Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.
A/N: Another chapter done! I like this one. It makes me feel all warm inside! There will be a few things I'll talk more about in the FTFOD thread on the forum once this chapter is up and people have had a chance to read it. Hope you all like it!
Chapter 271: The Beauty of Romance
Miya Ichijouji
Odaiba, Japan, Earth
Miya slowly crept down the stairs in the early hours of the morning, and heading into the kitchen she was careful to move quietly so as not to wake the rest of the household. Pulling out a chair, she seated herself at the table with her hands wrapped around her glass, and frowning she let her thoughts wander back to the night before.
Though she had managed to remain calm through most of the news, others in the group hadn't been so lucky. She could still see the worried look on T.K.'s face, and the panic in Noriko's eyes hadn't exactly been all that encouraging.
Dai and Ryoko were already walking a fine line as it was, and everybody knew it. That didn't exactly bode well for the two of them, especially since they were currently separated from the rest of the group with no one there but Alopemon to play referee.
Although Miya kept trying to tell herself that she was being ridiculous, she couldn't ignore the bad feeling in her heart that something even worse was going to happen.
Those were the thoughts that had been playing on her mind last night as she tried to fall asleep, and they had kept her up well past midnight. It was only when she had allowed her thoughts to drift to Noah that she was finally able to calm down enough to drift off to sleep.
And now, this early in the morning, it was Noah's dark eyes and gorgeous smile that gave her the strength to hope that everything would turn out okay.
Even when I'm feeling my worst, somehow just the thought of him always makes me smile...
Miya quickly finished her juice, and smiling to herself she rinsed out her glass and stuck it in the dishwasher before turning to gaze out the window above the sink.
Though she was still worried about everything that was going on in the Digital World, a sense of calm seemed to settle over her like a comforting blanket. She did not feel overly concerned about Sam, since she knew he was back to his old self again and that he had the strength to help Dai and Ryoko get past their insecurities, and that was a great relief to her. The normal uncertainties were still there, but she had faith that Sam would help bring the team together again.
What really bothered her was that underlying sense that sooner or later something else would go wrong.
I'm probably just being silly, but Noah wouldn't think so. He always takes my concerns seriously. I'm so lucky to have him. If only I could just...let him know how I feel...
Miya let out a deep sigh, and turning away from the window, she left the kitchen and stood out in the front hall for a moment, uncertain of where to go or what to do.
Everybody was always telling her she was a genius, and yet despite how smart she was she couldn't seem to figure out a way to confess her feelings to Noah. There had been moments when she had been given plenty of opportunity to do so, but she had always chickened out.
The signs were there, and Miya wasn't so stupid as to not notice them. There had been moments when Noah had heavily hinted he had feelings for her, and she had been quick to tease him or brush it off at first. But the older they got and the closer they seemed to grow, the more she found herself unable to ignore his advances so easily. And not only that, but she had found herself wanting to return the gesture.
There was only one problem. The more she wanted to return his feelings, the more she seemed to tease him and play it off. She suspected it was some sort of defense mechanism on her part, since she was so used to them being friends, but deep in her heart she knew it wasn't fair to Noah. He deserved to know how she truly felt about him. The key was to find a way to get over her insecurities about how it would affect their relationship, but that was easier said then done.
And there was also another issue that had popped up lately. Now that she finally understood her feelings, it seemed like every time they had an opportunity to grow closer or for her to confess, there always seemed to be some kind of interruption. It was not only frustrating, it was also worrisome. What if they never got a chance to talk about what was going on between them and Noah finally lost interest in her? What if he eventually moved on to someone else?
Noah was quite popular at the high school. He had a lot of friends there, both male and female alike. What if he eventually developed an interest in one of those other girls and she was left out in the cold?
I've never cared about anyone like this before...
Miya felt a sudden lump in her throat, and ignoring the pain in her chest, she quickly blinked away the sudden tears in her eyes. She could list several reasons as to why she hesitated to tell Noah her true feelings, the way their relationship would change being one of those reasons, but if she was being completely honest with herself, there was really only one thing holding her back. Noah had started to show interest in her at a relatively early age, and a lot of time had passed since then. Were Noah's feelings truly genuine or was it merely a childhood crush that would simply vanish within the next couple of years?
