Author: Rae
Title: Indulging the Heart
Rating/summary/notes in the first part
-----~~~~~------
February 11th,
I woke up this morning with a box of chocolates at my door and a love note professing that the writer was my soul mate. The note is in the trash and the chocolate is in the fridge. If I'm feeling nice, I may share it with Daisuke when I see him later today. We're supposed to hit the mall this evening, which means that I have several hours of study time between now and then, and little ambition to accomplish anything.
Sora called to ask me how yesterday went. I told her that Daisuke was insane and that we were going shopping. That seemed to make her happy, for some unknown reason. I think I'm getting a little paranoid with -the day- drawing closer…
I now have this nagging suspicion that the names on their 'list' are going to be a bit more familiar than I had assumed at first. Daisuke, for example. Cute guy, known him for awhile. He just 'happens' to be chosen as my 'fashion coordinator?' And I can't forget how suggestive some of his comments and actions were yesterday. 'Hug-test?'
Guess I'll have to wait and see. I could be reading the situation wrong…though I doubt that. It's difficult to take it wrong when you're hugged and told you're drool worthy by a guy who knows that you're gay. However, Daisuke is still a friend, and jumping to conclusions only leads to problems and misunderstandings.
That said, I think Daisuke has a crush on me.
-----~~~~~-----
"Come on, Jun!" Daisuke said with exasperation. "All my homework is done, all my assignments are ready for school. Just give mom some stupid excuse, please?"
Jun arched her eyebrow at him, then nodded. "Fine. I'll cover for you while you hit the mall. Just remember that you owe me one, okay? I'll tell mom you're studying over at Ken's, or something."
"You don't have to lie to her," her brother said, rolling his eyes. "Just let her know that I'm not trying to get out of chores or homework. Everything's done, I'm not getting into any trouble."
She smirked slightly, crossing her arms over her chest as she regarded him with narrow eyes. "I don't think I've ever seen you work so hard and so quickly. Who are you going on a hot date with that you actually got everything done in record time?"
A blush stole up his cheeks, and she knew that she'd gotten at least part of her assumption right. "Just make sure I don't get into trouble," Daisuke finally said, turning to go. He really didn't need his sister to know exactly who he was going to be going shopping with, even if he would have denied that it was 'date'.
"Have fun," she called out, heading to her own room. A moment later, Daisuke was out the door.
-----~~~~~-----
Out on the sidewalk at the base of Daisuke's building, Yamato had almost made it to the doors when a bundle of blue and gray whipped by him. He stopped, and turned around in time to see Daisuke come to a stop as well. "In a hurry?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. The auburn-haired teen turned and grinned at him, his cheeks flushed with excitement.
"We have to hurry," he said, breathing heavily. "There's a sale at this store that I like, and if we don't get there really soon, everything will be sold!"
"I thought we were going to find me pants?" Yamato asked, smiling at his friend's enthusiasm.
Daisuke rolled his eyes and put on his best 'listen-here' look. "I am -not- the crest of reliability. I'm friendship and courage, okay? I said shopping, and we're going shopping. We'll face the crazy people of the store, and have some bonding time, okay? Friendship and courage, right?" he said questing, his expression hopeful. "Please?"
Faced with the sweetly pleading expression on Daisuke's face, Yamato felt his breath hitch. After a moment, he feigned normality, smiling and shrugging. "It's fine by me. The toy store sounds better than the mall anyway."
The look of happy gratitude on Daisuke's face was enough to make him feel certain that he'd made the right choice.
-----~~~~~-----
An hour later, Yamato was wondering what on the name of the planet made him think that shopping with Daisuke could be a safe experience.
As innocent as the toy store seemed as they entered, it didn't stay that way for long. They started off with Daisuke running straight back to the gaming section. They got there shortly before a rush of other customers and Daisuke had a chance to ask one of the clerks to get him the game that he wanted. Satisfied with his selection, Daisuke was willing to let Yamato pull him out of the gaming section in under ten minutes. That was until a twelve year old boy came up and grabbed the game out of his hands.
Yamato didn't know why the game was so important, it sounded rather lame to him. However, Daisuke freaked out when it was ripped from his grasp, and he started chasing the other kid. Feeling like the only sane person in a sanitarium, Yamato stayed put, watching as one immature teen chased down an immature child. And since the kid was pretty big for his age, it was hard to tell which was which.
They circled back to Yamato, and the kid threw the game into his arms. He caught it, expecting Daisuke to stop now that the kid had given up the game, but the auburn-haired teen, being typically unpredictable, continued to chase the kid.
Figuring that Daisuke would give up eventually, he headed for the front of the store where he could purchase the game in relative safety.. It didn't work, though. They passed him once while he was n line, and then they came around a second time. As they neared him, Daisuke launched himself into the air, and the kid turned and ducked, leaving Yamato right in Daisuke's flight path.
Yamato found himself lying beneath a fifteen-year-old teen who seemed to weigh quite a bit. They lay their in shock for a couple of minutes, and then Daisuke lifted his head. "You have the game?" he asked, his eyes bright. The blond grunted, trying to move the item that was still trapped between their bodies. "Thanks, Yamato," he said, a red flush tingeing his cheeks. He rolled off of the older teen and stood up. He reached down and grabbed the game, and then offered a hand to help pull the blond to his feet.
They ended up standing very close together, Daisuke looking up at Yamato, their hands still touching. Both swallowed hard as they both took a step back. After a second, Daisuke held the game up triumphantly, and grinned. "Got it!"
-----~~~~~-----
I think that the words 'never again' would have expressed my feelings about the time Daisuke started running rampant through the toystore. And the blush on my face after he helped me up -after- he crashed into me was enough to make me want to avoid that particular store for the rest of my life. The entire ordeal was embarrassing and childish.
