Disclaimer: Takuya + Kouji = Takouji = cute couple to drool over = not owning Digimon pouts

Author's Notes: I am so sorry that it's taken me so long to update this. I just needed a break from writing. But now I'm back! So here's chapter III for all of you, and I'm working on chapter IV now and the next chapter of Different Journey's as well. For you Takuya lovers, you'll adore this chapter-as it focuses mostly on him for the most part. Otherwise then that, not much to say here...so enjoy...^-~

Story Rating: PG13

Warning: If you don't like the thought of male/male pairings (slash/yaoi) then I suggest that you leave now or forever hold your peace, cause that's what's in this fic...you've been for warned. :P

Also, if you found this fic without reading the first one-Eternity-then I suggest that you go and read that one first cause it'll explain things that might help you understand this story a bit better...some of what happened in Eternity will be explained in this fic, but not all of the events will be.

Pairings: Takuya/Kouji and Koichi/Izumi

Time Setting: Five years after my first fic, Eternity...the DD's are now in college (save for Tomoki and Shinya-who I know isn't a Digi Destined, but he does play a role in this fic...so ;P)

Forevermore

Author: Angel Spirit

Chapter III: Back Again

He couldn't believe it...he just couldn't.

Fifteen minutes from now he'd be in his mother's arms, and seeing his friends again-friends whom he hadn't seen for five years...and he was longing to see them. While he hadn't been able to see them, he had still been able to send emails-and call-up until his father had found out about the cell phone ordeal a week ago.

But that was last week-this was this week...and he was out of his father's care, who was in jail...for reasons he'd rather not say.

Takuya Kanbara sighed and buried his head into his arms, which were resting on the small plastic table that came off of the seat in front of him. He hated flying...had never really been a big fan of it, but flying alone was something he never wanted to do again-and it didn't help that he was feeling completely miserable about his life either.

Just fifteen more minutes...fifteen! He thought, trying to keep his spirits up so he wouldn't start crying again. He'd done enough of that. A part of him desperately hoped that Kouji would be at the airport with the rest of his friends, so he could just run into his arms and tell him how much he loved him over and over again. That they wouldn't be separated anymore-that he was there to stay for good. His heart ached for it...it would be a better ending to the horrible story that Takuya knew he'd have to eventually tell his friends.

But you don't have to unless you want to a sly voice in the back of his mind told him and Takuya tried to brush it away. Sure, he didn't have to tell the others what had really happened to him during the past five years...but...a part of him knew that he wasn't sure how long he could hold it in as a secret if that's how he wanted to keep it.

He had the trio of seats to himself...the flight was only half full, so Takuya didn't have to answer to anyone who'd see him crying as he was. And now he was probably a mess all over again...he was sure of it. Not exactly the way he wanted to make an appearance in front of his friends after five years. He wasn't sure if they'd even recognize him...he knew he'd change...the real question was though, would he recognize them?

Koichi, Kouji, Izumi, Junpei, Tomoki...and even Shinya who had promised him first that he'd be the first person he'd see when he would get off this stupid plane. His eyes widened as the plane started to descend and he banged his fist softly against the table before the flight attendant came on over the speaker and told them the 'usual speech' as his father had once called it-to put away all electronic devices, and to make sure their seats were in the upright position and that their small tables were cleared and put away. Making sure his seatbelt was still fastened, Takuya leaned back into his seat and watched as they finally descended into Japan.

A part of him was nervous-but most of him was excited. His mother hadn't been able to come to New York to get him even though she had wanted to...so badly, Takuya could hear it in her voice over the phone when he had called her to tell her what had happened.

He had to stay with a friend until he was able to come home...and even then that was all he had cared about-was coming home. New York had never been his home. And it would never be-he didn't plan on going back there ever again. Not even to see that one friend that he'd made. That was behind him.

