Subconscious Urges
BlueMoonEmpress
Chapter 5
One Drink, Two Drink, Three Drink, Seven
"How're you feeling?" Yamato asked sitting on the side of the bed.
Rubbing his eyes clean of sleep Ken blinked up at his friend, "Yamato?"
Smiling Yamato nodded his head, "Yeah, it's me. Can I get you anything?"
"A bottle of pills would be nice." Ken commented, holding his head tightly.
"A headache?" Ken nodded. "Hold on a sec, I'll get you an aspirin." Standing Yamato walked out of the room and into the bathroom. Opening the mirror he took out a bottle and twisted the cap off, taking two pills he closed the bottle and walked into the kitchen and filled a glass with water.
Once he was back in the bedroom Ken took the glass and pills readily.
"Thanks Yama." Ken said gratefully after he swallowed. "I don't know what I would do without you sometimes."
Yamato smiled, "That's what friends do. We help each other out." He paused. "So. are you going to tell me what happened?"
Sighing, Ken laid back down on the bed, "Do I have to?"
"Not right now, but you will eventually tell me."
"Yeah I know. But right now. I just kind of want to sleep."
"Sure." Yamato said smiling. "Rest for a bit then you can spill."
Closing his eyes Ken shifted so that he was lying on his side, "I owe you one Yama." he mumbled sleepily.
"You don't owe me a thing Ken."
"Yes I do. I owe you so much for all you've done for me. you're the best friend I've ever had Yama."
Running and hand over his hair Yamato whispered, "You're my best friend too Ken. Now get some sleep."
Ken nodded, "Yeah. sleep."
Sighing Yamato stood and walked out of the room again, "What the hell happened Ken?" he asked himself.
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"Coming!" Yamato yelled as he ran towards the door. "Hello-Tai!" He greeted as he wrapped his arms around him.
"Hey Yama. What are you doing?" Tai asked, stepping into the apartment.
"Just cooking an early dinner, incase Ken's still feeling up to going to the play."
"He's still not feeling well?"
"I'm not really sure what happened, but I'm almost positive that his dad might have done something." Yamato confessed uncertainly.
"Yamato.?" A voice asked behind the two of them.
Smiling, Yamato gestured for Ken to stand beside him. "Come on over Ken. I'm just making some dinner now."
"Did we miss the play?" Ken asked worriedly.
Yamato shook his head, "From what I remember you telling me it doesn't start until seven, so we still have a few hours before it starts."
"Oh good. I was worried we missed it for a moment."
"Ahem."
The two boys looked over at Tai, "Are you okay? Do you need some water?" Yamato asked.
"Ah, no. No, I'm fine. But I'm obviously interrupting something so I'll just come by and see you tomorrow Yama." Taichi said uncomfortably.
"Did you want to stay for dinner?" Yamato asked. "I've made more then enough to feed the two of us and three of you." He smiled.
Laughing softly Taichi shook his head, "No. That's okay Yama. I'm just going to get going. I should probably see if Koushiro wants to do something."
"Oh. Okay then, I'll see you to-morrow." Leaning closer Yamato kissed his softly on the lips. "Bye."
"Bye." Taichi said as he walked out the door.
"I think I make him uncomfortable." Ken stated.
"What? Why would you think that?" Yamato asked, actually surprised.
"Well. it's just that whenever I'm around it seems like he's always trying to get away from me. Or get you away from me, which ever way you might want to look at it."
"That's not it at all. Taichi isn't the kind of guy that gets jealous. He said so himself."
"Oh, and everything Taichi says is true?"
"Of course not. It's just I don't think he's lying about this one."
"Alright Yamato. Believe what you wish."
"Alright then I will." He replied smiling.
Ken laughed lightly back, "So, what did you make?"
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"Tai?" Koushiro asked.
"Hmm?"
"What's up?"
"I think Yama's cheating on me."
"What in the world would make you think that?"
