THIS STORY IS CURSED! I've tried to update 23 (25 now...) times since December and each time either I lost a keyboard or my comp crashed or some life crisis decided to pop up and steal all my available free time. grrrr...
ANYWAYS!...the ending for real this time
King of Hearts
by Moonlit Eyes
So this is how it goes in a story, right? There's an opening, a rise in plot, a banging climax, a fall in plot, then a resolution. Right then, taking this into consideration, my story isn't truly over then.
Man, I hate hospitals, they make me think too much. Anyway, back to the point.
As you (my imaginary audience will realize, we need to finish this climax thing, but before that let's recap. First off, my story needs an introduction so I think it's safe to assume my pathetic longing over my very taken best friend, Yamato. Then I guess the rising plot was my desperate attempt at trying to get over said best friend by falling for the hot new kid (my life is starting to really sound like Hikari's shoujo mangas). Then I guess the climax is finding out my new kid was actually a murderer. So that brings me to the main thing I've woken up thinking about this fine evening: The Photo Book.
Remember how I was in my room when I found the photo book and Hokichi waiting? (Never, ever drop your apartment key in you ex's fire escape, trust me!) Well, Hokichi took that time to ramble on about his past victims while my memories decided to bitch slap me and leave me stunned and therefore a good listener for once. I know all about that photo book, well not all about it, but enough to explain and realize a few things.
We'll start with page one. Jason Davitt. Apparently victim number one was from America where he used to work at a casino while in college. Therefore he knew all about games like, say, poker. That's right, he taught Hokichi how to play. Ah! It comes together. Anyway, he to Japan, blah, meets Hokichi, blah, made Hokichi happy, bleh, then Hokichi found out about his secret. Jason was married. What a scum, right? But you've heard this story before. Guy moves away from spouse. Guys gets lonely. Guy hooks up with a secret, much younger, lover. Guy's wife moves in with him. Guy dumps lover and goes on his merry way. What he didn't realize was that much younger lover had fallen hard for him and what Jason did broke the last straw. Thus the photo book was born. Hokichi then used a phrase he learned from Jason to complete his page in the crazy book. You see, Jason was good at everything, multitalented, a real Jack of All Trades. Get it? Jack! And add the part about Hokichi being in love with him made Jason the Jack of Hearts.
So why? Why didn't Hokichi stop there? When his revenge was complete? I don't know. I don't know if I do want to know. All I do know is that he felt Jason was only the beginning and wasn't going to stop until he had a royal straight flush. He had this whole thing planned out from the time he killed Jason on. He hunted us down, seduced us, made it look like it was our fault, then added us to his book.
Shichiro Tanaka was the 10 of Hearts because his modeling career fitted him to another American phrase "a perfect 10." Kazuki Watanabe was the Queen of Hearts because he was a... well... drag queen. Masuyo Sato was the Ace of Hearts because he "aced" at everything involving school. And I was the King of Hearts because... I don't know. I don't know why he felt like I was a king. I'm no the leader of Digidestined anymore since that's Daisuke's job now, not that Hokichi knew any of that. Maybe it was because I was popular for being Odaiba High's soccer captain? That doesn't sound right. Not that I'll ever know since Hokichi is dead.
The police told me that they shot Hokichi when they came in and saw he was going to shoot me. Apparently someone called the police to report someone suspicious entering my apartment. Then someone else called about noises coming from my room after that (which was about the time I threw the closest blunt object at Hokichi's head, resulting in a fist that ended when he hit my leg just right with my computer chair and broke my ankle).
So that should have been it, right? The closure. Culprit's dead and all's right with the world. The End. But it's not. Don't forget, I don't have a resolution.
Yamato...
I'm kinda scared about what will happen now. I mean, yeah Yama kissed me and all, but there's still a lot needed to be resolved and I don't know if he's serious. I can't help but feel doubt about whether or not there will be a happy ending for me.
Chapter Nine
kesshin
resolution
February 21, 10:34 AM
Taichi dreaded going back to school in another week. He wanted to complain about this fact desperately to his friends but since it was Saturday they were all at school still. So instead he glared at the pile of books on his kitchen table.
