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Chapter Text

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The first time Sora realized that she had fallen in love with Taichi, the boy had been doing nothing special.

They were having their monthly meeting of  watching a soccer game on the Yagami's TV. She was shivering on the couch because of the weather and Taichi had been lying sprawled next to her. Hikari was in her room, video calling Takeru. Uncle Susumu and Auntie Yuuko were out on a date (Taichi always acted like he's disgusted by his lovey-dovey parents, but Sora knew better), so the childhood friends had the TV all to themselves.

"Here," Sora blinked as a mug of hot chocolate magically appeared before her. She had been so focused on the game that she didn't notice that Taichi had gone to the kitchen to make her some hot beverage. 

"Oh, thanks,"

"Welcome." He then playfully threw her his favorite orange throw blanket, almost making her spill the drink. 

"Watch it," she pouted. Always so reckless. 

Taichi snickered as he pushed some buttons to the remote of the AC, making the temperature more bearable. 

'I love you,' thought Sora.

"T-thank you," said Sora out loud, to which Taichi grinned easily, before he focused back on Messi who was currently dribbling the ball. As if he hadn't just make sure that Sora was comfortable by providing her her favorite drink, lending her his favorite blanket and turning down the temperature even though Taichi often ran hot.

Over the years, Taichi had turned into a more considerable person. He was still oblivious to people's feelings, but he had learned to be more aware of his surroundings. Whenever someone, especially those who were close to him, was feeling sad or uncomfortable, he would do something, anything, to make them feel more at ease.

Acts of service. A great quality for a leader to have.

It's no wonder that Sora had fallen for him. It's a wonder that it took this amount of time — ten years be exact — for her to realize that she loved him as more than a friend, even if she had noticed months ago how Taichi had grown. 

At first, it's because of the whispers she heard from her classmates and the soccer club's fanclub, how Taichi was good-looking, confident, social and outspoken. He didn't have as many fans as Yamato or the captain of the basketball club, but Sora knew he received a good amount of chocolates during Valentine's Day last year and the occasional love letters — ones that Sora was thankful he rejected (even though he never gave her a proper answer whenever she asked for the reason).

But Sora had to admit, Taichi was handsome. And unlike his fans, she knew him: he was awkward, oblivious and rash. But he was also kind, caring, and sensitive. 

Why did she have to realize this when she's already in a relationship with Yamato, a person she was also in love with?

Yamato, who always knew what she wanted, what she needed. The person who always listened to her problems, someone who made Sora's heart beat faster whenever he smiled at her. Someone who constantly reminded her that she didn't need to put everyone first, that she should learn to prioritize herself without putting down her feelings on the matter.

She had to talk to him, otherwise, it wouldn't be fair to any of them.

Yamato wasn't being fair. He's not being fair to Sora. He's not being fair to Taichi. He's not being fair to himself.

See, Yamato had fallen in love with Taichi even before he knew what love was. It's funny that he had fallen in love at such a young age, seeing as he had divorced parents and the one thing that came close to the feelings of love was in the form of Takeru.

But, being with Taichi — fighting him, laughing with him, going to classes and adventures with him — Yamato soon learned what romantic love meant.

Perhaps it started when he had gathered Taichi in his arms, and despite his injuries that were caused by Piedmon, he still managed to smile weakly at him. 

Back then, Taichi had believed in Yamato when Yamato hadn't believed in himself.

Yamato then pushed down his feelings. After months of fights and misunderstandings, Taichi had become his best friend. Both could tell whenever one needed the other — it's like they could read each other's mind. They didn't talk much, but simply having Taichi over at his house whenever he felt down or wanted company, it meant everything to Yamato.

Taichi meant everything to Yamato. He didn't want to break their friendship, their bond over his feelings.

When years later during one of his shows Sora had confessed to him, Yamato found himself falling again.

She was pretty, smart, and unlike his other classmates and fans who claimed they 'loved' him, she and Yamato shared a bond. It made sense that one of these days, one of the Chosen Children would form a deeper relationship with another — turning their friendship into love — and what better example of that than the Child of Friendship and the Child of Love?

A few months into their relationship, Yamato found himself at ease. Sora was independent and sweet. She took care of him so he didn't burn out from studies and band practice, and he became her place of comfort whenever she needed to vent. They went on dates, study together, and were each other's first kiss.

He was content. 

But not happy.

Yamato knew he wasn't happy, because he felt like something was missing. A part of him, something very selfish in him, was still craving for more, and that made him hate himself. 

He's so disgusted at himself because even though he had Sora, was in love with the most perfect girl and she had chosen to be with him, he still craved for his best friend.

Taichi was Yamato's first love.

Sora was his second.

It wasn't fair to any of them because Yamato wanted both of them.

And now he was about to lose them.

"Okay."

"O-okay?"

"Okay. So, what are we going to do about it?"

"Sora, are you— did you even hear a word I said?"

"Yes? That's why I asked what's going to be our next move."

"You breaking up with me is the next move!"

"..."

"...I mean, if you want?"

"No, Yamato, I don't want to break up with you."

"Because you love me too much?"

"Because I love you and Taichi too much."

"What—"

"I was about to tell you, but you beat me to it!"

Her eyes were teary, but she was smiling so big like she was so relieved at his news.

When it clicked, he laughed hysterically and Sora soon joined him until their stomachs ached, making his apartment filled with so much laughter that he was afraid that the other tenants were going to come knocking down his door and voice their complaints. 

"I want him to be ours." Yamato said from where he was now lying down with his head on Sora's lap.

"Me too. Imagining the three of us together, it— it seems right."

"But what if he doesn't want the same thing?"

"Silly. I've seen his jaw drop to the ground whenever you sing. He looked as if he wanted to be your mic. Or your bass."

Yamato sputtered. "Y-yeah? Well have you seen him whenever you're around? Whenever you enter the room, he always has that lovestruck look on his face."

Sora blushed. "R-really?"

Yamato softened, "Yeah. He really loves you." He said as he gently tucked one of her stray hair behind her ear.

"And he loves you, too." Sora took hold of his hand to kiss his fingers. "Don't bother denying it. I'm the Child of Love. I know these things."

"Yes, ma'am."

So, they made a plan.

They loved each other and they loved Taichi. They wanted Taichi to join their relationship, and even though they weren't one hundred percent sure of Taichi's feelings for them, they wanted, no, they needed to confess.

In their relationship, Yamato was the mind and Sora was the heart.

Hopefully, Taichi would be the soul.

Coincidentally, the Chosen Children had planned a reunion for the anniversary of BlackWarGreymon's death. Hopefully, after that day, Taichi would become theirs.

It's always meant to be the three of them against the world, after all.

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For someone with such strong leadership, Taichi could be so blind.

Sure, he had the skillls to lead the Chosen Children and his soccer team towards victory, but when it came to winning in love, Taichi was a lost cause.

Not because no one loved him, however, but because he was blind to the love being thrown at him.

Hikari could only pity his fans and admirers at school. Not only did they have to face Taichi's obliviousness, they also stood no chance against Yamato and Sora.

She knew about Taichi's crushes for both of his best friends. He had confided in her after she had grilled him for answers when he had cried the whole week Yamato and Sora had gotten into a relationship. 

Taichi had loved Sora ever since she had been kidnapped by Datamon (men and their habits of taking things for granted).

Taichi had loved Yamato ever since he had cooked him a plate of omurice (men and their stomachs).

Taichi, of course, had realized that his best friends had feelings for each other, so he pushed Sora to confess to Yamato and broke his own heart in the process. 

Her brother, a selfless, sacrificial idiot, hopelessly in love. He had been broken too much that he didn't realize while he had fallen first, they had fallen harder.

Hikari realized this when she had frantically run to the middle school building after a teacher had informed her that her brother had fainted in class.

Out of the two of them, Taichi was always the healthier one. He was more active in clubs, liked to ride his bike and go for a walk or a run. Even when they were children, Hikari got sick more often. 

Taichi rarely got sick, but when he did, he really went out. He would be unable to keep any food in because he'd keep throwing them all up. His skin would feel like fire and he would get nightmares as he kept sweating and shivering all night. He'll even get delirious at some point that either mom or dad have to sleep with him to calm him down.

There was one time when his sickness had gotten so bad, that he had to be admitted to the hospital. It was the only time that Taichi was the one lying in a hospital bed while Hikari sat on the visitor's chair and not the other way around.

It was one of the worst days of Hikari's life.

That day, she had thought, 'Is this what Onii-chan feels whenever I'm sick? Was he always this scared?' 

Taichi and Hikari were protective of one another, so when she heard that Taichi was ill, she immediately ditched class and ran to find her brother.

"Onii-chan!"

What she didn't expect was to find him, lying in one of the beds in the middle school's infirmary, with Yamato and Sora by his side.

"Hikari! Hey, slow down, there. Take a deep breath." Sora approached her carefully when Hikari's frantic eyes kept flickering between them and her sleeping brother. 

"M-my brother, i-is he okay?" Her lips wobbled and she was thankful when Sora placed her warm and grounding hands on her shoulders. 

"He's gonna be fine, Hikari." Yamato said from where he stood next to Taichi's bed. "The nurse had given him a fever reducing medicine and his temperature's gone down."

"B-but my teacher said he fainted—"

"And he thankfully didn't hit his head because Yamato had caught him. Taichi is going to be fine." Sora repeated. 

Once Hikari had calmed down, the older girl gently pushed her to sit on the chair next to the bed.

True to their words, Taichi's face were still flushed, but he didn't look in pain. His breathing sounded shallow because of the congestion in his nose, but other than that, he looked peaceful in his sleep.

"I hate it when he's sick." Hikari admitted as she took his limp hand. She ignored how clammy it was and pulled it close to her forehead. 

"He hates it when you're sick, too," comforted Yamato. "Said it makes him feel powerless."

Hikari nodded. Her brother and her were alike like that.

Mom and dad were at their grandparents, so Hikari didn't know how she was going to bring Taichi home. That was, until Yamato put her brother on his back and started to carry him home. 

Hikari stared in wonder as Yamato walked patiently with a heavy Taichi on his back while he conversed with Sora, who was carrying the two boys' and her own school bags. 

"Thank you for catching him," Hikari said to Yamato before turning to Sora. "And for keeping him company."

"No problem," said the blond.

"And for carrying him home,"

"Like I said, Hikari, it's no problem. Although, you can tell your brother to lay off the cakes." He grunted as he adjusted the soccer boy's weight. "Once I got my driver's license, I'm buying myself a motorcycle."

Hikari blinked at Yamato's muttering. Was he implying that he's going to buy a new motorbike so he could take Taichi for a ride?

"There's no need to thank us, Hikari-chan." the orange hair smiled at her as they walked side by side, cutting off younger's thoughts. "The whole class got to see Taichi being swept off his feet by prince charming over there, by the way."

Yamato blushed while Hikari snorted. "Bet my brother would love the attention he'll get when he's back at school."

To her surprise, when they arrived at Taichi and her home, the pair didn't immediately go home.

She gaped as Yamato gently laid Taichi in his bed. He even took special care in covering his shivering form with a blanket. The blond watched him with a longing look before he made his way to the kitchen to make supper.

"Hungry?" He asked Hikari as he stepped into the kitchen. "I'll make a quick meal, okay?"

"O-okay. Thank you, Yamato-san." He waved her thanks away and made himself at home. Of course he knew his way around, Taichi often invited him over to study French.

Her jaws kept lowering to the ground when she saw Sora helping a delirious Taichi out of his uniform into a new pair of clean clothes. At some point during the struggle, Sora's cheeks turned red, but she eventually came out victorious as Taichi now slept more comfortably in his pajamas.

"I don't want to lose my best friends," her brother had once told her.

Seeing how in love both of his best friends were with him, Hikari thought, not for the first time, that Taichi was an idiot.

"Please don't tell him." Sora said as she put a wet rag on Taichi's forehead. 

Hikari immediately knew what she meant. "But—"

"Yamato and I are planning to tell him when the time is right. We want to make sure we get our feelings across and there would be no misunderstandings. Please, Hikari-chan?"

Sora smiled hopefully at her. How could Hikari deny her?

Still, "It's not my place to say, but Onii-chan has been sad lately. If you're planning to do it, please do it soon."

"Promise."

Sora offered her pinky and Hikari tangled her own with hers, together. 

