A/N: hey yall! i'm back! i know this chapter is very late but (insert lame excuse here)
i hope this chapter is good enough for everyone, it took me forever and a day to write.
i would like to give a big thank you to my reviewers, without them i would have given up on this story!
now on with the chapter!
Daisuke impatiently knocked on the apartment door, until Ken opened it with a halfhearted glare. "What took you so long?" Daisuke complained, shoving his way into his friend's home.
"It only took me about five seconds." Ken said rolling his dark blue eyes.
Daisuke waved his hand dismissing the subject. "I need your help."
Ken shut the door and followed his guest into the living room perplexed. "With what?"
"The Takeru problem!" Daisuke said exasperatedly, throwing his hands in the air.
Ken took a seat on the cushy green couch and crossed his arms, "I thought you talked to him."
"I did, on Friday, but it just raised more questions." Daisuke began to pace the length of the living room.
"Did you actually talk to him, or did you do something… untactful." Ken said carefully choosing his words.
"I had plenty of tact!" the redhead exclaimed.
Ken rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying to fight off the oncoming headache. "Fine. What happened and what do you need help with?"
Daisuke paced for several minutes before answering. "I know Takeru is hiding something." He said slowly, "But I don't think it's just him… I think Tai is too."
Ken's brow furrowed, "What makes you think that?"
"It's… I don't know, the way they act, I think – It's not like I have concrete proof or anything, just a feeling." Daisuke collapsed on the couch next to his blue haired friend.
Ken nodded, "Well, while your feelings aren't always right..." he trailed off biting his lower lip. "How exactly were they acting odd?"
Daisuke scrunched up his face in concentration. "They kept… glancing at each other – when we were in the gym. And Takeru had one of those health drinks Tai likes so much at his apartment. It felt like they wanted to get away from me… or us."
"Us?" Ken asked, "Are there more than one of you Daisuke?"
The redhead chuckled, "No, I meant me and Matt."
"When did Matt come into the picture?"
Daisuke shrugged, "When I called him… But Tai and Takeru seemed uncomfortable with us."
Ken slowly mulled over this information. "When did you say Takeru started acting strange?"
"I don't know, around… November I think."
"So after you started dating Kari." He mumbled mostly to himself.
Daisuke nodded, "Yeah, I guess." He paused, a horrified look crossing his face, "You don't think he's jealous do you? He always said he didn't like Kari that way! He wasn't faking was he?!"
Ken shook his head, "Calm down, you don't know that for –" He stopped suddenly and stared at Daisuke, with his slightly bushy dark hair, his goggles, tan skin – and it suddenly clicked.
Takeru and Tai.
Matt and Daisuke.
Daisuke and Kari.
Matt and Sora.
Jealousy.
"What's wrong Ken?" Daisuke asked concerned.
Ken shook his head, "Nothing." He said, wishing he was wrong, because if he was right then this was most likely going to be painful for someone and he really hoped that someone wasn't Daisuke. Ken's biased like that.
Daisuke didn't look convinced, but knew better than to press the issue, Ken would tell him eventually. "If you say so. By the way have you seen my Math book? I can't find it anywhere."
"No. Where was the last place you remember having it?"
Daisuke thought for a second then snapped, "Takeru's!" the redhead smirked, "I guess I'll have to go get it, and while I'm there I'll have to do a little more snooping."
"Snooping?" Ken asked cautiously.
"Yup." Daisuke said nodding, "Takeru's mine, he can't hide things from me – especially not with Tai."
The redhead bounced out of the apartment, vowing to return with information for Ken to process in his computer like brain. And Ken wondered if Daisuke even realized what he'd said.
X
Around the same time that Daisuke was knocking on Ken's door, Matt was knocking on Sora's, though far more politely.
His ex-girlfriend, opened the door with a bright smile, light red hair drawn into a loose ponytail. "Hey Matt." She said sweetly, opening the door for him to enter. "What did you want to talk about?"
Matt kicked off his shoes and sighed, "I think you were right to break up with me."
She nodded, "So you figured out who you like?" She said hopefully.
Matt ran a pale hand through his golden blonde hair and sighed, "I think so… but I also think he's a lying bastard."
