6
"Love is patient, love is kind, love means slowly losing your mind."
- 27 Dresses
-Apartment 19-
Sora threw her purse towards the wall. The strap slipped from the hook, her bag landing on the floor. "One day… One day I'll get it." She pulled her scarf from her neck and draped it over the back of the couch. The woman had had a long week. Work was picking up because of the approaching holiday and now she was planning on relaxing with a nice bubble bath…
Her eyes quickly scanned the calendar that Mimi hung on the fridge, "Date with Brent at 8…" She muttered to herself, "Why would Mimi have a date with…" She looked to the clock. 7:30. "Oh! Oh no!"
"What is it!" Mimi sprinted from the bathroom, a tennis racket raised above her shoulder, "Is it that spider?! He better not think he's living here without paying rent!" Sora let out a surprised yelp as Mimi swung the racket at the counter.
"Mimi!" Sora gripped the edge of the racket, pulling it from Mimi's grip, "No! Not the spider!" Sora calmed down the other, "Wait… There's a spider here?" Mimi nodded, "Yeah, Matt saw hime yesterday, but you know how he is with bugs…" Sora shrugged, "True… True… Anyway, I forgot about my date and it's… 30 minutes from now…"
Mimi nodded slowly, "Oh, Sora. I'm sure you look great!" Mimi's brown eyes slowly ran up and down Sora's form. The woman took casual Friday to the next level. Her black jeans were loose and ripped, her converse splattered with mud from walking home through the puddles… And an old t-shirt hung from her shoulders. "… Oh no…" Mimi whispered, gasping and quickly looking away at the messy, red bun that threatened to come loose at any moment.
"It's bad, isn't it," Sora closed her eyes tightly as she grabbed her phone. Mimi eyed her, "What're you doing? You're not cancelling are you?" Sora cleared her throat, "N-No? Why would I do that?" She slowly slipped her phone into her pocket, chuckling. Mimi nodded slowly, "Uh huh… We can fix this. It's not even that bad."
"Hey, ladies," Yamato opened the door, stopping as he glanced at Sora, "Taking advantage of casual Friday, Sora?"
Mimi smacked Yamato on shoulder, "Not helping." Sora sighed, shaking her head, "It's hopeless. I can't go on a date like this. Brent even used the words, 'wear something nice'."
Yamato nodded, "Yeah… I'll come back later." Mimi grabbed Yamato's wrist as he turned to leave, "Sora will be gone tonight…" He nodded, "Uh huh. She has a date…" She gave him a playful look. He smiled, "Oh… Yeah I'll be back." He gave her a quick kiss before stepping out.
"Okay," Mimi turned her attention back to Sora, "Let's… Get to work. Luckily, you have a great closet to work with." Sora muttered a thank you as she sank into the couch. Mimi disappeared into Sora's room, returning with a pile of dresses.
"Hm…" Mimi held up a black dress that hung just below Sora's knees, "Nope!" She tossed it to the side before grabbing a light green one, "Maybe…" She scrunched her nose up before tossing the green fabric on top of the black one.
"C'mon, Mimi. There's no hope…" Sora's words silenced as Mimi held up a dark blue dress. Mimi nodded slowly, her lips tugging into a grin of acceptance, "I've been waiting for you to wear this little number."
Sora stood as she grabbed the dress, "This is perfect! I mean, the dress was supposed to be for that wedding we don't talk about…" Mimi stuck her tongue out, gagging dramatically, "Ew yeah. Go change!" The last time Sora had the dress on she was four shots deep in tequila when she was supposed to be at her ex boyfriend's wedding. Long story short, her and Mimi didn't even make it to the apartment's elevator.
Sora quickly slipped into the dress. Thin straps held the dress up, the deep blue fabric hugged her body and stopped after her knees. She bit her lip as she turned in the mirror, eyeing the slit that travelled up her thigh. The dress was a bit extravagant… But she needed something to make up for the mess of hair that was piled on her head. "Eh, it'll do," shrugging, Sora opted for a pair of black, strappy heals and a black coat. She stepped out of the room, pausing and posing in the doorway for Mimi.
