Author: Fugu
Archive: ask before
Warning: I've seen the Digimon shows until Izzi's adventures as leader with TK's team, once. So it's pretty much AU and major OOC because I have very little memory of it. Major sap, possible Mpreg (if it does happen, it won't be the usual nine months with baby at the end) angst and oh yes, pretty plot less
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: purely for entertainment purposes, own no copyright.
Title: The Fool On the Hill (from the Beatles song)
Pairing: obviously most incredibly sappy Yamato Ishida/ Jyou Kiddo.
Taichi Kamiya/ Sora Takenouchi, Mimi Tachikawa/ OMC, etc.
Notes: If you have read my other fics, you know that I just write for the sake of Sap and hurt/comfort; you know that I don't start arcs chronologically either. More so, I'm not a prolific writer, but I need to finish what I start. I don't know when I'll finish this story. It's been going on for more than 10 years! This is a work in progress, meaning that at anytime I might go back to rewrite and polish this fic as I add chapters. If any of these things are peeves, then you shouldn't be reading this story. Cheers ^_^
The Fool on The Hill
7. One order of sweet potato chips!
(Feb 2013)
Joe was reluctant to admit it, but the week of bed rest hadn't been far fetched. He suffered a bone numbing tiredness that emanated from the deep center of his soul it seemed. Still, the vitamin boosters and protein supplements seemed to help and he was quite happy to not be on heavy meds this time around.
It helped that Matt stayed home. There was the business of asking for special dispensation from the University about his courses and program. Luckily, it was offered in a condensed certificate through e-school, so the school was willing to work out something. If not he'd have just lost all of his second semester, a harrowing idea.
Matt slipped beside him on the couch and reached an arm around his shoulders, pulling him to his chest. Joe couldn't help it, he burrowed a little bit his eyes still on the nature show on TV.
"Okay?" Matt asked. It was his favorite phrase at the moment, but Joe didn't begrudge him that after last weeks scare.
"Yeah," He took a deep breath and coughed. His teeth started to tingle and he bit down hard to stay awake. He rubbed his chest absentmindedly as the knot of pain that had been bothering him for the last hour intensified.
"Joe?" he felt Matt want to rise but stopped him.
"Stay put," he whispered. He swallowed and took a couple of deep breaths "It's that tight feeling again, nothing worse."
Matt kissed his forehead and pushed his hand away, rubbing slowly over his sternum. Crippling exhaustion, brought about anxiety and depression. The knotted chest was a symptom of these ailments. They stayed silent for a couple of minutes with Joe taking deep breaths from time to time to try and alleviate the pressure. He was slowly falling asleep when Matt spoke.
"Mimi is in town."
"Hmm?"
"Mimi called this morning, she's in town for a couple days. Feel like inviting her for supper tonight?"
Joe sat up and glared "Really Matt, you have to ask? Of course we invite my Mim!"
Matt chuckled and kissed Joe briefly. "I wasn't sure, you're tired."
Joe rolled his eyes. "I'll nap. But call her up and tell her to bring her tight tush over at five"
Matt snorted and stood to do just that. Joe followed him more sedately, taking time to get his bearings before he taking the few steps to the bedroom. He was in socks so he just lay down and tried to relax in the shadows of the room. It was about 2pm and pretty sunny, but they mostly left the drapes down in the bed room. Instead of slowing down his heart rate spiked, but at least the knot as unraveling. Stupid anxiety disorder. He turned on his side to stroke the cat that had decided to nap on his pillow and willed sleep take him despite the discomfort.
Joe woke up to a hand caressing his hair. His face was smashed into the pillow, so he turned on his back and blinked at Matt.
"Whotim'nit?" he garbled.
"Almost 4 pm."
"hmm..." His eyes closed again.
"How are you feeling?"
"Same, not worse" the hand came back to stoke his neck. He scratched his stomach. He yawned and was pleased to see a steady hand before his eyes. "I'll go wash up." letting his hand fall across his stomach. His eyes were gritty and he really wanted to just go back to sleep.
A soft pat and the bed moved as Matt left the bedroom. Joe pushed himself up and let his head fall forward. Curtained by his hair, he took fortifying breaths, trying to will himself to get up and stay up.
