8
"I suffer from girlnextdooritis where the guy is friends with you and that's it."
Taylor Swift-Apartment 20-
"C'mon…" Tai sighed, the top button of his dark blue shirt fighting with him, "I refuse to lose to a… Button…" A small smirk pulled at his lips as the button slipped through the opening, "Aha. Taichi 1, button 0."
He turned to the mirror, his eyes running down his tall frame. "You clean up pretty good, my dude." He shot finger guns at his reflection before slipping his jacket over his shoulders. Tai tore his gaze from the mirror, but not without giving himself one last glance over his shoulder, and stuffed his wallet into the pocket on the inside of his jacket.
He hummed a tune, the tune matching Matt's guitar from the room over. The tune was interrupted by a light knock on his door. Tai took a deep breath, freezing as he realized it would be the first time he'd be seeing Amanda since they split.
"Door!" Matt said from the couch, not moving to answer it. Tai and his exes were always messy and Matt would jump from the balcony before getting in the middle of it. The blonde sighed as the sound of footsteps failed to sound from the hall, "Taichi! Dipshit! Door!"
"Coming… Coming… Sorry I was just…" Tai glanced towards Matt, realizing his attention returned to his guitar.
He shook his head, noting the sudden shake in his fingers as he reached to open the door. Am I nervous? He clenched his hand, The shakes subsiding, and pulled the door open.
Tai was greeted by a tall, curvy brunette. Her lips were painted a deep red, pulling into a smile that resembled the Cheshire Cat. Her hair cascaded down her back in loose curls, framing her features.
"Long time no see, Tai," she chuckled, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, "It's been like what… Three months? Four? I'm surprised you agreed to come tonight." She nudged him playfully.
Matt pretended to play as he listened in, his eyes rolling as her voice filtered through the room. It wasn't that he didn't like Amanda, she was fun, he was just far from any mood to enjoy another couples happiness. He glanced at his phone, gritting his teeth as he resisted the urge to text Mimi.
Tai let his eyes sweep over her once, quickly noting how her emerald green dress hugged her body loosely… Doesn't Sora have a dress like th-… He shook his head, his gaze continuing, and her heels left her just under his height. "Ah," he replied, "Anything for a free buffet." He shrugged before sticking his head back into the apartment, "Bye guys! Don't wait up for me."
Izzy glanced up from his laptop at the table in the kitchen, giving Tai a stiff smile, "W-We won't." Izzy was more than upset when he'd heard that Tai would be joining Amanda tonight. He chewed on his fingernail, wondering if he'd lose the $25 he put towards Tai ending the night with Sora.
-Early that day-
"So, Amanda invited Tai out tonight?" Izzy had asked Jou. Jou shrugged, "Seems like it…"
Izzy groaned, his hands pulling on his hair, "But him and Sora were just…" He snapped his mouth shut, noting that Jou knew nothing. A mischievous smirk pulled on Jou's lips, "Wanna make a bet?"
Izzy pondered, nodding as he gave in, "Sure… What's the catch?"
Jou cleared his throat, "I bet $25 that Taichi blows this 'thing' that has been brewing between him and Sora to be with Amanda again."
Izzy let out a deep sigh. Oh how he hoped this wouldn't be the end result. He stuck his hand out, shaking Jou's, "You're on."
-End of Flashback-
As the door closed behind Tai, Izzy slammed his laptop shut. He pushed back from the table, the legs of the chair scratching abruptly along the wooden floor before stopping much sooner than Izzy had planned, "Damn it… C'mon…" Izzy pushed the chair to the floor, storming over to the couch to Matt.
Matt continued strumming, raising an eyebrow as he felt the couch sink from Izzy, "What's got your panties in a wad?" He muttered, letting out a sigh as he strummed a wrong note.
Izzy shook his head, "I just… I can't believe Tai is going out with Amanda tonight…" Matt nodded, pretending to care.
"I thought you liked Amanda," He asked as he twisted the knobs on his guitar to tune it.
Izzy shrugged, "I-I do… It's just Tai and Sora have been getting… You know…" Izzy clasped his hands, trying to form the right words with gestures.
This caught Matt's attention, "Tai and Sora what?" His face turned towards Izzy, the blonde trying to not let his curiosity and excitement show. Izzy felt this face heat up.