Noah was a good looking guy, and there were plenty of pretty young women out there. What if he eventually got bored of her and wanted a change? People grew apart all the time. Would the same thing happen to them? They had been friends for so long, it was hard to imagine that a change in that relationship would work out for the best. If they were to go that extra step, what if she ended up losing him entirely?
If he suddenly lost interest in me, what would I do? I don't know if my heart could handle seeing him with another girl...
The moment the thought entered her head, she suddenly felt ashamed of herself. Did she really have such little faith in Noah? He was a responsible young man who never hesitated to hold himself accountable for his own actions, and he was never one to betray the trust of those he cared about. He was also quite mature for his age, and he had a healthy dose of common sense.
He wasn't the type to hook up with a girl, only to drop her when someone prettier or more interesting came along. He'd never even had a girlfriend before, of that she was sure. There must be a reason for that since there were any number of girls at the high school who would have gladly taken on that role.
But he's never once asked any of them out. Is it because he's waiting for me?
Miya felt her heart begin to pound heavily in her chest, and wrapping her arms around herself she closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm herself.
Noah was one of the closest people in the world to her. There was no reason why she shouldn't be able to trust him. He deserved that much, at least.
What kind of a person am I if I can't even trust the guy who holds my heart in his hands?
It was a humbling thought, and opening her eyes Miya slowly made her way towards the living room. She was about to step inside the door when something caught her eye, and freezing in place, her breath once again caught in her throat.
If she hadn't known any better, she would have been convinced that her troubled heart had conjured him up out of thin air.
Sitting curled up on the window seat with his head resting against the glass was Noah, and Miya could tell at first glance that he was fast asleep. She wasn't quite sure how long he would have been sitting there, but she had a feeling he'd been slouched against the window for quite some time. The early morning sunshine streamed in through the window, and it bathed the dark-haired boy's body in golden light. The sun's rays gave his smooth skin a warm glow, and it made his dark hair shine with golden highlights. Even though Miya was still on the other side of the room, she was convinced she could see his dark eyelashes resting against the delicate skin above his cheek bones. His long legs were stretched out, and his bare feet rested against the opposite side of the window seat from where his head was. Beneath the plain white t-shirt he wore for sleeping in, she could see his fine muscular profile and the shape of his broad shoulders, and she didn't feel the slightest bit guilty for taking a moment to appreciate his nice build. To her, he was the most handsome guy she had ever seen, and his entire gorgeous profile was emphasized by the brilliant light streaming over his body. The glow only made his good looks stand out even more, and taking in the image, Miya was fairly certain she could have stood there and happily watched him sleep for the rest of eternity.
Nobody else makes me feel like this.
Seeing Noah there in such a state of vulnerability made her knees feel weak, and giving herself a mental shake she slowly stepped into the room and proceeded to move closer to the dark-haired boy. Reaching his side, she stopped and looked down at him with more fondness than she had ever allowed herself to show before, and she had to resist a strong urge to touch him.
There were so many things she wanted to say, but the words wouldn't seem to come. The best she could manage was a whisper in his ear, and when she spoke the words were genuine. "It'll always be only you."
Noah suddenly stirred, catching her completely off guard, and opening his dark eyes, his sleepy gaze came to rest on her face. It made her blush, and feeling nervous she wondered if he had heard her words. They gazed at each other for a moment, and then Noah did something he had never done before. Reaching up a hand to touch her cheek, his expression calm and composed, he murmured, "Is this a dream?"
Miya could feel his warm fingers brushing against her cheek, and for a moment she wasn't quite sure what to do with herself. Noah seemed unusually confident, and he hadn't hesitated in the slightest to show his affection for her from the very first moment he had opened his eyes. It made her heart skip a beat, and feeling suddenly more bold herself, she sat down next to him on the window seat and felt the heat of his left thigh soak into her right thigh as their bodies came in contact with one another. It was a pleasant sensation, and smiling, she said softly, "No, this is real."
