Tai had never slept so soundly in his entire life. When he awoke the next
morning with Koushirou at his side he smiled and carefully extricated
himself from the bed sheets and tip toed to the bathroom. After a flush,
some washing, and some water in the face, Tai returned to the bedside. He
badly wanted to wake his boyfriend but held off since Koushirou needed
every bit of rest he could get. "Did I just call him my boyfriend??" Tai
asked himself. Yes he did. Tai smiled and mouthed the word 'boyfriend',
enjoying the image it put in his mind; he and Koushirou sitting together,
watching the sun set over the ocean.
Tai settled in the chair beside the bed and picked the remote control to the tv up. He turned it on and quickly muted it, surfing through until he found something that would keep him occupied until Koushirou decided that it was time to get up. Home Shopping Network. Click. MTV. Click. Oxygen. Oh god, CLICK. Tai finally settled on a channel and became engrossed in the cartoon Beyblade.
"Have you ever noticed, Tai, that the boys in anime are always cute?" a voice spoke softly from behind, nearly making Tai jump out of his skin.
"Oh, Koushirou, you sort of scared me."
"I know. It's fun to do. You jump so much."
"Well, ha ha. Anyway, how are you feeling?"
"I'm not ready to go run a marathon yet, but I don't hurt everywhere anymore, just in most places."
"I guess that is an improvement then, huh?"
"I think so. Now what about my question?"
"About anime? Yeah, I guess you're right. That Max kid, he is rather cute, but." "But what, Tai?"
"Not as cute as you are, Koushirou."
"Ah, Tai," Koushirou said and just smiled, not needing to say more: his grin and reddening face said enough.
"Okay, what do you say that we get you out of here? Unless you'd rather stay for what they call breakfast."
"Let's get out of here, Tai."
"Alright, you stay here and I'll go and get the doctor. Be back."
"And just exactly where am I supposed to go? Golfing?" Koushirou called out as the door was closing. Tai returned a few minutes later with the doctor and a nurse and they gave Koushirou a quick but thorough looking over.
"Well Mr. Izumi, you can go ahead and get out of our four star resort if you want, just take it really easy for about the next week. Since you got very lucky and the majority of your injuries were minor, they should all be healed in the next week. The ribs will take a bit longer, as will your arm. Any questions?"
"No sir. I think I'll be alright."
"Okay then, let's get you out of here." Koushirou was discharged and the two of them left the hospital and took a short cab ride back to the Izumi residence.
A/N: due to a complete oversight on my part (which I blame on, um, my bean bag chair), I forgot to have Koushirou's parents called back in chapter 12. Whoops. My bad. We'll just pretend that Koushirou's aunt lives way the hell far away and that his parents just arrived at her house right about now. Now they get to turn around and drive back. There. That should make things a bit better. Anyway..
Tai took Koushirou's keys from him and stuck the proper one in the slot and pushed the door open. He held the door open for Koushirou and shut it after he had followed the boy in.
"Koushirou, why don't you have a seat on the couch there, you look pretty winded."
Tai was right. Walking the short distance from the elevator to the door had sapped his strength a lot more than he'd thought it would. "That is a good idea. Why don't you sit down with me?"
"That is a better idea," Tai said as he plopped down beside Koushirou. "So, are you really feeling better or was this just a ploy to get out of the hospital?"
"I am feeling better, Tai. Honestly. All I need is some rest, and I can get that just as easily here, plus I can eat good food and not have to wear one of those silly little hospital gowns."
Tai put a mock frown on his face. "I thought you looked mighty cute in one of those little things, Koushirou. In fact, just in case you did like it, I brought one home with you."
"You did not!" Koushirou called him out.
"Check your bag, Koushirou. See what is inside." Tai picked up the bag that held Koushirou's stuff from the hospital. Koushirou thrust a hand in and pulled out the camcorder, a bottle of pain killers, and at the bottom, there it was.
"Tai, why?" Koushirou asked incredulously.
"Well, I figured that maybe you'd model it for me again sometime," Tai answered innocently.
"That all depends, Tai. We'll see."
"All I could ask for, Koushirou." Tai smiled back at him and the two of them sat in comfortable silence for a little while. Tai was watching the heavy, snow-laden clouds drift by when he heard a slight snore coming from his side. He turned and saw Koushirou had dozed off.
