Can I Keep You?
«Tai x Sora x Yamato» Slowburn Sorato

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Ch 10
"All is Fair in Love and War"

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Current time: Sunday, 3:02 AM

Tai laid on his back on his kitchen floor with double vision as blood flowed from both nostrils. Panting, and with the last ounce of strength he could muster, he turned to his left to find Matt, who was sporting two black eyes, struggling to sit up. Right as Matt made eye contact, Tai's right fist landed on Matt's chest. Tai's vision faded to black after that.

Previously on Saturday, 8:30 PM

Tai stood at a far corner drinking an alcoholic beverage as he observed all the attendees at the very packed after-party for Sora's job. He already circled the party several times passing crowds of company workers, clients, musicians and models trying to spot Sora or Matt, but wasn't successful and felt they all must've been walking in circles. He decided to see if staying in one spot may help find them faster. Well, maybe he'd walked around again...

There she was! Tai couldn't see who Sora was speaking with, but it didn't matter. His heart pounded and his footsteps became faster as if he was being pulled in by her laughter. He waited all day to be able to be here at this moment to support her, to give her a huge bear hug and smell her hair, and…

As he was steps away, he saw that it was Matt next to her that had a hand on her lower back whispering to her as they observed a client. Sora looked up at Matt with a playful gasp and jokingly swatted his arm. They both laughed and Matt whispered to her ear again. Tai gritted his teeth internally groaning. Matt was smooth. Too smooth. Tai thought it was possible that Matt may have been distracting her from searching for him. There was a time that Sora used to only playfully swat Tai and jokingly tell him off. She used to reserve that look she was giving Matt, the one where joy was dripping from her eyes even when she tried to hide it pretending she was upset. They had their own inside jokes while Matt was just there in the background, but for the past few days he was putting together that things changed after he left.

What Matt seemed to have forgotten was that Tai was stubborn. Tai wasn't going to back off without a fight. He made up his mind that tonight was when Sora was going to admit how she felt and if he needed to convince her to slip away from this party without Matt realizing, then so be it. Two can play 'keep away'.

Except as Tai stepped forward and reached out for Sora's shoulder, Sora walked off towards the client she and Matt were whispering about without realizing Tai was behind her. Tai stood there with his hand in mid-air somewhat surprised he missed his chance.

"Let her do her job," Matt remarked in a stern tone stuffing his hands in his pant pockets as he watched Sora make a beeline towards the client and timidly tapping the client on his shoulder to discuss business matters.

Tai glared at Matt as his annoyance grew. "What's your deal, dude? You know I've always been in love with Sora and you knew what was going to happen when I moved back."

Matt continued to look straight ahead still refusing to face Tai as he watched Sora continue to speak to the potential client. "This may be a celebration for everyone else, but she's still on the clock trying to get more investors and companies to buy her job's clothing lines. I'm only going to say this one more time: Let her do her freaking job tonight."

There was a waiter that was walking around the crowds handing out beverages. Tai placed his cup on the serving tray when the waiter passed by and then took a step closer to Matt invading his personal space. Matt swung around and now the two men faced each other, their noses inches apart.

"Do you think that poorly of me that I would jeopardize Sora's opportunity tonight; enough to keep her distracted so she couldn't find me?" Tai accused him, his glare boring holes into Matt's skull.

"Do you actually believe that I would manipulate her to keep you away?" Matt spewed, his voice rising. "THIS. IS. HER. JOB," he emphasized using a finger to point to the floor as each word was spoken.

"Admit it," Tai accused and pushed Matt away with a finger to the chest. "You're using this event to keep her busy and flirting with her."

Matt steadied himself closing his eyes. If it wasn't for possibly putting Sora's job on the line he would've already pummeled Tai. Taking a deep breath, he placed his arm around Tai's shoulders and nodded in Sora's direction. "Do you see her there? Smile, asshole, because at any moment she's going to turn to us to make sure I'm still here for support."

Before Tai could retort back, he caught Sora glancing over to them as she was finishing her negotiations. Matt flashed his debonair smile giving a small nod for encouragement and Tai, showing off his goofy lop-sided grin, waving hello frantically.