Taichi, her hopeless brother, was so lucky to have such loving partners. 

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Taichi rounded the windows of the establishment he was supposed to arrive at ten minutes ago and stopped. He watched with a frown as some college dude got into Sora's space and looked like he was flirting with her.

When Sora, Yamato and him finally got free time from homework, shifts at the flower shop, soccer and band practice, the three of them promised to meet up at an arcade where the boys occasionally go to. Sora was always the more punctual of the trio, and she looked like she was regretting the decision of being early today.

As the guy continued to talk, she squirmed uncomfortably, yet she kept nodding her head. She was being polite and considerate, probably didn't want to hurt the guy's feelings. 

Taichi, however, wasn't the most polite guy, and even though he hadn't been in a relationship with Sora and Yamato for more than two months, he found himself by her side in a flash. Scratch that, even if he weren't Sora's boyfriend, he wouldn't let anybody get so close to her, especially when she's uncomfortable. 

"Hey, Sora, sorry I'm late." The brown haired boy said with the fakest smile he could muster. As soon as he put an arm around Sora's shoulders, he could feel her relaxing. 

"Taichi! It's okay, I wasn't waiting long." she smiled up at him. She was wearing the hairpin that he had gifted her years ago and a blue skirt. They made her look more feminine and prettier than usual.

"I'm glad." He smiled more genuinely, but only at her, before glancing up at the man who had been harassing Sora and showed him an expression of disinterest. "And who's this?"

The guy was taller than Taichi. He had broader shoulders, too, and tattoos peeking out of his sleeves. He was also kinda handsome, Taichi noted. The soccer player would have probably been attracted to him, if he weren't already in a relationship, or if the other male weren't eyeing Sora and him like a piece of meat— wait, Sora and him?

The ashy blond guy turned his grin at him. "You're her man? My, what an attractive couple. I don't suppose you're into threesomes?"

Taichi had put himself between Sora and him to protect her, but he didn't expect the guy to put his hand on him. The younger boy's eyes widened as the guy placed a hand on his chin.

"Back off, man. We ain't interested." Taichi slapped his hand away, but that didn't deter him in the slightest. In fact, he looked even more interested once he'd seen Taichi's rebuttal, and to prove his excitement, he even put an arm around Taichi's waist, pulling the shorter boy closer towards him. And ew, was that alcohol Taichi smelled?

"Feisty. How about just you, then? I'll show you what you're missing out from being with a woman."

Was this guy for real? Who the fuck did he think he was?!

Taichi growled, "I said, get off—" but he was cut off when the guy suddenly yelp in pain.

To his surprise, once the guy fell onto his knees, Sora was there with her leg up in the sky. She had kicked him in the balls and Taichi couldn't help but think how hot it was.

"Won't take no for an answer and misogynistic. What makes you think anyone would go out with you?" The orange haired girl hissed.

The guy glared from his crouched position, "Y-you bitch, you'll pay for that!" He stood shakily, before pouncing at them.

Taichi immediately pushed Sora behind him again, ready to deck the asshole himself, but a hand appeared out of nowhere to grab the back of the guy's shirt and slammed him against the walls. 

"Augh!" The guy yelped once more as the wind was taken out of him.

"Watch your mouth." 

Taichi gaped while Sora smiled as they realized just who had stepped in. 

The poor bastard was now faced with Yamato's murderous glare. Ever since the last battle during their first adventure, Yamato was kinder and gentler now, but between him and Taichi, the blond was always the scariest of the two. Even though the brown haired boy was known as being the rash one, the blond was always the protective one unafraid to throw the first punch and dealing with the consequences later.

Sensing that it was now a three-against-one situation, the guy cowered and decided to book it out of there.

A crowd had previously gathered when Sora kicked the asshole in the family jewels and now they're getting bigger. Some people had even pulled out their phones to record them. To avoid getting into trouble, Sora immediately grabbed each of Taichi and Yamato's hands to pull them out of the arcade and run towards the opposite direction.

Once they arrived at the park, the breathless trio collapsed onto a random bench. Sora leaned on Yamato's shoulder, intertwined her fingers with Taichi's and to the boys' amusement, the girl started to laugh. 

Her laughter was so infectious, that the two males followed her example and laughed alongside her. 

The birds around them were chirping, the crickets were singing, a couple of dogs were barking and wagging their tails while their owners jumped at the noises the three high schoolers were making.

"My knights in shining armors." Sora sighed as she gave each of her boys a smile.

"You sure I'm not the one who's supposed to be saying that? I mean, the two of you are the ones who got a good hit in." Taichi grinned at his partners, making both adopt the color red on their cheeks.

"He was touching you, Taichi, I did what any sane girl would do. Besides, Yamato was the one who got all feral."

Yamato's easy expression turned into wrath in a split second. "I should've punched him when I had the chance."

"And risk getting suspended?" Sora frowned.

"Taichi and I go to that arcade at least once a month. The owner wouldn't rat us out." 

Taichi nodded. 

"And it would have been worth it."

Taichi nodded again.

Sora huffed. "Still, we shouldn't resort to violence."

Taichi coughed. 

"I mean, it shouldn't have lasted that long," pouted Sora.

Yamato shrugged. "He was asking for it. Besides what you did to him probably scarred him even more than what I did."

"Oh, no." Sora looked genuinely concerned. She was never a violent person. "He got up quickly, though."

"Probably adrenaline. Or you only got a bit of his parts. I'll teach you where to properly kick them later. I already taught Hikari, and she passed with flying colors—" Taichi froze as a hand caught his chin, and unlike the disgusting guy's hand, this one was gentle.

Yamato's fingers stroke the skin of his chin, once, twice, as if he was getting rid of a stain.

Taichi immediately felt goosebumps, and his heart was beginning to beat in a faster rate.

"Oi, Y-Yama—"

"Don't mind me, just getting rid of some dirt." He didn't stop stroking as he called Sora's attention, "The asshole didn't touch you, too, did he?"

Sora shook her head while stroking the back of Taichi's hand with her thumb. "Taichi came right before he could do anything. Thanks, Taichi." To prove her gratitude, Sora leaned up, making Yamato let go of him so she could kiss Taichi on his chin.

When she leaned away, Taichi was met with genuine fondness — Yamato's soft eyes and Sora's loving smile — He's going to get a lot of those wasn't he?

Taichi buried his face in his free hand, unsuccessful in trying to hide the redness of his cheeks.

"You both are going to be the death of me," He grumbled. Yamato and Sora merely snickered at his embarrassment.

Arcade no longer being an option, they decided to go to an aquarium for their date. The fishes were cool and interesting, but Taichi found his eyes straying from them to his partners more times than he could count. 

The lights illuminating from the aquariums and being surrounded by aquatic life only made Yamato and Sora look ethereal. 

It's one of the best dates Taichi had ever gone to.

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"Oi, Yamato! Your girl's here to see you!" 

"Stop being so loud, would you?" Yamato playfully ruffled his bandmate's hair before he went out of the changing room to meet Sora.

His heart soared at the sight of her.

"Hey," She smiled shyly at him as she offered him a bouquet of flowers and some homemade cookies.

"Hey, Sor. Thanks for coming." He accepted her gifts and gave her cheek a kiss. "Thanks for these. I'll enjoy every bite."

His eyes then wandered the area momentarily, and he couldn't help but wonder—

"Taichi couldn't make it. He said that he had sprained his ankle and the medicine is making him too sleepy to go anywhere. So, he had asked me to buy you this," Sora pointed at the blue daisies that immediately reminded him of Gabumon, "and to give you this." The orange head looked around to find the coast was clear, before stepping on her tiptoes and sealing their lips together. 

Yamato immediately kissed her back. He put his arms around her waist, squeezing the flowers and snacks between them. 

Her soft and warm lips helped him get rid of the jitters. Just because he performed a lot didn't mean that it was always easy to get rid of the stage fright, he's just good at hiding it. Taichi and Sora knew better, though. 

"Thank you," he repeated with a softer tone once they pulled away.

"Break a leg, okay?" She winked. "If you're up for it, you can give our boy his kiss back after your show."

"Can't wait." Yamato grinned before ducking down to kiss her again.

Her good luck kisses always made him perform his best.

"Whoa, you look great." Sora turned around and found herself calming down at the sight of her boyfriend. 

Although, once she saw what Taichi was wearing — a long-sleeved blue shirt, matched with a pair of slim fit cotton chinos and black sneakers — her heart was now beating fast for a whole other reason. It was rare to see Taichi this neat. He looked more attractive than usual and those pants were hugging his thighs in all the right places.

"Sora?"

"Uh— uhm! T-thank you, Taichi!" Her brain finally caught up to his praise and she looked down to her pink yukata with birds and flower patterns (Biyomon had chosen her yukata for today). Her waist was hugged by a blue colored obi and her hair was tied up and decorated with her favorite hairpin.

Taichi's praise had made happiness course through her. She was never one to seek approval over her looks. She knew that she was not as pretty as Mimi or as cute as Hikari, but having Taichi and Yamato's attention on her always made her feel special.

"You look handsome, yourself."

"Thanks," He ran a hand through his hair bashfully. "Mom and Hikari told me to clean up for once. I didn't know what to wear, so Yamato gave me some pointers. He's sorry he couldn't be here."

Yamato had texted her earlier that he regretfully couldn't come to her mother's exhibit because his dad was sick and he had to take care of him. She had reassured him that he didn't need to be sorry and to take care of his father and himself so he didn't catch any sickness. 

"You okay?" Taichi cut off her thoughts. 

"I'm—" The orange hair let out a shaky sigh. "I'm nervous. My piece is being shown at this exhibit and I know it's not the first time that I'm showing my art, but it's always nerve-wracking. I mean, everytime I made something, I keep thinking, what if people hated it? And then my mom would be embarrassed, a-and—"

"Hey, hey, Sora, calm down."

The boy took her hand and gently pulled her away from the crowd to somewhere quieter. 

Once they arrived near some vending machine, Taichi placed his arms around Sora, and when she felt how warm he was and how nice he smelled, the girl found herself calming down.

Her heartbeat started to slow down as her breathing matched his.

His hand rubbed her back up and down in a slow but steady rhythm. It was big on her back, grounding and making her feel safe from the people in the next room and most importantly, from her own thoughts. 

"If you want me to take you away from here, I will. Just say the words." Taichi promised in her ear. "Today's your day, Sora. I'll do anything that you think is best for you."

Sora clutched the back of Taichi's shirt and hummed appreciatively. She was used to people making decisions for her. It's nice to know that there was someone who would support her own choices no matter what.

"Thank you." She raised her head and whispered. "Would you give me some of your courage, Taichi?"

He blinked at her, confused. As their eyes locked together, she saw the moment he understood her request.

With his slightly tinted cheeks and determined expression, he leaned down to press his lips against hers, making her forget about her responsibilities for a little while. 

Later, when people were giving positive comments and constructive criticisms about her work, Sora caught Taichi's supportive grin.

He stayed near her until the end of the event and Sora felt so safe.

Sometimes, after a grueling match, no matter what the results, Taichi needed some alone time. One of the perks of being captain: he got to choose between having the first shower or last, and if he chose last, he got to have the changing room to himself.

In solitude, he would get to run the match in his head again. He would think about the things he and his teammates could have done better and how to voice his opinions and criticism later during club meetings. Earlier, the coach had patted him on the back while telling him to take it easy, but by winning this match, it's taking the team one step closer to winning the championship. Taichi didn't think he had it in him to stop—

A knock on the door stopped his running thoughts.

"Come in!" To his surprise, the door opened to reveal a familiar blond.

"Yamato!" He got up to greet his best friend with a hug. "You came! I thought you had plans with Takeru and your grandma?"

"I kind of asked Takeru to keep her company for today. I'm owing him one."

Taichi tilted his head. "For me?"

Yamato squeezed his waist, backing him towards the walls. "No, for Gennai—"

"Oi,"

"—of course for you, doofus." Taichi gulped when Yamato knocked their foreheads together. "Can I?"

Yamato always asked, and once he got permission, he delivered. Taichi's breath hitched as the blue eyed boy took his lips. The way he was pinned against the walls, with Yamato's hands on him, kissing him like it's the last day on Earth, all thoughts of soccer and strategies flew out of his mind.