"Oh Koushirou, I still can't believe how lucky I am. I almost lost you." Tai thought as he simply looked in awe at the sleeping boy to his right. He sniffed and then brushed away an unexpected tear. "I guess this is what mom and dad were talking about when they said that someday I'd find the one I was meant to be with." Tai cocked his head and smiled just a bit, thinking, "But somehow I doubt they expected it to be with a boy. Oh well, since when have I lived up to their expectations anyway?" He smiled bigger and glanced over at the clock on the vcr. Almost lunchtime. That might be why his stomach was beginning to growl. No food since dinner last night.
Tai got up and went into the kitchen and began rummaging around. He opened the refrigerator and saw shelves full of Tupperware containers each labeled with its contents. "Oh my, I've hit the mother load!!" Tai was nearly dancing in circles as he sorted them into two categories; 1) things he liked, and 2)things he liked even more. "Remind me to hug Mrs. Izumi," he told a container of spaghetti and meatballs. He set that one aside and pulled out one labeled 'Tuna Casserole' and set it on the counter. "That's for lunch. And this is for dinner," he said as he pulled out another container. This one was packed with breaded chicken breasts, and the lid even had complete cooking instructions. Tai just shook his head and pondered how to get Mrs. Izumi to give his mother cooking classes.
Tai popped the lid off the tuna dish and dug a spoon out of the drawer and grabbed two plates from the cabinet above. He gave himself an enormous plateful and pondered how much Koushirou would want. "Hmmm, he never really does over do it, so maybe just this much," he said quietly as he squashed a not-so heaping spoonful on the second plate."
"Hello Tai, how are you doing today?" A voice called from the living room, scaring Tai out of his mind and causing him to drop the spoon on the floor and making a very tuna-y mess.
"Hey Tentomon," said as his heart rate returned to normal. "I didn't hear you. I didn't wake you up, did I?"
"Don't worry Tai, I just got up But it was not my plan to surprise you."
"I know Tentomon, you are just so quiet."
"That is what Koushirou says. I end up scaring him about twice a day. Anyway though, did the two of you have a good time last night?"
Tai screwed up his eyebrows for a second before he figured that Tentomon didn't have any idea of how yesterday went. "Well, I wouldn't exactly call it a good time," he said with a little bit of sarcasm. He went on to explain the events of yesterday and made Tentomon promise that he would leave Koushirou alone until he woke up.
"Oh that is so terrible. You're sure the doctors said he'll be okay?"
"Don't worry, he might be a little bruised and banged up, but it's nothing really serious."
"I'll try my best not to worry, but I don't know how good a job I'll do, Tai."
"Just do the best you can, Tentomon, that's all I ask."
"Then that is what I'll do." Tai started to clean up the mess on the floor and Tentomon spoke again. "Tai, may I ask you a question?"
"You just did. Want to ask another one?" He said as he tossed the paper towel away.
"Yes. Are the two of you together?"
Tai studied Tentomon for a moment before he spoke. "I believe we are, Tentomon. I believe we are. Why do you ask?" Tai already had an inkling, but he wanted Tentomon to confirm it for him.
"For the longest time now, Koushirou has been so sad on the inside," Tentomon said and Tai nodded his head in agreement. "Then not that long ago it seemed like the old Koushirou was back. He had told me long ago that he fancied you and that he would someday say something, and I guess this has finally happened."
"That is so like Koushirou," Tai said, "talking to his Digimon before one of us. But yes, he did, and I wish he'd done it long ago, because I felt the same way pretty much ever since we got back from the digital world. I was just too scared to say anything about it."
"And to think, Tai, you had the crest of courage all along."
"I know, Tentomon. I can fight evil Digimon all day, but I can't tell anyone how I feel. Weird huh?"
"Quite. Now how about you make a third plate of that substance because I'm hungry as well."
"Right." Tai got a third plate down and gave Tentomon a Tai-sized scoop and put them in the microwave on at a time. He set Tentomon's down and had barely gotten his from the microwave before it was gone.
"Sheesh, Tentomon, you eat even faster than TK," Tai said in amazement as he set his own plate down on the table. Once he was finished, Tentomon perched himself on the back of the chair and kept a steady gaze on the sleeping Koushirou.