"I'll bring you your homework, he says. We'll have a get together after school today, he says. Stupid Koushiro, not everyone wants to do homework right away." He conveniently left out the part where his was eternally grateful that Koushiro was going to tutor him
Deciding that thinking about school anymore might make his head pop, Taichi decided it was time to watch television. It was a bit difficult since he still was getting used to the crutches they'd given him till his ankle healed, but eventually he made it to the couch. He sat down with a soda he manage to sneak past his mother this morning, and turned on the tv across from him.
"The World Poker Tour is just getting into full--"
Click.
"But Ayako! I thought you loved--"
Click.
"--don't miss the murder movie marath--"
Click.
"The heart is the most vital--"
Click.
"This year's Valentine's was the most exc--"
Click.
Taichi soon decided that TV wasn't nearly as fun as glaring at school books.
12:46 PM
Ah yes, video games were always the greatest! The soccer star couldn't believe that he forgot about the joys of first person shooters.
Until he realized that the reason he no longer played his games was because he had them memorized and was soon playing only so he could shut off his brain in favor of auto pilot.
"THANK YOU!" Taichi nearly screamed at the ceiling when the sound of someone knocking kicked his mind back into motion. "Yes, please be someone who is willing to talk! Please, anyone!" He pleaded while moving with only slight his on crutch, the other piece of metal being discarded in his excitement. Taichi had been alone since his parents went to work (though it took some convincing from Taichi since he was sure they would suffocate him if they stayed) and Hikari went to school. The thought of having someone to talk to other than the dreaded textbooks on the kitchen table was definitely pleasing. He'd talk to anyone about anything! Even to Mimi about her latest shopping trip. Or Takeru about his beloved hat. Or Jyou about his latest learned disease. Or...
"Yamato." Or maybe he could've been happier with his textbook conversations. They weren't nearly as awkward. Or strange. Or... whatever was happening now as the two continued to stand there looking dumb at each other while the tension seemed to pick up. Taichi almost wished he couldn't remember anything anymore. At least the last time they were in together last time, Taichi didn't remember kissing Yamato and shoving chocolate at him while confessing the last of his big secrets to the blond.
"Gee, Tai, are you just going to stand there all day imitating a fish, or you going to let me in?" The singer said sarcastically, but Taichi could hear the bit of nervousness in his voice.
"Uh, yeah." He began to hobble out of the way so Yamato could come in and have room to take off his shoes.
"Aren't you supposed to have two of those?"
"I forgot it."
"Oh."
"Yeah."
The two looked at each other for a few seconds before moving into the living room and settling themselves on opposite sides of the sofa.
"So, you were playing video games?" Yamato nodded to the screen were the word PAUSED was displayed proudly in bright blue letters.
"There's not much else I can do. I never realized how much I spent outside tell now." Taichi spent a few moments trying to set up his crutches before giving up and letting them fall to the ground, wincing as they cluttered noisely onto the floor. "So you didn't go to school?"
"How?" The blond's head snapped up to meet Taichi's eyes for the first time in days.
"You're not wearing your uniform." He tried not to laugh when his guest looked sheepishly at his clothes.
"Oh yeah, I decided to skip so I could--" Yamato paused, "so, how are you?"
"Fine. I'll be better when my ankle isn't wrapped up like a bad birthday present." Taichi flashed a quick cover-up grin but Yamato saw through it.
"I meant how are you?" Yamato's voice sounded more serious this time.
"I said I'm fine." The grin wavered.
"Taichi." Yamato sighed.
"Why can't you stop being so stubborn?" Taichi huffed and tried to act like a child to distract the other.
"Why can't you? Just answer the question, how are you?"
"What do you want me to say?" Taichi snapped suddenly. "I'm angry, confused bored outta my mind!" His shoulders slumped, "and I feel used!"
"Used?"
"Well yeah! I just spent the last few months thinking I found someone who wanted me and who I could actually want back and not be rejected." Taichi body stiffened and he leaned forward. "Then I find out that I was nothing more than... than a target! Someway for a murderer to win a game and all because he felt like I fit some stupid playing card. And I don't get it either. How am I a King of Hearts?"
