"I want to be home. I want to be home. I want to be home." His voice took on a more childlike edge than usual.

"We're almost home." Takeru soothed.

"I need Mum and Dad. But they don't need me." He choked out and the note of pure despair cut straight through my heart.

The others were studiously attempting not to listen to the brothers and I silently thanked them for it. God Yamato, why didn't you tell me!?! My mind screamed at him, but all I could do was rock him in my arms and stoke his hair. His beautiful golden hair that was so soft and silky and matted with his own blood. 'He tried to kill himself' echoed through my mind repeatedly.

"They don't need me, Takeru doesn't need me, the new team doesn't need me, The old team doesn't need me, Taichi doesn't want me..." He paused, realising his slight grammatical error. "Taichi doesn't need me." He corrected, calming slightly. "No one needs me, so I shouldn't to be here." The statement sounded like he'd convinced himself over and over until it rang true in his ears.

"Jyou, stop the car." I commanded. He looked at me, puzzled, but didn't argue and pulled over into a petrol station. Takeru, with a flash of inspiration, hustled them all out the car and toward the tiny shop for yet more coffee.

"Good luck."

I turned to Yamato, who had shuffled over to the car door. "Right, you." I said sighing. "Oh, look at me Yamato. Of course I need you. You're my best friend. Can you imagine how much it kills me knowing you hurt yourself?" He sniffed slightly. I tried to be calmer. "And what do you mean by 'Taichi doesn't want me'?" I asked softly, scooting over to him and stoking his hair again.

"Exactly that." He hiccupped. "You and Sora - you're destined to be together. Why would you... why would you want...want me?" Tears tricked down his face.

"Why? Because we're friends. Because I can talk to you about anything. Because you're the only person you can make fun of me and be constructive about it. Because you're the only one who's ever gotten to me so much that I fought them. Because you trusted me, and no one ever has done. Because you're so complex and I can't ever figure you out no matter how hard I try. Because you're beautiful and holding you in my arms feels right, not like with Sora. Because of your kiss..." I paused for breath. "Because I've secretly had this crush on you for ages and I tried so hard not to wreak our friendship that you wouldn't ever have guessed. Because you're you. And I need you. And I want you."

"Truly?" he asked, voice wavering and the disbelief evident.

"Truly." I hugged him tightly, felt him relax into my arms. "Now, are you still hysterical?"

"No." He sniffled, snuggling into my shoulder.

I smiled at him. "Good. Cause I wouldn't want to be taking advantage of you." He flicked a glance up at me. "I'd just like to confirm that you don't kiss like a girl one more time, if that's okay by you?"

'Okay' might have been an understatement. He nodded, blue eyes wide and still slightly doubting that he wasn't in some kind of drunken haze. I brushed his lips gently with my own, waiting for a reaction from him. I wasn't disappointed. His arms entwined around my neck as his soft lips pressed back. I could feel his sigh in my mouth as I drew him closer to me and caressed his hair. I paused, opening my eyes to check he was still okay with this. The expression of contentment confirmed my courage and I resumed kissing him, peppering a trail from his jawbone to his nose before returning to his mouth. He welcomed my tongue with his equally demanding own. A joining of souls he'd joked. Well, I wasn't laughing now. This was reality.