~ooOoo~
Joe hadn't realized how pleased he was to see Mimi until she was before them. Slim, blond streaked with pink and cheerful as usual. She jumped Joe and squeezed him in a boa constrictor hug. He loved it. She did the same to Matt. They quickly moved to the living room, Matt having brought non-alcoholic cocktails.
"How have you guys been?" she asked as she primly stroked her skinny whit jeans.
Matt looked over at Joe and he shrugged. He didn't mind telling her the truth. Mim was his best and anyways you could see on his haggard face and the bruises under his eyes that he was sick. "It's been okay, but could have been better." he started. Her gaze sharpened. "Nothing too bad," Joe hastened to reassure "but, well..." He grimaced " my health could be better."
"Joe," her hand was quick to squeeze his and he resumed to whole sordid few weeks in succinct words.
"Oh" she whispered and the worry was now a strong fixture in her gaze "oh".
"It's okay Mim. I'm following doctors order and resting. It should be fine."
She slid her gaze to Matt and something passed in her eyes, but it was quick to leave and she smiled brilliantly, "okay" she conceded. "and you Matt?"
The latter spoke about the upcoming album, omitting the tour they had maybe scheduled and while he was talking he was contemplating asking Mimi a favor. She was a website developer and more or less freelance. He realized he could maybe ask her to stay with Joe while he was abroad this time. If his health issues resolved themselves. But that was for later and he directed the two to the dining table for roast beef, potatoes and green salad.
During the supper Mimi put them up to date with her life and spoke to them about the her reason for a visit. "Simply put, I'm here for business and thought I'd come by to say hi. Also, I'm sending you a "hi" from Alan and Devon." she smiled fondly. They were her husband for 3 years now and son of 18 months. Alan was a columnist for on of San Diego's long running economist magazine and a stay at home dad.
Matt winced internally while he brightly thanked Mimi for the hellos. She was a new Mom and even if Alan was stay at home, he couldn't ask her to leave her baby with one parent at such a young age for a friend's favor. He would have to think of something else.
"Well, I have a good news for you Mim." Joe smiled and his eyes twinkled at Matt. "thought I'm thinking I'm a bit lame because there was and still is a certain important object missing to my demand."
Mimi instantly stilled and glittered at the same time. She sensed whee this was going surely, girls were good like that.
Joe took Matt hands in his "We are getting married." he just had time to finish his sentence before she squealed and jumped up hugging them both in utter happiness. "ohmygodohmygodohmygod! Yay! Oh my god I'm so happy for you guys. Finally!"
Matt blushed at the way Joe laughed so openly-god he was beautiful-and he blushed harder as Joe spied on him and brought his hand to his lips, kissing the finger where and engagement ring should be.
Mimi gushed "You guys are sooo cute."
They both laughed at her.
Dinner went on very well as they chatted, joked and ate good food. After dinner Joe retired to the living room to find their downloaded 9 hour edition of Lord of the Rings. They had convinced Mimi to stay over for the night. Their couch was quite comfortable. Meanwhile Mimi helped Matt with the dishes.
Under the sound of running water they spoke.
"How is he really, Matt?" she asked seriously, none of the frivolous behavior of before present. Her face was calm and the perky girl was replaced by the no shit-eating business woman.
Matt looked at her and sighed while he turned over to wash another dish while she dried.
"He really is doing okay, but at the same time not so much. He has palpitations again sometimes. I'm watching for signs of depression. I'm afraid Mim. I'm afraid we missed something." he swallowed thickly "He does recuperate if he rests but it so easy for him to run himself down. We're pretty much flailing around blindly trying to live with this." he let a dish sink back in the water less his trembling hands drop it. His head fell as he gently put his hands on the sink sides "He's not on medication this time. But his anxiety has been giving him chest pain on and off this week. I'm thinking of maybe trying to book us with a psychiatrist again. Side effects could be intense, but if the meds can get him to calm down...I' don't know. ..he's been on complete bed rest and that seemed to help."
Mimi emitted a surprised noise and he smiled ruefully.
"Well today is the sixth day and I allowed couch rest and I knew he would cut my throat in my sleep if I didn't have you over Mim."
