Ominous Flame

Chapter 32

Author Notes: Time for a two-for ladies and gents, because Sen apparently thinks I don't post enough lol. Last time we had some lovely bro time with Takuya and Tommy only for JP to interrupt. Let's see where that goes. I do not own Digimon.

Last time on Ominous Flame

"Got it." He counted silently in his head as he heard footsteps rush off. Waiting till twenty. "Alright JP, what's up?" Whatever the jumpsuit wearing male needed to say he could say now. There were no prying ears sneaking around like last time.

3rd P.O.V

Probably. "Um oh-How are you feeling? EbiBurgamon said you're not healing right." He's heard that string of sentences so many times now. Perhaps worded differently, but all basically meaning the same thing.

Though what the little food digimon said wasn't entirely accurate. "My fever's gone." For now. Though considering he was a fire elemental his normal body heat was higher than the average human. Regardless of Cherubimon's meddling he was going to have a high temperature.

Though according to her the intense heat pooling off him wasn't as bad. "Oh...that's good." Man this was so awkward...for the both of them. "JP. Say what you need to say before Tommy gets back. I can hear you fidgeting."

If there was one perk it was the fact that his sense of hearing has massively improved. Helpful for situations like this. "Uh...er..." The urge to sigh was REALLY strong. For once the man was speechless.

Can turn into a thunder beetle and talk shit up the wazoo...but with this occasion and whenever he's near Zoe he's a floundering fish. If he was within reach Takuya would shake him. Telling him to spit it out already.

He would be ready for any rude comments or threats to kick him out. "Takuya. I'm sorry." Now THAT wasn't what he expected. "Say what now?" Slow. Careful steps march to the bed. Before the sound of a creaking chair as JP sits down.

"I know that this has been long due but I'm sorry. For how I've treated, said, basically anything I've done to hurt you." Now it was his turn to feel like a floundering fish. A moment of silence flickered like a dim candle.

The awkwardness was still there. "Why now JP?" In the end that was all he could muster. Theoretically there were multiple times before now where he could've said it. Granted Takuya didn't expect an apology at all, but he needed to know.

If for nothing else than to tell JP of what he told the twins. "I-when I saw you dying and heard Cherubimon, I didn't think I'd get the chance to. I was never sure what to say or when as we were traveling. But the moment Bokomon told us you were awake I felt like I needed to at least try." Guilt.

That was his driving force. "Does it make you feel better?" There were too many clashes between them for any sense of peace to form from this. "No. If I'm being honest, I don't. Guess you can tell I'm not good with this whole friendship thing." That earned him a snort.

Just a small one. "Yeah. I take it things weren't peachy perfect back home?" JP grimaced at that, but decided to answer. It was only fair since Ophanimon let him and the others delve into Takuya's past without permission.

"Yeah. I was an only kid that was bullied for my weight. I tried bribing people with snacks to hang out with me, but of course I didn't get far with that. Girls of course made fun of me behind my back after rejecting me." Well it was no wonder he was so paranoid and suspicious.

Anyone would be if they had to deal with shit like that. "When I came here. I met Zoe who was nice to me, like genuinely nice. Tommy was a crybaby who kept clinging to me and Zoe while Koichi and Koji were like good cop, bad cop protectors." Their personalities didn't change too much thankfully.

But they matured, all of them. "I started getting into the role of a hero. Someone who could be somebody despite being a nobody. And I was starting to get comfortable with them. For once I had true friends who had my back."

Takuya pursed his lips. "But I ruined that when I arrived right?" There was more fidgeting, the chair groaning from the movement. JP thinking back to the first time they had met. His eyes glued to the ceiling.

"Yeah. While we were tied up, ready to face death here you come in and save us without shifting forms. And after you came and joined us I felt jealous. You had all these helpful skills and courage. Everyone liked and accepted you right off the bat. What shot did I have?" That was the main reason for it all.

Something he never thought he could admit but here he was. Saying he was jealous to the guy he was jealous of. Who is now currently recovering after trying to kill himself on top of being blind. It made him feel ashamed.

If Cherubimon's minions didn't end him, the regret and guilt would've. "I tried to ignore it at first. But over time it seemed like we were constantly in danger and I thought if you left things would return to normal. And I'd have a place to belong again."

And the whole time Takuya listened on. No comments, or interruptions as he lays there. His moving fingers being the only tell that he was still awake. "...Then when I found out what happened between you and Zoe I was livid." JP scratched his head with both hands. Trying to shake the memories away.

