Disclaimer: I'm not making any money off this but you know that by know, right?

A/N: Well, I suppose this is quite useless now but still… this chapter contains implied sexual situations between men. If this bothers you, please leave now. I know, I know, those of you have actually gotten to this chapter would know what goes on between those two behind closed doors… but I felt like writing it for some reason.

Flashback

"Wake up, Taichi!" Laughter filled the air and I cracked open an eye.

"Mo-o-om!" I whined, unhappy with her for waking me up so early.

"Oh, come on, Taichi. Be a sport." And she tugged at my arm, pulling me from those nice warm covers. I grumbled loudly but she giggled. "Come on, Taichi." And I went with her, muttering under my breath and rubbing my half-opened eyes. She got behind me and covered them, leading me to the kitchen. "No peeking." She ordered and I stood with my eyes closed. "Okay, now." When I opened them, the first thing I saw was a stack of waffles covered with whipped cream and strawberries. Poking through the elaborate fluffy white designs were candles, lit and sparkling. Surrounding the 'cake' were dishes laden with every food imaginable. "SURPRISE!!!" She and Kari shrieked and then they threw sparkly confetti at me, laughing uproariously at my stunned reaction.

Looking back on it, I shouldn't have been so surprised. She was always doing things like that, surprising me with her creativity. One year, it was a trip to London which she didn't tell me about until the day of departure. Another year, she 'kidnapped' me in the middle of class and took me wherever my little nine-year old heart desired. That year I had turned eight and after finishing all the food, she drove me around and let me skip school.

"Thanks Mom," I yawned, late that night as we were driving home. "I had fun today." I was too tired to walk up the stairs to our apartment so she carried me and after tucking me in, kissed my forehead.

"Happy Birthday, Taichi. I love you."

End Flashback

Warm, soft lips pressed against my forehead and firm hands shook my shoulders, bringing me from sleep. I opened my eyes and was greeted with somber blue ones. They were framed with thick, dark golden lashes and burned with intensity.

"How are you?" A simple question but one that was so hard to answer. A lump formed in my throat as I tried to speak and already I could feel the now-familiar burning in my eyes.

"I'll be—fine." I whispered chokingly, trying to reassure those beautiful ocean blue eyes but they looked unconvinced. Pale skin and thin hands, pink lips and hot breath, mint and something indescribable but intoxicating. I could feel myself shaking as I tried to hold it in. I couldn't burden this man, the one to whom I so desperately clung, with my troubles. I wouldn't allow him to take my hurt upon his already-heavy shoulders.

"Tai, it's okay, you know. If you cry. It's okay to let it out." Words whispered into my hair and chaste kisses pressed on my forehead. "Let it out." And before I knew it, the dam broke and I couldn't do anything but let the tears flow free. Small circles were rubbed into my back as comforts were breathed into my ear. I clung to him and sobbed until I could sob no more. I lay there, clutching the shoulders of my lover, gathering my bearings, waiting until my breathing slowed and I was no longer hiccupping. He stayed entirely still save for his hands as they massaged my muscles. I was immensely grateful that he was here with me, that he could so understand my pain. He stayed with me and remained beside me until I was ready.

I dressed in a light blue shirt and dark blue jeans. My mother loved seeing me in blue, especially this shirt. I hated it because of the collar and the cuffed long sleeves but she always forced me to wear it on special occasions. She said it brought out the beautiful tan I got playing soccer and Yama agreed.

"Thank you." I said to him, watching him in the mirror. He smiled sadly and nodded, brushing golden silk out of his eyes.

"Tai, don't thank me." he admonished, appearing suddenly behind me. "You'd have done the same for me. And you already have. What kind of person would I be if I wasn't there for you? I love you, Yagami Taichi and nothing you do or say will ever change that." We walked out and met Kari who was dressed in a light pink dress made of some floaty, thin material. The drive was quiet, each person thinking about what would come. Yama drove and I sat beside him, in my lap an urn, precious for its contents. Kari and Takeru were in the back, joined by their linked hands, exchanging meaningful glances that only they could understand.