He found himself melting in the other boy's arms.

Like this, he didn't have to be a leader. He could let himself relax and be taken care of for once.

After what seemed like years, Taichi found that he needed to breathe, so he pulled away. That didn't stop Yamato from kissing his freshly showered skin.

"You did great out there." Yamato murmured against his cheek and jaw, making the brown haired boy shiver. He let out a small moan as the kisses trailed down his neck. "I'm proud of you,"

His arms tightened around Yamato's shoulders as he tilted his head, giving the other more access to his skin. "Y-yeah?"

"Yeah. Sora's proud of you, too. I caught a video of you scoring the winning goal and sent it to her. She spammed me non-stop."

Their girlfriend couldn't make it to Taichi's game today because she was accompanying her mother to meet an important client in Osaka. He thought that he would get the chance to surprise her and Yamato later with the news of him winning, but instead, they surprised him.

"Mnh," Taichi pulled Yamato away so they could meet each other's eyes. "I thought about you and Sora. When I scored those two goals."

"Really?" asked Yamato, his blue eyes wide as saucers. Taichi swore he could see sparkles in them.

Taichi nodded, uncharacteristically shy, but he had every reason to, because who wouldn't be when he had Ishida Yamato staring at him with such fond eyes?

The only reason Taichi had to look away from those blue eyes was because he couldn't help closing his own as Yamato's lips made their way towards his again.

He's really scoring a lot today.

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"This is stupid." Taichi grumbled as he stirred the chocolate that was in the small pan in front of him.

"Come on, Taichi-san," Mimi huffed, "don't you want to make whoever you're dating happy?"

He gave her a sarcastic look as a response. "I don't think he'll be happy if he got food poisoning on— what do you girls like to call them? The most romantic holiday of the year?"

"You won't give him food poisoning, Taichi." Sora, ever the supportive one, said while stirring her own pan.

"Easy for you to say, Sora. You're a good baker."

"And you're a good cook! Everything you make tastes delicious."

"But cooking's different than baking,"

"That's why we're here to supervise you!" Mimi cut in.

Tomorrow was the famous Valentine's Day and Mimi was a woman with a mission. This year, once she gave her chocolates to Koushirou, she would come out of the day victorious and with a boyfriend. 

To do so, she had recruited moral support in the form of Sora (who was obviously making her chocolate for Yamato) and Taichi (who Mimi was pleasantly surprised to find out had a boyfriend, but was a little bummed out that he was keeping the man in his life a secret).

She had originally wanted Hikari and Miyako to join them too, but Taichi had banned them, saying they were too young to think about boys. Boo. Party pooper.

"Taichi, are you sure you shouldn't be sitting down? Your feet still hasn't healed yet, right? You could sit and watch TV with Biyomon and the others while we prep most of the ingredients?"

Taichi shook his head, "Thanks, Sora, but... I kinda wanna do this on my own from scratch. I think he'll really appreciate it." Taichi blushed while scratching his cheek with his point finger. He looked adorable. Not as adorable as Koushirou when he's concentrating on his computer, though. 

Sora seemed to agree. "You're so adorable, Taichi."

"Speak for yourself," retorted the boy. "your outfit is too cute, what if you got chocolates on them, hm?"

"Taichi! Don't jinx it, this is my favorite jeans."

"Guys!" Mimi scolded, "Stop flirting and get back to work!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

The next day, when she was waiting for Koushirou at the school gate, she bumped into Yamato. 

Quite literally. 

"Ouch!"

"Sorry! Are you okay?" Mimi felt Yamato's hand grabbing at her wrist, pulling her away from the dangers of gravity. 

Like some kind of prince charming, the blond not only managed to save her, but also her carefully wrapped chocolates from landing on the ground. But in the attempt to save her and her prized possessions, Yamato's bag had flown out of his clutches and two wrapped gifts fell out of it.

Mimi (and the entire student body) knew that ever since Sora had become his girlfriend, Yamato would refuse any gifts presented to him, no matter who the giver was. 

So, not only had the pink haired girl questioned in her mind about why another gift aside from Sora's was in his bag, she also wondered why it was the same color and patterned wrappings that Taichi had used for his chocolates to give his boyfriend.

Reaching into inconceivable conclusions, Mimi found herself grabbing Yamato's tie, pulling him down to her level. She didn't care that she was practically choking her senior. 

Threatening light brown eyes met fearful blues. "Yamato-san? You are one of my favorite people. We've been through hell together. But if the next words that come out of your mouth aren't the words of, 'they're both from Sora', I will literally kick your ass back to hell."

"Erm—"

"Now. Who are those two boxes of chocolates from?"

"T-they're from Sora—"

Mimi nodded approvingly.

"—and Taichi."

"You two-timing bASTARD—"

"Because the three of us are in a relationship!" Yamato managed to whisper-yell before Mimi could kick him in the balls. 

She let go of his tie.

"I can't believe you didn't tell me." Mimi pouted as Sora sat in front of her with a guilty expression.

"I really am sorry, Mimi. It's just— it's still new and Taichi isn't ready for anyone to know yet. I hope you can understand."

Mimi sighed as she leaned back against her seat. "I do understand."

Despite his confidence and leadership, Mimi had come to understand that their leader was sensitive about certain things, and those things he liked to keep private. Despite how boisterous he was, Taichi rarely shared his personal lives with other people and she knew that Yamato and Sora were very important to him. She could see that he wanted to keep them safe for as long as he could. 

A set of hands slipped into her own, cutting off her thoughts. She was met with Sora's relieved and genuine smile. "Thank you, Mimi."

"Don't mention it, Sora." She grinned at her. "Anywho~ an idol and a jock, hmm? You got a whole package there."

Her best friend's cheeks were beginning to match her hair color. "M-Mimi—"

"In fact, two whole packages. No! More like twelve packs because I'm pretty sure running around singing and playing bass on stage or dribbling a ball across a whole field would require lots of training."

"Oh my gosh, Mimi!" Mimi cackled at her best friend's embarrassment, uncaring that the librarian rushed towards the girls to scold them for being too loud.

Because of yesterday's fiasco, Mimi didn't acquire herself a boyfriend, but later that day, she found a familiar red haired boy waiting for her at the school gate.

"Koushirou-san? What are you doing here?"

"Oh, hello Mimi-san." The boy greeted her politely with a nervous smile and tinted cheeks. "Umm, Taichi-san told me that you wanted to tell me something? S-so I thought..."

It's funny that Koushirou always looked confident and so put together behind a laptop, but in front of girls he would become awkward.

Or maybe (hopefully) it's because of her?

And ah. So that's why Sora told her to keep her chocolates in her bag today rather than throwing them away.

Koushirou looked clueless but adorable. He also looked like he was hoping for something. 

Mimi may not acquire a boyfriend on the famous Valentine's Day, but February 15th was also a nice date for a new relationship to form.

The light brown haired girl smiled at the red haired boy before reaching into her bag.

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Chapter Text

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A tall, dark figure looming over a small form.

A hand, made out of metal and claws— one that could slash its victims into two.

A firm voice, trying to appear strong, yet he could hear the fear hidden in it, saying,

"Take care of them."

'But who takes care of you?'

The clawed hand gripped the boy's form, threatening to take him away from them.

'Let go of him!'

The boy was taller than most of them, but he was small in the monster's arms. Fragile. Delicate. One wrong move, and the monster could break the human beyond repair. 

'Don't leave us! Don't leave me!'

"Take care of them."

"No!"

"Take care of them."

"Taichi!"

The monster took Taichi away.

"TAICHI!"

Sora's piercing scream broke Yamato.

Yamato found himself gasping awake in the middle of the night for the fourth time that week.

He wished that he could immediately forget about the dreams he had, but instead, each night, his nightmares became more and more vivid. 

It's been months since Taichi was kidnapped by BlackWarGreymon, since Yamato had failed to protect him and almost let him die. Everytime he remembered those moments, he kept telling himself over and over again that he wasn't worthy of his crest.

'Idiot,' A flash of brown eyes, glinting with a mix of annoyance and hurt. As though Yamato calling himself unworthy had personally offended him.

'Stupid Yamato.' A worried pair of maroon eyes. Always the mother hen who was unafraid to scold him, yet so kind that he didn't feel deserving of her love.

Right. Those two had scolded him time and again that even if he weren't the bearer of the Crest of Friendship, he was still the best friend they could ever ask for. 

He may doubt himself, but Taichi and Sora's words were law.

Yamato chuckled wetly in the dark.

Automatically, his hand reached for his phone. Usually, when he had nightmares about his friends, he'd immediately check up on them by sending a text. When it was about Taichi or Sora, however, he would immediately call them.

Usually.

When he tapped on the screen, a picture of a smiling Gabumon appeared. Seeing his Digimon partner calmed him, but it also sent a pang through his chest as he remembered his own actions towards Taichi and his partner.

Taichi was mad at him, he had every right to.

And Yamato couldn't even type his name.

Yamato opened his front door to find Taichi's cold eyes.

It's eerie, to have someone who always looked at you with some kind of fire, whether it's love or anger, now staring at you with such icy expression. 

"H-hey,"

"Are you gonna let me in?"

"Depends, are you gonna throw your soccer ball at my face again?"

Taichi raised his eyebrow, unimpressed. Yamato mentally smacked his own head for opening his stupid mouth. He blamed his sleep deprivation for that.

"I mean, come on in..." He stepped aside, and that's when he noticed the takeout bags that the athlete was holding in his hand.

The brown haired boy noticed his gaze. "Sora called. She said that you haven't been sleeping and eating well, and your dad's been on a business trip since yesterday until next week. Auntie Toshiko wants her to focus on the flower exhibit next month, so she couldn't come to visit."

"You didn't have to bring me food," murmured the blond while rubbing the back of his neck, feeling awkward in his own home. 

"Yamato," The blond flinched when Taichi practically slammed the food onto the dining table. "I was mad at you, but that doesn't mean I stopped caring about you."

Taichi's cold demeanor was replaced with a hurt look. Great. Now Yamato's hurt him again. He had failed in protecting his best friend before and now, for the umpteenth time, he had hurt his boyfriend.

"Would you please talk to me—"

"I'm sorry."

Taichi paused. When he didn't speak again, Yamato took that chance to continue, "I'm sorry for what I said."

Taichi and Yamato had been lounging in the former's room. The latter was texting their girlfriend, his eyes flickering between his phone and the small Digimon that was currently bouncing playfully on Taichi's chest.

Like always, Yamato eyed the slime Digimon warily.

"I wish you'd remember me soon, Botamon." The brown haired boy sighed as he stroke the small space between the Digimon's yellow eyes.

"Is it so bad?"

"Hmm? Did you say something, Yama?"

"I said, is it so bad? Is it so bad if Botamon doesn't remember you or everything that had happened?"

"Wha-? Why would you say that?" Taichi sat up from his laying position and hugged Botamon tightly in his arms. He looked as if he couldn't believe what Yamato was saying. 

And once Yamato opened his mouth, he couldn't help but voice what he had been pondering for months. "He kidnapped and hurt you, Taichi. Imagine if he did regain his memories. What if he became that monster again—"

"Get out,"

"Taichi—"

"I said get out! Get out of my room, you asshole!" A soccer ball landed on his face, making him curse out loud.

"What the fuck, Taichi-!" Yamato clutched his nose in pain, but he froze the moment he saw the hurt look on Taichi's face. It's as if Yamato's words had inflicted more damage to him instead of the other way around. 

Hikari, Tailmon and Agumon rushed into the room after hearing the commotion. The younger Yagami and Agumon immediately tried to calm her brother down while her Digimon partner ushered the blond out of Taichi's room.

Before the door closed, Yamato saw a glimpse of Taichi holding Botamon close with tears in his eyes.

"I'm sorry for saying such things to you and Botamon."

Yamato hoped that Taichi would leave it at that, but of course the latter wouldn't take his apology as it was. Not that Yamato thought he deserved to be forgiven. He wasn't sure if he would forgive anyone who badmouthed Gabumon.

"I realized that ever since Botamon hatched from his egg, you haven't really interacted much with him. Not like Hikari or Sora or Daisuke." Yamato flinched at the rightful accusation. "I thought I was imagining it, but you saying that he's a— a monster, that sealed the deal for me. Botamon, he's— I technically created him with Daisuke and Veemon's help. He's my and Agumon's partner now. If you hate him, Yamato, it's like you're hating m-me, and I can't—"

Yamato's eyes widened at Taichi's conclusions, "No! Taichi, no, I don't hate you. I've never hated Botamon either."

