Some of you have read in my other stories latest updates, but the reason for such a delay in posts is because this last year and a half has been really rough and it made me lose my motivation to write. I won't go into details, just know that things have been getting better and I've been able to get back into writing. I had forgotten how much I loved this, too absorbed in other things.

As I had mentioned in previous Author's Notes, I have switched to using their Japanese names. Sorry if this causes any confusion. The reason in the story is that as they got older the older Digidestined found the nicknames childish and silly and stopped using them except for a few, silly occasions. The younger Digidestined kind of just followed suit. So for those of you who don't know, if they come up Koushirou = Izzy, Iori = Cody, Miyako = Yolei. I believe the others have already been mentioned before. Also, Takashi and Iona are OCs. Their role is minor, but I couldn't just leave them as "Taichi's friend."

This chapter takes place approximately four years after the last one, which is inferenced a few times throughout the chapter, but just to put it up here and say for certain, this is four years later. I had several points I wanted to touch on, showing how their lives have continued in the time you didn't see them, and some of the major changes in them. There was one thing I thought of adding that I couldn't find a place to put in, which was that Yamato would still smoke an ecig at times, without the nicotine, because Taichi liked the taste of his kisses afterwards. And other one will be added in a later chapter, so I won't spoil it.

And now, on to the last fanfic that has yet to be updated in my cycle!

Total length: 4543 words! Enjoy!

I do not own Digimon :'(

Chapter 26: And Life Goes On…

Bzzzt, bzzzt!

Somewhere in his hazy mind he knew that noise, but he didn't want to think about it right now, instead choosing to burrow farther into the thick blankets cocooning his body. The soft cotton felt comforting on his bare skin and helped him forget about that dreadful noise that had jarred him from his sleep.

Bzzzt, bzzzt!

And there it was again reminding him of its obnoxious presence. Growling low in his throat, the obstinate male tried rolling over this time, bunching more of the warm fabric around his lithe form as he attempted to melt into a little ball. This drew a quiet chuckle from the other man sharing his bed, as well as a shiver as the last of the blankets were whisked away from his naked body. The room chilled his bare skin, but he didn't mind it too much, figuring it was payment for the adorable displays he got to witness as his lover attempted to remain in sleep's embrace.

Bzzzt—thud!

A third alert had the brunette chuckling louder, a gentle hand patting the large bundle in the middle of the queen sized mattress lovingly. "Yamato, you're phone fell on the floor," Taichi cooed, smiling despite the fact he only received a groan in reply. And as the mentioned device buzzed again, he let out another chuckle and brushed the other hand through his short, brown hair. He'd started keeping it cut like that after a particularly traumatizing incident over two years before, at their senior dance. He hadn't even wanted to look at a comb for weeks, the hours of effort it had taken his boyfriend to get the mess under control instilling a sense of fear and dread that he'd had a hard time shaking. Now he just kept it only a couple inches in length, which really tamed down the unruly mess. Patting the bundle again, he slowly asked, "Are you gonna get up anytime soon?"

Something that sounded like a resigned sigh came from the tight ball of fabric and skin, then it slowly started uncoiling itself. "What time is it?" the blanket demon asked groggily, its bright blue eyes the only thing visible from between the folds.

"Almost two," he replied, trying to carefully unwrap his partner. He could have sworn he heard the blonde hiss at his attempt, but decided to act like it never happened and continued his mission. Some things about his lover hadn't changed over the last four years. He could still be quite moody at times, was weak against the cold, and loved to cook. Other things had changed quite a bit. As soon as they were out of high school he had quit his band, saying their popularity was reaching its end anyway and opting instead to finding a more stable job. Their private life had become a lot more adventurous, the single dress that started it all multiplying into an entire wardrobe of costumes for if they felt like spicing things up a bit, most of which were made my Sora at their request.

Whining again and slowly pushing himself into a sitting position, his cocoon falling off his shoulders to pool around his waist, causing him to shiver and rub his shoulders, he complained, "I guess that means I have to get up. My shift starts in just three hours." After working evenings for the last two years he had developed a habit of sleeping in until after noon, although that could also be attributed to the grinning athlete that was now playing with his hair. And that was another thing that had changed. Neither of them could remember exactly why, but the blonde had stopped cutting it their junior year of high school. He kept the bangs trimmed to just below his chin, the silken strands perfectly framing his face, but the rest fell to his mid back. Leaning off the bed to retrieve his phone, he quickly flipped through the plethora of texts he'd received while trying to sleep. The soft smile on his face piqued his lover's interest, the brunette trying futilely to see around the curtain of blonde hair.