"Oh, I don't know, could it be the fact that a beautiful violet haired freak has practically moved in with him?" Taichi asked sarcastically.
"That's a very plausible idea Tai, but did you ever think to consider that perhaps that 'beautiful violet haired freak' as you so kindly put it, doesn't have anywhere else to go?"
"Of course I-" Taichi paused for a moment, "I just thought of that possibility now if that makes any difference."
Koushiro shook his head, "God Tai."
"Hey, it's not my fault that I forgot when Yama said that his dad might have hurt him or something."
"You are so inconsiderate!"
"What?"
"The poor kid could be getting abused at home and all you care to think about is your own life!"
"Well it kinda is my problem if while he's taking advantage of Yamato's kindness he's also stealing my boyfriend!"
"I don't believe you." Koushiro mumbled. "I can't believe I ever liked you."
Taichi stared at him, "What?"
"You heard me, I like you. Although in seeing your behavior now I can't understand why."
"But Kou-!"
"Save it Tai. I don't want to hear it right now." Koushiro said turning his back on his friend, "I'm going to go and take a walk. I'd suggest that you take some time and think about what an ass you're being right now."
"I'm being an ass? Me? I just got back from a year of hell and you think I'm being an ass?" Taichi asked as Koushiro walked towards the front door.
Koushiro turned around and stared hard up at Taichi, "I'm sorry if I couldn't have made your stay at Gildred's more enjoyable, but you know what Tai? I thought last year was great, only because I had you there to keep things moving. But if you didn't think that last year was even a little good then fine." He turned back to the door. "When I get back I'll start packing my bags. I rather spend the summer by myself then with someone like you."
Taichi stared at his friends retreating back as the door slammed in his face, "What?" He asked for what had to have been the fifth time that hour.
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"Hello?"
"Are you cheating on me with Ken?"
"Tai?" Yamato asked confused.
"Are you?"
"No. Of course not. What would give you that idea?"
"Why has he practically moved in with you?"
"He needs a place to stay?" Yamato told him, sarcasm lacing his voice.
"Why can't he go home?"
"Tai, I really don't think that's any of your business."
"If it concerns you, then it is my business."
"No Tai. It's not."
"Look, if you are, then I would appreciate it if you would just tell me."
"Well, I'm not. Sorry to burst your bubble Tai."
"Why don't I believe you?"
"I don't know. Maybe you have it so set in your brain that you can't stand to hear the truth?"
"Am I hearing the truth Yamato?"
"Yes! God, why would I want to cheat on you?"
"Well, I was away for practically a year and you and Ken have been spending a lot of time togeth-"
"I could say the same thing about you and Koushiro!" Yamato countered. "You were with him for almost the whole year. Living in the same dorm, which is a lot smaller then my apartment. How do I know that you haven't been sleeping with him since you got there?"
"That's different."
"How is it any different Tai?"
"Simple. He's not my type."
"Right. Like you haven't gone for red heads before." Yamato replied sarcastically.
"Hey! That was a phase!" Taichi yelled.
"Phase or no. It was a red head."
"Will you stop turning this around on me! This is about you and Ken!"
"Nothing is happening between Ken and I! And if you can't believe that then. I guess our bond isn't as strong as I thought it was." Yamato said as he hung up.
"Yamato, Yamato!" Taichi yelled at the dial tone. "Urgh!" he said slamming the phone onto its receiver.
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"Nothing is happening between Ken and I!" Ken looked up at the mention of his name. "And if you can't believe that then. I guess our bond isn't as strong as I thought it was." Blinking, Ken walked over to Yamato as he pressed the 'talk' button of the phone and ended the conversation.
"Anything the matter?" Ken asked, placing a hand on the fuming Yamato's shoulder.
"Yeah." He said, but giving no more information.
"Want to talk about it?"
"Maybe later."
"Alright. Whenever you're ready." Ken said, walking back to the kitchen.
"Taichi thinks I'm cheating on him!" Yamato spilled, both hands raised in the air.
"With me?" Ken asked.