It was warm when Yama parked the car and we stepped out. The sun was burning bright but there was a cool sea breeze that ran fingers through Yama's hair, caressing the softness and lifting the golden strands as the breeze passed. We trekked to a quiet, secluded spot, far from anyone and came to the edge of a cliff looking down into the ocean. Kari stood beside me and we bowed our heads.

"Hey mom, it's me, Kari. I just wanted to tell you that Takeru and I, well, he asked me formally to be his girlfriend. How cool is that? I love you, mom and I want you to know that I feel like the luckiest person alive that you were my mother. I know we fought and sometimes, I thought you were annoying but I still loved you and I always will. I just hope that I'll be able to be half the person you were. I will remember you always. Goodbye, mom, I miss you."

"Mom? C'est moi, Tai (1). You were an awesome mother and I will always be grateful to you for putting up with me. I know I wasn't the easiest person to take care of, especially with my knack for getting hurt, but you always had a smile, however exasperated or frustrated you were. I love you, mom, and I want to thank you for being so understanding of me and Yama. It's gotta be hard, hearing that your kid is in love with another boy but you embraced it. Thanks. I'll see you someday but I guess it's goodbye until then, huh? I love you forever and always."

Our farewells said we turned to the two brothers waiting a little distance away. They approached us and I upended the urn into the ocean. We watched her ashes float down into the water. It was hard saying goodbye to the woman you thought would never leave you but I was suddenly struck with the thought that she had never truly left. She was still a major part of my life, still the person who brought me into this world. I had my memories of her, of her smile, and the way her whole face lit up whenever she laughed. I would remember her always and by honoring her memory, by retaining my life with her, I was ensuring her presence in my life. She wouldn't be solid but she would be there even so. This thought was comforting to me, like a warm blanket wrapped around my shoulders. I turned away then, ready now to face whatever would happen next. Kari and Takeru decided that they wanted to have some time alone so Yama and I went home.

"Shit," I cursed, walking in through the door and turning on the lights.

"What's wrong?" Yama asked, tightening his grip on my hand.

"Nothing. It's just that I don't think I can live here anymore. Not without Mom. I don't know how to explain it but it's just not the same. For so long, almost all my life, I've associated this place with my mother and now she's not here anymore—it just doesn't feel right somehow."

"I know what you mean." Butterfly kisses along my jaw as I was pressed against the wall. "What's say you and Kari and I go house-shopping tomorrow?" I nodded, unable to say anything. His hand trailed downward and soon afterward, all thought passed and I was lost in a haze of pleasure and love.

Afterward, we were lying together, legs entwined. It was too hot under the blankets and I was having trouble catching my breath but it felt too good, wrapped up together with him, his hands lazily playing with my hair. He loved doing that, just stroking the wild mop that resided on the top of my head, as if I was a cat. I wasn't complaining, it sent shivers up and down my spine when he did that, don't ask me why, but in a good way.

"I love you." I said, then repeated myself just to emphasize my point, "I love you."

"I love you more." He countered, shifting underneath me so his head was no longer resting against the headboard but rather on the pillow. My lips curled upwards and I allowed myself to drift slowly into sleep. He was my best friend, my lover, my whole world. He was mine now and with him by my side, I knew I could face whatever life and fate had to throw at me. He would be there for me and I would there for him, now and for always.

THE END

A/N: IT'S FINISHED!!!! Yay! Epilogue still up-and-coming though and it's writing itself really easily. I'm hoping it'll be up by the start of school… which is in three days. Can't make any promises though… Oh, and I was victim to a plot bunny and am starting another fiction but I dunno how soon I'll be able to post it… but watch out for it!

(1): It's me, Tai. (Note: My French is far from perfect. If that was bad grammar or whatever, I apologize)