4
"What you seek is seeking you."
- Mawlana Jalal-al-Din Rumi
-Apartment 19-
"Sora," Mimi took a deep breath, "Be honest." The girls had finished a second bottle of wine. The giggling and laughter echoed through the halls of the complex. Sora squinted as she waited for Mimi to strut from her room, finding it harder to focus as the red wine settled in her system. "Is this too much for Saturday dinner?" Mimi walked out in an old prom dress her mother had given her. The pink sleeves reached Mimi's ears, the skirt a large bundle of tulle that dragged along the wooden floor.
Sora raised an eyebrow, her lips tight as she cleared her throat. "Oh wow," Sora pressed her fingers together, "That is… Perfection." Her hands gestured to the dress. Mimi nodded as she turned to the full length mirror that hung next to the balcony door. Sora pushed from the couch, sliding in her socks as she joined Mimi in admiring her reflection. She steadied herself with Mimi's shoulders, her fingers sinking into the puffy, tulle fabric.
Their eyes ran up and down Mimi's tall frame in silence, meeting after they took in the bird's nest of a bun that topped it all off. "Actually," Mimi said, "I think it might be too much." Laughter bubbled from their lips. Sora bent over and used a desk for balance.
"Mimi," Sora said between breaths, "We can't go to dinner like this! We didn't even actually…" Sora's words slowed, "… Cook the dinner…"
Mimi's brown eyes widened. She ran the small few feet to the kitchen, her steps short and quick, "Oh no oh no oh no," she pulled the fridge open, "And we ate all of the leftovers!" Tupperware littered the counters.
"Not to mention we just happened to finish the celebratory wine," Sora muttered.
The girls looked at each other. Sora broke into laughter, Mimi pouting. "What's so funny, Sora?" A smile crept to her lips, "The dress is too much… Isn't it." Sora shook her head, "I didn't say anything…"
The door swung open, "Hey did you guys need us to…" Tai stopped as his eyes bounced between the kitchen and the empty wine bottles on the coffee table, "Get anything for tonight?" His lips pulled into a smirk as he watched the girls smooth out their appearances, Mimi's fingers pulling on the tulle.
Mimi cleared her throat, "Well, we were thinking take out." She glanced at Sora, "No reason in particular." Sora nodded, doing her best to hide the fact that she was mildly trying to avoid him. She took a sudden interest in the kitchen floor.
Tai chuckled, "The floor looks great, Sora," her blush widened his smirk. He clapped his hands, "Alright. Take out it is. I'll update Mr. Heartthrob and the number cruncher. We only have beer over there, but you ladies should switch to water… It's two in the afternoon."
Mimi gasped dramatically, "Taichi! Why would you say such a thing? Sora and I happen to be pros at handling our wine," her arm swung around Sora's shoulders, the sleeve of her dress scratching against Sora's cheeks. Sora tried to lean away, her hand swatting the stiff fabric.
Tai slowly nodded, "Uh huh. I'll see you ladies soon," he gave them a wink as he turned to leave.
"Wait!" Mimi stumbled to Taichi. Her movements showing that she was knee deep in wine, but Mimi always moved with grace.
"Hm?" He eyed her as she latched onto his arm. Mimi looked up at him, smiling innocently. "I just wanted to say thank yoooou," she giggled. Tai gave her a confused look. He tilted his head, "For…?"
Mimi's innocent smile melted into a sly expression. Sora caught on, the redhead stumbling across to intervene. Her stumbling was far from mirroring Mimi's. Tupperware fell from the the counters, the girl almost tripping over the rug in the kitchen.
"For taking care of my dear Sora last night!" Mimi winked at him, Tai's eyebrows rising playfully. Sora reached the door, ripping it open.
"I mean," Tai said, "Anytime. I'm right across the hall. I've always got time for a redhead who can get her legs up that high." He decided to play along, taking advantage of Mimi's drunken state. Mimi chuckled, "Sora! See? It's not a big deal and how nice would that be? A fun friends with benefits with the hottie across the hall?"
Sora's hand gripped Tai's arm, pulling and pushing him out into the hallway. She slammed the door shut, pressing her back against it as she tried to catch her breath. "Mi-" she choked on air, "Mimi!" Her cheeks matched her hair, the room spinning from embarrassment and wine.
Mimi shrugged, "What? It'd be funnnn! Sora, come on." Sora quickly shook her head.
"Friends with benefits?" Her voice was quick, "I don't even understand that saying! What? Does he supply me with health insurance?" Mimi chuckled, "No no… Just a daily stress relief."
