Notes: I apologize ahead of time. I just can't help but screw with Take-chan's characterization. I feminize the hell out of him constantly. I take a great pleasure in doing it. Don't worry though. I'll make up for it next chapter, with Taichi. ^_~

And in response to a review: yes, 1 week = 7 days = 7 chapters. And a possible little epilogue. I haven't decided yet.

Which reminds me. Thanks so much for the reviews so far. Makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Keep them up!

* * * * *

"Do you want to die, Davis?"

"In order to kill me, you have to get out of bed."

"Damn."

"Why don't you just give up? You've been awake for twenty minutes now. You're not going to be able to go back to sleep even if I did leave you alone - which I won't, by the way."

"Bastard."

"Such lovely language. I swear, Ishida, your sweet words could charm the dew off a honeysuckle."

"You said that already."

"I did?"

"Yes. Last night."

"Damn. I'm running out of lines already."

Matt sighed loudly and turned over in his bed, burying his face in the pillow and shutting his eyes tightly.

"Matt, get up. You and I both know that you aren't going back to sleep."

"I might, just to prove you wrong."

"Oh, stop it." Davis slid back into the bed and threw his arms around the older boy's body, breathing in deeply and snuggling into his back. "Fine, then I might as well go back to bed too. Goodnight."

Matt's eyes snapped open as he stiffened and glared at the dark hair on his shoulder. "Get off of me right this moment before I smack you into next year."

"Why? You're comfy." As if to demonstrate this, the brunette tightened his grip and moved closer. "Besides, you don't have it in you to smack me. You're too…wishy-washy."

"Oh really?"

"Mmhm." Davis's voice sounded fuzzy and faraway, probably due to the fact that he was speaking into cotton.

SLAP

"OW! Mother-"

The body pressed against Matt recoiled almost violently, and the blond allowed himself a sadistic smile as he peered behind him.

"Ouch! That…that fucking hurt!" Davis clutched his cheek protectively and rocked back onto his heels. "What the hell did you do that for?"

"I told you to get back. You didn't. I warned you I was going to hit you. You called me 'wishy-washy'. I believe I just showed you 'wishy-washy'. Now you'll think twice before you disregard my warnings."

"Bitch."

"Now who's got lovely language?"

"Shut up. I didn't slap you. I'm entitled to curse right now. That fucking hurt." The younger boy continued to pout and rub his face gently.

"Not so wishy-washy anymore, hm?"

Davis grinned suddenly, grimacing when his cheek throbbed even more. "Oh you're still wishy-washy. Now you're just wishy-washy with a good right hook."

SMACK

"Ow…dammit, Matt. Stop that!" He scrambled out of the bed and backed away towards the doorway.

"Get back here. I'm going to kill you!"

Davis broke into a run, Matt right on his heels. They thundered through the apartment, knocking things over left and right. The sofa creaked loudly when Matt finally tackled Davis, hurling him onto the piece of furniture, before they both rolled to the floor.

"Get off of me!"

Matt grinned maliciously and pressed his knee into the other boy's groin. "No. Not until you take back what you just said."

"Never!" He struggled vehemently but accomplished nothing.

"Fine. Then I'll just stay right here until you do." More pressure was applied, inducing a hoarse cry from the boy on the bottom.

"Get off," he pleaded, his face contorting in pain.

"Not until you say it."

"Fine. You are not wishy-washy. You are strong and powerful. You are the man. You rock. Now get your knee out of my balls!"

Matt snickered and moved his knee so that he was straddling Davis's midsection. "Better?" he asked innocently.

"Much. Thank you." The brunette sighed and closed his eyes, content to just watch the colors dance behind his eyelids.

Matt stared at the boy below him thoughtfully and debated getting off of him. He finally decided that until he was told to he wouldn't budge. Surprisingly enough being on top of Davis was quite comfortable. He had a sudden flashback of the morning the day before, and he flushed red at the memory.

Davis chose that moment to reopen his eyes. He frowned, perplexed by the pink tinge in the blond's cheeks. "Are you okay?" Brown eyes searched blue, and both of them held their breath.