He could feel Yamato watch him as he ranted and now that he was quiet, he didn't have the energy to do anything more than sit back against the sofa and let his friend stare to his heart's content. He was closing his eyes, wanting to go to sleep and hopefully be unconscious enough to let of the tension, when Yamato's voice snapped him back to.
"I can understand it. Why you were chosen to be the King of Hearts, I mean." The musician quickly corrected himself.
"Then why?" Taichi's interest was instantly captured since Yamato spoke up and he turned to face him.
"Because..." Yamato's voice trailed off as he tried to find the word, "because a king is a leader, right? Someone who demands attention and can take charge of a situation to make things happen. You're like that. Anyone whose ever seen you in action can realize that. Just watching you at a soccer practice is enough." Yamato's eyes trained themselves onto Taichi and despite the brunette's discomfort at his words, Taichi found he couldn't look away. "But I understand this even more because of the time we were stuck in the digital world. I've always been stubborn, I'll admit just this once," a snort was quickly ignored at this point, "but even I was able to get over my attitude towards you and wanted to follow your lead. Your ideas aren't always the best, in fact they're downright spontaneous to the point of stupidity sometimes, but you give others hope and courage to the point where they can't help but want to follow you.
"And not only that but," Yamato paused before continuing in a more softer voice, "you really are a King of Hearts. People can't help but like you. Even if they're dead-set on hating you like I was, once they get to know you, they'll forget about all of that just to be near you." He became quiet and suddenly felt uncomfortable with the shocked look that Taichi was giving him.
"You really think so?" Taichi sounded choked.
"I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it, dummy."
"Oh." Taichi said in a touched voice before something suddenly dawned on him. "Hey! Don't call me dummy, pretty boy!" Never mind that 'pretty boy' wasn't technically an insult in Taichi's head. Yamato chuckled.
"I missed you." Yamato began to laugh at the cross between a blush and a glare on the soccer star's face.
"Shuddup, Ishida! Stop getting all soft on me." Taichi punched the singer's arm playfully, 'I missed you too.'
"Yeah? Maybe I should kick you ass at this game to prove how much I haven't gotten soft."
"Bring it on!"
Video games were more fun with two people anyway.
INTERLUDE: A Sister's Strength
Hikari mean light. Hikari always like her name because of this. Mostly, though, it was because of her brother's words.
"You are light. You're the brightest light. When we were younger I always wanted to prove myself to you so you'd always let me be the one to protect you.
"But you didn't have to. I'll always think highly of you, brother. In fact, I wanted to prove myself to you so you'd think I wasn't weak." Thirteen Hikari stared up at her brother next to her.
"I'd never think you were weak, Hikari. It's just that, you're my little sister, you know? It's my job to protect you. I wanted keep you locked up and never let anything bad happen to you. But that's stupid. I can't protect you all the time, though that hurts to say it. You're just too bright. You can even outshine the sun when you want to." Taichi ginned and Hikari blushed. Did he really think that highly of her? "Besides, as much as I want to protect you, there are times when I know I won't be able to and it scares me when that happens. It's like you don't need me anymore."
"I'll always need you around, you're my big brother!" Hikari scolded. "How about this? When you can't protect me, I'll protect you."
"But I'm your bi--" Taichi saw how serious his sister was and sighed. "Fine," he grinned, "we'll protect each other."
Hikari smiled and shook her head. She was busy right now and therefore had no time to get lost on Memory Lane. Picking up the two ice cream bars she bought on the way home from school, Hikari walked into the next room to sit next to her brother.
"Here, I got you coco flavor," she gave him the brown wrapped one, "and green tea flavor for myself."
"You know, old men eat green tea flavor." He teased and she just shrugged.
"Blame mom." And the both giggled at that.
"So how was your day?" Taichi tossed the wrapped onto the coffee table.
"Okay, same old, same old. Daisuke and Takeru fought over who could shoot the most baskets in gym. Takeru won. Daisuke and Takeru fought over who could eat their lunches the fastest. Daisuke won. Iori got a headache. Miyako scolded them. And I laughed." She said nonchalantly as if it happened every day. It usually did.
"Sounds fun." Taichi snickered.
"Yeah, it was. And your day?" She glanced over and noticed that Taichi shrugged, as if it didn't matter, but he stopped eating his ice cream which told her it did.
