A/N: SO sorry that it's taken me so long to write!
I participated in NaNoWrimo and tried to write 50,000 words in the month of November. I got pretty close, but didn't quite reach the target. It was a really fun experience as it was my first time writing an original story. Happy to be back finishing my fanfiction stories though. I love these characters too much to stay away for long.
Sorry again, and hope you enjoy!
Before anyone knew it, several hours had gone by. Most of the food had been eaten, largely by Agumon and the other Digimon. The music was turned off, and 8 DigiDestined remained, soon to be 6.
"Are you sure you're ready to leave?" Takeru asked.
Hikari nodded as she looked around the room. Jou and Sora were watching tv with Piyomon and Gomamon. Koshiro seemed to be receiving decorating advice from Mimi, while Tentamon and Palmon watched on in amusement and gave occasional commentary.
And Taichi and Yamato, their idiot brothers, seemed to be arguing over which of their Digimon's forms was the strongest.
Hikari smiled as she yawned. She was definitely ready to leave.
"Ok, then," Takeru chuckled as he got up from the couch and one by one, the two of them began making their rounds to say goodbye to everyone.
"Lame," Yamato said when they reached him. "You two should stay."
"Yeah," Taichi chimed in. "The four of us finally aren't the most awkward people in the room."
"What a relief," Hikari laughed.
"I'll say," Takeru added and then a smirk slowly formed across his face. "Guess that PG rating I gave you paid off."
Yamato immediately grabbed the closest pillow to him and threw it at Takeru. "I've changed my mind," he said as the pillow hit his brother square in the chest. "You can leave."
Hikari then watched Yamato and Takeru hug goodbye and she was reminded of a truth she had figured out a while ago - all boys are stupid.
When Taichi stood up she walked over to him.
"Text me when you get home, ok?"
Hikari smiled. "Of course." She looked over at Yamato who was still in conversation with Takeru. "Let me know when you're on your way home and I'll tell Mom."
"Actually," Taichi paused as he took a sip of his soda. "I may stay over Yamato's."
Hikari's eyes widened at this news. "Are... you sure?" Was all she could think of to say.
Taichi nodded and his expression told Hikari everything that she needed to know. She sighed as she lowered her head and like clockwork, she felt two hands on her shoulders.
"Hey," Taichi said wearing his usual grin. "You promised to stop worrying about me, remember?"
"Uh, I don't think I ever promised that."
"You did," Taichi urged and Hikari looked up. Her brother spoke with such resolve that she almost believed him. "For tonight, remember?"
"Ugh," Hikari threw her head back. He was right. She had promised to take a night off from worrying.
Taichi laughed as he picked up his soda.
"Will you at least promise me not to be reckless?"
"Me?" Taichi pointed to his chest. "When am I ever reckless?"
Hikari just rolled her eyes. She opened her mouth to speak but closed it when she felt Takeru at her side.
"Don't worry," Yamato said to Taichi. "Takeru will make sure she gets home ok."
Hikari looked confused as she looked back and forth between the three boys standing around her.
"He better," Taichi answered and Takeru nodded.
"Excuse me!" Hikari looked incredulous. Were they serious right now? "I can take care of myself you know."
"I know," Taichi said, looking confused.
Hikari sighed once more as she brought her hands over her head. She was definitely, 100% ready to leave.
"Where's Gatomon?" Taichi added.
"In the kitchen," Takeru answered. "Trying to make sure Agumon doesn't eat everything."
"Sounds like a losing battle," Yamato said. Taichi then nudged him in his ribs.
A moment later, Hikari and Takeru walked into the kitchen and then out the door with Gatomon at Hikari's side and Patomon sitting on top of Takeru's hat.
"Do you want to leave too?" Yamato asked.
Taichi finished his soda and then turned to look at him. He did want to leave, but he also knew what that meant. When Yamato looked away and out the window, Taichi reasoned that it must've just dawned on him as well.