More real than I could have ever hoped for...
It was like Noah really had somehow heard her voice in his sleep, and it made her happy to think her words had brought him into the waking world. Though it was obvious he was still sleepy, he did not seem overly confused or disoriented. In fact, he was surprisingly alert, as if he had been waiting for this very moment to finally become a reality. Miya felt it herself, and there was something in the atmosphere and the pleasant tension between them that made her wonder if today might finally be the day they confessed their feelings to each other. It made her feel almost giddy with excitement, and yet at the same time it frightened her.
Something definitely feels different, but why now all of a sudden? How is today different from any other day?
The serene expression on Noah's face filled her with wonder, and as the fingers touching her cheek suddenly slid down her arm to catch her hand in a gentle grip, she shivered with anticipation.
Was she finally going to have a chance to make her dreams a reality?
"What a nice surprise," Noah said, his words ending in a yawn.
Without letting go of her hand, he stretched to make himself more comfortable, and Miya took a moment to appreciate his nice chest. When he caught her staring she quickly looked away in embarrassment, but he didn't say a word about it. Instead, he merely smiled at her and settled back against the cushion resting on the window seat.
"How long have you been here?" she asked, giving his fingers a warm squeeze and hoping her words would distract him.
Noah seemed to consider the question for a moment, and shaking his head, he said, "I'm not sure. Sometime after midnight, I guess. I couldn't sleep. Too much on my mind."
Miya wasn't sure what possessed her to say it, but before she could stop herself, she said in a whisper, "Was I on your mind?"
Something in Noah's dark eyes suddenly changed, and Miya was blown away by the intensity of his gaze. Sitting up straighter, he caught a lock of her raven hair, and speaking with that new found confidence she had never seen him display before, he said calmly, "You look beautiful in the morning sunlight."
Miya quickly looked away from him, and blushing, she once again spoke without thinking. "You look pretty good yourself."
"You think so?" Noah murmured, leaning towards her.
The words were soft, and Miya could feel the pleasant tension between them growing even stronger. Noah suddenly let go of her hair, and turning her face towards him, he gave her no choice but to look in his eyes. What she saw there made her heart speed up again, and the touch of his fingers felt like it was burning her skin. Noah was definitely being unusually bold, but she found she liked this side of him just as much as she loved all the other aspects of his personality. It made her want to pull him into her arms and to feel his warmth against her whole body.
I bet he feels amazing...
She still hadn't answered his question, since her mouth didn't seem to want to work properly, and moving his lips close to her ear, he whispered, "Do you really mean that?"
Miya nodded before she could stop herself, and feeling her face heat up again, she quickly turned to stare out the window. Her sudden movement concealed his face from view, but his lips were still brushing against her ear. It was rather distracting, and overwhelmed by his closeness, she shivered as he said softly, "What would you say if I told you I wanted to kiss you?"
Miya could feel herself trembling, and scrunching her face up, she whispered, "Even after the way I treated you? Even after all this time?"
It was as close to a confession as she had ever come, and it almost came as a relief. She was so distracted by the smell of him and how close he was that she could barely think straight, and her body just wanted to absorbed the feeling and enjoy every second of it.
Unfortunately, though, Noah had other plans.
Pulling back a bit so he could gaze into her eyes and gently placing his hands on her shoulders, he said in a serious tone that she had never heard him use before, "Miya, do you not see? The more time I spend with you, the more I want to be with you."
Miya wasn't sure what made her say it, but all of a sudden her defenses seemed to crumble apart in mere seconds after years of building them up, and she found herself talking before she could really grasp what she was saying.
"But...I'm just...I'm just that girl you grew up with."
"No, you're that girl I fell in love with," Noah said so softly she almost missed it.
But she didn't miss it, and the words left her speechless.
There it was. After all this time. The words she had been waiting so long to hear.