"Yamato came over. Asked how I was. I said fine. Then we played video games and I beat him since I've always been better at that game than him. We talked a bit. Then he left." He shrugged again.
"You guys didn't talk about...certain things?" Hikari asked innocently enough. Taichi blushed a second before nodded slightly. "Well?"
"Well, we're just going to let things...work themselves out."
"What!" Hikari sighed. "You two..."
"I know, I know." Taichi rolled his eyes. "But really, I'm not sure where we stand and we've never really been the let's-talk-it-out-type. We're more of the let's-punch-it-out-and-get-some-food-after-type. If 'we' happen then we happen, if not then...well back to the beginning, right?" She nodded but then regarded him silently for a second before speaking up.
"Are you really okay with that?" She let him think about it for a second.
"Yeah, I think am." He smiled at her. "I mean, I really hope we get together but Yamato's confused and I'm still dealing with the other stuff on my own. Now isn't the time to really try and start things. In the end, I just feel better that I'm not hiding things from my best friend anymore."
"Wow, you're thinking things out now? How hard did you get knocked on the head?" She teased him lightly.
He ignored her and went back to his ice cream. "And Hikari?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you." Two simple words from him but she was left stunned.
"For what?" She tilted her head to the side and began to slowly eat her ice cream again.
"For protecting me. I heard about how you took care of mom and dad while I was at the hospital. Mainly mom, since she's so easily stressed anyway. Then how you handled the situation and made sure you were the one to bring my clothes to the hospital the second time around. Not too mention... well, everything else, I guess." Taichi gave her a hug with his one free arm while being careful about his and hers ice creams.
"You're welcome." She looked up at him. "And Taichi?"
"Yes, my little sister?"
"You're pain pills make you mushy."
A sigh. "I know, it's gross, huh?"
"No... well, actually a little."
Another sigh. "I knew it."
Taichi's life was going relatively well for the next week. His parents' coddling went down a bit, his friends visited often, Yamato visited often, Koushiro more than caught him up with his classes, and his ankle was healing up rather nicely. All in all, it was a good week. Until Friday.
Taichi's Uncle Unkei and Aunt Akari had insisted to Taichi over his mobile phone that it was absolutely necessary for them to take him out for dinner. Not that Taichi complained, nothing said 'get well soon' better than a steak dinner. It wasn't till he realized that he couldn't go anywhere without a thorough interrogation from his parents that the problem made itself known. How was he going to get out of the house and to the restaurant without letting his dad known who he was going to be with? He'd tell a quick half truth under normal circumstances, but his parent's new found paranoia added with his pain pills meant that was nearly impossible for him to even attempt right now.
Then the solution came to him. He would have dear ol' Uncle wait in the front of the building for him while Taichi slipped out and let Hikari cover for him. And the plan would have worked except for one thing: his father decided to come home an hour early from work and coincidently bumped into his brother in front of the apartment complex. Of course Taichi didn't realize this until he was opening the door to find Unkei walked very determinedly towards him with his father hissing angrily behind him and his aunt following worriedly behind. A second later the two were inside the apartment with the door closed and not even trying to lower their voices as their fight went into full swing. The child of courage began to wonder if his troubles would ever end.
"What the hell do you think you're doing here?"
"I don't think that's your business!"
"You're in my home so I'm going to make it my business!"
Taichi shared a look with his sister. He and Hikari both tried to melt themselves into the wall. Psychotic digimon wanting to take over the world were on thing, their normally calm, now very ticked off, dad was another. Yeah, their mom could handle this.
"Excuse me gentlemen, inside voices please." Reiko ushered them politely out of the hallway. "We're adults here, now let's act like it please." Her husband didn't know what happened till they were all sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of tea each.
"Wait! Hold it! What are we doing?" Taichi watched nervously as his father stood up rather abruptly. "Now you two! What are you here for?"
"Us two are here to take our nephew to dinner to help cheer him up. I hardly see that as a crime!" Unkei stood as well.
"What, so you hear about what happened on the news and decide to use it as a way to elbow your elbow your way into my son's life?"