She laughed softly at that and gestured for another plate. He resumed the dish washing. Just saying this out loud to a close friend was enough to bleed some of the tension out of his shoulders. A moist hand rest on his back and softly patted "you know you can call anytime and talk Matt. You two are my best friends. I want to know what's going on." she paused "What...is this interfering with the band?" she whispered.
He shrugged. "We're not seriously recording yet. I give us at least six months before we can get the new CD out, but a tour is inevitable. We're popular but still new..." he trailed away a frown marring his brow.
"You know that Joe can come and stay over. You guys are always welcome."
"Well with the new baby we didn't want to..."
"Nonsense", she interrupted. "This baby hasn't yet seen his God Dad and the birth doesn't count since he was blind." she expressed vehemently.
Matt nodded and was reaching for the faucet before a small hand stopped him "Listen."
He sent a quizzical look as she checked that Joe was still in the living room.
" I have Digimon news, I think." Matt's arm became stone beneath her hand, his face Grimm. She stroked it reassuringly.
"I don't want to mention it to Joe. I understand where you guys stand and I support you, but Taichi's and Sora's girl disappeared. Sora's locket is missing. I hacked their computer and found a message from the Digiverse." She quickly spoke, getting it all out in one breath. Her faced scrunched with worry. "I'm going there right after the trip."
Matt jumped.
"To Japan I mean" she hastily clarified.
Matt slowly backed away, her hand falling from his arm. He swallowed,"Mimi we can't go. Joe can't go, I...he, his..." and the hand that grabbed the counter shook.
"No, no!" she was quick to take his face in her hands "I understand. I wholeheartedly approve. Joe can't take that kind of stress, but you needed to know." Matt nodded briskly.
"Guys, I found it finally."
They jumped apart as Joe entered the kitchen and he quirked and eyebrow as he felt a lingering tension between the two. Really it was their expressions that gave them away the split second of...fury? on Matt's face before an indifferent mask fell over it. A mask he hadn't seen in a long time and Mimi was facing suspiciously away from him when he had called their attention. He let it pass thought because a) he thought they might have been talking about him and b) he respected their friendship. They could have some privacy.
"I feel for Popsicles. Grapes. Do we have Popsicles Matt?" He slid an arm around his fiance's waist and kissed his back, happy to feel the tension bleed from him.
Matt turned in the one-arm hug, easily swing an arm over his smaller lover and kissed him under the ear. Joe hummed. Matt smiled and kissed his brow. "We have raspberry, orange and the whit flavor. Whatever that is." Joe looked at Mimi around a burly bicep "What are you up for Mim? I'll go along with your choice."
She smiled fondly "raspberry"
"Raspberry it is." Joe said.
They were around two thirds of the Fellowship of the Rings when Joe succumb to fatigue. Matt let him be until the end of the movie before leading him to bed. A few minutes later he came back to prepare the couch and give Mimi some towels and such for the morning, as well as night clothes. Mimi brushed her teethe and washed her face while he tidied up and checked the doors and windows as well as Pooka's food and water dish. On his way to bed he crossed her, already on the couch. Her hair was a in messy ponytail, her face clear of make up and she was dressed with one of Joe's t-shirts and shorts. She patted the couch beside her. He sighed a little bit but took a seat. She surprised him with a soft pull, his head ending crushed to her chest. She kissed his ear.
"Shhh. It's going to be alright." she whispered as she stroked the short hair at his neck "shhh."
Matt shuddered and closed his eyes. Loosening his gripp on her thin arms. She let him go and smirked at him with a twinkle in her eyes. He smiled. "I'll see you in the morning?"
"Yeah"
"Feel free to wake us up if we are still in bed a ten. Joe needs to eat." He didn't put and alarm for Joe's sake and he was fine with rising early, but it was already 3 am.
"Okay"
Matt woke up to the smell of eggs and bacon and he remembered Mimi was here. He groggily looked at the time. It was 9h30. He yawned and rubbed his face snuffling a bit in his hand. He looked over at Joe. He was peacefully sleeping. Matt got up and went to the kitchen to greet Mimi at the stove. She smiled and waved the spatula. He pulled a glass out of cupboard that he filled with water.
"Sleep well?" he yawned.
"Yes, thank you." She sent an inquiring gaze.
"Like a log." she rolled her eyes.
"Breakfast ready in 5."