"Don't lie!" Taichi stepped back, arms tight around his torso as if protecting himself, and Yamato felt his own heart breaking.

"I'm not! I could never hate any part of you. I told you before that I love you, Taichi, I even made Gabumon Ultimate Digivolve to WereGarurumon without a crest because I was so fucking scared of losing you!"

Taichi was staring at him with wonder now rather than dread, so Yamato took a page out of his book, seeking courage by stepping closer and taking ahold of his hands. When the brown head didn't pull away, the blond took that as a win.

"I may still have nightmares about you that's leading me to act all weird towards Botamon, but I promise I don't hate him."

"Your nightmares, t-they're—" Taichi wiped his tears away with his sleeve jacket, but refusing to let go of Yamato's hands. "they're of me?"

Yamato nodded slowly. "I was afraid that he's going to take you away again."

Taichi blinked, his brown eyes still watery. "What, you mean BlackWarGreymon? I've only got Botamon for three months, Yamato. I don't even know how to make him Digivolve into BlackWarGreymon again."

The Child of Friendship squeezed his hands. "Come on, Taichi, it's you. Of course one day you'll be able to make him Ultimate Digivolve again."

Taichi looked awed at Yamato's confidence. Did he really think that Yamato didn't have enough faith in him to do so? Did he forget that he was one of the first Chosen Children to make his partner Ultimate Digivolve?

Overwhelmed by Yamato's gaze, Taichi averted his eyes, but a shy smile had formed on his face and a tint of pink colored his cheeks. Before, if the other boy got embarrassed, he would laugh it off, but now that they're together, Yamato and Sora had the pleasure of seeing him vulnerable with them.

Seeing Taichi's trust in him, Yamato decided to show him his own vulnerability as well by confessing, "I know my nightmares and feelings are stupid and hard to understand, and I'm not trying to imply that if Botamon managed to Digivolve into BlackWarGreymon again then he would definitely the same thing, but the thought of someone— anyone taking you away again, I-I couldn't bear it."

Taichi stepped into Yamato's space and placed his forehead on the blond's shoulder, separating their hands so he could grasp the front of his boyfriend's shirt. "Idiot. Your feelings aren't stupid. You're scared, I get it now."

Yamato wrapped his arms around Taichi's waist, squeezing him tightly, and he immediately felt immense relief. It hadn't even been a week since he last saw his boyfriend, and once they're in each other's arms, it's like everything finally fell into place. 

Suddenly, Yamato felt like he could sleep for a week. His eyelids were closing on his eyes and his limbs felt heavy as he leaned against his boyfriend's form.

"Yamato? Yamato, hey," Taichi ruffled his messy blond hair. "C'mon, wake up. I brought your favorite. Go eat that— on second thought, take a shower first, you reek."

Yamato would have retorted at the remark, if he weren't so sleepy and relieved. "I will, but only if you stay." He murmured against Taichi's chest.

His boyfriend, the bastard, then let out a dramatic sigh. "I guess I could make time for you."

After Yamato showered, they enjoyed the yakiniku takeout, did the dishes, brush their teeth and proceeded to fall into the older's bed.

Once they're on the soft mattress, Taichi gathered Yamato into his arms. "Did you notice that that was our first big fight after you asked me to be your boyfriend?"

"Never again," grumbled Yamato.

Taichi snorted into his hair. "This ain't our first time at relationships, Yama, you know we're gonna have more fights— oi, oi, you're gonna make me explode here!" He complained as Yamato tightened his arms around the brown head's torso.

Admitting defeat, Taichi made himself comfortable and snuck a kiss onto Yamato's nose. His blue eyes blinked at the gesture, not that it was unwelcome.

"Sorry for throwing a ball at you."

"I deserve it."

"Just because I was mad at you doesn't mean I get to hurt you physically like that."

"We punch each other all the time, Taichi."

"Yama,"

"Okay, okay. I forgive you. Do you forgive me, too?"

"I thought I was the idiot between the three of us?"

"Taichi,"

"Yes, I forgive you. Just stop being an idiot next time and tell me when you're upset about something."

"That goes the same for you. And by the way, we're both idiots. Sora's the only smart one."

"Smartest thing you've said all day."

They talked for a few more minutes, trying to make up for the lost week, until one of them fell asleep and the other followed. 

After four evenings in a row, Yamato finally slept through the night without any nightmares.

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Chapter Text

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They may not live under the same roof, but Yamato was his elder brother and Takeru knew and loved him more than anyone. 

He knew when something in Yamato's life had shifted, could see from how his eyes had more light in them, how his body language that was usually tense and constantly in fight-or-flight mode now seemed at ease, how the constant frown in his face had changed into something softer.

The last time he was like this, it was a few days before he told Takeru that he was in love with Sora.

After getting together with Sora and progressing from liking her into being in love with her, Yamato looked content. 

Now he looked content and happy.

So in conclusion, something must have happened with his brother and Takeru must search for proof.

"You're singing."

"Hmm?"

"You're singing, dear elder brother." Yamato pointed out from the dining table where his homework laid abandoned the moment Yamato came to cook him dinner because their mother had to leave for an emergency meeting.

"Well, I am a singer, younger brother." The blond didn't skip a beat as he easily flipped an omelet like a professional chef, which smelled amazing, by the way.

"You were singing whilst cooking—"

"I didn't know it was a crime to do that."

"—which you never do."

Yamato flipped the food again without looking at the pan. Instead, he merely raised an eyebrow at Takeru as the delicious eggs landed on one of their plates.

Show off.

"Finish your homework, Takeru."

Takeru sighed. "Yes, Nii-san." He would find out what's going on, sooner or later.

One fine evening before White Day, a loud yelp could be heard from the Ishida household.

"Don't be so dramatic, I didn't hit you that hard."

Takeru pouted as he cradled the back of his hand that was literally just smacked by his brother. His own flesh and blood. The abuse. The betrayal. 

"I just wanted a taste,"

"That's raw dough. I don't want to have to explain to mom why you're having a stomachache when you get home to her later."

"Fine," he dramatically fell onto a nearby chair as he stared longingly at the soon-to-be chocolate chip cookies. "Can I have some later when the cookies are done?"

"Of course."

"Can I have some batches to give my friends?"

Yamato side-eyed him. "By friends, do you mean the girls who gave you chocolates on Valentine's Day?"

"Yes?"

"Then no, you're on your own."

"But Nii-san!"

"It's your own fault for accepting them."

"How could I say no to their doe eyes?"

"Like this." Yamato looked at him straight in the eyes. "No, thank you. Today, I'm waiting to get chocolates from one girl only."

"I know I shouldn't have told you about Hikari." Takeru tore his eyes from the other blond in embarrassment. How was he supposed to know that Hikari was going to give him chocolates on Valentine's Day when she hadn't given him a single hint that she liked him?

They did share a bond ever since their first adventure, but Takeru thought his feelings were one-sided. He was proven wrong by his longtime crush, however. 

In the end, when Hikari had confessed to him, Takeru, having already accepted the chocolates from random girls, had recruited Daisuke, Iori, and even Ken (even though Ken had gotten two times the amount of gifts Takeru had) to help him finish them off.

Not his proudest moment.

Yamato snickered, probably seeing the dilemma on his face. "She did give you one, didn't she? It's only right that you make a gift for her. That is, if you reciprocated?"

Takeru stared at Yamato's challenging gaze dead on.

"I do."

"Good. If not, Taichi would probably kill you and I'm not getting in the way of that." A pause. "Probably."

The ludicracy! "I'm your brother! You're supposed to be on my side!"

"I am on your side. Here, help with the cookies and you may get your batch for Hikari."

"Yes, Nii-san! You're the best!"

Later that night, as Takeru finished wrapping his White Day gift and Yamato took a shower, the younger noticed that the older's school bag now contained two gifts, one wrapped in red and the other in orange.

Hmm. Interesting. 

As soon as Yamato got back from the restroom, he stated, "I have to go."

"What? But you still haven't finished your food," 

Yamato wasn't one to waste food, so the moment he said that, Takeru stopped chewing. He watched his brother gather up his things with a restless look on his face. The only people who could make him look like that was Sora and—

"It's—" The older sighed before sitting back down in front of the younger. He leaned forwards over the unfinished food, whispering so the occupants of the fast food restaurant didn't overhear anything. "It's Taichi, he somehow lost Botamon and he's panicking, like really panicking, and he asked for my help to find him—

Takeru stood up.

"Let's go." It's Yamato's turn to let his jaw drop. "Three people would find him quicker, right? Let's go, Nii-san."

The older blond smiled. "Well, adding the two of us, it's actually eight now. There's Taichi, Agumon, Sora, Biyomon, Hikari, Tailmon, you and I—"

"Nii-san!"

"Okay, okay! Let me handle the bills first,"

Later, when they met up at the park, Takeru stopped short as his brother surprised him again.

He watched as Yamato made his way directly towards Taichi and not Sora — granted, it was the brown haired boy who currently looked like he was about to faint — and Sora didn't look like she minded in the least. Instead, she kept holding one of Taichi's hands as Yamato dropped to his knees in front Taichi, who was sitting on the bench, to calm their usually fearless leader who now looked fearful. 

"I went to the bathroom for one second and when I got back, the windows were opened and he's missing. I didn't even know he could open the damn windows,"

"And I was napping instead of watching over him. I'm so sorry Taichi, it's all my fault!" Agumon launched himself between Taichi and Yamato to wrap his arms around the former's torso.

"No, Agumon, you did nothing wrong. If anything, it's my fault." The brown haired boy used his free hand to pet the lizard Digimon's head. "You're my partners and we're in the human world. I'm supposed to be responsible for the two of you. Fuck, I'm so stupid—"

"Taichi, hey, look at me." Yamato grabbed his shoulders, making Taichi's teary eyes land on him. 

"Y-Yama, what do I do?"

"Firstly, calm down. Secondly, listen to me when I say it's neither you nor Agumon's fault. And thirdly, we're going to find him."

Yamato's gaze turned to Sora, who nodded with determination, before going back to Taichi, whose nod was less convincing.

Takeru had to force himself to stay quiet when he saw Yamato wipe Taichi's tears away while Sora wrapped her arm around their leader's shoulders. It's rare to see Taichi so distraught. Takeru had wanted to help comfort him, but there's nothing he could say or do that his brother and senpai hadn't already done.

Eventually, thankfully, they found the small Digimon not two hours later, at another park. 

The park where Botamon finally hatched from his egg, to be precise. 

Taichi immediately took the baby Digimon into his arms. "You little daredevil, where the he— heck have you been?! I'm never letting you go again!"

The sounds of 'Bota! Bota!' came from the innocent and confused looking Digimon. 

"He said that he saw an orange butterfly and decided to follow it because it reminded him of Taichi. And when he lost it, he found himself in an unfamiliar place." Tailmon translated to all of them.

"Oh!" continued Biyomon, "And then because he didn't know where to go, he went to the place where he met Taichi and Agumon for the first time!"

Agumon climbed up to his partner's shoulders, lightly scolding the baby Digimon, "You scared Taichi, dummy. Don't do that ever again."

Botamon blinked from where he was hugged tightly by the human boy, before saying out loud once more, "Bota! Bota!"

"He says he's sorry, Taichi."

Taichi pulled away and let out a shuddered breath. He stroked the little one's dark colored cheeks. "It's okay, Botamon, I'm just so glad we found you. Promise me you won't do that ever again?"

"Bota!"

"Promise!" chorused the other three Digimons, making the humans laugh. 

Later, after Taichi and Agumon profusely thanked them for their help, they found themselves in a train back home. 

Takeru stared at the trio of humans in front of him. 

The Child of Courage was sitting in the middle of the Children of Friendship and Love, dead asleep. His head was resting on Yamato's shoulder, his hand was tight in Sora's hand while his other arm was around a sleeping Botamon. Agumon was in the blond's lap, also sleeping, whilst Biyomon was people watching while sitting in her own partner's lap. Meanwhile, Yamato and Sora were lightly conversing with each other, as if having Taichi between them was... normal.