"Oooo lala! Who's that ladaaaay," Mimi sang, "You can't even tell that you worked all day!" She eyed Sora's hair, "Well, almost. We could just… I guess… Slick it back I don't know that's your mess to deal with. I did my part." Sora chuckled as she disappeared to the bathroom, returning with her hair tied back in a sleek ponytail.
The redhead took a deep breath, "Okay. I think I'll survive… He should be here any…" There was a knock at the door.
Mimi jumped from the noise before beckoning Sora to answer, "You answer it! Go, it's your date!" The woman hissed through her teeth. Sora cleared her throat as she checked herself in the floor length mirror before making her way to the door.
"You're just on ti-" Sora's smile faltered as she pulled the door open for Tai and Izzy, "Since when do you guys knock?"
Tai and Izzy shrugged as they walked into the apartment, Izzy muttering a a quick sorry as he nudged past the redhead. Tai turned to Sora, noting how his heart stopped when he saw her in the dress, "Y-You look nice." He laughed nervously. Sora smirked at him, "Thank you."
Mimi let out an annoyed groan, "What are you guys doing here?" She eyed them, "Yamato is coming over later and I don't care what you guys think you have planned, but it doesn't involve being over here anymore."
Tai wiggled his brows, "Oh don't worry, Meems. We'll let you guys have your private wrestling time." Izzy gave Tai a confused look, "Private wrestling… Ooohh… Yeah, Matt needs one of those. He's been uptight lately…"
Tai nodded in agreement, "Yeah, we just came over to see Brent and Sora off." He glanced at the clock on the wall, "Which was supposed to be like… Five minutes ago?" Sora opened her mouth to reply, her ringtone interrupting her.
"Hey Brent!" She nodded as he spoke on the other line, "Yeah. I can meet you there! No worries… Yeah it's been a crazy Friday for me too… Okay, see you soon. I'll start walking now." Sora hung up.
"Where are you guys meeting?" Mimi asked as she passed Izzy a cup of his favorite tea.
"You know that Italian place? Angelini's?" Sora said as she quickly swiped a tinted chapstick across her lips. Mimi gasped, a playful smile on her face, "Oh wow, Brent knows how to treat the ladies! Don't let us hold you up." Mimi waved her off.
Sora smiled as she opened the door to leave. "Wait, Sora!" Tai said, "You're walking? It's cold outside and dark… And you're in a very flattering dress… And…" Sora shrugged, "Tai I'll be fine. Mimi and I have taken at least… One self defense class. Don't worry about me-"
"GOT YOU." Yamato jumped from the doorway, Sora screaming in surprise as she backed into Taichi. She held her chest, "What the… FUCK Yamato!" Yamato brushed his hands together as he chuckled, "You can defend yourself my ass. Not with that reaction."
Sora caught her breath and glanced up at a smirking Tai. Her free hand had a death grip on the fabric of his maroon sweater, her knuckles white from the hold, "That's not fair I wasn't ready!"
Yamato nodded, "Exactly my point, Sora. You WEREN'T ready." Yamato stepped between her and the door, "And as your best friend's boyfriend…" Izzy interrupted from the kitchen, "You're dating Mimi, not Tai…" Yamato shot the man a frustrated look, "As I was saying, as Mimi's boyfriend and one of your best friends, I can't let you walk out there in the dark wearing that little number."
Tai patted Sora on the back as he pried her fingers from his sweater, "I'll walk with ya." Sora nodded as she shot Yamato a glare. She stopped next to the blonde on her way out, leaning towards him, "This isn't over… Yamato…" Tai chuckled as he pushed Sora out the door.
Yamato turned towards Izzy, "You. Out." He pointed across the hall.
