Disclaimer: not mine…

"Tai, dear old dad and his buddies are getting drunk. If we wait a while, they'll pass out soon enough. We can leave then." I mentally screamed; I sounded like a shy, timid little five year old and that was the last thing either of us needed at the moment.

"Yeah. All we need to do is figure out when they actually do pass out." Tai nervously ran a hand through his bushy hair.

"We can take turns sneaking up to the door. From here, we have a clear view of the living room." I bit my lip and watched him hopefully. His face brightened as he thought about it.

"Good idea. But I'll go. You stay here." He motioned for me to sit. I opted to stay standing. It was silent for a few tense moments when I broke the quiet.

"Um, Tai? You think you could give me those clothes so I can put something on?" He looked down at the bundle of cloth in his hands and laughed sheepishly.

"Here." He tossed them to me and I put them on, trying not to wince from the pain. Thankfully, since I had lost more weight than was healthy, my clothes were baggy and didn't brush up too much against me. I was acutely aware of his eyes watching my every move. I walked toward him and lay down on my stomach on the bed, beside him. He stood and peeked through a crack in the door. "They're all on the floor, their mouths are open and they're drooling all over the carpet." He announced, sighing in relief. He turned to me. "Come on, let's get outta here." We tiptoed out the door and closed it softly behind us. It was late and the only light available was coming from a lamppost down the street. "You think they'll wake up soon? Or do we have some time?"

"No, they've been drinking all afternoon. I'm sure they'll stay like that until tomorrow morning at least." I shrugged. "Hope all of them have killer hangovers."

"Hey," he put a hand on my shoulder and I recoiled instinctively. He looked hurt but I offered no explanation and he didn't push me for one. "how long has this been going on? Does he invite his friends over a lot?" I shook my head.

"Today was a first." I wiped away the tears that collected in my eyes. "I hate him." His hand tightened around my shoulder and I tried not to pull away. The years of cringing in fear when a hand was raised in front of me, tensing when a person got closer, the desire to be away from any physical contact were over but the habits were hard to break. It felt nice to be so close to Tai, though. He was the only person I was ever inclined to trust and he had come through for me in a way I never could have imagined.

"Come on. Let's go." He pulled his hand away and I immediately missed the contact but he grabbed my hand and began walking. We strolled through town, both of us taking frequent glances behind our backs to ensure that no one was following us. I was sore and every inch of me was protesting my movements but it could not be helped so I ignored the pain. I noticed that he kept glancing in my direction, making sure that I was keeping up with the pace he was setting and although it was a bit fast for me, I gritted my teeth and didn't let my pain show. At his apartment building, he led me towards the stairs but hesitated before doubling back and stepping into the elevator. At his door, he fumbled in his pockets for his keys, upturning everything cookie crumbs to money but no keys. I could hear his muttered curses and observed his increasingly frantic search for the house keys. Finally, giving up, he began ringing the doorbell.

"Tai?" Kari opened the door. "Oh, hey there, Yama. You staying here for the night?" She stepped aside to let us in and closed the door. Tai reached over her and turned the heavy-duty locks.

"He's gonna stay here for a while." Tai answered, not looking at her and I gave her a quick smile, not wanting to be rude. We left her standing in the hallway and headed to his room. He flipped the lights on and turned on his computer. I followed him and out of habit, closed the door and turned the lock. "I guess we could just share the bed." He shrugged, smiling at me. "If you're uncomfortable with that, I could steal the cushions from the couch or something."

"Nah, it is fine with me." I stretched out on the bed and lay my head against the pillow. He had a huge bed and it was so soft. I felt like I was floating on clouds. I was so used to a bed with broken springs and a worn out mattress that his bed, which was nothing really special or expensive, was heaven. "Where's your mom?"

"She's probably at work. She doesn't get home until late and by then, we're already sleeping." He flopped on the bed and lay on his side, facing me. "Are you sure you're okay? I mean, you should go to the doctor to make sure they didn't- um- tear anything." Tai cleared his throat uncomfortably.

"No. I'll be fine. It hurts for a while but then it goes away. Eventually. It's more mental than physical." I attempted a smile but my face didn't seem to want to move.

"Okay. But if it doesn't stop hurting in a week, I'm dragging you to the doctor, Yamato. Is that clear?" He sounded stern but his eyes were twinkling. I chucked a pillow at his face. He wouldn't dare.

"Whatever. It'll heal, Tai. Trust me." I closed my eyes sleepily. He was genuinely concerned for me and I had never been so grateful for his friendship and loyalty. I had pushed him away, tried to exclude him from my life and he stayed, determined to help and for that, I owed him. Big time. "Taichi? I could pay rent for staying here. I mean, I'm probably gonna be here for a while if your mother lets me but I don't wanna just free load off of you. I could pay for a portion of rent."

"No. Don't worry about it. Imagine it as an extended sleepover. You are our guest and guests don't pay for anything."

"At least let me have a part in the chores or something. Money isn't an issue. Let me do my part." I insisted. My pride had been shattered but it would never really go away. I was not about to let myself become a bum and live like a leech in my friend's home. Dimly, I became aware that he had lain down beside me and heard him humming something. The sounds of his humming and the soft ticking of his clock lulled me into a deep sleep and I was out like a light.

A/N: Yama's saved and out of the hell-hole of a house that I've created for him. Their escape was really a lot simpler than I originally made it out to be, huh? I know this chapter's a bit short too but next one is going to be a LOT longer, I promise. crosses heart