"Oh, I believe he is waking up," Tentomon said and started buzzing himself over that way before Tai could even get a word out.
"Oh, Koushirou, are you okay? Can I get you anything?" Tentomon asked earnestly.
"I'm pretty much okay, Tentomon, as well as can be expected, I guess. Now as to what you can do for me, how about lunch?"
"Not to worry. Tai already has it ready. It's sitting over on the table right now. Should I bring it to you, Koushirou?"
"I can manage but thank you anyway." Koushirou pulled himself to his feet and made his way over to the table. "Ah, tuna casserole, prodigious."
"It's wonderful, Koushirou. Your mum is such a great cook. If this were my house, it would be tofu and bean sprouts."
"There's nothing wrong with bean sprouts, Tai," Koushirou said to him as he was sitting down, in a little bit of pain.
"What do you mean there's nothing wrong with--hey, are you alright?"
"My side is hurting pretty bad, as well as the other myriad of aches and pains."
"Is it about time for another pill?" Tai asked in obvious concern.
"Not quite yet. They are quite strong, but they put me to sleep quick as anything."
"I know, Koushirou. I watched you drift off last night. Ten minutes max."
"Sorry to have bored you last night then, Tai."
"Nonsense. I love watching you sleep. You are even more beautiful than when you're awake, if that is somehow possible." Koushirou blushed.
"Thanks Tai, but if you're over here, I don't want to sleep all day."
"Listen here, if you hurt, take your medicine. If you sleep, you sleep. Don't worry about it. Me and Tentomon will bond or something."
"Correct, Tai. There is no need for you to suffer, Koushirou. Do what you have to do," Tentomon said.
"If nothing else, I'll take a little time while you're asleep and run home and take a shower and change these clothes."
"You don't have to go, Tai," Koushirou said a little quickly. "You can take a shower here and I'm sure that I have something you could wear."
"That's what I'll do then. Now eat up, your tuna thing is getting cold.
Lunch was eaten and Tai did the dishes, nearly breaking a plate in the process. The three of them sat around for a while talking about anything and everything until Koushirou caved in and took another pill. Sure enough, it was maybe fifteen minutes before he was out. Tai picked him up from the dining table chair and carried him to the couch. Tentomon buzzed into Koushirou's bedroom and returned with a blanket. Tai took it and laid it over the now profoundly sleeping boy, tucking it in just under his chin. He took a moment and looked at Koushirou, basking in his radiance before bending down and giving him a kiss on the forehead.
"Rest well, Koushirou," he said softly as he stood back up. "Well, Tentomon, let's let him sleep now."
"I think that is a good idea."
"I think I will take a shower now, so if you will excuse me." Tai said as he started walking back towards Koushirou's room.
"I think that is a good idea too," Tentomon said and Tai gave him a mock glare and continued on his way.
In Koushirou's room, Tai stopped to look everything over. Everything in its place, the exact opposite of Tai's own. Tai lived by the I-wear-it- as-long-as-it-smells-clean approach, where Koushirou went by the hamper rule. He walked to Koushirou's closet and found a row of neatly hung shirts. Tai went through them, remembering the various occasions that he'd seen Koushirou wear them. "He wore this the time we went over to TK's for his birthday," he thought when he picked up a green shirt. "This was when we all went bowling," he remembered from a red and grey striped sweater.
"Ah, this is the one," Tai said aloud as he found his favorite Koushirou shirt, a simple orange long sleeved pull over with the Adidas stripes on the sleeves and a small design on the chest. He had always liked it when Koushirou wore 'his' shirt, so he plucked it from the bar. He decided that Koushirou's pants were out of the question, since they'd be about five inches too short. He was debating on not grabbing any underwear, since that might be a little odd, but he thought, "hey, I've always wanted to be in Koushirou's pants," and started giggling. He pulled open the top left drawer on a guess and found the neatly folded stacks of underwear.
"He even folds his underwear? Oh man," he asked out loud as he shook his head slightly. He pulled out the top pair, almost expecting to find it labeled 'Tuesday' or something, and shut the drawer with a grin. He walked out of the room and back into the living room where Tentomon was still holding vigil. "If he wakes up, come get me, alright?" he asked Tentomon and got a nod in reply.
