the time being and begins pulling food out.
Thankfully, the rest of the evening goes smoothly. They eat and then both put Naoki to bed, Taichi acting normally about it, and work on some homework for their classes tomorrow before calling it a night changes into sweatpants and a thick t-shirt for bed, then digs out a second pair of sweatpants for Taichi to wear, and if he's being honest with himself, maybe another reason he wants Taichi to stay over tonight is so he can get Taichi into his clothes. He watches as Taichi works his way out of the jeans he's got on, and Yamato is once again appreciating how tight those things are. Mmm.
Yamato shakes his head at himself and walks around to his side of the bed, sets his alarm and then crawls in under the thick quilt he bought last weekend, since it's starting to get chilly at night.
He snickers a little as he watches Taichi roll up the band of his sweatpants so he won't trip over them when he walks, and Taichi looks up at the noise, sticks his tongue out at him before turning off the light and burrowing in under the covers next to him.
x x x
Hot. It's really fucking hot. That's all Taichi can process as he tosses and turns and wonders why something is keeping him from moving the way he wants, away from the suffocating heat.
But then a few more of his senses kick in, and he realises it's hot because he's under a really thick quilt, and because there is a mass of limbs and sweaty blond hair octopusing onto him from behind.
Taichi tries to move again, get out from under the covers in the pitch black of the night, but Yamato makes the most heart-melting whimpering noise, and all the annoyance just drains out of him as his boyfriend nuzzles into the back of his neck and presses in closer. He does as much as he can to push the quilt off of them and settles back into his pillow, sweaty and knowing they'll have to change all the sheets tomorrow. He's just about fallen back to sleep when he shifts again and Yamato wraps his leg tighter around his hip and clings to him, and oh.
Taichi's whole body flushes hot for an entirely different reason, and he pushes his ass back. His head is foggy from sleep and the heat, he's slick with sweat, damp at his hairline and the collar of his shirt, and he sucks in a deep breath through his nose when he feels Yamato actually grind against him, feels a hand sneak under his shirt, play at one of his nipples.
"Ssshit," he slurs, blindly angling his head back in the dark, aiming for a kiss, and Yamato meets him halfway, pressing their lips together, kissing slow and syrupy in the oppressive heat of the room. Taichi reaches back to get his fingers in Yamato's sweat-soaked hair, pull him in impossibly closer, hold him there.
Even with sleep-fogged brains they both know they need to keep quiet, so quiet, feeding each other tiny little sighs and hungry, aching whimpers.
They kiss, hot, open-mouthed, Taichi arching back into it, Yamato's leg tightening on his hip, and the brunette's sleepy brain thinks 'Skin,' demands it, so he turns over and pushes at Yamato's clothes until the blond catches on, stripping down completely, and then helping Taichi do the same.
They both lie there in the dark facing each other, breathing hot and heavy and nosing at each other, giving timid little kisses, shy all of a sudden, fingers ghosting over one another and making them both shiver until Yamato reaches down and grips them both in his hand, pumping gently.
Taichi gasps and rolls his hips, digging his fingers into the meat of Yamato's shoulder, fingers slipping on sweat-slick skin as Taichi tries to cling to him. "Ah," he whimpers, precum dribbling down from both of them and making the slide slick and easy, almost too easy, it's not enough...
Taichi blindly fishes over in the dark for the drawer in the bedside table, pulls out the little bottle of lube he knows is in there and presses it into Yamato's chest, his hips still rolling, mouth hanging open, eyes squeezed shut now, brow knit tight. Yamato kisses at his open mouth, an apology for when his hand around them disappears, swallowing up the whine that tears from Taichi's throat at the loss.
It's probably only a couple seconds but it feels like forever before Yamato's hands are back on him, reaching down between his legs to circle his rim and get him prepped with one lubed finger, then two, and a third for good measure, stretching him open, getting him loose and wet and ready.
Yamato breaks their kiss, has to lean away when Taichi chases after him for more, so he can pant out, "Good?" his voice gravelly and rough from sleep.
The brunette nods feverishly as he goes back in for more, inhaling sharply through his nose and licking into the blonde's mouth.
Taichi feels Yamato moving around, searching for the lube, feels him jacking himself a little, getting his dick wet, but because they're on their sides, Yamato has to break their kiss and scoot down, get Taichi's left leg up around him so he can press the tip of his dick to Taichi's loose, wet little hole.
