Always Follow the Rabbit

by Mrpointyhorns

Taichi's has started to settle in his life, and while that can be quite nice, he and Koushiro have never been better, it can also be a bit disappointing, especially his dead-end job. The only thing interesting that ever happens is when he has to babysit his nephew. Until Koushiro detects a disturbance that is about to give Taichi the adventure he craves.

23. Chapter 23

Title: Always Follow the Rabbit

Author: Mrpointyhorns aka Blemery

Rating: R

Status: In Progress

Pairings: Taichi/Koushiro

Warnings: Slash

Spoilers: Season 1 and 2, plus some of the movies (nothing blatantly but there)

Summary: Taichi's has started to settle in his life, and while that can be quite nice, he and Koushiro have never been better, it can also be a bit disappointing, especially his dead-end job. The only thing interesting that ever happens is when he has to babysit his nephew. Until Koushiro detects a disturbance that is about to give Taichi the adventure he craves.

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by someone else. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Ken watched when Takeru and Wallace wrestled Taichi away from Daisuke. He saw Taichi collapse and then they carried him into the RV without any trouble, Agumon ran ahead of them to open the door and into the RV as well. Rika squirmed in Ken's arms. Ken looked down at her and felt relieved that she was safe for now. He set her down on her feet. "Sorry about that."

Rika looked up at Ken for a moment and then she dashed over to Renamon's side, Lopomon still clutched in her arms, Terriermon followed after her and his brother.

Ken was about to follow them, but then he realized that Daisuke was still standing there with Raidermon and Stingmon waiting for him. Ken went over to them. Daisuke still had one arm slung over Raidermon but other than that Taichi had succeeded in manhandling Daisuke off the digimon. Daisuke's eyes were bright and stunned. He looked confused about what had just happened. Ken put a hand on his shoulder and Daisuke looked up at him. Ken took the chance to run his fingers over the fringe of Daisuke's hair looking at the tips of those instead of the upset pooling into Daisuke's eyes. Daisuke cared so deeply about his friends and when they hurt he hurt too. Tai being one of his best friends made it even worse.

"Daisuki," Ken said softly returning his gaze to Daisuke's eyes. Daisuke blushed immediately and the tears that were in his eyes melted away. Daisuke's eyes shifted towards the ground looking away. Ken smiled lightly, Daisuke was so bold most of the time, it was sweet to see him shy and embarrassed. Ken moved his fingers from Daisuke's hair letting his hand drop naturally to his side, but his other one remained on Daisuke's shoulder. "Go take care of Lynxmon. I'll take care of Renamon and Rika. Let's give Tai his space for now."

Daisuke nodded in agreement. He looked up at the RV for a moment, before climbing back up on Raidermon. Ken moved a little closer to Raidermon then and looked the digimon in the eye. "Take care of him."

"Of course, Ken," Raidermon promised.

"And I'll be there as well," Stingmon agreed zipping forward to stand near Raidermon clearly keeping an eye on Daisuke.

Ken nodded and stepped away watching as the three of them raced away. He watched them for a little while, and then turned back to Rika and Renamon. He walked over to them and crouched down beside Renamon. "How are you feeling?" He asked looking her over. She was hurt from the fighting; her fur was singed and a few claw marks over her body. The worse was that last blow to the gut. It looked awful. Digimon didn't bleed, but it looked painful and swollen.

Renamon looked up at Ken with a hard expression. "I've had better days, but I've also had worse."

"Well, what do you think, do you think food and rest will help you get better?" Ken asked. Renamon nodded. "Then, you're welcome to it. I can help you into the RV and I think there is still food left from dinner." Ken looked at Rika. "Will you see if you can salavage anything?"

Rika looked up from where she was sitting on the ground. She had Renamon's big paw in her hand and she was petting it gently. She looked over at the table and then back at Ken. "Yes, I can do that."

"No, she shouldn't be left alone," Renamon said softly.

"She won't be." Ken pointed to Terriermon and Lopomon who were at Rika's side obviously more concerned about her then Renamon's condition. "Anyway, Wallace and Takeru shouldn't be that much longer." Ken waited for Renamon's response. She stared at him for a long time and then she nodded. Ken looked at Rika, who jumped up immediately and ran towards the table. Lopomon was hot on her kept back, but followed as well. Once they reached the table Ken turned back to Renamon. "It would be better if you de-digivolved."