He walked back to his room and gently shook Joe awake after preparing his supplements. Joe groaned and batted his hand away. Finally opening groggy eyes when the shaking persisted.
"Mnmrg." he said.
Matt grinned "Vitamins and shake, than breakfast, remember Mimi's here"
Joe grudgingly turned around and sat up only to reach a hasty hand to Matt's shoulder as he blanched.
"Joe!" Before Matt could reach to steady him. Joe spoke "s'okay, got up to fast, m fine now" and effectively the color was already coming back to his cheeks. Matt plumed their pillows together. "Lean back while you get your bearings." Joe did as such.
He blinked a little bit and Matt saw that his gaze was clear, so he gave him the glass of water and his vitamins.
"You up to going to the kitchen?"
Joe seriously assessed his being. He didn't feel up to dramatics and keeling over in front of Mimi, if he felt bad. He usually felt good in the mornings, it's later in the day that the exhaustion pulled him down. But he felt like he hadn't slept at all and his heart beat deep and hard. "I'll go wash and see." If he didn't feel like passing out while he brushed his teeth he was good to go.
Matt frowned but nodded. "I'll wait."
Joe made noncommittal noise as he slid out of bed and shuffled to their private bath. Walking there wasn't so bad. He closed the door for privacy as he pissed and after washing his hands brushed his teeth. By the end of that thought he had to sit on the lowered toilet seat and take breather. He stretched reflexively, trying to open up his chest. There was an annoying buzzing in his ear. He'd clearly overdone it yesterday with Mim. Star bursts staring appearing in his peripheral vision and was starting to get cold sweats. He called for Matt. He was there within seconds. He crouched to Joe's level and hand on his tight. Before he voiced his concern Joe silenced him with a shake of his head.
"Help me to bed" he whispered.
Matt wanted to carry him, but Joe was already up and stumbling out of the bathroom. Matt reached an arm to his waist and finish the last couple of steps with him. Joe just crumbled on his side, trying to fight not to faint. The cold on his nape and neck shocked him back to here and now. He groaned into the covers.
"Why don't you..."
Mimi called from the hallway, "Guys? Breakfast ready!"
"Just... give me ..."Joe gasped " just a minute before I move." He shakily fistted the covers, blinking like mad to try and chase away the stars.
"Guys?" her voice was closer.
" Mim, can you bring us a glass of milk? " Matt called urgently.
Seconds later she was jogging through the doorway, brow furrowed in worry. It only deepened as her gaze fell on Joe.
"what..." She pushed the glass of milk in Matt's hand.
Matt pulled Joe up and leaned him back to chest, "Come on, Joe. Just a sip or two. It'll make you feel better" Matt coxed, bringing the glass to the haggard man's lips. "Mim can you get us a peanut butter sandwich?" He urged without taking his eyes off Joe's grey face.
It was only a few minutes, but by the time she was back with the food Joe had emptied half the glass of milk and thought still pale wasn't corpse grey anymore. Matt was helping him keep the glass up and he seemed coherent again. Matt put the empty glass on the dresser and folded a thick arm over his shoulder, while he stroked Joe's forehead. Joe weakly gripped the forearm.
"Can I lie down now?" he whined.
Matt kissed his head and quickly situated him on the bed, fluffing pillows around him. Joe groaned, rubbing his eyes were the bruises were so dark he looked like a raccoon, and took a couple of calming breaths. Matt sat by him, keeping watch.
"Sorry Mimi," said Matt as he looked over his shoulder. He turned back and took Joe's hand in his big paw, checking if he was getting better.
"S'okay" she whispered. She approached the bed and gently sat on it "Joe?"
"I'm not...mnot feeling so good Mim" he inhaled and blew a slow breath out.
Matt took the plate from Mimi's hand, "Here, eat a bit. I'll boost your sugar."
"Uhh" a frown appeared over Joe's half lidded eyes. But he reached for it and forced himself to eat.
"I know you don't like peanut butter sandwich..."
"But it'll get my energy back fast." Joe interrupted, " I know."
"Joe I...I should probab..." Mimi started.
"Stay Mim, eat with Matt. I'm feeling better, just not sure I should be upright today" Joe interrupted.