"H-Huh? I…" Izzy huffed, "I don't have enough details, but Taichi has a one way ticket to self-destruction and he just boarded his flight."
Matt softly chuckled, "Oh. Typical Tai," he groaned, stretching his arms above his head, "I love to watch him fail. It's so… So satisfying." Matt reveled in Tai's failures because Tai was not one to fail, but when he did… Well, Matt celebrated like it was a national holiday.
Izzy shook his head, "No no. It's all wrong, Yamato. We have to do something we can't let him ruin this." Izzy pulled his phone from his pocket. Matt shook his head, "Ruin what, Izzy? I'm too tired for this…"
Izzy shushed Matt as he texted Jou.
Izzy: Hey! Keep me updated if you guys go out after the dinner. Matt and I need a bit of a break from the apartment.
Jou: Got it. You know we'll end up at some bar.
Jou: Lis said Murphy's. She's ready to 'get down'. Godspeed.
Izzy high-fived himself before pushing up from the couch, "Get up we have an afterparty to crash in about… Three hours?"
"Fuck," Matt shook his head, "Izzy I can't I'm so tired."
Izzy rolled his eyes, "I'm tired of your moping. Besides, Mimi and Sora will be out on the town tonight too. Maybe it's a good opportunity to smooth things over with your lady love."
Matt rubbed his eyes, shrugging as he stood, "True… True…
—
Amanda laughed, shaking her head, "Glad to see you haven't changed much…" She looked at him, a comfortable silence falling between them as they stepped out of the elevator.
"Jou did tell you to behave tonight, right?" She raised an eyebrow. The dinner guests were the big-wigs in the medical community.
Tai nodded, flashing her a lopsided grin, "I always behave, Amanda. C'mon," he waved his hand carelessly, "Where'd your faith go?"
She rolled her eyes. "Just… No funny business, alright? Focus all of that chaotic energy on the buffet." Tai shrugged, nodding as he opened the car door for her.
-Apartment 19-
Mimi groaned in frustration as she wiped the black liner from her eye for the third time, "Honestly Sora, I can't get the winged liner look down tonight," She tried again, the fine tip dragging across her skin, "Maybe it's a sign we should stay in."
Sora shrugged, tying her red hair up into a sleek ponytail. She pulled out a few hairs to frame her face, "Maybe…"
A victorious smile spread across Mimi's face, "Or not because momma just perfected her wing." She nodded to herself as she pushed the cap onto her liner. Sora chuckled as she swiped chapstick across her lips. Oh Mimi…
Sora nodded, "Okay then." She clapped her hands together, "Are we ready?"
Mimi pushed Sora to the full length mirror, "Outfit check. We need to be HOT for this ladies night." Mimi took in her reflection, mentally checking off every piece of clothing. "Yamato loves this dress on me…" She smiled to herself, doing a small turn in the grey t-shirt dress and tights, "And with these shoes? Psh. Brilliant." Tall boots hugged her legs, ending at her mid-thigh.
Sora shot Mimi an approving glance, "Wow. Amazing. Beautiful. Never been done before. Breathtaking." Mimi posed with each word, blowing her friend a kiss before pushing Sora in front of her, "Yes thank you I love my fans. Your turn."
Mimi smiled deviously, "Wow. We look great together," She looked over Sora's outfit, eyeing how the black skinny jeans hugged her legs. "These jeans? That top?" Sora blushed, hoping the top wasn't as revealing as it felt. The black, mesh fabric left little to the imagination. Mimi clapped her hands together, "Absolute perfection."
"If you say so…" Sora muttered back, jumping in surprise as her phone chimed from her back pocket, "Uber is outside! Let's go."
Mimi smiled, grabbing her phone. She glanced at her screen, noting a message from Yamato.
Yamato: Be safe tonight. Call me if you need anything :)
She smiled at her screen before hurrying after Sora.
-Murphy's-
"And look at that!" The driver exclaimed, "The line at Murphy's is short tonight."
"Probably because it's only 7 pm…" Sora said under her breath. She wasn't a fan of going out before 10.
Mimi smile, squealing excitedly as she reached across Sora to open her door, "Yay! Thank you thank you." She winked at the driver through his mirror before practically pushing Sora out of the Uber.
