Author's Note: We are officially...? Two-sixths of the way through this fic! LMAO! (Every four chapters marks another sixth...) so yeah. We've still got a ways to go...-sweatdrop- But this is a new chapter for you all to feast on! (Btw, if you readers have questions, ask them. I may have already planned for them to be in the fic, but it doesn't hurt to consider other options for this fic to turn, ya?)

I would really appreciate feedback and reviews. Be as harsh or as gentle as you'd like. Flames are also acceptable as long as they are constructive and have some kind of basis and truth to them.

Disclaimer: In prologue!

Fic Note: A MILLION thank you's to...!

Grandmasterp- We've IMed several times and I've enjoyed it, not to mention you've been there from the very beginning. This wasn't updated as quickly as it should have, but hopefully it's better quality than you expected!

RandomRathFan- I know, I know! But it really shouldn't take this long.

Comtess- (LOL) I talk to you so much, I really have nothing to say here!

Rose Kitsune.EXE- Aww... (cries a flood) I was the only one?

Shadow- Thanks so much! Actually, I decided to pull out some music to definetly attempt to inspire myself...which reminds me! I've updated my profile, people! So check it out if you wanna see why I'm such a crazy...uh...person.

Nakarame-Scarlet- Oooh! New reviewer! -BIG smile- (-BIG SWEATDROP!- Don't worry my constantly returning support! I'm not sick of you guys!) Anyway..thank you for your review, I hope you'll return to see this fic finish itself off!

Oh! And a question for you all! I'll ask at the end of the fic, when you finish reading. If reviewers could respond to that please? It would be very helpful in shaping the rest of the fic, because I'm at such a split decision. I want to do both...but obviously only one path can be taken! Please let me know if you have the time!

Matters of the Heart

He didn't realize how simple it would be to just relax; not until this moment.

"Lan..."

He shivered from the cold. Lan stared blankly at Chaud, unsure what would be considered an appropriate action. It didn't matter in the end, for Chaud closed the gap between them and pulled Lan in for a tight embrace. The brunette remained limp in Chaud's arms; he had no energy to return Chaud's eagerness.

Not caring that Lan was not responding to him, Chaud firmly wrapped an arm around Lan's waist while his other hand rested in Lan's hair. They stood like that silently for a while.

Finally, Lan broke the silence. "Chaud?"

"Yes," the other boy responded without much enthusiasm, only because he was quite tired and this moment seemed to be just another wishful dream.

"I'm tired, Chaud..."

"I know."

"I want to go home..."

Chaud's grip tightened on Lan slightly, giving the brunette a supportive squeeze. "That's great, Lan."

"I'm scared..."

"It's okay. You can stay with me for a while. We can go back together when you feel rested."

"Okay...I'd like that."

They fell silent again. Chaud felt an extreme relief wash over him. For now, the brunt of the storm seemed to have passed over them. They were finally making progress. While they stood, a strange feeling tugged at Chaud's heart, a feeling that made him want to do something more to Lan to show him how happy he was that Lan had returned; however, nothing Chaud could think of seemed appropriate for the occasion.

Although comfortable himself, Lan had a final question to ask, "Are you angry...?"

Chaud quirked a half-smile, "Furious."

This brought pain but also some closure. He didn't know what he would have said or done if Chaud had forgiven him entirely. Lan brought his face down to Chaud's chest and began to sob softly. "I'm sorry..." he whispered over and over again.

Chaud held Lan delicately, as if he were made of some fragile material. He caressed Lan's backside gently until the tears subsided. "Don't ever leave me again..." Chaud whispered into Lan's ear.

Finally, Lan brought his arms up and returned Chaud's embrace. They remained that way for a long time.

Almost four full days passed since Lan had come to stay with Chaud. Though Chaud never pressed the issue of Lan going home, the boy felt obligated to his old friend. From the minute Chaud had accepted him, he had ignored all work. This included returning calls to the office, meetings, and even paperwork, a task Lan remembered quite clearly from their early days that Chaud loathed immensely. Instead, for the past four days, Chaud had watched over him constantly- he brought food, attempted to entertain Lan at the cost of his dignity, and on several occassions fell asleep at Lan's bedside while talking to him, not from lack of ettiquette, but from exhaustion. Though Lan felt appreciative of Chaud's concern, with each passing day he felt more pressure to leave. Though he had to admit, some unseen force seemed to be keeping him from leaving. He was getting used to it here.

Lan had finally fallen asleep again. Chaud decided to take a break and walk outside with Protoman. Stepping out into the beautiful garden whom his gardeners dutifully attended to, Chaud wondered why he had never quite taken his time to enjoy his surroundings.

"Chaud."

The owner of the name snapped out of his daze and looked down at his PET. They were alone so formalities didn't quite matter. "Yes, Protoman?"

"You have worked so hard to get to this point...and yet you're not sending Lan home. Why is that?"

"..."

"He should be getting to his parents soon, don't you think?"

"Chaud?"

"...I don't know, Protoman."

"What?"

Chaud sighed, "What I mean is...I don't know why I can't let go of him. So stupid, I know..."

"Hm. I see. I guess it's understandable."

Chaud felt his face grow hot, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Protoman rolled his eyes, "I meant no foul. I'm just stating from fact. You've always liked him around."

Chaud half-smiled, "Yeah..."

"However, I don't see that as a strong enough reason to keep him around here."

"I know!" Chaud responded with frustration, "It's just turning out that way! One day turned into two days...two into four..."

"And today is the fifth, Chaud. That's a problem. His parents are probably quite worried and yet you still keep him here."

"..."

"Chaud, listen to me. From the way I see it, Lan is no longer going anywhere. He will most likely be as accessible to you as he was in the past. He will come over to your house and you will visit his. You both seem to be inseparable, so don't worry."

Chaud felt himself flush slightly and averted his gaze from the PET, "I know, Protoman...you don't have to lecture me."

"If you know, then I don't understand why you are making this so difficult," Protoman responded with exasperation.

"I don't really understand it myself, to be honest. I mean, it should be so simple, right? Taking him home is only a matter of getting a limo and driving him there...I'm sure he's more than ready to go by now..."

"But...?"

"I worry, Protoman. If I let him go, even though he'll only be several miles away...agh, I can't explain..."

"Try."

"When he's not around, I feel an emptiness. The moment he stepped into my life all those years ago when we were still stupid kids, he changed my life, Protoman. He allowed me to step into a world of endless curiosities."

"Yes...but he will always be there," Protoman sighed, he wasn't understanding his master at all.

"It's not the same. Right now, he's physically here. I can be there for him, protect him...if he's somewhere else, I can't be there for him right away. Until they create some kind of teleportation device or something and I can get ESP to sense him when he is in danger...if I lose him again, I'll fall apart, Protoman."

"I see."

"What?"

"Forgive me, I failed to notice this before."

"Eh?"

"You're in love," his net-navi stated matter-of-factly.

Chaud felt frozen to the spot with a mix of embarassment and annoyance at his navi's accuracy. "Y-you're crazy."

"Am I...?"

TO BE CONTINUED…

Okay...the "million dollar question." Would you all like a sad ending, or a happy ending? I'm leaning more towards one of them...but I won't bias your opinions! Haha! So...let me know please!

-Saikenyuu