"They look like a happy family, don't they?"

Takeru blinked down at Hikari, who was sitting next to him with her arms around her sleeping partner. 

"Yeah," he found himself agreeing, "they're just missing Gabumon." 

Gabumon and Patamon were at Takeru's dad's apartment, seeing as Yamato and Takeru had planned to have a siblings dinner tonight. 

Seeing Taichi being distressed over Botamon, it reminded him of the time he had lost his own Digimon partner. Takeru wanted nothing more than to hold Patamon right now. It's a good thing he had his girlfriend to focus on. 

"So, your brother... my brother really loves him, huh?"

He glanced at Hikari again, and the girl gave him a soft smile. "My brother really loves your brother, too."

"And Sora?"

"And Sora. And she loves them." Hikari glanced to the trio and leaned her head against Takeru's shoulder. "It's always been the three of them, hasn't it?"

A picture of Taichi, Yamato and Sora, standing tall during their first adventure. The adventure that was chaotic. Messy. Dangerous. But despite it all, despite the many fights, misunderstandings and split-ups between the Original Chosen Children, they always reunited in the end, and Takeru always remembered that the the trio sitting across from him and their Digimon partners had stood at the front of it all.

Even now, when they're relationship looked like it had changed for the better, into something different that only the three them could understand. 

It's like they're evolving.

Digivolving?

Kami, what if humans could Jogress Digivolve?!

"What's so funny, Takeru?" Hikari blinked at him when he chuckled. 

Takeru shook his head. "Nothing, it's just... I just really know my brother too well."

Hikari giggled. "Same here."

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Chapter Text

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Jyou did not expect his Saturday morning to find himself in Yamato's home with two sick friends.

That's right. 

Not just one, but two.

Each of the Chosen Children had their own families, friends and responsibilities, so they didn't meet up as often as they liked, at least not all of them at the same time.

The more they grew up, the more life got in the way.

But there were occasional outings and reunions, sometimes with anniversaries as a motivation to attend. Incidental cases also happened where random Digimons appeared in the human world and some of the Chosen Children had to deal with them, or when there's trouble in the Digital World and the New Chosen Children needed more support from the originals so the elders came running. 

The bond they had created during their first and second adventures absolutely cannot be severed, so if one of them were in trouble, at least one other would come to help in any way.

In his case, today he was supposed to go to cram school, but one text message from the leader of the Original Chosen Children had him going off to the opposite direction. 

Need a favor, no questions ask. Bring your stuff. Please! —Taichi

Throughout the years, Jyou had come to know Taichi as a very brave person. His bravery made him rash, but it also made him someone who will protect the most important people in his life. His courage also influenced other people to be confident in themselves. Jyou couldn't deny that his leadership inspired him to try his best as well.

Maybe that's why he did exactly what Taichi asked: come when called.

The future doctor abandoned his responsibilities for once because while Taichi liked to poke fun at people, he never asked for help unless he really needed it.

The look of relief on the younger boy's face was worth skipping one class.

"Jyou! Am I glad to see you!" Jyou was taken aback at Taichi's appearance. His hair looked messier than it had ever been, he had deep bags under his eyes and his blue shirt that was decorated with stars on each upper arms was stained with some kind of sauce. 

"Uhh—"

"Come in, come in!" Taichi opened the door wider and ushered the older inside. 

"Taichi, I was under the impression that you have some kind of emergency—"

"The emergencies are in the living room and Yamato's room." 

"As in plural?!"

"Just come see, will ya?"

True to his words, as Jyou entered the living room, the sight of a pitiful looking Yamato greeted him. 

His usual pale skin were flushed and clammy. He was covered by a blanket, but it seemed like it wasn't doing any work as the blond continued to shiver on the couch. Dazed blue eyes opened to land on Jyou, and the latter immediately felt a pang of sympathy. 

"Hey, Jyou," the doctor winced at Yamato's hoarse voice. He sounded like he had coughed up a lung. 

He approached the other boy and got to work. "Hey, Yamato. I'm still studying to be a doctor, but let me check you up, okay?" Jyou glanced at Taichi. "I'm guessing that's why you called me here?"

The other nodded with a smile. "Old reliable Jyou. Take care of him first, yeah? His condition is worse than Sora's. I'm gonna go check on her." Without any other explanations, the brown haired boy left the room.

"Wait, Sora's here?"

It turned out, Yamato had been sick with fever and Sora was suffering a migraine. 

After giving Yamato a fever patch, fever reducer and stomach medicine, the sick boy fell asleep. Taichi was now in the kitchen after being instructed by Jyou to make a meal that would be easy for the blond to digest.

When he saw Sora next, the girl looked pale, but she was alert enough to tell Jyou what happened while he checked on her.

Mr. Ishida was away because of a business trip and Mrs. Takenouchi was having a retreat with her colleagues. With no one to take care of Yamato, Sora took the initiative, but not long after she arrived at the Ishida household, she began to have a headache that soon turned into one giant migraine. 

"Wait, so you called Taichi first instead of a doctor?"

Sora shrugged. "He took care of us really well. He got permission from Auntie Yuuko to stay the night and he came here with groceries that I'm sure he paid for with his own pocket money. He made us porridge and soup and helped Yamato shower afterwards. He even did the laundry and cleaned the apartment because Yamato kept coughing."

What was Taichi thinking calling Jyou reliable when he was already being that from the start?

Like a mind reader, Sora continued, "I think he called you because Yamato's cough kept getting worse and he didn't know what else to do."

Jyou hummed. "I see."

"Thanks for being here, Jyou-senpai. Taichi tried to hide it from us, but I think he was really worried. I'm sure he's also exhausted." Sora smiled weakly at him. "He needed someone he could rely on."

Of course. Every leader needed someone. Be it a second-in-command such as Yamato or a level headed support like Sora, or in this case, old reliable Jyou.

He's not going to lie, to have someone depend on him, especially someone like Taichi, made him feel good about himself. 

And as Taichi's reliable friend, Jyou would gladly assist him in any way he could. 

It seemed one of the things he could assist Taichi in was holding himself from screaming in shock. 

Jyou had eaten dinner and taken a shower at Taichi's insistence, the younger forbid him from leaving without at least eating and cleaning himself up. Jyou couldn't say he wasn't grateful because the fried rice tasted delicious and the shower was great after a tiring day. 

He was about to bid farewell to the trio, but when he got out of the bathroom, he noticed that Yamato wasn't on the couch anymore.

As he opened the door to Yamato's room, Jyou thought he was having a stroke because surely he wasn't looking at three people lying in one bed, right?

Correction: Yamato and Sora were lying on top of Taichi, both dead asleep, probably because of the medicine Jyou had given them. 

It shouldn't be a surprise, Jyou tried to convince himself. Physical affection was a thing. It's just surprising to see it forming between his friends, and it looked so... intimate. Despite the flush and sweaty skin, his two sick patients looked so at peace. Taichi also looked like he didn't mind being used as a pillow for his two best friends. In fact, he looked comfortable enough like he had done this many times.

"Just got them to sleep, Jyou." The blue head snapped out of his thoughts at the brown head's whisper. 

"I— y-you— you three a-are—"

One warning look from the Child of Courage and the Child of Reliability snapped his mouth shut.

For a few seconds, they just stayed in silence. 

Then, Taichi let out a silent, frustrated sigh. His eyes were glinting with a familiar protective fire. "I really didn't want you to find out like this. Look, could you please wait in the living room while I—"

Sora moved in her sleep, unconsciously tightening her grip around Taichi's torso while Yamato continued to snore into Taichi's neck. 

"—try to extract myself from these octopuses."

"But, Tai—"

"Please, Jyou."

Taichi looked exhausted, but despite the bags under his eyes, he looked determined to explain... whatever this was to Jyou. 

Jyou sighed. He could never say no to Taichi, anyway. 

"S-so, you three?"

Taichi nodded.

"Who, uhm, who else knows?"

"Hikari, Takeru and Mimi, as far as I know."

"Mimi? Hikari and Takeru, I understand. She's your sister and Takeru's Yamato's brother. But Mimi—"

"Is practically Sora's sister." The brown head leaned back against the cushions as he further explained, "She found out on accident, anyway. Thought Yamato was cheating on Sora with me, then she threatened to kick his ass, so he had to set the record straight."

Jyou couldn't help but snort. "I would've loved to see that."

"Yeah? Me too!" Both boys shared a chuckle before they went silent.

"Hey, Jyou?"

"Yes, Taichi?"

"Thanks for not... you know, freaking out, or something."

Jyou snorted. "We've been thrown around across worlds, targeted and almost killed by evil Digimons, got ourselves a loveable but whiny Digimon partners. You think I would freak out over the three of you being in a relationship?"

"Uh, yeah? You seem pretty shocked just now." Taichi waved his hand at Yamato's room.

"You can't blame me for being initially surprised." Jyou leaned forwards in his seat. "Taichi, are you happy?"

"I'm—" The younger blinked. "Uhm, yeah. Yeah, Jyou, I'm happy."

"And are Yamato and Sora happy?"

His expression turned soft. He averted his gaze, a shy smile appearing on his face. "I'd like to think so, yes."

Jyou nodded and he felt a smile forming on his own face. "Then I'm happy for the three of you. I was surprised, yes, but now that I thought about it, it makes sense that it's the three of you. You've always been our leader and in the past we may not always have your back, but in the end, I always see Yamato and Sora standing next to you."

"Jyou," Taichi looked like he was holding himself from crying. Or from hugging him.

"You're made for each other." 

As soon as Jyou said that, the younger really did throw himself at the older.

Despite the bruise on his back caused by Taichi pouncing on him and how exhausted he was, Jyou's really glad that he skipped cram school today.

🧡💙❤️

Chapter Text

🧡💙❤️

Taichi could admit that one of his weaknesses was impatience.

When the soccer club managers had explained to him that they were going to do a café as a theme for the cultural festival, he had to admit, he had been rash.

As captain, he had given them the go-ahead to do whatever they wanted, as long as the results included success in promoting the soccer club and raising its fundings. He would find out later that giving them his approval would lead to several mistakes. 

Mistake number one: in the few years he had known Natsuiro Sakura and Miyamoto Ran as the club managers, he did not realize that both were hardcore fujoshis.

Mistake number two: he didn't listen much when they informed him that they would be doing a themed café and said theme was a Yaoi Café.

He only said yes because he trusted them and he wanted to go home quickly to finish the final level of the game he had been sacrificing his sleep for (hence, impatience).

So, when one fine day Taichi found himself in a freshly pressed shirt, pants and vest, hair tamed for once and even wearing a little bit of makeup, he had no choice but to face the day head on.

"I still don't understand how you agreed to this, Senpai!" His junior, Yusuke, grumbled as he tried to comb his spiky hair to no avail. If there was anyone with hair almost as wild and big as Yagami Taichi in that school, it's Tanaka Yusuke.

"Use this," Taichi tossed his dad's hair gel at the boy. "and stop complaining. Listen up, everyone!" He used his leader voice and was pleased when the whole members of the club immediately gave him their full attention. 

"I know that ever since the coach and I gave the announcement for our theme some of you still don't agree with it, but our managers have put a lot of effort into this. The foods, decorations and even the training—" Taichi shuddered momentarily when the memories of Ran inviting her butler to teach them how to act as a waiter for the whole week pass through his mind, "—so, we can't let them go to waste. Think of the happy and satisfied customers as scoring a goal. And when, not if, when our team wins the cultural festival competition, think of it as a warmup to us winning the championships. I'm not accepting any half-hearted jobs today, do you hear? Let's do our best like we're on the field!"

"Yes, Captain!"

With a new resolve, most of the boys continued getting ready in a more spirited way, although some still looked nervous and filled with dread.

No matter. They just had to survive the next two days.

A hand landed on his shoulder and he was met with Kagami Shun's smirk. "Nice speech, Captain."

"Thanks." He made sure the sarcasm in his tone was deliberate. "Pity, I wouldn't get to hear yours tomorrow."

His vice-captain groaned, almost running his hand through his dark red hair but stopped at the last second because he didn't want to ruin the gel. "You know it's unfair that you get to skip tomorrow, right? Thought a leader should ride or die with his team from start 'til the end?"

Taichi shrugged while putting on his vest. "Tell that to the coach, man. I didn't ask to have a meeting with him and Sakura for the whole day tomorrow. "

"Still unfair."