Tai showered quickly and dressed likewise and returned to the living room. Koushirou was still out cold, so he sat down and flipped on the remote. Cartoons were the first thing he found and he left it there. Koushirou slept for a good two hours more before finally waking.
"Good morning sunshine," Tai said to the extremely groggy Koushirou.
"Hey Tai, nice shirt," Koushirou answered once he'd rubbed the eye buggers away.
"Yeah, it's always been my favorite," Tai told him and crossed his arms behind his head. Koushirou smiled at him and started getting up.
"Do you need anything, Koushirou?" Tai asked, not wanting Koushirou to do anything he didn't need to do.
"Unless you can go to the bathroom for me, I'm fine."
"You know I would if I could," Tai told him as he helped Koushirou up.
"I'm sure you would Tai," Koushirou said with a grin and walked on down the hallway. He did his thing and came back out. "Where's Tentomon?"
"Oh, he went to go visit with a few of the other Digimon. He promised me that I'd take excellent care of you, so I cant' let him down."
"I'm sure you won't," Koushirou said as he sat down beside Tai. Tai looped an arm around Koushirou's shoulder and pulled him gently closer.
"No way," Tai said as Koushirou leaned into him.
"What are you watching? More cartoons?"
"Yes, actually. Zoids, to be accurate." Tai went on to explain the story to Koushirou and the two of them settled in to watch one of Tai's favorite shows (and energy's too!! the Berserk Fury looks sooo cool. Anyway.)
The afternoon passed away and they still were at each other's sides. The sun had long set, so it was a very dark and cloudy 7 pm, when Tai's stomach began to stir. Koushirou's answered not long after and it was decided that dinner was definitely in the not too distant future.
"How does fried chicken sound, Koushirou?" Tai asked during a commercial break.
"Sounds good. I'll fix it in just a minute," Koushirou told him, causing Tai to nearly have a hemorrhage.
"No, I'll do it. You'll sit here and rest."
"Tai, fried chicken involves the use of a stove. Are you sure you can do that?"
"Of course I can," Tai said, feigning a hurt look. "I'm not just a sandwich guy, you know."
"Alright. Go for it, not as if I really have a choice in the matter."
"You're right. You don't. Now just sit here and I'll have it whipped up before you know it." Koushirou gave him a look that read 'are you sure you can handle this' and Tai smiled and said, "and besides, your mum left detailed instructions on how to make it." Koushirou nodded and smiled and shooed Tai away.
"Go, I'm getting hungry again." Koushirou settled back into the couch as Tai began banging pans and other things around in preparation. He flipped the channel to a news station and began getting caught up on everything he'd missed out on in the last 24 hours. Nothing really good, just a lot of violence. Timed passed and Koushirou started to get thirsty. He pulled himself off the couch and made his way into the kitchen.
What he saw nearly blew his mind. Tai had made only a small mess, not anything near what he had expected. "Hey Tai, how's it coming?" he asked as he reached into the refrigerator and pulled out a jug of juice.
"Not too bad, actually," Tai said as he turned around, with his hands on the stove behind him. "This cooking thing isn't nearly as hard as everyone puts it out to be. In fact, I might just have to get a job as a chef some day."
"Well, do keep in mind that chefs usually don't cook out of a Tupperware container, Tai," Koushirou said.
"Bah, I can do it. Just smell the aroma of the chicken."
Koushirou did sniff, but it wasn't chicken that he was smelling. It smelled like burning fabric. "Is that chicken, Tai?" he asked.
"Of course it is.Oh crap!!!" Tai yelled as he smelled the acrid odor and felt his oven mit becoming very very hot against his hand.
"Tai, you're on fire!" Koushirou screamed as Tai began to dance around. "Take the mitt off and throw it in the sink!!" Tai did so and Koushirou turned the faucet to the highest possible flow and the flames were doused.
"That was part of my stage show," Tai said as he tried to cover his error.
"Uh huh, whatever Tai," Koushirou said and started to laugh at Tai's smugness. "Whatever you say." Koushirou was shaking his head and laughing like a maniac. Finally he got himself under control. "I think the chicken is done now," he said as his stomach rumbled. The meal wasn't all that bad, although the slight stench of burned fabric still hung in the room.