"If I did that, there would be no telling when I would be able to digivolve again. This is a harsh land and I wouldn't be safe if I am diminished," Renamon explained.

Ken agreed with a nodded. He reached a hand out which Renamon took. He helped her stand and she leaned forward, and then stumbled, but stopped him from helping her with a hand. Then, she shuffled forward. Ken had met stubborn and prideful digimon before, but Renamon was probably the worse. He followed her towards the RV. Wallace came outside with Takeru and Patamon. He held the door open for Renamon, while Takeru and Patamon went over to Rika and asked what she was doing. Takeru started to pick up the dishes and plates, but left the food to the digimon and Rika. Renamon paused at the RV door to watch Rika for a moment. Then she went up the steps of the RV. Ken followed her up and he heard the door shut behind him. Wallace stayed outside with the others.

"How about you stay on the couch tonight?" Ken suggested; it would be more comfortable than the passenger's seat. And she could barely walk, so there was no way that she was getting into the bed above the cab. Taichi was in his bed with Agumon and Ken didn't feel right offering Takeru and Wallace's room even though they spent many nights outside in the tents. Ken decided that tonight he and Daisuke needed to spend the night in a tent. Rika could stay in the cab with the digimon and Takeru and Wallace could have their room to keep an eye on everything.

.

Renamon didn't speak, but she sat down on the couch, then she shifted so that her back was leaned against the wall that jutted out from the side of the RV, it held some of the kitchen supplies, and some of the bathroom supplies as the bathroom was just beyond the cupboard on the way back to the bedrooms. She spread her legs out on the couch. She had room to move down so that she was completely lying down, but she remained up and alter.

"So, you're helping us now?" Ken asked, because he knew everyone would want to know, and he thought that Renamon might respond to him asking instead of Daisuke yelling.

"It would seem so." Renamon folded her arms over her chest and looked up at him. "I don't know what it is. When you left me yesterday, I wanted to leave I started to, but what I've witnessed here…I couldn't."

Ken nodded understanding her interest, but also understanding that she wasn't sure why she felt that way. He suspected that some of it had to do with Rika, but he couldn't be sure. They didn't have a digivice or anything. He decided not to bring it up, believing that Renamon would not respond to such a suggestion and if she did it would not be with kindness. He heard the others approaching the RV, so he made his way to the kitchen filling a glass of water, and then the sink so that the dishes could be done.

Daisuke returned to the RV about two hours after he had left. He had done well focusing on Lynxmon and making sure that the digimon was well and truly gone, and not thinking about Taichi and the way he had crumbled into panic at the thought of Daisuke leaving. However, he could not keep the exchange with Ken from his mind. Daisuki: whispered in his mind's ear as though Ken's was just behind him whispering the word. Daisuke blushed and would refocus on his task, but the word and the feeling it brought was never far from him. He heard his own name in the word each time and each time the word was really Daisuki. So, sweet the word. So, beautiful coming from Ken. Daisuke curled his fingers in to fist on Raidermon's back as he heard it over and over again.

When they finally turned around to return the words faded a little, but only to be replaced by the thought of returning to Ken and hearing the word again and he would speak it back. Then…then. Daisuke frowned. That's what always happened when he tried to think about more. He sighed out the corner of his mouth and Stingmon glanced at him. Daisuke sat up slightly and returned the look head on. Stingmon didn't really smile, but Daisuke thought Stingmon was smiling. "Come on." Daisuke held out his arms and Stingmon disappeared leaving Wormmon in his arms. The little digimon snuggled up against Daisuke and seemed content. Daisuke leaned forward again and Wormmon rested between the Raidermon and Daisuke.

The three of them remained silent as they approached the RV, and the lone tent set up a few feet from the picnic table. It was still mainly light out, because it didn't get dark, but Daisuke could see the silence of the RV and knew everyone was asleep. Seeing that, he felt sleep come over him. His legs sore from riding on Raidermon and his body fatigue from traveling all day. He thought about his pillow and crawling into bed snuggling down. Ken would move closer and, Daisuki. Daisuke blinked shaking the image from his mind and coming back to what he was doing. He couldn't handle imaginary Ken right now.