A loud knock interrupted them and a moment later, Sakura's voice hollered through the door of the changing room. "Let's go, people! It's almost showtime!"

"Right." Taichi managed to hide his grimace by grinning at his team. "Head in the game, guys!"

"Yes, Captain!"

He just had to survive today. He could do it.

Taichi didn't think he could survive anymore of this.

Four hours into his shift (with a thirty minute break in-between, thank Kami), and he felt like he could sleep for a week.

He kept going back and forth from tables to the makeshift kitchen, accepting the customers' requests and delivering their orders, all while sporting a charming smile on his face. His mouth was currently on autopilot, reciting the greetings and scripts that were drilled into him. By now, he had played the pocky game more than ten times with his teammates and sat on his vice-captain's lap and having his lap sat on five times each. They even did the rice ball scene so many times that Taichi never want to see another rice ball for at least two months. 

His feet hurt, his muscles ached, his face was numb from all the smiling, his brain was malfunctioning, and to top it off? His body had been through too much unusual activities today that he was now sporting a massive headache. 

He'd rather face Kuwagamon or do drills for hours than do this ever again. Or go on a meeting. Thank Kami he was captain, because at least he didn't have to suffer to through this again tomorrow. 

On second thought, Kami was now on thin ice, because he's currently doing yet another pocky game, this time with his keeper, Tomoya. The poor kid looked nervous, so Taichi let him grab onto his waist. But then, the people he hoped to gods weren't aware of his situation suddenly came through the entrance.

"Holy shit,"

The pocky snapped into two and Taichi's headache immediately increased tenfold as the sight of Yamato, Sora, Mimi, Koushirou, Hikari, Miyako and Iori greeted him.

"Mimi-sama, please don't curse!"

"How are you not cursing, Miyako-chan?!"

"T-Taichi-san, is this why you refused to tell us what your club is doing for the festival?"

"Onii-chan, you look great!"

"You look nice, Taichi-san." Iori commented. "Could we perhaps sit down? We have been waiting for more than half an hour because of the waiting list."

"There's a reason why I didn't tell you guys," Taichi could only response to Koushirou's question, hissing out, "and why did you bring Hikari, Miyako and Iori here?! They're kids!"

"They're taking a break from protecting the Digimon World. My dad invited them to a basketball game," whispered Yamato so only their small group could hear. Wait, why did he look annoyed? And was the guy really glaring at him? What did Taichi do this time?

"The girls and Iori weren't interested, so I invited them." Mimi stood in confidence, daring her senior to protest her actions. Taichi backed off, seeing that he didn't have the energy to protest to her of all people. 

"Oi, the sign outside said if we could pay more, we could ask one waiter to wait us in a private room for a whole hour and to do scenes with only us, right?"

Taichi blinked. Yamato was practically growling at Tomoya, and the boy barely manage to stutter out, "Y-y-yes, Sir!"

"Great. Mimi?"

"Roger!" The light brown haired girl turned to Sakura, "Miss, we would like to pay double to have this fine young man to wait on us for the whole hour!"

Mimi wrapped her arm around Taichi's and the latter could only feel dread coursing through his body. What the hell were these people planning?

"Of course! The terms for that are you must do at least one scene but without touching the waiter. The pocky game or kabedon is fine. If the waiter consent some light touchings, then it's fair game. Otherwise, we would have to immediately ban you from our café. Understood?" Sakura explained politely but sternly. 

"Yes, ma'am!" The Chosen Children chorused. 

Her stern expression turned into one of those customer service smiles. "Then please let me show you to your room. Taichi-senpai will be with you after a moment."

Taichi stared in shock as Sakura led his Chosen friends to an empty table.

"I am not interested in basketball, but something tells me I should have gone with the other guys," stated Iori with an unreadable expression before following the others to their seats. 

"Yes. Yes, you should've." Taichi said to no one in particular. 

They were in a private room, but Taichi felt so exposed as he sat in front of Sora, their faces mere inches from each other with only a stick separating them. 

As usual, his girlfriend was pretty, but she was prettier up close. Her maroon eyes were covered by her eyelids, decorated by her long eyelashes. Her lips were formed into a pout because of the stick in her mouth, making her glossy lips even more enticing. Her breath was hot against his mouth, and she smelled like jasmine and lavenders.

The last time they kissed was a week ago, on the evening where Taichi had walked her home. Heck, the last time he had spent time with both of his romantic partners was a week ago during lunch because he kept going home late thanks to the waiter-training he had to attend. 

It's been so long. It was taking everything in him to not snap the pocky and capture her lips with his because people. Were. Watching.

To be so close yet so far.

It wasn't fair.

'Screw this.'

Taichi should just lose the game and—

"Is this allowed?" 

"Shush,"

"Mimi-sama, Iori really shouldn't be watching this!" 

"Then cover his eyes, Miyako-chan! If we're too noisy then—"

The pocky snapped in half.

But it wasn't Taichi who lost the game, it was Sora. She lost by pulling away first, took whatever was left of the snack out of her mouth, threw it away, wiped her hands with a tissue and cradled Taichi's face.

He heard the occupants of the room sucking their breaths. 

"Taichi, can I?" asked Sora with a small voice, too soft for anyone to hear but him.

He saw the love in her eyes. So much want was in them but also the fight — she was holding herself back and Taichi knew that she would stop the moment he said no. Her loving heart, always taking care of everyone around her and Taichi was far from being an exception.

'Fuck no.'

"Yeah,"

Sora's eyes sparkled at the consent, and once she put her lips on his, Taichi knew no more.

He instinctively grabbed her waist and took over. He tilted his head, making a strand of hair fall against his forehead, the gel that had held his hair back for hours now slowly losing its usefulness. Sora placed her arms around Taichi's neck, pulling him even closer, thus deepening their kiss.

Out of nowhere, Mimi suddenly squealed, making Taichi pull away from the orange head.

"Mimi-san, weren't you the one who told us not to be noisy?" stated Hikari, looking a bit annoyed, either at the older girl or at having to watch her own brother kiss someone. 

Next to them, Miyako's glasses were cracked, probably due to shock.

"W-wait, aren't Yamato-san and Sora-san together?" Iori whispered to Koushirou, who was in the same state as Miyako.

The red hair snapped out of his trance, fearing the worst. "Oh, no-!"

Suddenly, Yamato stood up and marched right towards Taichi. The waiter's already wide eyes widened even further as the blond got into his space, too fast that Taichi had no choice but to get up from his seat and instinctively step backwards. 

With the private room being small, Taichi's back soon met something hard. He flinched when Yamato's palm slapped the wall next to his head.

He was cornered, sandwiched between his boyfriend and the walls. They were standing so close that Taichi could hear both of their heartbeats. 

The only thing his eyes could capture was Yamato's face. His knitted eyebrows were a contradiction to his soft blue eyes, like— like he was mad at Taichi but also knew that it wasn't Taichi's fault. Somehow? Hopefully?

His lips were chapped but Taichi bet they would feel soft like they always were. He also smelled musky, with a hint of apples and spices (Taichi was informed of Yamato's class organizing some kind of food stand today).

He couldn't help but feel dizzy, going from Sora's beautiful face to Yamato's handsome features. From the smell of lavenders to apples. From maroon to blue.

"Is this okay?" Yamato whispered, only for him to hear.

Dazily, Taichi nodded. His eyes glancing up and down between Yamato's eyes and lips. 

'Please, please, please, kiss me.'

He didn't even care now that he had spectators.

Taichi wanted.

"Wait, Yamato-san, please don't kill him! Mimi-san, what are you doing?! Please let go of me, I must stop him—"

And then, Yamato leaned down to kiss him.

The other boy seized him forwards by placing an arm around his waist, the gesture was so hot that Taichi had to grab onto Yamato's shoulders so he didn't lose himself. 

He let the other lick the bottom of his lip, making Taichi open his mouth. And when he slipped his tongue inside, the soccer player couldn't help letting out a whimper.

Unlike with Sora, he let Yamato take the lead. He had more experience and Taichi trusted him with his life. The brown head also trusted Sora with his life, but Sora was a girl. The instinct to protect and lead her was engraved in him.

They loved him in different ways. Yamato took care of him and Sora supported him.

He loved them both so much.

Meanwhile, fully expecting Taichi to be punched, Koushirou, Miyako and Iori sat in their seats, shook to the core when Yamato did the exact opposite. Mimi kept squealing while Hikari tried to tell her to calm down, lest they got kicked out of the café. 

The shocked trio glanced at Sora, and their eyes and mouths opened wider as the orange head, rather than planning the two boys' murder, only stared at them with a fond look.

After Taichi's exhausting shift, the three of them went to the roof to get a breather from all the excitement. Mimi, probably a saint in her previous life, smiled knowingly at him before taking Koushirou and the others away so Taichi could have some time alone with his partners. 

Yamato had brought them some canned drinks from the vending machine and some sandwiches from his class's food stall. Meanwhile, Sora presented some kind of makeup remover and a small wet towel to get rid of Taichi's makeup and dizziness, all in that order. 

Once free from the beauty products, Taichi sighed in relief. Sora made him lay his head on her lap and afterwards, she covered his forehead and eyes with the towel. The cool feeling against his pounding head and the warmth Sora provided really did wonders to his fatigue.

To be beaten by hungry customers and fujoshis, he had a newfound respect for waiters now, or any other people in the food and beverage business, really. 

While the brown haired boy rested, the blond and orange head conversed. "I think Koushirou-kun and Miyako-chan are sulking at Mimi."

"She really kept her words on not telling anyone, huh?" Yamato chuckled as he downed his coke.

"Believe me, she was probably dying to tell someone."

"You have a good friend, Sora."

"Mhm, she's my best friend." Sora ran her fingers through Taichi's hair. "Well, uh, speaking of friends, we hope you aren't mad at us, Taichi. For kissing you like that in front of the others, I mean."

Taichi removed the wet cloth and squinted at the girl who was shyly avoiding his eyes. "'Course I'm not mad. You guys asked and I said yes, didn't I?"

Yamato rubbed the back of his neck. "I thought I was pressuring you."

The tanned skin boy shook his head, chuckling, "Nah, it was hot. Besides, it's my first time experiencing a kabedon, and a pocky game that resulted in a real kiss."

"Right." The Child of Friendship leaned down towards the Child of Courage, expression turning serious. "You're not allowed to do that again, by the way."

Chocolate eyes blinked. "Huh?"

"Becoming a waiter in a Yaoi Café!"

Taichi sputtered. "It wasn't my idea! See, this is why I didn't wanna to tell you guys."

"Because you didn't want us to see you in a waiter get up?"

"Because you didn't want us to see your teammates and the other customers hanging allover you?"

Both the blond and the orange head demanded at the same time.

"Yes! Wait what?"

Taichi sat up and stared at his partners.

"Were the two of you... jealous?"

When they stayed quiet, cheeks turning red, Taichi snorted. 

"It's not funny," grumbled Sora.

"It kinda is! What the hell do you two have to be jealous about?"

"You look so good in your costume, Taichi." She waved at him and Taichi looked down at his appearance. His costume was reduced to only the pants and white shirt. The shirt was now wrinkled, he had unbuttoned the two top buttons, and the sleeves were folded haphazardly. Lastly, the hair gel had finally admitted defeat to his big hair.

He looked the definition of disarray, but judging from how Yamato kept staring at his collarbones and Sora at his arms, maybe Taichi wasn't too bad looking?

"Did you notice that most of your customers were your fangirls? And I bet the people who initially only came for the food ended up joining your fanclub."

"Not really? I was too busy reciting scripts and acting a whole lotta scenes. And wait a sec, I have a fanclub?" Taichi was bewildered because this was the first time he was notified of this. He thought people like Yamato and Shun had them, not him.

Sora looked at him like he was stupid. "Of course, you do, you're the captain and star of the soccer team!"

Yamato cut in, "You also didn't notice that you practically went to second base with your keeper?" Taichi gaped at his growl.

"What, with Tomoya? We were doing a scene! I'd never even get that close with him in real life anyways!"

"And why not?"

"Because he's straight! And because he's not my boyfriend!" Yamato suddenly blushed. If Taichi didn't feel the need to set the record straight, he would have thought it was cute. "Look, why's this starting to feel like an interrogation? I didn't even wanna do this stupid thing in the first place!"