"Yeah, I do," Taichi answered, looking out ahead. And then he felt a hand on his knee and whipped his head around to see Yamato smiling at him.
"Good, me too," Yamato said.
Taichi laughed and then quickly scanned the room around them. When he felt satisfied that no one was watching them, he faked a yawn and threw his arm in the air around Yamato's shoulder.
"Smooth," Yamato remarked.
Taichi just laughed again as he leaned over and pecked Yamato on the cheek. Yamato blushed instantly and then stood up.
"Let's get out of here," he said.
Taichi stood up next to him. "Don't have to tell me twice."
The walk to Yamato's apartment was quiet and if Taichi was being honest, it was pretty awkward.
The two of them weren't really small talk people and Taichi didn't want to say or do anything that might cause Yamato to freak out again. Because there was that bit of drama at the start of the party, Taichi figured it was probably best to just not say anything at all and enjoy the quiet walk with Yamato.
This, of course, wasn't the first time there had been silence between them. When you're together with a person long enough, you don't feel that constant need to fill up space with meaningless words. You can take comfort in the silence and know that everything is fine.
It was a nice feeling, but Taichi didn't really feel like everything was fine. There were a lot of unspoken things floating in the air between the two of them right now. Namely, what was going to happen when they finally reached Yamato's place?
As the apartment complex came closer into view, Yamato seemed to slow his pace. Taichi looked over at him and caught a glimpse of Yamato's cool blue eyes clearly concentrated on the busy street ahead.
Taichi took a deep breath in and let it out. This was going to be the first time they'd be alone together since… making out with one another. Taichi gulped. He knew it was smart to take things slow, but… with him and Yamato… things just had a way of escalating pretty fast.
That thought lingered on Taichi's mind. There was no way that they were going to have sex… right? That would be moving at like, lightning speed. And plus… they'd need some supplies for that. Shit – what if Yamato had supplies? Taichi's face felt warm. He was also pretty sure that his palms were sweating profusely. He looked over again at Yamato. Yamato seemed unbothered and content - just enjoying their quiet walk.
Taichi shook his head. He was always in awe of how cool Yamato seemed to carry himself. As he looked up at him periodically, Taichi knew he'd give anything to know what Yamato was thinking about. The two of them were about to be alone together – for god knows how long! Taichi couldn't be the only one with sex on the brain… right?!
"Hey," Yamato spoke and Taichi came to a halt. "Is something wrong with you?"
Taichi stared at him blankly. Of course, Yamato would pick the exact moment he was freaking out to turn around and engage. "Uh yeah," he answered, "never better."
Yamato raised an eyebrow at him and smiled. Taichi looked puzzled and then something weird happened. Yamato starting laughing and crossed his arms over his chest.
"I ask you if something's wrong and you answer with 'never better'?"
"Oh shit," Taichi scratched his head, "that's what you asked me?"
"Yeah, you weirdo."
Taichi wanted to smile or laugh or say something witty, but he couldn't look at Yamato without staring at his lips and thinking again about… stuff. He quickly shook his head and settled on, "guess I'm a bit distracted," before turning around.
"When are you not?"
"Good point," Taichi answered. He took a step forward but stopped when he felt Yamato's hand on his arm.
"Hey," Yamato said, a more serious expression on his face. "I feel the same."
Taichi froze for a moment. Could that be true? Even though on the outside Yamato appeared cool and collected, could he be internally freaking out just like Taichi was? A smile found its way across Taichi's face. Of course, that was true. Taichi probably appeared calm and cool on the outside too. This was a new thing for both of them. It'd be selfish to think Taichi was alone in his nerves.
"I keep forgetting how connected we are," Taichi said.
"Yeah," Yamato nodded in agreement. "I was just thinking about that."
Taichi let out a sigh of relief. "I'm glad I'm not the only one freaking out."
"Wait," Yamato answered. "You're freaking out?"
"Uh, are you not?" Taichi raised an eyebrow at him.
"No, well… I mean." Yamato seemed fidgety. "Why are you freaking out?"