"Ah, come on, let me see," he complained, fully expecting the reply to be that it was none of his business. Instead he found the phone being tossed on the sheets by his thigh, screen happening to land facing down so he couldn't see it.

"Apparently Sora finally got those two to admit it," Yamato stated, pushing himself back up into a sitting position. "That was taken a week ago at the one year anniversary party for hers and Mimi's clothing shop that we had to miss."

Flipping the device over, the snapshot took up the entire screen of his boyfriend's phone. It depicted the oldest of their original group and the redheaded computer genius asleep in the same bed. A dark sheet covered their nether regions, but from what they could tell neither were clothed. The doctor-to-be's arms were wrapped protectively around his smaller companion, whose face was half hidden in his lover's chest, and at the other end of the blanket their legs were interlaced lovingly. "Well, hard to still deny it after something like this," Taichi agreed, remembering when they first realized the two were together. It seemed so long ago, just six months or so after their relationship came out. Of course, they didn't say anything to anyone else in the group, including the two in question, but they knew.

Slipping off the bed gracefully, Yamato extended both arms over his head, fingers interlocked, in a stretch as he groaned, "Oooooh, I still have to go take a shower." Picking his away across the floor, not entirely sure which articles of clothing scattered around it were safe to step on, he had reached the door before something crossed his mind and he glanced back over his shoulder at the male still seated on their bed. "No following," he ordered, then disappeared through the portal.

Waiting several more seconds until he heard the bathroom door click closed, he flopped back on the mattress and burst into a fit of quiet laughter. He would never say it in front of the blonde for fear of the repercussions, but he found it incredibly cute and quite endearing how he'd burrow into the blankets like a kitten. Being able to wake up every morning—or in this case, afternoon—to the person he loved sleeping beside him was true bliss. "I must be the luckiest man alive…" he muttered to himself, basking in his own thoughts for another moment before a particularly cold pocket of air found him. Shivering, he shot up and stated, "I guess I should put some clothes on. Now where did I toss my underwear…?"

Half an hour later saw the blonde toweling his hair dry, walking down the hallway in sweatpants and a blue and yellow jacket. A pleasant smell wafted to his nose from the next room, his stomach growling as if on queue. Yamato wasn't the only one who had changed over the last four years. His brunette companion had learned some skill in the kitchen, although his repertoire was pretty much limited to breakfast foods. While he was still overly vivacious at times, he knew how to be calm and mature when he needed to and was working hard towards a goal he had set for himself farther down the road. He could be sickeningly sweet or shamefully nasty, changing his approach depending on whatever mood he sensed from his partner, having learned to read the sometimes difficult blonde years ago.

Silently crossing the distance between them, Yamato casually wrapped his arms around his lover's waist and rested his chin on his shoulder, staring down at the pan. The fluffy dough was dotted by dark circles, some seeming to melt into batter while other looked like they were bleeding into it. "What type are you making?" he asked simply, not taking his eyes off the pancakes.

"Chocolate blueberry," Taichi grinned, flipping them so they wouldn't burn. "I couldn't decide on which of your favorites to make, so I decided to make both."

Kissing him on the cheek, the ex-musician released his boyfriend, stating with a joyful chuckle, "You're the best." There was the possibility that he heard other male mumble something along the lines of "I know" in reply, but he chose to ignore it. Instead, he then went about setting the table, grabbing the plates and silverware along with the butter, syrup and powdered sugar the brunette would be piling on his share. It seemed like such a waste to the blonde, who would only spread on a small dollop of butter to prevent them from being too dry, but then again the slightly younger man had always been a sugar addict.

"And they're done!" Taichi announced, spinning around so fast that he almost sent to tall stack flying, but having enough experience with the maneuver to not. He sat the small plate on the table between them before scooping two from the top and dropping them on his plate and slathering them with butter before the blonde had even attempted to grab his first helping from the stack. It was entertaining to watch the brunette's enthusiasm when it came to food, though, so he didn't mind the rush. He probably wouldn't eat more than two anyway, so if his lover wanted to scarf his share it didn't really matter.

Quickly washing the dishes once he was finished, Yamato vanished into their bedroom. Emerging forty minutes later in a black suit, hair tied up in a ponytail at the base of his neck, he slipped his boyfriend a quick kiss over the back of the couch as he made his way to the door. "Well, I have to head out for work," he said, a hint of sadness in his tone. It wasn't that he disliked his work, but more so that he didn't particularly want to leave for it at that moment. "Be sure you take a shower before leaving the house." It shouldn't need to be said, but considering the brunette had showed up at his work once still smelling like sex it was a necessary precaution.

