Plastic Man

Chapter 3

Wish I could show you what you think I'm made of

A/N: Sorry for those that were waiting awhile for an update. I tend to bounce back and forth between fics, so I update when I've written a substantial amount, usually with a few extra chapters on the backburner. Thanks for your continued support :) Also, I made a few minor adjustments to previous chapters, but just cleaned up some lines and adjust the lyrics, nothing plot-shattering.

"I can't help it. I nearly lost my only friend in the world and you would just as well jump if I let you leave this apartment right now, wouldn't you?!"

Yamato turned to Jyou. "Only friend in the world? Are you insane? All of us are your friends, Jyou-"

"Oh, right. So when Mimi comments about my nerdy attire or Taichi teases me about my encyclopedia full of allergies, those are friends."

"Jyou, you were the one that reminded me ages ago that we were and are all friends."

"Things change, Yamato. You and Iori are the only ones I talk to nowadays."

"...really?" Yamato questioned, sitting back down.

"I hate myself... as much as you do," Jyou whispered. "I've seen you come home drunk several times- which, you know is illegal until you're twenty. Your nails are turning yellow from smoking. You're getting bags under your eyes from lack of sleep because you're still having all those same nightmares you used to."

"Well, those nightmares have changed a bit...," Yamato chuckled, He doesn't need to know that it's for the worse, though. "Jyou...?"

The other walked over to put the dishes away. The blonde followed, standing silently behind Jyou as he began to almost obscessively wash the cups in front of him. "Yamato... Maybe you should head home, so your Dad doesn't worry."

"He'll be fine," Yamato replied, shoving Jyou out of the way and helping clean the teapot. It was almost like the diner, save broken dishes. "I've enjoyed being here. I've almost forgotten about everything, like I'm in some kind of dream."

"I'm not a dream, Yamato. At least I don't think so. My allergies are too real for a dream," Jyou said, putting a plate from earlier to dry. "If anything... it's more of a dream that you're here at all."

Jyou had admitted long ago to himself that he loved Yamato. That month at the diner had opened his eyes to his own eleven year old suspicions, and now, at fifteen, Jyou was pretty sure he could label himself gay, if he had to. But he couldn't admit that to Yamato, who got all the girls. Not that he has done anything with them. Even my ears aren't immune to the burning rumors. What if... What if this is your chance, Jyou? Just tell him. What is he gonna do? Reject you? Like everyone else?

Jyou turned to his friend. Yamato was standing there, staring deep into the water that was draining. "Yama..."

"Jyou, I'm sorry... that I... was a coward."

"I know," Jyou said. "I am too, for whatever I've done."

Yamato laughed, startling Jyou in the silence of the kitchen. "Oh, man, see... why can't Sora and I just do this? Apologize without feeling guilt, hate, or any of that crap. That's why I like you, Jyou..."

Jyou blushed. Like me? "...so, what now? You going home?"

"Not like I'm gonna leave. It's nearly midnight and my Dad will be ON the warpath when I get home."

"I never pictured your Dad like that."

"Well, my mother... she's been on to him about Takeru, even though he has nothing to do with anything. I'm sure she's just trying to guilt trip my Dad about her own bad parenting... Anyway, Dad's freaking out about being a good role model and taking it out on me. I know I don't really make things easy... it's just, I've raised myself, right? So I don't know how to listen."

"I'll give your Dad a call in the morning."

"Really, Jyou?"

"Yeah. I don't want anyone to worry. I'll tell him we ran into eachother and we got distracted talking. I'll just leave out the suicide attempt this time, okay?"

"Wow, you're some friend..." Yamato smirked. "So, where's this futon you promised? I'm beat."

"In my room, this way," Jyou said, drying his hands and showing Yamato down the hall. In all the years they had been friends, Yamato was surprised. He didn't know what any of his friends homes looked like, except maybe Taichi's or Sora's since they used to have soccer meets. Well, until Yamato dropped out of them to work on his music. To be closer to his father...

Jyou's room was like the rest of the house. There were books lined up on a shelf above the desk. The closet doors were closed, but he imagined they were extremely organized. I can't remember the last time I could open my closet without fearing an avalanche. His bed was just as simple. A twin bed made up like the military. No posters on plain walls. The floor was polished.

Yamato wandered over and grabbed the futon from the closet. He then proceeded to lay it out sloppily. Jyou grabbed his pajamas and headed out of the room. "Really? Still won't get undressed in front of me? Isn't like I haven't seen you naked before, Jyou."

"Well... things have changed since then!" Jyou shouted from the halway. Yamato watched as the other poked his head out, red like a tomato with embarassment. The blonde returned to the room and stripped down. He never did like to sleep with clothes on, but for Jyou's sanity, he kept the boxers and slipped under the covers. He began to drift off to sleep long before Jyou got back.