And despite the headache and the rip in my shirt, I want to do it all over again.
I have a couple of injuries that I'm not claiming, because they're in rather…interesting places.
However, we're both fine, nothing hurt too badly, and Daisuke got his game, which to him means that everything turned out fine.
We never did end up getting to the mall to find me pants, though. And right now, I couldn't care less about the pants.
-----~~~~~-----
Later that evening, long after Daisuke had run home to play his game and Yamato had looked after his assorted injuries, the blond waved his best friend inside, watching as Taichi toed his shoes off and went straight into the living room.
"So, how was shopping with Daisuke?" was the first thing the brunette asked. He set the bag he was carrying on the table and started pulling out take-out food.
"It was an experience. I was able to confirm that, yes, Daisuke -is- indeed insane, or at least incredibly immature at times," his voice was amused, a small smirk playing on his lips. He could have said a lot more, but Tai was already speaking, and Yamato let it go, not quite ready to repeat some of his more recent thoughts out loud.
"We already knew that," Tai said with a grin. "So, anything we should know before the fourteenth?"
The blond frowned. "What's the fourteenth?" he asked, feeling confused.
"Valentine's Day!" exclaimed Tai with a grin. "Man, you -are- out of it. We'll have to stop letting you hang around with Daisuke if this is what happens. Anyway," his grin widened. "We've got it all set up. Daisuke and I found the perfect guy, and the girls picked a place to eat."
Yamato rolled his eyes. "And this guy agreed? To what, a blind date? Or a date with me?" he couldn't keep the apprehension from coloring his voice. There was a knot in his stomach, and it had less to do with his date than the thought that Daisuke helped set it up.
"He said he'd go on a date with you," Tai said, giving Yamato an odd look. He hadn't thought about Yamato's fame, or that it might attract the kind of guy that is friend -wasn't- looking for. After a moment, he pushed that thought aside. He knew the guy and his motivations; there was nothing to worry about, unless Yamato made a big deal out of it. "You're not going to have a problem with having dinner with this guy on Valentine's Day
A shrug was Yamato's initial answer and then he sighed. "This is your thing. I guess I wasn't really expecting you guys would pick someone out for me so quickly."
"It's not -that- quickly," Tai said defensively. "I mean, Sora and I have been dating for…" he trailed off, counting the days on his fingers. "For five days, and we've been talking about setting you up for…three?" He smiled slightly. "It is kind of sudden. But really, we have so little time."
"Tai, you make it sound more important than it really is. It's only a holiday, and a really boring one at that. Don't stress yourselves out trying to make me happy. You should be out with Sora right now, having dinner and getting to know each other better as boyfriend and girlfriend."
Tai shook his head. "We don't want you to be lonely, Yamato. You're tend to mope when there isn't someone around to slug you out of it."
The blond rolled his eyes at Taichi's comment and his odd word choice. "As I recall, I managed to survive this holiday before Sora and I started dating, you know." Yamato pointed out, feeling slightly exasperated. He was about ready to 'slug' Tai 'out of it', if the brunette didn't soon realize that he wasn't that emotionally weak.
"Yeah, and I also recall hanging out with you and pelting the stupid girls with their own chocolate. I'm getting too old to do stuff like that. Although," Tai admitted slyly. "It was fun." His smile turned quickly back to a frown. "And you're not getting any better about dealing with your feelings."
"I think I'm doing pretty well dealing with my feelings. I haven't given in to the urge to beat you up, yet," Yamato pointed out with a glare. "Seriously, Tai. We can go ahead with this date, but if nothing comes of it, I don't want you guys to be too disappointed. I'll be fine, and I'd really prefer it if you guys concentrated on your own relationships."
Tai gave him a searching look and they stared at each other for a full minute before the brunette finally shrugged. "I'm dropping the subject, but for the record, I'm spending every day between Valentine's Day and now with Sora. We don't have to do the date thing, though we probably will from time to time in the future." His voice changed to dreamy wistfulness. "I really just like being with her."
Yamato watched as Tai closed his eyes, a happy smile curving his lips. His chest tightened, and he recognized the feeling of envy. That was what he wanted, the happy look, the feeling that the world was a beautiful place to be in. After a moment, he pushed the envy away and stood up silently.
"Where are you going?" Tai asked without opening his eyes.
The blond smiled. "I'm going to bed, and you're either going home, or going to Sora's. I need my beauty sleep before tomorrow."
Tai stood up and grinned. "Yes, you do," he agreed brightly, ignoring the glare that Yamato sent his way. "I'll see you tomorrow. Did you and Daisuke work out an outfit, what with all of your adventures today?"
"No," Yamato said with a smile, shaking his head. "Don't worry, though. I've been dressing myself for several years now without assistance. I'm sure I'll manage."
"Hey, Daisuke volunteered. Who was -I- to tell him 'no'?"
Yamato stopped. "Daisuke volunteered?" He frowned, not quite certain what to make of that.
"Yeah. He's really excited about all of this. He's the one that helped me go through the list that we drew up." Tai grinned, shrugging into his jacket.
"Hm." After a moment of thought, he forced a smile for Tai and a few minutes after that, shut the door behind his best friend. He headed to his room, shutting the lights off as he went.
As he lay in bed a little while later, staring at his ceiling, his mind replayed the last couple of days.
The last thing he remembered before dropping off to sleep was Daisuke three days ago, mentioning the list that he and Tai had drawn up. The last words he remembered the younger goggle boy saying on that day echoed through his mind, lulling him to sleep
'My sister isn't on your list…but I am…'
I -will- be posting on V-day, no fear! FF.net will be down, but the latest part is available at my site. http://www.baseofoperation.org
Or, you can visit the page for the story itself: http://www.baseofoperation.org/raegan_indulgingheart.html