A/N: I wrote this entire chapter out and just as I was going to save it, my computer decided to restart. Why me? Sorry if this isn't as good as the first time I wrote it, I tried to make them as similar as possible. Um, sorry if it sucks. Not my fault, really, blame it on my computer. This is the Taito chapter. How could I not do this pairing first? Heh. Anyways, read and review. This is the moment you've all been waiting for: Tai and Matt stop being stubborn bakas and reveal their feelings!

Walruses and Confessions: Taito

"I want to go see the giraffes first."

"Tai, they're on the other side of the park."

"Then why'd we come this way?"

"You didn't tell me you wanted to see the giraffes. Didn't you see the sign?"

"What sign?"

"The sign we gathered right in front of that showed where all the animals in the entire zoo were located."

"Nope, must have missed it."

One, two, three...Matt forced a smile. "Well then, Tai, let's make do with what we got."

He walked to the edge of the railing on the bridge and stared down into the water at the multicolor fish, ducks, and water birds. Tai stretched his arms out and walked up to his side, staring down with him.

"That one reminds me of you."

Matt glanced up at the brunette, and then looked at what he was pointing at. In the corner, there paddled a gray duck, alone. The other ducks were all splashing around a good deal away from it, but it didn't seem to mind.

"The lone wolf of the pack."

"It's a duck, Tai."

"The lone duck of the...quack?"

Matt groaned at Tai's lame joke and turned around, leaning back against the railing.

"Well, you are always the lonely one."

"I'm not alone."

Tai grinned and hugged him. "Of course not, you have me!"

Matt blushed and quickly pulled out of Tai's hug, walking along over the bridge and down the brick path of the zoo. Tai quickly followed, surveying the surroundings.

Matt quickly stopped in his tracks and leaned far out over the edge into the display of a walrus. He squinted against the sun as he looked at the animal, who didn't look very happy to be in the direct sunlight.

"His water is all dirty and the trees are all ugly. He got stuck in a pretty bad display, huh?" Matt wondered aloud.

Beside him, Tai nodded. "The poor guy looks hungry."

"How could you tell?"

"Well, that's the look my sister gets when there's nothing good to eat and her stomach's rumbling."

Matt laughed and then stopped as he heard shouts from the group of kids nearby. He turned to watch them yelling and laughing about the walrus and how fat it was, how yellow its tusks were, and how long its whiskers were. Matt narrowed his eyes and growled.

"Those brats are so annoying."

"You're sympathizing with the walrus?" Tai asked, laughing. "Come on, Matt. They're only kids. They make fun of everything that isn't like them. It's not like you could go beat them up or jump into the water to go join the walrus and defend it."

"I'm tempted to."

"To jump in the water?!"

"No, Tai. To go beat those kids senseless."

Tai grinned at his friend. "Matt, you're getting pretty hotheaded."

Matt sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "You're right, it must be the sun. It's making me irritable. Let's get into the shade."

They walked over to a shady bench and sat down, Matt pulling his legs up onto the seat and Tai slouching down.

Tai looked around and smiled. "It's beautiful out today, isn't it?"

"It's freaking hot. The sun is feeling ruthless today."

"Are you always this pessimistic and depressing? Oh, wait, never mind."

Matt shot him a glare. "We should have come at night, when it'd be cooler."

"You're right, we should have."

Tai leapt up and ran to the edge of the seal display, leaning forward and barking in a good imitation of

the noise. Tai and the seal barked at each other for a while, and soon Tai began laughing insanely, holding his stomach. People stopped to stare at him before moving on, and Matt grinned. He loved the way the brunette couldn't care less what other people thought of him. He loved the way he was so impulsive and he kept surprising everyone. Actually, he just loved him.

Matt shook his head in amazement at Tai. "How do you do it?"

"With practice and care. Um, by the way, do what?"

"How can you always be so happy?"

Tai smiled and shrugged. "I don't know. I like being happy."

Matt smiled as he watched Tai laugh yet again. "You're beautiful when you laugh," Matt commented, and then bit his tongue once it was out. Tai merely grinned.

"So are you. That's why I wish you would laugh more often."

Matt blushed. Tai seemed oblivious, and he continued.

"When you laugh, you don't look like the duck or the walrus anymore. You don't look lonely or shunned."


"I look like the walrus?!" Matt frantically looked over himself.

Tai laughed and gave the blonde a glance-over, starting from his hair to his feet, and then back up again. he grinned at Matt's red face. "You look fine to me!"

Matt blinked once. "I-er-ah-"

"Except when you stutter like that. Then you look sort of stupid."

He ducked Matt's swing and sprinted into a cave display. The glowing blue of the fish tanks gave enough light for Matt to tackle him on target, and they both laughed as Tai struggled out of Matt's grip.

"Take that back, Yagami!" Matt threatened playfully.

Tai smirked and then did his best to look innocent, but still sexy. "Make me, Ishida."

Matt blushed again, though this time it went unnoticed in the dark of the cave. Tai leaned forward and pressed him into the wall, boldly kissing the blonde right on the lips. Matt responded by putting his arms up around Tai's neck and deepening the kiss.

Someone cleared their throat next to them and they jumped apart from each other, Tai nearly tripping backwards onto his back. Tai then stood defiantly in front of Yamato, settling his eyes on the figure in the dark. "What, do you have a problem with people like us?"

The figure laughed and a lady stepped into the blue light. "Oh no, dear. In fact, I think you two make a very cute couple. I was just wondering if you could move away from the display I was looking at when you barged in here and got in front of it."

Tai blushed. "Um, well, sorry, ma'am."

Matt laughed. "Yeah, sorry. We didn't know."

The lady smiled at them and shook her hand. "Oh, it's alright. I was pretty much done looking at the boring thing anyways. Not sure why I'm in here in the first place."

The boys laughed, not so nervously this time. "Well, it was nice running into you, but I have to go."

They nodded. "See ya!"

The lady smiled and waved, walking out of the cave display. The boys collapsed against the wall, laughing hard.

"You got so scared, Ishida! I could see it on your face."

"Me? You're the one that looked like you'd pissed your pants, Yagami!"

"I dare you to say that again."

"You're the one who-"

"Ishida! I'm warning you!"

The two walked out of the display, bickering as usual. They continued on into the blaring sun, only this time, holding hands as they argued. Neither knew quite when the relationship had started, but they finally settled the argument as they walked past the walrus. They waved to it and continued on their zoo visit, both grinning ear-to-ear as they boldly continued holding hands to show their pride in finally becoming boyfriend and boyfriend.

Matt glanced at the brunette and laughed as Tai waved at every animal they passed.

"I love you, you weird bastard."

"Love you too, I think."

Matt punched Tai's arm and they walked on down the path leading into a bright future for them and their newfound relationship.

~ ~ ~ ~

A/N: That was so not like the original. I tried my best to add the most important parts, but I changed it a little. I think I like this version a little better than the first, but I still could have done so much better. I just wanted to get it out of the way, I guess. Hope you like it anyways. R/R please! BTW, the next chapter will be the Somi one, so arm yourselves for some major fluff. **grabs pillow** 'Til the next chapter, bye bye!