"Actually I did that years ago! In fact it would be safe to assume that I know your son better than you!" Taichi couldn't disagree with his uncle's words. It was true. When Taichi needed a mentor to talk to , his father would suddenly have some project at work and no time for him. Either that or it would be a subject Taichi wouldn't be comfortable talking about with his father. So he went to Unkei. When Taichi was coming to terms with his sexuality, he went to Unkei. When Yamato told him about his relationship with Sora, he went to Unkei. When Taichi had problems with his love life, hell life in general, he went to Unkei. Lately he hadn't been taking advantage of this, but he knew he would soon seek out his uncle's listening ear, even if the other didn't have any advice for him.
"Taichi!" Whoops, back to the present.
"Yeah, dad?"
"Is this true?" This was it, the moment of truth. Taichi knew this was coming but really he didn't think it would happen this soon. Besides, everything else was in the open, why not this as well.
"Yeah, it is." He faced his parents bravely.
"What? You've been going to him? Why? What's so important that you feel you have to go behind my back to talk about it with him instead of me?" His dad looked hurt and suddenly he felt guilty.
"Do you really want to know?"
"Yes!"
"Taichi you don't have to do this..." Unkei began but Taichi just shook his head.
"No, I knew it would have to happen eventually." He turned back to look into his parent's eyes. "Mom, dad." He swallowed a lump in his throat. "I'm gay." He expected his father to shout, and his mother to maybe cry. Maybe even a while of silence before his dad began his usual bout of denial. Anything but--
"Oh of course, darling." His mom took a small sip of her drink. "I expected as much already."
"Mom?"
"Reiko, dear?"
"Well, you never seemed to have any girlfriends despite your popularity with the females at your school. Not to mention you have far too many shoes for a boy your age." Taichi flushed. "Besides, I'm your mother, I just know things like this."
"What?" His father looked stunned still. "What about me? I'm his father, you think I'd know something like this."
"Well, you've always been a little blind to certain things, dear." Reiko Yagami stood up and clapped her hands. "Now, Unkei, I think you should take Taichi to dinner now and let me and your brother have a nice chat." She turned to Taichi's aunt. "Akari, isn't it? I'm sorry, I feel like I've been rude. My name is Reiko, it's nice to meet you." She patted her hand and began leading them to the door. "Maybe we can get to know each other better later. Right now there are other matters to attend to. Hikari?" She turned to her daughter. "Is there somewhere you wouldn't mind going while me and your father talk?"
"She's more than welcome to come with us." Unkei smiled at Hikari would happily thanked him and grabbed her jacket. Taichi followed with his crutches that he couldn't wait to get rid of.
"Now wait a second," began Taichi's father before he was shushed by Reiko.
"None of that, Hiro dear," and she went back to escorting everyone to the door. Taichi looked at her in amazement and hoped that he would take after her when it came to handling her man with only a polite shake of the head.
So Taichi and Hikari went with their uncle and aunt to dinner. His parents stayed home and had a long discussion. When the kids got home, they joined their parents in the chat. Taichi's father agreed to make amends with his brother since Taichi had become close with him. He also said that he would try to accept Taichi's lifestyle though he admitted that it would take some time.
Taichi couldn't help but wonder if he was only making the effort because of his latest near death experience, but he tried not to think about it. He was just glad he wasn't out of a home.
February 26
"So that's what happened?" Yamato asked after the brunette finished his summary of the night before.
"Pretty much." Taichi took a sip of his melon soda. "I'm glad to be all out in the open about everything now."
"Yeah, I'm glad for you too. Now I can take my rightful place as the mysterious quiet one again." Yamato said jokingly. Taichi punched him playfully on the arm.
"Yeah, whatever, pretty boy." Taichi rolled his eyes and went back to flipping through his sports magazine. A second later he felt Yamato grab his free hand and leaned over to see the pages himself. Taichi blushed and smiled softly to no one in particular. They both didn't know exactly what "they" were but neither cared. They just were and what that meant they would figure out later. Right now they just felt good and that's all that mattered.
Taichi stopped to think about everything that's happened and a few minutes later he smiled again.
"What are you thinking about?" Yamato pulled back to look at his friend better. The King of Hearts just shook his head.
"Nothing, just happy that my story has a resolution."
OWARI (no, seriously this time)
