Digimon belongs to Toei Animation.
(1) This is a fictional work, elements of the original work can be altered for better compatibility with this story.
(2) This story contains yaoi / shounen-ai. If you don't like it, press (x) at the top of the page to exit.
(3) English is not my first language.
I hope you enjoy!
"...I invited Sora, but she said she was too busy." Taichi drank from the beer mug.
"I know," Yamato shrugged.
"Are things still bad between you two?" Taichi rested his elbow on the tiny table. They were at the bar, at a small table in the back, the place was busy and noisy.
"In the same." Yamato took a sip of his beer.
"Do you want me to talk to her?"
"No, I said I would respect her time." Yamato paused for a long time, as if talking about Sora was a very distant topic.
"I know, but you two have been separated for a while."
"She has her own way of dealing with pain" Yamato gave a tired sigh. Work and university had already made them become more distant, the loss of Piyomon had worsened this situation and Sora asked for time to think and collect himself. They hadn't broken up, but they didn't see each other and barely spoke to each other via messages.
"But…"
"You should be happy." Yamato teased. "I have more time to come drink with you." And Taichi responded with a frown.
They didn't talk about the time they shared. They met sometimes, when they had time and wanted to vent, but since they had lost their partners, they grew closer. There were texts and calls and every Friday they met for drinks. They talked about the past, about classes, about their siblings, they talked about Agumon and Gabumon and sometimes, they didn't talk about anything, they just sat, drinking, enjoying the silence and each other's company, sharing the mourning. It had become a habit, a comfort, and they liked it that way.
"Here it is." The waitress approached the table, placing new mugs of beer and collecting the empty ones. "And that's on the house." She placed a third glass on the table and left.
"What is that?" Taichi stared at his drink.
"Submarine Cocktail" Yamato took a chance after flipping through the menu and finding a similar photo. A large glass of beer with a smaller glass, upside down, inside. "Beer and… tequila? Curious mix."
"Is it good?" Taichi analyzed the yellowish drink that glowed in the cozy half-light of the bar.
"Do you want to try it?" Yamato pushed the glass across the top of the small bar table.
"Isn't tequila kind of… strong?" Taichi stared at the drink, wondering how he should take it.
"A little, I guess."
"I think I'll just stick to beer." And he pushed the glass towards Yamato.
"Hey, aren't you our fearless and indomitable leader?" The blonde teased.
"You were a very good leader while I was away, you can do the honors."
Yamato slowly turned the glass on the table. The eyes fixed on Taichi, blue and invasive, as if they were capable of reading any thought Yagami had.
"I hated being the leader, especially because you weren't here, you know."
They didn't talk about the leadership they shared. Even though Taichi wanted the title, everyone saw him as a leader. He had never led alone, in fact. Yamato was always a part of him. The voice of reason, the point that held back his impulsiveness, the one who kept his feet on the ground and his mind focused. If as a child it was difficult to imagine that one day they would work so well together, now it is impossible to say that only Taichi led. Taichi liked the dynamic, and he could only imagine what it had been like for Yamato to take over temporarily, especially when the future was so uncertain, but he had done a good job and seeing Yamato using goggles was something he never wanted to forget.
"I didn't want to get into that topic," Taichi reached across the table and his fingers brushed Yamato's, still holding the glass. They were there to have fun and not remember painful moments.
"Everything is fine. It is past." Yamato relaxed, stretching his legs. His knees bumped into Taichi's, accidentally. "What happened to your hand?" The blonde's fingers left the glass and ran down the back of Taichi's hand until they stopped at a small scar.
"Ah… it's old. Agumon was eating Hikari's birthday cake and when I tried to stop him, he took a bite of me." He gave a nostalgic chuckle.
"I never realized." Yamato ran his fingers over the mark so gently that Taichi got goosebumps.
"Aren't you going to drink?" The boy turned the conversation to the destination of the cocktail.
"Why should I?"
"You have more experience with drinking, don't you?" Taichi adjusted himself in the chair, and his legs touched again, in the small space under the table.
"Have I?"
"You drank a bottle of sake alone last time." Taichi remembered.
"It was just once."
"And the bottles of champagne in the new year and the wine in the…"
"I got it." Yamato pulled the glass towards him. His legs slowly rubbed against Taichi's.
They didn't talk about the space they shared. Yamato wasn't a person who respected others' personal space, even if Taichi suspected he didn't do it on purpose. When they were children, these personal intrusions happened when they fought, pulled, punched, pushed. When they grew up, these invasions were mixed between aggression and hugs. And now that they were adults, there were always hands touching each other when reaching for the glass of beer, legs that rubbed under the small table at the bar, skinships so small and subtle that Taichi was sure Yamato didn't even realize he was doing it, and he was okay with that.
"They could have given us two drinks so we wouldn't have to share." Yamato swirled the cup, watching the yellowish liquid gently sway.
"It's a courtesy, it wasn't like they were going to give us a bunch." Taichi explained. "And what's the problem with sharing?"
"Sharing the same glass is unhygienic." The blonde grimaced.
"I'm not disgusted by your germs." Taichi responded by rolling his eyes.
"Really? Or do you want to give Sora an indirect kiss." Yamato teased.
"For it to be an indirect kiss, you would have to have kissed her recently."
"Oh, so you really wanted to give Sora an indirect kiss?"
"I shared a bottle of water with her when we were kids. Technically, I kissed her before you." Taichi responded to the provocation. Yamato fell silent and Taichi gave a triumphant smile.
"Or did you want to give me an indirect kiss?" The blonde resumed, he wasn't going to miss that pathetic argument.
"I don't need to give you an indirect kiss."