"Wait," Taichi looked confused. This was not how this was supposed to go. "How are you not freaking out?"
"Am I supposed to freak out?"
"Well, you're the one who usually freaks out so – yeah."
"Wow, excuse me, Tai." Yamato's hands were now on his hip. "Here I am trying to comfort you."
"Uh yeah - by telling me you feel the same. And if you're not freaking out then you clearly don't." Taichi stared at Yamato's face, doing his best to not focus in on his lips.
Yamato stared back and then cracked a smile. "Ok," he answered softly, "I'm a little freaking out."
"Jesus, Yamato," Taichi laughed and then walked next to Yamato, nudging him slightly.
Yamato seemed like he was about to say something else, but he didn't. He also didn't back away. They continued walking quietly and closely with their arms brushing against each other's the rest of the walk.
Taichi took another deep breath in and let it out. Being this close to Yamato was rather intoxicating. He could feel the sensation surging through every inch of his body. Taichi tried his best to block it out and just focus on walking and – he must've done one hell of a job because the next thing he knew, they were standing inside Yamato's apartment building, walking down the long corridor to the Ishida's front door.
This time, Taichi eased up his pace and he could feel Yamato following suit. Yamato then turned to face him and reached out his hand. Taichi smiled as he grabbed it.
"Cute," Taichi grinned.
"Oh, shut up," Yamato answered, a rosy hue coloring his cheeks.
Taichi laughed. They were now standing in front of the apartment door. He quickly thought of something that could ease the tension, but Yamato seemed to beat him to it.
"Never thought I'd see Taichi Yagami being so shy," Yamato said.
"Yeah, well…" Taichi grinned, wider. "Never thought I'd see Yamato Ishida, rockstar, want to hold hands."
Surprisingly, Yamato laughed and then with his other hand, ran his fingers through his hair. Taichi's heart began beating faster as he watched Yamato fiddle with the keys in his hands, trying to find the right one. Yamato was moving so slowly that for a moment, Taichi could've sworn that they were in one of those old slow-motion videos.
Taichi held his breath as Yamato lifted the key to the knob, but then… it dropped to the ground. Both Taichi and Yamato stared at it, but neither one of them made a move to pick it up. Instead, Yamato turned his head and his cool blue eyes met Taichi's warm brown ones. The tension was so palpable and his heart rate was so high that Taichi worried he would self-combust at any given moment.
"Fuck it," Yamato said.
…And that was all Taichi needed. Without caring who would see or who could hear, he pushed Yamato against the door and pressed their lips together. The kiss quickly led into another and soon it became desperate and Taichi needed it like he needed air. Yamato pushed Taichi back and grinning through kisses, his tongue found its way to the roof of Taichi's mouth. Taichi groaned as his hands ran down Yamato's back. Yamato's hands found their way to Taichi's hips and they were inching downwards.
Taichi could feel how hard he was getting, but Yamato pressed their bodies against each other anyway. Taichi was about to lose it. He could feel Yamato's chest against his and the bulge in his pants against his own. Yamato threw his head back and Taichi went for it – kissing all along his neck and tonguing at the crease. Yamato began breathing heavy and pulled away. It was a lot, Taichi knew that, but he couldn't stop and it didn't seem like Yamato wanted to. Yamato grabbed Taichi's face and kissed him more passionately than Taichi had ever been kissed in his life. Yamato then bent down and grabbed the keys, managing them faster than he had before.
Taichi watched on, still feeling dazed – drugged by Yamato's lips. With one hand Yamato opened the door and flung it open. He grabbed Taichi's hand and dragged him inside.
The couch was just up ahead, but it was still too far. Apparently, Yamato felt the same as he pushed Taichi up against the kitchen counter and shoved his tongue back into his mouth. Taichi closed his eyes and grabbed on to Yamato's face once more. This felt hotter than the last time. Yamato was really, really into this. And, as Taichi looked down, he could tell Yamato was just as hard as he was.