"Yes, Mom," Taichi chuckled, releasing the bartender. "Now run along so you aren't late."

Slipping on his shoes and grabbed the long blue-and-yellow coat from its seat on the back of the chair, Yamato turned around for one last kiss before slipping out the door.

Guard dog.

That was the nickname Taichi had been given, both by some of the regular patrons and by the installation's manager, although who started calling him that first no one could remember. Both distinctly recalled the other being the first one to use it, leading to the question of who had actually started it. It was a moot point by now, though, and on about a weekly basis they would end up congregating at one end of the bar to watch the brunette at 'work.' As it was, he was going to need to get up from his seat soon.

Deliberately brushing the pale blonde's hand as she reached for her drink, the dark-haired woman giggled shyly as she playfully withdrew it, the contradictions in her actions almost making the young bartender sigh. It was obvious to his trained eyes that she frequently cruised the bar scene, even if she was a new face here, and had pegged him as one who liked the shy and innocent type. With his tailbone still a sore reminder of the previous night's escapades, he could have laughed at just how wrong her diagnosis was. As it was, though, his position required a little more delicacy, so he simply stated, "Here is your drink, ma'am. It has a strong alcoholic content, so I might suggest ordering something to eat to go along with it."

"Oh?" she purred, momentarily forgetting her character before slipping back into the fake naivety. "W-well, what would you suggest?" she stuttered, glancing from him to the menu posted behind him.

Not particularly wanting to continue this conversation—one because the way she was staring at him was kind of creeping him out and two because he could feel someone else's stare on him as well—and gratefully spotting another patron waving him over from the other end of the bar, he suggested, "Maybe try the pasta? It's our chef's specialty." Hoping to distance himself from the dangerous situation, he tried to casually walk away from her but was promptly stopped by more conversation

"Oh, but I'm on a low carb diet," she complained sadly, a fake tear coming to her eye. "And you even took the time to personally suggest it. Do you have any other recommendations?"

Hiding her smirk behind her glass, the red-haired woman sitting at a table just out from the center of the bar said, "And here comes the puppy, faithfully reporting for duty." Her and her companions were watching the scene unfold intently, waiting for the adversary's persistence to spur the brunette into action. That woman was about to get the shock of her life.

Yamato quickly found himself unable to turn around, instead being dragged backwards by the firm hand on his ponytail. Considering his boyfriend liked to use it as a handle for situations like this he wasn't entirely sure why he still kept it long. Back finally running into the counter, that hand didn't cease its pulling so the blonde's only option was to continue leaning backwards until it let up a bit. The other tanned hand grasped his shoulder possessively, the fist in his hair using it to turn his face just enough that he had access to those soft lips.

He didn't exactly fight as his mouth was being assaulted, even going so far as to softly moan as a tongue slipped between his lips. Through the new haze threatening to invade his mind the blonde clearly heard the shutter on someone's smartphone go off. No doubt it was from that table, one of his fans having taken their new wallpaper, but he didn't really mind. Nor did the manager, who liked to call him a good sales ploy, or Taichi, who would ravage him anywhere if both he and the law would permit it. Still, this position wasn't the most comfortable, so after letting his lover have his fun for several seconds he gently bit the younger male's tongue to tell him to stop.

Giving the blonde one of those seductive glances that promised unspeakable things once they were safely back in their secluded room, he then turned to the woman with one of the most innocent expressions on his face. "I'm sorry Miss, did you need something?" he asked sweetly, as if completely oblivious to the major scene he had just created.

She was in such shock from the display that it took her several seconds to remember how to speak, and then her voice came out in a high pitched squeal of disgust. "Such vulgar and repulsive…" she started, unable to find the exact words she was looking for and pausing for a second. "You should be ashamed for that horrid display you just made us watch!"

"You mean, kind of like trying to convince a bartender to bring you free drinks for the prospect of sex? Neither of us are new to this game, sweetie," Taichi replied evenly, leaning over the bar to give him boyfriend another peck on the lips before adding to him, "Go take care of the other patrons."

At the woman's angered scoff, he replied, "Behave Taichi," before walking down to the man that had waved him over before.

"I would never—" she started indignantly, a protest the brunette was completely expecting.

"So you were just looking to be screwed?" he interrupted, watching with satisfaction as her face lit up with more than just anger. "Well, sorry to inform you, but he's already taken. Back off."