When they'd finally landed and docked at the gate, Takuya stood with the rest of the passengers, feeling butterflies in his stomach as he grabbed his carry on pack and started out with them. He hated really big crowds...they just weren't his forte anymore. And he used to not mind them as much when he'd been younger, but now...all he wanted to do was to get out of the crowd of people that were trying to get their way off the plane.

He was only focused on looking for Shinya when he stepped out of the gate door and off the ramp, into the airport. His tired dark brown eyes shifting through the crowds of people swarming around him-suffocating him. Just as he was about to panic, someone flew at him, and wrapped him in a big hug, holding him tight-saying his name over and over again in nothing but pure excitement.

It took Takuya a few seconds to gain control of himself and the situation before he realized that the person who was hugging him, was indeed his little brother Shinya-who wasn't so little anymore...he was almost as tall as he was. And that took Takuya by surprise when Shinya looked up from the hug, his own dark brown eyes shining with excitement and happiness.

"Takuya! You're actually here, you're here, you're home...!" Shinya squealed and hugged him again as Takuya returned the hug, not wanting to let go. He let out a sigh of relief at the brotherly contact and was almost scared when Shinya let go and gave him a small, questioning look-and then chuckled.

"I almost didn't recognize you Takuya-you're...different in some way. I don't know what it is...but...I'm really glad you're back bro." Takuya was touched by the words, but yet he also felt out of reach in a way too. Five years was a long time. He almost took his hand back when Shinya grabbed hold of it-but his hold was too tight so he wasn't able to-and pulled Takuya through the crowd, who barely had a hold of the backpack that he'd taken with him onto the plane. He almost lost it once or twice until they finally made it through the crowd, and Takuya was enveloped in another strong hug as he hugged his mother back.

"Oh Takuya..." Was all she said as Takuya clung to her, feeling like a lost child-and in a few ways, he did. After several minutes she finally parted away and looked him over, letting out a little sigh.

"You're thinner then I remember." She murmured, and Takuya was sure that she hadn't missed the feeling of bandages over his bruised ribs that he'd gotten from the last fight he had had with his father-the one that had sent the old man to jail-finally. But then she smiled softly.

"But we can fix that with a nice home made meal-right Shinya?" Shinya nodded, putting a hand on Takuya's shoulder and squeezing it gently...Takuya winced at the small contact, but didn't pull away, reminding himself that this was his family-they weren't going to hurt him. He just had to keep on remembering that. He saw Shinya give him a worried look, but Takuya only grinned at him and slung an arm around his younger brother's shoulders.

"Is it just me Shinya, or are you almost as tall as I am now?" He joked, and Shinya grinned as he shook his head, giggling.

"Nope-it's not just you! Even mom said that I must've had a growth spurt or something over the past summer!" The two brother's laughed as they made their way to the baggage claim area to pick up what Takuya had brought with him-it was only when they were nearly there, when Takuya realized that he had yet to see his friends. He pulled away from Shinya, and gave him a questioning look.

"Shinya...I...I asked the other's to come and be here...I...where are they-?"

Before he got to finish asking his question, a squeal of happiness from the right of him and an excited cheer caused him to turn around as he was soon enveloped in another hug-this time by Izumi, who held him tightly for quite a few seconds...Takuya was only glad that his ribs were mostly healed, because he was sure if they hadn't been, then Izumi probably would've broken them all over again. When she pulled away, she was smiling so much that her smile reached her bright blue eyes, causing them to sparkle.

"Takuya! Oh my god...it's so good to see you! You have no idea! Just talking to you on the phone isn't enough!" She said, finishing her sentence in a whisper as she fingered his hair for a minute, which was a little bit longer then when he'd left he was sure, and also a little bit on the curly side now-not a lot though, just enough to make it look good...it was natural, much to Takuya's dismay-he'd liked it when it was straight. But he'd gotten used to the 'new look' as people had called it.