Mimi acquiesced and gently rubbed the shin closest to her under the covers because he was starting to get back his colors and his eyes were clearing.
"Matt can I have...a shake?"
"Yeah okay, but I don't want to leave you alone," he turned around " Mim?"
"Of course"
He left quickly, taking the half eaten sandwich with him.
Mimi crawled up the bed next to Joe pulled her to lie down at his side. She took his hand in hers and caressed the back of his hand with her thumb. He briefly squeezed. He turned his head and sent her a wry apologetic look,
"Sorry," he whispered. He blinked his eyes open, with a frown, they were closing of their own volition. Mimi gently pulled his arm to get his attention. He looked at her.
"Don't apologize you idiot." she swallowed.
"You did too much yesterday" Matt said as he came in with a tall glass of fruit shake with a straw.
Joe shot him a glare. Matt ignored him and helped him sit up with Mimi's help.
"It's been fifteen minutes. Feeling any better?" he asked as he sat near Joe's hip.
Joe swallowed. " yeah...yeah" he nodded. And it was true. His vision was clear and the cold sweats had stopped after the glass of milk. He didn't feel like he was going to pass out anymore but he was still hallucinating the buzzing in his ears.
Matt nodded relieved. He offered the shake. Joe took it and although he didn't lift it for long Matt was pleased to see his hands were shaking less and that he had no problems sucking the smoothie in.
"Mimi ,sorry, you can start breakfast without us. I'll join you in a few?"
"Alright" she slid off the bed, not before landed a quick peck to Joe's cheek and left the room.
"Don't leave her alone too long." Joe said and he sighed when his eyes fell close again.
" Finish your shake and I'll leave you to rest." Matt rumbled, his big paw stroking the side of Joe's face, his thumb caressing his round cheek.
About ten minutes later Matt was out the bedroom freshly dressed and with the empty glass in hand.
He put it in the sink and groaned at the smell of coffee. A special brand of coffee from New York that Mimi brought every time she came.
"Oh Mimi you are a goddess!" and he sprang for a mug, poured a good helping, a dash of cream and sat down in front of her to savor the first sip. He may have moaned.
Mimi laughed shaking her head fondly. "No wonder Joe wants to marry you. If you sound half as sexy in the throws!"
Matt blushed pink and Mimi laughed harder. It subsided to silence as Matt finished his first cuppa and took another with a good plate of eggs and rashers. Mimi was getting a small second serving herself.
"How is he?" she broke the companionable silence.
"Alright." Matt smiled" he fell back asleep." He took a bite. " I'll wake him up in an hour or two for a brunch but the shake will keep his blood sugar up."
She nodded. "It's ...worse than this, usually?" she shyly asked.
Matt shrugged, "Yes and no. He's not usually close to passing out, but there is always a low level of exhaustion." he stopped and pushed the plate away, the eggs tasting like ash " This time was frightening. I've never been not been able to wake him up and that night in the parking lot, I thought He was having a stroke." he forced himself to continue "Things were going so well after the move..." he sighed and pulled his hair a bit "But it really isn't so bad, it's just...life-altering."
Mimi nodded thoughtfully "There is definitely no Digiverse for you guys. Even if you accepted to go alone..."
Matt interrupted her. "You will give our best wishes of success and sincere apologies to the "gang" " and he quoted it with his fingers " but I don't give a fuck what they think about us for not coming.I'm sorry about Ayaka, truly, really, no child..." he topped himself and took a deep calming breath. He couldn't deny the guilt he felt for not trying to rescue the little girl but, his priority was Joe. He would never regret that.
"Matt, Matt" Mimi stopped him a hand over his fist on the table. " I totally understand." she grinned " You must find me careless to leave my 18 months old alone for adventure.
"It's not adventure, Mimi. It's rescue mission. You know as well as I. As far as I know the Digiworld has been for children. I don't know, I don't know what it'll do to you guys, but if it weren't for ...the love of my life "he said fiercely and Mimi swallowed eyes humid "I would have gone to save that child in a flash. It's a kid Mimi, baby, you have one, you know how it feels. So no, I don't find you callous at all."
"Thank you Matt, thank you, that..." she chocked " you don't know how much that means to me. Your approval."
As much as yours Mim, as much as yours Matt thought fondly.
To be continued