"Mimi… I have a weird feeling about tonight…" Sora took a deep breath. She always followed her intuition. The butterflies danced in her stomach, a sign that something was amiss.
"Ah, Sora," Mimi shook her head as the bouncer stamped the top of her hand, the loud music and voices filtering out from the bar, "That's just you needing a shot. Loosen up a little! Should I…" A devious look appeared on her face, "Call Taichi for help with that or are you a big girl who can figure it out herself?"
Sora pinched the bridge of her nose, "Mimi, I swear… Just… Just get me tequila. I need something to take the edge off."
"Coming right up," Mimi chuckled before turning to order four shots from the bartender. She pulled Sora closer, pushing two of the shots towards her.
Sora eyed them, saying mini prayer to the sky before giving Mimi her full attention.
"To friendship and avoiding and/or ignoring all boy problems until further notice," Mimi said, touching her glass to Sora's before shooting it back. Sora nodded, holding her breath as she downed the two shots, leaving the lime on the rim.
"No lime, Sora?" Mimi gave her friend an approving look.
Sora swallowed, "No chase no face tonight, bitches."
Mimi smiled and ordered two drinks to hold them over for an hour or so.
-Medical Banquet-
"… And thank you to the sponsors for this fine dinner tonight…" The head surgeon's voice continued to drone on and on, Tai feeling his head become heavy and threatening to fall into his empty plate.
"Tai… Tai…" Amanda harshly whispered to him, nudging him harder than necessary with her elbow, "Can you at least act interested? That's my boss!"
Tai snapped awake, trying to give her his best apologetic smile. She rolled her eyes, hoping no one else at the table had noticed.
Jou cleared his throat, mouthing to Tai that it was almost over. Lis rolling her eyes, making sure Tai knew he wasn't the only one suffering. Tai gave his friends a quick thumbs up before averting his attention to the painted wall behind the speaker.
If I knew this banquet was more than just food… His brown eyes followed the dark blue pattern on the wall, his mind wandering.
This color… It reminds me of… He let his mind fill in the blanks. Tai tried to fight it, but his eyelids pulled down, welcoming a daydream.
—
"Honestly? You ditched me for this banquet?" The image of Sora said, rolling her eyes from the other side of his dining table, "You know your night would've been a lot more eventful if you stayed home." Sora smirked at him. She leaned forward, the silk of her robe falling slightly open, revealing black lace underneath.
Tai swallowed nervously, "H-How so?" A heat began to crawl up his body.
Sora shrugged, the robe falling from her shoulder, "I can think of a few things…" The woman pushed off of the table, walking to the side Tai stood on. He took in the sight of her bare legs, long and toned. Sora slid between Tai and the table, her body slightly pressing against his.
Tai took a deep breath, his mind moving at light speed as Sora moved like a fox. She bit her bottom lip, her fingers beginning to grip the cotton fabric of his shirt. He could feel her pull herself closer, the warmth of her breath beginning to dance across the skin of his neck.
He closed his eyes, his breath catching as her lips lightly brushed his neck, an electrical current igniting throughout his body. He moved his hands to her hips, gripping the silk fabric of her robe. No woman had ever had a hold on Tai like Sora Takenouchi.
The woman leaned back against the table, sliding to sit on it. Her hands pulled him closer, tugging him down so his lips hovered just above her's. Tai felt her gaze meet his, hypnotizing him. One of Sora's hands let go of his shirt, beginning to move down his body and stopping to tease the waistband of his sweats.
Her fingers danced under the elastic, Sora giving him a playful smile. Tai smiled back, his hands moving to cup her ass. Her hand slipped into his sweats, Tai letting out a shaky sigh before pressing his lips to Sora's. She kissed him back, her hand beginning to work him slowly as her lips pulled away to press to his ear.
"You need to get up…" Her voice said. Tai groaned, "I'm working on it…"
"No…" She said back, her voice harsher, " It's over. Wake up."
He pulled away, "Sora I…"
—-
Tai screamed in surprise as a fist slammed into the table in front of him. He fell back, his chair giving way under him before his back acquainted itself with the hard, tiled floor.
"I can't believe you fell asleep!" Amanda rubbed her temples, "And Dr. Smith definitely noticed…" Tai cleared his throat, rubbing his lower back as Jou offered him a hand. He took the hand, standing slowly.