"It's good to see you too Izumi...I missed you guys a lot." Takuya felt his voice start to crack, so he stopped talking as he saw Junpei come up and also give him a hug...the brunette had changed quite a bit, more then Takuya had actually-he'd lost quite a bit of weight, and looked tan from all the time he'd spent out in the sun that summer doing all the volunteer work that he had done.

"I'm with Izumi, it's good to see you Takuya." A new voice joined the other two, and Takuya smiled as Koichi approached him, arms outstretched.

"We've all got a lot of catching up to do, you know? Five years is a long time...too long." Koichi said, as he hugged Takuya a little bit harder then the other two had-but Takuya didn't mind one bit. This was what he had longed for, for the past five years. When he and Koichi departed, Takuya looked around and sighed when he didn't see who it was he really wanted to see. And when he looked at Koichi for an explanation, the dark haired twin sighed.

"I'll tell you what's going on later, okay Takuya? Right now, we're just all really glad that you're home!"

"You bet we are! Hey Takuya!" One last hug-this time from Tomoki, who had just spoken and agreeing with Koichi-Tomoki had grown nearly as much as Shinya had, and his hair now long enough to put in a ponytail...it wasn't as long as Kouji's though, but quite a bit longer then Koichi's.

"Hi Tomoki-I was wondering if you had come or not-good to see you." Tomoki nodded and then stepped away and stood next to Shinya, as he reached out and grabbed a hold of his hand...and then grinning shyly over at Takuya, and gave him a little wink. Takuya was a little bit taken aback-but not by much as he only smirked and ruffled his younger brother's hair, who protested at the movement as he fixed it back into place.

"You didn't tell me that you and Tomoki were together Shinya!" He exclaimed as he helped Junpei get his bags off the carousel, and Shinya looked sheepish as he shrugged.

"They've been together for nearly four years now...they got together awhile after...well, you know." Izumi said, looking a bit uncomfortable, but smiled suddenly as she laced her arm through Takuya's who had given his large duffel bag to Shinya, while Junpei had gotten a cart and took his other two suitcases he had with him.

"There is so much we need to do! So much to talk about! I'm so glad it's the weekend...wait till' you see Shibuya University Takuya, you'll love it! And we can introduce you to Rei and Katsume, and Kita and Kai..." As Izumi talked on and on, Takuya only laughed and shook his head, listening to every word she said-from the way she was talking, it sounded like they were all having a blast at Shibuya U...making Takuya wish that he had been there when they had first started...making him wish even more that it had been them that he'd graduated with from High School. Koichi came around to Izumi's other side, and laced his arm through her spare one.

"You know Izumi, as you said, we have the whole weekend ahead of us! And Takuya looks like he needs a nap or something, I think he's ready to fall asleep on his feet." Izumi giggled as she realized that Koichi was right-and Takuya realized that the dark haired teen was right as well, as he found it hard to keep his eyes open and he stifled a yawn.

His mother chuckled as she opened the van door on the side and let the Shinya and Tomoki clamber into it. Izumi and Koichi and Junpei had come in the Saturn that Izumi owned, and so they were going to meet them at Takuya's place-but as Takuya was climbing into the van, he suddenly changed his mind...as much as he knew he wanted to spend some time with his mom and Shinya, he suddenly felt the urge to go with Koichi and the other two.

"Mom...?" He started, but his mother only nodded and waved him off in the direction of Izumi's car a couple of parking spaces down.

"Go on, get out of here and hang with them...we'll meet you back at home, okay Takuya?" Takuya nodded as he flashed a smile of appreciation at her and called out Koichi's name as he headed back in their direction.

"Mind if I catch a lift with you guys?" He joked, smiling at Koichi who nodded and changed places with Junpei last minute, so that Koichi was riding in the back with Takuya and Junpei was in the front with Izumi.

"You look tired though-sure you won't mind us chatter boxes on the way to your place?" Koichi joked back as Takuya only shook his head and grinned at him again, just happy to be home...and this time he truly felt like he really was home. It felt...good. Even if Kouji wasn't there for whatever reason, he knew he'd see him eventually.

