Masquerade
* * *
Part 3: The Challenge
* * *
Okay, I have some explanations I have to make here. This is the last part to 'Masquerade', but it isn't the end of the story. Think of this whole thing as a single chapter in a story. There will be loose ends here which may not be wrapped up for parts and parts. However, the 'sequel' to Masquerade I am working on will actually delve into the relationship. It has no current title, but it should be good. Until then, enjoy this.
* * *
~We never said our love was evergreen, or as unchanging as the sea...~
-"Think of Me" from "The Phantom of the Opera"
"Ken?" Daisuke was beautiful. That was all Ken could focus on, the fact that only change that the boy had gone through over fifteen years was to get more attractive. With all caution and reasoning thrown to the winds, Ken, abandoning years of careful shielding of his emotions, leaned forward and kissed the other man on the lips. When he broke off the kiss, he found himself just as shocked as the receiver of the affection.
"God, Daisuke, I didn't-"
"I think you should come in," Daisuke said grimly. "There's a lot you have to explain."
* * *
"Hello? Is your mother in?" Hikari looked down at the little girl on the front stoop. The girl nodded, and pointed towards the living room. "Thanks..."
"Akira." Then the little girl was gone, and Hikari found her own way in. She pushed under a bead curtain, and nodded to Jun, who was sitting serenely on a blue, overstuffed couch.
"Hikari-san," she said, nodding. "It's been quite a while. The last time I saw you, you were still dating my brother." Hikari forced a smile and sat down on an easy chair.
"Listen, Jun-san, I came to ask you a little about your...gifts."
"Yes?"
"Well, is this sort of thing at all genetic?" Jun crossed her arms in front of her, frowning slightly.
"I don't really know, but I would assume that close relatives would be more likely to share gifts. Why?"
"Daisuke painted something, something he's never seen before, and with enough detail that it looked real. Not only that, it was an image from...a friend's past."
"Honestly, Hikari, can't you just be honest? If it has something to do with the Digiworld, just say it." Hikari's mouth dropped open.
"But how did you-"
"I can see into other worlds, when I try, Hikari. And about Daisuke, he's always had the spirit of an artist, but I think he can also direct his mind to see the images of things beyond his time. It's not something to worry overly about unless it starts giving him nightmares. Until then, just let him work on his art. If he tries, he can be really good."
* * *
"Ken, why did you kiss me?" Daisuke asked calmly. Ken blushed, and looked away from Daisuke at the large, white shape in the living room. "Ken?"
"Fine; do you really want to know why? I kissed you because-I love you. All right? Are you happy?" Daisuke smiled.
"Yes." He placed his hands professionally on the table. "Ken, I-feel very strongly towards you as well. But-" Ken, who had appeared hopeful at the beginning of the sentence, panicked.
"No! There can't be a but! I love you! You love me! It all works out!" Daisuke shook his head sadly.
"No it doesn't, Ken. Do you know when I decided I was in love with you? When I was 14. And Ken, I didn't have the courage to tell you outright, so I gave you hints. They were subtle, but I thought even you could get them. I was more affectionate and physical around you, I showed you sides of myself no one else got to see, Ken, I spent every day in agony over the fact that you didn't return my feelings, that you were ignoring the expression of my emotions. And, so, I think you should experience a little of that. I'm glad to see you, Ken, and I hope that we can be friends. But I don't want us to be more if you can't prove to me how you feel. If you want to date me, I want to be courted. So, unless you have anything to say, the door is that way." Ken stood up unsteadily and walked to the door. Before he left, though, he felt a light kiss on his cheek. "I don't hate you, Ken-chan, I just want to be sure you feel the same way before I get committed to anything." As he left, Ken realized he was in a remarkably better mood than when he arrived.
* * *
**Private chat**
~~Welcome to 'Digidestined'~~
-Bravechibu42 has entered-
-Holylight25 has entered-
-Hopeful_Angel has entered-
Bravechibu42: Well, you guys will never guess who came to my apartment today?
Hopeful_Angel: A stalker?
Holylight25: The curator of the Louvre?
Bravechibu42: Not exactly, but Takeru's closer...
Hopeful_Angel: Actually, it's Iori. Take-chan's out of town, and using his screen name reminds me of him.