They didn't talk about the flirtations they shared. It started in adolescence, after a classmate asked if Ishida was really dating Takenouchi, since he spent a lot of time with Yagami. Yamato just replied that he was dating both of them and the colleague was horrified. After that, Taichi and Yamato flirted with each other, just for fun. It was funny to see the others' reactions and Sora didn't seem to mind this kind of joke. And now, they flirted even when no one was watching, it was fun and comfortable, and it always ended with them laughing hysterically.
"Someone is daring today." Yamato gave a discreet smile, his cheeks took on a reddish tone.
"We've said worse things before." Taichi chuckled. "Last week we were discussing your wedding dress, remember?"
"You were the one who assumed I would wear a dress, I never agreed to any of that."
"Do you think I would look better in a dress?" Taichi teased.
"I think you'd be better off with nothing." Taichi felt his cheeks flush and controlled himself not to stutter.
"Ohhhh, then you say I'm the one who's daring."
Yamato looked at Taichi, in one of those looks that the leader could never decipher. It was intense and passionate, but at the same time threatening, as if Yamato was going to explode and do something very stupid.
The blonde downed the glass of Submarine Cocktail in one go. The small glass inside opened a crack and the tequila contained there mixed with the beer. He drank half the drink in one go and before Taichi could say anything, Yamato leaned over, pulled him by the collar and kissed him.
They didn't talk about the feelings they shared. They were friends, best friends, rivals to some extent. They had so many things in common: the desire to protect their siblings, their attachment to Sora, Omegamon. It was impossible for them to be indifferent to each other even if they wanted to. And over time, they began to enjoy the company, value the friendship and the bond they had created. They loved each other, but not in a romantic way. They loved each other as friends, or pretended that was all. It was better not to think too much about it, because it was safer and more comfortable that way.
Taichi couldn't resist. The taste of beer and tequila invaded his lips and he pulled Yamato closer. They were at the bar and anyone could see him there, but none of that mattered. The kiss deepened, fingers tangled in his blonde hair, eager hands ran down his shirt and Yamato let out a soft moan.
"Excuse me." The delicate voice interrupted and Taichi backed away, realizing that things were getting out of control. "Sorry to interrupt, are you going to make any more orders?" The waitress who had brought the courtesy was standing next to the table, quite embarrassed. Only then did they realize that the noise in the bar had died down and the tables were empty.
"Ah, sorry, we are already leaving." He took a sip from his mug of beer and stood up.
Yamato grumbled angrily. He swiveled the drink glass on the table and took another large sip, finishing the entire contents.
"If you and your boyfriend want to finish your beers..." The girl observed the mugs of beer on the table, almost untouched. "I just need to close the register and light out the façade, you are frequent customers, I don't mind if you stay a little longer."
Taichi felt a tingling sensation in his stomach at the word boyfriend. Was that how she saw them?
"I think we've had enough to drink today and… Hey!" The boy screamed as Yamato stood up at once, opened the door of the establishment and walked out onto the street, staggering. "I'm sorry." Yagami threw the bills on the table, without waiting for change and ran after his friend. He could hear a good night as the door closed behind.
Yamato was walking slowly down the empty sidewalk. Despite it being a Friday, there wasn't much movement on the streets at that time of night. Taichi had no effort to keep up with him.
"Do you want me to call a taxi?"
"I'll walk."
"Your apartment is far away."
"Yours isn't."
They didn't talk about the bed they shared. Taichi didn't know how many times it had happened, but it was more than enough to say it was just a slip-up. They drank, flirted and ended up together in bed in the leader's apartment. The sounds of kisses and moans brought some life to the dull room. And in the morning, they both pretended they were too drunk to remember last night, and went on with their lives, as if nothing had happened. Taichi felt bad when he saw Yamato walk out the door after a barely audible goodbye. He felt bad for having slept with his best friend, for having betrayed Sora's trust, even though technically she and Yamato weren't seeing each other, he blamed himself for not fighting against this fleeting desire. But he couldn't control the desire to be with Yamato, to have him completely. Even if he had to pretend he did it because the drink clouded his judgment, and not because he wanted to.
The sun's rays timidly entered the apartment's window and Taichi woke up to Yamato humming something he vaguely recognized.
"Are you going already?" Taichi mumbled sleepily, as he watched Yamato get dressed.
"Sora sent me a message. She said she wanted to talk, and asked if we could have breakfast together."
"Oh."
Yamato approached the bed and sat on the mattress next to Taichi and took the boy's hand between his.
"I love Sora, truly." The boy spoke suddenly. "She is the woman of my life. I want to marry her, have children with her." Taichi felt fingers intertwine with his. "But…"
Yamato looked at him, that deep and invasive look, which Taichi knew very well what it meant. 'I love you. I want to be with you. I should have chosen you before' transparent blue eyes, but which would never be said out loud.
"You guys will be fine, I'm sure of that." He said softly, with a slight smile. Yamato remained silent for a long time, staring at his friend. Then he leaned over and kissed Taichi's forehead, slowly, as if every second there had to be lived to the fullest. The last seconds they would share so intimately.
"I need to go." He released his hands and stood up.
"Text me to tell me you're back together." Taichi spoke as Yamato put on his shoes. The boy waved before walking out the door.
Taichi rolled over in bed staring at the ceiling, as he did every morning after they slept together, he had a huge desire to cry, but he knew he didn't have the tears for that.
They didn't talk about the secrets they shared. Every look, every flirtation, every skinship, every kiss, every time they had sex. None of these things would be said out loud, none of these things existed outside of Friday nights, and none of them will exist anymore when Yamato and Sora get back together. Every feeling, every unspoken I love you, and there were many, would be buried alongside every moan and carnal desire. And they continued as best friends, Taichi would be the support for the couple he loved so much and everything else would be forgotten, as it should be.
Thank you for reading.
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