It took another ten minutes to fully arrive at the RV and Daisuke slide off of Raidermon with Wormmon still in his arms. Raidermon returned to Veemon and followed Daisuke towards the RV. Just as he was getting to the door of the RV, Wormmon jumped from his arms and started crawling over towards the picnic table. Daisuke didn't think much of it, and continued up into the RV. He walked as quietly as possible a decade of sleeping nephews and busses full of sleeping teammates gave Daisuke quite the edge. He didn't distrub anyone, as he moved up the steps. He started towards the bathroom to get ready for bed and was almost past the couch when Renamon opened an eye. She lay on the couch partially on her uninjured side and partially on her back facing towards the kitchen. He froze when her eyes open. She looked at him for a moment, but then her eyes shifted shut and he moved again. Veemon disappeared up to the bed above the cab.

Daisuke finished his journey to the bathroom getting ready for bed, except for his clothes, in a few minutes and returning to the main part of the RV. Wormmon was on the table next to the couch. He had big bright eyes on him and Daisuke moved over to him slinking down so Wormmon could whisper, "Ken's in the tent."

Daisuke raised an eyebrow, but didn't trust himself to speak. Wormmon didn't say anything else and crawled up the wall of the RV into the bed above the cab. Daisuke stood up and could see Veemon curled up with Rika and Lopomon. Wormmon scooted in and Veemon made room. Daisuke looked back towards the bedrooms at the back of the RV. He was trying to figure out what was going on without asking anyone. Only Renamon was there, looking at him again and she didn't say or do anything. She shifted after a moment and nodded her head at the RV door. He took the hint and moved down the steps and out of the RV.

There was only one tent set up outside. Wallace and Takeru always set up separate ones. Taichi and Koushiro had shared one before, but there was no reason for Wallace or Takeru to. Daisuke shifted in his spot wondering if there was a reason for him to share or not. He looked down at his feet and he couldn't think of anything, but the fact that there was just one tent set up. Just one, not two. And the digimon were in the RV. Was there a reason there too?

Daisuki.

Daisuke jumped slightly looking behind him before realizing he had heard that in his mind again. His heart thumped all the same and he turned back around. His eyes fell on the tent. Then, his feet were moving and he was walking to the tent. He toed his shoes off outside of it setting them beside Ken's. He lifted the flap and stepped in to a seated position in the tent.

There were blankets and sleeping bags spread out and curled up ontop of them was Ken. He had a thin blanket on top of his waist, but his shoulders and chest were bare and his head against his pillow his eyes closed. His lashes fluttered a little, but he didn't stir. Daisuke reached out a hand brushing the tips of his fingers over Ken's forehead and then down so that he cupped Ken's cheek. Ken was still sleeping softly and Daisuke just watched for a few minutes dazed and confused. The minutes just kept passing by and Daisuke remained sitting where he was.

Ken's eyes fluttered open after dozens of minutes, his cheek twitched under Daisuke's hand and he looked down at it, blearily eyes. Then he looked up at Daisuke. "What?"

"Daisuki," Daisuke said softly, his hand falling away and coming to rest on his lap. "Daisuki."

Ken started to shift up into a sitting position, but gave up after a moment. He reached for Daisuke. "Come here."

Daisuke shuffled forward and leaned close. Ken drew him in and cradled his head to his chest, for a moment, then shifted and started to pull Daisuke's shirt off of him and Daisuke wiggled out of it. Then, Ken shucked Daisuke's pants way leaving him just in his boxer briefs. Ken pulled him back in and shuffled back against the pillows, keeping Daisuke's head against his heart. Daisuke listened to the beat, and felt so grateful to hear it. He wouldn't know what to do if he had let this heart leave. It was more important to him than anything, anyone. He couldn't lose it. He knew he couldn't. "Daisuki," Daisuke whispered again.

Ken shifted under him and Daisuke tilted his head, lips descend on his and kissed him. Daisuke eyes crossed. He looked down his nose at the lips. He had never kissed Ken and Ken had never kissed him before. But it was just right. It was good. Daisuke moved up so he was taking Ken's face between his hands, kissing back and closing his eyes. Ken hmmed softly against his lips, and leaned back more against the pillow. Daisuke followed suit shifting so his legs were between Ken's.

They kissed for a while like that, long and slow, so sweet. Daisuke explored Ken's mouth and Ken kissed back in kind. The kissing slowed, and Daisuke felt Ken's arms slack a little. Daisuke pulled back Ken's eyes blinking tired and sleepy. Right. He woke Ken up. Daisuke smiled an apology. Ken's arms hugged him tighter again. Daisuke's shifted around so that they lay next to each other face to face. Daisuke put one arm around Ken's waist and the other under Ken's pillow. Ken's arms came around Daisuke's head again and he snuggled up to Daisuke's his eyes closed. Daisuke hmmed softly and closed his eyes falling asleep along side Ken.