Taking it as a challenge, an arrogant smirk crossed the woman's face. "What's wrong?" she asked conceitedly. "Afraid he'll find I'm better in bed?"

Not backing down an inch, Taichi smugly replied, "Unless you have a dick shoved up under those skirts I don't think I have to—" Something white streaked across the room before clattering softly to the counter. Rubbing the side of his head where it was now stinging fiercely, Taichi glanced down at what had just hit him before turning back to his lover. Blinking several times in surprise, he looked between it and his lover several times, mind seeming to not quite be able to comprehend what just happened. Yamato was still in his 'throwing pose,' one arm behind him for balance as he leaned forward, the other extended towards his feet which were positioned almost twenty-four inches apart. Straightening and crossing his arms over his chest, azure pools locked with chocolate ones and transmitted in no uncertain terms that he was not happy with the brunette. As if still in a state of shock, Taichi just looked from the bartender to the small piece of chalk now resting on the counter. The blonde had deadly accuracy with the blasted things, as the side of Taichi head could attest to, and always kept several one his person while at work for writing on the black board located behind the bar. Looking back up at his lover, he asked in a mock-hurt tone, "What was that for?"

"If you really have to ask then it proves you deserved it," Yamato stated simply, determining he would retrieve his projectile after finishing helping the customer behind him. "I wouldn't have to throw things at you if you could just determine when things have been pushed enough," he added to himself quietly.

Grinning like an idiot, knowing the blonde would make it up to him at a later time, he turned back to his opponent. "As I was saying," he began, cheer never leaving his tone, "Yama has no interest in you, so just give up. You've got the wrong parts."

Now fuming, the woman stood with enough force to knock her stool over. "I've never been so disgusted and horrified in my life!" she yelled, slamming her hands down on the counter. "Manager, I demand this revolting mongrel be thrown out and compensation for the pain it has caused."

Almost giving up the game by letting out the chuckle threatening to escape his throat, Taichi watched as the light-haired man in his early thirties waltzed over. "Ma'am, you are creating a scene," he stated politely, giving a slight bow. "And I'm afraid I cannot grant your request. You are asking me to disband my installation's most popular attraction. Taichi's antics are a source of great amusement for the majority of my regulars, and it doesn't interfere with my employee's work so I see no need to recompense you for your bigotry."

The refined manner in which his boss spoke even made Yamato smirk, despite feeling bad for putting him in the type of situation that required his intervention. He'd have to apologize later, even though the man would brush it off as 'part of the territory.' His lover, on the other hand, would be compensated for the harsh treatment he'd been given in a different way, that night… in bed… Based on the knowing smirk he'd glimpsed on the brunette's face he was looking forward to it, and it would probably end in him having a hard time walking the next morning.

Shaking his head to dispel those distracting thoughts, the blonde set him mind back on the task at hand. The fun they were going to have once his shift was over could wait until his shift was over. After all, there risk of someone coming in at the most inopportune time, and they didn't have to worry about the noise, either. They had specifically chosen that apartment because of the thick walls.

He took the stairs two at a time, one hand hovering over the rail while the other clutched an item close to his chest. The large building loomed over him, its many windows and doors promising a maze of corridors and rooms inside for any who dared to enter, and the few times he had ventured through those doors it had only been because he had an escort. And if he couldn't find one this time he would have to just loiter around the entrance until his boyfriend's class ended in about ten minutes before calling to tell him he was at the front entrance.

"Yamato?" a cool voice asked, startling the blonde.

Whirling to face the speaker, the blonde came face to face with one of the few people he recognized. The other male was shorter than him, just barely, and wore one of those faddish hair styles where the front was significantly longer than the back. It was parted on the side, where it faded from black to dark purple, and gelled to lay across his forehead and almost hiding his left eye. "Takashi, don't scare me like that," the blonde breathed, holding his free hand over his chest as if the eighteen-year-old had almost given him a heart attack.

"Sorry man," the goth replied, casually slinging an arm around the blonde's shoulders. "So what brings you here today?" Yamato's reply was to hold up the bento he was keeping close to his chest. "That idiot forget his lunch again? Seriously, man, I think he does it just so you'll come eat with him."

Yamato chuckled at that, letting his boyfriend's friend lead him towards the school building. "I've been thinking the same thing, actually," he admitted, "Considering this is the third time in two weeks. Either that or he really is that airheaded." Takashi gave him a knowing stare, and not for the first time the blonde wondered if the teenager had figured out their true relationship. It wasn't like they kept it hidden, but except at Yamato's work they didn't exactly announce it, either. Still, if he knew, Takashi made no indication that it would change the friendly relationship the three had developed.