Sora had enough. She pushed from the door, steadying herself as she stood up straight. "I'm taking a shower. And yes," she pulled at the sleeves of the dress, "The dress is too much!" Mimi smirked, "Whatever. Be butt hurt. You'll thank me when you're getting laid on the daily!" Her words followed Sora, mixing with the slamming of the bathroom door.
"Hm. She'll be fine," Mimi hummed to herself as she examined the dress one last time, "Yeah this is too much, even for me."
-Apartment 20-
Tai entered his apartment, chuckling. "What's got you smilin'?" Yamato asked from the couch, The Office playing on the television.
Tai shrugged as he grabbed a beer from the fridge and the takeout menu Izzy had swiped from the last delivery man. "Nothing," Tai sat by Matt, "The girls are just levels ahead of us and it's only…" He glanced at his watch, "Two-thirty."
Yamato cracked a smile, "Gotta love 'em."
Tai nodded as he began to dial the number on the menu, ordering enough food to feed twice the people they were expecting. Yamato laughed at the screen, "Man… Oh hey. Do you think Sora would like Rick? You seem to know her the best out of all of us. Well, minus Meems."
"I don't see why not," Tai muttered, "I mean, I'm sure there are better choices for her out there. Rick is cool, but Matt. The guys a drummer. Sora isn't into that type of guy." Yamato pursed his lips, "Oh? What type of guy is she into?"
Tai shrugged, "Guys like Izzy!"
Yamato smacked Tai on the shoulder, "You're hopeless. Don't come cryin' to me when Sora falls for Rick's charming good looks and invites him over for the night and you miss out on your chance, once again."
Tai rolled his eyes, "Yeah yeah. Whatever." If only you knew… Tai thought as he drank his beer, Yamato following suit.
Not only was Tai ready to make this dinner as awkward for Rick as possible, oh no, but Sora was already helping his plan with her afternoon wine session. He knew how she got when she drank, especially wine. Rick could sweet talk all he wanted, but Tai was more than ready to have fun with it.
Ever since last night, Sora never left the man's thoughts. He would do anything to have a night with her again. She was the best he had ever had, and Tai Kamiya has had quite a few. It wasn't just the pleasure, the two moved together perfectly. They exchanged feelings without words. If he only she knew it was more than attraction. Yamato opened his mouth to make a comment, his words masked by Izzy and Jou's laughter as they walked into the apartment.
"Welp," Jou said, "The girls seem to be enjoying Saturday dinner early." Izzy nodded, wiping a tear from his eye. "Yeah," Izzy added, "We walked past and heard loud bangs. We opened the door and boom! Sora is throwing Tupperware at Mimi." He chuckled, "And Mimi was wearing the most ridiculous dress."
Izzy glanced at Matt, "B-But she looked great, as always." Jou shook his head as he joined Tai and Matt in the living room.
"So," Jou said, "Big things happening for you. I'm proud of you, Matt." He gave the blonde a pat on his shoulder, Matt nodding in thanks. "What're we eating tonight?" Tai chuckled, "You saw the girls. Mimi planned to have an extravagant dinner, but I'm not so sure if that's the case. I ordered some take out," he glanced at Yamato, "Let's hope pretty boy's friends don't have bougie musician taste in food."
Yamato rolled his eyes. Izzy sat on a barstool, opening his laptop, "Yeah, Yamato. The last time you had one of them over he complained about about our two-ply toilet paper…" His nose buried into his screen, his fingers clicking across his keyboard.
Jou chuckled, "Can't please everyone… I'm down to one-ply at my place. My cat destroys whatever roll I buy so it's not worth spending the extra cash."
A knock came from the door, Yamato walking to answer it. "Ah," he smiled, shaking the hands of a tall blonde and brunette, "You guys are early…" He looked to the clock, "Hm. Or just on time."
"Yeah!" The blonde said, "We were just so excited to finally see your place. You've only let Kento come over." Tai studied the men in the doorway as they slowly made their way to the kitchen. Which one is he… He looked at their arms, trying to find any signs of a drummer, Hm. Pretty flimsy for a drummer anyway…
"Guys," Tai was pulled from his thoughts as Yamato spoke from the bar table, "You might recognize these guys as my bandmates." Tai shook his head, bringing his drink to his lips, "Nope. Can't say I do." Yamato shot him a glare, "Sorry. Tai is just oh-so-hard to impress." Tai shrugged, smiling sarcastically.
"This is Sean," he motioned to the brunette. The man was lean, his hair about shoulder length, a nice compliment to his sharp bone structure and baby blue eyes. "He plays bass." Izzy gave a quick wave from his laptop.