So Takuya sat in the backseat and listened to the other's tell him more about Shibuya University...more about Rei Ashia, their hall leader-a hothead from the sounds of it at times, yet a sweet and gentle girl when you got to know her-and Katsume her roommate-who Koichi and Izumi started arguing with Junpei at one point if whether or not they were actually going out as a couple at all. Junpei protested they were just friends-it seemed as though Junpei had a thing for Katsume-but Koichi and Izumi had very good points that even led Takuya to think that the two girls who they'd all befriended were a couple-and he hadn't even met the pair yet. They had just started to tell him about Kai and Kita, the other set of twins on campus-it seemed like it was just Kouji and Koichi, and then Kai and Kita who were the only twins throughout Shibuya University-and everyone knew it...and his eyes started to close. He had started to fall asleep against the window, but Koichi pulled him over so that he was leaning his head against his shoulder.

"More comfortable that way and I don't mind...it's good to have you home Takuya...I'll tell you about Kouji later." He whispered, as Takuya nodded and fell asleep the rest of the way...not knowing anything more until much later when he woke up in his own bed.

After looking around his room, he realized that it hadn't changed to much since he had left. The walls had been repainted and such, but otherwise then that...

He let out a small sigh of relief as he tumbled out of bed, landing lightly on his feet and standing, stretching as he did so. Hearing conversation coming up from downstairs, Takuya grinned. From the sound of the voices, it sounded as though his friends were still there...and a quick glance at the clock, told him that it was only a little after seven at night...he felt so out of it from coming from New York-what a major time difference.

Deciding to change out of the clothes he'd worn on the plane-and then slept in-Takuya grabbed a pair of semi-baggy blue jeans and a black T-shirt, changing quickly as he could so that he could go downstairs and see what was going on.

When he headed into the kitchen, he saw that his mother was just finishing up the duty of cooking dinner, and she grinned at him as he came in.

"Feel better?" She asked, and he grinned back at her and nodded.

"Yeah...I do, thanks for letting me sleep the day away! I didn't mean to..." his voice trailed off and his mother chuckled.

"It's fine-you looked like you needed the rest. Why don't you go out to the dining room? Your friends are still here-they hung out with Shinya and Tomoki for most of the day, but I have the feeling that they'll be really happy to see that you're up." Takuya nodded at her and he did as she said, and headed out to the dining room where he saw his friends and his little brother sitting around the kitchen table in some kind of fierce debate. Koichi saw Takuya enter, and grinned at him, waving at him to come and take the seat next to him.

"Come on in and join the fun...Shinya's kicking Tomoki's butt at this new Battle Monster card game that just came out-and they're trying to convince the rest of us into playing it." Takuya smiled as he saw that Shinya was indeed winning, who threw his older brother a wild grin as he set down his last card-defeating Tomoki, who tossed his hand of cards that he held down in defeat.

"I give up...you're impossible to beat these days Shinya." Tomoki muttered, and winked at Takuya in greeting, who only chuckled as he got a look at the cards.

"New game?" He asked Shinya, who nodded, his eyes shining as he collected the cards that Tomoki had thrown down from his hand.

"Yeah-and the consequences of loosing are that the winner gets to take the cards from the players last hand-so I've just gained myself ten new cards!" Tomoki only smacked Shinya playfully, who laughed as he shuffled the deck so that it was nice and neatly stacked again.

"I'll play you for them again, if you want Tomoki-and I'll go easy on you! Unless if someone else wants to play..." The others all shook their heads, and Tomoki grinned and shrugged as the deck was cut in half and cards dealt out.

"Alright then. Your loss."