Okay, that is the end of this chapter and I have to say that I'm liking this story more and more every time I write on it. I would have had it done sooner, but I picked up one of my many copies of Beowulf and I couldn't put it down for about three days (that is by far my favorite book/story ever). With that said, that is all for now, so go ahead and leave a review. You know you want to, so fulfill that desire. See you soon,
energy
Tai settled in the chair beside the bed and picked the remote control to the tv up. He turned it on and quickly muted it, surfing through until he found something that would keep him occupied until Koushirou decided that it was time to get up. Home Shopping Network. Click. MTV. Click. Oxygen. Oh god, CLICK. Tai finally settled on a channel and became engrossed in the cartoon Beyblade.
"Have you ever noticed, Tai, that the boys in anime are always cute?" a voice spoke softly from behind, nearly making Tai jump out of his skin.
"Oh, Koushirou, you sort of scared me."
"I know. It's fun to do. You jump so much."
"Well, ha ha. Anyway, how are you feeling?"
"I'm not ready to go run a marathon yet, but I don't hurt everywhere anymore, just in most places."
"I guess that is an improvement then, huh?"
"I think so. Now what about my question?"
"About anime? Yeah, I guess you're right. That Max kid, he is rather cute, but." "But what, Tai?"
"Not as cute as you are, Koushirou."
"Ah, Tai," Koushirou said and just smiled, not needing to say more: his grin and reddening face said enough.
"Okay, what do you say that we get you out of here? Unless you'd rather stay for what they call breakfast."
"Let's get out of here, Tai."
"Alright, you stay here and I'll go and get the doctor. Be back."
"And just exactly where am I supposed to go? Golfing?" Koushirou called out as the door was closing. Tai returned a few minutes later with the doctor and a nurse and they gave Koushirou a quick but thorough looking over.
"Well Mr. Izumi, you can go ahead and get out of our four star resort if you want, just take it really easy for about the next week. Since you got very lucky and the majority of your injuries were minor, they should all be healed in the next week. The ribs will take a bit longer, as will your arm. Any questions?"
"No sir. I think I'll be alright."
"Okay then, let's get you out of here." Koushirou was discharged and the two of them left the hospital and took a short cab ride back to the Izumi residence.
A/N: due to a complete oversight on my part (which I blame on, um, my bean bag chair), I forgot to have Koushirou's parents called back in chapter 12. Whoops. My bad. We'll just pretend that Koushirou's aunt lives way the hell far away and that his parents just arrived at her house right about now. Now they get to turn around and drive back. There. That should make things a bit better. Anyway..
Tai took Koushirou's keys from him and stuck the proper one in the slot and pushed the door open. He held the door open for Koushirou and shut it after he had followed the boy in.
"Koushirou, why don't you have a seat on the couch there, you look pretty winded."
Tai was right. Walking the short distance from the elevator to the door had sapped his strength a lot more than he'd thought it would. "That is a good idea. Why don't you sit down with me?"
"That is a better idea," Tai said as he plopped down beside Koushirou. "So, are you really feeling better or was this just a ploy to get out of the hospital?"
"I am feeling better, Tai. Honestly. All I need is some rest, and I can get that just as easily here, plus I can eat good food and not have to wear one of those silly little hospital gowns."
Tai put a mock frown on his face. "I thought you looked mighty cute in one of those little things, Koushirou. In fact, just in case you did like it, I brought one home with you."
"You did not!" Koushirou called him out.
"Check your bag, Koushirou. See what is inside." Tai picked up the bag that held Koushirou's stuff from the hospital. Koushirou thrust a hand in and pulled out the camcorder, a bottle of pain killers, and at the bottom, there it was.
"Tai, why?" Koushirou asked incredulously.
"Well, I figured that maybe you'd model it for me again sometime," Tai answered innocently.
"That all depends, Tai. We'll see."
"All I could ask for, Koushirou." Tai smiled back at him and the two of them sat in comfortable silence for a little while. Tai was watching the heavy, snow-laden clouds drift by when he heard a slight snore coming from his side. He turned and saw Koushirou had dozed off.