The girl of the trio gently grasp his arm to calm him. He wasn't even aware that he was raising his voice. God, he's so fucking tired. "You're right, Taichi, we're sorry. We didn't mean to seem like we're accusing you of anything. It's just— we're really protective of you. You don't seem to realize that a lot of people want you."

"No? I don't? And I don't care if I am that popular, I only want you two."

Yamato and Sora stared. Taichi paused. 

"Uhh, I-I mean."

"You want us, Taichi? You want us to what?" asked Yamato, intrigued. 

"I, uhh—" His head turned from side to side, eyes going back and forth between Yamato and Sora who were staring at him with an intense look. He could barely speak when their eyes were glinting with eagerness, smiles practically brighter than Angewomon's Holy Arrow. 

As if they wanted him in the same way. Wanted to do more things with him as he did with them.

"Taichi?"

"E-everything." Taichi ducked his head, feeling very shy all of the sudden. "I want my first everything to be with you guys."

They weren't his first relationship, but they were his first kiss and first I love you. He hoped that someday they would be his first time, too. 

Taichi felt his heart racing. Laying himself bare like this was mortifying, but he didn't have time to worry about it too much because suddenly, he found himself on his back with Sora's arms around his torso and her face buried in his chest. 

"Sor— mmph!" a hand on his chin cut him off, his next words muffled as Yamato took his lips.

If anyone went to the roof right now, they would have seen the captain of the soccer club lying underneath a tennis club member that was hugging him so tight as if she had heard the best news ever, and a member of Knife of Day on top of them both, kissing him as if his life depended on it.

Thankfully, they were alone together. 

Finally.

🧡💙❤️

Chapter Text

🧡💙❤️

One fine evening had Ken next to Daisuke, both of them were panting hard across from Taichi and Sora.

"Learned your lesson yet, Daisuke?"

"N-never! We could still beat you!" The spiky head pointed his racket at his seniors before turning to his partner, "Right, Ken?!"

"I-I don't know, Daisuke," Ken leaned on his palms, letting the tennis table hold his weight. 

A few weeks ago, Mimi had invited the Chosen Children, both original and new, to spend a weekend at her father's friend's inn. With Mimi's request, they were allowed to enjoy the hot springs and other amenities the inn provided at a private wing so they wouldn't be bothered by other guests. The best thing about these three days was that after weeks of exams, homework, chores and protecting the Digital World, they finally had the chance to spend time playing and relaxing with each other and their Digimons.

Although, currently Ken was having second thoughts because agreeing with Daisuke on facing two more experienced athletes at table tennis was clearly a misstep on his part.

"Taichi, we should've went easier on them," said Sora with concern as she saw the exhausted younger boys.

The original leader smirked. "Sorry, what was that Miss-three-smashes-in-a-row? Tennis and table tennis aren't so different when you have a competitive streak, hmm?"

Sora's cheeks immediately matched her hair. "Taichi!"

"Besides, gotta show the kids that we still got it, right?" Taichi bumped his shoulder against Sora's, making her giggle. It was unfair that they looked like the didn't even break a sweat. 

"Okay! Seeing as the representatives of Team Original won, we get to choose who gets to sleep with whom!" Mimi cheered, making Palmon and the other Original Digimons whoop alongside her.

"No! Daisuke, you're hopeless!" Miyako yelled dramatically. 

Daisuke blanched, "I didn't see you tryna beat our senpais!"

"I cheered for you, didn't I?!"

"Err, seeing as Hikari and I were also Original Children—"

"You chose sides earlier, younger brother." Yamato curled an arm around Takeru's shoulder, showing him a teasing smirk. "Save some of your pride."

The younger blond groaned, "I shouldn't have put my trust in Daisuke—"

"Hey!"

"I mean what were you thinking, challenging Taichi-san and Sora-san for a bet of all people? The best athletes out of all of us? C'mon."

"I thought I could win with Ken being my partner," pouted Daisuke.

"I'm sorry, Daisuke."

At Ken's apology, Daisuke immediately backtracked. "Hey, wait, no! I didn't mean it was your fault, Ken!"

Ken chuckled. "I know, I'm just teasing you."

When Daisuke's face went red, everyone let out a hearty laugh.

Then, the sleeping arrangements were decided like this:

Taichi and Yamato.

Jyou, Koushirou and Iori.

Sora, Mimi, Hikari and Miyako.

Daisuke, Takeru, Ken.

"These two lost and I get to be their thirdwheel?" murmured Takeru dejectedly.

"Why? What would you have decided if Team New won, hmm?" Takeru tensed as Taichi's arm circled threateningly around his shoulders. "You weren't gonna suggest rooming with Hikari, were you, Takeru?"

The blond shook his head from side to side, face pale as the brown head's icy smile never left his face. 

Meanwhile, Mimi chirped, "We got the biggest room, ladies, so don't you worry!"

"Ooh! Slumber party!" Miyako clapped her hands in excitement before hugging Hikari.

"The girls were always going to room together, anyway." Koushirou murmured with acceptance while Jyou, Gomamon and Tentomon nodded in agreement. 

Once the rooms were settled, they moved onto other activities. Daisuke asked Taichi for a rematch, this time with Veemon and Agumon as their partners, which the elder granted. The girls and their Digimons went to the hot springs to enjoy a bath. Yamato, Jyou and Koushirou decided to play poker with Gabumon, Gomamon and Tentomon. Earlier, Ken had promised Iori for a few rounds of chess so this was a good time to play. Meanwhile, Takeru decided to grab a jenga set and teach Patamon, Wormmon and Armadillomon on how to play.

They played for a few hours until it's time for dinner. 

As they boys met the girls in the hallways, Botamon jumped from Sora's arms onto Taichi's head.

"Hey there, little fella, you had a good bath?" the human asked as he smiled up at his Digimon. 

"Bota!"

They all cooed at the baby Digimon before Mimi and Miyako demanded the boys to bathe first as they refused to be accompanied by unhygienic males as they ate.

After each humans and Digimons finished enjoying the hot springs, they went to the private restaurant. The dinner menu was exquisite, with sashimi, soup, vegetables, eel, pork and more, complimented by traditional tea, fresh juices and milk. They even had ice cream and cakes for dessert.

All in all, it was a great experience. 

Ken woke from his slumber with an 'oof!' as an arm landed on his chest, knocking the wind out of him.

Even in the dark, he could tell that Daisuke was the perpetrator. Usually, when he got like this, Ken would immobilize his boyfriend by gathering him into his arms and then he would go back to sleep until morning. Tonight, however, he had drunk too much liquid that he needed to relief himself before he could go back to dreamland. 

Carefully putting Daisuke's arm away and stepping around Veemon and his Wormmon, Ken managed to slip out of the room.

He still hated the dark, so he quickly went to the bathroom and did his business. As he passed Taichi and Yamato's room, however, he heard a loud scream that made him freeze where he stood.

That voice was unmistakably their original leader. After fighting so many battles, his immediate thought was that they were under attack. Perhaps an evil Digimon had snuck in to assault them. If they were, it wouldn't be the first time.

Ken knew he had to go back to his partners first, but when he heard voices coming from the other side of the room, going on autopilot, he started to approach it.

"Taichi, it's okay." Yamato's muffled voice came through the door. "It's just a nightmare, you're okay."

"B-but— but he's— they're g-gone! SkullGreymon was there, and he hurt Agumon and BlackWarGreymon, and n-now t-they're-!"

"Taichi," "Bota?"

Ken heard the moment Taichi gasp because of Agumon and Botamon's voices. 

There were some ruffling noises before Taichi's sobs filled the silence and Ken's heart broke at the sounds the older was making.

Unlike Daisuke, Ken wasn't very close with the soccer player, but he respected him. He liked to think that they were more than acquaintances. Perhaps a friend?

Especially because not only had Taichi acted as their leader for years, but also because he had forgiven Ken for his sinful actions that had resulted in Agumon Digivolving to SkullGreymon — for the second time, according to Koushirou's story — years ago.

A few weeks after BlackWarGreymon had died, Ken finally gathered the courage to visit the Yagami household to apologize to Taichi and Koromon.

He didn't think that laying himself bare to a person a few years older than him, who was fiddling with his Digi-Egg and his pink partner who was hanging from his ears around Taichi's neck, could be so nerve-wracking. 

"I'm sorry."

"What for?"

"I've never apologized for making Agumon Digivolve into SkullGreymon back when we were enemies. To think that you have to face that situation for the third time and I was the cause for the second time — I am ashamed, and I understand if you never want to see my face again."

"Ken, please get up." Ken slowly got up from his kneeling position to find Taichi awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.

"I didn't think my Saturday would go like this, to be honest. Thought you were here to ask for my blessings or something," Taichi snickered as Ken felt himself flushing. It wasn't exactly a secret that Daisuke and him were dating, not when they had announced it to Takeru and the others. He figured Hikari had given her brother the news. 

Then, Taichi turned serious and the blue haired boy couldn't help but grip the fabric of his pants again.

"Ken, we've all made mistakes. I for sure did a lot of them during my first adventure, and now I'm leading my life after learning so many lessons from that time. I'm sure you're living your life now, too, so don't think too hard about it, okay?"

Taichi was now looking at him with a kind expression. It only made Ken want to cry more. "B-but I hurt you and Agumon."

"You apologized." Koromon chirped. "And you won't do it again, right?"

Ken shook his head hurriedly. "No, never!"

Koromon grinned at him. "So, it's all good!"

The bluenette stared at the duo in wonder, and it was only when Taichi placed his hands on Ken's shoulders that he snapped from his trance.

"We forgive you," Taichi and Koromon smiled brightly at him. "Okay?"

Ken bit his lower lip before giving them a small smile back. "O-okay."

"I do have a favor to ask, though,"

"Anything."

"Even though I already know you're going to do it anyway, promise me you'll always watch Daisuke's back for me? He needs someone on his six."

It's both the easiest and hardest favor anyone had ever asked him.

"I promise." Ken vowed.

"I will also take care of Veemon!" Wormmon, who had been quiet the entire time out of respect, suddenly called out.

The people in the room burst into laughter. 

Ken didn't know what to do.

Should he help? Should he get some water? Or maybe he should go find Hikari? Yamato seemed to have the situation under control, but the sobs continued that Ken couldn't bear walking out of there and getting back to the comfort of sleep.

Not when his friend was hurting. 

Then, another voice made him pause. "Shh, shh, it's okay, Taichi. Agumon and Botamon are here and they're safe. Yamato and I are here, as well. We've got you."

Was that Sora? That sounded like her. Ken was grateful that Taichi had his two best friends with him, but what was Sora doing in there?

It felt like years, standing there as he heard Yamato and Sora calming Taichi down, until Taichi's sobs turned into sniffles and eventually into soft snores.

Until a voice hollered and Ken snapped out of his frozen state. "You can come in,"

After feeling stupid for glancing around when the call was clearly meant for him, Ken hesitantly cracked the sliding door open.

The light had been dimmed rather than being off completely, so his blue eyes landed on Taichi straight away. The older boy had his head resting on Sora's lap and was laying on his side while hugging Botamon and Agumon into his chest, with the smaller Digimon sandwiched between them. His eyebrows were pinched and he had tear tracks on his cheeks.

Hesitant to watch their leader being so vulnerable, Ken's gaze found the tatami floor. "I did not mean to eavesdrop. I-I—"

"You were worried, we know." He looked up to find Yamato's eyes. He looked sleepy and exhausted. It was the same with Sora, but both of their eyes were glinting with protectiveness. 

Ken felt the need to explain, "I lost Wormmon before, so I know how he feels. I just want to make sure he is alright."

At that, Yamato gave him a soft smile. He noticed that it was the same smile he often gave Takeru. "It's good to know that he has so many people who cares about him."

Not knowing how to response, Ken nodded timidly.

"Tonight, you can count on us, Ken. Thank you for checking up on him. You should go back to sleep." Sora smiled fondly as she stroke Taichi's hair, but her tone was firm and similar to Ken's own mother, the one he could never hope to challenge.

"Y-yes, Sora-san."

Yamato ruffled his dark blue hair before sliding the door shut.

Before he knew it, Ken was back in his room. He laid down on his futon and pulled Wormmon close, feeling his heart calming down as his own partner warmed him up.