"Yes," said Matt, feeling more than a little embarrassed. "I'm…I'm going to get off now." He threw one leg over Davis's body and slid next to him on the floor. They sat in silence for a few minutes - neither of them meeting the other's gaze - and listened to the faint ticking of a clock somewhere in the apartment.

"You know what?" Davis asked finally.

"Hm?"

"I got you out of bed."

Matt scowled for a second before he brightened. "Yeah, but it was worth it. I got to kick your ass."

"You didn't-"

"I made you beg. I wonder what Tai will say to that…"

"Oh shut up, you."

* * * * *

Ding.

"What the hell is that?"

Matt glanced up from the pot of boiling water. "That's the doorbell. Could you get it for me? I'm busy." He leaned forward to blow lightly into the pot.

Davis shrugged and strolled out to the door, adding a little skip in his walk for the heck of it. He peered through the peephole and jumped away almost instantly.

"Matt?" he called hesitantly. "Are you expecting a famous American television character today?"

"Huh?" Matt strode in a moment later with a dishtowel in his hands. "What are you talking about?"

Ding.

"Gilligan is standing outside your door."

With a definite frown, Matt opened the front door and glanced outside. He sighed and gestured towards the living room. "Hi, squirt. Come on in. Ignore Davis; he'll just be living here for the next few days."

TK sauntered through the door, backpack slung over his shoulder, and smiled brightly at his brother. "Hi, Matt." His voice squeaked, proof of his journey in puberty. Davis giggled, and TK gave him a withering look. "Hello, Davis. Glad to see you're alive and well."

"TE." The brunette acknowledged him with a nod and a superior grin. "How are you this wonderful day?"

"Just fine. You?"

"Peachy."

"I'm just fixing lunch," Matt said, interrupting the staring contest between the two 14 year olds. "Would you like some while you're here?" He began to move back towards the kitchen, motioning for them to follow.

"No, thanks," said TK, waving his hand dismissively. "Actually, I'm here to ask your opinion on something."

"Ask away." The blond positioned himself in front of the stove but continued to give his brother his full attention.

"Well, I have a date with Kari tonight…"

Matt grinned evilly. Davis snorted and sat himself in one of the chairs.

"…and I know this is going to sound really weird, but this is our first…you know…and I wanna make a good impression and-"

"Just ask already."

TK took a deep breath. "I was wondering what you think I should wear."

"Anything but that hat," Davis declared tonelessly. "I frickin' thought it was Gilligan knocking on the door." He received two twin glares. "What?"

Matt shook his head while TK dug into his backpack, pulling out two shirts.

"Okay," he said, holding them up, and looking all for the world like a girl getting ready for a dance. "Blue or red?"

Matt raised his eyebrows, and Davis looked close to hysterics.

"Blue," the eldest stated after a moment, thinking that the red had faded into a dark pink and - given the current situation - that didn't seem like a good choice.

"That's what I thought, too." He set the red shirt back into his bag and suddenly took off towards the hallway. "I'll be right back."

The other two stared after him, more than a little dazed.

"Well," Davis said after a long moment.

"Yeah," Matt agreed, shaking his head and peering back down into pot on the stove.

"Well, he certainly is your brother."

Matt turned to give him a bewildered look just as TK bounded back into the kitchen.

"Well," he announced. "How do I look?" He threw his arms over his head and struck a pose, so to speak.

Matt appeared vaguely overwhelmed and unsure of what to say. Davis merely sat up straight and gave the blue shirt, light jeans, and ever-present hat a critical eye.

"You look fine," Matt said finally, struggling inwardly to find a better adjective.

"You look like a slut."

This comment induced a choking fit from Matt and a few large drops of sweat to drip down TK's forehead.

"What? I do?" he asked, sounding more than slightly panicked as he stared down at himself. "Do I really?"

"Motomiya Daisuke," Matt barked with a definite scowl. "I know you did not just call my brother a slut."

"No, I didn't." Davis calmly lifted a hand to examine and pick at his nails. "I said he looked like a slut. There's a big difference."

"He does not," Matt declared, looking capable of murder. "You take that back or I'll smack you, and you know that I will…"

"Oh, hush up. I was just kidding."

"So I don't look like a slut?"