"Oh Koushirou, I still can't believe how lucky I am. I almost lost you." Tai thought as he simply looked in awe at the sleeping boy to his right. He sniffed and then brushed away an unexpected tear. "I guess this is what mom and dad were talking about when they said that someday I'd find the one I was meant to be with." Tai cocked his head and smiled just a bit, thinking, "But somehow I doubt they expected it to be with a boy. Oh well, since when have I lived up to their expectations anyway?" He smiled bigger and glanced over at the clock on the vcr. Almost lunchtime. That might be why his stomach was beginning to growl. No food since dinner last night.
Tai got up and went into the kitchen and began rummaging around. He opened the refrigerator and saw shelves full of Tupperware containers each labeled with its contents. "Oh my, I've hit the mother load!!" Tai was nearly dancing in circles as he sorted them into two categories; 1) things he liked, and 2)things he liked even more. "Remind me to hug Mrs. Izumi," he told a container of spaghetti and meatballs. He set that one aside and pulled out one labeled 'Tuna Casserole' and set it on the counter. "That's for lunch. And this is for dinner," he said as he pulled out another container. This one was packed with breaded chicken breasts, and the lid even had complete cooking instructions. Tai just shook his head and pondered how to get Mrs. Izumi to give his mother cooking classes.
Tai popped the lid off the tuna dish and dug a spoon out of the drawer and grabbed two plates from the cabinet above. He gave himself an enormous plateful and pondered how much Koushirou would want. "Hmmm, he never really does over do it, so maybe just this much," he said quietly as he squashed a not-so heaping spoonful on the second plate."
"Hello Tai, how are you doing today?" A voice called from the living room, scaring Tai out of his mind and causing him to drop the spoon on the floor and making a very tuna-y mess.
"Hey Tentomon," said as his heart rate returned to normal. "I didn't hear you. I didn't wake you up, did I?"
"Don't worry Tai, I just got up But it was not my plan to surprise you."
"I know Tentomon, you are just so quiet."
"That is what Koushirou says. I end up scaring him about twice a day. Anyway though, did the two of you have a good time last night?"
Tai screwed up his eyebrows for a second before he figured that Tentomon didn't have any idea of how yesterday went. "Well, I wouldn't exactly call it a good time," he said with a little bit of sarcasm. He went on to explain the events of yesterday and made Tentomon promise that he would leave Koushirou alone until he woke up.
"Oh that is so terrible. You're sure the doctors said he'll be okay?"
"Don't worry, he might be a little bruised and banged up, but it's nothing really serious."
"I'll try my best not to worry, but I don't know how good a job I'll do, Tai."
"Just do the best you can, Tentomon, that's all I ask."
"Then that is what I'll do." Tai started to clean up the mess on the floor and Tentomon spoke again. "Tai, may I ask you a question?"
"You just did. Want to ask another one?" He said as he tossed the paper towel away.
"Yes. Are the two of you together?"
Tai studied Tentomon for a moment before he spoke. "I believe we are, Tentomon. I believe we are. Why do you ask?" Tai already had an inkling, but he wanted Tentomon to confirm it for him.
"For the longest time now, Koushirou has been so sad on the inside," Tentomon said and Tai nodded his head in agreement. "Then not that long ago it seemed like the old Koushirou was back. He had told me long ago that he fancied you and that he would someday say something, and I guess this has finally happened."
"That is so like Koushirou," Tai said, "talking to his Digimon before one of us. But yes, he did, and I wish he'd done it long ago, because I felt the same way pretty much ever since we got back from the digital world. I was just too scared to say anything about it."
"And to think, Tai, you had the crest of courage all along."
"I know, Tentomon. I can fight evil Digimon all day, but I can't tell anyone how I feel. Weird huh?"
"Quite. Now how about you make a third plate of that substance because I'm hungry as well."
"Right." Tai got a third plate down and gave Tentomon a Tai-sized scoop and put them in the microwave on at a time. He set Tentomon's down and had barely gotten his from the microwave before it was gone.
"Sheesh, Tentomon, you eat even faster than TK," Tai said in amazement as he set his own plate down on the table. Once he was finished, Tentomon perched himself on the back of the chair and kept a steady gaze on the sleeping Koushirou.
"Oh, I believe he is waking up," Tentomon said and started buzzing himself over that way before Tai could even get a word out.
"Oh, Koushirou, are you okay? Can I get you anything?" Tentomon asked earnestly.
"I'm pretty much okay, Tentomon, as well as can be expected, I guess. Now as to what you can do for me, how about lunch?"