Holylight25: Awwwwww....kawaii!
Hopeful_Angel: Now I'm blushing...
Bravechibu42: So, about my surprise visitor-
Holylight25: I bet Takeru showed up and asked you to make love to him...*snicker*
Hopeful_Angel: That's not really you, Hika-kun, is it?
Holylight25: Um...sort of. Miyako's reading over my shoulder.
Bravechibu42: That's it! We keep getting off-topic! Ken turned up at my apartment today.
Hopeful_Angel: And I bet he wanted to have hot, animal sex until the wee hours of the morning.
Bravechibu42: Er...not quite.
-Purelove2713 has signed on-
Purelove2713: What do you mean, 'not quite?' What happened?
Hopeful_Angel: Is that Miyako now?
Purelove2713: The one and only. What exactly did he do?
Bravechibu42: He kissed me.
Holylight25: Is that why you divorced him, Miya-chan?
Purelove2713: One of the major reasons, yes.
-IoriT has signed on-
IoriT: Has anyone seen Hopeful_Angel on, because whoever that is, it's not me!
Hopeful_Angel: Um...hi, Take-chan. I just missed you.
IoriT: Is this what you do when I'm gone? Masquerade as me? And you never told me what IoriT is supposed to mean.
Hopeful_Angel: I'll tell you later. Anyway, Daisuke, is he still over there?
IoriT: Who?
Bravechibu42: No; he said he loved me, and I said I loved him too, but...
Purelove2713: BUT?! I divorced him because I thought he'd be happier with you! There can't be a but!
Holylight25: Calm down, Miya-chan.
Bravechibu42: Just listen to what I have to say. I told him how I've been in love with him since...I think 9th grade, and how I tried to show that to him.
Holylight25: Yeah, you were all over him that summer. I was so surprised you weren't dating by September.
Hopeful_Angel: What are you talking about? He was just being Daisuke-
Purelove2713: I didn't notice anything out of the usual.
Holylight25: Yeah, well, you're not Takeru or me. We can see these things. I'm surprised you didn't notice it, Miyako, what with the Digimental of Love and everything.
Purelove2713: Yeah, well, no one's perfect, least of all me.
Bravechibu42: Anyway, I told him that if he was really in love with me, he'd have to show it to me; court me, if you will. I don't want to end up in another relationship where I'm the only one who feels anything.
Holylight25: That is so romantic! You want him to prove his love? Iori, you can learn a thing or two from Daisuke.
IoriT: WHO ARE YOU ALL TALKING ABOUT?
Hopeful_Angel: Ken. And why aren't you telling this to Takeru?
Holylight25: Because Takeru's perfect, and you're just lucky to have him.
Purelove2713: My god. I've never heard anyone laugh that hard. Ouch! She fell out of her chair. Now look what you've made her do, Mr. Bi-Polar. And by the way, nice job, Daisuke. He's not the type to let you go that easily, so rest assured you're going to be assaulted with affection. I need to go make sure Hikari's not hurt.
-Purelove2713 has signed off-
-Holylight25 has signed off-
* * *
"Hello, Ken-san. How'd the visit go?"
"I don't want to talk about it. But Leah, I want you to get a dozen...African violets sent to Motimoya Daisuke. But don't call until I give you the note I want to go with it." He disappeared into his office, and Leah just stared after him.
"So, did it go well? Or badly? Apparently, both." She jotted the note onto her Post-it's, and then returned to her work.
* * *
'I've worn a mask for so long, that I've forgotten who I really am. I hid myself behind my work, others, and I hid my emotions so I wouldn't get hurt. I'm very good at hurting myself. But, Daisuke, when I remembered your smile, your simple pleasure in just living, I saw a glimpse of me again. You broke my mask, Daisuke, you reminded me of the past I needed, the emotions I buried. I love you, Daisuke, I have always loved you. I only hope that I can make you see that. Consider this mask as a gift to you, and these flowers as a mark of my devotion. Until we meet again-' The note ended with a flourishing signature, elegant yet free. Daisuke placed the violets in a vase, filled with water, and smiled.
"An admirable start, Ken-chan." A chase of sorts, or perhaps a dance, had begun, and if they knew their parts well, it would end well for both of them.