"No, but you do look like an idiot." Davis fixed the shorter blond with a disapproving glare. "Now goddammit, didn't I tell you to take that stupid hat off?" TK gingerly slid the offending hat off of his head, biting his lip sheepishly. "Thank you. Makes you look like a damn troll. And I certainly wouldn't want to kiss a little troll."

"Let's hope you don't want to kiss him with or without the hat," Matt muttered, still eyeing Davis.

"I have much better taste than that, thank you very much."

"Hey!" TK said, mildly offended.

"Oh? You want me to want to kiss you? Takeru, I had no idea you felt that way."

"Davis…"

"Oh, for goodness sake. I'm only joking. You have no sense of humor. I wouldn't kiss you if you were the last man…oh, excuse me, boy…on Earth. Besides, I'm holding out for your brother." He winked at Matt, who scowled and glanced back at the stove to hide his blush.

TK appeared to be approximately two seconds away from throwing a hissy fit. "Would you stop fooling around? I want to know what you think of my outfit." He stomped his foot for effect.

Davis snickered and muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously similar to "estrogen".

Matt cocked his head and peered thoughtfully at his younger brother. "Black pants," he said after a moment. "You need to wear black pants instead of jeans. You'll look more sophisticated."

"You think?" TK smoothed out his jeans with his palms and stared down at himself. "I suppose you're right. But other than that, am I okay?"

"Yes, you look good."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Davis pretended to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye. "My goodness, they grow up so fast. Don't they, dear?" Matt glared dangerously at him. "Why I remember just yesterday when he was young and naïve, running around crotching everyone. And now he's all grown up."

"Davis, you are such a nutcase." TK rolled his eyes and leaned against the countertop. "So you're here for a week, huh?"

"How did you know that?"

He shrugged. "Kari told me. I think she heard it from Tai." He raised his eyebrows at his older brother. "And you haven't killed him yet? I would have thought there'd be a new grave at the cemetery by now."

"Yeah, well don't go canceling the cremation yet. It could happen."

With a smile, Davis pushed himself out of the chair so that he could sling his arm over Matt's shoulder. "I'll have you know that the two of us are actually getting along quite well. Why, I wouldn't be surprised if in a few days we were closer that you two are right now."

"Yeah, that'll be the day."

Matt picked up Davis's hand and carefully removed it from his shoulder, causing TK to giggle.

"Just you watch, Ishida. I'll break you before you even realize what's happening. Just you watch."

Matt gave him a dubious look.

TK pushed himself off the counter with a sigh. "Well," he announced. "I have to go. Got a date to get ready for, you know. And I want to be prepared. Thanks for your help."

"Whatever. Good luck. And don't do anything that I wouldn't."

TK giggled once again as he picked up his bag and began to walk towards the front door. "Don't kill each other."

"Oh we won't," Davis called back with a grin. "We're going to play Pictionary!"

More laughter was heard as the front door closed shut, and Matt's face took on an annoyed expression. "I hate you."

"Yes, dear."

* * * * *

"If all the snowflakes were candy bars and milkshakes, oh what a snow that would be. Standing outside with my mouth open wide. Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah."

"Must we do this?"

"Yes."

"But I hate Pictionary, and you know that all we're going to do is yell at each other and insult each other."

"I don't care. We're going to get more than a fourth of the way through the game this time. We have to. We're going to play until we do."

"That could take all day, you know."

"Then we'll just have to play all day, won't we?"

Matt exhaled loudly. "And is this dreadful music really necessary?"

"Studies have shown that music helps concentration. Maybe it will help us."

"Yes, but Barney?"

"Barney is considered to be educational. It can't hurt."

"You're doing this just to torture me, aren't you?"

Davis shrugged and continued setting up the pieces. "You're cute when you're angry. So who's going to draw first?"

Matt sighed and leaned onto his arms. "I will." He took a card and glanced at the word under the pink category. Ladder. Now, that couldn't be too hard.

He drew two long, parallel lines and a bunch of smaller lines that connected the two. In his humble opinion, it looked like a damn good ladder.

Davis squinted at the picture and twisted his head around to gaze at it from different angles. "A hospital," he declared proudly after a few long seconds of observation.