"Come with me, I'll show you to his class," he offered even though they were already weaving their way through the halls. Several minutes passed before his guide stopped in front of one of the identical doors lining the corridor. "His lecture should just about be out, so just wait here for a few minutes and he'll be right out."

"Thank you," he replied warmly, leaning against the wall next to the door and waving at the departing ravenette. Sure enough, just as he said the door opened just a minute later, students streaming out of the new floodgate. Blue eyes diligently searched the crowd for the person he was looking for, his boyfriend having become a lot less conspicuous after cutting his hair. Yamato still didn't have a problem picking him out from the rest, but he just wasn't as noticeable from a distance. "Taichi," he called casually, watching in amusement as not only the brunette but the two people he was talking to stopped dead in their tracks. The person behind them almost ran in to the girl on Taichi's right, quietly cursing under his breath before maneuvering around the road block.

Three pairs of eyes turned in unison to face the new voice, three sets of feet shifting to face him, and three mouths opening to speak. "Yama-chan!" the girl yelled, startling the words right out of her companions as she launched herself at the bartender. Experience taught him to move the bento well out of harm's way before had the chance to crush it. "Haven't seen you in almost a week," she commented, releasing him now that she got her hug in. "I figured it was about time for Tai-kun to forget his lunch again."

"Hey Iona, why am I –chan while Taichi is –kun?" Yamato asked playfully, as he always did when he showed up. And like usual, she would brush it off as—

"Isn't it obvious?" she asked, breaking the normal routine the two had developed. "That's because you are obvious the uk—"

"And that's enough out of you," the other girl, one the two males knew very well, interrupted, slapping a hand over Iona's mouth. "It's good to see you again, Yamato. I was kind of bummed you two missed the party, but considering how busy your schedules were at the time I understand."

"It's good to see you again, too, Sora," Yamato replied, inclining his head slightly towards their still struggling friend; she obviously wanted to finish her previous statement. When she slowly shook her head no he just shrugged his shoulders and waltzed over to the last member of the trio. "Shall we go eat before you have to run to class again?" Taichi's reply was a huge grin.

He was led to a more secluded part of campus, with few, sporadically placed benches resting under the trees. It was a peaceful spot, and one they usually took when the blonde had to deliver misplaced or forgotten lunchboxes. It was about halfway through the homemade meal that Taichi spoke up.

"I got a text from Daisuke," he started, taking another bit of his sandwich. "Apparently he beat us. He said he and Ken did it the first time almost seven months ago—"

"In the locker room," Yamato finished, taking a bite of his own sandwich. His statement shocked the brunette not only into not speaking, but not chewing, too. For once the voracious man was left completely frozen.

Recovering enough to swallow, he quickly asked, "Did Daisuke text you, too?"

"No, Ken did," Yamato replied, "Seven months ago, when it happened." Taichi blanched, jaw nearly dropping to the ground. "He was kind of freaked and needed help calming down, so he called me," he added as if in explanation, just about to go back to his food when his boyfriend roughly grabbed his shoulders.

"And you didn't tell me?" he shouted incredulously.

"It wasn't my place to say," Yamato countered, peeling those hands one digit at a time from his shoulders. "They were both only fifteen still, so Ken needed reassurance and I gave it to him. That was all."

"So he didn't tell you the reason behind it?" the brunette asked slowly, measuring his boyfriend's response.

For a second, he thought of lying. Then sighed and stated simply, "Yeah."

Screaming in frustration, Taichi flung himself to his back and ground his palms into his eyes. His tantrum was finished in a few seconds and he then let his arms fall to his sides like a T, staring up into the leaves. "I can't believe you didn't tell me," he reiterated, turning his head to face the blonde. "It was really sweet, why he did it."

Chuckling softly, he said in agreement, "Yeah, it was. Now hurry up and finish your lunch before your next class starts."

Except for the wind through the trees, there was complete silence between them for a short moment. Then Taichi broke it with, "…Mood killer."

I plan on making a one-shot of the event Yamato and Taichi talked about in this last section. I will hopefully get it typed up and posted within the next few days, so look forward to the one-shot Cornerstone. I don't plan on making it very long, so it shouldn't take long to get it up.

This chapter was meant as an introduction to their new lives, so while it is the opening for the new arc the story doesn't really start until the next chapter. I hoped you enjoyed this one!

As always, reviews are luffed and appreciated.