And that was when she realized something. Deep within her heart she knew the only thing holding her back were her own insecurities. As much as she had always loved Noah, she needed to know that he genuinely felt the same way about her that she felt about him before her heart would allow her to reveal her feelings to him. And that wasn't his fault. That was her own fault for not being able to get over her fears that she wasn't quite good enough for him.
And now that he had finally found the courage to say what he truly meant, she could feel her heart swelling with emotion. She wanted to speak, but the words wouldn't come. Her self-esteem had always been decent, but that didn't mean she was invincible. There was still the occasional time when she would feel inadequate around the really pretty girls at school, some of whom were quite friendly with Noah. Shina was a good example, and thinking of the other girl, she said slowly, "But...I'm not that great. I'm just average, you know. I'm not..."
"Average?" Noah replied, raising his eyebrows. "You're the smartest person I know. Smarter even than your Uncle Sam, I think. But you're also very down to earth, and you're amazingly humble despite your intelligence. You've never treated anyone like they're stupid just because they might not be on the same level as you. You have the kindest heart I've ever seen, with only your brothers to put up a decent fight against you on that point, and you've always treated everyone the same. You are a lot of things, Miya, but average isn't one of them."
"But...I'm not even that pretty."
Noah just looked at her, and reaching up to stroke her hair, he said firmly, "I know you know better than that. Your gorgeous black hair, your beautiful smile, that sparkle in your eyes, and those long legs of yours are more than adequate to make you beautiful, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. And the way you carry yourself with so much grace, your head held high and your back straight, I love it. But most of all that beauty is a reflection of your heart. That was the part that attracted me from the beginning. It was that kind heart of yours and the way you treated me even back when we were kids. How could I not fall in love with you?"
Miya was blushing again, but she didn't even care. She had never thought of herself that way before, and after hearing Noah's view of her she was starting to see herself in a different light. And she realized it was the same with her. While there was no denying that Noah was definitely attractive, it was his heart that had captured her attention from the very beginning, and that was well before he had grown into his looks. He'd been an awkward boy just as she had been an awkward girl, both of them all elbows, knees, and long limbs when they were kids. Even then there had been something stirring between them, and now that they were comfortable in their own skin that initial attraction had not faded or changed in the slightest. And that was proof enough that he truly meant what he said.
But even so...
"You're probably wondering about Shina," Noah said calmly, as if reading her mind. His dark gaze never wavered, and shaking his head, he said, "It was her idea, you know. She said I needed to get your attention. Shina really likes you, and she wants us to be happy together. She was trying to help me reach you."
Miya could tell he was being sincere, and it made her feel like her emotions were about to burst out of her chest. She hesitantly touched Noah's face, and as she gazed into his eyes she could feel her fingers trembling against his skin.
"I'm not going anywhere, Miya," Noah said gently, his dark eyes sparkling in the morning sunlight. "You're the only girl for me, and you always will be. Isn't this proof enough?"
Miya gasped as Noah took her hand and placed it against his chest, and beneath her palm she could feel his heart beating rapidly against his ribcage.
It made her smile, and keeping her head lowered, she said, "It feels like mine."
Without any hesitation she took Noah's other hand and placed it against her own heart, which was beating just as fast. While her actions could have made for a potentially embarrassing situation, since she was past the first stages of development and she wasn't exactly tiny in that particular female department, but she trusted Noah completely. He had always been a gentleman, and she knew he would never hurt her.
All this time what I wanted was here all along...
Her thoughts about Noah's behaviour proved to be true. The dark-haired boy didn't even jump at her sudden boldness, and the warm expression in his dark eyes never changed. He did not flush or turn his head away in embarrassment, and there was no awkward tension between them. Instead, Noah pulled her close and rested his chin on the top of her head, and basking in the feel of their hearts beating rapidly in sync, he said softly, "You can't tell me this doesn't mean something to you. I know you feel everything I feel."
They stayed that way for several more moments, and pressing her cheek into his shoulder, she whispered, "Noah?"
"I'm listening," Noah murmured into her hair, his other arm going around her waist.
Miya squeezed her eyes shut behind her glasses, and letting her emotions spill over, she said, "I love you too. I always have."