Matt spoke while watching her. "You see that guy she's talking to? For the past three years, she has been trying to convince him to invest in her work. She wasn't going to try this year. As crazy as it sounds, her company decides to model some of her work and she still wasn't going to talk to him. That's why we're supposed to be here. We're her support." He then looked over to Tai giving him several sharp slaps on his back with a fake smile. "So even if it takes flirting with the girl I'm in love with to give her the encouragement to talk to a potential client, you bet your ass I'll do it."

Tai had to stop himself from losing his anger. Sora wanted the both to get along tonight, so he would do his best to do so. Everything that Matt said tonight, despite the passive-aggressive nature attached to it, was true. It didn't mean he still couldn't turn the tables in his favor. Watching Sora wrapping up her discussion with the potential client, his anger began to dispel. If ever he needed an antidote for a foul mood he was in, all it took was being in the same room with Sora.

Previously on Saturday, 8:41PM

"I did it!" Sora exclaimed when she was within earshot and then grabbed both of their hands in her own. "Tai! Matt! I did it! I even got a job offer from him!" She let go of their hands and hugged Matt. "Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you." she whispered. Matt rubbed her back as his response resting a cheek onto her head and smiled. She then turned to Tai and rested her hands on either side of his cheeks. "It's about time you made it, Baka! I'm so happy you're here!"

Tai blushed letting out a nervous chuckle removing her hands. He glanced at Matt and thought of an idea. Sora would still keep her job and no one would get hurt. He flashed a smile to Matt and put his plan to fruition. He pulled Sora into a strong hug rocking back and forth keeping his stare on Matt daring him to intervene. "Tenshi! Why sound surprised? Do you realize how talented you are?"

Sora laughed. "So I've been told."

He pushed her away, but kept his hands on her shoulders and leaned down to her. "You are wicked amazing! There's so much potential in you and we're so proud of how far you've come. "

"Thanks," she blushed looking at the floor.

"Is there anyone else you need to talk to?"

She shook her head. "I think that's it."

Matt interrupted. "Hold on now. What about-"

Tai tapped a model on the shoulder. "Excuse me? Have you ever met the lead singer to The Wolves?" The model scrunched her eyebrows in confusion and shook her head. "Well, here's your chance!" Tai motioned to Matt. "I'd like to introduce you to Matt Ishida!"

Matt's face paled taking a step back. "What?"

Sora gasped and looked at Tai in disbelief.

The model let out a squeal and took hold of a nearby colleague's arm. They turned to Matt and soon other models began to flock over clustering around him asking questions and swooning. The crowd was growing to the point of pushing Tai and Sora afar off to a corner and was quickly become suffocating.

"Tai!" Sora reprimanded him. "How could you?"

"Aww, he's a big boy. Besides," he stated grabbing hold of her hand and headed towards an exit, "I've always wanted to do that for old time's sake."

Previously on Saturday, 9:05PM

"Do you realize what you did, Tai?" Sora groaned. "Do you even know what happened yesterday?"

Tai grumbled in a sour attitude. "No, but I have a feeling I'm going to hear it anyway."

"Yes, you are!" Sora shouted smacking on his right arm several times frustrated. "If you'd just pick up a phone and call him once in a while you'd find out his band broke up yesterday!"

Tai's sour expression turned to shock then quickly to guilt. "How the hell did that happen?"

"What do you care?" she pouted. "It's not like it's been all over the news today. Anything else you want to throw in his face?"

The both had left the party. After Matt was outed, the after-party morphed its attention to Matt and business deals came to a halt. Normally Sora would've stayed but the building was becoming suffocating. Tai had convinced Sora to drive them to a beach that was a few minutes away only after Sora left Matt a text saying she was safe with Tai. From an outsider looking in, the pair looked out of place in their dressy outfits sitting on a blanket.

Sora crossed her arms letting out a loud aggravated sigh as she watched the moon. "What's with you? I think Matt was going to tell me about a client I may have possibly missed, and you pulled that stunt."

The guilt on Tai's shoulders was building. They sagged as he answered, "I thought you said you spoke to everyone you needed."

"Yeah. I did. I mean, I think I did." She kept pouting refusing to look at Tai.

"Sor?" Tai asked in a small voice. She wouldn't look at him. There was nothing worse than knowing she was furious at him. "Sor? Please look at me."

She stayed quiet fuming. He tried the only thing left he knew that would break this deafening silence. He poked her. Again, and again and again, until she gave up letting out a short, aggravated scream.