"Yeah! I mean, how ludicrous is that?"
Ken looked down, "Yeah, it's a pretty stupid idea."
Noticing his screw up, Yamato waved his hands quickly, "No, no! That's not how I meant it! I just meant the idea of me cheating on him was lu-"
Ken smiled slightly, "It's okay Yamato. I knew what you meant."
"I just.god." Yamato said as he fell into the chair across from Ken.
"If you want my opinion-"
"Yes, please."
"I completely understand why he would think you were cheating on him."
"What?"
"One of the difficulties of being in a long distance relationship. You defensives go way up and if there's even the slightest chance that you think your partner could be cheating on you, you tend to get set on that one idea."
"But it's just so. so."
"Not something you would do?" Ken helped.
"Yeah." Yamato agreed. "And Taichi knows that too."
"Before he might have."
"This is crazy Ken. I don't understand how he could think such a thing."
"I know it's hard to understand Yama but things like this happen."
"Yeah, I know."
"But you'll get passed it."
"You think?" Yamato asked hopefully.
"I know." Ken smiled.
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"Yamato, just call him," Ken said exasperated.
"What if he won't talk to me?"
"I would think that he would jump at the chance, since the last time you two talked you were the one to hang up on him."
"Maybe." Yamato sighed and once again put the phone down.
"Call him! What harm could it bring?"
"I guess."
"No guessing, just dial."
Yamato sighed again, "Alright!" he cried as he picked up the phone once again and dialed in the number he had memorized so long ago.
"Hello?"
"Hi, is Taichi there?"
"Hold on a moment." They said, "Taichi! The phones for you!"
"Alright!" Yamato heard another voice call. "Hello?"
"Uh. hi."
"Hey Yama."
"So. how're you?" Yamato asked nervously.
"Just drop it Yama, what is it that you wanted?" Taichi snapped.
Yamato flinched, "I just wanted to talk to you. about yesterday-"
"Yeah, there was something I wanted to say about that too."
"Yeah?" Yamato asked, his voice slightly more hopeful.
"Yeah, I think we should take a break."
"A-a what?" He squeaked.
"A break. You know. take a little time away from each other."
"But we just spent half a year apart from each other! I don't want to have to spend anymore time away from you!"
"It shouldn't be that hard. I mean, you'll have Ken to keep you company on those cold and lonely nights." Taichi replied sarcastically.
"I already told you there wasn't anything going on between Ken and I! Nothing! He's a friend! And he doesn't have anywhere else to go right now!" Yamato yelled, "So in trying to be a good person I'm letting him stay with me. Is that such a bad thing?"
"That depends."
"On what?"
"What you're really doing with Ken when I'm not there."
"God Taichi! Who the hell do you think I am? I am not the slut that people like to make me out to be! You know that! At least I thought you did." Yamato mumbled quietly.
"I thought I knew a lot of things Yamato, but apparently I didn't really know anything at all."
"Why are you doing this?"
"It's what we need right now Yama."
"What we need. what I need is you Tai! Don't you understand that?"
"Have you ever thought to consider what I might need right now Yama? And right now what I need is to get as far away from you as possible."
Yamato fell silent for a moment, trying to catch his breath.
"Yamato? Are you alright?" Ken asked, looking at him concerned.
Licking his lips, Yamato's eyes narrowed as he spoke into the phone, "You know what Tai? That's fine. That's just fine with me. go ahead and run away. Maybe this is just the proof that I needed that you never really loved me in the first place."
"That's not fair Yamato! I love you and you know it!"
"Do I?"
"Yes! I've told you countless times!"
"And I've told you over and over again that I am not fooling around with Ken!" Yamato yelled, his hand gripping the phone. Ken winced.
"This is different."
"Fuck Taichi! How is this any different?!"
"It jus-"
"No. Just shut up Tai. You want a break then fine. Let's just stop talking now."
"But Yamat-" Taichi was cut off by Yamato hanging up the phone.