"Wh-What?" Izzy said as he sipped his tea, "Mimi just made me tea and…"
"You can take the cup across the hall, but get out," Yamato said as he held the door open. Mimi giggled, "Unless you wanted to wa-"
"Have a nice night you two!" Izzy bolted across the hall, hot tea in hand.
As the door closed, Yamato turned towards Mimi. Mimi winked at him as she beckoned him over with a finger, "Alone at last." Yamato smirked as he quickly closed the space between them, his lips pressing against hers.
He picked her up, her feet sweeping under his arms, "Shall we?" She giggled as he carried her to her bedroom.
-The Snowy Outdoors-
"How do you walk in those anyway?" Tai asked as he eyed Sora's shoes. She stepped over crack in the sidewalk, shrugging, "Practice I guess… I'm not very good at it." She chuckled as she wobbled on her heel, the corners of Tai's lips pulling into a small smile as he watched her mini struggle.
"Don't your feet get cold?" He asked. Sora turned towards him, "Don't you ever stop asking questions?" He shrugged, Sora answering, "… Yes my feet are freezing, but I'm looking good so it's almost worth it." Tai shook his head, "But you look just as good in your converse…"
"Hm?" She glanced up, he shook his head. "I said that your shoes look fun. Lots of fun. Brent is going to love them."
Sora sighed, "Yeah I'm sure…" Sora would be lying if she said she was excited for her date with Brent. If anything, she knew she'd enjoy the walk with Taichi more. Since that night last week, Sora has lost count on how many times the thought of Tai made her heart soar. She couldn't get his smile out of her head, his laughter, and even the dumb jokes he was so fond of telling.
"Well," Tai said as they stepped in front of the restaurant, "Here we are… Have fun. Call me if you need anything. I'm gonna go buy some ear plugs since Mimi and Matt have your place alone for the night… You know how they can get. A hallway is not enough space to drown out the noise." Sora laughed softly, nodding in agreement, "Thank you, Taichi."
He gave her a small smile, "Anytime, Sor. Now, go get 'em with your bad self." He pushed her towards the door, Sora smiling over her shoulder. Tai let out a long breath as he watched her walk in. He kicked a pile of leaves, sighing, "Damnit, Taichi. That could be you taking her to dinner." He glanced one last time through the windows, watching Sora as she looked around the restaurant.
Sora looked around the restaurant for Brent, suddenly aware of the disappointment in her stomach. Her crimson eyes landed on him. She shrugged, He is still pretty nice to look at… Her feet took her a few steps forward, but her mind willed her to stop. It should be Taichi.
"… Fine," she cursed to herself as she quickly walked to him. "Brent?" She asked. The man smiled up at her. His brown eyes were kind, but not the ones she was hoping for. His smile was warm and comfortable. "Sora! You made it. I hope the walk wan't to cold." He chuckled. His brown eyes took her in, "You look… Wow. Beautiful."
"Thank you…" She bounced on her toes by her chair, "Listen, Brent… I…" She watched the happy expression on his face melt to one of confusion, "There's someone else, huh." He said, shaking his head as he laughed lightly.
"W-What? No… I mean… Maybe?" She smiled at him nervously as she glanced to the door. Brent nodded as he let out a long breath, "Hey," he smiled, "Go. Don't let me hold you back." Sora nodded, eyeing the breadsticks. "Thank you…" She stood a bit longer.
"… Go ahead and take a breadstick. I won't eat them all," Brent smiled as he pushed the basket towards her. Sora flashed him a smile as she grabbed a breadstick and hurried towards the entrance to leave.
Sora slipped her coat back on as she felt the cool, winter air. She looked to the right, not finding what she was looking for. She looked to the left, smiling as she caught sight of the tall brunette walking back towards the apartment complex.
"Hey lady," a man said from next to her, "You're blocking the entrance. Move it or lose it." Sora glared at him as she quickly walked in Taichi's direction. Her heels clicked against the ground as she did her best to pick up the pace.