They were the words she had always wanted to say, and now that she had finally got them out, she too felt almost like they were both in a very pleasant dream.
No wonder he couldn't tell the difference at first...
She felt Noah suddenly freeze, her words having had the desired effect, and then both of his arms wrapped around her in a tight embrace. She pressed herself against him as tight as she could, and wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she buried her face in his neck. She could feel his hands resting on her back, and speaking with suppressed emotion, the dark-hared boy said quietly, "Are you sure this isn't a dream?"
Miya suddenly found herself laughing, and feeling the contours of his muscles against her body, she snuggled even closer and let out a pleasant sigh. It had been surprisingly easy to tell him the truth, and it made her wonder why she had waited so long to confess her feelings to him.
He's so amazing. How could I have been so silly to doubt myself?
At that moment she realized there were tears in her eyes, and speaking softly, she said, "I'm sorry, Noah. I'm so sorry. I teased you terribly, and I made you wait longer than I should have."
"It's fine," Noah replied, brushing off her concerns. "I know why you did it, and I don't blame you."
"But I should have trusted you more. I should have trusted myself more."
"No," Noah said softly, stroking her hair. "First and foremost you needed to protect yourself. Right from the start I was willing to spend the rest of my life proving that you're the only one for me, if that was what it took to get you to trust me. It was worth it, Miya. It was all worth it."
Miya nodded, and looking up at him, she said, "Does this mean I'm your girlfriend now?"
"If you want to be," Noah replied, smiling softly at her.
Miya pretended to think about it for a moment, and giving him one of her familiar teasing smiles, she said, "I think I would like that very much."
The smile on Noah's face grew wider, and leaning towards her he gently kissed her on the mouth. It made her skin tingle, and suddenly she felt pleasantly warm inside.
They were tentative at first, and then soon Miya was kissing him back with enthusiasm. The feel of his lips on hers made her brain feel like there were fireworks going off inside her head, and the shivers racing down her spine made her wish he would never stop kissing her.
When they did finally pull apart, Miya could feel herself blushing for what seemed to be the hundredth time that morning, and speaking into his dark hair, she said, "Do you really think my legs are that nice?"
"The best," Noah murmured into her throat, his arms circling her in a tight embrace.
"You're sweet," she whispered softly, running her fingers through his hair.
That had been her first kiss, and she knew it was the same for him. She couldn't have asked for a better first experience, and holding Noah tightly against her chest, she knew that their first kiss was far from being their last.
"I love you, Miya," Noah said softly, shifting to get even more comfortable in her arms. "It's funny. He was right, you know, just like I should have known he would be. Remind me to thank him later."
"Huh?"
Miya was a bit confused, but before she could inquire further a voice suddenly said in amusement, "So this is where you two lovebirds are. I see my work here is done."
The presence of another human being caught her off guard, and nearly jumping out of her skin in surprise, Miya let out a shriek and quickly pulled away from Noah, her face turning a brilliant shade of red.
Turning, she spotted Makku lounging against the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest and a mischievous grin on his face, and ignoring that knowing look he was giving her, she said quickly, "You're awake. Where are all the others?"
"Still asleep," Makku said dryly, his eyes moving past her to settle on Noah. "You disappeared last night. It woke me up."
Noah rubbed the last of the sleep out of his eyes, and looking a bit sheepish, he said, "Sorry, I couldn't sleep. I just needed some time to myself."
"I figured," Makku said smoothly, his red hair gleaming in the morning sunlight. "That's why I didn't follow you."
Noah's face suddenly softened into a smile, and shaking his head, he said, "You really do know me so well."
Miya glanced between the two of them, and all of a sudden she understood. As soon as Noah had opened his eyes that morning she could tell that something was different with him. He seemed more confident right off the bat, and he hadn't rushed or forced their conversation. He had remained calm and patient, as if waiting for her to come to him.
He had been waiting for a sign. A sign from her that she was ready.
And he did so because somebody else helped him to understand his own heart and to see the truth about my feelings...