Sora looked relieved, "So you did realize you like Tai, good."
The blonde shot her a glare, "You do know that most girls would be very angry in your situation, don't you Sora?"
"I'm not most girls though am I Matt." She shot back, walking into the kitchen and grabbing two sodas. Matt followed.
"How could you have possibly even known who I liked when I didn't?" Matt asked irritably.
"Woman's intuition." She shrugged. "So spill, how'd you figure it out?"
Matt hopped onto the kitchen counter and popped open his soda. "Friday we hung out together, for the first time in like forever and I think it just clicked in my head. Nothing romantic about it." He took a sip from his can. "Although it could just be my possessive nature taking over – making me feel as if I loved Tai, when really I just want to own him."
Sora slowly raised an eyebrow, something she had picked up from Matt. "Possessive nature? Have you been talking to Joe?"
Matt nodded, "He's taking a psychology course in college right now."
Sora rolled her soft red eyes, "What are you going to do about Tai then?"
"Well I was thinking about chaining him up in my room and keeping him as a pet – but then I realized that was illegal." Matt said nonchalantly.
The redhead snorted, "Only you Matt." She muttered.
"I honestly don't know how to approach this Sora… I'm Friendship, not Love." He said looking down at his soda in embarrassment.
"Just be honest." Sora said encouragingly, "You might be surprised at what happens."
Matt sighed, giving Sora a small smile, "You are definitely not like other girls Sora, helping your ex with his guy problems."
Sora giggled, "That's me. So what are you doing today – talking to Tai right?"
"I never said I was talking to him today." Matt said, "Besides, he said he was busy today. I was actually going to see Takeru. I feel like I haven't hung out with him in a while." Matt downed the rest of his soda and jumped down from the counter.
"Fine, but you better talk to Tai soon." Sora warned.
"Yeah, yeah." Matt said slipping his shoes back on, and exiting the apartment.
X
Tai and Takeru stumbled around the apartment, ignoring everything that was destroyed in their wake as they tried to make their way to the blonde's bedroom.
Finally after what seemed like forever, they managed to stagger to their destination and Takeru was slammed into his bedroom door as Tai hungrily attacked his mouth.
The room felt stifling; they were wearing too much clothing. Tai became impatient, as usual, and ripped Takeru's t-shirt, the younger boy growled, he was getting tired of having to replace his wardrobe. "Stop ruining my shirts Tai."
"Stop wearing shirts." Tai mumbled pulling his own shirt off and throwing it to the ground.
Takeru snorted pushing the brunette toward the bed with a feral grin. "Maybe I will."
X
Matt walked into the apartment lobby and saw the elevator door start to close, "Wait! Hold the elevator!"
A tan hand stopped the doors and Matt ran in.
"Daisuke what are you doing here?" Matt asked seeing the other occupant.
Daisuke rubbed the back of his neck, "I left my Math book over here on Friday, kinda need it back for school."
Matt nodded, "So Takeru is here then? I kept getting the machine."
"I don't know I didn't call."
Matt rolled his eyes, "Well, I have a key if he isn't, so we'll get your book either way."
Daisuke grinned, "Great." The boys exited the elevator as it gave a Ding! Signaling they had arrived on the third floor. "So what are you doing here Matt?"
"Is it a crime to visit my little brother?" Matt asked sarcastically as they made their way down the hallway.
"Dunno, I'm not a police officer." The redhead said with a smirk.
"That was lame…" Matt trailed off staring at the door to his brother and mothers apartment. It was open. He glanced over at Daisuke whose happy face had fallen, a worried look darkening his usually bright eyes.
Daisuke strode in to the apartment; a plant was knocked over, dirt spilling onto the plush white carpet, several books had fallen from the bookshelf by the far wall, a table lay on its side. Daisuke felt his heart rate speed up, his mouth went dry. What had happened? Was Takeru okay?
Slowly they made their way across the living room. "Takeru?" Matt called.
There was no answer.
Together they went into the kitchen which looked untouched, then headed towards the bedrooms.
A groan caught their attention. It came from the closed door of Takeru's room.