Yamato leans in, gets his mouth on Taichi's neck, tastes salt and skin and heat, and the brunette makes the quietest of moans, clings to Yamato as the blond holds Taichi by the hip, presses against his hole again, presses until he feels the pop, the head of his dick breeching the tight ring of muscle, and both their mouths drop open, gasping and panting in the dark, eyes squeezed shut as Yamato slides in.
Taichi hitches his leg higher, tries to get Yamato in deeper so he can really feel him, but then Yamato starts to move, just a little, he doesn't have much leverage, short little tugs on his rim, ah, ah, "Ah—" They move together, sweat-slick skin gliding over sweat-slick skin as they pant and sweat some more in the heat of the room, slow but electric.
Taichi's dick is caught between their bellies as they grind against one another. It's not enough to get him off but it feels so good, everything feels so good, that's all his brain keeps chanting, Good, good, so good...
Yamato runs his thumb along the underside of Taichi's pec, holds him at his ribs, slides his hands back along the curve of his ass and massages his tailbone, kisses and fingers his nipple.
"Fuck," Taichi moans desperately, he wants to come, he wants to—"Make me come, baby, make me—" and then he's flat on his back, legs splayed wide open with Yamato pressed down on top of him, close, keeping his dick pinned between them and fucking into him right, angled so he's hitting Taichi's prostate with every sharp, delicious thrust.
All Taichi can do is make sweet, needy little noises and tip his head back while Yamato turns his insides to lava, and the heat and the smell of salt and skin and somehow he thinks he can taste that caramel ice cream from before, it's so good, his balls are drawn up good and tight and he's leaking steady between them, he's close, he's so close—
And Yamato can tell. He sits up, folds Taichi's left leg up and pulls it to his own chest, clings to it for leverage as he rolls his hips and puts his free hand around Taichi's cock. He only has to slide his thumb over the slit and the tiny bundle of nerves just under the head and Taichi completely falls apart, comes wet and helpless all over his belly, gasping, shuddering.
Yamato isn't too far behind him, hips stuttering to a stop and Taichi can feel his balls and his dick twitching as he makes a mess inside him, before Yamato slumps down on top of him again, spent.
Their skin sticks together from sweat and come, it's gross but neither of them care, they're too busy trying to catch their breath and float back down into themselves.
Yamato's face is buried against Taichi's neck and he starts dropping tender, aching little kisses along the skin there, and Taichi's brain is foggy from the heat and sleepy middle-of-the-night sex... His mouth just starts running, filter completely shattered by how vulnerable the moment feels, "Love you, Yamato, I love you, I love you…"
It's only when he feels Yamato freeze atop him that his brain catches up to his mouth, and he realises what it is he's said. He feels a moment of sheer terror then—he hadn't meant to say that, neither of them has said it once in their entire relationship, and after the way he's behaved lately, it's too soon, too fast, he shouldn't have said it and he's just mucked things up completely—
Then Yamato relaxes, and he feels more soft, tender kisses being pressed against his neck as Yamato nuzzles into him. "Love you too," Yamato whispers back, and he breathes out in relief even as his heart soars.
TWO-MIX was a band very well known in the mid-90s/early 2000s and they did songs for several anime. They've actually released music under quite a few different names depending on who they're working with, but the name change Ny refers to in the beginning of this chapter is when they added a third member in 2005 and began releasing music under the name II MIX⊿DELTA for a couple of years. Despite what Ny says, the band started releasing less and less music around this time, and their last release was in 2013. Still, they are a fantastic band and if you've never heard them, I definitely recommend a listen!
Also, the book Yamato reads to Naoki is part of a popular children's series in Japan. The lines were taken from the English translation of the book, which you can see on Amazon here: (amazon url)exec/obidos/ASIN/0804833524/soccerphile-20.
Oh, and my wonderful, amazing friend sakuradite has made another guest appearance, you once again have her to thank for the ending scene :D I really suck at writing consensual smut, and I don't know how this fic ended up with so much of it, and if you dislike it but you're still here I'm so so sorry, I hope you're skipping the scenes because they're mostly pretty skippable.
Lastly, because I spent awhile looking up ice cream shops near Tokyo University and finally found one nearby enough that would be open at that time of evening, I'm going to share it even though it's not relevant and no one but me cares. They're at a shop called mother farm milk bar, which amuses me greatly, but looks like it has some pretty delicious ice cream.