"Yama…" Taichi said breathlessly, as Yamato kissed along his jawline.
"Yeah?" Yamato answered in a tone that was so seductive that Taichi almost forgot what he was going to say.
"Should we…move?"
Yamato moved lower and was now kissing Taichi's collarbone. "Move… where?"
God, that was hot. Taichi started imagining both of them, naked. It was almost too much. "To… the… bedroom."
Yamato stopped kissing Taichi and took a step back.
Shit. Taichi began cursing himself internally. That was the very thing he did not want to say, but he had said it. There was no going back now.
"Ok," Yamato said after a long pause.
Taichi looked stunned. But he got up off the counter and moved behind Yamato, letting him lead the way to his room. Taichi caught his breath and was adjusting his jeans when he noticed that they were back to moving in slow motion. When Yamato paused in the doorway of his room, Taichi put his hand on Yamato's shoulder. As horny as he felt, as bad as he wanted him, they… they couldn't rush into this. He knew that. That was exactly what he had been trying to remind himself of on the walk.
"Yama, wait."
Yamato turned around and Taichi could see the inexplicable look of relief painted on his face. This was something they both wanted, he could see that. But, this was also a really big deal for both of them and, in the heat of the moment… that's a little too easy to forget.
"We should talk," Taichi gulped, "about… all of this."
Yamato nodded and folding his arms across his chest, he leaned against the wall, waiting for Taichi to continue.
"I think it's obvious," Taichi began motioning between them, "how bad I want you…" he adjusted himself and Yamato grinned. Taichi then lost his train of thought.
"I want you too, Tai," Yamato interjected, and Taichi still couldn't remember his thought. All he could currently think about was if Yamato had always been this fucking sexy. "But yeah, I agree."
Taichi snapped himself out of it. "You agree to what?"
Yamato sighed. "I don't want us to fuck this up by moving too fast either."
"Right," Taichi nodded. That was exactly what he was going to say before he got distracted by Yamato's lips… and eyes… and whole entire body. Damn, restraint was going to be hard. He could do this though. He could definitely do this.
"If you think you can do it, that is." Yamato grinned again.
Taichi laughed. They were so connected that it was almost comical. "Do what?" he asked as if he didn't already know.
"Take it slow," Yamato answered.
Taichi stared at the beautiful man in front of him who he was now recognizing as also his best friend. Yamato wasn't just some guy. He was the guy. And Taichi knew in his heart that he would do literally anything to preserve their relationship. It would be hard, yeah. But for the right person, you do the hard stuff. Taichi smiled wider than he had before. He would tell Yamato all of this one day, but for now. He'd stick to the language they understood the best. "Excuse me, Yamato. I think you mean if you can keep your hands off me." He proceeded to flex and Yamato rolled his eyes.
"You're an idiot," he said with a smile.
"Your idiot," Taichi answered.
Yamato took a step forward and once again placed his hands on Taichi's hips. "You got that right," he said.
Taichi breathed a shaky breath as he placed his hands around Yamato's back. "So, only making out for now?"
"Sounds good," Yamato answered.
"And… maybe some other stuff?" Taichi said with a smile.
"Taichi!"
"I just need to check, Yama!"
Yamato laughed and blushed a bit, but he didn't answer. Taichi continued smiling at him and decided to answer for him.
"How about you let me know?"
"Deal," Yamato said, and Taichi felt satisfied.
Taichi then watched as Yamato ran his fingers through his lush blonde hair and leaned a bit closer towards him.
"Right now," he whispered into his ear, "I just want you close to me."
Taichi was sure he was blushing but he didn't care. He leaned in and kissed Yamato – softer this time. It was a gentle peck that said it all. A silent promise between the two of them that they'd be careful with each other's hearts.
When they pulled apart, Taichi felt lighter, maybe calmer. He looked at Yamato and then at the couch in the living room. "Want to watch a movie?" he asked.
Without missing a beat, Yamato responded, "can I kiss you during it?"