"S-Sorry… I guess… I guess it's been a long week," He closed his eyes tightly, trying to rid his mind of his dream. My dream did have a point…
"You shouldn't have agreed to come if you weren't going to be 100% present," Amanda huffed. She was always about being 100% present, one issue she always had with Tai. Her comment made Tai's eye roll in annoyance, "C'mon, Mandy."
She held her hand up, "Amanda. Not Mandy… Amanda." Tai muttered a sorry.
Jou stepped between them, chuckling nervously, "Not to interrupted, but Lis and I might hit Murphy's to play a few rounds of darts…" He looked to Tai, "I think Izzy and Yamato are going to meet us. You two in?"
Tai smiled, "Of course!" Amanda saying a "no thanks" at the same time.
Amanda glanced at Tai, annoyance in her eyes. She was never a fan of loud bars and Tai knew it. She grabbed her purse, "It's okay. I'll grab an Uber home. You guys have fun!"
Tai nodded, "Sorry, Amanda… But thanks for the invite?" He gave her a cheesy smile. She smiled back, giving him a hug, "Anytime, Tai. It was good seeing you… Even if you're a pain in my ass at any serious event…" She gave Jou a hug goodbye, "See you in class. Bye Lis!"
"Well that couldn't have gone any better," Jou said sarcastically, earning a chuckle from his girlfriend. Tai shook his head, "I'm sorry. The guys speech was just… Probably the most boring thing I've ever sat through. And after a meal like that?"
Lis nodded in agreement, "It's okay, Taichi. I only come for the food too. I can't stand most of these guys."
"Hey!" Jou said, "I might be one of those guys one day."
Tai and Lis stood in silence, looking Jou up and down, "Yep," Lis said, "I can see it." Tai chuckled, spinning his key around his finger, "I'll drive. Let's blow this popsicle stand." Tai took a deep breath, hoping his dream would return when he closed his eyes to sleep that night.
-Murphy's-
"It's just," Mimi slurred slightly as she held her Moscow mule in one hand and aimed a dart with the other, "I do love him I'm just scarred…" She threw the dart, missing the bullseye by a long shot.
Sora nodded slowly, not even sure if she was comprehending Mimi anymore, "Then tell him, Meems…" Sora squinted, trying to turn the many dart boards into one. The girls had been at Murphy's for four hours, completing two more rounds of shots.
Sora threw the dart, hitting the bullseye.
Mimi and her gasped, "Oh my god you really ARE good at everything!" Mimi said, giggling as she pulled the darts from the board. "Sora… Look who it is…" Mimi raised a finger, pointing towards the back corner of the bar.
Everything stilled. Sora could've sworn her vision had never been sharper. There, in the back corner, was no one other than Mimi's terrible ex, "Anthony." Sora said. She chugged her drink, slamming the cup on the table before beginning her trek to give the man a piece of her mind.
Mimi nodded slowly, "Oh hell yeah," she threw back the rest of her drink, mimicking Sora.
The two women have joked about what they would say to Anthony if they ever saw him again. How they would make sure he knew he was a piece of shit. A piece of manipulative shit who didn't deserve anything more than a lump of rock, and that was being generous. Sora spent countless nights holding Mimi, coaxing her through her heartbroken sobs after Anthony cheated on her.
Sora stopped just shy of his table, turning to Mimi, "Is this a good idea?"
Mimi replied quickly, "Absolutely not."
"Are we gonna do it?" Sora asked, confident she already knew the answer.
"Oh," Mimi said, "We're gonna fuckin' do it."
"Excellent," Sora grinned, turning to complete her walk, "Hello, Anthony."
Anthony raised an eyebrow, "Hello beautiful… I was wondering how long it would take you ladies to come entertain me." He looked around Sora, "Mimi. Looking sexy as always. It's been too long… Miss me yet?"
Mimi looked to the ground, her confidence fading quickly. Sora felt her blood boil, her eyebrows drawing together in anger.
"You're an asshole you know that?" Sora said. Anthony smirked, shrugging as he took a swig of his beer, "So I've been told." Sora shook her head, "Oh have you? What about lying piece of shit?"