"Taichi!" She yelled towards him, "Tai-Taichi!" He turned, smiling as he watched her stumble towards him in her heels. "Wow," he said, chuckling as she caught her breath, "You really are bad at walking in those." She rolled her eyes. "That was a fast dinner… Bring me any leftovers?" He eyed the piece of bread gripped in Sora's hand.
"No this is for me," she stood up straight as she caught her breath, "Wow. You really got far down this street in 5 minutes…" Tai nodded, "Uh huh… I've got," he shook his legs, "Long legs."
Sora nodded, "Yeah yeah… Hey Tai?"
"Yeah, Sor?" He rocked on his feet. She took a deep breath, "Do you maybe… Want to get food with me?" He raised an eyebrow, "Did Brent stand you up?" Sora shook her head, "Nope. I left him there… Because I'd rather get food with you." Her gaze moved to the ground.
"Uh huh," Tai watched her squirm nervously, Is she asking me on a date? The realization hit him. "Oh," his eyes widened. He swallowed nervously, "Food? With you? I wouldn't want to get food with anyone else!"
She looked up, "Really? I mean we could always go back to the apartment and…" She watched his nervous smile turn into a playful smirk, "Get your mind out of the gutter I was going to suggest cock blocking Mimi and Matt." Tai's smirk widened to a grin, "Even. Better. C'mon we can grab your favorite take out." Tai grabbed Sora's hand and tugged her off towards the restaurant.
"Wait wait wait," Sora said as she pulled her hand free. Tai turned to her, confused. "My shoes are KILLING me," she peeled her shoes off of her feet, sighing in relief. "Okay now we can get going." He shook his head, "Nuh uh. Hop on. That's gross and you know it. You are not walking around the city barefoot."
Sora sighed as Tai bent down for her to hop on his back, "Tai c'mon its only a few blocks…" He shook his head, "I'm not arguing about this. Get on." Sora let out an annoyed breath as she hopped onto his back, gasping in surprise as Tai stood quickly. "Godspeed, pilgrims." Sora giggled against his shoulder as he began walking.
-Apartment 19-
"Yama!" Mimi said from her bedroom, "Grab the chocolate and strawberries… I've been wondering how much fun we can have with that."
Yamato grinned in the kitchen as he opened the fridge, gripping the bottle of chocolate and strawberries Mimi had stocked up on the night before.
Meanwhile in the hall…
"Chocolate… AND strawberries?!" Tai's whisper was quick and hushed. Him and Sora sat against the wall, sharing food as they listened in. Sora held back a giggle as she heard Mimi scold Yamato for not grabbing napkins.
"She doesn't like to get too messy… Her sheets are a high thread count," Sora said as she filled her face with more food. Tai smirked, "I can hear his feet running back and forth to grab more condiments and napkins…" Sora nodded.
Back in the room…
Mimi giggled as she felt Yamato lick the chocolate from her arm, her lips holding a strawberry for him as he reached her shoulder. "You like that?" Yamato asked.
Mimi shrugged, "… I'm actually not as into this as I thought I would be… It's too…" They looked at each other, Matt finishing her sentence, "Messy. Alright." He picked up the condiments and napkins, wiping her arm clean before he began to run back to the kitchen.
"Yama…" She said sweetly as he returned. Matt smiled at her, cupping her cheek as he kissed her lips lightly. Mimi smiled against his lips, sighing happily as she pulled him down onto the bed with her.
"Let's do this the old fashion way…" Mimi said quietly as she moaned from the weight of his body moving to press against her's. He nodded, "I love you, Mimi…" Mimi's eyes widened as she heard the words. "What was that?" She said as she continued to kiss him.
Matt pulled away, "I… I love you." The two had only ever exchanged the words lightly, never with the big meaning behind it. Mimi sat up, breathing softly. She had thought about loving him, but she couldn't bring herself to say it back at the moment. She cleared her throat, giggling nervously, "Y-You do?"