"Not to worry. Tai already has it ready. It's sitting over on the table right now. Should I bring it to you, Koushirou?"
"I can manage but thank you anyway." Koushirou pulled himself to his feet and made his way over to the table. "Ah, tuna casserole, prodigious."
"It's wonderful, Koushirou. Your mum is such a great cook. If this were my house, it would be tofu and bean sprouts."
"There's nothing wrong with bean sprouts, Tai," Koushirou said to him as he was sitting down, in a little bit of pain.
"What do you mean there's nothing wrong with--hey, are you alright?"
"My side is hurting pretty bad, as well as the other myriad of aches and pains."
"Is it about time for another pill?" Tai asked in obvious concern.
"Not quite yet. They are quite strong, but they put me to sleep quick as anything."
"I know, Koushirou. I watched you drift off last night. Ten minutes max."
"Sorry to have bored you last night then, Tai."
"Nonsense. I love watching you sleep. You are even more beautiful than when you're awake, if that is somehow possible." Koushirou blushed.
"Thanks Tai, but if you're over here, I don't want to sleep all day."
"Listen here, if you hurt, take your medicine. If you sleep, you sleep. Don't worry about it. Me and Tentomon will bond or something."
"Correct, Tai. There is no need for you to suffer, Koushirou. Do what you have to do," Tentomon said.
"If nothing else, I'll take a little time while you're asleep and run home and take a shower and change these clothes."
"You don't have to go, Tai," Koushirou said a little quickly. "You can take a shower here and I'm sure that I have something you could wear."
"That's what I'll do then. Now eat up, your tuna thing is getting cold.
Lunch was eaten and Tai did the dishes, nearly breaking a plate in the process. The three of them sat around for a while talking about anything and everything until Koushirou caved in and took another pill. Sure enough, it was maybe fifteen minutes before he was out. Tai picked him up from the dining table chair and carried him to the couch. Tentomon buzzed into Koushirou's bedroom and returned with a blanket. Tai took it and laid it over the now profoundly sleeping boy, tucking it in just under his chin. He took a moment and looked at Koushirou, basking in his radiance before bending down and giving him a kiss on the forehead.
"Rest well, Koushirou," he said softly as he stood back up. "Well, Tentomon, let's let him sleep now."
"I think that is a good idea."
"I think I will take a shower now, so if you will excuse me." Tai said as he started walking back towards Koushirou's room.
"I think that is a good idea too," Tentomon said and Tai gave him a mock glare and continued on his way.
In Koushirou's room, Tai stopped to look everything over. Everything in its place, the exact opposite of Tai's own. Tai lived by the I-wear-it- as-long-as-it-smells-clean approach, where Koushirou went by the hamper rule. He walked to Koushirou's closet and found a row of neatly hung shirts. Tai went through them, remembering the various occasions that he'd seen Koushirou wear them. "He wore this the time we went over to TK's for his birthday," he thought when he picked up a green shirt. "This was when we all went bowling," he remembered from a red and grey striped sweater.
"Ah, this is the one," Tai said aloud as he found his favorite Koushirou shirt, a simple orange long sleeved pull over with the Adidas stripes on the sleeves and a small design on the chest. He had always liked it when Koushirou wore 'his' shirt, so he plucked it from the bar. He decided that Koushirou's pants were out of the question, since they'd be about five inches too short. He was debating on not grabbing any underwear, since that might be a little odd, but he thought, "hey, I've always wanted to be in Koushirou's pants," and started giggling. He pulled open the top left drawer on a guess and found the neatly folded stacks of underwear.
"He even folds his underwear? Oh man," he asked out loud as he shook his head slightly. He pulled out the top pair, almost expecting to find it labeled 'Tuesday' or something, and shut the drawer with a grin. He walked out of the room and back into the living room where Tentomon was still holding vigil. "If he wakes up, come get me, alright?" he asked Tentomon and got a nod in reply.
Tai showered quickly and dressed likewise and returned to the living room. Koushirou was still out cold, so he sat down and flipped on the remote. Cartoons were the first thing he found and he left it there. Koushirou slept for a good two hours more before finally waking.
"Good morning sunshine," Tai said to the extremely groggy Koushirou.