—
Izzy and Matt walked into the bar, scanning for Tai, Jou, and Lis. "There," Matt said, motioning for Izzy to follow.
"No Amanda?" Matt asked. Tai shook his head, "Nah. It's not like it used to be."
Jou rolled his eyes as Izzy motioned his hand for money, whispering, "Pay up, Jou." Jou shrugged, "He isn't with Sora, is he? It seems like we're both losing."
Izzy rolled his eyes, "You… Yooouuu…" Jou laughed, Lis giggling next to him before passing Tai the darts for his turn.
"So," Tai said as he readied to through the dart, "Talk to Meems yet, Matt?" He threw the dart, missing the bullseye. He threw a second, missing even more, "Damnit…"
Matt sighed, "No… I texted her, but no reply. I think her and Sora are out and about tonight."
Lis blinked, "Did they mention where?" Matt shook his head, "Nope. Mimi is usually more of a dance club person… I'm guessing they're at Fire's."
Lis shook her head, pointing towards a corner, "Really? Because that looks an awful lot like them… And it looks like Sora is about to give that man a piece of her mind."
Matt turned slowly, his eyes widening and he took in the state of the situation. Mimi's eyes were close to spilling over with tears, Sora's fingers balling into a fist, threatening to swing at any moment. The man they (Sora) were pinning down was… "A-Anthony?" The others joined him, watching Anthony smirk and egg Sora on, his arms crossed as he straightened to tower over her.
"what're you guys all looking at…" Tai said, crouching to follow Izzy's gaze, "Oh no." Tai said.
Jou took a deep breath, "You don't think… You don't think Sora would…" But he knew the answer. Sora would knock Anthony's lights out for Mimi. And she had been waiting almost a full year to do it.
Tai watched her hand. The moment he saw her shoulder move back and the slight movement of her elbow rising, he was pushing his way across the room.
—
"Both of you ladies are so obsessed with…" Anthony chuckled, "Since I'm so generous, I invite both of you to join me tonight."
Sora shook her head, "In your dreams, douchebag."
Anthony shrugged, "It has been, except the third girl is always there, too… What's her name? Kari?"
Sora saw red. He was talking about Mimi and Kari? Not on her watch. Before she knew what she was doing, her fist was connecting with his face. A satisfying crunch sounded against her knuckles, signaling that she landed her mark. Blood sprayed from his nose, mixing with his beer as he fell against the table.
"You fucking bitch," He said shakily, breathing hard as he grabbed his nose.
Sora lunged forward to punch him again, screaming in anger, "Ahh-ooof". Just as she was about to reach him, she felt an arm wrap around her stomach, flinging her over a shoulder as the air left her lungs.
"No!" She said, the alcohol and adrenaline making her crave for a taste of Anthony's blood, "Let me finish him off! Put me down!" She pounded against the back of whoever stopped her, the anger coursing through her veins.
Sora felt the cool night air hit her skin, "Take me back in! He deserves it! He's such an asshole! Mimi-HEY!"
She was flung forward onto her feet, two hands steadying her.
"Sora!" Her vision began to focus,. "Sora, calm down it's me. It's me."
Two brown eyes came into focus, Sora nodding as she realized who it was, "T-Taichi? What're you doing here? Didn't you have a buffet date?"
Tai shook his head, "No date, Sor… What were you thinking?! You just… You broke that guy's nose!"
Tai watched Sora smile victoriously, "Good…" She said, chuckling, "Good! He deserved it." Tai shook his head, cupping her face, "No. He could've hurt you. You weren't thinking."
Sora batted his hands away, "I was fiiiine. I was fine."
Tai sighed, "What was he saying anyway?"
Sora coughed, "Well, he had some things to say about me… More about Mimi… And then he brought up Kari and all I remember is the satisfying feeling of his nose collapsing under my knuckles."
Tai stood back, tapping his chin as she filled him in. He was more for the punch after hearing his sister was involved. He watched her reenact the scene, down to the punch and him scooping her up and taking her outside. I love her, he thought with a smile.
"Tai?" Sora said softly.
"Hm?" Tai asked as he watched the color begin to drain from Sora's face.
"I'm gonna throw up." She said.
-Apartment 20-
"Mimi," Matt said, "Are you okay?"