* * *
* * *
Part 3: The Challenge
* * *
Okay, I have some explanations I have to make here. This is the last part to 'Masquerade', but it isn't the end of the story. Think of this whole thing as a single chapter in a story. There will be loose ends here which may not be wrapped up for parts and parts. However, the 'sequel' to Masquerade I am working on will actually delve into the relationship. It has no current title, but it should be good. Until then, enjoy this.
* * *
~We never said our love was evergreen, or as unchanging as the sea...~
-"Think of Me" from "The Phantom of the Opera"
"Ken?" Daisuke was beautiful. That was all Ken could focus on, the fact that only change that the boy had gone through over fifteen years was to get more attractive. With all caution and reasoning thrown to the winds, Ken, abandoning years of careful shielding of his emotions, leaned forward and kissed the other man on the lips. When he broke off the kiss, he found himself just as shocked as the receiver of the affection.
"God, Daisuke, I didn't-"
"I think you should come in," Daisuke said grimly. "There's a lot you have to explain."
* * *
"Hello? Is your mother in?" Hikari looked down at the little girl on the front stoop. The girl nodded, and pointed towards the living room. "Thanks..."
"Akira." Then the little girl was gone, and Hikari found her own way in. She pushed under a bead curtain, and nodded to Jun, who was sitting serenely on a blue, overstuffed couch.
"Hikari-san," she said, nodding. "It's been quite a while. The last time I saw you, you were still dating my brother." Hikari forced a smile and sat down on an easy chair.
"Listen, Jun-san, I came to ask you a little about your...gifts."
"Yes?"
"Well, is this sort of thing at all genetic?" Jun crossed her arms in front of her, frowning slightly.
"I don't really know, but I would assume that close relatives would be more likely to share gifts. Why?"
"Daisuke painted something, something he's never seen before, and with enough detail that it looked real. Not only that, it was an image from...a friend's past."
"Honestly, Hikari, can't you just be honest? If it has something to do with the Digiworld, just say it." Hikari's mouth dropped open.
"But how did you-"
"I can see into other worlds, when I try, Hikari. And about Daisuke, he's always had the spirit of an artist, but I think he can also direct his mind to see the images of things beyond his time. It's not something to worry overly about unless it starts giving him nightmares. Until then, just let him work on his art. If he tries, he can be really good."
* * *
"Ken, why did you kiss me?" Daisuke asked calmly. Ken blushed, and looked away from Daisuke at the large, white shape in the living room. "Ken?"
"Fine; do you really want to know why? I kissed you because-I love you. All right? Are you happy?" Daisuke smiled.
"Yes." He placed his hands professionally on the table. "Ken, I-feel very strongly towards you as well. But-" Ken, who had appeared hopeful at the beginning of the sentence, panicked.
"No! There can't be a but! I love you! You love me! It all works out!" Daisuke shook his head sadly.
"No it doesn't, Ken. Do you know when I decided I was in love with you? When I was 14. And Ken, I didn't have the courage to tell you outright, so I gave you hints. They were subtle, but I thought even you could get them. I was more affectionate and physical around you, I showed you sides of myself no one else got to see, Ken, I spent every day in agony over the fact that you didn't return my feelings, that you were ignoring the expression of my emotions. And, so, I think you should experience a little of that. I'm glad to see you, Ken, and I hope that we can be friends. But I don't want us to be more if you can't prove to me how you feel. If you want to date me, I want to be courted. So, unless you have anything to say, the door is that way." Ken stood up unsteadily and walked to the door. Before he left, though, he felt a light kiss on his cheek. "I don't hate you, Ken-chan, I just want to be sure you feel the same way before I get committed to anything." As he left, Ken realized he was in a remarkably better mood than when he arrived.
* * *
**Private chat**
~~Welcome to 'Digidestined'~~
-Bravechibu42 has entered-
-Holylight25 has entered-
-Hopeful_Angel has entered-
Bravechibu42: Well, you guys will never guess who came to my apartment today?
Hopeful_Angel: A stalker?
Holylight25: The curator of the Louvre?
Bravechibu42: Not exactly, but Takeru's closer...
Hopeful_Angel: Actually, it's Iori. Take-chan's out of town, and using his screen name reminds me of him.