Koichi only chuckled as Shinya started dealing out the cards again between him and Tomoki, and the dark haired teen headed away from the kitchen table and out to the living room...Takuya got up and followed him. While he really did enjoy spending time with everyone, he just felt more connected to Koichi at the moment. He had no idea why-except for maybe it was the fact that Koichi was Kouji's twin, and that Koichi had told Takuya that he would tell him about Kouji. Koichi headed out to the balcony and Takuya followed as they looked out into the late fall sky, which was softly turning from twilight to actual nightfall.

"So...where's Kouji?" Takuya asked softly, as a gentle wind blew through the late fall air.

"Takuya-there's something that I've got to warn you about Kouji...I don't know how you're going to take this, as this is your first day back and all...but you seem to really want to know, so I'll tell you. He's changed Takuya-a lot. He's-really not the Kouji you'll remember. When you see him-he still looks very much the same, but...you'll feel that he's different. I'm his twin...and I know that he's changed." Takuya sighed and shook his head, putting a hand across his eyes.

"I knew he'd change...but did he change so much that he doesn't even care about me anymore? Doesn't even care that I'm back now? Come on Koichi, tell me the truth. The honest truth. I know that I could always get that from you and Izumi. So don't start lying to me now." Koichi bit his lower lip, and then forced himself to look directly into Takuya's eyes the best he could.

"I won't lie to you Takuya-he cared so much...he...when you left he was...distraught I should say. He was actually downright miserable. For the longest time-until one day he got up one morning...and changed. He was just-different. No longer the Kouji that any of us knew, and yet he was still the same. Do you...do you remember how he was before the Digital World...or even during the Digital World adventure we all had?" Takuya nodded. He knew that all too well.

"It's like he was like that angry person again-except different. He was angry only when he chose to be-or something like that, I don't know. It's like...it's almost like he's forgotten how to love...and sometimes it scares me." As Koichi said this, something inside Takuya snapped and he felt more despair then what he had when he had to leave five years ago. So this was it...had he lost Kouji for good? Was his father really right...had he come back for nothing?

"Takuya...the reason why you didn't see Kouji at the airport today, was because I didn't...I didn't tell him you were coming back today." When Takuya didn't say anything, Koichi took a small breath and continued on.

"I was talking to him the night you called me-remember? We were on the pier just hanging out with our friends at the Arcade and Kouji had stepped out for some air so I joined him-and I mentioned you...kind of hinted that if you were going to come back, that this might be the time you'd do it. And...he kind of flipped out on me. Almost like he didn't want to hear your name again...Takuya, I know this is hard on you-it's hard on us too. Junpei, Izumi, Tomoki, Shinya, and myself...we wanted to see you two get back together again so badly. I know that you two are meant to be together...don't ask me how I know but I just know."

The sliding glass door opened then, and Shinya stepped out, his eyes shining with happiness as they heard Tomoki groaning again from the dining room-it sounded like he was loosing and they were in the middle of their game, as Shinya still held the cards he was getting ready to play.

"Mom says that it's time for dinner and she cooked enough for everyone, if not a little more so you two had better come in and eat and...Takuya? Are you okay?" Shinya asked, suddenly feeling that something wasn't quite right. Koichi suddenly looked a little uncomfortable as he excused himself and headed inside to join up with the others as Shinya stepped out and took his place, putting a comforting hand on his older brother's shoulder. Was it just his imagination, or did it look like Takuya was crying?

"Takuya...what's wrong?" He asked worriedly, when Takuya's head snapped up sharply and he looked at Shinya with a hard look in his eyes...a look that Shinya had only seen five years ago during the time of their parents divorce. That time when he'd gotten angry at him...he wasn't angry with him now, was he? He didn't think he'd done anything...

"What's wrong?" Takuya hissed out, and Shinya only sighed. Oh yeah...his older brother was angry-or he sounded angry anyway. But then again he had a right to be angry...right? Shinya only closed his eyes waiting for the verbal onslaught that he knew he'd get from Takuya until Takuya ran out of angry things to say and would break down sobbing...or so he hoped that it would go that way as it had gone that way before.