"I had been trying to impress her for ages. Trying to seriously muster up the courage to ask her out. And when I saw her crying I wasn't even listening to what she said. I got mad seeing her upset, and you being the reason. All of my bottled up feelings just exploded." In the end it couldn't have been prevented.

Both of them being hot heads would've clashed sooner or later. "Even when Koji and the others got mad at me, I didn't want to admit I was wrong. I couldn't find it in me to approach you especially with how mad you were at me."

That mindset changed in a blink of an eye however. If Takuya could see he would be able to easily observe his companion pale, his complexion that of a ghost as he gets to the tail end of his story.

"This whole time I had been ignoring all of the problems you had. All the things you were struggling with, and none of that really clicked till I saw you on the ground, surrounded by black flames." Both wince at the memory.

Not a pleasant one for either of them. "I've...been taking the time to think. To really think about how I've been to you, and I get it if you won't ever forgive me for how I've treated you. But no matter what I felt like I needed to say this."

No matter how long it would take JP would do what he could to make it up to him. It would probably take ages, but whether he receives forgiveness or not he would keep going. Work to better himself and right his wrongs. It sucks that it took this long for him to reach that conclusion.

"JP." It was difficult to, but JP glanced towards him. Forcing himself to stare at the boy who keep rising from the ashes. "I'm sorry that you've held these feelings for so long. I never wanted to make anyone uncomfortable or hurt them with my presence." So broken yet still keeps moving forward.

Smiling softly with compassion even when he was forced into such horrible circumstances. "However...I can't forgive you. Not when we both know how the future's going to play out." For a moment JP sits there dumbfounded. But it clicks. "Takuya?"

Like a lightbulb turning on, his eyes widen. "Cherubimon has to be stopped JP. I'll need to be stopped." Like with everyone else so far JP shakes his head in defiance. "Don't be stupid Takuya. You're not going to lose to that overgrown bad guy!" Neither could tell if he was being serious or not.

That line of thinking had to be nipped and fast. "JP. He almost won when we were at the faire. I tried killing myself so he couldn't take me over." They couldn't live in ignorance any longer. The beads looked like they would break any minute.

Takuya was on deaths door regardless of the fate that awaits him. "Is he still talking in your head?" Never had either of them heard such cold, cruel words before, and never would they want to hear it again. "No. He's being quiet, and that's what terrifies me."

They had to be ready. He warned Koichi and Koji, getting mixed reactions and promises. "Whether I stay stuck in bed fighting through my injuries or return to his side...I can't protect them anymore. I need you to." And now he had to make sure JP had his shit together.

"B-but Takky. I can't!" There he goes with that stupid nickname, but it couldn't diffuse the glooming future ahead of them. "JP. You're stronger than you think. You're a hero aren't you?" A yawn forms at the end of Takuya's question.

A wave of drowsiness overwhelming him. Guess it was time for a nap. "I'm gonna hit the hay for awhile. Finish my burger so it doesn't go to waste...Tommy worked hard to make it." JP watches him for a few minutes.

Seeing small inhales and exhales. His finger extends, poking the way too bony, bandaged shoulder. Looking for any sort of reaction. Only to sigh in relief when he receives none. "JP?" He looks behind him, seeing Tommy poking his head out the door.

"Is he?" The jumpsuit wearing teen stands up, grabbing the unfinished meal. "Yep. He's out cold. Remind me to never piss off Zoe." He still couldn't believe she was the one who came up with the idea of putting drowsy pain killers into Takuya's food.

Both of them were glad she was on their side. "Ditto. Do you think he realized?" In the end Tommy felt really bad about allowing it to happen. He may've ultimately agreed for the older teen's health, but he didn't like keeping secrets.

And to a lesser extent wasn't sure how JP and Takuya would act towards one another. But it looks like things turned out well all things considering(what did he and JP talk about, Tommy wonders.) "If he did, he didn't say anything. But...we got a job to do. And with how bad a shape he's in...he can't come with us."

To be continued

Author Notes: Hazaaa JP's redemption finally begins lol Or at the very least I start painting him into a somewhat better light. But what plans do the boys have now? They drugged up Takuya(don't try that at home kids-it won't end well) for something.

And that something will occur next time. Alrighty everyone thank you for reading the story. If you like what's happening so far please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean a ton to me. I'll see you all later. Tchao for now.