Tai's eyes narrowed for a second on the blonde. Rick, he hissed the name in his mind. He's… His eyes raked across the man, all screaming things he knew Sora liked. Tall? Check. I'm tall… Easy smile? Check. I think… I have that? Kind eyes? Check. I have the kindest. Blonde? I… Did she like blondes? Maybe if he was blonde she'd…
"This is Rick. The guy who's good at juggling sticks." Rick chuckled at Matt's introduction, "Nah. Matt is being humble," he shrugged, "You know the band would be nothing without you."
Tai nodded, "Yeah. Banging on stretched leather is a bit… Animalistic and aggressive." Rick laughed at Tai's comment, Tai giving him a stiff smile. Yamato cleared his throat, sensing the tension that no one else seemed to notice.
"Anyway," Yamato gave Tai a warning look, Jou glancing between the two. He was not in the mood for this never-ending rivalry to make a reunion tour.
Jou stood from the couch, "Take out? When will that arrive?" He smiled, chuckling a bit nervously. Tai checked the time, "Guy said about thirty minutes…" A knock came from the door, "Or he's early." Tai walked to the door, Mimi and Sora almost trampling him to the ground.
"Hellooooo, Taichi," Mimi's words were interrupted by a small hiccup. Tai sighed, "Great to see you two sobered on up… Not…" Sora shrugged as she nudged past him, sauntering with Mimi into the apartment. Mimi changed from her pink prom dress into, ditching for a simple pair of jeans and a pink sweater.
"Sorry I didn't cook anything," she giggled, "Sora and I had a lot to talk about." She pressed her lips to Matt's cheek before moving her gaze to his bandmates. "It's always a pleasure to see you boys." She reached out, giggling as she pinched their cheeks, "Just too presh…" Her words silenced as she looked to the counter, "Sora! Look!" She grabbed the red bottle off of the counter, "More trouble to get intooooo."
Sora smiled, "Mimi maybe we shouldn't…" She took in the puppy eyes coming from the girl in the kitchen, her chin resting on Yamato's shoulder, "Fine fine. But only like… Half a glass?" She knew Mimi would pour more.
"Perfect!" Mimi grabbed the glasses, urging Matt to open the bottle for her. She was never one to be good with a cork. Not enough arm.
"It's nice to see you, Sora," Jou gave her a small wave. "You too," she smiled, her eyes flashing to Izzy, "Good to see you too, Iz." He grunted his hello, still smashing away on his keyboard. She avoided greeting Tai, her mind too clouded from the day drinking.
"You two came prepared for Saturday dinner," the comment came from the kitchen. Sora chuckled, "Well, it takes a lot to put up with those two for more than thirty minutes." She jabbed her thumb at Matt and Tai, Jou nodding in agreement, "She has a point. I almost wish I came as prepared…"
"Oh!" Yamato pulled the cork from the bottle before passing it to Mimi, "This is Sean," he pointed to the brunette, "And this is Rick." Mimi paused mid pour as she turned slowly on her feet to examine the newest specimen. She gave Sora a sly look from behind him, nodding in approval.
Mimi walked slowly to Sora, passing her a glass, "Hello, Rick." She sipped, "We've been anticipating you." Sora nodded at Mimi's comment as she brought the glass to her lips. Rick smiled, blushing, "Really? Did Yamato talk me up that much."
Sora chuckled, "I don't think he did you much justice."
Tai glowered from the doorway, childishly repeating Sora's words under his breath as he turned to answer the door. "I don't think he did you much justice. Psh. Whatever…" The delivery man blinked, taking Tai's cash. The boy stuttered from the hall, "I-I'm sorry? I tried my best…"
Tai gave him a weird look before he closed the door and set the food on the table, "Not to interrupt these great introductions," he sighed, "But something even better than Rick is here. Take out!"
Jou smiled as he began to walk to the food. He walked past Izzy, smacking the boy's laptop shut and snapping him out of his work daze. Izzy jumped, but his surprised expression quickly changed to that of excitement as the smell of food danced across his nose.
The others gathered around, everyone taking what they pleased. They moved about the room, people leaning against furniture while others took seats. Mimi squished between Tai and Matt on the couch, giggling, "Izzy I would've sat by you, but I know how much Jou has missed you." Izzy quickly looked away, Jou chuckling as he caught sight of his blush.
Sora leaned against a side table, Rick by her side. Mimi leaned back, whispering to the boys, "Excellent plan, Yamato. Tai?" Tai glanced at her mid-bite, "Hm?" Mimi smiled, "No fucking it up." Yamato looked at his tipsy girlfriend, "Why would he fuck it up?"