"Oh god." Yamato said as he slowly fell to the floor. "Oh god, oh god, oh god."
"Yamato?" Ken asked, kneeling beside him, "You okay?"
"Why won't he believe me? I never did anything to make him not trust me." Yamato asked, his voice muffled by his hands.
"I know Yamato. Maybe he just needs time."
"Fuck time, fuck Taichi, fuck love.!"
"Don't say that Yamato."
"Why not? All of them suck anyway."
Ken laughed lightly, "Yeah they do."
Looking up at him Yamato wiped a sleeve over his eyes and clear away the tears, "God Ken." he said as he hugged his friend. "I love him so much."
"I know Yamato. I know."
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"But Yamato!" Taichi cried into dead air. "Shit."
"Serves you right."
"Stuff it Koushiro, I don't need this now."
"Yes, you do. But I won't be the one to tell you. I'm leaving in an hour."
"Where are you going?"
"Home. To my big, empty house, where I'll be able to think in peace."
"You don't have to leave."
"I know I don't. I want to."
"Why?" Taichi asked.
"I thought we went through this Tai. I rather be by myself then be hanging around someone like you."
"Koushiro." Taichi whined. "Please."
"Please what?"
"Don't leave."
"There's nothing keeping me here Taichi."
"'Shiro."
"Oh don't, ''Shiro' me Taichi. You brought this onto yourself."
They were both silent for a moment then, "Koushiro?"
He sighed, "Yes?"
"Could I come with you?" Taichi asked so quietly that Koushiro almost didn't hear him.
"What?"
"Could I come with you." He repeated.
"Why?"
"I don't want to be here right now. I need to get away."
"You've been away for a year Taichi, how much longer do you plan on running?"
"Until I've lost my breath."
Koushiro sighed, "If you're not ready in an hour I'm leaving without you."
Taichi smiled and nodded, "Thanks 'Shiro."
"You're wasting precious time Taichi."
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"Kou-?"
"It'll be awhile yet Tai." Koushiro answered impatiently, turning the page in the book he trying to read.
Taichi looked from side to side, trying to find something to pass the time as they traveled to Koushiro's house. It wasn't too far away from where their school was, so the trip back would be an easy one.
"Watcha readin'?" Taichi asks, peeking over at the book held gracefully in Koushiro's hands.
Snapping the book shut Koushiro glared up at Taichi, "You probably haven't heard of it."
"Try me."
Koushiro sighed, "'The Picture of Dorian Grey' by Oscar Wilde."
"So you were right, I haven't heard of it. Then again, I don't read much."
"Hn." Koushiro grunted, going back to his book.
"Is it any good?" Taichi asked hesitantly.
"I'll tell you after I finish reading it."
"But wouldn't you be able to tell if the book is good once you're half way threw it?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because that's not how I work Taichi. I read the entire book, then criticize it."
"Oh. Okay." Taichi said nodding his head slowly, "I see."
"Hn." Koushiro grunted once again.
Taichi puckered his lips and made a squeaking sound as he drummed his fingers on his lap and the ledge beside the window.
Koushiro's eyes swiveled to the side as he glared at his tag-a-long; "Must you do that?"
Tai stopped mid-squeak and peeked over at Koushiro, "Do what?"
He pointed to the other boys lips, "That, with your lips."
"What this?" Taichi grinned and pointed to his pearly teeth.
Growling Koushiro turned his body sharply, so he was facing the aisle and not the annoying boy beside him. "This trip couldn't be short enough." Koushiro mumbled, once again going back to his book.
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"This, is your house?" Taichi gapped as he stood in front of what to him, looked like some place a king should live.
"It's not that big Tai." Koushiro told him modestly.
"Not that. not that big?" He asked incredulously, "Koushiro this place is almost as big as our entire school. Now, don't tell me that isn't big."
"Alright fine, so it's large."
"Gigantic."
"Whatever." Koushiro muttered walking up the front steps, Taichi following closely behind. "Mom! Dad!" Koushiro called, not really expecting a response.