Wormmon blinked sleepily at him. "Ken-chan?"

"It's nothing, Wormmon," whispered Ken softly. "Go back to sleep."

"Okay, Ken-chan."

As Ken fell asleep, he hoped that Taichi and him would be free from another nightmare of losing their partners. 

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Chapter Text

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"I gave Sora a hairpin for her birthday, and she got mad at me. I thought girls like that kinda stuff? I don't understand girls, dad!"

Susumu didn't look up from his newspaper and simply said, "You, me, and all the men in the world, son."

Taichi threw himself next to his dad and bumped his head against the older's shoulder, seeking wisdom. "I just don't get it! I thought she'd be happy."

The older took one look at Taichi's dejected face and put his paper away. He ruffled the younger's wild brown hair. "Taichi, sometimes women just need time. Give her some space, and she'll reach out to you. And remember,"

"...Yeah?"

"They are always right."

Taichi groaned.

Susumu turned down the volume of the TV when he heard the front door slammed shut. "You okay?" He called out to his eldest. 

"Fine," Taichi huffed as he threw his bag on the floor and then himself on the sofa. "Yamato's just being an idiot."

"Oh?" Susumu tried to recall. Yamato? Oh, the blond one.

"I mean, he asked me for advice for a new song. I gave him my input and then he talked some nonsense about me not taking the hint or whatever. The hell did he ask for my opinion in the first place then?!" 

Ohhh.

"Boys are stupid."

"Son, I hate to break it to you, but you're a boy." Susumu deadpanned.

"At least I know I'm stupid sometimes. Does he?"

Susumu could only laugh and ruffle his son's big hair. An immense feeling of pride mixed with dejection ran through his chest at seeing the sight of his little boy growing up. At least he still had more time until his little girl would think about boys.

Hopefully. 

Taichi didn't cry often. In fact, the last time Susumu remembered him crying was when the whole thing with the Digimon was finally over (the first time during that whole invasion of Odaiba, that was), when Taichi and Hikari told their parents that they had to say goodbye to their partners for good.

Digimon partners. Agumon and Tailmon.

His son didn't let himself brood for long, however. He had soccer, after all, and he made new friends who had depended on Taichi and vice versa. The Chosen Children, they were called — as ridiculous and scary as that sounded — and because of that experience Taichi had gotten closer than ever with Sora, and received a new best friend named Yamato. 

He also acquired other new friends. Susumu had seen a boy walking him home, Koushirou, the red-haired boy with the laptop which never seemed to leave his hands. There was also Jyou who came to tutor him once or twice, an older boy wore glasses and looked like the complete opposite of Taichi's optimistic nature. 

Taichi had gained more friends, but he talked about Sora and Yamato a lot more compared to the others. 

That should have been Susumu's first clue.

Then, a few years went by and the talks about Digimon appeared in their household again.

Susumu and Yuuko were pretty open-minded people, so accepting the whole thing wasn't hard. Especially since Agumon and Tailmon made their children happy. 

They made the apartment livelier and didn't take up too much space whenever they visited, although Agumon ate a lot and Tailmon had claimed Susumu's space on the couch as a napping spot. Most importantly, they protected his children, so Susumu was glad to have them.

Back to his dilemma: it was one winter when Taichi had come home, immediately ran to his room and refused to go out for hours. And for once, Agumon had no clue whatsoever had happened. 

Susumu had a suspicion that Hikari knew, but his children were two peas in a pod. Thick as thieves. Cut from the same cloth. Hell would freeze over before they told on each other. So Yuuko and him decided to give the boy some space.

Later that night, however, Susumu found Taichi crying in the living room, in the dark. At least, the older thought the younger was crying, because even though the boy was hiding his face in a throw pillow, his whole body was shaking.

"Taichi?"

Taichi tensed. His immediate reaction was to bury his face further into the soft material, as if it could muffle his sounds. 

It didn't. 

His son sniffled (definitely crying, then), and Susumu felt his heart breaking. Parental instincts screamed at him to find whomever had made his son cry, tear them apart and kill them.

But— "D-dad?"

"Hey, son," —his son came first. 

So he slowly sat next to him and gently pulled Taichi into his arms. Digimon leader or not, he's still Susumu's boy. "I'm here. Can I get you anything?"

Taichi, having already replaced the pillow with Susumu's shirt to wipe his tears, shook his head.

"No, I—" He sniffled again. "I'm fine."

"I'm fine, dad. Give it to Hikari, she can have it."

"I'll be fine, dad. I'm big boy, ya know! I can go to school on my own!"

"Don't worry about me and Hikari. I'll take care of her. You and mom should really go. Grandpa and grandma need you both."

"I have to go, dad! They need me! I'll be fine, I have Agumon, after all."

"We both know that's not true, Taichi." Taichi paused before letting out a shuddered breath.

"Y-yeah, I guess you're right. But, I'll be fine. I can handle it, okay? I just need— I need to cry a bit, I guess. I'll smile in a minute, I promise, so just— j-just—" Taichi's words came out wobbly and at the last of it, each sobs felt like a punch to Susumu's guts.

"Taichi, it's okay if you don't want to tell me. But whatever happens, your mom, Hikari and I, we'll love you no matter what. You hear me, son?"

Taichi was quiet for a long time before, "Even if I like boys?"

Susumu's eyes widened at the quiet admission, but his instincts only made his arms around Taichi tighten, pulling the younger impossibly deeper in his hold. "Especially if you like boys. Is there a boy? Do I have to beat someone up? Give them the shovel talk?"

At that, Taichi let out a wet laugh. He shook his head. "Nah. You have to get in line, anyway. Hikari told me she had dibs on anyone who treats me like shi— who treats me bad."

See? Thick as thieves. 

"You should listen to your sister."

Taichi pulled away to wipe the tears and snot from his face with his sleeves. "I'm older, she's the one who should listen to me."

"She's smarter."

"Dad," Taichi whined, making Susumu let out a relieved chuckle. At least Taichi wasn't crying anymore. 

Though his relief was cut short,  because after that night, Taichi still locked himself up in his room for a long time. Each morning he would come out with flushed cheeks and swollen eyes — for a week. A torturous seven whole days. 

That was clue number two, and Susumu wasn't stupid to draw a conclusion.

"Is it Sora? Or Yamato?" Susumu demanded while pacing back and forth, burning the floors of their apartment with his indoor sandals.

Yuuko sighed from her spot on the couch. "Both, I think." 

"Both?!" Their son had a big heart, of course he could love more than one people, but to have both break his heart? "How could they reject our boy!"

"They didn't," Yuuko insisted while resting her cheek on one hand, contemplating. "Hikari said that Yamato and Sora got together, that's all she would tell me. I thought he was hung up about it because he liked Sora, but he's been talking so much about Yamato as well. And he has that look you know, whenever he talks about them? Both of them."

That fond, lovestruck, whipped look? Of course Susumu knew. He just never thought that all this time Taichi had been giving that look to two people. 

"You can't do anything about it, dear."

"The hell I can't—"

"Taichi is handling it, Susumu." Yuuko tutted. "He is trying to move on. And you know how our son is, he'd never ask for help unless he really needs it."

"But—"

"He'll be alright, honey. He's our son."

"...Fine."

Susumu didn't like it, but true to his wife's words, Taichi was handling it.

Taichi, as the boy had promised, began to smile again. He threw himself at soccer and his studies (mostly soccer), and for some reason, stopped talking about his friends. 

He stopped talking so much about Sora and Yamato.

Susumu knew that Taichi still hung out with them, but considerably less because previously, he often came home late from spending time with them. Now, Susumu could count on one hand how many times Taichi informed his parents that he would be out late hanging out with his two best friends.

He still looked dejected sometimes and got quiet to the point that he had to be coerced to get out of bed, but he looked better.

Susumu could only trust Taichi to do what's best for himself. 

For now.

Susumu didn't know whom he should unleash his wrath upon when he heard that his only son had landed himself at the hospital.

Agumon? Of course not, he had been the one to save and protect Taichi as always. 

Taichi's friends? Absolutely not. They were kids.

Taichi himself? Hell no, he may be reckless but there's no way he would get hurt without some kind of reason. 

His anger dissipated when he finally saw Taichi, who was lying weak in a hospital bed, feverish with cuts and bruises on his skin that were patched up. Images of the boy being healthy and active went through his mind, that it made Susumu feel like he had taken the moments when Taichi was safe and happy for granted. 

Yamato, and Sora were there. The two explained to Taichi's parents what had happened, about how their supposed reunion turned into another battle against a Digimon who had targeted Taichi. About how Taichi had been kidnapped but in the end saved them all. About how Yamato and Sora failed to protect him—

"You're kids. You're not supposed to protect anyone yet. We're the adults who are supposed to protect you." Susumu scolded them firmly, watching them raising their heads up from bowing deeply as they apologized. 

They looked like their whole worlds had shattered, with the way their clothes were torn apart, with how swollen Sora's eyes were as if she had been crying for hours and how deep the bags under Yamato's eyes were. 

"You two saved him, didn't you?" Yuuko asked with a knowing, gentle tone. "Thank you both. We are so glad that Taichi has you."

At her words, Yamato and Sora broke down in tears, and Susumu realized that his wife was right: their son would be alright. Because if two people loved him this much, there's no way he wouldn't be.

At the loud banging to his front door, Yamato opened it in haste, only to find the wind knocked out of him as a hand grabbed the front of his shirt. 

"You bastard," The wrathful vision of Yagami Susumu stared right in his face. Yamato wheezed and put his hands up in surrender as the adult glowered with fury. Yamato knew this day would come, but at the hands of his best friend's father? And so young?!

"M-Mr. Yagami, what—" 

His obliviousness seemed to make the older even angrier. "I'm gonna tear you apart, you little—" 

Right then, Taichi came out of nowhere, grabbing his dad's arm with both hands to try and pull him away from the blond. But even with the teenager's still growing muscles, the adult didn't budge. "Dad, stop it! What the hell are you doing?!"

"What's going on? Taichi? Weren't we supposed to meet at the park in a hour— Uncle Susumu?!" Sora came from the kitchen, clad in her dress and apron. She had been in the middle of making lunch for the trio's planned picnic.

"If he'd just stop and let me explain before he ends up in jail! Dad, would you just—"

"He touched you—" Susumu glanced at Taichi before growling at Yamato again. "You touched him! My son! I'm going to kill you dead, Ishida Yamato!"

"I'M TELLING YOU IT WAS A BUG!"

Silence.

Susumu froze.

Taichi panted.

Sora gaped.

Yamato fainted.

Takeru wheezed in between laugh. "Y-you're saying that Yagami-san came to dad's apartment and almost killed you after—after Taichi came home with what looked like a hickey but—but was actually a bug bite?" Finishing his sentence with a cackle, Takeru collapsed on the sofa.

The urge to throw his bass at his one and only brother was strong. Nevertheless, Yamato decided to smother him with a pillow instead. 

"And then what happened?"

"Taichi threatened to run away from home if Yagami-san didn't apologize for manhandling me and promise never to do that again."

Takeru snickered. "Do what? Never kill you if you decided to take his son's virtue?"

"You're too young to know that kind of stuff, Takeru!" Growled Yamato.

Takeru waved him off. "I know how sex works, Nii-san. And did he? Apologize, I mean."

"He did. Then he gave me a shovel talk..."

Takeru snorted.

"Before giving the three of us the talk."

Takeru roared with laughter. 

"Stop laughing like a lunatic, brat! And you don't have any room to laugh, you do know that Yagami-san doesn't know that Hikari's dating you, right?"

The way Takeru froze put a smile on Yamato's face. The younger glanced at his older brother with horror and the latter would have shown him some sympathy if Takeru weren't such an ass just now.

"Uhh—"

Yamato leaned back against the soft furniture, more relaxed now that he's not the one in impending doom anymore. "Taichi told me that Uncle Susumu doesn't have any clue that Hikari's in a relationship. It's funny, really. He somehow found out that Taichi has two partners, but hasn't put two and two together about Hikari's relationship with her male friend who likes to walk her home. He thinks his daughter hasn't think about boys yet, that she's too innocent for that. Imagine, if he's that protective about his son, what would he do about his precious daughter?"

"...Crap."

It was Yamato's turn to laugh. 

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