Sober Mimi would have kept her mouth shut, but wine drunk Mimi was a bit talkative, "Last night… Tai and Sora had-" Tai rolled his eyes, butting in, "A talk about what she wants for her future. Your great drummer friend Rick would be nothing but a distraction."
Mimi shook her head, "What? No, Taichi that is not what happened…" Tai glared at her, "Mimi, I think it is." Yamato looked between the two. Tai taking Mimi's silence as her white flag, "And besides. You weren't even there, remember? You were too busy congratulating blondie on his great show."
Mimi's lips pulled into a devious smile, "Oh yeah… Awarded he was…" She winked at Yamato before leaning over to whisper into Tai's ear, "Let's just say I don't have a gag reflex…" Tai pushed Mimi lightly away, the brunette giggling before playfully shrugging.
"Thank you for that fun fact, Mimi. Can't wait to talk about this when you're sober," Tai shoved his mouth full to avoid anymore conversation. He glanced to the side table, calculating the shrinking distance between the two occupants.
Sora laughed at something Rick said, her hand brushing his arm. She giggled as he held a piece of food up to her lips, the woman rolling her eyes playfully as she took a bite. Matt leaned over to talk to Mimi and Tai, "See? I'm the matchmaker." He smirked, getting a solid high five from Sean.
Mimi licked her lips, whispering to Tai in a voice that was supposed to mimic his own, "Oh Sora. Just physical attraction. That's all. Oh nooo I have no feelings for you, blah blah blah, not weird, blah blaaaah." Tai couldn't help but laugh at Mimi's slurred words. She had a way of making tough situations bearable. "Whatever, Meems. We'll let Sora have her fun, alright? I promise to be good." He gave her a wink before rejoining the conversation with the others.
The hot topic of the night was whether the 'S' or 'C' in the word 'scent' was silent, one of Jou's favorite debates.
"Wouldn't it be the 'c'?" Rick asked, chiming in. Jou tilted his head, "What's your reasoning?" Rick tapped his chin, "I mean take the 'c' away and it's just sent, add the 'c' back and it's still sent, just with a fun little addition. It'd be like…" He glanced at Sora, "Adding a 'c' after the 's' in Sora."
Sora nodded in agreement, "Mhm… I see your reasoning." Jou agreed as well, "I mean if you put it that way…"
"The 's' is silent." The interjection came from Tai, Sora glaring at him as Rick's attention shifted to him. "Oh? And what's your reasoning?"
Tai rolled his shoulders, "Welp, I mean take the 's' away and it's just cent, add the 's' back and it's still cent, just with a fun little addition." Rick laughed at Tai's words, "Nicely said. You're hilarious. I'm glad Yamato has some fun in his life." Sora shoved more food into her mouth, muttering quietly, "He's something."
Yamato waved off Rick's compliment, "Don't add to Taichi's ego, please. He's not that great…" Mimi flung her arms around Tai, pulling him close, "Whaaaat?! Nooo Taichi is the best!" Tai did his best to pull away, the wine on her breath making her scrunch her nose.
"Psh," Sora said, "The best? I'm sure there are better." Tai's form turned towards her, his playful smirk begging her to continue, "Oh? You think so?"
Sora nodded slowly, the wine fueling her, "Oh I'm sure of it." She smirked. Yamato glanced at Jou and Izzy, the three raising curious eyebrows as they watched the scene unfold.
Tai leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, "Sora. How sure are you? I think it's just the wine talking, but you and I both know no one is better than me. You've said it yourself." Sora's eyes narrowed at the smug look on his face, "I don't think those words have ever left my lips." Tai laughed, "Oh I heard it. I think the whole building heard it."
Jou leaned between Izzy and Matt, "Did I miss something… Or are they fighting?" Matt shook his head, "I have no idea…" Izzy watched cautiously, "I'm… I'm terrified. I've never seen one of these fights… I thought they were urban legends…"
"The whole building?!" Sora put her food down on the table, "Izzy," Izzy jumped at the tone of her voice, his food slipping from his hands onto the floor, "Have you heard me say that?" Izzy quickly shook his head, "Nope. Can't say I have. Should we talk about the weather? It's been freezing out there… Winter came early…"
Rick added, "Yeah it really has gotten a bit chilly." The man oblivious to the staring contest going on between Sora and Tai.
Tai stood quickly, "Well would you look at the time," he grabbed his and Matt's plates, taking them to the kitchen, "Dinner is over. Matt and I have stuff to do."
Mimi pouted, "Can I stay…?" Izzy nodded, "Yeah let Mimi stay!"