He was awake. His eyes were closed, but he was awake. He felt well rested, and ready to start the day, but he wanted to just stay. He heard Ken's heart beating, and the soft sound of his lungs filling with air, and the louder sound of air sweeping out. He smelled of lemons and sandlewood, Ken's typical bodywash, dampened by the hours of sleep sweat, which made Ken smell like kindness, like home.

Ken was awake too, he decided. Ken had not moved or said a word, but Daisuke knew he was awake. Daisuke's stretched his back pressing his hips and abdomen towards Ken and his chest and face away. He opened his eyes at the top of his stretch. Ken's eyes were half open looking lazy. A flutter of a smile came to Ken's lips and Daisuke started to smile, but felt the hard erection he pressed his pelvis into. Daisuke's eyes widened and his mouth drop. He darted a look down. Ken's soft skin and hard pectoral muscles were visible, but everything below that was covered by a blanket.

"Daisuke." Ken hands cupped his face and Daisuke's eyes drew up. "Please." And. "Daisuki."

Daisuke swallowed. He looked Ken in the eyes. Ken's eyes never strayed from his eyes. He held his gaze. Ken was ready. Somehow his sweet Ken was ready, and if Daisuke didn't catch up he'd be left behind. Daisuke's gut tightened. He couldn't lose Ken. But, was he ready? Daisuke just couldn't think. He was a doer, but he needed to show caution. He couldn't lose Ken. Daisuke reached for Ken's wrists wrapping them in his fingers, he held them in place. Kept Ken from slipping away from him. Ken's hands turned and curled into Daisuke's hands twining fingers together. There! Daisuke saw it. That was it. Ken wasn't leaving, he was holding on. He was anchoring in.

Daisuke surged forward and pushed his lips against Ken's. He kissed hard and firm. Lifting his hands, and Ken's to pull Ken's face closer, and kiss him harder. Ken shifted his hands fingers tracing down Daisuke's palms and moving down around Daisuke's neck. He kissed Daisuke back with as much force. His grip dug into Daisuke's skull, and pushed them closer.

Daisuke groaned and felt his erection throb. He couldn't remember when he got that, but it was there and it was letting him know. Daisuke pulled back slightly hissing, "Daisuki." against Ken's lips and pushing back into the kiss. He nibbled on Ken's lips. Ken moved his hips and their erection pushed against each other. Daisuke threw his head back gasping. He pulled their hips together hard. Daisuke moved them together. Fuck. Fuck. Please.

Ken snorted a laugh and his hands scooted down Daisuke's neck, over his sides. One moved to the base of Daisuke's spine. Ken's other hand shifted the blankets down below their hips.

Daisuke's eyes widened. "Ken," Daisuke whispered. Ken was hard, purple and pressed against Daisuke's hip. Daisuke's hand moved to Ken's erection. He started pulling it with strong strokes. Polishing the head with the heel of his hand, and it was like they had done this all along.

He looked up into Ken's eyes. His breath came out in pants against Daisuke's cheek and his eyes shivered with lust, and love. "Daisuki." Ken swallowed. Daisuke ducked his head nosing Ken's thoart and smoothing kisses against his neck. He looked at his hand moving against Ken's erection.

"Please." Ken whispered above Daisuke's head. Daisuke tilted his head slightly to kiss Ken's thoart again. Then he pulled his head back and looked at Ken in the eyes. "Please."

Daisuke pressed his lips so they rested against Ken's, but didn't kiss him really, he looked slightly cross eyes at Ken's eyes. "Daisuki?" He asked against Ken's lips. Ken's lips brushed against him when Ken nodded. Daisuke's smiled all teeth and a spark formed in his belly. He lifted his leg and put is over Ken's hip, hooking his foot between Ken's thighs and pulling their hips together. He started to rub their hips and erections together, as best he could on their sides. Ken rolled more into him, giving a little more leverage and giving them more room to thrust against each other.

He pressed his lips fully into a kiss on Ken's lips and thrusted his hips against Ken's. His hand gripping Ken's hip tight and snapping their hips together, it started out long lean thrusts, but they picked up and he was cantering his hips like a jackhammer. Ken came first spilling Daisuki, or maybe Daisuke between their lips, and his seed between their hips. Daisuke groaned loud and came after.