The hallway…
"Hm. They got quiet…" Tai said as he finished off the last bit of food. Sora nodded in agreement, her ear pressing to the door.
"That's weird… Mimi is pretty vocal on what she wants and on how good of a job he's doing," Sora said. She pursed her lips as she sat back on her knees. She glanced at Tai, "What if… What if something is wrong?"
"Yamato, I'm sorry!" Mimi's voice said through the door. Sora and Tai's eyes widened as they looked to each other. The two stood quickly, running into each other, "We should go. Yeah." Tai pulled Sora across the hall and into his apartment.
Back in the apartment…
Mimi wrapped her robe tightly around her body as she followed Yamato to the door, "Yama, c'mon. I'm just not ready to say it yet! I… I will be?" She grabbed his arm. He gave her a weak smile, shrugging, "It's okay, Meems. I just need some… Some time to sit. I just thought we were… Never mind, Mimi." He gave her a sweet smile before he quietly left to his apartment.
-Apartment 20-
Sora and Tai casually leaned against the coffee table, the lights of the apartment dimmed to practically no light. "And anyway, Sora, that is why 5 happens to be the best number, unlike the very popular 7."
Yamato stopped in the doorway, "Sora?" He gave her a confused look, "How was your date? Short?" Sora nodded, shooting Tai a look.
"Yeah," Tai replied without thinking, "He couldn't last long enough for Sora. Poor guy. Ow!" He glared at Sora as he felt her foot kick against him. Yamato shook his head, "Alright… Um I'm turning in for the night… I'm tired."
"Meems tire you out?" Sora said with a wink. Yamato shook his head with a small smile, "Not tonight… See you two in the morning, alright?" They both nodded, frowning as they watched the blonde disappear to his bedroom.
"Why are musicians always so broody?" Tai whispered. "Taichi," Sora said, "He might be sad… You heard Mimi apologizing. I should go back to my place…" Tai sighed, "Yeah…" They sat in silence for a few seconds before Sora rose to leave.
"I had fun tonight," she whispered as Tai followed her out, "Thank you… For getting food with me and carrying me around… And just being with me…" The darkness hid the blush that crawled across Tai's face.
He smiled down at her, "Anytime, Sor… Thanks for sharing a bit of your breadstick with me." She chuckled, looking up at him. "O-Oh no…" She said.
"What is it?" Tai asked, confused. Sora cleared her throat, "Izzy and Mimi decorated today didn't they…" Tai nodded, "Yep, Christmas is just around the corner…" She chuckled, "Right… You know it's bad luck to not kiss under a mistletoe… Right?"
Tai glanced above them at the green leaves that hung from the ceiling, "Oh… I mean that might just be a myth… We don't have t…"
Sora grabbed his cheeks lightly and pulled his face to her's. She kissed him softly before pulling away, not giving him enough time to react. "Goodnight, Taichi…" She smiled as she headed back across the hall.
Tai watched her as she crossed the hall, "Goodnight…" He took a deep breath, smiling to himself.
"Oh… My gosh," the words belonged to Izzy. Izzy stood in the kitchen, his mouth hanging open as he processed what had just happened, "How long… Who knows… What?"
Tai shushed Izzy, shaking his head, "You, my friend, are the first to know… And you aren't going to tell anybody." Izzy nodded, punching the air to celebrate his small victory, "Yesss. The first to know!" Tai chuckled as he headed to bed.
-Author's Note-
Thank you so much for making it this far with me! I'm having such a fun time writing these character interactions and these little scenes and romances. Who would've thought that this would bring me so much joy?!
So, now there are additional problems?! I know, Mimi and Yamato, we love them. I had to stir the pot a bit with that. Their love was too sweet with no sour!
Thank you so much to those that have reviewed. I love hearing what you guys think about this story :)