She turned around swatting him continuously with all her strength on his right arm again. "I thought I talked to everyone, but Matt always keeps me on track! And you pull that stupid stunt because why, Tai? Now I won't know until I can talk to him again because you're feeling all jealous!"

"Christ, Sora!" Tai tried to catch her hands.

"I said for you two to get along, but no! You could give two shits and did that cheap shot to Matt without thinking about me! Not to mention you could've cost my company some money!"

"Ack! Stop it!"

"No, you baka! You selfish, self-centered-"

"Alright!" He finally was able to successfully take hold of her arms with a steel grasp. "Alright! Christ, Sora! I'm sorry, okay?"

"No! It's not okay!" she replied with tears in her eyes.

"Sora," Tai begged. 'Let her do her job' kept echoing in his ears. He should've listened. Guilt rose as Tai spoke from his heart. "Ok, I'm sorry. Yes, I'll admit I was jealous and shouldn't've done that. I wish I can turn back time. It's just that..." he looked away trying to find the words that summed up his feelings as Sora urgently waited to hear his explanation. "How am I supposed to compete with Matt when he knows you better than I do?" He let go of her arms lowering his head. "I get this wasn't the best night, but you don't look at me the same way anymore."

Stunned, Sora shook her head. "What do you mean I don't look at you the same way? You're Tai; my idiotic best friend that drives me crazy."

Tai looked up to her and scooted closer. "Is that all I am to you?"

Sora tried to dismiss his question. "That's just stupid talk. Of course, you know me better than Matt."

"Do I?"

"Baka. Only you know that I love to roller skate listening to ska music and would choose cinnamon glazed buns over chocolate any day."

Sadness clouded Tai's expression. "It used to be Kpop music and taffy. You don't have to soothe things over. I guess it'd be expected that you'd grow closer to him."

Sora let out a sharp sigh shaking her head. "People change. Is it a problem that I'd like different things from when we were kids?"

Tai mumbled to himself, "I shouldn't have left."

"What was that?" she couldn't hear what he said.

He spoke louder. "I said I shouldn't have left. I should've made some kind of deal with my parents to stay."

"Oh, stop it, Tai. There's no way they'd of let you stay," she dismissed his statement.

"If it meant that I would've been given a second chance to win your heart before Matt did, then I'd have taken it in a heartbeat," he stated firmly.

"I don't want to talk about this anymore." Sora started to stand but was pulled back down by Tai.

"I don't know where you think you're going," Tai stated, "But that bad habit of running away when things get tough is really starting to annoy me. Sit your pretty butt down."

Unsure of what to do next Sora sat there next to him. She began to crack her knuckles and twisted her lips looking away. Tai raised an eyebrow waiting to see if she'd say something, anything to let him in her thoughts. She finally sighed. "Do I still have to like all the same things and do all the same stuff for you to know that there's a chance for us?"

Tai stilled. "What are you saying?" There was excitement that was growing in his chest wanting to burst out.

"Honestly…Look, I…" she struggled trying to find the right words. She was never good with confessions. She decided to blurt out how she truly felt with her eyes closed. "I'm just going to say it. I've always liked you. But the thing is, I know I'm in love…" she choked out her next sentence, "I'm in love with Matt. You don't deserve this, but then there are times that I keep thinking, what would happen if you and me gave it a shot? And then I get scared because what if it doesn't work out and I lose my best friend? Tai, when you left I didn't feel whole. There was a part of me that went missing for a long time. But at the same time I can't imagine my life without Matt and he understands me in ways you don't. But then you understand me in other ways and..."

She ran out of things to say and opened her eyes to find Tai wearing an expression of shock with his mouth hanging open. She went back to cracking her knuckles uneasy.

"You gotta say something. I don't know what to do or say."

Tai shook his head stunned. He grabbed her cheeks and rested his forehead on hers. "How about shut up and kiss me? We can figure out everything else later."

Tears spilled on Sora's cheeks and with only the ocean waves crashing on shore as their company, they shared a slow, lingering kiss.

Previously on Sunday, 1:30AM

"You did not!" Sora laughed at Tai's confession.

"I swear to the holy goddess of mexican string cheese!" Tai grinned. "It was me or that kid, and I valued my life. That was the day I learned to never take string cheese from pregnant women."