She had often talked about Noah to Makku, and he had always been patient and understanding with her. He was a good listener, and she had appreciated his time and the advice he had always been willing to give her. Other than Ami, nobody knew her feelings for Noah as well as Makku did, and he had done his best to keep what they had talked about just between them.
But now there was somebody else who had benefited from Makku's good heart, and the red-head had given that someone the knowledge and confidence to finally make his dream a reality. And that knowledge Makku was given had come from her. He had used it to help Noah, and thanks to him, she and Noah were finally together.
Because Makku cares about us and wants us to be happy, just like everyone else.
As the realization of what had happened last night finally sank in, Miya leaped off the window seat and launched herself at Makku, her arms going around him in a tight hug.
The red-haired boy staggered, and catching hold of her, he laughed and said, "Careful before you injure me!"
"It was you," Miya whispered, hugging him tightly. "You have no idea how much I love you right now."
"I take it that means I was right and you two have finally sorted yourselves out?" Makku said cheerfully, looking amused. "I hope you still love me on a regular day. Is that all I'm good for?"
"You dummy!" Miya laughed, kissing his check and ruffling his tousled red hair. "You know what I mean!"
Makku let out another laugh, and pulling back to look at her, his face suddenly softened into a warm smile. "It feels good to see you look so happy."
"And it's all thanks to you."
"Does that make me your favorite cousin now?" Makku teased, tugging playfully on her black hair.
Miya hit him lightly on the arm, and winking, she said, "You've always been my favorite cousin. Just don't tell the others!"
By this time Noah had come over to join them, and shaking his finger at the dark-haired boy, Makku said sternly, "You better be good to her now, you hear?"
"Now that's something you'll never have to worry about," Noah replied, laughing softly.
He looked like he wanted to say more, but before he could open his mouth, Makku just shook his head and said calmly, "I know."
"Of course you do, but that doesn't mean I don't want to express my thanks," Noah replied, his dark gaze growing suddenly serious.
He moved closer to Makku and whispered something softly to the other boy, and though Miya hadn't heard what was said, she didn't mind in the slightest. She could tell that it was something personal for the two of them, and she wasn't the type to pry or get involved in something that wasn't her business.
Makku didn't respond to Noah's words, but there was a look in his eyes that made Miya feel warm inside.
Huh...Did something happen?
The two boys shared a meaningful glance, and all of a sudden Miya realized that something more than just her being the topic of conversation last night had happened. The two boys were standing close together, and Noah's body language was completely relaxed, as if he didn't have a care in the world. Makku also looked content and relaxed as he continued to lean against the door frame, and his expression was calm and peaceful. He didn't flinch or shy away when Noah suddenly put a friendly arm around him, and suddenly she realized something that had not even occurred to her until now. She knew about Makku's past and the falling out he'd had with an old friend, and she had been aware of his sexuality for a long time. And yet, oddly enough, she hadn't even thought of it when he'd started showing an interest in wanting to be friends with Noah. Since Akira, Makku had been careful about making new friends, and though she often worried about him, she hadn't worried at all when he'd suddenly made up his mind to get close to Noah.
And now she understood why. She had never even once considered the possibility that Noah would reject Makku, and thus she had not worried.
Because that was the kind of person Noah was.
There were no obvious signs, and it wasn't anything in particular that either boy had done, but somehow she got the feeling that Noah knew about Makku's past, and turning to the red-haired boy, she said softly, "You told him."
The two boys exchanged looks, and that was the only answer she needed.
Reaching out, she hugged Makku again, and smiling, she whispered, "I'm proud of you. And you have excellent taste in people, just like I do."
Makku looked particularly amused by this, and not having heard her words, Noah merely glanced between them, a curious look on his handsome face.
As Miya pulled away from Makku, she gently took Noah's hand and said, "Thank you."
"For what?" Noah asked, shrugging his shoulders. "If you're talking about Makku, I didn't do anything except act the way a decent human being should. Good friends are hard to find. I'm not giving up the ones I have."
"To be fair, I am pretty amazing," Makku teased, winking at the dark-haired boy.