"Master Izumi! You're home." A middle aged girl smiled at him as she walked out into the foyer. "We weren't expecting you back for awhile. How was your trip?"
Koushiro smiled back, "It was fine Marie." Tai nudged him from behind, "Oh, this is my friend Tai. It was his house I was staying at."
"It's nice to meet you," Taichi said, extending his hand.
She took it, "Likewise."
"Are my mom and dad home?" Koushiro asked.
"I'm sorry, we weren't expecting you back for another week or so. They left for the tropics."
"Again?" Koushiro asked.
"Again?" Taichi squawked. Marie stared at him strangely.
"Ignore him Marie." Koushiro told her, shaking his head, "He's always like this."
"Alright." She blinked. "Would you like anything to eat Master Izumi? I could get the cook to make the two of you a snack before dinner."
"I think we'll be alright for now Marie. Thanks anyway. I'll be upstairs showing Tai around if you need me."
"Alright." She said as the two friends walked up the marble steps.
"Master Izumi?" Tai chuckled.
Koushiro shoved him, "Shut up. I've been trying to get her to stop calling me that since I was a kid, but she won't stop, so I've stopped trying."
"What is she anyway? Your nanny?"
Koushiro shrugged, "She used to be that I guess, now I'm not quite sure."
"She's nice enough anyway."
"Yeah, she is."
"So. your parents are in the Tropics?" Taichi asked, raising an eyebrow.
"M'hm, seems that way."
"Again?" He lowered that one and raised the other.
"My parents have money Tai. I thought you had figured that out by now."
"Well. yeah, but I didn't think it was this much."
"'Guess this is all just natural for me." Koushiro said, stopping in front of a door, "This is your room."
"I get my own room?" Taichi blinked.
"Why wouldn't you? Not like we don't have the space."
"I guess that's true." Taichi mumbled as he walked into the room he'd be staying in until the end of summer. "Holy." He gapped, looking around the room. "This is huge. This is like. the size of our entire apartment."
"Hardly." Koushiro sighed.
"Seriously. you're folks must do some serious stuff to be able to afford all this."
"I guess." Koushiro shuffled his feet; "Did you want a tour?"
"I think I better, I may get lost in here."
"Hrn."
"But first I need to make a phone call." Picking up the phone, he dialed in a number he cherished with all his heart.
"Hey, you've reached the Ishida's, we're not home right now so please leave a message after the beep."
"Ah. hey, it's me. I just thought I'd let you know I'm. at Koushiro's. I'm going to stay here until school starts again. I don't know if you even care to hear this but I just thought I would tell you anyway. Alright, bye." Sighing, Taichi hung up the phone, "There."
"Did you phone your parents?"
"Huh? Oh, no." Taichi told him.
"Who did you phone then?" Koushiro asked.
"Yamato." Taichi sighed.
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"Ah. hey, it's me. I just thought I'd let you know I'm. at Koushiro's. I'm going to stay here until school starts again. I don't know if you even care to hear this but I just thought I would tell you anyway. Alright, bye."
Wiping his eyes with his sleeve Yamato pressed the 'erase' button harshly and walked away from the answering machine.
"Was it Taichi?" Ken asked as Yamato flopped down onto the couch, settling his head on his lap. He nodded, "Are you going to phone him back?" Yamato shook his head. "Why not?"
"He didn't leave a number." Yamato answered logically.
"Well, if he had, would you have called him?"
"Probably not."
"Why?"
"I don't want to talk to him."
"That's reasonable enough I guess."
Yamato paused for a moment; "He hurt me Ken."
"I know Yama, but he was hurt too."
"Even though I hadn't done anything."
"You might not have, but he thought you did and he didn't want to see the other possibility."
"Yeah."
"Just give him time Yamato. I'm sure things will turn out."
"I hope so Ken."