"Unbelievable," she sighed with a smile. "You truly are a bonafide baka."

"Dude, I was fourteen and starving. All mom had in the fridge was kale garlic soy smoothies. Remember when she went through that phase?"

Sora's face turned a slight green shade from disgust under the moonlight.

Tai laughed. "See?"

The two were still on the beach, laying on their side facing each other, having lost track of time reminiscing about old memories and events after the move. During this time Tai would steal quick kisses and the two would laugh like little school kids afterwards. If Sora was given the choice to stay frozen in time this would be the moment. Her feelings were still conflicted about choosing Tai or Matt. Each were so different in their personalities and she could see a future with both. The problem was that she felt slightly stronger for one of them and no matter how much she tried to focus on staying in this moment she kept thinking about Matt.

Was Matt alright? Why hadn't he text back? He was going to worry himself wondering if she missed a client until they talked again. Now that she thought about it, the phone was probably still on silent from the party. She knew she was going to have a bunch of missed calls and texts from him again. Did that event hours ago that Tai caused trigger a depression episode again? Was Matt going to beat up Tai from what happened at the party? Should she leave now and go check on him? He probably didn't eat dinner. He usually didn't when he was upset.

"Sora? What are you thinking?" Asked Tai taking note of how quiet it suddenly became.

Sora snapped back to reality. She faked a smile. "I'm a little tired. I'm fine!"

"That's gotta be the worse fake smile I've seen from you yet."

"Really. I'm good."

"Liar."

Sora twisted her lips. She was undeniably in love with Matt. Every second spent here with Tai was breaking her heart. She always wanted this to happen with Tai and now that it was, it wasn't enough. Perhaps they'd of dated when they were younger if Tai never left, but she realized that Tai was her past - Matt was her future.

No. She didn't want to let go of this. If she would admit this out loud, as much as Tai would deny it, he'd disappear from her life upset and that part of her that recently became whole would shatter once more.

"Tenshi?" Tai said growing concerned.

Before Tai realized it Sora smashed her lips to Tai's giving the most passionate kiss from the depth of her soul. Tai was taken aback by the suddenty, but soon after wrapped his arms around her and quickly rolled her on her back. A fire grew from deep inside as he took control cradling her head as he kissed her back and left a trail of kisses down her neck in a fury. As he quickly left a new trail of kisses going back up her neck back to her cheek he noticed her cheek was wet and salty. He paused. Was she crying? Tai pulled back and let out a small groan. Yep, she was silently crying. With a gentle hand, he wiped her cheeks dry and left her a gentle kiss on the lips. He sat up and took her hands to help her do the same.

"Sit up, Tenshi," he pleaded. "Give me a hug."

Sora sniffed back her tears obeying. She didn't have to explain anything. She felt that he figured it out. After an illusion of eternity silently hugging Tai, she moved to sitting in between his legs with her back resting against his chest and he wrapped his arms around her. The two sat still in silence watching the stars twinkle.

Sora whispered her thoughts to Tai. "I love you, Tai, but I love Matt more. I know I don't deserve to ask this of you, but please don't disappear." She could feel his arms stiffen.

Tai stayed silent for a while longer with defeat and turmoil. At last, he responded in a whisper kissing her hair, "Let me enjoy what we have left tonight."

Previously on Sunday, 2:41AM

As sullen as could be, Tai fished his house keys from his pocket and unlocked the door. Sora said she felt a part of her went missing when he left? If she could only imagine that a part of his soul disappeared into infinity when she revealed the only thing he dreaded to hear.

He stopped cold in his tracks as he found every light in his tiny studio on. With caution, Tai tipped-toed through the short front hallway grabbing an umbrella to use as a weapon in case the intruder was still here. The problem was that the intruder was Matt waiting for him sitting at his breakfast table.

"Matt!" It just slipped from Tai in shock and a twinge of fear, especially as he watched Matt slowly stand and walk towards him like he was stalking his prey.

A deep growl rose out of Matt. "Of all the egotistical-"

"I can explain!" Tai stated taking a step back.

"-bitch ass things you could've done-"

"A moment of weakness, really!" Tai nervously laughed.

"-and all you cared about was giving your pants a party tonight instead of putting Sora first!" Matt yelled as he finished.