Matt and Daisuke looked at each other and nodded, one, Matt mouthed, two…
"THREE!" They shouted in unison.
They forcefully threw the door open and froze.
Takeru wasn't in trouble.
Takeru was straddling Tai.
Tai who was supposed to be busy.
Tai whose hands had been in the process of unbuttoning the younger boy's jeans.
They were shirtless with bruised lips, and matching deer in headlights expressions.
X
The room was suddenly hot for another reason. Tai felt as if he couldn't breathe, Takeru was suddenly too heavy and too tense on his hips. But he couldn't bring himself to move, to even blink.
His eyes were locked onto Matt, whose face was slowly but surely contorting into one of rage. Daisuke was rubbing his eyes as if this was dream and he could just rub away the sight before him.
It felt like they all sat there for an eternity.
Then Matt growled.
Growled like a wild animal ready to kill, a sound Tai had never heard the blonde make.
"I can explain!" Takeru said in a high pitched voice, quickly jumping off of Tai.
Matt ignored him, his eyes narrowing into slits as he suddenly pounced. His thin hands wrapped tightly around Tai's neck and for a second Tai thought he saw his life flash before his eyes.
Takeru yanked his brother away from Tai, "MATT CLAM DOWN!" Takeru shouted.
"CALM DOWN? TAKERU HE WAS –"
"WE WERE!" Takeru cut him off, "BOTH OF US! NOT JUST HIM!"
Tai slowly sat up, bringing a shaky hand to his throat. He glanced over at Daisuke who stood perfectly still, just watching the blondes with a vacant look on his face.
"FINE! WHAT WERE YOU AND TAI DOING?" Matt roared.
"WHAT DID IT LOOK LIKE WE WERE DOING?" Takeru roared right back.
Matt's face flushed bright red and he quickly turned on his heel and stormed out of the room
A pained expression crossed Takeru's face, all the anger draining from him. "Matt! Matt wait! Let me explain!" he said chasing after the older blonde.
Tai was still trying to collect his frayed brain. They had been caught. Caught by Matt and Daisuke.
Tai slowly turned to look at Daisuke whose face was uncharacteristically blank. The brunette cleared his throat quickly standing and feeling like a fool. "Daisuke…" he trailed off not knowing what to say.
Daisuke shook his head, "No, I don't want to know anymore." He said turning to exit the room.
Tai sighed, What now?
X
Matt knew it was a sissy thing to do. But he locked himself in the bathroom. He sat with his arms wrapped around his knees in the bathtub, ignoring his brother's incessant pounding on the door, pleading with him to open it.
He didn't know who to be angry with. He felt jealous of Takeru, which was completely irrational, pissed at Tai for touching his baby brother, but mostly confused and angry with himself for feeling these things.
It wasn't supposed to be like this, but then again he had learned that life wasn't always like it was supposed to be. In fact most of the time it was completely screwed up – i.e. divorce, and the pressure of saving the world.
Matt felt the telltale sting of tears behind his eyes. He squeezed them tightly shut, trying to fight them, he usually won when he did that, but not this time.
Now he felt like a sissy-la-la, he cringed at that word; it was one of Tai's.
Takeru's knocking slowed down, and finally stopped.
He didn't know how long he sat there in the bathtub alone.
Matt was trying so hard to block everything out that he didn't hear the lock click and the door open. But he did hear the sigh as someone climbed into the tub with him.
Matt's eyes snapped open, but it wasn't Takeru sitting across from him, it was Tai.
Tai looked tired, but fully dressed. "Matt I think we need to talk."
X
Takeru didn't know what Tai was going to do about Matt, but he said he'd take care of it, which left him to track down Daisuke. This was something he really didn't want to do, but what choice did he have? Was it better to take care of things sooner rather than later? Or was it better to let things cool over before you tried to take care of them? He didn't know, but chose the former, because that was just the way he was.
Down the hall he ran, down the stairwell, through the lobby, desperately trying to think of where Daisuke could have gone, but nothing came to him.
Takeru slowed down panting, where would Daisuke go? Was he upset? Was he disgusted? Takeru moaned in frustration, and it hit him, if Daisuke was feeling anything at all he would go to Ken's.