It had been one hour since they had gotten back from Murphy's, Mimi drying her eyes. The two say on Matt's bed, Matt brushing Mimi's cheek with his thumb before passing her a glass of water and Advil.
"Y-Yes," she hiccuped from crying, "I'm just so sorry, Yama. I can't ignore this anymore."
Matt smiled softly, "Mimi it's okay. I know you've had a rough night. We can talk in the morning."
She shook her head quickly, squinting as she pinned him under her gaze, "No. I, Mimi Tachikawa, love you, Yamato Ishida." She smiled, clapping for herself. "Wow it felt great to say that," she pressed her hand to her chest.
Matt's smile widened, "Really? You're not just saying that because you're the drunkest I've ever seen you?" He laughed, Mimi shaking her finger in his face.
"Pfffttt I'm not even… Well, I'm not sober," she slurred, giggling as her fingers tickled his ribs.
He laughed, pushing her off before capturing her in his arms. He pulled her down, letting her rest against his chest, "I love you too, Mimi."
She bit her lip, smiling, a comfortable silence filling between them.
"Jeez," Matt said, "What a night. Sora is such a badass, right?"
Mimi nodded, her minds wandering to Tai helping Sora into their apartment across the hall… then to the last time the two were alone together… She had to tell Matt… No… She had to… Then next thing she knew…
"Taiandsoraslepttogether," the words poured out of her lips faster than anything she had ever said before. The brunette clasped her hand tightly over her lips as she felt Matt shift to sit up and look down at her.
"Excuse me? What did you just say?" He asked. Matt wasn't sure if he understood. Tai… Wept? Was it wept? Sora?
Mimi shook her head, "Nothing! I-I'm gonna puke. I can't…" She ran out of his room to the bathroom, only to run into Izzy in the kitchen.
"Oh, hey Meems!" Izzy said, giving her a smile.
Mimi blinked, afraid she would tell someone else. She took a deep breath, "Ahhhhh!" Yelling to hold back her confession before locking herself in the bathroom. She felt relief from somewhat confessing the secret, but that didn't cover up the sickness from the alcohol.
-Apartment 19-
Sora sat on the kitchen counter in an oversized t-shirt, icing her slightly bruised hand. It had been long enough for her to sober up some, her puking helping the process on.
"Thanks," she said as Tai refilled her glass of water. She took a long drink, raising an eyebrow as she caught Tai watching, "What?"
He shook his head, chuckling, "I can't believe you punched that fucker…"
Sora laughed, "I know… Like what was I thinking? Can he… Can he sue me?"
Tai shrugged, "I don't know… I just hope he never crosses your path again. You really did a number on him, Sor."
"Ugh and then I gracefully threw up in the bushes after being carried out," Sora groaned, "At least Matt and Meems seem to be okay again."
"Yeah," Tai said, "I don't like it when they're off. Messes up the group vibes."
Tai watched Sora down the rest of the water. His mind flashed back to her pressing her lips to his neck, her hand in his favorite sweats, her breath…
"Taichi?" He blinked away the thoughts, cursing himself for it, "Yeah, Sor?" She gave him a soft smile, "Thank you… Really. You're the best." He smiled back as she slid from the counter. She walked past him, heading to her room. He grabbed her arm.
"Hey," he said as she turn towards him, the position dangerously close to his dream, "It's… It's not just physical attraction, Sora."
Sora nodded, "I… Can we talk about this when I'm like 100% sober? I'm still a little spinny…" She chuckled, the word spinny funnier than it should be. Tai laughed, "Alright. You gonna be good for the rest of the night?"
Sora shrugged, grabbing his arm as she pulled him with her. He shook his head, "Sora no you're still drunk-ish…"
She interrupted him, "Ew Tai get your head out of the gutter I just want to cuddle. Can't a lady get someone to hold her after she kicked some douchebag's ass and threw up?" Tai smiled, letting her pull him to her room.
He lied down next to her, letting her fit herself against him before laying his arm over her frame. He closed his eyes, pressing his lips to the top of her head as he felt her relax in his arms. Tai had never slept so well.
Author's Note:
Hello again! Thank you for the kind words! Noctisfishing is the true OG MVP. I love to hear all of your thoughts and feelings about how things are going!
Thank you again and happy readings.