"What's wrong you ask?!? I've been gone for the past five freakin' years! I hardly know my friends anymore, and while I'm happy to see them, the one person that I want to see, doesn't even seem to want to see me or talk about me! I wish that it hadn't been me! Shinya...you ask me what's wrong...you really lucked out, you know that, getting to stay here with mom. You've got everything perfect...just the way you want your life to be. You've got Tomoki as your boyfriend, and I'm sure you guys are as happy as Kouji and I would've been had I been the one to stay...! And that's not even half of it! You didn't have to deal with dad in New York, no...I did! I don't even know why he wanted me in the first place, and now that I've been through the experience, the only reason that I can come up with as to why he wanted me to go with him was just so he could use me as a punching bag! Trust me Shinya, when you ask me what's wrong and I tell you that everything is wrong...it is. And I wish that I could go back five years ago and fix it all but I can't...all I want...all I want...never mind. What I want I can't have...you happy now? Now you know what's wrong." With that said, Takuya turned and opened the sliding glass door again, fleeing as he headed up the stairs and back to his room.

Shinya only stayed where he was, feeling a little shocked and a bit miserable as his brain processed what it was that Takuya had just told him. Sure, he knew that his older brother had been through some pretty tough things in New York, living with their father and all...but he hadn't...he hadn't really told him just what he had told him.

Minutes later, he was still out on the balcony, and it was Tomoki who came to fetch him.

"You okay?" He asked softly, and Shinya shook his head as he buried his face into his boyfriend's shoulder. He couldn't cry-he didn't think he could cry...he just needed someone to lean into. And at the moment, Tomoki was the perfect choice.

"My older brother just told me something that I don't think he's even told mom yet Tomoki...mom and I only know a little bit about what happened to Takuya in New York...but...I think he just told me a little bit more...and...god Tomoki, you know sometimes I do wish that it was me instead of Takuya? He's changed...he's not who I remembered he was...he's not the courageous, energetic, outgoing older brother that I used to know and love. And I've only been with him for a day out of the past five years..." All Tomoki did was comfort him, saying soothing things and rubbing his back lightly with one hand.

"I know it's hard...I...I wish that there was more I can do to help." Tomoki whispered, and Shinya looked up at him, a small smile on his face.

"You're helping now...by being here with me-thanks." His boyfriend smiled back and kissed him lightly.

"Anytime...come on, I'm starving and your mom's meal looked really good. Maybe you can take some food up to Takuya later on and he'll feel like talking about it?" Shinya nodded as he took Tomoki's hand as Tomoki led the way inside. His mother sent him a questioning look when they sat down at the table, but he avoided her gaze-he really doubted now that she knew half of what it was Takuya had just told him...and he didn't want to make her worry-she was just so happy that Takuya was home...the happiest she'd been in a long time really, and Shinya didn't want to break her happiness. So he just started to eat. Someone had been nice and filled their plates so they didn't have too. Shinya also realized that there was an extra plate, filled...Takuya's.

"Is Takuya going to eat?" Shinya heard his mother whisper softly to him, and Shinya sighed and shook his head.

"I don't think he's going to come down and eat mama...he...he was kind of upset a few minutes ago. I think he's just really still tired from the flight." He explained, not wanting to go into further details at the dinner table. All his mother did was nod though and continue to eat as she made light conversation with Takuya's friends. Eventually, she asked Koichi if they wanted to spend the night.

"I know that you kids wanted to show Takuya the University tomorrow...if you spend the night you won't have to meet up later on, and I think Takuya might like that." Koichi nodded. He seemed to have taken the roll of leadership for the group since Takuya had gone...and he was hoping that he could eventually give that role back to Takuya once he got settled in enough to take it off his shoulders. Not like he didn't mind it...but sometimes it felt strange to hold a position that you knew belonged to someone else.