With new found purpose took of, determined to make the stubborn redhead listen to what he had to say whether he liked it or not.
He only hoped he knew what to say when he found him.
X
Daisuke had moseyed his way to the elevator, through the lobby, and finally outside. He was in a daze; out of all the things Takeru and Tai could have been hiding he had really hoped it wasn't what he had walked in on, well burst in on.
Seeing them like together like that felt wrong. Like when you stick a puzzle piece in the incorrect spot, you knew it didn't go there so you had to search for the right piece. Who was the piece that was supposed to be with Takeru? Who was the piece that was supposed to fit with Tai?
Daisuke rubbed his forehead, thinking like this was making his brain hurt. With a sigh he glanced around surprised to find himself in front of the apartment building that Kari and Tai lived in, and even more surprised to find Kari standing in front of him.
"What's wrong Dai? And don't say nothing, because it's obviously something." Kari said firmly.
It made Daisuke wonder, who was the puzzle piece for Kari? For him? It obviously wasn't each other. "Everything's wrong Kari." Daisuke said in a defeated voice.
Kari frowned, "What do you mean?"
"Kari," Daisuke began softly, not really knowing why he chose now of all times to do this, "why are you going out with me?"
Her ruby eyes widened, "What?"
"Why are you going out with me?" he repeated.
"B-because I like you." Kari stuttered confusedly.
Daisuke shook his head, "I don't think that's true. I think you wanted to give me the chance I had begged for, because you're sweet like that." He smiled slightly.
Kari chewed thoughtfully on her bottom lip, "I take it you're breaking up with me." She said finally.
"I think I am." He said solemnly.
She nodded, "So why were you going out with me?"
"Because you were – are perfect, but I don't think perfect and Daisuke fit together."
"What does fit with Daisuke?" Kari asked.
Daisuke ran his hands over his face, "I don't know."
"One more question before I go inside and start bawling." She said completely serious, Daisuke winced at that, "What brought around this sudden realization?"
"A no longer secret, secret."
Kari's eyebrows rose, "Not the answer I was expecting."
"I'll explain some other time." Daisuke sighed, "Right now I just need to think."
Kari nodded and disappeared into the apartment building.
X
Matt stared at Tai like he was some green, three headed, unicorn, as the brunette attempted to explain the situation between him and Takeru honestly.
"So basically you're saying that it's all my fault – and Daisuke's?" Matt said slowly.
"Yes – no…" Tai groaned, "It's not your fault. It's ours. We needed each other… I'm not explaining this right."
"So try again." Matt said sternly.
Tai drew in a deep breath, shifting slightly to try and get more comfortable in the bathtub that was not built for two eighteen year old boys to occupy at the same time. "I – I love you Matt." He said shakily.
Matt nodded, "You love me, so you sleep with my brother. Yeah that makes total sense Tai." He said rolling his icy blue eyes.
"It does! If you look at it from my point of view!"
"Explain your point then Tai, because I am this close," Matt held his thumb and index finger an inch apart from each other, "before I start strangling you again."
"Okay," Tai paused, "I've liked you for some time now, but I couldn't do anything about it because you were dating Sora, that and I couldn't bare the thought of loosing your friendship.
"When Dai and Kari started dating, I found out that Takeru was in the same boat as me, except his feelings were directed at Dai. You with me so far?"
Matt nodded, "Continue."
"When I found out about Takeru, we… well we made a silent agreement to… support each other."
"Through sex." Matt deadpanned.
Tai winced, "You don't have to be so blunt about it." He mumbled.
"Why Takeru?"
"You hate me don't you."
"Yes. Now answer the question. Why Takeru?" Matt said with an icy glare.
"Because… he looks like you." Tai whispered, looking down at his hands.
Matt's eyes went wide.
"And I kinda look like Dai." Tai continued.
A tense silence filled the small bathroom as Matt processed this information and Tai thought about drowning himself.
"So…" Matt paused, "Takeru likes Daisuke and… You like me?"
Tai nodded.
"This is so screwed up."
Tai nodded again.
"I can't for give you, either of you."
Another sad nod.
Matt sighed, "I'd wanted to talk to you Tai – about feelings. Because the other day I thought I liked you too… that or I was being possessive, but now… I don't know anymore."