Holylight25: Awwwwww....kawaii!
Hopeful_Angel: Now I'm blushing...
Bravechibu42: So, about my surprise visitor-
Holylight25: I bet Takeru showed up and asked you to make love to him...*snicker*
Hopeful_Angel: That's not really you, Hika-kun, is it?
Holylight25: Um...sort of. Miyako's reading over my shoulder.
Bravechibu42: That's it! We keep getting off-topic! Ken turned up at my apartment today.
Hopeful_Angel: And I bet he wanted to have hot, animal sex until the wee hours of the morning.
Bravechibu42: Er...not quite.
-Purelove2713 has signed on-
Purelove2713: What do you mean, 'not quite?' What happened?
Hopeful_Angel: Is that Miyako now?
Purelove2713: The one and only. What exactly did he do?
Bravechibu42: He kissed me.
Holylight25: Is that why you divorced him, Miya-chan?
Purelove2713: One of the major reasons, yes.
-IoriT has signed on-
IoriT: Has anyone seen Hopeful_Angel on, because whoever that is, it's not me!
Hopeful_Angel: Um...hi, Take-chan. I just missed you.
IoriT: Is this what you do when I'm gone? Masquerade as me? And you never told me what IoriT is supposed to mean.
Hopeful_Angel: I'll tell you later. Anyway, Daisuke, is he still over there?
IoriT: Who?
Bravechibu42: No; he said he loved me, and I said I loved him too, but...
Purelove2713: BUT?! I divorced him because I thought he'd be happier with you! There can't be a but!
Holylight25: Calm down, Miya-chan.
Bravechibu42: Just listen to what I have to say. I told him how I've been in love with him since...I think 9th grade, and how I tried to show that to him.
Holylight25: Yeah, you were all over him that summer. I was so surprised you weren't dating by September.
Hopeful_Angel: What are you talking about? He was just being Daisuke-
Purelove2713: I didn't notice anything out of the usual.
Holylight25: Yeah, well, you're not Takeru or me. We can see these things. I'm surprised you didn't notice it, Miyako, what with the Digimental of Love and everything.
Purelove2713: Yeah, well, no one's perfect, least of all me.
Bravechibu42: Anyway, I told him that if he was really in love with me, he'd have to show it to me; court me, if you will. I don't want to end up in another relationship where I'm the only one who feels anything.
Holylight25: That is so romantic! You want him to prove his love? Iori, you can learn a thing or two from Daisuke.
IoriT: WHO ARE YOU ALL TALKING ABOUT?
Hopeful_Angel: Ken. And why aren't you telling this to Takeru?
Holylight25: Because Takeru's perfect, and you're just lucky to have him.
Purelove2713: My god. I've never heard anyone laugh that hard. Ouch! She fell out of her chair. Now look what you've made her do, Mr. Bi-Polar. And by the way, nice job, Daisuke. He's not the type to let you go that easily, so rest assured you're going to be assaulted with affection. I need to go make sure Hikari's not hurt.
-Purelove2713 has signed off-
-Holylight25 has signed off-
* * *
"Hello, Ken-san. How'd the visit go?"
"I don't want to talk about it. But Leah, I want you to get a dozen...African violets sent to Motimoya Daisuke. But don't call until I give you the note I want to go with it." He disappeared into his office, and Leah just stared after him.
"So, did it go well? Or badly? Apparently, both." She jotted the note onto her Post-it's, and then returned to her work.
* * *
'I've worn a mask for so long, that I've forgotten who I really am. I hid myself behind my work, others, and I hid my emotions so I wouldn't get hurt. I'm very good at hurting myself. But, Daisuke, when I remembered your smile, your simple pleasure in just living, I saw a glimpse of me again. You broke my mask, Daisuke, you reminded me of the past I needed, the emotions I buried. I love you, Daisuke, I have always loved you. I only hope that I can make you see that. Consider this mask as a gift to you, and these flowers as a mark of my devotion. Until we meet again-' The note ended with a flourishing signature, elegant yet free. Daisuke placed the violets in a vase, filled with water, and smiled.
"An admirable start, Ken-chan." A chase of sorts, or perhaps a dance, had begun, and if they knew their parts well, it would end well for both of them.
* * *