Duh, was what Taichi wanted to say. That was kind of the whole point of watching a movie. But he laughed to himself as the perfect response came to him. He raised an eyebrow and nudged Yamato in front of him. "I knew you couldn't resist me."
Yamato rolled his eyes and proceeded to walk towards the couch. He stopped briefly to look back at Taichi and reached out his hand. Taichi grabbed it and interlocked their fingers.
"You and me, Yama."
Yamato laughed as he brought Taichi's hand up to his mouth and kissed it with… a little tongue. Taichi's mind instantly went blank. "So," Yamato began, "what movie do you want to watch?"
Taichi's eyes darted back and forth between his hand and Yamato's plump lips. He started drifting further and further into all the things he couldn't wait to do with him. "Huh?" Taichi blushed, "what movie?"
"I just have to grab my stuff, Hikari. I'll be quick."
"Yeah…" Hikari paused as she scanned the long corridor of the Ishida's apartment complex. "This is a bad idea, Takeru… what if they're in there?"
Takeru sighed as he reached in his pocket for the spare key. "Trust me," he started, "I'm the last one that wants to see the two of them go at it."
"Then let's come back!" Hikari answered, rather quickly.
"Hikari, we're already here. I'll be quick, I promise." Takeru paused to smile. "I know exactly where my bag is - right on the couch."
Hikari let out a sigh and, begrudgingly, nodded. She looked back briefly at the elevators behind them. She was already looking forward to getting out of there as fast as possible.
Takeru grabbed hold of the doorknob and to both of their surprise… it wasn't locked.
"That's weird…" Hikari remarked.
Takeru shrugged and pushed the door open. He tiptoed inside and Hikari followed.
"Hello! Yamato?" He called out. "Just grabbing my bag, then leaving."
Both Hikari and Takeru stood in the entryway and waited, but no response came. Takeru gave another shrug and began walking into the apartment. Hikari followed, staying close behind him.
A few more steps in and soon Hikari could make out the faint sounds of the TV coming from the next room. She took a deep breath in and covering most of her eyes with her hands, walked a bit further into the living room.
Takeru chucked and nudged her, "what a sight," he said.
When Hikari opened her eyes, a big smile spread across her face. On the couch in front of them laid Taichi and Yamato, cuddled up together and fast asleep. Taichi laid on top of Yamato with one of Yamato's arms slung around him and the other… holding his hand. It was the most vulnerable she had ever seen Yamato and the cutest she had ever seen her brother. She started giggling to herself until she noticed that there was a blanket suspiciously covering both of their lower halves.
"Crap," Takeru said, pointing to Yamato's head. "He's using my bag as a pillow."
"Guess we'll need to come back," Hikari said, nudging him.
"Or…" Takeru grinned, "I could grab it."
"And piss both of them off? I'm sure that'd go over well." She raised an eyebrow at him and then looked back at the sight in front of her. She then noticed a pair of pants on the ground behind the couch.
"Ugh," Takeru brought both hands to his head and then after a long pause said, "You're right. But, first…" he dug into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
"Don't you dare!" Hikari whispered.
"I have to," Takeru grinned and then after snapping a quick picture, put his phone back into his pocket.
"They're definitely going to kill you," Hikari said.
Takeru threw Hikari a silly smile and nudged her. "some things are worth dying for."
Hikari rolled her eyes but caught herself smiling anyway. "Send it to me?"
Takeru laughed and nodded. He then took her hand and started walking.
As he led the way out of the apartment, Hikari looked back one more time and gently shook her head in disbelief. She was really happy for both of them, but god did she hope they were both wearing pants. She looked again at her big brother's face nestled next to Yamato's. She couldn't deny how happy he looked.
"Ugh," she whispered, "I kind of love them."
When they reached the hall, Takeru closed the door behind them and locked it. He put his arm over Hikari and brought her close, kissing the top of her forehead. "Me too, Hikari," he said, "me too."