The blue haired boy double checked the locks and looked down the hall, hearing the growing, steady snore. Rolling his eyes, Jyou turned off the last light and did his best not to stub his toe and yelp everyone awake. Luckily he had a lot of practice with his family in that department.

Jyou returned to the room, careful not to step on Yamato who was now fast asleep. He couldn't help but stare a moment at the other's longer body and flowing blonde hair. Jyou climbed into his bed and turned off the light. Hopefully both of them would sleep well...

But Jyou couldn't. He often stayed up at night worrying. About his mom. About living up to his father's expectations. Hell, his own expectations. He had an exam tomorrow, but he was drifting off to sleep before he could set the alarm...

"Jyou, how much longer are we going to be stuck here? Be honest with me," Yamato said.

Jyou could still smell the freshly cut grass outside. The new coat of paint. The sickening grunge of dirty dishes. Digital vomit. He had just set his clothes out to dry and changed into his spare T-Shirt he had packed ages ago when he first thought: Summer Camp and all the things that could go wrong with it. "I admit, I'm clumsy... but I'm not breaking everything or burning all the food. There's something weird going on."

Yamato huffed. "Sure."

"You don't believe me?"

"I don't trust anyone, Jyou, and I'm not starting with you. I have no reason to."

"...oh," the blue haired boy replied, flopping down on the lumpy futon he had been provided by Digitamamon. Jyou looked solemnly over at his friend. Yamato couldn't take that pathetic stare any longer and slammed the curtain down the rack and seperated them. "I thought we were friends... isn't that reason enough?"

"...friends, sure," Yamato grumbled. Jyou heard the other shift, probably laying down to try and get some sleep. Jyou couldn't. He was used to the dark and the moon was nearing fullness and shining as bright as ever. He would have to make a blindfold or something. That would involve going outside, finding leaves and then somehow stitching them together. By the time Jyou did that he would probably be sneezing or being eaten by wild night-time Digimon. Or worse, Digitamamon would find him and he would be fined for being out "after hours".

Jyou knew Digitamamon had some dark underbelly business he was conducting but didn't question it. "Yamato...?"

The other didn't respond.

Gomamon had been talking with Gabumon, who now was crossing the Barrier to go sleep next to his human companion. Gomamon returned to Jyou, who just stared at his shoes. That was nothing new to the little seal Digimon, but it never ceased to bother him. "Jyou, maybe he's just tired. He misses Takeru."

"Then why doesn't he just leave?" Jyou whined, tears falling down his cheeks. "Why does he stay here?"

Gomamon chuckled, snuggling up under Jyou's arm, "Well, didn't you already answer that? You are friends aren't you?"

Jyou smiled and took off his glasses. Gomamon snuggled up into his arm further and the two drifted to sleep fairly quickly. Working all day really wore everyone out. Jyou was amazed at how easily the dark came to him, but even in his dreams he was sure that something would disturb it. Like a nightmare.

A scream. Jyou shot up in bed. He glanced over at his clock, trying to make out the blurry numbers. Five in the morning, ish. That was when he noticed Yamato sitting up on the floor, curled into himself like a dead Tentomon. "Yamato...?"

"Jyou," the blonde managed, staring wide eyed at the wall in front of him at nothing in particular. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"...you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bad dream."

"You're right..." Jyou chuckled, getting out of the bed. He went to sit over next to Yamato. "You haven't changed at all." Jyou was smiling as he said this, but saw the tears going down the other's face. Just like before. "Look... I know you want to push yourself to move past all your problems, but it takes time."

"How much longer am I going to be stuck like this, Jyou? Answer me," Yamato pleaded, turning to his friend.

"I don't know... I mean, what if that isn't even what is really bothering you? Maybe you just don't get along with women," Jyou joked. "I don't."

"What are you saying, Jyou?"

"Well, uh, well, I've never liked girls..."

Yamato smiled. "I wish that my problems were as simple as that. I'm not even sure if that matters to me. I just want someone to love me. That's all I've ever wanted."

"Maybe..." Jyou took a noticably deep breath, drawing the other's attention, "Maybe if you talked to Natsuko about it."

Yamato tugged the covers away angrily, but pulled them too far. Jyou could see most of the boy's frail body, even in the dark. "I hate her, Jyou. I always will."

"You're pushing yourself too much," Jyou replied. "Remember when you left the group after that spat between you and Takeru?"

"I try not to."

"Maybe you just need some time to think things over."

"Jyou..."

"Well... I love you. I always have," Jyou whispered quickly.

"Always?" Yamato breathed. "And why didn't you say anything?"

"What did you want me to say? Hey, Yamato, you wanna go out? You didn't seem to return my affections..."

"I'm scared of being alone. Always have been," Yamato sighed. "...so maybe us meeting tonight wasn't such a bad thing."

"I-I don't understand."

"Jyou..."

"Fine. Although, I don't think you need me on top of all your other problems."

Yamato smiled, "Nope, just under them."