"That didn't happen, I swear!" Tai answered dropping the umbrella to the floor with his hands parallel to his shoulders, palms up in a surrender. "Wait. How'd you get in my apartment?"

Before Matt could say anything more, his phone rang. It was Sora. He showed Tai who it was and warned him to stay quiet before he answered.

"Hi, my love," Matt answered. "Where am I? I'm at a friend's house laying low for the night. Didn't want to take a chance on a fan following me home, you know what I mean?...Uh, no, I didn't eat...Yes, yes, I promise I'll eat breakfast tomorrow...Oh, at the party? I was making sure you spoke to Aikiro...Good. I was worried that douchebag messed up your opportunity...Don't worry. I'll talk to Tai." Matt glared at Tai and then went back to his phone call. "Hey, no promises. Just a little roughhousing." Tai gulped. Matt chuckled staring at Tai. "Hey, what are you? My wife?" Tai could hear Sora laughing. "Okay, my love. We'll talk tomorrow."

Matt hung up and took another slow step towards Tai. If Tai had urine in his bladder he'd have urinated out of fear. The only time he saw that dark, menacing look from Matt was when they were about to fist fight. Tai wasn't sorry for pursuing Sora. If he had to do it again, well, it wouldn't have been during this party, but he still would've pursued her. That he'll never apologize for.

Tai tried to swallow the knot that was forming on his throat. "Seriously, man. When did you learn how to pick locks? Hey, come on now. I didn't know about your band breaking up-"

Matt landed a fist on the left of Tai's face. "That's for the asshole that you were tonight to Sora!" Another fist landed on the other side of Tai's face. "And this one's for forgetting about our friendship! You didn't just left Sora behind! I was always a phone call away too!" Several more fists landed on Tai. "You're not taking Sora away from me!"

Tai raised both hands to shield his face causing Matt to pause. "The first two I'll own! But you've got one thing coming if you think I'm stealing her away from you." He straightened, and a sudden, ferocious rush of anger filled Tai as he screamed from the pit of his stomach. "You stole her from me, asswipe!"

As quick as lighting Tai fought back and the two went at it knocking over whatever objects were in their way like a tornado.

Current time: Sunday, 10:08 AM

Tai awoke to Matt flicking his forehead continuously. His head ached like a jackhammer going off and Matt was enjoying his last opportunity to get in some hits.

Tai swatted Matt's hand away. "Get off me, man."

Matt sat next to him with his legs criss-crossed looking like a royal mess. His hair was in every direction, both black eyes were swollen, a split bottom lip and there were several blood stains on his dress shirt. If Matt looked like that, Tai probably looked similar. Was that dried blood from his own nose?

Alarmed, Tai asked Matt, "Dude, is my nose broken?"

"Nah. It's fuggly as usual."

Relieved, Tai used one hand to slowly sit up while the other held his pounding head. "Hey, man, about last night...Are we cool?"

Matt held out two aspirins and a cup of coffee to Tai. "Forget about it."

That's when Tai noticed two breakfast plates of sunny-side styled eggs, bacon, and toast on the floor next to them. With a weak smile, he took the much needed aspirins and coffee, swallowed the medicine, and raised his coffee cup in the air in a salute. "Thanks. Love you too, bro!"

Matt rolled his eyes feigning annoyance and passed a breakfast plate to Tai. "Gross."

But Tai could see through the facade and read his sincerity. He decided to tell Matt something that would alter Tai for the rest of his life.

Tai lowered his head heartbroken. "Hey, last night, she told me she chose you. You won."

Matt stilled and a small glimmer of light brought life back to his eyes. "What? She said that?"

Tai took hold of a plate and ate a piece of bacon avoiding looking at him. "So go make her happy."

"Tai," Matt said knowing what was going to happen after he left here today. He couldn't let it because he knew how it would affect Sora. "The only thing that would devastate her would be if you disappeared. She didn't tell you in the past with your phone calls, but she wasn't herself for a long time."

Tai scoffed.

Matt insisted slowly eating his breakfast. "I understand it's a lot to ask, but when you're ready, please don't leave her alone. As much as it's hard for me to admit, you two need the other. We're the three amigos."

Tai chewed on another piece of bacon in thought. "The last thing I want to do is hurt her, but you're asking me to watch the love of my life be happy with you. Give me time. I just...I just need time," he finished with all the energy sucked out.