"Sure, we'd like that Ms. Kanbara...if Takuya wants us to stay, we will." Koichi said, and the other's nodded in agreement and finished eating. After dinner, Shinya got up and started to take the dishes into the kitchen, and then offered to take Takuya his dinner...but Koichi stepped in and asked if he could do it instead. When Shinya gave him a questioning look, Koichi only nodded to the living room where Shinya stepped out to so that the two could talk.

"I think I was the one who upset Takuya first Shinya-I-I told him something about Kouji...and I think that's what got him started of...you've got to remember Shinya that he's been gone for the past five years-I don't think it'll be easy for him to get readjusted back into his old life as easy as he thought it was going to be...and not being able to have Kouji right there with him as he had when he had left...that's going to be major for him."

Shinya only nodded, understanding a little bit about what Koichi was saying and then handed the tray over to Koichi, who nodded back at him as he started up the stairs...he knew that Takuya had to be hungry-he'd slept all day, and from what Koichi had the feeling of, he had the feeling that Takuya hadn't ate that morning either. He looked a lot thinner then when Koichi had last saw him five years ago.

He knocked lightly on the door a couple of times to Takuya's room, balancing the tray. When he got no response, he opened the door to see Takuya in his bed, his face buried in the pillows his shoulders heaving up and down as he looked like he was crying...and had been for awhile. Koichi put the tray down on Takuya's desk, and headed over to the bed, putting his hand on the brunette's back. Takuya stiffened a bit at the touch, and then turned to see who it was.

"Koichi...?" Koichi only nodded at Takuya's softly spoken inquiry.

"Takuya...come on...let us help you. We're your friends...we understand how hard this is for you-and trust me when I say that I especially know how hard this is for you. Remember who didn't know he had a twin for how many years? It was strange getting back into life with Kouji in it...and it's kind of the same for you now. Come on...let us help-please? We're here for you. We always have been and we always will be, I doubt that'll change." His friend seemed to hesitate before Takuya sat up and then launched himself at the dark haired teen wrapping his arms around him and burying his head into his shoulder and upper chest as he started to sob again.

"I...didn't want to leave in the first place...and I come back and everything's different...I...the one person I want to see isn't here, and doesn't want to be here...gods...Koichi, I still love him so much...it hurts." He whispered, as Koichi only comforted him in the best way he could.

Takuya felt miserable. Sure, it was good to have that one shoulder to cry on...and he knew that Koichi did understand a little bit about what he was really going through. But in a way, their situations were completely different. As he sat back a little bit and wiped the remaining tears that threatened to fall away with his sleeve, Koichi gestured to the tray of food on his desk.

"Feel like eating something?" He murmured, and as if to respond, Takuya's stomach growled and he only sighed and nodded.

"I think I'd better or my stomach might tell me otherwise." Takuya joked as Koichi grinned and brought the tray over, helping Takuya balance it while he ate as they just talked about random things-anything besides Kouji...and he began to feel better. Koichi was making it a little bit easier for him...and he knew that Koichi was right. He was just going to have to take the time to adjust.

When he was finished, Koichi put the tray back on the table, and Takuya sighed, still feeling tired as he lay back on his pillows. Koichi seemed to realize this, and grinned as he got up.

"Hey...I forgot, your mom said that we could spend the night if you wanted us too...and we can maybe take a trip out to Shibuya University in the morning or late afternoon...? I know Izumi wants to show you around...she's been so excited about it. And maybe we can even introduce you to some people there. I happen to know one of the stars on the soccer team-and he might be able to get you a spot on it." Takuya nodded, liking that idea.

"Yeah...if you guys want to stay, that'd be cool...um..." Takuya wasn't sure how to ask what he was going to ask, but he decided to just come out with it anyway.

"My room's big enough for all of us to fit into it...so that way you guys wouldn't have to sleep in the living room and stuff...I..."