"Hey Tai, nice shirt," Koushirou answered once he'd rubbed the eye buggers away.
"Yeah, it's always been my favorite," Tai told him and crossed his arms behind his head. Koushirou smiled at him and started getting up.
"Do you need anything, Koushirou?" Tai asked, not wanting Koushirou to do anything he didn't need to do.
"Unless you can go to the bathroom for me, I'm fine."
"You know I would if I could," Tai told him as he helped Koushirou up.
"I'm sure you would Tai," Koushirou said with a grin and walked on down the hallway. He did his thing and came back out. "Where's Tentomon?"
"Oh, he went to go visit with a few of the other Digimon. He promised me that I'd take excellent care of you, so I cant' let him down."
"I'm sure you won't," Koushirou said as he sat down beside Tai. Tai looped an arm around Koushirou's shoulder and pulled him gently closer.
"No way," Tai said as Koushirou leaned into him.
"What are you watching? More cartoons?"
"Yes, actually. Zoids, to be accurate." Tai went on to explain the story to Koushirou and the two of them settled in to watch one of Tai's favorite shows (and energy's too!! the Berserk Fury looks sooo cool. Anyway.)
The afternoon passed away and they still were at each other's sides. The sun had long set, so it was a very dark and cloudy 7 pm, when Tai's stomach began to stir. Koushirou's answered not long after and it was decided that dinner was definitely in the not too distant future.
"How does fried chicken sound, Koushirou?" Tai asked during a commercial break.
"Sounds good. I'll fix it in just a minute," Koushirou told him, causing Tai to nearly have a hemorrhage.
"No, I'll do it. You'll sit here and rest."
"Tai, fried chicken involves the use of a stove. Are you sure you can do that?"
"Of course I can," Tai said, feigning a hurt look. "I'm not just a sandwich guy, you know."
"Alright. Go for it, not as if I really have a choice in the matter."
"You're right. You don't. Now just sit here and I'll have it whipped up before you know it." Koushirou gave him a look that read 'are you sure you can handle this' and Tai smiled and said, "and besides, your mum left detailed instructions on how to make it." Koushirou nodded and smiled and shooed Tai away.
"Go, I'm getting hungry again." Koushirou settled back into the couch as Tai began banging pans and other things around in preparation. He flipped the channel to a news station and began getting caught up on everything he'd missed out on in the last 24 hours. Nothing really good, just a lot of violence. Timed passed and Koushirou started to get thirsty. He pulled himself off the couch and made his way into the kitchen.
What he saw nearly blew his mind. Tai had made only a small mess, not anything near what he had expected. "Hey Tai, how's it coming?" he asked as he reached into the refrigerator and pulled out a jug of juice.
"Not too bad, actually," Tai said as he turned around, with his hands on the stove behind him. "This cooking thing isn't nearly as hard as everyone puts it out to be. In fact, I might just have to get a job as a chef some day."
"Well, do keep in mind that chefs usually don't cook out of a Tupperware container, Tai," Koushirou said.
"Bah, I can do it. Just smell the aroma of the chicken."
Koushirou did sniff, but it wasn't chicken that he was smelling. It smelled like burning fabric. "Is that chicken, Tai?" he asked.
"Of course it is.Oh crap!!!" Tai yelled as he smelled the acrid odor and felt his oven mit becoming very very hot against his hand.
"Tai, you're on fire!" Koushirou screamed as Tai began to dance around. "Take the mitt off and throw it in the sink!!" Tai did so and Koushirou turned the faucet to the highest possible flow and the flames were doused.
"That was part of my stage show," Tai said as he tried to cover his error.
"Uh huh, whatever Tai," Koushirou said and started to laugh at Tai's smugness. "Whatever you say." Koushirou was shaking his head and laughing like a maniac. Finally he got himself under control. "I think the chicken is done now," he said as his stomach rumbled. The meal wasn't all that bad, although the slight stench of burned fabric still hung in the room.
Okay, that is the end of this chapter and I have to say that I'm liking this story more and more every time I write on it. I would have had it done sooner, but I picked up one of my many copies of Beowulf and I couldn't put it down for about three days (that is by far my favorite book/story ever). With that said, that is all for now, so go ahead and leave a review. You know you want to, so fulfill that desire. See you soon,
energy