Noah smiled, a mischievous glint appearing suddenly in his dark eyes, and pulling Makku against him into a hug, he said in a teasing voice of his own, "And I don't think Miya and I are the only ones who believe that."
"Am I missing something here?" Makku asked, scratching his head in confusion.
Noah pulled the red-head over to the window seat, and looking back at her, that secretive smile still on his face, he beckoned her to follow.
She did so with curiosity, and once they had Makku sitting caged between them, Noah turned to the other boy and said, "While you were snoring last night, something occurred to me that I only just remembered right at that moment."
"I do not snore!" Makku said indignantly, pretending to look offended.
"You were snoring like a freight train, which was part of the reason why I was still up at midnight and couldn't sleep," Noah said dryly, looking amused. "And you kicked me twice, by the way, but that's not important right now. What's important is what I remembered last night."
"Dare I even ask?" Makku replied, raising his eyebrows.
Noah ignored the jab, and refusing to lose track of the conversation at hand, he said, "Do you remember when we went to visit Tal and his friends?"
"As if I could forget," Makku snorted, giving Noah a friendly shove. "What about it?"
"I didn't think much of it at the time, especially since I didn't at that point know whether you would be interested at all or not, but one of the guys there was totally checking you out," Noah teased, poking the other boy in the shoulder.
Makku looked confused for a moment, and scratching his already wild hair, he said, "What are you talking about?"
Miya was surprised as well, and growing curious, she stared at her new boyfriend and said, "Really?"
Noah looked thoughtful for a moment, and shrugging his shoulders, he said, "It wasn't really obvious or anything like that. It was a subtle thing. A quick glance here and there, a spark of interest, an appreciative look. That kind of stuff. I didn't think much of it at the time because at that point I hadn't recognized it for what it was, but the thought must have still been in the back of my mind somewhere for me to remember it later. I might not have even remembered it at all if it wasn't for last night. After Makku told me about himself, the memory of that day suddenly came back to me when I was in bed, and I was able to view what I'd witnessed in a whole new light. And once I started looking back on it more closely, I realized that the way the guy was looking at Makku resembled more the way I look at Miya rather than just simple curiosity."
Now Miya was really curious, and leaning around Makku, she said with the barest hint of excitement, "So you think the guy's interest was genuine?"
"Definitely," Noah said firmly, his tone leaving no room for doubt. "It's funny, though. Like I said, there wasn't anything in your face about it. I probably would have missed it completely if I hadn't been given a reason to think about it again."
"What are the chances of that?" Makku said almost to himself, slowly shaking his head. "I mean, if one of them is gay, what are the chances of them showing an interest in me out of all the guys in our merry little band?"
"Pretty amazing, I'll give you that," Noah agreed, an easy smile on his face.
"And you're not the type to start imagining things that aren't really there just because you know I'm gay now," Makku added, looking thoughtful. "Some people would do that. You know, blow things out of proportion. Make it out to be more than what it actually is, just because they think I might be interested, but you're not like that."
"No, I wouldn't have said something if I didn't think it was the truth," Noah agreed, putting a hand on Makku's shoulder.
"But still...not a lot of people know about me. The odds of whichever one he is showing interest in the one guy out of the whole group who might return the favour seems almost too good to be true," Makku said dryly.
"Why? Are you interested?" Noah teased.
Makku looked startled for a moment, and quickly shaking his head, he said casually, "I didn't say that."
"Besides, they didn't need to know about you," Noah continued, his dark eyes sparkling with amusement as he watched Makku. "Coincidences do happen every once in a while. Maybe he just thought you were attractive and was appreciating the view, if you get my meaning."
For the first time in her life Miya saw something she never thought she would ever see. Watching Makku, she gaped in astonishment as the red-head turned bright pink in the face. The colour of his cheeks was so vibrant it almost matched his hair, and she had to fend off a sudden fit of giggles.
Makku was usually the one making other people blush, not the other way around, and that was why it was such an unusual sight. He was never really the blushing type, so Miya couldn't help admiring Noah for getting that kind of reaction out of the other boy when no one else, including herself, had ever been able to do so.