"Want the company? Sure, no problem." Takuya sighed, glad that Koichi had read his mind...in a way, it sounded like something that Kouji would do-and he ached for him right then and there. If Koichi had been Kouji, Takuya was sure that they'd be cuddled up in his bed right now...if...if and only if. Would it always be if between him and Kouji?

"I think we're just going to leave and get our stuff...we'll only be gone for a little bit, okay?" Takuya yawned and nodded as Koichi took the tray and winked at him as he headed out.

While they were gone, Takuya took a hot shower and changed into his pajama's. He had just started to unpack some of his things, when there was a light knock at his door and Koichi poked his head back in. Takuya looked up in surprise.

"You guys are back already?" Koichi shrugged, and grinned at him.

"It took Izumi the longest." Protests from Izumi arose, and Takuya chuckled as Koichi came in and the rest of them dumped their stuff on the floor and after everyone changed (Izumi declaring that she was going to change in the bathroom for her own privacy of course) they were soon sitting in various positions on Takuya's bed-which was Queen sized so it was able to hold all of them.

"You know, it feels really good to be back?" Takuya murmured, as he was already kind of in bed, so the other's were really situated around his legs. The other's only chuckled lightly and Izumi reached out and grabbed his hand and squeezed it lightly.

"We missed you Takuya-and we're so glad you're back, we really mean that. I know it might take awhile...but...I think everything will really be okay." Takuya had the slightest feeling that she just might be talking about the current situation he had going on with Kouji. And he only hoped that she was right.

Minutes later, everyone was sprawled out on the floor in sleeping bags, with the exception of Koichi who had won the number draw for who got to share the bed with Takuya so that person wouldn't have to sleep on the floor-in a way Takuya was glad that it was Koichi as he still felt the most comfortable around him then the others. And he knew that just what Izumi had said earlier, that it would take awhile.

"Hey Koichi?" He whispered, and Koichi rolled over and looked at him, one eye squinted open as he looked like he was ready to fall asleep any second.

"Hmmm...?"

"Thanks...for coming to the airport and spending the night and everything...I...needed this." He heard Koichi chuckle light as he reached under the covers and found his hand, squeezing it lightly.

"We're your friends Takuya-best friends...I think if you even asked us to jump off a cliff with you, we'd probably go through with it." Takuya chuckled as well, and squeezed Koichi's hand back before releasing it.

"Night." He murmured, as he heard Koichi mumble something along the same lines and rolled back over. Takuya sighed and got a bit more comfortable, listening to Izumi's light snores (as much as she protested that she didn't snore at all in her sleep-she did-and much to her horror, Koichi now had proof) and Junpei's slight moving around as he tried to get comfortable on the floor.

Takuya suddenly felt quite at home, surrounded by his friends...and family. But there was only one person that he knew could make tonight so much better...

"Kouji...I still love you..." Takuya whispered into the darkness, before he finally fell asleep. Koichi had heard Takuya whisper this, as he hadn't quite yet fallen asleep yet, even though he was very close.

"I know he still loves you too Takuya...don't give up. We won't let you." He reached out and squeezed Takuya's hand again before he finally fell asleep as well, being the last one to do so. So that when Takuya's mother came to check on them before she finally went to bed, all four teenagers were sound asleep. She smiled softly at the scene before her, as she shut the bedroom door and turned out the hall light.

TBC

AN2-ah...best friendshipness going on there...I know I'm an evil, horrible person for leaving it there, and I'm even more of an evil person for having making you guys wait so long to finally read this chapter. So I made it extra long for you wonderful readers...^-~ So...let's see...next chapter...I'm thinking that Kouji just might get what he wished for in the last chapter and gets a new roommate...is it Sen or someone else though? (I'm not telling! ^-^ I'll let you guys think on that question for awhile...) But Kouji also starts getting the eerie feeling that someone's watching his every move, Takuya gets into a fight with someone who he wishes he hasn't, and ends up getting into a predicament...that involves Kouji!