The pencil broke in half with a resounding snap. Matt bit his lip in order to prevent the threatening curses from finding their way out of his mouth and struggled to stay calm.

Davis blinked at the paper and then at the destroyed writing utensil. "I'll get you another one," he murmured before getting up.

Matt buried his head in his hands and moaned. This was going to be a horrible game.

* * * * *

"Hey, Mr. Knickerbocker, boppity bop. I like the way that you boppity bop. I like the way that you boppity bop, with your hands."

"Pee. Peeing. Urine. Having an accident. Wetting the bed. Using the restroom."

"Matt, this has nothing to do with the excretory system. Get off it."

The blond scowled at the paper and once again closely examined the stick figure that now had dark pencil marks coming from between its legs.

"Then what the hell is that?" His eyes widened suddenly. "Davis, if the word is 'come' I swear to God that I will-"

"It's not sexual at all. Well…not really. You're making this more complicated than it actually is."

Matt sighed and glanced at the timer. "Time's up." He could barely contain his relief. "What is it?"

"Period."

Blink, blink.

"You don't get it? That," he pointed at the dark pencil marks, "is blood. See. Period. As in like-"

Matt quickly picked up his pad of paper.

SMACK

"Dammit, stop it! You're so violent today."

"Pervert."

* * * * *

"Oh we are flying in an airplane, looking out the window, watching the clouds go by. Flying in an airplane, looking out the window, up so very high."

"Okay, you had so better get this."

Matt shrugged and turned the timer over, furrowing his eyebrows as Davis began to draw a box with little tiny boxes inside it… "Calendar."

Davis nodded and started to draw lines across the top of the paper. Matt watched with wide eyes, racking his brain for something that pertained to calendars and involved lines. He found nothing.

"Huh?"

The brunette shut his eyes tightly and bit his bottom lip. Finally he began another drawing underneath it all. It was another stick figure; a stick figure with horrid hair, warts, a huge nose, lopsided breasts…

"Jun," Matt stated with a smirk. Then he brightened. "June!"

"Yes! We got one!"

He threw his arms around the older boy, unable to hold his immense happiness inside. Matt returned the hug with equal enthusiasm. And somewhere in the midst of the embrace, Davis decided that simple bodily contact was not enough and felt the need to press his lips briefly but firmly against Matt's.

All sound stopped. All movement ceased. The two teenagers stared at each other in wide-eyed shock, their arms loosening their hold on one another but still not letting go. Davis pulled back after a good minute or two.

"I'm sorry," he said, flushing bright red. "I don't know what got into me. I swear that it won't happen again. I'm so-"

Matt shook his head and raised a hand to halt his apology. "It's okay. It's all right. It…yeah. Okay."

"Okay," Davis agreed, not willing to meet the other boy's eye for anything in the world. "So…we're cool, right?"

"Yeah, we're cool. It's okay."

"Good." He nodded and rubbed the back of his hand. "I'm just going to…go now. To the bedroom or…yeah. Bye." He all but sprinted out of the living room.

Matt sighed at the chair he had just vacated before beginning to put the game back into its box, occasionally pausing to absently touch his lips.

* * * * *

"I can sleep on the floor if you want."

"Why?"

"Because of earlier…"

Matt groaned and ran his fingers through his hair, resisting the urge to pull it out. "Davis, we have already been through this. I don't mind. I'm not going to hold it against you. People tend to be spontaneous sometimes. It was a silly little kiss. It's not like we had sex or anything. And stop apologizing, will you?"

"Are you sure you don't want me to move somewhere else? Because if my being too close to you in your bed is bothering you-"

"Aargh! Davis, you are acting like we're both," he shuddered, "straight. And it was established years ago that neither one of us is. Consider it a friendly kiss between friends and get over it."

Davis frowned in the darkness. "So we're cool?"

"For the thousandth time, yes!"

"Good."

There was a long pause.

"So I guess it's okay to do this." Davis wrapped his arms around Matt's waist, much like he had that morning, and shifted until he was comfortable. "Goodnight."

Matt considered pulling away but decided against it and instead leaned back slightly. "Goodnight."

And not once in the entire night did either of them break the embrace.