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"Yamato," Ken called, standing outside his best friends door, "Yamato come out." He received no answer, only muffled shuffling from behind the door. "This is getting ridiculous Yama." Ken sighed and tapped his foot, "Yamato!" He yelled, as he let his foot collide with the door. "Open the door, now!"
"What do you want Ken?" Yamato voice sounded from inside the room.
"It's been a month Yamato. He hasn't called, hasn't tried to make any contact. I think it's time that you-"
"No!" Yamato yelled, throwing open the door, "No! I will not cheat on Taichi!"
"I wasn't suggesting." Ken looked up at him perplexed. "All I was going to say is that you need to start going out again." Yamato was about to add a comment but Ken shushed him, "I didn't say go out there and shag a guy, all I said was that you need to get out."
Yamato stared at him for a moment then sighed. "Yeah, you could be right. 'Haven't been out in a while."
"That's the spirit. So, tonight we'll go down-"
"Wait, tonight?" Yamato asked, cutting him off.
"Yeah."
"Why tonight?"
"Because I already have everything planned?" Ken shrugged.
"You knew I'd cave?"
"Well, not 'cave' per-say, but I knew you'd never be able to resist a drink," Ken smiled.
"You little brat." Yamato said smirking and smacked Ken playfully. "So where are we going?"
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"I dun nee' 'em an'way. I mean really, who wan's to walk 'round with a giant bush?" Yamato slurred, his drink spilling as he gestured violently.
"Yama. I think maybe it's time that we went back home," Ken told him, putting his own drink down.
"No Ken. wanna stay here and drink!" Yamato said, raising his glass, then yelled, "Bar'ender! Give me another."
"Sir, I think you've had enough." The barkeep told him, taking his empty glass and walked away.
"See Yama? Even the bartender thinks you've had enough. Now let's get you up." Ken said standing, then went and lifted Yamato off of his chair.
"Ken no. I dun wanna go home. to man' memories. hurts."
Ken sighed, "Yamato. it's not like we have anywhere else to go. I can't take you back to my place-"
"Les do that Ken. go t-your place."
"Yamato, we can't. Do you know how much my parents would freak if-"
"Pease?" Yamato asked, cutting him off again. "Pease Ken? Jus this once?"
Sighing once again Ken nodded, "I am so going to regret this."
"No, y-won't. I'll pertect you."
"I'm sure you will Yama."
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Ken helped Yamato out of the car and waved the taxi off, "I'm going to get in deep shit for this." he muttered, dragging the other boy inside and over to the elevator. "You can walk Yamato. don't play feeble with me."
"M-sorry." Yamato mumbled, trying to get his footing right, "S'hard."
"I know, but it's only a little more." Ken said as they walked into the elevator, "There we go. Now, stand up straight."
"Can't."
"Yes you can. Come on now, we're almost at my floor." With a final beep the elevator doors opened and the two boys stepped out, "Come on Yamato. You're not that drunk."
"Shows wha you know." Ken laughed as he took out his keys.
"Yama? Can you try to stay up on your own? I can't open the door and hold you at the same time." With much difficulty, the two of them walked into the apartment when Yamato started to giggle uncontrollably, "Yama! Shh!" Ken hissed, "You'll wake up my parents!"
Closing his mouth, Yamato tried to stop his sudden fit of giggles as the two of them walked over to Ken's room. Once they were inside his room Ken closed and locked the door behind them.
Putting Yamato down on the ground Ken looked up at their next challenge. "Crap." He said looking up at his elevated bed. "How am I going to get you up there?" He looked down at the giggling boy lying on the floor and sighed, "Alright Yama, up we go."
With a lot of struggling and a few bruises later, Ken finally managed to get his best friend up the ladder and into his bed, where he now lied peacefully, slowly drifting off to sleep.
Without hesitation Ken climbed up the ladder and laid down next to his sleeping counterpart, only taking a moment to sweep a few strands of blonde hair out of his eyes, "Goodnight Yama." Ken said lying back in bed, closing his own eyes.
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---BlueMoonEmpress---