Tai rolled his eyes, "Fine, Meems can stay. Everyone else, out!" Jou nodded, "That's my cue! See you guys next week." The man grabbed his coat, rushing to escape the tense environment. Matt watched as Tai gathered the plates, stopping to speak to Sora, "Have nice night, Sora." Sora glared back, "I plan to, Taichi. I plan to."
She turned to Rick, flashing him a smile, "Want to watch a movie?" Rick nodded, "Sure why not. We can get you some wa…" he watched as Sora downed her glass of wine, "…ter…" Sora waved him off, "No need. Let's go."
The two left, followed by the sound of the door across the hall slamming shut. Yamato glanced at Tai, "Did you need to talk about something." Tai gave him a stiff smile, "Nope! Everything is peachy over here. Just. Peachy." Matt went to question Mimi, only to find the brunette passed out on the couch, her head tilted back. Her sleep induced by her finished glass of wine.
-Apartment 19-
Sora grabbed the remote from her couch, flicking the TV on and scanning to the first movie that popped up. Rick laughed lightly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Weird night, huh? You and Taichi really scared me for a second." Sora scoffed, "Yeah. He just… Anyway… Tell me about you."
Rick nodded as he joined her on the couch, "Well, I'm a drummer… My favorite color is orange… I think you're beautiful…" Sora raised an eyebrow at his comment. Maybe this is what she needed, a quick one nightstand to help her release and get rid of all of the frustration.
"Oh? Is this what we're gonna do?" Her words slurred a bit as the wine began to work on her for the second time that day. I shouldn't of had that third glass… Rick shrugged, pondering her proposal. "Is that what you want…? Because…"
Sora gripped his shirt, smashing her lips to his. Rick's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly recovered and tangled his fingers into her red hair. Sora moved fast, the kiss deepening between the two as she pulled his shirt over his head and slid the dress from her own body.
"You're quick…" Rick muttered. Sora replied with a quick 'mhm' before flinging her leg over him to straddle him. Rick's hands ran down to her hips, gripping her skin as he groaned softly into the kiss. Sora's hips began to move slowly, her breathing quickening.
Then it happened. Her thoughts flashed to the night before, Rick's hands not touching her like Tai's. Her hips not fitting perfectly over Rick's like Tai's. His lips not kissing her's like Tai's. She tried to blink away her thoughts, only to have her mind filled with more of Tai. He looked so upset… She shook her head, the kiss breaking between her and Rick.
Rick's lips pressed to her neck as her lips left his, Sora glancing to the ceiling as the room spun slowly from the wine. She felt his lips slow against her ear as her hips stopped moving.
"Everything okay?" Rick's voice broke her trance. Sora cleared her throat, chuckling softly, "S-Sorry… I'm fine!" She chuckled as she pressed her lips back to his, only to push him away. "I'm… I'm sorry, Rick…"
Rick gave her a soft smile, "It's okay. Do you need to talk about it?"
Sora wasn't sure why, maybe it was the wine, but her words poured from her lips. They were messy and slurred, but Rick tried his best to listen.
"I… Last night Taichi," she pointed at her door to the apartment across the hall, "And I slept together. It's a weird situation…" Rick nodded as he processed her drunk words. "And… And I don't know what to do now. He's my best friend, but now I think I need him? Is that crazy? I don't know all I think about is him." She sighed.
"Have you tried talking to him about it?" Rick asked. Sora nodded, "Yeah… He said it was just physical attraction…" Her crimson eyes rolled in annoyance, "I should've known. Typical Taichi."
Rick gave her a confused look, "Was it just attraction for you?" Sora nibbled on her bottom lip, "I… Don't think so…" Rick nodded, "Then you should say something. I saw how he looked at you. That guy hates me!" He chuckled, "And I'm terrified of him."
Sora smiled, "You're right… I'll call him!" She hopped up from Rick's lap, rushing to grab her phone.
Rick shook his head, "W-Wait! Maybe not at this moment? You've had a lot to drink and…" She shushed him as she pressed the phone to her ear. She rolled her eyes, pulling it away and covering the speaker softly, "Voicemail…" Rick nodded, "Hang up and call later th-"
"Hey Taichi," Sora said to the voicemail, "It's me, Sora. You know? Yeah Sora. Anyway, I think you should know that I didn't sleep with Ricky boy tonight. Nuh uh. I was beyond disappointed…" She glanced to Rick, mouthing a sorry, "And I've realized that you know what? I think I like you, Taichi. Like 'like like' you. Mhm. Not just physical attraction, more than that. I'm a bit drunk and I think I'm gonna puke so I gotta go, but call me back thanks bye."
She hung up, glancing at Rick before she sprinted to the bathroom and emptied her stomach into the toilet.