"Still not interested?" Noah asked, raising his eyebrows.
"I'm supposed to be bugging you, not the other way around!" Makku protested, laughing as he tried unsuccessfully to glare at the dark-haired boy.
"Hey, I'll say one thing for him. He has good taste," Noah teased, ducking out of the way as Makku attempted to whack him upside the head.
Now Miya was really curious about this admirer, and poking Noah in the knee, she said, "Which of the guys is it you're talking about? Tal's son? One of Kenji's?"
Makku was looking pretty curious by now as well, and sensing the red-haired boy's sudden interest, Noah said mischievously, "I'm not telling. You guys are going to have to figure it out for yourselves."
Makku's jaw dropped, and gaping at Noah, he said, "That's not fair!"
Makku's expression was so comical that Miya couldn't help laughing, and she let out a shriek as the red-head made a sudden grab for Noah. The dark-haired teen managed to squirm out of reach, and Miya felt his hand close around hers in a tight squeeze. She let Noah pull her to her feet, and holding tightly to her hand, he ran from the room with her in tow as Makku proceeded to chase after them, his cheerful threats floating through the house behind them.
They managed to sneak out the back door, and breathless they collapsed against a tree in the backyard to rest.
"Aren't your feet cold?" she teased, pointing at his bare toes.
"A little bit, but you can warm me up and then I'll forget all about my toes," he said, pulling her close.
Miya snuggled against his chest, and shaking her head, she said, "Are you ever going to tell him who it is?"
"Eventually," Noah replied, winking at her. "But I want to see if he can guess first."
Miya raised her eyebrows, and laughing softly, she said, "I guess we're not the only lucky ones then. I'm looking forward to seeing Makku find a little happiness of his own. I'm not going to get my hopes up, but knowing what the guys were like that we met, any one of them would make a great partner for Makku. I know it's ultimately up to Makku whether he returns that attraction, but I can hope."
"We both can," Noah said, smiling softly at her. "Trust me, the guy I'm referring to seems like a great guy, so no worries in that regard."
As much as I want to see Makku happy, he's not the only one I'm thinking off...
Miya spent the night listening to Ami cry herself to sleep. More and more the girl was falling for Ryoko, and though she wasn't quite ready to admit it yet, Miya knew it was the truth. She knew that Ami was scared and hurting right now, but unfortunately she didn't know what to do about it.
"You're thinking about Ami," Noah said quietly into her hair, hugging her close.
Miya nodded, and letting out a deep sigh, she said, "I know she's falling for Ryoko. Those Motomiya's really have a thing for him."
"I can relate," Noah replied, smiling slightly as he gazed into her eyes. "I'm pretty fond of all you Ichijoujis and Inoues too."
Miya smiled at that, and shaking her head, she said, "We have to help Ami, like Makku did for us."
"We will," Noah reassured her. "But first Dai has to get Ryoko through this mess in one piece."
"He will though, won't he?"
"Of course he will," Noah said firmly, the look in his dark eyes leaving no room for doubt. "My cousins are every bit as awesome as yours. They'll get Ryoko through all this somehow."
"I want everyone to be as happy as us," Miya whispered, kissing his cheek in the early morning sunshine.
"Same here," Noah murmured, returning the kiss.
Miya paused, and poking him lightly in the ribs, she said, "Are you at least going to tell me which guy it is?"
"Nope!" Noah said cheerfully, poking her back. "You'll have to wait too. It wouldn't be fair to Makku if I told you and not him!"
Just then Makku burst through the back door, and catching sight of him Noah made a break for the front yard, the sound of his laughter making her smile. Makku quickly ran after him, and hopping up and down, Miya shouted, "Noah, what about your feet? It's too cold to be going barefoot!"
Makku continued to shout threats at Noah, and receiving no answer she shrugged her shoulders and quickly joined the red-head in chasing after her dark-haired boyfriend. As their laughter echoed in the cool morning breeze, somehow Miya had a feeling that like with her and Noah, everything in the Digital World would eventually turn out alright in the end.