Tai slammed his head back against the tiles, startling Matt. "I can't believe I ruined my one sliver of a chance with you." The brunette closed his eyes.
The blonde was silent for a moment worrying his bottom lip between his teeth. "What if you didn't completely ruin it?"
Tai's eyes snapped open, "What?"
"I'm not saying I forgive you, but maybe – after time – when I come to terms with your tryst with my little brother…maybe we could give us a shot." Matt whispered the last part, his face flushing.
Tai's face lit up and without thinking, as he often does, he threw himself across the tub. Landing awkwardly between the blondes legs, and kissed Matt directly on the lips.
The blondes mind, protested it – after all Tai had just recently been kissing Takeru with that mouth – but he chose to ignore it just this once, because he deserved to get something out of this whole ordeal. And Tai was far better than blueberries, chocolate, or anything else, though Matt wouldn't even think about comparing Tai to any of those things.
He was more like heroin, completely addictive.
X
Ken looked up from his book as someone began frantically pounding on his door. He sighed, marking his page and went to answer the door. He expected it to be Daisuke. He was wrong – for once.
Takeru stood there panting, looking as if he had just run a marathon.
"Takeru what are you doing here?" Ken asked.
"Is Daisuke here?" he gasped out.
Ken shook his head, "No, I haven't seen him since this earlier this afternoon, when he went to see you."
Takeru visibly flinched, "I really need to talk to him."
Ken frowned, "Did something happen?" Takeru nodded and Ken opened the door wider to let the blonde in. "Care to explain?"
Takeru walked in and threw himself onto the couch. "He has no right to even be angry with me! I'm allowed to have a relationship aren't I? Even if it's just for… fun?"
Ken pushed the door but it didn't close, he ignored it, "I take it he found out about you and Tai." He said calmly.
"Yes he –" Takeru stopped his eyes wide, "How did you know?"
Ken shrugged, "I figured it out earlier, when Dai was over." He walked further into the room.
"What do I do Ken?" Takeru asked pathetically, burying his face in his hands.
Neither of them noticed the door being pushed back open.
"What do you mean?"
"I really like Daisuke, but he…" Takeru trailed off with a wave of his hand.
"But I what?" Daisuke said coming up behind Ken.
Well this is cliché. Ken thought to himself. "I'll leave" he said feeling odd while standing between the two, "let you two talk things over." He grabbed his book and made a beeline to his room.
Takeru wasn't looking at Daisuke anymore. He stared determinedly at the carpet.
"What are you doing her Takeru?" Daisuke said repeating Ken's first question as he took a seat next to the blonde.
"I was looking for you." The blonde mumbled.
"Well you found me, or did I find you?"
Takeru rolled his eyes a smile tugging at his lips.
"So, care to explain?" Takeru looked up at him wearily; any hint of a smile falling away, "I mean if you really like me, why were you with Tai?"
"That's complicated." Takeru sighed.
"So uncomplicated it – like you do with everything else." Daisuke pushed.
"I needed someone, and Tai was…willing…because we were in the same situation." Takeru explained.
Daisuke's brow furrowed, "Tai likes me too! Is this like a club for Daisuke lovers, but with sexual activities?"
Takeru laughed, "No Tai likes Matt."
"Oh, good, 'cause I think that would be a little uncomfortable."
"And this isn't?"
Daisuke starred at Takeru, taking in his tousled blonde hair, his round blue eyes, and pale skin. "No." he whispered, "It doesn't have to be."
Confusion swept across the blondes face, "What do you mean?"
Daisuke was never shy, he always barreled right in, and this was no different. The redhead grabbed Takeru's chin, watching his blue eyes widen as he leaned forward. Their lips brushed against each other softly.
There were no sparks or fireworks – it was more than that – a surge of electricity that propelled them into action. Suddenly Takeru was gripping his hair desperately trying to pull the redhead closer, to devour him; and Daisuke grinned against the others lips as he tried to climb into his lab. Takeru was definitely his puzzle piece.
A/N: THE END, unless you all want an epilouge, then i might be able to sqeeze something out.
Review because Death loves you!